Manchester United have reportedly cancelled their usual end-of-season awards dinner as focus shifts to a crucial FA Cup final against Man City which could prove to be make or break for Erik ten Hag after a difficult season.
With the club on course for what could end up being their worst statistical season ever, having already made their worst start to a season in terms of losses since the 1930s, there’s hardly been much for Man United fans to celebrate over the past year or so.
Capable of fast, fluid attacking play in one moment and then stagnant sideways passing combined with a leaky defence in the next, the Red Devils have put their supporters through the full gamut in ten Hag‘s second season.
As a result, according to The Athletic, the club has decided to scrap their usual awards ceremony which was originally scheduled for next Monday and turn all eyes to the cup final on Saturday, 25 May.
NEW @TheAthleticFC : Manchester United cancel club’s end-of-season awards dinner, scheduled for May 20. Club say it is because they don’t want distractions before men’s FA Cup final, but comes amid dreadful form & pressure mounting on Erik Ten Hag. https://t.co/kpqBsNzVAI
While the Man United Women’s team managed to round off a similarly challenging campaign with an all-important piece of silverware – the first FA Cup in their history and one which could also keep their head coach Marc Skinner in a job – the men still have a huge mountain to climb on their end.
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As the outlet goes on to reveal, the decision has been made as the administration feels that the players “should not have any distractions in the week of the game”, especially one which could prove to be the only saving grace during this campaign. There is no indication as to who had the final say on the matter.
Having crashed out of the Champions League, broken all manner of unwanted records, and now desperately hoping to at least qualify for the Europa or Conference League (a small consolation that many fans don’t even really want), it’s largely been a season most Reds will want to forget.
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Awards voted for by peers, coaches and fans will still be handed out but the awards dinner itself, which also celebrates those emerging from United’s legendary youth academy, has been binned in a move that probably better suits the current tone around the club.
It isn’t the first time the decision has been made either, as former interim United manager Ralf Rangnick also called off the awards dinner when he came in as Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s replacement towards the end of the 2021/22 season.
It’s likely that many of the players also aren’t exactly in high enough spirits to justify an end-of-season awards ceremony either, with the literal flooding inside Old Trafford this weekend only exacerbating how the condition of the stadium as a metaphor for the club at this moment in time.
It’s now less than a fortnight until United take on the historic rivals in the second consecutive Manchester derby FA Cup final, one which weighs heavily in the favour of those in blue. Can they possibly make it past the high-flying treble-winners?
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’.
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.
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.
Danny Jones -
14th May 2024 
