A massive Rick and Morty mural is being erected on the stadium front of Old Trafford and people online have been scratching their heads as to the reason why.
Pictures of the large multi-panel banner being assembled outside the East Stand, hanging just above the United Store entrance, began circulating on social media on Tuesday, 28 September.
But even before then, single posters of the titular characters were spotted flanking either side of the Sir Alex Ferguson Stand.
Given how many people travel past this iconic landmark every day, seeing two giant images of arguably the most popular cartoon characters in the world right now is sure to have caused a few double-takes.
Manchester United fans and tourists are more than used to seeing the latest United campaign, player collage or special poster – the latest being the tribute to Queen Elizabeth II – but it isn’t often you’ll see an external brand take up this kind of wall space. Well, ad space.
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As many of you may have guessed already, the Rick and Morty poster outside Old Trafford is, of course, another marketing idea and although the Red Devils don’t have a sponsorship deal with Adult Swim or Netflix, they do have one with Adidas.
It may have slipped past you over recent months, but the hit animation has recently partnered with the sportswear brand for a number of adverts such as promoting their new X Speedportal football boots.
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Official Adidas athletes like Liverpool’s Mo Salah and Arsenal Women’s Dutch forward Vivianne Miedema both starred as their animated selves for a fictionalised game. However, the ad campaign clearly hasn’t stopped there.
Like Miedema herself, Arsenal have been an official Adidas partnered club since 2018 and they too helped promote what the show describes as their “living” episode, ‘Wormageddon’ to celebrate the launch of the sixth season. This involved a number of statues dotted around the Emirates Stadium:
With that in mind, while we ascertain the exact nature of this Rick and Morty x Adidas x Manchester United ad, if you look closely at what portions of the posters have already gone up, there’s a clear hint at what the club are getting out of it.
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Besides wearing the Adidas mentioned above, if you closely at the image of main character Rick, you can see he is wearing what looks to be United’s recently released third kit under his trademark lab coat:
So there you have it; it might have looked a bit of an odd sight at first glance but there’s actually a very logical explanation.
At the end of the day, United have so many commercial partners at this point, we wouldn’t put it past them to secure a direct partnership with Rick and Morty somehow. They did one with Deadpool after all.
Manchester United considering approach for Wolves boss Gary O’Neil over mystery coaching role
Danny Jones
Manchester United are reportedly considering an approach for Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Gary O’Neil over a potential new coaching role.
Although it is thought the Wolves boss is about to be handed a brand-new contract following his impressive efforts at the West Midlands club, a new report from ESPN‘s Mark Ogden is now suggesting that O’Neil is set to be tapped up by Man United as they look to rebuild their backroom.
According to the article published this week, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS Sports team are interested in offering the 40-year-old as yet unconfirmed role on the Red Devils’ coaching staff and while it’s still unclear whether Erik ten Hag has the new co-owner’s full confidence, it’s clear they’re making plans.
Echoed by The Athletic‘s ever-reliable David Ornstein, who reiterated that Ogden is “really well connected” with the club, it looks like there might be some real legs in this.
What job is Gary O’Neil being considered for at United?
As for what O’Neil’s role around Old Trafford and Carrington, more specifically, would be were he to say yes or even consider an offer (it is thought no formal talks have been held at this stage), that remains a bit of a mystery.
That being said, with the likes of Steve McClaren serving a second spell as assistant manager at ten Hag‘s side – having been hand-picked by the Dutchman for his experience – along with Mitchell van der Gaag who arrived with him from Ajax, it seems unlikely either of the two would make way for O’Neill.
However, with both Michael Carrick and Kieran McKenna departing the club in recent years, leaving few other notable outfield names other than ex-striker Benni McCarthy who has been looking after United forwards since 2022, he could be appointed as a strategic figure amongst the first-team coaching staff.
Either way, O’Neil signed a three-year deal with Wolves when he was appointed in August 2023 and has already seen some pretty impressive results, leading them to an admirable 10th place in the Premier League at present, so any proposal from United would have to be a handsome one.
He’s certainly got some tactical nous when it comes to taking on even the best of teams.
While it still feels unlikely that Gary O’Neil would give up the top job at a top-flight club for an as-yet ‘unknown’ position at United, who remain in flux and still plenty of uncertainty as they start this next chapter, there is an undoubted appeal to being at one of the biggest football clubs on the planet.
Sources are said to have confirmed the United’s interest and O’Neil himself is now aware of the prospective approach but neither club is yet to address the situation.
Ogden’s report also goes on to cite recent rumblings surrounding potential figures to succeed ten Hag if he were to be sacked, with names like Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi and Brentford’s Thomas Frank being floated around.
In fact, even England manager Gareth Southgate has been linked, though the suggestion has already been shrugged off by the bulk of the fan base and the Three Lions boss himself has also been quick to dismiss the rumours:
"It's completely disrespectful" 🏴
Gareth Southgate comments on the speculation linking him to the Manchester United managerial position. pic.twitter.com/yx3KWo1JtK
Watch the wholesome moment Jude Bellingham gives his jacket to a young mascot to keep him warm
Danny Jones
England supporters are already getting very excited to see Jude Bellingham in the starting 11 ahead of Euro 2024 but the midfielder is winning over even more fans after a clip of a wholesome moment between him and a young mascot went viral.
The Three Lions ended up drawing 2-2 in their second friendly of the international break against Belgium (losing 1-0 to Brazil in the previous game) with Bellingham scoring the equaliser in the final minute of stoppage time.
However, as much as the home fans are looking forward to the Real Madrid star rallying his teammates at the Euros this summer, it was this small but touching interaction with a young kid as the two sides lined up with their mascots just after the walkouts.
Seeing the rain falling and quickly checking in with the small boy sitting in the wheelchair below him, Bellingham rightly offered his pre-match jacket to the little lad to keep him warm.
The reaction online was just as heartwarming too, as countless people jumped on social media to leave comments like, “This is how you know he is Brum, what a nice fella”, “makes me proud to be English” and “Classy as ever from the 20-year-old”.
One person even went so far as to add: “Make this guy captain, wrap him in bubble wrap and take care of him. All youngsters should watch how he conducts himself, absolute professional.”
He wasn’t the only one either, as many eagle-eyed viewers also noted that Manchester City stars Phil Foden and John Stones also gave their jackets to the young mascots standing with him prior to the match. We really do have some lovely lads in this team, don’t we?
Absolutely class from Bellingham, Stones & Foden giving their jackets to the kid mascots as pissing down! 🦁🦁🦁👏🫶
Elsewhere, another Greater Mancunian player once again delighted those in the stands and watching back home as Kobbie Mainoo not only made his second appearance and first full start in an England shirt but also earned himself the man of the match award.
The Man United starlet was a late inclusion into Gareth Southgate’s provisional Euros squad, which is likely to change again before the tournament starts, but you won’t find many fans Reds or otherwise wanting him anywhere else other than in the starting lineup.
We’re starting to really like the look of this squad both on and off the pitch and one thing’s for sure, they aren’t just nice blokes – there’s plenty of talent amongst them to win something.
You can watch the highlights of England vs Belgium in full down below: