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.
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?
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?
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.
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!
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
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.
Emily Sergeant -
10th February 2021 
