themanchestereveningnews--2020-04-21--The cheaper alternatives to AirPod wireless headphones

While the UK is in lockdown and the shops are shut , plenty of us have been ordering products online from DIY to plants and seeds to health and beauty .
This also includes upgrading our phones and accessories , and with the latest Apple devices using the same plug point for both headphones and chargers , users ca n't listen to their music with standard wired headphones while charging up their phone .
There 's one way you can do both at the same time , by purchasing a pair of wireless headphones -but the official Apple AirPods will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Although people will have spare money from staying in over the past couple of weeks , it 's still a high price to pay for some wireless headphones , but there are cheaper alternatives that are compatible with Apple , Microsoft and Android devices .
We 've rounded up some of the best you can order online to be delivered to your door below .
These wireless headphones are one of the highest rated on Amazon .
By ENACFIRE they 'll set you back £34.99 , a little higher than some of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but they 're perhaps the most durable with eight hours playback time on Apple devices and five hours on Android - so it 's the most music for your money .
This pair were included in Amazon 's daily lightening deals and saw customers snap up pairs at the discounted price of £22.94 , while the standard price is £29.99 if you miss out on the deal .
They 're an alternative to the 'air pod ' style headphones as they come in black , connect via Bluetooth , have a charging time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can listen to music for six hours once they 're fully charged .
These Anker Soundcorde headphones are priced at £45.99 on Amazon .
If you 're in a rush you can charge the headphones for 10 minutes and manage to listen to one hour of music - ideal for a commute .
These headphones are also highly rated on the Amazon website with positive reviews for its value for money compared to the £200 plus AirPods .
At £14.99 these are the cheapest on the list .
They 're wireless but have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remote and volume control button .
It 's compatible with Google assistant , iOS and Android and available in red , black and blue .
The Skullcandy headphones are available from Currys PC World and have positive reviews for their affordability and sound quality but some mixed reviews about their battery life .
If you do n't fancy the small earbuds then you can get these JBL on-ear wireless headphones .
They 're priced at £29.99 from Argos and are similar to the Beats headphones - which cost £269.95 .
These JBL headphones @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 're charged you can get up to 11 hours playback of music .
Plus they 're compatible with all Bluetooth devices .
You can get these standard headphones which are second generation for £24.99 from Wowcher .
They 're compatible with Siri and Apple devices as well as Android and Microsoft mobile phones and can have two and a half hours of playback music before they need charging again .
Plus there 's a number of colours to choose from including green , pink , blue , black and white .
Or alternatively @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wowcher .
Setting you back £24.99 the charging case can be personalised with a message , so whether you 're buying it as a gift , or you do n't want to get it mixed up with someone else 's in your household you can get any message printed on the case .

While the UK is in lockdown and the shops are shut, plenty of us have been ordering products online from DIY to plants and seeds to health and beauty.
This also includes upgrading our phones and accessories, and with the latest Apple devices using the same plug point for both headphones and chargers, users can't listen to their music with standard wired headphones while charging up their phone.
There's one way you can do both at the same time, by purchasing a pair of wireless headphones -but the official Apple AirPods will set you back a huge £249.
Although people will have spare money from staying in over the past couple of weeks, it's still a high price to pay for some wireless headphones, but there are cheaper alternatives that are compatible with Apple, Microsoft and Android devices.
We've rounded up some of the best you can order online to be delivered to your door below.
(Image: Amazon)
These wireless headphones are one of the highest rated on Amazon. By ENACFIRE they'll set you back £34.99, a little higher than some of the other standard ones on this list, but they're perhaps the most durable with eight hours playback time on Apple devices and five hours on Android - so it's the most music for your money.
(Image: Amazon)
This pair were included in Amazon's daily lightening deals and saw customers snap up pairs at the discounted price of £22.94, while the standard price is £29.99 if you miss out on the deal. They're an alternative to the 'air pod' style headphones as they come in black, connect via Bluetooth, have a charging time of one and half hours and you can listen to music for six hours once they're fully charged.
(Image: Amazon)
These Anker Soundcorde headphones are priced at £45.99 on Amazon. If you're in a rush you can charge the headphones for 10 minutes and manage to listen to one hour of music - ideal for a commute. These headphones are also highly rated on the Amazon website with positive reviews for its value for money compared to the £200 plus AirPods.
(Image: Currys)
At £14.99 these are the cheapest on the list. They're wireless but have a neckband which has a microphone, remote and volume control button. It's compatible with Google assistant, iOS and Android and available in red, black and blue. The Skullcandy headphones are available from Currys PC World and have positive reviews for their affordability and sound quality but some mixed reviews about their battery life.
(Image: Argos)
If you don't fancy the small earbuds then you can get these JBL on-ear wireless headphones. They're priced at £29.99 from Argos and are similar to the Beats headphones - which cost £269.95. These JBL headphones are flat-folding and lightweight and once they're charged you can get up to 11 hours playback of music. Plus they're compatible with all Bluetooth devices.
(Image: Wowcher)
You can get these standard headphones which are second generation for £24.99 from Wowcher. They're compatible with Siri and Apple devices as well as Android and Microsoft mobile phones and can have two and a half hours of playback music before they need charging again. Plus there's a number of colours to choose from including green, pink, blue, black and white.
(Image: Wowcher)
Or alternatively you can get personalised ones also from Wowcher. Setting you back £24.99 the charging case can be personalised with a message, so whether you're buying it as a gift, or you don't want to get it mixed up with someone else's in your household you can get any message printed on the case.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-04-21--Hospital worker's devastating PPE plea as visitors 'steal gel, masks and gloves'

A hospital worker has penned an emotional open letter which details the PPE crisis faced by NHS staff .
The health care worker claims the situation at Wythenshawe Hospital has reached `` critical '' over the last few days .
It comes after Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham said the distribution of personal protective equipment ( PPE ) is getting `` bogged down by bureaucracy . ''
Half a million surgical masks destined for Greater Manchester have been held up at Heathrow Airport since last Thursday , he revealed .
The worker claims staff are having to `` scavenge '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after surgical masks have run out , and new masks do n't fit properly .
Members of the public have allegedly been caught refiling their personal alcohol gel from the hospital dispensers in the corridor , and relatives and visitors have been caught stealing masks and gloves .
Staff are anxious , and feel they are being treated like second-class citizens in heir own workplace , the worker claimed .
A spokesperson for Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust said they are working locally and nationally to `` support the provision of PPE '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Below , the hospital workers talks about their first-hand experience of PPE shortages at the south Manchester hospital , and the effect it 's having on staff .
`` I work at Wythenshawe Hospital and I am writing to say that we do not have enough PPE to tackle the coronavirus .
`` Our chief executive sends out regular emails reassuring us that there is enough PPE but there is not .
`` We are given one box of surgical masks at a time , and when we run out we have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wider hospital looking for more .
`` The standard surgical masks that tie at the back of the head have run out and the new masks that the hospital have sourced for us do not fit properly .
`` They hook over the ears and constantly 'pop off ' in the middle of treating patients .
Staff are anxious as we do not feel like they are effective .
`` Nurses and health care support workers who have failed the fit test for the single use FFP3 masks are being told by management @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mask as these are being reserved only for clinicians who perform aerosol generated procedures .
`` This means that if they have to assist with a cardiac arrest or suction a patient they are not protected , and therefore can not help .
`` Patient care is at risk and we are being treated like second-class citizens within our own workplace .
`` We have no filters for these respirator masks so when the filters expire ( we are being told they last 3 months ) members of staff who are lucky enough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked to share , one between two .
`` Members of the public have been caught refilling their personal alcohol gel from the hospital dispensers in the corridor .
`` Relatives and visitors are stealing masks and gloves .
`` We have stopped visitors but masks are still going missing .
Staff are scared .
`` The guidelines for what PPE we should be wearing have been watered down from full FFP3 protection for anyone with coronavirus symptoms - to now just surgical masks , a flimsy plastic apron and standard non-sterile gloves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who have been swabbed positive .
`` Whilst much of this is to do with improved research and evidence about how coronavirus is spread , a lot of it is also to do with the fact that there is simply not enough full FFP3 gear to go around .
`` Our collars and sleeves are not protected with a basic apron .
If a COVID-19 positive patient touches us , we could potentially be contaminated .
`` The pictures in the media of health care workers working in fully sleeved gowns are not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are wearing '' Now they have built a hospital at Manchester Central - why has this equipment not been sent to existing hospitals first ?
`` All that PPE just sat there , waiting for patients to potentially turn up when we have n't even got enough to work in the clinical settings that already exist .
`` It 's like being asked to go into a war zone but not being given a bulletproof vest .
It 's not fair , and it 's not right .
`` I can not make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I can only provide insight into what is happening in the hospital in which I work .
`` Staff are scared .
We are all anxious .
Our management do not make us feel like the much-appreciated heroes as the public do .
`` We are considered expendable .
Not important .
A means to an end .
They care more about performance targets than they do about the safety of their staff .
`` There has to be more that can be done to get PPE to the frontline to protect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be better , and more effective .
`` Please help to get more equipment to my colleagues and to the wider NHS as a whole '' .
A spokesperson for Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust , which runs Wythenshawe Hospital said : `` The trust is working in partnership with colleagues locally and nationally to support the provision of PPE and protect our staff and patients .
`` There is a regular supply of masks , some of which may require staff to be retested ; respirator masks are used in accordance with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sufficient supply of surgical masks .
`` We understand why staff may be anxious and we are providing daily information to teams and encourage staff to report concerns , in order that we can address them . ''

