themanchestereveningnews--2020-01-12--Aaron Wan-Bissaka praises two Manchester United teammates

Aaron Wan-Bissaka praised Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood after Manchester United 's attacking duo both scored in Saturday 's humbling of Norwich at Old Trafford .
Rashford scored either side of half-time to give United a 2-0 lead before Greenwood came off the bench to fire home his ninth goal of the season .
Anthony Martial was also on target .
`` The team played well , '' Wan-Bissaka said of United 's showing against Norwich .
`` The performance was high , the confidence [ was high too ] , as you can see , getting more goals and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's only right for us and the fans to give a performance like that and keep everyone happy . ''
On the performance of Rashford , who now has 19 club goals for the season , United 's right-back said : `` His form has always been high , ever since I joined .
It 's what I expected from him and that 's good for him . ''
One more goal for Greenwood will see the prodigious teenager move into double figures for the campaign and Wan-Bissaka was delighted to see him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him , in front of the goal , it 's a no-brainer , '' Wan-Bissaka said to MUTV .
`` I think he 's going to hit the target and score and it 's good for him that he 's taken the chance . ''
Chelsea 's win over Burnley at Stamford Bridge ensured the gap between them in fourth and United in fifth remains at five points with 16 league games left to play .
Wan-Bissaka is confident United can make up the ground and qualify for next season 's Champions League @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team that we can get there , '' the former Crystal Palace defender said .
`` We 've just got to take it game by game and keep the performances the same . ''

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Aaron Wan-Bissaka praised Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood after Manchester United's attacking duo both scored in Saturday's humbling of Norwich at Old Trafford.
Rashford scored either side of half-time to give United a 2-0 lead before Greenwood came off the bench to fire home his ninth goal of the season. Anthony Martial was also on target.
"The team played well," Wan-Bissaka said of United's showing against Norwich. "The performance was high, the confidence [was high too], as you can see, getting more goals and keeping a clean sheet.
"It's only right for us and the fans to give a performance like that and keep everyone happy."
On the performance of Rashford, who now has 19 club goals for the season, United's right-back said: "His form has always been high, ever since I joined. It's what I expected from him and that's good for him."
One more goal for Greenwood will see the prodigious teenager move into double figures for the campaign and Wan-Bissaka was delighted to see him find the net again.
"For him, in front of the goal, it's a no-brainer," Wan-Bissaka said to MUTV. "I think he's going to hit the target and score and it's good for him that he's taken the chance."
Chelsea's win over Burnley at Stamford Bridge ensured the gap between them in fourth and United in fifth remains at five points with 16 league games left to play.
Wan-Bissaka is confident United can make up the ground and qualify for next season's Champions League.
"I'm confident in the team that we can get there," the former Crystal Palace defender said. "We've just got to take it game by game and keep the performances the same."


themanchestereveningnews--2020-01-12--Police thank heroes who detained armed man after robbery at Ladbrokes betting shop

Police have praised the quick-thinking members of the public who helped detain an armed man after a robbery .
The 34-year-old man tried to run away from the Ladbrokes betting shop in the Spinning Gate Shopping Centre in Leigh after a robbery on Saturday afternoon ( January 11 ) .
But members of the public managed to detain him outside , despite him threatening them , Greater Manchester Police say .
One of the have-a-go heroes was injured during the process .
The man - who was armed with a weapon - was arrested by police when they arrived at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be wanted for a number of other offences , including further robberies in the area .
He was arrested on suspicion of robbery , assault and recall to prison and remains in custody for questioning .
GMP Leigh , Atherton & Hindley thanked the members of public involved , writing on Facebook : `` Thank you to those members of the public who put their own safety at risk to assist , despite the threats of the offender , and him being armed with a weapon . ''
A number of people commented @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members of the public .
Joan said : `` Well done everyone involved , especially the public . ''
Pamela added : `` Wow , well done to the public , especially the injured . ''
Anyone who witnessed this incident , or has any information that may be relevant is asked to contact GMP on 101 quoting incident 1678 of 11th January .
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Police have praised the quick-thinking members of the public who helped detain an armed man after a robbery.
The 34-year-old man tried to run away from the Ladbrokes betting shop in the Spinning Gate Shopping Centre in Leigh after a robbery on Saturday afternoon (January 11).
But members of the public managed to detain him outside, despite him threatening them, Greater Manchester Police say.
One of the have-a-go heroes was injured during the process.
The man - who was armed with a hammer and a wheel brace - was arrested by police when they arrived at the scene.
He was found to be wanted for a number of other offences, including further robberies in the area.
He was arrested on suspicion of robbery, assault and recall to prison and remains in custody for questioning.
GMP Leigh, Atherton & Hindley thanked the members of public involved, writing on Facebook: "Thank you to those members of the public who put their own safety at risk to assist, despite the threats of the offender, and him being armed with a weapon."
Detective Inspector John Davies, of GMP’s Wigan district, also commended the brave actions of the passers-by.
He said: “I would like to commend the brave actions of the passers-by who intervened to prevent the robbery – thankfully there were no serious injuries but clearly given the weapons involved, this could have had much worse consequences.
“Due to additional patrols in the area, we were able to respond to this incident very quickly.
“A man remains in custody today and will be questioned by our team of detectives but we know a number of people witnessed this incident so I would encourage anyone with information to contact us.”
Follow reporter Ashlie Blakey on social media To follow Ashlie on Twitter, click here. Or to like her 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 Facebook page where we share our latest stories.
A number of people commented on the Facebook post, also praising the members of the public.
Joan said: "Well done everyone involved, especially the public."
Pamela added: "Wow, well done to the public, especially the injured."
Anyone who witnessed this incident, or has any information that may be relevant is asked to contact GMP on 101 quoting incident 1678 of 11th January.
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--2020-01-12--Manchester United transfer news LIVE Jack Grealish and Bruno Fernandes latest plus Paul Pogba injury

