It seemed like the whole world was watching when Cristiano Ronaldo walked out for his second Manchester United debut on Sunday.
The Portugal captain recently completed a sensational move back to his former club in what was arguably the biggest footballing news of the year, and millions of Manchester United fans around the world couldn’t contain their excitement.
He officially walked out in red at Old Trafford on Saturday (11 September) and to the delight of 76,000 fans, bagged a brace in United’s 4-1 win against Newcastle.
His goals sent United fans across the country into a frenzy, with hundreds of videos going viral online of people celebrating in pubs, living rooms and even on the street – many of which were imitating the number 7’s famous ’SIUUU’ celebration.
The ’SIUUU’ is basically what Ronaldo screams as he leaps in the air and spins around before landing on his feet, it started at Real Madrid, and technically just means “YESSS” – but it has since caught on as one of the most iconic goal celebrations in the sport.
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Ronaldo performs the SIUUU during Newcastle // Provided
United fans have adopted the celebration, including one particular fan from North Manchester, who will never forget the Newcastle game for very different reasons.
Michael Mooney from Newton Heath, which is coincidentally the original home of the Red Devils, went to the game on Saturday, but it’s what happened on Sunday night while watching the highlights that will forever live in his memory.
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While having a few beers with his mates and reminiscing in front of the match highlights, Michael leapt to his feet and imitated the SIUUU celebration. Unfortunately, he landed funny, and planted his knee directly into a pint glass on the floor which severed the tendons in his knee.
Michael lost all feeling in his lower leg and foot and paramedics were quickly on the scene. Fearing that he may lose his leg if they don’t act fast, the paramedics stretchered him out of the house and rushed him to hospital.
Michael’s status on Facebook shortly after the incident // FacebookMichael’s status on Facebook after the surgery // Facebook
The images of his knee are truly awful, and while we contemplated including them in the piece, we’ve opted against it. Honestly, they belong on rotten.com.
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Speaking to The Manc, Michael said: “The glass severed all the tendons and muscles in my knee but after surgery I had a brace put on and started to regain the feeling back in my toes and leg.
“This meant that doctors were able to push everything back into place and reconnect the tendons so I didn’t lose my leg, thank god!
“Hopefully I’ll be back home for the game tonight – viva Ronaldo!”.
In true Manc spirit, Michael – or Mooney to his mates – was recorded being stretchered out of the house shortly after the accident, while shouting “VIVA RONALDO”. Brilliant… get well soon Mooney!
The Red Devils are in Switzerland for their opening game of this season’s Champions League tonight – but we’re hoping Michael stays seated if he’s watching it.
The match will be televised on BT Sport 2 with coverage starting at 5pm.
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Sportsbet.io Tour Championship 2026: Manchester welcomes some of snooker’s best
Danny Jones
This Monday marks the start of the World Snooker Tour’s 2026 Sportsbet.io Tour Championship, which is back in Manchester once again– and there are some big names on show.
Returning to our city for a third consecutive time, this year’s Tour Championships began at 1pm, with the likes of world number one Judd Trump playing some of the opening frames against Northern Ireland’s Mark Allen, along with Barry Hawkins taking on 2026 World Open winner, Thepchaiya Un-Nooh.
These are just the first two opening fixtures in what is set to be an eventful week-long tournament that will span a total of 19 matches, concluding in the final on Sunday, 5 April.
Hosted once again over at Manchester Central, this elite field of in-form players is basically only missing Ronnie O’Sullivan, who the aforementioned Thai tour start beat in last week’s final.
Only the top 12 players from this season’s highly competitive rankings earned a place in the draw, so all pretty much all the greats and the next generation are shooting for the title.
Defending champions John Higgins – a four-time world champion – will be breaking off against Mark Williams on Tuesday, 31 March.
Meanwhile, other names on the schedule of play include World Champion Zhao Xintong, Mark Selby (who Higgins beat in Manchester last year), Shaun Murphy, Neil Robertson and Mark Allen.
Put simply, this isn’t just another big sporting event landing in our city centre, but a showcase of some of the very best talent in the discipline.
With tickets starting from just £25, these games are also some of the most affordable premium sports you can enjoy in central Manchester.
Better still, it’s also worth noting that the official Fanzone over in the foyer of the venue is open to all, even without a ticket.
There’s completely free coaching for players of all ages, interactive games, and even the chance to try a proper full-sized professional table – a perfect day out for the Easter school holidays.
The event itself is being aired on Channel 5, but if you’re interested in going along to see the action up close and personal, you can grab your seats right HERE.
Featured Images — Press shot (supplied via Manchester Central)/The Manc Group
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The Oldham Man and The Sea: the documentary about the Latics owner’s record-breaking Atlantic voyage
Danny Jones
It doesn’t matter if you’re not an Athletic fan or native to the borough; we think everyone should go along to watch the much-anticipated documentary about football club owner Frank Rothwell and his record-breaking journey across the Atlantic Ocean: The Oldham Man And The Sea.
One of the simplest and most satisfying names for a film we’ve heard in a long time.
For anyone who doesn’t know about the Oldham Athletic FC chairman turned OBE’s incredible story, Frank Rothwell has set multiple records with his impressive sea-faring feats in recent times.
This new doc, which just premiered at this year’s Manchester Film Festival, charts his latest trip across one of the biggest bodies of water on the planet in March 2024.
As you can see from the recent trailer, it’s almost as arduous a tale as the original Hemingway story.
This movie – produced by Journeyman Pictures and Chief Productions – made its full debut at the Odeon in Great Northern Warehouse for MFF 2026, and is set to have a number of other screenings in and around Greater Manchester in the coming weeks and months.
One of those is happening rather soon, in fact, over at Saddleworth’s Millgate Arts Centre on Saturday, 28 March, which is ideal for those local to the region; grab your tickets now.
ln fact, there’s also one happening even closer to his hometown the following month, with Oldham’s very own Queen Elizabeth Hall also hosting a special screening of Rothwell’s incredible achievement.
You can reserve your seats for that one right HERE.
Having not only become the eldest (70) Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge finisher back in 2021, but now holding the Guinness World Record for the oldest person to ever complete the crossing while rowing solo at 73 years old, he’s become nothing short of a local hero – and that’s just his stewardship of the Latics…
The film does, obviously, touch on his time at the helm of the League Two side, who finally returned to the EFL last June, but the heart and soul of this inspiring watch is the sail itself.
More importantly, it also documents not just the gruelling nature of the 64-day, seven-hour and 53-minute trek, but also how Frank has now helped raise more than £1.4 million on behalf of Alzheimer’s Research UK.
What an absolute icon.
Hopefully, this should be just about all the reason you need to watch The Oldham Man And The Sea the very next opportunity you get to do so – and, of course, all proceeds from ticket sales will also be going to charity, because just the kind of bloke he is.
And here’s hoping we get a streaming version sometime soon.
The Manc -
14th September 2021 
