themanchestereveningnews--2020-06-17--Manchester United prepared to make transfer strategy change in next window

Manchester United are prepared to tweak their transfer strategy to accommodate third-choice targets if they fail to qualify for the Champions League next season .
There is already an acceptance at United their market dealings in the next window will be drastically different from what they had planned for prior to the COVID-19 outbreak .
With such a fine line between success and failure ahead of the restart to the season , United are preparing for the possibility of settling for fall-back targets after manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer vetoed third-choice options last year .
United remain committed to recruiting a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ midfielder for next season but Borussia Dortmund are still demanding well in excess of £100million for Jadon Sancho and the coronavirus pandemic has already cost United £28million .
The club 's revenues for the third quarter fell by 18.7 % to £123.7m and United 's debt soared by £124.4m to £429.1m .
United are currently fifth in the Premier League table and three points off an automatic Champions League qualifying spot .
They will play their remaining four home fixtures behind closed doors and the postponement of the mid-March game with Tottenham Hotspur @ @ @ @ @ @ @ above United in fourth , have had the luxury of an early spending spree as they saved tens of millions through their one-year transfer ban .
Chelsea have already signed Hakim Ziyech from Ajax and are expected to acquire Timo Werner from Red Bull Leipzig for £53m .
A fifth-placed finish would secure United a return to the Champions League if the Court of Arbitration for Sport upholds Manchester City 's two-year ban from European competitions .
United are also all but through to the last eight of the Europa League , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ League .
United sources previously said Solskjaer is only prepared to accept a second-choice target for a position in a worse-case scenario but a second successive season outside the Champions League would enforce a tweak to their revamped transfer strategy .
United have not gone two years without playing in the European Cup competition since the early 90s .
The coronavirus crisis is likely to scupper high-end deals for a number of players across Europe , although Dortmund are prepared to sell Sancho for €130m .
Industry insiders have doubted whether any club @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward said in April it was 'unrealistic ' for clubs to plot marquee moves .
United would be open to negotiating achievable add-ons that amount to a nine-figure package for Sancho , 20 , having bought Bruno Fernandes from Sporting Lisbon for an initial £46.56m , rising to £68m in January .
Dortmund negotiated an overall fee of £135.5m for Ousmane Dembele from Barcelona in 2017 and received £96.8m up front .
Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish 's valuation would plummet if the club is relegated to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ move off-putting for a forward with three years left on his contract .
United opened preliminary talks over a move for Grealish in February that were halted by the pandemic .
James Maddison 's camp have doubted his chances of a transfer due to the impact of COVID and United shotlisted Ajax playmaker Donny van de Beek as an alternative playmaker option at the start of the year .
Van de Beek , 23 , is contracted to Ajax for two more years and would command a larger fee than the £33.6m Ziyech @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bayer Leverkusen attacker Kai Havertz , 21 , is enticed by a move to United but there is intense competition for the Germany international .
Birmingham City midfielder Jude Bellingham , 16 , has visited the training grounds of United and Dortmund .

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 prepared to tweak their transfer strategy to accommodate third-choice targets if they fail to qualify for the Champions League next season.
There is already an acceptance at United their market dealings in the next window will be drastically different from what they had planned for prior to the COVID-19 outbreak. With such a fine line between success and failure ahead of the restart to the season, United are preparing for the possibility of settling for fall-back targets after manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer vetoed third-choice options last year.
United remain committed to recruiting a winger, a playmaker, and a midfielder for next season but Borussia Dortmund are still demanding well in excess of £100million for Jadon Sancho and the coronavirus pandemic has already cost United £28million. The club's revenues for the third quarter fell by 18.7% to £123.7m and United's debt soared by £124.4m to £429.1m.
United are currently fifth in the Premier League table and three points off an automatic Champions League qualifying spot. They will play their remaining four home fixtures behind closed doors and the postponement of the mid-March game with Tottenham Hotspur cost United £4m alone.
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.
Chelsea, above United in fourth, have had the luxury of an early spending spree as they saved tens of millions through their one-year transfer ban. Chelsea have already signed Hakim Ziyech from Ajax and are expected to acquire Timo Werner from Red Bull Leipzig for £53m.
A fifth-placed finish would secure United a return to the Champions League if the Court of Arbitration for Sport upholds Manchester City's two-year ban from European competitions. United are also all but through to the last eight of the Europa League, which offers another route back into the Champions League.
United sources previously said Solskjaer is only prepared to accept a second-choice target for a position in a worse-case scenario but a second successive season outside the Champions League would enforce a tweak to their revamped transfer strategy. United have not gone two years without playing in the European Cup competition since the early 90s.
The coronavirus crisis is likely to scupper high-end deals for a number of players across Europe, although Dortmund are prepared to sell Sancho for €130m. Industry insiders have doubted whether any club is prepared to part with nine figures and the United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward said in April it was 'unrealistic' for clubs to plot marquee moves.
United would be open to negotiating achievable add-ons that amount to a nine-figure package for Sancho, 20, having bought Bruno Fernandes from Sporting Lisbon for an initial £46.56m, rising to £68m in January. Dortmund negotiated an overall fee of £135.5m for Ousmane Dembele from Barcelona in 2017 and received £96.8m up front.
Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish's valuation would plummet if the club is relegated to the Championship but survival might make any move off-putting for a forward with three years left on his contract. United opened preliminary talks over a move for Grealish in February that were halted by the pandemic.
James Maddison's camp have doubted his chances of a transfer due to the impact of COVID and United shotlisted Ajax playmaker Donny van de Beek as an alternative playmaker option at the start of the year. Van de Beek, 23, is contracted to Ajax for two more years and would command a larger fee than the £33.6m Ziyech, with Real Madrid also interested.
Bayer Leverkusen attacker Kai Havertz, 21, is enticed by a move to United but there is intense competition for the Germany international. Birmingham City midfielder Jude Bellingham, 16, has visited the training grounds of United and Dortmund.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-06-17--Man City morning headlines as Guardiola drops hint about his future

Pep Guardiola has suggested he is open to extending his Manchester City contract beyond the end of next season following the arrival of Juanma Lillo as his new assistant .
Veteran coach Lillo was confirmed as City 's new No.2 last week , signing a deal until the end of the 2020/21 campaign .
Lillo ’ s contract mirrors that of Guardiola and the rest of the City coaching team .
But the Catalan insists he could consider staying in Manchester if conditions are right .
“ We have time to talk about my contract , ” said the former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to finish the season .
Then we have two months to talk .
`` All I can say is I am happy doing my job , I am delighted to be here and I am comfortable with everyone at the club .
But to extend ?
We will see , we have time.
” Manchester City star Raheem Sterling has admitted it will be a surreal experience to face Arsenal in front of an empty Etihad Stadium .
Pep Guardiola ’ s side return to action tonight against former coach Mikel Arteta ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ game since March .
But despite the lack of fans inside the stadium , Sterling says the City players are ready to return .
“ It ’ s going to be weird for sure , ” the England international explained in an interview with Radio 5 live .
“ We ’ ve played a couple of training games , and it ’ s a bit strange .
But when it ’ s competition time , we need to dig deep and find something to drive us on.
” The return of former City @ @ @ @ @ @ @ subplot to the game and Sterling is wary of the former Spanish midfielder ’ s tactical nous .
“ It ’ s definitely going to be a strange one , '' Sterling said .
`` He knows us inside out and he will definitely have something up his sleeve .
But we will be ready and focused on getting the result we want.
” Pep Guardiola has name-checked three of City 's academy stars who could be thrown into Premier League action in the coming weeks .
Cole Palmer and Felix Nmecha have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their returns last month while Taylor Harwood-Bellis is also in line for a more prominent first-team role .
City face a hectic schedule of Premier League games before the end of July and Guardiola stated the circumstances surrounding current travel restrictions could open the door for Mancunian stars to come in .
“ We didn ’ t want to call back players from Spain or Holland to isolate here , so that is why we have called on these local players , '' Guardiola said .
“ We have Cole , Taylor and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incredibly well .
We try to survive with the first team players we have , but these players are ready to play if needed .
”

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
Guardiola drops hint of his future
Pep Guardiola has suggested he is open to extending his Manchester City contract beyond the end of next season following the arrival of Juanma Lillo as his new assistant.
Veteran coach Lillo was confirmed as City's new No.2 last week, signing a deal until the end of the 2020/21 campaign.
Lillo’s contract mirrors that of Guardiola and the rest of the City coaching team. But the Catalan insists he could consider staying in Manchester if conditions are right.
“We have time to talk about my contract,” said the former Barcelona coach. “We are going to finish the season. Then we have two months to talk.
"All I can say is I am happy doing my job, I am delighted to be here and I am comfortable with everyone at the club. But to extend? We will see, we have time.”
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.
Sterling prepared for 'strange' Arsenal clash
Manchester City star Raheem Sterling has admitted it will be a surreal experience to face Arsenal in front of an empty Etihad Stadium.
Pep Guardiola’s side return to action tonight against former coach Mikel Arteta’s Gunners in their first Premier League game since March.
But despite the lack of fans inside the stadium, Sterling says the City players are ready to return.
“It’s going to be weird for sure,” the England international explained in an interview with Radio 5 live. “We’ve played a couple of training games, and it’s a bit strange. But when it’s competition time, we need to dig deep and find something to drive us on.”
The return of former City coach Arteta to Manchester is an interesting subplot to the game and Sterling is wary of the former Spanish midfielder’s tactical nous.
“It’s definitely going to be a strange one," Sterling said. "He knows us inside out and he will definitely have something up his sleeve. But we will be ready and focused on getting the result we want.”
City youngsters set for first-team role
Pep Guardiola has name-checked three of City's academy stars who could be thrown into Premier League action in the coming weeks.
Cole Palmer and Felix Nmecha have both joined up with first-team training following their returns last month while Taylor Harwood-Bellis is also in line for a more prominent first-team role.
City face a hectic schedule of Premier League games before the end of July and Guardiola stated the circumstances surrounding current travel restrictions could open the door for Mancunian stars to come in.
“We didn’t want to call back players from Spain or Holland to isolate here, so that is why we have called on these local players," Guardiola said.
“We have Cole, Taylor and Felix Nmecha, and they have trained incredibly well. We try to survive with the first team players we have, but these players are ready to play if needed.”


