After what had been described as a “serious water leak” occurring in the early hours of yesterday morning due to a burst water main, Oxford Road – near the University of Manchester and the Manchester Royal Infirmary – is currently closed both directions between Booth Street West and Grafton Street.
United Utilities first confirmed it was investigating a leak on one of the city’s busiest roads at around 5.30am on Wednesday morning, before declaring a “major incident”.
Lloyd Street North was also closed, but has since reopened.
GMP City Centre said in a tweet posted at 5.40am: “Oxford Road is closed in both directions between Booth Street West and Grafton Street outside the University due to a serious water leak, causing major flooding on the road.”
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A second tweet later added: “Lloyd Street North is closed between Denmark Road and Burlington Street due to serious flooding on the road.”
Road Closed – Oxford Road is closed in both directions between Booth Street West and Grafton Street outside the University due to a serious water leak, causing major flooding on the road. Sgt K pic.twitter.com/upZ6yI7tjm
Those travelling into the city centre over the next week are encouraged to stay away from area, and seek alternative routes.
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A series of initial and follow-up statements were also made by Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS), and the University of Manchester, and Manchester City Council on the incident, as well as Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), Stagecoach and First Manchester regarding subsequent diversions, delays, and cancellations of public transport services.
Here’s everything we know so far.
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What is United Utilities saying?
After it some houses and properties in Manchester were left without water, and many with low water pressure as a result of the burst main, a spokesperson for United Utilities said: “Water supplies were fully restored this morning and our engineers are now in the process of excavating the burst water pipe so that we can repair it [and] we will be working through the night and the pipe itself should be fixed later tomorrow.
“We are in discussions with the council highways department about the wider repairs to the road.
“We are planning to work extended hours, seven days a week, to get the damage repaired as quickly as possible so that the road can be reopened. At this stage we believe that could take until the end of next week.
“We are also providing full support to the university so that any flooded buildings can recover as soon as possible.
“We would like to thank everyone for their continued patience and understanding.”
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⚠ You may have noticed that there is poor water pressure, or no water at all in #Manchester 💧 Our team of engineers are on route to repair a leak on Oxford Road ⏰ We'll keep you updated here https://t.co/cBOdOkadp8 Thanks for your patience! pic.twitter.com/eG4tkanUJP
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) took to Twitter yesterday morning to say it is part of a “multi-agency response” to the incident.
“This morning we’re part of a multi-agency response to a large burst water main on Oxford Road, Manchester. There is a lot of localised flooding and damage to the road [and] there will be substantial traffic disruption this morning due to road closures so avoid the area,” the tweet read.
A follow-up tweet later said: “Our resources have now left the scene of the Oxford Road incident where they have been supporting partner agencies and carrying out salvage operations at affected buildings.
“Road closures remain in place.”
This morning we're part of a multi-agency response to a large burst water main on Oxford Road, Manchester. There is a lot of localised flooding and damage to the road. There will be substantial traffic disruption this morning due to road closures so avoid the area. https://t.co/nUknSrAOt0
— Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service (@manchesterfire) September 22, 2021
What is Manchester City Council saying?
A spokesperson for Manchester City Council said: “This incident was incredibly disruptive and we appreciate the patience shown by the public today as it was brought under control.
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“United Utilities have indicated that the water main will be repaired by Thursday morning. After this is complete the council will be able to fully assess the extent of the damage caused to the road surface and the ground below it and organise repairs.
“A definitive repair timescale will be set out soon once this has taken place.
“Until then, diversions are in place for traffic to avoid further disruption and a single footpath has been reopened for the public.”
What is the University of Manchester saying?
The University of Manchester took to Twitter with an initial acknowledgement of the incident shortly after it occurred yesterday morning, urging people to “avoid the area”.
Although it is not known how much damage has been caused, GMFRS later said a number of the university’s buildings were flooded and several remained behind a police cordon on Wednesday evening.
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Much of the area is also covered in mud and silt from where the flood water has drained away.
UofM said a clean-up operation is “well underway”, but that most of the buildings that were closed, including the Alan Gilbert Learning Commons, the John Owens Building for swipe card access only, the Students’ Union and Academy, Stephen Joseph Studio, Mansfield Cooper Building and Whitworth Hall.
The Samuel Alexander Building will be closed until at least Friday.
In an update sent to students yesterday, UofM said: “Our thanks to you for your patience and to those of you who have shared these updates with your friends and colleagues.
“We are grateful to the emergency services and United Utilities engineers who have been working incredibly hard alongside our professional services, cleaning and security staff, and student ambassadors.”
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A further update from UofM is expected this afternoon.
UPDATE: Following this morning’s flooding incident on Oxford Road we are pleased to report that the flow of water has been stopped and a clean-up operation is now well underway.
The Oxford Road diversion is Moss Lane East, Lloyd Street North, Higher Cambridge Street, Booth Street West and vice versa.
The Dover Street diversion is; Upper Brook Street, Anson Road, Dickenson Road, Wilmslow Road, Moss Lane East, Lloyd Street North, Higher Cambridge Street, and Booth Street West.
Information on affected bus services can be found on the TfGM website.
Featured Image – Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS)
News
Manchester United announce record revenue despite on-pitch struggles
Danny Jones
Manchester United have declared a record revenue figure for the full 2025 fiscal term, even with their poor performances on the pitch over the past 12 months.
They may still be a continually struggling Premier League side who seem to be in a perpetual state of transition, but they remain nothing short of a global giant in terms of sporting brands.
Yes, despite Man United recording two of the worst finishes in domestic history in the previous two campaigns and head coach Ruben Amorim having already overseen the worst start to a top-flight season in the modern era following the defeat on derby day, the football club has reached a monetary milestone.
