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Manchester United have stripped huge poster of Cristiano Ronaldo off Old Trafford

It's not what you think, but it definitely LOOKS dramatic.

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 16th November 2022

The fall-out from Cristiano Ronaldo’s explosive interview with Piers Morgan continues, with Manchester United now pulling down the huge poster of the footballer from the front of Old Trafford.

Today, workers have been spotted tearing down the massive poster of the Portuguese star from the front of the iconic ground.

It’s also understood that the club are seeking legal advice about the ferocious comments Ronaldo made in his interview, in which he called out his current coach Erik ten Hag as well as other United players and board members.

Of Wayne Rooney, Ronaldo said: “I don’t know why he criticises me so badly… probably because he finished his career and I’m still playing at a high level. I’m not going to say that I’m looking better than him. Which is true…”

Since the interview was released, Ronaldo has faced widespread criticism for ‘betraying’ his club, and faced a frosty reception from his teammates at the Portugal camp for the World Cup.

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The sight of his face being yanked down from Old Trafford has surprised a lot of fans, but it’s actually understood that the decorative mural was always due to be stripped down this week, even before that interview emerged.

It’s because the stadium will be hosting the final of men’s and women’s Rugby League World Cup on Saturday.

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The poster featured other United legends like David Beckham and Eric Cantona alongside Ronaldo.

Read more: Ronaldo calls out ten Hag, Rooney and United board in explosive Piers Morgan interview

United issued a statement on Monday after the first clips appeared from the interview.

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It read: “Manchester United notes the media coverage regarding an interview by Cristiano Ronaldo. The club will consider its response after the full facts have been established.

“Our focus remains on preparing for the second half of the season and continuing the momentum, belief and togetherness being built among the players, manager, staff, and fans.”

Featured image: Manchester United

Sport

Manchester United named Premier League’s ‘most valuable’ club in Forbes’ 2023 ranking

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Manchester United has been named the most valuable club in the Premier League for 2023, according to an annual ranking by Forbes.

Every year, the business magazine is known for publishing a list of clubs within each sport that are considered to be of the most value, and ranks them from highest to lowest based off how much they’re worth – and, as you can imagine, the top 10 is usually made up of some of the most famous and well-known global franchises.

When it comes to football in 2023 though, according to Forbes, the “soccer pitch is filled with more green than ever”.

The world’s top 20 most valuable football teams have an average value of $2.89 billion in 2023, which is 14% higher than the year previous.

With a current value of $6 billion, Manchester United has taken the number two spot on the global 2023 rankings, just behind Spanish superclub Real Madrid at $6.07 billion – making the Red Devils the most valuable club in the Premier League.

The rest of the top five is made up of Catalan giants Barcelona in third place with a value of $5.51 billion, fellow North West club Liverpool at number four with a value $5.29 billion, and rounded out by cross-town rivals Manchester City.

The Sky Blues have a current value of $4.99 billion, according to Forbes.

Top 10 Most Valuable Football Clubs 2023

  1. Real Madrid – $6.07bn
  2. Manchester United – $6bn
  3. Barcelona – $5.51bn
  4. Liverpool – $5.29bn
  5. Manchester City – $4.99bn
  6. Bayern Munich – $4.86bn
  7. Paris St-Germain – $4.21bn
  8. Chelsea – $3.1bn
  9. Tottenham Hotspur – $2.8bn
  10. Arsenal – $2.26bn
Manchester United named Premier League’s ‘most valuable’ club in Forbes’ 2023 ranking / Credit: Manchester United (via Facebook)

Other Premier League teams featuring in Forbes’ top 30 list of the most valuable for 2023 include London clubs West Ham and Crystal Palace, the North East’s Newcastle United, Midlands-based Aston Villa, rival Liverpool club Everton, and the recently-relegated Leicester City.

Manchester United has been named as the second most valuable football team in the world, despite what Forbes has called the ongoing “sale saga with seemingly no end in sight”.

United fans will know that the club’s controversial current owners, The Glazer family – who have owned the club since 2005 – are apparently asking for a world-record price to buy the team, which would mean a higher figure than the $6.05 billion that the US-based NFL team, Washington Commanders, sold for this past April.

The club has a current value of $6 billion / Credit: Manchester United (via Facebook)

At the moment, it’s thought that only two bidders – Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani of Qatar, and Sir Jim Radcliffe’s Ineos Group – submitted final bids to buy Manchester United before the club’s dealine on 28 April.

However, Finnish businessman Thomas Zilliacus notably tweeted that his bid for the club was still on the table.

Read more:

So, long story short, who knows? It still all remains to be seen.

Featured Image – Ash Donelon & Manchester United (via Facebook)

Sport

Rival Manchester fans urged to use different Wembley travel routes for FA Cup final

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Football fans from rival Manchester clubs heading to watch the FA Cup final this weekend are being urged to take different travel routes to each other.

In preparation for what is set to be a massive day for our city, where Manchester United and Manchester City face each other in an all-Manchester final of the Emirates FA Cup at Wembley Stadium this Saturday, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has now issued some urgent travel advice for fans.

With it being the first time the two Manchester clubs have battled it out for the trophy in the final in the 151-year-old football competition’s illustrious history, tens of thousands of fans are expected to make the journey down to the capital.

But with this influx of excitable rival fans, admittedly, comes a set of challenges.

This is why The FA and TfGM have decided to introduce some measures, and issue travel tips and guidance, in a bid to make sure everyone stays safe, while still soaking in all the atmosphere of the historic day at the same time.

Due to what TfGM has called “significant” coordinated strike action by rail unions RMT and Aslef on Saturday, all supporters heading to the FA Cup final are advised to avoid trains and “consider alternative travel arrangements” instead – making sure to allow “additional time for travel” and planning their journeys “ahead of time”.

Fans are also being asked to check the road network carefully, as it’s also highly likely that traditional routes to Wembley will be “busier than normal” as a result of rail strikes.

The FA has confirmed that it will be providing 60 coaches for both Manchester clubs to help supporters get to Wembley and return to Manchester once the game has finished, but aside from this, TfGM has suggested that “anyone without an official match ticket should not travel to the game”.

The two Manchester clubs have been advised to encourage fans to use separate travel routes to each other to avoid clashes, and a list of service stations for each team has now also been published – confirming all the rumours to be true.

Allocation of motorway service stations

Manchester City supporters

  • Lymm
  • Sandbach
  • Stafford
  • Norton Canes
  • Corley
  • Rugby
  • Watford Gap
  • Northampton
  • Newport Pagnell
  • Toddington
  • London Gateway

Manchester United supporters

  • Knutsford
  • Keele
  • Hilton
  • Warwick
  • Cherwell Valley
  • Oxford
  • Beaconsfield
Manchester United and Manchester City will battle it out for the FA Cup title this Saturday 3 June / The FA

When it comes to the travel routes supporters of each team are advised to take, TfGM is urging Manchester City fans to take the M62/M1 as the first port of call, or taking the M6/M1 or M6/M6 Toll/M1 as a back-up option.

Manchester United supporters are encouraged to take the M6/M42/M40.

On top of information on travel routes and service station allocations, TfGM has also shared tips for matchday parking, tube travel around London, and more.

Read more:

You can find out more FA Cup final travel advice on the TfGM website here.

Featured Image – Wikimedia Commons

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