themanchestereveningnews--2020-11-08--Four arrests as police blast lockdown protest after hundreds turn up

The organiser of an anti-lockdown protest in Piccadilly Gardens will be issued with a £10,000 fine , police have promised .
Up to six hundred people gathered in Manchester city centre this afternoon despite government orders to stay home to try and curb the spread of coronavirus .
Many of those attending did not observe social distancing guidance and were not wearing masks .
Chief Constable Ian Hopkins condemned the gathering , telling the MEN : `` Utterly ridiculous behaviour from the organisers and the protesters , deliberately breaking the law and putting our communities at risk . ''
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order offences and issued 24 Fixed Penalty Notices for failing to adhere to coronavirus legislation .
Several police officers were also injured as the demonstration was broken up on Sunday evening .
Police discovered some of the protesters had arrived from as far as Cumbria via a coach .
Mr Hopkins said the driver has been 'reported and the coach company owner will be dealt with by the regulator . '
The Chief Constable also confirmed that the event had put a strain on GMP resources at a time when almost one in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off work due to Covid-19 .
Around 50 officers were originally deployed and then a 'force response ' had to be instigated to disperse the crowd .
Officers from every division across Greater Manchester had to be called in , the chief said .
The protest began at around 1pm on Sunday and appeared to be under the banner 'Rise Up Manchester ' .
It is believed police had been in contact with the organisers and advised them not to proceed but the event went ahead regardless .
The crowd that turned up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ages .
Some were holding placards with messages such as 'Fear is the currency of control ' and 'Unite for Freedom ' .
Many appeared to be from outside Greater Manchester and attempted to engage with people passing through Piccadilly Gardens to explain their cause .
Over the course of the afternoon , several of the group 's leaders stood on the flower beds in the gardens and used a loudspeaker to give speeches about why they oppose a lockdown .
There were also chants of 'rise up ' and 'freedom ' .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to lead a chant of 'lock up Chris Whitty ' , the Chief Medical Officer for England , although very few people joined in .
At around 2pm , police chiefs confirmed they had authorised a 'dispersal order ' which gave them the power to order anyone to leave Piccadilly Gardens .
In a statement , they warned anyone who failed to comply with the order was committing a criminal offence , adding : `` GMP would also like to use this opportunity to remind members of the public that , under the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than two people are unlawful .
`` We encourage people to comply with these restrictions , as we have throughout this public health crisis , to help keep themselves and others safe . ''
By around 4pm , the crowd had not dispersed and police moved in .
Officers shouted at the protesters to move back and formed a line on each side of Piccadilly Gardens .
There were a few scuffles with police officers and the MEN witnessed one being handcuffed .
However , within around twenty minutes police had driven everyone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gardens and secured a perimetre .
There were tense scenes for some time after as some protesters became angry and shouted abuse at police .
There have been similar anti-lockdown protests in other parts of the country and one speaker at today 's event asked more people to attend next week .
Manchester Council 's city centre spokesperson Pat Karney said the authority will meet with GMP to see 'how we can prevent these illegal gatherings ' .
He told the MEN : `` I completely condemn this disgraceful gathering in Piccadilly Gardens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ambulances going in and out of our hospitals at the moment to see the massive health crisis we are all facing .
`` If you disagree with the restrictions , write to to your MP but do n't endanger people 's health . ''
Assistant Chief Constable Mabs Hussain later added : `` Today ( Sunday 8 November 2020 ) , Greater Manchester Police responded to a large gathering in Piccadilly Gardens , Manchester City Centre .
At the peak of the gathering , in excess of 600 people were in attendance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this opportunity to publicly condemn this gathering .
Both the organisers and attendees were irresponsible - increasing demand on police who are also responding to calls regarding serious incidents and people who are in immediate danger across Greater Manchester . ''
`` Before and during this gathering , officers followed guidance to engage with the organiser and attendees , explain the restrictions and encourage compliance .
Unfortunately , the encouragement was ignored which resulted in officers progressing to enforcement .
`` Under the Anti-social Behaviour , Crime and Policing Act 2014 , officers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They also arrested four people on suspicion of public order offences and issued 24 £200 Fixed Penalty Notices ( FPNs ) .
Enquiries are ongoing to also issue an FPN to the organiser .
`` Enquiries have established that one group of attendees travelled to Greater Manchester from Cumbria via coach .
The driver and the company they work for have both been reported to the relevant industry regulator .
`` Whilst responding to this gathering , a number of officers were injured .
This is unacceptable behaviour towards officers who were simply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Investigators will now work to identify those responsible and ensure they face justice .
`` I would also like to remind members of the public that these restrictions are to control the spread of Covid-19 and protect everyone - including you and your loved ones as well as the NHS .
I encourage you to do your bit to fight the virus by complying with the restrictions and staying at home . ''

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The organiser of an anti-lockdown protest in Piccadilly Gardens will be issued with a £10,000 fine, police have promised.
Up to six hundred people gathered in Manchester city centre this afternoon despite government orders to stay home to try and curb the spread of coronavirus.
Many of those attending did not observe social distancing guidance and were not wearing masks.
Chief Constable Ian Hopkins condemned the gathering, telling the MEN: "Utterly ridiculous behaviour from the organisers and the protesters, deliberately breaking the law and putting our communities at risk."
He confirmed GMP made four arrests for public order offences and issued 24 Fixed Penalty Notices for failing to adhere to coronavirus legislation.
Several police officers were also injured as the demonstration was broken up on Sunday evening.
Police discovered some of the protesters had arrived from as far as Cumbria via a coach.
(Image: Joel Goodman)
Mr Hopkins said the driver has been 'reported and the coach company owner will be dealt with by the regulator.'
The Chief Constable also confirmed that the event had put a strain on GMP resources at a time when almost one in ten of the force's staff are off work due to Covid-19.
Around 50 officers were originally deployed and then a 'force response' had to be instigated to disperse the crowd.
(Image: Joel Goodman)
Officers from every division across Greater Manchester had to be called in, the chief said.
The protest began at around 1pm on Sunday and appeared to be under the banner 'Rise Up Manchester'.
It is believed police had been in contact with the organisers and advised them not to proceed but the event went ahead regardless.
The crowd that turned up contained a mix of people of all ages.
(Image: Joel Goodman)
Some were holding placards with messages such as 'Fear is the currency of control' and 'Unite for Freedom'.
Many appeared to be from outside Greater Manchester and attempted to engage with people passing through Piccadilly Gardens to explain their cause.
Over the course of the afternoon, several of the group's leaders stood on the flower beds in the gardens and used a loudspeaker to give speeches about why they oppose a lockdown.
(Image: Joel Goodman)
There were also chants of 'rise up' and 'freedom'.
At one point, a man tried to lead a chant of 'lock up Chris Whitty', the Chief Medical Officer for England, although very few people joined in.
At around 2pm, police chiefs confirmed they had authorised a 'dispersal order' which gave them the power to order anyone to leave Piccadilly Gardens.
In a statement, they warned anyone who failed to comply with the order was committing a criminal offence, adding: "GMP would also like to use this opportunity to remind members of the public that, under the national Covid-19 restrictions, gatherings of more than two people are unlawful.
(Image: Joel Goodman)
"We encourage people to comply with these restrictions, as we have throughout this public health crisis, to help keep themselves and others safe."
By around 4pm, the crowd had not dispersed and police moved in.
Officers shouted at the protesters to move back and formed a line on each side of Piccadilly Gardens.
There were a few scuffles with police officers and the MEN witnessed one being handcuffed.
(Image: Joel Goodman)
However, within around twenty minutes police had driven everyone out of the central part of the gardens and secured a perimetre.
There were tense scenes for some time after as some protesters became angry and shouted abuse at police.
(Image: Joel Goodman)
There have been similar anti-lockdown protests in other parts of the country and one speaker at today's event asked more people to attend next week.
Manchester Council's city centre spokesperson Pat Karney said the authority will meet with GMP to see 'how we can prevent these illegal gatherings'.
He told the MEN: "I completely condemn this disgraceful gathering in Piccadilly Gardens.
(Image: Joel Goodman)
"These people should check out the ambulances going in and out of our hospitals at the moment to see the massive health crisis we are all facing.
"If you disagree with the restrictions, write to to your MP but don't endanger people's health."
Assistant Chief Constable Mabs Hussain later added: "Today (Sunday 8 November 2020), Greater Manchester Police responded to a large gathering in Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester City Centre. At the peak of the gathering, in excess of 600 people were in attendance.
"I would like to use this opportunity to publicly condemn this gathering. Both the organisers and attendees were irresponsible - increasing demand on police who are also responding to calls regarding serious incidents and people who are in immediate danger across Greater Manchester."
(Image: Joel Goodman)
"Before and during this gathering, officers followed guidance to engage with the organiser and attendees, explain the restrictions and encourage compliance. Unfortunately, the encouragement was ignored which resulted in officers progressing to enforcement.
"Under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, officers authorised a Section 34 Dispersal Order. They also arrested four people on suspicion of public order offences and issued 24 £200 Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs). Enquiries are ongoing to also issue an FPN to the organiser.
"Enquiries have established that one group of attendees travelled to Greater Manchester from Cumbria via coach. The driver and the company they work for have both been reported to the relevant industry regulator.
"Whilst responding to this gathering, a number of officers were injured. This is unacceptable behaviour towards officers who were simply doing their job and protecting people. Investigators will now work to identify those responsible and ensure they face justice.
"I would also like to remind members of the public that these restrictions are to control the spread of Covid-19 and protect everyone - including you and your loved ones as well as the NHS. I encourage you to do your bit to fight the virus by complying with the restrictions and staying at home."