Something went wrong, please try again later.
Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
A hospital worker has penned an emotional open letter which details the PPE crisis faced by NHS staff.
The health care worker claims the situation at Wythenshawe Hospital has reached "critical" over the last few days.
It comes after Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham said the distribution of personal protective equipment (PPE) is getting "bogged down by bureaucracy."
Half a million surgical masks destined for Greater Manchester have been held up at Heathrow Airport since last Thursday, he revealed.
The worker claims staff are having to "scavenge" around hospital departments looking for protective gear after surgical masks have run out, and new masks don't fit properly.
Members of the public have allegedly been caught refiling their personal alcohol gel from the hospital dispensers in the corridor, and relatives and visitors have been caught stealing masks and gloves.
Staff are anxious, and feel they are being treated like second-class citizens in heir own workplace, the worker claimed.
A spokesperson for Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust said they are working locally and nationally to "support the provision of PPE" and "protect staff and patients."
Below, the hospital workers talks about their first-hand experience of PPE shortages at the south Manchester hospital, and the effect it's having on staff.
(Image: Cavendish Press (Manchester) Ltd)
"I work at Wythenshawe Hospital and I am writing to say that we do not have enough PPE to tackle the coronavirus.
"Our chief executive sends out regular emails reassuring us that there is enough PPE but there is not.
"We are given one box of surgical masks at a time, and when we run out we have to go scavenging round the department and wider hospital looking for more.
"The standard surgical masks that tie at the back of the head have run out and the new masks that the hospital have sourced for us do not fit properly.
"They hook over the ears and constantly 'pop off' in the middle of treating patients. Staff are anxious as we do not feel like they are effective.
"Nurses and health care support workers who have failed the fit test for the single use FFP3 masks are being told by management they are not allowed a re-usable respirator mask as these are being reserved only for clinicians who perform aerosol generated procedures.
"This means that if they have to assist with a cardiac arrest or suction a patient they are not protected, and therefore cannot help.
(Image: Joel Goodman)
"Patient care is at risk and we are being treated like second-class citizens within our own workplace.
"We have no filters for these respirator masks so when the filters expire (we are being told they last 3 months) members of staff who are lucky enough to have their own mask are being asked to share, one between two.
"Our PPE situation is critical.
"Members of the public have been caught refilling their personal alcohol gel from the hospital dispensers in the corridor.
"Relatives and visitors are stealing masks and gloves.
"We have stopped visitors but masks are still going missing. Staff are scared.
"The guidelines for what PPE we should be wearing have been watered down from full FFP3 protection for anyone with coronavirus symptoms - to now just surgical masks, a flimsy plastic apron and standard non-sterile gloves for anyone with symptoms and including those who have been swabbed positive.
"Whilst much of this is to do with improved research and evidence about how coronavirus is spread, a lot of it is also to do with the fact that there is simply not enough full FFP3 gear to go around.
(Image: MEN Media)
"Our collars and sleeves are not protected with a basic apron. If a COVID-19 positive patient touches us, we could potentially be contaminated.
"The pictures in the media of health care workers working in fully sleeved gowns are not accurate. This is not what we are wearing
"Now they have built a hospital at Manchester Central - why has this equipment not been sent to existing hospitals first?
"All that PPE just sat there, waiting for patients to potentially turn up when we haven't even got enough to work in the clinical settings that already exist.
"It's like being asked to go into a war zone but not being given a bulletproof vest. It's not fair, and it's not right.
"I cannot make comment about other hospitals in Greater Manchester, I can only provide insight into what is happening in the hospital in which I work.
"Staff are scared. We are all anxious. Our management do not make us feel like the much-appreciated heroes as the public do.
"We are considered expendable. Not important. A means to an end. They care more about performance targets than they do about the safety of their staff.
(Image: Joel Goodman)
"There has to be more that can be done to get PPE to the frontline to protect our NHS workers. It needs to be better, and more effective.
"Please help to get more equipment to my colleagues and to the wider NHS as a whole".
A spokesperson for Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Wythenshawe Hospital said: "The trust is working in partnership with colleagues locally and nationally to support the provision of PPE and protect our staff and patients.
"There is a regular supply of masks, some of which may require staff to be retested; respirator masks are used in accordance with PPE guidance and there is also a sufficient supply of surgical masks.
"We understand why staff may be anxious and we are providing daily information to teams and encourage staff to report concerns, in order that we can address them."


themanchestereveningnews--2020-04-21--Man City scouting strategy pays off with two new signings

When Txiki Begiristain and Ferran Soriano took executive positions at Barcelona in 2003 , the club had on its books a scrawny 16-year-old from Argentina .
It was a highly unusual move at the time to bring over young South American talent - especially to an academy as famed as La Masia for producing local talent - but Lionel Messi has gone on to pay off spectacularly for the Catalan club .
in 2012 , Begiristain and Soriano moved to Manchester City , a club that made headlines in 2008 for a takeover on deadline day swiftly followed by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Signing one of the most exciting players in the game , and from Real Madrid , was a show of power and ambition from the new owners but the transfer was not a great success ; Robinho left Manchester two-and-a-half years before Soriano and Begiristain arrived , eventually sold to AC Milan for a loss .
During their time at City , Soriano has been determined to grow the City Football Group while maximising profits and Begiristain enjoys hunting for bargains in youth football .
In South America , their interests have come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next Messi or Neymar at source and so avoid the premium that a big European club would place on any budding star , City upped their scouting efforts on the continent .
More eyes on the ground have enabled them to study more prospects in more detail , while bringing Uruguayan club Atletico Torque into the City Football Group umbrella in 2017 allowed for greater resource sharing as well as an administrative base on the continent .
The increased efforts were rewarded in 2016 with the £27.5m signing of Gabriel Jesus from Palmeiras @ @ @ @ @ @ @ embedded even deeper into South American football with two signings this year showing the fruit of that labour .
In February , City announced the signing of a 17-year-old right-back called Yan Couto from Coritiba , a club that had only recently won promotion to the Brazilian top division and pocketed a record fee for the sale .
Couto had not made his club debut when City signed him but had been tracked for more than two years by the Blues , who beat off competition from Barcelona and Bayern Munich to sign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worse - has been hailed as the next Dani Alves .
Last week , Peruvian side confirmed the sale of 16-year-old right-back Kluiverth Aguilar to City in what they described as `` the most important transfer of Peruvian football to Europe in recent years '' .
Aguilar did not make his debut until November 2019 and will not be seen in Manchester before the 2021/22 season at the earliest yet City had seen enough to pounce .
One or both moves may not turn out to be successes ; City have struck a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that have n't produced first team players .
However , these two signings suggest that the strategy implemented by Begiristain and Soriano is paying off .
The Blues are working themselves into positions more frequently where they can pick the best South American potential ahead of the clubs that will be rivalling them in the Champions League .
If just one of these deals pays off , the rewards will make the expense of the scouting operation and transfer fee look tiny .

When Txiki Begiristain and Ferran Soriano took executive positions at Barcelona in 2003, the club had on its books a scrawny 16-year-old from Argentina.
It was a highly unusual move at the time to bring over young South American talent - especially to an academy as famed as La Masia for producing local talent - but Lionel Messi has gone on to pay off spectacularly for the Catalan club.
in 2012, Begiristain and Soriano moved to Manchester City, a club that made headlines in 2008 for a takeover on deadline day swiftly followed by the £32.5m signing of global superstar Robinho. Signing one of the most exciting players in the game, and from Real Madrid, was a show of power and ambition from the new owners but the transfer was not a great success; Robinho left Manchester two-and-a-half years before Soriano and Begiristain arrived, eventually sold to AC Milan for a loss.
During their time at City, Soriano has been determined to grow the City Football Group while maximising profits and Begiristain enjoys hunting for bargains in youth football.
In South America, their interests have come together successfully.
Desperate to find the next Messi or Neymar at source and so avoid the premium that a big European club would place on any budding star, City upped their scouting efforts on the continent. More eyes on the ground have enabled them to study more prospects in more detail, while bringing Uruguayan club Atletico Torque into the City Football Group umbrella in 2017 allowed for greater resource sharing as well as an administrative base on the continent.
The increased efforts were rewarded in 2016 with the £27.5m signing of Gabriel Jesus from Palmeiras, but over time the operation has embedded even deeper into South American football with two signings this year showing the fruit of that labour.
In February, City announced the signing of a 17-year-old right-back called Yan Couto from Coritiba, a club that had only recently won promotion to the Brazilian top division and pocketed a record fee for the sale. Couto had not made his club debut when City signed him but had been tracked for more than two years by the Blues, who beat off competition from Barcelona and Bayern Munich to sign a player that - for better or worse - has been hailed as the next Dani Alves.
Last week, Peruvian side confirmed the sale of 16-year-old right-back Kluiverth Aguilar to City in what they described as "the most important transfer of Peruvian football to Europe in recent years". Aguilar did not make his debut until November 2019 and will not be seen in Manchester before the 2021/22 season at the earliest yet City had seen enough to pounce.
One or both moves may not turn out to be successes; City have struck a number of these deals across the world that haven't produced first team players.
However, these two signings suggest that the strategy implemented by Begiristain and Soriano is paying off. The Blues are working themselves into positions more frequently where they can pick the best South American potential ahead of the clubs that will be rivalling them in the Champions League.
If just one of these deals pays off, the rewards will make the expense of the scouting operation and transfer fee look tiny.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-04-21--Stretford Sports Village becomes coronavirus 'hot clinic'

