Young midfielder Sverre Nypan is returning to Manchester City this January transfer window.
Man City had a fairly busy window, both in terms of new arrivals and outgoings – not least of all due to somewhat of an injury crisis along their backline – which also involved a fair few youth loanees recalled and/or sent back on other spells.
While the big stories were obviously the signing of Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth and Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace, another move that has been confirmed before close on deadline day is Nypan being recalled from his loan in the Championship.
The Norwegian international, whose senior chapter is only just beginning, has spent this season on loan at Middlesbrough, who currently sit joint first in the second-tier table, are level on clean sheets with nine kept across the 20 games so far this campaign, and have the second-best goal difference (18).
Not only is that nearly a shutout nearly every other game, but while things haven’t quite gone the 19-year-old’s way, he did show promise in parts when played by head coach Kim Hellberg.
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Still clearly a highly-rated prospect, with Boro fans stating that he showed “real glimpses of quality” even despite being thrown into one of the most physical leagues in the world, and perhaps too soon in his career, there’s definitely a player there.
More of an offensive-minded player, the Eliteserien academy product clearly has potential to be built on, but it remains to be seen what his level is right now, at least when it comes to English football.
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City and their supporters certainly seem to think so, too, as while some are expecting him to go back out on a deal somewhere else, others think now could be a good time to give him some minutes in the wider first-team setup.
With Pep Guardiola’s squad still in all four possible competitions in 2025/26, he could be a useful rotation option – especially in the remaining domestic cup games.
It has now been confirmed that he has been given the number 41 shirt, so plenty are now expecting him to stay and add some more defensive strength in depth.
Nypan was signed by the City Football Group (CFG) from Rosenborg last year for a reported £12.5 million, but went on to start just three games for the North East side, and it has now been confirmed that what was supposed to be a full-term contract was mutually terminated by both teams.
With literally just hours left of the winter window, it now looks most likely that he will stay and continue his development with Pep, who has certainly given youngsters a chance and sometimes deploys them in alternative and often even unexpected positions. Could Nypan be used as an auxiliary defender?
However, there is always the chance of a late twist when it comes to transfers, and some have speculated that he could be sent to another CFG franchise.
Would you like to see him stay at the club and gradually work his way into the picture, Blues?
Featured Image — Ssu (via Wikimedia Commons)/Manchester City (publicity pictures via website)
Sport
Here’s our petition for ‘Wonderwall’ to become England’s new football anthem
Danny Jones
All things considered, England have made a great start to the 2026 World Cup, pitching themselves as one of the great entertainers this tournament, and the scenes of the supporters and players alike serenading an entire stadium with ‘Wonderwall’ after the full-time whistle gave us chills.
So why not time for a change?
After all, that feels a lot like what this World Cup squad is about: a new manager, new teammates, not clinging to the previous ways of playing – and perhaps it’s time to put ‘Sweet Caroline’ to one side.
Now, we’re by no means saying that we’re ‘done’ with the John Denver anthem that has been reborn as a Three Lions anthem, but look at how good it was watching England belting out Oasis with the fans.
“Today is gonna be the day that England beat Croatia 4-2”, as BBC’s Match of the Day cleverly quipped.
Obviously, we’re biased as Mancs, but we also think there’s something special about having that particular track feel so good to hear again.
As much as we love Oasis, for a long time, it felt like we couldn’t enjoy arguably their biggest-ever single anywhere near as much as we once did.
We assume it’s something akin to hearing ‘Mr Brightside’ non-stop for what felt like millennia, and in truth, hearing those repetitions of “ba, ba, ba… SO GOOD, SO GOOD!” over and over again at sporting fixtures beyond just national team games has taken the magic out of it at times.
Perhaps it’s just a case of saturation in certain settings and songs simply being overplayed – FIFA’s co-hosts over in the US certainly helped see to that when it came to ‘Wonderwall’ for a long time.
On the other hand, it feels like we’ve now come full circle; singing those famous lyrics at the top of our lungs in a sea of Mancs and fans travelling from all over to Heaton Park for Live ’25 last year felt better than ever, and like we’d all remembered how great a tune it’s always been. So did this…
In fact, this felt so emotional that you’ve got people who aren’t even English praising both those on the pitch and up in the stands for the moment online.
Even the admittedly rather American Man vs Food himself, Adam Richman (though he does have British ancestry), felt compelled to write a moving response on social media: “Shut up. You’re the one that’s crying. Bravo, England.”
He’s far from the only one who was left bowled over by the atmosphere – us included.
What do you think? Is it time for a new go-to tournament anthem for the Three Lions moving forward?
Featured Images — Oasis/ITV Sport (screenshots via YouTube)
Sport
Manchester United set to release two classic remake kits, including a ‘blackout’ shirt
Danny Jones
Manchester United are reportedly planning to release not just one, but another two classic remake kits, based on one of their most recognisable shirts of all time.
As many other teams have done for special anniversaries and limited edition strips, one of them is set to be a ‘blackout’ version of the iconic design, too.
Having already dropped a re-release of the 1990-92 ‘snowflake’ away kit this past April, along with various other bits of lifestyle/casualwear, the success of their retro range needs no explanation.
With that in mind, supporters who remember the initial Adidas era, football fashionistas and collectors alike will no doubt be clamouring to get their hands on either or both of these shirts.
The right-hand side is an educated prediction by the outlet. (Credit: Footy Headlines)
Based on the same adidas Originals template initially used for the 1986-88- home kit, according to the ever-reliable Footy Headlines, a similar faithful recreation is scheduled to go on sale later this year.
We’ve already heard rumblings of a Man United fourth kit expected to be added to their rotation for the upcoming campaign, but this is thought to be separate from the match-worn 2026/27 alternate.
As you can see, the rumoured ’86 remake by United will mark 30 years since the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson first took charge of the club, before going on to spend the best of three decades there himself.
Featuring the traditional ‘adi trefoil’ logo and the famous Sharp Electronics sponsor on the front, as well as the sublimated old school pattern – just as seen with the aforementioned modern edition of the ’90-92 jersey – the second version will be exactly the same, only, you guessed it: all black.
With the INEOS ownership group clearly looking to double down on nostalgia and the improving mood around the ‘Theatre of Dreams’ now that they’re back in the Champions League, revenues already look to be on the rise.
Ruben Amorim famously turned this down – but not Michael Carrick…
The retro range has become just the latest of several new money spinners for the Red Devils as they look to get their finances back on track, as well as their performances on the pitch.
This summer transfer window is also now open, and with one deal already said to be done and at least a couple more in the pipeline, the income from merchandising will no doubt help to fund at least part of their various lots of these deals this year.
It isn’t just new players they have to pay for either, as it’s also costing them north of £1 million to returf the pitch inside the ground – and they still have the prospect of a new stadium to replace Old Trafford, let’s not forget.
Danny Jones -
2nd February 2026 
