themanchestereveningnews--2020-08-16--Man United fans slam 'unfair' Solskjaer decision vs Sevilla

Manchester United fans believe Sergio Romero has been treated unfairly after David de Gea was recalled to the starting XI for tonight 's Europa League semi-final against Sevilla .
Romero has been United 's cup goalkeeper this season , starting both the round-of-16 wins over LASK and the quarter-final victory against FC Copenhagen .
Despite De Gea 's patchy form over recent months , the Spaniard has been restored to the starting line-up for the game against Sevilla .
De Gea 's mistakes were costly during the FA Cup semi-final loss to Chelsea with many supporters feeling Romero should be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ club .
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer publicly defended his first-choice stopper and has put a huge amount of faith in the Spain international by dropping Romero .
United fans feel the Argentine has been treated harshly .
Solskjaer was asked about the goalkeeping situation prior to the win against Copenhagen and admitted it will be difficult to keep everyone at the club .
He said : `` It ’ s difficult , but it ’ s a nice problem to have .
Competition for places is important .
We are looking to have competition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Sergio , David in the ranks .
Lee ( Grant ) , the fantastic pro that he is , is backing them up .
“ It will be difficult to keep three of them at the club , so we will see what the decision will be there .
”

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 fans believe Sergio Romero has been treated unfairly after David de Gea was recalled to the starting XI for tonight's Europa League semi-final against Sevilla.
Romero has been United's cup goalkeeper this season, starting both the round-of-16 wins over LASK and the quarter-final victory against FC Copenhagen.
Despite De Gea's patchy form over recent months, the Spaniard has been restored to the starting line-up for the game against Sevilla.
De Gea's mistakes were costly during the FA Cup semi-final loss to Chelsea with many supporters feeling Romero should be first-choice until Dean Henderson returns to the club.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer publicly defended his first-choice stopper and has put a huge amount of faith in the Spain international by dropping Romero.
United fans feel the Argentine has been treated harshly.
Solskjaer was asked about the goalkeeping situation prior to the win against Copenhagen and admitted it will be difficult to keep everyone at the club.
He said: "It’s difficult, but it’s a nice problem to have. Competition for places is important. We are looking to have competition for places.
“We have Dean, Sergio, David in the ranks. Lee (Grant), the fantastic pro that he is, is backing them up.
“It will be difficult to keep three of them at the club, so we will see what the decision will be there.”


themanchestereveningnews--2020-08-16--'The number of new faces is unreal': Sleeping rough in the time of coronavirus

Outside the old Cornerhouse cinema Colin is selling the Big Issue .
He started work again last week for the first time since going into shielding at the start of pandemic .
But he says things have changed dramatically .
`` Last week was my first week back and I sold about 30 copies , '' said Colin , 52 , who did n't want to give his surname .
`` It 's proper bad at the minute .
I 'm lucky if I sell five copies a day .
`` There 's not as many people about .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home .
All my regular customers are working from home . ''
And Colin , who currently has a place to stay , says the rough sleepers he knows are finding things just as difficult .
`` It 's just all changed .
They 're finding it hard as well .
`` There are people begging , but people do n't want to go anywhere near them .
`` People are being really wary about the virus . ''
Ben , 39 , originally from Stockport , sits outside Tesco on Church Street @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by trade , he became homeless after splitting up with his girlfriend .
When lockdown began he was one of around 2,000 rough sleepers who were put up in hotels and other accommodation across Greater Manchester as part of the Everyone In scheme .
But while staying at the Amblehurst Hotel in Sale he fell ill and spent weeks in hospital .
By the time he was discharged the programme had ended and once again he found himself looking for somewhere to live .
Ben , who did n't want to give his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was alright in the hotel .
I had a roof over my head and a bed .
`` They gave us three meals a day , but it had no cooking facilities , nowhere to wash your clothes .
`` But about four weeks in I got ill .
I came down with something really bad .
I had ulcers in my lungs .
`` They thought I had coronavirus because it was exactly the same symptoms so I had to isolate in hospital for two weeks . ''
Ben says the huge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the start of lockdown is still ongoing .
He 's currently living in the council-run Woodward Court in Ancoats and says there 's still lots of support available 'if you really go out and look for it ' .
At the end of June , leaders in Greater Manchester said it was time to 'transition ' from the emergency measures brought in to protect the homeless towards helping them 'progress to a life permanently off the streets ' .
Exactly how that will pan out in the long term remains unclear .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ continue 'Everyone In ' scheme but leaders said they were awaiting further details on how it will be allocated and how it can be used .
The Mayor 's A Bed Every Night programme continues and those working in the sector hope that the lessons learned in recent years will help get more people into settled accommodation than ever before .
Mr Burnham said at the time : `` The drive to accommodate vulnerable people in hotels across Greater Manchester throughout the pandemic has been nothing short of remarkable .
It has shown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about our fellow residents and do not walk on by .
`` We have done the right thing and we will continue to do the right thing by those who need our help most – supporting people into short- and longer-term homelessness accommodation and continuing to work with them to help establish a future away from the streets . ''
Greater Manchester leaders admitted twice as many people required support as was anticipated during the peak of the pandemic , and the economic impact is looking bleak with thousands of job losses already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Some charities fear an 'avalanche ' of homelessness is coming .
For those on the street like Ben , taking the next step and finding a job is going to be difficult .
`` I 'm a chef by occupation but it 's really hard to find work at the moment , especially with the coronavirus , '' he said .
`` I 'm seeing a lot of new faces [ on the streets ] .
`` I used to spend a lot of time round the Northern Quarter and I 'm seeing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it 's unreal . ''
Jason Traynor , 33 , is one of those new faces .
Originally from Oldham , Jason says he was released from prison a week ago .
Before he went inside he lived with his girlfriend , but their relationship broke down and he lost his home .
He says last night he slept in in a park in Cheetham Hill .
He 's does n't know where he 'll spend the coming night .
As he sits on a blanket outside the John Rylands library on Deansgate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ housing in his home town and is due to hear back the following day .
But in the meantime he 's in limbo .
He said : `` All my mates have got families , so I do n't want to put on them .
`` I 'm just doing whatever I can - I do n't know what else to do .
`` I 'm 33-years-old and I 've never had my own place .
This is Great Britain - there should be housing for people . ''
Graham Downes is another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stay during lockdown .
The 36-year-old , who grew up in South Manchester , had been sofa surfing , 'staying with mates and mates of mates ' .
But , sitting outside Co-op on High Street with his dog Lulu in his lap , he says when social distancing measures came into force those friends were no longer willing or able to put him up .
So he ended up back on the streets .
Like Ben he was also put up in a hotel - he struggles to remember the name - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the coronavirus crisis has largely passed him by .
`` I do n't really think about it that much to be honest , '' he said .
`` I know that sounds daft , but I was in a situation where I thought 'If I get it , I get it ' . ''
When lockdown measures were eased a friend offered to put him up .
And he says he 's also seen a continuation of the support offered by the city 's authorities and charities .
`` They 're housing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he said .
`` It 's much better than it was before where you had to wait in line outside the town hall .
`` Since coronavirus they 've really stepped up . ''
But despite its name the Everyone In programme did n't quite reach quite everyone .
On the walkway leading up to Oxford Road station sits a homeless man with his hair tightly plaited , tattoos across his arms and hands and several rings on his fingers .
He 's been a familiar face to commuters at the station @ @ @ @ @ @ @ half years .
He does n't want to give his name , but tells us he 's spent the entirety of lockdown sleeping rough .
He said : `` I went to the toilet when they came - this is n't bulls*** - and while I was gone they took 14 people up to a hotel in Prestwich .
`` I went to Sachas and the Britannia and asked for a room but got turned away .
`` So I spent the whole lockdown out here .
`` It was lonely man .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ when I ca n't get a room .
`` I was sofa surfing for a long time , but the virus stopped that . ''
He says at the height of lockdown the city centre was ghost town , and it 's still a long way from getting back to normal .
Pointing to the floor in front of his feet where a few coins are scattered he says : `` I 've only got £3 so far today .
`` I do n't beg , I just sit here and people give @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus on Thursdays and Fridays I could get £50 .
Now I 'm struggling to get a tenner .
A drug user , he also has Hepatitis C. But after spending lockdown in a hotel in Fallowfield he was able to get access to healthcare and is waiting to start a course of antiviral medication .
And for the first time in ages he says he 's looking to the future with optimism .
`` Look at my arms , I can wear a t shirt for the first time in years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if I can get this new treatment .
It 's 12 weeks of tablets and by the end I should be clear of it .
`` That all started at the hotel - that got the ball rolling .
`` It feels like the city 's coming back to normal now .
`` But there are still less people about and people have n't got any cash because it 's all plastic . ''
He says the charity is getting lots of calls from people who have lost their homes or are on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believes the support put in place at the start of the crisis is helping to 'chip away ' at the number of people sleeping rough and says there have been some 'amazing success stories ' among the Everyone In scheme .
He said : `` What 's being done is working .
It 's really helping chip away at the numbers .
`` We 're getting emails every day telling us where the beds are and we are able to place people into them no problem .
`` It can sometimes be a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the system .
Sometimes that can make a massive difference because you are a lot easier to house .
`` But I do n't think we have seen the worst of it yet .
`` We are getting a lot of phone calls from people who are newly homeless and I think you will see a lot more families lose their homes before we 're done .
It can happen so quickly . ''

