Manchester

Marcus Rashford ‘splits with girlfriend’ after 8 years together

It is reported that Lucia has moved out of the United star's home in Manchester but that things were left 'amicable'.

The Manc The Manc - 16th May 2021

Marcus Rashford has reportedly broken up with his long-term girlfriend Lucia Loi.

The footballer, 23, and Lucia Loi, also 23, are thought to have called it quits earlier this year, according to The Sun. 

Lucia was with Marcus as he made his name with Manchester United and England as they had been dating since high school.

Marcus Rashford Is Trying to End U.K. Child Food Poverty | Time
Manchester United

However, a source told the publication that despite ending things for now, there is still hope that the pair might ‘reconcile’ after some time apart.

A source close to the Manchester United star said: “After eight years together, Marcus and Lucia have made the mutual decision to part ways. 

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“There is a strong mutual love and respect for one another, having met at school, and there is a continued dialogue with the hope of a reconciliation in the future.”

It is reported that Lucia has moved out of the United star’s home in Manchester but that things were left ‘amicable’.

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The pair first started dating in high school, or more specifically at Ashton on Mersey School in Sale, Greater Manchester.

Lucia has been seen supporting Marcus at football games over the years, including during the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

She was also by his side during his recent fight against the government in support of feeding Britain’s starving children – something that he received an MBE for back in October.

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Food redistribution charity, FareShare, teamed up with the star and said donations from the England footballer and his fans have funded more than 21 million meals. 

How Marcus Rashford's campaign to end child food poverty is opening new doors for FareShare - SportsPro Media
FareShare

FareShare handed out the equivalent of 128.5 million meals in the year since March 23 2020 – more than double the number in the previous 12 months. 

However, Marcus’s focus will now be on Manchester United’s Europa League Final game against Villarreal, which takes place on Wednesday 26th May.

Rashford’s performances on the field this year have helped Manchester United secure Champions League football next season.

He’ll also be in the England squad for the Euros, which starts in June of this year.

Manchester

Manchester pasta restaurant The Sparrows has just won a prestigious new Michelin award

Georgina Pellant Georgina Pellant

Two months after it was listed in the prestigious Michelin Guide, Manchester European pasta and dumplings restaurant The Sparrows has been honoured by inspectors once again – this time with a Bib Gourmand.

The restaurant is just one out of 20 restaurants in the UK and Ireland to be awarded the coveted Michelin award, it was revealed yesterday.

The news comes ahead of the announcement of Michelin’s new starred restaurants, which will be unveiled on Monday.

Not quite a star, but most definitely not a consolation prize, the Bib Gourmand is named after Bibendum, the friendly Michelin Man and the official company mascot for the Michelin Group.

Image: The Manc Eats
Image: The Manc Eats

According to Michelin, it is a just-as-esteemed rating that ‘recognizes friendly establishments that serve good food at moderate prices.’

The new rating is definitely something for The Sparrows to be proud of, and another step up from its guide inclusion in January.

Read more: Reviewed: The blink-and-you’ll-miss-it pasta and dumpling restaurant that just made the Michelin Guide

At the time, the guide described it as follows: “Nestled under the railway arches in Manchester’s Green Quarter is a restaurant whose name is (almost) the English translation of the word ‘spätzle’ – which gives some clue as to the style of food on offer here.

“The dumplings and assorted pasta dishes are all made in-house and include excellent pierogi. The focus on Eastern Europe carries through to the wine list, which has a leaning towards Polish wines.”

Image: The Manc Eats
Image: The Manc Eats

Now, it’s sure to have even more customers clamouring at the door.

Loved by locals for its continental pasta and dumplings, gorgeous European wine list and sake collection, The Sparrows in the Green Quarter is something of a hidden gem – tucked in a disused railway arch on Red Bank.

It received rave reviews from local and national critics alike when it first opened in 2019 in a tiny space with room for just 12 covers. Since then, it’s relocated to a bigger home and its following has grown significantly.

Read more: A restaurant in Ancoats is serving up plates of crispy fried squirrel

Front of house is headed up by Polish-born Kasia Hitchcock with her chef partner Franco Concli at the helm in the kitchen.

Plates celebrate Franco’s Tyrolean heritage, with their signature dish spätzle, a rustic fresh egg pasta from which the restaurant takes its name, sitting front and centre.

Feature image – The Manc Eats

Manchester

Busted announce huge 20th anniversary arena tour, including Manchester date

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Busted in Year 3000

Busted have announced a huge new arena tour to celebrate their 20th anniversary and greatest hits.

The comeback tour was finally announced this morning after the trio had teased some big news yesterday, sending their fans into a tailspin.

Busted’s new tour will take them across the UK this September, including a night at the AO Arena on 24 September to wrap up the run of shows.

The group, consisting of James Bourne, Matt Willis and Charlie Simpson, formed back in 2000 and dominated the charts with songs like Year 3000, Air Hostess, and What I Go To School For.

They released two studio albums before splitting in 2005 when drummer Charlie left to focus on rock band Fightstar.

And although Busted did return with two more albums (Night Driver and Halfway There), this latest arena tour announcement has sent fans wild.

Joining Busted on the 20th Anniversary and Greatest Hits Tour will be fellow boyband royalty Hanson, as well as New Hope Club and The Tyne.

The boys will also release a 15-track album featuring new recordings of their biggest hits, including a new version of Loser Kid with Simple Plan.

In a nostalgic video trailer released this morning, Charlie said: “It’s about celebrating what Busted meant to the fans and it’s about us being able to go out and share that experience with them.”

Busted
Busted. Credit: Publicity photo

Frontman Matt added: “I think at the end of the day we just wanna go out and play really f**king cool shows. That’s what I really wanna do.”

Reacting to the announcement, one person wrote: “Not to be dramatic but I’ve waited my whole bloody life for this.”

Another said: “Heart palpitations obsessed as a 8 year old, cried to my local radio when you broke up now 27 with three kids down the line still obsessed still tempted to ring the local radio crying.”

Tickets will go on sale on Friday 31 March.

Busted 20th Anniversary and Greatest Hits tour dates

September 2 – Plymouth, Pavilions
September 3 – Cardiff, International Arena
September 5 – Swansea, Arena
September 6 – Bournemouth, BIC
September 7 – Brighton, Centre
September 9 – Birmingham, Utilita Arena
September 10 – London, The O2
September 12 – Bridlington, Spa
September 15 – Nottingham, Motorpoint Arena
September 16 – Newcastle, Utilita Arena
September 17 – Leeds, First Direct Arena
September 19 – Aberdeen, P&J Live
September 20 – Glasgow, OVO Hydro
September 22 – Liverpool, M&S Bank Arena
September 24 – Manchester, AO Arena

Featured image: YouTube

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