themanchestereveningnews--2020-09-14--The latest coronavirus hotspots across Greater Manchester borough by borough

Coronavirus infections are continuing to reach double figures in many neighbourhoods across Greater Manchester , the latest figures show .
The region has one of the highest infection rates in the country , with seven of the 10 boroughs in the government 's 'red alert ' zone above 50 cases per 100,000 people .
Stockport , Wigan and Trafford - the three boroughs below that mark - are also experiencing an increase in cases and are now not far off being on 'red alert ' as well .
In Bolton , the borough with the highest infection rate in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In the week up to September 6 , 43 positive tests were recorded in Kearsley and Stoneclough .
That 's the most in the region and the third highest in the UK .
Seven of the 10 worst affected areas in Greater Manchester are currently in Bolton .
But there have also been flare-ups in central Oldham where Alexandra Park and Werneth have recorded some of the most positive tests in the region .
Other hotspots include Wardleworth and Newbold Brow in Rochdale while several areas across Manchester have recorded a double @ @ @ @ @ @ @ map shows the number of positive Covid test results in each neighbourhood across the country .
It uses Office for National Statistics ( ONS ) data .
Here are the hotspots for each borough in Greater Manchester , according to the map ...
Figures released on Sunday showed Bolton 's infection rate has risen from 184.3 to 192 cases per 100,000 people .
With 43 cases recorded in the week up to September 6 , Kearsley and Stoneclough has the highest number of infections in Greater Manchester .
But there were also 30 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 25 in Rumworth South , 25 in Tonge , 22 in Highfield and New Bury and 20 in Lostock and Ladybarn .
After weeks of its infection rate falling the number of cases in Oldham is creeping back up again .
With an infection rate of 91.5 it is the third worst affected area in Greater Mancherster .
The latest figures show there have been 29 positive tests in Alexandra Park , and 27 in nearby Werneth , while Oldham Town South also recorded 14 cases .
With 23 cases Wardleworth and Newbold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ affected area .
Nearby Kingsway recorded 17 new cases over the same period , while Deeplish had 16 .
There were also 12 cases in Heywood Town .
The latest figures show several areas across Manchester recorded a double figure number of cases .
Rusholme East and New Islington and Miles Platting are the city 's worst affected areas with 18 positive tests each .
But there were also 16 cases recorded in Gorton South , Levenshulme North and Rusholme West and Moss Side East , while Crumpsall South and Moss Side West @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infection rate of 94.5 Tameside is the second worst affected borough in Greater Manchester .
In the week up to September 6 there were 16 cases in Ashton Central , 14 in Hyde South and 12 cases in both Hattersley and Denton South .
Higher Boroughton recorded 17 cases in the seven days up to September 6 , making it Salford 's worst affected area .
There were also 16 cases in Weaste and Seedley , while Salford Central and University and Clifton both had 14 cases .
Eccles reported 12 cases while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infections .
Currently at the Government 's 'amber ' alert level Trafford has an infection rate of 40.9 , compared to the England average of 30.3 .
There were 14 new cases in Old Trafford , according to the latest figures .
There were also nine infections in Hale and seven in Sale Moor .
Stockport is also currently on 'amber ' alert , and has seen its number of cases creep up in recent weeks .
There were 11 new cases recorded in Gatley and Cheadle West in the week to September @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
There were 13 cases recorded in Lowton , making it Wigan 's worst affected area .
There 's also been a spike in infections in neighbouring Newton-le-Willows in St Helens , which recorded 31 cases .
Leaders in the town say the majority of cases are in the 18-29 age range and may be linked to people socialising over the Bank Holiday weekend and returning from holiday .
Elsewhere in Wigan there were 10 new cases reported in Winstanley .

We have more newsletters
Something went wrong, please try again later.
Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
We have more newsletters
Thank you for subscribing!
Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
Coronavirus infections are continuing to reach double figures in many neighbourhoods across Greater Manchester, the latest figures show.
The region has one of the highest infection rates in the country, with seven of the 10 boroughs in the government's 'red alert' zone above 50 cases per 100,000 people.
Stockport, Wigan and Trafford - the three boroughs below that mark - are also experiencing an increase in cases and are now not far off being on 'red alert' as well.
In Bolton, the borough with the highest infection rate in the UK, several hotspots continue to emerge.
In the week up to September 6, 43 positive tests were recorded in Kearsley and Stoneclough.
That's the most in the region and the third highest in the UK.
Seven of the 10 worst affected areas in Greater Manchester are currently in Bolton.
But there have also been flare-ups in central Oldham where Alexandra Park and Werneth have recorded some of the most positive tests in the region.
Other hotspots include Wardleworth and Newbold Brow in Rochdale while several areas across Manchester have recorded a double figure number of infections.
An interactive map shows the number of positive Covid test results in each neighbourhood across the country. It uses Office for National Statistics (ONS) data.
Here are the hotspots for each borough in Greater Manchester, according to the map...
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
Bolton
Figures released on Sunday showed Bolton's infection rate has risen from 184.3 to 192 cases per 100,000 people.
With 43 cases recorded in the week up to September 6, Kearsley and Stoneclough has the highest number of infections in Greater Manchester.
But there were also 30 positive tests recorded in Little Lever, 25 in Rumworth South, 25 in Tonge, 22 in Highfield and New Bury and 20 in Lostock and Ladybarn.
Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will auto-play soon 8 Cancel Play now
Oldham
After weeks of its infection rate falling the number of cases in Oldham is creeping back up again.
With an infection rate of 91.5 it is the third worst affected area in Greater Mancherster.
The latest figures show there have been 29 positive tests in Alexandra Park, and 27 in nearby Werneth, while Oldham Town South also recorded 14 cases.
(Image: Julian Hamilton/Daily Mirror)
Rochdale
With 23 cases Wardleworth and Newbold Brow continues to be Rochdale's worst affected area.
Nearby Kingsway recorded 17 new cases over the same period, while Deeplish had 16.
There were also 12 cases in Heywood Town.
Manchester
The latest figures show several areas across Manchester recorded a double figure number of cases.
Rusholme East and New Islington and Miles Platting are the city's worst affected areas with 18 positive tests each.
But there were also 16 cases recorded in Gorton South, Levenshulme North and Rusholme West and Moss Side East, while Crumpsall South and Moss Side West both had 15 cases.
Twelve cases were reported in East Didsbury.
Tameside
With an infection rate of 94.5 Tameside is the second worst affected borough in Greater Manchester.
In the week up to September 6 there were 16 cases in Ashton Central, 14 in Hyde South and 12 cases in both Hattersley and Denton South.
Cheetham Fold and Gee Cross reported 11 positive tests.
Salford
Higher Boroughton recorded 17 cases in the seven days up to September 6, making it Salford's worst affected area.
There were also 16 cases in Weaste and Seedley, while Salford Central and University and Clifton both had 14 cases.
Eccles reported 12 cases while Ordsall and Salford Quays had 11 new infections.
Trafford
Currently at the Government's 'amber' alert level Trafford has an infection rate of 40.9, compared to the England average of 30.3.
There were 14 new cases in Old Trafford, according to the latest figures.
There were also nine infections in Hale and seven in Sale Moor.
Stockport
Stockport is also currently on 'amber' alert, and has seen its number of cases creep up in recent weeks.
There were 11 new cases recorded in Gatley and Cheadle West in the week to September 6 and six in neighbouring Gatley North.
Wigan
There were 13 cases recorded in Lowton, making it Wigan's worst affected area.
There's also been a spike in infections in neighbouring Newton-le-Willows in St Helens, which recorded 31 cases.
Leaders in the town say the majority of cases are in the 18-29 age range and may be linked to people socialising over the Bank Holiday weekend and returning from holiday.
Elsewhere in Wigan there were 10 new cases reported in Winstanley.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-09-14--Latest coronavirus travel updates from Jet2, Tui, easyJet, Ryanair and BA

