Sport

Marcos Rojo tears into Harry Maguire and reveals why Ole Gunnar Solskjær wouldn’t drop him

Good mates then yeah, Marcos?

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 30th April 2023

Ex-Manchester United defender Marcos Rojo didn’t hold back when talking about his old teammate Harry Maguire in a recent interview, along with Ole Gunnar Solskjær too.

The former United fullback didn’t spend a lot of time playing alongside the Red Devils’ current club captain, but it seems the England international didn’t leave the greatest impression on Rojo, who spent seven years at Old Trafford.

Speaking to Argentine outlet TyC Sports earlier this week, the 33-year-old spoke of the time he went into head coach Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s office when United were playing in the Europa League and demanded that he be put in the starting lineup over Maguire or be allowed to leave.

Safe to say he wasn’t his biggest fan…

Rojo explained how he was enjoying a good spell in his United career (which was often derailed by injuries), and was starting to play more regularly in cup games, but after Maguire signed for the club in 2019, he grew frustrated that he was playing in the team even despite poor performances.

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“I was playing in the Europa League, but I was really angry with the coach [Ole] because he was putting Maguire [in the squad] instead of me, who thank god they finally took him out of the starting lineup for Licha [Lisandro] Martinez.

“One day I went to Solskjaer’s office to tell him to let me leave for the other club or put [me] in the starting lineup, but he told me that Maguire had to play because of the money they paid for him.”, having signed for over £80 million — a then-world record fee for a defender.

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Rojo went on to say “[Maguire] was making huge mistakes already” — having regularly come under fire for lapses in concentration, poor form and general misfortune on the pitch for a while now — and said to Solskjaer: “Son of a b***h, let me play because this guy is making huge mistakes every week”.

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While the remark was undercut with laughter, it’s clear that he was just as frustrated with the Norwegian as he was with Maguire.

Now playing at Boca Juniors back in his home country, Rojo’s United career might never have hit the heights he would have hoped for after singing all the way back in 2014, but it certainly looked like he spotted some of the same issues many Reds have raised for months now.

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With Lisandro Martinez now out for the rest of the season and Raphael Varane also struggling with injury problems, Erik ten Hag hasn’t been left with much choice other than to phase Maguire back into the starting lineup and will just hoping he can finally recover some kind of form.

Many supporters also think even one of Maguire’s current teammates may not be the biggest fan either.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Image — Marcos Rojo (via Instagram)/Man United (via Twitter)

Sport

Ethan Wheatley reveals what Bruno Fernandes told him after coming on as Man United’s 250th academy graduate

Danny Jones Danny Jones Bruno Fernandes told Ethan Wheatley 'i have nine minutes to help you score' on Man United debut

It was yet another landmark moment for Manchester United’s rich youth heritage this week as the Red Devils made way for the 250th academy player, with 18-year-old Ethan Wheatley making his debut against Sheffield United – and Bruno Fernandes wanted to make it special.

A whirlwind week or two is putting it lightly for young Ethan Wheatley, whose role in the Under 18’s recent League and Cup double earned him not only a call-up to the bench for the FA Cup semi-final this past Sunday but also his first senior appearance at Old Trafford on Wednesday night.

Wheatley won the league with his side last week, having scored a hattrick in the youth team’s 9-1 win over rivals Liverpool earlier this month, but also managed to bag a brace against Manchester City in the Cup final on Tuesday night – the first time the club has ever lifted the trophy.

Cut to less than 24 hours later and he was named in the matchday squad against The Blades. While he might have only been given a short cameo, he was determined to make it as special as possible. So too was Fernandes, apparently, as Wheatley revealed a simple message from his captain before coming on.

You can see the moment Bruno gives Wheatley a clear instruction seconds after making his debut for United.

Speaking to MUTV after the home side’s 4-2 win over last-placed Sheffield, the Stockport-born striker said everything of what you would expect following his debut: “It’s an honour”, “a dream come true” and so on, but also revealed that man of the match was determined to help him score.

Wheatley said, “Bruno pulled me to the side and told me ‘I’ve got nine minutes to try and get you a goal!” He might not have managed it in the small window he was given but he certainly came close to a chance or two and it was apparent from the stands that he was trying to carve out any opportunity he could.

