themanchestereveningnews--2020-01-07--Man City player ratings: Bernardo Silva stunning and Fernandinho brilliant vs Manchester United

No clean sheet again , despite very little pressure , but his kicking and passing were very good .
7 Claimed an assist for Bernardo , and his power and pace were a key weapon for City , offensively and defensively .
7 Still found it impossible to deal with fast players , but this was more his kind of game , and he was strong when needed .
6 Took it upon himself to lead the resistance , and we lost count of the times he stepped in , found the header or came away with the ball .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ half , when he was arguably United 's best player - better after the break , when on front foot .
5 Crucial to everything City did , with his own brand of muscular elegance and metronomic passing .
8 Did n't always look at ease in advanced role , but still forced third goal and defended superbly from the front .
7 Kept City moving forward with a smooth , suave performance that complemented Rodri perfectly .
7 Did superbly for his goal , hit the post in the second half but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had a field day .
7 Hugging the touchline gave City the gaps they needed down the middle , and occupied Wan-Bissaka , but not great .
5 His goal was a stunner , but his pass for Mahrez to score the second was even better .
Back to his best - at last .
9 ( for De Bruyne 79 ) A late came for the benched striker .
6

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Claudio Bravo
No clean sheet again, despite very little pressure, but his kicking and passing were very good. 7
Kyle Walker
Claimed an assist for Bernardo, and his power and pace were a key weapon for City, offensively and defensively. 7
Nicolas Otamendi
Still found it impossible to deal with fast players, but this was more his kind of game, and he was strong when needed. 6
Fernandinho
Took it upon himself to lead the resistance, and we lost count of the times he stepped in, found the header or came away with the ball. 9
Benjamin Mendy
Had a stinker of a first half, when he was arguably United's best player - better after the break, when on front foot. 5
Rodri
Crucial to everything City did, with his own brand of muscular elegance and metronomic passing. 8
Kevin De Bruyne
Didn't always look at ease in advanced role, but still forced third goal and defended superbly from the front. 7
Ilkay Gundogan
Kept City moving forward with a smooth, suave performance that complemented Rodri perfectly. 7
Riyad Mahrez
Did superbly for his goal, hit the post in the second half but with United wide open he might have had a field day. 7
Raheem Sterling
Hugging the touchline gave City the gaps they needed down the middle, and occupied Wan-Bissaka, but not great. 5
Bernardo Silva
His goal was a stunner, but his pass for Mahrez to score the second was even better. Back to his best - at last. 9
Subs
Gabriel Jesus
(for De Bruyne 79) A late came for the benched striker. 6
Phil Foden
(for Mahrez 87)
Not used: Ederson, Aguero, D. Silva, Cancelo, Garcia


themanchestereveningnews--2020-01-07--Manchester United player ratings: Jesse Lingard and Phil Jones awful vs Man City

Powerless to prevent any of the goals and actually kept the scoreline down with a couple of saves .
5 Not humiliated by Raheem Sterling - whose scoring drought against United continued - but did not come close to winning their duel .
5 Has been comfortable and complacent for most of the time since he got a new contract .
Without Harry Maguire , he was bereft .
2 Did not bother closing down Bernardo Silva and was embarrassed by Kevin de Bruyne .
How he still starts for United beggars belief .
1 Tenacious throughout but unable to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the wrong foot before City made it 3-0 .
4 Not good enough to be a playmaker , yet regularly starts .
Swamped by the supreme City and scored an own goal .
2 Started well but once City took the game by the lapels Fred could not escape their clutches and he was bossed .
4 Looked jaded in recent weeks and looked so again .
Never got into the game and seems to be lacking in confidence .
2 Captained United for the first time and would rather forget the occasion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make it 1-3 .
5 An improbable starter on current form and the game passed him by .
Some sections of the crowd turned on him and there were some cheers when he was substituted at half-time .
1 Spurned a decent opening at 2-0 that could have got United back into the game .
This was a rare night where he was a boy against men but still assisted Rashford .
4 Acquitted himself well at times .
5

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David de Gea
Powerless to prevent any of the goals and actually kept the scoreline down with a couple of saves. 5
Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Not humiliated by Raheem Sterling - whose scoring drought against United continued - but did not come close to winning their duel. 5
Victor Lindelof
Has been comfortable and complacent for most of the time since he got a new contract. Without Harry Maguire, he was bereft. 2
Phil Jones
Did not bother closing down Bernardo Silva and was embarrassed by Kevin de Bruyne. How he still starts for United beggars belief. 1
Brandon Williams
Tenacious throughout but unable to cope with Riyad Mahrez and challenged with the wrong foot before City made it 3-0. 4
Andreas Pereira
Not good enough to be a playmaker, yet regularly starts. Swamped by the supreme City and scored an own goal. 2
Fred
Started well but once City took the game by the lapels Fred could not escape their clutches and he was bossed. 4
Daniel James
Looked jaded in recent weeks and looked so again. Never got into the game and seems to be lacking in confidence. 2
Marcus Rashford
Captained United for the first time and would rather forget the occasion. Eventually found some joy by scoring to make it 1-3. 5
Jesse Lingard
An improbable starter on current form and the game passed him by. Some sections of the crowd turned on him and there were some cheers when he was substituted at half-time. 1
Mason Greenwood
Spurned a decent opening at 2-0 that could have got United back into the game. This was a rare night where he was a boy against men but still assisted Rashford. 4
Subs
Nemanja Matic
Ponderous. 4
Angel Gomes
Acquitted himself well at times. 5
Anthony Martial
No impact. 5


themanchestereveningnews--2020-01-07--Darren Fletcher blasts Victor Lindelof after Manchester United poor defending vs Man City

Former Manchester United defender Darren Fletcher has torn into Victor Lindelof for his defending during the first half of their Carabao Cup match with Manchester City .
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer 's side trailed their rivals 3-0 at half-time , in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final .
Goals from Bernardo Silva , Riyad Mahrez and an own goal from Andreas Pereira put Pep Guardiola 's side in cruise control at Old Trafford before the break .
For City 's second , scored by Mahrez after breaking the United offside track and rounding De Gea , Fletcher criticised Lindelof @ @ @ @ @ @ @ read the danger after his initial error , after heading the ball straight Silva .
`` This is poor defending from Victor Lindelof .
First and foremost , you 're not playing against a Premier League striker , that is Riyad Mahrez , '' he told Sky Sports at half-time .
`` Not only is it not a good enough header but his reaction , to just amble back , he makes an effort to slide but it probably does n't help de Gea .
`` This is n't good enough , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way there .
That 's fine , it 's a bad header , but what is your recovery like ?
That 's ambling back , that 's jogging back and they have been punished .
`` If you defend like that against Manchester City you 've got no chance .
The third goal , it 's a great counter-attack , but there are two or three defensive mistakes from Manchester United .
If you do that against Manchester City , you get punished . ''

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Former Manchester United defender Darren Fletcher has torn into Victor Lindelof for his defending during the first half of their Carabao Cup match with Manchester City.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side trailed their rivals 3-0 at half-time, in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final.
Goals from Bernardo Silva, Riyad Mahrez and an own goal from Andreas Pereira put Pep Guardiola's side in cruise control at Old Trafford before the break.
For City's second, scored by Mahrez after breaking the United offside track and rounding De Gea, Fletcher criticised Lindelof for a lack of defensive awareness to read the danger after his initial error, after heading the ball straight Silva.
"This is poor defending from Victor Lindelof. First and foremost, you're not playing against a Premier League striker, that is Riyad Mahrez," he told Sky Sports at half-time.
"Not only is it not a good enough header but his reaction, to just amble back, he makes an effort to slide but it probably doesn't help de Gea.
"This isn't good enough, he has to move Mahrez out of the way there. That's fine, it's a bad header, but what is your recovery like? That's ambling back, that's jogging back and they have been punished.
"If you defend like that against Manchester City you've got no chance. The third goal, it's a great counter-attack, but there are two or three defensive mistakes from Manchester United. If you do that against Manchester City, you get punished."


themanchestereveningnews--2020-01-07--The M6 is going to be closed in both directions ALL weekend in Lancashire

The M6 will be closed in both directions all weekend between Preston and Lancaster due to planned roadworks .
Drivers @ @ @ @ @ delays between Friday evening and Monday morning .
The northbound and southbound carriageways will be @ @ @ @ @ 33 to remove a footbridge .
A diversion will be in place on the A6 @ @ @ @ @ 1 and the M6 at junction 33 .
The closures will be for one weekend @ @ @ @ @ .
They will be in place from 9pm on Friday ( Jan 10 ) to @ @ @ @ @ 13 ) .
The tweet , put up at 1pm on Tuesday , said : @ @ @ @ @ check we 're closing northbound and southbound M6 between junction 32 and 33 this weekend @ @ @ @ @ - to remove a footbridge . ''
The closures will be weather dependant .
They @ @ @ @ @ strong winds hit the region as is forecast on Thursday .
A yellow weather warning @ @ @ @ @ and 6pm .

