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.
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.
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.
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
Pep Guardiola hints at when Manchester City fans can expect to see their latest arrival
Danny Jones
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has given supporters a rough timeline as to when they can expect to see their new signing, or at least their latest arrival, make his first appearance.
The Blues wrapped up the January transfer window with four major signings: their new attacking number seven, Omar Marmoush (who has already bagged a hattrick on his home debut) promising defensive duo, Abdukodir Khusanov and Brazilian Vitor Reis, as well as their ‘mini-Rodri’, Nico Gonzalez.
However, the club has had another late arrival who was technically signed back at the start of last year but who has spent for the last 12 months or so loaned back to his previous parent club, River Plate in Argentina, waiting to make the move over to the Etihad Stadium – and now he’s here in Manchester.
Speaking on his touchdown in 0161, Pep said Claudio Echeverri won’t be thrown into first-team action straight away but did give a rough estimate as to when City fans could expect him to get involved. You can see him discussing the integration plan in his post-match press conference following the Spurs win.
The mention was only brief but there’s still plenty of reason for Man City fans to be excited by the late January signing.
“Yeah, he [Claudio Echeverri] is going to start to train and mainly will be for the end of the season, maybe the [Club] World Cup and as soon as possible [that] he arrives he can adapt quick for the future.”
As mentioned, the 19-year-old Argentinian attacking midfielder from Resistencia officially put pen to paper with CFG back in January 2024 and was quickly dubbed ‘the next Messi’.
Now, although the football world is often quick to jump the gun with these things and he isn’t the first and certainly won’t be last to be slapped with this premature title, he’s done more to back up these claims since then than he has rubbish them.
Starring at the 2025 Under-20 South American Championships, netting six goals in nine games to finish the tournament as the second highest scorer thanks to notable braces against Brazil and Uruguay as the young Argentine’s finished as runners up.
He also notched 48 senior appearances for River Plate thus far, netting four goals and grabbing eight assists in that time, not to mention having already captained his national team at the 2023 Under 17s World Cup, where he scored another five.
Safe to say there’s plenty of talent to be tapped in this lad.
Once again, Echeverri won’t go straight into the senior set-up for a little while yet, barring a major injury crisis, but he’ll be a more than exciting addition to the City Football Academy and for future first-team lineups for years to come.
Who knows, maybe he’ll be included in an FA Cup matchday squad? Nevertheless, you can expect him to not just come of the bench but hopefully show what he can do at the Club World Cup this summer.
City‘s first fixture as reigning champions of the competition will be against Moroccan side Wydad AC on 18 June 2025.
You can watch Echeverri’s first full interview as a Man City player down below:
The new Man City signing is excited to be finally be part of the club 13 months on from agreeing his contract.
Rochdale has been named Greater Manchester’s ‘Town of Culture’ for 2025
Emily Sergeant
Rochdale has officially been named Greater Manchester’s Town of Culture for 2025.
Taking over the reins from Bolton – which held the title in 2024 – and following in the footsteps of Stockport before that, which held the title in 2023, and even hosted a massive ‘Town of Culture Weekender’ festival with 50+ free events to celebrate and bring its title year to a close, it’s now the turn of the north-eastern Greater Manchester borough of Rochdale.
Rochdale’s year will build on the town’s already-rich cultural history and international reputation as the home of the co-operative movement.
More than 35 arts organisations will be bringing together an ambitious programme of festivals, exhibitions, events, and performances throughout the year.
Unfamiliar with what the ‘Greater Manchester Town of Culture’ title is all about? It’s an accolade that’s handed out every year to different boroughs across the region.
Bury was the inaugural title-holder 2020 and held onto it in 2021 too due to the COVID pandemic, before being followed by Stalybridge in 2022, Stockport in 2023, and of course, Bolton in the year just gone.
The title celebrates Greater Manchester’s culture and heritage.
As well as getting a new title to shout about, it also sees the towns given a grant from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) culture fund to help develop a programme of cultural events and activities throughout the year.
Rochdale has been named Greater Manchester’s ‘Town of Culture’ for 2025 / Credit: The Manc Group | Rochdale Council
In Rochdale’s case, you can expect the ‘very best local talent’, as this year is promising to put ‘people power’ centre stage, with residents helping to plan, develop, and deliver a lineup of creative activities, alongside a number of major events.
This includes the popular free days out for families, an exciting new urban arts festival, two different food and drink festivals, a lantern parade, the Ignite Fire Festival, a Pride parade, and so much more.
You can also expect live music performances, a new people’s gallery, and even some major international collaborations that are yet to be announced.
Rochdale is taking over the reins from Bolton, which held the title in 2024 / Credit: Rochdale Council
“Rochdale is a place with a rich cultural history, so it is great to name it Greater Manchester’s town of culture as it’s town hall and town centre enter a new era,” commented Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham as the borough was crowned this week.
“Rochdale submitted a fantastic bid for this which, was incredibly exciting and ambitious, while being firmly rooted in its local talent and deep history.
The Manc -
14th September 2021 
