themanchestereveningnews--2020-06-20--Ex-Rochdale councillor running for Lib Dem leader sets out agenda

A former Rochdale councillor running for the leadership of the Liberal Democrats has outlined radical plans to reform the party - including relocating its headquarters to the North .
Wera Hobhouse , who is the MP for Bath , says the ‘ obsession ’ with London shown by successive governments has resulted in the ‘ worst regional inequality we ’ ve ever seen ’ .
If she were to get the top job , the Lib Dems would get its ‘ head out of the Westminster bubble ’ and focus on serving ‘ held-back ’ communities throughout the regions .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and particularly Greater Manchester and Liverpool , that remain close to Ms Hobhouse ’ s heart .
It is where she worked as a councillor and teacher for 25 years and raised her four children , having moved from her home country of Germany in 1990 .
And should she win the top job ahead of interim Lib Dem leader Ed Davey and Layla Moran , the North will be at the top of her agenda ‘ from day one ’ .
Ms Hobhouse told the Local Democracy Reporting Service : “ A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ London to address issues of social deprivation , but as soon as you get out of the London area these held back communities , and many young people are and feel forgotten “ Listen , London is great , but it shouldn ’ t be so great and big at the expense of the rest of the country , and that is what I saw living and working in Greater Manchester – and I think it ’ s only getting worse .
“ Why is it acceptable that life expectancy in the North @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Or that pensioners up here are £78 per week worse off than the rest of the UK ?
Or that a ticket for a tram in Manchester is more expensive than London ’ s underground ?
” “ How can It be right that council tax in Greater Manchester for a property worth £100,000 is more than for a property in London worth £300.000 ?
“ It ’ s not .
Britain is bigger than London , and someone needs to champion our regions .
That ’ s why I will be a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Ms Hobhouse ’ s campaign is ‘ New Direction , Fresh Inspiration ’ , and that is exactly what she is proposing by moving 85pc of the party ’ s operations to the North .
Manchester , Liverpool , Sheffield and Leeds have been touted as possible destinations , while the party would also establish regional hubs to spread opportunities and support throughout the country .
“ Our party has to get its head out of the Westminster bubble , it ’ s as simple as that , ” said Ms Hobhouse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether you ’ re a Lib Dem member or voter or neither , it is simply way past time we had a party and a country that works for our regions .
“ I will champion every village , town and city up here .
And I will do it on day one .
“ I don ’ t care if that means we have to win just one council seat at a time in Rochdale , or one seat at a time in Sefton , or one seat at a time in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time in Leeds , Dundee , Derby , Carmarthen wherever .
“ Alongside her plans for reform Ms Hobhouse has vowed to focus on tackling the climate emergency , ‘ rebuilding ’ local government and securing a ‘ progressive alliance ’ .
But a future pact with the Conservatives , a relationship which has stained the party ’ s reputation since the coalition years , has been emphatically ruled out .
Ms Hobhouse believes the party she defected from as a councillor in 2005 does not represent her values or her aspirations for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I am waiting to see how the Tories can deliver anything that really changes the lives of hundreds of thousands of held back Northerners .
“ The Lib Dems used to be a force in the North , we had MPs and councillors everywhere , but we lost touch of our roots and were wiped out .
Read more of today 's top stories here “ We need to begin rebuilding our trust with Northerners , and indeed people across the country .
“ That means pulling the Lib Dems firmly to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Tories and Labour party .
“ We are a centre-left , liberal , progressive party .
We need progressive solutions to poverty and inequality .
Having unsuccessfully contested the Greater Manchester seat of Heywood and Middleton in 2005 , Ms Hobhouse was elected to represent Bath in 2017 after winning by 5,694 votes .
But with the North being the main focus of her leadership campaign , does she run the risk of losing credibility amongst the southern voters that had voted her into parliament ?
“ No , ” she says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just about North and South , it ’ s about all of our regions that are excluded from the decisions that affect their lives .
“ I ’ m sure my constituents will support me in arguing for the government to pay attention to regions .
“ As a leader of a national party , you have to figure out how to further your political aims across the UK .
“ Focussing attention and bringing resources to areas like Greater Manchester is a core part of my ambition to revive our fortunes as @ @ @ @

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A former Rochdale councillor running for the leadership of the Liberal Democrats has outlined radical plans to reform the party - including relocating its headquarters to the North.
Wera Hobhouse, who is the MP for Bath, says the ‘obsession’ with London shown by successive governments has resulted in the ‘worst regional inequality we’ve ever seen’.
If she were to get the top job, the Lib Dems would get its ‘head out of the Westminster bubble’ and focus on serving ‘held-back’ communities throughout the regions.
But it is the North West, and particularly Greater Manchester and Liverpool, that remain close to Ms Hobhouse’s heart.
It is where she worked as a councillor and teacher for 25 years and raised her four children, having moved from her home country of Germany in 1990.
And should she win the top job ahead of interim Lib Dem leader Ed Davey and Layla Moran, the North will be at the top of her agenda ‘from day one’.
Ms Hobhouse told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “A lot has been done in and around London to address issues of social deprivation, but as soon as you get out of the London area these held back communities, and many young people are and feel forgotten
“Listen, London is great, but it shouldn’t be so great and big at the expense of the rest of the country, and that is what I saw living and working in Greater Manchester – and I think it’s only getting worse.
“Why is it acceptable that life expectancy in the North is two years less than London? Or that pensioners up here are £78 per week worse off than the rest of the UK? Or that a ticket for a tram in Manchester is more expensive than London’s underground?”
“How can It be right that council tax in Greater Manchester for a property worth £100,000 is more than for a property in London worth £300.000?
“It’s not. Britain is bigger than London, and someone needs to champion our regions. That’s why I will be a leader for the North.”
The slogan of Ms Hobhouse’s campaign is ‘New Direction, Fresh Inspiration’, and that is exactly what she is proposing by moving 85pc of the party’s operations to the North.
Manchester, Liverpool, Sheffield and Leeds have been touted as possible destinations, while the party would also establish regional hubs to spread opportunities and support throughout the country.
“Our party has to get its head out of the Westminster bubble, it’s as simple as that,” said Ms Hobhouse.
“It doesn’t matter whether you’re a Lib Dem member or voter or neither, it is simply way past time we had a party and a country that works for our regions.
“I will champion every village, town and city up here. And I will do it on day one.
“I don’t care if that means we have to win just one council seat at a time in Rochdale, or one seat at a time in Sefton, or one seat at a time in Middlesbrough, or one seat at a time in Leeds, Dundee, Derby, Carmarthen wherever. “
Alongside her plans for reform Ms Hobhouse has vowed to focus on tackling the climate emergency, ‘rebuilding’ local government and securing a ‘progressive alliance’.
But a future pact with the Conservatives, a relationship which has stained the party’s reputation since the coalition years, has been emphatically ruled out.
Ms Hobhouse believes the party she defected from as a councillor in 2005 does not represent her values or her aspirations for the country.
She said: “I am waiting to see how the Tories can deliver anything that really changes the lives of hundreds of thousands of held back Northerners.
“The Lib Dems used to be a force in the North, we had MPs and councillors everywhere, but we lost touch of our roots and were wiped out.
“We need to begin rebuilding our trust with Northerners, and indeed people across the country.
“That means pulling the Lib Dems firmly to the centre-left. We are not halfway between the Tories and Labour party.
“We are a centre-left, liberal, progressive party. We need progressive solutions to poverty and inequality.
Having unsuccessfully contested the Greater Manchester seat of Heywood and Middleton in 2005, Ms Hobhouse was elected to represent Bath in 2017 after winning by 5,694 votes.
But with the North being the main focus of her leadership campaign, does she run the risk of losing credibility amongst the southern voters that had voted her into parliament?
“No,” she says. “This debate it’s just about North and South, it’s about all of our regions that are excluded from the decisions that affect their lives.
“I’m sure my constituents will support me in arguing for the government to pay attention to regions.
“As a leader of a national party, you have to figure out how to further your political aims across the UK.
“Focussing attention and bringing resources to areas like Greater Manchester is a core part of my ambition to revive our fortunes as Liberal Democrats.”


themanchestereveningnews--2020-06-20--How to watch the Premier League for free on TV and what is Sky Pick channel

