Will GTA 6 reinvigorate the games industry or destroy it? (Rockstar Games)
The Monday letters page argues that gaming has never been cheaper than it is now, as one reader questions the purpose of pre-orders.
Games Inbox is a collection of our readers’ letters, comments, and opinions. To join in with the discussions yourself email gamecentral@metro.co.uk
Fear the future Completely agree with the Reader’s Feature over the weekend, about publishers destroying themselves, and especially the big about no one – from execs to fans – seeming to care.
I get that people just want to lose themselves in their favourite games, and not have to worry about industry problems and people getting laid off and whatever, but the way things are going there’s not going to be much of gaming left. I can envision a nightmare future where all the current publishers have gone bust or been bought out and everything is made by AI.
Advertisement
Everything is going to be just live service online shooters and indie gaming is the only creativity left, although it struggles to compete against AI slop that can be made quickly and far more cheaply, and which gamers lap up without any problem.
Obviously, things could go differently but with EA, Ubisoft, and Activision all now in different levels of trouble what is the future going to look like? I think GTA 6 is going to decide it. That is going to be so massive that whatever the games industry looks like after that I don’t think any of us can guess at right now.
Expert, exclusive gaming analysis
Sign up to the GameCentral newsletter for a unique take on the week in gaming, alongside the latest reviews and more. Delivered to your inbox every Saturday morning.
Advertisement
A post-GTA 6 world is either going to be the signal of the end times for gaming or lancing a boil that allows companies to get back to the coalface. What gaming looks like in another five years I really wouldn’t want to bet on. Zoltar
All new-ish I could take or leave a Smash Bros. themed animated show but the Reader’s Feature at the weekend did make me think about how Nintendo has done very little to promote its whole range of characters since the Switch 2 came out. The new Mario Kart doesn’t have other characters in it, the Zelda game doesn’t feature Link, the Donkey Kong game is a redesign, and even the Metroid game doesn’t feature recurring characters.
I’m trying to figure if this is on purpose or not and I’m really not sure. What I do know is that Nintendo has done very little to show off what makes Nintendo so great with the Switch 2, and I say that as someone that likes Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza.
Advertisement
If they’ve got any kind of plan for Smash Bros. they haven’t hinted at it, but I really do think they need to move things up a gear and have some kind of all-in-one game and announce what’s going on with Smash and Zelda and 3D Mario. Tacle
OAP vs. BOW I’m surprised Capcom decided to have their Resident Evil characters age in real-time, because Leon, Claire et al. are eventually going to get too old to realistically fight zombies and they’ll have to rely on new characters instead of recognisable and iconic ones.
On the other hand, Heihachi from Tekken was as old as the hills in the very first game and still gets wheeled out to fight because, you know, they’re video games and not real-life. ANON
Cel division Lately I’ve been thinking about the cel-shaded racer Auto Modellista.
I’d like to try the game but there doesn’t seem to be many second-hand copies available and the copies that are available are imports, not playable on a PAL PlayStation 2 and ultra expensive. Was the game any good or was its title the best part of it?
In my mind there was a time in the past when several cel-shaded games came out in close succession and that style of graphics seemed to become a popular fad, amongst developers anyway.
Wasn’t there that wolf game Ōkami and a spy/shooter game called XIII? Is Borderlands the only mainstream cel shaded game that has prevailed? If so that’s a shame because cel-shading is an attractive art style. Michael Veal (@msv858)
Advertisement
GC: Auto Modellista wasn’t great, it just looked nice. Cel-shading was popularised by Jet Set Radio in 1999, when it was still a new technique. Interest began to peter out over the next few years, for the obvious reason that none of the games were particularly successful. It’s still used occasionally though, most obviously with anime inspired titles.
Not awful I’ve been going through Metroid Prime 4 and I actually don’t mind it… I totally understand all of the criticisms, and they are completely justified, but I’m still liking it. The bike and open world are awful but outside of that it’s fine.
I feel the same way about Resident Evil 5. It’s totally underrated and a genuinely good game that upset people because it wasn’t 4.
