Manchester City have today released the latest batch of images and concept art detailing what their new Etihad Stadium expansion is set to look like, having now submitted full planning permission.
The club announced plans for the expansion of the stadium and wider Etihad Campus back in February, with the aim of turning the complex into a fully-fledged entertainment and leisure venue.
Now, City Football Group and Abu Dhabi United investment firm have revealed the latest mock-ups for the redevelopment, which includes a grand new entrance on the front side of the stadium, designed not only to keep people in the stadium for longer before and after games but to draw non-football fans in too.
Along with a new covered fan zone packed out with leisure attractions, the proposals include several integrated all-weather facilities, as well as the extension of the North Stand by creating one larger, single upper tier above the existing lower tier, which would see the overall capacity surpass 60,000.
Credit: Manchester City
Furthermore, in line with the club’s initial designs, the updated City Square will be able to hold over 3,000 people, with a wide variety of food and drink outlets, a brand-new club shop and museum, as well as a 400-bed hotel also potentially in the pipeline.
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As explained in the club’s announcement, form “the hotel and food and drink outlets are situated on the left flank of the development with all other facilities contained within the right flank. LED screens which are approximately four stories in height will also feature at the end of each flank.”
Moreover, as teased in the previous plans, there will be modest workspaces available to start-up and medium-sized organisations looking to co-locate and collaborate with the club, not to mention CFG and Etihad partners also feature in the planning submission. It remains to be seen when work will start.
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Lastly, a sky bar with views overlooking the pitch will be introduced above the new upper tier, along with a rare stadium roof walk experience — similar to the kind introduced when Tottenham Hotspur erected their new stadium. All told, the developments are set to cost over £300 million. Flashy stuff.
The leisure and entertainment side is the biggest part of the Etihad expansion.
Commenting on the application, City’s Managing Director, Danny Wilson, said: “Over several months we have been developing concepts and designs for a best-in-class fan experience and year-round entertainment and leisure destination at the Etihad Stadium and are delighted to have now submitted a planning application to Manchester City Council.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank our fans and the local community for their participation in our recent consultation, not only for completing the questionnaire but sharing their detailed comments and feedback with us, all of which has been carefully reviewed and considered.”
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“As with all Club developments, ensuring our local community benefit is a key priority and we believe these proposals will deliver long-term economic and social opportunities, building on the regeneration work delivered in East Manchester by City Football Group since 2008.”
Now looking to lead the way when it comes to stadium experiences in Europe — not to mention a key venue in the UK’s Euro 2028 bid — City will be hoping they can win their first Champions League this season to back up the pedigree they’re aiming for and it should be completed well in time for the Euros.
Manchester United announce signing of new women’s striker Lea Schüller
Danny Jones
Manchester United Women have revealed another new player, officially announcing the signing of German striker Lea Schüller.
The experienced forward joins the Man United women’s team from reigning Frauen-Bundesliga champions, Bayern Munich, having spent half a decade with the seven-time winners.
Schuller is the third deal done in just a matter of a few days, following another European international, Hanna Lundkvist, who will officially join up with the team on 1 January.
Unveiled on Monday, 29 December, the 28-year-old made more than a century of appearances for Bayern and helped them to four of those titles, as well as a Women’s DFB-Pokal German cup.
Safe to say she arrived in Manchester with a fair bit of pedigree.
Also scoring over 100 goals in her five years with the club, as well as 54 goals in 82 appearances for Germany, with whom she finished as runners-up when England defeated them in the Euro 2022 final.
Speaking in her first official club statement, Schüller said: “From the first conversations that I had with Marc and the club, the ambitions of everyone here were very clear. I still have so much that I want to achieve in my career, and I know that Manchester United is the perfect club to join.
“I feel that the team’s style of football will really suit my game; I hope my qualities and experience can help us to achieve our aims both in England and in the Champions League.”
The club is definitely having a productive recruitment period as promised, with Marc Skinner looking to bring in even more before the end of the January transfer window.
As for Schüller, she has signed a contract until June 2029, and you can expect Skinner and his coaching staff to start introducing her into their offensive line around her very soon.
Matt Johnson, Director of Women’s Football at Manchester United, went on to add: “Lea’s goalscoring record is phenomenal, her style of play will give our attack an exciting new dimension. We are delighted to add a player of her pedigree to the group.
“Lea’s winning mentality and experience will really help our young and ambitious team as we continue to grow together and compete across domestic and European competitions.”
You can see her first full interview as a Man United Women’s star down below.
The Olympic bronze medallist should contribute plenty.
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.
Danny Jones -
18th April 2023 