Marcus Rashford marked his 200th Manchester United appearance with a brace against Norwich as the Reds recorded their first win @ @ @ @ @ Goals either side of half-time from the England forward put United 2-0 up before further @ @ @ @ @ Mason Greenwood secured the hosts ' joint-biggest win of the season .
Sections of United @ @ @ @ @ anti-Glazer and anti-Ed Woodward chants during the second half and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer called for @ @ @ @ @ a difficult period .
`` I can only say from when I 've been here @ @ @ @ @ the owners , I 've been backed by Ed and they 're supporting me , @ @ @ @ @ sure they stick together , '' Solskjaer said .
Solskjaer was coy when specifically asked @ @ @ @ @ with a move to United from Sporting Lisbon .
Stick with us as we bring @ @ @ @ @ news and transfer chat .

newsdesk@men-news.co.uk ( Charlotte Duncker)

Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer declined to give an update on his club's pursuit of signing Bruno Fernandes in this transfer window.
United are understood to be interested in signing Sporting Lisbon playmaker Fernandes, 25, nearly five months after club sources expressed their 'irritation' at planted stories in the Portuguese media. United did not approach Sporting with an offer for Fernandes in the summer but could go ahead with a deal before the January 31 deadline with negotiations ongoing.
MEN Sport understands United regard the £50million rated Fernandes as an appealing mid-season addition following injuries to midfielders Scott McTominay and Paul Pogba.
Solskjaer said he couldn't provide an update while speaking in a press-conference ahead of the FA Cup replay with Wolves, which takes place at Old Trafford on Tuesday night.
United have also been linked with a host of strikers, including Raul Jimenez and Moussa Dembele.
Stay tuned for the latest United news throughout the day.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-01-12--The Manchester grime artist who turned a childhood hobby into a million-pound multimedia empire

On the face of it , grime is seen by many as just another music genre .
But to Nikhil Nagarkar , it ’ s not only a way of life - it ’ s been a life saver .
The 35-year-old is a successful businessman and one half of critically acclaimed Manchester grime collective Virus Syndicate .
His company - Eye3 Media , based at The Sharp Project in Newton Heath - has successfully turned over more than £1million since its launch in 2014 , something that he never thought possible given his background .
While at school , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of students - his teachers often told him he would never amount to anything , and he dropped out with no qualifications before he sat his exams .
After falling in with the wrong crowd , his life started to spiral out of control as he got in and out of trouble as he struggled to work out what he wanted to do with his life .
But he found a lifeline from a surprise place - music .
A lifelong lover of hip hop , jungle , dubstep and grime , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into a business venture .
Nik told the Manchester Evening News : “ I was told in school I demonstrated no ability in anything whatsoever .
I was no good at exams - I ended up leaving with no qualifications and had no prospects .
“ After then I was in and out of trouble and it wasn ’ t until I was about 18 when I got into music .
That sort of gave me a bit of focus .
Especially when I started working and it became a career rather than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jungle were always something that Nik was fascinated by , so it was only natural that dubstep and grime followed suit .
And it was with a fusion of these that Nik , aka Nika D , created Virus Syndicate with his pal David Hindley , aka JSD , and their mates DJ Dre , Shado , Goldfinger , Rimic , CB , and Markone .
One year later , the group saw a line up change - Nik and JSD were joined by Mark One and Goldfinger .
“ We initially formed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Moor Road , ” he explained .
“ We came together through mutual friends .
“ At the time everyone was forming grime crews but wanted to be different and have a name that wouldn ’ t pigeon hole ourselves too much , hence the name 'syndicate ' - although we did toy with the idea of being Virus Crew at the very start.
” Keen to get their music out there , Nik and JSD joined radio station Rinse FM in 2004 as presenters and used it as a platform for their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staunch following from listeners who loved their music , but they also scooped a record deal .
“ It was pretty unbelievable , ” said Nik .
“ We went from MCing over jungle to mixing grime with dubstep , then playing our music on the radio , performing at small venues .
Next thing we know Virgin Planet Mu are offering us a record deal .
“ Our first album was critically acclaimed and our first video went top 10 on MTV Slowdown .
We couldn ’ t believe it.
” It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decided to turn what they knew into a business of their own , and set up Eye3 Media .
When they are not selling out venues across the globe as Virus Syndicate , they run their own label and media company , which creates multi-platform video content .
“ I am nothing special - I am just a bit relentless , ” Nik laughed .
“ A lot of people feel that there are no opportunities but I feel like in Manchester now there are more opportunities to be whatever you can be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now.
” Nik also believes that Manchester is grime ’ s unofficial homeland - a movement that might even be more prevalent than Oasis ’ s Britpop era .
“ Grime is embedded into the culture of the city , ” he said .
“ I think it ’ s not necessarily the music .
It ’ s the culture , the way you dress , speak and act .
The way you are .
“ I feel it ’ s more of a cultural thing than even Oasis - grime applies to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in south Manchester .
“ I ’ m from a mixed race background and because of the mix in diversity , I think that ’ s why it has been embraced so much here.
” Dad-of-one Nik said he doesn ’ t see the culture slowing down any time soon .
“ Grime is going to get bigger and bigger , ” he said .
“ People are growing up with it - As that happens more and more , the next generation will continue with it .
“ I have a little @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s only 17 months old and she loves it .
She will grow up thinking it ’ s the norm , and hopefully will continue the legacy.
” To find out more about Eye3 Media visit https : //ey3media.com/ .
To find out more about The Sharp Project , visit https : //www.thesharpproject.co.uk/ .
We have a dedicated Facebook page bringing you 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 @ @ @ @ @ @