As for the 29-year-old Portuguese midfielder, who scored twice and grabbed an assist on the night, he told club media: “[Wheatley] should be really proud of himself. I hope he had his family and friends here today to see him because it’s a moment to not forget. It’s something he will always remember.”

It wasn’t just a special night for the youngster specifically, either, as he was also one of three U18s stars included in the matchday squad alongside Harry Amass and Louis Jackson, meaning that Man United continue to uphold a truly incredible stat when it comes to bringing through youth prospects.

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Some legacy that.

It looked as though it might be another chaotic night for the Reds when the visitors opened the scoring in the 35th minute and even managed to regain a 2-1 lead after half-time – especially with memories of the FA Cup drama against Coventry City still so fresh – but they managed to get the job done in the end.

A penalty plus a wonderful ranged finish from Bruno, as well as a much-needed goal for Rasmus Højlund, proved to be enough on top of Harry Maguire’s second headed goal in as many games to see them over the line – a team who were admittedly resigned to relegation months ago.

You can watch the highlights from the game HERE as well as Wheatley, Fernandes and Erik ten Hag’s post-match interviews in full down below:

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — MUTV/Manchester United (via Instagram)

Sport

Co-op Live announce UFC 304 is coming to the brand-new arena for Manchester return this year

Danny Jones Danny Jones UFC 304 returns to Manchester

Co-op Live has announced one of the biggest nights yet and their first-ever sporting event after confirming that the UFC is coming to the new state-of-the-art arena.

While the shiny new music and live entertainment stadium suffered an unfortunate setback earlier this week, with both of Peter Kay’s gigs being postponed following power supply issues discovered during their test event, the confirmation of UFC 304 at Co-op Live is a big plus for the opening month.

Rumours had been circling that a huge sporting event might be coming to the UK’s newest indoor arena, one of the biggest of its kind in Europe, but this being just the fourth time the UFC has washed up on British shores, it’s a huge coup for their debut year.

Announced on Wednesday, 24 April, the global MMA phenomenon and multi-billion-dollar promotion company will be bringing their 304th fight night to Manchester on 27 July and you can roll your eyes at the pun all you like, but it’s going to be a knockout.

The UFC is coming back to Manchester for the first time in eight years.

As the UFC has said in an official press release, “UK MMA is currently experiencing what is being described as an unheralded golden era, with stars such as welterweight champion Leon Edwards, interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall, and local favourites, including Paddy Pimblett, Molly McCann, Muhammad Mokaev, Michael Page and Arnold Allen, with more rising through the ranks.”

That being said, there isn’t a better moment for the brand to capitalise on the growing fight audience here in the UK and 0161, specifically, with the aforementioned Aspinall having created a real appetite for the discipline in and around the city.

The Greater Manchester region has always been home to iconic fighters regardless, be it boxing or otherwise; Ricky Hatton, Tyson Fury, Amir Khan, as well adopted Manc MMA legend Michael Bisping, whose pedigree helped bring UFC to Manchester and the AO Arena for the first time back in 2016.

Nearly a decade later the promotion is now part of Co-op Live’s maiden calendar and set to be the first of many sporting events they hope to host – a plan bolstered by their partnership with neighbours, Manchester City.

ufc returning to manchester july 2024
ufc co-op live
The UFC 304 fight card is yet to be announced but there are a few local names you can probably bank on. (Credit: The Manc Audio)

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“I’m so excited to get back to Manchester, and no better time than this summer,” said UFC President and CEO Dana White. “We have two champions from the UK and fans have been dying for a UFC PPV event. So here we come to the largest indoor arena in the UK. See you soon, England!”

As for Co-op Live, Executive Director and General Manager Gary Roden added: “With the north of England home to so many of the world’s leading fighters, we are primed and ready for UFC and its knowledgeable, passionate fanbase.

“Offering a state-of-the-art platform for globally broadcast events, Co-op Live is extremely proud to welcome entertainment of this scale and calibre as the future home of combat sports in the UK.”

Co-op members get early access to presale tickets at 10am on 5 June and general admission goes live via Ticketmaster at the same time on Friday, 7 June. UFC Fight Club members will also have the opportunity to purchase tickets early on the Wednesday from 9am BST.

You can also register your interest HERE to gain access to a special pre-sale which starts on Thursday, 6 June 6 from 10am as well. Roll on fight night!

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — The Manc Group/Supplied

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