themanchestereveningnews--2020-11-08--Man City send new message to Premier League rivals with Liverpool draw

It was n't what Manchester City dreamed of , but it will do .
A wasted penalty from Kevin De Bruyne robbed Pep Guardiola 's side of the opportunity to complete their comeback over an excellent Liverpool side that showed they have the tools to defend their Premier League title in a high quality 1-1 draw at the Etihad .
Yet the resilience and excellence on display from the Blues suggests that they will put up a much tougher challenge than they did last season when they finished a mammoth 18 points off top spot .
In a season that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will certainly do at this stage .
Guardiola 's recipe for Champions League progress - win your home games - works as well for the Premier League .
Building up a feeling of invincibility at home discourages visiting teams before they have even kicked a ball , while beating your rivals at home gives you a free hit to try to take points off them in the return game .
The absence of fans may have tweaked the dynamics of home and away , but it has n't fundamentally changed them - just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ race to the title even if early indications that no team will be able to scale 100 points prove correct .
Five points behind Liverpool when they kicked off , and with Leicester , Chelsea , Tottenham and United all winning at the weekend , this was still a six-pointer .
More important than winning was not losing though - something the Blues have got better at .
If City very much picked up where they left off when football restarted in July with their reliable unreliability - able to thrash champions Liverpool @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same week - this season has been different .
They are harder to beat , losing just once in 11 in all competitions and unbeaten in eight weeks , yet have also found it harder to break down teams with West Ham and Leeds two of the teams able to frustrate them .
However much they actually are , Liverpool was always going to be seen as the acid test of whether City 's attacking frustrations have been a trade-off of greater defensive solidity or a problem in their own right .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Klopp sacrificed a midfielder in order to accommodate all four of Roberto Firmino , Mo Salah , Sadio Mane , and Diogo Jota .
An attacking line-up turned into an attacking start as Liverpool twice invaded City 's box in the opening two minutes , looking to exploit the pace behind the defence .
That was rewarded inside 15 minutes when Kyle Walker needlessly cut across Mane in the box and Salah smashed home the opener .
City were furious that Craig Pawson had not awarded them a free-kick before that when Raheem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good yet they had more than enough time to get back and deal with the threat .
The start unsettled City , who were effectively given a taste of what all visitors to the Etihad usually have to suffer : a high , quality onslaught from the opening whistle that requires patience , organisation , and clinical forward play to emerge with a result .
It took until the 25th minute before they even got a sniff at Alisson 's goal , with Kevin De Bruyne capitalising on a mistake to play in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had to take a touch and then saw his effort from a tight angle saved .
That encouraged the home team , and they were rewarded after half an hour when De Bruyne fizzed the ball into Jesus 's feet in the box .
His first , flicked touch outsmarted Trent Alexander-Arnold and his second poked the ball into the net .
For all their problems , this City team have improved this season with their resilience and learning to play their way back into games .
Unfortunately , this was an awful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to resurface .
De Bruyne was seemingly the man to save all their problems when he took up spot-kick duties last season , scoring that important goal at the Bernabeu .
He did the hard work here , crossing into the box where it hit Joe Gomez 's hand just before half-time .
It looked like a penalty , it sounded like a penalty , and eventually after not being given initially the referee pointed to the spot having had the chance to review it .
Alisson dived the wrong way , only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the back of the net as it became the first spot-kick missed completely in the league since Riyad Mahrez against the same opponents two years ago .
As Guardiola was famously captured saying in the documentary , if you want to be the best team in the world you have to score the ******* goals .
In a game where you are not going to get as many chances , missing penalties is as criminal as giving them away .
Getting the big moments wrong is only going to make it more difficult @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is so little between the teams , and Jesus rightly had his head in his hands after ghosting into the box only to head Joao Cancelo 's delicious cross wide after the break .
As both teams cancelled each other out , neither goalkeeper was seriously troubled as the game played out to a draw despite the liveliness of Bernardo Silva off the bench in the final half-hour .
Ultimately three points would have been ideal , and City will not win the league if they continue to miss their big chances .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and even earlier this season though , this should provide further encouragement to Guardiola as they head into the latest international break .
They have just one defeat in 12 , they are pretty solid in defence , and they have emerged unscathed from their first meeting with their biggest threat to the Premier League title to mean that they will be two points behind Liverpool if they win their game in hand .
If they did n't know already , Klopp and all the other manager know that City have - with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early platform to be in this title race until the end .

It wasn't what Manchester City dreamed of, but it will do.
A wasted penalty from Kevin De Bruyne robbed Pep Guardiola's side of the opportunity to complete their comeback over an excellent Liverpool side that showed they have the tools to defend their Premier League title in a high quality 1-1 draw at the Etihad.
Yet the resilience and excellence on display from the Blues suggests that they will put up a much tougher challenge than they did last season when they finished a mammoth 18 points off top spot. In a season that is already immensely challenging, a point will certainly do at this stage.
Guardiola's recipe for Champions League progress - win your home games - works as well for the Premier League. Building up a feeling of invincibility at home discourages visiting teams before they have even kicked a ball, while beating your rivals at home gives you a free hit to try to take points off them in the return game.
The absence of fans may have tweaked the dynamics of home and away, but it hasn't fundamentally changed them - just as the manager still expects a tough race to the title even if early indications that no team will be able to scale 100 points prove correct. Five points behind Liverpool when they kicked off, and with Leicester, Chelsea, Tottenham and United all winning at the weekend, this was still a six-pointer.
More important than winning was not losing though - something the Blues have got better at.
If City very much picked up where they left off when football restarted in July with their reliable unreliability - able to thrash champions Liverpool and then lose at Southampton in the same week - this season has been different.
They are harder to beat, losing just once in 11 in all competitions and unbeaten in eight weeks, yet have also found it harder to break down teams with West Ham and Leeds two of the teams able to frustrate them.
However much they actually are, Liverpool was always going to be seen as the acid test of whether City's attacking frustrations have been a trade-off of greater defensive solidity or a problem in their own right.
The champions surprised the Blues before kick-off as Klopp sacrificed a midfielder in order to accommodate all four of Roberto Firmino, Mo Salah, Sadio Mane, and Diogo Jota. An attacking line-up turned into an attacking start as Liverpool twice invaded City's box in the opening two minutes, looking to exploit the pace behind the defence.
(Image: Shaun Botterill/Getty Image)
That was rewarded inside 15 minutes when Kyle Walker needlessly cut across Mane in the box and Salah smashed home the opener. City were furious that Craig Pawson had not awarded them a free-kick before that when Raheem Sterling was too honest for his own good yet they had more than enough time to get back and deal with the threat.
The start unsettled City, who were effectively given a taste of what all visitors to the Etihad usually have to suffer: a high, quality onslaught from the opening whistle that requires patience, organisation, and clinical forward play to emerge with a result. It took until the 25th minute before they even got a sniff at Alisson's goal, with Kevin De Bruyne capitalising on a mistake to play in Raheem Sterling at the far post who had to take a touch and then saw his effort from a tight angle saved.
That encouraged the home team, and they were rewarded after half an hour when De Bruyne fizzed the ball into Jesus's feet in the box. His first, flicked touch outsmarted Trent Alexander-Arnold and his second poked the ball into the net.
For all their problems, this City team have improved this season with their resilience and learning to play their way back into games. Unfortunately, this was an awful moment for one of their old problems to resurface.
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De Bruyne was seemingly the man to save all their problems when he took up spot-kick duties last season, scoring that important goal at the Bernabeu. He did the hard work here, crossing into the box where it hit Joe Gomez's hand just before half-time. It looked like a penalty, it sounded like a penalty, and eventually after not being given initially the referee pointed to the spot having had the chance to review it.
Alisson dived the wrong way, only to see the ball fail to ripple the back of the net as it became the first spot-kick missed completely in the league since Riyad Mahrez against the same opponents two years ago.
As Guardiola was famously captured saying in the documentary, if you want to be the best team in the world you have to score the ******* goals. In a game where you are not going to get as many chances, missing penalties is as criminal as giving them away.
Getting the big moments wrong is only going to make it more difficult to come out on top when there is so little between the teams, and Jesus rightly had his head in his hands after ghosting into the box only to head Joao Cancelo's delicious cross wide after the break.
(Image: John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
As both teams cancelled each other out, neither goalkeeper was seriously troubled as the game played out to a draw despite the liveliness of Bernardo Silva off the bench in the final half-hour.
Ultimately three points would have been ideal, and City will not win the league if they continue to miss their big chances.
Given where they have been last season and even earlier this season though, this should provide further encouragement to Guardiola as they head into the latest international break.
They have just one defeat in 12, they are pretty solid in defence, and they have emerged unscathed from their first meeting with their biggest threat to the Premier League title to mean that they will be two points behind Liverpool if they win their game in hand.
If they didn't know already, Klopp and all the other manager know that City have - with room for improvement - given themselves an early platform to be in this title race until the end.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-11-08--Man City player ratings as Ederson and Joao Cancelo good