Advertisement
I guess it’s a bit different for you guys, as you have to review stuff, but I’m guessing you have games that you have reviewed badly but still quite like. Simon
GC: We gave Metroid Prime 4 7/10, we didn’t hate it. We’re not sure anyone does.
Wait and see I really don’t understand the point of people pre-ordering video games. Why are you giving the publishers your money now? You’re rewarding them for successful marketing, while removing the chance for you to react to negative reviews and cheaper deals closer to launch.
The games industry is in a bad state at the moment, but I really think gamers have as much to blame for it as anyone else. We never buy new franchises, we’d rather waste money on pointless cosmetic items than spend them on actual games, and we killed the physical and second-hand market for the benefit of not having to get up and change discs when we want to play a different game.
Advertisement
Pre-orders barely made any sense when you were reserving a physical copy but now that’s not how most people buy games there is absolutely no reason to pre-order and every reason to avoid giving publishers the benefit of the doubt.
There’s lots of games I hope turn out good, but I’ll wait and see whether they are or not, before I ever consider spending any money on them. Gorsch
Get on with it I am convinced Nintendo enjoys trolling fans, especially with these Direct announcements. Can’t wait to find out which four year old third party games are coming to Switch 2, especially as they’ll be full price and yet probably only a tenner on PlayStation or Xbox, because they’re old.
I’m being negative, I realise, but this is what happens when Nintendo go to so much effort to avoid doing the obvious thing that everyone wants. Just please get a move on and announce what is happening this year. I do not care about anything you’ve revealed so far and probably not anything that’s going to be in the Partner Showcase. Korbie
Advertisement
Don’t miss Gaming news! Add us as a Preferred Source
As a loyal GameCentral reader, we want to make sure you never miss our articles when searching for gaming stories. We have all the latest video games news, reviews, previews, and interviews, with a vibrant community of highly engaged readers.
Click here and tick Metro.co.uk to ensure you see stories from us first in Google Search.
GameCentral has been delivering unique games news and reviews for over a decade
Video games forever With all the negative press around the games industry nowadays I’d like to throw my hat in. Now, gaming consoles lately are expensive I agree, but I paid £299 for my second-hand PlayStation 5 from Cash Converters around a year ago. It was a Slim disc version and I know it was only a few months old, as when I checked Sony’s warranty checker it was well within the time frame.
Advertisement
Now, I don’t know if I could access that warranty, I’m not sure how it works, but when I had issues with Xbox in the past I only had to give the serial number, no receipt or anything, so I assume it would be OK. I built my daughter a PC from mostly second-hand parts and a second-hand PC already built for under £500, which I’ve used for Battlefield 6 at over 100fps in 1440p.
I also bought a PlayStation Portal for £120 from another store second-hand and it literally doesn’t have a mark on it. I would put my hand on my heart and say gaming is cheaper than ever. With Game Pass (OK that’s gone up) and PS Plus at a few pounds per week, to a massive library of games I wanted to play, and a huge amount of games I’ve enjoyed but would never have paid for is amazing value.
Nintendo is Nintendo, I paid a lot for my Switch 2 and all the games but Nintendo doesn’t do sales so it is what it is and if you are a Nintendo fan you know you’ll pay for it eventually. I’ve been into games since the ‘80s and so long as I live long enough I’ll be playing games until the 2080s.
Is it getting a little stale? Sure. Are companies chasing trends that I’m not interested in? Absolutely. But am I a happy gamer with more quality titles I have time to play? 100%, yes. So, like all things in life, stop looking at what’s wrong and look at all the things that are right. And if you live by that, you’ll game and live happily ever after.
Advertisement
If you’re like me then we’ll still be here playing researching and enjoying games forever. Philly B
Inbox also-rans I would definitely agree that not only is there no need for the PlayStation 6 but that a portable PlayStation 5 would be a great thing to do instead of it. This is such a good idea I expect that Sony will not consider it for even a moment. Rusty
Been playing Look Outside for the last few days and wanted to thank GC for the recommend. Never heard about it before but it’s a great mix of role-player, survival games, and Lovecraftian horror. It has a really weird atmosphere that I love. Pyro
The small print New Inbox updates appear every weekday morning, with special Hot Topic Inboxes at the weekend. Readers’ letters are used on merit and may be edited for length and content.