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The M6 will be closed in both directions all weekend between Preston and Lancaster due to planned roadworks.
Drivers heading north should expect long delays between Friday evening and Monday morning.
The northbound and southbound carriageways will be shut between junction 32 and 33 to remove a footbridge.
A diversion will be in place on the A6 between the M55 for junction 1 and the M6 at junction 33.
The closures will be for one weekend only, Highways England tweeted.
They will be in place from 9pm on Friday (Jan 10) to 5am on Monday (Jan 13).
The tweet, put up at 1pm on Tuesday, said: "Subject to Thursday weather check we're closing northbound and southbound M6 between junction 32 and 33 this weekend - for one weekend only - to remove a footbridge."
The closures will be weather dependant - full diversion information here.
They will not go ahead if strong winds hit the region as is forecast on Thursday.
A yellow weather warning is in place between 3am and 6pm.
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themanchestereveningnews--2020-01-07--Man City fans troll Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in derby

Manchester City fans mocked Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as they took a commanding lead in their Carabao Cup semi-final first leg .
City raced out of the blocks at United to take a commanding 3-0 lead at half time of the first leg thanks to goals from Bernardo Silva , Riyad Mahrez and an Andreas Pereira own goal .
Bernardo 's opener was a sublime left-footed shot into the top corner , before he turned provider for Mahrez with a defence-splitting pass and the Algerian winger rounded David de Gea to slot home into an empty net .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kevin De Bruyne , who completely wrong-footed Phil Jones and saw his shot saved into the path of Pereira .
Naturally , the travelling City support were in dreamland at Old Trafford , and did not miss the opportunity to mock their rivals for an inept defensive display .
Among the songs belted out by a jubilant City support was the old classics : `` City , Tearing Cockneys Apart Again '' and a new song referencing Solskjaer 's future at Old Trafford .
There is nothing to suggest Solskjaer will leave United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sparked rumours he could be replaced .
And City fans gave a clear view on the speculation , singing , `` Ole Gunnar Solskjaer , we want you to stay ! ''

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Manchester City fans mocked Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as they took a commanding lead in their Carabao Cup semi-final first leg.
City raced out of the blocks at United to take a commanding 3-0 lead at half time of the first leg thanks to goals from Bernardo Silva, Riyad Mahrez and an Andreas Pereira own goal.
Bernardo's opener was a sublime left-footed shot into the top corner, before he turned provider for Mahrez with a defence-splitting pass and the Algerian winger rounded David de Gea to slot home into an empty net.
City then broke in numbers led by Kevin De Bruyne, who completely wrong-footed Phil Jones and saw his shot saved into the path of Pereira.
Naturally, the travelling City support were in dreamland at Old Trafford, and did not miss the opportunity to mock their rivals for an inept defensive display.
Among the songs belted out by a jubilant City support was the old classics: "City, Tearing Cockneys Apart Again" and a new song referencing Solskjaer's future at Old Trafford.
There is nothing to suggest Solskjaer will leave United, but their inconsistency this season has sparked rumours he could be replaced.
And City fans gave a clear view on the speculation, singing, "Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, we want you to stay!"


themanchestereveningnews--2020-01-07--Manchester United fans name biggest reason for nightmare first half vs Man City

Manchester United fans believe their side 's tactical naivety against Man City was the main reason for their nightmare first half in the Manchester derby .
United were second best in the opening 45 minutes of the Carabao Cup semi final first leg at Old Trafford and trailed 3-0 at the break as Pep Guardiola 's side put themselves firmly in pole position in the tie .
After a quiet start , United were stunned on 16 minutes by a stunning Bernardo Silva strike .
The Portuguese forward cut inside on his favoured left foot and beat David de Gea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ created the better openings in the opening quarter of an hour .
City then continued to dominate and doubled their lead on the half-hour mark when Bernado turned provider for Riyad Mahrez , who ran round De Gea and slotted home into an empty net .
It got worse for United before the break when City countered again through Kevin de Bruyne and the ball rebounded into the net off Andreas Pereira , making it 3-0 .
Supporters on social media highlighted United 's inability to press their opponents and how poor they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reasons behind the dreadful showing .
Many also joked how United were being 'played at their own game ' with City razor sharp on the counter , despite the fact United pulled a goal back in the second half through Marcus Rashford .
Here 's what they said on social media :

Manchester United fans believe their side's tactical naivety against Man City was the main reason for their nightmare first half in the Manchester derby.
United were second best in the opening 45 minutes of the Carabao Cup semi final first leg at Old Trafford and trailed 3-0 at the break as Pep Guardiola's side put themselves firmly in pole position in the tie.
After a quiet start, United were stunned on 16 minutes by a stunning Bernardo Silva strike. The Portuguese forward cut inside on his favoured left foot and beat David de Gea from 25 yards after United had actually created the better openings in the opening quarter of an hour.
City then continued to dominate and doubled their lead on the half-hour mark when Bernado turned provider for Riyad Mahrez, who ran round De Gea and slotted home into an empty net.
It got worse for United before the break when City countered again through Kevin de Bruyne and the ball rebounded into the net off Andreas Pereira, making it 3-0.
Supporters on social media highlighted United's inability to press their opponents and how poor they were from a tactical viewpoint as the reasons behind the dreadful showing. Many also joked how United were being 'played at their own game' with City razor sharp on the counter, despite the fact United pulled a goal back in the second half through Marcus Rashford.
Here's what they said on social media:


themanchestereveningnews--2020-01-07--Police hunt for man who suffered 'significant' stab wound in tussle with woman he attacked

Police are on the hunt for a man who suffered a 'significant ' stab wound in a tussle after he attacked a woman in Rochdale .
Detectives believe he may need 'urgent medical attention ' following the incident on Monday evening .
The victim , in her 50s , was walking her dog along the canal by Bluepits Mill when she was approached by a man armed with a knife .
He then assaulted her .
The pair had a 'brief struggle ' in which the attacker was stabbed .
The man was detained by a group of men who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to struggle free and ran off towards the Blue Pits Pub .
A police helicopter joined the search to find the attacker .
He was described as white , aged in his 20s , of medium build with blond hair .
He was wearing a dark hoodie and tracksuit bottoms .
Police are asking anyone with information on his whereabouts , or who has CCTV from the area , to get in touch .
The woman was left with minor injuries .
She is being supported by specially trained officers .
Det Insp @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rochdale district , said : “ We are very much continuing our search to trace the man who we believe requires urgent medical attention .
“ I would urge him or anyone who knows anything about his whereabouts to get in touch as soon as possible so that he can receive the appropriate treatment .
“ It ’ s also possible that someone could have captured something on CCTV or dash-cam that could assist our enquiries , so I ’ d ask anyone that was in the area last night to please have @ @ @ @

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Police are on the hunt for a man who suffered a 'significant' stab wound in a tussle after he attacked a woman in Rochdale.
Detectives believe he may need 'urgent medical attention' following the incident on Monday evening.
The victim, in her 50s, was walking her dog along the canal by Bluepits Mill when she was approached by a man armed with a knife.
He then assaulted her.
The pair had a 'brief struggle' in which the attacker was stabbed.
The man was detained by a group of men who were walking nearby.
But he managed to struggle free and ran off towards the Blue Pits Pub.
Police were called at 6.20pm.
A police helicopter joined the search to find the attacker.
He was described as white, aged in his 20s, of medium build with blond hair. He was wearing a dark hoodie and tracksuit bottoms.
Police are asking anyone with information on his whereabouts, or who has CCTV from the area, to get in touch.
The woman was left with minor injuries. She is being supported by specially trained officers.
Det Insp Mark McDowall, of GMP’s Rochdale district, said: “We are very much continuing our search to trace the man who we believe requires urgent medical attention.
“I would urge him or anyone who knows anything about his whereabouts to get in touch as soon as possible so that he can receive the appropriate treatment.
“It’s also possible that someone could have captured something on CCTV or dash-cam that could assist our enquiries, so I’d ask anyone that was in the area last night to please have a look.”


themanchestereveningnews--2020-01-07--If Piccadilly expansion isn't signed off, rail chaos will 'continue endlessly into the future' - and

If Piccadilly expansion isn't signed off, rail chaos will 'continue endlessly into the future' - and the Ordsall Chord has made things WORSE