People with 'moderate ' coronavirus symptoms will be directed by their GP to a new ‘ hot clinic ’ in Stretford .
Patients with only mild Covid-19 symptoms are currently advised to self-isolate at home .
But doctors will refer people whose symptoms have deteriorated to the drive-in ‘ hot clinic ’ at Stretford Sports Village ( Stretford Leisure Centre ) – where they can be seen face to face .
The service is for all patients registered with a Trafford GP who are symptomatic with Covid-19 .
But they can only access the clinic on Great Stone Road if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GP following triage and assessment - it is not a walk-in service .
Patients who have been assessed and referred are verified on entry to the car park and then drive to the clinic .
A GP will assess the majority of patients in their cars .
They will be treated and discharged with a care plan , or sent to an emergency department , if necessary .
The service is provided by Mastercall – the provider of Trafford ’ s current out-of-hours ’ GP service .
Dr Mark Jarvis , medical director @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CCG ) , said : `` The service is designed to respond to the increasing volume of COVID-19 patients with moderate symptoms who require a face-to-face assessment and treatment .
`` To be clear , this is not a walk-in service .
The existing patients being managed remotely by the GPs at home will continue as will the face-to-face assessment of mild symptomatic patients being looked after in practice .
`` The hot clinic will have a GP , and assistant , in full PPE who will assess those patients who have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deteriorated and now need a face to face assessment – or new patients who are moderately symptomatic.
” Councillor Jane Slater , Trafford Council Executive Member for Health , Wellbeing and Equalities , said : “ This is a great service that will ensure people are being treated by the right doctor at the right time .
“ I am delighted that the Council has been able to help by providing the location for this service .
Thanks also go to Trafford Leisure and Amey for their support in making this a reality.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ opened on Monday and is in place should demand for face-to-face appointments increase .
Many Trafford practices have opened their own ‘ outdoor clinics ’ but this provides an additional method to cope with demand .
The CCG has also commissioned a service which means that if GPs believe a house-bound patient is showing moderate symptoms , they can be seen at home .
This is called the Trafford Covid-19 Acute Visiting Service .
Drop a heart on our special map of gratitude to show your support for our NHS heroes To keep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ information on Covid-19 and the lockdown , and for things to do while you are staying in , join our dedicated coronavirus Facebook group .

Something went wrong, please try again later.
Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
People with 'moderate' coronavirus symptoms will be directed by their GP to a new ‘hot clinic’ in Stretford.
Patients with only mild Covid-19 symptoms are currently advised to self-isolate at home.
But doctors will refer people whose symptoms have deteriorated to the drive-in ‘hot clinic’ at Stretford Sports Village (Stretford Leisure Centre) – where they can be seen face to face.
The service is for all patients registered with a Trafford GP who are symptomatic with Covid-19.
But they can only access the clinic on Great Stone Road if they have been referred there by their GP following triage and assessment - it is not a walk-in service.
Patients who have been assessed and referred are verified on entry to the car park and then drive to the clinic.
A GP will assess the majority of patients in their cars. They will be treated and discharged with a care plan, or sent to an emergency department, if necessary.
The service is provided by Mastercall – the provider of Trafford’s current out-of-hours’ GP service.
Dr Mark Jarvis, medical director at NHS Trafford Clinical Commissioning Group(CCG), said: "The service is designed to respond to the increasing volume of COVID-19 patients with moderate symptoms who require a face-to-face assessment and treatment.
"To be clear, this is not a walk-in service. The existing patients being managed remotely by the GPs at home will continue as will the face-to-face assessment of mild symptomatic patients being looked after in practice.
"The hot clinic will have a GP, and assistant, in full PPE who will assess those patients who have been having treatment from their GP but have deteriorated and now need a face to face assessment – or new patients who are moderately symptomatic.”
Councillor Jane Slater, Trafford Council Executive Member for Health, Wellbeing and Equalities, said: “This is a great service that will ensure people are being treated by the right doctor at the right time.
“I am delighted that the Council has been able to help by providing the location for this service. Thanks also go to Trafford Leisure and Amey for their support in making this a reality.”
The Stretford Sports Village hot clinic opened on Monday and is in place should demand for face-to-face appointments increase.
Many Trafford practices have opened their own ‘outdoor clinics’ but this provides an additional method to cope with demand.
The CCG has also commissioned a service which means that if GPs believe a house-bound patient is showing moderate symptoms, they can be seen at home.
This is called the Trafford Covid-19 Acute Visiting Service.
Drop a heart on our special map of gratitude to show your support for our NHS heroes
To keep up with the latest breaking news and information on Covid-19 and the lockdown, and for things to do while you are staying in, join our dedicated coronavirus Facebook group.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-04-21--Cath Kidston is closing all of its shops in the UK for good

Cath Kidston has confirmed the sad news today that it has decided to close all of its 60 stores in the UK .
The retailer had called in administrators on Friday 3 April .
It has been confirmed that Cath Kidston 's parent company , Baring Private Equity Asia , will buy the brand alongside its e-commerce and wholesale businesses from administrators .
The brand 's CEO , Melinda Paraie , said : `` While we are pleased that the future of Cath Kidston has been secured , this is obviously an extremely difficult day as we say goodbye to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ best efforts , against the backdrop of COVID-19 , we were unable to secure a solvent sale of the business which would have allowed us to avoid administration and carry on trading in our current form . ''
A spokesperson for Baring Private Equity Asia added : `` While we are disappointed that the COVID-19 crisis has resulted in the cessation of the retail store network and impacted many employees , we are pleased to have secured a future for a number of Cath Kidston staff and the Cath Kidston brand in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ''

Something went wrong, please try again later.
Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
Cath Kidston has confirmed the sad news today that it has decided to close all of its 60 stores in the UK.
The retailer had called in administrators on Friday 3 April.
It has been confirmed that Cath Kidston's parent company, Baring Private Equity Asia, will buy the brand alongside its e-commerce and wholesale businesses from administrators.
The brand's CEO, Melinda Paraie, said: "While we are pleased that the future of Cath Kidston has been secured, this is obviously an extremely difficult day as we say goodbye to many colleagues.
"Despite our very best efforts, against the backdrop of COVID-19, we were unable to secure a solvent sale of the business which would have allowed us to avoid administration and carry on trading in our current form."
A spokesperson for Baring Private Equity Asia added: "While we are disappointed that the COVID-19 crisis has resulted in the cessation of the retail store network and impacted many employees, we are pleased to have secured a future for a number of Cath Kidston staff and the Cath Kidston brand in the form of a viable digital business."


themanchestereveningnews--2020-04-21--GMB viewers in tears over war veteran's touching gift from carer

Good Morning Britain viewers were left sobbing today after witnessing a touching moment on the ITV programme .
Second World War veteran Ken Bembow , 94 , was a guest on the show with his 17-year-old carer , Kia Tobin , who both went viral after she gave him a heartwarming gift .
After losing Aida , who lived with him at the care home in Preston , Kia bought Ken a pillow with his wife 's face on so he could still sleep close to her .
Hosts Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid were also moved by the moment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ video link from his care home .
Speaking of the pillow , Ken immediately broke into tears as he spoke of the gift , saying he was touched by the act of kindness from his Kia .
`` It was so touching .
It was lovely , the most precious thing anyone could have wished for , '' he said .
Throughout the interview the war hero - who was treasurer of the Normandy and D-Day Veterans Association in Blackpool - cradled the pillow dearly .
He added : “ The staff here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ never wanted to come into a home.
” Viewers were equally moved as they watched the interview .
One tweeted : “ Ken Bembow is one of the most remarkable interviewees I ’ ve ever seen .
There are rare moments when you watch TV that you realise you ’ re witnessing something completely out of the ordinary , this was one of those moments.
” A second wrote : “ Special shout out to Kia Tobin who is Ken 's carer at just 17 .
She has left her own home to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care , friendship and protection .
A wonderful thing to do from a wonderful soul.
” A third said : “ Another day where I am crying into my coffee .
God Bless Ken and the kind staff in his care home .
”

