BBC News has been forced to issue an on air apology after viewers noticed the words ‘Manchester United are rubbish’ appear on the live feed.
It’s certainly not something you see every day, but earlier on this afternoon, as thousands of people right across the UK tuned in to watch the 24-hour BBC News channel, an unusual update was posted on the live news ticker while the presenter was running through the highlights and talking points from the ongoing Roland Garros tennis tournament in Paris.
Hidden among the actual news headlines of the day were the hard-hitting words “Manchester United are rubbish”.
“Weather rain everywhere,” was another one of the odd updates.
Given that these followed updates from legitimate news stories such as the rising tensions with the Partygate scandal and the Sue Gray report, many viewers just presumed that their eyes must have been deceiving them and went over to BBC iPlayer to watch it again.
Others took to social media to check if anyone else had seen it too.
In what is a now-viral tweet that has racked up thousands of likes and retweets, TV critic and broadcaster Scott Bryan said: “Errrr… what is going on with the BBC News ticker?”
Other rival football fans understandably “couldn’t believe their eyes”, and took to social media to poke as much fun at the situation as they possibly could.
One person tweeted: “And people say the BBC don’t present factual news anymore”, while another added: “Even BBC News know how bad Manchester United are”, and a third hilariously said: “Legendary. That would go straight onto my CV and website if it was my ‘mistake’.”
“I’m a United fan and it gave me a good laugh. We have indeed been rubbish, BBC News,” another conceded.
After word of the mishap clearly got out and began to spread online, the BBC then made an on air apology to any Manchester United fans they may have “offended”.
The BBC News presenter said: “Just while we’re on the subject of football, a little earlier, some of you may have noticed something pretty unusual on the ticker, that runs along the bottom of the screen with news, making a comment about Manchester United.
“I hope that Manchester United fans weren’t offended by it, let me just explain what was happening.”
UPDATE: BBC News have apologised.
They say that a trainee was learning how to write text for the ticker and accidentally published them onto the BBC News Channel. pic.twitter.com/OkjPIkJAoo
BBC News blamed the error on a trainee, who was “learning to use” the feature.
The news presenter continued: “Behind the scenes, someone was training how to use the ticker and how to put text on the ticker. They were just writing random things, not in earnest, that comment appeared.
“So apologies if you saw that and you were offended and you are a fan of Manchester United.
“But certainly, that was a mistake and it wasn’t meant to be on the screen, that was what happened.
“We just thought we better explain that to you.”
Featured Image – BBC News
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Oldham Athletic sign manager Micky Mellon’s son, Michael, on loan for the season
Danny Jones
Oldham Athletic FC have signed boss Micky Mellon’s son, Michael Mellon, on loan just in time for deadline day.
The legendary Scottish manager has been with Oldham since October 2023 (the first Greater Manchester club on his impressive pyramid-spanning CV), and helped them return to the football league after 34 years.
He’s already a bit of an EFL legend, boasting a staggering nine promotions with seven different teams, so there are few decisions he could make that would displease most supporters, even if there may or may not be a slight whiff of nepotism in the eyes of some.
Once again, the majority couldn’t care less, especially in a sport where the romantics amongst us imagine even the slightest hint of talent dripping down the bloodline; either way, fan favourite Micky’s son, Michael, has joined the Latics on loan for 2025/26.
Officially announced on Monday, 1 September, with just hours left of deadline day, 21-year-old Michael Mellon joins Oldham Athletic on a temporary deal as the Greater Manchester side looks to inject more goals into their recently promoted squad.
Confirmed as the 14th signing so far this summer – many of those coming in the form of free agents picked up on their way out of the National League – the young centre-forward began his career as part of the Manchester United academy.
Going on to join Burnley at 16, Mellon has gone on to be considered one of the brightest prospects among the Clarets’ academy, and will be hoping to get more even minutes this term.
They also teased his signing in one of the most silly but satisfying transfer reveal videos we’ve seen during this transfer window.
