themanchestereveningnews--2020-11-11--Family's devastation as 'gentle giant' tragically found dead after search

Heartbreaking tributes have poured in for a 'gentle giant ' from Stockport who was found dead after a frantic search .
Police issued an urgent appeal for help to find Robert McCormack after he went missing on Friday November 6 .
The 36-year-old was last seen on Wilkinson Road , Stockport , at around 10am last week .
Officer ’ s were concerned about Robert and wanted to make sure he was safe and well .
Formal identification has not yet taken place .
In the wake of the devastating news , his sister , Claire McCormack , spoke to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brother , who had served in the infantry in the Cheshire regiment .
She said : “ He was happy , outgoing and smiley .
`` He was a dad - he left the army about eight years ago , got into a relationship and had his daughter .
`` He would do anything for anybody .
`` He was an outdoorsy person , he loved being outside , he loved fishing and jet-skiing and he loved going on holidays with his family , last year we went to Egypt . ''
Claire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his family and said he was 'very family orientated ' .
She said that the funeral directors , located near to Stepping Hill Hospital , have offered to engrave his coffin for free .
`` He was a gentle giant .
It would have been his 37th birthday on December 8 , he was too young , '' Claire said .
`` He ’ s had hundreds of people commenting online , all of his mates , they ’ ve been giving £100 each to give him the send off he deserves .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in with efforts to find Robert , something which the family are thankful for , Claire said .
`` We went to search for him down the Vale and at around 3.30 a man phoned and said he found him .
I went and I saw him , it just sticks in my head now , '' she told the MEN .
`` We don ’ t know what happened and I don ’ t think we ever will - the only person who can answer that was Rob.
” It 's understood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after leaving the armed forces around eight years ago .
His sister said he had received help at the start of the year and went 'back to normal ' .
She said he was 'so healthy and he looked brilliant ' .
The family have said they are faced with lots of questions and said : `` It ’ s only Robert who can say what happened . ''
A memorial appeal has since been set up by a close family friend to help towards the funeral costs .
Click here to donate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ page , Shannon Hodgkinson wrote : “ Robert McCormack was a loving father , son , brother , uncle , nephew , cousin and friend .
“ Rob was also a well respected soldier who I believe served 6 years infantry in the Cheshire regiment .
“ In 36 years Robert made such a lasting impression on all who come across him , whether it was a moment or a life time .
“ Each and every person who has shared memories with Robert past or present knows what I mean when I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ missed .
“ I can ’ t quite find all the words to say at this traumatic time but I would really appreciate any help we can get in making Robert 's final journey as stressless as possible on his devastated family .
“ Once again I ’ ll take this opportunity to thank all who organised and joined in on the search for Rob , every share and prayer was greatly appreciated so on behalf of his family and friends , let ’ s pull together one last time for Rob and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deserves .
£2,292 has been raised so far out of a £3,000 target .
In a tribute posted on social media on Monday , Robert 's cousin Kirstie Oneill-Scott wrote : `` My whole body is numb I ca n't even look at anything without crying my family lost an amazing man and we are all broken .
Many people have commented on the post expressing their condolences .
Robert 's friend , Kyle , posted online : `` RIP Robert McCormack , being best friend of your brother for 6-8 years , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used to tell us at your mom 's house and the laughs you gave us all !
`` Honestly .
You deserved better should have been different . ''
A colleague of Robert 's added : `` What a top lad Rob was , worked with him when I first got out the army .
`` We got on like we had known each other years .
Click here to donate towards the appeal .

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Heartbreaking tributes have poured in for a 'gentle giant' from Stockport who was found dead after a frantic search.
Police issued an urgent appeal for help to find Robert McCormack after he went missing on Friday November 6.
The 36-year-old was last seen on Wilkinson Road, Stockport, at around 10am last week.
Officer’s were concerned about Robert and wanted to make sure he was safe and well.
On Monday (November 9) evening, officers sadly found a body.
(Image: Handout)
Formal identification has not yet taken place.
In the wake of the devastating news, his sister, Claire McCormack, spoke to the Manchester Evening News about her late brother, who had served in the infantry in the Cheshire regiment.
She said: “He was happy, outgoing and smiley.
"He was a dad - he left the army about eight years ago, got into a relationship and had his daughter.
"He would do anything for anybody.
(Image: Handout)
"He was an outdoorsy person, he loved being outside, he loved fishing and jet-skiing and he loved going on holidays with his family, last year we went to Egypt."
Claire said that her brother loved being around his family and said he was 'very family orientated'.
She said that the funeral directors, located near to Stepping Hill Hospital, have offered to engrave his coffin for free.
(Image: Handout)
"He was a gentle giant. It would have been his 37th birthday on December 8, he was too young," Claire said.
"He’s had hundreds of people commenting online, all of his mates, they’ve been giving £100 each to give him the send off he deserves."
The community in Reddish Vale joined in with efforts to find Robert, something which the family are thankful for, Claire said.
"We went to search for him down the Vale and at around 3.30 a man phoned and said he found him. I went and I saw him, it just sticks in my head now," she told the MEN .
(Image: Handout)
"We don’t know what happened and I don’t think we ever will - the only person who can answer that was Rob.”
It's understood that Robert suffered from depression and PTSD after leaving the armed forces around eight years ago.
His sister said he had received help at the start of the year and went 'back to normal'. She said he was 'so healthy and he looked brilliant'.
The family have said they are faced with lots of questions and said: "It’s only Robert who can say what happened."
A memorial appeal has since been set up by a close family friend to help towards the funeral costs. Click here to donate towards the appeal.
In a gofundme page, Shannon Hodgkinson wrote: “Robert McCormack was a loving father, son, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin and friend.
“Rob was also a well respected soldier who I believe served 6 years infantry in the Cheshire regiment.
“In 36 years Robert made such a lasting impression on all who come across him, whether it was a moment or a life time.
“Each and every person who has shared memories with Robert past or present knows what I mean when I say he will be deeply and sadly missed.
“I can’t quite find all the words to say at this traumatic time but I would really appreciate any help we can get in making Robert's final journey as stressless as possible on his devastated family.
“Once again I’ll take this opportunity to thank all who organised and joined in on the search for Rob, every share and prayer was greatly appreciated so on behalf of his family and friends, let’s pull together one last time for Rob and give him the send off he truly deserves.
“Thank you so much.”
£2,292 has been raised so far out of a £3,000 target.
In a tribute posted on social media on Monday, Robert's cousin Kirstie Oneill-Scott wrote: "My whole body is numb I can't even look at anything without crying my family lost an amazing man and we are all broken.
"Rest in paradise Robert McCormack.
"Fly high big man we love you."
Many people have commented on the post expressing their condolences.
(Image: GMP)
Robert's friend, Kyle, posted online: "RIP Robert McCormack, being best friend of your brother for 6-8 years, i remember all your army stories you used to tell us at your mom's house and the laughs you gave us all!
"Honestly. You deserved better should have been different."
A colleague of Robert's added: "What a top lad Rob was, worked with him when I first got out the army.
"We got on like we had known each other years.
"Rest easy mate."
Click here to donate towards the appeal.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-11-11--Covid rates 'may have peaked' in region - but hospital pressure won't for weeks