Something went wrong, please try again later.
Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
Good Morning Britain viewers were left sobbing today after witnessing a touching moment on the ITV programme.
Second World War veteran Ken Bembow, 94, was a guest on the show with his 17-year-old carer, Kia Tobin, who both went viral after she gave him a heartwarming gift.
After losing Aida, who lived with him at the care home in Preston, Kia bought Ken a pillow with his wife's face on so he could still sleep close to her.
Hosts Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid were also moved by the moment as they spoke to the widower via video link from his care home.
Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will auto-play soon 8 Cancel Play now
Speaking of the pillow, Ken immediately broke into tears as he spoke of the gift, saying he was touched by the act of kindness from his Kia.
"It was so touching. It was lovely, the most precious thing anyone could have wished for," he said.
Throughout the interview the war hero - who was treasurer of the Normandy and D-Day Veterans Association in Blackpool - cradled the pillow dearly.
He added: “The staff here are excellent. My wife and I never wanted to come into a home.”
Viewers were equally moved as they watched the interview.
(Image: ITV)
One tweeted: “Ken Bembow is one of the most remarkable interviewees I’ve ever seen.
There are rare moments when you watch TV that you realise you’re witnessing something completely out of the ordinary, this was one of those moments.”
A second wrote: “Special shout out to Kia Tobin who is Ken's carer at just 17. She has left her own home to stay with Ken and provide him with care, friendship and protection. A wonderful thing to do from a wonderful soul.”
A third said: “Another day where I am crying into my coffee. God Bless Ken and the kind staff in his care home.”
Good Morning Britain airs weekdays from 6am on ITV.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-04-21--Drug dealer who hid crack cocaine inside box of jalapenos jailed

A drug dealer who hid wraps of crack cocaine inside a box of jalapenos has been jailed .
Kayne Kennedy , of Oldham , was stopped by two officers as he was leaving a café on Orford Lane in Warrington on Tuesday , April 23 , last year .
The 20-year-old , of Whitland Drive , attempted to run away but failed .
He then hurled a box of jalapenos he was carrying onto the floor .
The officers found 36 individual wraps of crack cocaine concealed inside the box worth a total of £360 .
Kennedy was seen on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and holding the box as he left .
Cheshire Police have said they believe Kennedy was a drugs runner for a county lines organised crime group ( OCG ) .
The groups work by extending their criminal activity into new locations , usually from a city intro rural areas .
Police said Kennedy transported crack cocaine from Oldham to Warrington .
Kennedy pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply cocaine .
He was sentenced to 30 months in prison at Liverpool Crown Court on Friday , April 17 .
Detective Sergeant Tom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very nasty criminal who would transport crack cocaine from Oldham to be supplied in Warrington .
“ We are fully aware of criminals like him who come into our town with the sole purpose of supplying class A drugs and we are taking positive action to disrupt their activity .
“ I want to take this opportunity to encourage residents to keep spotting the signs of drug activity and to come forward to report it if they believe it is happening in their community.
” Anyone with information can contact police on 101 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 .

We have more newsletters
Something went wrong, please try again later.
Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later.
Don't miss a thing by signing up to the MyOldham newsletter here
We have more newsletters
Thank you for subscribing!
Something went wrong, please try again later.
Don't miss a thing by signing up to the MyOldham newsletter here
A drug dealer who hid wraps of crack cocaine inside a box of jalapenos has been jailed.
Kayne Kennedy, of Oldham, was stopped by two officers as he was leaving a café on Orford Lane in Warrington on Tuesday, April 23, last year.
The 20-year-old, of Whitland Drive, attempted to run away but failed.
He then hurled a box of jalapenos he was carrying onto the floor.
The officers found 36 individual wraps of crack cocaine concealed inside the box worth a total of £360.
Kennedy was seen on CCTV purchasing the jalapenos from the café and holding the box as he left.
Cheshire Police have said they believe Kennedy was a drugs runner for a county lines organised crime group (OCG).
The groups work by extending their criminal activity into new locations, usually from a city intro rural areas.
Police said Kennedy transported crack cocaine from Oldham to Warrington.
Kennedy pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply cocaine.
He was sentenced to 30 months in prison at Liverpool Crown Court on Friday, April 17.
Detective Sergeant Tom Hall said: “Kennedy is a very nasty criminal who would transport crack cocaine from Oldham to be supplied in Warrington.
“We are fully aware of criminals like him who come into our town with the sole purpose of supplying class A drugs and we are taking positive action to disrupt their activity.
“I want to take this opportunity to encourage residents to keep spotting the signs of drug activity and to come forward to report it if they believe it is happening in their community.”
Anyone with information can contact police on 101. Information can also be reported anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-04-21--Manchester United can learn from Wilfried Zaha mistakes with Jadon Sancho

There is not a single mention of Sir Alex Ferguson 's last Manchester United signing in his second autobiography .
The book was released seven months after Wilfried Zaha completed a medical at Bridgewater Hospital , where he received a crash-course in the exposure a United player is subjected to .
Zaha arrived sporting a T-shirt featuring a black and white photograph of a female model wearing nothing but a matching polka dot red bow and knickers whilst covering her breasts .
Someone on Twitter erroneously claimed the model was Imogen Thomas , alleged to have had an affair with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ryan Giggs , and it spread like wildfire .
The T-shirt was actually an £8 purchase from River Island .
Other than crimes against fashion , Zaha was blameless .
The coverage of the medical was an ominous harbinger for Zaha and at Ferguson 's chaotic book launch at the Institute of Directors that October , Zaha was topical .
His only United appearance had been in the Community Shield and he had debunked another Twitter myth about a relationship with David Moyes 's daughter .
There was no time for Zaha to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ began with such a vapid opener Ferguson remarked , `` Well , that was a great start . ''
Zaha never got started at United , either .
The only reference to Zaha in Ferguson 's score-settling tome of revisionism , 2015 's Leading , is : `` We 'd tied down a number of our squad to new deals and , with an eye on the future of the club , signed Powell ( 18 ) , Henriquez ( 18 ) , and Zaha ( 20 ) , as well as agreeing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ youngsters . ''
Neil Warnock , Zaha 's manager at Palace in 2015 , said the winger 'never had a conversation with Sir Alex ' .
Ferguson decided to retire in December 2012 and United finalised a £15million pre-contract agreement for Zaha in January .
'Great Scot ' had a different managerial meaning by the time of Zaha 's arrival for pre-season training in July and it is difficult to imagine the Croydon-raised winger relocating if he had had any inkling of a change in manager .
Arsenal would have been a more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ questioned by some United staff and his immaturity accentuated by a disillusioned dressing room .
He was not the only youngster to transgress ; one inadvertently leaked teams so regularly the United coach Phil Neville confronted journalists in the mixed zone at Villa Park .
Moyes eventually discovered their identity .
Chris Smalling dressed up as a suicide bomber at a party and was filmed belting out 'We 're Man United , we 'll do what we want ' at 3.15am in Spinningfields , while Danny Welbeck and Tom Cleverley were out until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quarter-final defeat to Bayern Munich .
Rio Ferdinand 's Five magazine presciently predicted 'time is running out for Moyes ' .
Still , in spite of 28 minutes of Premier League playing time , Zaha is the last specialist right winger United bought .
Moyes and Ed Woodward wasted time on Gareth Bale in 2013 , Jose Mourinho coveted Willian on more than one occasion , there was fleeting interest in Malcom , and Borussia Dortmund secured Jadon Sancho for another year .
Sancho has the approval of not just Ole Gunnar Solskjaer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to prise him from Manchester City in 2017 .
Sancho was told a move to United was doable in the New Year but immediate first-team football was prioritised and Sancho came on for his Dortmund debut seven weeks after moving to Germany for £8m .
City were so relieved they had avoided losing Sancho to United they insisted Brahim Diaz 's sell-on clause percentage would rise to 40 per cent if he joined 'another Manchester club ' as part of his transfer to Real Madrid last year .
Had they shown such foresight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bank at least £40million from a player certain to command a nine-figure fee , despite the crippling financial side effects of the coronavirus .
Sancho would at least have the stability of knowing who was going to manage him at United .
Provided a transfer materialises in either of the next two windows , he will be the same age as Zaha when he chose to move to United .
Nick Powell openly admitted to the MEN he was 'lost ' at United after Ferguson retired .
Powell and Zaha serve as red @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stabler dressing room and reuniting with familiar faces from international duty , among them the captain .
He is still maturing nearly three years after asking Dortmund if he could don his social hashtag on the back of his shirt .
The request was denied .
Sancho 's representatives are portrayed as the villains of the piece in the recent series of Sunderland 'Til I Die for engineering Josh Maja 's mid-season transfer to Bordeaux , although the oblivious Sunderland owner Stewart Donald asks : `` Why would you want to leave Sunderland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunderland 's head of football operations , pins the blame on the agent .
`` The thing that bothers me in all of this is the agent has experience of moving players abroad , '' he frets .
City have already experienced that with Sancho .

Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
There is not a single mention of Sir Alex Ferguson's last Manchester United signing in his second autobiography. The book was released seven months after Wilfried Zaha completed a medical at Bridgewater Hospital, where he received a crash-course in the exposure a United player is subjected to.
Zaha arrived sporting a T-shirt featuring a black and white photograph of a female model wearing nothing but a matching polka dot red bow and knickers whilst covering her breasts. Someone on Twitter erroneously claimed the model was Imogen Thomas, alleged to have had an affair with Zaha's future teammate and coach, Ryan Giggs, and it spread like wildfire. The T-shirt was actually an £8 purchase from River Island.
Other than crimes against fashion, Zaha was blameless. The coverage of the medical was an ominous harbinger for Zaha and at Ferguson's chaotic book launch at the Institute of Directors that October, Zaha was topical. His only United appearance had been in the Community Shield and he had debunked another Twitter myth about a relationship with David Moyes's daughter.
There was no time for Zaha to be raised at a press conference which began with such a vapid opener Ferguson remarked, "Well, that was a great start." Zaha never got started at United, either.
The only reference to Zaha in Ferguson's score-settling tome of revisionism, 2015's Leading, is: "We'd tied down a number of our squad to new deals and, with an eye on the future of the club, signed Powell (18), Henriquez (18), and Zaha (20), as well as agreeing contracts with some of the most promising youngsters." Neil Warnock, Zaha's manager at Palace in 2015, said the winger 'never had a conversation with Sir Alex'.
Ferguson decided to retire in December 2012 and United finalised a £15million pre-contract agreement for Zaha in January. 'Great Scot' had a different managerial meaning by the time of Zaha's arrival for pre-season training in July and it is difficult to imagine the Croydon-raised winger relocating if he had had any inkling of a change in manager. Arsenal would have been a more suitable destination.
Zaha's professionalism was questioned by some United staff and his immaturity accentuated by a disillusioned dressing room. He was not the only youngster to transgress; one inadvertently leaked teams so regularly the United coach Phil Neville confronted journalists in the mixed zone at Villa Park. Moyes eventually discovered their identity.
Chris Smalling dressed up as a suicide bomber at a party and was filmed belting out 'We're Man United, we'll do what we want' at 3.15am in Spinningfields, while Danny Welbeck and Tom Cleverley were out until 3am the night after the Champions League quarter-final defeat to Bayern Munich. Rio Ferdinand's Five magazine presciently predicted 'time is running out for Moyes'.
Still, in spite of 28 minutes of Premier League playing time, Zaha is the last specialist right winger United bought. Moyes and Ed Woodward wasted time on Gareth Bale in 2013, Jose Mourinho coveted Willian on more than one occasion, there was fleeting interest in Malcom, and Borussia Dortmund secured Jadon Sancho for another year.
Sancho has the approval of not just Ole Gunnar Solskjaer but Mourinho from United's vain attempt to prise him from Manchester City in 2017. Sancho was told a move to United was doable in the New Year but immediate first-team football was prioritised and Sancho came on for his Dortmund debut seven weeks after moving to Germany for £8m.
City were so relieved they had avoided losing Sancho to United they insisted Brahim Diaz's sell-on clause percentage would rise to 40 per cent if he joined 'another Manchester club' as part of his transfer to Real Madrid last year. Had they shown such foresight with Sancho, they would stand to bank at least £40million from a player certain to command a nine-figure fee, despite the crippling financial side effects of the coronavirus.
Sancho would at least have the stability of knowing who was going to manage him at United. Provided a transfer materialises in either of the next two windows, he will be the same age as Zaha when he chose to move to United. Nick Powell openly admitted to the MEN he was 'lost' at United after Ferguson retired. Powell and Zaha serve as red flags.
Sancho would be entering a stabler dressing room and reuniting with familiar faces from international duty, among them the captain. He is still maturing nearly three years after asking Dortmund if he could don his social hashtag on the back of his shirt. The request was denied.
Sancho's representatives are portrayed as the villains of the piece in the recent series of Sunderland 'Til I Die for engineering Josh Maja's mid-season transfer to Bordeaux, although the oblivious Sunderland owner Stewart Donald asks: "Why would you want to leave Sunderland Football Club?"
Richard Hill, Sunderland's head of football operations, pins the blame on the agent. "The thing that bothers me in all of this is the agent has experience of moving players abroad," he frets. City have already experienced that with Sancho.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-04-21--The football club doctors rejoining the NHS frontline to help fight coronavirus

Two football club doctors are rejoining the NHS frontline to help fight coronavirus .
With all sport suspended Dr Wesley Tensell , club doctor at League One Rochdale , and Dr Jim Weems , crowd doctor at local rivals Oldham Athletic , have both volunteered to work at a new COVID-19 unit being set up at Leigh Infirmary .
The friends will be juggling their day jobs as GPs in Leigh to work one day a week at the unit , which will treat recovering COVID-10 patients before they are discharged .
Dr Tensel , a Cambridge-educated , 35-year-old dad-of-two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do my bit for the community ' .
He told the Manchester Evening News : `` You see people clapping every Thursday for the NHS staff , but as a GP I 'm not necessarily on that frontline , even though I 'm still seeing patients .
`` So in a few years time when my kids ask what I did , I want be able to say to them that I did my bit for the community .
`` There is obviously a risk .
I have young kids , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discussed it .
`` But I just need to protect myself as best I can .
I just thought this was the best thing I could do to help .
`` It 's come about because patients in general are being good .
`` They 're staying at home , so a lot of my work is being done remotely on the telephone or by video link .
`` So that means I can help out on the frontline .
`` I never thought I 'd ever work in a hospital again .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ take pressure off the hospital doctors and allow them to treat the more acute patients . ''
The unit , which is being staffed by GPs , is being launched on Wednesday and will initially care for around 10 patients , with room to more than double that number if required .
Patients will recuperate on the ward until its been a fortnight since they tested postive for the virus .
The aim is to minimise risk of them infecting others once they return home .
Dr Weems , a 36-year-old dad-of-two , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Who would n't want to help out at a time like this ?
`` Part of my decision-making process was that I was a junior doctor at Wigan Hospital and I still know quite a few of the consultants there .
`` I thought about it carefully and and I needed to do something else to help .
`` These are our patients anyway .
We need to make sure they come back to the community safely . ''

Something went wrong, please try again later.
Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
Two football club doctors are rejoining the NHS frontline to help fight coronavirus.
With all sport suspended Dr Wesley Tensell, club doctor at League One Rochdale, and Dr Jim Weems, crowd doctor at local rivals Oldham Athletic, have both volunteered to work at a new COVID-19 unit being set up at Leigh Infirmary.
The friends will be juggling their day jobs as GPs in Leigh to work one day a week at the unit, which will treat recovering COVID-10 patients before they are discharged.
Dr Tensel, a Cambridge-educated, 35-year-old dad-of-two, said he volunteered because he 'wanted to do my bit for the community'.
(Image: Wesley Tensel)
He told the Manchester Evening News : "You see people clapping every Thursday for the NHS staff, but as a GP I'm not necessarily on that frontline, even though I'm still seeing patients.
"So in a few years time when my kids ask what I did, I want be able to say to them that I did my bit for the community.
"There is obviously a risk. I have young kids, I have a wife, and we've discussed it.
"But I just need to protect myself as best I can. I just thought this was the best thing I could do to help.
"It's come about because patients in general are being good.
"They're staying at home, so a lot of my work is being done remotely on the telephone or by video link.
"So that means I can help out on the frontline.
"I never thought I'd ever work in a hospital again.
"But hopefully this is going to take pressure off the hospital doctors and allow them to treat the more acute patients."
The unit, which is being staffed by GPs, is being launched on Wednesday and will initially care for around 10 patients, with room to more than double that number if required.
Patients will recuperate on the ward until its been a fortnight since they tested postive for the virus.
The aim is to minimise risk of them infecting others once they return home.
Dr Weems, a 36-year-old dad-of-two, said: "These are desperate times.
"Who wouldn't want to help out at a time like this?
"Part of my decision-making process was that I was a junior doctor at Wigan Hospital and I still know quite a few of the consultants there.
"I thought about it carefully and and I needed to do something else to help.
"These are our patients anyway. We need to make sure they come back to the community safely."


themanchestereveningnews--2020-04-21--Carragher names Man United's strongest ever Premier League side

Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville have been reminiscing about one of the greatest Premier League title races of all-time .
Back in 2009 , Manchester United and Liverpool could only be separated by a margin of four points after 38 games , despite Carragher and his Anfield teammates having lost only twice all season long .
Rafa Benitez ’ s side even did the double over their old rivals , beating them 2-1 at home and 4-1 at Old Trafford .
But a host of draws against mid-table sides through the winter ultimately cost them the league title .
Carragher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Premier League history - and boasted the best United side of all time - and Neville agrees , with Wayne Rooney , Nemanja Vidic and Cristiano Ronaldo all hitting top form .
“ Rafa [ Benitez ] came in and we won the Champions League but we were nowhere near the top sides in Europe at that time , ” said Carragher .
“ It was a great journey and we got a little bit of luck but we were nowhere near those top sides , we needed to build under Rafa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ five .
`` Similarly , under Gerard Houllier , if Manchester United were n't happy with a season , they could just go and blitz the transfer market and get themselves to number one position , whereas we had to get better and stronger under Rafa Benitez and it culminated in that season .
`` People talk about Liverpool not winning the title last season and losing one game , we only lost two !
It was normally if you lost five or six you had a great chance of winning the title @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , between 2005 to 2010 , those four of five years were the strongest the Premier League has ever been .
Those were the years we had three out of four of the Champions League semi-finals every year .
`` People will say Liverpool never won the Premier League or Steven Gerrard never lifted the Premier League but , at that time , we were up against the best Man United team of all time in that 08/09 team .
`` Jose Mourinho 's Chelsea team were in there too .
Every team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the best manager they ever had and also the best team in some way .
The competition was so strong , it was a pleasure to play in .
Every season it felt like we had a great chance of winning the Champions League which shows how strong the Premier League was . ''
United legend Neville said : `` Liverpool were the nearest they got to us in terms of quality that season , I think of [ Xabi ] Alonso , [ Javier ] Mascherano and [ Fernando ] Torres , @ @ @ @

newsdesk@men-news.co.uk (Elliott Jackson, Tom Leach)

