Experts say social media can be detrimental for us.
And in this case, they’re probably right, because you deserve a massive pat on the back if you managed to stop yourself from scrolling on Twitter yesterday and inevitably avoid your eyes being burned with the image of the latest food collaboration that everyone’s talking about.
We mean it when we say everyone’s talking about it too.
Not only has this cursed tweet been retweeted over 70K times, it’s also racked up tens of thousands of comments from people, companies, countries, and more, all wading in on the debate.
Even Greater Manchester Police has got involved with it too, and have confirmed that the matter has been “passed over to our major incident team who deals with cereal killers”, so you know it must be something pretty serious.
ADVERTISEMENT
There’s no denying it’s a violation, but if you’re still not sure what we’re referring to yet, we’ll just say it’s probably not as bad as you’re thinking – or is it?
So, what are we talking about then?
ADVERTISEMENT
Well, yesterday morning just after 9:30am, as we were all minding our own business and cracking on with our day, two iconic British food brands decided it was the perfect time to collaborate, so Weetabix took to Twitter to share a snap of a bowl of its hearty cereal topped with, none other than, Heinz Baked Beans.
And it absolutely broke the internet, with a level of outrage not seen in a long time.
The public, quite rightly, just couldn’t seem to wrap their heads around what they were seeing, with the main question on everyone’s lips – this can’t be serious, right?
ADVERTISEMENT
They’ve got to be having us on here? This is a joke?
Both foods are beloved in Britain, but no one in their right minds is topping their morning Weetabix with baked beans, are they?
It’s a question that remains unanswered at this point, and despite Weetabix’s Assistant Brand Manager revealing to LinkedIn that this whole debacle is one of the reasons why “I love my job”, we’re still none the wiser to concluding whether or not it’s a genuine match-up, or something devised solely for marketing purposes with the intent of getting everyone as wound up as they have.
For everyone’s sanity, we’ll keep our fingers crossed that the latter is true.
But it sounds like sanity might already be out the window anyway, because the official Twitter account of just about every other company you can think of has chipped in with their opinions.
ADVERTISEMENT
Let’s set aside our differences to prosecute this under the Geneva Convention.
National supermarket chain Sainsbury’s response managed to tie it in with last week’s meme of the moment, the Handforth Parish Council Zoom meeting madness, and the Jackie Weaver fan club that followed soon after it.
The north’s even united in agreement that it needs seeing to as well, with Yorkshire Tea willing to report the issue to the police, and Bolton-born bread brand Warburtons being prepared to back them up.
If you need a witness statement, please let us know
And whether you believe it or not, it’s even been deemed a serious enough issue for government authorities, national embassies, the actual country of Israel, the NHS, and the city centre department of our very own Greater Manchester Police, to get involved with too.
The latter informing the public that: “We’ve bean looking into this after a number of complaints today [and] due to its serious nature, we’ve passed it over to our major incident team who deals with cereal killers”.
We've bean looking into this after a number of complaints today. Due to its serious nature, we've passed it over to our major incident team who deals with cereal killers!
— Manchester City Centre Police (GMP) (@GMPCityCentre) February 9, 2021
Strong opinion from the nation that makes tea in a microwave.
We didn’t even scratch the surface with replies to this tweet, as you’d probably be here all day if we had, so head on over to the full thread on Twitter if you want more.
Even though the concept has got all the elements of instant viral fame, you’d never have predicted it would’ve angered the globe quite as much as it has, so we can only imagine what it’s like at the Weetabix and Heinz HQs right now.
All we can say is, it’s massively kicked off and we hope they’re proud of themselves.
Now, that’s enough internet for one day.
Trending
Antoine Semenyo has officially joined Manchester City
Danny Jones
Yes, Man City have got their man and further bolstered their offensive options, with Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo having officially joined the club.
Having emerged as one of the Premier League’s hottest properties over the past couple of years, Antoine Semenyo has gone from not only being an extremely prolific winger, but beyond a flavour of the month, with multiple teams expressing their interest in recent months.