Second-wave Covid infection rates may have peaked in Greater Manchester , Andy Burnham has said - but pressure in hospitals is expected to build for several more weeks yet .
Latest data published by the mayor shows the North West as a whole and nine out of ten boroughs here are now seeing declining cases in the community , while new hospital admissions and inpatient diagnoses have also fallen slightly across Greater Manchester in the past week .
Nevertheless there has been a further 14pc rise in Covid patients in hospital beds here , as people spend longer in hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the M.E.N .
for last Thursday shows a greater proportion of Pennine Acute 's beds were occupied by people with the virus than any other NHS trust in the North West .
Care home cases are also continuing to rise and although Mr Burnham said they were lower than April and May , they are still a ‘ cause for concern ’ .
Presenting new data at his regular press conference , the mayor said it showed ‘ mixed news ’ .
It reveals the first week-on-week reduction in infection rates overall in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , with only Trafford seeing a modest rise .
Mr Burnham said that was an ‘ encouraging picture , although we do have to point out , of course , that these are high case rates compared with the rest of the country ’ .
“ But , nevertheless , some signs of movement in a more positive direction.
” Overall , infection rates in Greater Manchester are down 9pc in the past fortnight and 18pc in the North West as a whole .
In the West Midlands they are up 40pc @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the South West , 31pc .
Cases among older people - those aged 65 and over , as well as people aged 45 to 64 - are also starting to fall in Greater Manchester , he said , a pattern both local leaders and the government are ‘ looking at very closely ’ , as cases among older age brackets are more likely to translate into serious illness and hospital cases .
Infections in that age range remain high but the trend , he said , was an ‘ encouraging sign ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases being admitted to hospital - as well as the number of people being diagnosed - has also fallen slightly , down from 910 to 853 .
However that has not translated into an easing of pressure within the NHS , partly because once admitted , people are spending longer in hospital than they were in April as they receive new treatments .
There was a further 14pc increase in the number of Greater Manchester beds occupied by Covid patients in the past week , the vast majority outside intensive care , up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you look at the numbers of patients in ICU and non-ICU beds , you will see a slight increase in the number of patients in ICU , but a fairly significant increase in the number of patients in non-ICU beds , which suggests that hospitals therefore are experiencing quite a lot of pressure and obviously finding it harder to discharge patients , which may explain some of the recent pressure on the ambulance service , ” said the mayor .
He said Pennine Acute , which covers North Manchester General , Fairfield , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is currently under a ‘ great deal of pressure ’ and is likely to be offered support from elsewhere in the Greater Manchester hospital system .
This evening 's figures for Covid-19 deaths in Greater Manchester show Pennine recorded 33 out of the conurbation 's 53 deaths in the last day .
That represents 62pc of the total , although the trust is predisposed to have higher numbers than some others in the region as it is one of the largest in the country .
Mr Burnham said while there had been a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recently , there had also been 'similar figures at different points in time at other hospitals ' .
`` So it ’ s important not to at this stage overreact , '' he said , but added health leaders were discussing the need to provide extra support to the trust so that it can deal with pressures .
Previous leaked bed projections had suggested Fairfield General Hospital in Bury , part of Pennine , was in danger of running out of acute beds within a couple of weeks under a worst-case scenario .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ being under particular pressure under those projections .
New NHS figures leaked to the M.E.N .
today show that on November 5 , Pennine was treating a higher proportion of Covid patients than any other trust in the North West .
People with the virus took up 33pc of its beds , with Wrightington , Wigan and Leigh close behind on 31pc .
Generally hospital managers consider 30pc to be the trigger for elective cancellations and over the weekend it was confirmed that all Greater Manchester trusts were to do so this week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now either have confirmed Covid-19 or are suffering symptoms .
That figure has been rising steadily every week , having stood at 0.6pc at the end of September , and is a 'cause for concern ' , said the mayor .
Greater Manchester did not collect that data at the April peak , but in early May the figure hit 6.7pc , he said .
The current picture 'would be more comparable with the June period , but still something that has been growing and something that we are watching very closely indeed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Burnham concluded that overall , the picture within the system is this week mixed .
“ There are the first signs - perhaps - that we may have seen the peak of the second wave with regards to the number of new infections in the community , ” he said .
“ I think it ’ s important for me to say it doesn ’ t yet appear that we ’ ve reached a peak in terms of pressure on our hospitals and that is more likely to be felt towards the latter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s certainly what colleagues in our hospitals are expecting to see .
So we haven ’ t , from an NHS point of view , seen the full impact yet of the second wave.
” Get breaking news first on the free Manchester Evening News app - download it here for your Apple or Android device .
You can also get a round-up of the biggest stories sent direct to your inbox every day with the MEN email newsletter - subscribe here .
And you can follow us on Facebook here .

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Second-wave Covid infection rates may have peaked in Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham has said - but pressure in hospitals is expected to build for several more weeks yet.
Latest data published by the mayor shows the North West as a whole and nine out of ten boroughs here are now seeing declining cases in the community, while new hospital admissions and inpatient diagnoses have also fallen slightly across Greater Manchester in the past week.
Nevertheless there has been a further 14pc rise in Covid patients in hospital beds here, as people spend longer in hospital receiving treatment - and data leaked to the M.E.N. for last Thursday shows a greater proportion of Pennine Acute's beds were occupied by people with the virus than any other NHS trust in the North West.
Care home cases are also continuing to rise and although Mr Burnham said they were lower than April and May, they are still a ‘cause for concern’.
Presenting new data at his regular press conference, the mayor said it showed ‘mixed news’.
It reveals the first week-on-week reduction in infection rates overall in Greater Manchester since August 22, he said, with only Trafford seeing a modest rise.
Mr Burnham said that was an ‘encouraging picture, although we do have to point out, of course, that these are high case rates compared with the rest of the country’.
“But, nevertheless, some signs of movement in a more positive direction.”
Overall, infection rates in Greater Manchester are down 9pc in the past fortnight and 18pc in the North West as a whole. In the West Midlands they are up 40pc, in the South East 35pc and in the South West, 31pc.
Cases among older people - those aged 65 and over, as well as people aged 45 to 64 - are also starting to fall in Greater Manchester, he said, a pattern both local leaders and the government are ‘looking at very closely’, as cases among older age brackets are more likely to translate into serious illness and hospital cases.
Infections in that age range remain high but the trend, he said, was an ‘encouraging sign’.
The number of known new Covid cases being admitted to hospital - as well as the number of people being diagnosed - has also fallen slightly, down from 910 to 853.
However that has not translated into an easing of pressure within the NHS, partly because once admitted, people are spending longer in hospital than they were in April as they receive new treatments.
There was a further 14pc increase in the number of Greater Manchester beds occupied by Covid patients in the past week, the vast majority outside intensive care, up from 1,175 to 1,337.
“If you look at the numbers of patients in ICU and non-ICU beds, you will see a slight increase in the number of patients in ICU, but a fairly significant increase in the number of patients in non-ICU beds, which suggests that hospitals therefore are experiencing quite a lot of pressure and obviously finding it harder to discharge patients, which may explain some of the recent pressure on the ambulance service,” said the mayor.
He said Pennine Acute, which covers North Manchester General, Fairfield, the Royal Oldham and Rochdale Infirmary, is currently under a ‘great deal of pressure’ and is likely to be offered support from elsewhere in the Greater Manchester hospital system.
This evening's figures for Covid-19 deaths in Greater Manchester show Pennine recorded 33 out of the conurbation's 53 deaths in the last day.
That represents 62pc of the total, although the trust is predisposed to have higher numbers than some others in the region as it is one of the largest in the country.
Mr Burnham said while there had been a 'higher number of deaths' at Pennine recently, there had also been 'similar figures at different points in time at other hospitals'.
"So it’s important not to at this stage overreact," he said, but added health leaders were discussing the need to provide extra support to the trust so that it can deal with pressures.
(Image: M.E.N.)
Previous leaked bed projections had suggested Fairfield General Hospital in Bury, part of Pennine, was in danger of running out of acute beds within a couple of weeks under a worst-case scenario. North Manchester General was also flagged as being under particular pressure under those projections.
New NHS figures leaked to the M.E.N. today show that on November 5, Pennine was treating a higher proportion of Covid patients than any other trust in the North West.
People with the virus took up 33pc of its beds, with Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh close behind on 31pc. Generally hospital managers consider 30pc to be the trigger for elective cancellations and over the weekend it was confirmed that all Greater Manchester trusts were to do so this week.
Meanwhile 4.1pc of care home residents now either have confirmed Covid-19 or are suffering symptoms.
That figure has been rising steadily every week, having stood at 0.6pc at the end of September, and is a 'cause for concern', said the mayor.
Greater Manchester did not collect that data at the April peak, but in early May the figure hit 6.7pc, he said.
The current picture 'would be more comparable with the June period, but still something that has been growing and something that we are watching very closely indeed', he added.
So Mr Burnham concluded that overall, the picture within the system is this week mixed.
“There are the first signs - perhaps - that we may have seen the peak of the second wave with regards to the number of new infections in the community,” he said.
“I think it’s important for me to say it doesn’t yet appear that we’ve reached a peak in terms of pressure on our hospitals and that is more likely to be felt towards the latter part of this month.
“That’s certainly what colleagues in our hospitals are expecting to see. So we haven’t, from an NHS point of view, seen the full impact yet of the second wave.”
Get breaking news first on the free Manchester Evening News app - download it here for your Apple or Android device. You can also get a round-up of the biggest stories sent direct to your inbox every day with the MEN email newsletter - subscribe here. And you can follow us on Facebook here.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-11-11--Arena inquiry: 'No hope whatsoever' of bomber being spotted before attack

