Manchester City have officially unveiled their new home kit for the 2024/25 season and it’s safe to say the central feature has left fans divided.
Dropping shirt fresh from having taken control of this year’s title race going into the final day of the Premier League this weekend, with a record-breaking four in a row now looking more likely than ever, you could argue there’s no better time to reveal how they look while defending the trophy next season.
However, amongst the supporters – be they Blue or otherwise – it seems that a lot of people have been left torn over one key, defining detail on City‘s new home shirt.
Yes, as you can see, although not much has changed on the kit made by Puma and it’s still very much sky-blue, the design of Man City’s 24/25 home shirt revolves almost entirely around the number 0161.
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Designating the area code for Manchester phone numbers and having become a shorthand for the city for as long as we can remember, while it may be a recognised bit of slang predominantly used by the younger generation, it isn’t one that everyone necessarily likes.
Think of people who hate it when anyone says ‘Manny‘.
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As always with new football shirts, the debate is split right down the middle; plenty of fans are labelling it “cold” and saying “what a beautiful kit”, others are saying they “hate it” or find it “cringe”, and a very big chunk lie somewhere in the middle – or “mid”, to quite many of the comments from youngsters.
Honestly, the further you scroll the less it seems like there’s a consensus on this one.
Just a handful of the varying reactions to City’s divisive new home kit. (Credit: X)
Naturally, a lot of people have simply quipped “Same every year” and others just seem to have grown tired of Manchester clubs calling on ‘tired’ emblems and references like 0161.
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Featuring not only the new collar but also the cuffs of the sleeves and obviously being central to the launch advert and their entire marketing strategy, the angle doesn’t chime with everyone.
Local fan Charlie told us: “I’m personally not a massive fan of it. I understand they’re trying to connect with the youth a bit more and almost mix it with street culture, but it just seems super tacky”.
Another lifelong Blue added: “I don’t think it looks as bad as the leaks made out now I’ve seen it on but I still think the constant pandering to MCR is cringe from both [City and United]. If they have to do it just keep it on the third shirt, even though you can’t actually see the 0161 that much.
They really hammered it home by getting Manc rapper Mike ‘Tays’ Taylor (known as Tays MCR online) to write a whole song themed around the number 0161 for the kit launch, though the reception to the song and the video itself has been largely positive.
The 24/25 City home shirt is available to buy online and in stores now.
Personally, we don’t mind the whole 0161 thing over here at The Manc and, let’s be honest, most footy kits don’t change that much year on year, do they?
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Yes, it might not be hugely different or distinct from previous years under Puma but, as many have also written in the comments, they still probably end up going and buying it anyway.
What do you make of Man City’s new home kit for next season?
Casemiro is leaving Manchester United at the end of the season
Danny Jones
Manchester United player Casemiro has confirmed that he will be leaving the club when his contract expires at the end of the season.
The veteran CDM and European footballing legend joined Man United back in 2022 for around £70 million from his former team, Real Madrid, where he won everything over the best part of a decade.
Now, Old Trafford fan favourite ‘Cas’ (full name, Carlos Henrique José Francisco Venâncio Casimiro) is set to leave United following the expiration of his current and highly lucrative deal this summer.
Announcing his pending departure in an emotional video, the seasoned Brazilian midfielder admitted that he feels the time is right to leave the club – but not before giving his “everything” in the remainder of the current campaign.
Writing in the caption of the social media post, Casemiro said: “Knowing when stages come to an end. Knowing when to say goodbye when you feel that you will be remembered and respected forever.
“Four months to give my all for this badge and for our goal. Eternal respect and affection for Manchester United and its wonderful fans. Forever Red Devil.”
Responding underneath the partnered post, the club simply wrote: “Once a Red, always a Red.”
Now 33 years old and already being accused of being ‘over the hill’ even when he first landed in Manchester, Casemiro had an impressive first season under Erik ten Hag and quickly became a crucial cog in the squad; arguably, overly relied upon, some would say.
On the other hand, given his age and the fast pace of English football, it’s fair to say he’s done well to keep up with the most competitive league on the planet.
He is also one of the well-paid talents in the Premier League, so while the majority of supporters will be gutted to see him go, the board will still be relieved to see his estimated £350,000-a-week wages taken off the books.
Nevertheless, he is now regularly subbed off around the hour mark for Man United, and it’s not exactly a surprise that he is now preparing to move on. INEOS and their recruitment already look to be searching for reinforcements in the middle of the park.
They are looking to bolster their options as they chase down Champions League qualification
Bringing a wealth of experience and leadership to ten Hag, Ruben Amorim, and now Michael Carrick‘s setup for what’s left of the 2025/26 term, he’s a big presence that will no doubt be missed in the dressing room and on the pitch.
Having scored 21 times in 146 games so far, he will finish the season with more than a century of appearances, and we wouldn’t be surprised if you see him chip in with a few more goals before hanging up his red shirt.
Besides being a serial throughout pretty much the rest of his career, the midfield remains a key point of contention at United, and his departure will no doubt mean more talent will need to be brought in at least by the summer.
You can see more of his farewell announcement video down below.
💬 “I will always carry this club with me. I will always be a Manchester United fan.”
Manchester City are reimbursing fans who travelled to watch their defeat against Bodo/Glimt
Danny Jones
A bunch of Manchester City players are preparing to refund fans who travelled to watch the shock defeat against Bodo/Glimt earlier this week.
In case you missed the surprising score, Man City were on the end of a very unexpected result against the Eliteserien side, losing 3-1 in what was the club’s first-ever win in the Champions League.
More than that, it was also the first time a Norwegian team had won in the competition in nearly two decades, making it a historic night for the nation, albeit one to forget for the Blues.
Following the European upset, as a gesture of goodwill towards supporters, select members of the squad from Pep Guardiola’s so-called leadership group have now pledged to cover the trip made by the dedicated away fans, from the match ticket itself to travel costs.
JUST IN: Manchester City's players are reimbursing fans who watched their Champions League defeat against Bodo/Glimt.
They are covering the cost of match tickets for game which Pep Guardiola's side lost 3-1 🚨
The message from City stars is as follows: “Our supporters mean everything to us. We know the sacrifice that our fans make when they travel across the world to support us home and away, and we will never take it for granted.
“We also recognise that it was a lot of travelling for the fans who supported us in the freezing cold throughout a difficult evening for us on the pitch. Covering the cost of these tickets for the fans who travelled to Bodo is the least we can do.”
Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias, Rodri and Scandinavian native Erling Haaland, who had a less-than-ideal return to his home country on Tuesday night, are said to be the individuals covering the fees
As per multiple reports, the figure is said to be just under £10k – approximately £9,357 spread across a total of 374 matchgoers, to be specific.
While the club and the players, specifically, have been praised by plenty for what many have labelled as a ‘classy move’, some are suggesting that the statement actually signals the opposite regarding their opponents, who shone on the night.
Scoring twice in quick succession midway through the first half before bagging the third and ultimately decisive goal in the 58th minute, it could have been four or five.
Bodo/Glimt had moments ruled offside and hit the woodwork in both halves.
Despite City pulling one back and showing promise of getting back in the game through Rayan Cherki, that momentum was quickly crushed when the aforementioned and only recently returning, Rodri, was sent off after a second yellow around the hour mark.
Following the arguably equally unexpected blow in the Manchester derby last weekend, it’s been a tough few days for the players and fans alike, but they still stand a chance of beating Arsenal to the Premier League title this season.
You can see the highlights from the Bodo/Glimt vs Man City game here.
Danny Jones -
16th May 2024 
