Sport

Manchester City star Rodri pops into Rochdale pub and poses for a photo with a fan

We can neither confirm nor deny whether he had a pint or not. We're sure Pep has spies everywhere.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 3rd August 2023

Manchester City star, Rodri, was randomly spotted enjoying some recreational time in a little pub over in Rochdale this week. Not exactly where you’d expect to bump into a treble winner.

That’s right, the man who scored the winning goal and saw Man City lift their first-ever Champions League trophy, not to mention secure the coveted treble last season, just so happened to pop into a Rochdale pub called the Bridge Inn over in the village of Norden.

Posted on Monday, 31 July, the Bridge Inn shared a picture of the 27-year-old defensive midfielder posing for a photo with a City fan who was fortunate enough to be in there at the same time as the footballer, along with the caption: “Some footballer and a happy customer”.

I mean, you would be pretty buzzing if you went down the boozer for a quick pint and a pack of crisps one evening and ended up bumping into one of your team’s most beloved players.

Speaking to the MEN, the lucky City fan who got a picture with Rodri in the Rochdale pub, Jack Samuel, said that “he seemed a really nice bloke.

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“He wasn’t bothered at all that I’d asked for a photo and didn’t hesitate to say yes, but I apologised for disturbing him nonetheless.”

As for the pub’s landlord, Simon Britton — a big Man United supporter and was out at the time — he admitted that he was still “gutted” to have caught the famous face coming into his pub and would have “got a photo of me in my United shirt with him”.

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Rodri apparently came in to order some food but was told they sadly weren’t serving. Britton said, “I’m telling everyone he came to try our homemade onion rings but the kitchen was closed”, adding, “If he comes in again I’ll buy him a pint.” A kind gesture but one he’d likely turn down as famously doesn’t drink — unless, of course, it’s the title parade after winning the treble.

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Another amusing detail, as spotted by someone in the comments, is that if you look closely you can see that he actually has his fly down. Why are you looking down there, Claire!?

A true man of the people, nonetheless.

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Rodri has not long been back in Greater Manchester either, as the Blues have only just flown home from South Korea following the end of their pre-season on Sunday, where they lost against the Spaniard’s former club Atlético de Madrid 2-1.

Pep Guardiola and his squad play their first real competitive game of the season this Sunday when they face Arsenal in the Community Shield ahead of their Premier League opener against Burnley on 11 August. Just make sure you tie your boots, Rodders.

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

Featured Image — The Bridge Inn (Facebook)

Sport

Andy Cole makes the case for Ivan Toney as a January transfer target for Manchester United

Danny Jones Danny Jones Andy Cole suggests Man United should sign Ivan Toney

Manchester United legend Andy Cole has suggested that Manchester United should consider making sidelined striker Ivan Toney their next transfer target in the January window as they look to strengthen their side.

The Brentford striker is currently serving an eight-month ban following a total of 232 breaches of FA rules for gambling offences and hasn’t played since May but is, nevertheless, still considered one of the best centre-forwards in the Premier League and earned his first England call-up back in March.

Following an Athletic report which claimed an unnamed football agent has now confirmed Toney is “destined” to leave the West London club once he returns to the fold, the former Man United player and prolific number nine has said he believes Toney would be a good addition.

In an interview with Betfred, the 51-year-old said of Toney, “I like him. If Manchester United did move to sign Ivan, then he’s only going to make them a little bit better than they find themselves at this exact moment.”

The 27-year-old recently opened up on his addiction problem on The Diary of a CEO podcast with Stephen Bartlett and detailed how he plans to come back stronger than ever.

“He’s been a key player for Brentford and he’s scored plenty of goals for them in the Premier League”, says Cole; “if the opportunity came up, then why shouldn’t Manchester United consider signing him?”

While he did go on to say that the prospect depends on what the club’s recruitment plan is going forward, he insisted that given Toney’s experience at the top level now and that he’s commonly considered in his ‘prime’ years now, he could add more goal threat.

Cole even went on to suggest that Toney could form a partnership up top for United, adding, “he could even help Rasmus Højlund come through.” Højlund scored his first goal on his Champions League debut for the club in their 4-3 defeat to Bayern Munich.

Although he acknowledged that it might be a step up for the forward, it goes without saying that Erik ten Hag‘s team are in a difficult period right so far this season, not to mention with absences and injuries piling up, and he also compared the potential challenge to his own move up the football pyramid.

