themanchestereveningnews--2020-01-19--ADVERTORIAL: 'I was a single mum, severely overweight, bald, with one boob... I was scared for my ch

ADVERTORIAL: 'I was a single mum, severely overweight, bald, with one boob... I was scared for my children's future'

Weighing 14 and a half stone , Tammy Ward trudged into her local Slimming World group ready to make a change .
But one week later she was diagnosed with breast cancer .
It was the most terrifying day of her life and one that changed her in so many ways .
In December 2017 , doctors discovered the mum-of-two from Worsley had a 9cm tumour in her left breast which had also spread to her lymph nodes .
`` I kind of knew for a couple of months that something was n't right , but I 'm a hypochondriac @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that everything was going to be fine , '' Tammy , 45 , explains .
`` I went to the doctors and they referred me to Wythenshawe Nightingale Centre .
`` Two weeks later I had a mammogram and a biopsy which was then sent off for testing .
But they told me there and then that it was cancer - it was so big that they just knew . ''
The single mum 's first fear was the thought of leaving her two children behind Dan , now aged 12 , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diagnosed I was terrified , it was really scary .
`` You just want your kids to feel safe and not to have to worry that they could lose you - especially being a single parent . ''
Tammy received her formal diagnosis one week later on December 1 and was told she would have a mastectomy on December 28 .
Despite Christmas looming , she decided this was the right time to tell her children the devastating news .
`` I just had to be really open and honest with them .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ hiding something , even though you may be protecting them , that can create more anxiety .
`` Scarlett , who was six at the time , was really good with dealing with it all but with Dan being older he understood more and became really anxious .
`` I think he just heard the word cancer and thought 'that 's it ' . ''
Tammy has two sisters who are twins , one of whom has also survived her own battle with breast cancer , both sisters became a great support for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 250 miles away , they took it in turns to stay with Tammy after each chemotherapy to help look after the kids .
`` The sad part is you ca n't promise the children you 're going to be okay because you do n't know that .
`` But you can say we 're going to have treatment to get rid of the cancer .
No-one knows what tomorrow will bring but hopefully I 'm one of the lucky ones .
`` I tell them both that they have to enjoy life and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't promised to anyone . ''
When Scarlett saw her mum lose her hair she reacted in a heartbreaking way .
`` I had to explain that the medicine was making me better but the side effect was that I 'll lose my hair - but that I 'm okay with that and it will grow back '' explains Tammy .
`` But then she came home from school one day and had cut her own hair , she had a bit of her fringe missing .
I told her not to cut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another day with some more of her hair cut .
`` I spoke to the school and they said 'we were hoping you had n't noticed but we think she has been cutting her own hair because she 's seen you lose yours .
`` She was too young to articulate how she was feeling so it came out in things like that . ''
However , Tammy continued to put on a brave face and remain strong for her children .
`` When the kids came home from school I had to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ look after them , '' she said .
`` I knew it was out of my hands now .
That 's pretty much what it 's like with cancer , you 've just got to go with it . ''
Through comfort eating Tammy gained two stone 8lbs in nine months .
`` Whilst the kids were at school I was n't moving or exercising , I was just lying on the couch eating rubbish , '' Tammy said .
`` I 'm an emotional eater so whilst going through treatment I 'd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whole pack of biscuits , on days of treatment I 'd grab a McDonalds and reward myself with scones .
`` I piled on nearly three stone during chemotherapy so by the end I weighed a whopping 17 stone and one pound .
`` I was severely overweight , bald with one boob and I was scared for my future and my children ’ s future .
`` You can imagine if you were slim and lost your hair you 'd already feel self conscious , but being that size and having only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' In July 2018 , Tammy finished her treatment and was given the all clear - much to the delight of her family .
However , there was still one thing drastically worrying her , and that was her weight .
`` I was so concerned for my health because the cancer I had was fed by estrogen so if you 're overweight then your fat feeds the estrogen , and the estrogen then feeds your cancer .
`` I did n't want it to come back . ''
Previously a size 18 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ job at The Co-op Group with clothes in size 24 to accommodate her weight gain .
Tammy 's fears multiplied when she visited a plastic surgeon and was told that she could n't be considered for a breast reconstruction .
`` My BMI was more than 30 and he said I needed to lose weight to be considered .
`` I 've always wanted to be slim and healthy but after being diagnosed with cancer I thought that 's it , there is my incentive .
`` I told myself that once I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'd go back to Slimming World - and that 's what I did . ''
From that day Tammy rejoined the Swinton Moorside group , which is part of Manchester District , and never looked back .
`` Slimming World is the one thing I can do for myself that I 'm in control of to lead a healthier life , '' she said .
`` Now I 've been going to Slimming World for just over a year and I 've lost four and a half stone .
`` I 'm now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I will be fitting into a size 14 .
`` It 's been a steady process but a complete lifestyle change and I feel like I 've had a huge transformation .
`` Now going back to work people can really see a difference with both the weight loss and my hair growth . ''
Tammy attends her local Slimming World group every week and follows their healthy recipes to ensure she keeps a strict diet .
`` For me Slimming World is about the recipes and making sure you can still enjoy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ explained .
`` I 've got a big appetite so I did n't want to have small portions and feel deprived because that would just make me miserable and life is for living .
`` You can still have your treats , eat large amounts and lose weight .
In addition clean eating is so much better for my health . ''
Previously Tammy would eat two or three takeaways a week and spend £10 a day buying lunches and snacks , she now batch cooks and opts for more nutritious alternatives .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for breakfast , a Slimming World chilli con carne , spaghetti bolognese or chicken casserole for lunch , then something quick for tea like a stir fry which only takes 10 minutes '' Tammy said .
`` The kids eat all the Slimming World meals that I eat too .
`` I want to make sure they do n't have bad food habits as they grow older so it 's setting that healthy lifestyle now so it becomes more natural for them . ''
Since rejoining Slimming World Tammy has focused on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loss and spend more quality time with her kids .
`` I do gym classes at work and I play netball whereas before I did no exercise at all .
`` If I kicked a ball about with Dan and Scarlett I 'd get breathless and I hated going swimming with them as I felt like a whale .
`` But now I 'm a lot more active and we all enjoy going swimming together .
`` It also reflects well on them as Dan has joined the gym and he 's always @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he 's a lot more active .
`` He has lost weight too and he went to high school this year so that 's helped with his confidence . ''
In 2019 Tammy won her group 's Slimming World Woman of the Year .
Everybody in the room was in tears after hearing her inspirational story but when she found out she had won she felt embarrassed .
`` I thought I 'd only won because I 'd played the 'cancer card ' .
`` But Dan was there and he said 'absolutely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of you and when I listened to what you had to say I knew you 'd win because you stood there with a smile on your face and you just get on with it . '
`` So from then on I thought , he 's right , I 'm just going to enjoy the moment . ''
Since then , Tammy has developed a new sense of confidence .
`` Breast cancer has changed my life and Slimming World has changed my life , '' said Tammy .
`` It 's changed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a person - I 'm healthier now than I 've ever been .
`` When I put my clothes on I feel great , I 'm looking much slimmer and my hair 's growing back - I do n't feel like a cancer victim any more .
`` I 've done all this for a better life for me and my kids .
`` The anxiety will always be there that the cancer might come back , as for some people it does , but I just hope that I 'm one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ December 13 , 2019 Tammy underwent a reduction on her remaining breast .
Due to her weight loss , she wanted to reduce the size of her existing breast in readiness for the re-construction on her operated breast .
`` I 'm now at a BMI of 28 so six weeks after recovering from this surgery I will be referred back to the hospital for reconstruction '' Tammy said .
`` By the time that comes around I should be well on target for the operation to go ahead .
`` And when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a tummy tuck too because they are taking it from my stomach muscle - so it 's the best of both worlds .
`` I 'm going to have a beach body by the end of it ! ''
Slimming World was launched in 1969 and currently has more than 19,000 slimming groups in the UK and Ireland .
It was created to help men and women across the country achieve their dream weight through community-based groups .
In Greater Manchester there are 385 groups you can get involved with from Salford to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group or sign up online for recipes , guidance and support .
To find your nearest group , visit slimmingworld.co.uk or call 0344 897 8000 .

