Marcus Rashford’s new celebration is gradually taking over the world of sport as more and more athletes are pulling out his new trademark gesture.
The Manchester United man is absolutely on fire at the moment, enjoying the best run of form we’ve seen in his career thus far and, more importantly, looking happier and more confident than ever.
To go along with that, the 25-year-old recently pulled out a new celebration earlier this year, where he simply stops and points to his temple after scoring, which he has done 18 times already this season.
However, the celebration hasn’t stopped with Rashford: the likes of Tammy Abraham, Joshua Kimmich and more have pulled out ‘The Point’.
It might not be the most original celebration we’ve ever seen — plenty of people have pointed to their heads after scoring a goal etc. — but Man United’s number 10 has clearly given a whole new lease of life to it, and perhaps an added layer of meaning.
Fellow England star Bukayo Saka even pulled out Rashford’s celebration with his equaliser when his international teammate opened the scoring against Arsenal.
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Either the biggest mark of respect or absolutely cold as ice.
Bukayo Saka scores against Man United and does Marcus Rashford’s celebration 🫡 pic.twitter.com/37XPMRz5rM
As if that wasn’t cool enough — your fellow footballing colleagues helping your signature move go even more viral — the simple but effective statement point to the temple has transcended football and is now being whipped by sportsmen and women across various disciplines.
Starting with the likes of England and Sussex cricketer, Jofra Archer (a big United fan), the point is now being copied by some seriously notable athletes across the world.
And so does Novak Djokovic, it turns out, as the Serbian tennis star and record-equalling Grand Slam winner also pulled out the point over the weekend.
Winning a seriously impressive 10th Australian Open title, his 22nd major trophy, arguably the greatest ever to hold a racket chose recreated Rashford’s celebration to make the occasion.
As many have noted, if we start to see the likes of NBA and NFL players dedicating their celebrations to the Wythenshawe lad then he really has gone full superstar.
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That being said, many are still curious at what exactly the celebration means and, as far as we can tell, it’s simply about focus.
Man United’s no. 10 regularly suffered with the noise and pressure of leading the line for his boyhood club in the past couple of seasons, but it now looks like he’s managed to put that behind him and get back in the zone, for lack of a better phrase.
Often closing his eyes while raising his finger to his temple, the celebration is clearly about shutting out all that excess noise and external distractions; staying locked in and allowing himself to get back to what he does best: being really good at football.
Featured Image — The Cricketer/Marcus Rashford/Eurosport (via Twitter)
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VAR audio requested as Nottingham Forest prepare complaint after Man City defeat
Danny Jones
Nottingham Forest have requested that the VAR audio from their game against Manchester City be released, as they are considering launching a formal complaint following the defeat.
Forest hosted Man City at home this past weekend and went on to lose 2-1.
However, Sean Dyche’s side are said to be ‘extremely unhappy’ with some of the refereeing decisions made by first official, Rob Jones, on the day.
As a result, they are now asking the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) to share some of the conversations between on-pitch officials and the VAR team at Stockley Park in West London.
"I'm scratching my head and I can't believe it!" 😳
Sean Dyche wasn't happy with the officiating in their loss to Man City 😬
As you can see, Dyche initially said that “there’s no point” in pushing the refs on their performance, as he feels they usually only “get in trouble”, but it looks as though his employers have advocated for him.
Nottingham Forest had a problem with the final call in a number of instances during the festive fixture on Saturday, 27 December, but none more so than in one key moment.
The manager and his coaching team felt that Rayan Cherki’s 83rd-minute winner should have been cancelled out following a foul by Nico O’Reilly on Morgan Gibbs-White in the preceding corner, which may have prevented Cherki from scoring another decisive finish.
Dyche also argued that another City defender, Ruben Dias, was due a second yellow card and therefore dismissal from the pitch for a challenge after the break, but there was ultimately nothing doing.
You can see the collision here:
"I do have sympathy for Sean Dyche… it is a second yellow card!"
Ref Watch discuss whether Ruben Dias should have been sent off against Nottingham Forest. pic.twitter.com/dxTYmGsEqZ
According to Sky Sports News, Nottingham have already requested more information from the refereeing body, with this not being the first time they’ve felt hard done by.
As they put it, the hope/belief is that raising the issue could help “start a broader discussion around officiating this season.”
What do you make of Forest’s concerns against Manchester City, and do you think they’re worthy of launching an official complaint against the PGMOL and Premier League?
You can see the highlights from the game and perhaps decide for yourself down below.
Featured Images — TNT Sports (screenshot via YouTube)/The Manc Group
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Manchester United Women have signed a new Swedish international defender
Danny Jones
Manchester United Women have announced that the club has reached an agreement for the signing of Swedish international defender Hanna Lundkvist.
Having just departed American outfit San Diego Wave FC last week, Hanna Lundkvist is set to become a Man United and Women’s Super League (WSL) player on 1 January 2026.
Leaving the US after more than a year in the National Women’s Soccer League – Lundkvist signed for San Diego back in February 2024 – she
At just 23 and having already made 17 appearances for her country, including every game at the most recent Women’s Euros, she’s a highly-rated European prospect.
With the club already confirming the deal ahead of being fully unveiled as an official United Women’s signing, she will be the fourth member of the Sweden national setup in the squad after Anna Sandberg, Fridolina Rolfo and Julia Zigiotti Olme.
The ex-AIK and Hammarby IF youth is also set to face another one of her former teams, Atlético Madrid, in the growing Greater Manchester side’s knockout phase play-off fixture in the UEFA Women’s Champions League (WCL) this coming February.
Making it through to the next stage after beating fellow group qualifiers Juventus earlier this month, it remains to be seen how far Marc Skinner‘s side will go in their debut WCL campaign.
Her arrival is the first in what Skinner has already built up as an “aggressive” period of recruitment in the New Year, with the women’s transfer window set to close on Tuesday, 3 February, just a day after the male equivalent does.
As for Lundkvist, she’s already been given the seal of approval by her coach and the club, even being given a big defensive number.
Putting pen to paper on a contract until 2029, Lundkvist said in a statement: “I am really excited to be here; Manchester United is a club with an amazing history. You can feel how much they have grown in the last few years, competing in one of the strongest leagues in the world and performing in the WCL.
“Speaking with Marc and the coaches confirmed all of the great things I have heard about the culture of the team here. I cannot wait to get started and help the group to achieve more success.”
Director of women’s football at Man United, Matt Johnson, went on to add: “We are delighted to have signed a player with excellent experience at both club and international level at such a young age.
“Hanna will add further quality and energy to our defence; her determination and attitude will really help the group as we continue to compete across domestic and European competitions.”
Over in the blue half of Manchester, another youngster is reportedly heading out on his second loan spell in the January transfer window.
Danny Jones -
31st January 2023 
