Stormzy has been grabbing headlines after taking on the role of football pundit following Manchester United‘s win over Liverpool yesterday.
The trailblazing London-born rapper – who is just one of Manchester United’s famous fans – has being going viral on social media after he jubilantly gatecrashed a live TV interview on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football (MNF) programme and shared his views about the Red Devils’ 2-1 impressive victory over Liverpool last night.
While the usual MNF cast of Gary Neville, Jamie Carragher, and Roy Keane stood in front of an empty Old Trafford in the classic Manchester rain to give their post-match verdict of United’s first Premier League win of the 2022/23 season over fierce North West rivals, the 29-year-old chart-topping grime MC was spotted at the side of the pitch off camera.
He was then ushered in by Neville, and greeted the three former footballers and host with a hand shake.
Dressed in a Manchester United top with his hood up, and stood alongside his young nephews who also appeared on camera, Stormzy waved at some fans who recognised him from the stands and then admitted that he was “a bit flustered right now”.
“I’ve never met these guys before. We were just walking past and we were starstruck and someone gave me a mic and I’m up here like ‘Mum, I made it’,” he added with a smile
“This is sick though. Man’s on telly with the boys.”
After getting over initially being starstruck and settling into the role of would-be football pundit, the MNF team wanted to make the most of having the former Glastonbury headliner with them, and continued to ask him a couple of questions.
When asked to offer his opinion of Manchester United’s star striker Cristiano Ronaldo – who was actually dropped from the starting lineup by new manager Erik ten Hag for the Liverpool clash, Stormzy continued: “You know what it is with Ronaldo, when he’s that great, you can’t speak on him man.
“You’ve just got to let the man be great, do you know what I mean? There’s been a bit of a fuss but that’s a GOAT.
“You just have to let the GOATs be the GOATs.”
For fans of the Vossi Bop singer, his presence at Old Trafford might not come as much of a shock, but not everyone understood what was happening, with United’s former captain Roy Keane appearing quite shocked, adding: “I thought this was a football show, what’s happening?”
Manchester United fan Stormzy appeared on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football programme to share his thoughts on the 2-1 win over Liverpool / Credit: Sky Sports (via YouTube)
After the interview aired live on Sky Sports, clips have been circulating on social media and racking up tens of thousands of views and interactions from football fans – with many commenting how funny it was to see a famous person still able to be starstruck.
“Stormzy headlined Glastonbury at 25 but is flustered by being interviewed on MNF – what a man,” one person said on Twitter.
Another said: “Stormzy’s MNF cameo was surreal.”
“I love that Stormzy is always a natural fan and ain’t too proud to express it,” a third added.
Stormzy on Monday night football in socks & sliders with his hood on what a G even brought on his nephews 😂😂
Monday night football. Continues to be the benchmark in sports broadcasting (outside USA) absolutely top class. Stormzy ended up on it this evening as he was dandering by. Gary Neville is majestic & Roy Keane is literally, footballing royalty- Ronaldo coming up to him. Beautiful
Stormzy’s appearance on Monday Night Football was fresh off the back of him getting up on stage with Coldplay as the band finished up their finished their sell-out six-night residency at Wembley Stadium on Sunday night.
He performed his 2018 hit ‘Blinded by Your Grace Pt. 1’ alongside the band
Formula 1 fans will also know this isn’t the only time Stormzy has given an unsuspecting sporting TV interview in recent weeks either, as he also went viral after being interviewed during Martin Brundle’s grid walk at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone last month too.
Wigan Athletic make statement signing after grabbing Wrexham’s Paul Mullin on loan
Danny Jones
Wigan Athletic have pulled over a big transfer in the summer window, albeit only temporarily for now, as they have managed to acquire the services of Wrexham AFC striker Paul Mullin on loan.
The Merseyside-born marksman, who has been instrumental in helping lift Wrexham from the depths of the National League and into the Championship (the first time they’ve been back in the second division since 1977/78), joins the Latics on loan until the end of the 2025/26 season.
Mullin may be gradually entering the latter end of his career, but he has proved time and again that he can score, managing to chip in with a respectable half dozen goal contributions even amidst a lengthy period out following back surgery and a subsequent shin injury.
The 30-year-old is the third signing for Wigan so far in 2025, following the likes of incomings Fraser Murray, a left-sided Scottish midfielder from Kilmarnock, and fellow forward Christian Saydee from Portsmouth, but he’s no doubt the one who’s caught the most attention.
A regular hero in the well-documented and Hollywood-backed Welcome to Wrexham story, Paul Mullin has notched an unbelievable 110 goals in 172 games, boasting a combined goal contribution tally of 223 across multiple English clubs up and down the football pyramid in just over a decade as a professional.
Put simply, he scores goals wherever he goes.
Commenting on the move, Mullin said via club media: “I’m excited for the next part of my story. The Gaffer has outlined his plan for the season, and I’m hoping to take his trust into the season and make it a really successful one. As a player, I give absolutely everything and work as hard as I can.