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
Outside the old Cornerhouse cinema Colin is selling the Big Issue.
He started work again last week for the first time since going into shielding at the start of pandemic.
But he says things have changed dramatically.
"Last week was my first week back and I sold about 30 copies," said Colin, 52, who didn't want to give his surname.
"I usually sell 20-25 a day.
"It's proper bad at the minute. I'm lucky if I sell five copies a day.
"There's not as many people about. I think most people are still working from home. All my regular customers are working from home."
And Colin, who currently has a place to stay, says the rough sleepers he knows are finding things just as difficult.
"It's just all changed. They're finding it hard as well.
"There are people begging, but people don't want to go anywhere near them.
"People are being really wary about the virus."
Ben, 39, originally from Stockport, sits outside Tesco on Church Street in the Northern Quarter.
A chef by trade, he became homeless after splitting up with his girlfriend.
When lockdown began he was one of around 2,000 rough sleepers who were put up in hotels and other accommodation across Greater Manchester as part of the Everyone In scheme.
But while staying at the Amblehurst Hotel in Sale he fell ill and spent weeks in hospital.
By the time he was discharged the programme had ended and once again he found himself looking for somewhere to live.
Ben, who didn't want to give his second name, said: "It was alright in the hotel. I had a roof over my head and a bed.
"They gave us three meals a day, but it had no cooking facilities, nowhere to wash your clothes.
"But about four weeks in I got ill. I came down with something really bad. I had ulcers in my lungs.
"They thought I had coronavirus because it was exactly the same symptoms so I had to isolate in hospital for two weeks."
Ben says the huge effort to stamp out homelessness which began at the start of lockdown is still ongoing.
He's currently living in the council-run Woodward Court in Ancoats and says there's still lots of support available 'if you really go out and look for it'.
At the end of June, leaders in Greater Manchester said it was time to 'transition' from the emergency measures brought in to protect the homeless towards helping them 'progress to a life permanently off the streets'.
Exactly how that will pan out in the long term remains unclear.
The government announced a further £85m to continue 'Everyone In' scheme but leaders said they were awaiting further details on how it will be allocated and how it can be used.
The Mayor's A Bed Every Night programme continues and those working in the sector hope that the lessons learned in recent years will help get more people into settled accommodation than ever before.
Mr Burnham said at the time: "The drive to accommodate vulnerable people in hotels across Greater Manchester throughout the pandemic has been nothing short of remarkable. It has shown us at our best – we care about our fellow residents and do not walk on by.
"We have done the right thing and we will continue to do the right thing by those who need our help most – supporting people into short- and longer-term homelessness accommodation and continuing to work with them to help establish a future away from the streets."
But the challenge remains huge.
Greater Manchester leaders admitted twice as many people required support as was anticipated during the peak of the pandemic, and the economic impact is looking bleak with thousands of job losses already and Britain now deep in recession.
Some charities fear an 'avalanche' of homelessness is coming.
For those on the street like Ben, taking the next step and finding a job is going to be difficult.
"I'm a chef by occupation but it's really hard to find work at the moment, especially with the coronavirus," he said.
"It's hit a lot of people hard.
"I'm seeing a lot of new faces [on the streets].
"I used to spend a lot of time round the Northern Quarter and I'm seeing so many new faces at the minute it's unreal."
Jason Traynor, 33, is one of those new faces.
Originally from Oldham, Jason says he was released from prison a week ago.
Before he went inside he lived with his girlfriend, but their relationship broke down and he lost his home.
He says last night he slept in in a park in Cheetham Hill. He's doesn't know where he'll spend the coming night.
As he sits on a blanket outside the John Rylands library on Deansgate, Jason says he's applied for housing in his home town and is due to hear back the following day.
But in the meantime he's in limbo.
He said: "All my mates have got families, so I don't want to put on them.
"I'm just doing whatever I can - I don't know what else to do.
"I'm 33-years-old and I've never had my own place. This is Great Britain - there should be housing for people."
Graham Downes is another who suddenly found himself with nowhere to stay during lockdown.
The 36-year-old, who grew up in South Manchester, had been sofa surfing, 'staying with mates and mates of mates'.
But, sitting outside Co-op on High Street with his dog Lulu in his lap, he says when social distancing measures came into force those friends were no longer willing or able to put him up.
So he ended up back on the streets.
Like Ben he was also put up in a hotel - he struggles to remember the name - but admits that with more pressing problems, the coronavirus crisis has largely passed him by.
"I don't really think about it that much to be honest," he said.
"I know that sounds daft, but I was in a situation where I thought 'If I get it, I get it'."
When lockdown measures were eased a friend offered to put him up.
And he says he's also seen a continuation of the support offered by the city's authorities and charities.
"They're housing people as quickly as they can," he said.
"It's much better than it was before where you had to wait in line outside the town hall.
"Since coronavirus they've really stepped up."
(Image: Joel Goodman)
But despite its name the Everyone In programme didn't quite reach quite everyone.
On the walkway leading up to Oxford Road station sits a homeless man with his hair tightly plaited, tattoos across his arms and hands and several rings on his fingers.
He's been a familiar face to commuters at the station for about the last three and a half years.
He doesn't want to give his name, but tells us he's spent the entirety of lockdown sleeping rough.
He said: "I went to the toilet when they came - this isn't bulls*** - and while I was gone they took 14 people up to a hotel in Prestwich.
"I went to Sachas and the Britannia and asked for a room but got turned away.
"So I spent the whole lockdown out here.
"It was lonely man. I sleep in the Arndale car park when I can't get a room.
"I was sofa surfing for a long time, but the virus stopped that."
He says at the height of lockdown the city centre was ghost town, and it's still a long way from getting back to normal.
Pointing to the floor in front of his feet where a few coins are scattered he says: "I've only got £3 so far today.
"I don't beg, I just sit here and people give me money and food.
"Before the coronavirus on Thursdays and Fridays I could get £50. Now I'm struggling to get a tenner.
"It's changed everything."
Opposite Marks & Spencer on Market Street Chris Flint, 46, leans against a lamppost.
A drug user, he also has Hepatitis C.
But after spending lockdown in a hotel in Fallowfield he was able to get access to healthcare and is waiting to start a course of antiviral medication.
And for the first time in ages he says he's looking to the future with optimism.
He said: "I don't inject anymore.
"Look at my arms, I can wear a t shirt for the first time in years.
"I'm waiting to see if I can get this new treatment. It's 12 weeks of tablets and by the end I should be clear of it.
"That all started at the hotel - that got the ball rolling.
"It feels like the city's coming back to normal now.
"But there are still less people about and people haven't got any cash because it's all plastic."
Hendrix Lancaster runs the homeless charity Coffee4Craig.
He says the charity is getting lots of calls from people who have lost their homes or are on the brink of homelessness.
But he believes the support put in place at the start of the crisis is helping to 'chip away' at the number of people sleeping rough and says there have been some 'amazing success stories' among the Everyone In scheme.
He said: "What's being done is working. It's really helping chip away at the numbers.
"We're getting emails every day telling us where the beds are and we are able to place people into them no problem.
"It can sometimes be a good thing if you are new to the system. Sometimes that can make a massive difference because you are a lot easier to house.
"But I don't think we have seen the worst of it yet.
"We are getting a lot of phone calls from people who are newly homeless and I think you will see a lot more families lose their homes before we're done. It can happen so quickly."


themanchestereveningnews--2020-08-16--Millionaire property developer fears that Manchester is becoming unaffordable