You can also submit your own 500 to 600-word Reader’s Feature at any time via email or our Submit Stuff page, which if used will be shown in the next available weekend slot.
You can also leave your comments below and don’t forget to follow us on Twitter.
Harrison Ford has opened up about what his role on Shrinking has meant to him (Picture: Gilbert Flores/Penske Media via Getty Images)
Harrison Ford has made a startling confession about his long, extraordinary career: He’d be fine with it ending now.
Speaking on Tuesday during Apple TV’s first-ever press day in Santa Monica, the Hollywood icon reflected on his future while discussing Shrinking, the acclaimed comedy-drama that has clearly become one of his most cherished projects.
The comedy-drama follows therapist Jimmy (Jason), whose life is turned upside down after the sudden death of his wife, Tia. Wracked by grief, he must navigate this unexpected era of his life with the help of friends, family and inner strength.
Infused with heartfelt humour that will have you laughing out loud and a stark reflection of the messiness of life (and what makes it worth living), the new season is all about moving forward.
Advertisement
The series has just begun rolling out its third season, with a fourth already ordered, so there’s no shortage of runway left.
Still, when asked to consider the deeper questions raised by joining such a thoughtful show, Ford didn’t shy away from the idea that this chapter might be enough.
Advertisement
He told the panel audience, including Metro: ‘If it was all over here that would be sufficient for me. This is very special for me and it really nurtures me and makes me feel like what we’re doing has value and importance. I look for that in my life, and I’m happy I’ve found it here.’
Moderator Ashley Nicole Black summed up the room’s emotional reaction well: ‘There’s never been a better place to end a panel.’
The warmth of Ford’s comments echoed the tone of the entire Shrinking conversation.
Advertisement
Castmates Christa Miller, Jessica Williams, Michael Urie, Luke Tennie, Lukita Maxwell, and Ted McGinley spent much of the hour trading praise and jokes.
Ford said of Shrinking: ‘. This is very special for me and it really nurtures me’ (Picture: AP)
The show has a unique and loyal fanbase(Picture: Apple TV Plus/AP)
‘It was especially true in the finale of season two, when Paul is saying: “I don’t know how much longer I’m going to be doing this job, but it’s an honour to be doing it with you all”, and “you’re my family right now”.’
‘We’re sitting there weeping disproportionate to the scene because who knows if Harrison Ford does another TV show? You know what I mean? He’s talking to us [in real life] as well.’
During the panel, Ford also addressed one of the new season’s most meaningful additions: Michael J. Fox, who appears in three episodes. It’s a poignant casting choice, given that Fox has lived with Parkinson’s disease since 1991, while Ford’s character is navigating the condition on screen.
‘It was a bit daunting when I thought about it,’ Ford admitted. “’Because I am representing a character that has Parkinson’s, and Michael, of course, has the real thing. I have a real sense of responsibility for getting that part of my story right.’
Advertisement
He continued: ‘Michael is a really extraordinary fellow, it was an extraordinary presence to work with some of that I hope will help colour my portrayal of someone with Parkinson’s. He’s a remarkable example.’
Then, with a grin, he added: ‘That’s the serious part of it. But the fun part was there as well. He’s so funny.’
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
Saif al Islam Gaddafi, the son of Libya’s late dictator Muammar Gaddafi, has been shot dead by gunmen who broke into his home, officials have said.
The 53-year-old was killed during a “direct confrontation” with four armed men in the Libyan town of Zintan, south-west of the capital Tripoli, his office said in a statement on Tuesday.
His lawyer, Khaled al Zaidi, and separately his adviser Abdullah Othman Abdurrahim, both confirmed his death on Facebook, without providing details.