themanchestereveningnews--2020-06-17--Pep Guardiola confirms plans for David Silva farewell at Man City

David Silva will see out the season with Manchester City and will returns so that he can have a proper send-off , according to Pep Guardiola .
The Spaniard had planned to leave the club this summer after a sparkling decade of service where he has established himself as one of the greatest players in the history of City and English football .
The pandemic has thrown a spanner in many football works and Silva , 34 , has had to weigh up whether to continue with the Blues beyond the expiry of his initial contract and contemplate a farewell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ June 23 to agree short-term contracts with players that would be free agents at the end of the month and , while no announcement has been made by City , Guardiola appeared to confirm that Silva will stay .
City 's manager also paid tribute to the mark Silva has left on the club and believes there will be something to mark his contribution with fans when the world return more to normality .
`` He will stay until the end of the season and it is unfortunate he is going to finish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he is coming back and hopefully he can have the big farewell with people , '' said Guardiola .
`` Always the big clubs become a huge , incredible club when they make these kind of big gestures to these incredible players for what they have done for more than one decade .
`` David is one of them .
It was Vincent Kompany , it was Joe Hart , Yaya Toure , Pablo Zabaleta .
I would say more names , sorry for the guys I forget , but they know exactly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ club what it is right now .
`` The situation is what it is .
No one wants it , not just for David but for everyone .
When everything is returning to normal the club will make an agreement with David and do what they have to do . ''

David Silva will see out the season with Manchester City and will returns so that he can have a proper send-off, according to Pep Guardiola.
The Spaniard had planned to leave the club this summer after a sparkling decade of service where he has established himself as one of the greatest players in the history of City and English football. The pandemic has thrown a spanner in many football works and Silva, 34, has had to weigh up whether to continue with the Blues beyond the expiry of his initial contract and contemplate a farewell without any fans.
Clubs have until June 23 to agree short-term contracts with players that would be free agents at the end of the month and, while no announcement has been made by City, Guardiola appeared to confirm that Silva will stay.
City's manager also paid tribute to the mark Silva has left on the club and believes there will be something to mark his contribution with fans when the world return more to normality.
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.
"He will stay until the end of the season and it is unfortunate he is going to finish his last games here without people but he is coming back and hopefully he can have the big farewell with people," said Guardiola.
"Always the big clubs become a huge, incredible club when they make these kind of big gestures to these incredible players for what they have done for more than one decade.
"David is one of them. It was Vincent Kompany, it was Joe Hart, Yaya Toure, Pablo Zabaleta. I would say more names, sorry for the guys I forget, but they know exactly what they have done to make the club what it is right now.
"The situation is what it is. No one wants it, not just for David but for everyone. When everything is returning to normal the club will make an agreement with David and do what they have to do."


themanchestereveningnews--2020-06-17--Pep Guardiola reacts to Real Madrid fixture switch possibility

Pep Guardiola appeared to be unfazed by the possibility that Manchester City will lose home advantage for the second leg of their Champions League tie against Real Madrid .
Uefa are to discuss the idea that the last 16 game , which is scheduled for early August , should be switched to Lisbon rather than at the Etihad Stadium .
The final stages of the competition will now be held , in a World Cup-style tournament , in the Portuguese capital spread over a fortnight in late August .
And after taking advice , they are likely to do the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which are City against Real , Bayern Munich vs Chelsea , Juventus vs Lyon and Barcelona vs Napoli , all to be held on August 7 and 8 .
That means what should have been a home game for the Blues , who have a 2-1 advantage from the away leg , could now be played just an hour 's flight from Madrid .
But in the circumstances of the Covid-19 pandemic , Guardiola was clearly at pains not to complain about the staging of a football match .
Asked about the possibility @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The only plan I have is to prepare for Burnley ( next Monday ) , and arrive in the best condition for Madrid .
“ The only reality we have is we won the first leg but now we have a second leg against the king of this competition , and a lot can happen .
“ It would be a pleasure to go to Portugal and play there but we can improve , try to do better and try to qualify for the next round .
”

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
Pep Guardiola appeared to be unfazed by the possibility that Manchester City will lose home advantage for the second leg of their Champions League tie against Real Madrid.
Uefa are to discuss the idea that the last 16 game, which is scheduled for early August, should be switched to Lisbon rather than at the Etihad Stadium.
The final stages of the competition will now be held, in a World Cup-style tournament, in the Portuguese capital spread over a fortnight in late August.
And after taking advice, they are likely to do the same with the remaining last-16 games, which are City against Real, Bayern Munich vs Chelsea, Juventus vs Lyon and Barcelona vs Napoli, all to be held on August 7 and 8.
That means what should have been a home game for the Blues, who have a 2-1 advantage from the away leg, could now be played just an hour's flight from Madrid.
But in the circumstances of the Covid-19 pandemic, Guardiola was clearly at pains not to complain about the staging of a football match.
Asked about the possibility of the switch, Guardiola replied: “The only plan I have is to prepare for Burnley (next Monday), and arrive in the best condition for Madrid.
“The only reality we have is we won the first leg but now we have a second leg against the king of this competition, and a lot can happen.
“It would be a pleasure to go to Portugal and play there but we can improve, try to do better and try to qualify for the next round.”


themanchestereveningnews--2020-06-17--Raheem Sterling explains why Man City took the knee for Black Lives Matter

Raheem Sterling says Manchester City and Arsenal players were inspired to take a knee before their Premier League fixture by Aston Villa and Sheffield United 's powerful gesture earlier in the day .
Immediately before kick-off , all 22 players and the match officials knelt to the ground for around eight seconds , mirroring the same gesture made by Villa and Sheffield United hours before .
The Black Lives Matter movement has seen protests and marches worldwide in recent weeks following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis .
City and their fellow Premier League clubs all wore 'Black Lives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shirts in place of player names on Wednesday , and will do so for the next round of games starting this weekend .
The Premier League also confirmed they would support teams and players who choose to 'take a knee ' in solidarity with the movement .
And before Villa 's 0-0 draw with Sheffield United , every player did exactly that , prompting City and Arsenal to be inspired to follow their lead later at the Etihad .
Speaking after City 's 3-0 win , Sterling said : `` I see it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ League to allow something like that to happen .
`` It shows we 're going in the right direction and little by little we 're seeing change .
That 's what everyone 's hoping for , not just black players .
The majority of the country so it 's great to see .
`` It was natural , organic .
That 's the most important thing .
We 've seen other teams do it earlier in the kick-off and it 's something we wanted to do as well . ''
Manager Pep Guardiola @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We should send a thousand million messages for the black people .
For 400 years to do that we have done to these lovely people .
I 'm embarrassed and ashamed for what the white people has done to the black people .
Just because you were born in a different colour skin , how the people can think it 's completely different than the other one ?
`` All the gestures are good , are positive , but you have to do it with facts .
Hopefully everything we can do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It 's not just in USA , all around the world .
We have to do a lot of things for the black people that we have not done so far . ''

Something went wrong, please try again later.
Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later.
Something went wrong, please try again later.
Raheem Sterling says Manchester City and Arsenal players were inspired to take a knee before their Premier League fixture by Aston Villa and Sheffield United's powerful gesture earlier in the day.
Immediately before kick-off, all 22 players and the match officials knelt to the ground for around eight seconds, mirroring the same gesture made by Villa and Sheffield United hours before.
The Black Lives Matter movement has seen protests and marches worldwide in recent weeks following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
City and their fellow Premier League clubs all wore 'Black Lives Matter' on the back of their shirts in place of player names on Wednesday, and will do so for the next round of games starting this weekend. The Premier League also confirmed they would support teams and players who choose to 'take a knee' in solidarity with the movement.
And before Villa's 0-0 draw with Sheffield United, every player did exactly that, prompting City and Arsenal to be inspired to follow their lead later at the Etihad.
Speaking after City's 3-0 win, Sterling said: "I see it as a massive step for the Premier League to allow something like that to happen.
"It shows we're going in the right direction and little by little we're seeing change. That's what everyone's hoping for, not just black players. The majority of the country so it's great to see.
"It was natural, organic. That's the most important thing. We've seen other teams do it earlier in the kick-off and it's something we wanted to do as well."
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.
Manager Pep Guardiola echoed Sterling's comments, saying: "We should send a thousand million messages for the black people. For 400 years to do that we have done to these lovely people. I'm embarrassed and ashamed for what the white people has done to the black people. Just because you were born in a different colour skin, how the people can think it's completely different than the other one?
"All the gestures are good, are positive, but you have to do it with facts. Hopefully everything we can do to make conscious that it is unacceptable. It's not just in USA, all around the world. We have to do a lot of things for the black people that we have not done so far."


