Sport

Wayne Rooney joins the cast of Gary Neville’s The Overlap

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 30th April 2024

Wayne Rooney has secured a new job just a few months on from departing as Birmingham City head coach, with the Manchester United and England legend being named as the latest member of The Overlap team.

Set to join the cast of the popular Stick to Football online series alongside the likes of former teammates Gary Neville and Roy Keane, as well as the rest of the recurring panel.

Rooney is also set to feature on various other shows across The Overlap channel, including the likes of their regular fan debates and other interviews with athletes and well-known figures.

They announced the signing in true transfer window fashion as well.

As transfer expert Fabrizio Romano quips in the video, Rooney “has signed an agreement with The Overlap” and is expected to make his debut very soon

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‘Wazza’ has appeared as a pundit on Sky Sports in recent weeks and has even been spotted playing some FIFA with comedy YouTuber AngryGinge as part of his pro clubs series, but hasn’t been in a steady role since being sacked as the Birmingham manager at the start of the year.

Having already appeared as a guest in one of the most popular episodes of Stick to Football and clearly sharing a strong chemistry with his old friends – as well as the likes of fellow Scouser Jamie Carragher, Jill Scott and Ian Wright – it looks to be a natural fit for the sport-based channel.

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The 38-year-old revealed some pretty interesting details about his playing and managerial career last time around, not to mention some of the other offers he’s had since…

Wayne Rooney confirms he has had offers to take part in a boxing match

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Rooney reiterated during his own interview that his primary focus is still on coaching and finding his next managerial role, but for the time being, he’ll be bringing the insight of another ex-pro to the popular YouTube channel.

Speaking on his latest move, the former striker said, “I’m excited to announce that I will be joining my good mate Gary Neville and the team at The Overlap to appear on the channel across some of their brilliant shows on YouTube and the podcast. I can’t wait to get started”.

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With an episode from at least one of their series going out most weeks, you can expect to see the footballing legend back on the channel soon.

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

Featured Images — The Overlap/Wayne Rooney (via Instagram)

Sport

Mary Earps admits her future at Manchester United is still uncertain

Danny Jones Danny Jones Is Mary Earps staying at Man United?

Lionesses goalkeeper Mary Earps has admitted that her future with Manchester United Women remains uncertain as the two parties are still yet to reach an agreement over a new contract.

Having won Euro 2022 and the Finalissima with England, not to mention the club’s first Women’s FA Cup earlier this month, Earps has become one of the most in-demand female players on the planet.

United rejected a bid for 2023’s Sports Personality of the Year last year following her further heroics in the Women’s World Cup but she is still yet to commit herself to a new deal, admitting that she’s waiting for clearer answers from them “on what they’re trying to achieve”.

Speaking to Sky Sports this week, the 31-year-old said, in short: “It’s kind of up to the club”.

Earps went on to explain that “conversations are still ongoing” and that “it’s a tough situation” but that she doesn’t want to make any rash or emotional decisions until she has a clearer picture of United’s long-term vision.

“The beginning of the season was really tough”, said the Nottingham-born shot-stopper. “I felt really upset about things that were being said about me that weren’t true but I’ve tried to be professional, keep my head down and just work hard.

“I’ve tried to shoulder that responsibility of the team, the performance and where we fell short this season – I think that’s what you should do as a leader and a more experienced player. You have to stand up in those moments and I know I’ve given my heart and soul”.

While it’s clear there’s still lots of passion from the United and England number one, she insists that she can only make a final decision once she gets the answers she’s after.

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As for the Red Devils themselves, despite winning their first major trophy since reforming, they ended the Women’s Super League on a sour note, handing the title to Chelsea following a 6-0 drubbing – in front of the Old Trafford crowd no less.

Moreover, there seems to be a growing rift in the fan base as many supporters were frustrated to see manager Marc Skinner given a new contract despite calls for him to be sacked following a lacklustre domestic season.

Were Earps to ultimately depart as well, the mood around the club might dip even further.

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

Featured Images — Man United Women/Mary Earps/England (via Instagram)

Sport

Full list of road closures announced as IRONMAN 2024 takes over Bolton next month

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

The official route and full list of road closures have been announced, as Bolton prepares to host the IRONMAN next month.

Bolton has been the proud home of the UK’s IRONMAN race since 2009, and the world-renowned triathlon is all set to take over the Greater Manchester town once again in a couple of weeks time – with participants and spectators in thousands all preparing to flock to all four corners of the borough to the catch the action.

