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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Morrisons has launched a nationwide search for its first-ever Chief Doughnut Tester
Emily Sergeant
Today is National Doughnut Day, and to celebrate, Morrisons is on the look-out for one sweet treat fan to take on a new role.
That’s right – today (5 June) is National Doughnut Day, and Morrisons is officially on the hunt for the nation’s ultimate doughnut devotee with the launch of its brand-new (and delicious) role, The Chief Doughnut Tester – with all glaze enthusiasts, sprinkle connoisseurs, and jam-filled aficionados urged to get applying.
The search is on to crown one lucky fan who’ll take on the dream job of taste-testing their way through the supermarket‘s range of doughnuts.
The Chief Doughnut Tester is more than just a title, Morrisons says it’s ‘serious business’.
Morrisons has launched a nationwide search for its first-ever Chief Doughnut Tester / Credit: Morrisons
The new hire will be tasked with taste-testing doughnuts before they hit the shelves, giving verdicts on new flavours and textures, all in the name of research.
The role will also involve teaming up with Morrisons’ internal doughnut-expert team to develop new and limited-edition treats that’ll be in stores next year.
Crowned as the nation’s definitive doughnut authority, the selected winner won’t just earn the title of Chief Doughnut Tester, they’ll also receive the ultimate of sweet perks – a year’s free supply of Morrisons fresh doughnuts, which the retailer sells more than 1.1 million of weekly.
Aspiring Chief Doughnut Testers can apply on the Morrisons website here, by filling in a short 200-words about why’re the ideal candidate.
Applications close at midnight tonight (Friday 5 June), so you’ll need to be quick.
Featured Image – Annie Spratt (via Unsplash)
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First-ever JD Wetherspoon pub to open at Manchester Airport
Danny Jones
In news that we feel many Mancs and travellers all-round have been waiting on for a long time, the well-known British chain, JD Wetherspoon, will be opening its first-ever pub at Manchester Airport.
That’s right: soon that first airport pint of the holiday could actually be a relatively cheap one.
While Wetherspoons are no strangers to popping up in terminals across the UK and Ireland, they’ve never done so here in Manchester despite having three, yes THREE, in Gatwick alone.
Not for much longer, though, as soon T2 will be lending more than 3,000 square feet of its prime leisure and retail real estate to a new Greater Manchester ‘Spoons’.
Posting on social media, the airport wrote: “Wetherspoon comes to Manchester Airport this September! The pub will be located in the Terminal 2 Departures lounge and will have more than 300 seats.
“This will become the final major food and drink venue to open its doors as part of our decade-long £1.3bn transformation of Terminal 2. It will be named ‘The Belle Vue’, in a nod to Manchester’s historic showground [now a sports complex and leisure hub].
“It was a focal point for social life in the city from the Victorian period up until 2020, when the final event was held at Belle Vue stadium. The design of the pub is inspired by the history of Belle Vue and the sporting culture of the North West of England. We look forward to welcoming you all in September!”
While a lot of money has been pumped into T2’s refurb as a whole over the past few years, it remains unclear just how much this particular new addition will cost; we do know that great sums were set aside for the launch of the Great Northern Market last year.
The inaugural Manchester Airport Spoons is just the latest in a series of major renovations.
As mentioned, the company already operate several up and down the country – 10 airport pubs, to be specific – but this will be the first in the North West.
Speaking on the news, JD Wetherspoon chief executive John Hutson said in a statement: “We are looking forward to opening at Manchester Airport. We believe our new pub will prove popular with travellers of all ages and be an asset to the new terminal.”
With Manchester Airport adding a dozen new routes to its roster this summer, you can expect to see even more people flying in and out than ever – no doubt having already polished off a cut-price pint or two beforehand.