The lineup for the Manchester United vs Celtic Legends game has just seen another big name roped in, as none other than Wayne Rooney has now been confirmed as the latest player taking part.
A raft of familiar faces from teams gone by will be once again pulling on the iconic red shirt for a special one-off in aid of the Man United Foundation, which helps support communities all across the 10 boroughs, raising vital funds all year round through events like these.
With the likes of Dimitar Berbatov, Antonio Valencia, Michael Carrick and more already confirmed for the charitable exhibition match against a team of former Celtic pros, supporters were hardly turning their nose up at the lineup to begin with.
But now, with Wayne Rooney – not only the club’s all-time leading top scorer but an England legend too – added to the lineup, even more fans are bound to pile into Old Trafford for the game next month. They first teased the announcement on Tuesday night and immediately set fans heads on a swivel.
— Manchester United Foundation (@MU_Foundation) August 20, 2024
Confirming the news the following morning, the 38-year-old was unveiled as the latest United player set to be pulling on his boots and rolling back the years in front of thousands this September.
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Taking time out of his busy new role as manager of Championship side Plymouth Argyle, the now-retired goalscoring machine – who only called a day on his playing career back in 2021 after a short 30-game stint at Derby County – is sure to still prove more than handy on the pitch.
Sharing the news on social media, the club posted: “One of the greatest players in Manchester United history is joining the Legends squad. And he goes by the name of: Wayne Rooney.”
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That chant will no doubt be ringing around the grounds non-stop when he walks back out under the lights at the Theatre of Dreams.
Other names now confirmed for Celtic’s team include Georgios Samaras, Emilio Izaguirre, Darren O’Dea and Simon Donnelly.
Set to take place on Saturday, 7 September, with a 2pm kick-off for families to make the most of a fun-filled day out, this will be the first Legends game since the Northern reunion against Liverpool back in 2022.
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Tickets are on sale now, with general admission for adults starting from £21 and under 16s prices set at just £11, and proceeds going towards the United Foundation’s crucial efforts across the Greater Manchester region.
You can see the full lineup for the Man United vs Celtic Legends game down below and secure your seat for the highly anticipated match HERE.
Featured Images — Zfscgx (via GoodFon)/United Foundation (supplied)/All-Pro Reels (via Flickr)
Sport
Tommy Fury announces huge fight against former World’s Strongest Man Eddie Hall
Daisy Jackson
Tommy Fury has announced his next major boxing match – against a rather unlikely opponent.
The Manc boxer and former Love Island star will face Eddie Hall, who once reigned as the World’s Strongest Man and was the first person on the planet to deadlift 500kg.
The match, billed as Beauty vs The Beast (we’ll let you decide who’s who…), will take place at the AO Arena this summer.
Tommy Fury and Eddie Hall will be facing off in Manchester as part of the Misfits Boxing series, a sports promotion company founded by YouTube sensation KSI.
26-year-old Fury – younger brother of heavyweight legend Tyson Fury – remains unbeaten, seeing off all-comers in the crossover boxing world.
As for 38-year-old Eddie Hall (nicknamed The Beast), he retired as a strongman competitor, where he’s previously been crowned the World’s Strongest Man, and has now pivoted into combat sports.
The pair have collaborated recently on several videos online, taking on challenges like a One Punch Knockout and a breakfast eating competition.
But this will be the first time they’ve publicly faced off in the ring.
Misfirst Boxing has once more delivered the biggest match-ups possible in the crossover boxing space, with Fury vs. Hall promising to be a titanic tussle that will captivate fans around the world.
Tommy Fury vs Eddie Hall, Beauty vs The Beast, will take place on Saturday 13 June at the AO Arena in Manchester – you can get tickets HERE.
Corey Blackett-Taylor ruled out injured for the rest of the season
Danny Jones
Bolton Wanderers winger Corey Blackett-Taylor has been ruled out for the rest of the season following injury.
With not that long left in this year’s campaign and the playoff scrap set to ramp up even further in the coming weeks, it’s an unfortunate twist of fate for the Trotters.
Despite still being only a relatively recent signing, having just joined Bolton in the most recent January transfer window, it didn’t take long for him to make a good impression.
Scoring on debut in a 1-0 away win against AFC Wimbledon, the 28-year-old is now set to miss the remainder of the 2025/26 term, letting supporters know the news on Friday, 27 March.
Blackett-Taylor was forced off in the game against Rotherham United after pulling up in the wake of taking a shot, ultimately being subbed in the first half.
It was quickly confirmed to be a thigh injury, and while the specific nature and severity of the damage haven’t been fully detailed, he has now informed fans that his season is over.
Writing on Instagram, he said: “Instantly from arriving at the club, I felt the passion and support from the fans, club, staff and players.
“I have no doubts [about] the club achieving their targets of promotion – I want to say a huge thank you for making me feel so welcomed and comfortable. Unfortunately, my season is concluded due to my injury, but I’ll be here supporting the team to the very end.”
He isn’t the only impactful League One player at a side eyeing up the Championship to have been hampered by setbacks on the physio bench, with rivals Stockport County also confirming an absence at this crucial point in the campaign.
Not ideal for either of the Greater Manchester hopefuls.
Once again, while the recovery period for both of these players has already begun, the exact timelines for their return remain to be seen.
That being said, chances are we’ll see the Derby County loanee back in action before Hills, though we’ll have to wait to find out whether it will be at the Toughsheet Stadium or back with his parent club.
Who do you think is going to clinch that third promotion place at Wembley come this May?
Danny Jones -
21st August 2024 