Anyone who knows Manchester will be aware of how much it has changed over the past decade .
As one of Britain ’ s fastest developing cities , the population of Manchester city centre is set to double in the next five years thanks to mega investment in property development .
In just two square miles of the city centre , billions are being spent on building swanky new apartment blocks with penthouse suites commanding as much as £1.5million .
But , despite construction cranes being one of the few constant features in the city ’ s ever changing face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
As big chunks of new build developments are sold off to investors as opposed to private buyers , and only around five per cent of properties in developments are sold as affordable homes , very few lower income families are benefiting from the city 's facelift .
It remains to be seen what effect the fallout from the coronavirus pandemic will have on Manchester 's construction boom and economic growth .
But recent years have seen growing concern about people being priced out of the city due to sky high rents - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as much as 40 per cent over the last five years .
Capital & Centric boss and local property developer Tim Heatley says it 's time for things to change .
“ I couldn ’ t agree more that we need more social housing , ” he told the Manchester Evening News .
“ It ’ s like the city has grown at a phenomenal rate , especially in the city centre , and things are yet to catch up .
“ We have to do something to make sure that families are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ If we just have high earning people in the city centre , it ’ s going to lose its edge , diversity and creativity .
The city will burst .
That ’ s what attracts investment .
You can ’ t just have accountants and lawyers living in the city .
“ Manchester has never been boring , it ’ s exciting , and the population needs to reflect that .
We have to make sure that everyone can live in or around the city.
” Tim agrees that now is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a pipe dream and to become a reality .
“ People say that you can ’ t have affordable housing for families in the city centre , but you can have them in the outskirts where development is now taking place , ” he explained .
“ The system has been set up to achieve the growth with the idea that eventually it would trickle down to others so that everyone could benefit from it and get a share of the action .
“ We have had growth now , we ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be benefits for others .
“ The donut of development in the city centre is now moving to the outskirts so there needs to be a shift on what kind of property is created , and with that , much more affordable homes.
” Tim is keen to practise what he preaches .
The dad-of-four appears in a new BBC Two series Manctopia : Billion Pound Property Boom , which speaks to the property developers and decision makers shaping the city and the communities who are struggling to keep up but so desperately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Manchester home .
One of Tim ’ s current projects is a mill he is restoring in an area he has rebranded Piccadilly East .
But while his firm is spending around £2million a week transforming the land - which is next to Piccadilly train station and the red light district - he is already thinking about his next project .
“ Our ambition is to make a building which is 100 per cent affordable housing , ” he said .
“ As it stands , some developments offer around five per cent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new project which will mean that all the apartments will be affordable for those who need them .
“ So we will have two similar products , but the owners of one will pay £300,000 to live there , whereas those less fortunate will pay the affordable price , and they can both live in perfect harmony .
“ On top of that , we ban investors from buying up all our apartments .
We sell directly to private buyers .
“ The people that live in an area make the area .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the city centre and to be spent in the local coffee shops and art shops .
“ We want to attract people who will look after the area and not bring anti-social behaviour with them - we ’ re doing that in Piccadilly East right now.
” While Tim ’ s company is riding high on the crest of a lucrative wave , he is keen to keep his feet firmly on the ground .
Originally from Eccles , his entrepreneurial spirit was born while studying law at Manchester University , where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ artwork to sell online , as well as restoring old bangers that he bought from a car auction in Trafford Park .
After graduating , he funded the deposit to buy his first house on Gloucester Road , near Salford Royal Infirmary , with the money he made before inadvertently starting his property developer career .
“ I was a crap lawyer to be honest , ” Tim laughed .
“ I bought my first house at 21 for £65,000 and I sold it for approximately £150,000 a couple of years later .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that way .
After developing the derelict house I turned it into a family home and finally it was ready for me to move into .
“ But then I had a knock on the door and someone said that they had seen me painstakingly do the house up from scratch and asked whether I wanted to sell it to them , so I did .
“ The street was a little bit like Coronation Street - the houses had bags of character .
With the sale of that home I bought another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I realised pretty quickly that I was much better at property development than law , so I switched my focus to that .
“ Although I still can ’ t understand how I ’ ve gone from that semi in Salford to spending £2m a week on regenerating entire quarters and districts of the city centre .
Right place , right time I suppose.
” As he continues to redevelop previously unloved areas of the city , Tim , 40 , sees a lot of deprivation .
So in a bid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up with Andy Burnham to raise money for his Greater Manchester Mayor ’ s Charity , which funds a number of causes in the city , including the Bed Every Night scheme .
“ We raised about £3million in the last two years , ” Tim said .
“ That goes towards a bed every night and also centre point , as well as a lot of other local charities .
“ More needs to be done , of course , but I just want to be able to say I did my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Boom starts on Tuesday at 9pm on BBC Two .

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
Anyone who knows Manchester will be aware of how much it has changed over the past decade.
As one of Britain’s fastest developing cities, the population of Manchester city centre is set to double in the next five years thanks to mega investment in property development.
In just two square miles of the city centre, billions are being spent on building swanky new apartment blocks with penthouse suites commanding as much as £1.5million.
But, despite construction cranes being one of the few constant features in the city’s ever changing face, need is still not being met.
As big chunks of new build developments are sold off to investors as opposed to private buyers, and only around five per cent of properties in developments are sold as affordable homes, very few lower income families are benefiting from the city's facelift.
It remains to be seen what effect the fallout from the coronavirus pandemic will have on Manchester's construction boom and economic growth.
But recent years have seen growing concern about people being priced out of the city due to sky high rents - many of which have shot up by as much as 40 per cent over the last five years.
(Image: BBC / Minnow Films / Nick Mattingly)
Capital & Centric boss and local property developer Tim Heatley says it's time for things to change.
“I couldn’t agree more that we need more social housing,” he told the Manchester Evening News. “It’s like the city has grown at a phenomenal rate, especially in the city centre, and things are yet to catch up.
“We have to do something to make sure that families are not priced out of their neighbourhood.
“If we just have high earning people in the city centre, it’s going to lose its edge, diversity and creativity. The city will burst. That’s what attracts investment. You can’t just have accountants and lawyers living in the city.
“Manchester has never been boring, it’s exciting, and the population needs to reflect that. We have to make sure that everyone can live in or around the city.”
Tim agrees that now is the time for affordable housing to stop being a pipe dream and to become a reality.
“People say that you can’t have affordable housing for families in the city centre, but you can have them in the outskirts where development is now taking place,” he explained.
“The system has been set up to achieve the growth with the idea that eventually it would trickle down to others so that everyone could benefit from it and get a share of the action.
“We have had growth now, we’ve reached the stage where there has to be benefits for others.
“The donut of development in the city centre is now moving to the outskirts so there needs to be a shift on what kind of property is created, and with that, much more affordable homes.”
Tim is keen to practise what he preaches.
The dad-of-four appears in a new BBC Two series Manctopia: Billion Pound Property Boom, which speaks to the property developers and decision makers shaping the city and the communities who are struggling to keep up but so desperately want to keep calling their part of Manchester home.
One of Tim’s current projects is a mill he is restoring in an area he has rebranded Piccadilly East.
But while his firm is spending around £2million a week transforming the land - which is next to Piccadilly train station and the red light district - he is already thinking about his next project.
(Image: BBC / Minnow Films / Nick Mattingly)
“Our ambition is to make a building which is 100 per cent affordable housing,” he said.
“As it stands, some developments offer around five per cent, but we are working on a new project which will mean that all the apartments will be affordable for those who need them.
“So we will have two similar products, but the owners of one will pay £300,000 to live there, whereas those less fortunate will pay the affordable price, and they can both live in perfect harmony.
“On top of that, we ban investors from buying up all our apartments. We sell directly to private buyers.
“The people that live in an area make the area. We need that money to be kept in the city centre and to be spent in the local coffee shops and art shops.
“We want to attract people who will look after the area and not bring anti-social behaviour with them - we’re doing that in Piccadilly East right now.”
While Tim’s company is riding high on the crest of a lucrative wave, he is keen to keep his feet firmly on the ground.
Originally from Eccles, his entrepreneurial spirit was born while studying law at Manchester University, where he made money upcycling his mates’ artwork to sell online, as well as restoring old bangers that he bought from a car auction in Trafford Park.
After graduating, he funded the deposit to buy his first house on Gloucester Road, near Salford Royal Infirmary, with the money he made before inadvertently starting his property developer career.
“I was a crap lawyer to be honest,” Tim laughed. “I bought my first house at 21 for £65,000 and I sold it for approximately £150,000 a couple of years later.
“It didn’t start out that way. After developing the derelict house I turned it into a family home and finally it was ready for me to move into.
“But then I had a knock on the door and someone said that they had seen me painstakingly do the house up from scratch and asked whether I wanted to sell it to them, so I did.
“The street was a little bit like Coronation Street - the houses had bags of character. With the sale of that home I bought another property, and it went from there.
(Image: Tom Heatley)
“I realised pretty quickly that I was much better at property development than law, so I switched my focus to that.
“Although I still can’t understand how I’ve gone from that semi in Salford to spending £2m a week on regenerating entire quarters and districts of the city centre. Right place, right time I suppose.”
As he continues to redevelop previously unloved areas of the city, Tim, 40, sees a lot of deprivation.
So in a bid to help tackle homelessness, he teamed up with Andy Burnham to raise money for his Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity, which funds a number of causes in the city, including the Bed Every Night scheme.
“We raised about £3million in the last two years,” Tim said. “That goes towards a bed every night and also centre point, as well as a lot of other local charities.
“More needs to be done, of course, but I just want to be able to say I did my bit.”
Manctopia: Billion Pound Property Boom starts on Tuesday at 9pm on BBC Two.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-08-16--Manchester United line up vs Sevilla includes Fred and David de Gea

Manchester United have confirmed their starting line up for the Europa League semi final against Sevilla on Sunday night .
@ @ @ @ @ two changes from the side which defeated FC Copenhagen earlier in the week , with @ @ @ @ @ in goal to David de Gea .
Club captain Harry Maguire is partnered by Victor @ @ @ @ @ the defence , with Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Brandon Williams at full back .
United have @ @ @ @ @ of their midfield alongside Paul Pogba while Bruno Fernandes is playing in the attacking role @ @ @ @ @ gone with a trio of Mason Greenwood , Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial .
Axel @ @ @ @ @ Luke Shaw are all out of United 's Europa League campaign through injury , while @ @ @ @ @ confirmation of his loan move to Werder Bremen .

