Manchester City are set for an absolutely massive game against Real Madrid in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final and while nerves are inevitable, one football veteran believes they are about to “blow them away”: Wayne Rooney.
Yes, that’s right, the Manchester United and England legend turned DC United coach has given his two cents ahead of the huge away fixture at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, stating that Man City are simply “on another level” at the moment and will dispatch with the Madrid rather easily, in fact.
Writing in a column for The Times, Rooney insisted that while Los Blancos may have dumped City out last in last year’s competition at this very same stage, he believes that “Haaland has improved [them] so much” that it won’t be anywhere near as tight a game (6-5 on aggregate) this time around.
Big words.
Haaland has improved Man City so much that I expect them to blow Real Madrid away.👇https://t.co/NDryOp1psL
Rooney reckons City will ‘blow Madrid away’. No pressure, lads.
The 37-year-old said that while Pep Guardiola has already the right players and tools to get the job done this time anyway (putting last season’s disappointment down to “a mad five minutes”), he believes the Norwegian phenomenon “is almost unstoppable on the counter”.
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Explaining that City don’t have to rely on dominating possession to hurt teams so much these days, he went on to add that how “if an opponent opens up and leaves space, Haaland is right there, running in behind”, with the 22-year-old displaying a frightening amount of pace, especially given his height.
As a result, the one-time Champions League winner himself says “Madrid will be much more cautious this time” as the Norwegian will make them nervous.”
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On the contrary, however, when asked what he thought of Rooney’s remarks, Madrid midfielder and serial winner Toni Kroos laughed off the bold claim, simply stating how City were predicted to win the tie last year but that he and his teammates went on to win the whole thing.
Translation: “Rooney said City will destroy us? They said the same last season, then we won the Champions League. This doesn’t affect us. We are already motivated enough.”
Safe to say that Kroos is more than confident the 14-time European champions will get the job done over the two legs, regardless of who might take the lead — just look at last year.
Speaking of, Rooney did make little mention of the two legs but noted that Guardiola’s team performed brilliantly both home and away last time around, suggesting it was simply one of those “improbable” results that football throws up and City have been building towards this like most CL winning teams.
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Although he did go on to concede that his predictions “may be wrong” — admitting that “there is no side better at disproving arguments against them than Carlo Ancelotti’s Madrid in the Champions League” — he still believes this Pep and his team will be victorious thanks to their star man.
The question is, even if they do make it past Madrid, will they finally go on to lift their first European trophy? Rooney went so far as to say that if it does happen, “as much it pains [him]… you’d have to put City up there with United’s 1999 treble winners as the best Premier League team of all time.
Manchester United to wear special one-off shirt for important awareness campaign
Danny Jones
Just to pre-empt any Manchester United fans fearing they’re still in total delirium the next time they see that iconic red shirt, we can confirm it isn’t just your rose-tinted glasses deceiving you – the club will be wearing a special one-off shirt with a notable difference very soon.
All eyes may now be on Wednesday, 21 May but this limited edition kit has already caught the eye of many supporters for one very obvious reason.
In case you haven’t seen it for yourselves already, Man United have confirmed that both the men’s and women’s squads will be will be wearing a slight variation on their home shirt for their next two matches as part of a special campaign for an important charitable cause.
Joining forces with their usual primary shirt sponsors Snapdragon and global health campaigners Product RED, this one-off alternative strip will be unveiled on the pitch this week.
Product Red, or simply (RED) as it will read on the jersey itself, is a worldwide charity that’s been working to fight global health crises since 2006.
(RED)’s key aim is to end the AIDS epidemic and related injustices by raising money for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria.
The organisation officially partnered with the club and Snapdragon back in January in an effort to help drive awareness and generate further backing for their work – it just so happens that teaming up with one the planet’s biggest brands and one synomyous with that colour made for the perfect collaboration.
With that in mind, putting together a one-off Man United kit with (RED) slap bang in the middle as is close to a commercial/charitable tap-in as you’re probably ever going to get.
Set to be debuted by Manchester United Women in their WSL fixutre against Arsenal this Saturday, 10 May and then again by Ruben Amorim’s side in the Premier League the following day (Sun, 11 May); plus, a select few limited edition replicas shirts will be made available for fans to purchase.
Be first in the know, Reds 👀
Get notified when our limited-edition @RED collection drops ⤵️#MUFC || @Snapdragon
It goes without saying that given the nature of the front-of-shirt sponsor swap, these will no doubt become somewhat of a special item among kit collectors from the off.
More importantly, however, the funds raised through selling these one-off Man United shirts will provide much-needed income for the non-profit and their crucial efforts.
The unveiling of the comes not long after the bedlam that ensued inside Old Trafford during the second leg against Athletic Club, in which United booked their return trip back to Bilbao for the Europa League final, leaving plenty of fans of seeing nothing but the colour red ever since.
MUWFC also sealed their spot in the Women’s Champions League next season to with an important point in the Manchester Derby this past weekend, confirming a finish above Man City this year.
Safe to say it’s been a good few days to be a (RED).
AO Arena to host huge Europa League Final fan zone after Manchester United victory
Daisy Jackson
Manchester’s legendary AO Arena will once again host an almighty football fan zone later this year, welcoming in fans for the Europa League Final.
The huge venue previously hosted a Road to Victory fan zone for the Euros, and is now ready to replicate all the atmosphere and excitement of the beautiful game once again.
This time it’s in honour of Manchester United, who romped their way into the Europa League Final this evening with a spectacular 4-1 victory (7-1 on aggregate) over Athletic Club.
The Red Devils will be heading to that same team’s home stadium of San Mamés in Bilbao in Spain on 21 May 2025, and you’ll be able to watch all the action right here at home in Manchester.
The AO Arena Europa League Final Screening & Fan Zone will be presented by Red Square.
If you think that name rings a bell, you’re right: they’re the same folks behind the regular events held over at Victoria Warehouse for any big United games, and 21 May will be no different – other than being arguably their biggest date ever.
There’ll be space for thousands upon thousands of football fans who’ll be able to watch Ruben Amorim’s side potentially take home their first piece of silverware since his arrival.
If you saw the scenes at Road to Victory in the AO during Euro 2024, you’ll know how unbelievable a venue this is to watch the footy.
As the promoters have billed it: “Get ready to immerse yourself in the electrifying atmosphere of the Europa League Final, presented by Red Square.
“Join us for an unforgettable event as we bring together passionate Manchester United fans for the largest indoor fan park extravaganza ever witnessed!
“MANCHESTER UNITED head to the UEL final on Wednesday, 21st May – Secure your tickets now!”
The Europa League Final Screening & Fan Zone will be at the AO Arena on 21 May.
Danny Jones -
9th May 2023 