Rail chaos will ‘ continue endlessly into the future ’ unless government FINALLY signs off on promised upgrades to Piccadilly and Oxford Road stations , northern leaders are to be told - six years after they were first pledged by George Osborne .
A pan-northern meeting of council chiefs will hear tomorrow how the delayed expansion of both stations has been a 'key ' cause of the chaos that has been crippling the north ’ s network .
They will also hear that the opening of the £85m Ordsall Chord link through Castlefield , an investment regularly celebrated by ministers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worse - because it was not coupled with the rest of the investment originally proposed .
A report going before Transport for the North says there are only three choices now facing government : pay for the infrastructure , cut train services or accept ‘ the very poor reliability ’ that comes from running current number of services through the existing bottleneck .
It recommends northern leaders call on government to finally sign off on the platform expansions originally proposed , costed at between £700m and £800m .
Piccadilly and Oxford Road stations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ upgrades as part of George Osborne ’ s ‘ Northern Hub ’ plan in 2014 , of which the Ordsall Chord was also part .
At Piccadilly , two extra platforms 15 and 16 were planned , while at Oxford Road remodelled platforms would have allowed for longer trains .
But although the necessary legal processes - including a public inquiry - for the station upgrades were completed in 2015 , the decision has been sitting on ministerial desks ever since .
That then meant that the beleaguered Northern Rail franchise , let @ @ @ @ @ @ @ improved corridor that didn ’ t materialise .
“ As a consequence of historic long term underinvestment , the current railway infrastructure in central Manchester does not support all the services that need to operate and which have been planned to be run to accommodate current passenger levels , ” says the report going before TfN tomorrow , “ so that some train services that have been contracted in the current franchises are not able to operate ; and services that do run have far lower reliability than is required.
” It goes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the issues on the network are down to problems within Northern Rail and Transpennine Express - such as train crew availability - ‘ much of the unreliability ’ suffered by northern passengers ‘ can only be resolved by infrastructure enhancement , without which that large element of unreliability will continue endlessly into the future ’ .
The absence of the promised upgrades , it adds , is ‘ a key part of why the infrastructure is inadequate and has contributed to the very significant deterioration in reliability of train services ’ .
Less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ northern cities currently run on time , it notes .
In a damning indictment of government transport policy , it also says that the Ordsall Chord itself - regularly cited by ministers as an example of transformative northern investment - has actually made things worse .
“ Services through central Manchester go to/from virtually the whole of the North of England , so delays caused there have a serious detrimental impact right across the north , ” says the report .
“ The opening of the Ordsall Chord has made this more complex @ @ @ @ @ @ @ area .
`` Provision of adequate infrastructure in central Manchester is therefore essential for improving reliability of train services across the North of England.
” The report recommends that ministers be urged to sign off on the Piccadilly and Oxford Road investment immediately ‘ rather than long-term reductions in services or unreliable operation ’ and that ‘ detailed design ’ be begun ‘ without further delay ’ .
But it also notes that some short-term cuts to services may well also be necessary in the interim .
It comes as ministers have repeatedly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ M.E.N .
about the extra capacity promised for Piccadilly and Oxford Road by George Osborne .
Most recently , on Monday , Chancellor Sajid Javid - while promising an ‘ infrastructure revolution ’ in the north - said the decision would be up to the Department of Transport and local leaders .
During the election , when the M.E.N .
asked transport secretary Grant Shapps the same question during a walkabout in Bolton , he suggested the plan formed part of Northern Powerhouse Rail - the entirely separate high-speed rail project across the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the extra platforms predate that plan and are part of pre-existing proposals by George Osborne to increase capacity , he said : “ You may have more detail than I do on that , ” and promised to provide more details on the situation .
In September , the M.E.N .
asked northern powerhouse minister Jake Berry about the delay .
“ We are spending taxpayer ’ s money - and what we have to be driven [ by ] isn ’ t shiny new platforms , it ’ s by outcomes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the government has to be sure that the new platforms are what is required to deliver that desperately needed capacity . ''
However the TfN report , written by the body ’ s head of investment Jim Bamford , says the government 's own rail officials already believe the improvements are the only way forward .
Network Rail - the government ’ s rail infrastructure body - has already reviewed the original plan and found ‘ that there is no simpler and cheaper set of works on the Castlefield corridor itself ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of train services , it notes .
The report is set to go before northern leaders in Leeds on Wednesday afternoon .

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Rail chaos will ‘continue endlessly into the future’ unless government FINALLY signs off on promised upgrades to Piccadilly and Oxford Road stations, northern leaders are to be told - six years after they were first pledged by George Osborne.
A pan-northern meeting of council chiefs will hear tomorrow how the delayed expansion of both stations has been a 'key' cause of the chaos that has been crippling the north’s network.
They will also hear that the opening of the £85m Ordsall Chord link through Castlefield, an investment regularly celebrated by ministers, has actually made the overall situation worse - because it was not coupled with the rest of the investment originally proposed.
A report going before Transport for the North says there are only three choices now facing government: pay for the infrastructure, cut train services or accept ‘the very poor reliability’ that comes from running current number of services through the existing bottleneck.
It recommends northern leaders call on government to finally sign off on the platform expansions originally proposed, costed at between £700m and £800m.
(Image: PA)
Piccadilly and Oxford Road stations had originally been in line for significant upgrades as part of George Osborne’s ‘Northern Hub’ plan in 2014, of which the Ordsall Chord was also part.
At Piccadilly, two extra platforms 15 and 16 were planned, while at Oxford Road remodelled platforms would have allowed for longer trains.
But although the necessary legal processes - including a public inquiry - for the station upgrades were completed in 2015, the decision has been sitting on ministerial desks ever since .
That then meant that the beleaguered Northern Rail franchise, let in 2016, was designed for an improved corridor that didn’t materialise.
“As a consequence of historic long term underinvestment, the current railway infrastructure in central Manchester does not support all the services that need to operate and which have been planned to be run to accommodate current passenger levels,” says the report going before TfN tomorrow, “so that some train services that have been contracted in the current franchises are not able to operate; and services that do run have far lower reliability than is required.”
(Image: Martin Rickett/PA Wire)
It goes on to outline that while some of the issues on the network are down to problems within Northern Rail and Transpennine Express - such as train crew availability - ‘much of the unreliability’ suffered by northern passengers ‘can only be resolved by infrastructure enhancement, without which that large element of unreliability will continue endlessly into the future’.
The absence of the promised upgrades, it adds, is ‘a key part of why the infrastructure is inadequate and has contributed to the very significant deterioration in reliability of train services’.
Less than half of the trains serving all northern cities currently run on time, it notes.
In a damning indictment of government transport policy, it also says that the Ordsall Chord itself - regularly cited by ministers as an example of transformative northern investment - has actually made things worse.
“Services through central Manchester go to/from virtually the whole of the North of England, so delays caused there have a serious detrimental impact right across the north,” says the report.
(Image: Sean Hansford Manchester Evening)
“The opening of the Ordsall Chord has made this more complex and transmits more delay across a larger area.
"Provision of adequate infrastructure in central Manchester is therefore essential for improving reliability of train services across the North of England.”
The report recommends that ministers be urged to sign off on the Piccadilly and Oxford Road investment immediately ‘rather than long-term reductions in services or unreliable operation’ and that ‘detailed design’ be begun ‘without further delay’.
But it also notes that some short-term cuts to services may well also be necessary in the interim.
It comes as ministers have repeatedly refused to directly answer questions from the M.E.N. about the extra capacity promised for Piccadilly and Oxford Road by George Osborne.
Most recently, on Monday, Chancellor Sajid Javid - while promising an ‘infrastructure revolution’ in the north - said the decision would be up to the Department of Transport and local leaders .
During the election, when the M.E.N. asked transport secretary Grant Shapps the same question during a walkabout in Bolton, he suggested the plan formed part of Northern Powerhouse Rail - the entirely separate high-speed rail project across the north still being planned.
(Image: Getty Images)
When told the extra platforms predate that plan and are part of pre-existing proposals by George Osborne to increase capacity, he said: “You may have more detail than I do on that,” and promised to provide more details on the situation.
In September, the M.E.N. asked northern powerhouse minister Jake Berry about the delay.
“We are spending taxpayer’s money - and what we have to be driven [by] isn’t shiny new platforms, it’s by outcomes," he said.
“And therefore, the government has to be sure that the new platforms are what is required to deliver that desperately needed capacity."
However the TfN report, written by the body’s head of investment Jim Bamford, says the government's own rail officials already believe the improvements are the only way forward.
Network Rail - the government’s rail infrastructure body - has already reviewed the original plan and found ‘that there is no simpler and cheaper set of works on the Castlefield corridor itself’ that would allow for the current number of train services, it notes.
The report is set to go before northern leaders in Leeds on Wednesday afternoon.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-01-08--Manchester United are at risk of insulting supporters in the January transfer window