Once again the travel corridor list has been updated , with more coronavirus restrictions being imposed for international travellers .
Which means yet more holidays and flights have been scrapped by tour operators as the roster of destinations being removed from the UK 's 'safe list ' growing .
As many countries continue to battle rises in the number of cases and a mandatory two-week quarantine on return from some destinations , cancellations are being extended even further for an increasing number of trips .
Hotspots for British holidaymakers remain subject to restrictions , including Portugal , Spain , France @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meaning many who were hoping to see out the last of the summer in warmer climes are left disappointed .
And while many travellers would expect their holiday or flights to be cancelled in light of government announcements , it is not always the case .
If you have a holiday booked or are debating travel soon , these are the latest updates from major UK airlines flying to popular holiday hotspots .
Jet2.com and Jet2 Holidays have issued more updates regarding the suspension and cancellation of holidays and flights .
The tour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ affected by the changes can continue to enjoy their holidays , and they will be in touch regarding return flights back to the UK .
While those who have future holidays book will be contacted directly by Jet2 if their holiday will be impacted by the amendments .
In some cases , flight-only customers can still travel , but those who no longer wish to travel can rebook .
Mainland Spaincancelled for the rest of Summer 2020 Crete and Zante cancelled for the rest of Summer 2020 Croatia cancelled for the rest of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including September 26 Tenerife , Lanazrote , Fuerteventura and Gran Canaria until at least September 27 Ibiza , Majorca and Menorca cancelled for the rest of Summer 2020 EasyJet are still operating some flights to countries on the FCO quarantine list - including to Spain .
This includes flights from Manchester Airport to Barcelona , Tenerife , Amsterdam , Belfast and Majorca .
Package holidays to France remain cancelled and the operator says it is keeping other holidays under close review .
The airline has announced a reduction to its flight schedule as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been negatively affected ” .
This means it will have flown “ slightly less ” than the 40 per cent capacity it previously said it would operate between July and September .
It also acknowledges that customers `` may wish to change their travel plans '' amid quarantine rules .
This includes those travelling to Switzerland and the Czech Republic - also removed from the safe list .
Customers who are booked but no longer wish to travel should be able to transfer their flights to a later date without a change @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has n't affected most Ryanair flights , with the budget airline advising that the new rules do not mean flights will be cancelled or that customers will be automatically entitled to a refund .
A large number of Tui holidays have been suspended as a result of the ongoing changes to travel restrictions .
The following Tui holidays to the below destinations have been cancelled : Chania and Heraklion in Crete , as well as the islands of Zante and Santorini , due to depart on or before 22 September 2020 Malia in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ depart on or before 31 October 2020 Reus , Ibiza and Menorca due to depart on or before 31 October 2020 Majorca , Malaga and Alicante due to depart on or before 30 September 2020 Mainland Portugal due to depart on or before 24 September 2020 Canary Islands due to depart on or before 20 September 2020 Bulgaria due to depart on or before 31 October 2020 Madeira due to depart on or before 31 October 2020 Morocco due to depart on or before 30 September 2020 Malta departing on or before 31 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or before 30 November 2020 Cape Verde due to depart on or before 30 September 2020 Egypt due to depart on or before 30 September 2020 Tunisia due to depart on or before 31 October 2020 Cancun , Mexico due to depart on or before 31 October 2020 Los Cabos , Mexico due to depart on or before 31 December 2020 Punta Cana , Dominican Republic due to depart on or before 31 October 2020 Jamaica due to depart on or before 22 September 2020 Phu Quoc due to depart on or before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ travelling on or before 25 November 2020 TUI Lakes and Mountain holidays travelling on or before 30 September 2020 TUI Tours travelling on or before 31 October 2020 British Airways say the following flights are all operating as normal , despite the government changing its travel advice .
Those no longer wishing to travel will need to contact BA for a voucher for future travel .

We have more newsletters
Something went wrong, please try again later.
Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
We have more newsletters
Thank you for subscribing!
Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
Once again the travel corridor list has been updated, with more coronavirus restrictions being imposed for international travellers.
Which means yet more holidays and flights have been scrapped by tour operators as the roster of destinations being removed from the UK's 'safe list' growing.
As many countries continue to battle rises in the number of cases and a mandatory two-week quarantine on return from some destinations, cancellations are being extended even further for an increasing number of trips.
Hotspots for British holidaymakers remain subject to restrictions, including Portugal, Spain, France, the Balearics and Canary Islands, meaning many who were hoping to see out the last of the summer in warmer climes are left disappointed.
And while many travellers would expect their holiday or flights to be cancelled in light of government announcements, it is not always the case.
If you have a holiday booked or are debating travel soon, these are the latest updates from major UK airlines flying to popular holiday hotspots.
Jet2
Jet2.com and Jet2 Holidays have issued more updates regarding the suspension and cancellation of holidays and flights.
The tour operators says customers already in the countries affected by the changes can continue to enjoy their holidays, and they will be in touch regarding return flights back to the UK.
While those who have future holidays book will be contacted directly by Jet2 if their holiday will be impacted by the amendments.
In some cases, flight-only customers can still travel, but those who no longer wish to travel can rebook.
Mainland Spaincancelled for the rest of Summer 2020
Crete and Zante cancelled for the rest of Summer 2020
Croatia cancelled for the rest of Summer 2020
Portugal cancelled up to and including September 26
Tenerife, Lanazrote, Fuerteventura and Gran Canaria until at least September 27
Ibiza, Majorca and Menorca cancelled for the rest of Summer 2020
easyJet
(Image: PA)
EasyJet are still operating some flights to countries on the FCO quarantine list - including to Spain.
This includes flights from Manchester Airport to Barcelona, Tenerife, Amsterdam, Belfast and Majorca.
Package holidays to France remain cancelled and the operator says it is keeping other holidays under close review.
The airline has announced a reduction to its flight schedule as “customer confidence to make travel plans has been negatively affected”.
This means it will have flown “slightly less” than the 40 per cent capacity it previously said it would operate between July and September.
It also acknowledges that customers "may wish to change their travel plans" amid quarantine rules. This includes those travelling to Switzerland and the Czech Republic - also removed from the safe list.
Customers who are booked but no longer wish to travel should be able to transfer their flights to a later date without a change fee.
Ryanair
The change in quarantine restrictions hasn't affected most Ryanair flights, with the budget airline advising that the new rules do not mean flights will be cancelled or that customers will be automatically entitled to a refund.
Tui
(Image: PA)
A large number of Tui holidays have been suspended as a result of the ongoing changes to travel restrictions.
The following Tui holidays to the below destinations have been cancelled:
Chania and Heraklion in Crete, as well as the islands of Zante and Santorini, due to depart on or before 22 September 2020
Malia in Crete and Laganas in Zante due to depart on or before 31 October 2020
Reus, Ibiza and Menorca due to depart on or before 31 October 2020
Majorca, Malaga and Alicante due to depart on or before 30 September 2020
Mainland Portugal due to depart on or before 24 September 2020
Canary Islands due to depart on or before 20 September 2020
Bulgaria due to depart on or before 31 October 2020
Madeira due to depart on or before 31 October 2020
Morocco due to depart on or before 30 September 2020
Malta departing on or before 31 August 2020
Florida due to depart on or before 30 November 2020
Cape Verde due to depart on or before 30 September 2020
Egypt due to depart on or before 30 September 2020
Tunisia due to depart on or before 31 October 2020
Cancun, Mexico due to depart on or before 31 October 2020
Los Cabos, Mexico due to depart on or before 31 December 2020
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic due to depart on or before 31 October 2020
Jamaica due to depart on or before 22 September 2020
Phu Quoc due to depart on or before 31 December 2020
TUI River Cruises sailings travelling on or before 25 November 2020
TUI Lakes and Mountain holidays travelling on or before 30 September 2020
TUI Tours travelling on or before 31 October 2020
BA
British Airways say the following flights are all operating as normal, despite the government changing its travel advice. Those no longer wishing to travel will need to contact BA for a voucher for future travel.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-09-14--Man City defender John Stones should copy Chris Smalling to revitalise career

In Italy , Chris Smalling enjoyed a renaissance , fittingly .
At Manchester United , the central defender had allowed his career to stall at Old Trafford .
A fresh start was needed and Smalling found it on loan at Roma last season , with the 30-year-old shining in Serie A .
In the land where defenders are judged like no other , Smalling flourished .
Now , it seems inevitable that the centre-back will secure a permanent return to Roma - Smalling has been training on his own at United ’ s Carrington training base ahead of a transfer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ player himself has been key to pushing through a deal , such is his desperation to return to Italy .
One wonders what John Stones makes of Smalling ’ s recent success .
In many ways , the Manchester City centre-back finds himself in a similar situation to the one Smalling did a year ago .
Indeed , Stones has allowed his career to stagnate at the Etihad Stadium , no longer even considered a first-team starter following a number of mistakes and below-par performances .
Pep Guardiola admitted towards the end of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with the centre back ’ s future up for discussion .
“ On the transfer market [ and its issues ] we speak at the end of the season , ” the City manager said ( as per the ) .
“ [ But ] I ’ ve said many times I ’ m more than delighted with John as a person , as a pro , everything .
“ What I want is the best for him .
We ’ ll speak at the end of the season about what is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most expensive defender in the game ’ s history at the time , much was expected of Stones at City .
He was seen as the perfect Guardiola centre-back , capable of bringing the ball out from defence and linking up with the midfield .
The move to City was supposed to represent the next step in his development into becoming the predominant English defender of his generation .
That development stalled , though , and now Stones is a peripheral figure for both City and England .
In fact , the 26-year-old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the pecking order at the Etihad Stadium , behind Aymeric Laporte , Nathan Ake , Eric Garcia , Nicolas Otamendi and Fernandinho .
City are also believed to be in the market for another centre back this summer , with the club keen on landing Napoli ’ s Kalidou Koulibaly .
Like Smalling last summer , Stones needs a career reboot and a fresh start .
Whether it ’ s in Serie A or somewhere else , the 26-year-old should seek a new challenge .
It would help if that challenge came @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the English media , but most importantly Stones needs to find a club willing to embrace him and give him a platform to play and improve again .
There is , quite clearly , a lot of potential in Stones .
His technical ability has never been in question .
It ’ s what primarily led City to pay £47.5million for him four years ago .
It ’ s why so much has been expected of him from the moment he broke into the Everton first-team .
Ability has never been the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stones ’ decision making and concentration which has let him down .
These lapses were also evident in his Everton days , but the thinking went that Guardiola would help iron them out .
He hasn ’ t , though .
In fact , if anything the lapses have become more common since Stones made the switch to City .
Smalling has shown Stones it ’ s never too late to get back on track .
He also showed the Manchester City defender the value in opening one ’ s mind to new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needed to revitalise his career and now Stones should find the same for himself in a new club and a new challenge .