Ederson : One of his busiest games in a while where he had to be regularly alert and he rose to every challenge .
No chance with the goal and made a number of excellent saves to keep his team competitive .
7 Walker : It did n't really happen for Walker .
A clumsy challenge on Mane to give away the penalty when Cancelo had the attacker covered , and regularly struggled to keep possession .
5 Dias : Slipped a few times in the driving rain but still gave a performance that no alternative could have managed last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
7 Laporte : Liverpool targeted his lack of acceleration but it is to his credit that they never really worked any excellent opportunities from that .
A welcome presence in the team .
8 Cancelo : As expected , left-back was where Liverpool looked to find space n behind and he will never be the best defender .
He did work hard though , stopping Salah superbly late on , and produced a wonderful cross that Jesus should have headed in .
8 Rodri : Carelessly gave the ball away to Salah @ @ @ @ @ @ @ initially .
He also does a lot of work that goes unnoticed though and was against a very good Liverpool side .
6 Gundogan : Similar to Rodri , it was to their credit that City stabilised after such a difficult opening to the game .
He did n't get forward as often as he can but was effective at containing .
7 De Bruyne : He missed the penalty that would have put City in front .
He also produced the assist that got them level and was behind most of their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spoiled by the spot-kick miss .
6 Torres : Earned his place in the team despite the return of Jesus .
Worked hard defensively in the early onslaught but was never really able to get the ball down and run at Robertson .
6 Sterling : Enjoyed going up against a defence that was n't set so deep , but again failed to have the impact he would like against his former club .
Booked in the second half as he let his frustration out .
6 Jesus : An outstanding control and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ game before a very bad miss to head wide when free in the box .
A performance to back up the general consensus of him .
7 Bernardo ( for Torres , 61 ) : A very lively performance that injected energy back into the Blues when they needed it .
7

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Ederson: One of his busiest games in a while where he had to be regularly alert and he rose to every challenge. No chance with the goal and made a number of excellent saves to keep his team competitive. 7
Walker: It didn't really happen for Walker. A clumsy challenge on Mane to give away the penalty when Cancelo had the attacker covered, and regularly struggled to keep possession. 5
Dias: Slipped a few times in the driving rain but still gave a performance that no alternative could have managed last season. His consistency should be applauded. 7
Laporte: Liverpool targeted his lack of acceleration but it is to his credit that they never really worked any excellent opportunities from that. A welcome presence in the team. 8
Cancelo: As expected, left-back was where Liverpool looked to find space n behind and he will never be the best defender. He did work hard though, stopping Salah superbly late on, and produced a wonderful cross that Jesus should have headed in. 8
Rodri: Carelessly gave the ball away to Salah to gift Liverpool an attack and struggled initially. He also does a lot of work that goes unnoticed though and was against a very good Liverpool side. 6
Gundogan: Similar to Rodri, it was to their credit that City stabilised after such a difficult opening to the game. He didn't get forward as often as he can but was effective at containing. 7
De Bruyne: He missed the penalty that would have put City in front. He also produced the assist that got them level and was behind most of their good attacking play. A good display spoiled by the spot-kick miss. 6
Torres: Earned his place in the team despite the return of Jesus. Worked hard defensively in the early onslaught but was never really able to get the ball down and run at Robertson. 6
Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will auto-play soon 8 Cancel Play now
Sterling: Enjoyed going up against a defence that wasn't set so deep, but again failed to have the impact he would like against his former club. Booked in the second half as he let his frustration out. 6
Jesus: An outstanding control and finish to get City back into the game before a very bad miss to head wide when free in the box. A performance to back up the general consensus of him. 7
Substitutes
Bernardo (for Torres, 61): A very lively performance that injected energy back into the Blues when they needed it. 7
Not used: Steffen, Stones, Ake, Zinchenko, Garcia, Foden


themanchestereveningnews--2020-11-08--Roy Keane slams 'idiot' Walker for giving away Man City penalty vs Liverpool

Roy Keane has labelled Kyle Walker an `` idiot '' and a `` car crash '' for his challenge on Sadio Mane that saw Liverpool take the lead against Manchester City .
The Reds took an early lead at the Etihad Stadium when Walker was penalised for fouling Mane inside the penalty area after the Liverpool forward has burst inside him .
City equalised through Gabriel Jesus and could have taken the lead after Joe Gomez was judged the have handled the ball inside the area , a controversial decision awarded by VAR that was hotly contested by both Jamie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
There was little argument about Walker 's challenge though , with Keane taking no prisoners with his view on the City and England right-back .
City had complained about a foul in the build-up , with Sterling fouled outside the area but , after staying on his feet , the decision was n't given .
`` I think it is an initially foul but I think the referee is looking at Sterling and thinking 'he 's in the penalty box ' , he 's taken another touch and played advantage , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He 's ( Mane ) up against an idiot .
People tell me Kyle Walker is playing well , I do n't think so .
He 's 30 years of age , international player .
Manchester City took on Liverpool in the biggest match of the season so far .
Pep Guardiola 's men were desperate to regain the Premier League title , but the champions had already placed themselves at the top of the table , and Sunday 's crunch at the Etihad Stadium - even so early in the season - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the crown .
The visitors went ahead early through Mo Salah 's penalty , but Gabriel Jesus ' sublime turn and finish brought City level .
Kevin De Bruyne 's missed penalty could have given City the three points , but the match ended in a high-quality 1-1 draw .
For all the latest City news delivered straight to your inbox , including all the analysis of Sunday 's match , sign up to our daily newsletter by submitting your email address in the sign-up box above , or click here - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a few seconds '' He 's a car crash , he keeps making these types of mistakes and rightly punished for it . ''
Walker gave away a similar penalty during City 's 5-2 defeat to Leicester City last month after bringing down Jamie Vardy when the Leicester City striker had got inside him on the right channel .

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Roy Keane has labelled Kyle Walker an "idiot" and a "car crash" for his challenge on Sadio Mane that saw Liverpool take the lead against Manchester City.
The Reds took an early lead at the Etihad Stadium when Walker was penalised for fouling Mane inside the penalty area after the Liverpool forward has burst inside him.
Mohamed Salah tucked home the resulting penalty to give Liverpool a deserved lead.
City equalised through Gabriel Jesus and could have taken the lead after Joe Gomez was judged the have handled the ball inside the area, a controversial decision awarded by VAR that was hotly contested by both Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville on co-commentary duties.
There was little argument about Walker's challenge though, with Keane taking no prisoners with his view on the City and England right-back.
City had complained about a foul in the build-up, with Sterling fouled outside the area but, after staying on his feet, the decision wasn't given.
"I think it is an initially foul but I think the referee is looking at Sterling and thinking 'he's in the penalty box', he's taken another touch and played advantage," Keane said at half time.
"He's (Mane) up against an idiot. People tell me Kyle Walker is playing well, I don't think so. He's 30 years of age, international player.
"He's a car crash, he keeps making these types of mistakes and rightly punished for it."
Walker gave away a similar penalty during City's 5-2 defeat to Leicester City last month after bringing down Jamie Vardy when the Leicester City striker had got inside him on the right channel.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-11-08--Man Utd told they need four new signings to mount title push

Manchester United have been told they need four more new signings if they are to challenge for the Premier League title once again .
United finished third last season but were 33 points adrift of runaway champions Liverpool .
During the summer transfer window , Donny van de Beek , Alex Telles , Edinson Cavani and Facundo Pellistri all arrived at Old Trafford .
However , top target Jadon Sancho ended up staying at Borussia Dortmund - for the time being at least .
United have made a mixed start to the 2020-21 season , taking 10 points from their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three defeats - and a 6-1 home drubbing by Tottenham - though Saturday 's 3-1 win at Everton gave Ole Gunnar Solskjaer 's side a timely lift .
The transfer window reopens for a month in January and United have already agreed a deal to sign teenage prospect Amad Diallo from Atalanta .
Former United striker Louis Saha , however , believes more additions are required in order to bring the glory days back to his old club .
`` The focus is on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer but you also have to look @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stadium Astro .
`` Some new signings like Fred , you can see the quality but he ’ s not going to make the difference .
`` The signing of ( Bruno ) Fernandes , you need four of them .
`` You need four of them to actually compete and this is what is missing .
United entered the international break by winning what was arguably their most important match of the season at Everton on Saturday .
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was under pressure following dire performances in the defeats to Arsenal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lower half of the Premier League table .
But , as has happened so often , the Reds responded by coming from behind to beat the Toffees thanks to Bruno Fernandes ' double and Edinson Cavani 's first goal for United .
United have a two-week break with many of their stars heading off on international duty - we 'll be keeping tabs on how they all perform , and on preparations for their next Premier League match against West Brom .
For all the latest United news delivered straight to your inbox @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by submitting your email address in the sign-up box above , or click here - it 's free and it only takes a few seconds .
`` You need to know the mentality of new players .
I want players there who want to win the Champions League and win big trophies .
`` This is what is required here . ''
Saha won two Premier League titles with United - in 2006-07 and 2007-08 .
The Frenchman scored 35 top flight goals for the club .
He also had spells with Newcastle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Sunderland .