Weighing 14 and a half stone, Tammy Ward trudged into her local Slimming World group ready to make a change.
But one week later she was diagnosed with breast cancer.
It was the most terrifying day of her life and one that changed her in so many ways.
In December 2017, doctors discovered the mum-of-two from Worsley had a 9cm tumour in her left breast which had also spread to her lymph nodes.
"I kind of knew for a couple of months that something wasn't right," Tammy, 45, explains.
"I found a lump but I'm a hypochondriac so I thought I was over-thinking and that everything was going to be fine.
"Then my lump got bigger, so I went to the doctors and they referred me to Wythenshawe Nightingale Centre.
"Two weeks later I had a mammogram and a biopsy which was then sent off for testing. But they told me there and then that it was cancer - it was so big that they just knew."
(Image: Tammy Ward)
The single mum's first fear was the thought of leaving her two children behind Dan, now aged 12, and Scarlett 7.
"When I got diagnosed I was terrified, it was really scary.
"You just want your kids to feel safe and not to have to worry that they could lose you - especially being a single parent."
Tammy received her formal diagnosis one week later on December 1 and was told she would have a mastectomy on December 28.
Despite Christmas looming, she decided this was the right time to tell her children the devastating news.
"I just had to be really open and honest with them.
"If kids sense that you're hiding something, even though you may be protecting them, that can create more anxiety.
"Scarlett, who was six at the time, was really good with dealing with it all but with Dan being older he understood more and became really anxious.
"I think he just heard the word cancer and thought 'that's it'."
Tammy has two sisters who are twins, one of whom has also survived her own battle with breast cancer, both sisters became a great support for her during treatment.
Although they live 250 miles away, they took it in turns to stay with Tammy after each chemotherapy to help look after the kids.
"The sad part is you can't promise the children you're going to be okay because you don't know that.
"But you can say we're going to have treatment to get rid of the cancer. No-one knows what tomorrow will bring but hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones.
"I tell them both that they have to enjoy life and live in the moment because tomorrow isn't promised to anyone."
(Image: Tammy Ward)
When Scarlett saw her mum lose her hair she reacted in a heartbreaking way.
"I had to explain that the medicine was making me better but the side effect was that I'll lose my hair - but that I'm okay with that and it will grow back" explains Tammy.
"But then she came home from school one day and had cut her own hair, she had a bit of her fringe missing. I told her not to cut it but then she came home again another day with some more of her hair cut.
"I spoke to the school and they said 'we were hoping you hadn't noticed but we think she has been cutting her own hair because she's seen you lose yours.
"She was too young to articulate how she was feeling so it came out in things like that."
However, Tammy continued to put on a brave face and remain strong for her children.
"When the kids came home from school I had to be normal, do the dinner and look after them," she said.
"I knew it was out of my hands now. That's pretty much what it's like with cancer, you've just got to go with it."
(Image: ABNM Photography)
Through comfort eating Tammy gained two stone 8lbs in nine months.
"Whilst the kids were at school I wasn't moving or exercising, I was just lying on the couch eating rubbish," Tammy said.
"I'm an emotional eater so whilst going through treatment I'd have a box of Maltesers, a whole pack of biscuits, on days of treatment I'd grab a McDonalds and reward myself with scones.
"I piled on nearly three stone during chemotherapy so by the end I weighed a whopping 17 stone and one pound.
"I was severely overweight, bald with one breast, and I was scared for my future and my children’s future.
"You can imagine if you were slim and lost your hair you'd already feel self conscious, but being that size and having only one breast made it even worse."
(Image: Tammy Ward)
In July 2018, Tammy finished her treatment and was given the all clear - much to the delight of her family.
However, there was still one thing drastically worrying her, and that was her weight.
"I was so concerned for my health because the cancer I had was fed by estrogen so if you're overweight then your fat feeds the estrogen, and the estrogen then feeds your cancer.
"I didn't want it to come back."
Previously a size 18, the HR worker returned to her job at The Co-op Group with clothes in size 24 to accommodate her weight gain.
Tammy's fears multiplied when she visited a plastic surgeon and was told that she couldn't be considered for a breast reconstruction.
"My BMI was more than 30 and he said I needed to lose weight to be considered.
"I've always wanted to be slim and healthy but after being diagnosed with cancer I thought that's it, there is my incentive.
"I told myself that once I'd gone through all the treatment I'd go back to Slimming World - and that's what I did."
(Image: ABNM Photography)
From that day Tammy rejoined the Swinton Moorside group, which is part of Manchester District, and never looked back.
"Slimming World is the one thing I can do for myself that I'm in control of to lead a healthier life," she said.
"Now I've been going to Slimming World for just over a year and I've lost four and a half stone.
"I'm now a dress size 16, and soon I will be fitting into a size 14.
"It's been a steady process but a complete lifestyle change and I feel like I've had a huge transformation.
"Now going back to work people can really see a difference with both the weight loss and my hair growth."
Tammy attends her local Slimming World group every week and follows their healthy recipes to ensure she keeps a strict diet.
"For me Slimming World is about the recipes and making sure you can still enjoy what you're eating," she explained.
"I've got a big appetite so I didn't want to have small portions and feel deprived because that would just make me miserable and life is for living.
(Image: ABNM Photography)
"You can still have your treats, eat large amounts and lose weight. In addition clean eating is so much better for my health."
Previously Tammy would eat two or three takeaways a week and spend £10 a day buying lunches and snacks, she now batch cooks and opts for more nutritious alternatives.
"My typical meals now include porridge for breakfast, a Slimming World chilli con carne, spaghetti bolognese or chicken casserole for lunch, then something quick for tea like a stir fry which only takes 10 minutes" Tammy said.
"The kids eat all the Slimming World meals that I eat too.
"I want to make sure they don't have bad food habits as they grow older so it's setting that healthy lifestyle now so it becomes more natural for them."
(Image: ABNM Photography)
Since rejoining Slimming World Tammy has focused on a more active lifestyle to aid her weight loss and spend more quality time with her kids.
"I do gym classes at work and I play netball whereas before I did no exercise at all.
"If I kicked a ball about with Dan and Scarlett I'd get breathless and I hated going swimming with them as I felt like a whale.
"But now I'm a lot more active and we all enjoy going swimming together.
"It also reflects well on them as Dan has joined the gym and he's always out and about on his bike so he's a lot more active.
"He has lost weight too and he went to high school this year so that's helped with his confidence."
In 2019 Tammy won her group's Slimming World Woman of the Year.
Everybody in the room was in tears after hearing her inspirational story but when she found out she had won she felt embarrassed.
"I thought I'd only won because I'd played the 'cancer card'.
"But Dan was there and he said 'absolutely not mum, I'm so proud of you and when I listened to what you had to say I knew you'd win because you stood there with a smile on your face and you just get on with it.'
"So from then on I thought, he's right, I'm just going to enjoy the moment."
Since then, Tammy has developed a new sense of confidence.
"Breast cancer has changed my life and Slimming World has changed my life," said Tammy.
"It's changed my whole outlook and who I am as a person - I'm healthier now than I've ever been.
"When I put my clothes on I feel great, I'm looking much slimmer and my hair's growing back - I don't feel like a cancer victim any more.
"I've done all this for a better life for me and my kids.
"The anxiety will always be there that the cancer might come back, as for some people it does, but I just hope that I'm one of the lucky ones."
(Image: ABNM Photography)
On December 13, 2019 Tammy underwent a reduction on her remaining breast.
Due to her weight loss, she wanted to reduce the size of her existing breast in readiness for the re-construction on her operated breast.
"I'm now at a BMI of 28 so six weeks after recovering from this surgery I will be referred back to the hospital for reconstruction" Tammy said.
"By the time that comes around I should be well on target for the operation to go ahead.
"And when I have the reconstruction I basically get a tummy tuck too because they are taking it from my stomach muscle - so it's the best of both worlds.
"I'm going to have a beach body by the end of it!"
Follow commercial writer Phoebe Jobling on social media To follow Phoebe on Twitter, click here. Or to like her Facebook page and keep up to date with her latest content, click here. Here's the link to the M.E.N's Facebook Partner page where we share all of our branded content articles. For brand partnership enquiries please email: brandpartnershipsmcr@reachplc.com
About Slimming World
Slimming World was launched in 1969 and currently has more than 19,000 slimming groups in the UK and Ireland.
It was created to help men and women across the country achieve their dream weight through community-based groups.
In Greater Manchester there are 385 groups you can get involved with from Salford to Stockport.
Join your local Slimming World group or sign up online for recipes, guidance and support.
To find your nearest group, visit slimmingworld.co.uk or call 0344 897 8000.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-01-19--Why Timothy Fosu-Mensah can be optimistic about overcoming Manchester United challenge

`` Timothy is coming back as well and he 's a right-back , he 's played for Holland as a right-back at the age of 19 , so we also want him back . ''
Timothy Fosu-Mensah 's stock was high when he broke into Manchester United 's first team four years ago but it 's been a long time since there was any kind of hype surrounding the 22-year-old .
Out of contract at the end of this season and having not played for United since 2017 , all the signs point to him being released in the summer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ words in his press conference on Friday , after he was asked whether the club had any plans to sign a replacement for the Inter Milan-bound Ashley Young , did not sound like those of a manager who expects the player to depart .
United will have four specialist full-backs in their squad when Young 's move is finalised : Aaron Wan-Bissaka on the right and Luke Shaw on the left .
Diogo Dalot and Brandon Williams are adept at playing on either flank , although they respectively favour the right-back and left-back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Williams are the regulars and Dalot and Shaw are the back-ups .
It is Fosu-Mensah 's task between now and the end of the campaign to force his way into the reckoning .
Thankfully for him , Dalot and Shaw are not immovable .
Dalot encouraged last season following his £20million transfer from Porto and Shaw scooped the club 's players ' player of the year and fans ' player of the year awards .
It appeared feasible that they would be regular starters for United going forward but the club 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ summer put paid to any chance of Dalot beginning the campaign at right-back .
The 20-year-old has played just four times this season and just once in the Premier League , with hip and groin injuries ravaging his campaign .
Shaw , meanwhile , has also struggled with his fitness , missing three months of action between the end of August and the start of December with a hamstring problem .
He shone in the derby win at City on December 7 but has n't played since the New Year 's Day loss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Nicolas Pepe .
With regards to Fosu-Mensah , the onus is on him to prove he deserves a chance ahead of Dalot or Shaw as he seeks to prove he has a future at the club beyond 2020 .
The Dutchman made his long-awaited return to the pitch in the Under-23s ' win over Newcastle last week after nine months out with a serious knee injury .
His chances of making an impact over the second half of the season are , in reality , slim , but he has no choice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is to avoid being shown the exit door on June 30 .