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On the face of it, grime is seen by many as just another music genre.
But to Nikhil Nagarkar, it’s not only a way of life - it’s been a life saver.
The 35-year-old is a successful businessman and one half of critically acclaimed Manchester grime collective Virus Syndicate.
His company - EY3 Media, based at The Sharp Project in Newton Heath - has successfully turned over more than £1million since its launch in 2014, something that he never thought possible given his background.
While at school, Nik wasn’t the most academic of students - his teachers often told him he would never amount to anything, and he dropped out with no qualifications before he sat his exams.
After falling in with the wrong crowd, his life started to spiral out of control as he got in and out of trouble as he struggled to work out what he wanted to do with his life.
But he found a lifeline from a surprise place - music.
A lifelong lover of hip hop, jungle, dubstep and grime, in 2001 Nik found himself turning his passion into a business venture.
Nik told the Manchester Evening News: “I was told in school I demonstrated no ability in anything whatsoever. I was no good at exams - I ended up leaving with no qualifications and had no prospects.
“After then I was in and out of trouble and it wasn’t until I was about 18 when I got into music. That sort of gave me a bit of focus. Especially when I started working and it became a career rather than a pipe dream.”
Hip hop and jungle were always something that Nik was fascinated by, so it was only natural that dubstep and grime followed suit.
And it was with a fusion of these that Nik, aka Nika D, created Virus Syndicate with his pal David Hindley, aka JSD, and their mates DJ Dre, Shado, Goldfinger, Rimic, CB, and Markone.
One year later, the group saw a line up change - Nik and JSD were joined by Mark One and Goldfinger.
“We initially formed at Fielden Park youth centre on Barlow Moor Road,” he explained. “We came together through mutual friends.
“At the time everyone was forming grime crews but wanted to be different and have a name that wouldn’t pigeon hole ourselves too much, hence the name 'syndicate' - although we did toy with the idea of being Virus Crew at the very start.”
Keen to get their music out there, Nik and JSD joined radio station Rinse FM in 2004 as presenters and used it as a platform for their creativity.
They received not only a staunch following from listeners who loved their music, but they also scooped a record deal.
“It was pretty unbelievable,” said Nik. “We went from MCing over jungle to mixing grime with dubstep, then playing our music on the radio, performing at small venues. Next thing we know Virgin Planet Mu are offering us a record deal.
“Our first album was critically acclaimed and our first video went top 10 on MTV Slowdown. We couldn’t believe it.”
It was in 2014 that Nik and JSD decided to turn what they knew into a business of their own, and set up Eye3 Media.
When they are not selling out venues across the globe as Virus Syndicate, they run their own label and media company, which creates multi-platform video content.
“I am nothing special - I am just a bit relentless,” Nik laughed. “A lot of people feel that there are no opportunities but I feel like in Manchester now there are more opportunities to be whatever you can be. Probably anywhere in the world right now.”
Nik also believes that Manchester is grime’s unofficial homeland - a movement that might even be more prevalent than Oasis’s Britpop era.
“Grime is embedded into the culture of the city,” he said. “I think it’s not necessarily the music. It’s the culture, the way you dress, speak and act. The way you are.
“I feel it’s more of a cultural thing than even Oasis - grime applies to a more multicultural audience which especially resonates in south Manchester.
“I’m from a mixed race background and because of the mix in diversity, I think that’s why it has been embraced so much here.”
Dad-of-one Nik said he doesn’t see the culture slowing down any time soon.
“Grime is going to get bigger and bigger,” he said. “People are growing up with it - As that happens more and more, the next generation will continue with it.
“I have a little girl, called Kyra, she’s only 17 months old and she loves it. She will grow up thinking it’s the norm, and hopefully will continue the legacy.”
To find out more about EY3 Media visit https://ey3media.com/ .
To find out more about The Sharp Project, visit https://www.thesharpproject.co.uk/ .
MANCHESTER ENTS
We have a dedicated Facebook page bringing you 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 .


themanchestereveningnews--2020-01-12--How one woman's Instagram meals landed her a spot cooking for Mary Berry

She started out by sharing her recipes on Instagram and now mum-of-one Sarah Woods is aiming to impress Mary Berry with her cooking .
Sarah Woods , 42 , from Wilmslow , is one of 10 contestants working hard in the kitchen on the BBC One show Best Home Cook .
The eight-part series , which is now two weeks in , follows home cooks as they 're put through the paces by the doyenne of baking , Michelin-starred chef Angela Hartnett and veg expert Chris Bavin .
Sarah , who launched her own website and started posting recipes on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how she landed a spot on the show presented by Claudia Winkleman .
`` I 've always had a passion for food , there 's a real community vibe in Wilmslow and I 'm a massive feeder , '' she said .
`` I started doing cooking lessons with friends , things like what to do with mince , and I started my own website myhomecooked.co.uk and posting on Instagram .
I turned 40 and I thought 'life begins at 40 . '
`` At first I thought it was a hoax when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the show and then I had to apply like everyone else . ''
Sarah , a pharmaceutical recruitment partner , learned to cook by helping her mother and grandmother in the kitchen and one of her earliest memories is helping to make 500 samosas for a party when she was five years old .
She says she was born with a passion for food and describes her cooking style as a hybrid of traditional Indian and British cooking with other global influences .
And Sarah loves cooking for her husband Harvey , 43 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` I grew up in a food obsessed family , '' she told us .
`` We always had lots of friends and family visiting and our home was like Piccadilly Circus .
`` I love to entertain and provide nourishment .
My goal is to share my passion for cooking . ''
Each week , the cooks are faced with challenges including the eliminator challenge , where they must follow one of Angela 's recipes perfectly and the judges send home the cook responsible for making their least favourite version of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the moon to be on the show , '' said Sarah .
`` It 's a once in a lifetime opportunity to even be in the same building with Mary Berry and Angela Hartnett .
She is amazing , her , Mary and Claudia .
`` It 's great to have female role models and they are the best out there and it 's a huge honour and a privilege to work with them . ''
She added : `` I 've had such lovely feedback .
`` I made a pear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be told you have a nice pear .
`` The British food scene is so exciting at the moment .
`` I do n't want to stay in the same place and I want to learn new dishes . ''
Best Home Cook is screened on Thursdays at 8pm .
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .

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She started out by sharing her recipes on Instagram and now mum-of-one Sarah Woods is aiming to impress Mary Berry with her cooking.
Sarah Woods, 42, from Wilmslow, is one of 10 contestants working hard in the kitchen on the BBC One show Best Home Cook.
The eight-part series, which is now two weeks in, follows home cooks as they're put through the paces by the doyenne of baking, Michelin-starred chef Angela Hartnett and veg expert Chris Bavin.
Sarah, who launched her own website and started posting recipes on Instagram after she turned 40, explained how she landed a spot on the show presented by Claudia Winkleman.
"I've always had a passion for food, there's a real community vibe in Wilmslow and I'm a massive feeder," she said.
"I started doing cooking lessons with friends, things like what to do with mince, and I started my own website myhomecooked.co.uk and posting on Instagram. I turned 40 and I thought 'life begins at 40.'
"I just started posting recipes and promoting home cooking.
"At first I thought it was a hoax when I was asked to take part in the show and then I had to apply like everyone else."
Sarah, a pharmaceutical recruitment partner, learned to cook by helping her mother and grandmother in the kitchen and one of her earliest memories is helping to make 500 samosas for a party when she was five years old.
She says she was born with a passion for food and describes her cooking style as a hybrid of traditional Indian and British cooking with other global influences.
And Sarah loves cooking for her husband Harvey, 43, and their son Austin, 10.
"I grew up in a food obsessed family," she told us.
"We always had lots of friends and family visiting and our home was like Piccadilly Circus.
"I love to entertain and provide nourishment. My goal is to share my passion for cooking."
Each week, the cooks are faced with challenges including the eliminator challenge, where they must follow one of Angela's recipes perfectly and the judges send home the cook responsible for making their least favourite version of the dish.
"I'm absolutely over the moon to be on the show," said Sarah.
"It's a once in a lifetime opportunity to even be in the same building with Mary Berry and Angela Hartnett. She is amazing, her, Mary and Claudia.
(Image: BBC)
"It's great to have female role models and they are the best out there and it's a huge honour and a privilege to work with them."
She added: "I've had such lovely feedback.
"I made a pear dish and it's always flattering to be told you have a nice pear.
"The British food scene is so exciting at the moment.
"I don't want to stay in the same place and I want to learn new dishes."
Best Home Cook is screened on Thursdays at 8pm.
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--2020-01-12--The village pub with a stately feel on the edge of magnificent parkland - review