That being said, despite being linked with local rivals Manchester United, current champions Liverpool and an already heavily staffed Chelsea side, MCFC have now won the race to sign Semenyo – one they seem to have been leading since the start.
Finally unveiled by club media on Friday, 9 January, Semenyo was pictured for the first time in the sky blue strip.
It was long after that the first reports of the deal being ‘agreed in principle” surfaced online, and it became clear that no other suitors stood a chance of snatching him away from the Etihad Stadium.
Semenyo’s release clause was set at £65 million, which is approximately the same figure they sold former striker Dominic Solanke to Spurs for, but inevitable add-ons and bonuses were likely to set a rough club record fee in terms of player sales.
Penning a five-and-a-half-year deal, the 26-year-old’s contract will take him through to at least 2031, with the London-born Ghanaian international still yet to hit his peak.
Frightening stuff for Premier League defenders, to say the least.
Sharing a message with his new fan base via the full club statement, Semenyo said: “I am so proud to have joined Manchester City…
“They have set the highest of standards, and it’s a club with world-class players, world-class facilities and one of the greatest managers ever in Pep. I have so much scope for improvement, so to be at this club, at this stage of my career, is perfect for me. It’s a real privilege to be here.
“My best football is yet to come, I am sure of that. And City are in a great position – still involved in four competitions. I really feel I can help them have a strong second half of the season. The Etihad is my new home. I can’t wait to play in front of the fans here, and I hope to show everyone what I can do.”
Happy with the business, Blues? And as for you neutrals, do you think it’s the right next step for him?
Watch Semenyo’s first full interview as a Manchester City player.
Manchester United fans planning another major protest amid more upheaval around the club
Danny Jones
Manchester United supporters look set to stage another high-profile demonstration in protest against the INEOS Sports ownership group.
This is the latest response to the club’s continuing struggles, and not just the first proper organised mobilisation of the year, but the first since the most recent major march last spring.
Following the sacking of ‘manager’ Ruben Amorim, despite co-owner Jim Ratcliffe and his board of executives insisting that the Portuguese head coach (that distinction proving to be a crucial detail), the local sporting giants are once again starting from scratch and looking for another replacement boss.
With that in mind, militant fan group The 1958 announced their most recent protest ahead of a home fixture next month in a rather bold fashion…
As announced we protest against this dysfunctional co-ownership before Fulham.
Yep, neither Amorim, Erik ten Hag, Ole Gunnar Solskjær, nor any face even remotely associated with Old Trafford/Carrington is safe from an AI parody.
As for The 1958 group’s actual protest plans, speaking via the BBC this week, the supporters’ trust has confirmed that they will be making a vocal statement outside the stadium on Sunday, 1 February.
Travelling Reds already made their thoughts known with a very blunt, provocative and somewhat controversial banner in the away end at Turf Moor for the 2-2 draw against Burnley.
With Man United approaching a third-round FA Cup tie against Brighton and two big games in the form of a Manchester Derby at home and a trip to Arsenal, they have decided to choose the Fulham game at Old Trafford to stage the march.
Despite admitting that the results under Amorim were no way near good enough, they insist that the – most notably the overarching and Glazer family shadow ever looming over the organisation.
Further details around the actual timings and locations are still yet to be shared by the organisers, but you can expect this to be a well-attended, large-scale event.
Often convening at The Tollgate pub near regular matchday tram stop, Trafford Bar, before walking down Talbot Road towards the ground itself, we imagine Reds will then descend upon the Theatre of Dreams in their thousands.
In case you didn’t already surmise from the video itself, Ratcliffe and co. will be no doubt the subject of the usual chants, as well as more banners and flags.
What do you make of the latest plans, Man United fans?
Nothing will ever be quite as bold as the infamous Old Trafford break-in from 2022 (Credit: The Manc)