Sport

Did you know Manchester City has an esports team?

The Manc The Manc - 5th April 2021

You may not have noticed, but esports has become just as respected and almost as popular as traditional real-world sports.

Esports athletes train for and compete in major tournaments all around the world, and many countries have their own esports teams. Do not underestimate how big esports is becoming. According to Statista, the industry will generate a revenue of around £1.5 billion by 2022.

One growing trend in recent years has been for established football clubs to launch esports teams in an effort to keep up with the millennial generation. Most football club esports teams play FIFA football video games, but some play other games. For example, FC Copenhagen plays in Counter-Strike competitions while Schalke 04 have played in League of Legends esports tournaments. As for our local Manchester City FC, the club has been competing in FIFA esports events since 2016.

An Overview of the Manchester City Esports Team

Manchester City began creating its own esports team when it signed Kieran Brown in 2016. The club soon started competing in the FIFA eWorld Cup, which includes playing video games from Electronic Arts’ FIFA franchise. The FIFA eWorld Cup structure is similar to the real-life World Cup in that it includes qualification and knockout stages. People even bet on the outcomes of the games.

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While many people enjoy playing online puzzle games, video games, and MMORPGs, as well as casino games like those available at Casumo UK, few have what it takes to become an esports superstar. But Manchester City now has two dedicated players who are regarded as some of the greatest esports athletes in the world: Shaun “Shellzz” Springette and Ryan Pessoa. Shellzz represents Manchester City by playing games on Xbox while Pessoa represents the club by playing games on PlayStation. They represent Manchester City at major esports events around the world. City also now has esports teams based in South Korea and China.

Since the esports team’s founding, they have experienced successes and losses in a similar vein to the main Man City club. But the esports team has most definitely made large strides forwards in recent times to enhance its standing in the world of esports. After City began collaborating with its social football partner Nexen in South Korea, the club started competing in numerous competitions, including the global FUT Champions Cup. In 2019, City went on to collaborate with FaZe Clan, which is one of the largest and most popular esports organisations on the planet.

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A New Season Brings New Shirts

It is obvious that Manchester City is serious about its esports team, as is evident with the launch of bespoke esports shirts for its professional FIFA players to wear in the current 2020/2021 season. The Puma shirts are the club’s first for esports. They feature a paisley design that was inspired by Man City’s third kit. Puma has confirmed that it will be continuing to produce more products for the Manchester City esports team over the course of this year.

Manchester Is Backing the Rise of Esports

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It is not just Manchester City football club taking esports seriously. Manchester, the city itself, is also backing the rise of the industry. For example, the company behind the renowned online esports site GGRecon is based in Manchester, and Manchester University started providing an intercollegiate esports competition in the spring of 2020. The university is now equipped with state-of-the-art gaming stations in two conference centres. Players compete in video game competitions like League of Legends, Super Smash Bros., and Rocket League. Maybe soon, Manchester University will create FIFA esports players who are good enough to be part of the Manchester City esports team.

If you’d like to find out more, check out ufabet.

Sport

Manchester United reportedly leading the race for Matheus Cunha after multiple ‘hints’

Danny Jones Danny Jones

Manchester United may have come crashing back down to reality after their 1-0 loss at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday, but they may have left with a consolation prize as multiple so-called ‘hints’ and the latest transfer rumours have it that Matheus Cunha is in their sights.

Cunha has been one of the best players in a struggling Wolves side over the past couple of seasons and was one of the most effective on the pitch once again as the visitors did the double over Man United for the first time since 1979/80.

It may have been an impressive free kick from Pablo Sarabia that got Vitor Pereira’s squad over the line after the home team missed a number of chances in front of goal, but many fans felt it was somewhat of a second audition for Cunha, who scored and assisted for both goals in the reverse fixture.

Notwithstanding his latest performance, if you’re inclined to believe the latest transfer rumblings from reliable sources such as Fabrizio Romano and The Athletic, it sounds like United are pushing hard for Matheus Cunha already and that the signs are looking promising.

Even prior to Stockport-born United journalist Laurie Whitwell’s report on Tuesday morning, numerous outlets were quick to hop on what is becoming an increasingly intriguing saga.

Transfer expert Romano had already claimed that there were “good feelings” following early contact between the two clubs, noting that discussions around personal terms are underway with United fully aware that Cunha will have plenty of suitors given his relatively reasonable release clause in this climate.

Speaking on his YouTube Channel, the Italian reporter went on to insist that the club are now leading the race and pushing hard to get a deal done early, adding that a source has told him there “great connection” between all interested parties.

