Latest news with #ManchesterInternationalFestival
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Mata hopes for '40 goals and 40 assists' from Fernandes next season
Former Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata says Ruben Amorim's side are set for a positive 2025-26 season, despite the difficult recent campaign. The Spaniard spoke to MUTV after returning to the city to launch an art exhibition at the Manchester International Festival and backed United to turn their form around. Advertisement "Well, first of all, I hope that everyone can play good and everyone can bring the club to what I believe it deserves to be," Mata said. "It course, it has been a tough season and everyone was really excited about the [Europa League] final, which I watched from Australia, with the time difference. "I was as sad as everyone with the final result. "But I think and I really hope that next season is going to be better. I think the team is good. The coach has just barely arrived and I wish him the best. He is young, he has intensity and passion. And I hope he will do very, very well." Mata remains friends with former United team-mate Bruno Fernandes and believes captain will be instrumental in shaping the club's future. Advertisement "Of course, I love Bruno," Mata said. "We speak a lot and I'm trying to always be there for him. When you are winning and everything is going well, it is easy to be surrounding him. When things are not going well, is where I try to be there for him. "I really hope that, next season, he scores 40 goals and he gets 40 assists, and is the MVP of the league. "I think he's instrumental for the present and for the future of the club."


ITV News
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- ITV News
The Herds animal puppet spectacle comes to the North West
70 life-sized safari animal puppets know as 'The Herds' are to make several appearances in the region. The huge artwork depicts the animals travelling north to 'flee the climate disaster' and is part of Manchester International Festival. Tonight they will be at the Cathedral Gardens in Manchester where they will interrupt a performance by the Manchester Camerata On Friday 4 July they will be in Heywood in Rochdale in the evening. The Herds feature elephants, giraffes, antelope, and lions made from upscaled or recyclable cardboard and plywood. The animals began their 20,000km journey in Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in April before making their way through European cities and then arriving in the UK. Councillor Sue Smith, cabinet member for communities and co-operation at Rochdale Borough Council said: 'Seeing The Herds in Heywood is a once in a lifetime opportunity, a combination of dance-theatre, awe-inspiring life-size puppets creating something very powerful and moving. "It's very exciting, The Herds are capturing the imagination of everyone who sees them and I hope through these creatures we will spark thoughts and raise awareness about everything that is happening to our environment worldwide too." The Herds will appear in the residential area around Aspinall Street in Heywood from 7pm on Friday 4 July on a mission to find a way back to nature, before they move to the lake at nearby Queen's Park to find a tranquil oasis. For the final stop on their Greater Manchester journey, The Herds find a fleeting refuge in the wild beauty of Pennington Flash Country Park on Saturday, July 5.


BBC News
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
The Gerds: Full guide to the giant wooden puppet show
A herd of life-sized wooden safari animal puppets will pass though Greater Manchester this week as part of an international tour. Called The Herds, the animals began their 12,400m (20,000km) journey in Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in April and are now moving north through European towns and elephants, giraffes, antelope, and lions are made from upscaled or recyclable cardboard and plywood and are intended to highlight the dangers of climate is all you need to know for those planning to see the spectacle, including start times and road closures. When does the puppet show start? The Herd will arrive first in Manchester city centre at 18:00 BST on Thursday as part of the opening events for Manchester International will make its way through Cathedral Gardens, Corporation Street and Market Street until around 19:15. Festival organisers are advising people to watch from Cathedral Gardens, Corporation Street and the Arndale Centre's Exchange Court in order to get the best views. Where else can I see the puppets? On Friday, the puppets will move on to Heywood, Rochdale, with the show focused around Aspinall Street from 19: being recommended for spectators include Aspinall Street, the corner where Miller Street, Aspinall Street and Mutal Street meet, Miller Street, Starkie Street and around the lake at Queen's will also be a free live music performance on stage at the park's outdoor theatre, with food and drink available between 19:00 and 21: Smith, cabinet member for communities and co-operation at Rochdale Borough Council, said: "Seeing The Herds in Heywood is a once in a lifetime opportunity, a combination of dance-theatre, awe-inspiring life-size puppets creating something very powerful and moving."The puppets will make their final stop in Greater Manchester at Pennington Flash Country Park in Leigh on Saturday. The show will be at the park from 13:00-16:00 before the animals continue their journey northwards to the Arctic. How much is it? The event is free to attend, and no bookings are required. Spectators are able to arrive and leave at any time throughout the performances. Road closures Although The Herds will not affect roads open to traffic in Manchester city centre, organisers have warned that the performances will be very busy and attract large crowds. Trams between St Peter's Square and Exchange Square will be stopped between 17:00-19:30 throughout Thursday to allow the puppets to make their way through the streets. Services operating on the Rochdale Town Centre/Shaw & Crompton and East Didsbury lines will operate from Shudehill and Market Street instead of Exchange Square during this time, Transport for Greater Manchester said. In Heywood, Rochdale Borough Council is set to close various streets around the performance from 18:00 to 20:00 BST on 4 July. Waiting will also be temporarily prohibited on several nearby streets. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.


BBC News
08-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Eric Cantona becomes new co-owner of FC United of Manchester
Manchester United legend Eric Cantona has become the latest co-owner of FC United of former French international said the whole of the Cantona family are also co-owners of the not-for-profit club, which is owned by he signed up, Cantona said in a video posted on FC United of Manchester's X account that the club, based in Moston, had a "young" but "great history".The Northern Premier League club was set up in 2005 by disillusioned Manchester United fans who said the "catalyst" was the takeover of the Old Trafford club by American Malcolm Glazer. FC United is fully owned and democratically run by supporters on a "one member, one vote" basis with members able to vote on all major decisions, such as electing the board, ticket prices and the design of playing shirts. Adult membership, which costs £25, entitles members to an equal share in ownership. Cantona joined Manchester United from Leeds in 1992 and won four Premier League titles in five won the old First Division title with Leeds in 1991-92 and then scored 70 goals in 156 Premier League appearances for Manchester United, before retiring from football in 1997. The footballer is a keen musician, actor and artist and has been involved in a number of creative projects, including a UK tour with his music and From Moss Side to Marseille: The Art of Michael Browne and Eric is also part of this summer's Football City Art United exhibition held during the Manchester International Festival, which will highlight the effects of fame on football players. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.