Sergio Aguero has been immortalised with a huge steel statue at Manchester City’s home ground.
The sculpture joins statues of Vincent Kompany and David Silva on the east side of the Etihad Stadium, ‘commemorating a defining era’ for the club.
The legendary footballer paid a visit to see his likeness unveiled this morning, which happens to be the tenth anniversary of City’s first Premier League title.
The sculpture, created by celebrated artist Andy Scott, has been constructed to commemorate the ’93:20′ moment, where Aguero scored the goal that secured the club’s first league title in 44 years – arguably the greatest moment in sporting history.
The Sergio Aguero statue at the Etihad Stadium. Credit: Supplied
The Argentine scored 260 goals for Manchester City in the decade he played for the club.
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He has also recently been inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame.
Pieces of the artwork were welded together in the dead of night ahead of the grand reveal this morning.
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The sculpture is made up of thousands of pieces of galvanised steel and is lit up with blue lighting.
The Sergio Aguero statue joins sculptures of Kompany and Silva. Credit: Supplied
Commenting on the statue of Sergio Aguero following its installation at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester City’s chairman, Khaldoon Al Mubarak said: “Sergio Aguero’s contribution to Manchester City in a defining era for the Club cannot be overstated. He is without doubt one of the greatest players that has ever played the game.
“When our fans think of Sergio, they are immediately drawn to the iconic moment of 93:20 and the goal that secured the Club’s first league title in 44 years, but as his record of 260 goals for the Club demonstrates, his legacy and impact at Manchester City go far beyond that.
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The Sergio Aguero statue at the Etihad Stadium. Credit: Supplied
“It is only fitting that Sergio has been recognised with a statue of his own, in celebration and honour of his accomplishments in one of the most important chapters of Manchester City’s rich and long history.”
Reflecting on his statue, Sergio Aguero said: “Truthfully, it is a very beautiful thing for me, to see myself 10 years ago is very moving.
“In those 10 years I was able to win a lot of trophies and was able to help the Club become one of the most important in the world.
“I am very grateful to the Club for making this statue in recognition of my football career in Manchester. It is something very special.”
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Sculptor Andy Scott added: “t has been an honour to work on a project that means so much to Manchester City fans around the world in celebration of such an important player in the life of this football club.
“I was under no illusions about how important this was to the Club, to the fans, to Sergio himself and I hope that this statue brings joy and happiness to all who see it.”
Featured image: Supplied
Sport
Where to watch the FA Cup final in Manchester
Danny Jones
The first-ever Manchester Derby FA Cup final in the history of the competition is just around the corner and while not everyone is able to be there at Wembley for the momentous occasion, it’s still a massive day for the city and fans will be out in full-force to watch the big fixture.
That being said, derby day is always an interesting one and while plenty of you will be watching it at home, town is going to be absolutely buzzing with big game atmosphere, not to mention everyone else out enjoying a weekend full of sun.
So, if you are wanting to go out and watch it in the pub, it’s worth having an idea of where you’re going rather than just rocking up half an hour before kick-off.
With that in mind, we thought we’d put together a list of the 10 best places where to watch the 2023 FA Cup final in Manchester. We thought we’d start with a few places for each fan base.
If you’re a Red, there isn’t any other place to start than The Old Nag’s Head, without a doubt the most popular pub for Man United fans in the city. Spread across multiple floors, with plenty of screens, karaoke and a rooftop terrace to boot, it’s arguably the best place to be when you’re not at the game.
Next up is the Sir Ralph Abercromby, literally located just a street over from the Nag and equally packed with United fans on matchdays. With Class of ’92 members often spotted here, a massive beer garden with outdoor screens and even a fast food truck around the back, this place has everything you need to enjoy the game.
And thirdly we have Mulligans of Deansgate: a Manchester institution and home of the best pint of Guinness you’ll find in 0161. This Irish bar is heaving every weekend regardless, but it’s also a second home for lifelong Reds and has live music on every night. You’re sure to be chanting your head off in here if United win.
Now, as for Manchester City pubs, there isn’t any more famous than Mary D’s. The Beamish Bar, to give it its full title, it’s wall-to-wall with Blues before and after every matchday. Literally on the doorstep of the Etihad Stadium, it has a floor-to-ceiling painting of the old Maine Road ground and boasts affordable pints, live music and ‘the fastest service’ around. A Man City mecca, if you will.