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"Timothy is coming back as well and he's a right-back, he's played for Holland as a right-back at the age of 19, so we also want him back."
Timothy Fosu-Mensah's stock was high when he broke into Manchester United's first team four years ago but it's been a long time since there was any kind of hype surrounding the 22-year-old.
Out of contract at the end of this season and having not played for United since 2017, all the signs point to him being released in the summer.
However, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's words in his press conference on Friday, after he was asked whether the club had any plans to sign a replacement for the Inter Milan-bound Ashley Young, did not sound like those of a manager who expects the player to depart.
United will have four specialist full-backs in their squad when Young's move is finalised: Aaron Wan-Bissaka on the right and Luke Shaw on the left. Diogo Dalot and Brandon Williams are adept at playing on either flank, although they respectively favour the right-back and left-back berths.
As things stand, Wan-Bissaka and Williams are the regulars and Dalot and Shaw are the back-ups. It is Fosu-Mensah's task between now and the end of the campaign to force his way into the reckoning.
Thankfully for him, Dalot and Shaw are not immovable.
Dalot encouraged last season following his £20million transfer from Porto and Shaw scooped the club's players' player of the year and fans' player of the year awards.
It appeared feasible that they would be regular starters for United going forward but the club's decision to splurge £50million on Wan-Bissaka last summer put paid to any chance of Dalot beginning the campaign at right-back.
(Image: 2019 Manchester United FC)
The 20-year-old has played just four times this season and just once in the Premier League, with hip and groin injuries ravaging his campaign.
Shaw, meanwhile, has also struggled with his fitness, missing three months of action between the end of August and the start of December with a hamstring problem.
He shone in the derby win at City on December 7 but hasn't played since the New Year's Day loss at Arsenal, when he was bullied by Nicolas Pepe.
With regards to Fosu-Mensah, the onus is on him to prove he deserves a chance ahead of Dalot or Shaw as he seeks to prove he has a future at the club beyond 2020.
The Dutchman made his long-awaited return to the pitch in the Under-23s' win over Newcastle last week after nine months out with a serious knee injury.
His chances of making an impact over the second half of the season are, in reality, slim, but he has no choice but to overcome the odds if he is to avoid being shown the exit door on June 30.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-01-19--Benjamin Mendy sends Man City transfer message vs Crystal Palace

Before Bernardo Silva set Manchester City on their way to a derby schooling at Old Trafford , the team analysts were fuming with Benjamin Mendy .
Every time they wanted him to turn to his left and up the field in the opening minutes of the game , he kept his body position as it was and passed back into the middle - where the trouble lay .
Desks were banged and actions gesticulated and while the opening may not have been the prevailing narrative on the night , it will not have been forgotten .
Nearly three years after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to injury - has still not nailed down the first-choice spot at left-back and there are again talks of the club being interested in Leicester City 's Ben Chilwell .
The England international was looked at a year ago when the Blues first considered strengthening in that position and has only enhanced his reputation in the months that have followed .
Being pushed aside at Wolves blotted his copybook over Christmas but it is hard to think of a spell where Mendy has looked better for the Blues .
This was his eighth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arguably his strongest performance yet .
From the off , he was utilised as a threat on the left wing with teammates falling over themselves to set him up to whip a delivery into the box .
In a performance where City were not quick or direct enough , he looked the most likely after Kevin De Bruyne to create a goal - which is to say the best human effort on the pitch .
Where there have been three left-backs in some matchday squads this season , Pep Guardiola named just one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there were in the performance the left-back position was an unexpected strength .
That is n't to say that it was perfect - he got a telling off from his manager after picking up a needless booking in the second half - and there is a long way to go with his form and his fitness before he can be considered a reliable option for the long-term .
But he is learning and improving , even from the game a few weeks ago with United .
If the manager is looking for improvement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has shown the right reaction to criticism is in a good position .
Producing the assist that should have completed the turnaround against Palace , a delicious cross onto Sergio Aguero 's head , ca n't hurt either when his pros and cons are weighed up .
City may be looking ahead , but Mendy is facing forward now too .

Before Bernardo Silva set Manchester City on their way to a derby schooling at Old Trafford, the team analysts were fuming with Benjamin Mendy.
Every time they wanted him to turn to his left and up the field in the opening minutes of the game, he kept his body position as it was and passed back into the middle - where the trouble lay. Desks were banged and actions gesticulated and while the opening may not have been the prevailing narrative on the night, it will not have been forgotten.
Nearly three years after signing, Benjamin Mendy - largely due to injury - has still not nailed down the first-choice spot at left-back and there are again talks of the club being interested in Leicester City's Ben Chilwell. The England international was looked at a year ago when the Blues first considered strengthening in that position and has only enhanced his reputation in the months that have followed.
Being pushed aside at Wolves blotted his copybook over Christmas but it is hard to think of a spell where Mendy has looked better for the Blues. This was his eighth start in the last 11 games and arguably his strongest performance yet.
From the off, he was utilised as a threat on the left wing with teammates falling over themselves to set him up to whip a delivery into the box. In a performance where City were not quick or direct enough, he looked the most likely after Kevin De Bruyne to create a goal - which is to say the best human effort on the pitch.
Where there have been three left-backs in some matchday squads this season, Pep Guardiola named just one against Crystal Palace and whatever other struggles there were in the performance the left-back position was an unexpected strength.
(Image: Manchester City FC via Getty Images)
That isn't to say that it was perfect - he got a telling off from his manager after picking up a needless booking in the second half - and there is a long way to go with his form and his fitness before he can be considered a reliable option for the long-term.
But he is learning and improving, even from the game a few weeks ago with United. If the manager is looking for improvement for next season, a player that has shown the right reaction to criticism is in a good position.
Producing the assist that should have completed the turnaround against Palace, a delicious cross onto Sergio Aguero's head, can't hurt either when his pros and cons are weighed up.
City may be looking ahead, but Mendy is facing forward now too.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-01-19--Solskjaer sets out how his Manchester United team can be like Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool FC

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes he has the makings of a Manchester United team that can match Premier League leaders Liverpool in the future .
United head to Anfield 27 points behind Jurgen Klopp 's men this weekend , with the Merseyside outfit setting a ferocious pace in a pursuit of their first league title for three decades .
Liverpool have won 20 of their 21 Premier League games this season , with United the only team to stop them winning in the reverse fixture at Old Trafford .
It would be considered a major shock if they were to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Solskjaer is still in the early days of his reign and he can see a trajectory for his side where they become as well drilled as Liverpool .
Asked if this United team could ever be as good as Klopp 's Liverpool , Solskjaer said : “ I do yes because when I see what these players have , their work rate , the culture we have which had to change completely - now I do n't think many teams outrun us any more .
`` The spirit is there , they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a great starting point and foundation .
We know we need to sign a few but that 's the club and we all understand that . ''
Klopp took over as Liverpool boss in October 2015 and could only guide them to eighth place that season , before back-to-back fourth place finishes .
After coming second behind Manchester City last season they look set for the title this term but the gradual improvement the German has engineered at Anfield gives Solskjaer belief that United can follow suit , once his players are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's are under Klopp .
`` We look at when Jurgen took over at Liverpool I think he finished eighth in his first season so this is our first season together , '' he said .
`` Of course we want to build step by step , and layer by layer and in the end you can just send them out without having to wait until Saturday to do the last preparations because you know what they are able to do .
`` If you look at Liverpool now with Firmino , Salah @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – they all understand each other so they understand when he moves there and him there they drop and rotate and that 's where we want to get to but that takes time .
“ He 's done a great job I must say that .
When as a manager you have done such a good job that you can send out your team and know more or less what you are going to get every-time so he is one of the better managers around for sure .
”

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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes he has the makings of a Manchester United team that can match Premier League leaders Liverpool in the future.
United head to Anfield 27 points behind Jurgen Klopp's men this weekend, with the Merseyside outfit setting a ferocious pace in a pursuit of their first league title for three decades.
Liverpool have won 20 of their 21 Premier League games this season, with United the only team to stop them winning in the reverse fixture at Old Trafford.
It would be considered a major shock if they were to get a result at Anfield today, but Solskjaer is still in the early days of his reign and he can see a trajectory for his side where they become as well drilled as Liverpool.
Asked if this United team could ever be as good as Klopp's Liverpool, Solskjaer said: “I do yes because when I see what these players have, their work rate, the culture we have which had to change completely - now I don't think many teams outrun us any more.
"The spirit is there, they are humble and they want to improve that is a great starting point and foundation. We know we need to sign a few but that's the club and we all understand that."
Klopp took over as Liverpool boss in October 2015 and could only guide them to eighth place that season, before back-to-back fourth place finishes. After coming second behind Manchester City last season they look set for the title this term but the gradual improvement the German has engineered at Anfield gives Solskjaer belief that United can follow suit, once his players are as well-drilled in their system as Liverpool's are under Klopp.
"We look at when Jurgen took over at Liverpool I think he finished eighth in his first season so this is our first season together," he said.
"Of course we want to build step by step, and layer by layer and in the end you can just send them out without having to wait until Saturday to do the last preparations because you know what they are able to do.
"If you look at Liverpool now with Firmino, Salah and Mane and the midfield they have – they all understand each other so they understand when he moves there and him there they drop and rotate and that's where we want to get to but that takes time.
“He's done a great job I must say that. When as a manager you have done such a good job that you can send out your team and know more or less what you are going to get every-time so he is one of the better managers around for sure.”


themanchestereveningnews--2020-01-19--Secret KitKat flavours and hidden restaurants - things you only see in a Chinese supermarket