Image: Saif al Islam Gaddafi greeting supporters in Tripoli in 2011. Pic: Reuters
Despite holding no official position, the second son of the longtime dictator, was once seen as the most powerful figure in the oil-rich North African country after his father, who ruled for more than four decades.
Advertisement
Saif al Islam Gaddafi shaped policy and was involved in high-profile diplomacy, including talks on weapons of mass destruction and compensation for the families of those killed in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie in Scotland in 1988.
Educated at the London School of Economics and a fluent English speaker, he was once seen by many governments as the acceptable, Western-friendly face of Libya.
But when a rebellion broke out against his father’s regime in 2011, he became an architect of a brutal crackdown on rebels.
After fighters took over the capital, he was captured attempting to flee to neighbouring Niger – about a month after his father was hunted down and shot dead by rebels.
Advertisement
Image: Saif al Islam Gaddafi soon after his capture in November 2011. Pic: Reuters
In 2015, a Libyan court sentenced him to death for war crimes. He was also wanted by the International Criminal Court, accused of crimes against humanity.
He spent six years detained in the town of Zintan. It was a far cry from the charmed life he had lived during his father’s rule when he had pet tigers and mingled with high society on trips abroad. He was released by the militia in 2017 under an amnesty.
Image: Saif al Islam Gaddafi in court in 2014 for crimes linked to the 2011 uprising. File pic: Reuters
In 2021, he attempted to run for president, but was opposed by many who had suffered at the hands of his father’s rule. He was also disqualified from the election because of his 2015 conviction.
His candidacy became a point of contention and the election process stalled amid arguments between powerful armed groups.
Image: Saif al Islam Gaddafi at a charity event in Berlin, Germany, in February 2008. Pic: Jens Kalaene/picture-alliance/dpa/AP
In an interview with The New York Times Magazine in 2021, he discussed his political strategy.
“I’ve been away from the Libyan people for 10 years,” he said.
Advertisement
“You need to come back slowly, slowly. Like a striptease. You need to play with their minds a little.”
Libya remains deeply divided, with rival administrations in the east and west, after the nation descended into anarchy following the fall of Muammar Gaddafi’s regime.
Advertisement
The former dictator was killed by opposition fighters during the uprising, which turned into a civil war. Most of his eight children had significant roles in government.
Kelli Hollis trades the dales for the cobbles (Picture: Shutterstock)
Soap fans, get ready: former Emmerdale favourite Kelli Hollis is back on our screens, but this time, she’s swapping the Dales for the cobbles of Coronation Street.
Kelli, who played Ali Spencer on Emmerdale between 2011 and 2015, is returning to the soap world 11 years after leaving the village. Since then, she’s kept busy with roles on Ackley Bridge, Waterloo Road, and Doctors, proving her versatility across some of British TV’s most loved dramas. Now, she’s set to make a splash in Weatherfield with a brand-new, prison-based storyline.
Her character will be one of the inmates at the women’s prison where Debbie Webster is serving time. For those catching up on Corrie drama, Debbie landed behind bars after taking the fall for her secret son Carl, who was driving under the influence the night of the Corriedale multi-vehicle crash. It’s a tough spot for Debbie, and Kelli’s ‘Queen Bee’ inmate is about to make her life even more complicated.
According to The Sun, Hollis’s character is a central figure in the prison hierarchy, the kind of inmate who runs the place and makes sure everyone knows it. And she won’t just be keeping an eye on Debbie; there’s already some friction brewing with Lou Michaelis, another returning Corrie baddie played by Farrel Hegarty. Lou, who fans last saw stirring trouble on the cobbles, is now Debbie’s ‘support buddy’ thanks to Debbie’s early-onset dementia diagnosis.
Advertisement
Lou is back with a bang (Picture: ITV)
But as the insider puts it, ‘It’s not exactly a match made in heaven. Debbie isn’t too chuffed to see Lou standing in front of her, and Lou doesn’t look too thrilled either, so it seems to be a mutual feeling.’
If you’ve been following Debbie’s storyline, you’ll know it’s already full of tension. She’s adjusting to life behind bars, managing her dementia, and recovering from a recent mini-stroke. Add Kelli Hollis’s authoritative inmate to the mix, and it’s clear that prison life in Weatherfield is anything but dull.