On a clear , blue-skied Sunday , Lyme Park - the sprawling National Trust estate and deer park on the doorstep of the Peak District - is one of the most popular walking spots for miles around .
So popular , in fact , that the car park 's full when we drive out there with , apparently , the exact same idea as everyone else in Greater Manchester .
`` OH WELL , '' we sigh , and sail straight past the driveway and down Buxton Road West in search of a pub , because it takes only the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to type , Dry January be damned .
Standing at the heart of Disley , The Ram 's Head was once a lodge belonging to the Lyme Park estate , with large stables where horses were changed on the stagecoach route between Manchester and Buxton .
It 's pretty stately itself - and even more so after a recent refurbishment .
Outside , the rendering 's had a refresh with new , dark green gables , while inside has been redecorated in earthy tones with splashes of colour and opulent velvet furnishings .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ feature is the monastic-looking stone arches that carve up the space inside .
We 're seated under one , in a cosy , private nook that peeps out from the side of the building .
The menu promises ' a country dining experience ' in the form of big , bold British comfort food taking some global flavours along for the ride .
Think rack of lamb with with chorizo , butternut purée , roasted shallots , cavolo nero , dauphinoise potatoes , chimichurri and red wine jus , and rotisserie heritage pork @ @ @ @ @ @ @ butternut squash and cavolo nero mashed potato .
There 's also an impressively extensive selection of vegetarian and vegan options ( ask for the full vegan menu ) , too often still an afterthought in pubs .
A plate of pan-fried pumpkin gnocchi ( £13.50 ) looks like an abstract artistic interpretation of the remnants of my big Christmas shop , splodged with roasted butternut squash , goats ' cheese , wild mushrooms , red onions and amaretti biscuit crumbs .
It should be silky , draped in sage butter , but it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ essential ingredient - or not used nearly enough of it .
All the components of a good dish are there but there 's nothing binding them together ; it 's far , far too dry .
A spiced coconut curry ( £12.25 ) , from the vegan menu , shows more attention to detail .
Cubes of aubergine have been tossed in a miso and sesame marinade , lending them a deep savouriness that stands up well to the boldly-spiced , sweet Thai-style curry sauce .
It 's served on a little dome @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scorched red chilli perched on top that delivers a nose-streaming dose of heat .
You should n't have trouble squeezing it in ; mains are n't enormous , at least not the ones we had .
The Ambassador 's Melting Chocolate and Hazelnut Bomb , on the other hand ...
This decadent , showstopping dessert is basically a mutant Ferrero Rocher : a rich , fudgy chocolate and hazelnut core inside an orb of dark chocolate .
A waitress pours a jug of hot white chocolate sauce over the top and it dramatically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's £8.75 and worth every penny , though definitely one to share .
We also order an apple , plum and damson crumble ( £5.95 ) from a vegan pudding menu that goes far beyond the usual dairy-free dessert options of sorbets and fruit salads ( there 's also a salted caramel billionaire 's bar , treacle and pecan tart and a cheesecake-style blackcurrant mousse - knock yourselves out ) .
It 's as comforting as any non-vegan version , with big chunks of stone fruit and a swirl of Jude 's vegan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
There 's a safe selection of cask ales including Black Sheep Best Bitter , Wainwright Golden Beer and Sharp 's Doom Bar , alongside some local flavour in the form of Wreckless , from Macclesfield 's Red Willow Brewery , on the keg taps , and Bakewell brewery Thornbridge 's Jaipur and Versa in bottles .
There 's also a lengthy wine list starting from £4.70 by the glass ( and stretching up to £144.95 for a bottle of Dom Pérignon if you really want to push the boat out ) , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resolute at Dry January than me will find plenty of alcohol-free choices , from beers to cocktails and tonics , alongside lower-alcohol alternatives such as spritzes and a range of 8.5 % ABV wines .
Are you being served ?
There 's an air of indifference about the service on the Sunday we visit .
The staff are all perfectly pleasant but there are no check backs after our meals are brought out , no offers to bring more drinks when glasses have run dry , no dessert menus proffered until long after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it 's because our table 's so hidden away - out of sight , out of mind .
Our bill - for two main courses , two puddings , a side salad and two drinks , comes to £49.80 .
Considering we both had veggie mains and only one half pint of beer and a bottle of sparkling water , it 's on the steeper side of pub dining .
Working with a rather grand canvas already , the refurbishment has made The Ram 's Head an even more spectacular setting for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ food and service at times , but it 's well worth a visit after a stroll around Lyme Park .
Or instead .
We have a dedicated Facebook page for all the latest on where to drink , eat , shop , go out and events across Greater Manchester .
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On a clear, blue-skied Sunday, Lyme Park - the sprawling National Trust estate and deer park on the doorstep of the Peak District - is one of the most popular walking spots for miles around.
So popular, in fact, that the car park's full when we drive out there with, apparently, the exact same idea as everyone else in Greater Manchester.
"OH WELL," we sigh, and sail straight past the driveway and down Buxton Road West in search of a pub, because it takes only the most minor inconvenience for me to revert to type, Dry January be damned.
Standing at the heart of Disley, The Ram's Head was once a lodge belonging to the Lyme Park estate, with large stables where horses were changed on the stagecoach route between Manchester and Buxton.
It's pretty stately itself - and even more so after a recent refurbishment. Outside, the rendering's had a refresh with new, dark green gables, while inside has been redecorated in earthy tones with splashes of colour and opulent velvet furnishings.
By far the building's most magnificent feature is the monastic-looking stone arches that carve up the space inside. We're seated under one, in a cosy, private nook that peeps out from the side of the building.
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
What's cooking?
The menu promises 'a country dining experience' in the form of big, bold British comfort food taking some global flavours along for the ride.
Think rack of lamb with with chorizo, butternut purée, roasted shallots, cavolo nero, dauphinoise potatoes, chimichurri and red wine jus, and rotisserie heritage pork belly with smoky creamed corn, roasted butternut squash and cavolo nero mashed potato.
There's also an impressively extensive selection of vegetarian and vegan options (ask for the full vegan menu), too often still an afterthought in pubs.
A plate of pan-fried pumpkin gnocchi (£13.50) looks like an abstract artistic interpretation of the remnants of my big Christmas shop, splodged with roasted butternut squash, goats' cheese, wild mushrooms, red onions and amaretti biscuit crumbs.
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
It should be silky, draped in sage butter, but it seems someone's forgotten that last, essential ingredient - or not used nearly enough of it. All the components of a good dish are there but there's nothing binding them together; it's far, far too dry.
A spiced coconut curry (£12.25), from the vegan menu, shows more attention to detail. Cubes of aubergine have been tossed in a miso and sesame marinade, lending them a deep savouriness that stands up well to the boldly-spiced, sweet Thai-style curry sauce.
It's served on a little dome of sticky jasmine rice, with a scorched red chilli perched on top that delivers a nose-streaming dose of heat.
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
Should I save room for pudding?
You shouldn't have trouble squeezing it in; mains aren't enormous, at least not the ones we had.
The Ambassador's Melting Chocolate and Hazelnut Bomb, on the other hand...
This decadent, showstopping dessert is basically a mutant Ferrero Rocher: a rich, fudgy chocolate and hazelnut core inside an orb of dark chocolate. A waitress pours a jug of hot white chocolate sauce over the top and it dramatically deflates like a popped balloon.
It's £8.75 and worth every penny, though definitely one to share.
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
We also order an apple, plum and damson crumble (£5.95) from a vegan pudding menu that goes far beyond the usual dairy-free dessert options of sorbets and fruit salads (there's also a salted caramel billionaire's bar, treacle and pecan tart and a cheesecake-style blackcurrant mousse - knock yourselves out).
It's as comforting as any non-vegan version, with big chunks of stone fruit and a swirl of Jude's vegan vanilla bean ice cream on the side.
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
Can I get a decent pint?
There's a safe selection of cask ales including Black Sheep Best Bitter, Wainwright Golden Beer and Sharp's Doom Bar, alongside some local flavour in the form of Wreckless, from Macclesfield's Red Willow Brewery, on the keg taps, and Bakewell brewery Thornbridge's Jaipur and Versa in bottles.
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
There's also a lengthy wine list starting from £4.70 by the glass (and stretching up to £144.95 for a bottle of Dom Pérignon if you really want to push the boat out), and a cocktail menu.
Those more resolute at Dry January than me will find plenty of alcohol-free choices, from beers to cocktails and tonics, alongside lower-alcohol alternatives such as spritzes and a range of 8.5% ABV wines.
Are you being served?
There's an air of indifference about the service on the Sunday we visit.
The staff are all perfectly pleasant but there are no check backs after our meals are brought out, no offers to bring more drinks when glasses have run dry, no dessert menus proffered until long after our plates have been cleared.
Maybe it's because our table's so hidden away - out of sight, out of mind.
What's the damage?
Our bill - for two main courses, two puddings, a side salad and two drinks, comes to £49.80.
Considering we both had veggie mains and only one half pint of beer and a bottle of sparkling water, it's on the steeper side of pub dining.
The verdict
Working with a rather grand canvas already, the refurbishment has made The Ram's Head an even more spectacular setting for a Sunday lunch.
The surroundings outshine the food and service at times, but it's well worth a visit after a stroll around Lyme Park. Or instead.
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themanchestereveningnews--2020-01-12--Manchester United's transfer risk has paid off