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Manchester United have been told they need four more new signings if they are to challenge for the Premier League title once again.
United finished third last season but were 33 points adrift of runaway champions Liverpool.
During the summer transfer window, Donny van de Beek, Alex Telles, Edinson Cavani and Facundo Pellistri all arrived at Old Trafford.
However, top target Jadon Sancho ended up staying at Borussia Dortmund - for the time being at least.
United have made a mixed start to the 2020-21 season, taking 10 points from their opening seven league matches.
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That includes three defeats - and a 6-1 home drubbing by Tottenham - though Saturday's 3-1 win at Everton gave Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side a timely lift.
The transfer window reopens for a month in January and United have already agreed a deal to sign teenage prospect Amad Diallo from Atalanta.
Former United striker Louis Saha, however, believes more additions are required in order to bring the glory days back to his old club.
"The focus is on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer but you also have to look at the recruitment," Saha told Stadium Astro.
"Some new signings like Fred, you can see the quality but he’s not going to make the difference.
"The signing of (Bruno) Fernandes, you need four of them.
"You need four of them to actually compete and this is what is missing.
"You need to know the mentality of new players. I want players there who want to win the Champions League and win big trophies.
"This is what is required here."
Saha won two Premier League titles with United - in 2006-07 and 2007-08.
The Frenchman scored 35 top flight goals for the club. He also had spells with Newcastle United, Fulham, Everton, Tottenham and Sunderland.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-11-08--'It was his gym. He was king': Woman's brave fight against a pervert Thai boxer

A young mum who was burdened for years by the sexual abuse she suffered as a child finally has justice .
Her abuser , former Thai boxing coach Keith Nathan , was exposed as a paedophile in 2018 .
Nathan , now 62 , had been considered a ‘ god ’ in the sport up until his arrest in 2015 , and had taught ‘ thousands ’ of children across Greater Manchester .
He was jailed after being found guilty of 17 counts of indecent assault against two girls .
Nathan 's conviction was widely reported in the media at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the case , another victim found the courage to contact the police .
The woman , who has chosen to remain anonymous , said : “ It was the article that made me come forward .
“ I just remember reading about the court case and at the bottom there was a message from the police that said ‘ if you ’ ve been a victim [ of sexual abuse ] call this number ’ .
I called it straight away.
” That phone call was the victim ’ s first step @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , had been the woman ’ s Thai boxing coach in the late 90s .
She was a primary school pupil at the time .
Her parents allowed her to have private lessons with Nathan after she ’ d shown promise in the sport and had won competitions .
The first assault took place in Nathan ’ s gym under the pretence of a game .
“ The first time I didn ’ t understand what he had done was wrong , ” the woman said .
But , when it happened again @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had taken place .
She recalls how Nathan took her back to his flat after forgetting his keys to the gym .
Her parents had already driven off .
Back at his flat , Nathan molested her as she stood looking at some pictures - and then once again under the guise of a game .
The youngster innocently believed they were playing hide and seek , but it soon became far more sinister .
He sexually assaulted her , more severely , after finding her hiding in the kitchen .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happened after that because I can ’ t remember how I got home , ” she said tearfully .
`` From then on I didn ’ t want to get changed in front of anyone at school for P.E .
“ That ’ s when I told my mum .
I don ’ t know what was said between my mum and dad but we stopped going to the gym after that .
“ At the time I 'd been a good fighter and then it all stopped . ''
“ I just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ honestly thought it was something I would take to the grave , '' the woman said .
`` I never thought I would have the chance to have any justice.
” Nathan had been described in a previous trial as a ‘ god ’ in martial arts .
His status in the sport was something his young victim felt acutely aware of .
And , like many other children at his gym , she looked up to him .
“ It was his gym .
He owned it .
He was king , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was always so busy too .
It was full of kids all the time .
“ It was the place where you felt safe .
My dad had sent me there to learn how to defend myself but the person who should have been teaching me how to stay safe ended up being my abuser.
`` “ I didn ’ t think anyone would ever believe me , and how would I ever prove it , '' the woman added .
“ It was always going to be my word against his .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ it just made me realise that he 's paedophile .
“ That ’ s why I felt so strongly about coming forward , because it might encourage other victims to contact the police .
“ Even if it ’ s someone who was abused historically by someone else .
I just hope it gives someone else the courage to come forward.
” The woman , who is now a mum with a successful career , says she found it difficult to trust men as a result of the abuse she suffered .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a teenager '' , she said .
`` I remember writing lots of swear words on a piece of paper once and his name was on there .
“ I was massively scared and confused .
It made me scared of my granddad .
“ I didn ’ t want to sit in the same room as him in case something happened .
“ And that ’ s awful because my granddad was such a gentle man .
“ I think I thought something bad would happen if I was left alone with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would do something to me.
” The mum said the abuse affected her romantic relationships , although she did confide in partners about what had happened to her .
When she first gave a statement to police , she remembers clearly what one of the police officers said to her .
“ As I was about to leave , one of them said ‘ we both believe you ’ .
“ Just hearing them say that meant everything to me .
There wasn ’ t one stage where I wished I hadn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I just thought ‘ I want justice now and this is my time'.
” It was almost two years until the trial against Nathan finally went ahead .
Going over the abuse in detail in front of a jury was another daunting ordeal that lay ahead .
At first the victim wanted to give evidence behind a screen , but she changed her mind .
“ In the end I was glad the jury could see me and that I could talk to the judge .
“ And I was glad that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there with head hung.
” Nathan , of Park Gate Road , Timperley , was found guilty of four counts of indecent assault on a female under 14-years-old in the 1990s .
He was sentenced at Minshull Street Crown Court on August 24 to three years in prison , to be served consecutively to his previous sentence .
The mum-of-one says she finally has closure on the abuse she suffered as a child and can finally move on with her life .
“ He took my innocence and I had a lot of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” she added .
“ I carried it with me for a long time .
Now I have justice.
” If you or someone you know has been raped or sexually assaulted , Greater Manchester Police encourages you not to suffer in silence and report it to the police , or a support agency so you can get the help and support available .
-Greater Manchester Rape Crisis is a confidential information , support and counselling service run by women for women over 18 who have been raped or sexually abused at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us on 0161 273 4500 or email us at help @ manchesterrapecrisis.co.uk -St Mary 's Sexual Assault Referral Centre in Manchester provides a comprehensive and coordinated forensic , counselling and medical aftercare service to anyone in Greater Manchester who has experienced rape or sexual assault .
Services are available on a 24-hour basis and people can access them via Greater Manchester Police , or as a self-referral .
- Survivors Manchester provides specialist trauma informed support to boys and men in Greater Manchester who have experienced sexual abuse , rape or sexual exploitation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to hear how you feel about the new national lockdown and how it will affect you .
You can tell us in the survey below .
Get breaking news first on the free Manchester Evening News app - download it here for your Apple or Android device .
You can also get a round-up of the biggest stories sent direct to your inbox every day with the MEN email newsletter - subscribe here .
And you can follow us on Facebook here .