We have more newsletters
Something went wrong, please try again later.
Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
We have more newsletters
Thank you for subscribing!
Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
Manchester United have confirmed their starting line up for the Europa League semi final against Sevilla on Sunday night.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has made two changes from the side which defeated FC Copenhagen earlier in the week, with Sergio Romero losing his place in goal to David de Gea.
Club captain Harry Maguire is partnered by Victor Lindelof in the heart of the defence, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Brandon Williams at full back.
United have chosen Fred at the base of their midfield alongside Paul Pogba while Bruno Fernandes is playing in the attacking role.
Up front Solskjaer has gone with a trio of Mason Greenwood, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial.
Axel Tuanzebe, Phil Jones and Luke Shaw are all out of United's Europa League campaign through injury, while Tahith Chong is unavailable following confirmation of his loan move to Werder Bremen.
United XI: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Williams; Fred, Pogba, Fernandes; Greenwood, Rashford, Martial.
Subs: Grant, Romero, Bailly, Mata, Lingard, Pereira, James, Fosu-Mensah, Ighalo, Matic, McTominay, Mengi.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-08-16--The senior citizens who have been shamed in Manchester's courts

Many of the cases which end up before the courts relate to young people .
But many defendants who end up in the dock are also of more advanced years - proving the benefit of experience does n't always stop people from straying onto the wrong side of the law .
Here are some of the most shocking cases involving older people to appear in Manchester court 's in recent months .
Court , 70 , carried out an arson attack after vowing to 'sort out ' a family he lived near .
Court was angered after his neighbours left @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cars on their driveway and played loud music , a court heard .
In the early hours while drunk , he set fire to two wheelie bins belonging to the family .
But the blaze spread to a neighbouring property , where a woman had to flee with her 12-week-old daughter .
The family Court was angered by were not home at the time .
Minshull Street Crown Court was told that Court suffers from dementia , and said he could n't recall the incident .
Jailing him for three years in September @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; `` Fire officers say the flames and smoke could have killed that baby , leaving its mother beside herself with worry in the dead of night .
`` In my judgement your conduct was unlawful and malicious and the damage you caused - the distress you caused - trumps any issue of giving you more assistance in your health needs .
The anguish the mother suffered trumps that . ''
Hankinson has previously been branded 'Britain 's most prolific shoplifter ' .
Last year a court heard that he had clocked up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time in and out of prison .
In 2014 , Hankinson was handed an ASBO , which banned him from every shop in Bolton .
In June last year Hankinson , 70 , was back before the courts after being caught stealing £50 worth of food at Sainsbsurys in Oldham , and £85 worth of spirits from Aldi in Ashton-under-Lyne .
Appearing in the dock at Tameside Magistrates Court on crutches , he was conditionally discharged for 18 months .
The hearing heard that Hankinson had fallen from a hotel balcony whilst watching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he banged his head during the fall , and that the incident caused a 'change in his personality ' , turning him into a kleptomaniac with an 'uncontrollable ' urge to steal .
Hankinson 's lawyer told the hearing : `` He doesn ’ t commit crimes for his gain , there is no drug habit or lavish life style – he more often than not gives the items away . ''
Hanley was jailed for a road rage attack on a teenage cyclist .
Hanley , 69 , rammed the 17-year-old off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the boy pulled in front of him at a set of traffic lights .
Hanley told the shaken boy : `` Little sh*t - you ’ ve done this . ''
He also told a nearby motorist : `` Did you see what he was doing ?
He was weaving all over the road . ''
Hanley then grabbed the teenager 's shirt and punched him in the face , before smashing his own wing mirror in a temper tantrum and roaring off in his vehicle .
The incident happened in Summerseat , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a set of temporary traffic lights near roadworks .
Hanley , of Greenmount , Bury - director of an estates management company - was found guilty of dangerous driving and common assault following a trial .
At Minshull Street Crown Court in September last year , Hanley was jailed for six months and banned from driving for 15 months .
Lees became 'obsessed ' with a stranger , stalking the woman for more than 10 years .
Lees , 73 , had not been in a relationship with the woman and had not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unrequited infatuation .
Lees ' behaviour included peering through the window of her home and following her in his car when she was on the bus .
At one point the woman , in her 40s , was driving close to her home when she saw Lees walking towards her car .
She stopped the car and shouted at him , asking Lees 'why he was following her ' .
`` I want to be your friend , '' Lees replied .
In a statement read to the court , she said : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I have had to take medication to calm me . ''
Lees , of Park Lane , Poynton , Stockport , has previous convictions , all of which relate to the woman .
In 2012 , a restraining order was imposed to last indefinitely .
In November 2018 , Lees was jailed for 12 months at Manchester Crown Court after pleading guilty to breaching the restraining order .
Aged 96 , Murphy was put back behind bars last month .
A former Catholic priest and 'predatory paedophile ' , Murphy used his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some 27 years .
He was jailed for three years in December 2017 , and was locked up for another five years at a Liverpool Crown Court hearing last month .
Further victims came forward after seeing reports of the case in 2017 .
Murphy , from Horwich , was ordained as a priest in 1962 , and served in a number of parishes in Greater Manchester , Merseyside and Lancashire until he retired .
One of Murphy 's victims told the court he has feelings of anger towards his parents because 'their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the face of a monster using his job as a priest to abuse me and other children ' .
`` Your offending has had a devastating impact on your victims for decades and they are still really seriously affected by what you did , '' Judge Anil Murray told Murphy .
`` It is no exaggeration to say you ruined many lives . ''
Thomason marked his 72nd birthday by appearing in court after being found with more than 150 indecent images of children on his computer .
Indecent cartoon-style images and 1,588 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thomason 's devices .
After going to his home in Bolton , police found that Thomason had software on his laptop that allowed him to remove evidence of his activities .
Thomason , of Withins Lane , admitted three offences of making indecent photos of children , one offence of possession of a prohibited image of a child and one offence of possession of extreme pornographic image of a child .
He was sentenced to nine months in prison , suspended for two years at Bolton Crown Court last month .
Judge Timothy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are a relatively isolated and lonely man .
`` It 's a shame - and I use that word in its correct sense - that you are in court on your 72nd birthday and you have never been in court before .
`` The fact you are now confronting this problem is promising . ''

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
Something went wrong, please try again later.
Don't miss out on the big stories from Manchester's courts with our weekly newsletter
Many of the cases which end up before the courts relate to young people.
But many defendants who end up in the dock are also of more advanced years - proving the benefit of experience doesn't always stop people from straying onto the wrong side of the law.
Here are some of the most shocking cases involving older people to appear in Manchester court's in recent months.
Michael Court
(Image: Cavendish Press)
Court, 70, carried out an arson attack after vowing to 'sort out' a family he lived near.
Court was angered after his neighbours left out rubbish to rot, dumped rusty cars on their driveway and played loud music, a court heard.
In the early hours while drunk, he set fire to two wheelie bins belonging to the family.
But the blaze spread to a neighbouring property, where a woman had to flee with her 12-week-old daughter.
The family Court was angered by were not home at the time.
Minshull Street Crown Court was told that Court suffers from dementia, and said he couldn't recall the incident.
Jailing him for three years in September last year, Judge Bernard Lever said; "Fire officers say the flames and smoke could have killed that baby, leaving its mother beside herself with worry in the dead of night.
"In my judgement your conduct was unlawful and malicious and the damage you caused - the distress you caused - trumps any issue of giving you more assistance in your health needs. The anguish the mother suffered trumps that."
Harry Hankinson
Hankinson has previously been branded 'Britain's most prolific shoplifter'.
Last year a court heard that he had clocked up 546 offences since the 1970s, spending time in and out of prison.
In 2014, Hankinson was handed an ASBO, which banned him from every shop in Bolton.
In June last year Hankinson, 70, was back before the courts after being caught stealing £50 worth of food at Sainsbsurys in Oldham, and £85 worth of spirits from Aldi in Ashton-under-Lyne.
Appearing in the dock at Tameside Magistrates Court on crutches, he was conditionally discharged for 18 months.
The hearing heard that Hankinson had fallen from a hotel balcony whilst watching the 1970 World Cup.
He said he banged his head during the fall, and that the incident caused a 'change in his personality', turning him into a kleptomaniac with an 'uncontrollable' urge to steal.
Hankinson's lawyer told the hearing: "He doesn’t commit crimes for his gain, there is no drug habit or lavish life style – he more often than not gives the items away."
Michael Hanley
(Image: Cavendish Press (Manchester) Ltd)
Hanley was jailed for a road rage attack on a teenage cyclist.
Hanley, 69, rammed the 17-year-old off the road using his 4x4, after the boy pulled in front of him at a set of traffic lights.
Hanley told the shaken boy: ''Little sh*t - you’ve done this."
He also told a nearby motorist: ''Did you see what he was doing? He was weaving all over the road."
Hanley then grabbed the teenager's shirt and punched him in the face, before smashing his own wing mirror in a temper tantrum and roaring off in his vehicle.
The incident happened in Summerseat, Bury, as Hanley was waiting at a set of temporary traffic lights near roadworks.
Hanley, of Greenmount, Bury - director of an estates management company - was found guilty of dangerous driving and common assault following a trial.
At Minshull Street Crown Court in September last year, Hanley was jailed for six months and banned from driving for 15 months.
William Lees
Lees became 'obsessed' with a stranger, stalking the woman for more than 10 years.
Lees, 73, had not been in a relationship with the woman and had not been friends with her before developing an unrequited infatuation.
Lees' behaviour included peering through the window of her home and following her in his car when she was on the bus.
At one point the woman, in her 40s, was driving close to her home when she saw Lees walking towards her car.
She stopped the car and shouted at him, asking Lees 'why he was following her'.
"I want to be your friend," Lees replied.
The victim called the police.
In a statement read to the court, she said: "I am afraid of this man. I have had to take medication to calm me."
Lees, of Park Lane, Poynton, Stockport, has previous convictions, all of which relate to the woman.
In 2012, a restraining order was imposed to last indefinitely.
In November 2018, Lees was jailed for 12 months at Manchester Crown Court after pleading guilty to breaching the restraining order.
John Kevin Murphy
(Image: Liverpool Echo)
Aged 96, Murphy was put back behind bars last month.
A former Catholic priest and 'predatory paedophile', Murphy used his position to groom and abuse children for some 27 years.
He was jailed for three years in December 2017, and was locked up for another five years at a Liverpool Crown Court hearing last month.
Further victims came forward after seeing reports of the case in 2017.
Murphy, from Horwich, was ordained as a priest in 1962, and served in a number of parishes in Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Lancashire until he retired.
One of Murphy's victims told the court he has feelings of anger towards his parents because 'their devotion to their religion blinded them in the face of a monster using his job as a priest to abuse me and other children'.
"Your offending has had a devastating impact on your victims for decades and they are still really seriously affected by what you did," Judge Anil Murray told Murphy.
"It is no exaggeration to say you ruined many lives."
David Thomason
(Image: MEN)
Thomason marked his 72nd birthday by appearing in court after being found with more than 150 indecent images of children on his computer.
Indecent cartoon-style images and 1,588 extreme pornography images were also found on Thomason's devices.
After going to his home in Bolton, police found that Thomason had software on his laptop that allowed him to remove evidence of his activities.
Thomason, of Withins Lane, admitted three offences of making indecent photos of children, one offence of possession of a prohibited image of a child and one offence of possession of extreme pornographic image of a child.
He was sentenced to nine months in prison, suspended for two years at Bolton Crown Court last month.
Judge Timothy Stead told the defendant: "You are a relatively isolated and lonely man.
"It's a shame - and I use that word in its correct sense - that you are in court on your 72nd birthday and you have never been in court before.
"The fact you are now confronting this problem is promising."


