Sport

Man United starlet Kobbie Mainoo earns first senior England call-up following ‘immense’ derby day performance

Kobbie's clinched a call-up.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 19th March 2024

Rising Manchester United star Kobbie Mainoo has received his first senior call-up to the England squad following his outstanding breakthrough season and what many hailed as an incredible performance in the derby against Liverpool.

The Stockport-born midfielder has been one of Man United’s brightest sparks this season, looking like an extremely talented player with maturity and intelligence beyond his years on numerous occasions, as well as scoring an impressive winning goal in their 4-3 away against Wolves earlier in the year.

Mainoo also played a key role in the Red Devils‘ latest win by the same scoreline over their historic rivals, with Erik ten Hag’s side delivering a vintage FA Cup fixture to progress to the semi-finals following a dramatic 120 minutes at Old Trafford.

With the youngster’s showing in the first half in particular described as “immense” by the likes of Ian Wright and other pundits — many of whom had already agreed he “has to be in the next England squad” — they’ve now got their wish.

Southgate has finally seen fit to call up Mainoo for England after many questioned his exclusion from the squad in favour of Henderson.

Still only 18, he joins the likes of Theo Walcott, Wayne Rooney and his new international teammate Jude Bellingham as amongst some of the youngest players to ever be called up for the national squad, with the Real Madrid star now looking like he might play in a midfield three alongside Rice and Mainoo.

Reacting to the news on his Instagram, Mainoo simply wrote, “It’s an honour to receive my first senior call-up”, with countless fellow pros, pundits and fans congratulating him on the achievement.

As for his club, United kept things even shorter by adding, “So, so deserved” and Red or not, we’d guess there can’t be too many supporters that aren’t excited to see him in an England shirt — we certainly are.

The bump up to the big leagues also comes just four days after he was initially named in the Three Lions’ U21s squad prior to his derby day display. Safe to say it’s been a whirlwind few days for the local lad.

With England’s kits for the Euros this summer having just been dropped too, we’re starting to get very excited now. It’s coming home.

Is this a tournament-winning kit, do we reckon?…

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Featured Images — England (via X)/Kobbie Mainoo (via Instagram)

Sport

Local LGBTQIA+ football team Manchester Laces are set to play in the FA Cup for the first time ever

Danny Jones Danny Jones Manchester Laces playing in Women's FA Cup for the first-time ever

Inclusive football team Manchester Laces are set to break even more new ground are they prepare to compete in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup for the first time ever.

What a truly incredible few years it’s been for the club.

Set to play their maiden match in the female division of the sport’s oldest competition this weekend, Manchester Laces’ Yellows squad will be taking on rival Greater Manchester Women’s Football League (GMWFL) side, Northwich Victoria, in another historic milestone for the local outfit.

Announced last month, the game is now fast approaching, and they’re hoping that plenty of Manc natives will turn up in support.

For anyone unfamiliar with the story, Manchester Laces has grown to become the leading women’s, non-binary and LGBTQIA+ positive sporting bodies in the region.

In fact, as part of a wider family – which includes clubs in Hackney, South London and Limehouse Laces, not to mention players over in Canada too – they’re comfortably one of the biggest in the entire country.

Sticking with MCR Laces alone, founded by Helen Hardy, they have grown so much in reputation and size that they have six different teams besides just the Yellows: the other Manchester squads include the Blues, Greens, Oranges, Purples, as well as the budding new Reds and Blacks.

It’s this kind of impressive expansion and, crucially, representation that has seen them win two Football v Homophobia Awards and Grassroots Initiative of the Year back in 2023.

Side-note: they also happen to have one of our favourite fooy kits of the entire year so far…

Boasting a new regular stadium at Timpson Road and set to take part not only in the North West Women’s Regional Football League (NWWFL)/GMWFL, but now FA Cup and county cup games, 2025 could be their most momentous year yet.