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A young mum who was burdened for years by the sexual abuse she suffered as a child finally has justice.
Her abuser, former Thai boxing coach Keith Nathan, was exposed as a paedophile in 2018.
Nathan, now 62, had been considered a ‘god’ in the sport up until his arrest in 2015, and had taught ‘thousands’ of children across Greater Manchester.
He was jailed after being found guilty of 17 counts of indecent assault against two girls.
Nathan's conviction was widely reported in the media at the time.
Upon reading a report of the case, another victim found the courage to contact the police.
The woman, who has chosen to remain anonymous, said: “It was the article that made me come forward.
“I just remember reading about the court case and at the bottom there was a message from the police that said ‘if you’ve been a victim [of sexual abuse] call this number’. I called it straight away.”
That phone call was the victim’s first step towards justice.
Nathan, from Timperley, had been the woman’s Thai boxing coach in the late 90s. She was a primary school pupil at the time.
Her parents allowed her to have private lessons with Nathan after she’d shown promise in the sport and had won competitions.
The first assault took place in Nathan’s gym under the pretence of a game .
“The first time I didn’t understand what he had done was wrong,” the woman said.
But, when it happened again, she knew that something very wrong had taken place.
She recalls how Nathan took her back to his flat after forgetting his keys to the gym.
Her parents had already driven off.
Back at his flat, Nathan molested her as she stood looking at some pictures - and then once again under the guise of a game.
The youngster innocently believed they were playing hide and seek, but it soon became far more sinister.
He sexually assaulted her, more severely, after finding her hiding in the kitchen.
“I think I must have blocked out what happened after that because I can’t remember how I got home,” she said tearfully.
"From then on I didn’t want to get changed in front of anyone at school for P.E.
“That’s when I told my mum. I don’t know what was said between my mum and dad but we stopped going to the gym after that.
“At the time I'd been a good fighter and then it all stopped."
“I just carried on with my life. I honestly thought it was something I would take to the grave," the woman said.
"I never thought I would have the chance to have any justice.”
Nathan had been described in a previous trial as a ‘god’ in martial arts.
His status in the sport was something his young victim felt acutely aware of.
And, like many other children at his gym, she looked up to him.
“It was his gym. He owned it. He was king,” she recalled.
“The gym was always so busy too. It was full of kids all the time.
“It was the place where you felt safe. My dad had sent me there to learn how to defend myself but the person who should have been teaching me how to stay safe ended up being my abuser. "
“I didn’t think anyone would ever believe me, and how would I ever prove it," the woman added.
“It was always going to be my word against his.
“And then seeing those stories, it just made me realise that he's paedophile.
“That’s why I felt so strongly about coming forward, because it might encourage other victims to contact the police.
“Even if it’s someone who was abused historically by someone else. I just hope it gives someone else the courage to come forward.”
The woman, who is now a mum with a successful career, says she found it difficult to trust men as a result of the abuse she suffered.
"I think I was quite angry as a teenager", she said.
"I remember writing lots of swear words on a piece of paper once and his name was on there.
“I was massively scared and confused. It made me scared of my granddad.
“I didn’t want to sit in the same room as him in case something happened.
“And that’s awful because my granddad was such a gentle man.
“I think I thought something bad would happen if I was left alone with men.
“I thought that they would do something to me.”
The mum said the abuse affected her romantic relationships, although she did confide in partners about what had happened to her.
When she first gave a statement to police, she remembers clearly what one of the police officers said to her.
“As I was about to leave, one of them said ‘we both believe you’.
“Just hearing them say that meant everything to me. There wasn’t one stage where I wished I hadn’t gone through with it.
“I just thought ‘I want justice now and this is my time'.”
It was almost two years until the trial against Nathan finally went ahead.
Going over the abuse in detail in front of a jury was another daunting ordeal that lay ahead.
At first the victim wanted to give evidence behind a screen, but she changed her mind.
“In the end I was glad the jury could see me and that I could talk to the judge.
“And I was glad that he could see me. He just sat there with head hung.”
Nathan, of Park Gate Road, Timperley, was found guilty of four counts of indecent assault on a female under 14-years-old in the 1990s.
He was sentenced at Minshull Street Crown Court on August 24 to three years in prison, to be served consecutively to his previous sentence.
The mum-of-one says she finally has closure on the abuse she suffered as a child and can finally move on with her life.
“He took my innocence and I had a lot of trust issues as a result of that,” she added.
“I carried it with me for a long time. Now I have justice.”
If you or someone you know has been raped or sexually assaulted, Greater Manchester Police encourages you not to suffer in silence and report it to the police, or a support agency so you can get the help and support available.
-Greater Manchester Rape Crisis is a confidential information, support and counselling service run by women for women over 18 who have been raped or sexually abused at any time in their lives. Call us on 0161 273 4500 or email us at help@manchesterrapecrisis.co.uk
-St Mary's Sexual Assault Referral Centre in Manchester provides a comprehensive and coordinated forensic, counselling and medical aftercare service to anyone in Greater Manchester who has experienced rape or sexual assault. Services are available on a 24-hour basis and people can access them via Greater Manchester Police, or as a self-referral.
- Survivors Manchester provides specialist trauma informed support to boys and men in Greater Manchester who have experienced sexual abuse, rape or sexual exploitation. Call 0161 236 2182.
We want to hear how you feel about the new national lockdown and how it will affect you. You can tell us in the survey below.
Get breaking news first on the free Manchester Evening News app - download it here for your Apple or Android device. You can also get a round-up of the biggest stories sent direct to your inbox every day with the MEN email newsletter - subscribe here. And you can follow us on Facebook here.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-11-08--Eight more Covid deaths have been registered in Greater Manchester hospitals

Eight more people have died in Greater Manchester 's hospitals after contracting coronavirus .
Three more deaths deaths were recorded at Tameside & Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust while Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust and Wrightington , Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust both registered two more deaths each .
The latest figures , released today ( Sunday ) by NHS England , bring Greater Manchester ’ s hospital death toll to 2,952 .
Some 122 deaths were reqistered in England overall , bringing the total to 34,496 .
Of the 122 Covid-related deaths recorded in England , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years old .
All except four ( aged between 61 and 95 ) had known underlying health conditions .
Most of the deaths were in the North East and Yorkshire ( 38 ) followed by the Midlands ( 29 ) and then the North West ( 23 ) .
The total number of coronavirus deaths at hospital trusts in Greater Manchester , as of Sunday , November 8 are : These are cases in which a patient has tested positive for the virus within 28 days of their death - or when Covid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NHS England provides an update on Covid-19 related fatalities each day .
The figures do not include deaths in care homes or other settings .

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Eight more people have died in Greater Manchester's hospitals after contracting coronavirus.
Three more deaths deaths were recorded at Tameside & Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust while Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust and Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust both registered two more deaths each.
Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust registered one more death.
The latest figures, released today (Sunday) by NHS England, bring Greater Manchester’s hospital death toll to 2,952.
Some 122 deaths were reqistered in England overall, bringing the total to 34,496.
Of the 122 Covid-related deaths recorded in England, the patients were aged between 44 and 98 years old. All except four (aged between 61 and 95) had known underlying health conditions.
Most of the deaths were in the North East and Yorkshire (38) followed by the Midlands (29) and then the North West (23).
The total number of coronavirus deaths at hospital trusts in Greater Manchester, as of Sunday, November 8 are:
Bolton NHS Foundation Trust - 302
Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust - 9
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust - 564
NHS Nightingale Hospital North West - 6
Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust - 788
Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust - 6
Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust - 252
Stockport NHS Foundation Trust - 272
Tameside & Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust - 352
The Christie NHS Foundation Trust - 16
Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust - 385
These are cases in which a patient has tested positive for the virus within 28 days of their death - or when Covid is mentioned on their death certificate.
NHS England provides an update on Covid-19 related fatalities each day.
The figures do not include deaths in care homes or other settings.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-11-08--NWAS launch team to tackle slow handovers as 104 hours lost in 1 week

