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Jump to: Man United’s initiation songs | Roma’s Bowie-inspired kit | Beckham, Van Dijk visit Wimbledon
The Manchester United squad is in Perth, Australia on the first leg of their preseason training jaunt/tour/holiday.
However, while the red carpet may have been rolled out at the WACA cricket ground, it would appear that some presumably Liverpool-supporting locals have taken steps to ensure United’s welcome hasn’t been entirely polite.
It wasn’t a good season for United as they had to settle for sixth place and a spot in the Europa League. Meanwhile, their fierce rivals Liverpool went within a point of winning the Premier League title and also won the Champions League.
Arrived at United open training in Perth. Someone has paid for a plane to fly over with a banner saying “Liverpool FC European champions”.
— Rob Dawson (@RobDawsonESPN) 11 July 2019
ESPN FC correspondent Rob Dawson was on hand to report that a plane trailing a particularly pointed banner had been flown overhead to greet Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team in Perth.
Sure enough, photographic proof of the plane and its United-baiting banner was soon forthcoming.
He’s back. pic.twitter.com/GiY7p93gFY
— Rob Dawson (@RobDawsonESPN) 11 July 2019
The banner reads “Liverpool FC – 6 x European Champions!”
That’s $500 dollars well spent.
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United players wheel out the initiation songs
Manchester United’s summer signings underwent the standard initiation plight of having to stand up and sing in front of their new teammates.
Both Daniel James and Aaron Wan-Bissaka were made to pick a song and perform it in front of their new teammates.
James opted for a fairly solid rendition of “Follow Me” by Uncle Kracker while Wan-Bissaka seemed to struggle slightly as he quietly mumbled his way through “Tap” by Canadian rapper Nav.
😂 Daniel James and Aaron Wan Bissaka’s initiations to the team…
📽️ Instagram #mufc pic.twitter.com/CqEN9dY9AZ
— Full Time DEVILS (@FullTimeDEVILS) 10 July 2019
However, both new faces were blown out of the water by Scott McTominay as the 22-year-old midfielder breezed through a surprisingly tuneful version of Bill Withers’ soul classic “Ain’t No Sunshine”.
Ladies and gentlemen, introducing Mr. Scott McTominay … pic.twitter.com/QIx2kbOGH8
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) 10 July 2019
Not bad. Not bad at all.
The only question is quite why McTominay, who has already made over 30 Premier League appearances for United, was being made to sing an initiation song.
Roma channel David Bowie for new kit?
AS Roma have unveiled their new away kit for 2019-20 and it’s already created a fair amount of buzz among fans.
The white shirt features a Giallorossi lightning bolt across the front in a design inspired by Jupiter, the Roman God of the Sky.
⚡️⚡️⚡️#ASRoma and Nike present the 🆕 away shirt for the 2019-20 season! pic.twitter.com/vTYpda0GDY
— AS Roma English (@ASRomaEN) 11 July 2019
Nice, and with serious Aladdin Sane-era David Bowie vibes to boot.
“When you combine Roma’s famous colours with the depth of the city’s mythology then you have a really potent mix,” said Pete Hoppins, senior design director for Nike Football.
Given the overwhelmingly positive reaction to the launch across social media, we predict that the Serie A side won’t have much trouble shifting replicas.
Beckham, Van Dijk visit Wimbledon
There’s only a few days left until the world’s most famous tennis Grand Slam draws to a close, and some of the biggest names from the world of football have been showing their, er, “love” for the game.
“To be here now is something special”
From one great stage to another, @LFC football player @VirgilvDijk is looking forward to an action-packed day at #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/5HNEn1ncDc
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 11, 2019
Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk, fresh from winning the Champions League and reaching the final of the UEFA Nations League with Netherlands, was only too happy to say how happy he was to be in south-west London.
A few familiar faces are on Centre Court for ladies’ semi-finals day…#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/gBuqYZH7fK
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 11, 2019
And a certain Mr. David Beckham put aside his commitments with Salford City and new MLS franchise Inter Miami to take his seat on Centre Court.