It seemed like the whole world was watching when Cristiano Ronaldo walked out for his second Manchester United debut on Sunday.
The Portugal captain recently completed a sensational move back to his former club in what was arguably the biggest footballing news of the year, and millions of Manchester United fans around the world couldn’t contain their excitement.
He officially walked out in red at Old Trafford on Saturday (11 September) and to the delight of 76,000 fans, bagged a brace in United’s 4-1 win against Newcastle.
His goals sent United fans across the country into a frenzy, with hundreds of videos going viral online of people celebrating in pubs, living rooms and even on the street – many of which were imitating the number 7’s famous ’SIUUU’ celebration.
The ’SIUUU’ is basically what Ronaldo screams as he leaps in the air and spins around before landing on his feet, it started at Real Madrid, and technically just means “YESSS” – but it has since caught on as one of the most iconic goal celebrations in the sport.
ADVERTISEMENT
Ronaldo performs the SIUUU during Newcastle // Provided
United fans have adopted the celebration, including one particular fan from North Manchester, who will never forget the Newcastle game for very different reasons.
Michael Mooney from Newton Heath, which is coincidentally the original home of the Red Devils, went to the game on Saturday, but it’s what happened on Sunday night while watching the highlights that will forever live in his memory.
ADVERTISEMENT
While having a few beers with his mates and reminiscing in front of the match highlights, Michael leapt to his feet and imitated the SIUUU celebration. Unfortunately, he landed funny, and planted his knee directly into a pint glass on the floor which severed the tendons in his knee.
Michael lost all feeling in his lower leg and foot and paramedics were quickly on the scene. Fearing that he may lose his leg if they don’t act fast, the paramedics stretchered him out of the house and rushed him to hospital.
Michael’s status on Facebook shortly after the incident // FacebookMichael’s status on Facebook after the surgery // Facebook
The images of his knee are truly awful, and while we contemplated including them in the piece, we’ve opted against it. Honestly, they belong on rotten.com.
ADVERTISEMENT
Speaking to The Manc, Michael said: “The glass severed all the tendons and muscles in my knee but after surgery I had a brace put on and started to regain the feeling back in my toes and leg.
“This meant that doctors were able to push everything back into place and reconnect the tendons so I didn’t lose my leg, thank god!
“Hopefully I’ll be back home for the game tonight – viva Ronaldo!”.
In true Manc spirit, Michael – or Mooney to his mates – was recorded being stretchered out of the house shortly after the accident, while shouting “VIVA RONALDO”. Brilliant… get well soon Mooney!
The Red Devils are in Switzerland for their opening game of this season’s Champions League tonight – but we’re hoping Michael stays seated if he’s watching it.
The match will be televised on BT Sport 2 with coverage starting at 5pm.
Trending
Manchester’s popular board game festival returns this month with hundreds of games to play
Emily Sergeant
Manchester’s popular board came festival is set to return later this month, with hundreds of games free to play.
Manchester Board Game Festival is set to kick off 2026 in style, returning for the first festival of the year with a full weekend of board games, role-playing games, indie traders, and community-led fun in the heart of the city.
The festival features a huge board game library, giving fans access to hundreds of games to try out across the weekend – with ‘Library Bees’ on-hand to help people find games, learn the rules, or jump into sessions with other players.
There’ll also be bookable sessions, like RPGs and Blood on The Clocktower, and seminars to take part in over the three-day event.
Manchester’s popular board game festival returns this month with hundreds of games to play / Credit: MBGF (via Facebook)
As well as gaming, visitors can browse the festival’s popular Geek Fayre too, open on the Saturday and Sunday of the event, which showcases indie traders, artists, and tabletop creators from across the UK. From games and accessories, to artwork and geeky gifts, it’s a chance to support small businesses all while discovering something new.
Running from Friday 27 February through to Sunday 1 March, this opening weekend festival marks the start of five events planned throughout 2026.
Events are designed to bring together players of all experience levels for three days of tabletop gaming and social play.
“There’s something really special about the first festival of the year,” commented festival organiser, James Oxley.
“People are excited, they’re ready to play, and there’s a real buzz in the room. Manchester Board Game Festival has always been about bringing people together through games, and we can’t wait to see everyone back in the halls enjoying themselves.
“Whether attendees come for a single afternoon or the full weekend, the focus is on playing at your own pace, meeting new people, and enjoying games in a relaxed and friendly setting.”
Further festivals will follow throughout 2026, including themed Halloween and Christmas editions later in the year, so keep your eyes peeled, but until then, February’s event marks the first chance for players to roll some dice, discover new favourites, and start the year with a table full of games.
Manchester Board Game Festival takes place from Friday 27 February through to Sunday 1 March at Sachas Hotel in the Northern Quarter, with tickets starting from just £13.
Trailer released for new romcom Finding Emily set and filmed all across Manchester
Emily Sergeant
The first trailer for a new romcom that’s set and filmed all across Manchester has been released.
The film, titled Finding Emily, tells the story of a lovesick musician, played by Spike Fearn, who meets his dream girl on a night out, but ends up with the wrong phone number, and so teams up with a driven psychology student, played by Angourie Rice, in a bid to find her.
Together, the unlikely duo spark a hilarious campus-wide frenzy that tests their own hearts and ambitions along the way.
The film – which is directed by Alicia MacDonald, and based on a screenplay written by Rachel Hirons – is produced by Working Title Films, is set in the fictional Manchester City University, and is due to be distributed by Focus Features and Universal Pictures across the UK and internationally this spring.
The talented ensemble cast groups together big names like Minnie Driver with rising stars like Ella Maisy Purvis, Yali Topal Margalith, and Kat Ronney, as well as other established actors including Timothy Innes and Nadia Parkes.
Filming took place in Manchester between August and September 2024.
The two and a half-minute trailer has been shared with the world today, and when we say it’s a Manc film, we mean it… we quite literally lost count of how many of our city’s famous locations can be spotted in just the trailer alone.
The trailer has been released for new romcom Finding Emily set and filmed in Manchester / Credit: Universal Pictures & Focus Features (via YouTube)
There’s everything from Manchester Central Library and Piccadilly Records, to Canal Street and the Gay Village, the Northern Quarter, the Crown & Kettle pub in Ancoats, and even the Emmeline Pankhurst statue in St Peter’s Square featured for all to see, alongside what’ll, presumably, be dozens of other famous locations.
Oh, and not to mention, if you keep your eyes peeled when watching the trailer, you can even see a small clip of Stockport band Blossoms playing a gig in there too.
The Manc -
14th September 2021 