The Premier League is back and fans will be able to watch more free games than ever before with free matches on Sky Pick , BBC Sport and Amazon Prime .
Aston Villa hosted Sheffield United in a controversial goalless draw in the first games of the restart that , with the goal-line technology farce aside , went off without a hitch in front of an empty Villa Park .
Manchester City followed that up with a comfortable 3-0 dismantling of an Arsenal side that were handicapped by the calamitous David Luiz while Manchester United got underway against Tottenham on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be played will be shown live on TV given that fans are not allowed to attend due to the COVID-19 pandemic .
Of those remaining matches , 33 will be available to watch for free on Sky Sports and the BBC .
Here 's what you need to know about how you can watch for free .
How do I watch Sky Pick TV on Freeview ?
And what Premier League matches are free-to-air ?
Sky Pick is the channel which show free-to-air football on Sky Sports .
It is available to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Freeview channel 144 .
25 of Sky 's matches will be available to watch for free with 20 matches confirmed so far .
The first match set to be shown for free by Sky is Norwich City 's clash with Southampton on Friday , June 19 .
On the same weekend , they will show the Merseyside derby encounter between Everton and Liverpool on Sunday , June 21 .
Remaining free to air Premier League games with confirmed TV channel and kick-off times : Which free Premier League games are on Amazon Prime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four Premier League games free to air , meaning you wo n't need a Prime membership to get involved .
Alex Green , managing director of Prime Video Sport Europe , said : `` Like the rest of the country , we are excited to see the Premier League return to action .
`` We will be making all four of Amazon Prime Video 's additional fixtures in the 2019-20 season available free of charge ; fans will not need a Prime membership to view the games on Prime Video . ''
Which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sport ?
The BBC will show live Premier League matches for the first time in its history when the action resumes .
They will have a total of four fixtures in the remaining weeks of the 2019/20 campaign , all of which will be shown for free .
Bournemouth 's clash with Newcastle on Saturday , June 20 and Norwich 's encounter with Everton four days later are the two BBC picks confirmed from the opening three rounds of Premier League fixtures after the restart .
BT Sport will show a total of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
However , the channel will not be making any of them available to watch for free .

newsdesk@men-news.co.uk (Elliott Jackson, Aidan McCartney, Daniel Murphy)

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The Premier League is back and fans will be able to watch more free games than ever before with free matches on Sky Pick, BBC Sport and Amazon Prime.
All 92 games left to be played after the restart are being be shown live on TV given that fans are not allowed to attend due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Of those remaining matches, 33 will be available to watch for free on Sky Sports and the BBC.
Here's what you need to know about how you can watch for free.
Sign up to our free MUFC email newsletter Get the latest breaking Manchester United transfer news and analysis every day direct to your inbox with our free MUFC newsletter Sign up here - it only takes a few seconds.
How do I watch Sky Pick TV on Freeview? And what Premier League matches are free-to-air?
Sky Pick is the channel which show free-to-air football on Sky Sports. It is available to watch on Sky channel 159, Freeview channel 11 or Freesat channel 144.
25 of Sky's matches will be available to watch for free with 20 matches confirmed so far.
The first match set to be shown for free on Pick was Norwich City's clash with Southampton on Friday.
The channel will also show the Merseyside derby encounter between Everton and Liverpool on Sunday, June 21.
Remaining free to air Premier League games with confirmed TV channel and kick-off times:
Wednesday June 24
Manchester United v Sheffield United 6pm Sky Pick
Norwich v Everton 6pm BBC One
Thursday June 25
Burnley v Watford 6pm Sky Pick
Sunday June 28
Watford v Southampton 4.30pm Sky Pick
Monday June 29
Crystal Palace v Burnley 8pm Amazon
Tuesday June 30
Brighton v Manchester United 8.15pm Sky Pick
Wednesday July 1
Bournemouth v Newcastle 6pm Sky Pick
Saturday July 4
Leicester vs Crystal Palace 5pm Sky Pick
Sunday July 5
Burnley vs Sheffield United 12pm Sky Pick
Southampton vs Manchester City 7pm BBC One
Tuesday July 7
Watford vs Norwich 6pm Sky Pick
Thursday July 9
Bournemouth vs Tottenham 6pm Sky Pick
Everton vs Southampton 6pm Amazon
Saturday July 11
Watford vs Newcastle 12:30pm Amazon
Sunday July 12
Everton vs Wolves 12pm Sky Pick
Bournemouth vs Leicester 7pm Sky Pick
Monday July 13
Manchester United Southampton 8pm Sky Pick
Sign up to our free MCFC email newsletter Man City are Premier League champions! Get all the reaction plus daily news and analysis direct to your inbox with our free MCFC newsletter Sign up here - it only takes a few seconds.
Which free Premier League games are on Amazon Prime?
Amazon Prime will make their remaining four Premier League games free to air, meaning you won't need a Prime membership to get involved.
Alex Green, managing director of Prime Video Sport Europe, said: "Like the rest of the country, we are excited to see the Premier League return to action.
"We will be making all four of Amazon Prime Video's additional fixtures in the 2019-20 season available free of charge; fans will not need a Prime membership to view the games on Prime Video."
Which free Premier League games are on BBC Sport?
The BBC will show live Premier League matches for the first time in its history when the action resumes.
They will have a total of four fixtures in the remaining weeks of the 2019/20 campaign, all of which will be shown for free.
Bournemouth's clash with Newcastle on Saturday, June 20 and Norwich's encounter with Everton four days later are the two BBC picks confirmed from the opening three rounds of Premier League fixtures after the restart.
Are BT Sport showing any free matches?
BT Sport will show a total of 20 of the remaining 92 league games.
However, the channel will not be making any of them available to watch for free.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-06-20--The new rules for when pubs and restaurants reopen

Pub beer gardens could be patrolled , drinks ordered on a smart phone app and restaurant tables not set in advance under plans to ease the lockdown for the hospitality industry .
Boris Johnson is expected to make an announcement next week on pubs , cafes , restaurants and hotels – with their reopening in England an ambition from July 4 to start reviving the ailing economy .
Pubs will also limit the number of customers inside with markings on the floor to ensure social distancing , drinks will be served at the tables , spaced widely , rather than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bar tops , door handles and fruit machines every hour , The Times reports .
Restaurants will place strict limits on the number of diners and be encouraged to use reservations .
Cutlery will be also be brought out with the food .
In hotels guests will be encouraged to use room service , which will be left in the corridor , and take the stairs rather than the lift .
But , The Times reports , the measures indicate nightclubs will not be allowed to reopen open 'any time soon ' , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ operate any under form of physical distancing requirements ' .
With the coronavirus alert level having been reduced on Friday , the Prime Minister believes he has some space to relax measures in a boost for the sector .
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden told BBC Radio 4 that the review the PM ordered into the two-metre social distancing rule would be concluded 'within the coming days ' , while Whitehall officials confirmed the outcome is expected next week .
The rule seeks to slow the spread of Covid-19 but would be a heavy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reopens , with many bosses favouring the distance being reduced .
It was being stressed that decisions on further easings were yet to be made , but the PM said the lowering of the alert level from four to three allows ministers to 'start making some progress ' on social-distancing measures .
And he promised new guidance for the hospitality sector and businesses 'very shortly ' .
The downgrading – recommended by the Joint Biosecurity Centre – means transmission of coronavirus is no longer considered to be 'high or rising exponentially ' .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' to occur , the advisers warned , and the virus remains in general circulation .
Mr Johnson also told the public on Friday to 'watch this space ' when asked whether the distance restriction could be reduced to help schools in England return in autumn .
He has been under significant pressure from Conservatives to relax the distance and on Friday night former business secretary Greg Clark said evidence from other nations is 'lower social distancing has worked ' .
`` It ’ s important we should benefit , it seems to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in this , '' the Tory MP told BBC Newsnight .
Government scientific advisers have said they would be comfortable with a reduced distance if risk-mitigating measures were taken , such as people sitting side by side and wearing face coverings .
The UK Hospitality trade body said draft Government guidance to restart the sector contains a 'degree of flexibility ' for different businesses to put forward plans to be safe to reopen .
Chief executive Kate Nicholls told BBC Radio 4 ’ s Today programme the plan was for guidelines to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ individual premises , to undertake a detailed risk assessment and propose and put forward the control measures that they feel are necessary to keep their team safe and their guests safe ' .
She said it was possible for 'certain types of premises ' to throw out menus after every use and to bring out cutlery only with food .
But she added : `` Other types of premises will choose to manage their risk in a different way and from the guidelines we ’ ve seen in draft from the Government when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that degree of flexibility rather than being a one-size-fits-all approach .
`` As the guidelines cover from a burger van in a park right the way through to the Fat Duck in Bray you need to have something that takes account everything in between rather than a one-size-fits-all . ''