The chairman of the Manchester Arena inquiry into the bombing atrocity suggested there was 'no hope whatsoever ' of Salman Abedi being spotted on the night .
Sir John Saunders spoke after Tom Rigby , the Showsec head of security at the Arena , gave evidence .
Abedi 's rucksack bomb attack in the City Room area of the Arena after an Ariana Grande concert on May 22 , 2017 , claimed 22 lives and left hundreds more injured .
Sir John said Abedi walked through the 'station area ' and into the City Room with a backpack .
Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that - nothing to pick up ' .
Abedi then 'went and stopped ' on the mezzanine area of the City Room - which was n't patrolled by Showsec stewards before crowds left an event , Sir John said .
`` So actually there was no hope of you seeing him , was there ? ''
Sir John asked him .
`` No , not specifically , '' Mr Rigby said .
The inquiry has been told Abedi hid in a CCTV blind spot on the mezzanine level for almost an hour before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We know there was a blank spot on the CCTV where he was .
`` So had it not been for a member of the public pointing out this suspicious character to one of your staff , there actually was on the basis of the measures in existence , no hope whatsoever of you picking up Salman Abedi was n't there ? ''
Mr Rigby said : `` Not unless someone had reported it earlier that they had spotted him . ''
Sir John said it was a case of 'relying on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bring Abedi to the attention of the security operation .
Christopher Wild , who was at the Arena to collect his daughter and her friend , has already told how he challenged Abedi around 15 minutes before the bomb detonated and alerted a steward , Mohammed Agha .
Mr Rigby said counter-terrorism was 'briefed ' to staff before the concert and that he was n't made aware of any specific risks .
`` We briefed counter-terrorism on every single show , whether it was or was n't the topic , '' he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I did .
I did that every single show as practice .
`` It would be extremely uncommon for that not to happen .
It was definitely to be disseminated . ''
All staff , he said , were encouraged to always report anything that they felt suspicious of - and it would be escalated upwards .
Mr Rigby was asked what influence on Arena security on the night the national terror level of 'severe ' had .
He said it would have been 'reiterated through briefings ' so ' 'everyone will have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The inquiry heard on Wednesday , day 34 , there was no counter-terrorism risk assessment undertaken for the audience by Showsec .
Mr Rigby said he did 'query ' the approach to risk assessment , saying in one email it 'does n't look extensive enough to be correct ' .
But the inquiry was told he got an email back saying 'all good Tom ' .
Mr Rigby says he would have 'expected ' steward Mr Agha to have reported what he was told by Mr Wild .
Asked how quickly he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that , Mr Rigby replied 'straightaway ' .
Mr Agha did alert a radio controller , Kyle Lawler , but he said he could n't get through on his radio to the control room , the inquiry was told .
Mr Rigby said he did n't know there was a CCTV blind spot on the mezzanine area of the City Room , and only became aware of the fact 'during this inquiry process ' .
The inquiry was told a new CCTV system at the inquiry 'went live ' in October , 2018 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ practice for a long time ' for his staff not to check the area where Abedi hid .
Bosses from the venue operator , SMG , have told the hearing they thought a checklist was clear and included 'the whole of the City Room ' , including the raised level , but a number of experienced Showsec employees have said they had a different interpretation .

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The chairman of the Manchester Arena inquiry into the bombing atrocity suggested there was 'no hope whatsoever' of Salman Abedi being spotted on the night.
Sir John Saunders spoke after Tom Rigby, the Showsec head of security at the Arena, gave evidence.
Abedi's rucksack bomb attack in the City Room area of the Arena after an Ariana Grande concert on May 22, 2017, claimed 22 lives and left hundreds more injured.
Sir John said Abedi walked through the 'station area' and into the City Room with a backpack.
Mr Rigby agreed there was 'nothing unusual in that - nothing to pick up'.
Abedi then 'went and stopped' on the mezzanine area of the City Room - which wasn't patrolled by Showsec stewards before crowds left an event, Sir John said.
(Image: MEN Media)
"So actually there was no hope of you seeing him, was there?" Sir John asked him.
"No, not specifically," Mr Rigby said.
The inquiry has been told Abedi hid in a CCTV blind spot on the mezzanine level for almost an hour before the detonation.
Sir John said: "We know there was a blank spot on the CCTV where he was.
"So had it not been for a member of the public pointing out this suspicious character to one of your staff, there actually was on the basis of the measures in existence, no hope whatsoever of you picking up Salman Abedi wasn't there?"
Mr Rigby said: "Not unless someone had reported it earlier that they had spotted him."
Sir John said it was a case of 'relying on a member of the public' to bring Abedi to the attention of the security operation.
(Image: MEN)
Christopher Wild, who was at the Arena to collect his daughter and her friend, has already told how he challenged Abedi around 15 minutes before the bomb detonated and alerted a steward, Mohammed Agha.
Mr Rigby said counter-terrorism was 'briefed' to staff before the concert and that he wasn't made aware of any specific risks.
"We briefed counter-terrorism on every single show, whether it was or wasn't the topic," he said.
"I am very confident that I did. I did that every single show as practice.
"It would be extremely uncommon for that not to happen. It was definitely to be disseminated."
All staff, he said, were encouraged to always report anything that they felt suspicious of - and it would be escalated upwards.
(Image: PA)
Mr Rigby was asked what influence on Arena security on the night the national terror level of 'severe' had.
He said it would have been 'reiterated through briefings' so' 'everyone will have been aware to be extra vigilant'.
The inquiry heard on Wednesday, day 34, there was no counter-terrorism risk assessment undertaken for the audience by Showsec.
Mr Rigby said he did 'query' the approach to risk assessment, saying in one email it 'doesn't look extensive enough to be correct'.
But the inquiry was told he got an email back saying 'all good Tom'.
Mr Rigby says he would have 'expected' steward Mr Agha to have reported what he was told by Mr Wild.
Asked how quickly he would have expected Mr Agha to do that, Mr Rigby replied 'straightaway'.
Mr Agha did alert a radio controller, Kyle Lawler, but he said he couldn't get through on his radio to the control room, the inquiry was told.
Mr Rigby said he didn't know there was a CCTV blind spot on the mezzanine area of the City Room, and only became aware of the fact 'during this inquiry process'.
The inquiry was told a new CCTV system at the inquiry 'went live' in October, 2018.
Mr Rigby said it was 'the practice for a long time' for his staff not to check the area where Abedi hid.
Bosses from the venue operator, SMG, have told the hearing they thought a checklist was clear and included 'the whole of the City Room', including the raised level, but a number of experienced Showsec employees have said they had a different interpretation.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-11-11--Man Utd and Man City 'pledge their interest in Upamecano' and more rumours

Manchester United and Manchester City have both made their desire to sign Dayot Upamecano from RB Leipzig known , according to reports .
Upamecano has developed into one of Europe 's most highly rated defenders in recent years and played a pivotal role in Leipzig reaching the Champions League semi-finals for the first time in their history last season .
As a result , several of the continent 's biggest clubs have been linked with the 22-year-old , with United and City always amongst the touted names .
According to SportBild , via SportWitness , the two Manchester clubs have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alongside Spanish giants Real Madrid .
The Frenchman signed a new contract last summer , amid speculation he could leave Germany , keeping him at Leipzig until 2023 but it 's reported that a release clause was added into the extension .
It 's claimed that Upamecano will be free to leave for €45m , an attractive price to many clubs in the current market , but it will only become active next summer .
United have struggled at the back so far this season and , although defence was n't a priority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to strengthen at left-back late on and signed Alex Telles .
A move for a new centre-back could be on the agenda next summer and United have previously scouted Upamecano when he was a teenager .
City , however , seem less likely to make a move after they spent nearly £100million on centre-backs , in the shape of Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake , in the previous window .
Meanwhile , Sporting Lisbon have reached an agreement with reported United target Nuno Mendes to increase his release clause with a new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been continually linked with a move to Old Trafford and Record feature his new deal on their front page today .
The Portuguese daily suggest United targeted Mendes during their negotiations for Bruno Fernandes as the duo share the same agent .

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Manchester United and Manchester City have both made their desire to sign Dayot Upamecano from RB Leipzig known, according to reports.
Upamecano has developed into one of Europe's most highly rated defenders in recent years and played a pivotal role in Leipzig reaching the Champions League semi-finals for the first time in their history last season.
As a result, several of the continent's biggest clubs have been linked with the 22-year-old, with United and City always amongst the touted names.
According to SportBild, via SportWitness, the two Manchester clubs have 'pledged their interest' in Upamecano, alongside Spanish giants Real Madrid.
Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will auto-play soon 8 Cancel Play now
The Frenchman signed a new contract last summer, amid speculation he could leave Germany, keeping him at Leipzig until 2023 but it's reported that a release clause was added into the extension.
It's claimed that Upamecano will be free to leave for €45m, an attractive price to many clubs in the current market, but it will only become active next summer.
United have struggled at the back so far this season and, although defence wasn't a priority this past summer, they realised the need to strengthen at left-back late on and signed Alex Telles.
A move for a new centre-back could be on the agenda next summer and United have previously scouted Upamecano when he was a teenager.
City, however, seem less likely to make a move after they spent nearly £100million on centre-backs, in the shape of Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake, in the previous window.
Meanwhile, Sporting Lisbon have reached an agreement with reported United target Nuno Mendes to increase his release clause with a new contract - according to reports.
Mendes have been continually linked with a move to Old Trafford and Record feature his new deal on their front page today.
The Portuguese daily suggest United targeted Mendes during their negotiations for Bruno Fernandes as the duo share the same agent.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-11-11--Man United players who fans want to sell in January transfer window

