The actions of an American have caused outrage among Brits on social media this week.
Sound familiar? Well it’s probably not a shock at this point, as within just the past year alone, the British corner of the internet has erupted when Americans had a few choice words to say about our classic fry-up breakfasts – and even tried to recreate their own – and then over on Reddit, Americans just couldn’t seem to believe their eyes when they discovered what British “face meats” were – also known as Billy Bear Ham to us.
That outrage is a two way street though.
We can’t go forgetting the American mother-daughter TikTok duo that caused havoc last summer with their “hot tea / British tea” and “beans on toast” recipes, can we?
So, what have Americans done to rile up Brits this time then?
Back over on popular social media forum Reddit, a Seattle-based resident has seemingly ignited fury, frustration and no shortage of laughs by sharing proof of his geographically-challenged wife’s attempt at labelling a number of locations around the UK and Ireland, with the names of cities, regions and entire countries all mixed up.
Reddit user @adms13 posted a diagram of the British Isles to the popular sub-Reddit forum CasualUK on Tuesday evening, explaining: “I asked my wife to fill in a map of the UK (we’re both American)”.
“Her extent of UK knowledge comes from watching Top Gear with me at night.” he admitted.
While she has gotten a few locations right in her reimagining of the UK, by managing to accurately identify London, Surrey, Cornwall, the Isle of Man, and most importantly to us Mancunians, Manchester, the rest all went downhill from there.
In some of the more shocking changes, Cheshire was found all the way down to the south-east coast, Canterbury was mysteriously renamed “the ferry”, the Midlands were moved some way up the country towards the border with Scotland, Liverpool was placed where Dumfries is, and Dublin was located in Northern Ireland – which, she clarified, was “definitely Ireland”.
“I don’t think people live here,” she wrote over the Scottish Highlands.
But possibly the most hilarious error of them all was her labelling of the entire nation of Ireland with “Wales?” and the real Wales being left off the map entirely, with “No idea what’s over here… maybe Birmingham?” scrawled over the top of it.
“Is it possible to upset everyone at once?” one user responded, while another said: “Well this is horrifying” and a third commented: “I don’t get how someone knows seven cities in the UK and their location (roundabouts), but not Wales and Ireland”.
A Belfast-based user said the map made them “apoplectic with rage”.
Not everyone was out to critique though, with some commenters applauding her efforts saying it was “almost great for an American attempt” given the stereotype that Americans are oblivious to the world outside the USA, and other Brits admitting they’d also struggle to label all 50 states if the tables were turned.
Manchester City set to re-sign former youth keeper James Trafford
Danny Jones
Manchester City look set to re-sign their former academy goalkeeper, James Trafford, just over two years after he left the club.
The Burnley shot-stopper was signed by the Lancashire side back in June 2023 after he impressed in two consecutive seasons on loan at Bolton Wanderers.
Now, just a few transfer windows later, it looks like Man City are set to fend off interest from other Premier League outfits for the chance to bring him back to the Etihad Stadium.
As per transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, an agreement is already in place for him to return to Manchester in the next few days.
🚨🔵 EXCLUSIVE: Manchester City agree deal to sign James Trafford as new goalkeeper, here we go!
Deal in place with Burnley under value of £40m buy back clause. Trafford said yes to Man City as Pep Guardiola wanted him.
According to Romano, the Cockermouth-born and Carlisle-blooded keeper, who joined the City youth setup at the age of 12, will be signed once again for a fee below the previously reported £40m price tag.
Although the details of the contract are yet to be fully confirmed, it is said that City maintained the option to match the bid of any other team that came in within three days as part of the stipulation.
Backed up by The Athletic‘s David Ornstein, it seems the club have done just that, entering a matched price of £27m (before add-ons) after an offer was made by Newcastle United.
Once again, the wages he will earn upon returning to the Etihad remain undisclosed, but you can assume they have promised a more attractive package than Newcastle; you would expect some assurances surrounding playing time, too.
Although Ederson is the first-choice goalkeeper on paper, he and backup keeper Stefan Ortega have been increasingly rotated across multiple competitions, and the 22-year-old said in an interview back in 2021 that he believes he has the potential and talent to become “Manchester City’s number one.”
Here are some of the highlights from the previous term.
Having impressed at youth level for England and most notably keeping 29 clean sheets – conceding just 16 goals in all 45 league fixtures in 24/25 – with Burnley securing automatic promotion as one of the best defences in the EFL, he’s not just a young prospect any more: he’s a sought-after shot-stopper.
It seems only a matter of time before his comeback is officially announced by the clubs, with Trafford preparing to sign a five-year contract with his old employers and where the bulk of his youth development took place.
The question is, Man City fans: can you see him pushing Ederson and Ortega, who have both been linked with moves away themselves, for the starting gloves?
Meanwhile, although Pep might be looking to phase in a new go-to between the sticks, another member of his senior squad who has struggled to nail down a consistent spot in the first XI could, conversely, be on his way out the exit door.
Jack Grealish linked with Serie A switch as Manchester City star reportedly wants a move away
Danny Jones
Manchester City star and England international, Jack Grealish, has been linked with leaving for a possible Serie A switch as the midfielder is reportedly eyeing an exit from the Etihad Stadium.
The 29-year-old is already being monitored by a number of clubs here in England and in mainland Europe, but it appears that Italian champions Napoli have emerged as the latest and seemingly strongest suitors looking to add Jack Grealish to their growing roster.
A number of outlets are reporting interest from the ‘Gli Azzurri’, who have already signed former Man City talisman Kevin De Bruyne this summer, and look to be continuing with a productive period of recruitment ahead of defending their fourth league title – the second in the space of three seasons.
It wouldn’t be a change in colour or even in position, apparently, as they have identified him as a number of left-sided targets this summer, according to the likes of Corriere dello Sport.
🚨 Jack Grealish remains on a list of wingers still being considered by Napoli, @CorSport claim 👀🩵
The former Aston Villa favourite was left out of the FIFA Club World Cup after Pep Guardiola revealed the pair had shared “honest” discussions regarding his future in Manchester, but did reassure that it was the “best” decision for him and is not ruling out a resolution before the start of the 2025/26 campaign.
The Telegraph‘s Matt Law states that Grealish has returned to City but only to train alone and will remain apart from the rest of the team until an outcome has been decided.
Other clubs that are said to be keen on tapping up the dynamic winger and attacking midfielder include Spurs, West Ham, Newcastle and even Everton are thought to be exploring a potential approach.
Guardiola‘s squad are expected to resume training on 28 July following a much-needed break post-tournament, which they crashed out of in the round of 16 following a shock defeat to Saudi side Al-Hilal.
Meanwhile, it is claimed that the England star has already flown to Naples.
As per Manchester Evening News (MEN), Grealish’s driver, Salvatore, told the ‘Radio Goal’ show on native station Kiss Kiss Napoli that the footballer is already training privately on the Amalfi Coast.
The outlet also recently wrote that the 29-year-old would be available if the right offer came in, with Man City supposedly wanting around £40 million for his prospective sale.
Jack Grealish is now considered well within his traditional ‘prime years’, and arguably soon to exit this crucial period for any athlete, so he will no doubt be pushing hard for a move this summer if his place with the sky blues is still undecided.
Despite being a well-regarded talent and regularly picked for his national team, the Brummy-born footballer has struggled to cement a spot in the starting XI under Pep, so perhaps leaving City might be the best for both Grealish and City, who are continuing to rebuild with new personnel.
He’s not the only Manchester-based star looking to the continent for a new lease on life.