Sport

Five Manchester City players have been named in the 2024 FIFPRO World 11 teams

Yet another nod for Man City.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 10th December 2024

A total of five Manchester City players have been selected for the 2024 FIFPRO World 11 across the mens and women’s teams.

Notching the second most votes of any other team on this year’s roster, beaten only by Real Madrid with seven), Man City fans can round off another unbelievable year of achievements with one last round of accolades.

Earning a spot on the FIFPRO World 11 is arguably one of the most coveted forms of recognition a footballer can ever hope for, as the dream team is voted for by more than 28,000 players from 70 different countries.

As for which City stars they believe are among the best players in the world, four of Pep Guardiola’s side found themselves in the squad and just one player from Gareth Taylor’s team.

The peer-to-peer voting covered the period between August 20, 2023 and July 14, 2024 (Euro 2024 final) and featured players representing eight different clubs and hailing from 10 different nations.

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As you can see, the Blues given the nod as part of the Men’s FIFPRO World 11 don’t come as too much of a surprise: Ballon d’Or winner Rodri was always going to be a shoe-in, as was his midfield partner and arguably the best in the world, Kevin De Bruyne.

Goalkeeper Ederson was also a pretty comfortable choice along with multi-record-breaking goalscorer Erling Haaland, all of whom followed a historic treble-winning season with a fourth Premier League title in a row – a feat never achieved before by any other English team.

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With players given a larger list of 250 shortlisted talents to vote on, breaking it down into just 11 players is no easy task. The only other player from the divison who managed to get their name on the list was Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk and England star Jude Bellingham notched more votes than anyone with 11,176.

As for the Women’s FIFPRO World 11, it England defender Alex Greenwood was the only Man City representative in the combined XI for 2024, though former players Keira Walsh and Lucy Bronze also made it on to the list for Barcelona, with the latter making it a record seventh appearance.

Other Lionesses and Women’s Super League players chosen included former Manchester United goalkeeper Mary Earps (now playing at PSG) and Chelsea winger Lauren James.

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To have not only multiple English players but so many with Greater Manchester ties getting the shout is an honour and testaement to the region remaining a vital hub for sport. Smashed it.

What do you make of this year’s FIFPRO World 11 and do you think they missed out anyone particular?

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

Featured Images — pantkiewicz/Jamie Smed (via Flickr)/Jacek Stanislawek (via Wiki Commons)

Sport

Century-old Didsbury Sports Ground left devastated after Greater Manchester flooding

Danny Jones Danny Jones Didsbury Sports Ground flooding damage

As residents and local businesses in various parts of the region continue to pick up the pieces after recent flooding, one of the venues worst affected is Didsbury Sports Ground, which sadly suffered “catastrophic” levels of damage.

Having stood in South Manchester for over 100 years, Didsbury Sports Ground (DSG) has been a key community institution for generations, home to rugby, cricket and football clubs, as well as the weekly parkrun, just to name a few of its regular leisure activities.

Unfortunately, following the recent floods which hit several of the 10 boroughs hard, as well as many parts of Cheshire from New Year’s Eve onwards, the pitches, car park, clubhouse, storage and changing rooms have all rendered unusable or completely ruined following the major incident.

And when we say unusable, we mean a lot of it is still underwater.

didsbury football pitches flooded
Credit: Didsbury Sports Ground (supplied)

After banks burst up and down the River Mersey and the North West downpour continued, not only were the various playing fields left heavily waterlogged, but the club’s central building also suffered significant structural damage.

In addition to a large hole being knocked through the main clubhouse wall, with collapsed fencing and tree limbs littering the perimeter, the constant flow of water has seeped right down to the foundations.

Speaking on the damage, DSG‘s director Ian Bailey said: “The devastation caused by the flooding is nothing short of heart-wrenching. The Grounds have been a landmark and local hub within the village for over a century. The damage is catastrophic and the impact on the community is immense.

“Our Ground is far more than just a sports facility, it is a place where people connect, grow, and thrive, and embrace the community spirit. To lose such an iconic and central community resource would be unthinkable and such a travesty, which is why we’re calling on local and central government support.”

“Every week, DSG brings together over 800 people from the local area for Manchester sports, fitness, social activities, recreation and community events, creating a place for well-being, a fantastic social circle and helping to build an all-round happier and healthier community.”

didsbury flooding fundraiser
didsbury sports ground flooded
Credit: Supplied

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As a result of the damage and loss to the community, the team behind DSG are now frantically trying to raise enough funds to carry out a raft of remedial repairs and some serious groundwork.

