In a late turn in the transfer window ahead of the Premier League restart this evening, Brazilian midfielder Fred is set to leave Manchester United after they reportedly accepted a bid from Turkish team, Fenerbahçe SK.
That’s right, United fans, the age of McFred is coming to an end.
As per numerous outlets, Man United accepted a bid for Fred from Süper Lig side Fenerbahçe on Thursday for an estimated €15 million euros (£12.9m), with the 30-year-old now set to leave Old Trafford after five years at the club.
Fred made 139 league appearances for the club in the top, scoring eight goals and seven assists — half a dozen of each coming last season, which proved to be one of his best in a United shirt. According to Fabrizio Romano, though, his personal terms have already been agreed.
Fred to Fenerbahçe, here we go! Deal in place with Manchester United, proposal revealed earlier has been accepted and verbal agreement reached 🚨🟡🔵
Fred has agreed terms with Fenerbahçe and will travel for medical tests soon.
Neither club is yet to confirm the agreement and the full details surrounding the deal are still unknown but the transfer is said to be permanent, with Fred expected to sign a four-year contract.
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The Brazilian international joined the Red Devils from Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk back in 2018 for £52m and was tipped to be a revolutionary signing, having been pursued by Pep Guardiola and Manchester City before opting to choose the other half of Manchester.
He famously made up one-half of the ‘McFred’ midfield partnership alongside Scott McTominay, which whether for the right reasons or not, became iconic and a bit of a meme over the past few seasons.
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Capable of solid, no-nonsense and often brilliant performances in one game but pure calamity in the next three, the dynamic duo have been central (quite literally) to the way United play, good or bad, for many years and fans have already responded with somewhat of a bittersweet goodbye.
However, despite being somewhat of a mainstay in United’s recent generation, he and McTominay only started three matches alongside each other under Erik ten Hag last season and the midfielder was reportedly informed that he would be unlikely to feature regularly going forward.
Nevertheless, he has been a faithful servant during his time at the club, always willing to put in a shift and has genuinely become a bit of a cult figure, with fans inserting his name into the famous ‘tear you apart’ chant and interacting with his family as they watched on from on the stands.
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He may never have hit the heights supporters were promised but always did his best to cover every blade of grass and was never afraid to put his body on the line. With Fred now set to leave and vacate the no.17 shirt, many fans are expecting the number to be given to their new striker, Rasmus Højlund.
It has also been rumoured that Scott McTominay might be leaving his boyhood club since the age of five, with West Ham, Newcastle and more said to be interested but it is now thought he will stay. McFred might be over, but Reds might still see the likes of McEriksen and McMount from time to time.
Rodri has been fined for his comments about referees following Man City vs Spurs game
Danny Jones
Manchester City star Rodri has been fined a large sum for his comments about recent refereeing following the Blues’ game against Tottenham Hotspur last month.
The Man City midfielder and Spanish international has avoided a match ban, as many supporters first feared, but will still pay £80k as punishment for the remarks.
While perhaps not a huge figure for a Premier League footballer, he still admitted to questioning the officiating on the day, but did submit evidence to the board in arguing his case.
The Euro 2024 winner had already been charged by the FA following the comments a fortnight after the frustrating home draw, but was given until 18 February to respond/appeal.
BREAKING: Rodri has been fined £80,000 and warned about his future conduct over comments made following Man City's draw with Tottenham Hotspur last month. pic.twitter.com/wdP4slCNef
At the time, little detail was revealed about what exactly was said to the ref, with Rodri accusing Rob Jones of not being neutral and acting in an ‘improper manner’, but it was his comments in the post-match zone that shone an extra spotlight on the situation.
Speaking to the media after the game, the 29-year-old said: “I know we won too much and the people don’t want us to win, but the referee has to be neutral. It’s not fair because we work so hard.
“When everything is finished, you are frustrated. It’s one game and another game and another game – and it’s not possible. Honestly, I never speak about referees; I respect their job massively, but they have to pay attention to these things.”
Rodri was referring to the equaliser by Dominic Solanke, who scored his brace in the 70th-minute to bring his team level, but City and many other football fans believed kicked through defender Marc Guehi’s leg to do so.
As a result, instead of a foul being given, the goal stood, the game ended 2-2, and Pep Guardiola’s side went on to drop crucial points in this year’s title race.
In case you missed any of it, you can see the challenge/controversial goal in question HERE, and listen to Rodri’s response in the immediate aftermath down below.
As you can see, he went on to insist that the incident was “so clear”, as well as intimating that this wasn’t the first time.
He and others around the club believe he and his teammates had been on the receiving end of some incorrect decisions for “two, three games in a row”, adding, “I don’t know why.”
What do you make of the choice to fine Rodri for his comments about referees, or do you think the central Man City cog should have even been punished?
Featured Images — Sky Sports (screenshot via YouTube)
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Medlock Square: Manchester’s new £300 million entertainment destination on the Etihad Campus
Danny Jones
Manchester’s newest entertainment destination, located over at the ever-growing Etihad Campus, has finally been given a name ahead of its launch later this year.
Alongside the recently announced and Radisson-run hotel, Medlock Square will see the Manchester City-partnered mini leisure district aim to become a new must-visit part of the city.
Hoping to draw in crowds beyond just matchdays and those heading to concerts across the way, approximately £300 million is being pumped into the project.
With Co-op Live having already brought huge revenues into Greater Manchester, it isn’t just set to be a pricey development, but one that will look to serve as yet another money spinner for the wider City Football Group (CFG) and the City Region.
Credit: CFG (supplied)
Unveiling the first CGIs of the square this week, this new area will essentially see attractions and activities spill out of the Etihad Stadium, Co-op Live and the soon-to-open Medlock hotel and on to the campus as a whole.
With other parts of Sportcity already revolving around the footballing epicentre, such as the Manchester Regional Arena and National Squash Centre, this will not only see even more sporting events and supporters brought to the roughly 80-acre plot, but also fans of various other forms of entertainment.
For instance, within the plans that already include the food and drink offerings you would expect – with Radisson Blu backing more of the relaxation and indulgent side of things – other activities include everything from “an adrenaline-fuelled sky walk experience”, as well as zip-wire and abseiling.
We already knew about some of these from the details in Man City’s stadium expansion plans (including the likes of The Medlock and rooftop bar), and glimpses of the impending hotel opening gave us a better idea of the overall look, but there looks to be plenty more in the pipeline.
You can see a trailer for what they have in mind for Medlock Square down below.
Welcome to Medlock Square. Manchester’s newest entertainment destination. A place where mouthwatering cuisine and world class entertainment, experiences and events converge. Coming soon! pic.twitter.com/4bC7NQbMHT
As per an official press release by the fledgling team, more information on further business and employment opportunities has also now been confirmed, centring around the new ‘One Medlock Square’ structure that will be built on the campus.
“Designed to accommodate up to 300 employees, the state-of-the-art workspace will offer high-quality, modern office facilities alongside access to shared event spaces and wellness amenities, uniquely positioned within Manchester’s most exciting new destination”, the statement reads.
There’s certainly some ambitious stuff in the works, put it that way.
And, of course, these will also slot into a renovated club shop turned meagstore, an all-new Man City museum, the Co-op arena, live music and other open-air events, just to name a few. A specific opening date is yet to be scheduled, but you can guarantee it’ll be a big deal when it does launch.
Danny Jones -
11th August 2023 