Manchester United took a massive risk in the summer transfer window when they opted against a new attacking signing .
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was keen to make his mark on the first-team by sanctioning the sale of the frustrated Romelu Lukaku and show his faith in the attacking options better suited to his new style of play .
It looks like one risk which has paid off , at least .
On what was his 200th appearance for United it was always fitting for Marcus Rashford to lead by example with his display against Norwich , but the overall attacking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Although Belgian forward Lukaku was part of the United squad which traveled to the Far East for the pre-season tour , deep down Solskjaer knew he would n't be around for long .
Speaking in the summer window , Solskjaer cited Rashford as someone who can get him 20-goals a season , and he has responded to that task in style .
The challenge of netting 20 goals in a single season is something which is always burdened upon a striker , and until they manage to achieve it the pressure can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Yet the way in which Rashford has stood up this season is clear evidence of his growing maturity .
Rashford was captain against Man City in midweek and had Harry Maguire not returned for the visit of Norwich he would have done so again .
Even though he did n't have the armband on Saturday , the England international demonstrated the best way to lead is by setting the benchmark on the pitch .
Within the opening twenty minutes Rashford had already left Sam Byram for dead twice and performed a roulette @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it would n't have looked out-of-place in Las Vegas .
A delightful ball from Juan Mata gave him one of the easiest goals of his season so far while Rashford 's own artistry was crucial in winning the penalty for the second .
Brandon Williams was released down the left by a perfectly weighted through ball from Rashford before being taken out by Tim Krul in the box .
It is true any striker can score a penalty , but few could have played the role the 22-year-old did in winning it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A superb header from Anthony Martial followed before Mason Greenwood 's sublime solo strike sealed an impressive win in the most fitting of circumstances .
What will please the United manager the most , though , is that it was done implementing a fluid attacking display which was so rarely seen when Lukaku was playing regularly at the club .
There is still an obvious need for reinforcement , and one stylish win against the Premier League 's basement side ca n't mask that , but it is clear United already have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finish .
They just need to provide them with the service in midfield .

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Manchester United took a massive risk in the summer transfer window when they opted against a new attacking signing.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was keen to make his mark on the first-team by sanctioning the sale of the frustrated Romelu Lukaku and show his faith in the attacking options better suited to his new style of play.
It looks like one risk which has paid off, at least.
On what was his 200th appearance for United it was always fitting for Marcus Rashford to lead by example with his display against Norwich, but the overall attacking display was a bearer of greater joy.
Although Belgian forward Lukaku was part of the United squad which traveled to the Far East for the pre-season tour, deep down Solskjaer knew he wouldn't be around for long.
Speaking in the summer window, Solskjaer cited Rashford as someone who can get him 20-goals a season, and he has responded to that task in style.
The challenge of netting 20 goals in a single season is something which is always burdened upon a striker, and until they manage to achieve it the pressure can weigh heavy on a forward's shoulders. Yet the way in which Rashford has stood up this season is clear evidence of his growing maturity.
Rashford was captain against Man City in midweek and had Harry Maguire not returned for the visit of Norwich he would have done so again. Even though he didn't have the armband on Saturday, the England international demonstrated the best way to lead is by setting the benchmark on the pitch.
Within the opening twenty minutes Rashford had already left Sam Byram for dead twice and performed a roulette on Alexander Tettey which was so good it wouldn't have looked out-of-place in Las Vegas.
A delightful ball from Juan Mata gave him one of the easiest goals of his season so far while Rashford's own artistry was crucial in winning the penalty for the second.
Brandon Williams was released down the left by a perfectly weighted through ball from Rashford before being taken out by Tim Krul in the box. It is true any striker can score a penalty, but few could have played the role the 22-year-old did in winning it. Vindication again of Solskjaer's transfer gamble.
A superb header from Anthony Martial followed before Mason Greenwood's sublime solo strike sealed an impressive win in the most fitting of circumstances.
What will please the United manager the most, though, is that it was done implementing a fluid attacking display which was so rarely seen when Lukaku was playing regularly at the club.
There is still an obvious need for reinforcement, and one stylish win against the Premier League's basement side can't mask that, but it is clear United already have the attackers capable of securing a top-four finish. They just need to provide them with the service in midfield.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-01-12--What TV channel is Aston Villa vs Man City on? Kick-off time, team news, predictions

Man City will be hoping to keep their excellent start to 2020 going on Sunday when they travel to face Aston Villa .
City have started the new year with a bang with three victories in three games , the last of which being a humiliation of neighbours Manchester United in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final on Tuesday .
The match ended 3-1 , a scoreline that flattered United as the Blues clearly took their foot off the gas in the second-half but also keeps the tie alive going into the second leg .
Before that , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Birmingham to face relegation strugglers Villa .
The Villains currently sit one place and one point above the drop zone but also contended in a semi-final in mid-week , with Jack Grealish leading his side to a well earned 1-1 draw .
Pep Guardiola admitted to being a massive fan of star man Grealish ahead of the game and if City can keep him quiet then they will be half-way towards repeating their 3-0 victory over Villa when the sides met in October .
Goals from Raheem Sterling , David Silva and Ilkay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one thing Guardiola wo n't want to see again is the red card that Fernandinho picked up for a cynical foul late on .
What channel is Aston Villa vs Man City on ?
Aston Villa vs Man City will be televised on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League from 4pm on Sunday , January 12 .
Kick-off from Villa Park is at 4:30pm .
As ever , we 'll have every incident covered right here on our live blog .
You 'll also be able to catch highlights of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Match of the Day 2 at 10:30pm on BBC One .
Kevin De Bruyne is fine and available after he was substituted following a bad landing towards the end of the Manchester derby .
There are also no fresh injury concerns for Guardiola though and he still has n't put a time scale on the return of defender Aymeric Laporte , despite the Frenchman being back in full training .
`` He ’ s training every day , he feels no pain and after training he feels good , [ but ] I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ll be ready to play some minutes , '' the City boss said .
`` I ’ m not the doctor , what I see on the pitch is he moves well , his movement , for four or five months , he ’ s not a small guy like [ Raheem ] Sterling , who recovers quickly , but he moves really well and we ’ ll see what the doctor says about when he ’ s going to play . ''
Meanwhile , Leroy Sane remains on the sidelines .

