Sport

Cristiano Ronaldo’s new watch is a sly dig at Manchester United

Of all the iconic goals he could have picked for the design.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 24th November 2022

Cristiano Ronaldo seems insistent on leaving Manchester United on the least amicable terms possible, as fans spot a subtle dig at the club’s expense shortly after announcing his departure.

The now ex-United man, long considered a club legend — who knows if that’s still the case — was confirmed as leaving the club on Monday, and it didn’t take him long swipe at his former employers.

Just hours after the news broke, the 37-year-old and his PR team decided to release snaps of his new watch design on Instagram, which features an image of him scoring a very specific goal.

Against United.

Ronaldo watch design
Ronaldo watch (Credit: Cristiano Ronaldo via Instagram)

Partnering up with watchmakers Jacob & Co., the timepiece not only features Ronaldo‘s signature and recognisable CR7 branding, but the gold edition also shows him leaping to head the ball.

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For anyone that needs a memory jog of which goal this design is recreating, it shows the iconic header he scored against the Red Devils for Real Madrid back in the 2013 Champions League Round of 16.

The massive leap measured 2.93 metres — i.e. higher than the average NBA player’s jump. A recognisable goal or not, the all-time leading club and international goalscorer could have picked from literally dozens of famous finishes.

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But he chose this one.

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With that in mind, Reds and neutrals alike are convinced that the Portuguese star “knows exactly what he is doing” and that Ronaldo’s new watch was his last attempt to mock the club following their rather messy and public breakup.

Ronaldo has made no secret of his feelings surrounding his second spell in Manchester, taking aim at current and previous managers, past and present players, as well as the club’s ownership in his now infamous interview with Piers Morgan.

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Ironically, he wasn’t the only one to take a dig after the news of his departure broke.

What we saying, a clever way of poking fun or just pure pettiness?

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Featured Image — Cristiano Ronaldo (via Instagram)

Sport

Manchester United are offering fans the chance to play at Old Trafford as part of a dream competition

Danny Jones Danny Jones Play at Old Trafford competition Man United Marriot Bonvoy competition

Manchester United fans are being offered the chance to live out their childhood dreams and play at Old Trafford as part of an exciting new competition by the club.

For anyone who has grown up a Red, the idea of playing under the lights at the Theatre of Dreams is a fantasy most can only ever fantasise about – even being a ball boy or a mascot would suffice for some – but Man United are taking things even further.

Teaming up with hotel partners, Marriott Bonvoy, not only is the club prepared to give supporters the opportunity to walk out onto that pitch and play a real game of footy, but they’re also hoping to give those fortunate enough to win the ultimate stay in Manchester city centre.

Fancy playing in red, watching the match at the weekend, enjoying a lavish hotel room and much more?

As part of this limited-time-only competition, United are giving away the perfect hospitality package in collaboration with Marriott Bonvoy, the hotel group’s loyalty programme which specialises in helping members redeem points towards extra perks like activities, spending and free stays at luxury resorts.

So, not only will the 10 lucky winners get to part in the exclusive ‘Play on the Pitch’ event, but they will also receive a pair of tickets to watch the Manchester United vs Aston Villa game on 25 May 2025 and (get this) a FOUR-night stay for two at the Manchester Marriott Hotel Piccadilly.

It doesn’t stop there either…

As well as round-trip flights for those flying into Manchester from abroad and full train coverage for anyone travelling into the city, those selected will also be treated to a group dinner with a Man United legend and no, we can’t tell you who it is: that would spoil the surprise!

Come on, that’s a pretty incredible deal, right?

phil bardsley man united legend
We’ve been met a few Reds past and present in our time.
man united dressing rooom
Your kit is waiting for you…
It’s the shared dream of millions all over the world to play at Old Trafford (Credit: The Manc Group)

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As if all this wasn’t enough, if selected, you will also receive a variety of personalised gifts from the club and Marriot Bonvoy to remember the experience – not that you’ll be forgetting it any time soon.

To have a chance at winning this unreal competition, all you need to do is simply complete the entry form HERE before 23:59 on the closing date, which is 31 March, 2025.

Entry is currently open (18+ only), so don’t waste any more time if you want to win the opportunity of a lifetime. You can find the full terms and conditions online but, other than that, we just really hope you score a proper screamer right in front of the Stretford End.

Best of luck!

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

Featured Images — The Manc Group

Sport

Pep Guardiola signs new contract to stay at Manchester City until 2027

Danny Jones Danny Jones Pep stay at Man City for one more year new deal

Blues will be delighted to hear that Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is staying after agreeing to sign a contract extension that will keep him at the club until at least 2027.

The Catalan coach and supremely talented tactician has won all there is to win with Man City and after completing not only a record-matching treble but making history by becoming the first English team to win four Premier League titles in a row, you could argue his Etihad project is well and truly completed.

Guardiola, who joined City back in 2016, has gradually been creeping towards the end of his most recent contract, leaving those slowly searching for his replacement and the fan base wondering what the future holds for their next chapter.

But it turns out they don’t have to worry about life after Pep for a little while longer, as the 53-year-old has now extended his stay for another two seasons. The blue moon that has loomed over Manchester for the best part of a decade isn’t going anywhere just yet.

Although reports earlier this week suggested that Pep Guardiola would remain head coach for at least another season after agreeing to a one-year deal with an option of extending for another 12 months, it appears as though the club have gone even further to offer him a deal to stay even longer.

The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager, who is comfortably one of the most decorated and celebrated coaches in football history, was due to leave the club at the end of the current campaign.

However, although his contract would have seen him depart by June of next summer, this new deal will now see him stay in post until the end of the 2026/27 campaign, which will see him surpass the 10-year mark and then some.

It’s the news all Blues have been waiting for and an announcement that will no doubt come as a huge relief given the immense success he has brought to East Manchester.

Despite waiting until now to seemingly decide his future, the man himself has actually been pretty clear on the matter, insisting that he “fell in love” with the club from the moment he got here and saying as far back as 2020 that “unless they [CFG] sack me, I will stay here.”

Speaking in an official statement, Guardiola said: “Manchester City means so much to me. This is my ninth season here; we have experienced so many amazing times together. I have a really special feeling for this football club. That is why I am so happy to be staying for another two more seasons.”

“Thank you to everyone for continuing to trust and support me – The Owner, The Chairman Khaldoon, Ferran, Txiki, the players and of course the fans… everyone connected to Manchester City. It has always been an honour, a pleasure and a privilege to be here.”

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Better still, while the details of the agreement are yet to be fully detailed, it is thought that the new contract still includes an option to extend for an extra year, meaning we could be looking at Pep in Premier League dugouts even longer.

Should City go on to close the gap on current league leaders Liverpool, it would mean Guardiola would have overseen five title wins with the same team in a row: a feat only matched by very few in European football, most notably Juventus and Bayern Munich, the latter having managed 13 consecutive years.

Who knows if/when Guardiola will actually leave the Etihad Stadium for a new challenge, all we know is he changed modern football forever and has given Manchester – a city already spoilt in this respect – some of the most impressive football it’s ever seen.

All we do know is that the beautiful game’s passionate, bald, tiki-taka extraordinaire known simply as Pep is staying in 0161 for the time being and there are countless fans who are absolutely buzzing about it.

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

Featured Images — Optus Sport/Sky Sports (via YouTube)/Rufus46 (via Wikimedia Commons)

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