In Italy, Chris Smalling enjoyed a renaissance, fittingly. At Manchester United, the central defender had allowed his career to stall at Old Trafford.
A fresh start was needed and Smalling found it on loan at Roma last season, with the 30-year-old shining in Serie A.
In the land where defenders are judged like no other, Smalling flourished. Now, it seems inevitable that the centre-back will secure a permanent return to Roma - Smalling has been training on his own at United’s Carrington training base ahead of a transfer. According to widespread reports, the player himself has been key to pushing through a deal, such is his desperation to return to Italy.
One wonders what John Stones makes of Smalling’s recent success. In many ways, the Manchester City centre-back finds himself in a similar situation to the one Smalling did a year ago. Indeed, Stones has allowed his career to stagnate at the Etihad Stadium, no longer even considered a first-team starter following a number of mistakes and below-par performances.
Pep Guardiola admitted towards the end of last season that Stones could leave City, with the centre back’s future up for discussion.
“On the transfer market [and its issues] we speak at the end of the season,” the City manager said (as per the Guardian ). “[But] I’ve said many times I’m more than delighted with John as a person, as a pro, everything.
“What I want is the best for him. We’ll speak at the end of the season about what is going to happen.”
Signed as the most expensive defender in the game’s history at the time, much was expected of Stones at City. He was seen as the perfect Guardiola centre-back, capable of bringing the ball out from defence and linking up with the midfield. The move to City was supposed to represent the next step in his development into becoming the predominant English defender of his generation.
That development stalled, though, and now Stones is a peripheral figure for both City and England. In fact, the 26-year-old might even be as low as fifth in the pecking order at the Etihad Stadium, behind Aymeric Laporte, Nathan Ake, Eric Garcia, Nicolas Otamendi and Fernandinho. City are also believed to be in the market for another centre back this summer, with the club keen on landing Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly.
Like Smalling last summer, Stones needs a career reboot and a fresh start. Whether it’s in Serie A or somewhere else, the 26-year-old should seek a new challenge. It would help if that challenge came where he can escape the constant gaze of the English media, but most importantly Stones needs to find a club willing to embrace him and give him a platform to play and improve again.
There is, quite clearly, a lot of potential in Stones. His technical ability has never been in question. It’s what primarily led City to pay £47.5million for him four years ago. It’s why so much has been expected of him from the moment he broke into the Everton first-team. Ability has never been the issue.
Sign up to our free MCFC email newsletter Man City are Premier League champions! Get all the reaction plus daily news and analysis direct to your inbox with our free MCFC newsletter Sign up here - it only takes a few seconds.
Instead, it’s Stones’ decision making and concentration which has let him down. These lapses were also evident in his Everton days, but the thinking went that Guardiola would help iron them out. He hasn’t, though. In fact, if anything the lapses have become more common since Stones made the switch to City.
Smalling has shown Stones it’s never too late to get back on track. He also showed the Manchester City defender the value in opening one’s mind to new opportunities.
Roma gave Smalling what he needed to revitalise his career and now Stones should find the same for himself in a new club and a new challenge.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-09-14--Man United and Dortmund in impasse amid Jadon Sancho transfer talks

Manchester United are still some way from reaching an agreement to sign Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund .
Although United made progress in talks over Sancho 's salary and the agent 's fees , the MEN understands there is a 'fundamental gap ' between both parties that has caused an impasse .
United are also adamant they will not meet Dortmund 's €120million valuation in an up-front fee before the transfer window closes on October 5 .
Even though the window is open for just three more weeks United are persisting with their efforts to sign Sancho , 20 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their priority position to strengthen this summer .
United 's preference is to negotiate a deal comprised of add-ons for Sancho and they have refused to give up on signing him after Dortmund insisted Sancho would stay at the club .
United have been frustrated by the slow pace of negotiations with Obasi and Lichtsteiner , brother of former Juventus and Arsenal defender Stephan .
United are also considering alternatives in the event a move for Sancho does not materialise .
United have not been deterred by comments from the Dortmund coach Lucien @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that [ Sancho ] stayed ' .
Despite incessant speculation surrounding Thiago Alcantara , United have no intention of moving for the Bayern Munich midfielder and are convinced his representatives and Bayern are using their name to put pressure on Liverpool to make a bid .
The former Bayern president Uli Hoeness said at the weekend Thiago 'probably has an agreement with Liverpool or Manchester United , or with both ' , yet United have just added a similar player in Donny van de Beek to their already impressive midfield department .
Liverpool @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left-back Kostas Tsimikas for £11.75m this summer and there has been speculation over the future of midfielder Georgino Wijnaldum , who has entered the last year of his contract .
United could have signed Thiago from Barcelona in 2013 but incoming manager David Moyes vetoed a move in favour of a fruitless pursuit of Cesc Fabregas and Bayern bought Thiago .

Something went wrong, please try again later.
Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
Manchester United are still some way from reaching an agreement to sign Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund.
Although United made progress in talks over Sancho's salary and the agent's fees, the MEN understands there is a 'fundamental gap' between both parties that has caused an impasse.
United are also adamant they will not meet Dortmund's €120million valuation in an up-front fee before the transfer window closes on October 5.
Even though the window is open for just three more weeks United are persisting with their efforts to sign Sancho, 20, after they earmarked the right wing as their priority position to strengthen this summer.
United's preference is to negotiate a deal comprised of add-ons for Sancho and they have refused to give up on signing him after Dortmund insisted Sancho would stay at the club. United have been frustrated by the slow pace of negotiations with Obasi and Lichtsteiner, brother of former Juventus and Arsenal defender Stephan. United are also considering alternatives in the event a move for Sancho does not materialise.
United have not been deterred by comments from the Dortmund coach Lucien Favre, who said 'everyone is happy that [Sancho] stayed'.
Despite incessant speculation surrounding Thiago Alcantara, United have no intention of moving for the Bayern Munich midfielder and are convinced his representatives and Bayern are using their name to put pressure on Liverpool to make a bid.
The former Bayern president Uli Hoeness said at the weekend Thiago 'probably has an agreement with Liverpool or Manchester United, or with both', yet United have just added a similar player in Donny van de Beek to their already impressive midfield department.
Liverpool, in contrast, have only bought left-back Kostas Tsimikas for £11.75m this summer and there has been speculation over the future of midfielder Georgino Wijnaldum, who has entered the last year of his contract.
United could have signed Thiago from Barcelona in 2013 but incoming manager David Moyes vetoed a move in favour of a fruitless pursuit of Cesc Fabregas and Bayern bought Thiago.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-09-14--Arena enquiry hears about life and loves of Eilidh MacLeod

`` She was the warmest girl that you could ever meet .
`` She had a special sparkle in her eye . ''
The words of the family of 14-year-old Eilidh MacLeod - whose life and loves were remembered today at the public inquiry into the Manchester Arena bombing atrocity .
The inquiry began its fourth day in Manchester with the start of a two-week period of 'commemorative hearings ' .
Pen portraits from the families and friends of the deceased , and moving personal evidence about them , will be heard and shown to the inquiry .
The attack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Ariana Grande concert , claimed 22 lives and left hundreds more injured .
Eilidh 's family - her parents , Roderick and Marion , and sisters , Shona and Laura - spoke movingly of her life , and the family compiled a video tribute which was played at the inquiry .
The video showed beautiful , scenic images from the Isle of Barra in the Outer Hebrides , Scotland , where Eilidh lived , and was set to Scottish pipe music .
The chairman of the inquiry , Sir John Saunders , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family after the video tribute was played .
He said it was a 'beautiful and fitting tribute ' .
`` Music has always played a great part in my life , but at the risk of upsetting the whole of Scotland , I have never been a great fan of the bagpipes , '' said Mr Justice Saunders .
`` Watching that has begun to change my mind . ''
Footage of Eilidh playing the bagpipes was shown - alongside treasured family album photographs .
`` Whatever Eilidh wanted to do , she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said her mum Marion .
`` The whole world 's been shattered into pieces .
`` We miss her , always .
`` Her amazing sense of fun and sense of humour would just come shining through and that was you , you had a friend for life .
`` Eilidh loved music .
Music was such a big part of her life .
`` The world was her oyster . ''
`` We miss everything about her every single day , '' the family said in the video .
`` We love @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Eilidh , said her mum , was a very special girl .
`` Even her date of birth was quirky - 1 , 2 , 3 , and she absolutely loved that , '' she said .
The teenager had a strong love of animals as well as people , the inquiry was told .
Her family said it would n't have surprised them if she went on to work with animals in later life .
`` She had this laugh ... and even if you did n't know what she was laughing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you had to join in , '' the family said .
The inquiry was told she loved playing with her bagpipe band and had an 'incredible ' circle of friends .
Her band were placed in the World Pipe Band Championships in 2016 , a fact the inquiry was told filled her with a huge sense of pride .
She loved Harry Potter and studying English , and 'it was as if she had a dictionary stored in her brain ' , the tribute said .
Eilidh 's primary school teacher , Michelle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have taught her .
`` She was the kind of girl who smiled all the time , '' she said .
`` She giggled .
She was happy .
`` She was such a loving young girl - she loved , she smiled , she laughed .
She cared about everybody .
`` She was so bright in terms of her future .
`` I will never forget her .
She was a wonderful person . ''
Friends said they missed her so much .
They said they would often go to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they called their 'precious memories ' .
`` I miss her loads , '' said one .
`` And I always will . ''
Suicide bomber Salman Abedi detonated a rucksack bomb in the City Room area of Manchester Arena after the concert .
Hashem Abedi , his brother , is currently serving a 55-year minimum sentence after being convicted over the atrocity .
The public inquiry - set to run until next spring - is examining all aspects of the bombing .