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Man City will be hoping to keep their excellent start to 2020 going on Sunday when they travel to face Aston Villa.
City have started the new year with a bang with three victories in three games, the last of which being a humiliation of neighbours Manchester United in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final on Tuesday.
The match ended 3-1, a scoreline that flattered United as the Blues clearly took their foot off the gas in the second-half but also keeps the tie alive going into the second leg.
Before that, though, City make the trip to Birmingham to face relegation strugglers Villa.
The Villains currently sit one place and one point above the drop zone but also contended in a semi-final in mid-week, with Jack Grealish leading his side to a well earned 1-1 draw.
Pep Guardiola admitted to being a massive fan of star man Grealish ahead of the game and if City can keep him quiet then they will be half-way towards repeating their 3-0 victory over Villa when the sides met in October.
Goals from Raheem Sterling, David Silva and Ilkay Gundogan secured the win that day but one thing Guardiola won't want to see again is the red card that Fernandinho picked up for a cynical foul late on.
What channel is Aston Villa vs Man City on?
Aston Villa vs Man City will be televised on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League from 4pm on Sunday, January 12.
Kick-off from Villa Park is at 4:30pm.
As ever, we'll have every incident covered right here on our live blog.
You'll also be able to catch highlights of the game later on that evening on Match of the Day 2 at 10:30pm on BBC One.
Team news for Aston Villa vs Man City
Kevin De Bruyne is fine and available after he was substituted following a bad landing towards the end of the Manchester derby.
There are also no fresh injury concerns for Guardiola though and he still hasn't put a time scale on the return of defender Aymeric Laporte, despite the Frenchman being back in full training.
"He’s training every day, he feels no pain and after training he feels good, [but] I don’t know when he’ll be ready to play some minutes," the City boss said.
"I’m not the doctor, what I see on the pitch is he moves well, his movement, for four or five months, he’s not a small guy like [Raheem] Sterling, who recovers quickly, but he moves really well and we’ll see what the doctor says about when he’s going to play."
Meanwhile, Leroy Sane remains on the sidelines.
Predictions for Aston Villa vs Man City


themanchestereveningnews--2020-01-12--Sporting head coach gives Bruno Fernandes update amid Manchester United transfer links

Sporting CP 's head coach said he could not guarantee Bruno Fernandes would still be at the club on Friday when they take on Benfica in a local derby .
The midfielder is being heavily linked with a move to Manchester United in the current transfer window with reports resurfacing in the Portuguese media on Friday night after a summer of incessant speculation linking him with a move to Old Trafford .
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is looking to strengthen his squad in the coming weeks and several Portuguese outlets reported that Sporting officials had travelled to England for transfer talks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United sources are guarded about the renewed speculation and noted the 'noise is being driven out of Portugal ' .
Sources suspect an auction is being whipped up for Fernandes after he signed a new Sporting contract in November until 2023 .
It has been suggested his deal includes a release clause .
Fernandes , who is also being linked with a move to Tottenham , played on Saturday night scoring twice in Sporting 's 3-1 win against Setubal .
And his manager was asked if the 25-year-old will be available to play @ @ @ @ @ @ @ night with reports linking him with a move away from the club .
`` I ca n't guarantee any of these things because I do n't know , '' Silas said after the game .
`` I 'm already thinking about the game with Benfica and I 'm thinking about using him [ Bruno Fernandes ] . ''
Solskjaer was asked directly about the prospect of United signing Fernandes this month after the United 's win over Norwich on Saturday , he told beIN Sports : `` I can ’ t talk about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but I ’ ve got to say I do have the backing .
“ We do have the backing to do something if the right thing comes up in this window .
“ The owners and Ed , they know what we ’ re building towards .
”

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Sporting CP's head coach said he could not guarantee Bruno Fernandes would still be at the club on Friday when they take on Benfica in a local derby.
The midfielder is being heavily linked with a move to Manchester United in the current transfer window with reports resurfacing in the Portuguese media on Friday night after a summer of incessant speculation linking him with a move to Old Trafford.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is looking to strengthen his squad in the coming weeks and several Portuguese outlets reported that Sporting officials had travelled to England for transfer talks at the end of the week.
United sources are guarded about the renewed speculation and noted the 'noise is being driven out of Portugal'. Sources suspect an auction is being whipped up for Fernandes after he signed a new Sporting contract in November until 2023. It has been suggested his deal includes a release clause.
Fernandes, who is also being linked with a move to Tottenham, played on Saturday night scoring twice in Sporting's 3-1 win against Setubal. And his manager was asked if the 25-year-old will be available to play in the derby against Benfica on Friday night with reports linking him with a move away from the club.
"I can't guarantee any of these things because I don't know," Silas said after the game. "I'm already thinking about the game with Benfica and I'm thinking about using him [Bruno Fernandes]."
Solskjaer was asked directly about the prospect of United signing Fernandes this month after the United's win over Norwich on Saturday, he told beIN Sports: "I can’t talk about individuals that play for other clubs, but I’ve got to say I do have the backing.
“We do have the backing to do something if the right thing comes up in this window.
“The owners and Ed, they know what we’re building towards.”