“I’ve scored a lot of goals over the last few years, but more than anything, I give my absolute all for the Club that I’m playing for, and I’m going to do that again with Wigan.”
Bidding a brief goodbye to his parent club, he responded to their announcement by adding: “All the best this season! Keep the train rolling.”
Although he’s no stranger to the North West – having been born in Litherland, Sefton and played for both Morecambe and Tranmere Rovers – Wigan Athletic is the first spell at a Greater Manchester club for Mullin. The move will also see him face familiar local foes like Stockport County and Bolton Wanderers.
It’s fair to say that, as well as finding the net pretty regularly throughout his career, he’s managed to pick up a number of accolades along the way, too, especially during his time with Wrexham.
Much-admired rising coach Ryan Lowe, who was snapped up by Wigan Athletic amidst the flurry of names linked last March, said in the official club statement: “I’m delighted that we’ve managed to sign Paul. He’ll be a great addition to the group and is a player who is a proven goal scorer in the EFL.
“He has won promotion in his last three seasons with Wrexham AFC and will add firepower, know-how and experience to the group, which is really important. He is here because he is hungry to score more goals, win games and contribute to Wigan Athletic Football Club.”
“Paul is the type of character we want in the dressing room, and his experience will help support the team on and off the pitch.”
Supporters of The Red Dragons might be sad to see him go, but you’ve got to be happy with this one, right, ‘Tics?
I don’t think words can come to mind. “Oh it’s just a footballer”
No. It’s my hero, our hero Super Paul Mullin thank you.
Thank you for what you have done for us❤️
On personal note I send my high fives before every game I will miss you this season my friend
Tom Aspinall is now the UFC’s undisputed heavyweight champion
Danny Jones
Greater Manchester’s very own UFC icon,Tom Aspinall, has been officially named the undisputed heavyweight champion.
Even more miraculously, he did so without even having to face an official title fight against the previous reigning champ.
With the news that legendary mixed martial artist and UFC veteran Jon Jones has decided to finally retire after more than a decade and a half in the sport, Tom Aspinall has now seen his interim heavyweight status upgraded to a full, undisputed world champion.
CEO and President of the league, Dana White, confirmed the decision this Sunday, 22 June, not long after Jon Jones announced his retirement on social media.
The moment Aspinall was named an undisputed UFC champion. You can literally hear the shock in the room when he delivers the update.
After 32-year-old Aspinall famously said, “I’ll retire Jon Jones without even fighting him” back in August 2024, it looks like the famed Salford-born fighter knew exactly how this story would play out.
Despite having long been admired as a pioneer of the sport and one of the personalities who helped put it on the map, Jones has also been heavily criticised for avoiding the Atherton-based athlete in recent years, having even been set a deadline by White to defend his title.
It got to suck a point that the local lad from Wigan even held up a rubber duck to the camera as he poked fun at Jones to millions watching worldwide while sat ringside at UFC London earlier this year.
Seeing Aspinall’s supremacy grow stronger in recent years, it was the fight every fan wanted to see; however, with Jones revealing his somewhat snap decision this week, it looks like they’ll just have to settle for him taking the crown by default.
The result of him hanging up his four-ounce gloves also means that there are now no American male champions in the UFC across all four active divisions for the first time since 2004.
As for Jones, 37, while it hasn’t come as a total shock to everyone given his hiatus (his last fight coming in November 2024 against Stipe Miocic), there were plenty who hoped they would one day see him come against the Manc MMA star.
DANA WHITE MAKES IT OFFICIAL!
Tom Aspinall is the NEW UNDISPUTED UFC HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION! Jon Jones has RETIRED! 😱🏆 pic.twitter.com/0LSTe088me
Informing the fight world of his withdrawal in a lengthy statement on X, he said: “This decision comes after a lot of reflection, and I want to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude for the journey I’ve experienced over the years.
“From the first time I stepped into the Octagon, my goal was to push the boundaries of what was possible in this sport. Becoming the youngest UFC champion in history, defending my title against some of the best fighters in the world, and sharing unforgettable moments with fans across the globe—these are memories I’ll cherish forever.
“I’ve faced incredible highs and some tough lows, but every challenge has taught me something valuable and made me stronger, both as a fighter and as a person.” He went on to thank Dana White, his family, coaches and several others for his career thus far.
He also went on to add: “To my fellow fighters, thank you for bringing out the best in me and for the respect we’ve shared inside and outside the cage. As I close this chapter of my life, I look forward to new opportunities and challenges ahead.
“MMA will always be a part of who I am, and I’m excited to see how I can continue to contribute to the sport and inspire others in new ways. Thank you all for being part of this incredible journey with me. The best is yet to come.”
Between Aspinall’s dominance at the top of the heavy class and Liverpool’s Paddy ‘The Baddy’ Pimblett continuing to make waves in the lightweight division, it looks like the time of not just the UK but the North West might be beckoning.
Emily Sergeant -
23rd August 2022 