themanchestereveningnews--2020-06-17--Guardiola reacts to Eric Garcia injury and explains Man City selection

Pep Guardiola has been left hoping that Eric Garcia can make a speedy recovery after the young Manchester City defender suffered a sickening injury against Arsenal .
Garcia , a surprise pick to start alongside Aymeric Laporte ahead of Fernandinho , Nicolas Otamendi and John Stones , had enjoyed a solid game when the centre-back was clattered by City goalkeeper Ederson as they both tried to react to a long ball over the top from Arsenal stopper Bernd Leno .
City players surrounded Garcia and medical staff spent more than five minutes with the 19-year-old assessing him and then moving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a sombre way to end what had been a comfortable evening on the pitch for the hosts .
Guardiola was told by the doctor that the player was conscious before going off to hospital .
`` We are concerned about Eric of course .
He is conscious but I think he is going to be tested tonight because a kick in the head is always so dangerous , '' he said .
The doctor told me he was conscious and they asked me to be with you .
I 'm pretty sure we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be sure that everything is fine and well . ''
Garcia had impressed in training when the players came back from their time in lockdown , and has regularly caught the eye of the manager because of the lack of mistakes he makes .
Given the threat Arsenal posed , the teenager was thought to be the best option alongside Laporte to combat the threat of Mikel Arteta 's side .
Eric came back incredibly well in this period .
He is so smart , intelligent to play in the line , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ easy to play against [ Pierre-Emerick ] Aubameyang and the young Arsenal striker but he is a guy who trains really well .
He understands well and this season when we play , especially on Boxing Day , he played always good .
`` He does n't make mistakes , he 's always focused and this game we knew we would play against dynamic , fast players .
Against Burnley it is a different type of game with their strikers and we need another type of player but for this game we thought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alongside Laporte and he played really good . ''

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
Pep Guardiola has been left hoping that Eric Garcia can make a speedy recovery after the young Manchester City defender suffered a sickening injury against Arsenal.
Garcia, a surprise pick to start alongside Aymeric Laporte ahead of Fernandinho, Nicolas Otamendi and John Stones, had enjoyed a solid game when the centre-back was clattered by City goalkeeper Ederson as they both tried to react to a long ball over the top from Arsenal stopper Bernd Leno.
City players surrounded Garcia and medical staff spent more than five minutes with the 19-year-old assessing him and then moving him onto a stretcher in what was a sombre way to end what had been a comfortable evening on the pitch for the hosts.
Guardiola was told by the doctor that the player was conscious before going off to hospital.
"We are concerned about Eric of course. He is conscious but I think he is going to be tested tonight because a kick in the head is always so dangerous," he said.
The doctor told me he was conscious and they asked me to be with you. I'm pretty sure we're going to do absolutely everything to be sure that everything is fine and well."
Garcia had impressed in training when the players came back from their time in lockdown, and has regularly caught the eye of the manager because of the lack of mistakes he makes.
Given the threat Arsenal posed, the teenager was thought to be the best option alongside Laporte to combat the threat of Mikel Arteta's side.
Eric came back incredibly well in this period. He is so smart, intelligent to play in the line," he said.
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.
"It was not easy to play against [Pierre-Emerick] Aubameyang and the young Arsenal striker but he is a guy who trains really well. He understands well and this season when we play, especially on Boxing Day, he played always good.
"He doesn't make mistakes, he's always focused and this game we knew we would play against dynamic, fast players. Against Burnley it is a different type of game with their strikers and we need another type of player but for this game we thought he was the right guy to play alongside Laporte and he played really good."


themanchestereveningnews--2020-06-17--Raheem Sterling reacts after scoring first goal of 2020 in Arsenal win

Raheem Sterling has revealed he always knew he 'd get back on the scoresheet after finally scoring his first goal of 2020 in Manchester City 's 3-0 win over Arsenal .
Sterling has enjoyed another fantastic season and his opener at the Etihad was his 21st strike of the season , but he had been suffering a barren run since the turn of the year .
Thankfully , David Luiz was on hand to give him an opportunity he could n't miss towards the end of the first-half in City 's first game back since the coronavirus-induced three-month break .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ an innocuous ball floated towards Luiz but he mis-controlled it with his knee which allowed Sterling to race through and blast it into the net .
Sterling has revealed that the goal has taken a weight off his shoulders .
`` It 's something I 've beat myself up about , '' Sterling told Sky Sports after the game .
`` But I knew at some point I 'd get an opportunity I just needed to take it .
That 's what I 've done today . ''
Luiz continued to have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ away a penalty and being shown a red card for his troubles .
Kevin De Bruyne slotted it into the bottom corner and Phil Foden went on to add the third in the final minutes .
Sterling also admitted it 's been a strange few weeks for the club but everyone was delighted to be back in action .
`` It 's been a confusing last couple of weeks , '' he added .
`` No one knew where we were at , we were all buzzing to be back at the stadium @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a good performance .
`` We expected it to be weird , but the message we had coming back from the little break we had was to find something within ourselves and dig deep and the boys kept their composure and fought to the end .
`` The first ten minutes was getting used to this atmosphere and blowing the cobwebs off .
After that we controlled the game well and took our chances well . ''

Something went wrong, please try again later.
Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later.
Something went wrong, please try again later.
Raheem Sterling has revealed he always knew he'd get back on the scoresheet after finally scoring his first goal of 2020 in Manchester City's 3-0 win over Arsenal.
Sterling has enjoyed another fantastic season and his opener at the Etihad was his 21st strike of the season, but he had been suffering a barren run since the turn of the year.
Thankfully, David Luiz was on hand to give him an opportunity he couldn't miss towards the end of the first-half in City's first game back since the coronavirus-induced three-month break.
There looked to be no danger when an innocuous ball floated towards Luiz but he mis-controlled it with his knee which allowed Sterling to race through and blast it into the net. Sterling has revealed that the goal has taken a weight off his shoulders.
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.
"It's something I've beat myself up about," Sterling told Sky Sports after the game. "But I knew at some point I'd get an opportunity I just needed to take it. That's what I've done today."
Luiz continued to have a terrible game in the second-half, giving away a penalty and being shown a red card for his troubles. Kevin De Bruyne slotted it into the bottom corner and Phil Foden went on to add the third in the final minutes.
Sterling also admitted it's been a strange few weeks for the club but everyone was delighted to be back in action.
"It's been a confusing last couple of weeks," he added. "No one knew where we were at, we were all buzzing to be back at the stadium and back on home turf and put in a good performance.
"We expected it to be weird, but the message we had coming back from the little break we had was to find something within ourselves and dig deep and the boys kept their composure and fought to the end.
"The first ten minutes was getting used to this atmosphere and blowing the cobwebs off. After that we controlled the game well and took our chances well."


themanchestereveningnews--2020-06-17--Eric Garcia taken to hospital after sickening collision against Arsenal

Eric Garcia was taken off on a stretcher after a sickening collision with Ederson during Manchester City 's clash with Arsenal .
Pep Guardiola 's side were already 2-0 ahead thanks to goals from Raheem Sterling and a Kevin de Bruyne penalty , with both strikes handed to them by two costly mistakes from David Luiz , who was subsequently sent off .
However , there was a sour note for Manchester City as Garcia collided with Ederson after the goalkeeper came racing out of his goal to clear a ball .
With Garcia smashed to the ground , both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 19-year-old for 10 minutes before he was taken off , leaving City to play the final minutes with 10 men .
City players surrounded Garcia and medical staff spent more than five minutes with the 19-year-old assessing him and then moving him onto a stretcher in what was a sombre way to end what had been a comfortable evening on the pitch for the hosts .
Manager Pep Guardiola was told by the doctor that the player was conscious before going off to hospital .
`` We are concerned about Eric of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think he is going to be tested tonight because a kick in the head is always so dangerous , '' he said .
`` The doctor told me he was conscious and they asked me to be with you .
I 'm pretty sure we 're going to do absolutely everything to be sure that everything is fine and well . ''
Players from both sides gathered around with concerned looks on their faces while Garcia was treated before the player was eventually stretchered off the pitch , having started the match alongside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It was a tough night for injuries at the Etihad Stadium , with Arsenal losing Pablo Mari and Granit Xahaka inside the opening 25 minutes , which saw Luiz enter the fray .
He endured a night to forget though , first allowing de Bruyne 's pass to find Sterling for the opener , before hauling down Riyad Mahrez which allowed the Belgian to double the lead .
After the match restarted Phil Foden added a third to provide further breathing room for City in a dominant display .

