Noel Gallagher watched Manchester City beat Manchester United at the weekend but has had troublesome fan experiences in the past
Noel Gallagher was in the stands as his Manchester City beat rivals Manchester United 1-0 at Old Trafford on Sunday. But the Oasis star’s matchday experiences aren’t always so routine.
The songwriter and lead guitarist has enjoyed a wild week. Not only did he and his brother Liam’s beloved football club get one over on their bitter rivals, but Oasis announced their 2027 stadium tour. The brothers will play 38 live shows next year, including residencies in Glasgow, Slane Castle in Ireland, Knebworth and their club’s Etihad Stadium.
Both Noel and Liam are lifelong City fans and often attend matches. They were pictured together at last season’s FA Cup final, when City bested Chelsea 1-0 thanks to Antoine Semenyo’s goal.
However, in 2022, while City marked their Premier League triumph for the fourth time in five seasons, Noel confessed that celebrations perhaps got out of hand when defender Ruben Dias’s father accidentally headbutted him, leaving him needing stitches. In May 2022, City faced Aston Villa on the final day of the Premier League season, requiring a victory to pip Liverpool to the title.
The visitors went ahead just before the interval and extended their lead through Philippe Coutinho in the 70th minute. Just when it seemed the title might be slipping away in the most unexpected of ways, the game took a swift turn. Ilkay Gundogan reduced the arrears before Rodri levelled the score.
Gundogan then scored a decisive goal in the 81st minute, ensuring City held onto their crown. The Monday after the title triumph, Noel was a guest on talkSPORT, where he recounted his experiences at the rollercoaster match. A regrettable collision with Dias’ father resulted in him needing medical attention.
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“So as the third goal goes in, right, there is absolute bedlam,” he said. “As you can imagine, in the stadium where we sit. Ruben Dias’ family are in the box, a couple of boxes up.
“I’m bouncing around like a lunatic, passing my 11-year-old son around like the Premier League trophy, everyone is lifting him up, and I turn around, and Ruben Dias’ dad runs straight into me, headbutting me. I’m on the floor, covered in blood. I don’t see the last two minutes.
“I’ve got to get taken down by the St John’s Ambulance and had to get stitched up. I’ve got stitches in my top lip and I’ve got two black eyes.
“As I’m going down the corridor, Pep’s running up crying and we kind of hug each other and he says, ‘What’s up with your face?’ And I was like, ‘Go and be with your players, nothing to do with me.’
“I look like I’ve just arrived home from the eighties at Elland Road. I look like I’ve had my head smashed in. It’s unbelievable. He [Dias’ father] is a big bear of a man – he almost knocked my teeth out. But as days go at The Etihad, that’s got to be up there with the best.”
Noel and brother Liam will be supporting their cherished City once more this season. As part of their 2027 tour, they are set to perform 11 gigs at the Etihad between June 4 and June 26.