We have more newsletters
Something went wrong, please try again later.
Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
We have more newsletters
Thank you for subscribing!
Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
"She was the warmest girl that you could ever meet.
"She had a special sparkle in her eye."
The words of the family of 14-year-old Eilidh MacLeod - whose life and loves were remembered today at the public inquiry into the Manchester Arena bombing atrocity.
The inquiry began its fourth day in Manchester with the start of a two-week period of 'commemorative hearings'.
Pen portraits from the families and friends of the deceased, and moving personal evidence about them, will be heard and shown to the inquiry.
The attack on May 22, 2017, after the Ariana Grande concert, claimed 22 lives and left hundreds more injured.
(Image: PA)
Eilidh's family - her parents, Roderick and Marion, and sisters, Shona and Laura - spoke movingly of her life, and the family compiled a video tribute which was played at the inquiry.
The video showed beautiful, scenic images from the Isle of Barra in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland, where Eilidh lived, and was set to Scottish pipe music.
Sign up to the free MEN email newsletter Get the latest updates from across Greater Manchester direct to your inbox with the free MEN newsletter You can sign up very simply by following the instructions here
The chairman of the inquiry, Sir John Saunders, asked if he could address the MacLeod family after the video tribute was played.
He said it was a 'beautiful and fitting tribute'.
Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will auto-play soon 8 Cancel Play now
"Music has always played a great part in my life, but at the risk of upsetting the whole of Scotland, I have never been a great fan of the bagpipes," said Mr Justice Saunders.
"Watching that has begun to change my mind."
Footage of Eilidh playing the bagpipes was shown - alongside treasured family album photographs.
"Whatever Eilidh wanted to do, she would have been good at," said her mum Marion.
"The whole world's been shattered into pieces.
"We miss her, always.
"Her amazing sense of fun and sense of humour would just come shining through and that was you, you had a friend for life.
"Eilidh loved music. Music was such a big part of her life.
"The world was her oyster."
"We miss everything about her every single day," the family said in the video.
"We love her millions and always will."
Eilidh, said her mum, was a very special girl.
"Even her date of birth was quirky - 1, 2, 3, and she absolutely loved that," she said.
Eilidh was born on February 1, 2003.
The teenager had a strong love of animals as well as people, the inquiry was told.
Her family said it wouldn't have surprised them if she went on to work with animals in later life.
"She had this laugh... and even if you didn't know what she was laughing at, you had no resistance, you had to join in," the family said.
The inquiry was told she loved playing with her bagpipe band and had an 'incredible' circle of friends.
Her band were placed in the World Pipe Band Championships in 2016, a fact the inquiry was told filled her with a huge sense of pride.
She loved Harry Potter and studying English, and 'it was as if she had a dictionary stored in her brain', the tribute said.
(Image: PA)
Eilidh's primary school teacher, Michelle McLean, said it was a privilege to have taught her.
"She was the kind of girl who smiled all the time," she said.
"She giggled. She was happy.
"She was such a loving young girl - she loved, she smiled, she laughed. She cared about everybody.
"She was so bright in terms of her future.
"I will never forget her. She was a wonderful person."
Friends said they missed her so much.
They said they would often go to beaches with her after school - what they called their 'precious memories'.
"I miss her loads," said one. "And I always will."
Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will auto-play soon 8 Cancel Play now
Suicide bomber Salman Abedi detonated a rucksack bomb in the City Room area of Manchester Arena after the concert.
Hashem Abedi, his brother, is currently serving a 55-year minimum sentence after being convicted over the atrocity.
The public inquiry - set to run until next spring - is examining all aspects of the bombing.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-09-15--Manchester United have Jadon Sancho fear and more transfer rumours

Manchester United are worried that they will face much stiffer competition for Jadon Sancho next year if they do n't sign him this summer , according to reports .
Though United are also looking at a number of left-backs , attacking signings remain the priority in the current window and Borussia Dortmund star Sancho is still the club 's top target .
There was progress last week in negotiations over Sancho 's personal terms and agent costs , but the two clubs remain at a stalemate due to a 'fundamental gap ' between them .
While United have n't given @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adamant that they wo n't pay the Bundesliga club 's €120million valuation upfront for the 20-year-old .
Should Sancho not arrive at Old Trafford this summer then , according to ESPN , United are fearful that it might be even tougher to sign him next year .
It 's reported that the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has seen United become the front-runner to sign the former Manchester City man but that European heavyweights such as Real Madrid , Barcelona and Liverpool may be in a position to offer strong competition in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adds that , ahead of the October 5 deadline , United are exploring loan moves for Douglas Costa , Kingsley Coman , Ivan Perisic and Gareth Bale as alternatives .
However , according to reports elsewhere , Bale is n't interested in leaving Real Madrid on loan this summer .
Bale is not wanted by manager Zinedine Zidane and there were reports that Madrid would be willing to pay half of his wages to secure his departure on loan - with the Welshman once again being linked to United .
However , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't looking at leaving the Bernabeu on a temporary basis .
Though it 's unlikely that he is a target for United anyway .

Something went wrong, please try again later.
Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
Manchester United are worried that they will face much stiffer competition for Jadon Sancho next year if they don't sign him this summer, according to reports.
Though United are also looking at a number of left-backs, attacking signings remain the priority in the current window and Borussia Dortmund star Sancho is still the club's top target.
There was progress last week in negotiations over Sancho's personal terms and agent costs, but the two clubs remain at a stalemate due to a 'fundamental gap' between them.
While United haven't given up on the transfer they are also adamant that they won't pay the Bundesliga club's €120million valuation upfront for the 20-year-old.
Should Sancho not arrive at Old Trafford this summer then, according to ESPN, United are fearful that it might be even tougher to sign him next year.
It's reported that the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has seen United become the front-runner to sign the former Manchester City man but that European heavyweights such as Real Madrid, Barcelona and Liverpool may be in a position to offer strong competition in year's time.
The report then adds that, ahead of the October 5 deadline, United are exploring loan moves for Douglas Costa, Kingsley Coman, Ivan Perisic and Gareth Bale as alternatives.
Sign up to our free MUFC email newsletter Get the latest breaking Manchester United transfer news and analysis every day direct to your inbox with our free MUFC newsletter Sign up here - it only takes a few seconds.
However, according to reports elsewhere, Bale isn't interested in leaving Real Madrid on loan this summer.
Bale is not wanted by manager Zinedine Zidane and there were reports that Madrid would be willing to pay half of his wages to secure his departure on loan - with the Welshman once again being linked to United.
However, according to the Daily Mail, Bale isn't looking at leaving the Bernabeu on a temporary basis. Though it's unlikely that he is a target for United anyway.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-09-14--Bomb squad descend on house over 'suspicious item' days after police found guns

The bomb squad was called in over a 'suspicious item ' in a house in Salford tonight - a week after police founds guns in the same property during a raid .
An investigation has been ongoing at the property - on the corner of Goulden Street and Alexander Street in Langworthy -since last Tuesday when it was the subject of a dawn raid .
Two guns were recovered and four men arrested .
One of the men has since been charged with possession of a Section 5 firearm .
The other three have been bailed pending further inquiries .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ understood they were not leading the investigation at the time .
It is unclear whether that has now changed or not .
Since September 8 , residents said forensics officers have been going in and out of the rear of the house and a mobile police unit was set up .
But the activity stepped up significantly tonight when Goulden Street was put behind a large cordon and an Explosive Ordnance Disposal ( EOD ) team were called to the scene .
It is understood officers found an 'unknown substance ' in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Specialists at the fire service were also called in .
No houses were evacuated and police said the 'suspicious item ' was not of any threat to the public .
In a statement , GMP said : `` Officers searching an address on Goulden Street , Salford , found a suspicious item as part of an ongoing investigation .
`` EOD attended the scene to assess the item and deemed it not to be of any threat to the wider public .