Manchester United fans want to see the club part company with seven players in the January transfer window .
United look set to welcome Atalanta 's young winger Amad Diallo when the window reopens in 2021 , after they agreed a £19million up-front fee , with £18.1m in add-ons for the 18-year-old .
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer 's side could seek more January incomings yet it could be more a time to offload players .
Odion Ighalo is braced to return to parent club Shanghai Shenhua after spending the majority of 2020 on loan at United , but MEN readers believe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when possible .
In response to an MEN Sport article asking which players should be kept and which should be sold , Paul Pogba , Lee Grant , Jesse Lingard , Sergio Romero , Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo all gained less than 50 per cent of the vote .
United entered the international break by winning what was arguably their most important match of the season at Everton on Saturday .
The under-pressure Reds came from behind to beat the Toffees thanks to Bruno Fernandes ' double and Edinson Cavani 's first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two-week break with many of their stars heading off on international duty - we 'll be keeping tabs on how they all perform , and on preparations for their next Premier League match against West Brom .
For all the latest United news delivered straight to your inbox , sign up to our daily newsletter by submitting your email address in the sign-up box above , or click here - it 's free and it only takes a few seconds .
Only 6.3 per cent believed Rojo should be retained and 6.4 per @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Perhaps the biggest surprise was that only 26.1 per cent of United fans believe the club should keep Pogba beyond January .
The France midfielder has previously suggested he wanted a transfer to Real Madrid .
And with around 18 months remaining on his contract , and French national team boss Didier Deschamps suggesting the player was unhappy at United , a move away could benefit all parties .
In terms of players United fans want to keep , Bruno Fernandes came top of the pile with 98.1 per cent of the vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ van de Beek and Alex Telles ( 97.8 per cent and 97.5 per cent ) .
Marcus Rashford , Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Axel Tuanzebe were all high up the list , too .
Fans were split on the future of Daniel James , with 50.9 per cent believing the Welsh winger ought to be retained by Solskjaer .

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Manchester United fans want to see the club part company with seven players in the January transfer window.
United look set to welcome Atalanta's young winger Amad Diallo when the window reopens in 2021, after they agreed a £19million up-front fee, with £18.1m in add-ons for the 18-year-old.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side could seek more January incomings yet it could be more a time to offload players. Odion Ighalo is braced to return to parent club Shanghai Shenhua after spending the majority of 2020 on loan at United, but MEN readers believe another six players should be let go when possible.
In response to an MEN Sport article asking which players should be kept and which should be sold, Paul Pogba, Lee Grant, Jesse Lingard, Sergio Romero, Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo all gained less than 50 per cent of the vote.
Only 6.3 per cent believed Rojo should be retained and 6.4 per cent said the same for Jones.
Perhaps the biggest surprise was that only 26.1 per cent of United fans believe the club should keep Pogba beyond January. The France midfielder has previously suggested he wanted a transfer to Real Madrid. And with around 18 months remaining on his contract, and French national team boss Didier Deschamps suggesting the player was unhappy at United, a move away could benefit all parties.
In terms of players United fans want to keep, Bruno Fernandes came top of the pile with 98.1 per cent of the vote, closely followed by new boys Donny van de Beek and Alex Telles (97.8 per cent and 97.5 per cent). Marcus Rashford, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Axel Tuanzebe were all high up the list, too.
Fans were split on the future of Daniel James, with 50.9 per cent believing the Welsh winger ought to be retained by Solskjaer.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-11-11--Prime Minister Boris Johnson pledges to have 'safe' coronavirus vaccine

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has pledged to have the coronavirus vaccine as England ’ s Deputy Chief Medical Officer said he would be happy to work evenings and weekends to vaccinate people himself .
Number 10 said the Prime Minister would be willing to have the jab after Professor Jonathan Van-Tam said he had told his own mother to get ready to receive the vaccine .
Mr Johnson 's official spokesman said : “ Any vaccines which are determined for use will undergo a vigorous series of safety checks , they will be absolutely safe for the public to use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ therefore , of course , be very happy to take the vaccine himself.
” During Prime Minister ’ s Questions in the Commons , Mr Johnson said science has given the country “ two big boxing gloves ” in the form of a possible vaccine and testing .
But he added : “ Neither of them is capable of delivering a knock-out blow on its own .
“ That ’ s why this country needs to continue to work hard to keep discipline and to observe the measures we ’ ve put in.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ press conference that Britain is poised for the “ most important vaccination programme we ’ ve done for decades ” .
The 56-year-old said he has a health condition that puts him at “ medium to high ” risk from Covid-19 but he will wait his turn to be vaccinated , with priority given to the elderly .
Asked whether high-profile government figures such as himself or the Prime Minister should have a vaccine first to prove to the public it is safe , Prof Van-Tam said he would be “ at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was allowed .
“ If I could , rightly and morally , be at the very front of the queue , then I would do so because I absolutely trust the judgement of the MHRA ( Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency ) on safety and efficacy , ” he said .
“ But that clearly isn ’ t right , we have to target the most highest risk individuals in society and that is how it should be in terms of our system .
“ If I could be at the front @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be .
“ I think the ‘ mum test ’ is very important here .
“ My mum is 78 , she will be 79 shortly , and I have already said to her , ‘ Mum , make sure when you are called you are ready , be ready to take this up , this is really important for you because of your age ’ .
” Also in the briefing , Dr June Raine , chief executive of the MHRA , said “ there is absolutely no chance ” the organisation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effectiveness when it comes to vaccines .
Earlier , Professor Robin Shattock , from Imperial College London , said the UK needs “ a toolbox as full as possible ” of different vaccines and added that several may come on stream shortly .
He said he is “ really hopeful ” that Oxford University and AstraZeneca ’ s vaccine will report its results soon , with others following shortly after .
He told BBC Breakfast : “ All these vaccines will have different levels of immunity and may be useful for different populations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as possible to be able to combat this pandemic , and make them globally available . ''

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Prime Minister Boris Johnson has pledged to have the coronavirus vaccine as England’s Deputy Chief Medical Officer said he would be happy to work evenings and weekends to vaccinate people himself.
Number 10 said the Prime Minister would be willing to have the jab after Professor Jonathan Van-Tam said he had told his own mother to get ready to receive the vaccine.
Mr Johnson's official spokesman said: “Any vaccines which are determined for use will undergo a vigorous series of safety checks, they will be absolutely safe for the public to use.
“And the Prime Minister would therefore, of course, be very happy to take the vaccine himself.”
Sign up to the free MEN email newsletter Get the latest updates from across Greater Manchester direct to your inbox with the free MEN newsletter You can sign up very simply by following the instructions here
During Prime Minister’s Questions in the Commons, Mr Johnson said science has given the country “two big boxing gloves” in the form of a possible vaccine and testing.
But he added: “Neither of them is capable of delivering a knock-out blow on its own.
“That’s why this country needs to continue to work hard to keep discipline and to observe the measures we’ve put in.”
Prof Van-Tam told a Downing Street press conference that Britain is poised for the “most important vaccination programme we’ve done for decades”.
The 56-year-old said he has a health condition that puts him at “medium to high” risk from Covid-19 but he will wait his turn to be vaccinated, with priority given to the elderly.
Asked whether high-profile government figures such as himself or the Prime Minister should have a vaccine first to prove to the public it is safe, Prof Van-Tam said he would be “at the front of the queue” if he was allowed.
“If I could, rightly and morally, be at the very front of the queue, then I would do so because I absolutely trust the judgement of the MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency) on safety and efficacy,” he said.
(Image: PA)
“But that clearly isn’t right, we have to target the most highest risk individuals in society and that is how it should be in terms of our system.
“If I could be at the front of the queue, then I would be.
“I think the ‘mum test’ is very important here.
“My mum is 78, she will be 79 shortly, and I have already said to her, ‘Mum, make sure when you are called you are ready, be ready to take this up, this is really important for you because of your age’.”
Also in the briefing, Dr June Raine, chief executive of the MHRA, said “there is absolutely no chance” the organisation will compromise on standards of safety or effectiveness when it comes to vaccines.
Earlier, Professor Robin Shattock, from Imperial College London, said the UK needs “a toolbox as full as possible” of different vaccines and added that several may come on stream shortly.
He said he is “really hopeful” that Oxford University and AstraZeneca’s vaccine will report its results soon, with others following shortly after.
He told BBC Breakfast: “All these vaccines will have different levels of immunity and may be useful for different populations, so we need as many vaccines as possible to be able to combat this pandemic, and make them globally available."


themanchestereveningnews--2020-11-11--UK supermarkets issue urgent Christmas shopping advice

