England’s World Cup journey might have come to a heartbreaking but familiar end earlier, but we still have plenty of memories to take away from this year’s tournament. That viral England fan being one.
You’d have to have been living under a rock to not have seen this particular fan at Qatar 2022, he might just have one of the most interesting faces we’ve ever seen.
We want to start off by assuring that we mean this with the best will in the world, but it’s clear that his unique look tickled football fans back home and around the world. He’s been described as everything from the “budget Steve McClaren” to “the most British-looking man ever”, just to name a few.
Some people have argued that his features are so unique that he doesn’t even look real. However, thanks to a few eagle-eyed web sleuths, we know he is more than just real: he’s absolutely everywhere and social media has been spotting him at various football games through the years.
Yes, ‘that World Cup guy’ — real name Andy Milne — is not only a serial traveller to international tournaments and has been for decades, but he also happens to be a Manchester United fan from Cheshire.
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As you pictured above, Milne was spotted celebrating in the crowd for United’s 2016/17 FA Cup win against Crystal Palace. We’d recognise that distinct and deeply-wrinkled expression from a mile off.
Better still, as detailed in this utterly wild thread, it turns out that the 59-year-old retired teacher has visited every World Cup since he was 19 and once England are inevitably knocked out, he simply goes and joins in with whichever team is still in it and looks like they’re having the most fun.
Despite revealing in a recent interview that he never really did social media, it would seem the frenzy online was simply too much to ignore and it looks like he has since gone on to set up his own Instagram account.
While he confessed that there were, sadly, some haters when he first started getting noticed, the majority of his interactions have been from people who are simply bowled over to have bumped into the viral England fan himself in person.
Speaking to FootballJOE, he said that “there are always going to be haters” but that it’s been a funny and interesting experience becoming a minor celeb. Better still, he’s also been doing his bit for charity. What a guy.
Since that first picture went viral, countless fans have been stopping him to ask for a picture, including the one and only Laura Woods. She looks even happier than he does, and that’s saying something when we’re talking about a grin of that magnitude.
Go on, Andy. Living his best life, one tournament at a time.
We can’t wait to see you doing the round again at Euro 2024!
Antony‘s case is still ongoing, with a total of three women coming out to accuse him of domestic abuse — chiefly, his ex-girlfriend Gabriela Cavallin, who was first to raise concerns surrounding his alleged behaviour — but his cooperation through the investigation has led them to revise their position.
Issuing an update on Friday morning confirming that the forward with be brought back into the fold until the situation is resolved.
A club statement reads as follows: “Since allegations were first made in June, Antony has co-operated with police inquiries in both Brazil and the UK, and he continues to do so.
“As Antony’s employer, Manchester United has decided that he will resume training at Carrington, and be available for selection, while police inquiries proceed. This will be kept under review pending further developments in the case.
“As a club, we condemn acts of violence and abuse. We recognise the importance of safeguarding all those involved in this situation, and acknowledge the impact these allegations have on survivors of abuse.”
Erik ten Hag‘s side plays their second game against Crystal Palace in less than a week after beating them 3-0 in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday and while it is not thought Antony will be brought straight back into the team, he will be available for selection moving forward.
United currently sit ninth in the Premier League with three wins and three losses to their name.
Man United to play Newcastle in Carabao Cup fourth round after Magpies knock out Man City
Danny Jones
Last season’s Carabao Cup winners, Man United, now know their opponents for the next round after Newcastle United beat Man City 1-0 on Wednesday night, meaning both 2022/23 finalists will once again be meeting each other.
Either way, Alexander Isak’s single goal in the game at St James’ Park was enough to see the Magpies make it past the treble-winners despite a dominant first-half display from the away side.
City had been on top throughout and had plenty chances of their own.
After receiving a yellow card during the game, the night ended with Guardiola fuming at referee Chris Kavanagh and exchanging more than a few words after the full-time whistle.
Clearing the moment up with reporters after the game, Pep said: “I don’t know how many fouls they did, how many fouls we had and the number of yellow cards, but it is what it is — sometimes the emotions are there. Respect for the referees and their job, a well-deserved yellow card.”
Nevertheless, the result has led to a repeat of last year’s culminating cup tie which, despite coming much earlier in the competition this time around, will see United facing off against a high-flying Newcastle team who just put eight goals past Sheffield United on this past Sunday.
The Magpies’ manager, Eddie Howe, has already said he and his side are aiming to “go one better” than they did last year and with the form they’re displaying at the moment — especially with United’s stuttering start — they stand a pretty good chance.
🗣 "We want to try and go one further if we can but there's a long way to go."
Elsewhere amongst the Premier League sides remaining in the competition, West Ham will host Arsenal, Bournemouth will play Liverpool at home and Sean Dyche’s Everton will play his old club Burnley.
Further down the footballing pyramid, Fulham visit Championship side Ipswich, Chelsea will host Blackburn and at least two other EFL sides will make it to the quarter-finals, with Mansfield at home to Port Vale and Exeter playing Middlesbrough.
All fourth-round ties are set to take place in the week commencing 30 October.
You can watch the highlights of Newcastle United vs Manchester City down below.
Danny Jones -
20th December 2022 