Cunha, 25, was also at the centre of a mini media storm of his own making earlier this month too, after sharing an Instagram post which read: “Time to be happy. I will follow my dreams and yours… So stay cool.” It was deleted shortly after.

Romano also went on to state that “the feeling between Matheus Cunha and Ruben Amorim is excellent”, with supporters from both clubs spotting that the fellow Portuguese speaker was quick to put his arm around the Wolves number 10 once again after the full-time whistle.

Whether or not the Man United head coach was putting in his own additional effort to try and tap up Cunha or at least bend his ear on the situation, only time will tell, but it seems with the microscope fully on the Brazilian attacking midfielder, virtually everything he does is being closely scrutinised.

For instance, other eagle-eyed fans noticed that the former Red Bull Leipzig star and Olympic gold medallist did something rather intriguing when walking out onto the pitch at Old Trafford before kick-off this past weekend.

Make of that what you will…

The fact that he was spotted not just waving and acknowledging supporters both before and after the game, but even stopping to take pictures outside Old Trafford, has also added fuel to the fire.

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All evidence appears to point towards transfer and player contract talks already progressing, even if they are still in their early stages, and there seems to be a belief that Cunha himself would be keen on the move, especially with Wolves lingering just above the drop zone.

More crucially, however, how the INEOS leadership group will finance a potential move given Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s recent revelations about the club’s financial state is another obstacle entirely.

At the very least, it’s clear that there will need to be outgoings in order for Man United to undergo any real activity in the upcoming summer transfer window.

The question is, would you like to see Cunha swap ‘old gold’ for red?

You can watch the highlights from the defeat at Old Trafford down here.

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

Featured Images — Sky Sports (screenshots via YouTube)/Bex Walton (via Flickr)

Sport

Kevin De Bruyne reveals he wasn’t offered a new contract by Manchester City

Danny Jones Danny Jones Kevin De Bruyne not offered new contract by Man City

Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne has revealed he wasn’t offered a new contract by the club before making the decision to leave at the end of the season.

The 33-year-old is preparing to leave the Etihad after more than a decade, following the conclusion of the current 2024/25 campaign, announcing the decision earlier this month.

It goes without saying that the Belgian playmaker isn’t just a fan favourite and club legend but one of the most revered players in European football, let alone England, having been transformational both for the Blues and the Premier League.

Although his exit hasn’t come as a complete shock, given his age and increasing injury problems, De Bruyne himself has confessed that he was “a bit surprised” not to be offered a new contract by Man City whatsoever over the past year.

As per multiple outlets, KDB shared the revelation during his post-match media duties after the Everton game on Saturday, revealing: “I didn’t have any offer from them the whole year and City made a decision. Obviously, I was a bit surprised but have to accept it.”

Despite a firm belief that he “can still perform” at this level (one most would wholeheartedly agree with him on), he assured he understood the club’s thinking and even admitted that it was “more of a relief” knowing that he was the first to learn that news and could announce his departure on his own.

Insisting that he’ll still be giving everything to help the team win in their remaining games this season, he went on to detail that the decision has been made “because the whole team has struggled.”

“Maybe if the team didn’t struggle and I came back like I did this year and bedded in like normal, then maybe they would take another decision”, he added, arguing that he’s playing with much more rhythm and confidence post-injury.

After all, he was the difference once again in the remarkable comeback against Crystal Palace.

A reminder that class is permanent as Kevin De Bruyne inspires remarkable Man City comeback
De Bruyne has made it clear he’d be more than happy to stay in the Premier League.

Although he wouldn’t go into too much detail on the conversations, he reiterated, “I can’t really say what they think on the inside […] I have to accept the situation even though I feel like I can still do a good job, but that’s it.”

Despite many fans coming to terms with the difficult choice made by the club, many supporters still believe it is an oversight on CFG’s (City Football Group) part.

One social media user has nearly 5,000 likes and almost 400 comments on a post entitled: ‘A petition to make Manchester City apologise and offer Kevin De Bruyne a new contract’.

While not everyone is in agreement on the matter, there is clearly plenty of doubt, with the same account going on to add, “There’s no shame in admitting a mistake and offer[ing] Kevin De Bruyne a new 1-year contract. His influence in the dressing room, let alone on the pitch, remains of critical importance.”

It’s hard to gauge exactly what manager Pep Guardiola makes of all of it, either; apart from his farewell message included as part of the club statement confirming his contract expiry, this is pretty much all the Catalan coach has had to say on the matter thus far:

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Featured Images — Ardfern (via Wikimedia Commons)

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