With Christmas now fast approaching , many shoppers have already started to order food and drinks for the big day .
We may not know how many people we 'll be allowed to celebrate with yet , but that does n't mean we ca n't get our turkey and Christmas pudding orders in .
Asda , Aldi , Tesco , Sainsbury 's and Morrisons are amongst the supermarkets beginning to offer Christmas delivery dates - and they 're already being booked .
Here 's all the latest advice and dates for when to order from your favourite supermarket for Christmas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Asda has already opened its Christmas delivery slots , so you 'll need to get yours quick .
They have been released earlier than usual as last year they went live on November 19th .
Unsurprisingly , there are already some areas where slots are fully booked for December 20-24 .
Those who ca n't get a delivery slot for the date they want can still order online and click and collect in store for their chosen dates .
It costs £3 for delivery orders less than £40 and £3 for click and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a Asda Delivery Pass holder , delivery is priced between £3 and £5.50 depending on the day and time of their slot .
Aldi shoppers will be pleased to hear that the budget supermarket now offers home delivery when you order from groceries.aldi.co.uk .
If you were hoping to stock up on festive essentials , sadly Aldi 's Christmas food wo n't be available to order until nearer to December 19th .
The last date for a standard Christmas delivery from the store is December 16th , but it does offers next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tesco has increased the number of its delivery slots from 600,000 to 1.5million a week - which is more than double what was available at the start of the coronavirus lockdown .
Those who are signed up to the chain 's Delivery Saver scheme will be able to book their Christmas delivery slot as early as November 13th .
For regular customers , festive slots will be available at 7am on November 20th .
Tesco also offers a click and collect service for those who want to avoid the store crowds .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ orders must be placed before 5pm on December 15th for collection on December 22nd , 23rd and 24th .
Those who opt for Click and Collect can pick up their items in-store between December 22-24 .
However , Christmas Click and Collect orders need to be placed by 10pm on December 15th .
Sainsbury 's has released the following dates for Christmas delivery slots .
• For delivery on December 20th , book your slot from November 29th • For delivery on December 21st , book your slot from November 30th • For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slot from December 1st • For delivery on December 23rd , book your slot from December 2nd Shoppers should note that Sainsbury ’ s delivery service is closed between December 24th and December 26th .
Plus , there 's a minimum order value of £25 .
The supermarket charges £7 for delivery orders under £40 and between 50p and £7 for orders worth more , depending on the time slot you choose .
Delivery is free for orders over £100 booked between Monday and Thursday after 2pm .
Shoppers keen to get their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Christmas delivery slots for delivery between December 20-24 .
Orders for Christmas delivery will need to be placed by December 15th .
The supermarket offers free delivery all week between 6am and 10pm , depending on the branch you order from , but there 's a £40 minimum spend .
A free click and collect service is also available with a £40 minimum spend .
Iceland shoppers can already order their Christmas deliveries for any date up to December 24th .
What 's more , the supermarket is offering free delivery for all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offers an in-store same-day delivery service which is free when you spend £25 or more .
This service is available until December 24th .

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With Christmas now fast approaching, many shoppers have already started to order food and drinks for the big day.
We may not know how many people we'll be allowed to celebrate with yet, but that doesn't mean we can't get our turkey and Christmas pudding orders in.
Asda, Aldi, Tesco, Sainsbury's and Morrisons are amongst the supermarkets beginning to offer Christmas delivery dates - and they're already being booked.
Here's all the latest advice and dates for when to order from your favourite supermarket for Christmas so you don't miss out.
Asda
Asda has already opened its Christmas delivery slots, so you'll need to get yours quick.
They have been released earlier than usual as last year they went live on November 19th.
Unsurprisingly, there are already some areas where slots are fully booked for December 20-24.
Those who can't get a delivery slot for the date they want can still order online and click and collect in store for their chosen dates.
It costs £3 for delivery orders less than £40 and £3 for click and collect orders under £25.
For customers with a Asda Delivery Pass holder, delivery is priced between £3 and £5.50 depending on the day and time of their slot.
Aldi
Aldi shoppers will be pleased to hear that the budget supermarket now offers home delivery when you order from groceries.aldi.co.uk.
If you were hoping to stock up on festive essentials, sadly Aldi's Christmas food won't be available to order until nearer to December 19th.
The last date for a standard Christmas delivery from the store is December 16th, but it does offers next day delivery up until December 21st.
Tesco
Tesco has increased the number of its delivery slots from 600,000 to 1.5million a week - which is more than double what was available at the start of the coronavirus lockdown.
Those who are signed up to the chain's Delivery Saver scheme will be able to book their Christmas delivery slot as early as November 13th.
For regular customers, festive slots will be available at 7am on November 20th.
Tesco also offers a click and collect service for those who want to avoid the store crowds.
Morrisons
On its website, Morrisons states that Christmas orders must be placed before 5pm on December 15th for collection on December 22nd, 23rd and 24th.
Those who opt for Click and Collect can pick up their items in-store between December 22-24.
However, Christmas Click and Collect orders need to be placed by 10pm on December 15th.
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Sainsbury's
Sainsbury's has released the following dates for Christmas delivery slots.
For delivery on December 20th, book your slot from November 29th
For delivery on December 21st, book your slot from November 30th
For delivery on December 22nd, book your slot from December 1st
For delivery on December 23rd, book your slot from December 2nd
Shoppers should note that Sainsbury’s delivery service is closed between December 24th and December 26th.
Plus, there's a minimum order value of £25.
The supermarket charges £7 for delivery orders under £40 and between 50p and £7 for orders worth more, depending on the time slot you choose.
Delivery is free for orders over £100 booked between Monday and Thursday after 2pm.
Waitrose
Shoppers keen to get their seasonal treats from Waitrose can already book Christmas delivery slots for delivery between December 20-24.
Orders for Christmas delivery will need to be placed by December 15th.
The supermarket offers free delivery all week between 6am and 10pm, depending on the branch you order from, but there's a £40 minimum spend.
A free click and collect service is also available with a £40 minimum spend.
Iceland
Iceland shoppers can already order their Christmas deliveries for any date up to December 24th.
What's more, the supermarket is offering free delivery for all orders north of £35.
It also offers an in-store same-day delivery service which is free when you spend £25 or more. This service is available until December 24th.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-11-11--Woman said stealing almost £1m from employer 'helped her depression'

A woman who stole almost £1million from her employer told police she was depressed and living a life of luxury had helped make her 'feel better ' .
Amanda Rees , 34 , took advantage of her role as admin manager at a manufacturing firm in Runcorn , Cheshire , to siphon off money into her personal bank account .
The mum-of-three spent it on her wedding , cars , holidays and even a hot tub , Cheshire Police said .
The thefts began in 2013 and carried on until Rees was caught last November .
The company reported Rees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ revealed that she had stolen a total of £980,673 from the firm .
Rees , from St Helens , was subsequently charged with seven counts of theft and one count of money laundering .
She pleaded guilty and was sentenced to five-and-a-half years in jail at Chester Crown Court on 3 November .
Sergeant Phil Brown , who led the investigation of behalf of Runcorn Local Policing Unit , said : `` Employed as an admin manager , Amanda Rees was responsible for the company ’ s outgoings and had full access to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ placed a high degree of trust in her for this role , but unfortunately that trust was misplaced .
`` Over several years Rees transferred large quantities of money from the company ’ s bank account into her own accounts .
`` The stolen money , which totalled nearly £1 million , funded a lavish lifestyle for Rees and her family .
`` Once her offending came to light Rees admitted being responsible for the thefts and money laundering at the first opportunity to do so .
`` When questioned by officers she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and had stolen the money as a way of self-medicating , with buying luxury items for herself and her family making Rees feel better .
`` She admitted paying for her wedding , cars , home improvements and holidays with the money she stole , as well as luxury items such as hot tubs .
`` Rees also admitted volunteering to work from home when on maternity leave so that no-one else would have to deal with the company ’ s finances and her offending would not be uncovered .
`` She is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her actions and I hope that this case deters others from committing similar offences . ''
Get breaking news first on the free Manchester Evening News app - download it here for your Apple or Android device .
You can also get a round-up of the biggest stories sent direct to your inbox every day with the MEN email newsletter - subscribe here .
And you can follow us on Facebook here .

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A woman who stole almost £1million from her employer told police she was depressed and living a life of luxury had helped make her 'feel better'.
Amanda Rees, 34, took advantage of her role as admin manager at a manufacturing firm in Runcorn, Cheshire, to siphon off money into her personal bank account.
The mum-of-three spent it on her wedding, cars, holidays and even a hot tub, Cheshire Police said.
The thefts began in 2013 and carried on until Rees was caught last November.
The company reported Rees to the police and a subsequent investigation revealed that she had stolen a total of £980,673 from the firm.
Rees, from St Helens, was subsequently charged with seven counts of theft and one count of money laundering.
She pleaded guilty and was sentenced to five-and-a-half years in jail at Chester Crown Court on 3 November.
(Image: M.E.N.)
Sergeant Phil Brown, who led the investigation of behalf of Runcorn Local Policing Unit, said: "Employed as an admin manager, Amanda Rees was responsible for the company’s outgoings and had full access to its bank accounts.
"The firm placed a high degree of trust in her for this role, but unfortunately that trust was misplaced.
"Over several years Rees transferred large quantities of money from the company’s bank account into her own accounts.
"The stolen money, which totalled nearly £1 million, funded a lavish lifestyle for Rees and her family.
"Once her offending came to light Rees admitted being responsible for the thefts and money laundering at the first opportunity to do so.
"When questioned by officers she claimed that she was suffering from depression and had stolen the money as a way of self-medicating, with buying luxury items for herself and her family making Rees feel better.
"She admitted paying for her wedding, cars, home improvements and holidays with the money she stole, as well as luxury items such as hot tubs.
"Rees also admitted volunteering to work from home when on maternity leave so that no-one else would have to deal with the company’s finances and her offending would not be uncovered.
"She is now behind bars facing the consequences of her actions and I hope that this case deters others from committing similar offences."
Get breaking news first on the free Manchester Evening News app - download it here for your Apple or Android device. You can also get a round-up of the biggest stories sent direct to your inbox every day with the MEN email newsletter - subscribe here. And you can follow us on Facebook here.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-11-12--Police find two samurai swords, a cannabis farm and a baseball bat during raid

