Pep Guardiola has sparked some debate among Manchester City fans after naming Ederson the “best player” on the pitch during their defeat against European heavyweights Real Madrid.
City took the leak against the increasingly familiar Champions League foes with an impressive team move finished off by Erling Haaland following a rocky start to proceedings, but an answer back from fellow phenom Kylian Mbappe saw the team draw level just after half-time and the game opened up even more.
It looked as though the Blues had avoided further late drama after Stockport’s very own Phil Foden earned them a crucial penalty and Haaland once again dispatched it, but it wasn’t to be as former City product Brahim Diaz made an immediate impact off the bench to score against his old club.
The goal came from a stray Ederson kick-out and then bad went to worse as it often does in football and the decision to come early and try to close down Vinicius Jr. saw him chipped by the Brazilian and Jude Bellingham tap home the winner in the 92nd minute. A beyond painful end for the home fans.
It was another midweek capitulation as not only is it the first time they’ve come undone against the 15-time champions but it also felt like a repeat of the same story for much of this season.
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Man City haven’t just been off their usual formidable form in the Premier League, currently sitting fifth in the table, but they seem to have a consistent issue in the UCL: that being letting in late goals.
The collapse against the Spanish giants made it seven goals conceded in the last 15 minutes throughout the tournament so far this season, facing a total of 20 shots from the La Liga leaders on Tuesday night alone – the most of any team visiting the Etihad in any competition since Pep arrived.
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Injuries have caused plenty of defensive problems for sure but the recent rotation of goalkeepers has also caused even more uncertainty in the backline, it would seem, and Ederson’s return between the sticks has already been a point of contention among some fans.
The 31-year-old had an up-and-down game, to put it mildly, having nearly given away a penalty in the opening 10 minutes were it not for an offside flag, before going on to make a number of key blocks in the first half as Madrid piled on early pressure.
As it turns out, his performance was so defiant for the majority of the game that Pep made a point of beginning his post-match interviews by singling out Ederson as the “best player” against a dangerous Madrid team, even despite his mistakes. You can see his press conference in full here:
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Is Pep right – was Ederson the best City player against Madrid even despite his mistakes? Or is he just protecting his team?
It’s fair to say the comment has sat so well with everyone, with one fan writing: “Ederson has actually cost us so many UCLs. They want me to give him credit for kicking the ball”; another said: “Ederson has single-handedly manipulated Manchester City today. Such a brilliant matchplan was ruined by that idiot.”
A third simply wrote, “Ederson, man. He’s finished”. On the other hand, even an opposition fan did side with Pep’s defence of the player, pointing out that “Mbappe and Bellingham would have scored at least two goals each if not for his wonderful saves” earlier in the game.
It’s also worth noting that City have conceded not just the most goals of any side in this year’s Champions League thus far but more in 38 games in all comps this season (56) than they did in 59 games last term (54), and while Ederson hasn’t been in net the whole time, he is still the first choice.
Regardless, the Manchester club have a lot of work to do if they are to make it past Carlo Ancelotti’s side on their home turf in the decider of the playoff tie next Wednesday, 19 February. Will Ederson remain in net or will Guardiola turn to Stefan Ortega this time? We’ll have to wait and see.
You can watch the highlights from the dramatic first leg down below.
Jadon Sancho looks set to leave Manchester United for good – and he could be heading back ‘home’
Danny Jones
Manchester United loanee Jadon Sancho looks all set to leave the club permanently this summer, and as per the latest reports, his next destination could be back at one of his previous ones: Borussia Dortmund.
Having become somewhat of a forgotten man after being loaned out to three different places since being effectively exiled from the first team under Erik ten Hag’s tenure, Jadon Sancho’s career hasn’t exactly progressed as many thought it would.
Enjoying loan spells not only back at Dortmund for the latter half of the 2023/24 season and even playing in a Champions League final, before then being loaned to Chelsea – winning the UEFA Conference League trophy – and then spending this campaign with Aston Villa, he’s been all over, even at 25.