“When I moved from Bristol City to Newcastle, did people believe I could make the step up? I don’t think they did, but I was able to. When I moved from Newcastle to Man United, did people believe I could make the step up? I don’t think so but I proved that I could, so it’s all about giving players the opportunity…”

Cole believes Ivan Toney to United would be a similar step up. (Credit: Newcastle United/Manchester United)

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“You’re never going to know whether they’re capable or not until they’re given the opportunity to show that they can do it.” Cole also argued that regardless of his well-publicised off-field issues with betting, like with United’s other ongoing dramas at present, they “shouldn’t have an impact on the players”.

Citing Brighton’s Evan Ferguson as another “really good player” that many clubs will be interested in come January and next summer, he said that the likelihood of him signing him is less favourable, noting that “if [he’s] scoring hat-tricks in the Premier League, then he’s already worth around £100 million now by that comparison.”

In contrast, with Toney’s time at Brentford somewhat soured by his struggles with gambling and criticising the club in the past, manager Thomas Frank has already admitted that he could leave “if the price is right” and given his conduct issues, it could be a more affordable one for the likes of United.

When speaking in his tell-all podcast interview back in August, Toney did reveal that he’s been a Liverpool fan all his life but that he “like[s] watching Arsenal and how they play and kind of how passionate the fans are”.

The Gunners have already been linked with a possible £50 million sweep for his signature but we’ve seen plenty of targets snapped up by rival clubs already this season. Would you take Ivan Toney at Old Trafford, United fans?

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

Featured Image — Ivan Toney/Andy Cole (via Instagram)

Sport

Sale Sharks Academy raise over £17,000 for Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital after completing Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon

Danny Jones Danny Jones Sale Sharks raise £17k for Manchester Children's Hospital Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon

Sale Sharks’ Academy team have managed to raise over £17,000 for the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital after completing the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon earlier this year.

The inaugural Leeds Marathon, named after former rugby league icon and motor neurone disease campaigner Rob Burrow, took place back in May with more than 12,000 people taking part and over £4 million raised in charitable donations for various worthy causes. Immense.

While MND was obviously a key focus of the event after Burrow was diagnosed with the condition in December 2019, those joining in could choose to fundraise for any organisation and, in the instance of the Sale Sharks, they chose something close to home and their hearts.

Running the 26.2 miles in aid of the RMCH, the largest children’s hospital in the UK, Sharks Academy manager Fergus Mulchrone and six members of his backroom staff raised a whopping total of £17,048.

The Sale Sharks Academy team have done wonders for Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital funding.

With help from Peninsula, who committed to matching the amount raised by Mulchrone and his coaches, the team saw their total of £7,303 raised through their JustGiving page alone, along with further donations amassed in the build-up and after the event, doubled by the organisation.

Teaming up with the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, Peninsula agreed to double the total donations figure provided the Sharks hit their target; that’s exactly what they did and then some.

Following their impressive feat, the hospital tweeted: “Congratulations to Sale Sharks who ran the Leeds Marathon AND hit their £5,000 fundraising target. They’re the first to raise the £5K eligible for match-funding by Peninsula in our ‘Making a Difference…Together’ scheme.”

The initiative, which is set to run throughout the entirety of 2023, saw the HR, health and safety firm set aside £100,000 to encourage businesses to do their bit and help raise money for the hospital.

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Well done to Mulchrone and the rest of the runners, as well as everyone who donated to the deeply important charity and healthcare institution.

Elsewhere in rugby union, Fergus’ brother Charlie also recently completed five back-to-back marathons in 24 hours, raising nearly £12k for a mental health charity and an organisation that helps home parents of those in hospice care.

It might be over in The Hoot‘s territory but we’ll never forget watching Oldham’s very own Kevin Sinfield carrying his mate Rob over the finish line — one of the most tear-jerking moments of 2023/in sporting history — and seeing the friendship celebrated over the past few years has warmed our hearts.

Their story has captured the nation and has already made sure that the now annual Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon will be even bigger and better next year.

Kevin Sinfield surprised with beautiful artwork commemorating his inspiring friendship with Rob Burrow

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

Featured Image — Sale Sharks (via Twitter)/MNDA (via Instagram)

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