A haul of weapons including two samurai swords , a cosh and a baseball bat were found during a raid @ @ @ @ @ .
A cannabis farm was also found during the dawn raids , according to a @ @ @ @ @ weapons have been 'signed over for destruction ' , the GMP Stockport Facebook post said @ @ @ @ @ put up on Thursday , the force said : `` Yesterday officers executed a warrant @ @ @ @ @ Norris , leading to a double positive result .
`` Located at the address and @ @ @ @ @ destruction were one cosh , one small aluminium baseball bat , one large samurai sword @ @ @ @ @ . ''
A man was detained and taken to Cheadle Heath Police Station , the @ @ @ @ @ attend the station for a 'voluntary attendance interview ' , local officers told the Manchester @ @ @

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A haul of weapons including two samurai swords, a cosh and a baseball bat were found during a raid at a property in Stockport.
A cannabis farm was also found during the dawn raids, according to a post by GMP.
The weapons have been 'signed over for destruction', the GMP Stockport Facebook post said.
In the post, put up on Thursday, the force said: "Yesterday officers executed a warrant at an address in Heaton Norris, leading to a double positive result.
(Image: GMP Stockport)
"Located at the address and signed over to us for destruction were one cosh, one small aluminium baseball bat, one large samurai sword and one smaller samurai sword."
A man was detained and taken to Cheadle Heath Police Station, the post said.
He will attend the station for a 'voluntary attendance interview', local officers told the Manchester Evening News.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-11-12--Headteachers urge parents to lobby government over next year's GCSEs

Headteachers are calling on parents to help raise awareness of the unfairness of pushing ahead with next year 's GCSEs .
With large numbers of pupils spending vast amounts of time remote learning amid the pandemic , leaders are understandably concerned over the impact on their education .
But by pitting those same pupils against youngsters in other parts of the country , who have been unaffected by the virus , headteachers say we 're setting these children up to fail .
Today every secondary school headteacher in Wigan has written to Year 11 parents asking for their help to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comes a day after they warned of 'major disruption ' to schools amid the pandemic .
They want them to write to local MPs , Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and the Department of Education , to highlight the impact the virus is having and how detrimental it would be to push ahead with the usual exam format .
Despite the Welsh government this week confirming it will be scrapping exams in favour of coursework and teacher assessments , the government in England is still insisting GCSEs will go ahead as planned , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ letter to parents outlines how much classroom time pupils have lost this academic year because of time spent isolating at home .
Some students have been sent home on three or four separate occasions .
The heads say : `` I am deeply concerned about your son or daughter ’ s GCSE exams .
`` The impact of coronavirus since September has been felt in our schools , however this is not uniform across the country .
`` There are a huge number of schools in the rest of England which have not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had to ask pupils to self-isolate .
As it stands at the moment , our pupils and your sons and daughters will be sitting the same examinations as pupils in other parts of the country who have not had significant disruption to their education .
This is simply not fair .
`` My concern extends beyond this as this is clearly having an impact on the well-being of our students .
They are fully aware of the importance of the exams and the disproportionate impact it is having on their attendance at school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ becoming extremely worried about this and , as time progresses with a vaccine some months away and coronavirus cases becoming more prevalent , the anxiety levels are growing as the exams inch closer . ''
The leaders have given parents a template of a letter to sign and send off to their own MP , filling in how many days their child has missed at school .
`` The purpose of this letter is to ask for help in raising awareness of the impact of coronavirus on our students as they prepare for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of feeling and a call for the authorities to take appropriate action , '' they say .
`` I am asking that you write to your local MP , Andy Burnham , the Mayor of Greater Manchester and the Department for Education to show the impact this is having on your child ’ s future and well-being . ''
One of the leaders sending the letter is Julian Grant , headteacher of Shevington High School and also chair of the Wigan Secondary Headteachers ' Association .
He said : `` All headteachers are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ find our Year 11 students in .
`` The impact the coronavirus is having on Year 11 student attendance is significant and therefore the impact on their ability to prepare for the GCSE summer exams .
`` All headteachers have different views , some think the exams in summer 2021 should be cancelled and that something similar to centre assessed grades should be used .
`` I think the real point is that the government needs to acknowledge that it is totally unfair at the moment to expect our students to sit the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parts of the country who have not had significant disruption to their education and that other options need to be considered urgently . ''
Mayor Andy Burnham has himself spoken of the unfairness of a traditional exam system in the current climate and last week said he would be meeting with headteachers to develop a proposal to present to government .
Concerns over the insistence to go ahead with the tests have also been raised by the Northern Powerhouse Partnership ( NPP ) , an organisation seeking to boost industry and education in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NPP 's head of policy , said : `` We 're very concerned that young people across the north are likely to be at a disadvantage if the Department for Education opts to go ahead with GCSE and A-Level exams next summer , given the fact that they are the ones most likely to have been impacted by school closures following year group bubbles of pupils having to be sent home for instance .
`` Continuous assessment would be a much fairer alternative to the proposed plan , and would reduce the risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saw this summer .
Assessing children this way , if it is planned in advance , may in fact be more rigorous than what is proposed if plans were to have to change at short notice . ''
Is your child due to take GCSEs or A-Level exams next year ?
Have they spent time remote learning since September ?
How do you feel about the exams going ahead ?
Let us know in the comments here , or on our Manchester Family Facebook page .
Following the announcement in Wales , Downing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the plan to hold exams in England .
A DfE spokesperson said : “ Exams are the fairest way of judging a student ’ s performance , which is why Ofqual and the government all agree they should go ahead next year .
“ We are working closely with stakeholders on the measures needed to ensure exams can be held and will set out plans over the coming weeks.
” When questioned by the Commons Education Select Committee , Ofsted chief inspector Amanda Spielman said cancelling exams would risk 'harm ' to pupils @ @ @ @ @ @ @ structure for the remainder of the school year .
She told the committee : “ One of the messages that came across really strongly from young people themselves last summer in the face of the calculated grades model was how much they resented not having the chance to show what they could do for themselves .
`` So if you pull out something around which the system is organised without something else in its place , you could end up inadvertently doing real harm . ''
Has your school had to send children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the comments or email the details to emma.gill @ reachplc.com .

