The worst transfer story EVER! Man United set to swoop for Messi [Jeremy Butler, Sunday Life]

This was genuinely published on the back page of Sunday Life today, by football journalist Jeremy Butler.

For those who were unaware, Sunday Life, is the Sunday version of the Belfast Telegraph and you can imagine there were some Manchester United fans jumping through hoops in Northern Ireland today!

The above picture, claiming “Manchester United are on red alert to swoop for Barcelona’s Lionel Messi – if their move for Cristiano Ronaldo fails to pay off…” is truly not a photoshop but appeared in Sunday Life today and has begun doing the rounds on the social networks.

It goes on to say that Neymar’s arrival at Barcelona has put “Messi’s future into question and United are ready to swoop.”

The third paragraph on the back of Sunday Life says Manchester United are still eager to bring in Ronaldo, before they add Johan Cruyff’s quotes last week that said he would consider selling Messi now Neymar has arrived.

Seriously, we don’t need to tell you that Lionel Messi has a long term contract at Barcelona, has only ever played for one club, is out of the price range of even United, the Catalans would NEVER sell him, etc. and so on!

Besides the jokes (see some Tweets below), we wonder why Sunday Life haven’t put this online. Think of the traffic numbers!

My sources, Tommy K & Terry Yaki, have informed me that any bid for Messi will have to include Bebé going to Barca. United are reluctant. — Busby MUFC (@BusbyMUFC) June 30, 2013

I'm not sure what Messi would bring to United's team that Zaha doesn't. The latter is younger, stronger & more versatile. He just needs time — Nooruddean (@BeardedGenius) June 30, 2013

The biggest issue with Messi is that he won't be able to do it against Stoke. Do we really need players like him at United then? — Red (@ThatBoyGiggsy) June 30, 2013

Messi to united is the most ridiculous thing I have seen in my existence on earth I mean come on we have bebe — Sir Alex Ferguson ❤ (@Jessica_MUFC_) June 30, 2013

Newspapers will print anything to sale an aul paper, Messi to united I've more chance of signing for united then that happening #MUFC — Tomás Hewitt (@Irish_Fella1) June 30, 2013