Kelli’s joining Corrie 11 years after she left Emmerdale (Picture: PA)
Fans can expect some classic soap tension: rivalries, alliances, and a little bit of scheming as Debbie tries to navigate the prison’s social hierarchy. Kelli’s character is being described as a ‘Queen Bee,’ which means she’s bound to cross paths and perhaps clash with Debbie more than once. Will they become frenemies, or is this the start of another Corrie disaster? Only time will tell.
For Kelli, this is a major return to soaps after a significant break from acting. Her Ali Spencer days in Emmerdale left fans remembering her as a strong, feisty character who wasn’t afraid to speak her mind. Now, she’s bringing that same energy to Coronation Street, but in a completely different setting.
With the combination of Debbie’s struggles, Lou’s return, and Kelli’s formidable presence, this storyline is shaping up to be explosive.
North Yorkshire Police are appealing for information about people thought to be involved in an incident which took place in York on Sunday evening (February 1).
As reported by The Press at the time, it happened just after 10pm at a property in Del Pyke in The Groves, with two people – a man and a woman – receiving wounds from a knife which required hospital treatment.
RECOMMENDED READING:
Advertisement
A third person, a man aged in his 40s, has been arrested on suspicion of wounding with intent and possessing cocaine; he has been released on bail while enquiries continue.
“We believe at least two other people were involved in the incident. A number of people were seen running away from the scene, northwards, away from the junction of Del Pyke and Townend Street,” said a spokesperson for the force.
If you have any information about the incident and has not already spoken to officers, please call 101 and pass information for incident number 12260019706.
If you wish to remain anonymous you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their website.
Nisbet had not long completed a 40-month prison sentence when he was caught.
In 2024 he admitted conning householders over gutter work, stealing three piggy banks containing cash from a school and grabbing a charity tin from a shop.
Cash problems have been blamed for his behaviour which have led to a series of jail sentences.
Advertisement
Previously his lawyer told the court: “His crimes are doomed to fail because he lives in Wishaw, is easily recognisable and, given his record, is an immediate suspect for the police.”
A court hearing was held in Cambridge regarding charges faced by Anthony Williams.
A provisional trial date has been set for the man accused of a mass stabbing on a train in Huntingdon. A hearing took place at Cambridge Crown Court for Anthony Williams, 32, on Wednesday (February 4).
Advertisement
Williams, of Langford Road, Peterborough, has been charged in relation to a knife attack on a LNER train that diverted to Huntingdon on November 1. Gillian Jones KC, defending Williams, said he is currently at Rampton Hospital, a high-security psychiatric hospital, in Nottinghamshire.
Judge Mark Bishop ordered that a report about the defendant’s fitness to plead should be prepared by April 7. The case has been adjourned until April 14 for a mention hearing.
Williams is charged with 10 counts of attempted murder, possession of a bladed article, and actual bodily harm in connection with the attack on November 1.
He is also charged with attempted murder and possession of a bladed article following an incident at Pontoon Dock DLR station in London, and attempted murder of a 14-year-old boy and a 22-year-old man in Peterborough on October 31.
Advertisement
Other charges, which will be considered alongside the above, include attempted wounding with intent of a 28-year-old man, possession of a bladed article, and affray in Peterborough on October 31.
He was also charged with common assault of a 31-year-old man on a train travelling between Hitchin and Biggleswade on November 1. A provisional trial date of June 22 has been set.
Two men were tragically found death following the light aircraft crash
A major update has been given amid investigations into a fatal plane crash in Littleborough. Emergency services were sent out to farmland near Blackstone Edge shortly after 11am on Tuesday morning (February 3).
Images from the scene on Wednesday showed emergency crews in attendance continuing to conduct enquiries, along with specialist investigators from the Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB). The aircraft at the centre of the investigation remains at the scene.
Formal identification is yet to take place for the two victims, according to Greater Manchester Police. There were not thought to be any other passengers on board and nobody else was injured.