Marcel Bout , the head of global scouting , was sat in his usual seat in a packed directors ' box on Tuesday night .
Matthew Judge , the head of corporate development tasked with negotiating transfers , was next to Ed Woodward .
Amid the Manchester club dignitaries and guests , there was no space for a Manchester United director of football .
United were close to establishing that role .
Ten months ago .
Bout should perhaps be in the Netherlands or elsewhere , atoning for his appraisal of Matthijs de Ligt and hit-rate with Louis van Gaal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' , touching base with agents and gauging whether the personality of transfer targets is aligned with United 's criteria .
Woodward is no longer involved in recruitment .
The United manager is a problem but not the biggest problem .
They are aimless and oblivious , about as strategic as Donald Trump in his quest for approval ratings .
Trump is at least more quick-fire .
United are a football club devoid of an authoritative football figure .
Sources have pointed out Real Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur do not have a technical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ multiple European Cup winners as figureheads .
United had one and eventually undermined Jose Mourinho at every turn .
Robin van Persie rattled Ole Gunnar Solskjaer but had a point .
United have morphed from Sir Alex Ferguson 's final season of 'if you can not find [ Van Persie ] you will not play ' to if you do not play well you will play .
Ferguson was flush with anger during Manchester City 's stroll .
Be it the Coolmore dispute or the anointment of David Moyes , Ferguson is partly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dominance ) .
Enough time has passed for the club to have mopped up the mess , only they are still run by financial figures accused of being more interested in cash than cups .
The Glazers may have been delighted with a replay against Wolves .
Woodward might skip next week 's visit to Anfield , the graveyard of Mourinho 's last stand .
If Real Madrid were humiliated by Barcelona and Atletico Madrid in the same month , Zinedine Zidane would not bother driving into their Valdebebas training ground the morning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ short in the summer with their inexplicable one-at-a-time strategy .
They took their time with deals for Daniel James , Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Harry Maguire , then ran out of time .
David Gill 's legacy was finalising deals for Nani and Anderson on the same day in 2007 .
United 's unhurried approach in the summer contributed to Solskjaer selecting Phil Jones and resorting to Jesse Lingard .
The latter was more unforgivable in that Lingard was picked at Arsenal on New Year 's Day on the strength of what he had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Solskjaer recalled him against City via the same argument .
How United have the gall to resist doing business this month unless the right player is available is an insult to supporters who clicked through the Old Trafford turnstiles to discover Lingard had been improbably recalled .
The use of 'Jonah ' to describe Jones in Solskjaer 's post-match press conference was another soundbite from a manager who struggles to chime with matchgoers these days .
If United had a director of football , a technical director , a head of football , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they might have the gumption to give Lingard a dosage of reality .
His alliance with Mino Raiola , an agent who last week said he would n't 'bring anyone else ' to United , has made Lingard 's position abundantly clear .
Lingard should perhaps be told he will not be considered for selection , is free to negotiate terms with his next club and informed of the asking price so he can relay it to interested clubs .
Lingard can go this month or in the summer .
There is only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your artwork on the walls of the academy building whilst underperforming for upwards of 18 months .
Jones is the nadir of the brainless contract strategy at United .
This time last year , he had approached the last six months of his contract and United had the option of an additional year .
Even his representatives ' eyebrows raised when Judge called to broach the subject of an entirely new , four-and-a-half year contract .
`` It 's a signal for the players that we believe in them , '' Solskjaer explained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ press releases were handed out headlined 'Jones signs new deal ' .
`` It 's a signal for the supporters that we plan ahead .
And Phil has been here for so long .
`` He 's won the Premier League , he 's won trophies , he knows what it takes .
He 's been here so long so it 's one of them things , he knows what it takes for us to move up the table . ''
Jones is a survivor from the last title-winning United squad , only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2012-13 .
He was an unused substitute in the 2016 FA Cup and 2017 Europa League final triumphs and injured for that year 's League Cup final .
He got cramp chasing Riyad Mahrez 's shadow last night .
Andreas Pereira , neither a playmaker nor a midfielder , has come to symbolise Solskjaer 's softness .
The indulgence of Paul Pogba is an insult to United 's ethos , though Woodward was responsible for empowering the player over the manager .
Victor Lindelof has succumbed to complacency in the wake of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of spurious speculation Barcelona wanted him .
As of October , United claimed they were still on the lookout for a director of football but conscious he or she would be 'annihilated ' if installed , since supporters would view them as 'coming over the hill on a white steed to save the day ' .
United need saving and the seat is still vacant .

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Marcel Bout, the head of global scouting, was sat in his usual seat in a packed directors' box on Tuesday night. Matthew Judge, the head of corporate development tasked with negotiating transfers, was next to Ed Woodward.
Amid the Manchester club dignitaries and guests, there was no space for a Manchester United director of football. United were close to establishing that role. Ten months ago.
Bout should perhaps be in the Netherlands or elsewhere, atoning for his appraisal of Matthijs de Ligt and hit-rate with Louis van Gaal. Judge is supposedly 'at the coalface', touching base with agents and gauging whether the personality of transfer targets is aligned with United's criteria. Woodward is no longer involved in recruitment.
The United manager is a problem but not the biggest problem. They are aimless and oblivious, about as strategic as Donald Trump in his quest for approval ratings. Trump is at least more quick-fire.
United are a football club devoid of an authoritative football figure. Sources have pointed out Real Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur do not have a technical director. True, though they have multiple European Cup winners as figureheads. United had one and eventually undermined Jose Mourinho at every turn.
Robin van Persie rattled Ole Gunnar Solskjaer but had a point. United have morphed from Sir Alex Ferguson's final season of 'if you cannot find [Van Persie] you will not play' to if you do not play well you will play. Ferguson was flush with anger during Manchester City's stroll.
Be it the Coolmore dispute or the anointment of David Moyes, Ferguson is partly culpable for the United AD (after dominance). Enough time has passed for the club to have mopped up the mess, only they are still run by financial figures accused of being more interested in cash than cups. The Glazers may have been delighted with a replay against Wolves.
Woodward might skip next week's visit to Anfield, the graveyard of Mourinho's last stand. If Real Madrid were humiliated by Barcelona and Atletico Madrid in the same month, Zinedine Zidane would not bother driving into their Valdebebas training ground the morning after.
The United deal-makers sold Solskjaer short in the summer with their inexplicable one-at-a-time strategy. They took their time with deals for Daniel James, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Harry Maguire, then ran out of time. David Gill's legacy was finalising deals for Nani and Anderson on the same day in 2007.
United's unhurried approach in the summer contributed to Solskjaer selecting Phil Jones and resorting to Jesse Lingard. The latter was more unforgivable in that Lingard was picked at Arsenal on New Year's Day on the strength of what he had done than what he was doing. Solskjaer recalled him against City via the same argument.
How United have the gall to resist doing business this month unless the right player is available is an insult to supporters who clicked through the Old Trafford turnstiles to discover Lingard had been improbably recalled. The use of 'Jonah' to describe Jones in Solskjaer's post-match press conference was another soundbite from a manager who struggles to chime with matchgoers these days.
If United had a director of football, a technical director, a head of football, whatever you want to call them, they might have the gumption to give Lingard a dosage of reality. His alliance with Mino Raiola, an agent who last week said he wouldn't 'bring anyone else' to United, has made Lingard's position abundantly clear.
Lingard should perhaps be told he will not be considered for selection, is free to negotiate terms with his next club and informed of the asking price so he can relay it to interested clubs. Lingard can go this month or in the summer. There is only so long you can trade off having your artwork on the walls of the academy building whilst underperforming for upwards of 18 months.
Jones is the nadir of the brainless contract strategy at United. This time last year, he had approached the last six months of his contract and United had the option of an additional year. Even his representatives' eyebrows raised when Judge called to broach the subject of an entirely new, four-and-a-half year contract.
"It's a signal for the players that we believe in them," Solskjaer explained on that morning at Carrington when fresh press releases were handed out headlined 'Jones signs new deal'. "It's a signal for the supporters that we plan ahead. And Phil has been here for so long.
"He's won the Premier League, he's won trophies, he knows what it takes. He's been here so long so it's one of them things, he knows what it takes for us to move up the table."
Jones is a survivor from the last title-winning United squad, only he started 13 Premier League matches in 2012-13. He was an unused substitute in the 2016 FA Cup and 2017 Europa League final triumphs and injured for that year's League Cup final. He got cramp chasing Riyad Mahrez's shadow last night.
Andreas Pereira, neither a playmaker nor a midfielder, has come to symbolise Solskjaer's softness. The indulgence of Paul Pogba is an insult to United's ethos, though Woodward was responsible for empowering the player over the manager. Victor Lindelof has succumbed to complacency in the wake of a new contract doled out on the basis of spurious speculation Barcelona wanted him.
As of October, United claimed they were still on the lookout for a director of football but conscious he or she would be 'annihilated' if installed, since supporters would view them as 'coming over the hill on a white steed to save the day'. United need saving and the seat is still vacant.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-01-08--Police 'extremely concerned' for an elderly man with dementia who is missing from his south Manchest

Police 'extremely concerned' for an elderly man with dementia who is missing from his south Manchester home

Police have issued an urgent appeal for information after a man with dementia was reported missing from his south Manchester @ @ @ @ @ James O ’ Donnell , who lives on Pearn Road in Burnage , was reported @ @ @ @ @ ( January 8 ) .
James was last seen at his home address last night @ @ @ @ @ He is described as slim with short white hair and a bald patch .
Read @ @ @ @ @ stories here James is said to have spoken regularly about Wythenshawe over the last few @ @ @ @ @ bowls at the Lifestyle Centre in the area .
“ We are concerned for his @ @ @ @ @ mental health , ” a GMP spokesperson said on Facebook .
Anyone with information on @ @ @ @ @ asked to contact police on 101 and quote reference number MSP/06A3/0000007/20 .
Alternatively , you @ @ @ @ @ or call 116 000 .

