The first-ever Manchester Derby FA Cup final in history was always going to be an acrimonious affair, but one flare-up fans might not have expected came between midfielders Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva.
Man City took one step closer to winning the treble on Saturday — a feat which would see them equal United’s treasured achievement in 1999 — but at half-time, Bernardo Silva’s derby day mentality was well and truly locked in as the two Portuguese players had a little spat on the pitch.
With the United captain walking up to share a few words with his international teammate as they went to walk down the tunnel, City’s number 20 had no interest in chatting with his compatriot.
In fact, in a moment picked up by the cameras on the day, Bernardo not only did his best to ignore Bruno but even shoved him away when his opposite numbers tried to get his attention.
No wonder Portugal have never been close to winning a World Cup. These lot hate each other.pic.twitter.com/Hyn94tRQO3
Bernardo Silva pushes Bruno Fernandes away as he tries to chat in the middle of the derby.
That’s an icy blue cold shoulder if we’ve ever seen one. Admittedly, Silva looked to have been chatting with the officials and Bruno could have been trying to casually intervene but either way, he wasn’t having any of it.
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Despite apparently having been friends ever since they met in Portugal’s under-18s camp, it’s clear that City star Silva was fully focused on seeing out the result and had no time for pleasantries with the task still at hand.
Moreover, while Fernandes has previously insisted he has “a great relationship with Bernardo” and that the two share regular WhatsApp messages throughout the season, he did admit ahead of that game they “normally don’t speak” until after the full-time whistle these days.
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That being said, it would seem only Silva got the derby day memo this time around and, much like City have been on the pitch for a good five or six seasons now, he chose to remain ruthless and quite literally push his friendship to the side.
Although seeing rival players (often fellow countrymen or ex-teammates) greeting and hugging each other before, during and after a game is much more commonplace these days, it’s still one that split opinion — especially if you’re Roy Keane.
The United legend has previously slammed a number of players from his former club for being far too friendly in the tunnel before going up against each other — including in a Manchester derby not long ago — stating that they need to “cut that” and “just get down the tunnel”.
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Nevertheless, it looks as though the more cutthroat attitude helped the Blues on the day, scoring within 13 seconds to set the tone for the rest of the game.
Pep Guardiola‘s side now only needs to win one more game, the Champions League final against Inter Milan this weekend, to do the treble and put themselves even deeper into the history books than they already are. Regardless, many already believe Pep will go down as the greatest of all time.
Sharing an official update online, the RFL wrote: “Wane, who has led England since February 2020, has taken time to reflect on the programme and believes the timing is right for new leadership to guide the team into the next phase, including the upcoming World Cup.
“During his tenure, Wane oversaw memorable series victories over Tonga in 2023 and a star-studded Samoa a year later, as well as a semi-final in the World Cup. He finishes with 14 wins from 19 matches.”
Crediting him as one of “a very small elite number of coaches to have won the full suite of domestic club honours and achieved World Club Championship success”, hailing his experience and longevity both as a player and as a coach.
As for Wane himself, he said: “It has been the honour of my life to coach England Rugby League over the last six years, but after careful reflection, I believe the time is right to step aside and allow the programme to move forward into its next chapter.
England are on the lookout for a new coach heading into the World Cup after being swept in the Ashes.
Coach Shaun Wane has reportedly resigned from the post after a disappointing 3-0 whitewash against Australia last year.
The 61-year-old ex-pro goes on to add, “The privilege of leading my country in a World Cup, an Ashes Series on home soil and securing victories over Tonga and Samoa will live long in the memory.
“I’m incredibly grateful to all the players, coaches and staff I’ve worked alongside during that time; their commitment and professionalism made those moments possible. I wish everyone involved with England Rugby League the best going forward and for the World Cup later this year.”
According to the latest reports online, St Helens boss Paul Rowley is now said to be the favourite to take over in the interim.
The 2026 Rugby League World Cup is still months away (scheduled to take place in October and November), but the governing body will want to get the new setup and coaching in place as soon as possible to prepare for the tournament.
Manchester City Women finally secure transfer target after months of pursuit
Danny Jones
Manchester City Women’s team have finally secured their long-sought-after new signing, Sam Coffey, after months of courting her.
She is Andrée Jeglertz’s first new addition of the January transfer window.
The American midfielder joins Man City Women on a three-and-a-half year contract after having been with National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) outfit, Portland Thorns, for the best part of four years.
Officially arriving at the Joie Stadium and wider Etihad Campus this week, she will wear the 17 shirt.
Already a well-established US international, the 27-year-old helped her now former team to the playoff semi-finals as club captain last term and has featured in the NWSL’s team of the season for the last four campaigns running.
The club went after her this past summer but was ultimately unable to get an agreement over the line.
Sam Coffey came through the youth academy ranks in New York, going on to play her college football in Boston and then at Penn State before making her full senior debut for the Thorns back in 2022.
Fast coming on 50 caps for her country and having won Olympic Gold and a SheBelieves Cup in 2024, she pulls on the sky blue of Jeglertz’s current league-leading side, having already won silverware.
Man City never hesitate when it comes to bringing in top talents to further increase their title chances, and an acquisition like this could help them stay the course towards their first-ever Women’s Super League (WSL) trophy.
Commenting in an official club statement, Coffey said: “It’s a club with so much history, so much success, so much influence in the city. Manchester is not somewhere I’ve been before, but there’s something about it that I felt I was led to and called to.
You can find her first full interview as a City women’s player down below.
"I'm an all-in kind of girl. You'll get my whole heart and soul." 🙌
She goes on to add: “I think it’s also a place that has just proven its investment in women’s soccer and being a part of this movement that is going on.
“Seeing the facilities, the support the team gets, and all the efforts they’re putting in for the women’s side is such a huge and positive side and something I’m honoured to be a part of.”
City face Bournemouth next in the Women’s FA Cup on Sunday, 18 January, before facing fellow title contenders and serial domestic winners Chelsea in the League Cup next week; it remains to be seen when her first appearance will come.
Danny Jones -
5th June 2023 