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Pub beer gardens could be patrolled, drinks ordered on a smart phone app and restaurant tables not set in advance under plans to ease the lockdown for the hospitality industry.
Boris Johnson is expected to make an announcement next week on pubs, cafes, restaurants and hotels – with their reopening in England an ambition from July 4 to start reviving the ailing economy.
Pubs will also limit the number of customers inside with markings on the floor to ensure social distancing, drinks will be served at the tables, spaced widely, rather than at the bar and staff will clean bar tops, door handles and fruit machines every hour, The Times reports.
Restaurants will place strict limits on the number of diners and be encouraged to use reservations. Cutlery will be also be brought out with the food.
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
In hotels guests will be encouraged to use room service, which will be left in the corridor, and take the stairs rather than the lift.
But, The Times reports, the measures indicate nightclubs will not be allowed to reopen open 'any time soon', as dancefloors are a 'challenging area to operate any under form of physical distancing requirements'.
With the coronavirus alert level having been reduced on Friday, the Prime Minister believes he has some space to relax measures in a boost for the sector.
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden told BBC Radio 4 that the review the PM ordered into the two-metre social distancing rule would be concluded 'within the coming days', while Whitehall officials confirmed the outcome is expected next week.
The rule seeks to slow the spread of Covid-19 but would be a heavy restraint on the hospitality sector when it reopens, with many bosses favouring the distance being reduced.
It was being stressed that decisions on further easings were yet to be made, but the PM said the lowering of the alert level from four to three allows ministers to 'start making some progress' on social-distancing measures.
And he promised new guidance for the hospitality sector and businesses 'very shortly'.
The downgrading – recommended by the Joint Biosecurity Centre – means transmission of coronavirus is no longer considered to be 'high or rising exponentially'.
Localised outbreaks of Covid-19 are still 'likely' to occur, the advisers warned, and the virus remains in general circulation.
Mr Johnson also told the public on Friday to 'watch this space' when asked whether the distance restriction could be reduced to help schools in England return in autumn.
He has been under significant pressure from Conservatives to relax the distance and on Friday night former business secretary Greg Clark said evidence from other nations is 'lower social distancing has worked'.
"It’s important we should benefit, it seems to me, from the experiences of others in this," the Tory MP told BBC Newsnight.
Government scientific advisers have said they would be comfortable with a reduced distance if risk-mitigating measures were taken, such as people sitting side by side and wearing face coverings.
The UK Hospitality trade body said draft Government guidance to restart the sector contains a 'degree of flexibility' for different businesses to put forward plans to be safe to reopen.
Chief executive Kate Nicholls told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme the plan was for guidelines to be in place to 'allow individual companies, individual premises, to undertake a detailed risk assessment and propose and put forward the control measures that they feel are necessary to keep their team safe and their guests safe'.
She said it was possible for 'certain types of premises' to throw out menus after every use and to bring out cutlery only with food.
But she added: "Other types of premises will choose to manage their risk in a different way and from the guidelines we’ve seen in draft from the Government when they published them for consultation did allow that degree of flexibility rather than being a one-size-fits-all approach.
"As the guidelines cover from a burger van in a park right the way through to the Fat Duck in Bray you need to have something that takes account everything in between rather than a one-size-fits-all."


themanchestereveningnews--2020-06-20--Roy Keane verdict on Man United's top-four chances after Tottenham draw

Roy Keane says Manchester United 's draw with Tottenham Hotspur has handed Chelsea the advantage in the race for the top four .
United controlled possession in their Premier League return against Spurs but only managed a 1-1 draw , with Bruno Fernandes ' late penalty earning a share of the spoils .
Keane 's half-time rant on Sky Sports over the way United conceded the opening goal went viral , but the former midfielder took a more considered view at full-time .
The Irishman argued that the draw guarantees United will finish above Spurs in the table , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ result for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer 's men due to the fact fourth-placed Chelsea now have the opportunity to go five points clear of them .
`` There ’ s no doubt , '' Keane said when asked if United would finish above Spurs .
`` I think Tottenham are going to be short .
`` I think Mourinho will be delighted with the performance of his team tonight .
A couple of bad injuries and stopping a bad run they had before the break in football .
`` I think he ’ ll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ll know , I don ’ t think they ’ ll do it .
`` If you 're in the United dressing room , I ’ d be disappointed .
`` They ’ re running out of games , and with Leicester and Chelsea , they ’ re running out of opportunities to close that gap .
`` I think it ’ s a great opportunity now for Chelsea to make it an even worse result for United , by winning . ''
With Paul Pogba coming off the bench to add @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did , however , feel that the game showed the Reds will be one of the beneficiaries of allowing five substitutions in a game .
`` I think it ’ s a huge decision to say you can bring five substitutes on , '' he said .
`` It ’ s half your outfield players .
`` With the strength in-depth that United have , obviously , City , Liverpool and Chelsea - I think it ’ s a huge advantage .
`` Saying that , if you class Tottenham as a big @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own fault for not having that strength in-depth .
`` It had a huge bearing on the game tonight .
Mourinho mentioned there about not having options as a manager .
`` If you ’ re Ole , looking over your shoulder and seeing his bench , my goodness , what an opportunity he has to throw players on and change the course of the game - as he did tonight .
`` United really should ’ ve won the game , but the five subs is a huge advantage for the so-called @ @ @ @

newsdesk@men-news.co.uk (Bobby Vincent, David Byrom)

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Roy Keane says Manchester United's draw with Tottenham Hotspur has handed Chelsea the advantage in the race for the top four.
United controlled possession in their Premier League return against Spurs but only managed a 1-1 draw, with Bruno Fernandes' late penalty earning a share of the spoils.
Keane's half-time rant on Sky Sports over the way United conceded the opening goal went viral, but the former midfielder took a more considered view at full-time.
The Irishman argued that the draw guarantees United will finish above Spurs in the table, but that it will be considered a disappointing result for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men due to the fact fourth-placed Chelsea now have the opportunity to go five points clear of them.
"There’s no doubt," Keane said when asked if United would finish above Spurs. "I think Tottenham are going to be short.
"I think Mourinho will be delighted with the performance of his team tonight. A couple of bad injuries and stopping a bad run they had before the break in football.
"I think he’ll be delighted. Deep down, he’ll know, I don’t think they’ll do it.
"If you're in the United dressing room, I’d be disappointed.
"They’re running out of games, and with Leicester and Chelsea, they’re running out of opportunities to close that gap.
"I think it’s a great opportunity now for Chelsea to make it an even worse result for United, by winning."
With Paul Pogba coming off the bench to add zest to the United midfield, Keane did, however, feel that the game showed the Reds will be one of the beneficiaries of allowing five substitutions in a game.
"I think it’s a huge decision to say you can bring five substitutes on," he said. "It’s half your outfield players.
"With the strength in-depth that United have, obviously, City, Liverpool and Chelsea - I think it’s a huge advantage.
"Saying that, if you class Tottenham as a big club, then it’s their own fault for not having that strength in-depth.
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"It had a huge bearing on the game tonight. Mourinho mentioned there about not having options as a manager.
"If you’re Ole, looking over your shoulder and seeing his bench, my goodness, what an opportunity he has to throw players on and change the course of the game - as he did tonight.
"United really should’ve won the game, but the five subs is a huge advantage for the so-called big clubs."


themanchestereveningnews--2020-06-20--Why Greater Manchester's Hattie should become UK's top dog hero of lockdown

A special Cocker Spaniel has been named as Greater Manchester 's top dog of lockdown and is now hoping to be crowned as the overall UK winner .
Hattie , six , has accompanied her owner Andrew Bacon to work every day since lockdown began .
The pooch has been cheering up workers at the Lancastrian Office Centre , located at the Old Trafford cricket ground , by delivering post and donning a hi-vis jacket .
She is available for strokes and cuddles whenever times get tough for the staff working there .
Hattie also has her own Facebook page @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of her fans .
The spaniel is now up against 21 other regional winners , with voting now open for the public to vote for their favourite lockdown dog hero .
Hattie 's owner , Andrew , of Stretford , is urging M.E.N readers to vote for her and has said why he thinks she should be the ultimate winner .
The 57-year-old said : `` People in the office look forward to seeing her everyday .
`` I think she should win because she is a ray of sunshine in these dark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to cling onto , it takes people 's minds off what is happening at the moment .
`` She is just a gift that keeps on giving , you never get tired of her .
`` Once you have met her you will never forget her , she is such a lovely dog . ''
Andrew added : `` She does things that are just amazing .
`` I tell lots of people when they see her 'She is more of a human than a cocker spaniel ' .
`` I did n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do .
When she was a puppy she used to things a puppy should n't know .
`` She has got lots of character .
She is really clever . ''
Voting for the competition closes at midnight on June 22 2020 .
• Butcher ’ s recipes provide all the goodness they need , with delicious meals that are made with natural ingredients from British and Irish farms .
There ’ s no nasties , just packed with food full of good stuff that dogs love .
100 % complete and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minerals needed for bouncing energy and total enjoyment .
To find out more visit • By entering this competition you agree that you have read and understood the terms and conditions associated with Lockdown Dog Heroes and agree to Reach Plc and Butcher ’ s Pet Care Ltd publishing your entry on any of their sites , papers , and/or newsletters .
• The closing date to receive entries was at midnight on Friday June 5 2020 .
• An independent judging panel selected 20 of the very best pictures and stories from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • These 20 entries were shortlisted and placed in round one of a public vote .
Votes opened between 05.00 June , 9 and midnight on June 10 , 2020 .
• The entry with the most votes at the end of this period was crowned round one winner and received a £100 of Butcher ’ s Food For Dogs Vouchers and qualified to go through to round two - the final round of voting • 22 newsbrands from across the UK in total are running this same competition .
Round two will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 22 newsbrands ( listed below ) to be put into the final round of public voting .
• For round two the entrant with the most votes from the public will be crowned the overall winner .
Votes will open between 00:01 Jun 19 and 00:00 June 22 .
• One overall national winner ( round two ) will receive £1,500 towards a dog friendly break + A Year ’ s Supply of Butcher 's Food for Dogs .
• Each Round one winner will each receive £100.00 Butcher 's Food for Dogs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no whole/part cash alternatives , delivered within 28 days of competition closing date • Online entry only .
Proof of submission is not proof of receipt .
• Reach Plc supports the prevention of cruelty to animals and in no way seeks to encourage readers to submit photographs or images which might endanger the wellbeing of animals and we reserve the right not to publish inappropriate pictures .
• Employees of ReachPlc , Butchers Pet Care Ltd and their families , and anyone professionally connected to the promotion are not eligible to neither @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • 22 Regional/Website prizes are syndicated as follows :