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
Eric Garcia was taken off on a stretcher after a sickening collision with Ederson during Manchester City's clash with Arsenal.
Pep Guardiola's side were already 2-0 ahead thanks to goals from Raheem Sterling and a Kevin de Bruyne penalty, with both strikes handed to them by two costly mistakes from David Luiz, who was subsequently sent off.
However, there was a sour note for Manchester City as Garcia collided with Ederson after the goalkeeper came racing out of his goal to clear a ball.
With Garcia smashed to the ground, both clubs' medics raced on and treated the 19-year-old for 10 minutes before he was taken off, leaving City to play the final minutes with 10 men.
City players surrounded Garcia and medical staff spent more than five minutes with the 19-year-old assessing him and then moving him onto a stretcher in what was a sombre way to end what had been a comfortable evening on the pitch for the hosts.
Manager Pep Guardiola was told by the doctor that the player was conscious before going off to hospital.
"We are concerned about Eric of course. He is conscious but I think he is going to be tested tonight because a kick in the head is always so dangerous," he said.
"The doctor told me he was conscious and they asked me to be with you. I'm pretty sure we're going to do absolutely everything to be sure that everything is fine and well."
Players from both sides gathered around with concerned looks on their faces while Garcia was treated before the player was eventually stretchered off the pitch, having started the match alongside Aymeric Laporte and ahead of Nicolas Otamendi.
It was a tough night for injuries at the Etihad Stadium, with Arsenal losing Pablo Mari and Granit Xahaka inside the opening 25 minutes, which saw Luiz enter the fray.
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.
He endured a night to forget though, first allowing de Bruyne's pass to find Sterling for the opener, before hauling down Riyad Mahrez which allowed the Belgian to double the lead.
After the match restarted Phil Foden added a third to provide further breathing room for City in a dominant display.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-06-17--Two City stars stage a personal duel as Blues ease past Arsenal

Ederson ended his personal lockdown misery by giving notice to Kevin De Bruyne that he is on the trail of his assists record !
The Manchester City goalkeeper has had to live with the memory of his howlers in the derby for three months , the last game before the season shuddered to a halt .
But he played a key role as City re-started in style with a simple win over Arsenal , their seventh successive victory over a team that used to be a bogey side .
But he reminded everyone – not least Pep Guardiola – that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Blues , even if he sometimes lives on the edge defensively .
De Bruyne had already unpicked the thread of the Arsenal defence with a series of passes which soon had the Gunners defence in tatters , and resumed normal service with the assist for the opening goal from Raheem Sterling , late in the first half .
But Ederson then re-asserted his own claims to be the best passer at the club with two stunning passes , the second forcing a penalty and red card for David Luiz .
That put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arteta ’ s return to the Etihad would not be a happy one .
Guardiola ’ s former assistant must curse the extra minutes he put in to sharpen up Sterling ’ s goal sense .
The Arsenal manager has been given plenty of credit in turning the City star from a ten-goal-a-season man to someone who now hits double figures as a matter of course .
So he can be forgiven for shaking a fist at the gods of football as Sterling stole in to break his Gunners ’ team ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more concerned at the way Luiz socially-distanced himself from his focus to allow a relatively harmless De Bruyne through ball to flick off his thigh and fall neatly for Sterling .
The England man had looked like picking up where he left off before the lockdown , when he had hit a barren spell which stretched all the way back to his double in the defeat at Wolves in December .
Sterling was doing plenty right apart from score , careening in from the right and forcing Jay Leno to palm away a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ golden opportunity over the bar after a delicious De Bruyne pass .
The Belgian , apart from a couple of uncharacteristically shoddy early touches , was soon back in his stride , settling better than most into the sterile world of pandemic football .
The silence for the victims of coronavirus , swiftly followed by every player taking the knee in a unanimous show of support for the Black Lives Matter campaign , added to the surreality of an empty Etihad Stadium .
The world has been turned upside down by coronavirus in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stand against racism , in a good way , but football without fans felt slightly soulless .
It was down to the Blues to remind us of the beauty of what they do , and it took a while .
Three and a half weeks is a short time to re-discover physical fitness , match sharpness and the clockwork precision which have made City such a force .
The fact that results in the Bundesliga have shown that home advantage means nothing when stadiums are empty meant nothing against Arsenal , who have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regardless of whether the game is at the Etihad , the Emirates or Wembley .
But Arsenal , with the sorcerer ’ s apprentice Arteta in charge , began well , and forced City ’ s high press to be a little more cautious .
The Blues looked a little sluggish , and Pep Guardiola ’ s dubious claims that his team were ill-prepared for the re-start began to have the ring of truth .
That illusion lasted for half an hour when , with De Bruyne feeling his way back into his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Arsenal defence apart .
Arsenal were not helped by injuries to Granit Xhaka and former City Football Group signing Pablo Mari which meant Luiz made an unscheduled appearance as a sub , with disastrous effect for the Lononers .
Leno was suddenly Arsenal ’ s busiest player as as he denied David Silva , Sterling and then Riyad Mahrez as De Bruyne wielded his scalpel of a right foot to carve huge weals in the visitors ’ defence .
By the time the officials were checking their watched for half time , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and they might have but for Luiz ’ s horrendous slip , which allowed Sterling his 21st goal of the campaign , and his first of 2020 .
De Bruyne now has four goals and three assists in his last eight games against Arsenal .
City kept their foot on the pedal after the break , when Ederson decided to show the midfield ace exactly who IS the king of the long pass .
He picked out Mahrez with a stunning 70-yarder which the Algerian , perhaps startled by the audacity and accuracy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But moments later , another Ederson guided missile was headed on to Mahrez , who was far too sharp for the unfortunate Luiz .
He nudged the ball past the puffing defender and arrowed into the box , only to be pulled back .
Penalty and red card .
De Bruyne , who ended City ’ s penalty misery with his crucial conversion in the Bernabeu , was unerring again , picking out the corner to double City ’ s lead .
With the game in the bag and Arsenal at full @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Guardiola exercised his powerful squad by bringing on Bernardo Silva , Phil Foden , Fernandinho and Rodri , and giving a rest to key men .
That backfired slightly when Eric Garcia – a surprise inclusion in an under-worked back four – collided with Ederson and was stretchered off .
With Guardiola having used all his subs , the 11 added minutes saw both teams both down to ten men , giving Arsenal a sniff of a comeback .
That was soon snuffed as Fernandinho showed he has a pass or two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of defence to set the Blues rolling again .
Aguero drove forward , interchanged with Sterling and hit the post - but Foden was in support to fire into the empty net .

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
Ederson ended his personal lockdown misery by giving notice to Kevin De Bruyne that he is on the trail of his assists record!
The Manchester City goalkeeper has had to live with the memory of his howlers in the derby for three months, the last game before the season shuddered to a halt.
But he played a key role as City re-started in style with a simple win over Arsenal, their seventh successive victory over a team that used to be a bogey side.
But he reminded everyone – not least Pep Guardiola – that he is a major attacking asset for the Blues, even if he sometimes lives on the edge defensively.
De Bruyne had already unpicked the thread of the Arsenal defence with a series of passes which soon had the Gunners defence in tatters, and resumed normal service with the assist for the opening goal from Raheem Sterling, late in the first half.
But Ederson then re-asserted his own claims to be the best passer at the club with two stunning passes, the second forcing a penalty and red card for David Luiz.
That put the game beyond doubt, and Mikel Arteta’s return to the Etihad would not be a happy one.
Guardiola’s former assistant must curse the extra minutes he put in to sharpen up Sterling’s goal sense.
The Arsenal manager has been given plenty of credit in turning the City star from a ten-goal-a-season man to someone who now hits double figures as a matter of course.
(Image: PA)
So he can be forgiven for shaking a fist at the gods of football as Sterling stole in to break his Gunners’ team’s increasingly desperate defending.
Arteta might be more concerned at the way Luiz socially-distanced himself from his focus to allow a relatively harmless De Bruyne through ball to flick off his thigh and fall neatly for Sterling.
The England man had looked like picking up where he left off before the lockdown, when he had hit a barren spell which stretched all the way back to his double in the defeat at Wolves in December.
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.
Sterling was doing plenty right apart from score, careening in from the right and forcing Jay Leno to palm away a curling effort, and then chipping a golden opportunity over the bar after a delicious De Bruyne pass.
The Belgian, apart from a couple of uncharacteristically shoddy early touches, was soon back in his stride, settling better than most into the sterile world of pandemic football.
The silence for the victims of coronavirus, swiftly followed by every player taking the knee in a unanimous show of support for the Black Lives Matter campaign, added to the surreality of an empty Etihad Stadium.
The world has been turned upside down by coronavirus in a bad way, and by the stand against racism, in a good way, but football without fans felt slightly soulless.
Follow chief City writer Stuart Brennan on social media To follow Stuart on Twitter, click here. Or to like his Facebook page and keep up to date with the latest breaking news, click here. Here's the link to the M.E.N's main Manchester City Facebook page where we share our latest Blues news.
It was down to the Blues to remind us of the beauty of what they do, and it took a while.
Three and a half weeks is a short time to re-discover physical fitness, match sharpness and the clockwork precision which have made City such a force.
The fact that results in the Bundesliga have shown that home advantage means nothing when stadiums are empty meant nothing against Arsenal, who have become regular victims of the Blues, regardless of whether the game is at the Etihad, the Emirates or Wembley.
But Arsenal, with the sorcerer’s apprentice Arteta in charge, began well, and forced City’s high press to be a little more cautious.
The Blues looked a little sluggish, and Pep Guardiola’s dubious claims that his team were ill-prepared for the re-start began to have the ring of truth.
That illusion lasted for half an hour when, with De Bruyne feeling his way back into his own brilliant normality, began to slice the Arsenal defence apart.
He started creating, Sterling started wasting.
Arsenal were not helped by injuries to Granit Xhaka and former City Football Group signing Pablo Mari which meant Luiz made an unscheduled appearance as a sub, with disastrous effect for the Lononers.
Leno was suddenly Arsenal’s busiest player as as he denied David Silva, Sterling and then Riyad Mahrez as De Bruyne wielded his scalpel of a right foot to carve huge weals in the visitors’ defence.
By the time the officials were checking their watched for half time, Arsenal were intent on holding out, and they might have but for Luiz’s horrendous slip, which allowed Sterling his 21st goal of the campaign, and his first of 2020.
De Bruyne now has four goals and three assists in his last eight games against Arsenal.
City kept their foot on the pedal after the break, when Ederson decided to show the midfield ace exactly who IS the king of the long pass.
He picked out Mahrez with a stunning 70-yarder which the Algerian, perhaps startled by the audacity and accuracy of it, uncharacteristically failed to control.
But moments later, another Ederson guided missile was headed on to Mahrez, who was far too sharp for the unfortunate Luiz.
He nudged the ball past the puffing defender and arrowed into the box, only to be pulled back. Penalty and red card.
De Bruyne, who ended City’s penalty misery with his crucial conversion in the Bernabeu, was unerring again, picking out the corner to double City’s lead.
(Image: Getty Images)
With the game in the bag and Arsenal at full stretch simply to keep the score down, Guardiola exercised his powerful squad by bringing on Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden, Fernandinho and Rodri, and giving a rest to key men.
That backfired slightly when Eric Garcia – a surprise inclusion in an under-worked back four – collided with Ederson and was stretchered off.
With Guardiola having used all his subs, the 11 added minutes saw both teams both down to ten men, giving Arsenal a sniff of a comeback.
That was soon snuffed as Fernandinho showed he has a pass or two in his locker, firing a ball out of defence to set the Blues rolling again.
Aguero drove forward, interchanged with Sterling and hit the post - but Foden was in support to fire into the empty net.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-06-17--Man City player ratings vs Arsenal as De Bruyne reigns again