themanchestereveningnews--2020-08-16--The most up to date coronavirus infection rates for every borough

Only two Greater Manchester boroughs are currently showing an upward trend in coronavirus infections , according to the latest available figures .
Oldham recorded 20 per cent more cases than the previous week , in the seven days up to August 13 , while Manchester saw its infection rate increase by almost a third in the same time frame .
Overall , a further 119 cases were added in Greater Manchester today , taking the total for the region up to 21,227 .
Infection rates are calculated up to three days ago , in this case , the week ending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ couple of days for the test results to be reported .
In the week up to August 13 , there were 998 positive tests across Greater Manchester .
The Oldham infection rate has fallen to below 100 , however the week-on-week trend for the borough is still upwards .
There were 232 positive tests in the week ending Aug 13 in Oldham , which is 38 more than in the previous week - an increase of 20 per cent .
However , the seven-day total was slightly lower than the last couple of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 100,000 people to 97.8 .
Read more of today 's stories here Manchester is now the only other area of Greater Manchester showing an upward trend week on week .
There were 247 confirmed tests in Manchester in the week ending Aug 13 , which is an increase of 30 per cent on the previous week .
The infection rate in Manchester is now 44.7 and if it continued upward to above 50 then it would be classed as a 'red ' alert level on the government watch list .
Rochdale had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now levelled off .
All other areas of Greater Manchester are not showing large increases in positive tests week-on-week and cases remain broadly level in these areas .
They continue to have infection rates of around 20-30 , with most being graded as being at 'amber ' alert level , apart from Stockport , which is green .
Wigan continues to be the exception with an infection rate staying below ten .
There were 30 cases in the seven days up to August 13 in Wigan , which is exactly the same number @ @ @ @ @

newsdesk@men-news.co.uk (Helen Johnson, Paul Gallagher)

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
Only two Greater Manchester boroughs are currently showing an upward trend in coronavirus infections, according to the latest available figures.
Oldham recorded 20 per cent more cases than the previous week, in the seven days up to August 13, while Manchester saw its infection rate increase by almost a third in the same time frame.
Overall, a further 119 cases were added in Greater Manchester today, taking the total for the region up to 21,227.
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
Infection rates are calculated up to three days ago, in this case, the week ending August 13, because it takes a couple of days for the test results to be reported.
In the week up to August 13, there were 998 positive tests across Greater Manchester.
The Oldham infection rate has fallen to below 100, however the week-on-week trend for the borough is still upwards.
There were 232 positive tests in the week ending Aug 13 in Oldham, which is 38 more than in the previous week - an increase of 20 per cent.
However, the seven-day total was slightly lower than the last couple of days, bringing the infection rate per 100,000 people to 97.8.
Manchester is now the only other area of Greater Manchester showing an upward trend week on week.
There were 247 confirmed tests in Manchester in the week ending Aug 13, which is an increase of 30 per cent on the previous week.
The infection rate in Manchester is now 44.7 and if it continued upward to above 50 then it would be classed as a 'red' alert level on the government watch list.
Rochdale had been trending upwards but that appears to have now levelled off.
All other areas of Greater Manchester are not showing large increases in positive tests week-on-week and cases remain broadly level in these areas.
They continue to have infection rates of around 20-30, with most being graded as being at 'amber' alert level, apart from Stockport, which is green.
Wigan continues to be the exception with an infection rate staying below ten.
There were 30 cases in the seven days up to August 13 in Wigan, which is exactly the same number as the previous week.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-08-16--We knocked on at the house where a huge illegal gazebo party was held

A young woman involved in the organisation of a huge illegal gazebo party in Gorton has been found by cops - and hit with a £100 fine .
Police caught up with her after receiving numerous complaints about the lockdown bash on Harlow Drive on Saturday night ( August 15 ) .
Hundreds of people were caught on Snapchat footage partying in the early hours .
Officers turned up - before being pelted with missiles .
Police have now served the woman - who they say was 'an organiser ' - with a £100 fixed penalty fine .
An anti-social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the property .
It prohibits anyone from outside the household entering .
Police said the party was a 'blatant breach of covid legislation ' .
The Manchester Evening News visited the house on Sunday afternoon .
Those inside did n't want to speak .
The massive white gazebo - which can be seen from the street - was still standing in the garden .
Superintendent Helen Caldbeck said : `` Only yesterday afternoon did we made an urgent plea to the public after an unprecedented surge in 999 calls .
`` Our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a real worry that people who need us desperately , won ’ t be able to get through to us via 999 because we ’ re so busy .
`` This illegal house party was a blatant breach of legislation and meant that needed resources were pulled from the force .
Even worse was the fact on attendance , our officers were met with such hostility , with missiles were thrown at them .
`` We want to be clear that the issuing of an FPN , as well as imposing an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first step in our action and we are working unreservedly to ensure that all possible lines of enquiry are followed up .
`` We have officers reviewing CCTV and other evidence with a view to identifying others responsible .
`` The people of Greater Manchester deserve better and quite frankly they ’ re being let down by the selfish few who are shamelessly breaching the very guidance and legislation that is there to protect us.
” '' If anyone has any information about this I ’ d urge you to get in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report it online.
” It was the second big gathering Greater Manchester Police had to deal with this weekend , after large crowds congregated on Wilmslow Road in Rusholme on Friday night .
Police were also forced to shut Wilmslow Road in Rusholme on Friday night after hundreds of people gathered in the street .
Big crowds congregated in Wilmslow Road , also known as Curry Mile , to celebrate Pakistan Independence Day on Friday evening .
Police say the area was 'heavily congested ' with pedestrians , as well as cars being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an 'unsafe manner ' .
Greater Manchester Police slammed the behaviour of those at both events , arguing that the gatherings are breaching local coronavirus restrictions and putting a strain on police resources .

newsdesk@men-news.co.uk (Helen Johnson, Charlotte Dobson)