In an update, the AAIB confirmed the aircraft is to be recovered and transported for further inspections at the authority’s headquarters, with investigators due to remain at the scene until Friday (February 6).
A spokesperson for the AAIB said: “An accident involving a light aircraft which occurred yesterday morning (3 February) near Rochdale, Greater Manchester was notified to the AAIB. An investigation has been launched and a multidisciplinary team of inspectors are at the accident site.”
The aircraft involved, registered G-GXVV, was owned by Daedalus Aviation (Services) Ltd – a Birmingham-based company offering pilot training experiences. FlightRadar24 data shows the aircraft left Birmingham Airport before heading north. The final signal was sent around 40 minutes later near Marsden, West Yorkshire.
Advertisement
Daedalus Aviation (Services) Ltd said it was ‘currently working with the authorities on the investigation’. A company representative added that the firm has ‘no further comment’ to make.
Chief Superintendent Danny Inglis, from GMP’s Rochdale district, said on Tuesday: “This is a devastating incident where two people have lost their lives and our thoughts are with their families and friends. We have been working closely with emergency service colleagues and partner agencies throughout the day to establish the full circumstances and we will be on scene overnight and into tomorrow.
“There will be an enhanced presence as officers and investigators comprehensively survey the area and ensure all available evidence is recovered. If anyone has any information, or witnessed the crash, we would urge you to get in touch with us.”
Advertisement
Witnesses are being asked to come forward to GMP. Details can be passed on by calling 101 or using Live Chat on GMP’s website, quoting log number 1056 of February 3, 2026.
Anthony Kelly, 71, from Haughton, took part in the BEST4 Screening trial this morning (February 3), where a mobile screening unit visited the ASDA Darlington Superstore.
Having lived with reflux and heartburn for most of his life, and experienced first-hand the devastating impact cancer can have, Antony said he was keen to take part.
The retired electrical inspector, who now volunteers at St Teresa’s Hospice, has suffered from stomach problems since childhood.
He said: “When I was seven years old, I was told I had a ‘nervous stomach’ and since then I’ve been on every tablet and prescription you can imagine.
Advertisement
“It’s a lot worse now I’m older and it keeps me up most of the night, so I’m very keen to get it looked at.”
Anthony has seen the impact cancer can have after losing his first wife to leukaemia when he was 23-years-old, and then having lost both parents to the disease.
Anthony Kelly and Irene Debiram-Beecham, Principal Research Nurse and the BEST4 Clinical Coordinator, who carried out the procedures today. (Image: Cancer Research UK)
He said: “I take prescribed medication for the symptoms, but if I miss any doses, I notice it getting worse. I had an endoscopy a few years ago, but this sounds much more straightforward.
“Any new development which makes it cheaper and less intrusive for these kind of tests is good news. The pill on the thread is fascinating and I’m happy to be involved in something which could help create a future screening programme.”
Advertisement
The BEST4 Screening trial is testing whether a ‘pill-on-a-thread’ capsule sponge test could be used to screen people with chronic heartburn for Barrett’s oesophagus – a condition that can lead to oesophageal cancer.
The trial is backed by £6.4 million of funding from Cancer Research UK and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).
The test takes ten minutes to do, making it much faster and less expensive than an endoscopy. The trial will find out if the capsule sponge test can detect oesophageal cancers earlier, reducing the need for intensive treatments and preventing deaths.
Anthony Kelly and Irene Debiram-Beecham, Principal Research Nurse and the BEST4 Clinical Coordinator, who carried out the procedures today. (Image: Cancer Research UK)
The capsule sponge starts off as a small, coated pill attached to a piece of thread. When a patient swallows the pill and it reaches the stomach, the coating dissolves and the sponge inside it expands to the size of a cherry tomato.
Advertisement
The sponge collects cells from the oesophagus, and they are sent for testing for two proteins which tell doctors if someone has Barrett’s oesophagus or oesophageal cancer.
Following the initial rollout of the trial in Cambridgeshire in November 2024, the trial aims to recruit 120,000 people who regularly take medication for heartburn.