Ederson : Did n't put a foot wrong in goal , and came close to notching another assist with an almighty ball through to Riyad Mahrez in the Arsenal penalty area .
7 Walker : Keen to get involved in building the play across the defence but needed his pace to bail him out of a number of heavy touches that nearly gave the ball away in dangerous areas .
First-half burst into the box that could n't tee up a goal a snapshot of his attacking game .
7 Garcia : It looks significant for the youngster 's future @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Fernandinho , Stones , or Otamendi .
Arsenal looked to catch him on his heels but he was solid enough .
Sickening injury .
7 Laporte : Another performance to remind everyone just how good he is and how much he has been missed this season .
Arsenal threatened in the first half and Laporte was always there to snuff out opportunities before they became more dangerous .
7 Mendy : A confident performance from Mendy , who is still at the stage where 90 minutes counts as a positive .
If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he carried out his defensive duties well as Arsenal looked to expose him .
7 Gundogan : Another quietly effective performance from the holding role .
He was not too easy to beat in his defensive position and showed off his distribution skills in the opposition half once the two-goal lead was established .
7 De Bruyne : 70 per cent mastery of a football 30 per cent rustiness .
De Bruyne looked the likeliest to make the difference from the first whistle but his radar did occasionally go wildly off .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ scoring the penalty .
8 Silva : A refreshed performance , looking like the player that began the campaign rather than the tired one that finished it and played some lovely balls .
No surprise to see him substituted first but could be very handy if his game time can be managed .
7 Mahrez : Found two Arsenal shirts teaming up on him on most occasions when he got the ball near the box .
He did find some space and earned the penalty when he found David Luiz better to run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Some signs of the confident forward that scored for fun in the first half of the season , albeit should have done better when put through before he scored the first .
7 Jesus : Taking Aguero 's place in the starting lineup will never not be news .
He worked hard enough but struggled to find the space for a meaningful opportunity .
You suspect he will have a big part to play in the months to come with his fitness .
6 Foden ( for Mahrez , 65 ) : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a goal .
7 Bernardo ( for Silva , 65 ) : Looked comfortable in the middle .
6 .
Fernandinho ( for Laporte , 70 ) : Slotted in at the back without an issue .
6 Rodri ( for De Bruyne , 70 ) : Moved back to centre-back after Garcia was stretchered off .
6 Aguero ( for Jesus , 80 ) : Almost a goal but denied by Leno .
6

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
Ederson: Didn't put a foot wrong in goal, and came close to notching another assist with an almighty ball through to Riyad Mahrez in the Arsenal penalty area. 7
Walker: Keen to get involved in building the play across the defence but needed his pace to bail him out of a number of heavy touches that nearly gave the ball away in dangerous areas. First-half burst into the box that couldn't tee up a goal a snapshot of his attacking game. 7
Garcia: It looks significant for the youngster's future that he started alongside Aymeric Laporte ahead of Fernandinho, Stones, or Otamendi. Arsenal looked to catch him on his heels but he was solid enough. Sickening injury. 7
Laporte: Another performance to remind everyone just how good he is and how much he has been missed this season. Arsenal threatened in the first half and Laporte was always there to snuff out opportunities before they became more dangerous. 7
Mendy: A confident performance from Mendy, who is still at the stage where 90 minutes counts as a positive. If he was more restrained than perhaps expected, he carried out his defensive duties well as Arsenal looked to expose him. 7
Gundogan: Another quietly effective performance from the holding role. He was not too easy to beat in his defensive position and showed off his distribution skills in the opposition half once the two-goal lead was established. 7
De Bruyne: 70 per cent mastery of a football 30 per cent rustiness. De Bruyne looked the likeliest to make the difference from the first whistle but his radar did occasionally go wildly off. An extra point for stepping up and scoring the penalty. 8
Silva: A refreshed performance, looking like the player that began the campaign rather than the tired one that finished it and played some lovely balls. No surprise to see him substituted first but could be very handy if his game time can be managed. 7
Mahrez: Found two Arsenal shirts teaming up on him on most occasions when he got the ball near the box. He did find some space and earned the penalty when he found David Luiz better to run at than Kieran Tierney. 7
Sterling: Some signs of the confident forward that scored for fun in the first half of the season, albeit should have done better when put through before he scored the first. 7
Jesus: Taking Aguero's place in the starting lineup will never not be news. He worked hard enough but struggled to find the space for a meaningful opportunity. You suspect he will have a big part to play in the months to come with his fitness. 6
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.
Substitutes
Foden (for Mahrez, 65): A few nice touches on the left and a goal. 7
Bernardo (for Silva, 65): Looked comfortable in the middle. 6.
Fernandinho (for Laporte, 70): Slotted in at the back without an issue. 6
Rodri (for De Bruyne, 70): Moved back to centre-back after Garcia was stretchered off. 6
Aguero (for Jesus, 80): Almost a goal but denied by Leno. 6
Not used: Carson, Zinchenko, Otamendi, Sane, Aguero


themanchestereveningnews--2020-06-17--Banned, drink-drive mum who 'almost killed' couple walks free because of her son

A dog walker told how a drink-driving mum was 'waving her hands in the air ' behind the wheel as her swerving Ford Fiesta 'almost killed ' him and his wife .
Samantha Pye , 24 , who a court heard was driving at around 70mph in a 40mph zone , was banned from the road last December for driving under the influence of drugs .
But a judge was told she got behind the wheel of her car again in April -when she was one and a half times over the legal drink-drive limit .
Pye , however , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ potential harm sending her to prison would have on her four-year-old son .
Pye , the court heard , lost control at a roundabout and hit a kerb .
Dog walker Stephen Smith said she was waving her hands in the air as her swerving Ford Fiesta nearly hit him and his wife .
Pye admitted dangerous driving , drink-driving and driving while disqualified , r eports the Liverpool Echo .
Liverpool Crown Court heard she was fined £120 and hit with a 12-month ban for drug driving in December last year .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ officers spotted her driving towards them along Carr Mill in St Helens , at around 7.20pm on April 21 this year .
They estimated she was doing 70mph and followed her car when she appeared to lose control .
Pye , of Holly Bank Street , St Helens , was around 200 yards ahead of them when she lost control again , at the roundabout with Woodlands Road , the court heard .
Mr Criddle said : `` They followed the vehicle and found the car in the middle of the road with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the rim .
`` They saw the defendant standing at the driver 's door .
She was slurring her words and appeared to be under the influence of alcohol . ''
Police noted there were a lot of pedestrians around and spoke to Mr Smith , who described his fear .
Mr Criddle said : `` He saw the driver waving her hands in the air as the car was travelling towards him and the vehicle swerving .
`` He said that the wheels turned as if to negotiate the roundabout , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ collided with the kerb .
`` He said he was out walking with his dog at the time and he did n't expect a car to almost kill him . ''
Pye registered 52 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath .
The mum later told police she 'did n't remember much and she had a bit to drink ' .
She answered 'no comment ' to many questions in an interview , the court was told .
Carmel Wilde , defending , said Pye turned to drink and drugs because she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : `` She is well aware that the court will take a dim view of those who disregard court orders , particularly given she was a disqualified driver .
`` However , she has displayed in my submission genuine remorse to the author of the pre-sentence report . ''
Ms Wilde said a social worker also found Pye remorseful and willing to work with agencies to change .
She said : `` In the defendant 's words , she was in a bad place at the time , particularly anxious at the time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` It 's a vicious circle if I can put it that way , she has n't addressed those previous domestic violence incidents , which has led to her taking drink and drugs , and making foolish decisions to drive in these circumstances .
`` The defendant has been engaging with substance misuse workers since June 2019 and demonstrates a strong desire and motivation to make positive changes in her life for herself and also [ knows ] her focus should be on her young four-year-old son . ''
Ms Wilde said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ short distance and no one was injured .
She said there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation and Pye was assessed as a low risk of re-offending .
Ms Wilde added : `` In my submission immediate custody would result in harmful impact on her dependants . ''
Judge Neil Flewitt QC said he had no doubt Pye was told in December that if she drove while disqualified she would risk being jailed .
He said : `` Not only did you drive during that period , you drove dangerously and with excess @ @ @ @ @ @ @ judge said she put 'at least one pedestrian in real fear that he would be hit and badly injured , if not killed , by your vehicle ' .
He said : `` I hope that description brings home to you just how serious this combination of offences is . ''
However , the judge said he accepted Pye was still relatively young and had endured ' a difficult life ' .
He said : `` I recognise that you 've been the victim of domestic violence , you 've turned to drugs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beginning with the assistance of the authorities to address those issues .
`` I 've seen a letter from the charity that 's working with you and with whom you 're cooperating and I 've also seen and I 'm particularly impressed by the letter from your social worker , that indicates that you have a strong bond with your son and that you are working hard to put these issues behind you .
`` I want you to understand that there will come a point at which however hard you 're working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may cause to your son to be separated from you , if you keep committing offences , you will eventually go immediately to prison . ''
He imposed a 20-day Rehabilitation Activity Requirement , a three-month home curfew from 7pm to 7am daily , and a three-year driving ban .
The judge warned her not to breach the orders , adding : `` It wo n't just be you who suffers then - it will be your son as well . ''