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 young woman involved in the organisation of a huge illegal marquee party in Gorton has been found by cops - and hit with a £100 fine.
Police caught up with her after receiving numerous complaints about the lockdown bash on Harlow Drive on Saturday night (August 15).
Hundreds of people were caught on Snapchat footage partying in the early hours.
Officers turned up - before being pelted with missiles.
Police have now served the woman - who they say was 'an organiser' - with a £100 fixed penalty fine.
An anti-social behaviour closure notice has also been slapped on the property.
It prohibits anyone from outside the household entering.
(Image: Snapchat)
Police said the party was a 'blatant breach of covid legislation'.
The Manchester Evening News visited the house on Sunday afternoon.
Those inside didn't want to speak.
The massive white marquee - which can be seen from the street - was still standing in the garden.
(Image: Sean Hansford)
Superintendent Helen Caldbeck said: "Only yesterday afternoon did we made an urgent plea to the public after an unprecedented surge in 999 calls.
"Our message was firm and clear – there is a real worry that people who need us desperately, won’t be able to get through to us via 999 because we’re so busy.
Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will auto-play soon 8 Cancel Play now
"This illegal house party was a blatant breach of legislation and meant that needed resources were pulled from the force. Even worse was the fact on attendance, our officers were met with such hostility, with missiles were thrown at them.
"We want to be clear that the issuing of an FPN, as well as imposing an anti-social behaviour closure notice, is just the first step in our action and we are working unreservedly to ensure that all possible lines of enquiry are followed up.
"We have officers reviewing CCTV and other evidence with a view to identifying others responsible.
"The people of Greater Manchester deserve better and quite frankly they’re being let down by the selfish few who are shamelessly breaching the very guidance and legislation that is there to protect us.”
"If anyone has any information about this I’d urge you to get in touch to us via 101, or report it online.”
It was the second big gathering Greater Manchester Police had to deal with this weekend, after large crowds congregated on Wilmslow Road in Rusholme on Friday night.
Police were also forced to shut Wilmslow Road in Rusholme on Friday night after hundreds of people gathered in the street.
Big crowds congregated in Wilmslow Road, also known as Curry Mile, to celebrate Pakistan Independence Day on Friday evening.
Police say the area was 'heavily congested' with pedestrians, as well as cars being driven up and down Wilmslow Road in an 'unsafe manner'.
Greater Manchester Police slammed the behaviour of those at both events, arguing that the gatherings are breaching local coronavirus restrictions and putting a strain on police resources.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-08-16--Bodies found in search for missing teenagers in sea off Lytham St Annes

Police searching for missing brothers from Dewsbury have sadly found two bodies in the sea .
Muhammad Azhar Shabbir , aged 18 , and Ali Athar Shabbir , aged 16 , got into difficulty in the water near St Anne 's Pier yesterday evening ( August 15 ) .
Following an extensive search by HM Coastguard and the RNLI , today ( August 16 ) two bodies have sadly been found around a mile away from the pier at 3.15pm , Lancashire Police have said .
Whilst they are yet to be formally identified , they are believed to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been notified and are being supported by a specially trained officer .
In a statement , Lancs Police said : `` Our HM Coastguard and RNLI colleagues searching for missing brothers Muhammad Azhar Shabbir , 18 , and Ali Athar Shabbir , 16 , from Dewsbury have sadly found two bodies .
`` The discovery was made at just after 3:15pm this afternoon ( Sunday , August 16 th ) around a mile away from St Annes Pier , where they sadly got into difficulty in the water yesterday evening ( Saturday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they have yet to be formally identified , they are believed to be Muhammad and Ali .
Their family have been notified and are continuing to be supported by a specially trained officer .
`` Our thoughts and condolences remain with them and their friends at this incredibly distressing time . ''
`` Thanks again to our colleagues at HM Coastguard , the RNLI and the National Police Air Service ( NPAS ) for helping the search to find Muhammad and Ali , as well as everyone who sent kind words and offered @ @ @ @ @ @

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
Police searching for missing brothers from Dewsbury have sadly found two bodies in the sea.
Muhammad Azhar Shabbir, aged 18, and Ali Athar Shabbir, aged 16, got into difficulty in the water near St Anne's Pier yesterday evening (August 15).
Following an extensive search by HM Coastguard and the RNLI, today (August 16) two bodies have sadly been found around a mile away from the pier at 3.15pm, Lancashire Police have said.
(Image: PA)
Whilst they are yet to be formally identified, they are believed to be Muhammad and Ali.
Their families have been notified and are being supported by a specially trained officer.
(Image: PA)
In a statement, Lancs Police said: "Our HM Coastguard and RNLI colleagues searching for missing brothers Muhammad Azhar Shabbir, 18, and Ali Athar Shabbir, 16, from Dewsbury have sadly found two bodies.
"The discovery was made at just after 3:15pm this afternoon (Sunday, August 16 th ) around a mile away from St Annes Pier, where they sadly got into difficulty in the water yesterday evening (Saturday, August 15 th ).
"Whilst they have yet to be formally identified, they are believed to be Muhammad and Ali. Their family have been notified and are continuing to be supported by a specially trained officer.
"Our thoughts and condolences remain with them and their friends at this incredibly distressing time."
"Thanks again to our colleagues at HM Coastguard, the RNLI and the National Police Air Service (NPAS) for helping the search to find Muhammad and Ali, as well as everyone who sent kind words and offered to help the search."


themanchestereveningnews--2020-08-16--Bernardo Silva slams Liverpool fans after Man City loss to Lyon

Bernardo Silva has slammed `` pathetic '' Liverpool fans after his social media account was targeted following Manchester City 's exit from the Champions League at the hands of Lyon .
Liverpool supporters were far from pleased with Bernardo during their Premier League clash at the Etihad Stadium last month following their capture of the league title .
Pep Guardiola and his men confirmed they would line up a guard of honour for the newly crowned champions but Liverpool fans were not impressed as Bernardo showed little enthusiasm during the gesture of respect .
The Portuguese was an unused substitute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saw them exit the Champions League at the quarter-final stage .
Footage of Bernardo celebrating his birthday with the City squad surfaced on social media and the playmaker said the ideal present would be lifting the Champions League .
Therefore , Liverpool fans bombarded his social media page when City 's exit was confirmed .
Now , Bernardo has hit back at the online trolls .
`` The 2019/2020 season has ended for us in a very disappointing way , '' he wrote on Twitter .
`` To all the fans , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The only thing we can promise is that in 2020/2021 we ’ ll fight a lot to do much better and get back to winning important things for you guy .
`` And to all Liverpool fans that have nothing else to do than to come to a Man City player account , I ’ m also sorry for you but for the wrong reasons - pathetic .
`` Go celebrate your titles , or try to find a partner , drink a beer with a friend , read a book .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ were also not pleased to see Kevin De Bruyne crowned Premier League Player of the Year as a result of his stellar campaign for the Blues .
The Belgian fended off competition from Jordan Henderson , Trent Alexander-Arnold and Sadio Mane to scoop the award after equalling Thierry Henry 's record of 20 assists in a single campaign .

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
Bernardo Silva has slammed "pathetic" Liverpool fans after his social media account was targeted following Manchester City 's exit from the Champions League at the hands of Lyon.
Liverpool supporters were far from pleased with Bernardo during their Premier League clash at the Etihad Stadium last month following their capture of the league title.
Pep Guardiola and his men confirmed they would line up a guard of honour for the newly crowned champions but Liverpool fans were not impressed as Bernardo showed little enthusiasm during the gesture of respect.
The Portuguese was an unused substitute in City's defeat by Lyon that saw them exit the Champions League at the quarter-final stage.
Footage of Bernardo celebrating his birthday with the City squad surfaced on social media and the playmaker said the ideal present would be lifting the Champions League.
Therefore, Liverpool fans bombarded his social media page when City's exit was confirmed.
Now, Bernardo has hit back at the online trolls.
"The 2019/2020 season has ended for us in a very disappointing way," he wrote on Twitter. "To all the fans, we’re sorry for this frustrating season. The only thing we can promise is that in 2020/2021 we’ll fight a lot to do much better and get back to winning important things for you guy.
"And to all Liverpool fans that have nothing else to do than to come to a Man City player account, I’m also sorry for you but for the wrong reasons - pathetic.
"Go celebrate your titles, or try to find a partner, drink a beer with a friend, read a book. So many options!"
Liverpool fans were also not pleased to see Kevin De Bruyne crowned Premier League Player of the Year as a result of his stellar campaign for the Blues.
The Belgian fended off competition from Jordan Henderson, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Sadio Mane to scoop the award after equalling Thierry Henry's record of 20 assists in a single campaign.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-08-17--Brits returning from holiday should NOT go shopping before self-isolating

Brits returning from holiday to self-isolate should not make a trip to the supermarket , the government has confirmed .
Downing Street was asked to clarify advice after reports emerged that people arriving in the UK from countries that require a period of self-isolation on return were allowed to stop off at the shops to stock up before their two-week quarantine .
But a No 10 spokesperson has now denied this is true and says any help with shopping should be done by friends or relatives .
Brits currently holidaying in Spain , France and a number of other destinations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Office updated travel advice .
Asked whether travellers returning from these countries are able to do a big supermarket shop on their way home before isolating , a No 10 spokesman said : “ The guidance is published and clearly sets out what you can and can ’ t do when you are quarantining .
“ It specifically says you should not go shopping .
`` If you require help to buy groceries , other shopping or picking up medication , you should ask friends or relatives or a delivery.
” It comes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soon to be removed from the 'safe ' list .
Downing Street did not deny that Croatia and Greece could be added to the quarantine list when asked .
“ We continue to keep these rules under constant review and we publish a list of the countries and territories that we are concerned about , '' the spokeperson said .
`` You ’ ll have seen the last update as of last week.
” Asked whether Greece and its islands would count as one country for quarantine rule purposes , he added : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continue to keep data for all countries and territories under constant review .
`` We update the list on a weekly basis.
” Pushed on the limited time between new quarantine measures being announced and their implementation , the No 10 spokesman said : “ We ’ ve always said that protecting public health remains our top priority , which is why it is important that when we make changes to the exemptions list we do so in a swift way .
“ While these changes we understand can be disruptive , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to prevent cases being important into the UK .
”

