Gary Neville and Noel Gallagher have been enjoying a little bit of a back-and-forth in the build-up to the second consecutive Manchester derby FA Cup final this weekend, and it’s for say the Man United legend’s final word on the matter was a good one.
With Saturday, 25 May set for another derby at Wembley, just the second time it’s happened in the history of the competition, icons and figures close to both clubs have been coming out to get their digs in ahead of the massive fixture.
Speaking to BBC Radio Manchester after Manchester City lifted their fourth Premier League title in a row, Gallagher said, “Gary Neville, at this moment in time, I wonder how he’s feeling”, insisting that his team deserved their record-breaking title and are “the best team in the country”.
While it’s hard for anyone to argue with that last statement, the former fullback turned entrepreneur and pundit showed exactly why he produces so many soundbites on TV, taking aim at how the older Oasis brother left his Manc roots behind a long time ago.
The Salford City co-owner concedes forthrightly that Noel Gallagher has been “a huge part of Manchester history” and its musical legacy, but as he goes on to qualify through an amusingly tight-lipped expression, “he lives in London”.
That face and the hand gesture killed us off, we must admit.
For many of the most vehement fans of the region’s legendary music scene, one of the very few things that can be held against the Oasis boys is that they decided to up-sticks and leave their home for the glittering lights of London shortly after they became a global phenomenon.
As Neville put it rather bluntly: “D’you know what I mean, Noel?”, pun unintended, “Don’t talk about [Manchester], you love in London. You live in Knightsbridge, Hampstead or wherever he lives, you can’t start talking about Manchester. 25 years he’s not been here”.
Gary Neville vs Noel Gallagher has always been a humorous rivalry with plenty of harmless banter.
"It's great to be sat beside a legend of the game, and Gary Neville."
The 49-year-old goes on to jibe that the legendary musician “only comes once a year for that trophy parade, I saw him on Sunday, actually. Honestly…”
While he and brother Liam will always be massive Blues and are heavy favourites to be among those celebrating this weekend, you have to give G Nev this small victory.
‘The Mighty I’ has yet to respond with a comeback but we’re sure he will and we sincerely look forward to hearing what either one of them has to say after full-time on Saturday.
Still, even if Neville’s club do manage to win, at least it’ll only be a short trip home for Noel anyway…
Featured Images — BBC Radio Manchester/Wikimedia Commons/Gary Neville (via X)
Sport
Everton are reportedly already hoping to sign Jack Grealish from Manchester City permanently
Danny Jones
Everton FC are reportedly already considering signing Jack Grealish on a permanent deal after an impressive start to his spell on loan from Manchester City.
The former Aston Villa talisman has struggled to remain in the starting XI under Pep Guardiola since joining the club in 2021, but since arriving on Merseyside, he’s already been a difference-maker in every match for the Toffees thus far.
Grealish has not only registered four assists in just two starts for Everton but also won the very first player of the month award in the Premier League this season for his contributions.
Safe to say he’s fast made a big impact over in Liverpool – hence why it is now thought that manager David Moyes wants to make his transfer permanent.
Becoming just the 10th Toffee to ever win the accolade, the Birmingham-born creator is now thought to be the primary transfer target, despite the summer window having only recently closed.
He writes that despite the deal between Everton and Man City already including a £50 million option to buy next summer, that number is “not fixed and is more a consequence of accounting than a set price.”
The England international still has two years on his contract in the blue half of Manchester, but the previous valuation (which is half the amount City paid for him in a then record fee for a British player), so it is believed that he could be signed for an even better cut-price offer as his deal runs down.
Put it this way, it looks like the supporters would do just about anything to keep him at the Hill Dickinson.
Jack Grealish giving his shirt to an Everton fan after their brilliant win away at Wolves today.
Bascombe goes on to explain, however, that his salary considerations could be a significant obstacle. Grealish is estimated to be earning approximately £12m a year, which is almost certainly too rich for Everton’s blood.
Taking that into account, it’d be a case of whether or not the Brummy forward would be willing to accept a much lower wage to depart the Etihad Stadium for Everton long-term; alternatively, waiting for him to become a free agent in a few transfer windows’ time would also be an option.
What about you, Blues: would you like to see Jack Grealish stay and fight for his place under Guardiola, or would you understand/support him making his Everton permanent?
Interestingly, there could be yet more shuffling of the pack in the middle of the park for Pep, as a forgotten man is apparently going to be given another chance to revive his City career…
Kalvin Phillips is reportedly set to be reintegrated into the Manchester City squad
Danny Jones
Long-exiled Manchester City player Kalvin Phillips is reportedly on the verge of being reintegrated into Pep Guardiola’s squad this season.
The ex-Leeds United star, who signed for the Blues back in 2022, has still only made just 16 appearances for the club, but could now be eyeing up a potential renaissance.
Man City have made plenty of signings this year, but with a number of outgoings and several injuries in key positions, it looks like there could be an avenue for the one-time England international to fight his way back into the team.
As per Telegraph Sport‘s Mike McGrath, Kalvin Phillips is set to be reintroduced to City’s 25-man Premier League selection; the question is, can he make it into a first-team XI?
🚨 EXCLUSIVE: Kalvin Phillips has chance to resurrect career at the Etihad Stadium after failed loan spells with Ipswich and West Ham
According to McGrath, Phillips will be “given a chance to resurrect his career at the Etihad Stadium” with the meat and potatoes of the 2025/26 campaign still yet to get properly underway.
Now 29, the Yorkshireman is well and truly within the crucial ‘prime’ years as an athlete, and after such an extended period on the sidelines, he’ll be more motivated than anyone to get his career back on track.
The central defensive midfielder – who was formerly considered a key cog in the middle of the park for Leeds – has spent two loan spells away from the Etihad, but neither really worked out for the undeniably talented footballer.
Having joined West Ham for the latter portion of the 23/24 term and spending the last 12 months on loan at struggling Ipswich Town, his time at both clubs was pretty forgettable, punctuated by little more than a couple of unfortunate red cards and more time on the bench.
Speaking to Sky Sports fairly recently, he confessed that the last couple of years have been very difficult and was visibly emotional discussing his struggles since moving to Man City.
It’s also worth noting that Guardiola himself has admitted to feeling “so bad” for Kalvin Phillips’ situation – perhaps why he now looks like he could be given a second chance.
CDM-wise, Rodri and Nico González are considered the go-to options, but Stockport-born Rico Lewis and Mateo Kovačić have also been used in the role.
Once again, although Man City face somewhat of an injury crisis ahead of the Manchester derby this weekend, any prolonged absences could at least see an opportunity arise for the forgotten man.
What do you make of Kalvin Phillips’ chances of being restored to the Manchester City squad and maybe even putting himself back into national team contention ahead of the World Cup?
Danny Jones -
24th May 2024 