People of all ages and abilities – even including kids – are training to take part in three different events across the weekend.

And, as is always the case, residents and road users are being urged to plan ahead.

Full list of road closures announced as IRONMAN 2024 takes over Bolton / Credit: IRONMAN England (via Facebook)

Disruption is always expected by Bolton residents on the day, but this year, when IRONMAN 70.3 takes over the town on Sunday 30 June, temporary road closures will affect different areas than in previous years, and this is due to “significant changes” to the bike and running routes for the 2024 race.

Bolton Council has, however, assured residents that the shorter distance of this year’s race means road closures will be briefer.

Temporary road closures are needed to “ensure the safety” of competitors and spectators.

One of the borough’s major roads, Chorley New Road, now forms part of the bike route for this year, and the run route has also changed slightly too, but for the most part, it all remains concentrated around the town centre to minimise disruption as best as possible.

The town centre and Middlebrook retail park will be open as normal all weekend, but anyone driving into the town centre is advised to park at one of the car parks – which will be open as normal – rather than elsewhere or in the surrounding areas.

Anyone heading to Middlebrook from Bolton is advised to use Wigan Road (A676 / A58), to Manchester Road / Chorley Road (A6), and then use De Havilland Way (A6027) to reach the retail park.

Road closures in and around the town centre for the ‘Night Run’ on Friday 28 June, and for IRONKIDS on Saturday 29 June, remain the same as in previous years, and people are advised to check Bolton Council’s website for more information on this.

Full list of road closures for IRONMAN 2024

All weekend:

Le Mans Crescent, Howell Croft North, and Howell Croft South will be closed from Friday 28 June at 6am to 9am on Monday 1 July, due to the course set up and build for the weekend events.

Friday 28 June – Night Run:

  • Deansgate, Knowsley Street, Chorley Street, Bark Street, Back Bark Street, and Bridge Street will be closed from 5:30-9pm
  • Spa Road will be closed eastbound from 5:30-9pm

Saturday 29 June – IRONKIDS:

  • Le Mans Crescent will be closed all day
  • Deansgate will be closed from 6am-5pm

Sunday 30 June 30 – IRONMAN 70.3:

  • St Helen’s Road, Sandy Lane, Byrom Lane, Slag Lane and Lowton Road will be closed from 6-10am
  • Wigan Road/Warrington Road (A573) will be closed from 6-10:30am
  • Bickershaw Lane, a short section of the A578, Nel Pan Lane, and Westleigh Lane will be closed from 6-10:45am
  • Atherleigh Way (A579) between St Helen’s Road and Kirkhall Lane will be closed northbound only from 6-9:45am
  • Atherleigh Way (A579) will be closed northbound only between Kirkhall Lane and the Talbot roundabout from 6-10:45am
  • Gibfield Park Way and Gibfield Park Avenue will be closed from 6:30-11am
  • North Road from the junction with Gibfield Park Avenue, Platt Lane, and the A58 from Platt Lane to the Chequerbent roundabout, will be closed from 6:30-11am.
  • The bikes will turn left using Park Road/Manchester Road slip and will continue west on Manchester Road (A6), but these roads will be closed westbound only from 7-11am
  • Chew Moor Lane / Tempest Road to Regent Road, and Regent Road to Chorley New Road, will be closed 7-11am
  • De Havilland Way will be closed northbound from 7am-1pm
  • Victoria Road (A58) and Old Kiln Lane will be closed from 7am-1pm
  • Chorley New Road from Beaumont Road to the Beehive Roundabout will be closed eastbound from 7am-1pm, but there will be access westbound throughout the day
  • Chorley New Road from Beaumont Road to Waterslea Drive will be closed from 7am-1:30pm
  • Chorley New Road from Waterslea Drive to St George’s Road (B6226) will be closed from 7am-5:30pm
  • Chew Moor Lane, St John’s Road, Tempest Road, and Regent Road will be closed from 7-11:15am
  • Chorley Street, Bark Street, St Helena’s Road, Blackhorse Street, and Queen Street will be closed 7am-3:30pm
  • Spa Road will be closed from 6am-6pm

More information on the course and diversions to avoid road closures – including maps and timings – can now be found on the IRONMAN website.

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A road access hotline for further information is also available six-weeks prior to the events, and throughout the race weekend, by calling 03330 11 66 00.

Featured Image – Bolton Council

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