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A special Cocker Spaniel has been named as Greater Manchester's top dog of lockdown and is now hoping to be crowned as the overall UK winner.
Hattie, six, has accompanied her owner Andrew Bacon to work every day since lockdown began.
The pooch has been cheering up workers at the Lancastrian Office Centre, located at the Old Trafford cricket ground, by delivering post and donning a hi-vis jacket.
She is available for strokes and cuddles whenever times get tough for the staff working there.
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
Hattie also has her own Facebook page where her adventures are shared with all of her fans.
The spaniel is now up against 21 other regional winners, with voting now open for the public to vote for their favourite lockdown dog hero.
Hattie's owner, Andrew, of Stretford, is urging M.E.N readers to vote for her and has said why he thinks she should be the ultimate winner.
The 57-year-old said: "People in the office look forward to seeing her everyday.
"I think she should win because she is a ray of sunshine in these dark times.
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
"She is like something to cling onto, it takes people's minds off what is happening at the moment.
"She is just a gift that keeps on giving, you never get tired of her.
"Once you have met her you will never forget her, she is such a lovely dog."
Andrew added: "She does things that are just amazing.
(Image: Andrew Bacon)
"I tell lots of people when they see her 'She is more of a human than a cocker spaniel'.
"I didn't really train her, she knew what to do. When she was a puppy she used to things a puppy shouldn't know.
"She has got lots of character. She is really clever."
Voting for the competition closes at midnight on June 22 2020.
Butcher’s recipes provide all the goodness they need, with delicious meals that are made with natural ingredients from British and Irish farms. There’s no nasties, just packed with food full of good stuff that dogs love. 100% complete and balanced recipes with all the vitamins and minerals needed for bouncing energy and total enjoyment. To find out more visit butchersdogfood.co.uk
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themanchestereveningnews--2020-06-20--Benidorm is back in business - and this is what the beaches look like this week

Borders opened up across Europe last week after three months of coronavirus closures that began chaotically in March .
But @ @ @ @ @ 's unclear how keen Europeans will be to travel this summer and the continent is @ @ @ @ @ Asians and other international tourists .
In Benidorm , the town 's beaches were partially @ @ @ @ @ closure , with designated spaces for over-70s and a maximum of 26,000 visitors at a @ @ @ @ @ June 21 , Spain reopens its borders to European Union and Schengen-area countries .

Spain's 'state of emergency' rules end on June 21
Borders opened up across Europe last week after three months of coronavirus closures that began chaotically in March.
But many restrictions persist, it's unclear how keen Europeans will be to travel this summer and the continent is still closed to Americans, Asians and other international tourists.
In Benidorm, the town's beaches were partially reopened after three months of closure, with designated spaces for over-70s and a maximum of 26,000 visitors at a time.
On Sunday, June 21, Spain reopens its borders to European Union and Schengen-area countries.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-06-20--Man City morning headlines as Pep Guardiola holds firm on Leroy Sane

Here are your Manchester City morning headlines for Saturday June 20 .
Manchester City are adamant they will not sell Leroy Sane below his valuation this summer despite his intention of joining Bayern Munich .
Reports have suggested Bayern will offer £30million for the attacking ace this summer but City are said to believe he is worth significantly more than that and they will stand their ground on any deal .
The German has been at the Etihad for four years and even if they are resigned to his departure , they will not be coerced into selling for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we make an offer to players it ’ s because we want him , he is a young player with incredible potential , '' Guardiola said on Friday , via the .
`` He has special quality that is hard to find around the world , but we tried before the injury , we tried before the surgery and after that but he rejected .
He has other wishes and I understand .
`` I said many times we want players who want to play at this club , who want to play @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to try to achieve our targets but we respect him .
He is an incredibly nice guy .
I love him .
I love him so much , he ’ s so educated , nice family so I don ’ t have anything against him .
`` He just decided he wanted to make another adventure for his career and he does n't want to stay .
When that happens we will help him until the last day that he is here and going to count for the players who want to stay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a deal for Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus but the English champions will not sell for less than £63million .
That is according to a report in , via the , which claims the Milanese giants have identified the Brazilian as a potential replacement for Lautaro Martinez , who has been linked to Barcelona .
It is said that City believe their asking price will end Inter ’ s pursuit of the player , whom they are keen to offer a new contract to end any doubts on his future .
Jesus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ City ’ s main striker but still plays a prominent role in Pep Guardiola ’ s squad .
Jack Harrison has thrived on loan at Leeds United for City this season and the winger now wants to make the move permanent .
The City-owned player has spent each of the past two seasons on loan at Elland Road and has played a key role in taking them to the brink of promotion to the top-flight .
Harrison told , via the : “ It ’ s been great for my development .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for me to say why I wouldn ’ t want to come back here .
“ There ’ s no reason why I should say ‘ no I don ’ t want to stay here next season.
’ Hopefully , if it ’ s in the Premier League , then even better .
Fingers crossed that happens.
” Harrison is one of four City-owned players likely to feature in the Championship this weekend - forwards Patrick Roberts and Lukas Nmecha are both on loan at Middlesbrough while Tosin Adarabioyo is on loan at @ @ @

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Here are your Manchester City morning headlines for Saturday June 20.
City stand ground on Sane
Manchester City are adamant they will not sell Leroy Sane below his valuation this summer despite his intention of joining Bayern Munich.
Reports have suggested Bayern will offer £30million for the attacking ace this summer but City are said to believe he is worth significantly more than that and they will stand their ground on any deal.
The German has been at the Etihad for four years and even if they are resigned to his departure, they will not be coerced into selling for a lower value.
"Of course when we make an offer to players it’s because we want him, he is a young player with incredible potential," Guardiola said on Friday, via the MEN .
"He has special quality that is hard to find around the world, but we tried before the injury, we tried before the surgery and after that but he rejected. He has other wishes and I understand.
"I said many times we want players who want to play at this club, who want to play with us, want to fully commit to try to achieve our targets but we respect him. He is an incredibly nice guy. I love him. I love him so much, he’s so educated, nice family so I don’t have anything against him.
"He just decided he wanted to make another adventure for his career and he doesn't want to stay. When that happens we will help him until the last day that he is here and going to count for the players who want to stay here."
City quote Inter price for Jesus
Inter are reportedly keen on a deal for Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus but the English champions will not sell for less than £63million.
That is according to a report in Sport Mediaset , via the MEN , which claims the Milanese giants have identified the Brazilian as a potential replacement for Lautaro Martinez, who has been linked to Barcelona.
It is said that City believe their asking price will end Inter’s pursuit of the player, whom they are keen to offer a new contract to end any doubts on his future.
Jesus has failed to dislodge Sergio Aguero as City’s main striker but still plays a prominent role in Pep Guardiola’s squad.
Harrison eyes Leeds stay
Jack Harrison has thrived on loan at Leeds United for City this season and the winger now wants to make the move permanent.
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The City-owned player has spent each of the past two seasons on loan at Elland Road and has played a key role in taking them to the brink of promotion to the top-flight.
Harrison told LeedsLive , via the MEN : “It’s been great for my development. As a player, it’s hard for me to say why I wouldn’t want to come back here.
“There’s no reason why I should say ‘no I don’t want to stay here next season.’ Hopefully, if it’s in the Premier League, then even better. Fingers crossed that happens.”
Harrison is one of four City-owned players likely to feature in the Championship this weekend - forwards Patrick Roberts and Lukas Nmecha are both on loan at Middlesbrough while Tosin Adarabioyo is on loan at West Brom.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-06-20--Manchester United morning headlines as Solskjaer defends De Gea

Here are your Manchester United morning headlines for Saturday June 20 .
United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer offered a typically diplomatic response when asked about Roy Keane ’ s criticism of David De Gea .
The Norwegian is good friends with former teammate Keane but , unsurprisingly , was also keen to protect his player following a mistake for Tottenham ’ s opener last night .
Keane said in the Sky Sports studio : `` I am sick to death of this goalkeeper .
I would be fighting him at half-time .
There is no getting away from that .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ guy . ''
Solskjaer responded after the match , as cited by the : `` Disappointed they scored the first time they had a chance .
The boy hit it really well and the ball moves .
Roy was a fantastic midfielder and a good friend of mine .
I ’ m not sure he would have stopped it , either .
`` David is disappointed with it ; the ball was moving through the air .
We reacted well after that and he had a good save five minutes after .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and they looked like they could get a second . ''
United defender Luke Shaw told Paul Pogba after Friday night ’ s match at Tottenham that his substitution made the difference .
The Frenchman entered proceedings midway through the second half at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and won the penalty which brought about the equaliser from Bruno Fernandes .
Pogba was making his first appearance of the calendar year for the Red Devils and impressed in the final third of the game , and his dazzling run in behind the Spurs defence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the penalty area .
`` We never give up , we kept going , we felt fit and stronger than them , we could see they were suffering at times , '' Shaw told MUTV , as cited by the .
`` It was a great bit of skill from Paul to win the penalty .
I said to him after how much of a difference he made and he didn ’ t play that long , it ’ s great to have him and Rashy [ Marcus Rashford ] back , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and hopeful we can see Paul from the start on Wednesday . ''
Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes rescued a point for his side with his second-half penalty in Friday night ’ s draw at Tottenham .
However , the Portuguese midfielder appeared frustrated in his post-match interview and lamented his side ’ s inability to secure the victory .
It was another glimpse into the mentality of Fernandes , who has displayed - alongside his supreme technical talent - his leadership and will to win during his short stint at Old Trafford @ @ @ @ @ @ @ satisfied , you need to fight every time to win the games and take all three points , doesn ’ t matter if you play against Tottenham , who are a good team , we need to look for the three points every time we play , '' Fernandes told MUTV , as cited by the .
`` It 's important because it ’ s a point , but it ’ s better if we get the three points .
We want to be closer to the guys in front of us and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back .
We need to be focused and make sure they do n't catch us , but find a way to catch the guys in front of us .
`` I feel we dominated all game .
They did n't create a lot of chances , maybe in the first half we did n't create many chances either , but in the second half we created a lot of chances and could have scored more .
All game we did very well . ''