According to their official reports for the fourth and final quarter of the financial year, they brought in a record-breaking £666.5 million throughout 2024/25 – but, as always, it’s more complicated than that.
"There are some tough decisions to be made"
BREAKING: Manchester United have announced record revenues for 2024/25 of £666.5m – but the club still made an overall loss of £33m 🚨 pic.twitter.com/jlQS7SMjJ8
Released on Wednesday, 17 September, Manchester United PLC confirmed that they had managed to record the biggest revenue figures on several fronts despite crashing out of the Europa League, finishing 15th in the table overall and failing to secure a place in any European competition this season.
The first half of Amorim‘s tenure at Old Trafford saw the club’s worst competitive placing since 1973/74, a.k.a. the last time the Red Devils were relegated from the first division.
Nevertheless, a fresh shirt sponsorship agreement with Snapdragon, new brand partnerships with the likes of Coca-Cola, an extension of their contract with travel experience company, SportsBreaks, and numerous other deals saw United achieve a record commercial revenue of £333.3m.
Elsewhere, match revenue was also up and reached new heights, tallying approximately £160.3m in the 12 months leading up to 30 June 2025 – the most they have ever registered when it comes to ticket sales, concessions, and other transactions in and around game days.
Although this number is a reduction of more than 70.8% what they lost last year (£113.2m), there is still plenty of concern among supporters over how money is still not only being spent but moved around.
Co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the INEOS board did pay sizeable chunks of MUFC’s debt, which has piled up at an alarming rate in the two decades since the Glazer takeover, but there has still been plenty of borrowing.
In addition to a number of shorter-term loans, there has also been an increased level of amortisation and significant transfer spending this summer, despite being admittedly cash-strapped.
As well as actually having less money to play with over the past 12 months, they are also set to receive less in TV rights and broadcasting revenues this season due to not making it into any European competition, hence why they went on a post-season Asian tour to try and make up for funds lost.
It’s estimated that the business earned a further £8 million from these games, but it’s also worth noting that significant sums have been spent not only on new signings but also on severance fees and redundancy packages, so it’s hard to assess how much this extra injection helped with the fine margins.
While it's good to see that we're paying down our long-term debts, I'm a bit worried about how the club have maybe over-leveraged short-term borrowings. Debt restructure needed imo. pic.twitter.com/LQuUdbzK1h
Divisive CEO and former City Football Group exec, Omar Berrada, wrote in the comments section of the full findings and financial report: “As we settle into the 2025/26 season, we are working hard to improve the club in all areas.
“On the field, we are pleased with the additions we have made to our men’s and women’s first team squads over the summer, as we build for the long term. Off the field, we are emerging from a period of structural and leadership change with a refreshed, streamlined organisation equipped to deliver on our sporting and commercial objectives.”
He adds: “We are also investing [in upgrading] our infrastructure, including completion of the £50m redevelopment of our men’s first team building at Carrington, on time and on budget, following prior investment in our women’s team facilities, to create a world-class environment for our players and staff.
“Meanwhile, planning continues to meet our ambition of developing a new stadium at Old Trafford as part of a transformational regeneration of the surrounding community.
Total Manchester United revenue may be up but they’re about to shell out seismic outlay for their new stadium costs.
Berrada signs off by insistig that for the club to have “generated record revenues during such a challenging year for the club demonstrates the resilience which is a hallmark of Manchester United.
“Our commercial business remains strong as we continue to deliver appealing products and experiences for our fans, and best-in-class value to our partners.”
“As we start to feel the benefits of our cost reduction programme, there is significant potential for improved financial performance, which will, in turn, support our overriding priority: success on the pitch.”
What do you make of Manchester United’s 2024/25 annual report and how it fits into the wider picture/struggles elsewhere around the club?
FIFA confirm new changes to international breaks – and many fans are divided
Danny Jones
Global sporting body FIFA have announced new changes to the annual football calendar and the ever-divisive international breaks, specifically.
It’s fair to say that not everyone is in agreement over the update to what many fans and even players already find a frustrating format.
Put simply, FIFA have revealed that they will be merging the traditional September and October breaks into one extended period of international football from 2026 onwards.
Once again, although the decision has been met with plenty of support, it has also faced just as much, if not potentially even more, resistance.
That's well better. Always thought instead of having 3 short international breaks in autumn we'd be better off having one long one
As detailed by multiple outlets following full confirmation on Monday, 13 September, footy fans are now looking at a combined 16 days of watching national teams in World Cup qualifiers and other fixtures.
While other clubs further down the footballing pyramid will still be able to watch their team, supporters of Premier League sides and several other divisions will see domestic action cease for roughly three weeks when taking into account rest days between international and club fixtures
Besides incorporating more teams into this year’s World Cup (now a 48-team affair) and the still relatively recent advent of the Nations League – which UEFA introduced in the hopes of creating more interest in the much-maligned international breaks – this is one of the biggest changes in some time.
At present, there are typically four breaks: September, October, November and March/April – not including major tournaments themselves.
One criticism of this format has been the stop-start consequence it has on club football, and indeed, struggling to create any real momentum and/or excitement, as well as the impact on form it sometimes has on players both away on national team duty and when they get back to their clubs.
I suppose it’s better than having two different breaks in Sept and the October, and the stop start nature of the club season.
Another big concern these breaks have always been met with is the added risk of fatigue and injury.
Despite being athletes who regularly train to remain at the peak of their physical fitness, the increasingly congested fixture calendar – particularly for those playing in England, with multiple cup competitions, the prospect of European football AND no break over Christmas – continues to push bodies to the limit.
Once again, these new changes to international breaks won’t come into effect until next year, but there are plenty of pros and cons that professionals and supporters alike will continue to debate until the new schedule is implemented.
The Manc -
23rd September 2021 