We have more newsletters
Something went wrong, please try again later.
Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
We have more newsletters
Thank you for subscribing!
Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
The bomb squad was called in over a 'suspicious item' in a house in Salford tonight - a week after police founds guns in the same property during a raid.
An investigation has been ongoing at the property - on the corner of Goulden Street and Alexander Street in Langworthy -since last Tuesday when it was the subject of a dawn raid.
Two guns were recovered and four men arrested.
One of the men has since been charged with possession of a Section 5 firearm.
The other three have been bailed pending further inquiries.
Counter Terrorism officers assisted but it is understood they were not leading the investigation at the time.
It is unclear whether that has now changed or not.
(Image: ASP)
Since September 8, residents said forensics officers have been going in and out of the rear of the house and a mobile police unit was set up.
But the activity stepped up significantly tonight when Goulden Street was put behind a large cordon and an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team were called to the scene.
It is understood officers found an 'unknown substance' in the house that they wanted to be analysed.
Specialists at the fire service were also called in.
No houses were evacuated and police said the 'suspicious item' was not of any threat to the public.
In a statement, GMP said: "Officers searching an address on Goulden Street, Salford, found a suspicious item as part of an ongoing investigation.
"EOD attended the scene to assess the item and deemed it not to be of any threat to the wider public.
"Enquiries are ongoing."


themanchestereveningnews--2020-09-14--UK records nine coronavirus deaths and more than 2,500 cases since yesterday

The UK has recorded a further nine coronavirus-related deaths and more than 2,500 confirmed cases since yesterday .
As of 9am on Monday , there had been a further 2,621 lab-confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK .
Overall , 371,125 cases have been confirmed .
A further nine people have died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19 as of Monday .
This brings the UK total to 41,637 , according to the Department of Health .
Separate figures published by the UK ’ s statistics agencies show there have now been 57,400 deaths registered in the UK @ @ @ @ @ @ @ certificate .
In England , one further person who tested positive for coronavirus died in hospital , according to NHS England .
That brings the total number of confirmed reported deaths in hospitals in England to 29,662 .
No deaths further were reported with no positive Covid-19 test result .
In Wales , there has been a further 183 cases of Covid-19 confirmed , bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 19,573 .
Public Health Wales said no further deaths had been reported , with the total number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remaining at 1,597 .
In Scotland , a total of 70 people have tested positive for coronavirus in the past 24 hours , First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said .
The statistics show that 22,749 people have now tested positive in Scotland , up from 22,679 the day before .
This is 2.7 per cent of newly-tested individuals .
No deaths of confirmed Covid-19 patients have been recorded in the past 24 hours and the number of fatalities remains at 2,499 .

We have more newsletters
Something went wrong, please try again later.
Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
We have more newsletters
Thank you for subscribing!
Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
The UK has recorded a further nine coronavirus-related deaths and more than 2,500 confirmed cases since yesterday.
As of 9am on Monday, there had been a further 2,621 lab-confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK.
Overall, 371,125 cases have been confirmed.
A further nine people have died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19 as of Monday.
This brings the UK total to 41,637, according to the Department of Health.
Separate figures published by the UK’s statistics agencies show there have now been 57,400 deaths registered in the UK where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate.
In England, one further person who tested positive for coronavirus died in hospital, according to NHS England.
That brings the total number of confirmed reported deaths in hospitals in England to 29,662.
No deaths further were reported with no positive Covid-19 test result.
In Wales, there has been a further 183 cases of Covid-19 confirmed, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 19,573.
Public Health Wales said no further deaths had been reported, with the total number of deaths since the beginning of the pandemic remaining at 1,597.
In Scotland, a total of 70 people have tested positive for coronavirus in the past 24 hours, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said.
The statistics show that 22,749 people have now tested positive in Scotland, up from 22,679 the day before.
This is 2.7 per cent of newly-tested individuals.
No deaths of confirmed Covid-19 patients have been recorded in the past 24 hours and the number of fatalities remains at 2,499.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-09-14--Scientists say they may have found signs of life on Venus

Scientists who discovered phosphine gas on Venus have said it could show signs of life on the planet .
The discovery of the gas in the atmosphere suggests that the planet could be hosting unknown photochemical or geochemical processes , scientists say .
Phosphine is a colourless gas that has the smell of garlic or decaying fish .
On Earth , it is produced predominantly by anaerobic biological sources and small amounts of it occur naturally from the breakdown of organic matter .
Conditions on the surface of Venus are hostile to life - but the environment of its upper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ miles above the surface , is temperate .
Any phosphine present in the clouds would get destroyed quickly due to the acidic nature of the clouds , according to the study published in Nature Astronomy .
Jane Greaves , from Cardiff University , and colleagues observed Venus with the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope and the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array in 2017 and 2019 , respectively .
They detected a spectral signature that is unique to phosphine , and estimated an abundance of 20 parts-per-billion of phosphine in Venus ’ s clouds .
Researchers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been produced , including from sources on the surface of the planet , micrometeorites , lightning , or chemical processes happening within the clouds .
But they were unable to determine the source of the trace quantities of phosphine .
However , they argue that the detection of phosphine is not robust evidence for microbial life and only indicates potentially unknown geological or chemical processes occurring on the planet .
They say further observations and modelling are needed to explore the origin of the gas in the planet ’ s atmosphere .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ : “ PH3 ( phosphine ) could originate from unknown photochemistry or geochemistry , or , by analogy with biological production of PH3 on Earth , from the presence of life.
” They add : “ If no known chemical process can explain PH3 within the upper atmosphere of Venus , then it must be produced by a process not previously considered plausible for Venusian conditions .
“ This could be unknown photochemistry or geochemistry , or possibly life.
” The researchers continue : “ Even if confirmed , we emphasise that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for life , only for anomalous and unexplained chemistry .
“ There are substantial conceptual problems for the idea of life in Venus ’ s clouds – the environment is extremely dehydrating as well as hyperacidic .
“ However , we have ruled out many chemical routes to PH3 , with the most likely ones falling short by four to eight orders of magnitude .
“ To further discriminate between unknown photochemical and/or geological processes as the source of Venusian PH3 , or to determine whether there is life in the clouds of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be important .
“ Ultimately , a solution could come from revisiting Venus for in situ measurements or aerosol return.
” Associate Professor Alan Duffy , an astronomer from Swinburne University and the lead scientist of The Royal Institution of Australia , said : “ This is one of the most exciting signs of the possible presence of life beyond Earth I have ever seen , and certainly from the most surprising location I could imagine .
“ Our twin planet Venus is a hellish world .
While the surface is hot enough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as you go higher into the clouds , becoming Earth-like in both temperature and pressure by an altitude of 50km , exactly where the phosphine was found .
“ While the temperature is benign the clouds contain sulfuric acid which should break down the phosphine , so something is forming it anew , and as phosphine is associated with life on Earth it is tempting to think it could be life on Venus .
“ But before we can become more confident about that we have to rule out all possible other non-biological @ @ @ @ @ @

Something went wrong, please try again later.
Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
Scientists who discovered phosphine gas on Venus have said it could show signs of life on the planet.
The discovery of the gas in the atmosphere suggests that the planet could be hosting unknown photochemical or geochemical processes, scientists say.
Phosphine is a colourless gas that has the smell of garlic or decaying fish.
On Earth, it is produced predominantly by anaerobic biological sources and small amounts of it occur naturally from the breakdown of organic matter.
Conditions on the surface of Venus are hostile to life - but the environment of its upper cloud deck, which is around 35 miles above the surface, is temperate.
(Image: Undated European Southern Observatory)
Any phosphine present in the clouds would get destroyed quickly due to the acidic nature of the clouds, according to the study published in Nature Astronomy.
Jane Greaves, from Cardiff University, and colleagues observed Venus with the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope and the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array in 2017 and 2019, respectively.
They detected a spectral signature that is unique to phosphine, and estimated an abundance of 20 parts-per-billion of phosphine in Venus’s clouds.
Researchers looked at different ways the gas may have been produced, including from sources on the surface of the planet, micrometeorites, lightning, or chemical processes happening within the clouds.
But they were unable to determine the source of the trace quantities of phosphine.
(Image: Undated European Southern Observatory)
However, they argue that the detection of phosphine is not robust evidence for microbial life and only indicates potentially unknown geological or chemical processes occurring on the planet.
They say further observations and modelling are needed to explore the origin of the gas in the planet’s atmosphere.
Writing in the paper, they say: “PH3 (phosphine) could originate from unknown photochemistry or geochemistry, or, by analogy with biological production of PH3 on Earth, from the presence of life.”
They add: “If no known chemical process can explain PH3 within the upper atmosphere of Venus, then it must be produced by a process not previously considered plausible for Venusian conditions.
“This could be unknown photochemistry or geochemistry, or possibly life.”
The researchers continue: “Even if confirmed, we emphasise that the detection of PH3 is not robust evidence for life, only for anomalous and unexplained chemistry.
“There are substantial conceptual problems for the idea of life in Venus’s clouds – the environment is extremely dehydrating as well as hyperacidic.
“However, we have ruled out many chemical routes to PH3, with the most likely ones falling short by four to eight orders of magnitude.
“To further discriminate between unknown photochemical and/or geological processes as the source of Venusian PH3, or to determine whether there is life in the clouds of Venus, substantial modelling and experimentation will be important.
“Ultimately, a solution could come from revisiting Venus for in situ measurements or aerosol return.”
Associate Professor Alan Duffy, an astronomer from Swinburne University and the lead scientist of The Royal Institution of Australia, said: “This is one of the most exciting signs of the possible presence of life beyond Earth I have ever seen, and certainly from the most surprising location I could imagine.
“Our twin planet Venus is a hellish world. While the surface is hot enough to melt lead, the temperature drops as you go higher into the clouds, becoming Earth-like in both temperature and pressure by an altitude of 50km, exactly where the phosphine was found.
“While the temperature is benign the clouds contain sulfuric acid which should break down the phosphine, so something is forming it anew, and as phosphine is associated with life on Earth it is tempting to think it could be life on Venus.
“But before we can become more confident about that we have to rule out all possible other non-biological means of producing it.”