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Here are your Manchester United morning headlines for Saturday June 20.
Solskjaer responds to Keane
United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer offered a typically diplomatic response when asked about Roy Keane’s criticism of David De Gea.
The Norwegian is good friends with former teammate Keane but, unsurprisingly, was also keen to protect his player following a mistake for Tottenham’s opener last night.
Keane said in the Sky Sports studio: "I am sick to death of this goalkeeper. I would be fighting him at half-time. There is no getting away from that. I would be swinging punches at that guy."
Solskjaer responded after the match, as cited by the MEN : "Disappointed they scored the first time they had a chance. The boy hit it really well and the ball moves. Roy was a fantastic midfielder and a good friend of mine. I’m not sure he would have stopped it, either.
"David is disappointed with it; the ball was moving through the air. We reacted well after that and he had a good save five minutes after. We had a bad spell for 10 minutes and they looked like they could get a second."
Shaw’s message to Pogba
United defender Luke Shaw told Paul Pogba after Friday night’s match at Tottenham that his substitution made the difference.
The Frenchman entered proceedings midway through the second half at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and won the penalty which brought about the equaliser from Bruno Fernandes.
Pogba was making his first appearance of the calendar year for the Red Devils and impressed in the final third of the game, and his dazzling run in behind the Spurs defence brought about the Eric Dier foul inside the penalty area.
"We never give up, we kept going, we felt fit and stronger than them, we could see they were suffering at times," Shaw told MUTV, as cited by the MEN .
"It was a great bit of skill from Paul to win the penalty. I said to him after how much of a difference he made and he didn’t play that long, it’s great to have him and Rashy [Marcus Rashford] back, they are very important players to our side and hopeful we can see Paul from the start on Wednesday."
Fernandes shows winning mentality
Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes rescued a point for his side with his second-half penalty in Friday night’s draw at Tottenham.
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However, the Portuguese midfielder appeared frustrated in his post-match interview and lamented his side’s inability to secure the victory.
It was another glimpse into the mentality of Fernandes, who has displayed - alongside his supreme technical talent - his leadership and will to win during his short stint at Old Trafford.
"You can’t be satisfied, you need to fight every time to win the games and take all three points, doesn’t matter if you play against Tottenham, who are a good team, we need to look for the three points every time we play," Fernandes told MUTV, as cited by the MEN .
"It's important because it’s a point, but it’s better if we get the three points. We want to be closer to the guys in front of us and not look at the guys on our back. We need to be focused and make sure they don't catch us, but find a way to catch the guys in front of us.
"I feel we dominated all game. They didn't create a lot of chances, maybe in the first half we didn't create many chances either, but in the second half we created a lot of chances and could have scored more. All game we did very well."


themanchestereveningnews--2020-06-20--Foreign Office makes major change to Spain travel advice from tomorrow

The Foreign Office has updated its travel advice for Brits wanting to go to Spain .
It comes as Spain 's state of emergency is set to be lifted on Sunday , June 21 - allowing for visitors from some countries to return .
After some confusion about whether or not that WOULD include Brits , the official government advice has now been updated , the Mirror reports .
The advice now states : `` The State of Emergency ( “ Estado de Alarma ” ) declared on 14 March , will end on June 21 .
`` From this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to European Union and Schengen-area countries ( with the exception of Portugal where the restrictions will continue to apply up until 1 July ) , and travellers from the UK .
`` The Spanish Government has said that it is possible that UK travellers will still need to quarantine on arrival in Spain , but that decision has not yet been taken .
`` Restrictions on travellers from outside the European Union and the Schengen free-travel area will be lifted from July 1 providing the countries they depart from have agreements with Spain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advice follows 24 hours of confusion earlier this week on whether Brits would be allowed entry .
It was initially thought that only members of the Schengen zone would be allowed entry to Spain .
The Foreign Ministry later clarified that EU member states are also included , and that the UK is still part of this group during the transition phase .
But the UK 's Government 's decision to introduce quarantine measures for most travellers has proven controversial .
Officials warned that they may introduce similar measures in Spain just for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interview , Spanish Foreign Minister Arancha Gonzalez Laya said : `` We will be checking what the UK will be doing and we will be in a dialogue with the UK to see whether or not we should be introducing reciprocity as they have different measures than the rest of the European Union . ''
She dubbed the situation `` fluid '' and said officials would `` properly engage in a dialogue with the UK authorities to make sure that we both take the message that best corresponds to the health situation , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Spain than it is in the UK '' .
`` Hopefully by the time we open our borders , the UK would have moved forward also , '' she added .
The coronavirus pandemic has devastated Spain 's tourism industry , which accounts for around 12 % of Spain 's GDP and provides millions of jobs .
Tourism chiefs have blasted the potential quarantine measures - and called for health checks on passengers instead .
Juan Marin , vice-president of the regional Junta de Andalucia government which covers the Costa del Sol @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Spanish economy further .
The tourism chief has called for rapid coronavirus tests to be carried out after travellers arrive .
In an attack on Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez and his deputy leader Pablo Iglesias , he added : “ Mr Sanchez and Mr Iglesias should listen to us more because we propose things with the aim of fixing problems .
“ I said a month and a half ago that international tourism had died with the quarantine for international travellers .
I don ’ t think the way forward is quarantine .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ health check before tourists come and a test here so they return in perfect conditions .
“ A quarantine on British holidaymakers would do Andalucia great harm because the UK is our main international holiday market and average spending by British holidaymakers is higher than the rest.
” Currently the Foreign Office warns against all but non essential travel abroad .
And travellers arriving in the UK face 14 days of isolation under mandatory quarantine rules - with fines threatened for anyone who flouts the rules .
But Prime Minister Boris Johnson has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the idea of `` air bridges . ''
These would allow Brits to dodge quarantine when arriving back home after travelling , as well as any isolation requirements in the selected country abroad .
On June 16 , the PM said : “ The reason for having the quarantine system is very simple : we don ’ t want to reimport the disease just at the moment when we ’ ve really got it under control in this country .
“ But we ’ re certainly looking at air bridges and ways to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ holiday eventually .
”

newsdesk@men-news.co.uk (Rosaleen Fenton, Simon Smith)

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The Foreign Office has updated its travel advice for Brits wanting to go to Spain.
It comes as Spain's state of emergency is set to be lifted on Sunday, June 21 - allowing for visitors from some countries to return.
After some confusion about whether or not that WOULD include Brits, the official government advice has now been updated, the Mirror reports.
The advice now states: "The State of Emergency (“Estado de Alarma”) declared on 14 March, will end on June 21.
"From this date, Spain will re-open its borders to European Union and Schengen-area countries (with the exception of Portugal where the restrictions will continue to apply up until 1 July), and travellers from the UK.
"The Spanish Government has said that it is possible that UK travellers will still need to quarantine on arrival in Spain, but that decision has not yet been taken.
"Restrictions on travellers from outside the European Union and the Schengen free-travel area will be lifted from July 1 providing the countries they depart from have agreements with Spain."
The change to the official advice follows 24 hours of confusion earlier this week on whether Brits would be allowed entry.
It was initially thought that only members of the Schengen zone would be allowed entry to Spain.
The Foreign Ministry later clarified that EU member states are also included, and that the UK is still part of this group during the transition phase.
But the UK's Government's decision to introduce quarantine measures for most travellers has proven controversial.
Officials warned that they may introduce similar measures in Spain just for Brits in retalitation.
In a BBC interview, Spanish Foreign Minister Arancha Gonzalez Laya said: "We will be checking what the UK will be doing and we will be in a dialogue with the UK to see whether or not we should be introducing reciprocity as they have different measures than the rest of the European Union."
She dubbed the situation "fluid" and said officials would "properly engage in a dialogue with the UK authorities to make sure that we both take the message that best corresponds to the health situation, which today is a little bit better in Spain than it is in the UK".
"Hopefully by the time we open our borders, the UK would have moved forward also," she added.
The coronavirus pandemic has devastated Spain's tourism industry, which accounts for around 12% of Spain's GDP and provides millions of jobs.
Tourism chiefs have blasted the potential quarantine measures - and called for health checks on passengers instead.
Juan Marin, vice-president of the regional Junta de Andalucia government which covers the Costa del Sol area, warned it would harm the Spanish economy further.
The tourism chief has called for rapid coronavirus tests to be carried out after travellers arrive.
In an attack on Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez and his deputy leader Pablo Iglesias, he added: “Mr Sanchez and Mr Iglesias should listen to us more because we propose things with the aim of fixing problems.
“I said a month and a half ago that international tourism had died with the quarantine for international travellers. I don’t think the way forward is quarantine.
"For me it’s a health check before tourists come and a test here so they return in perfect conditions.
“A quarantine on British holidaymakers would do Andalucia great harm because the UK is our main international holiday market and average spending by British holidaymakers is higher than the rest.”
Currently the Foreign Office warns against all but non essential travel abroad.
And travellers arriving in the UK face 14 days of isolation under mandatory quarantine rules - with fines threatened for anyone who flouts the rules.
But Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said that the government is looking at the idea of "air bridges."
These would allow Brits to dodge quarantine when arriving back home after travelling, as well as any isolation requirements in the selected country abroad.
On June 16, the PM said: “The reason for having the quarantine system is very simple: we don’t want to reimport the disease just at the moment when we’ve really got it under control in this country.
“But we’re certainly looking at air bridges and ways to ensure that people can safely go on holiday eventually.”