newsdesk@men-news.co.uk (Neil Docking, Paul Britton)

Something went wrong, please try again later.
Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
A dog walker told how a drink-driving mum was 'waving her hands in the air' behind the wheel as her swerving Ford Fiesta 'almost killed' him and his wife.
Samantha Pye, 24, who a court heard was driving at around 70mph in a 40mph zone, was banned from the road last December for driving under the influence of drugs.
But a judge was told she got behind the wheel of her car again in April -when she was one and a half times over the legal drink-drive limit.
Pye, however, walked free from court due to the potential harm sending her to prison would have on her four-year-old son.
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
Pye, the court heard, lost control at a roundabout and hit a kerb.
Dog walker Stephen Smith said she was waving her hands in the air as her swerving Ford Fiesta nearly hit him and his wife.
(Image: Liverpool Echo)
Pye admitted dangerous driving, drink-driving and driving while disqualified, r eports the Liverpool Echo.
Liverpool Crown Court heard she was fined £120 and hit with a 12-month ban for drug driving in December last year.
Iain Criddle, prosecuting, said police officers spotted her driving towards them along Carr Mill in St Helens, at around 7.20pm on April 21 this year.
They estimated she was doing 70mph and followed her car when she appeared to lose control.
Pye, of Holly Bank Street, St Helens, was around 200 yards ahead of them when she lost control again, at the roundabout with Woodlands Road, the court heard.
Mr Criddle said: "They followed the vehicle and found the car in the middle of the road with damage to the front offside door tyre and the rim.
(Image: Liverpool Echo)
"They saw the defendant standing at the driver's door. She was slurring her words and appeared to be under the influence of alcohol."
Police noted there were a lot of pedestrians around and spoke to Mr Smith, who described his fear.
Mr Criddle said: "He saw the driver waving her hands in the air as the car was travelling towards him and the vehicle swerving.
"He said that the wheels turned as if to negotiate the roundabout, but the vehicle went straight on and collided with the kerb.
"He said he was out walking with his dog at the time and he didn't expect a car to almost kill him."
(Image: Liverpool Echo)
Pye registered 52 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath.
The legal limit is 35 micrograms.
The mum later told police she 'didn't remember much and she had a bit to drink'.
She answered 'no comment' to many questions in an interview, the court was told.
Carmel Wilde, defending, said Pye turned to drink and drugs because she had suffered domestic violence.
She said: "She is well aware that the court will take a dim view of those who disregard court orders, particularly given she was a disqualified driver.
"However, she has displayed in my submission genuine remorse to the author of the pre-sentence report."
Ms Wilde said a social worker also found Pye remorseful and willing to work with agencies to change.
She said: "In the defendant's words, she was in a bad place at the time, particularly anxious at the time, and clearly there are underlying issues.
"It's a vicious circle if I can put it that way, she hasn't addressed those previous domestic violence incidents, which has led to her taking drink and drugs, and making foolish decisions to drive in these circumstances.
"The defendant has been engaging with substance misuse workers since June 2019 and demonstrates a strong desire and motivation to make positive changes in her life for herself and also [knows] her focus should be on her young four-year-old son."
Ms Wilde said fortunately the dangerous driving was over a short distance and no one was injured.
She said there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation and Pye was assessed as a low risk of re-offending.
Ms Wilde added: "In my submission immediate custody would result in harmful impact on her dependants."
Judge Neil Flewitt QC said he had no doubt Pye was told in December that if she drove while disqualified she would risk being jailed.
He said: "Not only did you drive during that period, you drove dangerously and with excess alcohol in your system."
The judge said she put 'at least one pedestrian in real fear that he would be hit and badly injured, if not killed, by your vehicle'.
He said: "I hope that description brings home to you just how serious this combination of offences is."
However, the judge said he accepted Pye was still relatively young and had endured 'a difficult life'.
He said: "I recognise that you've been the victim of domestic violence, you've turned to drugs and alcohol and you are at last beginning with the assistance of the authorities to address those issues.
"I've seen a letter from the charity that's working with you and with whom you're cooperating and I've also seen and I'm particularly impressed by the letter from your social worker, that indicates that you have a strong bond with your son and that you are working hard to put these issues behind you.
"I want you to understand that there will come a point at which however hard you're working behind the scenes and whatever harm it may cause to your son to be separated from you, if you keep committing offences, you will eventually go immediately to prison."
He imposed a 20-day Rehabilitation Activity Requirement, a three-month home curfew from 7pm to 7am daily, and a three-year driving ban.
The judge warned her not to breach the orders, adding: "It won't just be you who suffers then - it will be your son as well."


themanchestereveningnews--2020-06-17--'We're Not Really Here' - the truth about Man City fans' Invisible Man song

Manchester City supporters have been singing “ We 're Not Really Here ” for over 20 years .
At first it was a fitting reflection on the woes and misfortune of the old City , a big club that found itself wallowing in the murky depths of English football .
But in the last ten years it has become an ode to hope and joy , an expression of disbelief at the transformation wrought at the club by Sheikh Mansour 's takeover .
A new book by veteran City fan Don Price reveals the real origins of the song … @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sadness .
Myths have grown up about the origin of the song , set to the tune of the old African-American protest song “ We Shall Not Be Moved ” .
The song has spawned its own spin-off industry of pin badges , T-shirts , a book and even a 2017 opera at Manchester 's Contact Theatre .
But where did it all start ?
Some say it began at Luton Town in the 1980s , when away fans were banned , while another claimed it was a reaction to media claims that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is that the City fans who defied the ban on away fans at Millwall 's notorious Den began singing it after managing to sneak into the stadium – although it is unlikely anyone who did that would live to tell the tale .
And yet another claims that a lost coach-load of fans on an away trip stopped at a street information map which declared “ You Are Here ” , snaffled the map and burst out into the song .
But Don , a stalwart of the Prestwich and Whitefield branch , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and says the song was originally nothing to do with City , but was adopted by them .
“ First of all , it started as a pub song not a football song and was not started at a game , ” says Don , in his book .
“ However , it did turn out to be a sentimental song to us in Prestwich when it was first sung.
” He went on : “ In the early nineties a group of us from Prestwich went on a stag do to Amsterdam @ @ @ @ @ @ @ word that a great mate of ours who , for one reason or another had not come with us , had committed suicide .
“ Unsurprisingly it knocked the stuffing out of us and to be honest we were glad to be going home the next day as it was impossible to enjoy ourselves knowing something as tragic as that had happened to one of our mates .
“ The weekend after we got back we all met up in the Forester ’ s pub in Prestwich , on one hand to carry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have a drink to our mate .
“ Half way through the afternoon one of the lads Phill ( RIP ) called everyone to silence and we assumed he wanted to make a speech but instead he stood on a chair and came out with these iconic words .
“ If you drink , you will die , “ If you don ’ t drink you will die , “ So it ’ s better to be drunk than be sober when you die , “ Just like the fan of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knew what inspired Phill to come out with those words but to us that were there they seemed the right thing to say and the right time to say them , as the song was in memory of our mate .
“ Looking back now it was an emotional experience .
“ The pub was packed and everyone joined in with the singing .
As it happens , the lad who died although it does not matter , was not a City fan and neither was Phill .
“ The only reason I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is to emphasize the fact that the song had absolutely nothing to do with football and absolutely nothing to do with Manchester City as the lad who died wasn ’ t a City fan and Phill would have sang the song anyway.
” Don said that a meeting of the newly-formed Prestwich and Whitefield branch in 1994 ended with a reprise of the song , and it was taken up when City toured Ireland in 1996.
” Don concludes : “ I am sorry if this disappoints people who thought it had some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but I can not rewrite history .
“ To be honest , though , I think it only really took off because we were relegated and playing in the lower divisions , as in truth it had more meaning singing it at the likes of Grimsby , Lincoln and Swindon than it would at Arsenal , Liverpool or Chelsea.
” * ” We Never Win at Home We Never Win Away : The Inside Story of Manchester City 's Legendary Fans ” by Don Price ( Empire £9.95 ) .

