Sport
Gary Neville pars off Noel Gallagher perfectly ahead of the Manchester derby FA Cup final
A local lad through and through.
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”.
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.
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.
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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…”
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…
For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.
Featured Images — BBC Radio Manchester/Wikimedia Commons/Gary Neville (via X)
Sport
Wayne Rooney ‘agrees’ to bizarre bet ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup quarter-finals
Danny Jones
England and Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has seemingly roped himself into a bizarre bet of his own making after yet more teams booked their place in the quarter-final stages of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
It’s not quite Gary Lineker doing Match of the Day in his underpants after Leicester won the league, level, but we’d still pay to see it.
However, after the bedlam following England booking their spot in the quarter-finals this morning (feels odd to say and we’re still not quite sure what day it is), you might be surprised to learn it has nothing to do with the Three Lions’ historic victory.
It does have to do with who they’ll be facing in their next game, though: Norway, as Rooney seemed confident enough in his prediction that the Scandinavian side wouldn’t make it into the final eight that he wagered he’d row down the River Mersey. Well, they did…
Yes, in case you missed it, the Norwegians did make it past Brazil with a 2-1 win – and, of course, more goals for Erling Haaland – before Thomas Tuchel’s side had barely even woken up for their very long day at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico.
While no one was quite sure why ‘Wazza’ was quite so confident that the ‘Seleção’ were going to go through, especially since Norway had shown just as much star power in spells in the opening four rounds, he still decided to throw down the gauntlet on himself.
As you can see in the clip above, he says he’s a “man of [his] word” and looks to have even roped in the likes of fellow former pros turned punditry colleagues on the night, Micah Richards and Joe Hart.
That being said, he did make the caveat that perhaps it would be better if the BBC could somehow sort them to sail down the Hudson River in New York instead, simply for the sake of ‘time’.
Now that would be quite some sight, wouldn’t it?
We’re not sure exactly how easy it is for the British broadcasters to simply secure permission to take a rowboat down one of the busiest and most famous waterways in the world, but you never know.
Here’s hoping they at least try to make something happen, anyway.
There’s been plenty of curious and comedic moments already this tournament, but for anyone who hasn’t yet watched Harry Kane’s post-match following the tense 3-2 thriller against Mexico, you really need to.
He was given the chance to chat to the media once again after his voice recovered, but let’s just say the memes that have already come from THAT interview are almost as memorable as the match itself.
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For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE
Featured Images — BBC Sport (screenshots)
Sport
A Harry Styles-themed running event is coming to Manchester
Lydia Mastrolonardo
A Harry Styles-themed running event, ‘Styles-Athon,’ is coming to Manchester later this year.
Styles-Athon is set to be an action packed event, centring around all things Harry Styles – there’ll even be a live tribute performance and DJs blasting some of our favourite songs.
This event is brought to us by Run Fanatics, a group that focuses on creating memorable, themed running events, maintaining that ‘it’s not about how far or fast you run, it’s about how much fun you have.’
Styles-Athon is open to all abilities, with Run Fanatics priding themselves on inclusivity and their welcoming sense of community, offering both 5k and 10k routes to either walk, dance or run around. No matter what the running ability, this is a great day out for all Harry lovers.
Having successfully hosted other music-led events such as a Swift-Athon and an ABBA themed run in Manchester, we’re excited to have them back and keep the energy in Heaton Park ‘Watermelon Sugar’ high.
Why not try something new and contribute to a good cause while you’re at it – runners are welcome to run in support of a charity of their choosing.
Finally, some real motivation – run like you’re chasing Harry Styles.
What you can expect from Styles-Athon:
- Live Harry Styles tribute performance and warm-up
- DJ and professional sound team
- Music guides running the course to keep the energy high
- Exclusively Harry Styles music throughout the event
- 5K and 10K routes
- Free professional event photos
- Chip-timed race with official results
- Exclusive Harry Styles finisher’s medal
Timings:
- 9am – 10am – Harry Styles tribute performance in the event village as runners arrive
- 10am – 10.10am – Harry Styles tribute to lead the warm-up hosted at the start area
- 10.15am – 10.25am – Getting race ready and walk to the start line
- 10.30am – 12pm – Race begins, with most runners finished by midday
Styles-Athon will be set up for around 1,000 attendees and is taking place in Heaton Park, on Saturday 19 September 2026.
Sign up HERE for either 5k and 10k options, tickets available from £29.99.
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Featured image: Run Fanatics
Danny Jones -
24th May 2024 
