Manchester City and Lionesses star Alex Greenwood is set for a long stint on the sidelines after undergoing surgery.
The Man City Women’s stalwart has been a vital player in Gareth Taylor’s side ever since she joined back in 2020, being appointed as captain back in September this year.
However, following an injury suffered during the club’s 2-0 win over Austrian side St Pölten in the Champions League earlier this month, Greenwood was sadly stretchered off in the first half and supporters have been nervously waiting for an update on her fitness.
You can see the collision that caused the injury down below:
As you can see, the coming together quickly caused concern as the 31-year-old looked to be in visible distress in the immediate aftermath with teammates and opponents alike getting around her.
ADVERTISEMENT
Despite her manager sharing an initial update claiming that the issue “was not as bad as first feared”, the club shared a further statement this Thursday revealing that she had undergone a “successful surgery on a Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) injury…
“The defender has since undergone a repair of her MCL”, the statement continues, “and will now return to the City Football Academy to work closely with the Club’s medical team. Everyone at Manchester City would like to wish Alex a full and speedy recovery.”
ADVERTISEMENT
MCLs are considered less severe than the dreaded ACL (anterior collateral ligament) – typically seen as the worst possible injury in football – and tears can often heal naturally without surgery, but sadly Greenwood’s didn’t get off so lucky.
Nevertheless, her knee surgery was completed this week and the Euro 2020-winning England international shared a post to her followers after the procedure, assuring fans, “I will work so hard to be back on the pitch as soon as I can.”
While she expressed a very understandable frustration following such an unfortunate end to the year, her short but sweet statement was a typically defiant one as you would expect from the no-nonsense centre-back.
ADVERTISEMENT
It’s still unclear just how long Greenwood will be out for, as post-MCL surgery recovery periods can vary from anywhere between three months and a full year depending on severity and various other factors.
Moreover, with Man City pushing for their first-ever Women’s Super League title and just a few points behind league leaders Chelsea, losing one of your most trusted senior players and leader as important as Alex Greenwood isn’t ideal but a successful surgery is still good news.
With the next Women’s European Championships coming up in July 2025 too, the entire nation will be hoping a key part of Sarina Wiegman’s backline will be able to not just return in time but get some much-needed minutes ahead of squad selection time.
"Very disappointing for Man City and England" 💬
Manchester City have confirmed that captain Alex Greenwood has undergone knee surgery after picking up an injury last week 👇 pic.twitter.com/9IO6XHMvev
Featured Images — The Manc Group/Alex Greenwood (via Instagram)
Sport
Manchester United home kit for 2026/27 ‘leaked’ online in unboxing video
Danny Jones
Manchester United’s new home kit for the 2026/27 campaign has reportedly been leaked online in a YouTuber’s unboxing video ahead of next season.
We know fake shirts and dupes can be pretty accurate these days, but it looks very much like this could be the real deal.
Shared by dedicated football kit reviewer, ‘Retro Man‘, who has seemingly revealed the latest Man United jersey, this unveiling lines up with the previously rumoured designs circulated on social media.
A Red Devil himself, the creator has teased previous releases that turned out to be true in the past, so we’ll leave it up to all of you to decide how bona fide you think this supposed home strip is. Ever-reliable footy fashion peers, Footy Headlines, have also shared these images:
Uploaded to the channel on 25 April, Retro Man did a full overview of the United 26/27 home shirt, highlighting key features such as a red-forward collar with black and white accents.
That same trim is repeated on the ends of the sleeves – reminiscent of the 2011/12 iteration, only differing in the more crew neck style – and the back of the neck now simply reads “UNITED”.
It is worth noting that this is specifically the replica shirt that most fans will purchase.
Should it prove to be the genuine article, this will be the 11th Manchester United kit by adidas since they returned as manufacturers over a decade ago, a.k.a. the start of the Louis van Gaal era.
Retro Man has since posted another video showing off what he claims to be the ‘authentic’ version, too; you can check it out in more detail down below.
Looks pretty legit…
As you can see, the official player edition that will be worn on the pitch by actual United squad members (though they are still available to purchase by the public) appears to hold some key distinctions.
Besides some differences around the panelling and stitching, there is also a noticeable textured section along large sections of the interwoven fabric as part of the brand’s breathable and trademark ‘Climacool’ technology.
Elsewhere, the badge itself also looks to have a more embossed/raised finish. If this is the real deal, what do you make of it?
This isn’t the only United kit that’s caught some attention of late, either:
Featured Images — Retro Man (screenshots via YouTube)
Sport
A League Of Their Own LIVE is coming to Manchester
Danny Jones
The inaugural live tour version of A League Of Their Own Live Tour is heading out across the UK, with a big Manchester show booked on the list of dates.
For fans of the hit sports-based TV show on Sky, this will be the first time ever that the A League Of Their Own (ALOTO) cast will be presenting, performing and cracking plenty of jokes in front of a proper live audience.
There’s no stopping and resetting to get the shot with this production: just them and the crowds up and down the country – we know you won’t let the side down, Manchester.
Booking one of the city’s biggest and most storied live entertainment spaces, we have every faith they’ll make it a night to remember.
A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN LIVE TOUR
The hit TV show announces its first-ever live arena tour! Hosted by Jamie Redknapp!
As you can see, already confirmed to be taking part in the live adaptation of the panel show are regular co-hosts Jamie Redknapp and Jill Scott, as well as some of the big names.
In addition to famous former sports personalities like Manchester United defender Patrice Evra and ex-boxer Tony Bellew, they will also be joined by comedians Tom Davies and Maisie Adam.
Massive football fans themselves, who have both been part of the ALOTO cast in the past, it’s a funny lineup, for sure.
While the main presenter, Romesh Ranganathan, has not been confirmed as part of the touring crew, it’s worth noting that the lineup could change closer to the time. We wouldn’t be surprised if they have some special guests up their sleeves for one or two of the shows, either…
Please let us see ‘Wazza’ roped in to recreate this moment:
Speaking of the dates, you can see all the shows – including the Manchester this coming autumn – currently announced down below:
A League Of Their Own Live Tour dates – 2026
Friday, 4 September – M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool
Saturday, 5 September – AO Arena, Manchester
Tuesday, 8 September – OVO Arena Wembley, London
Friday, 11 September – Utilita Arena, Newcastle upon Tyne
Monday, 14 September – bp pulse LIVE, Birmingham
Thursday, 17 September – OVO Hydro, Glasgow
As detailed above, early access can be enjoyed either for Three Mobile members or via the venue’s official presale window, which opens at 10am this Thursday, 30 April.
Meanwhile, general admission tickets go live at the same time the following Friday (1 May); you can get ready to grab yours right HERE.
Danny Jones -
19th December 2024 