The ambulance service have launched a team to tackle patient handovers at hospitals - as it 's revealed 104 hours were lost to delays across three hospitals in just one week in October .
A report shown to the Manchester Evening News revealed the time lost in handovers - the period between the ambulance arriving at the hospital and the patient 's care being transferred to medics so the crew can leave - is the equivalent to two paramedics waiting for nine full 12-hour shifts .
The 104 hours , lost at Manchester Royal Infirmary , North Manchester General and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outside the 15-minute target that handovers should take .
It represents time that could be spent responding to other 999 calls .
The Manchester Evening News had previously asked all the hospital trusts and NWAS for these figures but were told by the ambulance service to submit a Freedom of Information request - which could take up to three months .
The statistics have come to light after health officials and paramedics at NWAS told the Manchester Evening News that handover delays were in part to blame for the major incident declared on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calls overwhelmed the service .
Prompting a plea for people to use the number only for potentially life-threatening cases , the incident left paramedics queuing in corridors , with up to 12 ambulances seen lining up outside some Accident and Emergency departments .
It comes as the NHS in England is returned to its highest state of alert amid warnings that hospitals will continue filling up with Covid-19 patients for at least another two weeks .
In Manchester , hospitals are opening up extra intensive care beds to treat rising numbers of Covid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warnings the city ’ s initial capacity within the Nightingale could run out as soon by this weekend .
One health trust insider told the Manchester Evening News : `` If we do n't tell the public about this how can you expect people to behave sensibly ?
`` I think part of the problem is that there are people in hospitals ready to go who do n't need to be in hospital but they are waiting for things to happen - in care homes for example . ''
For the week commencing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wythenshawe Hospital handovers were within the 15 minute target , with 48pc at the MRI and 35pc at North Manchester General .
In that week , 52 hours and 25 minutes were lost to excessive handovers - those over 15 minutes - at Wythenshawe , which had 491 ambulance attendances .
Meanwhile , 32 hours and 31 minutes were lost at North Manchester with 425 ambulance attendances , with 20 hours and 43 minutes spent waiting at the MRI for the crews of the 507 ambulances who arrived with patients .
Details for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at hospital and being ready for the next job - were also revealed for the week ending November 1 .
They show that one crew spent three hours and 20 minutes at the MRI before getting away for the next job , while the longest turnaround at Wythenshawe was two hours 25 minutes , and one hour 40 minutes at North Manchester General .
The report also detailed the hours lost to excessive handover times over the last year .
At Wythenshawe Hospital 3,069 hours were lost - equivalent to 127 double manned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of eight hours .
Crews arriving at North Manchester General , meanwhile , lost 1,544 hours to waiting - or 64 double manned ambulances .
This equates to four hours a day .
And paramedics waited at MRI for 1,342 hours , the same as 55 double manned ambulances lost .
This averages out to three hours a day .
NWAS Unison branch secretary Jeff Gorman said : `` Delays at hospitals have been around for quite a while - but at this moment in time it 's getting worse .
`` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because there 's an increase in calls .
Hospitals are struggling in terms of capacity , they are just so busy .
`` If hospitals have delays it impacts on ambulances outside .
While our members are stood on a corridor with patients they are not able to respond to 999 calls and that was the case before Covid - but I think it 's worse than it has been .
`` It 's not the norm for that many ambulances to be queuing up outside the hospital .
If it was the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time ago . ''
Despite the clear challenges , Mr Gorman voiced his faith in the ambulance service management , adding : `` I 've got every confidence that NWAS are doing everything they can to mitigate the delays , I know they are in contact with the hospitals to try and come up with a solution . ''
NWAS , meanwhile , have worked with hospitals to launch an action plan to deal with the handover delays .
Ged Blezard , director of operations for NWAS , said : `` Hospital handover @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trust and the health service in general , particularly during busy periods as the whole system experiences extra pressures .
`` With an increase in 999 calls , we then logically treat more patients and in turn , take more people to hospital which adds additional pressure to the already very busy hospitals .
With limited beds available in emergency departments , ambulance crews sometimes end up waiting longer than we would like before they can pass over the care of their patient over to the hospital .
`` NWAS has established a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how handover times can be reduced and we have dedicated hospital liaison managers who can visit emergency departments at peak times to help manage the flow of patients and ambulances . ''
He said they work very closely with hospital colleagues across the region to free up ambulance clinicians to respond to other patients in emergency situations , adding : `` As always , the public can assist by only calling 999 in emergencies and considering other healthcare providers such as GPs and pharmacies if their condition is not serious .
NHS 111 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if it ’ s not an emergency . ''
A spokesperson for Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust ( MFT ) , which oversees Manchester Royal Infirmary , Wythenshawe Hospital and North Manchester General Hospital , said : “ We work very closely with our North West Ambulance Service ( NWAS ) colleagues to enable them to handover patients in our Emergency Departments ( A & E ) as safely and as quickly as possible .
“ Staff across all our MFT hospitals continue to work tirelessly to maintain services and deliver the highest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will continue to work closely with NWAS to look at how handover times can be reduced .
”

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The ambulance service have launched a team to tackle patient handovers at hospitals - as it's revealed 104 hours were lost to delays across three hospitals in just one week in October.
A report shown to the Manchester Evening News revealed the time lost in handovers - the period between the ambulance arriving at the hospital and the patient's care being transferred to medics so the crew can leave - is the equivalent to two paramedics waiting for nine full 12-hour shifts.
The 104 hours, lost at Manchester Royal Infirmary, North Manchester General and Wythenshawe Hospital, account for the excess outside the 15-minute target that handovers should take. It represents time that could be spent responding to other 999 calls.
The Manchester Evening News had previously asked all the hospital trusts and NWAS for these figures but were told by the ambulance service to submit a Freedom of Information request - which could take up to three months.
The statistics have come to light after health officials and paramedics at NWAS told the Manchester Evening News that handover delays were in part to blame for the major incident declared on Monday, when a surge in 999 calls overwhelmed the service.
(Image: Mark Waugh Manchester Press Phot)
Prompting a plea for people to use the number only for potentially life-threatening cases, the incident left paramedics queuing in corridors, with up to 12 ambulances seen lining up outside some Accident and Emergency departments.
It comes as the NHS in England is returned to its highest state of alert amid warnings that hospitals will continue filling up with Covid-19 patients for at least another two weeks.
In Manchester, hospitals are opening up extra intensive care beds to treat rising numbers of Covid patients with oxygen - while there were warnings the city’s initial capacity within the Nightingale could run out as soon by this weekend.
One health trust insider told the Manchester Evening News : "If we don't tell the public about this how can you expect people to behave sensibly?
"I think part of the problem is that there are people in hospitals ready to go who don't need to be in hospital but they are waiting for things to happen - in care homes for example."
For the week commencing October 16, 40 per cent of Wythenshawe Hospital handovers were within the 15 minute target, with 48pc at the MRI and 35pc at North Manchester General.
In that week, 52 hours and 25 minutes were lost to excessive handovers - those over 15 minutes - at Wythenshawe, which had 491 ambulance attendances.
Meanwhile, 32 hours and 31 minutes were lost at North Manchester with 425 ambulance attendances, with 20 hours and 43 minutes spent waiting at the MRI for the crews of the 507 ambulances who arrived with patients.
Details for turnaround times - the period between arriving at hospital and being ready for the next job - were also revealed for the week ending November 1.
They show that one crew spent three hours and 20 minutes at the MRI before getting away for the next job, while the longest turnaround at Wythenshawe was two hours 25 minutes, and one hour 40 minutes at North Manchester General.
The report also detailed the hours lost to excessive handover times over the last year.
At Wythenshawe Hospital 3,069 hours were lost - equivalent to 127 double manned ambulances. That's a daily average of eight hours.
Crews arriving at North Manchester General, meanwhile, lost 1,544 hours to waiting - or 64 double manned ambulances. This equates to four hours a day.
And paramedics waited at MRI for 1,342 hours, the same as 55 double manned ambulances lost. This averages out to three hours a day.
NWAS Unison branch secretary Jeff Gorman said: "Delays at hospitals have been around for quite a while - but at this moment in time it's getting worse.
"I suspect Covid is part of the problem because there's an increase in calls. Hospitals are struggling in terms of capacity, they are just so busy.
"If hospitals have delays it impacts on ambulances outside. While our members are stood on a corridor with patients they are not able to respond to 999 calls and that was the case before Covid - but I think it's worse than it has been.
"It's not the norm for that many ambulances to be queuing up outside the hospital. If it was the service would have fallen over a long time ago."
Despite the clear challenges, Mr Gorman voiced his faith in the ambulance service management, adding: "I've got every confidence that NWAS are doing everything they can to mitigate the delays, I know they are in contact with the hospitals to try and come up with a solution."
NWAS, meanwhile, have worked with hospitals to launch an action plan to deal with the handover delays.
Ged Blezard, director of operations for NWAS, said: "Hospital handover waits is a key challenge for the trust and the health service in general, particularly during busy periods as the whole system experiences extra pressures.
"With an increase in 999 calls, we then logically treat more patients and in turn, take more people to hospital which adds additional pressure to the already very busy hospitals. With limited beds available in emergency departments, ambulance crews sometimes end up waiting longer than we would like before they can pass over the care of their patient over to the hospital.
"NWAS has established a hospital handover team to specifically look at how handover times can be reduced and we have dedicated hospital liaison managers who can visit emergency departments at peak times to help manage the flow of patients and ambulances."
He said they work very closely with hospital colleagues across the region to free up ambulance clinicians to respond to other patients in emergency situations, adding: "As always, the public can assist by only calling 999 in emergencies and considering other healthcare providers such as GPs and pharmacies if their condition is not serious. NHS 111 Online is available for urgent medical advice if it’s not an emergency."
A spokesperson for Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), which oversees Manchester Royal Infirmary, Wythenshawe Hospital and North Manchester General Hospital, said: “We work very closely with our North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) colleagues to enable them to handover patients in our Emergency Departments (A&E) as safely and as quickly as possible.
“Staff across all our MFT hospitals continue to work tirelessly to maintain services and deliver the highest quality care at all times. We will continue to work closely with NWAS to look at how handover times can be reduced.”


themanchestereveningnews--2020-11-09--Manchester United consider Ethan Galbraith and two others for loan exits

Manchester United will consider sending midfielders Ethan Galbraith and Arnau Puigmal and full-back Ethan Laird out on loan in the January transfer window .
MEN Sport understands the trio , all 19 , were all considered for loan exits in the summer but remained with United , partially due to injury issues .
Laird and Puigmal both had 'minor knocks ' towards the end of the transfer window , which stretched into October , according to a United source , while Galbraith was sidelined in September and October too .
Both Galbraith and Puigmal have been involved for United 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Brighton of late , with the former scoring a late winner against the Toffees and the versatile Spanish youngster scoring and assisting in a 5-2 win in West Sussex .
United entered the international break by winning what was arguably their most important match of the season at Everton on Saturday .
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was under pressure following dire performances in the defeats to Arsenal and Istanbul Basaksehir , and in the lower half of the Premier League table .
But , as has happened so often , the Reds responded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Toffees thanks to Bruno Fernandes ' double and Edinson Cavani 's first goal for United .
United have a two-week break with many of their stars heading off on international duty - we 'll be keeping tabs on how they all perform , and on preparations for their next Premier League match against West Brom .
For all the latest United news delivered straight to your inbox , sign up to our daily newsletter by submitting your email address in the sign-up box above , or click here - it 's free and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ All three players have had spells training with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer 's first team squad .
But after United sent James Garner , Dylan Levitt , Aliou Traore , Matej Kovar , Di'Shon Bernard and Max Taylor out on season-long loans in the summer window , the club are keen for more youngsters to gain senior experience down the leagues .
Galbraith recently agreed a new contract with United until June 2023 and hopes are high at the club for the Northern Ireland international .
His only senior appearance came a year ago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Astana , in which Laird also made his first team debuts .
Right-back Laird also came on as a substitute in the 4-0 Europa League win over AZ Alkmaar last season .
Puigmal , who can play in a number of positions across defence and midfield , is yet to make his senior bow .