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
Manchester City supporters have been singing “We're Not Really Here” for over 20 years.
At first it was a fitting reflection on the woes and misfortune of the old City, a big club that found itself wallowing in the murky depths of English football.
But in the last ten years it has become an ode to hope and joy, an expression of disbelief at the transformation wrought at the club by Sheikh Mansour's takeover.
And it's been the slogan used by the club to decorate the Etihad Stadium during the post-coronavirus world of matches played without fans to watch and cheer on their team.
A book by veteran City fan Don Price reveals the real origins of the song … and it is a tale tinged with sadness.
Myths have grown up about the origin of the song, set to the tune of the old African-American protest song “We Shall Not Be Moved”.
Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will auto-play soon 8 Cancel Play now
The song has spawned its own spin-off industry of pin badges, T-shirts, a book and even a 2017 opera at Manchester's Contact Theatre.
But where did it all start?
Some say it began at Luton Town in the 1980s, when away fans were banned, while another claimed it was a reaction to media claims that City had no fans.
Another story is that the City fans who defied the ban on away fans at Millwall's notorious Den began singing it after managing to sneak into the stadium – although it is unlikely anyone who did that would live to tell the tale.
And yet another claims that a lost coach-load of fans on an away trip stopped at a street information map which declared “You Are Here”, snaffled the map and burst out into the song.
But Don, a stalwart of the Prestwich and Whitefield branch, has finally set the record straight, and says the song was originally nothing to do with City, but was adopted by them.
“First of all, it started as a pub song not a football song and was not started at a game,” says Don, in his book.
“However, it did turn out to be a sentimental song to us in Prestwich when it was first sung.”
He went on: “In the early nineties a group of us from Prestwich went on a stag do to Amsterdam and while we were there we got word that a great mate of ours who, for one reason or another had not come with us, had committed suicide.
“Unsurprisingly it knocked the stuffing out of us and to be honest we were glad to be going home the next day as it was impossible to enjoy ourselves knowing something as tragic as that had happened to one of our mates.
“The weekend after we got back we all met up in the Forester’s pub in Prestwich, on one hand to carry on the stag do, and also to have a drink to our mate.
“Half way through the afternoon one of the lads Phill (RIP) called everyone to silence and we assumed he wanted to make a speech but instead he stood on a chair and came out with these iconic words.
“If you drink, you will die,
“If you don’t drink you will die,
“So it’s better to be drunk than be sober when you die,
“Just like the fan of the invisible man,
“We’re not really here.”
“Now I never knew what inspired Phill to come out with those words but to us that were there they seemed the right thing to say and the right time to say them, as the song was in memory of our mate.
“Looking back now it was an emotional experience.
“The pub was packed and everyone joined in with the singing. As it happens, the lad who died although it does not matter, was not a City fan and neither was Phill.
“The only reason I mention that they were not City fans is to emphasize the fact that the song had absolutely nothing to do with football and absolutely nothing to do with Manchester City as the lad who died wasn’t a City fan and Phill would have sang the song anyway.”
Don said that a meeting of the newly-formed Prestwich and Whitefield branch in 1994 ended with a reprise of the song, and it was taken up when City toured Ireland in 1996.”
Don concludes: “I am sorry if this disappoints people who thought it had some other nostalgic reason connected with the club but I cannot rewrite history.
“To be honest, though, I think it only really took off because we were relegated and playing in the lower divisions, as in truth it had more meaning singing it at the likes of Grimsby, Lincoln and Swindon than it would at Arsenal, Liverpool or Chelsea.”
*”We Never Win at Home We Never Win Away: The Inside Story of Manchester City's Legendary Fans” by Don Price (Empire £9.95).


themanchestereveningnews--2020-06-17--Dimitar Berbatov makes Manchester United transfer prediction

Dimitar Berbatov believes a top-four finish in the Premier League would cement Ole Gunnar Solskjaer ’ s position as Manchester United manager and boost the team 's chances of attracting their priority targets in the transfer market .
United return to action on Friday as the top flight gets back underway this week , with all 92 remaining fixtures to be played behind closed doors .
United are hopeful of securing a place in next season 's Champions League through their final league position and resume the campaign three points behind fourth-placed Chelsea .
United 's first game back is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Manchester City ’ s appeal against their European ban still ongoing , a fifth-place finish could well prove to be enough to secure a place at the continent ’ s top table for next season .
But former United striker Berbatov believes Solskjaer and his players have what it takes to finish in the top four .
“ It 's massive for United to finish in the top four .
It wo n't be easy , but they need to take their chance , three points are nothing , ” Berbatov said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they need to take their chance , if they do then there will be a massive change next season and it will be huge .
“ It will give confidence to the manager , we all know he gets criticised and put under pressure and people are constantly speculating about his position , but this would cement him in the job , and that will be massive for next season because a Champions League spot will be there and that will seduce players , better players , bigger players to play for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and I hope they qualify . ''
Berbatov added : “ I think the board of directors and the people who make the decisions have faith in Solskjaer , everybody can see that , and this is the most important thing .
“ I ’ m sure they speak constantly , they give him their confidence to build and use young players .
If they qualify for the Champions League , that will cement his position .
“ He should n't be seen as a transition figure anymore , it 's disrespectful , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he is doing in his position .
“ I want them to take that spot for Ole and three points are nothing .
Pogba is back , and if they all stay fit for nine games , that will be great because a long transition like this without playing can be dangerous .
”

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
Dimitar Berbatov believes a top-four finish in the Premier League would cement Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s position as Manchester United manager and boost the team's chances of attracting their priority targets in the transfer market.
United return to action on Friday as the top flight gets back underway this week, with all 92 remaining fixtures to be played behind closed doors.
United are hopeful of securing a place in next season's Champions League through their final league position and resume the campaign three points behind fourth-placed Chelsea. United's first game back is against fellow top-four hopefuls Tottenham.
With Manchester City’s appeal against their European ban still ongoing, a fifth-place finish could well prove to be enough to secure a place at the continent’s top table for next season.
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.
But former United striker Berbatov believes Solskjaer and his players have what it takes to finish in the top four.
“It's massive for United to finish in the top four. It won't be easy, but they need to take their chance, three points are nothing,” Berbatov said.
“The first game is so important, they need to take their chance, if they do then there will be a massive change next season and it will be huge.
“It will give confidence to the manager, we all know he gets criticised and put under pressure and people are constantly speculating about his position, but this would cement him in the job, and that will be massive for next season because a Champions League spot will be there and that will seduce players, better players, bigger players to play for United, so it’s important and I hope they qualify."
Berbatov added: “I think the board of directors and the people who make the decisions have faith in Solskjaer, everybody can see that, and this is the most important thing.
“I’m sure they speak constantly, they give him their confidence to build and use young players. If they qualify for the Champions League, that will cement his position.
“He shouldn't be seen as a transition figure anymore, it's disrespectful, it shows him no respect to what he is doing in his position.
“I want them to take that spot for Ole and three points are nothing. Pogba is back, and if they all stay fit for nine games, that will be great because a long transition like this without playing can be dangerous.”


themanchestereveningnews--2020-06-17--The government's contact tracing app may be delayed 'until winter', MPs told

The government ’ s coronavirus contact tracing app may not be ready until the winter , a minister has told MPs .
Lord Bethell , the Innovation Minister responsible for the smartphone app , told MPs the much anticipated technology was not a priority at the moment .
It had previously undergone trials on the Isle of Wight with the ambition to roll it out nationally in the middle of May .
He told the Science and Technology Committee that the Isle of Wight app pilot had been successful , but also showed that people prefer human contact to technological @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the start of May that the app would be rolled out in “ mid-May ” .
When asked repeatedly about the delay , the government has insisted it is only a few weeks away .
Speaking of the app , Lord Bethell said : “ We ’ re seeking to get something going before the winter , but it isn ’ t the priority at the moment.
” He added that the government was not feeling great time pressure over the app , and it did not want to “ poison the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not “ quite right ” .
Lord Bethell said there was a risk of alarming people by delivering the message in an impersonal way .
He told the committee : “ There is a danger of being too technological and relying too much on texts and emails and alienating or freaking out people , because you ’ re telling them quite alarming news through quite casual communication.
” Developed by NHSX , the technology arm of the NHS , the app is intended to send a notification warning to the smartphone user @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with someone infected with Covid-19 .
Innovation Minister Lord Bethell said : “ The call centres we have put together actually have worked extremely well .
“ We have had to deal with people working from home on new computer systems , but the effectiveness has been proven and we are confident about that .
That ’ s where our focus is at the moment.
” When the app was first announced in mid-April , the government said it would be central to its test , track and trace strategy and scheduled for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the current number of people being identified by the NHS Test and Trace , Lord Bethell said there is a gap between the number of people who test positive and those referred to the tracers .
“ We are working on closing that gap , ” he added .
He was also asked whether the government would look at legislating to protect people if the uptake of the app was poor .
Lord Bethell said : “ Yes .
There will be an ongoing battle to convince people that this app is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are super conscious of that .
“ And I can ’ t stress enough how much effort has been put into ensuring that the software and the governance , and the way in which the app is constructed , protects privacy and thoughtfulness .
”