themanchestereveningnews--2020-09-14--Anger and frustration as coronavirus testing system 'lapses into chaos'

People living in coronavirus hotspots across Greater Manchester are struggling to get tested amid fears that the national system has ‘ lapsed into chaos ’ .
Residents in Manchester , Salford , Rochdale , Oldham , Bolton and Tameside are either being told there are limited numbers of tests available - or none at all .
The Manchester Evening News tonight tried to book a test online via the government website using an address from every borough in Greater Manchester .
In each case we said we were a male key worker who had had symptons for two days .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Trafford - a test was offered .
In Tameside , using an Audenshaw postocde we were offered a slot at the drive-in centre next to the Etihad Stadium , 4.1 miles away .
Using an Altrincham postcode we were offered the option of three walk-in testing centres , the nearest being 3.8 miles away in Wythenshawe .
In all other areas , including Bolton which has the highest infection rate in the country at 179.1 per 100,000 of population , we were told the system was `` very busy '' and to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wigan , Stockport and Salford said there were `` no testing sites '' when attempting to select one .
A message was displayed saying `` more tests should be available later , If you can not book a test now , or the location or time are not convenient , try again in a few hours '' which is what has greeted thousands of others , as well as urging you not to ring the helplines .
The Director of public health for Cheshire West and Chester , Ian Ashworth said tonight the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country 's coronavirus cases but yet only had access to 15pc of the national testing capacity .
The government say new booking slots and home testing kits are being made available every day and that testing capacity is as high as it has ever been .
However families have told us they are being spending ‘ all day ’ in self-isolation refreshing the website only to be told that the only available tests are in Yorkshire or further afield , or that none are available at all .
This means people are facing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off school , for what could potentially just be common colds .
A primary school teacher told the M.E.N she had been trying to get a test for over 24 hours after developing a cough on Saturday evening .
She faces having to self-isolate , and being away from work for two weeks if she can not get one by Wednesday as the NHS say a test has to be taken inside the first five days of symptoms to be effective .
`` That could be a lot of unnecessary time off work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extra pressure to my school in a time of already immense pressure '' she said .
`` The testing situation at the moment is ineffective .
The Government are not keeping up with demand and yet still boast of their World beating system . ''
Bernadette Anne , from Warrington , whose daughter needs to be tested to return to school said on our Facebook page that she was told the nearest available testing site was in Doncaster in south Yorkshire .
`` It is a shambles '' she said .
There are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Greater Manchester accepting walk-in tests then turning others away in the space of two hours .
One Manchester resident was unable to get a test for his young daughter at the testing centre at Trafford Park , only for a friend to secure a walk-in appointment for their daughter on the same day .
One woman said she was turned away from three walk-in test centres whilst others said they had been seen , including one woman who managed to get a test at the site at Belle Vue in Gorton .
Many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at home or at a testing centre , have since been waiting days to get their results back .
This includes a family in Salford who reached out to Barbara Keeley , the Labour MP for Worsley and Eccles South .
“ It ’ s important that the government gets a grip of this current testing fiasco , ” she said .
“ It ’ s quite clear that there 's a lack of laboratory capacity or a lack of tests , whichever it is , and that has to be dealt with.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ urged to only request tests if they have symptoms as testing sites have been ‘ overwhelmed ’ since opening last week .
The council has warned that if demand continues to rise then local testing sites at the Mosses and Chesham community centres could be closed to walk-in appointments .
Councillor Andrea Simpson , cabinet member for health and wellbeing , said : “ If you don ’ t have symptoms , please don ’ t request a test ; this creates a bottleneck in our already pressured system and unnecessary delays for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There are people with symptoms who can not return to work and students that can not return to class until they are sure that they don ’ t have the virus to avoid passing it on .
“ Getting a test is the only way for them to know.
” Last week the government announced that it was piloting a same-day mass testing scheme in Salford from October , with a view of rolling out nationally after that .
Health secretary Matt Hancock has defended the so-called Operation Moonshot , which has already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some experts .
Ms Keeley said : “ We don ’ t want anymore ludicrous claims about mass testing and Operation Moonshot , I think it ’ s important that the government gets a grip of this situation .
“ We ’ re starting at a really appalling level of ministerial incompetence in our country that has now lapsed into such chaos .
“ For us in Greater Manchester our infection rates are rising and this is totally the wrong time for this to be happening.
” The Department of Health and Social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the test and trace system is seeing ‘ significant demand ’ but insisted that the capacity is the ‘ highest it has ever been ’ .
A spokesman added : “ New booking slots and home testing kits are made available daily for those who need them and we are targeting testing capacity at the areas that need it most , including those where there is an outbreak , and prioritising at-risk groups .
“ Our laboratories are processing more than a million tests a week and we recently announced new facilities and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` If you do not have symptoms and are not eligible to get a test you can continue to protect yourself if you wash your hands , wear a face covering and follow social distancing rules .
”

newsdesk@men-news.co.uk (Chris Slater, Niall Griffiths)

Something went wrong, please try again later.
Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
People living in coronavirus hotspots across Greater Manchester are struggling to get tested amid fears that the national system has ‘lapsed into chaos’.
Residents in Manchester, Salford, Rochdale, Oldham, Bolton and Tameside are either being told there are limited numbers of tests available - or none at all.
The Manchester Evening News tonight tried to book a test online via the government website using an address from every borough in Greater Manchester.
In each case we said we were a male key worker who had had symptons for two days.
However in only two boroughs - Tameside and Trafford - a test was offered.
In Tameside, using an Audenshaw postocde we were offered a slot at the drive-in centre next to the Etihad Stadium, 4.1 miles away.
Using an Altrincham postcode we were offered the option of three walk-in testing centres, the nearest being 3.8 miles away in Wythenshawe.
In all other areas, including Bolton which has the highest infection rate in the country at 179.1 per 100,000 of population, we were told the system was "very busy" and to try again later. Other areas including Wigan, Stockport and Salford said there were "no testing sites" when attempting to select one.
(Image: Daily Mirror/Andy Stenning)
A message was displayed saying "more tests should be available later, If you cannot book a test now, or the location or time are not convenient, try again in a few hours" which is what has greeted thousands of others, as well as urging you not to ring the helplines.
The Director of public health for Cheshire West and Chester, Ian Ashworth said tonight the north west had 25 percent of the country's coronavirus cases but yet only had access to 15pc of the national testing capacity.
The government say new booking slots and home testing kits are being made available every day and that testing capacity is as high as it has ever been.
However families have told us they are being spending ‘all day’ in self-isolation refreshing the website only to be told that the only available tests are in Yorkshire or further afield, or that none are available at all.
This means people are facing time off work, or students time off school, for what could potentially just be common colds.
A primary school teacher told the M.E.N she had been trying to get a test for over 24 hours after developing a cough on Saturday evening. She faces having to self-isolate, and being away from work for two weeks if she cannot get one by Wednesday as the NHS say a test has to be taken inside the first five days of symptoms to be effective.
"That could be a lot of unnecessary time off work, potentially adding a huge amount of extra pressure to my school in a time of already immense pressure" she said.
"The testing situation at the moment is ineffective. The Government are not keeping up with demand and yet still boast of their World beating system."
Bernadette Anne, from Warrington, whose daughter needs to be tested to return to school said on our Facebook page that she was told the nearest available testing site was in Doncaster in south Yorkshire. "It is a shambles" she said.
There are reports of local testing sites elsewhere in Greater Manchester accepting walk-in tests then turning others away in the space of two hours.
One Manchester resident was unable to get a test for his young daughter at the testing centre at Trafford Park, only for a friend to secure a walk-in appointment for their daughter on the same day.
One woman said she was turned away from three walk-in test centres whilst others said they had been seen, including one woman who managed to get a test at the site at Belle Vue in Gorton.
Many who have managed to get tested either at home or at a testing centre, have since been waiting days to get their results back.
This includes a family in Salford who reached out to Barbara Keeley, the Labour MP for Worsley and Eccles South.
“It’s important that the government gets a grip of this current testing fiasco,” she said.
“It’s quite clear that there's a lack of laboratory capacity or a lack of tests, whichever it is, and that has to be dealt with.”
Residents in Bury have now been urged to only request tests if they have symptoms as testing sites have been ‘overwhelmed’ since opening last week.
The council has warned that if demand continues to rise then local testing sites at the Mosses and Chesham community centres could be closed to walk-in appointments.
Councillor Andrea Simpson, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “If you don’t have symptoms, please don’t request a test; this creates a bottleneck in our already pressured system and unnecessary delays for people that really need one.
(Image: Stoke Sentinel)
“There are people with symptoms who cannot return to work and students that cannot return to class until they are sure that they don’t have the virus to avoid passing it on.
“Getting a test is the only way for them to know.”
Last week the government announced that it was piloting a same-day mass testing scheme in Salford from October, with a view of rolling out nationally after that.
Health secretary Matt Hancock has defended the so-called Operation Moonshot, which has already come under scrutiny from opposition politicians and some experts.
Ms Keeley said: “We don’t want anymore ludicrous claims about mass testing and Operation Moonshot, I think it’s important that the government gets a grip of this situation.
“We’re starting at a really appalling level of ministerial incompetence in our country that has now lapsed into such chaos.
“For us in Greater Manchester our infection rates are rising and this is totally the wrong time for this to be happening.”
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has admitted that the test and trace system is seeing ‘significant demand’ but insisted that the capacity is the ‘highest it has ever been’.
A spokesman added: “New booking slots and home testing kits are made available daily for those who need them and we are targeting testing capacity at the areas that need it most, including those where there is an outbreak, and prioritising at-risk groups.
“Our laboratories are processing more than a million tests a week and we recently announced new facilities and technology to process results even faster.
"If you do not have symptoms and are not eligible to get a test you can continue to protect yourself if you wash your hands, wear a face covering and follow social distancing rules.”