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*UPDATE* Police have now confirmed James has been found safe and well.
Police have issued an urgent appeal for information after a man with dementia was reported missing from his south Manchester home.
Officer say 79-year-old James O’Donnell, who lives on Pearn Road in Burnage , was reported missing at 0948hrs this morning (January 8).
James was last seen at his home address last night (January 7).
He was wearing a big winter coat.
He is described as slim with short white hair and a bald patch.
James is said to have spoken regularly about Wythenshawe over the last few weeks and he often plays bowls at the Lifestyle Centre in the area.
James also attends Hough End Leisure Centre every day.
“We are concerned for his welfare due to his deteriorating mental health,” a GMP spokesperson said on Facebook.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of James is asked to contact police on 101 and quote reference number MSP/06A3/0000007/20.
Alternatively, you can visit the GMP website or call 116 000.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-01-08--Kevin De Bruyne pinpoints Man City's most underrated star

Kevin De Bruyne called for Fernandinho to be given due respect after converting from a world-class midfielder to a brilliant defender .
The Manchester City ace was asked to step into the back four in the summer , after the Blues lost skipper Vincent Kompany .
And with Aymeric Laporte suffering a cruciate ligament injury in September , the Brazil international has become the main man in the back four and is set to keep his place when Laporte returns to action in the next couple of weeks .
But , while City have earned plaudits for the way they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Fernandinho ’ s name often gets overlooked when their star names are listed .
After another stellar display from the 34-year-old in the 3-1 Carabao Cup semi-final first leg win at Manchester United , De Bruyne put that right .
He said : “ Dinho can play everywhere .
Since I came here he ’ s been really under-rated .
For me he was one of the best defensive midfielders in the world , and now he just comes in as a central defender and does what he does .
“ Props @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 35 and it ’ s not easy to play a new position , especially when you ’ ve never done it in the 14 years before that.
” Fernandinho is set to sign a one-year extension to his contract after impressing Guardiola and the City executive team with his fitness and performance levels .
And yet a knee injury he picked up at Old Trafford during the 2-0 win in April , and aggravated during the Copa America in summer meant that his season did not even start until the middle of September @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a peripheral figure , who would wind down his City career and leave next summer .
That seems to be the case no longer , because as De Bruyne says , he has come back strongly from that setback and over Christmas he played a staggering four games in 11 days , and completed 90 minutes in every one !
“ He has done brilliantly , ” said De Bruyne .
“ He came back a little bit late with some physical issues because of the injuries he had last year and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the moment he played he needed a couple of games and then is on a roll .
He ’ s somebody who , when he plays , feels good .
“ He probably feels a little bit tired now , but at the age he is , you are going to take it .
He is doing brilliantly for us .
”

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Kevin De Bruyne called for Fernandinho to be given due respect after converting from a world-class midfielder to a brilliant defender.
The Manchester City ace was asked to step into the back four in the summer, after the Blues lost skipper Vincent Kompany.
And with Aymeric Laporte suffering a cruciate ligament injury in September, the Brazil international has become the main man in the back four and is set to keep his place when Laporte returns to action in the next couple of weeks.
But, while City have earned plaudits for the way they play and the trophies they have won, Fernandinho’s name often gets overlooked when their star names are listed.
After another stellar display from the 34-year-old in the 3-1 Carabao Cup semi-final first leg win at Manchester United, De Bruyne put that right.
He said: “Dinho can play everywhere. Since I came here he’s been really under-rated. For me he was one of the best defensive midfielders in the world, and now he just comes in as a central defender and does what he does.
“Props to him, because obviously he is 35 and it’s not easy to play a new position, especially when you’ve never done it in the 14 years before that.”
Fernandinho is set to sign a one-year extension to his contract after impressing Guardiola and the City executive team with his fitness and performance levels.
And yet a knee injury he picked up at Old Trafford during the 2-0 win in April, and aggravated during the Copa America in summer meant that his season did not even start until the middle of September – and it looked like he might be a peripheral figure, who would wind down his City career and leave next summer.
That seems to be the case no longer, because as De Bruyne says, he has come back strongly from that setback and over Christmas he played a staggering four games in 11 days, and completed 90 minutes in every one!
“He has done brilliantly,” said De Bruyne. “He came back a little bit late with some physical issues because of the injuries he had last year and in the summer.
“But from the moment he played he needed a couple of games and then is on a roll. He’s somebody who, when he plays, feels good.
“He probably feels a little bit tired now, but at the age he is, you are going to take it. He is doing brilliantly for us.”


themanchestereveningnews--2020-01-08--Man City perfected Manchester United's tactical downfall in just 15 minutes

Manchester City spent just FIFTEEN minutes , on the morning of the match , perfecting the game plan that demolished Manchester United .
Blues manager Pep Guardiola came up with an ingenious plan which placed the Reds defence under intense pressure at the back , and meant City had midfield dominance .
Leaving strikers Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus on the bench , Guardiola had Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva pushing high on the United defence , supported by Riyad Mahrez and Raheem Sterling on either side .
United failed to cope and were 3-0 down at half time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cup semi-final , recovering in the second half as City wound down and ran out 3-1 winners .
De Bruyne , who was a crucial part of the system , revealed afterwards that they had spent just a quarter of an hour , in a light training session at the City Football Acadaemy , hours before the game , to try out the plan .
“ We did 15 minutes this morning , and that was about it , ” he said after the match , and said the players did not know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yesterday we didn ’ t train that , this morning we did .
But it ’ s not like we never did it before – we did it sometimes against teams that prefer to play man against man , Cardiff , United , in Barcelona away we did it the first year with Pep , so we ’ ve done it a couple of times .
“ I do n't think there is a lot of difference , we played a lot of times already that way , against Arsenal .
“ Obviously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the midfield so it 's a little bit difficult for us because wherever we run they tried to follow us .
“ With Bernardo dropping it 's four against three in the midfield so they have to choose then what they do - if they put the defender there , there 's more options , more space in behind , and if not , Bernardo 's going to be free and that 's what we tried to exploit.
” It worked to perfection as Bernardo scored a brilliant first goal , created @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then combined with De Bruyne and Mahrez to force the third .
City had a fluid front four , with Mahrez and Sterling drifting inside while De Bruyne and Bernardo took up wide positions as well – and it confused the hell out of the Reds .
That kind of interchange is almost second nature to City players now , after three years of working under Guardiola .
Said De Bruyne : “ It just depends where you move on the pitch - you move all the time but if I 'm a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Riyad is inside I have to take his role and he has to take mine so that 's a responsibility .
“ When we had our chances we tried to stay more in shape defensively .
People always look that we try to keep the ball but we try to keep it in a certain way that defensively we don ’ t get caught .
“ We play that way , and everyone knows there is space in behind us – it ’ s the risk we take in the way we play @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to calculate .
“ We minimised those counter-attacks , and played well defensively and offensively .
”

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Manchester City spent just FIFTEEN minutes, on the morning of the match, perfecting the game plan that demolished Manchester United.
Blues manager Pep Guardiola came up with an ingenious plan which placed the Reds defence under intense pressure at the back, and meant City had midfield dominance.
Leaving strikers Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus on the bench, Guardiola had Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva pushing high on the United defence, supported by Riyad Mahrez and Raheem Sterling on either side.
United failed to cope and were 3-0 down at half time of the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final, recovering in the second half as City wound down and ran out 3-1 winners.
De Bruyne, who was a crucial part of the system, revealed afterwards that they had spent just a quarter of an hour, in a light training session at the City Football Acadaemy, hours before the game, to try out the plan.
“We did 15 minutes this morning, and that was about it,” he said after the match, and said the players did not know the formation until that moment.
“Yesterday we didn’t train that, this morning we did. But it’s not like we never did it before – we did it sometimes against teams that prefer to play man against man, Cardiff, United, in Barcelona away we did it the first year with Pep, so we’ve done it a couple of times.
(Image: Manchester City FC via Getty Images)
“I don't think there is a lot of difference, we played a lot of times already that way, against Arsenal.
“Obviously they tried to play man against man in the midfield so it's a little bit difficult for us because wherever we run they tried to follow us.
“With Bernardo dropping it's four against three in the midfield so they have to choose then what they do - if they put the defender there, there's more options, more space in behind, and if not, Bernardo's going to be free and that's what we tried to exploit.”
It worked to perfection as Bernardo scored a brilliant first goal, created the second for Riyad Mahrez, and then combined with De Bruyne and Mahrez to force the third.
City had a fluid front four, with Mahrez and Sterling drifting inside while De Bruyne and Bernardo took up wide positions as well – and it confused the hell out of the Reds.
That kind of interchange is almost second nature to City players now, after three years of working under Guardiola.
Follow chief City writer Stuart Brennan on social media To follow Stuart on Twitter, click here. Or to like his Facebook page and keep up to date with the latest breaking news, click here. Here's the link to the M.E.N's main Manchester City Facebook page where we share our latest Blues news.
Said De Bruyne: “It just depends where you move on the pitch - you move all the time but if I'm a little bit on the right side and Riyad is inside I have to take his role and he has to take mine so that's a responsibility.
“When we had our chances we tried to stay more in shape defensively. People always look that we try to keep the ball but we try to keep it in a certain way that defensively we don’t get caught.
“We play that way, and everyone knows there is space in behind us – it’s the risk we take in the way we play, and it’s something we have to calculate.
“We minimised those counter-attacks, and played well defensively and offensively.”