Heading to your regular supermarket is often a mundane chore .
You buy the same things week in week out , you habitually follow a precise route up and down the aisles , and there ’ s nothing to look forward to on your way out .
But there are a number of Chinese supermarkets in Manchester that can offer an entirely different shopping experience - and most come with restaurants serving slap-up cuisine right upstairs once you ’ re done .
From unusual KitKat flavours and aisles of instant noodle flavours , to chicken claws ready and waiting in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it 's like to shop at a Chinese supermarket in Greater Manchester .
With a prime location situated a stone ’ s throw away from Chinatown ’ s iconic archway , it feels like you ’ ve been transported to China before even stepping inside .
A bright yellow sign with Chinese characters in red dazzles , and at this time of year , New Year lanterns line the building from above .
Items on offer are displayed outside on the street stacked in crates and cardboard boxes , but also presented are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the steps to the entrance , you ’ re hit with a strong aroma of spice .
You can hear the low hum of chatter in both Mandarin and Cantonese , while two elderly women stop in their tracks in the fresh vegetable section for a catch-up .
While Wing Fat is one of the smallest Chinese supermarkets in Manchester , the cramped space only adds to its charm , making it a firm favourite among locals .
There 's a sense of chaos as customers queue up to buy authentic goods well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ small , there ’ s only room for one person to walk down them at a time .
No children or families are in sight , with shoppers coming in ones and twos ; some with baskets or just picking up the odd item before heading to the checkout .
You can grab vacuum sealed Chinese sausage , and pork and duck liver sausage for £4.10 ; or dried yellow stripe fish in a packet for snacking at £2.80 .
In the fridges , there are bottles of lychee and glass jelly drinks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treat yourself to a soya drink or milk tea .
Further along to the bottom shelf , you ’ ll see fish and crab sitting on ice in polystyrene boxes , leaving you confused as to how you pick one of these up to purchase .
Before you leave , you will clock raw chicken thighs in a bowl being prepared behind the counter , alongside a stash of traditional Chinese medicine .
This is definitely one to visit if you ’ re looking for a traditional , old-school Chinese shopping experience that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 6,000 miles away from Manchester .
A young woman stands at the front of the store offering shoppers a try of their freshly cooked dumplings .
You head down the flight of stairs to be greeted with a shrine at the back of the store , with two male figures displayed in a mahogany cabinet alongside candles and oranges .
In the aisles beside it are bottles and bottles of oil and sauces , with the adjoining aisle stacked with tub upon tub of instant noodle flavours ; hot spicy beef , spicy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extra spicy fiery curry , Tom Yam , chilli crab , shrimp , kimchi noodle soup - to name a few .
There are different types of mushrooms vacuum sealed at a cost of £3.35 ; Japan ’ s own version of mayonnaise - KEWPIE - for £4.20 ; fresh quail eggs for £1.50 ; small pea eggplant for £1.60 ; and vacuum sealed cuttlefish balls for £3.40 .
Choco banana Pocky sticks are 70p ; there are green tea cookies at a mystery price with an unmarked tag ; mung bean rice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cent alcohol Korean wine for a bargain at £3.65 .
Like in all Chinese supermarkets , there 's a section with every possible frying pan you could imagine , along with traditional pots , spoons , and plates for a couple of quid .
When you approach Woo Sang , you notice a different type of atmosphere .
It ’ s less inviting and there are a lot less customers at just a handful .
While other supermarkets had background noise from staff and shoppers , this one has a radio station blaring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , little red balls of fresh lychee immediately catch your eye but at £6.50 a portion , it ’ s easy to keep on walking .
Towards the back of the store , the deserted aisles become darker and almost haunting , but then you see you can take home fortune cookies for 99p , which makes everything seem better .
Just upstairs of the supermarket is Hunan Restaurant , which serves traditional cuisine from Hunan province in mainland China - with signature flavours consisting of fresh chilli and garlic .
And it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restaurant in Manchester , but in the North West , according to manager Hanni .
Clientele include a lot of westerners who have visited China before , who commonly opt for ‘ Chairman Mao ’ s red braised pork ’ , ‘ Spicy crayfish ’ ‘ Green chilli stir fry pork , and ‘ Special Hunan bacon ’ , adds Hanni .
The restaurant is rated four stars on TripAdvisor from 209 reviews .
Wing Yip is probably the most well-known Chinese supermarket in Manchester , mainly because you ca n't miss its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its massive megastore offering - stocking 4,500 products , including Vietnamese , Thai , and Indian ranges .
They have four stores across the UK , and currently two generations of the Wing Yip family are involved in the day-to day running of the stores .
In the Manchester chain , there 's a Chinese newsagent , Ho 's Bakery , along with a fresh fish counter .
It ’ s more clinical than the others and most similar to a western-owned supermarket with bright , white lights and huge aisles .
Nearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; some made up of three generations , with children playing with their parents as grandparents watch on laughing .
There a lot more westerners here as you pass a number of couples discussing which ingredients to pick up as they follow a recipe list .
Alongside the rows of packeted food as seen in Chinatown stores , there ’ s a much bigger selection of freezer food at Wing Yip , making it an ideal place for a big shop to stock up on items .
You discover a lot of different @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of pork and beef , to smaller items such as duck feet for £6.99 .
The supermarket is loud as calls echo through the building , and upstairs is just the same .
The company ’ s restaurant , Glamorous , is conveniently located on the floor above , serving traditional Cantonese food .
As their website states , Tommy Hung together with his family , have travelled the Far East to bring over some of the best chefs from China , Hong Kong and Thailand .
Just like the store beneath , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 300 dishes to choose from .
The restaurant is rated 3.5 stars on TripAdvisor from 395 reviews .
Located at the back of the University of Manchester , this supermarket is a hotspot for Chinese students .
But there 's also a number of families shopping here who ca n't quite face the extent of Wing Yip 's offering with little-ones clinging to their side .
It 's a store that feels in between Wing Yip and Chinatown , with medium-sized aisles , a manageable selection of produce to work through , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Laoganma chilli oil is on special offer at just 99p , neatly rolled slices of beef will set you back nearly £7 .
The fruit on display is triple packed for protection , but it 's the unique flavours of crisps that really catch your attention .
Not only this , you can try three flavours of KitKat that are n't sold in UK supermarkets - including chestnut , sweet potato , and matcha .
But for something so extraordinary , picking up a bag will cost you nearly a fiver , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ upstairs is Tai Pan restaurant , rated four stars from 416 reviews on TripAdvisor , selling a range of traditional Chinese and Cantonese dishes .
Duty manager , George , says his customers are '50/50 ' native Chinese or British , who have usually visited China before .
`` Visitors to the restaurant are usually adventurous with the meals they order , and will often order chicken feet as a bit of a laugh , '' he smiles .
With this many supermarkets available and more selling authentic and out-of-the-ordinary Chinese goods - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it just adds to the list of reasons why Manchester is one of the best multicultural cities to live in the UK .