Something went wrong, please try again later.
Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville have been reminiscing about one of the greatest Premier League title races of all-time.
Back in 2009, Manchester United and Liverpool could only be separated by a margin of four points after 38 games, despite Carragher and his Anfield teammates having lost only twice all season long.
Rafa Benitez’s side even did the double over their old rivals, beating them 2-1 at home and 4-1 at Old Trafford.
But a host of draws against mid-table sides through the winter ultimately cost them the league title.
Carragher believes that era was the very strongest in Premier League history - and boasted the best United side of all time - and Neville agrees, with Wayne Rooney, Nemanja Vidic and Cristiano Ronaldo all hitting top form.
“Rafa [Benitez] came in and we won the Champions League but we were nowhere near the top sides in Europe at that time,” said Carragher.
“It was a great journey and we got a little bit of luck but we were nowhere near those top sides, we needed to build under Rafa and that was almost year four or five.
"Similarly, under Gerard Houllier, if Manchester United weren't happy with a season, they could just go and blitz the transfer market and get themselves to number one position, whereas we had to get better and stronger under Rafa Benitez and it culminated in that season.
"People talk about Liverpool not winning the title last season and losing one game, we only lost two! It was normally if you lost five or six you had a great chance of winning the title.
"I actually think that era, between 2005 to 2010, those four of five years were the strongest the Premier League has ever been. Those were the years we had three out of four of the Champions League semi-finals every year.
"People will say Liverpool never won the Premier League or Steven Gerrard never lifted the Premier League but, at that time, we were up against the best Man United team of all time in that 08/09 team.
"Jose Mourinho's Chelsea team were in there too. Every team in that era felt like it was the best manager they ever had and also the best team in some way. The competition was so strong, it was a pleasure to play in. Every season it felt like we had a great chance of winning the Champions League which shows how strong the Premier League was."
United legend Neville said: "Liverpool were the nearest they got to us in terms of quality that season, I think of [Xabi] Alonso, [Javier] Mascherano and [Fernando] Torres, players like that.
“They were fantastic.”


themanchestereveningnews--2020-04-21--There's good news for Primark shoppers when UK stores re-open

When lockdown was put into place , all 'non-essential ' retailers were forced to close their doors to decrease the risk of spreading covid-19 .
One of the retailers affected is Primark , and now many are missing the store 's affordable clothing , accessories and homeware .
However , Primark shoppers could be in for a treat when stores re-open , with some financial experts predicting a sale could be on the horizon .
According to the Mirror , there is as much as £1.5billion worth of unsold stock in the budget retailer 's warehouses at the moment , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and that means experts are predicting a big sale when stores open their doors again .
Hargreaves Lansdown analyst Sophie Lund-Yates said : `` When Primark was ordered to shut its doors mountains of inventory was already on its way , ready to replenish stores which are in hibernation . ''
She added : `` For consumers this could mean bumper sales when shops reopen , as sales stickers are one of the quickest ways to shift excess items . ''
It is something that has touched all our lives .
From cradle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a part of British life .
Today , more than ever , we should cherish those who dedicate themselves to our care as they work tirelessly to care for people in the face of the coronavirus pandemic .
So let ’ s show them some love , and create a living map of gratitude from every corner of Britain .
Click HERE to drop a heart on the map , and show you appreciate the efforts undertaken daily in the NHS .
Shoppers may have to wait a while for stores to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said it will only do so until coronavirus is under control .
AB Foods boss George Weston said : `` Much as I would love to be allowed to reopen Primark stores across the UK , continental Europe and the USA soon , because lockdown has so harmed our business and our supply chains , I know that we must not do so until we have suppressed this disease .
`` When we are allowed to reopen we must make our Primark stores safe for our staff and our customers , even if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shopping at any one time and so accepting lower sales at least until the remaining risk is minimal . ''

newsdesk@men-news.co.uk (James Andrews, Rachel Pugh)

Something went wrong, please try again later.
Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later.
Something went wrong, please try again later.
When lockdown was put into place, all 'non-essential' retailers were forced to close their doors to decrease the risk of spreading covid-19.
One of the retailers affected is Primark, and now many are missing the store's affordable clothing, accessories and homeware.
However, Primark shoppers could be in for a treat when stores re-open, with some financial experts predicting a sale could be on the horizon.
According to the Mirror, there is as much as £1.5billion worth of unsold stock in the budget retailer's warehouses at the moment, with no way to shift it, and that means experts are predicting a big sale when stores open their doors again.
Hargreaves Lansdown analyst Sophie Lund-Yates said: "When Primark was ordered to shut its doors mountains of inventory was already on its way, ready to replenish stores which are in hibernation."
She added: "For consumers this could mean bumper sales when shops reopen, as sales stickers are one of the quickest ways to shift excess items."
Send a heart to our #NHSheroes and donate to our NHS frontline fundraiser It is something that has touched all our lives. From cradle to grave, the National Health Service is a part of British life. Today, more than ever, we should cherish those who dedicate themselves to our care as they work tirelessly to care for people in the face of the coronavirus pandemic. Click HERE to drop a heart on the map and you can also donate to our frontline fundraiser for the chance to win weekly prizes.
Shoppers may have to wait a while for stores to re-open, though, as Primark has said it will only do so until coronavirus is under control.
AB Foods boss George Weston said: "Much as I would love to be allowed to reopen Primark stores across the UK, continental Europe and the USA soon, because lockdown has so harmed our business and our supply chains, I know that we must not do so until we have suppressed this disease.
"When we are allowed to reopen we must make our Primark stores safe for our staff and our customers, even if that means ensuring there are fewer people shopping at any one time and so accepting lower sales at least until the remaining risk is minimal."


themanchestereveningnews--2020-04-21--Real Housewives star Ester Dee has found her 'perfect' man

Bubbly reality TV star Ester Dee has revealed that she 's found love while going through a divorce .
The Real Housewives of Cheshire favourite has revealed her new relationship on Instagram , confirming that he 's her boyfriend .
Fans are intrigued to know the identity of her new man .
`` LOVE YOU GDK 11:11 , '' she wrote cryptically next to a montage of photos with the soundtrack of Starship 's romantic power ballad Nothing 's Gon na Stop Us Now .
`` I wish you would be my first love but YOU ARE MY LAST # @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Is that a new man Ester ? ''
asked another .
And the mother-of-one replied `` yes '' with love hearts .
She also confirmed that they 'd been seeing each other for a few months .
`` He is gorgeous , you look so happy , '' one fan congratulated .
`` Look good together , '' complimented another .
Sharing a photo of the couple in an embrace , she wrote : `` He makes me look small even in my heels , just perfect . ''
Last week Ester , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , received a flood of support after she shared a post about her divorce .
`` Going through divorce is hard , '' she said .
`` Sometimes I CAN NOT cope .
I dance and sing ( can not sing ) when down # lovehurts # love . ''
One follower told her : `` As long as you are true to yourself , you will come out of it healthier and happier .
`` You will be in a better head space for Pearl too .
`` Just keep thinking of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and reach your goals , show Pearl how to be a strong , independent woman , so she grows up to never be afraid to put herself first . ''
`` Thank you , needed some love today , '' replied Ester .
Last year in scenes featured in the 10th series of the Real Housewives on ITVBe her dream came true after becoming a Playmate in the Czech Republic version of the men ’ s entertainment magazine She stripped off for her first Playboy cover shoot , posing on a yacht wearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Ester , real name Ester Dohnalova , caused jaws to drop on the show when she revealed that she was once propositioned by a man to have a baby for him in return for £2million , which she turned down .
Ester confided in some of her Real Housewives of Cheshire co-stars and explained : `` Once in a time when I did n't have Pearl , I was n't a mum and he was a nice guy and he offered me quite a bit of money to have a baby .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying ' I offer you , like , having a baby with me and then it was about two million pounds . '
'' She continued : `` At that time it was quite a compliment because I feel like 'oh someone would give me that much money for having a baby ? '
'' she explained .
`` But now having a child I know you ca n't , it 's actually priceless . ''
Ester told the show : `` At the time it actually seemed a great opportunity but now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not bear to give my girl away . ''
Back in 2017 Czech-born Ester was at the centre of the drama as a newcomer in her first series of the reality show after her 'secret ” ' husband John Temple came forward .
He stated he had no idea she was filming the show while she was engaged at the time to Cheshire-based property millionaire , Rob Lloyd .
Former Real Housewife Leanne Brown asked Ester : `` So you 're married , but not Rob ? ''
To which Ester replied : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I cheat WITH Rob . ''
Rob later hit back after Ester confirmed their split saying he regretted appearing on the reality show with his ex partner .
In the ninth series it was revealed Ester was living with her friend and co-star Dawn Ward at Warford Hall .
Ester has since moved out but says she misses her friend .