themanchestereveningnews--2020-06-20--'What about your accent?' How northern actors and writers still fight bias

The breadth of accents in the UK is so diverse that travelling just a few miles can make a massive difference to how a person 's voice sounds .
The rich burrs of a Lancashire dialect differ from the stresses and cadences of Manchester voices - synonymous with Coronation Street or the Gallagher brothers - or the guttural sing-song of the Liverpool dialect , a riff on the Irish and Welsh accents of immigrants .
Even within the city of Manchester , different suburbs can have different accents .
But one thing people from across the North have in common @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the way they speak in London-dominated industries .
Maxine Peake recently described how Northern actors end up being cast as servants because they are seen as uneducated .
But it 's a bias that Northern stars - from the worlds of TV , theatre and literature - are determined to fight , by making sure Northern roles , Northern characters and Northern voices are n't just the preserve of soapland .
Despite the achievements , stretching back decades , of actors , writers , TV producers and shows from our region , accents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Laureate Simon Armitage , who hails from West Yorkshire , on his BBC podcast , Bolton-born Peake admitted she had been typecast for her accent - and cited Downton Abbey as an example of a programme where a Northern accent means a 'downstairs ' role .
The star , who lived in London for a decade before moving back to Manchester in 2009 , said : `` People cast you for your accent .
You are only one personality if you 're from the North , you 're not particularly complex , you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used as a character description . ''
Reflecting on her role as a barrister in Silk , she said : `` You 're put in a socio-economic bracket as well .
`` [ The director said ] : 'What are you going to do about your accent because she 's educated ?
And that was n't the first time I 'd had that conversation . ''
`` I went : ' I went to Rada . '
I remember thinking I could n't be a successful barrister and have a northern accent .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Twinkle in Victoria Wood 's sitcom Dinnerladies - said that when she started her career she believed her accent would help her win parts in television dramas .
She was cast as 'maids in various guises ' for three theatre jobs after Dinnerladies .
`` I remember being at the National Theatre , and we all used to laugh .
It was the Northerners and the Irish all together going : 'So what maid are you and what servant are you ? '
`` I 've got lots of friends from Ireland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Peake said she spoke to someone recently about it , who said : 'That 's ridiculous , ' but added : `` We 're only talking late 90 , early 2000s . ''
She went on : `` It still goes on , I mean ... Downton . ''
Establishing a foothold in industries that can seem to be controlled and dominated by well-connected , comfortably off people from the South can be a challenge in itself .
Actor Mark Newsome , who was born in Oldham , says he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Workshop , which had cheaper fees for residents or those on benefits .
He recently toured nationally in Manchester writer Phil Pearson 's acclaimed one-man show Blackpool - What a S*** Place To Die .
He has said if he 'd not had the opportunity he might otherwise have been 'in prison or dead ' due to previous issues with alcohol and mental health .
But at the Oldham Theatre Workshop , he had 'an amazing teacher , Sarah Nelson , who championed me from an early age ' .
`` I 'm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for young people nowadays , '' he says .
`` I 'm also worried about the lack of training for these kids , especially in rural areas .
Oldham Theatre Workship was not just about performing but it was instilling confidence in yourself and had a great Northern power which made you feel strong .
`` I consider the actress Julie Hesmondhalgh and the actor Stephen Graham a total inspiration because they 're out there doing it with incredible success and a lot of their work is political which is really great to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that theatres in the North are prioritising using actors from London with money rather than the plethora of exciting Northern working class talent which is right there on their doorstep .
`` My message for any working class inspiring artists out there is to be true to yourself , you 're brilliant and we need you .
`` The arts should n't just be for a certain part of society , it should be open and welcoming to all .
`` I personally feel working class stories are the most exciting so we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stages and our screens and in our drama schools .
Who wants to end up in a world that 's full of middle class actors and stories ?
`` We are the North and we have something to say . ''
It 's an issue that 's not just confined to acting .
In the world of publishing , it can be even harder for Northerners to be taken seriously by Londoners .
Kevin Duffy , the Hebden Bridge-based founder of Bluemoose Books , has worked in publishing for 30 years and describes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the top . '
He believes some people in the industry 'only get jobs because they are from some of the richest families ' .
`` It has not really changed '' , he adds .
`` The great thing is you have us , Salt , and Comma Press who are all independents .
They have to take us seriously when there are loads of us . ''
When he was publishing Benjamin Myers award-winning book Pig Iron , one publisher told him : `` Do n't forget you are not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also told that no one would be interested in the story of a travelling family from the North East .
`` That was 2017 and the arrogance is still in the industry '' , Kevin tells the M.E.N .
Pig Iron , which told the story of John-John Wisdom , just released from a young offenders institute , and living in a run-down flat on the outskirts of Durham , went on to win the Gordon Burn prize and huge success .
As far as Kevin is concerned , the London-centric 'myopia ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Manchester novelist Joseph Knox , who wrote The Smiling Man and Sirens , has encountered petty snobbery too - but feels his identity is his 'secret weapon ' .
`` I feel like the place I encountered it was when I was a buyer for Waterstones , when I first moved from Manchester to London .
`` I remember it very clearly , it was my first meeting with a publisher , my job was to buy crime fiction and also classics and poetry .
When meeting the poetry publisher , you might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the snooty .
`` He asked where I was from .
I told him : 'Stoke on Trent by way of Manchester ' and he looked at me , winced and said : 'Ooh you 've still not managed to lose that accent . ''
At the time , Joseph says he thought it was 'quite funny and I ca n't claim that it held me back . '
Since then , Joseph has found success as a thriller writer - and has found setting his books in Manchester a 'big positive ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ benefited but I certainly think for actors it has to be almost impossibly difficult , '' he adds .
He says he does n't know how 'economically one can play the game of doing auditions , living on a wing and a prayer until you get that role that breaks you through . '
`` Nothing worse than public schoolboys putting on their Northern street accent - you see that a lot , '' he says The effect of accents is something that 's informed Joseph 's work .
He describes how his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Trent way - 'book , look and cook ' , whereas for him , thanks to having 'quite a middle class teacher ' , the words 'book , look and cook ' rhyme with 'ruck ' .
`` One of those very small , apparently meaningless things always marked me out Stoke , '' he said .
`` One of my sisters - same teacher , very similar accent - my older sister , much more similar accent to parents .
Certainly I 've heard family members berate their own accent .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in his work to make it sound as natural as possible .
When writing the first draft of Sirens , Joseph reveals , he often wrote heavy slang for some of the characters , but backed away from this in further drafts .
`` I think the reader puts in the accent from the words you are giving them , it is not necessary and I felt you could conceivably read it as a knock on the characters ' intelligence .
`` It can be accurate in stylised noir and I do true @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he adds , `` but it does n't feel true to life .
In other cases it can really sell something and it is a constant high wire act . ''
But accents should be preserved , he believes , in a world where 'everyone is watching and listening to the same things . '
He cite Youtubers and vloggers who , despite being British , will take on 'at least the cadence or rhythm of Americans . '
`` The power of the northern accent and humour is my secret weapon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thing in my writing '' , he says .
`` Really , every kind of crime novel has been done , every story told - all we can hope to do is add our voice to the mix .
`` You want to somehow to be convincing and have a way of disarming people and if they can visualise the street and hear the accent , they will believe the story much more . ''
Joseph reveals that he has just sold the film rights to Sirens -and hopes to have an input @ @ @ @ @ @ @ goes into production .
Whitefield-raised TV executive Nicola Shindler , who has won 11 BAFTAs , exemplifies how creatives from the region can break through and put Northern life centre-stage - Queer as Folk , Clocking Off , Scott and Bailey , Happy Valley and Hillsborough are among her impressive body of work .
Truly a Northern-powerhouse , she brought Last Tango in Halifax to television too .
She set up TV production company , Red , named after her beloved Man United 22 years ago , one of the first independent production @ @ @ @ @ @ @ works with the best writers - Sally Wainwright , Russell T Davies , Paul Abbott and Danny Brocklehurst - all of whom are known for work celebrating the North of England .
Earlier this year Nicola was appointed as chief creative officer of Studiocanal UK and her UK debut was shark thriller , Something in the Water .
She has n't felt a 'push back ' from people in the south about portraying Northern voices - and says the honesty and quality of writing has been 'essential ' to the openness with which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the long track record of Northern writers dating back to the 1960s , like Willy Russell , Mike Leigh , Shelagh Delaney and Alan Bleasdale .
`` These writers make sure a character is written in a way in which they feel very real , '' she said .
Her work is notable for shining a light on Northern middle class lives as well as working class lives , debunking the 'grim up North ' trope with both .
She recalls during the first years of making Clocking Off there was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was 'whatever you do , just because people work in factories , does n't mean they do n't care about where they live and how they look . '
`` My job as a producer is to find real authentic actors and put as many people on screen with talent as well as being inclusive , '' she explains .
Nicola says she has seen it 'get worse ' for working class actors over the years as 'grants are taken away from theatres ' .
But there are plenty of positives too .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and more and more big productions , not just on terrestrial , but for Netflix and Hollywood too , are being made here .
The MediaCity complex , bringing the BBC to MediaCity in Salford has also had a big impact , she believes .
`` We are seeing more voices on radio that are not received pronunciation , '' she said .
`` It is a gradual process . ''
With a need for more 'drama schools outside of London ' , youth theatres - like Oldham Theatre Workshop - will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talent .
The role of agents and casting directors outside London , in turning that talent into a career in the industry , is vital too , she says .
Once these actors have found their way in , they can benefit from the great roles that people like Nicola Shindler create .
But , before further progress can be made , players in the industry have to overcome the same challenge as the rest of society - the coronavirus pandemic .
All Nicola 's productions are paused at the minute - because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` It would help if it was one metre , but it really is just a waiting game , '' she adds .
`` Hopefully by autumn we will be able to start filming again . ''

