Manchester United legend David de Gea is back in Manchester and cheering on his old team again after he was spotted in attendance at United Women’s Champions League match against PSG on Tuesday night.
With this being the first time de Gea has been spotted out and about in Manchester since he left his former club of 12 seasons this summer and the first time in history that Man United Women had played in a UCL match, it was a significant night for everyone involved.
Marc Skinner’s side has made a positive start to the new campaign after only narrowly missing out on the WSL trophy last year, after already beating Aston Villa in the season opener and drawing against title rivals Arsenal, not to mention having a very winnable game against Leicester on Sunday, 15 October.
That being said, with their first-ever competitive European match on the cards, de Gea felt compelled to come and cheer them on at Leigh Sports Village, alongside around 5,000 other fans — much to the delight of those in the stands.
Having shared what looked to be a picture of him training back in 0161 (or “Mánchester”, as he captioned it), this was one of the first sightings of the 32-year-old since he left United in the summer ahead of replacement André Onana — who has made somewhat of a shaky to start, to say the least.
ADVERTISEMENT
Arriving at Old Trafford in 2011, de Gea played 545 games for the club and broke the all-time club records for both goalkeeper appearances and clean sheets during his tenure.
The Spaniard is still without a new club after his time in red came to an end and is thought to be back in Greater Manchester to clear out his home in Hale, Altrincham before presumably flying back to his home country for the foreseeable.
The shot-stopper has been most closely linked with a return to Spain as his next destination, with Real Betis being one of the most recent prospects, according to reports, but failed to find a new contract in the most recent transfer window.
Nevertheless, there are plenty of United fans who would still have him back and female number one Mary Earps will no doubt have been chuffed to see the goalkeepers’ union there in support.
The Red Devils went on to draw the game 1-1 following an equaliser from Melvine Malard in the 70th minute to keep them in the qualifying tie. If they win the second leg in Paris next Wednesday, they will go through to the group stages.
ADVERTISEMENT
You can watch the highlights of Man United vs PSG down below:
Everton manager Sean Dyche randomly pops up in the music video for Blossoms’ new single – and he’s great
Danny Jones
Did anyone else think they’d ever see Sean Dyche make his acting debut in the role of a Northern crime boss in a silly little music video for the Blossoms?
No, us neither but that’s the bizarre alternate reality we’re living in, apparently.
Blossoms are currently working on the fifth studio album and have already released their lead single entitled, ‘To Do List (After The Break-Up)’, but now they have a new song out as well, with a rather amusing music video to go along with it and somehow Sean Dyche has found himself the star.
The Stockport band teased the curious collaboration in April, giving us just short glimpses of the Everton manager and former Burnley boss with very little explanation – all we know is that it looked funny and it was.
Sean Dyche sends the five of us on a mission in our new single What Can I Say (After I’m Sorry) out Wednesday 1st May ⏰ pic.twitter.com/WcDdfgAD1m
Sean Dyche stars as the boss in the music video for Blossoms’ latest single, ‘What Can I Say After I’m Sorry?’ As you do.
Dyche is still busy trying to finish the Premier League campaign as strong as possible after successfully navigating the Toffees to safety even in spite of their points deductions this season, but it sounds like keeping them up has given him enough time to moonlight as an actor.
Sending the indie five-piece on a mission to collect something of value (yes, that’s all the info we have at this point as the story is still to be continued), it looks like the Kettering-born coach has a larger role to play in whatever this narrative turns out to be.
Playing what can only be described as some kind of semi-Manc mafia figure on the hunt for a very valuable piece of art, i.e. a big giant gorilla statue – one that many Stopfordians spotted being lugged around various parts of the borough –
They also shared a little bit of BTS footage from the shoot for the music video last week. Some lovely head-bobbing and unassuming surroundings here:
As for the track itself, it’s a bit of stylistic change for the lads who’ve mastered their 80s-tinged indie formula over the past decade but it’s an absolute pop and is already stuck in our heads.
Revealing that they’ve collaborated with contemporary funk, disco and electronic icons Jungle on the track, it doesn’t take too long to hear the influences. Look forward to hearing it at Wythenshawe Park this summer.
You can watch the music video for ‘What Can I Say?’ and the ginger-goatee’d football manager extraordinaire in full character HERE.
He’s not the only footballing figure who’s made an entertainment crossover recently either.
So, Erling Haaland is now a character in Clash of Clans… 👀
Bit random, we know, but it's a funny little trailer. 😅
Featured Images — Blossoms (via YouTube)/Virgin EMI
Sport
Tributes paid to former Manchester City winger Ian Mellor, dead at 74
Danny Jones
Tributes are pouring following the death of former Manchester City star, Ian Mellor, who has sadly passed away at the age of 74.
Mellor, from Sale in Greater Manchester, played as a left winger for Man City as well as the likes of Norwich City, Brighton, Chester, Sheffield Wednesday and Bradford.
With his family and former club confirming the death on Wednesday, 1 May, social media has been awash with people paying their respects to the seasoned ex-pro who sadly died following a long battle with amyloidosis, a rare and incurable disease which affects organs such as the heart, brains and kidneys.
Replying to his son and ex-Liverpool turned Sky Sports broadcaster, Neil Mellor, the club paid their respects to the former Blue who made 50 appearances for the club.
We're saddened to learn of the passing of our former player, Ian Mellor.
Mellor began his career just down the road at Wythenshawe Amateurs before going on to represent City from 1970 to 1973.
A boyhood fan of the club, he scored 10 goals whilst wearing Sky Blue and also went on to win the Charity Shield with them back in 1972.
Eventually nicknamed ‘Spider’ for a good chunk of his career due to his long-legged stature, he remained attached to the beautiful game for years after his retirement and went on to become a committee member for the Former Players Association at City.
Joining the likes of all his former clubs, Chester City said: “Everyone at [the club] is saddened to hear of the passing of Ian Mellor. Sending all our love to you and your family, Neil Mellor.
His son Neil’s goodbye has touched many online too, calling his dad his “hero” and his “everything”.
He also went on to thank locally-based end-of-life care organisation and charity, St Ann’s Hospice, who have facilities all over Greater Manchester and who helped care for Ian in his final days.
Our thoughts are with his friends and family as well as those whose lives he touched through football during this difficult time.
Danny Jones -
11th October 2023 