Given his Southern roots prior to eventually coming through Man City’s youth academy, it was thought that he might stay down in London at one point; however, it now seems increasingly possible that he could return to Germany, where his breakthrough began.
Borussia Dortmund are interested in re-signing Jadon Sancho.
Sancho, who is currently on-loan at Aston Villa from Manchester United, will be out of contract in June, having moved to Old Trafford from Dortmund for €85million (£73m; $97.9m at current rates) in July 2021.… pic.twitter.com/TKjirKUW2W
— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) March 19, 2026
While Man United do technically have the option to extend his stay, and the England international hasn’t experienced life under Michael Carrick, the feeling is that it is unlikely this will be the outcome.
It seems especially improbable given that it still remains to be seen who the permanent manager at the Theatre of Dream will be, as there is no guarantee he would form part of their plans moving forward.
Transfer insider Fabrizio Romano has since corroborated the already ‘tier one’ outlet, clarifying that the decision for Sancho to leave United was made “months ago” and adding that the Bundesliga side is “keen” if all the personal terms can be ironed out.
Despite not having played for the red half of Manchester since 16 August 2023, there are some among the fan base who would like to see a universe where he gets a second chance at Old Trafford – then again, there are also plenty in the Midlands who would like to see him stay in Birmingham, too.
Steadily regaining some form, he also grabbed a key assist in the Villains’ recent 2-0 win over West Ham.
As always with marquee signings, even if things haven’t quite worked out, part of the obstacle will obviously be finding a suitor willing to pay his wages and/or the talent’s willingness to maybe take a pay cut, with Sancho said to be on one of the highest salaries not just at MUFC but in the English top flight.
Either way, he is currently due to leave as a free agent this coming summer transfer window, and the chances are he won’t staying on their books much longer.
Meanwhile, in transfer news in and around Greater Manchester, one fellow Premier League star has not only been heavily linked with a move to swap one United for another, but apparently he’s been ‘personally recommended’ as a potential successor by one current player.
An official and completely FREE Manchester Marathon fan zone is returning for 2026
Danny Jones
Yes, last year’s newest and official Manchester Marathon fan zone is returning for 2026, promising more positive pre- and post-race vibes than the first time around.
Here’s hoping for some lovely sunshine to go along with the atmosphere on 19 April.
Set to host the city centre’s runners and spectators for just the second time, Circle Square’s Symphony Park will be home to the 2026 Manc Marathon fan park, complete with independent pop-ups, big screens to watch all the action on, plus plenty more.
Best of all, it’s completely free to enter all day long for participants and those of you cheering your loved ones along, as well as being an ideal all-ages spot for families to relax and enjoy.
Located just moments from the finish line, just outside the University of Manchester along Oxford Road Corridor, you simply follow it down towards the tall Vita Group and Bruntwood SciTech buildings.
Circle Square itself hosts many events and activities all throughout the year, and they couldn’t resist getting back in on the raceday party once again, as more legends are set to take part than ever.
For context, 2025 saw more than 35,000 sign-ups, but this April is expected to see a whopping sold-out crowd exceeding 42,000 – a record number for the annual event.
With that in mind, finding a place to fit all of them and the countless fans who come along to cheer them on from the sidelines is paramount, so it’s a good job the Symphony Park x MCR Marathon fan zone will be open from 9am on the day.
Here are some more scenes from the last edition:
Credit: Jody Hartley (supplied)
Although more are set to be revealed nearer the time, visitors can expect “a lively schedule of entertainment, food and drink pop-ups, family-friendly activities and special offers from our community of independent businesses and brands.”
Set to close around 5pm as the hordes of runners will doubt either head home for a long bath, leg rub or straight to the pub for their victory pints, we can assure you lots of time will be spent on the square.
Danny Jones -
12th February 2025 