themanchestereveningnews--2020-09-14--Paedophile dies after being hit by train on the day trial was due to start

A convicted paedophile died after being hit by a train on the day he was due to stand trial for rape .
Mark Jones , 51 , from Widnes , was due to appear at Liverpool Crown Court this morning ( Monday ) .
But a judge was told that he had died after an incident at Halewood station in Merseyside .
Police and paramedics were called to the station , off Hollies Road in Halewood , at 7.41am , after receiving reports of a casualty on the tracks reports the Liverpool Echo .
The incident is not being treated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prepared for the coroner , British Transport Police said .
A spokesman for the force later confirmed that the man had been formally identified and that his family had been informed .
Jones , of Upton Grange in Widnes , had previously pleaded guilty to two counts of indecent assault against a young girl , which took place in the late 1980s , when he was aged 17 or 18 .
However he denied two counts of raping the child and eight further counts of indecent assault , which were alleged to involve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his victim had already endured the trauma of reliving her ordeal , when she was cross-examined by defence lawyers in a pre-recorded video hearing .
Judge David Swinnerton was informed that Jones had died by prosecutor Matthew Corbett-Jones at a short hearing this morning .
The case has now been re-listed for September 28 , when the indictment against Jones will be marked stayed and the proceedings terminated .
North West Ambulance Service confirmed a rapid response vehicle , advanced paramedic and ambulance were called to the station at 7.47am .
Jones was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between Manchester and Liverpool 's South Parkway station ground to a halt until around 11am as emergency services dealt with the aftermath .
A British Transport Police spokeswoman said : `` Officers were called to Halewood station at 7.41am this morning following reports of a casualty on the tracks .
`` Paramedics also attended , however sadly a person has been pronounced dead at the scene . ''

newsdesk@men-news.co.uk (Neil Docking, Chris Slater)

We have more newsletters
Something went wrong, please try again later.
Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later.
Don't miss out on the big stories from Manchester's courts with our weekly newsletter
We have more newsletters
Thank you for subscribing!
Something went wrong, please try again later.
Don't miss out on the big stories from Manchester's courts with our weekly newsletter
A convicted paedophile died after being hit by a train on the day he was due to stand trial for rape.
Mark Jones, 51, from Widnes, was due to appear at Liverpool Crown Court this morning (Monday).
But a judge was told that he had died after an incident at Halewood station in Merseyside.
Police and paramedics were called to the station, off Hollies Road in Halewood, at 7.41am, after receiving reports of a casualty on the tracks reports the Liverpool Echo.
The incident is not being treated as suspicious and a file would be prepared for the coroner, British Transport Police said.
A spokesman for the force later confirmed that the man had been formally identified and that his family had been informed.
Jones, of Upton Grange in Widnes, had previously pleaded guilty to two counts of indecent assault against a young girl, which took place in the late 1980s, when he was aged 17 or 18.
However he denied two counts of raping the child and eight further counts of indecent assault, which were alleged to involve more serious sexual activity.
(Image: Liverpool Echo)
That meant his victim had already endured the trauma of reliving her ordeal, when she was cross-examined by defence lawyers in a pre-recorded video hearing.
Judge David Swinnerton was informed that Jones had died by prosecutor Matthew Corbett-Jones at a short hearing this morning.
The case has now been re-listed for September 28, when the indictment against Jones will be marked stayed and the proceedings terminated.
North West Ambulance Service confirmed a rapid response vehicle, advanced paramedic and ambulance were called to the station at 7.47am.
Jones was pronounced dead at the scene.
Services between Manchester and Liverpool's South Parkway station ground to a halt until around 11am as emergency services dealt with the aftermath.
A British Transport Police spokeswoman said: "Officers were called to Halewood station at 7.41am this morning following reports of a casualty on the tracks.
"Paramedics also attended, however sadly a person has been pronounced dead at the scene."


themanchestereveningnews--2020-09-14--Manchester United evening headlines with Jadon Sancho transfer latest

Here are the Manchester United evening headlines for Monday September 14 .
With less than a week to go until Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund begin their respective domestic seasons , we ’ re still no closer to the English club reaching a deal for the Dortmund forward ’ s signature .
Lucien Favre ’ s side are due to kick off their Bundesliga campaign against Borussia Dortmund on Saturday , while Ole Gunnar Solskjaer ’ s United will play host to Crystal Palace on the same day .
While the Reds have been keen on Sancho all summer , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ between the two clubs ’ demands .
Dortmund remain keen to keep the England international , with Favre saying 'everyone is happy that [ Sancho ] stayed ' , but United continue to negotiate over a potential fee and personal terms .
United are still understood to be reluctant to meet Dortmund ’ s €120million asking price , preferring a deal comprised of add-ons , but are believed to remain in the hunt despite Favre ’ s comments .
They have until October 5 to get a move over the line .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of title winners Liverpool , but the finish to last season - and the summer arrival of Donny van de Beek - have given fans hope of an improved showing .
However , former club captain Gary Neville believes talk of a title challenge may be a little premature .
United finished last season in third place , but ended the campaign 15 points behind second-place Manchester City and 33 adrift of champions Liverpool .
And Neville told the he is confident of his former club tasting success again , but suggested this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The one thing I can guarantee you is that United will win again , ” he said .
“ That might not be this year or next year , but it will be amazing when they win again , and the longer it builds up , the greater the actual feeling is when you do it .
`` I ’ m not sitting here , as a United fan , thinking , ‘ We must win the league this year ’ .
Yes , we ’ d like to , but you know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s not yet . ''
Sign up to our free MUFC email newsletter for Donny van de Beek updates Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Manchester United made waves with the high-profile signing of Dutch wonder Donny van de Beek - and a lot is expected of him at Old Trafford .
With a new man to shine in the Norwegian 's XI , you certainly wo n't want to miss a thing .
In a daily United bulletin from the MEN , we 'll be bringing you the latest breaking news , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well as the key talking points for fans , straight to your inbox - and of course , we 'll cover everything that van de Beek performs in a United shirt .
How do you sign up ?
It 's easy !
Click HERE .
It only takes a few seconds If you consider yourself a dab hand at Fantasy Premier League , you can use van de Beek in your FPL team , possibly win £250 , a new replica 20/21 football shirt of your choice , and the inaugural RFFL @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a certificate in our Reach Fantasy Football League .
Joining is easy to enter , simply sign up here .
Fernandes among seven players to return to training Seven Manchester United players have returned to training at Carrington as the club prepares for its Premier League opener .
Players have returned to the training complex in phases during pre-season , and a number of first-teamers have been spotted there for the first time since last season .
Bruno Fernandes is one of the latest to return , having come back to the UK @ @ @ @ @ @ @ child , while Aaron Wan-Bissaka was also among the seven recent players to arrive as a United XI took on Aston Villa in a friendly .
Wan-Bissaka and fellow returnee Juan Mata both had to quarantine following their returns to the UK from Dubai and Spain respectively , while Fred , Nemanja Matic , Eric Bailly and Phil Jones have also returned to Carrington .
The only first-teamer yet to be spotted is backup goalkeeper Sergio Romero , who has been linked with a move away from Old Trafford this summer following the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Henderson back into the first-team squad .

