Gary Neville and Noel Gallagher have been enjoying a little bit of a back-and-forth in the build-up to the second consecutive Manchester derby FA Cup final this weekend, and it’s for say the Man United legend’s final word on the matter was a good one.
With Saturday, 25 May set for another derby at Wembley, just the second time it’s happened in the history of the competition, icons and figures close to both clubs have been coming out to get their digs in ahead of the massive fixture.
Speaking to BBC Radio Manchester after Manchester City lifted their fourth Premier League title in a row, Gallagher said, “Gary Neville, at this moment in time, I wonder how he’s feeling”, insisting that his team deserved their record-breaking title and are “the best team in the country”.
While it’s hard for anyone to argue with that last statement, the former fullback turned entrepreneur and pundit showed exactly why he produces so many soundbites on TV, taking aim at how the older Oasis brother left his Manc roots behind a long time ago.
The Salford City co-owner concedes forthrightly that Noel Gallagher has been “a huge part of Manchester history” and its musical legacy, but as he goes on to qualify through an amusingly tight-lipped expression, “he lives in London”.
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That face and the hand gesture killed us off, we must admit.
For many of the most vehement fans of the region’s legendary music scene, one of the very few things that can be held against the Oasis boys is that they decided to up-sticks and leave their home for the glittering lights of London shortly after they became a global phenomenon.
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As Neville put it rather bluntly: “D’you know what I mean, Noel?”, pun unintended, “Don’t talk about [Manchester], you love in London. You live in Knightsbridge, Hampstead or wherever he lives, you can’t start talking about Manchester. 25 years he’s not been here”.
Gary Neville vs Noel Gallagher has always been a humorous rivalry with plenty of harmless banter.
"It's great to be sat beside a legend of the game, and Gary Neville."
The 49-year-old goes on to jibe that the legendary musician “only comes once a year for that trophy parade, I saw him on Sunday, actually. Honestly…”
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While he and brother Liam will always be massive Blues and are heavy favourites to be among those celebrating this weekend, you have to give G Nev this small victory.
‘The Mighty I’ has yet to respond with a comeback but we’re sure he will and we sincerely look forward to hearing what either one of them has to say after full-time on Saturday.
Still, even if Neville’s club do manage to win, at least it’ll only be a short trip home for Noel anyway…
Featured Images — BBC Radio Manchester/Wikimedia Commons/Gary Neville (via X)
Sport
Manchester Storm’s record-breaking return to AO Arena goes down a storm with fans
Daisy Jackson
Manchester Storm have made their grand return to the AO Arena, after more than two decades away from their former home.
And it appears the ice hockey craze (which may have been spurred on by a certain Heated Rivalry) is here to stay, with record-breaking numbers piling into the venue for Sunday’s match against Sheffield Steelers.
The AO Arena has now shared that a record crowd of 11,000 fans attended the long-awaited Manchester Storm homecoming last week.
The action has gone down a storm with fans, with plenty of chatter on social media (and videos of a certain fight) doing the rounds.
Manchester Storm’s homecoming has now smashed the record for an Elite Hockey pre-season fixture, with fans travelling from across Manchester and beyond.
As the team enters this new era, bidding farewell to the ‘Storm Shelter’ in Altrincham that’s been their home for a decade, demand for tickets is continuing to grow.
This is the first time fans have been able to see the club on the ice at the AO Arena since 2004, and last weekend they thrilled supporters with a 5-5 draw agains the Steelers.
Manchester Storm is now set to bring approximately 35 games to the city centre each year, providing a regular programme of major sporting events for Manchester and its visitors.
It also brings elite-level hockey back to one of Europe’s largest indoor sporting arenas.
Gemma Vaughan, General Manager at the AO Arena says, “Tonight is a hugely significant moment for Manchester.
“To welcome Manchester Storm back to their former home after more than 20 years, and to do so in front of a record Elite Hockey League crowd, is incredibly special.
“The response from supporters has demonstrated the strength of Manchester’s passion for ice hockey and the demand for world-class sport in the city. We’re proud to be able to provide a home for the Storm as they begin this exciting new chapter.”
Erling Haaland has named his four favourite films… and fans have a lot to say on it
Emily Sergeant
Erling Haaland has answered the all-important question.
The question heard around the world, the question on everyone’s lips, a question that has absolutely nothing to do with football whatsoever… that’s right, he’s answered Letterboxd’s famous question of ‘what are your four favourite films?’.
If you’re unaware of what Letterboxd is, it describes itself as being an ‘online diary platform and app for film lovers’ and it gives users the chance to display their four favourite films at the top of their profile for all to see (and judge).
An extension of this has then been Letterboxd asking celebrities in press junket interviews and on red carpets what their ‘four faves’ are – and it’s gone on to become something of a phenomenon in the film world.
Everyone from massive A-list movie stars, to indie darlings and up-and-coming names have answered this question before, and now (it appears) to be Erling Haaland’s turn.
He’s not the first footballer to be tasked with question though, as the entire Spurs team was ambushed with it by former player – and famously massive cinephile – Alfie Whiteman last year, but it’s fair to say that after the summer he’s had with Norway at the World Cup, achieving international fame in the process, that Haaland is one of the most high-profile to answer it in a long while.
So, what’s on Erling’s list then?
Well, to self-confessed ‘film bros’ out there, you’re not going to find any deep cuts in this selection unfortunately, and you’re probably not going to get any recommendations for movies you haven’t seen before either, but come on, he is only a footballer after all.
Erling Haaland has named his four favourite films… and fans have a lot to say on it / Credit: Letterboxd
First up for the Manchester City striker is a pretty common pick by straight white men, it’s The Wolf of Wall Street, and he doesn’t give much of a reason for it, other than just suggesting: “I think you understand why”.
He then follows that up with Ridley Scott’s classic Gladiator, calling it ‘amazing’, before naming 2004’s epic Troy, and then rounding it out with a Christmas favourite for many, Home Alone, adding that he ‘watched it a lot as a kid, and then again now’.
As for fan reaction to Haaland’s four favourites, let’s just say it’s been mixed.
Among the 1,000+ comments on the Instagram video, you’ll find just as many people called him ‘king’ and saying he has ‘goated’ taste, as you will comments like this: “He has the most male gazed top four in history of Letterboxd.”
Danny Jones -
24th May 2024 