themanchestereveningnews--2020-01-08--Piers Morgan slams Ant McPartlin’s NTA win during ‘year off’ in scathing rant at ITV co-stars

Regular Good Morning Britain viewers will know that Piers Morgan is forever seething over his programme ’ s inability to win a National Television Award .
The accolade , which often lands in the hands of arch nemesis show This Morning , is something of a sticking point for Piers - so much so he today announced he will boycott this year ’ s ceremony .
He went on an emotional rant , as he often does , about GMB ’ s lack of 'Daytime Programme ' awards over the years when he decided to take a random swipe at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TV presenter award with Declan Donnelly in 2019 despite taking time off following a drink driving conviction .
Piers , 54 , raged : “ There was a celebration last night of 25 years of the NTAs .
Why bother ?
It ’ s literally groundhog day .
Ant and Dec , Ant and Dec , Ant and Dec , Ant and Dec. “ Even when Ant had the year off walking his dog he got an award .
It ’ s ridiculous.
” He also took a pop at This Morning presenters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the award each year is perhaps insincere .
He mocked : “ Holly and Phil go , what , us ?
Us ?
Little old us ?
For the 55th consecutive year ?
Oh !
“ Then they do the old , we ’ re one big happy family at ITV , when everyone knows we ’ re a seething hot bed of backstabbing liars , charlatans , drunkards .
They know who they are .
“ Anyway I wish Holly and Phil all the best - fingers crossed guys , hope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to the glitzy awards night , which will be held at the O2 London on January 28 , he will instead be watching the footy .
He went on : “ I ’ m going to be at home eating a nice steak and nice 05 claret and watching the football .
“ I ’ m not going to any more awards ceremonies where you literally sit there and the camera pans on my big sweaty head at the precise moment the say , and the winner is… This Morning.
” We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all the latest TV , entertainment and features from the Manchester Evening News .
To keep up to date with all that is happening , and to join in the discussion , follow the page here .

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Regular Good Morning Britain viewers will know that Piers Morgan is forever seething over his programme’s inability to win a National Television Award.
The accolade, which often lands in the hands of arch nemesis show This Morning, is something of a sticking point for Piers - so much so he today announced he will boycott this year’s ceremony.
He went on an emotional rant, as he often does, about GMB’s lack of 'Daytime Programme' awards over the years when he decided to take a random swipe at Ant McPartlin.
Ant won the best TV presenter award with Declan Donnelly in 2019 despite taking time off following a drink driving conviction.
Piers, 54, raged: “There was a celebration last night of 25 years of the NTAs. Why bother? It’s literally groundhog day. Ant and Dec, Ant and Dec, Ant and Dec, Ant and Dec.
“Even when Ant had the year off walking his dog he got an award. It’s ridiculous.”
He also took a pop at This Morning presenters Holly and Phil, suggesting their acceptance of the award each year is perhaps insincere.
He mocked: “Holly and Phil go, what, us? Us? Little old us? For the 55th consecutive year? Oh!
“Then they do the old, we’re one big happy family at ITV, when everyone knows we’re a seething hot bed of backstabbing liars, charlatans, drunkards. They know who they are.
“Anyway I wish Holly and Phil all the best - fingers crossed guys, hope you do it again.”
Instead of going to the glitzy awards night, which will be held at the O2 London on January 28, he will instead be watching the footy.
He went on: “I’m going to be at home eating a nice steak and nice 05 claret and watching the football.
“I’m not going to any more awards ceremonies where you literally sit there and the camera pans on my big sweaty head at the precise moment the say, and the winner is… This Morning.”
GMB airs weekdays from 6am on ITV.
MANCHESTER ENTS
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To keep up to date with all that is happening, and to join in the discussion, follow the page here .


themanchestereveningnews--2020-01-08--Detectives launch investigation after man dies in Bolton - latest updates

Detectives have launched an investigation after a man died in Bolton .
Greater Manchester Police said they were called to Forester Hill Avenue at around 4pm on Tuesday .
A man believed to be in his 30s was treated at the scene for a head injury .
He was taken to hospital where he died .
The road has been taped off and forensic officers are at the scene .
Police have arrested four men – aged 39 , 20 , 39 and 35 – and a 43-year-old woman on suspicion of manslaughter .
They all remain in custody for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , of GMP ’ s Major Incident Team , said : “ Our thoughts are with the man ’ s family at this dreadful time .
“ The investigation is in its early stage and we are working hard to provide much-needed answers for the man ’ s loved ones .
While we have five people in custody our enquiries remain ongoing and we are appealing to the public for any information they might have about the circumstances leading up to the man ’ s death .
“ We are particularly interested to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an assault or altercation on Deal Street , close to the junction with Rishton Lane in Bolton at around 12.30pm earlier the same day –Tuesday 7 January 2020.
” We 'll bring you updates on this story below .
Follow us on and for the latest news .
We are also on .
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app helps bring you closer to the latest news where you live .
Available on iPhone and Android , the app can be tailor-made to bring you the latest on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the latest on your football club , the pick of the week ’ s events and the latest travel - you can tailor the app to suit you .
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newsdesk@men-news.co.uk (Rebecca Day, Thomas George)

Detectives have launched an investigation after a man died in Bolton .
Greater Manchester Police said they were called to Forester Hill Avenue at around 4pm on Tuesday.
A man believed to be in his 30s was treated at the scene for a head injury.
He was taken to hospital where he died.
The road has been taped off and forensic officers are at the scene.
Police have arrested four men – aged 39, 20, 39 and 35 – and a 43-year-old woman on suspicion of manslaughter. They all remain in custody for police questioning.
Det Insp Gareth Davies, of GMP’s Major Incident Team, said: “Our thoughts are with the man’s family at this dreadful time.
“The investigation is in its early stage and we are working hard to provide much-needed answers for the man’s loved ones. While we have five people in custody our enquiries remain ongoing and we are appealing to the public for any information they might have about the circumstances leading up to the man’s death.
“We are particularly interested to hear from anyone who may have witnessed an assault or altercation on Deal Street, close to the junction with Rishton Lane in Bolton at around 12.30pm earlier the same day –Tuesday 7 January 2020.”
We'll bring you updates on this story below.
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themanchestereveningnews--2020-01-08--SAS Who Dares Wins host Ant Middleton praises Donald Trump's ‘balls’ when discussing Iran air strike

SAS Who Dares Wins host Ant Middleton praises Donald Trump's ‘balls’ when discussing Iran air strikes

Ant Middleton has praised Donald Trump for having ‘ ‘ backbone and balls ’ ’ when discussing the recent Iran air strike .
The adventurer and TV presenter was on Good Morning Britain to discuss his new series of SAS Who Dares Wins when he threw his support behind the US president .
The discussion came following the death of General Qasem Suleimani in a US drone strike at Baghdad International Airport .
Piers spoke of the “ immediate hysteria ” surrounding news events such as this , and asked Ant , a former soldier , to “ put the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ viewers at home .
Ant said : “ President Trump didn ’ t just act on a whim , there was concrete evidence that there was a threat to his people and he acted accordingly .
“ I think it ’ s quite refreshing that there ’ s a president out there that ’ s willing to put the safety of his citizens before any political agenda .
That takes backbone , that takes balls .
It ’ s quite refreshing to see.
” When Piers warned him that he would receive a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ant said he didn ’ t care .
“ I think this whole political correctness culture is slowly dying out , ” he replied .
“ People are realising that feelings and emotions are irrelevant .
Facts are facts , facts are positive or negative.
” Piers agreed that there is a “ backlash ” against PC .
Susanna Reid tried to soften the conversation by asking Ant if he has a sensitive side , saying that feelings are not irrelevant .
Ant replied : “ Yes but in the grand scheme of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decisions based on people ’ s feelings or emotions , it has got to be factual.
” Piers then joked that Ant would “ cuddle me once you ’ d killed me ” .
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To keep up to date with all that is happening , and to join in the discussion , follow the page here .

