Manchester United have made it through to the quarter-finals of the Europa League following what can only be described as a captain’s performance by Bruno Fernandes, who scored a hattrick to take home the match ball.
He may have been given two penalties to help him on his way but still… can you see where this is going?
After Alejandro Garnacho posted a picture posing with Bruno Fernandes, it didn’t take much zooming in to spot a couple of sarcastic scribbles from other members of the squad. Who knows who wrote what or what else is written on there? All we know is it gave us a good chuckle.
In case you can’t quite see for yourselves, just to the right-hand side of the ball reads, “How much you paid the ref?”, obviously in reference to him earning not one but two penalties, at least one of which was categorised as ‘soft’ by some.
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We’re referring to the first instance when Rasmus Højlund (who did almost everything but score on the night as his duck in front of goal goes on) went to ground and did enough to earn them an equaliser through Bruno‘s first spot-kick.
Nevertheless, it was one of three penalties awarded on the night and there could have even been a fourth were it not for Patrick Dorgu, who won himself a second pen after falling in the box before ultimately urging the referee to overturn the decision once it went to VAR.
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A particularly rare moment of sportsmanship which manager Ruben Amorim applauded, telling media “I’m proud of him” – though he did joke he’d think differently if they were still 0-0 at the time.
But besides the penalty jibes, the other discernible message left on Bruno’s match ball that has tickled Reds is the one that reads: “You were still s*** [in the] first of the half of the season.”
Always good to keep your footballing colleagues humble by continuing to take the mick no matter what.
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As for the man of the match performance itself, it’s been one of a number by the ‘Portuguese Magnifico’ this season and despite Man United legend Roy Keane having taken aim at the 30-year-old regarding his leadership qualities recently, he only seems to have been lofted by the criticism.
Amorim, naturally, was full of praise for his midfield talisman, insisting that he can thrive both further up the pitch and in this current deeper role, before going on to say: “He’s a perfect captain for our team and we need to help him to win titles because he deserves a lot.”
You can watch the highlights from the chaotic down below:
Featured Images — TNT Sports (screenshot via YouTube)/Alejandro Garnacho (via IG)
Sport
Tommy Fury announces huge fight against former World’s Strongest Man Eddie Hall
Daisy Jackson
Tommy Fury has announced his next major boxing match – against a rather unlikely opponent.
The Manc boxer and former Love Island star will face Eddie Hall, who once reigned as the World’s Strongest Man and was the first person on the planet to deadlift 500kg.
The match, billed as Beauty vs The Beast (we’ll let you decide who’s who…), will take place at the AO Arena this summer.
Tommy Fury and Eddie Hall will be facing off in Manchester as part of the Misfits Boxing series, a sports promotion company founded by YouTube sensation KSI.
26-year-old Fury – younger brother of heavyweight legend Tyson Fury – remains unbeaten, seeing off all-comers in the crossover boxing world.
As for 38-year-old Eddie Hall (nicknamed The Beast), he retired as a strongman competitor, where he’s previously been crowned the World’s Strongest Man, and has now pivoted into combat sports.
The pair have collaborated recently on several videos online, taking on challenges like a One Punch Knockout and a breakfast eating competition.
But this will be the first time they’ve publicly faced off in the ring.
Misfirst Boxing has once more delivered the biggest match-ups possible in the crossover boxing space, with Fury vs. Hall promising to be a titanic tussle that will captivate fans around the world.
Tommy Fury vs Eddie Hall, Beauty vs The Beast, will take place on Saturday 13 June at the AO Arena in Manchester – you can get tickets HERE.
Corey Blackett-Taylor ruled out injured for the rest of the season
Danny Jones
Bolton Wanderers winger Corey Blackett-Taylor has been ruled out for the rest of the season following injury.
With not that long left in this year’s campaign and the playoff scrap set to ramp up even further in the coming weeks, it’s an unfortunate twist of fate for the Trotters.
Despite still being only a relatively recent signing, having just joined Bolton in the most recent January transfer window, it didn’t take long for him to make a good impression.
Scoring on debut in a 1-0 away win against AFC Wimbledon, the 28-year-old is now set to miss the remainder of the 2025/26 term, letting supporters know the news on Friday, 27 March.
Blackett-Taylor was forced off in the game against Rotherham United after pulling up in the wake of taking a shot, ultimately being subbed in the first half.
It was quickly confirmed to be a thigh injury, and while the specific nature and severity of the damage haven’t been fully detailed, he has now informed fans that his season is over.
Writing on Instagram, he said: “Instantly from arriving at the club, I felt the passion and support from the fans, club, staff and players.
“I have no doubts [about] the club achieving their targets of promotion – I want to say a huge thank you for making me feel so welcomed and comfortable. Unfortunately, my season is concluded due to my injury, but I’ll be here supporting the team to the very end.”
He isn’t the only impactful League One player at a side eyeing up the Championship to have been hampered by setbacks on the physio bench, with rivals Stockport County also confirming an absence at this crucial point in the campaign.
Not ideal for either of the Greater Manchester hopefuls.
Once again, while the recovery period for both of these players has already begun, the exact timelines for their return remain to be seen.
That being said, chances are we’ll see the Derby County loanee back in action before Hills, though we’ll have to wait to find out whether it will be at the Toughsheet Stadium or back with his parent club.
Who do you think is going to clinch that third promotion place at Wembley come this May?
Danny Jones -
14th March 2025 