Setting themselves a total target of £50,000 for the entire clean-up operation, every penny of which will go towards getting the sports ground back in a usable state.

Thus far, thanks to nearly 500 donations by loving locals and kindhearted Mancunians who know the value of leisure centres and clubs like this, they have already more than 30% of the amount needed in just over a week (just over £17k). Legends, every single one of them.

Bailey went on to add: “We are so grateful for the immediate help of our volunteers and the fantastic people at this club […] We will, however, need more than time, we will require the funds to bring the Grounds and Clubhouse back into full use and to safeguard from future flooding, which is why we have launched our ‘Repair & Rescue’ Fund.

As Ian reiterated, “Every contribution will make a huge difference”; you can see more proof of just how much work needs to be done and donate if you wish HERE.

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

Featured Images — Supplied

Sport

Marcus Rashford’s representation are reportedly in Italy to discuss a potential loan move

Danny Jones Danny Jones Rashford's agents in Italy to discuss potential loan move AC Milan

Marcus Rashford’s representatives are reportedly in Italy to discuss the possibility of a loan move for the Manchester United player.

The Wythenshawe winger has been left out of the matchday squad for five of Man United’s last six games, including the derby against rivals Liverpool this past weekend (in which he has scored multiple times), as head coach Rúben Amorim continues to assess his squad.

As a result of Rashford‘s absence, talk of a potential move away from his boyhood club has once again ramped up now the January transfer window is open, though there has been speculation surrounding his future at the club prior to his recent omission.

Although there are several clubs thought to be monitoring the Rashford situation at Old Trafford, it looks as though AC Milan is one of those leading the chase for the 27-year-old via a loan deal.

Detailed in an article by journalist Laurie Whitwell, along with transfer expert David Ornstein and The Athletic‘s resident Serie A writer James Horncastle, the red half of Milan is one of the teams most interested in trying to sign Rashford as early as this month.

According to the piece, the number ten’s brother and agent Dwaine Maynard flew to Milan on Tuesday to discuss the prospect of a transfer, though talks are still said to be in the “preliminary stage”.

It’s unclear whether an option to buy is on the table but it is claimed has already turned down offers from Saudi Arabia.

This comes after Rashford gave the first real indication that a move away, be it on loan or permanently, and “a new challenge” might be on the cards in an extended interview with football writer Henry Winter.

However, the Italian side has a pretty healthy selection of players in Rashford’s position, not least of all their pacey and often prolific forward, Rafael Leão, who is also considered one of the most in-demand attackers even despite some injury setbacks upsetting his rhythm of late.

With that in mind, Whitwell goes on to explain that as well as PSG’s well-publicised and long-standing interest in the United and England star – though he was left out of Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2024 squad – other European suitors include fellow Italian team Juventus and German outfit Borussia Dortmund.

Dortmund famously took Jadon Sancho back on loan for the remainder of the 23/24 season when the youngster ended up in similar ousted circumstances when Erik ten Hag was still in charge.

If rumours are to be believed, even Premier League rivals Arsenal are supposedly ‘keeping an eye on’ Rashford, especially since the United are understood to be facing financial pressures regarding PSR (profit and sustainability rules) and FFP (financial fair play).

Co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, his INEOS board and the manager himself have all made it clear that player sales would need to be made to even consider adding new names to the squad.

At the club since the age of seven, the Red Devils is all Rashford has ever known and despite a stunning breakthrough campaign as a teenager and several strong years as a first-team talisman since, including his best-ever statistical season (30 goals, nine assists) in 2022/23, his performances have been under fire in more recent times.

Considered a somewhat streaky player who tends to enjoy impressive ‘purple patches’ when he is in form, there’s no question as to his talent and natural ability when at the top of his game, but Amorim evidently isn’t 100% happy with his level of application at present.

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That being said, the United boss did issue Rashford with a rallying cry of sorts, declaring this new project as “the biggest challenge” of all and insisting that he wants nothing more than to see the Manc sporting star back to his best.

On the other hand, football fans will have already seen how moves to Italy have benefitted former MUFC players like a currently red-hot Scott McTominay and Napoli teammate Romelu Lukaku, who returned to Inter Milan back in 2022 – who Matteo Darmian also joined to become a title-winner – before switching to once again find his goalscoring boots with the league leaders.

What do you think, Reds – would a loan move to Italy suit Rashford right now? Alternatively, would you rather him stay and fight for his place or sell him permanently?

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

Featured Images — The Overlap (screenshot via YouTube)

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