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Manchester United will consider sending midfielders Ethan Galbraith and Arnau Puigmal and full-back Ethan Laird out on loan in the January transfer window.
MEN Sport understands the trio, all 19, were all considered for loan exits in the summer but remained with United, partially due to injury issues. Laird and Puigmal both had 'minor knocks' towards the end of the transfer window, which stretched into October, according to a United source, while Galbraith was sidelined in September and October too.
Both Galbraith and Puigmal have been involved for United's Under-23s in their successive wins over Everton and Brighton of late, with the former scoring a late winner against the Toffees and the versatile Spanish youngster scoring and assisting in a 5-2 win in West Sussex.
All three players have had spells training with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's first team squad.
But after United sent James Garner, Dylan Levitt, Aliou Traore, Matej Kovar, Di'Shon Bernard and Max Taylor out on season-long loans in the summer window, the club are keen for more youngsters to gain senior experience down the leagues.
Galbraith recently agreed a new contract with United until June 2023 and hopes are high at the club for the Northern Ireland international. His only senior appearance came a year ago in United's Europa League defeat to Astana, in which Laird also made his first team debuts.
Right-back Laird also came on as a substitute in the 4-0 Europa League win over AZ Alkmaar last season. Puigmal, who can play in a number of positions across defence and midfield, is yet to make his senior bow.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-11-09--Girl's heartbreaking letter to Santa asking if elves will come in lockdown

A mum has promised to make Christmas extra special for her family after finding her daughter 's heartbreaking letter to Santa .
Maria Davies came across the letter daughter Faith had written to Father Christmas in her bedroom and says she was saddened by the content .
In it , the nine-year-old asks whether the elves will still be coming this year because of Covid .
Like many families , they follow the Elf on the Shelf tradition , when an elf or two come to stay throughout December .
Maria , who has just finished breast cancer treatment , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much Covid has taken over her daughters ' minds and she is determined to 'bring Christmas cheer not fear ' to their home in Newton , Hyde .
In her letter , nine-year-old Faith says : `` I 'm wondering if the elves are going to come because of Covid-19 .
But I think they should because they are in our bubble !
Right ? ''
Maria , 39 , said : `` This saddens me to think my child is thinking this .
Will she be thinking Santa won ’ t come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year ?
`` I was having chemotherapy last year and was in bed most of last Christmas .
This year I was shielding from March to September , with the children trapped indoors , so there ’ s no way Christmas is being about Covid . ''
Hairdresser Maria , who lives with her partner Mark Haughton and their other daughter Skyla , five , says she has seen some jokey posts about elves wearing masks and trapped inside quarantine jars , but she 's planning the exact opposite with their annual visitors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a letter from Santa to say the North Pole is Covid free and the elves tradition has changed this year , '' said Maria , who is also stepmum to Frankie .
`` Normally you can ’ t touch the elves because they lose their magic , this year mine will be coming with hugs where the kids can touch them and get Christmas cheer , not Christmas fear .
`` Mine will be arriving in a hug jar giving love out .
Covid is completely controlling their little minds , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ house . ''
Maria , who lost her hair while undergoing chemotherapy , rang the bell to mark the end of her treatment at the end of last month .
She 'll now have annual check-ups for the next five years .

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A mum has promised to make Christmas extra special for her family after finding her daughter's heartbreaking letter to Santa.
Maria Davies came across the letter daughter Faith had written to Father Christmas in her bedroom and says she was saddened by the content.
In it, the nine-year-old asks whether the elves will still be coming this year because of Covid.
Like many families, they follow the Elf on the Shelf tradition, when an elf or two come to stay throughout December.
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
Maria, who has just finished breast cancer treatment, says the letter made her realise how much Covid has taken over her daughters' minds and she is determined to 'bring Christmas cheer not fear' to their home in Newton, Hyde.
In her letter, nine-year-old Faith says: "I'm wondering if the elves are going to come because of Covid-19. But I think they should because they are in our bubble ! Right?"
Maria, 39, said: "This saddens me to think my child is thinking this. Will she be thinking Santa won’t come at the most magical time of the year?
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
"I was having chemotherapy last year and was in bed most of last Christmas. This year I was shielding from March to September, with the children trapped indoors, so there’s no way Christmas is being about Covid."
Hairdresser Maria, who lives with her partner Mark Haughton and their other daughter Skyla, five, says she has seen some jokey posts about elves wearing masks and trapped inside quarantine jars, but she's planning the exact opposite with their annual visitors Elfie and Sparkles.
"There will be a letter from Santa to say the North Pole is Covid free and the elves tradition has changed this year," said Maria, who is also stepmum to Frankie.
"Normally you can’t touch the elves because they lose their magic, this year mine will be coming with hugs where the kids can touch them and get Christmas cheer, not Christmas fear.
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
"Mine will be arriving in a hug jar giving love out. Covid is completely controlling their little minds, but I'm not having it in this house."
Maria, who lost her hair while undergoing chemotherapy, rang the bell to mark the end of her treatment at the end of last month. She'll now have annual check-ups for the next five years.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-11-09--Man released under investigation after shooting on Bolton estate

A man has been released under investigation following a shooting on a Bolton residential estate .
Police were called to reports of a firearms discharge on Lindfield Drive in Halliwell at around 1.20am on Saturday ( November 7 ) .
A large police cordon spanning several streets was put in place while officers dealt with the incident .
Several pathways linking Lindfield Drive and Halliwell Road were also taped off as forensics officers and plain clothes detectives worked at the scene .
A blue BMW , with a smashed back window , appeared to be at the centre of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder .
He has since been released under investigation pending further enquiries , a spokesman for GMP said .
Some eyewitnesses reported hearing 'banging and shouting ' shortly before the shooting .
Mahmod Ibraish lives in Kingsnorth Close , just a short distance from the scene .
`` I heard two bangs and some people shouting outside , '' he told the Manchester Evening News .
“ It sounded like they were insulting each other .
`` The police came and have been here ever since .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ This is the first time I have seen anything like this.
” Others on the estate , to the north of Bolton town centre , spoke of their shock at waking up to discover the scene .
One , who asked not to be named , said : “ I woke up and everywhere was taped off .
`` It is just mad .
You do not expect to wake up and see your house cordoned off.
” She said the first she knew of what happened was when she heard the police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2.30am .
She added : “ I heard screaming and shouting , but if I got up every time I heard something like that then I ’ d never sleep .
“ It is bad round here and it is getting worse .
`` It is not a nice place to live .
It is rife with drugs .
`` We all have young kids on this street , so we are frightened to death . ''

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A man has been released under investigation following a shooting on a Bolton residential estate.
Police were called to reports of a firearms discharge on Lindfield Drive in Halliwell at around 1.20am on Saturday (November 7).
A large police cordon spanning several streets was put in place while officers dealt with the incident.
Several pathways linking Lindfield Drive and Halliwell Road were also taped off as forensics officers and plain clothes detectives worked at the scene.
A blue BMW, with a smashed back window, appeared to be at the centre of the investigation.
A 54-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder.
He has since been released under investigation pending further enquiries, a spokesman for GMP said.
(Image: MEN Media)
Some eyewitnesses reported hearing 'banging and shouting' shortly before the shooting.
Mahmod Ibraish lives in Kingsnorth Close, just a short distance from the scene.
"I heard two bangs and some people shouting outside," he told the Manchester Evening News .
“It sounded like they were insulting each other.
"The police came and have been here ever since.
“It’s very shocking. This is the first time I have seen anything like this.”
Others on the estate, to the north of Bolton town centre, spoke of their shock at waking up to discover the scene.
One, who asked not to be named, said: “I woke up and everywhere was taped off.
"It is just mad. You do not expect to wake up and see your house cordoned off.”
She said the first she knew of what happened was when she heard the police helicopter hovering over her home at about 2.30am.
She added: “I heard screaming and shouting, but if I got up every time I heard something like that then I’d never sleep.
“It is bad round here and it is getting worse.
"It is not a nice place to live. It is rife with drugs.
"We all have young kids on this street, so we are frightened to death."