Something went wrong, please try again later.
Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for political news and analysis from outside the Westminster bubble
Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for political news and analysis from outside the Westminster bubble
The government’s coronavirus contact tracing app may not be ready until the winter, a minister has told MPs.
Lord Bethell, the Innovation Minister responsible for the smartphone app, told MPs the much anticipated technology was not a priority at the moment.
It had previously undergone trials on the Isle of Wight with the ambition to roll it out nationally in the middle of May.
He told the Science and Technology Committee that the Isle of Wight app pilot had been successful, but also showed that people prefer human contact to technological approaches.
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
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said at the start of May that the app would be rolled out in “mid-May”.
(Image: PA)
When asked repeatedly about the delay, the government has insisted it is only a few weeks away.
Speaking of the app, Lord Bethell said: “We’re seeking to get something going before the winter, but it isn’t the priority at the moment.”
He added that the government was not feeling great time pressure over the app, and it did not want to “poison the pool” by rushing something out that is not “quite right”.
(Image: PA)
Lord Bethell said there was a risk of alarming people by delivering the message in an impersonal way.
He told the committee: “There is a danger of being too technological and relying too much on texts and emails and alienating or freaking out people, because you’re telling them quite alarming news through quite casual communication.”
Developed by NHSX, the technology arm of the NHS, the app is intended to send a notification warning to the smartphone user when they have come into close proximity with someone infected with Covid-19.
Innovation Minister Lord Bethell said: “The call centres we have put together actually have worked extremely well.
(Image: PA)
“We have had to deal with people working from home on new computer systems, but the effectiveness has been proven and we are confident about that. That’s where our focus is at the moment.”
When the app was first announced in mid-April, the government said it would be central to its test, track and trace strategy and scheduled for a full roll-out last month.
Speaking of the current number of people being identified by the NHS Test and Trace, Lord Bethell said there is a gap between the number of people who test positive and those referred to the tracers.
“We are working on closing that gap,” he added.
He was also asked whether the government would look at legislating to protect people if the uptake of the app was poor.
Lord Bethell said: “Yes. There will be an ongoing battle to convince people that this app is safe and protects their privacy and we are super conscious of that.
“And I can’t stress enough how much effort has been put into ensuring that the software and the governance, and the way in which the app is constructed, protects privacy and thoughtfulness.”


themanchestereveningnews--2020-06-17--'Manipulative' paedophile who posed as a teenage girl blackmailed boy

A 'manipulative ' paedophile posed online as a girl and persuaded a teenage boy to send sexually explicit images of himself , before threatening to post them online unless he sent more .
Christian Tymon , 33 , blackmailed the 13-year-old , who sent him four videos after fearing the defendant would carry out his threat and post it on Facebook for the boy 's friends to see .
Tymon , who a psychologist said displays 'psychopathic traits ' , also posed online as an adult woman and a girl , attempting to blackmail a woman and causing distress to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his home in Crumpsall , Tymon put his mobile phone down the toilet and tried to 'kill himself ' , Manchester Crown Court heard .
Now Tymon has been jailed for six years and nine months , after a judge said the defendant appeared to gain 'pleasure ' from 'manipulating ' his victims .
Tymon , who described himself as a 'peeping Tom ' and a 'sex addict ' , befriended the 13-year-old boy on Facebook , while pretending to be a girl of the same age .
He persuaded the boy to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and a sexually explicit video .
When the boy challenged Tymon , the defendant threatened to post the video on Facebook , unless he sent him another one .
The teenager did send another video 'in fear ' , prosecutor Rob Hall said .
He ended up sending Tymon four such videos .
Tymon later apologised to the boy , and promised to delete the images .
The court heard the boy was 'angry ' , 'upset ' and 'embarrassed ' for a long time , and is undergoing counselling .
Again @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 17-year-old girl , and pretended to be a girl of the same age .
He obtained naked images of her , and later threatened to post them on Google .
The girl 's grandparents intervened , and there were no further conversations between the two .
The court heard she now trusts people less , and has not felt able to confide in her family .
Prior to these two victims , Tymon had met a woman in her 20s on Skype , while pretending to be a female of the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ image of herself , and Tymon then threatened to share it with 'everyone she knew ' unless she went onto Skype and posed naked .
But she refused , and Tymon desisted .
The woman said her 'heart was pounding ' following the incident , and that her ordeal has had a 'real physical impact ' on her .
No images from Tymon 's three victims were actually posted online , the court heard .
GMP received intelligence from the National Crime Agency , that indecent images were found on Tymon 's Facebook @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home in Crumpsall in May 2018 , Tymon put a mobile phone down the toilet and flushed .
He then sat on the toilet and 'cut his throat ' , in what prosecutors said 'appeared to be a superficial attempt to kill himself ' .
Tymon went to hospital , and was discharged the following day .
The phone he put down the toilet was recovered by police , and found to include email addresses linked to his Facebook accounts .
It 's not the first time Tymon has been before the courts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tymon placed a watch with a camera in it in a communal bathroom , and recorded footage of women .
He was later jailed for voyeurism .
In another previous case , Tymon pretended to be a photographer and persuaded a 13-year-old boy to take photos of his genitals .
Defending , Stuart Neale said Tymon is 'highly motivated to change ' , and 'accepts full responsibility ' for his offending .
But Judge Michael Leeming said Tymon has expressed 'limited victim empathy ' , and that he claimed to be 'excited by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' .
`` You appear to have derived pleasure from manipulating and distressing your victims , '' the judge told him .
Tymon , of Bennett Road , Crumpsall , pleaded guilty to five counts .
These included attempted blackmail , engaging in sexual communication with a child , causing a child to engage in sexual activity , blackmail and sending communication with intent to cause distress .
Tymon must sign the sex offenders register for life .

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 'manipulative' paedophile posed online as a girl and persuaded a teenage boy to send sexually explicit images of himself, before threatening to post them online unless he sent more.
Christian Tymon, 33, blackmailed the 13-year-old, who sent him four videos after fearing the defendant would carry out his threat and post it on Facebook for the boy's friends to see.
Tymon, who a psychologist said displays 'psychopathic traits', also posed online as an adult woman and a girl, attempting to blackmail a woman and causing distress to a girl.
When police went to his home in Crumpsall, Tymon put his mobile phone down the toilet and tried to 'kill himself', Manchester Crown Court heard.
Now Tymon has been jailed for six years and nine months, after a judge said the defendant appeared to gain 'pleasure' from 'manipulating' his victims.
Tymon, who described himself as a 'peeping Tom' and a 'sex addict', befriended the 13-year-old boy on Facebook, while pretending to be a girl of the same age.
He persuaded the boy to send him a naked image of himself, and a sexually explicit video.
When the boy challenged Tymon, the defendant threatened to post the video on Facebook, unless he sent him another one.
The teenager did send another video 'in fear', prosecutor Rob Hall said.
He ended up sending Tymon four such videos.
(Image: MEN Media)
Tymon later apologised to the boy, and promised to delete the images.
The court heard the boy was 'angry', 'upset' and 'embarrassed' for a long time, and is undergoing counselling.
Again on Facebook, Tymon made contact with a 17-year-old girl, and pretended to be a girl of the same age.
He obtained naked images of her, and later threatened to post them on Google.
The girl's grandparents intervened, and there were no further conversations between the two.
The court heard she now trusts people less, and has not felt able to confide in her family.
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
Prior to these two victims, Tymon had met a woman in her 20s on Skype, while pretending to be a female of the same age.
She sent him a naked image of herself, and Tymon then threatened to share it with 'everyone she knew' unless she went onto Skype and posed naked.
But she refused, and Tymon desisted.
The woman said her 'heart was pounding' following the incident, and that her ordeal has had a 'real physical impact' on her.
No images from Tymon's three victims were actually posted online, the court heard.
GMP received intelligence from the National Crime Agency, that indecent images were found on Tymon's Facebook account.
When police went to his home in Crumpsall in May 2018, Tymon put a mobile phone down the toilet and flushed.
He then sat on the toilet and 'cut his throat', in what prosecutors said 'appeared to be a superficial attempt to kill himself'.
Tymon went to hospital, and was discharged the following day.
The phone he put down the toilet was recovered by police, and found to include email addresses linked to his Facebook accounts.
It's not the first time Tymon has been before the courts.
When he lived in London, Tymon placed a watch with a camera in it in a communal bathroom, and recorded footage of women.
He was later jailed for voyeurism.
In another previous case, Tymon pretended to be a photographer and persuaded a 13-year-old boy to take photos of his genitals.
Defending, Stuart Neale said Tymon is 'highly motivated to change', and 'accepts full responsibility' for his offending.
Greater Manchester court cases We have a dedicated Facebook group covering court cases across Greater Manchester. For all the latest trial coverage and sentencing join the group here. To download our app to get all the latest news visit here.
But Judge Michael Leeming said Tymon has expressed 'limited victim empathy', and that he claimed to be 'excited by the power you exert over your victims'.
"You appear to have derived pleasure from manipulating and distressing your victims," the judge told him.
Tymon, of Bennett Road, Crumpsall, pleaded guilty to five counts.
These included attempted blackmail, engaging in sexual communication with a child, causing a child to engage in sexual activity, blackmail and sending communication with intent to cause distress.
Tymon must sign the sex offenders register for life.