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The breadth of accents in the UK is so diverse that travelling just a few miles can make a massive difference to how a person's voice sounds.
The rich burrs of a Lancashire dialect differ from the stresses and cadences of Manchester voices - synonymous with Coronation Street or the Gallagher brothers - or the guttural sing-song of the Liverpool dialect, a riff on the Irish and Welsh accents of immigrants.
Even within the city of Manchester, different suburbs can have different accents.
But one thing people from across the North have in common is the risk of being judged for the way they speak in London-dominated industries.
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
Maxine Peake recently described how Northern actors end up being cast as servants because they are seen as uneducated.
But it's a bias that Northern stars - from the worlds of TV, theatre and literature - are determined to fight, by making sure Northern roles, Northern characters and Northern voices aren't just the preserve of soapland.
Despite the achievements, stretching back decades, of actors, writers, TV producers and shows from our region, accents still carry assumptions.
Speaking to Poet Laureate Simon Armitage, who hails from West Yorkshire, on his BBC podcast, Bolton-born Peake admitted she had been typecast for her accent - and cited Downton Abbey as an example of a programme where a Northern accent means a 'downstairs' role.
The star, who lived in London for a decade before moving back to Manchester in 2009, said: "People cast you for your accent. You are only one personality if you're from the North, you're not particularly complex, you're a Northerner and sometimes that's used as a character description."
Reflecting on her role as a barrister in Silk, she said: "You're put in a socio-economic bracket as well.
"[The director said]: 'What are you going to do about your accent because she's educated? And that wasn't the first time I'd had that conversation."
"I went: 'I went to Rada.' I remember thinking I couldn't be a successful barrister and have a northern accent."
(Image: Getty Images Europe)
Peake - who first found fame as Twinkle in Victoria Wood's sitcom Dinnerladies - said that when she started her career she believed her accent would help her win parts in television dramas.
She was cast as 'maids in various guises' for three theatre jobs after Dinnerladies.
"I remember being at the National Theatre, and we all used to laugh. It was the Northerners and the Irish all together going: 'So what maid are you and what servant are you?'
"I've got lots of friends from Ireland because we always played the downstairs parts."
Peake said she spoke to someone recently about it, who said: 'That's ridiculous,' but added: "We're only talking late 90, early 2000s."
She went on: "It still goes on, I mean...Downton."
Establishing a foothold in industries that can seem to be controlled and dominated by well-connected, comfortably off people from the South can be a challenge in itself.
Actor Mark Newsome, who was born in Oldham, says he was very lucky to have the Oldham Theatre Workshop, which had cheaper fees for residents or those on benefits. He recently toured nationally in Manchester writer Phil Pearson's acclaimed one-man show Blackpool - What a S*** Place To Die.
He has said if he'd not had the opportunity he might otherwise have been 'in prison or dead' due to previous issues with alcohol and mental health.
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
But at the Oldham Theatre Workshop, he had 'an amazing teacher, Sarah Nelson, who championed me from an early age'.
"I'm worried about the lack of role models for young people nowadays," he says.
"I'm also worried about the lack of training for these kids, especially in rural areas. Oldham Theatre Workship was not just about performing but it was instilling confidence in yourself and had a great Northern power which made you feel strong.
"I consider the actress Julie Hesmondhalgh and the actor Stephen Graham a total inspiration because they're out there doing it with incredible success and a lot of their work is political which is really great to see.
"It can sometimes seem that theatres in the North are prioritising using actors from London with money rather than the plethora of exciting Northern working class talent which is right there on their doorstep.
"My message for any working class inspiring artists out there is to be true to yourself, you're brilliant and we need you.
"The arts shouldn't just be for a certain part of society, it should be open and welcoming to all.
"I personally feel working class stories are the most exciting so we need that to be reflected on our stages and our screens and in our drama schools. Who wants to end up in a world that's full of middle class actors and stories?
"We are the North and we have something to say."
(Image: Kevin Duffy)
It's an issue that's not just confined to acting. In the world of publishing, it can be even harder for Northerners to be taken seriously by Londoners.
Kevin Duffy, the Hebden Bridge-based founder of Bluemoose Books, has worked in publishing for 30 years and describes it as run by 'aristocratic people right at the top.'
He believes some people in the industry 'only get jobs because they are from some of the richest families'.
"It has not really changed", he adds.
"The great thing is you have us, Salt, and Comma Press who are all independents. They have to take us seriously when there are loads of us."
When he was publishing Benjamin Myers award-winning book Pig Iron, one publisher told him: "Don't forget you are not a London publisher."
He was also told that no one would be interested in the story of a travelling family from the North East.
"That was 2017 and the arrogance is still in the industry", Kevin tells the M.E.N.
Pig Iron, which told the story of John-John Wisdom, just released from a young offenders institute, and living in a run-down flat on the outskirts of Durham, went on to win the Gordon Burn prize and huge success.
As far as Kevin is concerned, the London-centric 'myopia' is both 'class-based and geographical.'
Manchester novelist Joseph Knox, who wrote The Smiling Man and Sirens, has encountered petty snobbery too - but feels his identity is his 'secret weapon'.
"I feel like the place I encountered it was when I was a buyer for Waterstones, when I first moved from Manchester to London.
"I remember it very clearly, it was my first meeting with a publisher, my job was to buy crime fiction and also classics and poetry. When meeting the poetry publisher, you might imagine they would be the snootiest of the snooty.
"He asked where I was from. I told him: 'Stoke on Trent by way of Manchester' and he looked at me, winced and said: 'Ooh you've still not managed to lose that accent."
At the time, Joseph says he thought it was 'quite funny and I can't claim that it held me back.'
Since then, Joseph has found success as a thriller writer - and has found setting his books in Manchester a 'big positive'.
"I think I have only benefited but I certainly think for actors it has to be almost impossibly difficult," he adds.
He says he doesn't know how 'economically one can play the game of doing auditions, living on a wing and a prayer until you get that role that breaks you through.'
"Nothing worse than public schoolboys putting on their Northern street accent - you see that a lot," he says
The effect of accents is something that's informed Joseph's work.
He describes how his parents say - in a very Stoke on Trent way - 'book, look and cook', whereas for him, thanks to having 'quite a middle class teacher', the words 'book, look and cook' rhyme with 'ruck'.
"One of those very small, apparently meaningless things always marked me out Stoke," he said. "One of my sisters - same teacher, very similar accent - my older sister, much more similar accent to parents. Certainly I've heard family members berate their own accent."
Joseph describes constantly tinkering with dialogue in his work to make it sound as natural as possible. When writing the first draft of Sirens, Joseph reveals, he often wrote heavy slang for some of the characters, but backed away from this in further drafts.
"I think the reader puts in the accent from the words you are giving them, it is not necessary and I felt you could conceivably read it as a knock on the characters' intelligence.
"It can be accurate in stylised noir and I do true to life (dialogue) sometimes", he adds, "but it doesn't feel true to life. In other cases it can really sell something and it is a constant high wire act."
But accents should be preserved, he believes, in a world where 'everyone is watching and listening to the same things.'
He cite Youtubers and vloggers who, despite being British, will take on 'at least the cadence or rhythm of Americans.'
"The power of the northern accent and humour is my secret weapon, it is probably the most important thing in my writing", he says.
"Really, every kind of crime novel has been done, every story told - all we can hope to do is add our voice to the mix.
"You want to somehow to be convincing and have a way of disarming people and if they can visualise the street and hear the accent, they will believe the story much more."
Joseph reveals that he has just sold the film rights to Sirens -and hopes to have an input in the casting decisions when the film goes into production.
(Image: PA)
Whitefield-raised TV executive Nicola Shindler, who has won 11 BAFTAs, exemplifies how creatives from the region can break through and put Northern life centre-stage - Queer as Folk, Clocking Off, Scott and Bailey, Happy Valley and Hillsborough are among her impressive body of work.
Truly a Northern-powerhouse, she brought Last Tango in Halifax to television too.
She set up TV production company, Red, named after her beloved Man United 22 years ago, one of the first independent production companies to be established.
And she works with the best writers - Sally Wainwright, Russell T Davies, Paul Abbott and Danny Brocklehurst - all of whom are known for work celebrating the North of England.
Earlier this year Nicola was appointed as chief creative officer of Studiocanal UK and her UK debut was shark thriller, Something in the Water.
She hasn't felt a 'push back' from people in the south about portraying Northern voices - and says the honesty and quality of writing has been 'essential' to the openness with which it's been recieved.
Nicola points to the long track record of Northern writers dating back to the 1960s, like Willy Russell, Mike Leigh, Shelagh Delaney and Alan Bleasdale.
"These writers make sure a character is written in a way in which they feel very real," she said.
Her work is notable for shining a light on Northern middle class lives as well as working class lives, debunking the 'grim up North' trope with both.
She recalls during the first years of making Clocking Off there was a long conversation - the gist of which was 'whatever you do, just because people work in factories, doesn't mean they don't care about where they live and how they look.'
(Image: BBC)
"My job as a producer is to find real authentic actors and put as many people on screen with talent as well as being inclusive," she explains.
Nicola says she has seen it 'get worse' for working class actors over the years as 'grants are taken away from theatres'.
But there are plenty of positives too.
It's easier to film outside London, and more and more big productions, not just on terrestrial, but for Netflix and Hollywood too, are being made here.
The MediaCity complex, bringing the BBC to MediaCity in Salford has also had a big impact, she believes.
"We are seeing more voices on radio that are not received pronunciation," she said. "It is a gradual process."
With a need for more 'drama schools outside of London', youth theatres - like Oldham Theatre Workshop - will continue to be important in nurturing local talent.
The role of agents and casting directors outside London, in turning that talent into a career in the industry, is vital too, she says.
Once these actors have found their way in, they can benefit from the great roles that people like Nicola Shindler create.
But, before further progress can be made, players in the industry have to overcome the same challenge as the rest of society - the coronavirus pandemic.
All Nicola's productions are paused at the minute - because of social distancing restrictions of two metres.
"It would help if it was one metre, but it really is just a waiting game," she adds. "Hopefully by autumn we will be able to start filming again."