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Ant Middleton has praised Donald Trump for having ‘‘backbone and balls’’ when discussing the recent Iran air strike.
The adventurer and TV presenter was on Good Morning Britain to discuss his new series of SAS Who Dares Wins when he threw his support behind the US president.
The discussion came following the death of General Qasem Suleimani in a US drone strike at Baghdad International Airport.
Piers spoke of the “immediate hysteria” surrounding news events such as this, and asked Ant, a former soldier, to “put the Iran crisis into perspective” for the viewers at home.
Ant said: “President Trump didn’t just act on a whim, there was concrete evidence that there was a threat to his people and he acted accordingly.
“I think it’s quite refreshing that there’s a president out there that’s willing to put the safety of his citizens before any political agenda. That takes backbone, that takes balls. It’s quite refreshing to see.”
When Piers warned him that he would receive a backlash on Twitter for his comments, Ant said he didn’t care.
“I think this whole political correctness culture is slowly dying out,” he replied.
(Image: ITV)
“People are realising that feelings and emotions are irrelevant. Facts are facts, facts are positive or negative.”
Piers agreed that there is a “backlash” against PC.
Susanna Reid tried to soften the conversation by asking Ant if he has a sensitive side, saying that feelings are not irrelevant.
(Image: ITV)
Ant replied: “Yes but in the grand scheme of things. You can’t make decisions based on people’s feelings or emotions, it has got to be factual.”
Piers then joked that Ant would “cuddle me once you’d killed me”.
GMB airs weekdays from 6am on ITV.
MANCHESTER ENTS
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themanchestereveningnews--2020-01-08--Child, 10, found dead in plane's landing gear at Paris airport

A 10-year-old child has been found dead in the undercarriage of a plane from the Ivory Coast .
The youngster 's lifeless body was found in the landing gears of the Air France plane which had travelled from Abidjan yesterday , the Mirror reports .
It is reported the child is a boy , but this has not been confirmed .
The plane , a Boeing 777 , had landed at Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris at around 5pm on Tuesday .
Air France said in a statement that an investigation into the death is ongoing .
In a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Air France confirms that the lifeless body of a stowaway was discovered in the well of the landing gear of the aircraft performing flight AF703 connecting Abidjan ( ABJ ) to Paris-Charles de Gaulle on January 7 , 2020 . ''
The journey usually takes around six hours .
Last year , the body of a stowaway was found in the garden of a house near Heathrow Airport in London after falling from an aircraft that was flying in from Kenya .
He landed inches away from a man who had been sunbathing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ London .
The stowaway was found with a rucksack , two bottles of drink , a pair of trainers and some other small items .
Get breaking news first on the free Manchester Evening News app - download it here for your Apple or Android device .
You can also get a round-up of the biggest stories sent direct to your inbox every day with the MEN email newsletter - subscribe here .
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newsdesk@men-news.co.uk (Neil Murphy, Helen Carter)

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A 10-year-old child has been found dead in the undercarriage of a plane from the Ivory Coast.
The youngster's lifeless body was found in the landing gears of the Air France plane which had travelled from Abidjan yesterday, the Mirror reports.
It is reported the child is a boy, but this has not been confirmed.
The plane, a Boeing 777, had landed at Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris at around 5pm on Tuesday.
Air France said in a statement that an investigation into the death is ongoing.
In a statement, Air France said: "Air France confirms that the lifeless body of a stowaway was discovered in the well of the landing gear of the aircraft performing flight AF703 connecting Abidjan (ABJ) to Paris-Charles de Gaulle on January 7, 2020."
The journey usually takes around six hours.
Last year, the body of a stowaway was found in the garden of a house near Heathrow Airport in London after falling from an aircraft that was flying in from Kenya.
He landed inches away from a man who had been sunbathing in his garden in Clapham, South London.
The stowaway was found with a rucksack, two bottles of drink, a pair of trainers and some other small items.
Get breaking news first on the free Manchester Evening News app - download it here for your Apple or Android device. You can also get a round-up of the biggest stories sent direct to your inbox every day with the MEN email newsletter - subscribe here. And you can follow us on Facebook here.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-01-08--Paul Pogba sends message to Manchester United supporters after ankle operation

Paul Pogba has told Manchester United 's supporters 'the hard work starts now ' following his ankle surgery .
The French midfielder , who has featured in just eight of United 's 32 games this season , went under the knife on Tuesday and is expected to be sidelined for a further three to four weeks .
Pogba stayed in hospital overnight on Tuesday but was allowed to return home on Wednesday morning .
In a video the 26-year-old uploaded to Instagram as he was wheeled out of hospital , he said : `` Okay , leaving the hospital , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
From now .
Let 's go , let 's do this , let 's come back strong bro .
Damn . ''
United have won two of the eight games Pogba has featured in this season and won 12 of the 24 he has been absent for .
Pogba was unavailable for United between September 30 and December 22 due to an ankle problem but returned as a second-half substitute in United 's loss at Watford before Christmas .
Another appearance followed against Newcastle on Boxing Day before he missed the trips @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the new year .
It was after the Arsenal game that Solskjaer confirmed Pogba would be undergoing surgery after a joint decision was reached by United 's medical staff and the Frenchman 's personal team .
United expect Pogba to stay at United this month but his future at the club beyond this season is less certain .

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Paul Pogba has told Manchester United's supporters 'the hard work starts now' following his ankle surgery.
The French midfielder, who has featured in just eight of United's 32 games this season, went under the knife on Tuesday and is expected to be sidelined for a further three to four weeks.
Pogba stayed in hospital overnight on Tuesday but was allowed to return home on Wednesday morning.
In a video the 26-year-old uploaded to Instagram as he was wheeled out of hospital, he said: "Okay, leaving the hospital, going to start working, from now. From now. Let's go, let's do this, let's come back strong bro. Damn."
United have won two of the eight games Pogba has featured in this season and won 12 of the 24 he has been absent for.
Pogba was unavailable for United between September 30 and December 22 due to an ankle problem but returned as a second-half substitute in United's loss at Watford before Christmas.
Another appearance followed against Newcastle on Boxing Day before he missed the trips to Burnley and Arsenal either side of the new year.
It was after the Arsenal game that Solskjaer confirmed Pogba would be undergoing surgery after a joint decision was reached by United's medical staff and the Frenchman's personal team.
United expect Pogba to stay at United this month but his future at the club beyond this season is less certain.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-01-08--Two boys charged following burglary that left man seriously injured

Two boys are due to appear in court following a burglary which left a man seriously injured in Wigan .
The 14-year-old teens , who can not be named for legal reasons , are due to appear at Manchester Youth Court tomorrow ( Thursday ) .
One has been charged with section 18 assault , section 47 assault , burglary , aggravated vehicle taking , dangerous driving , driving without insurance and driving without a licence .
The other boy has been charged with being carried in a stolen vehicle .
The charges relate to a burglary which took place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were called at 3.30pm to reports of a burglary on Woodvale Avenue , a small residential street in Aspull .
A 65-year-old man was seriously injured , police said .
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app helps bring you closer to the latest news where you live .
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Two boys are due to appear in court following a burglary which left a man seriously injured in Wigan.
The 14-year-old teens, who cannot be named for legal reasons, are due to appear at Manchester Youth Court tomorrow (Thursday).
One has been charged with section 18 assault, section 47 assault, burglary, aggravated vehicle taking, dangerous driving, driving without insurance and driving without a licence.
The other boy has been charged with being carried in a stolen vehicle.
The charges relate to a burglary which took place on Monday, January 6.
Police were called at 3.30pm to reports of a burglary on Woodvale Avenue, a small residential street in Aspull.
A 65-year-old man was seriously injured, police said.
Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for the latest news. We are also on Instagram .
If you are on the go, the M.E.N. app helps bring you closer to the latest news where you live. Available on iPhone and Android , the app can be tailor-made to bring you the latest on what matters to you.
Breaking news, the latest on your football club, the pick of the week’s events and the latest travel - you can tailor the app to suit you. Our push notifications help highlight the biggest stories to you first.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-01-08--The chilling footage that shows serial rapist Reynhard Sinaga on the hunt

This is the chilling footage that shows serial rapist Reynhard Sinaga on the hunt .
Predator Sinaga , 36 , has been convicted of a string of sex offences against 48 men following a two-year spree in which he drugged his victims and filmed the attacks .
However detectives believe the true number of victims is at least 195 , based on a dossier of video evidence found at Sinaga ’ s home .
Sinaga - who detectives describe as a psychopath - still claims that his victims agree to consensual sex .
He has been jailed for life and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years .
During four trials at Manchester Crown Court he claimed that each of his victims pretended to be asleep to satisfy his sexual fantasy .
Read more of today 's stories here In fact he hunted his victims from his flat at Montana House , in Manchester city centre - which is close to some of the city ’ s most popular nightclubs .
He then spiked their drink with the potentially lethal drug GHB , incapacitating them to the point of coma before carrying out the attacks .
Footage released by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of his victims on Princess Street , close to his flat .
The videos - which were shown to jurors during Sinaga ’ s third trial - show the PhD student leaving his apartment block seeking a victim to take home .
He can be seen running out of his front door and racing down the stairs to the front door .
Sinaga then runs down Princess Street , past the Factory nightclub and towards Charles Street .
He can be seen crossing the road close to the Joshua Brooks pub .
Cameras @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House before he slows his pace and is captured sauntering down the street at a gentle pace .
Police say the CCTV footage shows the moments before Sinaga approached one of his many victims and convinced him to come back to his flat before raping him .
SInaga is thought to be the most prolific rapist in British judicial history .
During his unprecedented crime spree - between January 2015 and May 2017 - he carried out 128 rapes , 16 attempted rapes , 13 sexual assaults and two assaults by penetration relating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first on the free Manchester Evening News app - download it here for your Apple or Android device .
You can also get a round-up of the biggest stories sent directly to your inbox every day with the MEN email newsletter - subscribe here .
And you can follow us on Facebook here .