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Headteachers are calling on parents to help raise awareness of the unfairness of pushing ahead with next year's GCSEs.
With large numbers of pupils spending vast amounts of time remote learning amid the pandemic, leaders are understandably concerned over the impact on their education.
But by pitting those same pupils against youngsters in other parts of the country, who have been unaffected by the virus, headteachers say we're setting these children up to fail.
Today every secondary school headteacher in Wigan has written to Year 11 parents asking for their help to raise awareness of the issue. It comes a day after they warned of 'major disruption' to schools amid the pandemic.
They want them to write to local MPs, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and the Department of Education, to highlight the impact the virus is having and how detrimental it would be to push ahead with the usual exam format.
Despite the Welsh government this week confirming it will be scrapping exams in favour of coursework and teacher assessments, the government in England is still insisting GCSEs will go ahead as planned, albeit with a slight delay.
The letter to parents outlines how much classroom time pupils have lost this academic year because of time spent isolating at home. Some students have been sent home on three or four separate occasions.
(Image: Vincent Cole Manchester Evening News)
The heads say: "I am deeply concerned about your son or daughter’s GCSE exams.
"The impact of coronavirus since September has been felt in our schools, however this is not uniform across the country.
"There are a huge number of schools in the rest of England which have not had any coronavirus cases and have not had to ask pupils to self-isolate. As it stands at the moment, our pupils and your sons and daughters will be sitting the same examinations as pupils in other parts of the country who have not had significant disruption to their education. This is simply not fair.
"My concern extends beyond this as this is clearly having an impact on the well-being of our students. They are fully aware of the importance of the exams and the disproportionate impact it is having on their attendance at school and hence preparation.
"Students are becoming extremely worried about this and, as time progresses with a vaccine some months away and coronavirus cases becoming more prevalent, the anxiety levels are growing as the exams inch closer."
The leaders have given parents a template of a letter to sign and send off to their own MP, filling in how many days their child has missed at school.
"The purpose of this letter is to ask for help in raising awareness of the impact of coronavirus on our students as they prepare for their GCSEs, to demonstrate the strength of feeling and a call for the authorities to take appropriate action," they say.
"I am asking that you write to your local MP, Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester and the Department for Education to show the impact this is having on your child’s future and well-being."
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
One of the leaders sending the letter is Julian Grant, headteacher of Shevington High School and also chair of the Wigan Secondary Headteachers' Association.
He said: "All headteachers are very concerned about the current situation we find our Year 11 students in.
"The impact the coronavirus is having on Year 11 student attendance is significant and therefore the impact on their ability to prepare for the GCSE summer exams.
"All headteachers have different views, some think the exams in summer 2021 should be cancelled and that something similar to centre assessed grades should be used.
"I think the real point is that the government needs to acknowledge that it is totally unfair at the moment to expect our students to sit the same exams as other students in other parts of the country who have not had significant disruption to their education and that other options need to be considered urgently."
Mayor Andy Burnham has himself spoken of the unfairness of a traditional exam system in the current climate and last week said he would be meeting with headteachers to develop a proposal to present to government.
Concerns over the insistence to go ahead with the tests have also been raised by the Northern Powerhouse Partnership (NPP), an organisation seeking to boost industry and education in north of England.
Sarah Mulholland, NPP's head of policy, said: "We're very concerned that young people across the north are likely to be at a disadvantage if the Department for Education opts to go ahead with GCSE and A-Level exams next summer, given the fact that they are the ones most likely to have been impacted by school closures following year group bubbles of pupils having to be sent home for instance.
"Continuous assessment would be a much fairer alternative to the proposed plan, and would reduce the risk of a similar fiasco such as we saw this summer. Assessing children this way, if it is planned in advance, may in fact be more rigorous than what is proposed if plans were to have to change at short notice."
Is your child due to take GCSEs or A-Level exams next year? Have they spent time remote learning since September? How do you feel about the exams going ahead? Let us know in the comments here, or on our Manchester Family Facebook page.
Following the announcement in Wales, Downing Street said there was no change to the plan to hold exams in England.
(Image: PA)
A DfE spokesperson said: “Exams are the fairest way of judging a student’s performance, which is why Ofqual and the government all agree they should go ahead next year.
“We are working closely with stakeholders on the measures needed to ensure exams can be held and will set out plans over the coming weeks.”
When questioned by the Commons Education Select Committee, Ofsted chief inspector Amanda Spielman said cancelling exams would risk 'harm' to pupils, as they would lack motivation and structure for the remainder of the school year.
She told the committee: “One of the messages that came across really strongly from young people themselves last summer in the face of the calculated grades model was how much they resented not having the chance to show what they could do for themselves.
"So if you pull out something around which the system is organised without something else in its place, you could end up inadvertently doing real harm."
Has your school had to send children home to self-isolate? Let us know in the comments or email the details to emma.gill@reachplc.com.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-11-12--Trafford Centre CCTV appeal after 16-year-old boy has Gucci bag stolen

Police have released CCTV images of three males they would like to speak to after a 16-year-old was threatened for @ @ @ @ @ Trafford Centre .
The robbery happened on the lower deck car park near the escalators @ @ @ @ @ a spokesman for GMP said .
The trio threatened the victim and demanded his bag @ @ @ @ @ scene with the stolen item .
No one was injured .
Officers were called to @ @ @ @ @ on June 16 this year .
PC Singh , of GMP 's Trafford district , @ @ @ @ @ one was injured during this robbery but the victim was left understandably shaken .
`` @ @ @ @ @ we 're appealing to members of the public to come forward if they recognise any @ @ @ @ @ images . ''
Anyone with information is asked to call 0161 856 7530 or email @ @ @ @ @ 2394 of 16/06/2020 .

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Police have released CCTV images of three males they would like to speak to after a 16-year-old was threatened for his Gucci bag in the Trafford Centre.
The robbery happened on the lower deck car park near the escalators in June this year, a spokesman for GMP said.
The trio threatened the victim and demanded his bag.
They then left the scene with the stolen item.
(Image: GMP)
No one was injured.
Officers were called to the scene at around 5.30pm on June 16 this year.
(Image: GMP)
PC Singh, of GMP's Trafford district, said: "Thankfully no one was injured during this robbery but the victim was left understandably shaken.
(Image: GMP)
"Enquiries are on-going and now we're appealing to members of the public to come forward if they recognise any of the males in the images."
Anyone with information is asked to call 0161 856 7530 or email TraffordSouth@gmp.police.uk quoting log 2394 of 16/06/2020.
Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-11-12--GMB viewers 'in tears' as wife surprises husband by moving into care home

Good Morning Britain viewers were ‘ brought to tears ’ this morning as footage was shown in which an elderly wife surprised her husband by moving into his care home .
The heartwarming video shows the moment Betty , 91 , told her 96-year-old husband , Kenneth , who has dementia , that she was going to be living with him in his care home so they could be together again .
Kenneth moved into Bourn View Care Home in Birmingham five weeks ago , but Betty missed him so much she felt she could n't live without him .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ would see each other again because of coronavirus restrictions , so Betty planned the surprise move so she could be with him .
Care home staff organised a special romantic dinner for the pair of 71 years as part of the surprise .
Roses and heart shaped balloons were on show as the couple made their heart-warming reunion .
Hosts Susanna Reid and Ben Shephard showed viewers the viral video of the surprise - which can be watched above - during today 's episode , moving many fans to tears .
In the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wife had come to take him home , to which she responds that they will now live together at the care home .
The recoupling was filmed by their granddaughter , where Kenneth can be seen arriving on his zimmer frame before bursting into tears .
Ben told viewers : `` One wife has taken it into her own hands not just to visit but to change the situation completely .
`` A grandfather was thrown a surprise dinner in his care home , Charlotte 's grandfather had been in the care home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could n't live without him , so she decided she was going to move in . ''
He added : `` They had been living apart for months , Kenneth did n't know when he was going to see Betty again because of Covid-19 .
`` So Betty made the decision to move into Bourn View with her husband so they could isolate together .
`` Kenneth had no idea she was going to move in , he just thought it was a lovely romantic dinner and visit . ''
As the couple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Whitney Houston played in the background .
The husband and wife sob together as Kenneth says : `` I am much better now I see you . ''
Viewers watching the show from home flocked to social media to react , with many claiming the video made them cry .
One viewer tweeted : `` Well , thanks GMB for making me cry at this time of day .
Betty and Kenneth are adorable '' .
`` Betty & Kenneth how lovely was that , '' added a third .
Another said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tear to my eye .
I 'm so happy they can be together again ''

newsdesk@men-news.co.uk (Andrew Gentry, Charlotte Smith)

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Good Morning Britain viewers were ‘brought to tears’ this morning as footage was shown in which an elderly wife surprised her husband by moving into his care home.
The heartwarming video shows the moment Betty, 91, told her 96-year-old husband, Kenneth, who has dementia, that she was going to be living with him in his care home so they could be together again.
Kenneth moved into Bourn View Care Home in Birmingham five weeks ago, but Betty missed him so much she felt she couldn't live without him.
The couple didn't know when they would see each other again because of coronavirus restrictions, so Betty planned the surprise move so she could be with him.
Care home staff organised a special romantic dinner for the pair of 71 years as part of the surprise.
Roses and heart shaped balloons were on show as the couple made their heart-warming reunion.
Hosts Susanna Reid and Ben Shephard showed viewers the viral video of the surprise - which can be watched above - during today's episode, moving many fans to tears.
In the video, 96-year-old Kenneth asks whether his wife had come to take him home, to which she responds that they will now live together at the care home.
The recoupling was filmed by their granddaughter, where Kenneth can be seen arriving on his zimmer frame before bursting into tears.
Ben told viewers: "One wife has taken it into her own hands not just to visit but to change the situation completely.
Sign up to the free MEN email newsletter Get the latest updates from across Greater Manchester direct to your inbox with the free MEN newsletter You can sign up very simply by following the instructions here
"A grandfather was thrown a surprise dinner in his care home, Charlotte's grandfather had been in the care home for five weeks.
"His wife couldn't live without him, so she decided she was going to move in."
He added: "They had been living apart for months, Kenneth didn't know when he was going to see Betty again because of Covid-19.
"So Betty made the decision to move into Bourn View with her husband so they could isolate together.
"Kenneth had no idea she was going to move in, he just thought it was a lovely romantic dinner and visit."
As the couple embraced, I Will Always Love You by Whitney Houston played in the background.
The husband and wife sob together as Kenneth says: "I am much better now I see you."
Viewers watching the show from home flocked to social media to react, with many claiming the video made them cry.
One viewer tweeted: "Well, thanks GMB for making me cry at this time of day. Betty and Kenneth are adorable".
Another wrote: "I'm in bits" alongside crying face emojis.
"Betty & Kenneth how lovely was that," added a third.
A fourth commented: "Betty & Kenneth have just made 2020... Simply Beautiful"
Another said: "Betty and Kenneth brought a tear to my eye. I'm so happy they can be together again"


themanchestereveningnews--2020-11-12--Man seriously injured after being hit by car following 'altercation'