Something went wrong, please try again later.
Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
Here are the Manchester United evening headlines for Monday September 14.
Why United haven't signed Sancho yet
With less than a week to go until Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund begin their respective domestic seasons, we’re still no closer to the English club reaching a deal for the Dortmund forward’s signature.
Lucien Favre’s side are due to kick off their Bundesliga campaign against Borussia Dortmund on Saturday, while Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s United will play host to Crystal Palace on the same day.
While the Reds have been keen on Sancho all summer, MEN Sport understands there is still a ‘fundamental gap’ between the two clubs’ demands.
Dortmund remain keen to keep the England international, with Favre saying 'everyone is happy that [Sancho] stayed', but United continue to negotiate over a potential fee and personal terms.
United are still understood to be reluctant to meet Dortmund’s €120million asking price, preferring a deal comprised of add-ons, but are believed to remain in the hunt despite Favre’s comments.
They have until October 5 to get a move over the line.
Gary Neville makes title race prediction
Manchester United finished last season well adrift of title winners Liverpool, but the finish to last season - and the summer arrival of Donny van de Beek - have given fans hope of an improved showing.
However, former club captain Gary Neville believes talk of a title challenge may be a little premature.
United finished last season in third place, but ended the campaign 15 points behind second-place Manchester City and 33 adrift of champions Liverpool.
And Neville told the Mirror he is confident of his former club tasting success again, but suggested this season may be too soon.
“The one thing I can guarantee you is that United will win again,” he said.
“That might not be this year or next year, but it will be amazing when they win again, and the longer it builds up, the greater the actual feeling is when you do it.
"I’m not sitting here, as a United fan, thinking, ‘We must win the league this year’. Yes, we’d like to, but you know when it’s your time and it’s not yet."
Fernandes among seven players to return to training
Seven Manchester United players have returned to training at Carrington as the club prepares for its Premier League opener.
Players have returned to the training complex in phases during pre-season, and a number of first-teamers have been spotted there for the first time since last season.
Bruno Fernandes is one of the latest to return, having come back to the UK from Portugal following the birth of his child, while Aaron Wan-Bissaka was also among the seven recent players to arrive as a United XI took on Aston Villa in a friendly.
Wan-Bissaka and fellow returnee Juan Mata both had to quarantine following their returns to the UK from Dubai and Spain respectively, while Fred, Nemanja Matic, Eric Bailly and Phil Jones have also returned to Carrington.
The only first-teamer yet to be spotted is backup goalkeeper Sergio Romero, who has been linked with a move away from Old Trafford this summer following the club’s decision to integrate Dean Henderson back into the first-team squad.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-09-14--Man City evening headlines as Blues 'make formal offer' for defender

Here are the Manchester City evening headlines for Monday September 14 .
Manchester City have offered £82million for Atletico Madrid centre-back Jose Maria Gimenez , according to reports in Spain .
The Uruguayan , who joined Atleti in 2013 , has made more than 100 La Liga appearances and was part of the side which reached the quarter-finals of last season ’ s Champions League .
According to , the offer falls short of the 25-year-old ’ s £110m release clause , but the publication notes that the offer is tempting due to the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ player for Atleti , who will be back in Champions League action this season after finishing third in La Liga last term .
Manchester City have already made one central defensive signing in the close-season , spending £40m to sign Nathan Ake from Bournemouth , though John Stones and Nicolas Otamendi have both been linked with moves away from the Etihad Stadium .
Napoli boss lays down the law on City ’ s Koulibaly pursuit Rino Gattuso was known for his no-nonsense approach on the pitch , and it seems as though his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Napoli head coach , who took over from Carlo Ancelotti midway through last season , has seen his preparations for the new season impacted by Manchester City ’ s courtship of Kalidou Koulibaly .
However , Gattuso has laid down the law , insisting the centre-back will not be sold if City fail to meet Napoli ’ s demands .
`` Koulibaly has a precise asking price , and if the club does n't get the money it is asking for , then he wo n't leave , '' .
The Senegalese international @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Napoli since joining in 2014 , and played 45 minutes in the club ’ s pre-season friendly against Pescara over the weekend .
Napoli begin their 2020/21 Serie A season on September 20 away to Parma , and will hope to improve on last season ’ s seventh-place finish .
City fans identify their main concern going into the 2020/21 season While a number of their Premier League rivals have been in action this weekend , Manchester City have an extra week to prepare for the start of their campaign .
Pep Guardiola @ @ @ @ @ @ @ action on September 21 , taking on Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux , and supporters have been in a survey conducted by MEN Sport .
The main concern appears to surround the defensive ranks : some 59 % of respondents identified centre-back as the major problem position going into the new season , while 18 % pointed to left-back .
City have added Nathan Ake to their ranks in a big-money deal , paying Bournemouth £40m to sign the Dutch international , but it appears as though many supporters believe there is still work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team conceded 35 goals last season , more than either of their title-winning campaigns in 2017/18 and 2018/19 and just four fewer than in the manager ’ s first season , when they finished third in the league .
Nevertheless , 80 % of fans are confident City will be able to make up the gap to last season ’ s champions Liverpool and reclaim the Premier League title .
Supporters of other clubs also consider City the most likely to lift the title at the end of the 2020/21 season , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and just 16 % anticipating a Liverpool retention .
Ake isn ’ t the only new face going into the new campaign , with Ferran Torres joining from Valencia , and City have until early October to make further additions .

newsdesk@men-news.co.uk (Tom Victor, Carrie Dunn)

Something went wrong, please try again later.
Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later.
Get the latest City team news, transfer stories, match updates and analysis delivered straight to your inbox - FREE
Something went wrong, please try again later.
Get the latest City team news, transfer stories, match updates and analysis delivered straight to your inbox - FREE
Here are the Manchester City evening headlines for Monday September 14.
City ‘make formal offer’ for Atletico Madrid defender
Manchester City have offered £82million for Atletico Madrid centre-back Jose Maria Gimenez, according to reports in Spain.
The Uruguayan, who joined Atleti in 2013, has made more than 100 La Liga appearances and was part of the side which reached the quarter-finals of last season’s Champions League.
According to AS , the offer falls short of the 25-year-old’s £110m release clause, but the publication notes that the offer is tempting due to the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
However, Gimenez remains an important player for Atleti, who will be back in Champions League action this season after finishing third in La Liga last term.
Manchester City have already made one central defensive signing in the close-season, spending £40m to sign Nathan Ake from Bournemouth, though John Stones and Nicolas Otamendi have both been linked with moves away from the Etihad Stadium.
Napoli boss lays down the law on City’s Koulibaly pursuit
Rino Gattuso was known for his no-nonsense approach on the pitch, and it seems as though his managerial approach is no different.
The Napoli head coach, who took over from Carlo Ancelotti midway through last season, has seen his preparations for the new season impacted by Manchester City’s courtship of Kalidou Koulibaly.
However, Gattuso has laid down the law , insisting the centre-back will not be sold if City fail to meet Napoli’s demands.
"Koulibaly has a precise asking price, and if the club doesn't get the money it is asking for, then he won't leave," Gattuso told Sky Italia .
The Senegalese international has played more than 200 games for Napoli since joining in 2014, and played 45 minutes in the club’s pre-season friendly against Pescara over the weekend.
Napoli begin their 2020/21 Serie A season on September 20 away to Parma, and will hope to improve on last season’s seventh-place finish.
City fans identify their main concern going into the 2020/21 season
While a number of their Premier League rivals have been in action this weekend, Manchester City have an extra week to prepare for the start of their campaign.
Pep Guardiola’s side will be back in action on September 21, taking on Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux, and supporters have been voicing their opinions in a survey conducted by MEN Sport.
The main concern appears to surround the defensive ranks: some 59% of respondents identified centre-back as the major problem position going into the new season, while 18% pointed to left-back.
City have added Nathan Ake to their ranks in a big-money deal, paying Bournemouth £40m to sign the Dutch international, but it appears as though many supporters believe there is still work to be done.
Guardiola’s team conceded 35 goals last season, more than either of their title-winning campaigns in 2017/18 and 2018/19 and just four fewer than in the manager’s first season, when they finished third in the league.
Nevertheless, 80% of fans are confident City will be able to make up the gap to last season’s champions Liverpool and reclaim the Premier League title.
Supporters of other clubs also consider City the most likely to lift the title at the end of the 2020/21 season, with 43% backing Guardiola’s men and just 16% anticipating a Liverpool retention.
Ake isn’t the only new face going into the new campaign, with Ferran Torres joining from Valencia, and City have until early October to make further additions.