Something went wrong, please try again later.
Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later.
Love a bit of cheeky celeb goss? Share your email to get showbiz news, gossip and rumours from the MEN
Something went wrong, please try again later.
Love a bit of cheeky celeb goss? Share your email to get showbiz news, gossip and rumours from the MEN
Bubbly reality TV star Ester Dee has revealed that she's found love while going through a divorce.
The Real Housewives of Cheshire favourite has revealed her new relationship on Instagram, confirming that he's her boyfriend.
Fans are intrigued to know the identity of her new man.
"LOVE YOU GDK 11:11," she wrote cryptically next to a montage of photos with the soundtrack of Starship's romantic power ballad Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now.
"I wish you would be my first love but YOU ARE MY LAST #lovewins ... every time."
"Ohhh who's the hunk?" asked one fan.
"Is that a new man Ester?" asked another.
And the mother-of-one replied "yes" with love hearts.
She also confirmed that they'd been seeing each other for a few months.
"He is gorgeous, you look so happy," one fan congratulated.
"Look good together," complimented another.
Sharing a photo of the couple in an embrace, she wrote: "He makes me look small even in my heels, just perfect."
And former Housewife Leilani Dowding commented: "Gorgeous!!"
Last week Ester, who has a young daughter called Pearl, received a flood of support after she shared a post about her divorce.
"Going through divorce is hard," she said.
"Sometimes I CANNOT cope. I dance and sing (cannot sing) when down #lovehurts #love."
One follower told her: "As long as you are true to yourself, you will come out of it healthier and happier. "You will be in a better head space for Pearl too.
"Just keep thinking of what your future holds, aim high and reach your goals, show Pearl how to be a strong, independent woman, so she grows up to never be afraid to put herself first."
"Thank you, needed some love today," replied Ester.
"Lovely words."
(Image: Ester Dee Instagram)
Last year in scenes featured in the 10th series of the Real Housewives on ITVBe her dream came true after becoming a Playmate in the Czech Republic version of the men’s entertainment magazine
She stripped off for her first Playboy cover shoot, posing on a yacht wearing a captain’s hat and jewellery.
Ester, real name Ester Dohnalova, caused jaws to drop on the show when she revealed that she was once propositioned by a man to have a baby for him in return for £2million, which she turned down.
Ester confided in some of her Real Housewives of Cheshire co-stars and explained: "Once in a time when I didn't have Pearl, I wasn't a mum and he was a nice guy and he offered me quite a bit of money to have a baby."
(Image: Monkey Kingdom)
"He sent me a message saying 'I offer you, like, having a baby with me and then it was about two million pounds.'"
She continued: "At that time it was quite a compliment because I feel like 'oh someone would give me that much money for having a baby?'" she explained.
"But now having a child I know you can't, it's actually priceless."
Ester told the show: "At the time it actually seemed a great opportunity but now I'm a mother. I could not bear to give my girl away."
Back in 2017 Czech-born Ester was at the centre of the drama as a newcomer in her first series of the reality show after her 'secret”' husband John Temple came forward.
He stated he had no idea she was filming the show while she was engaged at the time to Cheshire-based property millionaire, Rob Lloyd.
Former Real Housewife Leanne Brown asked Ester: "So you're married, but not Rob?"
To which Ester replied: "I do not cheat on Rob, I cheat WITH Rob."
Rob later hit back after Ester confirmed their split saying he regretted appearing on the reality show with his ex partner.
In the ninth series it was revealed Ester was living with her friend and co-star Dawn Ward at Warford Hall.
Ester has since moved out but says she misses her friend.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-04-21--Bradley Walsh offers his key to success on Beat the Chasers

If you , like us , can ’ t get enough of The Chase , you ’ ll love the sound of this .
The show 's hotly-anticipated spin-off series is about to air - and it looks solid .
If you thought that the regular teatime show was tough , just imagine being up against not one , but all of the formidable chasers .
Beat the Chasers turns the format on its head and sees all the ITV show ’ s brainboxes get together to take down a single contestant .
Hosted by Bradley Walsh , the new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's favourite quiz geniuses - Mark ‘ The Beast ’ Labbett , Anne ‘ The Governess ’ Hegerty , Paul ‘ The Sinnerman ’ Sinha , Jenny ‘ The Vixen ’ Ryan and Shaun ‘ The Dark Destroyer ’ Wallace .
It sounds impossible , right ?
Well , Bradders has offered his tip for success on the programme .
“ The time advantage is key , ” he said .
“ If they are giving you a 15 second head start , you can afford to get nearly four questions wrong and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s the secret of it , it ’ s all about the timings.
” In the show , quiz master Bradley will call contestants down from the studio audience to compete in rounds including the cash builder and final chase .
But Bradley is quick to explain the difference between the shows .
He said : “ It ’ s 100 % different .
In the normal 'Final Chase ' you ’ re firing sort of 25 questions in two mins to the team and then the Chasers .
“ Here you ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chaser , player to Chaser .
You ’ ve got to have your mind on the game otherwise you ’ ll come unstuck.
” Also different is the amount of money that ’ s up for grabs if they go up against all five chasers in the final round .
But Bradley said that not all contestants were brave enough to take them all on .
“ I was surprised that all of the contestants didn ’ t try to take them all on , ” he said .
“ If you see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other chance are you going to get ?
You ’ ve come to the studio with nothing – let ’ s go.
” The quiz host also revealed that the chasers were not exactly the best at working as part of a team .
He said : “ I think sometimes they found it difficult to play as a team and that was what was interesting to me .
To play as a team and not cut across each other , to jump in , get a question wrong .
“ They ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t normally play as a team .
For them to try this out was an experiment to see how they got on .
“ There were times when they got into their stride , then you realised , 'Hang on a minute , they could come unstuck here… ' I just thought it was wonderful.
” Beat The Chasers starts Monday April 27th at 9pm on ITV .

Something went wrong, please try again later.
Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
If you, like us, can’t get enough of The Chase, you’ll love the sound of this.
The show's hotly-anticipated spin-off series is about to air - and it looks solid.
If you thought that the regular teatime show was tough, just imagine being up against not one, but all of the formidable chasers.
Beat the Chasers turns the format on its head and sees all the ITV show’s brainboxes get together to take down a single contestant.
Hosted by Bradley Walsh, the new five-part series stars all of the nation's favourite quiz geniuses - Mark ‘The Beast’ Labbett, Anne ‘The Governess’ Hegerty, Paul ‘The Sinnerman’ Sinha, Jenny ‘The Vixen’ Ryan and Shaun ‘The Dark Destroyer’ Wallace.
Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will auto-play soon 8 Cancel Play now
It sounds impossible, right? Well, Bradders has offered his tip for success on the programme.
“The time advantage is key,” he said. “If they are giving you a 15 second head start, you can afford to get nearly four questions wrong and still beat them, so that’s the secret of it, it’s all about the timings.”
In the show, quiz master Bradley will call contestants down from the studio audience to compete in rounds including the cash builder and final chase.
But Bradley is quick to explain the difference between the shows.
(Image: ITV)
He said: “It’s 100% different. In the normal 'Final Chase' you’re firing sort of 25 questions in two mins to the team and then the Chasers.
“Here you’ve got to switch from player to Chaser, player to Chaser. You’ve got to have your mind on the game otherwise you’ll come unstuck.”
Also different is the amount of money that’s up for grabs if they go up against all five chasers in the final round.
(Image: ITV)
But Bradley said that not all contestants were brave enough to take them all on.
“I was surprised that all of the contestants didn’t try to take them all on,” he said. “If you see £100,000 in front of you – what other chance are you going to get? You’ve come to the studio with nothing – let’s go.”
The quiz host also revealed that the chasers were not exactly the best at working as part of a team.
He said: “I think sometimes they found it difficult to play as a team and that was what was interesting to me. To play as a team and not cut across each other, to jump in, get a question wrong.
“They’re not team players. They don’t normally play as a team. For them to try this out was an experiment to see how they got on.
“There were times when they got into their stride, then you realised, 'Hang on a minute, they could come unstuck here…' I just thought it was wonderful.”
Beat The Chasers starts Monday April 27th at 9pm on ITV.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-04-21--Rugby coach recovering after Covid-19 battle

A coach at a rugby club in Oldham is recovering in hospital after battling coronavirus in intensive care .
Brendan Sheridan , assistant coach at Oldham Roughyeds , is 'building up his strength ' , club chairman Christopher Hamilton told the Manchester Evening News on Monday .
Mr Sheridan has been in hospital for several weeks after contracting the virus .
He is still on a 'long road to recovery ' but is now 'hopefully over the worst ' of it , Oldham Rugby League Football Club bosses said .
Club chairman Christopher Hamilton confirmed he is 'getting better each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the club 's website on Thursday , he said : `` I am delighted to report that Brendan is now out of intensive care and is breathing on his own .
`` The last couple of weeks have been very worrying , not least for his family , but in true “ Shez ” spirit he has continued to fight this awful virus and hopefully he is now over the worst .
“ He is still in hospital and is on a long road to recovery but we are delighted to know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he has had from everybody at the Roughyeds and from the wider rugby league family has genuinely touched him and his family .
`` Stay strong Brendan , we are all rooting for you .
”