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Heading to your regular supermarket is often a mundane chore.
You buy the same things week in week out, you habitually follow a precise route up and down the aisles, and there’s nothing to look forward to on your way out.
But there are a number of Chinese supermarkets in Manchester that can offer an entirely different shopping experience - and most come with restaurants serving slap-up cuisine right upstairs once you’re done.
From unusual KitKat flavours and aisles of instant noodle flavours, to chicken claws ready and waiting in the freezer section, this is what it's like to shop at a Chinese supermarket in Greater Manchester.
Wing Fat - Faulkner Street, Chinatown
(Image: Saffron Otter)
With a prime location situated a stone’s throw away from Chinatown’s iconic archway, it feels like you’ve been transported to China before even stepping inside.
A bright yellow sign with Chinese characters in red dazzles, and at this time of year, New Year lanterns line the building from above.
Items on offer are displayed outside on the street stacked in crates and cardboard boxes, but also presented are bamboo and pomelo plants.
Walking up the steps to the entrance, you’re hit with a strong aroma of spice. You can hear the low hum of chatter in both Mandarin and Cantonese, while two elderly women stop in their tracks in the fresh vegetable section for a catch-up.
(Image: Saffron Otter)
While Wing Fat is one of the smallest Chinese supermarkets in Manchester, the cramped space only adds to its charm, making it a firm favourite among locals.
There's a sense of chaos as customers queue up to buy authentic goods well into the aisles, which are so small, there’s only room for one person to walk down them at a time.
No children or families are in sight, with shoppers coming in ones and twos; some with baskets or just picking up the odd item before heading to the checkout.
(Image: Saffron Otter)
You can grab vacuum sealed Chinese sausage, and pork and duck liver sausage for £4.10; or dried yellow stripe fish in a packet for snacking at £2.80.
In the fridges, there are bottles of lychee and glass jelly drinks for around a £1 or you can treat yourself to a soya drink or milk tea.
Further along to the bottom shelf, you’ll see fish and crab sitting on ice in polystyrene boxes, leaving you confused as to how you pick one of these up to purchase.
(Image: Saffron Otter) (Image: Saffron Otter)
Before you leave, you will clock raw chicken thighs in a bowl being prepared behind the counter, alongside a stash of traditional Chinese medicine.
This is definitely one to visit if you’re looking for a traditional, old-school Chinese shopping experience that makes you feel like you’re 6,000 miles away from Manchester.
Hang Won Hong - George Street, Chinatown
A young woman stands at the front of the store offering shoppers a try of their freshly cooked dumplings.
You head down the flight of stairs to be greeted with a shrine at the back of the store, with two male figures displayed in a mahogany cabinet alongside candles and oranges.
In the aisles beside it are bottles and bottles of oil and sauces, with the adjoining aisle stacked with tub upon tub of instant noodle flavours; hot spicy beef, spicy chicken, sauerkraut, spicy pork, extra spicy fiery curry, Tom Yam, chilli crab, shrimp, kimchi noodle soup - to name a few.
(Image: Saffron Otter)
There are different types of mushrooms vacuum sealed at a cost of £3.35; Japan’s own version of mayonnaise - KEWPIE - for £4.20; fresh quail eggs for £1.50; small pea eggplant for £1.60; and vacuum sealed cuttlefish balls for £3.40.
Choco banana Pocky sticks are 70p; there are green tea cookies at a mystery price with an unmarked tag; mung bean rice cakes for £2.85; and 13 per cent alcohol Korean wine for a bargain at £3.65.
Like in all Chinese supermarkets, there's a section with every possible frying pan you could imagine, along with traditional pots, spoons, and plates for a couple of quid.
(Image: Saffron Otter)
(Image: Saffron Otter)
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Woo Sang and Hunan restaurant - George Street, Chinatown
(Image: Saffron Otter)
When you approach Woo Sang, you notice a different type of atmosphere. It’s less inviting and there are a lot less customers at just a handful.
While other supermarkets had background noise from staff and shoppers, this one has a radio station blaring pop music in the doorway. Hairy-looking, little red balls of fresh lychee immediately catch your eye but at £6.50 a portion, it’s easy to keep on walking.
Towards the back of the store, the deserted aisles become darker and almost haunting, but then you see you can take home fortune cookies for 99p, which makes everything seem better.
(Image: Saffron Otter) (Image: Saffron Otter)
Just upstairs of the supermarket is Hunan Restaurant, which serves traditional cuisine from Hunan province in mainland China - with signature flavours consisting of fresh chilli and garlic.
And it’s not just the only Hunan restaurant in Manchester, but in the North West, according to manager Hanni.
Clientele include a lot of westerners who have visited China before, who commonly opt for ‘Chairman Mao’s red braised pork’, ‘Spicy crayfish’ ‘Green chilli stir fry pork, and ‘Special Hunan bacon’, adds Hanni.
The restaurant is rated four stars on TripAdvisor from 209 reviews.
Wing Yip Superstore and Glamorous Restaurant - Oldham Road
(Image: Saffron Otter)
Wing Yip is probably the most well-known Chinese supermarket in Manchester, mainly because you can't miss its striking exterior, but also because of its massive megastore offering - stocking 4,500 products, including Vietnamese, Thai, and Indian ranges.
They have four stores across the UK, and currently two generations of the Wing Yip family are involved in the day-to day running of the stores.
In the Manchester chain, there's a Chinese newsagent, Ho's Bakery, along with a fresh fish counter.
It’s more clinical than the others and most similar to a western-owned supermarket with bright, white lights and huge aisles.
Nearly all shoppers are families pushing large trolleys; some made up of three generations, with children playing with their parents as grandparents watch on laughing.
There a lot more westerners here as you pass a number of couples discussing which ingredients to pick up as they follow a recipe list.
Alongside the rows of packeted food as seen in Chinatown stores, there’s a much bigger selection of freezer food at Wing Yip, making it an ideal place for a big shop to stock up on items.
(Image: Saffron Otter)
You discover a lot of different kinds of meats, with huge cuts of pork and beef, to smaller items such as duck feet for £6.99. The supermarket is loud as calls echo through the building, and upstairs is just the same.
The company’s restaurant, Glamorous, is conveniently located on the floor above, serving traditional Cantonese food.
As their website states, Tommy Hung together with his family, have travelled the Far East to bring over some of the best chefs from China, Hong Kong and Thailand.
Just like the store beneath, there's loads of choice with more than 300 dishes to choose from.
The restaurant is rated 3.5 stars on TripAdvisor from 395 reviews.
WH Lung Cash & Carry and Tai Pan Restaurant - Upper Brook Street
(Image: Saffron Otter)
Located at the back of the University of Manchester, this supermarket is a hotspot for Chinese students.
But there's also a number of families shopping here who can't quite face the extent of Wing Yip's offering with little-ones clinging to their side.
It's a store that feels in between Wing Yip and Chinatown, with medium-sized aisles, a manageable selection of produce to work through, and a more relaxed setting.
(Image: Saffron Otter) (Image: Saffron Otter)
While Laoganma chilli oil is on special offer at just 99p, neatly rolled slices of beef will set you back nearly £7.
The fruit on display is triple packed for protection, but it's the unique flavours of crisps that really catch your attention.
Not only this, you can try three flavours of KitKat that aren't sold in UK supermarkets - including chestnut, sweet potato, and matcha.
But for something so extraordinary, picking up a bag will cost you nearly a fiver, but it's surely worth it?
(Image: Saffron Otter) (Image: Saffron Otter) (Image: Saffron Otter)
Just upstairs is Tai Pan restaurant, rated four stars from 416 reviews on TripAdvisor, selling a range of traditional Chinese and Cantonese dishes.
Duty manager, George, says his customers are '50/50' native Chinese or British, who have usually visited China before.
"Visitors to the restaurant are usually adventurous with the meals they order, and will often order chicken feet as a bit of a laugh," he smiles.
With this many supermarkets available and more selling authentic and out-of-the-ordinary Chinese goods - and even boasting their own eateries - it just adds to the list of reasons why Manchester is one of the best multicultural cities to live in the UK.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-01-19--Manchester United need to unleash their proven matchwinner vs Liverpool FC

United are the only team to have stopped Liverpool winning in the Premier League and did it with Marcos Rojo in their defence .
Rojo replaced Axel Tuanzebe at the last minute after he succumbed to injury in the warm-up and United were only breached in the 85th minute by Adam Lallana .
Rojo is not being considered for selection at the moment amid a possible mid-season move and Eric Bailly only returned from a five-and-a-half month lay-off last week - as did auxiliary centre half Timothy Fosu-Mensah .
Then there is Phil Jones , a walking disaster in his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United and Manchester City .
United have not used a back three since the Bramall Lane fiasco when Jones was hooked at the interval .
Nemanja Matic has brief experience of playing in a defensive trident but is one of two out-and-out central midfielders available to Solskjaer .
Dishon Bernard and Teden Mengi are unlikely to get the call .
Yesteryear , Juan Mata not starting against a top six match was as much of a certainty as Romelu Lukaku not scoring in a top six match .
Now , Mata is on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ undroppable , though he could come thumping back down to earth at Anfield on Sunday .
Mata influenced both of United 's last wins at Liverpool with two goals in March 2015 and a talismanic cameo in January 2016 .
There was also his infamous captain 's stint there in the Europa League defeat in March 2016 .
If Mata is on the right , he will have to keep up with the snide Andy Robertson .
If he is the 10 , he will have to contend with the snide Jordan Henderson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Henderson by virtue of him captaining the best Liverpool side since the late 1980s .
His significance has been overplayed in a team with the best full-backs , centre-back and attacking trio in Europe .
The onus is might be on Mata to on bring Henderson thumping back down to earth .
Will Jurgen Klopp be more open ?
It did not take long for Klopp to have the Liverpool press pack eating out of the palm of his hand , so his questionable approach at Old Trafford on both occasions last year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In February , three United players were forced off injured in the first-half and Marcus Rashford played on with an injury .
Liverpool mustered one attempt on target , hit with all the speed of a back pass .
`` It is just a fact when we come here , last year , this year , the year before , they just defend , '' Klopp complained after the October stalemate .
His analysis had everything to do with the fact United were superior for 84 minutes and had thrown Liverpool with their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and October , United are there for the taking ; devoid of their two best midfielders and their player of the season .
Liverpool 's cautiousness at Old Trafford and Goodison Park prevented them from winning the title last year and the wait will end before May this year .
They should play with abandon at Anfield but Klopp 's reticence also contributed to the goalless draws in L4 in October 2016 and 2017 , though Jose Mourinho was predictably depicted as the villain by Klopp 's fawning fans .
Assuming Rashford is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up with Anthony Martial and Mata in the attack .
The fourth forward ( or midfielder ) is a toss up between Andreas Pereira , Daniel James and Mason Greenwood .
James has been out of form for around a month , Greenwood did not excel in midweek and Pereira 's bench role against Wolves was possibly telling .
Pereira started against Liverpool in October and had some merit as the No.10 breaking through the front two of James and Rashford .
His best work is off the ball and if Pereira plays @ @ @ @ @ @ @ switch to the right .
That tactic worked against Norwich , only they are at the foot of the table .
Friday marked four years since Wayne Rooney volleyed in at the Anfield Road End to secure United 's last win on their foe 's turf .
Liverpool have beaten United twice and drawn twice in the four games at Anfield since and the only goal they conceded was down to Alisson 's fumble that Jesse Lingard pounced on .