A man has suffered serious injuries after being hit by a car following an 'altercation ' .
Police taped off Moorside Avenue , in Bolton , for several hours following the incident on Tuesday evening ( Tuesday , November 10 ) .
Officers say a man in his 40s was left with serious injuries after a collision with a grey Vauxhall Astra .
It is understood that it happened following an altercation between two vehicles .
One eyewitness reported seeing a group of people shouting and 'waving an axe around ' prior to the collision .
Meanwhile , footage posted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of people shouting in the street before a car appeared to be driven towards a man .
As the camera cuts away , a woman can be heard screaming , `` They 've run him over . ''
No arrests have been made in connection with the incident , say GMP .
Following the collision , which happened shortly before 5.20pm , police sealed off a stretch of road close to the junction with Woodstock Drive as part of their investigations .
An eyewitness at the scene reported seeing a number of police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they are investigating whether a Volkswagen Golf which was found burned out in Matchmoor Lane , Horwich , on the same evening is linked to the incident .
The vehicle was stolen from the Heaton area of Bolton on October 29 , say officers .
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said : `` Police were called shortly before 5.20pm on Tuesday 10 November to reports that a grey Vauxhall Astra had collided with a man on Moorside Avenue in Bolton .
`` The man – aged in his 40s – was taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` It is understood the collision took place following an altercation between two vehicles .
`` No arrests have been made and enquiries are ongoing . ''
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 quoting incident number 2076 of 10/11/2020 .
Details can be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 .

newsdesk@men-news.co.uk (Paige Oldfield, Thomas George)

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A man has suffered serious injuries after being hit by a car following an 'altercation'.
Police taped off Moorside Avenue, in Bolton, for several hours following the incident on Tuesday evening (Tuesday, November 10).
Officers say a man in his 40s was left with serious injuries after a collision with a grey Vauxhall Astra.
It is understood that it happened following an altercation between two vehicles.
(Image: MEN Media)
One eyewitness reported seeing a group of people shouting and 'waving an axe around' prior to the collision.
Meanwhile, footage posted on social media also showed a number of people shouting in the street before a car appeared to be driven towards a man.
As the camera cuts away, a woman can be heard screaming, "They've run him over."
No arrests have been made in connection with the incident, say GMP.
Following the collision, which happened shortly before 5.20pm, police sealed off a stretch of road close to the junction with Woodstock Drive as part of their investigations.
An eyewitness at the scene reported seeing a number of police vehicles parked up nearby.
Police say they are investigating whether a Volkswagen Golf which was found burned out in Matchmoor Lane, Horwich, on the same evening is linked to the incident.
The vehicle was stolen from the Heaton area of Bolton on October 29, say officers.
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said: "Police were called shortly before 5.20pm on Tuesday 10 November to reports that a grey Vauxhall Astra had collided with a man on Moorside Avenue in Bolton.
"The man – aged in his 40s – was taken to hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
"It is understood the collision took place following an altercation between two vehicles.
"No arrests have been made and enquiries are ongoing."
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 quoting incident number 2076 of 10/11/2020. Details can be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-11-12--Aldi praised by shoppers for its 'incredible Christmas gift' to staff

Supermarket giant Aldi is being praised for its attitude towards thanking staff for all of their hard work this year @ @ @ @ @ 'thank you ' , the supermarket has taken a proactive approach to rewarding its employees @ @ @ @ @ pandemic by giving something which will really help make Christmas special - a Christmas bonus @ @ @ @ @ , Giles Hurley , said : `` This year has been a difficult one for @ @ @ @ @ have worked tirelessly to ensure the nation continues have access to high quality affordable food @ @ @ @ @ a gesture of our appreciation for our amazing Aldi colleagues who have shown incredible resilience @ @ @ @ @ '' The supermarket has said that staff will receive their bonus before Christmas day , @ @ @ @ @ will qualify .
At least there 's some Christmas cheer to be had this year @

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Supermarket giant Aldi is being praised for its attitude towards thanking staff for all of their hard work this year.
Instead of just saying 'thank you', the supermarket has taken a proactive approach to rewarding its employees for working tirelessly throughout the pandemic by giving something which will really help make Christmas special - a Christmas bonus.
The supermarket's CEO, Giles Hurley, said: "This year has been a difficult one for so many and our colleagues have worked tirelessly to ensure the nation continues have access to high quality affordable food.
"This bonus is a gesture of our appreciation for our amazing Aldi colleagues who have shown incredible resilience and dedication throughout 2020."
The supermarket has said that staff will receive their bonus before Christmas day, and that over 35,000 people will qualify.
At least there's some Christmas cheer to be had this year.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-11-12--More than 2,000 children a day self-isolating in Salford in 'north-south divide'

More than 2,100 schoolchildren on average are self-isolating every day in Salford – which is around 6pc of the school population in the city .
Overall attendance of schools is at around 85pc with more unauthorised absences recorded in secondary schools and some absences due to anxiety .
The overall absence rate Salford 's state-funded secondary schools was 6.8pc in 2018/19 , while the absence rate in state-funded primary schools was 4.2pc .
Cathy Starbuck , assistant director of education and children 's services at Salford City Council , revealed the latest figures to a scrutiny panel this week .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ better overall in primary than it is in secondary .
`` Other than the children isolating – which is obviously something that they ’ re instructed to do by the process – we ’ ve got really great attendance in our primary schools .
We ’ re certainly seeing more attendance issues in secondary . ''
The council boss said the seven-day rolling average of schoolchildren in Salford self-isolating is being tracked on a weekly basis by the local authority .
She added : “ It ’ s about 6pc on average who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s about 2,100 children on average per day .
We saw about 2,100 to 2,200 children per day .
Which is about 6pc . ''
Labour councillor Laura Edwards , who is a governor at the Walkden Co-op Academy , said the school has seen 'more than our fair share ' of Covid cases .
She said : “ My concern is if we listen to everyone and their opinions of what is best for schools , we ’ re not going to impact the people who really need it .
`` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talking on the news about how it ’ s not impacted schools whatsoever , when there ’ s a lot of children up north that are missing out .
“ If you ’ re a very unlucky student you could end up having to isolate for quite a significant time of the year .
I want to really push to make sure it ’ s fair for everyone .
`` I know someone is inevitably going to lose out , but just make sure everyone is assessed as much as possible based on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve been able to access.
” The assistant director agreed .
She said : “ It ’ s very disproportionate what ’ s happened to children in the North West .
I think that ’ s being heard loud and clear .
`` I think the fact that infection rates are also increasing in other areas of the country , it makes it more real for other areas too .
`` But our children are going to be more disadvantaged than anywhere else because they ’ ve already had half a term of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Southern areas of the country have hardly had any cases to deal with .
”

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More than 2,100 schoolchildren on average are self-isolating every day in Salford – which is around 6pc of the school population in the city.
Overall attendance of schools is at around 85pc with more unauthorised absences recorded in secondary schools and some absences due to anxiety.
The overall absence rate Salford's state-funded secondary schools was 6.8pc in 2018/19, while the absence rate in state-funded primary schools was 4.2pc.
Cathy Starbuck, assistant director of education and children's services at Salford City Council, revealed the latest figures to a scrutiny panel this week.
She said: “Attendance is much better overall in primary than it is in secondary.
"Other than the children isolating – which is obviously something that they’re instructed to do by the process – we’ve got really great attendance in our primary schools. We’re certainly seeing more attendance issues in secondary."
The council boss said the seven-day rolling average of schoolchildren in Salford self-isolating is being tracked on a weekly basis by the local authority.
She added: “It’s about 6pc on average who are isolating currently.
“It’s about 2,100 children on average per day. We saw about 2,100 to 2,200 children per day. Which is about 6pc."
Labour councillor Laura Edwards, who is a governor at the Walkden Co-op Academy, said the school has seen 'more than our fair share' of Covid cases.
She said: “My concern is if we listen to everyone and their opinions of what is best for schools, we’re not going to impact the people who really need it.
"I’m really sick of southern headteachers talking on the news about how it’s not impacted schools whatsoever, when there’s a lot of children up north that are missing out.
“If you’re a very unlucky student you could end up having to isolate for quite a significant time of the year. I want to really push to make sure it’s fair for everyone.
"I know someone is inevitably going to lose out, but just make sure everyone is assessed as much as possible based on how much of the curriculum they’ve been able to access.”
The assistant director agreed. She said: “It’s very disproportionate what’s happened to children in the North West. I think that’s being heard loud and clear.
"I think the fact that infection rates are also increasing in other areas of the country, it makes it more real for other areas too.
"But our children are going to be more disadvantaged than anywhere else because they’ve already had half a term of it. Whereas other areas in more Southern areas of the country have hardly had any cases to deal with.”
Has your school had to send children home to self-isolate? Let us know in the comments or email the details to emma.gill@reachplc.com.