Mellon Jr has enjoyed loan spells at Morecambe, Dundee United, fellow local outfit Stockport County and Bradford City since joining his parent club back in 2019 – having spent the most time with the Shrimps, where he scored his first professional hat-trick in a 4-1 win over Wimbledon in 23/24.
Scoring 15 times in 27 appearances for them, he was recalled by Burnley back in January 2024, but is now set to be given the nod in his father’s senior team. Commenting on Oldham signing his son, Micky Mellon’s reponse was this: “We believe we’ve brought in a striker who is different to the ones we’ve got.
“Michael has always been a goalscorer – yes, he’s my son, but we’ve brought him in to help us win games of football and that’s the sole reason. He’s physical, technically very good and has the ability to put the ball in the back of the net.
“He’s had a bit of a tough time with injury lately, but he looks like he’s grown through that, and we can get the best version of Michael. He had a lot of interest, but he believes Oldham [Athletic] is the best place for him to play his football this season.
“He’s seen what Boundary Park is like when it’s full and roaring, the decision has been his to make, and he’s picked Oldham.” Excited by this one, Owls?
🗣️ Michael always knew where he wanted to play his football this season. #oafc
Featured Images — Oldham Athletic via X/TNT Sports Football (screenshot via YouTube)
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Éderson to leave after the Etihad after eight years ahead of Donnarumma joining Manchester City
Danny Jones
It looks like Éderson Moraes’ time at Manchester City has finally come to an end, as the long-serving goalkeeper is set to leave the Etihad Stadium after eight years, with heavily rumoured new signing Gianluigi Donnarumma joining in his place.
In what has turned out to be a late twist in the transfer window, Brazilian shot-stopper Éderson has reportedly agreed personal terms with Fenerbahçe SK following the two clubs striking a late and permanent deal.
Simultaneously, following plenty of speculation over his next destination this summer – having been courted by both Premier League clubs in Manchester, as well as serial spenders Chelsea – ‘Gigi’ Donnarumma is preparing to don the sky blue of Man City.
It also still begs the question of who is going to be the number one under Pep Guardiola…
32-year-old Éderson was strongly expected to leave before deadline day, though it was reported he was most likely bound for fellow Turkish giants and current Süper Lig champions, Galatasaray.
However, an agreement was never reached, and now their rivals have got their hands on his gloves and his signature for around £12 million.
The ex-Benfica keeper had also been linked with a possible return to Portugal, as well as attracting interest from multiple Saudi clubs over the last 12 months or so, as his place in Pep‘s first-choice XI has become increasingly less secure.
Conversely, he is expected to drop straight into Fenerbahçe’s starting lineup and is set to sign a three-year deal worth around €8 million a year before add-ons.
Meanwhile, Man City are set to pay Paris Saint-Germain approximately £43.2m for Donnrumma, who is set to undergo his medical in Manchester on Monday afternoon (1 September).
🚨 Paris Saint-Germain maintain expectation Gianluigi Donnarumma will join Manchester City on #DeadlineDay. #MCFC want #PSG goalkeeper & Ederson will only be allowed to seal proposed €14m #Fenerbahce move if 26yo Italy international arrives @TheAthleticFChttps://t.co/X7RsLnSeSA
Still aged just 26 after breaking into the senior AC Milan squad when he was just 16, the PSG keeper and Italian number one has already won plenty in his career, including Euro 2020 and the Champions League last season.
With Éderson leaving City as a serial winner, the club would be hard-pressed to pick up another keeper of his calibre, with such experience and with time still on his side.
The full details of his contract are yet to be disclosed, but you can expect him to earn a healthy sum upon arriving in East Manchester.
All that being said, it remains to be seen what this means for recently re-signed James Trafford, who rejoined his former youth club ahead of the 25/26 campaign from Burnley. He might have the right shirt, but will Donnarumma’s arrival see him become the back-up?
Forget Éderson vs Ortega: who is going to lay the claim between the posts for City next, Donnarumma or Trafford?
Emily Sergeant -
24th May 2022 