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
Brits returning from holiday to self-isolate should not make a trip to the supermarket, the government has confirmed.
Downing Street was asked to clarify advice after reports emerged that people arriving in the UK from countries that require a period of self-isolation on return were allowed to stop off at the shops to stock up before their two-week quarantine.
But a No 10 spokesperson has now denied this is true and says any help with shopping should be done by friends or relatives.
Brits currently holidaying in Spain, France and a number of other destinations face a 14-day quarantine after the Foreign Office updated travel advice.
Asked whether travellers returning from these countries are able to do a big supermarket shop on their way home before isolating, a No 10 spokesman said: “The guidance is published and clearly sets out what you can and can’t do when you are quarantining.
“It specifically says you should not go shopping.
"If you require help to buy groceries, other shopping or picking up medication, you should ask friends or relatives or a delivery.”
(Image: PA)
It comes amid speculation that further holiday destinations are soon to be removed from the 'safe' list.
Downing Street did not deny that Croatia and Greece could be added to the quarantine list when asked.
“We continue to keep these rules under constant review and we publish a list of the countries and territories that we are concerned about," the spokeperson said.
"You’ll have seen the last update as of last week.”
Asked whether Greece and its islands would count as one country for quarantine rule purposes, he added: “As I say, we will continue to keep data for all countries and territories under constant review.
"We update the list on a weekly basis.”
Pushed on the limited time between new quarantine measures being announced and their implementation, the No 10 spokesman said: “We’ve always said that protecting public health remains our top priority, which is why it is important that when we make changes to the exemptions list we do so in a swift way.
“While these changes we understand can be disruptive, it is right that we take quick action to prevent cases being important into the UK.”


themanchestereveningnews--2020-08-17--Greater Manchester weather this week as thunderstorm warning in place

A yellow weather warning is in place for tonight in Greater Manchester - and it 's looking 'unsettled ' for the rest of the week .
The warning for thunderstorms today is expected to be the last in a series of weather warnings issued last week as mercury levels dip in the region .
Expect a mixture of sunshine and showers for the rest of the week as temperatures dip to the mid to low 20s following last week 's hot temperatures .
Nicola Maxey , a spokeswoman for the Met Office , said : `` It 's an unsettled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
( Today ) is the last thunderstorm warning .
`` There were warnings for most of last week .
As the temperatures lower , the risk of thunderstorms ease .
`` Temperatures will be in the mid to low 20s , which is back to what you would expect .
`` We have a low pressure system from the west of the UK from Wednesday , which is going to increase the chance of rain and winds .
`` There are looking to be some stronger winds as we go through to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` There 's a chance of seeing more rain around , it will probably be fairly light rain . ''

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 yellow weather warning is in place for tonight in Greater Manchester - and it's looking 'unsettled' for the rest of the week.
The warning for thunderstorms today is expected to be the last in a series of weather warnings issued last week as mercury levels dip in the region.
Expect a mixture of sunshine and showers for the rest of the week as temperatures dip to the mid to low 20s following last week's hot temperatures.
Nicola Maxey, a spokeswoman for the Met Office, said: "It's an unsettled picture as we get through this week. (Today) is the last thunderstorm warning.
"There were warnings for most of last week. As the temperatures lower, the risk of thunderstorms ease.
(Image: MEN)
"Temperatures will be in the mid to low 20s, which is back to what you would expect.
"We have a low pressure system from the west of the UK from Wednesday, which is going to increase the chance of rain and winds.
"There are looking to be some stronger winds as we go through to the second half of the week.
"There's a chance of seeing more rain around, it will probably be fairly light rain."


themanchestereveningnews--2020-08-17--Rescue mission launched after owl gets stuck behind grandfather clock in Bolton

An owl sparked an RSPCA rescue mission after it became stuck behind a grandfather clock in Bolton .
The homeowners called the animal charity after the barn owl flew into their house in Chorley New Road and got trapped behind the antique .
RSPCA Deputy Chief Inspector Emma Dingley attended to try and catch the barn owl and bring the bird to safety .
Eventually it was released back into the wild .
She said : “ The couple had their front door open due to the heat and this lovely , young barn owl just flew right in and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quite stuck !
“ I managed to move the clock and catch the owl and checked him over for injuries but luckily , he was absolutely fine .
Maybe I ’ d got him just in the nick of time !
“ I then took him outside with Enid and Bryan , whose house it was , and all three of us released him back into the wild .
“ They love the local wildlife and especially owls so it was such a lovely job being able to send this barn owl back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t waste any time and flew off straight away !
I think it was my favourite rescue of my career so far !
” The couple who contacted the RSPCA , Enid and Bryan Haslam , explained they were watching TV when the owl flew into their house and started flapping around shelves of plates , luckily without breaking any , before flying behind the clock .
Bryan said : “ It must have flown in when we were watching the TV .
Enid spotted it above the kitchen cupboard and he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the back door for it to fly out but he flew behind the grandfather clock so he must have liked it inside !
“ He was a beautiful bird .
We were glad he could be released .
”

Something went wrong, please try again later.
Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for the free MyBolton newsletter to get the top stories direct to your inbox
Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for the free MyBolton newsletter to get the top stories direct to your inbox
An owl sparked an RSPCA rescue mission after it became stuck behind a grandfather clock in Bolton.
The homeowners called the animal charity after the barn owl flew into their house in Chorley New Road and got trapped behind the antique.
RSPCA Deputy Chief Inspector Emma Dingley attended to try and catch the barn owl and bring the bird to safety.
Eventually it was released back into the wild.
She said: “The couple had their front door open due to the heat and this lovely, young barn owl just flew right in and behind the grandfather clock where he got quite stuck!
“I managed to move the clock and catch the owl and checked him over for injuries but luckily, he was absolutely fine. Maybe I’d got him just in the nick of time!
“I then took him outside with Enid and Bryan, whose house it was, and all three of us released him back into the wild.
“They love the local wildlife and especially owls so it was such a lovely job being able to send this barn owl back off into the wild. He didn’t waste any time and flew off straight away! I think it was my favourite rescue of my career so far!”
The couple who contacted the RSPCA, Enid and Bryan Haslam, explained they were watching TV when the owl flew into their house and started flapping around shelves of plates, luckily without breaking any, before flying behind the clock.
Bryan said: “It must have flown in when we were watching the TV. Enid spotted it above the kitchen cupboard and he looked straight at her. She opened the back door for it to fly out but he flew behind the grandfather clock so he must have liked it inside!
“He was a beautiful bird. We were glad he could be released.”


themanchestereveningnews--2020-08-17--Speculation over A-Level U-turn as Andy Burnham promises legal challenge

Pressure on ministers over the controversial system for awarding A-Level grades was mounting today , sparking speculation of a Government U-turn .
Tory MPs have heaped pressure on Boris Johnson and Education Secretary Gavin Williamson to change course .
An announcement at around 4pm is expected , according to reports .
The news comes as Andy Burnham , the mayor of Greater Manchester , promised a legal challenge .
`` I will be taking legal advice this morning and have instructed leading counsel , '' he said .
`` I expect to be writing to Ofqual later today to initiate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Examinations Regulation regulates qualifications , exams and assessments in England .
Last Thursday , 39 per cent of all A-Level grades in England were downgraded from what teachers originally predicted - including 25,000 by two or more grades - to 'standardise ' results and stop them inflating .
Official figures show students in the poorest areas were marked down by 10.4 per cent while those in the richest were marked down by 8.3 per cent , reported the Mirror .
Downing Street refused to rule out a shift to a Scottish-style system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than an algorithm aimed at standardising results .
Mr Johnson has gone on holiday to Scotland this week despite the chaos over the A-Level results but held talks with Mr Williamson and senior officials on Monday morning .
In an indication that the grades awarded last week may not be the final results , a Number 10 spokesman said 'the Government continues to work hard to come up with the fairest system possible ' .
Signs that Mr Williamson would announce changes later on Monday came as senior ministers went public with their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put in place by regulator Ofqual after A-level exams were cancelled due to coronavirus .
Paymaster General Penny Mordaunt said she was seeking a meeting with colleagues at the Department for Education ( DfE ) about the issue and had made clear that if students wanted to sit the exams in the autumn there should be no fee .
`` This group of young people have lost out on so much already ; we must ensure that bright , capable students can progress on their next step , '' she said .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my views on GCSE results known to DfE ' .
Defence Minister Johnny Mercer said he was 'acutely aware of the issues around A-level results and am equally concerned for the GCSE results on Thursday ' .
In a hint that a U-turn was coming he said : `` I do not believe this is the end of the story - there are too many clear injustices .
`` At this time we must not panic , and await developments .
I am limited in what I can say publicly - I have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Roger Gale , Tory MP for North Thanet , tweeted : `` Given the huge disquiet surrounding this years A-Level results , I believe the time has come for teacher recommendations for this year only .
`` Regarding the fact , this will lead to qualification inflation . ''
Any U-turn could also apply to GCSEs ahead of the results of those qualifications being awarded on Thursday .
Conservative former education secretary Lord Baker of Dorking urged ministers to delay the publication of GCSE results , due on Thursday , until the problems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Northern Ireland , Education Minister Peter Weir has said GCSE students will be awarded the grades predicted by their teachers .
The Government , meanwhile , has ruled out postponing GCSE results day despite calls to delay amid exam chaos .
Thousands of students in England , Wales and Northern Ireland are expected to receive their GCSE results on Thursday after this summer 's exams were cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic .
Ministers have been told to delay publishing the results after Ofqual 's grading algorithm led to nearly two in five @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in England being adjusted down last week .
But Downing Street has insisted there would be no delay to the announcement of GCSE results despite the confusion over A-levels .
A Number 10 spokesman said .
`` We will not be delaying GCSE results . ''