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Back three?
United are the only team to have stopped Liverpool winning in the Premier League and did it with Marcos Rojo in their defence. Rojo replaced Axel Tuanzebe at the last minute after he succumbed to injury in the warm-up and United were only breached in the 85th minute by Adam Lallana.
Rojo is not being considered for selection at the moment amid a possible mid-season move and Eric Bailly only returned from a five-and-a-half month lay-off last week - as did auxiliary centre half Timothy Fosu-Mensah. Then there is Phil Jones, a walking disaster in his two meaningful starts this term against Sheffield United and Manchester City.
United have not used a back three since the Bramall Lane fiasco when Jones was hooked at the interval. Nemanja Matic has brief experience of playing in a defensive trident but is one of two out-and-out central midfielders available to Solskjaer. Dishon Bernard and Teden Mengi are unlikely to get the call.
Where does Juan Mata play?
Yesteryear, Juan Mata not starting against a top six match was as much of a certainty as Romelu Lukaku not scoring in a top six match. Now, Mata is on a mini-run of fine form and suddenly undroppable, though he could come thumping back down to earth at Anfield on Sunday.
Mata influenced both of United's last wins at Liverpool with two goals in March 2015 and a talismanic cameo in January 2016. There was also his infamous captain's stint there in the Europa League defeat in March 2016.
If Mata is on the right, he will have to keep up with the snide Andy Robertson. If he is the 10, he will have to contend with the snide Jordan Henderson. There has been recent revisionism surrounding Henderson by virtue of him captaining the best Liverpool side since the late 1980s. His significance has been overplayed in a team with the best full-backs, centre-back and attacking trio in Europe. The onus is might be on Mata to on bring Henderson thumping back down to earth.
Will Jurgen Klopp be more open?
It did not take long for Klopp to have the Liverpool press pack eating out of the palm of his hand, so his questionable approach at Old Trafford on both occasions last year was never going to be queried. In February, three United players were forced off injured in the first-half and Marcus Rashford played on with an injury. Liverpool mustered one attempt on target, hit with all the speed of a back pass.
"It is just a fact when we come here, last year, this year, the year before, they just defend," Klopp complained after the October stalemate. His analysis had everything to do with the fact United were superior for 84 minutes and had thrown Liverpool with their split striker tactic.
Like in February and October, United are there for the taking; devoid of their two best midfielders and their player of the season. Liverpool's cautiousness at Old Trafford and Goodison Park prevented them from winning the title last year and the wait will end before May this year.
They should play with abandon at Anfield but Klopp's reticence also contributed to the goalless draws in L4 in October 2016 and 2017, though Jose Mourinho was predictably depicted as the villain by Klopp's fawning fans.
Who's the fourth forward?
Assuming Rashford is fit, he is destined to line up with Anthony Martial and Mata in the attack. The fourth forward (or midfielder) is a toss up between Andreas Pereira, Daniel James and Mason Greenwood. James has been out of form for around a month, Greenwood did not excel in midweek and Pereira's bench role against Wolves was possibly telling.
Pereira started against Liverpool in October and had some merit as the No.10 breaking through the front two of James and Rashford. His best work is off the ball and if Pereira plays there again then Mata would have to switch to the right. That tactic worked against Norwich, only they are at the foot of the table.
Anfield hoodoo to end?
Friday marked four years since Wayne Rooney volleyed in at the Anfield Road End to secure United's last win on their foe's turf. Liverpool have beaten United twice and drawn twice in the four games at Anfield since and the only goal they conceded was down to Alisson's fumble that Jesse Lingard pounced on.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-01-19--Sergio Aguero leaves Man City and Pep Guardiola stuck in awkward reality

Aguero still in a league of his own Where would Manchester City be without Sergio Aguero ?
His hat-trick against Aston Villa showed him in exhibition mode but these two goals were more important - or should have been .
It was pointed out to Pep Guardiola ahead of this fixture that this team are the league 's top scorers .
Yes , he replied , but defensive lapses mean the reality is they have n't been the best team .
That was shown in painful fashion against Crystal Palace .
Behind completely against the run of play , Aguero @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his 250th and 251st strikes to make even more of a mockery of the notion that he does n't score important goals .
The Etihad , having been furiously urging their team on , were now cheering Ederson wasting time .
Too soon as it turned out , as another switch-off at the back saw Wilfried Zaha 's half cross , half shot turned into his own net by Fernandinho .
Had the team defended better , or attacked with the same precision as Aguero , this would have been a comfortable three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two major consistency issues that continue to plague the season .
Gabriel Jesus will have to hope the Brazilian delegation were keeping a closer eye on Fernandinho than him as they make their plans for the national team .
The forward was brought off the bench to do what City had failed to do and put the ball in the net but when one of the best chances of the game presented itself to him he snatched at it and blasted it over .
His buildup play can be the best in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the equaliser but it is goals that will decide whether he succeeds Sergio Aguero at the club .
Ederson did n't cover himself in glory either , charging out of his area wildly in the first half to put his team in trouble before Fernandinho recovered the situation .
One of the more random stats ahead of this game involved Pep Guardiola 's birthday .
Four City managers - Brian Horton [ 1995 ] , Joe Royle [ 2001 ] , Mark Hughes [ 2010 ] and Roberto Mancini [ 2011 & 2012 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Premier League game on their birthday and none of them had managed to win .
Could Guardiola break a jinx and celebrate his 49th with three points ?
No , as it turns out , giving the bizarre trivia more life than the title race .
Wilfried Zaha is usually the first name on Guardiola 's lips when he wants to praise Crystal Palace and there is no doubt of the threat that he carries .
That he was so ineffective for so long against City was largely down to Joao Cancelo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Aston Villa , he smothered Zaha any time the forward looked like he could spark something ... until the final minutes .
One run was all it took and the ball was in the back of the net , stunning the Etihad into silence as injury time approached .

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Aguero still in a league of his own
Where would Manchester City be without Sergio Aguero?
His hat-trick against Aston Villa showed him in exhibition mode but these two goals were more important - or should have been.
It was pointed out to Pep Guardiola ahead of this fixture that this team are the league's top scorers. Yes, he replied, but defensive lapses mean the reality is they haven't been the best team.
That was shown in painful fashion against Crystal Palace. Behind completely against the run of play, Aguero dragged them out of a hole with his 250th and 251st strikes to make even more of a mockery of the notion that he doesn't score important goals. The Etihad, having been furiously urging their team on, were now cheering Ederson wasting time.
Too soon as it turned out, as another switch-off at the back saw Wilfried Zaha's half cross, half shot turned into his own net by Fernandinho.
Had the team defended better, or attacked with the same precision as Aguero, this would have been a comfortable three points. That it wasn't highlights two major consistency issues that continue to plague the season.
Brazilians watching
Gabriel Jesus will have to hope the Brazilian delegation were keeping a closer eye on Fernandinho than him as they make their plans for the national team.
The forward was brought off the bench to do what City had failed to do and put the ball in the net but when one of the best chances of the game presented itself to him he snatched at it and blasted it over.
His buildup play can be the best in the world and produced a lovely assist for the equaliser but it is goals that will decide whether he succeeds Sergio Aguero at the club.
Ederson didn't cover himself in glory either, charging out of his area wildly in the first half to put his team in trouble before Fernandinho recovered the situation.
(Image: Manchester City FC via Getty Images)
Birthday jinx
One of the more random stats ahead of this game involved Pep Guardiola's birthday.
Four City managers - Brian Horton [1995], Joe Royle [2001], Mark Hughes [2010] and Roberto Mancini [2011 & 2012] - had previously taken charge of a Premier League game on their birthday and none of them had managed to win.
Could Guardiola break a jinx and celebrate his 49th with three points? No, as it turns out, giving the bizarre trivia more life than the title race.
Cancelo gets an important lesson
Wilfried Zaha is usually the first name on Guardiola's lips when he wants to praise Crystal Palace and there is no doubt of the threat that he carries.
That he was so ineffective for so long against City was largely down to Joao Cancelo. Excellent going forward last week against Aston Villa, he smothered Zaha any time the forward looked like he could spark something...until the final minutes.
One run was all it took and the ball was in the back of the net, stunning the Etihad into silence as injury time approached.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-01-19--Man City transfer news LIVE Mahrez and Mendy latest plus reaction to Crystal Palace draw

Man City will recover today following the disappointing late draw to Crystal Palace .
City dropped yet more points on @ @ @ @ @ fall even further behind Liverpool in the Premier League title race .
Cenk Tosun had @ @ @ @ @ City continued to dominate and deservedly turned the game around when Sergio Aguero bagged a @ @ @ @ @ minutes .
However , there was more to come as Palace mounted their own come @ @ @ @ @ equaliser in the 90th minute as Fernandinho turned a Wilfried Zaha cross into his own @ @ @ @ @ Match Benjamin Mendy revealed the mood in the dressing room afterwards .
`` At the @ @ @ @ @ we are all angry and sad .
I think we deserved more .
Football is @ @ @ @ @ why it 's beautiful , '' he said .
Follow below for the latest Man @ @ @ @ @ .

Man City will recover today following the disappointing late draw to Crystal Palace.
City dropped yet more points on Saturday and have seen themselves fall even further behind Liverpool in the Premier League title race.
Cenk Tosun had put the Eagles ahead but City continued to dominate and deservedly turned the game around when Sergio Aguero bagged a brace in the final 10 minutes.
However, there was more to come as Palace mounted their own come back and found a shock equaliser in the 90th minute as Fernandinho turned a Wilfried Zaha cross into his own goal.
Man of the Match Benjamin Mendy revealed the mood in the dressing room afterwards.
"At the end of the game, we are all angry and sad. I think we deserved more. Football is like this - that's why it's beautiful," he said.
Look back over the latest Man City news throughout the day.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-01-19--Pep Guardiola gives Man City warning over Aymeric Laporte return

Pep Guardiola has warned Manchester City that they must improve without Aymeric Laporte .
The Frenchman has been one of the positive stories of the month for the Blues ; after suffering no ill-effects from returning to training with the squad after his long-term injury , he is expecting to play again in the next week or so .
City will welcome his return .
The team have been plagued by inconsistency and mistakes all season that have seen an end to their hopes of defending the Premier League title and that was in evidence again on Saturday .
Guardiola @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shots on target was a good thing , but given the Crystal Palace scored two goals he was forced to admit that improvement is needed .
And as much as Laporte 's return should make the team better , the rest of the squad can not just expect that he will sort everything out on his own .
“ They didn ’ t need much to score goals and we have to improve .
We can not expect that Aymeric is going to solve all of the problems , ” said Guardiola .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ principle for everyone .
He is getting better and the doctor is going to evaluate him in the training session and I am going to talk to him about when it will be possible and step by step to come in .
“ But after four or five months he will need time so he will not be ready immediately to do it .
”

Pep Guardiola has warned Manchester City that they must improve without Aymeric Laporte.
The Frenchman has been one of the positive stories of the month for the Blues; after suffering no ill-effects from returning to training with the squad after his long-term injury, he is expecting to play again in the next week or so.
City will welcome his return. The team have been plagued by inconsistency and mistakes all season that have seen an end to their hopes of defending the Premier League title and that was in evidence again on Saturday.
Guardiola tried to explain how only conceding three shots on target was a good thing, but given the Crystal Palace scored two goals he was forced to admit that improvement is needed. And as much as Laporte's return should make the team better, the rest of the squad cannot just expect that he will sort everything out on his own.
“They didn’t need much to score goals and we have to improve. We cannot expect that Aymeric is going to solve all of the problems,” said Guardiola.
“We have to be as a principle for everyone. He is getting better and the doctor is going to evaluate him in the training session and I am going to talk to him about when it will be possible and step by step to come in.
“But after four or five months he will need time so he will not be ready immediately to do it.”


