Omonia FC nearly held Manchester United to a 0-0 draw on Thursday night and while the team ended up conceding right at the death, they put on a heroic display. None more so than their keeper.
Up until the moment Scott McTominay fired home a 93rd-minute winner, the Red Devils cut a frustrated side for the majority of the game, creating very few real chances given the embarrassment of talent in the matchday squad.
Meanwhile, Omonia goalkeeper Francis Uzoho – a lifelong United fan – had what looked to be the game of his life playing under the lights at Old Trafford.
Even he thought it seemed to suit him and after an incredible performance, he couldn’t hide his joy in an incredibly wholesome and heartfelt post-match interview which has since gone viral.
"It's a dream come true for me!"
Omonia goalkeeper and Manchester United fan Francis Uzoho was delighted with the chance to play at Old Trafford… 🤩
We’re equal parts crying and grinning from ear to ear. We think we might have just found our new favourite footballer and his name is Francis Uzoho.
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The 23-year-old Nigerian keeper admitted that Omonia drawing United in the Europa League was an exciting prospect for him and that getting to play at Theatre of Dreams was “a dream come true”.
Today my dream came through 🙏🏽 Old traford I will never forget tonight ❤️ GGMU ❤️ IN CHRIST ALONE 🙏🏽@ManUtdpic.twitter.com/P3BTuFi209
Perhaps the best part about the whole interview is that after reporter Danny Jamieson asked “was the best performance of your career?”, he simply replied, “arguably, yes”.
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The fact he couldn’t stop smiling the entire time leads us to believe he was more confident in that answer than he was letting on. The match highlights pretty much belong to him.
When asked if he was disappointed with the result he said no and insisted his team “had a great game” and was massively “proud” of his teammates for their incredible effort.
Uzoho made 12 saves throughout the game, including several big ones to deny efforts from Ronaldo, Rashford, Fred and a thunderbolt from Casemiro which he touched on to the bar. For context, of United’s 34 shots, 13 were on target, of which he saved all but the winner.
Let’s have it right: United should have been winning this game anyway and fans will have surely been hoping for more goals. However, man of the match Francis Uzoho made sure it was never easy for them and the only thing we enjoyed more than watching him live out his dream was that post-match interview.
Odds on ten Hag signing this top Red as a backup Ighalo style?
Featured Image — Manchester United (via Twitter)
Sport
Alex Sanderson summons Rudyard Kipling as Sale Sharks scrape into the semi-finals
Danny Jones
Director of Rugby Alex Sanderson referenced the famous Rudyard Kipling after Sale Sharks managed to book their place in the playoffs of this year’s Gallagher Premiership following a nail-biter of a fixture against Exeter Chiefs.
The Sharks sealed their spot in the semi-finals with a 30-26 win over the Chiefs on Saturday night, with a trio of tries, a singular pen and calmness when it came to conversions proving just enough to make it to full time.
Speaking on the narrow score at Sandy Park, Sanderson himself applauded that same composure during his post-match duties, casually quoting Kipling ahead of the next big game.
Writing on social media after nerves had just about settled, the club simply said: “Apologies for raising the heart rate, Sharks Family… but Saturday we go again.”
Beginning with an expression of that same defiant spirit that has seen them across the line on so many occasions, the 45-year-old told TNT Sports, “We got another Monday in us.”
The Sale Sharks coach went on to add: “So if you can keep your head, when everybody else is losing theirs – I think that’s the old Rudyard Kipling poem – you’re in such a better place on the back of that, knowing what we can fix from the Leicester game and what we can do better from today.”
It’s not every day you hear sportsmen calling up the poetic words of the beloved British-India writer, but it certainly impressed plenty of supporters, though Sanderson has always been popular among fans for his candour and charisma in interviews.
Ultimately, it was Rekeiti Ma’asi-White, Bevan Rodd, Luke Cowan-Dickie and George Ford that the Greater Manchester outfit had to thank for the electrifying finish
You can see how much it meant, clear as day…
Not done yet…
Thank you for your support Sharks Family, it’s truly appreciated!
Sale Sharks will now take on Leicester Tigers (who the local side finished just behind in third place following the result against the Chiefs) in the Premiership semis as they look to get revenge for previous painful meetings
Are you feeling hopeful, Sharks Family?
You can see the full highlights from Sale Sharks’ tense victory over the Exeter Chiefs down below.
Alex Sanderson channelled Rudyard Kipling and Sale scrapped like true Sharks.
Luxury Manchester gym Blok confirms permanent closure after weeks of uncertainty
Daisy Jackson
Blok Manchester has announced its permanent closure, weeks after the doors to the premium fitness facility mysteriously closed.
Around a fortnight ago, members began to arrive to their classes to find the gym on Ducie Street locked up and a forfeiture notice on the door – but at the time, Blok said that it was fighting to reopen.
Sadly, in an email sent to members today, its founder has confirmed that the studio is now permanently closed.
Blok – which has several very successful sites down in London – said that its relationship with its landlord has ‘broken down to a point where trust has been lost’.
The gym wrote that it’s been left with ‘no workable way forward’.
They said: “BLOK Manchester was a space built by our loyal and dedicated community. Whether you joined us for one class or one hundred, we are deeply grateful. You helped create something genuinely special in an incredible city.”
In the immediate future, they said they’ll be supporting the team of fantastic trainers who worked here, as well as looking after members.
Members will be contacted within a few hours with options and refunds owed.
Blok Manchester has announced its permanent closure. Credit: The Manc Group
CEO and founder Ed Stanbury said: “While this marks the end of a chapter, we don’t see it as the end of our story in Manchester. We’re already speaking with developers about potential future sites and remain committed to returning to the city when the time is right.
“Thank you for being part of our story so far. Let’s shape the future of wellness. The mission continues.”
Commenting on Blok’s Instagram post – its first in almost a fortnight – people have been sharing their sadness at the closure of its Manchester site.
One person wrote: “beautiful space, beautiful staff and beautiful community.”
Another said: “Sending love to all the instructors !! :(((( gutted”
Someone else commented: “THE BEST CLASSES. I’m gutted.”
Danny Jones -
14th October 2022 