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This is the chilling footage that shows serial rapist Reynhard Sinaga on the hunt.
Predator Sinaga, 36, has been convicted of a string of sex offences against 48 men following a two-year spree in which he drugged his victims and filmed the attacks.
However detectives believe the true number of victims is at least 195, based on a dossier of video evidence found at Sinaga’s home.
Sinaga - who detectives describe as a psychopath - still claims that his victims agree to consensual sex.
He has been jailed for life and ordered to serve a minimum of 30 years.
During four trials at Manchester Crown Court he claimed that each of his victims pretended to be asleep to satisfy his sexual fantasy.
In fact he hunted his victims from his flat at Montana House, in Manchester city centre - which is close to some of the city’s most popular nightclubs.
He then spiked their drink with the potentially lethal drug GHB, incapacitating them to the point of coma before carrying out the attacks.
(Image: Joel Goodman)
Footage released by Greater Manchester Police shows Sinaga hunting one of his victims on Princess Street, close to his flat.
The videos - which were shown to jurors during Sinaga’s third trial - show the PhD student leaving his apartment block seeking a victim to take home.
He can be seen running out of his front door and racing down the stairs to the front door.
Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will auto-play soon 8 Cancel Play now
Sinaga then runs down Princess Street, past the Factory nightclub and towards Charles Street.
He can be seen crossing the road close to the Joshua Brooks pub.
Cameras then capture him running back towards Montana House before he slows his pace and is captured sauntering down the street at a gentle pace.
Police say the CCTV footage shows the moments before Sinaga approached one of his many victims and convinced him to come back to his flat before raping him.
SInaga is thought to be the most prolific rapist in British judicial history.
During his unprecedented crime spree - between January 2015 and May 2017 - he carried out 128 rapes, 16 attempted rapes, 13 sexual assaults and two assaults by penetration relating to 48 men.
Get breaking news first on the free Manchester Evening News app - download it here for your Apple or Android device. You can also get a round-up of the biggest stories sent directly to your inbox every day with the MEN email newsletter - subscribe here. And you can follow us on Facebook here.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-01-08--Man City players Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Tommy Doyle celebrate Man Utd win in away end

Plenty is made of the Manchester backgrounds of Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Tommy Doyle , and they proved themselves to be true Manchester City fans as they were filmed celebrating the club 's latest win at Old Trafford .
Defender Harwood-Bellis and midfielder Doyle had both played in the previous match against Port Vale , but were left out of the squad to face Manchester United as more senior players returned in the Carabao Cup semi final .
Any disappointment the duo may have had , though , did n't appear to stop them from taking their places in the Old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fans who were treated to a devastating first half followed by a more controlled second period .
Defender Aleks Zinchenko and youth team player Lewis Fiorini were also spotted among the away fans on Tuesday night .
As City controlled the game from the moment Bernardo Silva fired them ahead , the noisy travelling fans serenaded Old Trafford with a number of songs and taunts .
And a video on Twitter taken by fan Tony Preston ( @ tony_mcfc1894 ) shows how Harwood-Bellis and Doyle were giving their backing to the first team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a chant .
After the game goalscorer Bernardo dedicated the win to the travelling fans , who he called 'unbelievable ' on the night .
`` We were disappointed [ last month in the 2-1 defeat ] because losing at home it is not normal for us .
Coming here , it makes up to our fans who were once again unbelievable tonight and helped us get this win . ''

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Plenty is made of the Manchester backgrounds of Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Tommy Doyle, and they proved themselves to be true Manchester City fans as they were filmed celebrating the club's latest win at Old Trafford.
Defender Harwood-Bellis and midfielder Doyle had both played in the previous match against Port Vale, but were left out of the squad to face Manchester United as more senior players returned in the Carabao Cup semi final.
Any disappointment the duo may have had, though, didn't appear to stop them from taking their places in the Old Trafford away end with 3,000 other City fans who were treated to a devastating first half followed by a more controlled second period.
Defender Aleks Zinchenko and youth team player Lewis Fiorini were also spotted among the away fans on Tuesday night.
As City controlled the game from the moment Bernardo Silva fired them ahead, the noisy travelling fans serenaded Old Trafford with a number of songs and taunts.
And a video on Twitter taken by fan Tony Preston (@tony_mcfc1894) shows how Harwood-Bellis and Doyle were giving their backing to the first team from the stands as they joined in a chant.
After the game goalscorer Bernardo dedicated the win to the travelling fans, who he called 'unbelievable' on the night.
"We were disappointed [last month in the 2-1 defeat] because losing at home it is not normal for us. Coming here, it makes up to our fans who were once again unbelievable tonight and helped us get this win."


themanchestereveningnews--2020-01-08--Manchester United told why Jack Grealish can be their new Eric Cantona

Manchester United have been urged to sign Jack Grealish in the summer transfer window while being told he could be like a new Eric Cantona for the club .
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is eager to continue his rebuild of the club by signing young , homegrown players with potential - and Grealish fits the bill - although MEN Sport understand Leicester star James Maddison remains their priority transfer target .
Grealish has enjoyed a fine start to the season contributing eight goals and six assists while captaining his boyhood club on their return to the top-flight of English football .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'loves ' the 24-year-old and thinks a move to Old Trafford should be considered if Villa were to go down .
Not only that , but the veteran manager believes Grealish possesses similar traits to those of United legend Cantona .
`` I do think he 's a horrible little so-and-so , because you just know if someone breathes on him , he 's going down .
But his ability is fantastic and he has got better .
`` But his ability is fantastic .
He has got better .
You talk about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think he ’ s quite good enough to be a Man United player .
`` With the right two players behind him , the quality behind him… Maddison is the more complete player of the two regarding box-to-box , I think Jack just gives you that little bit more special magic in that final third .
`` That ’ s what I say about Manchester United , he ’ s that kind of player you know like a Cantona played for Man United , I think he ’ ll strut his business @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he ’ s got all the tricks in the trade .
And he sees a pass as well , you know , he can play it simple . ''
Speaking earlier in the month Villa manager Dean Smith warned sides interested in signing Grealish that they can look but ca n't touch amid the growing speculation .
`` I think he ’ s a big target for many teams and you can see why , '' he said .
`` He ’ s having his record season goal scoring season , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ve waxed lyrical about him very often but as I ’ ve said before , our owners are very ambitious about establishing us as a top Premier League football club and to do that you have to keep your best players .
`` We will be keeping hold of Jack Grealish and people can keep looking , but they can ’ t touch . ''

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Manchester United have been urged to sign Jack Grealish in the summer transfer window while being told he could be like a new Eric Cantona for the club.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is eager to continue his rebuild of the club by signing young, homegrown players with potential - and Grealish fits the bill - although MEN Sport understand Leicester star James Maddison remains their priority transfer target.
Grealish has enjoyed a fine start to the season contributing eight goals and six assists while captaining his boyhood club on their return to the top-flight of English football.
Former Cardiff manager Neil Warnock admits he 'loves' the 24-year-old and thinks a move to Old Trafford should be considered if Villa were to go down.
Not only that, but the veteran manager believes Grealish possesses similar traits to those of United legend Cantona.
"I do love him!," Warnock told talkSPORT.
"I do think he's a horrible little so-and-so, because you just know if someone breathes on him, he's going down. But his ability is fantastic and he has got better.
"But his ability is fantastic. He has got better. You talk about Manchester United again… if Villa go down I think he’s quite good enough to be a Man United player.
"With the right two players behind him, the quality behind him… Maddison is the more complete player of the two regarding box-to-box, I think Jack just gives you that little bit more special magic in that final third.
"That’s what I say about Manchester United, he’s that kind of player you know like a Cantona played for Man United, I think he’ll strut his business.
"‘He goes past you, he’s got all the tricks in the trade. And he sees a pass as well, you know, he can play it simple."
Speaking earlier in the month Villa manager Dean Smith warned sides interested in signing Grealish that they can look but can't touch amid the growing speculation.
"I think he’s a big target for many teams and you can see why," he said.
"He’s having his record season goal scoring season, he’s a top player and I’ve waxed lyrical about him very often but as I’ve said before, our owners are very ambitious about establishing us as a top Premier League football club and to do that you have to keep your best players.
"We will be keeping hold of Jack Grealish and people can keep looking, but they can’t touch."