themanchestereveningnews--2020-06-20--Harry Maguire's message to Man United fans ahead of empty Old Trafford return

The last time Manchester United were seen at Old Trafford they were leaving the pitch as the Stretford End bounced along in the rain , a derby defeat of Manchester City being celebrated fervently as momentum continued to build behind Ole Gunnar Solskjaer 's side .
Three-and-a-half months later United return to Premier League duty at Old Trafford on Wednesday , but this will be a very different occasion to the fervour and the fury of that derby day .
When Sheffield United visit the ground will be deserted .
The fans who whipped up such a storm against City @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Premier League season rushes to a conclusion behind closed doors .
United suggested the momentum they 'd built up had n't all been lost when earning a 1-1 draw at Tottenham on Friday night , but Wednesday presents another crucial clash in the battle for Champions League qualification .
For United captain Harry Maguire and his teammates it will be a surreal experience , but the skipper is determined to give the fans watching at home something to celebrate .
“ It ’ s disappointing not to play in front of your fans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ll be back .
And , when they ’ re back , I am sure the atmosphere is going to be even better and louder than it normally is at Old Trafford – if you can beat that , '' he said .
`` We ’ re going to miss the fans .
Home and away , they follow in great numbers and the support is incredible .
But we know they ’ re going to be in front of their TV screens , watching us , shouting us along , and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ smiles back on their faces.
” United 's comeback draw at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium extended their unbeaten run to 12 games in all competitions and it was Solskjaer 's side who finished stronger , dominating the second half .
While the fans are absent from the stadiums , Maguire knows there are millions back at home watching the team and he believes knowing that can still spur United on .
“ Definitely .
One thing for sure is , every time you put a kit on with the Manchester United badge on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much spurring on , '' Maguire told United Review , which is available to order despite the game being behind closed doors .
`` You know how big the club is , the history it has got , and it ’ s such a big , iconic club .
If you can ’ t get motivated to win a game of football for this club then you ’ re in the wrong sport , to be honest . ''
One of the unknown variables of football 's return in empty stadiums is whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Bundesliga , which returned in mid-May , away wins have rocketed , but there 's been little evidence so far to suggest Premier League games are going to follow that same pattern .
Maguire is paying little attention to the prospect of Old Trafford losing some of its intimidation factor in the absentia of fans , instead putting the onus on the players to prove their quality on the pitch .
“ Maybe it does take away the home fans making the atmosphere uncomfortable for the away team , but it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turn up on the day , '' he added .
`` There is enough talent in our squad to go and beat anyone .
We ’ re fully focused on ourselves and are not looking at it being home or away .
We ’ re just seeing every game as a chance to try to get the three points and perform at our best.
” Maguire came through the youth system at Sheffield United and is a Blades fan , although he 's hoping his boyhood team can finish one place below the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ night will be the second reunion with his former club for Maguire this season , having played in the tumultuous 3-3 draw at Bramall Lane in November .
“ It was a crazy game .
We were really poor in the first half .
No doubt about it , it was one of our poorest first halves of the season .
We managed to find ourselves two goals down but then got in a great position and looked like we were going to win , '' he said .
`` They didn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last 20 or 30 minutes of the game and then , obviously with the last kick , they found space and it was a good finish from Oli McBurnie .
In the end , it was a tough result to take but I don ’ t think we deserved any more on the day than a point .
We weren ’ t good enough and know we have to perform better in this game . ''

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The last time Manchester United were seen at Old Trafford they were leaving the pitch as the Stretford End bounced along in the rain, a derby defeat of Manchester City being celebrated fervently as momentum continued to build behind Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side.
Three-and-a-half months later United return to Premier League duty at Old Trafford on Wednesday, but this will be a very different occasion to the fervour and the fury of that derby day.
When Sheffield United visit the ground will be deserted. The fans who whipped up such a storm against City consigned to watching on TV as the Premier League season rushes to a conclusion behind closed doors.
United suggested the momentum they'd built up hadn't all been lost when earning a 1-1 draw at Tottenham on Friday night, but Wednesday presents another crucial clash in the battle for Champions League qualification.
For United captain Harry Maguire and his teammates it will be a surreal experience, but the skipper is determined to give the fans watching at home something to celebrate.
Sign up to our free MUFC email newsletter Get the latest breaking Manchester United transfer news and analysis every day direct to your inbox with our free MUFC newsletter Sign up here - it only takes a few seconds.
“It’s disappointing not to play in front of your fans but, one day, they’ll be back. And, when they’re back, I am sure the atmosphere is going to be even better and louder than it normally is at Old Trafford – if you can beat that," he said.
"We’re going to miss the fans. Home and away, they follow in great numbers and the support is incredible. But we know they’re going to be in front of their TV screens, watching us, shouting us along, and the main thing is we want to put smiles back on their faces.”
United's comeback draw at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium extended their unbeaten run to 12 games in all competitions and it was Solskjaer's side who finished stronger, dominating the second half.
While the fans are absent from the stadiums, Maguire knows there are millions back at home watching the team and he believes knowing that can still spur United on.
“Definitely. One thing for sure is, every time you put a kit on with the Manchester United badge on it, you don’t need much spurring on," Maguire told United Review, which is available to order despite the game being behind closed doors.
"You know how big the club is, the history it has got, and it’s such a big, iconic club. If you can’t get motivated to win a game of football for this club then you’re in the wrong sport, to be honest."
One of the unknown variables of football's return in empty stadiums is whether it will erode home advantage. In the Bundesliga, which returned in mid-May, away wins have rocketed, but there's been little evidence so far to suggest Premier League games are going to follow that same pattern.
Maguire is paying little attention to the prospect of Old Trafford losing some of its intimidation factor in the absentia of fans, instead putting the onus on the players to prove their quality on the pitch.
“Maybe it does take away the home fans making the atmosphere uncomfortable for the away team, but it’s still about the 11 players who turn up on the day," he added.
"There is enough talent in our squad to go and beat anyone. We’re fully focused on ourselves and are not looking at it being home or away. We’re just seeing every game as a chance to try to get the three points and perform at our best.”
Maguire came through the youth system at Sheffield United and is a Blades fan, although he's hoping his boyhood team can finish one place below the club he captains this season.
Wednesday night will be the second reunion with his former club for Maguire this season, having played in the tumultuous 3-3 draw at Bramall Lane in November.
“It was a crazy game. We were really poor in the first half. No doubt about it, it was one of our poorest first halves of the season. We managed to find ourselves two goals down but then got in a great position and looked like we were going to win," he said.
"They didn’t really create any chances in the last 20 or 30 minutes of the game and then, obviously with the last kick, they found space and it was a good finish from Oli McBurnie. In the end, it was a tough result to take but I don’t think we deserved any more on the day than a point. We weren’t good enough and know we have to perform better in this game."