According to analysis from Cancer Research UK, there are around 9,300 new cases of oesophageal cancer in the UK every year.
It is the seventh most common cause of cancer death in the UK, with around 22 deaths a day from the disease.
Advertisement
The BEST4 Screening trial will find out if a new ‘pill-on-a-thread’ test could be used to screen people with heartburn for Barrett’s oesophagus (Image: Cancer Research UK)
Consultant gastroenterologist at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust and principal investigator of the BEST4 Screening trial in North Teesside and Darlington, Professor Matt Rutter, said:“Oesophageal cancer is becoming more commonly recognised in the UK. Despite advances in treating the disease over recent years, only one in five people survive this cancer for five years or more.
“The capsule sponge test is much quicker, less expensive and can be delivered in the community. We hope that the BEST4 Screening trial will help us identify more people earlier and crucially reduce deaths from oesophageal cancer.”
The trial is open to men aged 55 to 79 and women aged 65 to 79 who have regular symptoms of heartburn, acid reflux, or indigestion, or who regularly use medication to manage these symptoms.
Former Manchester United and England defender Wes Brown has been asked about the prospect of former team-mate David Beckham owning his first club in the future
Former Manchester United star Wes Brown believes it would be a dream come true if David Beckham returned to Old Trafford as an owner in the future. The megastar departed United in 2003 to join Real Madrid for a £25million fee after falling out with Sir Alex Ferguson.
United’s major shareholders, the Glazer family, have proven deeply unpopular in their time with the club, and speculation over a sale has been rife in recent years. Such uncertainty saw Sir Jim Ratcliffe arrive as a co-owner in 2024 after buying a 27 per cent share for £1.25bn
Ratcliffe’s tenure has seen him become a face of the club’s ownership and he has proven controversial. United have seen a number of cost-cutting measures, including widespread redundancies, and in some corners, an appetitite for a takeover remains.
Brown does not believe a bid from Beckham is imminent, but believes it would be a dream move. “Could Becks come back to United as owner one day? Becks has done fantastic at Inter Miami,” the former defender told BettingLounge.
He’s brought in some great players. They are building the team again now to go bigger and bigger to become this worldwide brand. He’s done brilliantly in that sense.
Manchester United is a little bit different. Inter Miami are a new team that needs to get itself out there to the world. I don’t think anybody thinks United need to get themselves out there!
But Becks back at United? It would be a dream come true if that was ever the case but I think Sir David is busy enough at the moment.
Beckham’s ownership group behind Inter Miami formed in 2013 as Miami Beckham United. The ex-AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain loanee agreed a deal when he joined LA Galaxy that allowed him to own an expansion team for a discounted franchise fee.
Speaking in 2023, when United were actively in search of new owners, Beckham explained what he wanted to see happen at that level.
“Whoever is running your club, you want them to be passionate, be involved, make the right decisions, bring in the right players and invest in the club,” he said.
Advertisement
“Because the club does need investment, whether it’s the training facility, stadium, on the field…these kinds of big things need to be made and changes do need to happen, especially when you see the likes of Man City and what they’re doing.”
Content cannot be displayed without consent
At least 170 people have been killed by a mob of gunmen in Nigeria, a local lawmaker has told the Reuters news agency.
The attack on the remote village of Woro on Tuesday is among the deadliest of the year so far in a country currently rocked by sectarian violence.
The jihadist raiders had demanded villagers embrace Sharia law, survivors told Reuters.
Advertisement
When they pushed back the militants opened fire.
Residents were rounded up, with their hands bound behind their backs before being executed, local lawmaker Saidu Baba Ahmed claimed.
Advertisement
He added that authorities are still combing through the bushland to find survivors.
He told Reuters: “As I’m speaking to you now, I’m in the village along with military personnel, sorting dead bodies and combing the surrounding areas for more.”
The attackers also torched homes and shops before fleeing.
Nigeria has become a focal point for the United States in recent months, after President Donald Trump accused it last year of failing to protect Christians.