themanchestereveningnews--2020-01-19--Man City transfer news RECAP Mahrez and Mendy latest plus reaction to Crystal Palace draw

Man City will recover today following the disappointing late draw to Crystal Palace .
City dropped yet more points on @ @ @ @ @ fall even further behind Liverpool in the Premier League title race .
Cenk Tosun had @ @ @ @ @ City continued to dominate and deservedly turned the game around when Sergio Aguero bagged a @ @ @ @ @ minutes .
However , there was more to come as Palace mounted their own come @ @ @ @ @ equaliser in the 90th minute as Fernandinho turned a Wilfried Zaha cross into his own @ @ @ @ @ Match Benjamin Mendy revealed the mood in the dressing room afterwards .
`` At the @ @ @ @ @ we are all angry and sad .
I think we deserved more .
Football is @ @ @ @ @ why it 's beautiful , '' he said .
Look back over the latest Man @ @ @ @ @ .

newsdesk@men-news.co.uk (Dominic Booth, Liam Corless, Joe Bray)


themanchestereveningnews--2020-01-19--Miraculous escape as Range Rover leaves the road and smashes into optician's

A Range Rover mounted the kerb and smashed into an optician 's in Rochdale tonight .
Police say no-one was @ @ @ @ @ on Entwisle Road in Rochdale .
The drama happened shortly before 4.53pm today ( Sunday @ @ @ @ @ smashed into Clinic 4 Eyes on Entwisle Road near its junction with Bellfield Road .
@ @ @ @ @ were called to the scene .
Two people on board the Range Rover were taken @ @ @ @ @ not seriously hurt .
The road was closed and building inspectors were called to assess @ @ @ @ @ for Greater Manchester Police said : `` Police were called at 4.53pm to reports of @ @ @ @ @ A vehicle had collided with a building .
There were no serious or life-threatening injuries @ @ @ @ @ He went on that building inspectors had been summoned to examine the property .
The @ @ @ @ @ Road and Oswald Street while the emergency services were at the scene .
The road @ @ @ @ @

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A Range Rover mounted the kerb and smashed into an optician's in Rochdale tonight.
Police say no-one was seriously hurt following the drama on Entwisle Road in Rochdale.
The drama happened shortly before 4.53pm today (Sunday) when the Range Rover smashed into Clinic 4 Eyes on Entwisle Road near its junction with Bellfield Road.
Police, paramedics and firefighters were called to the scene.
Two people on board the Range Rover were taken to hospital although they were not seriously hurt.
The road was closed and building inspectors were called to assess the damage.
(Image: M.E.N.)
A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: "Police were called at 4.53pm to reports of a road traffic collission. A vehicle had collided with a building. There were no serious or life-threatening injuries at this stage."
He went on that building inspectors had been summoned to examine the property.
The road was closed between Bellfield Road and Oswald Street while the emergency services were at the scene. The road remained closed at 8.45pm.
We have a dedicated Facebook page bringing you all the latest news, events and community news in Rochdale.
To keep up to date with all that is happening in the area, to join in the discussion, follow the page here.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-01-19--Phillip Schofield apologises for the F-word on Dancing On Ice

TV presenter Phillip Schofield apologised to viewers for 'bad language ' on Dancing On Ice .
As it was revealed who had made it through to next week 's show on the ITV skating show , one of the celeb contestants let slip the F-word .
Viewers spotted last year 's Love Island finalist Maura Higgins mouth the strong swear word as she was told she had made it to the next stage with her professional skating partner Alexander Demetriou , and Phillip quickly stepped in with the apology .
`` Maura using the f word at 8pm on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Can always count on # Maura @ MauraHiggins to drop the ‘ f bomb ’ , '' said another .
`` Naughty Maura saying the F word , '' said another viewer .
Irish reality star Maura was known for her use of colourful language in the Love Island villa on last summer 's series of the ITV2 dating show .
`` Love Island Maura is back in the building..
It could n't last , '' joked one fan .
Other viewers did n't even notice what had happened until Phillip @ @ @ @ @ @ @ language ? ''
asked another .
Feisty Maura found love on Love Island with dancer Curtis Pritchard and was taken to the hearts of viewers because of her direct manner and hilarious one-liners .

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TV presenter Phillip Schofield apologised to viewers for 'bad language' on Dancing On Ice.
As it was revealed who had made it through to next week's show on the ITV skating show , one of the celeb contestants let slip the F-word.
Viewers spotted last year's Love Island finalist Maura Higgins mouth the strong swear word as she was told she had made it to the next stage with her professional skating partner Alexander Demetriou, and Phillip quickly stepped in with the apology.
"Maura using the f word at 8pm on a Sunday night," tweeted one viewer.
"Can always count on #Maura @MauraHiggins to drop the ‘f bomb’," said another.
(Image: Getty Images)
"Naughty Maura saying the F word," said another viewer.
Irish reality star Maura was known for her use of colourful language in the Love Island villa on last summer's series of the ITV2 dating show.
"Love Island Maura is back in the building.. It couldn't last," joked one fan.
Other viewers didn't even notice what had happened until Phillip said sorry.
(Image: Ricky Vigil/Getty Images for Boo)
"Bad language??? Who swore????" asked one.
"Was there bad language?" asked another.
Feisty Maura found love on Love Island with dancer Curtis Pritchard and was taken to the hearts of viewers because of her direct manner and hilarious one-liners.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-01-19--Full transcript of Roy Keane and Jamie Carragher's argument on Man United's Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Manchester United great Roy Keane and Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher have traded verbal blows over the subject of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer .
United suffered a 2-0 defeat at Liverpool on Sunday afternoon thanks to goals from Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah but the attention switched to Solskjaer post-match .
Keane was quick to offer Solskjaer his backing after the game when the discussion turned to how long the Norwegian should be given to turn around the club 's fortunes .
The Reds are now fifth in the Premier League and five points adrift of Chelsea , who sit fourth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , are 30 points ahead of Solskjaer 's men and the talk turned to his role at the club as the pundits discussed the result following the clash .
`` When you talk about Manchester United and the transfer window and a new manager comes in , they always need two or three transfer windows .
A massive problem for Manchester United since Sir Alex Ferguson left is when they have bought players , none of them have improved , '' Carragher told Sky Sports .
`` A manager ’ s job is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you talk about January and who you can get in .
Nobody actually improves them when they ’ re at the club , that ’ s a massive difference .
I can ’ t think of a player who has come in and improved or made a massive difference .
`` That ’ s not just at Ole Gunnar Solskjaer but the coaches that have come before .
You complain about Ed Woodward and is the scouting right but Manchester United have spent a massive amount of money where they haven ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or seven years .
As big a problem as recruitment is what happens when they get to the club . ''
Keane responded : `` We keep talking about United spending money and getting the right players , it ’ s also about getting the right characters in .
Who are comfortable playing for Manchester United , who are comfortable taking the ball in front of 75,000 people under the cosh .
`` That ’ s where the courage comes in .
We hope Ole ( Gunnar Solskjaer ) can do that .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ it .
When you get that opportunity and you need a few windows and players . ''
Then things took a turn as the pundits traded some entertaining verbal blows .
Roy Keane : `` What happened with the previous managers over the last three years , are you saying they are all bad managers ? ''
Jamie Carragher : At Manchester United ?
You think they did a good job ?
You slaughtered [ Jose ] Mourinho when he was in the job . ''
Keane : `` But he needed more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needed more time , you would have given Mourinho more time ? ''
Keane : `` Absolutely , that 's the name of the game .
We question Ole that he 's not up to it , we look at his CV , yet for some reason other managers go to clubs and they 're given the benefit of the doubt .
Give him time , give Ole a bit of time , how long has Ole been in the job ?
Sixteen months , give the man a chance . ''
Carragher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Tell me what the problem is at Man United ! ''
Keane : `` David Moyes was given a six-year contract , Alex Ferguson was on the pitch saying 'get behind the manager and back him ' .
Carragher : `` So you would have kept him on ?
Would you have given him the six years then ? ''
Keane : `` Not eight months .
And I would n't have sacked him on Twitter .
I would n't have given him eight months .
Are you telling me David Moyes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ? ''
Carragher : `` I think he did , yes .
So you would still have him there in the job ?
OK , well how long would you give Ole ? ''
Keane : `` I 'd give Ole another year , certainly another year . ''

newsdesk@men-news.co.uk (Paul Clarke, Elliott Jackson)