themanchestereveningnews--2020-11-09--Bolton v Salford TV coverage details, how to watch and match odds

Bolton Wanderers are back in League Two action later this week when they take on near neighbours Salford City .
After exiting the FA Cup at the first round stage at the hands of League One Crewe Alexandra , the Trotters ' focus goes back to matters in the fourth tier of English football .
And Wanderers will take on the Ammies for the first ever meeting between the two sides .
Ian Evatt 's Trotters sit 20th in the League Two table heading into the encounter , while Salford are 10th and three points from the play-off positions .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ boss and ex-Manchester United midfielder Richie Wellens as the club 's new manager .
And having taken charge of Salford for the 2-0 FA Cup victory over Hartlepool United , Wellens ' first league game in charge of the Ammies will be at the University of Bolton Stadium against Wanderers .
Like others so far this season , the match will be taking place behind closed doors without supporters in attendance due to the coronavirus pandemic .
But it is available to watch and we 've put together a guide of how you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ game ?
The League Two match between Bolton Wanderers and Salford City at the University of Bolton Stadium kicks off at 7.45pm on Friday , November 13 .
How can I watch the match ?
The game has been selected for broadcast and will be shown live on Sky Sports .
Coverage will start at 7.30pm on Friday evening and will be shown on Sky Sports Football .
To watch , fans will either need to have a subscription to Sky Sports or purchase a NowTV pass .
Alternatively , the match is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A match pass costs £10 .
This can be streamed on a laptop and then hooked up to a television using a standard HDMI cable .
For more information and to purchase a pass , click here .
Wanderers season ticket holders can watch the match for free via iFollow .
The Manchester Evening News will also be running a live blog throughout the day of the game with all the build-up , confirmed team news , updates and post-match reaction .
What happened in the previous meeting between these two clubs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be the first ever game the two sides have contested against each other .
It 's been contrasting fortunes for these two clubs in recent years , with Bolton dropping out of the Premier League in 2012 and suffering relegation to the Championship .
The Trotters dropped down to League One in 2016 before winning promotion back to the Championship , with a subsequent two season stay in the second tier before back-to-back relegations have left Wanderers in League Two .
The Ammies , by contrast , have have four promotions since 2015 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Divsiion One North , the Northern Premier League Premier Division , the National League North and the National League .
Salford won promotion to the EFL for the first time in the club 's history in 2019 and finished 11th in League Two last season .
What are the match odds ?
According to The Pools , a Bolton victory is priced at 21/10 while Salford are 6/5 to emerge with all three points .

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Bolton Wanderers are back in League Two action later this week when they take on near neighbours Salford City.
After exiting the FA Cup at the first round stage at the hands of League One Crewe Alexandra, the Trotters' focus goes back to matters in the fourth tier of English football.
And Wanderers will take on the Ammies for the first ever meeting between the two sides.
Ian Evatt's Trotters sit 20th in the League Two table heading into the encounter, while Salford are 10th and three points from the play-off positions.
The Ammies recently confirmed former Swindon Town boss and ex-Manchester United midfielder Richie Wellens as the club's new manager.
And having taken charge of Salford for the 2-0 FA Cup victory over Hartlepool United, Wellens' first league game in charge of the Ammies will be at the University of Bolton Stadium against Wanderers.
Like others so far this season, the match will be taking place behind closed doors without supporters in attendance due to the coronavirus pandemic.
But it is available to watch and we've put together a guide of how you can see it.
When is the game?
The League Two match between Bolton Wanderers and Salford City at the University of Bolton Stadium kicks off at 7.45pm on Friday, November 13.
How can I watch the match?
The game has been selected for broadcast and will be shown live on Sky Sports.
Coverage will start at 7.30pm on Friday evening and will be shown on Sky Sports Football.
To watch, fans will either need to have a subscription to Sky Sports or purchase a NowTV pass.
Alternatively, the match is being streamed live on the iFollow platform for Wanderers season ticket holders.
This can be streamed on a laptop and then hooked up to a television using a standard HDMI cable.
For more information click here.
The Manchester Evening News will also be running a live blog throughout the day of the game with all the build-up, confirmed team news, updates and post-match reaction.
What happened in the previous meeting between these two clubs?
Friday's meeting is poised to be the first ever game the two sides have contested against each other.
It's been contrasting fortunes for these two clubs in recent years, with Bolton dropping out of the Premier League in 2012 and suffering relegation to the Championship.
The Trotters dropped down to League One in 2016 before winning promotion back to the Championship, with a subsequent two season stay in the second tier before back-to-back relegations have left Wanderers in League Two.
The Ammies, by contrast, have have four promotions since 2015 with spells in the Northern Premier League Divsiion One North, the Northern Premier League Premier Division, the National League North and the National League.
Salford won promotion to the EFL for the first time in the club's history in 2019 and finished 11th in League Two last season.
My Bolton Wanderers on social media My Bolton Wanderers provides news about the Whites from the Manchester Evening News. We have set up social media accounts on Facebook and Twitter which you can follow and where the latest articles will be posted to.
What are the match odds?
According to The Pools, a Bolton victory is priced at 21/10 while Salford are 6/5 to emerge with all three points.
A draw is priced at 23/10.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-11-09--Aymeric Laporte gives nickname to new Man City partner Ruben Dias

In four of Aymeric Laporte 's five games for Manchester City this season , he has been alongside new signing Ruben Dias .
In that time , City have conceded two goals - one from the penalty spot - and they are unbeaten , including a relatively solid showing against Liverpool 's four talented forwards .
One thing Dias has already brought to the back line is his leadership , making his feelings known after disappointing displays that anything less than victory is not acceptable .
So it 's no surprise that fans and commentators are hailing the defensive duo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the back , and now it seems that Laporte himself feels like his best performances have been unlocked alongside the new record signing .
After the duo impressed against champions Liverpool , especially in the second half , Laporte and Dias were praised for how quickly their partnership has developed .
And when one of City 's sponsors took to Twitter to ask followers how good the pair were , Laporte replied with an answer of his own .
The Frenchman has been nicknamed the 'door ' by fans in the past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attackers past him .
So if Laporte is the door , he feels Dias is the key to unlocking his best form .
In reply to the tweet , Laporte simply replied with a door emoji , alongside a key emoji in reference to Dias .
Laporte is not the only player who has hailed Dias ' impact , with Kyle Walker singing his praises of the new pairing .
He said : `` They 've done fantastic , especially Ruben since he came in .
`` He 's played a lot of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ signing he is .
Whoever steps in there , if it 's John [ Stones ] , Nathan [ Ake ] , Eric [ Garcia ] , Ruben or Aymer , they 're all going to put in top performances . ''
Youngster Taylor Harwood-Bellis also revealed how Dias wasted no time in adding the much-needed leadership in the defensive ranks .
“ He ’ s come in and just kind of moulded in - it ’ s like he ’ s been there for ages , really , '' Harwood-Bellis said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ you can tell , but all the defenders are leaders .
They ’ re all people I look up to and want to be like .
“ He ’ s come in and shown he ’ s a good leader and a good footballer as well , so it ’ s another one for me to look up to and take information off .
”

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In four of Aymeric Laporte's five games for Manchester City this season, he has been alongside new signing Ruben Dias.
In that time, City have conceded two goals - one from the penalty spot - and they are unbeaten, including a relatively solid showing against Liverpool's four talented forwards.
One thing Dias has already brought to the back line is his leadership, making his feelings known after disappointing displays that anything less than victory is not acceptable.
So it's no surprise that fans and commentators are hailing the defensive duo as solving City's long term issues at the back, and now it seems that Laporte himself feels like his best performances have been unlocked alongside the new record signing.
After the duo impressed against champions Liverpool, especially in the second half, Laporte and Dias were praised for how quickly their partnership has developed.
And when one of City's sponsors took to Twitter to ask followers how good the pair were, Laporte replied with an answer of his own. The Frenchman has been nicknamed the 'door' by fans in the past, for his quality of not letting attackers past him.
So if Laporte is the door, he feels Dias is the key to unlocking his best form. In reply to the tweet, Laporte simply replied with a door emoji, alongside a key emoji in reference to Dias.
Laporte is not the only player who has hailed Dias' impact, with Kyle Walker singing his praises of the new pairing.
He said: "They've done fantastic, especially Ruben since he came in.
"He's played a lot of games and has shown what a quality signing he is. Whoever steps in there, if it's John [Stones], Nathan [Ake], Eric [Garcia], Ruben or Aymer, they're all going to put in top performances."
Youngster Taylor Harwood-Bellis also revealed how Dias wasted no time in adding the much-needed leadership in the defensive ranks.
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“He’s come in and just kind of moulded in - it’s like he’s been there for ages, really," Harwood-Bellis said.
“He’s a leader, you can tell, but all the defenders are leaders. They’re all people I look up to and want to be like.
“He’s come in and shown he’s a good leader and a good footballer as well, so it’s another one for me to look up to and take information off.”