Something went wrong, please try again later.
Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later.
Don't miss a thing by signing up to the MyOldham newsletter here
Something went wrong, please try again later.
Don't miss a thing by signing up to the MyOldham newsletter here
A coach at a rugby club in Oldham is recovering in hospital after battling coronavirus in intensive care.
Brendan Sheridan, assistant coach at Oldham Roughyeds, is 'building up his strength', club chairman Christopher Hamilton told the Manchester Evening News on Monday.
Mr Sheridan has been in hospital for several weeks after contracting the virus.
He is still on a 'long road to recovery' but is now 'hopefully over the worst' of it, Oldham Rugby League Football Club bosses said.
Club chairman Christopher Hamilton confirmed he is 'getting better each day'.
In a statement put on the club's website on Thursday, he said: "I am delighted to report that Brendan is now out of intensive care and is breathing on his own.
"The last couple of weeks have been very worrying, not least for his family, but in true “Shez” spirit he has continued to fight this awful virus and hopefully he is now over the worst.
“He is still in hospital and is on a long road to recovery but we are delighted to know he is getting better and the support he has had from everybody at the Roughyeds and from the wider rugby league family has genuinely touched him and his family.
"Stay strong Brendan, we are all rooting for you.”


themanchestereveningnews--2020-04-21--Exclusive: Why Dean Henderson has a chance to become Man United number one

Axel Tuanzebe says Manchester United 's reputation for promoting youth could give Dean Henderson an opportunity to become the club 's next No.1 goalkeeper .
Henderson , 23 , has spent the last two seasons on loan with Sheffield United and been tipped for selection in the Premier League Team of the Year , should the current season resume .
Henderson is joint-second for most clean sheets in the league and received his first England call-up in October .
United have rewarded Henderson with new contracts following his League One and Championship loans with Shrewsbury Town and Sheffield United in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ de Gea inked a new four-year deal in September and has remained first choice despite an unsteady year .
Henderson has still never played for the United first-team .
Tuanzebe captained the Under-18 team Henderson was in goal for in 2014-15 and believes United 's willingness to give youth a chance could continue with Henderson .
`` I think that 's down to the culture of the club .
At other teams there are a lot of talented players that do n't quite make it and that 's not the culture of their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We 're fortunate to have such a club that promotes youth and wants their youth to be big players and big stars in the first-team .
Obviously we have players with the talent to do so , which we 've witnessed many times this season .
It 's a combination of the two which breed a career .
`` Dean 's a big character and I 'm sure when he comes back he 'll just slot right back in and continue from where he left off .
He 's doing very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shows , coming from the academy , he 's demonstrating what he 's learnt and practising it week in , week out . ''
United finished fourth in the 2014-15 U18 league but were the third-lowest scorers with 29 goals in 22 matches , and Tottenham Hotspur ejected them from the FA Youth Cup at the fifth round .
The academy head Brian McClair left at the end of the season and coach Paul McGuinness departed midway through the next term amid an 11-match losing run in the league .
There was outcry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alexander was jointly running the academy until Nicky Butt took over in February 2016 , yet six academy graduates debuted in the first-team that season and the homegrown Jesse Lingard struck the FA Cup final winner .
`` At the start of that year , the way we were playing football was very exciting and you always believe , no matter what the situation , '' Tuanzebe said .
`` It was very good , it was very talented , and we did make it into the first-team and the players we had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very pleasing to watch .
`` And , also for the fact of just being in so many games , to find a way to win showed that we would have promising careers . ''

Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
Axel Tuanzebe says Manchester United's reputation for promoting youth could give Dean Henderson an opportunity to become the club's next No.1 goalkeeper.
Henderson, 23, has spent the last two seasons on loan with Sheffield United and been tipped for selection in the Premier League Team of the Year, should the current season resume. Henderson is joint-second for most clean sheets in the league and received his first England call-up in October.
United have rewarded Henderson with new contracts following his League One and Championship loans with Shrewsbury Town and Sheffield United in the last two summers, but David de Gea inked a new four-year deal in September and has remained first choice despite an unsteady year. Henderson has still never played for the United first-team.
Tuanzebe captained the Under-18 team Henderson was in goal for in 2014-15 and believes United's willingness to give youth a chance could continue with Henderson.
"I think that's down to the culture of the club. At other teams there are a lot of talented players that don't quite make it and that's not the culture of their club," Tuanzebe told the MEN.
"We're fortunate to have such a club that promotes youth and wants their youth to be big players and big stars in the first-team. Obviously we have players with the talent to do so, which we've witnessed many times this season. It's a combination of the two which breed a career.
"Dean's a big character and I'm sure when he comes back he'll just slot right back in and continue from where he left off. He's doing very well at Sheffield United and it just shows, coming from the academy, he's demonstrating what he's learnt and practising it week in, week out."
United finished fourth in the 2014-15 U18 league but were the third-lowest scorers with 29 goals in 22 matches, and Tottenham Hotspur ejected them from the FA Youth Cup at the fifth round. The academy head Brian McClair left at the end of the season and coach Paul McGuinness departed midway through the next term amid an 11-match losing run in the league.
There was outcry among supporters that the club secretary John Alexander was jointly running the academy until Nicky Butt took over in February 2016, yet six academy graduates debuted in the first-team that season and the homegrown Jesse Lingard struck the FA Cup final winner.
"At the start of that year, the way we were playing football was very exciting and you always believe, no matter what the situation," Tuanzebe said. "It was very good, it was very talented, and we did make it into the first-team and the players we had - individually - were very exciting and very pleasing to watch.
"And, also for the fact of just being in so many games, to find a way to win showed that we would have promising careers."


themanchestereveningnews--2020-04-21--Man City star Ilkay Gundogan opens up on lockdown problem

Ilkay Gundogan has admitted that motivation has been a problem during lockdown .
The Manchester City player , like the rest of the squad , has been given an individual programme to keep fit during the time away from the training ground that has now stretched into a second month .
There are some virtual team sessions put on by the club and Gundogan is also working out over FaceTime with Leroy Sane and a personal trainer they share during the week , but the daily routine of footballers has been knocked askew by the pandemic .
A straight talker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ difficulties of keeping up a training regime while being away from the environment that the work usually takes place in .
“ I have a few things to do and then I ’ m ready to go .
To be honest , it ’ s not so easy to motivate yourself these days every day when you are training , '' he said .
`` You know , like people who are working from home , you can maybe compare it to that .
For those people it ’ s also not the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and then doing their jobs .
You have to motivate yourself to do things and to do your work .
If Gundogan has struggled with his job , he has also used what it affords him to help those less fortunate than himself .
The 29-year-old has shown his charitable side before , spending some of his birthday back in October helping out at a children 's charity in Manchester .
During the problems caused by coronavirus , among the ways he is helping is through an initiative that provides care packages for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in need back near his hometown .
“ I ’ ve done these things because I can identify with them .
Heinsberg was pretty much the coronavirus outbreak in Germany and it ’ s not far from my hometown , so there ’ s a connection , '' he said .
`` Gelsenkirchen is my home and there was a possibility to do something so I did it .
And Nuremberg , I ’ ve lived there for a long time , it was my first professional team .
My former school principal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lot and I ’ m still in touch with him .
We made a plan and did something .
`` Those were all things I could identify with 100 % .
I ’ m a privileged person and I am grateful that I am able to help in those situations .
There are many people who struggle , who don ’ t have a home or food and things like that .
Not only during the coronavirus crisis .
I was very happy to be able to help .
”

Ilkay Gundogan has admitted that motivation has been a problem during lockdown.
The Manchester City player, like the rest of the squad, has been given an individual programme to keep fit during the time away from the training ground that has now stretched into a second month.
There are some virtual team sessions put on by the club and Gundogan is also working out over FaceTime with Leroy Sane and a personal trainer they share during the week, but the daily routine of footballers has been knocked askew by the pandemic.
A straight talker, the midfielder was candid about the difficulties of keeping up a training regime while being away from the environment that the work usually takes place in.
“I have a few things to do and then I’m ready to go. To be honest, it’s not so easy to motivate yourself these days every day when you are training," he said.
"You know, like people who are working from home, you can maybe compare it to that. For those people it’s also not the same as driving to work every day and then doing their jobs. You have to motivate yourself to do things and to do your work.
"Some days it’s harder than others.”
If Gundogan has struggled with his job, he has also used what it affords him to help those less fortunate than himself. The 29-year-old has shown his charitable side before, spending some of his birthday back in October helping out at a children's charity in Manchester.
During the problems caused by coronavirus, among the ways he is helping is through an initiative that provides care packages for nurses and a shopping service for those in need back near his hometown.
“I’ve done these things because I can identify with them. Heinsberg was pretty much the coronavirus outbreak in Germany and it’s not far from my hometown, so there’s a connection," he said.
"Gelsenkirchen is my home and there was a possibility to do something so I did it. And Nuremberg, I’ve lived there for a long time, it was my first professional team. My former school principal contacted me. I like him a lot and I’m still in touch with him. We made a plan and did something.
"Those were all things I could identify with 100%. I’m a privileged person and I am grateful that I am able to help in those situations. There are many people who struggle, who don’t have a home or food and things like that. Not only during the coronavirus crisis. I was very happy to be able to help.”