Providing access to countless women and people from within the queer and non-binary community who love the beautiful game and may have otherwise struggled to find an outlet, their work has been crucial in and around Greater Manchester.

With that in mind, taking part in an inaugural run within the prestigious knockout tournament feels like yet another watershed moment for the organisation.

Speaking ahead of the fixture, the club wrote on social media: “In 2021, we started our journey in Div 2 of the GMWFL with the aim of creating an inclusive and welcoming space for all. After winning consecutive league titles and earning back-to-back promotions, we are now a Tier 6 team.

“Yellows are delighted to be stepping into the magic of the FA Cup for the very first time, and we would love to see you there!

Taking place at both Wythenshawe Town FC’s and the Yellows’ own new home ground of Ericstan Park on Sunday, 7 September (2pm KO), we wish them the best of luck.

Manchester Laces: the non-binary football club leading the charge on inclusivity in sport
Tickets for Manchester Laces’ debut FA Cup game are just £2 and can be purchased on entry

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Featured Images — Wythenshawe Town FC/Manchester Laces (via Instagram/Facebook)

Sport

A huge Hot Wheels monster truck event is coming to Manchester

Danny Jones Danny Jones Hot Wheels Monster Trucks live show Manchester

A massive Hot Wheels-themed monster truck event is coming to Manchester city centre as part of a brand new UK tour.

You can file this under one for the kids and for the big kids.

Following the success of the brand’s award-winning ‘Glow-N-Fire’ event earlier this year, Hot Wheels is hitting the road once again and bringing the explosive show to yet more domestic audiences.

Whether you’re a monster truck enthusiast, part of the wider motorhead masses, or simply looking for something fun to do with the little ones, you should be all over this.

hot wheels events manchester
hot wheels ao arena
Credit: Pres shots (supplied)

What is Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live: Glow-N-Fire?

Produced by Family Entertainment Live, Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live™ sees versions of the genuine collectable toys brought to life on the biggest scale possible.

Remember that old miniature car you had that looked like a shark? Yep, they’ve even got that.

But there’s much more than just colossally large vehicles; as well as the debut of an all-new truck called the ‘Rhinomite’ – the dynamite Rhino-themed truck which charges horn-first into challenges and looks to destroy the competition – the new and improved experience will feature never-before-seen stunts.

Performed not only by the Hot Wheels Monster Trucks drivers, but also by a talented roster of FMX (freestyle motocross), you can expect the likes of no-handed front flips and much more by these impressive professionals.

Returning not only to the capital but now Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham and Leeds too, more and more Brits are going to be able to see the action for themselves.

hot wheels monster trucks manchester tickets
Credit: Supplied

Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live – UK tour dates

  • Saturday to Sunday, 3-4 January 2026: AO Arena, Manchester
  • Sat-Sun, 10-11 January: The O2 Arena, London
  • Sat-Sun, 28-29 March: First Direct Bank Arena, Leeds
  • Sat-Sun, 4-5 April: M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool
  • Sat-Sun, 11-12 April: Utilita Arena, Birmingham 

With special children’s pricing, VIP packages and even the chance to participate in the official pre-show party, held two and a half hours prior to every performance, there really is so much value-for-money to be soaked up from this high-octane piece of live entertainment at the AO Arena.

The pre-show party, specifically, gives fans a unique opportunity to access the arena floor where they can get up close and personal with the outrageous Hot Wheels designs and the truly epic size of a minster struck, as well as grab autographs and selfies with their favourites.

Hot Wheels Monster Trucks – Manchester tickets

Glow-N-Fire won the most recent Pollstar ‘Family Show of the Year’ award and has sold thousands of tickets this year alone, so it goes without saying that you have every reason to give this one a go.

Tickets for next year’s Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live show at the AO Arena in Manchester go on sale this Friday, 5 September at 10am.

You can get ready to grab yours HERE.

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Featured Images — Publicity pictures (supplied)

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