Sport

Mercurial midfielder Fred set to leave Manchester United for Fenerbahçe

He enjoyed a decent role off the bench last season but couldn't be guaranteed regular football this year.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 11th August 2023

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 is set to leave Man United imminently.

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.

RIP McFred.

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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.

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

Featured Image — Fred (via Instagram)

Sport

Lancashire Cricket are offering free programmes to 1,400 kids across the county and Greater Manchester

Danny Jones Danny Jones Lancashire Cricket Foundation offering free cricket to kids in Greater Manchester

The Lancashire Cricket Foundation is offering free cricket programmes to 1,400 kids across the county and the Greater Manchester region this summer.

Offering coaching and games to children from disadvantaged backgrounds whilst also aiming for greater female participation this year, the Foundation’s bursary programme is being opened up to young ones all across Lancashire and various parts of 0161.

Set to deliver opportunities to a record number of kids in 2024, the scheme is part of the nationwide All Stars and Dynamos initiative – now into its sixth year and set up by the England and Wales Cricket Board – and is open to all kids between the ages of 5-11, with more than 5,600 in Lancashire last year alone.

The aim is pretty simple: keep kids active and playing as much as possible, whilst also helping nurture the world of grassroots cricket.

all stars and dynamos cricket for kids greater manchester
Last year, around 1,200 Lancashire kids and beyond were given free cricket bursaries. (Credit: Supplied)

While the eight-hour long kids courses themselves cost £30 for the younger bracket and £40 for those 8-11, bursary places are being reserved for children living in deprived areas and diverse communities, where participation would otherwise be limited.

The programme has proved massively popular all across the North West and thanks to likes of total of the Red Rose’s Community Foundation works, who have brought the scheme to more than 200 clubs and centres across the nation, more than 20,000 children have taken part since it was introduced.

Now that’s one way to put the future of UK cricket in safe hands.

As for the All Stars and Dynamos, in addition to providing a social outlet and activities to help develop fundamental skills on and off the pitch, organisers always ensure to make things fully inclusive and support a wide range of abilities, disabilities and different learning needs.

In addition to the coaching received, every child who registers also receives their very own t-shirt, personalised with their name and number, as well as a range of other benefits including priority access to LCC tickets​, chances to meet players, discounts on merch and lots of other potential prizes.

The paid version of the scheme is still available to those inelligible for the bursary.

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Jen Barden, Executive Director of the Lancashire Cricket Foundation, said of this year’s efforts: “Through a variety of programmes, the Foundation delivers cricket to more than 110,000 participants in our schools, clubs, and communities, and we have a strong commitment to growing the game of cricket across the county.

“We are particularly proud of the Bursary Scheme that provides young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and under-represented groups with access to cricket. These programmes are vital for introducing the game to more young people, helping them stay active and develop new skills, in a fun, friendly, and inclusive environment.”

Parents can register their children for All Stars and Dynamos Cricket courses and find out whether they qualify for a bursary HERE.

You can also find out more information on taking part and coaching opportunities on the Lancashire Cricket Foundation website.

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

Featured Images — Lancashire Cricket Foundation

Sport

Everton manager Sean Dyche randomly pops up in the music video for Blossoms’ new single – and he’s great

Danny Jones Danny Jones Everton manager Sean Dyche in new Blossoms music video

Did anyone else think they’d ever see Sean Dyche make his acting debut in the role of a Northern crime boss in a silly little music video for the Blossoms?

No, us neither but that’s the bizarre alternate reality we’re living in, apparently.

Blossoms are currently working on the fifth studio album and have already released their lead single entitled, ‘To Do List (After The Break-Up)’, but now they have a new song out as well, with a rather amusing music video to go along with it and somehow Sean Dyche has found himself the star.

The Stockport band teased the curious collaboration in April, giving us just short glimpses of the Everton manager and former Burnley boss with very little explanation – all we know is that it looked funny and it was.

Sean Dyche stars as the boss in the music video for Blossoms’ latest single, ‘What Can I Say After I’m Sorry?’ As you do.

Dyche is still busy trying to finish the Premier League campaign as strong as possible after successfully navigating the Toffees to safety even in spite of their points deductions this season, but it sounds like keeping them up has given him enough time to moonlight as an actor.

Sending the indie five-piece on a mission to collect something of value (yes, that’s all the info we have at this point as the story is still to be continued), it looks like the Kettering-born coach has a larger role to play in whatever this narrative turns out to be.

Playing what can only be described as some kind of semi-Manc mafia figure on the hunt for a very valuable piece of art, i.e. a big giant gorilla statue – one that many Stopfordians spotted being lugged around various parts of the borough –

They also shared a little bit of BTS footage from the shoot for the music video last week. Some lovely head-bobbing and unassuming surroundings here:

How catchy is that beat alone!?

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As for the track itself, it’s a bit of stylistic change for the lads who’ve mastered their 80s-tinged indie formula over the past decade but it’s an absolute pop and is already stuck in our heads.

Revealing that they’ve collaborated with contemporary funk, disco and electronic icons Jungle on the track, it doesn’t take too long to hear the influences. Look forward to hearing it at Wythenshawe Park this summer.

You can watch the music video for ‘What Can I Say?’ and the ginger-goatee’d football manager extraordinaire in full character HERE.

He’s not the only footballing figure who’s made an entertainment crossover recently either.

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

Featured Images — Blossoms (via YouTube)/Virgin EMI

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