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
Pressure on ministers over the controversial system for awarding A-Level grades was mounting today, sparking speculation of a Government U-turn.
Tory MPs have heaped pressure on Boris Johnson and Education Secretary Gavin Williamson to change course.
An announcement at around 4pm is expected, according to reports.
The news comes as Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, promised a legal challenge.
"I will be taking legal advice this morning and have instructed leading counsel," he said.
(Image: PA)
"I expect to be writing to Ofqual later today to initiate action."
The Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation regulates qualifications, exams and assessments in England.
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
Last Thursday, 39 per cent of all A-Level grades in England were downgraded from what teachers originally predicted - including 25,000 by two or more grades - to 'standardise' results and stop them inflating.
Official figures show students in the poorest areas were marked down by 10.4 per cent while those in the richest were marked down by 8.3 per cent, reported the Mirror.
Downing Street refused to rule out a shift to a Scottish-style system based on teachers' predicted grades rather than an algorithm aimed at standardising results.
(Image: PA)
Mr Johnson has gone on holiday to Scotland this week despite the chaos over the A-Level results but held talks with Mr Williamson and senior officials on Monday morning.
In an indication that the grades awarded last week may not be the final results, a Number 10 spokesman said 'the Government continues to work hard to come up with the fairest system possible'.
Signs that Mr Williamson would announce changes later on Monday came as senior ministers went public with their criticism of the system, which was put in place by regulator Ofqual after A-level exams were cancelled due to coronavirus.
Paymaster General Penny Mordaunt said she was seeking a meeting with colleagues at the Department for Education (DfE) about the issue and had made clear that if students wanted to sit the exams in the autumn there should be no fee.
"This group of young people have lost out on so much already; we must ensure that bright, capable students can progress on their next step," she said.
(Image: PA)
The minister added that she had also 'made my views on GCSE results known to DfE'.
Defence Minister Johnny Mercer said he was 'acutely aware of the issues around A-level results and am equally concerned for the GCSE results on Thursday'.
In a hint that a U-turn was coming he said: "I do not believe this is the end of the story - there are too many clear injustices.
"At this time we must not panic, and await developments. I am limited in what I can say publicly - I have had many private conversations."
Sir Roger Gale, Tory MP for North Thanet, tweeted: "Given the huge disquiet surrounding this years A-Level results, I believe the time has come for teacher recommendations for this year only.
"Regarding the fact, this will lead to qualification inflation."
(Image: PA)
Any U-turn could also apply to GCSEs ahead of the results of those qualifications being awarded on Thursday.
Conservative former education secretary Lord Baker of Dorking urged ministers to delay the publication of GCSE results, due on Thursday, until the problems with A-levels have been resolved.
In Northern Ireland, Education Minister Peter Weir has said GCSE students will be awarded the grades predicted by their teachers.
The Government, meanwhile, has ruled out postponing GCSE results day despite calls to delay amid exam chaos.
Thousands of students in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are expected to receive their GCSE results on Thursday after this summer's exams were cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Ministers have been told to delay publishing the results after Ofqual's grading algorithm led to nearly two in five of teachers' estimates for A-Level pupils in England being adjusted down last week.
But Downing Street has insisted there would be no delay to the announcement of GCSE results despite the confusion over A-levels.
A Number 10 spokesman said. "We will not be delaying GCSE results."


themanchestereveningnews--2020-08-17--Lionel Messi transfer isn't the answer to Man City problems

Lionel Messi is the best player in the world .
He would undoubtedly improve Manchester City and could be the extra spark they need in Europe .
He would fit into Pep Guardiola 's system seamlessly , and it would be a joy to watch him grace the Premier League .
But City should not sign him if he becomes available this summer , however tempting it would be .
It 's easy to get excited over recent reports coming from Spain as Barcelona and the Spanish media try to pick up the pieces from the crushing 8-2 defeat to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of problems came to the boil over a devastating 90 minutes .
Apparently , Messi has decided enough is enough and wants to leave the Nou Camp , with City favourites among bookmakers to be his next destination .
One report even suggests City will offer Messi 'whatever he wants ' in wages to reunite with Guardiola .
Messi is reportedly already the highest paid player in world football , which considering there is no better player than him seems fair .
Whether City could afford such astronomical wages is where the doubts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ logistics of any release clauses , transfer fees and sponsorship agreements , is it worth such an outlay on wages on a player who would probably only offer two or three more seasons at the highest level ?
And with the greatest respect to arguably the best player to kick a football , that level will decline in the coming years .
Even if he would remain better than the majority of the opponents he faced , is the physicality of the Premier League the best place to end a glorious career ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in their squad for an attacking midfielder with David Silva 's departure .
Add Messi in the mix alongside Kevin De Bruyne , Sergio Aguero and the potential of Phil Foden , and City would be dreaming of the Champions League trophy that continues to elude them .
Plus , in fairness , the club have history in recent years of offering the some of the world 's best a final swansong .
Patrick Vieira and Frank Lampard hardly flopped , but they were not a long-term solution .
Ultimately , there are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , not least defence .
Have your say in our Man City end-of-season survey : If City are to invest a significant amount in a new player over the next two years , it should be a world class centre-back option or a long-term replacement for Sergio Aguero , whose contract expires next summer .
Messi is good , but he fits into neither of those categories .
The romantic City fan with Blue tinted glasses may dream of seeing Messi glide around the Etihad in a sky blue shirt , but a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a prospective transfer that would kick City 's real issues one or two seasons down the line and make them harder to deal with when they eventually had to be addressed .
Still , there 's no harm in dreaming .

Something went wrong, please try again later.
Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later.
Something went wrong, please try again later.
Lionel Messi is the best player in the world. He would undoubtedly improve Manchester City and could be the extra spark they need in Europe. He would fit into Pep Guardiola's system seamlessly, and it would be a joy to watch him grace the Premier League.
But City should not sign him if he becomes available this summer, however tempting it would be.
It's easy to get excited over recent reports coming from Spain as Barcelona and the Spanish media try to pick up the pieces from the crushing 8-2 defeat to Bayern Munich last week, where years of problems came to the boil over a devastating 90 minutes.
Apparently, Messi has decided enough is enough and wants to leave the Nou Camp, with City favourites among bookmakers to be his next destination. One report even suggests City will offer Messi 'whatever he wants' in wages to reunite with Guardiola.
Messi is reportedly already the highest paid player in world football, which considering there is no better player than him seems fair. Whether City could afford such astronomical wages is where the doubts start to creep in.
Forgetting the logistics of any release clauses, transfer fees and sponsorship agreements, is it worth such an outlay on wages on a player who would probably only offer two or three more seasons at the highest level?
And with the greatest respect to arguably the best player to kick a football, that level will decline in the coming years. Even if he would remain better than the majority of the opponents he faced, is the physicality of the Premier League the best place to end a glorious career?
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.
Of course, City have a space in their squad for an attacking midfielder with David Silva's departure. Add Messi in the mix alongside Kevin De Bruyne, Sergio Aguero and the potential of Phil Foden, and City would be dreaming of the Champions League trophy that continues to elude them.
Plus, in fairness, the club have history in recent years of offering the some of the world's best a final swansong. Patrick Vieira and Frank Lampard hardly flopped, but they were not a long-term solution.
Ultimately, there are more pressing areas to strengthen this season, not least defence.
Have your say in our Man City end-of-season survey:
If City are to invest a significant amount in a new player over the next two years, it should be a world class centre-back option or a long-term replacement for Sergio Aguero, whose contract expires next summer. Messi is good, but he fits into neither of those categories.
The romantic City fan with Blue tinted glasses may dream of seeing Messi glide around the Etihad in a sky blue shirt, but a level-headed view would be that this is a prospective transfer that would kick City's real issues one or two seasons down the line and make them harder to deal with when they eventually had to be addressed.
Still, there's no harm in dreaming.