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Manchester United great Roy Keane and Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher have traded verbal blows over the subject of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
United suffered a 2-0 defeat at Liverpool on Sunday afternoon thanks to goals from Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah but the attention switched to Solskjaer post-match.
Keane was quick to offer Solskjaer his backing after the game when the discussion turned to how long the Norwegian should be given to turn around the club's fortunes.
The Reds are now fifth in the Premier League and five points adrift of Chelsea, who sit fourth in the league.
Liverpool, meanwhile, are 30 points ahead of Solskjaer's men and the talk turned to his role at the club as the pundits discussed the result following the clash.
"When you talk about Manchester United and the transfer window and a new manager comes in, they always need two or three transfer windows. A massive problem for Manchester United since Sir Alex Ferguson left is when they have bought players, none of them have improved," Carragher told Sky Sports.
"A manager’s job is not just buying off the shelf, you talk about January and who you can get in. Nobody actually improves them when they’re at the club, that’s a massive difference. I can’t think of a player who has come in and improved or made a massive difference.
"That’s not just at Ole Gunnar Solskjaer but the coaches that have come before. You complain about Ed Woodward and is the scouting right but Manchester United have spent a massive amount of money where they haven’t won the title in the last six or seven years. As big a problem as recruitment is what happens when they get to the club."
Keane responded: "We keep talking about United spending money and getting the right players, it’s also about getting the right characters in. Who are comfortable playing for Manchester United, who are comfortable taking the ball in front of 75,000 people under the cosh.
"That’s where the courage comes in. We hope Ole (Gunnar Solskjaer) can do that. We’ve seen other managers do it. When you get that opportunity and you need a few windows and players."
Then things took a turn as the pundits traded some entertaining verbal blows.
Roy Keane: "What happened with the previous managers over the last three years, are you saying they are all bad managers?"
Jamie Carragher: At Manchester United? You think they did a good job? You slaughtered [Jose] Mourinho when he was in the job."
Keane: "But he needed more time."
Carragher: "He needed more time, you would have given Mourinho more time?"
Keane: "Absolutely, that's the name of the game. We question Ole that he's not up to it, we look at his CV, yet for some reason other managers go to clubs and they're given the benefit of the doubt. Give him time, give Ole a bit of time, how long has Ole been in the job? Sixteen months, give the man a chance."
Carragher: "So who's the problem? Tell me what the problem is at Man United!"
Keane: "David Moyes was given a six-year contract, Alex Ferguson was on the pitch saying 'get behind the manager and back him'.
Carragher: "So you would have kept him on? Would you have given him the six years then?"
Keane: "Not eight months. And I wouldn't have sacked him on Twitter. I wouldn't have given him eight months. Are you telling me David Moyes didn't deserve more than eight months?"
Carragher: "I think he did, yes. So you would still have him there in the job? OK, well how long would you give Ole?"
Keane: "I'd give Ole another year, certainly another year."


themanchestereveningnews--2020-01-19--Bruno Fernandes posts cryptic Instagram message amid Manchester United transfer interest

Bruno Fernandes uploaded a cryptic message to his Instagram story as Manchester United continue to explore a deal to sign the Portugal international .
United see Fernandes as an appealing mid-season addition but are baffled by Sporting 's €80million valuation of the 25-year-old .
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is short of options in midfield after long-term injuries to Scott McTominay and Paul Pogba .
United 's midfield three in the defeat by Liverpool on Sunday was comprised of Fred , Nemanja Matic and Andreas Pereira .
Fernandes himself tasted defeat over the weekend as he started for Sporting in their 2-0 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Sporting manager Silas said afterwards that he is planning for the Portugal international to be a part of his squad when they face Braga on Tuesday night .
`` I will prepare the game with Bruno in mind , now from here on out I don ’ t know what could happen , '' Silas said .
`` It ’ s a player that wants to play in a league superior to ours .
`` What player wouldn ’ t want to play in the English league ?
It ’ s hard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' .
`` Bruno deserves to play in those kind of league and the best is that one .
If he is one of the best he has to be there . ''
Taking to Instagram on Sunday , Fernandes shared a picture of Simba from the Lion King along with the caption : `` Be somebody that nobody believed you would be . ''
Given how protracted negotiations between United , Sporting and Fernandes ' party are turning out to be , it is unlikely that Fernandes will be eligible to play @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to have registered Fernandes as their player by midday on Tuesday if they want him to make his debut this week .
The transfer window closes at 11pm on January 31 .

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Bruno Fernandes uploaded a cryptic message to his Instagram story as Manchester United continue to explore a deal to sign the Portugal international.
United see Fernandes as an appealing mid-season addition but are baffled by Sporting's €80million valuation of the 25-year-old.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is short of options in midfield after long-term injuries to Scott McTominay and Paul Pogba. United's midfield three in the defeat by Liverpool on Sunday was comprised of Fred, Nemanja Matic and Andreas Pereira.
Fernandes himself tasted defeat over the weekend as he started for Sporting in their 2-0 loss to Benfica in the Primeira Liga.
Sporting manager Silas said afterwards that he is planning for the Portugal international to be a part of his squad when they face Braga on Tuesday night.
"I will prepare the game with Bruno in mind, now from here on out I don’t know what could happen," Silas said. "It’s a player that wants to play in a league superior to ours.
"What player wouldn’t want to play in the English league? It’s hard to tell him 'don’t go'.
"Bruno deserves to play in those kind of league and the best is that one. If he is one of the best he has to be there."
Taking to Instagram on Sunday, Fernandes shared a picture of Simba from the Lion King along with the caption: "Be somebody that nobody believed you would be."
Given how protracted negotiations between United, Sporting and Fernandes' party are turning out to be, it is unlikely that Fernandes will be eligible to play against Burnley on Wednesday night.
United need to have registered Fernandes as their player by midday on Tuesday if they want him to make his debut this week.
The transfer window closes at 11pm on January 31.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-01-19--Van Persie tells Solskjaer to change Manchester United defensive tactic after Liverpool FC defeat

Robin van Persie has suggested Manchester United 's defeat at Liverpool was self-inflicted , particularly the manner in which they allowed Virgil van Dijk to open the scoring at Anfield .
United fell behind to a Van Dijk header from a Trent Alexander-Arnold corner as the influential Dutchman was left up against youngster Brandon Williams in front of the Anfield Road end .
It seemed as though United were operating a zonal marking system , with Van Dijk admitting after the game that Liverpool targeted the smaller defenders from set peices .
And former striker Van Persie was critical of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Solskjaer to revert to a man-marking system going foward .
Reviewing the game for the Premier League , Van Persie said : `` I 'm not the coach , but I really do think they should change their policy for defending corners .
`` Because here Virgil [ van Dijk ] has a free run up , no-one really covering him .
I think against the big guys you have to put big guys against him and let them battle it out .
I do think that you have a better chance if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Van Persie also identified Anthony Martial 's miss in the second half as the key moment which changed the game for United , after they created a period of pressure before Liverpool sealed the win through Mo Salah 's late breakaway goal .
`` United played well in the second half , so 2-0 is a bit harsh on them , but Liverpool created so many chances , '' Van Persie explained .
`` The big moment for United was Martial 's chance , which he created for himself ; if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's a goal 90 per cent of the time . ''

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Robin van Persie has suggested Manchester United's defeat at Liverpool was self-inflicted, particularly the manner in which they allowed Virgil van Dijk to open the scoring at Anfield.
United fell behind to a Van Dijk header from a Trent Alexander-Arnold corner as the influential Dutchman was left up against youngster Brandon Williams in front of the Anfield Road end.
It seemed as though United were operating a zonal marking system, with Van Dijk admitting after the game that Liverpool targeted the smaller defenders from set peices.
And former striker Van Persie was critical of the new tactic, urging Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to revert to a man-marking system going foward.
Reviewing the game for the Premier League, Van Persie said: "I'm not the coach, but I really do think they should change their policy for defending corners.
"Because here Virgil [van Dijk] has a free run up, no-one really covering him. I think against the big guys you have to put big guys against him and let them battle it out. I do think that you have a better chance if you compete that way instead of zonal."
Van Persie also identified Anthony Martial's miss in the second half as the key moment which changed the game for United, after they created a period of pressure before Liverpool sealed the win through Mo Salah's late breakaway goal.
"United played well in the second half, so 2-0 is a bit harsh on them, but Liverpool created so many chances," Van Persie explained.
"The big moment for United was Martial's chance, which he created for himself; if he hits the target there, it's a goal 90 per cent of the time."


themanchestereveningnews--2020-01-19--Roy Keane and Patrice Evra send Manchester United January transfer window message

Former Manchester United stars Roy Keane and Patrice Evra have sent January transfer window messages after the 2-0 loss to Liverpool .
It has been confirmed that Marcus Rashford will be out for several weeks due to a back injury and now Evra and Keane say United have now been left in a tough situation .
Evra has explained that the Reds should have replaced Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez following their summer exits and now he says there is even more of a need to sign a new forward .
Evra told Sky Sports : `` Even before that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ didn ’ t replace them .
So I ’ m not waiting for the injury to Marcus ( Rashford ) to say ‘ buy now another striker ’ .
`` We should have done that months ago .
I ’ m not so okay with the board right now but I don ’ t know .
I know that when you ’ re trying to win the league you need four best strikers .
Actually , we have Martial so yes I ’ m a little worried . ''
Keane then explained : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the back of a bad result .
Rashford has been a brilliant player for United and I ’ m always intrigued when teams are talking about signing strikers .
Where do they think they are going to get strikers in January ?
There are n't many top strikers out there .
They are having a difficult spell , they will have to get through it but that ’ s a big blow . ''

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Former Manchester United stars Roy Keane and Patrice Evra have sent January transfer window messages after the 2-0 loss to Liverpool.
It has been confirmed that Marcus Rashford will be out for several weeks due to a back injury and now Evra and Keane say United have now been left in a tough situation.
Evra has explained that the Reds should have replaced Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez following their summer exits and now he says there is even more of a need to sign a new forward.
Evra told Sky Sports: "Even before that when Lukaku and Sanchez left, we didn’t replace them. So I’m not waiting for the injury to Marcus (Rashford) to say ‘buy now another striker’.
"We should have done that months ago. I’m not so okay with the board right now but I don’t know. I know that when you’re trying to win the league you need four best strikers. Actually, we have Martial so yes I’m a little worried."
Keane then explained: "It’s bad news on the back of a bad result. Rashford has been a brilliant player for United and I’m always intrigued when teams are talking about signing strikers. Where do they think they are going to get strikers in January? There aren't many top strikers out there. They are having a difficult spell, they will have to get through it but that’s a big blow."