As for closer into the city centre, you don’t get much more convenient than The Waldorf. Though it often has other fans come through its doors, you can make no mistake about which fan base dominates this pub come a City matchday. Located little just down the steps from Piccadilly Station, it’s always full of Blues before, during and after games — it’s got a great selection of beer and food too.
The Townley
As for our third and final pick for you Blues, The Townley is another one that is just a stone’s throw away from the Etihad — we’re talking only a couple of minutes. With a beer garden out front and in the back, not to mention still family-friendly enough to take the kids, it’s always a good vibe over here.
Sports bars in Manchester
Now, we obviously need a list of neutral places for people to go along to watch the game and while there are a hundred and one places that are perfect to watch the footy with a pint, but we just thought we’d pick out a few of our recent favourites to get you started.
These are in no particular order, either, we love them all too much to play favourites so you’ll just have to make your own minds up on this one.
First on the list is BOX bar on Deansgate, which has quickly become not only one of the best places to watch sport in Manchester but one of the busiest bars in town full stop. Spread across two floors with screens on virtually every wall (including a massive jumbotron) not to mention shuffleboard, live music and massive pitchers of beer and cocktails, you can see why people pack this place out every weekend.
Next up is Tib Street Tavern which has remained a go-to for anyone wanting to watch sport in town for years and for good reason. With massive wall-sized screens, quality food, big booths for you to book with you and your mates, as well as great deals on booze, you have to be quick to get in here.
Another one of our personal faves is Calcio! over in Northern Quarter. A relative newcomer to the Manchester sports bar scene, the Italian football-themed watering hole is a great place not only to watch this year’s Manchester Derby FA Cup final but if you fancy juicy burgers and retro videogames.
The Brotherhood
Last but not least, we have The Brotherhood Of Pursuits And Pastimes, to give it its full name. This Manc institution remains one of the best places to watch sport in town. Also boasting two floors with dozens of screens, pool tables, darts, table tennis and more, including a great food menu, it’s a regular haunt for post-work pints and matchday fans. Just look at how buzzing it was back in December — can’t go wrong.
This is, of course, by no means an exhaustive list but for a few more options you can always check out our list of the best places to watch the World Cup, which has plenty more pubs and bars that will welcome any football fan ahead of the big fixture.
Regardless of who comes out on top, it’s going to be a massive day for the city and United and City fans everywhere, just make sure you look after each other and enjoy yourselves.
So, who do we reckon is winning it then? Is ten Hag going to make it two domestic cups in his first season or are Pep’s Premier League champions going to do the treble?
Featured Image — David Dixon/Calcio/Mary D’s Beamish Bar
Sport
Erling Haaland could still break yet another record in Manchester City’s final game of the Premier League season
Danny Jones
Erling Haaland has undoubtedly been the star of this year’s Premier League season, breaking record and after record whilst barely breaking a sweat and, incredibly, he could still manage another of the final daythis weekend.
However, while the 22-year-old is usually on the end of assists, he has set up his teammates on a fair few occasions too — eight times, to be precise, which takes his overall tally of goal contributions to a record-equalling 44 in the league.
His assist on Wednesday night against Brighton saw him draw level with Arsenal legend Thierry Henry, who scored 24 goals and 20 assists in the 2003/4 season, but just one more Erling Haaland goal or assist will see him break the record for most goal involvements in a 38-game Premier League season.
Erling Haaland has matched Thierry Henry's record for most goals and assists in a 38-game Premier League season 🤝 pic.twitter.com/aI1trp52ya
While the overall record is shared by Alan Shearer and Andy Cole, who both scored 34 goals and 13 assists exactly for Newcastle and Manchester United, respectively, they both managed those feats over the course of 42 games.
We imagine Haaland would have had a good crack at matching and or beating the record had he been given the luxury of the same amount of fixtures, and who knows, he only needs a hattrick and an assist on the final day against Brentford on Sunday to still manage it.
If there’s anyone that could it’d be this absolute robot.
We’d say you can watch every Premier League goal he’s scored this season but he’s already netted more since this compilation was last updated, so you’ll have to do with ALL of these: