Sport

Kevin De Bruyne is back in training ahead of Manchester City’s Club World Cup tie

One of the best players in the world is back with his boots on.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 19th December 2023

Midfielder Kevin de Bruyne is back to training after a lengthy period on the sidelines ahead of Manchester City’s Club World Cup fixture this week.

De Bruyne returned to first-team training on Monday night as Pep Guardiola‘s squad flew over to Saudi Arabia where they will Urawa Red Diamonds on Tuesday evening, giving the Blues for the remainder of the season as they head into Christmas.

The Belgian superstar suffered a serious hamstring injury during City’s opening game of the 23/24 Premier League campaign against Burnley back in August and has been out of action ever since. As one of the most prolific playmakers in Europe, let alone England, his absence has obviously been felt.

While it is unclear whether KDB is yet fit enough to make an appearance against the Japanese side, he has now completed his first session back with his teammates.

The 32-year-old’s injury has meant that treble-winners have been without one of their star men all season, which could go some way to explaining their fluctuation in results, at least domestically, over recent weeks and months.

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Having set such high standards for themselves over the past decade, it seems odd to not see them running away with the league already and instead having won just one of their last five in the league.

With that in mind, De Bruyne coming back to training is crucial in reestablishing that dominance and, for many fans, they feel giving him a run out against the Urawa Reds in what will widely be considered a very east game for the City would be a needless risk and, in contrast, a good opportunity for youth players.

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Speaking to The Guardian ahead of his return and potential first minutes back on the grass this week, De Bruyne said his surgery went well and that he is now just “hoping to be back on the pitch soon”, adding: “I want to be the best player in the world. I still have motivation every day.”

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In case you need any more idea of just how instrumental Kevin De Bruyne is to what makes the Cityzens tick as well as they do, he racked up a total of 41 goal contributions last season, three-quarters of which came by setting them up.

It was only back in April that he broke the record for becoming the fastest player to reach 100 assists in the Premier League and with lethal striker Erling Haaland also out injured at the minute, City are still missing two of their biggest goal threats. Who knows what the table will look like once they’re both back?

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Manchester City’s Club World Cup fixture against Urawa kicks off at 6pm and will be broadcast live on TNT Sports.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Manchester City (via Instagram)

Sport

One of the biggest and best new beer gardens in Manchester drops just in time for the World Cup

Danny Jones Danny Jones The new Green beer garden Manchester city centre

You heard us right: what could very well be Manchester’s favourite new beer garden has just landed over in St John’s, and all can envision is non-stop sun, suds and sporting action all summer long.

This, my friends, is ‘The Green’.

Capturing a kind of mix between the simple combo of wide open space, booze and hopefully sun on the Stevenson Square we all know and love, with a bit of the Boxpark fanfare that will make it perfect come World Cup, we’re big fans of what they’ve put together here.

Think the Tony Wilson Place square/First Street complex that often hosts a pop-up screen and a Manchester Jazz Festival stage, meets Oast House and then some.

It’s also worth noting that this place is significantly bigger than you’ll find in most corners of central Manchester, complete with plenty of room to perch, from the rows of deckchairs to even tiered step seating that runs along the edge.

There’s new artificial turf laid down, complete with fresh wooden borders, lamp lighting, big benches perfect for squeezing plenty of mates on each side, as well as a decent number of small parasols. There are even QR codes to save time ordering at the bar.

Speaking of, the bar is already full up and running with a very solid lineup of summery drinks, for beers and fruity ciders to Aperol and plenty more. You are paying the expected St John’s prices, but when the rays hit just right, the footy’s on and you’re with your mates, you won’t hear us complaining.

Not just batch stuff being proud from the tap either – they’ve got cocktails, creative twists on frozen margs and lots of other stuff still in the pipeline.

But understandably, the instant start of the show is that large screen, which has already got us dreaming of the World Cup and tournament season year in year out, for that matter. And when we say large, we really mean it…

Just picture the scenes…

The lawn itself is plenty long, and the massive monitor is high up enough on the old studio wall that not a single soul will be missing a second of that action.

Be it the footy, Wimbledon, F1, rugby – whatever the discipline happens to be, we can’t wait to find any excuse to watch it all here (weather permitting). Only a short distance from Deansgate, Spinningfields, Castlefield and more, we feel like this spot is about to blow up.

You’ll also be glad to know that while you can’t take food and drink from other venues around the beer garden itself, they’ve got a food lineup all of their own coming very soon, centring around Manchester locals and regional indies. That’s what we like to hear.

It’s just what that Grape Street area needed, and regardless of whatever potential seasonal shifts it might need to make, we hope it stays here for a very long time. Good vibes all-round.

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Featured Images — The Manc Group

Sport

A dozen freebies you can get with a Great Manchester Run finisher’s medal for 2026

Danny Jones Danny Jones Great Manchester Run freebies with medal 2026

Race day is fast-approaching, but that also means so is the finisher line for you legends taking on this year’s Great Manchester Run, and in turn, so are all the freebies heading your way.

Everyone has their reasons for running 10ks, half marathons and more, but for a lot of people, they just wanna soak in the atmosphere – and all the free suds afterwards…

With that in mind, we’ve put together a list of all the free stuff you can get with a 2026 Great Manchester Run finisher’s medal this coming Sunday, 31 May.

But before all that, you can find our full 2026 Great Manchester Run guide right HERE.

12 free things you can get with a 2026 Great Manchester Run finisher’s medal

1. Freebies and carb-loading at Bundobust

What is it: An Indian street food spot beloved here in the North, with plenty of beers on tap and unreal, Gujarati-influenced scran perfect for sharing.

The offer: Two-for-one on their famous vada pav sliders the day before the race upon showing entry confirmation, and a free pint when you show your medal at the bar.

Credit: The Manc Eats

2. Drinks at Impossible Manchester

What is it: A stylish bar turned late-night club come the evenings with a big terrace out back and plenty of room to dance the night away (for those with any energy left, that is), famous for its bottomless brunches and party crowd.

The offer: A complimentary drink at multiple venues in exchange for a look at your shiny 2026 medal, including the likes of Impossible.

Expect a good sign this weekend.
Decent Sunday roast, too.

3. A free cookie on Doux Chaton

What is it: The best French-Vietnamese bakery in town, which also happens to serve everything from authentic egg coffees and savoury treats to giant bowls of broth.

The offer: Very much a Ronseal situation this – simply show you finisher’s medal to cop yourself one of their traditional Vietnamese cookies made in the shape of, you guessed it, a medal.

4. Complimentary booze and offers at Electric Shuffle

What is it: An interactive games bar on Deansgate known for high-tech shuffleboard, darts and more, including more brunch and group booking packages.

The offer: A pint of beer, 175ml glass of house wine, 125ml glass of prosecco, or a soft drink on the house when you show your medal or race number; the venue will also be open from 9am on the day itself, serving plenty of GMR specials, including a full breakfast menu.

Right up to the top.
If you fancy squeezing in a game afterwards…
Sip and play. (Credit: The Manc Group)

5. Free ice cream at Hello Oriental

What is: An underground Pan-Asian food hall located on Circle Square, just off the main Oxford Road Corridor, with multiple vendors available.

The offer: Free cone of soft-serve on sight of your finisher’s medal – you can also upgrade to their deluxe animal-shaped waffle cones for £2 – or you can choose to claim a free drink with any main meal.

Cute and tasty. (Credit: The Manc)

6. Another gratis choice of tap from Blacklock

What is it: A famous London chop house that’s made its way to Manchester, serving big steaks, pork loins, Sunday roasts and more from a stunning Peter Street site.

The offer: Pick from any of their tap wines, beers or softs to toast to your success. One medal = one tap.

7. More from Motley

What is it: The on-site bar and restaurant attached to YOTEL Manchester – also located along the Deansgate strip. They’re also launching a new summer menu, too.

The offer: A free pint of the draught Motley Brew, made by Salford icons Seven Brothers, a zero-alcohol ‘Nojito’ or a soft drink.

8. The same goes for Freight Island

What is it: The massive Manc urban market, beer hall and entertainment venue, packed with tonnes of local food and drink traders.

The offer: Claim a free glass of prosecco, pint, glass of wine, or a soft drink – simply show your medal, and you’ll be given a token that you can exchange for the good stuff.

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9. Bonus late checkout for those staying at Hotel Indigo

What is it: A boutique city centre hotel operated by the IHG hotel and resorts group, located right near Victoria train station for those travelling into Manchester.

The offer: Show your participation ticket on arrival and receive a complimentary 6pm checkout on Sunday, 31 May 2026. *Offer subject to availability. Management reserves the right to remove the offer at any time without prior notice.

10. Non-alcoholic goodness on the house from Nell’s at Kampus and Common

What is it: Much-loved Manc-born bar and pizza joint, serving New York-style slices, frozen slushie cocktails and plenty more.

The offer: A free pint of Lucky Saint with your medal; same again at Common over in the Northern Quarter, where you can also enjoy some well-earned ‘za.

free drink nells manchester great manc run
nell's pizza kampus
Credit: Nell’s Pizza (via Instagram)/The Manc

11. Sunny servings of Aperol Spritz at Courts Club

What is it: Social club and bar centring around a multi-purpose basketball/tennis court and even boules, not to mention a fridge and outdoor stall both serving freshly-prepared grab-and-go scran, as well as plenty of outdoor seating.

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The offer: Show your finisher’s medal at the bar from 12 noon and receive one Aperol Spritz per person. Simple as that.

12. And finally, your finisher’s pack, of course!

To wrap things up, shortly after you cross the finish line – and you WILL cross that line – you will also be presented with your customary bag of goodies, including your ‘been there done that, got the finisher’s t-shirt (unless you opted out), a bottle of water, and an edible treat.

But that’s not all: there’ll be plenty more freebies to pick up as you exit back through the official event village, such as more snacks and even another 0% beer from Lucky Saint, which tastes even better than the real thing when you’ve completed either 10k or 13.1 miles.

lucky saint offers
lucky saint great manchester run
Credit: AJ Bell Great Manchester Run (supplied)

Last but not least, for those of you journeying into the city either to take part or even just to spectate, it’s worth taking a look at the most recent transport updates.

After all, we want to make sure you get here and grab as much of this ‘SWAG’ as possible once you’re done – you’ve earned it, after all.

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Major ‘plan ahead’ travel warning issued for this weekend ahead of Great Manchester Run

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Featured Images — The Manc Group/Publicity pictures (supplied)

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