themanchestereveningnews--2020-01-12--The Masked Singer: Charlotte Church denies she's Queen Bee in fierce Twitter rant

Fans of The Masked Singer will know that pretty much every man and his dog have already been rumoured to be taking part in the show .
In a bid to work out which celebrities are behind the costumes , people have been speculating far and wide , with some of the wildest suggestions seeing the likes of Meghan Markle , Linsday Lohan , Elton John and Kylie Minogue all thrown into the mix .
One of the most hotly-rumoured celebrities , though , and perhaps a little more realistic than those outlined above , is Welsh singer Charlotte Church @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the 33-year-old is the real identity of 'Queen Bee ' , and there have been countless social media posts about the possibility .
However , Charlotte has now responded to fans on Twitter , and by the looks of things , she 's not too best pleased with her affiliation to the show .
`` I 'm not on that bl**dy show ! ''
she tweeted out to her fans .
And Charlotte did n't stop there .
In order to try and convince people further , she then went on to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She said : `` This is my voice singing live folks .
NOTHING LIKE THE BEE .
I 've spent my Saturday night on my hands and knees scrubbing my kitchen floor like a 1950s housewife on purple hearts ! ''
People are n't convinced , though , and think she 's trying to cover up her involvement with the show .
`` Is exactly the kind of thing the bee would say , '' speculated one .
Another Twitter user said : `` Well of course you are going to deny it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
I can keep a secret ... . ''
wrote another of Charlotte 's fans .
Somebody else said : `` That ’ s just exactly what someone on the show would say . ''
`` Thou protesteth too much , '' said yet another convinced fan .
Is Charlotte telling the truth or is she just trying to put fans off the scent ?
We 'll just have to wait and see .
The Masked Singer returns to ITV tonight at 8pm .
Follow us on and for the latest news .
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Fans of The Masked Singer will know that pretty much every man and his dog have already been rumoured to be taking part in the show.
In a bid to work out which celebrities are behind the costumes, people have been speculating far and wide, with some of the wildest suggestions seeing the likes of Meghan Markle, Linsday Lohan, Elton John and Kylie Minogue all thrown into the mix.
One of the most hotly-rumoured celebrities, though, and perhaps a little more realistic than those outlined above, is Welsh singer Charlotte Church.
Fans of the show are convinced that the 33-year-old is the real identity of 'Queen Bee', and there have been countless social media posts about the possibility.
However, Charlotte has now responded to fans on Twitter, and by the looks of things, she's not too best pleased with her affiliation to the show.
"I'm not on that bl**dy show!" she tweeted out to her fans.
And Charlotte didn't stop there. In order to try and convince people further, she then went on to share a clip of herself singing.
She said: "This is my voice singing live folks. NOTHING LIKE THE BEE. I've spent my Saturday night on my hands and knees scrubbing my kitchen floor like a 1950s housewife on purple hearts!"
People aren't convinced, though, and think she's trying to cover up her involvement with the show.
"Is exactly the kind of thing the bee would say," speculated one.
Another Twitter user said: "Well of course you are going to deny it."
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"Are you really though? I can keep a secret ...." wrote another of Charlotte's fans.
Somebody else said: "That’s just exactly what someone on the show would say."
"Thou protesteth too much," said yet another convinced fan.
Follow Money-Saving and Shopping Editor Rachel Pugh on social media To follow Rachel on Twitter click here. Or to like her Facebook page click here . Here's a link to the M.E.N.'s main Facebook page where we share our latest stories.
Is Charlotte telling the truth or is she just trying to put fans off the scent? We'll just have to wait and see.
The Masked Singer returns to ITV tonight at 8pm.
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--2020-01-12--Brandon Williams' stats for Manchester United vs Norwich are amazing

Manchester United 's Brandon Williams picked up a huge amount of praise from supporters for his display versus Norwich .
The 19-year-old was among United 's best performers as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer 's side beat the Canaries 4-0 thanks to Marcus Rashford 's brace and second half goals from Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood .
Williams played the full 90 minutes at left-back , with Luke Shaw initially included on the bench before pulling out of the match squad with injury .
And Williams proved his worth once again .
He 's been a revelation for United since breaking into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ despite the fact he did n't travel with the first team on pre-season tour to Australia and Asia in the summer .
Stats reveal Williams recorded the most interceptions of any player on the pitch versus Norwich , with five .
He also blocked more crosses ( two ) than anyone else , and had the second most in three other categories : most final third passes , most tackles won and most take ons .
They are impressive stats for a defensive player but also from an attacking perspective .
His fellow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ game that the United back four were satisfied with just their fourth clean sheet of the season .
`` The clean sheet is important for us defenders , that ’ s what we want , '' he said .
“ I enjoy playing in front us of the fans , as a team it helps our team spirit .
“ I ’ m confident in the team that we can get there ( to the top four ) , we ’ ve just got to keep working hard .
”

Manchester United's Brandon Williams picked up a huge amount of praise from supporters for his display versus Norwich.
The 19-year-old was among United's best performers as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side beat the Canaries 4-0 thanks to Marcus Rashford's brace and second half goals from Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood.
Williams played the full 90 minutes at left-back, with Luke Shaw initially included on the bench before pulling out of the match squad with injury.
And Williams proved his worth once again. He's been a revelation for United since breaking into the first team squad this season — despite the fact he didn't travel with the first team on pre-season tour to Australia and Asia in the summer.
Stats reveal Williams recorded the most interceptions of any player on the pitch versus Norwich, with five.
He also blocked more crosses (two) than anyone else, and had the second most in three other categories: most final third passes, most tackles won and most take ons.
They are impressive stats for a defensive player but also from an attacking perspective.
His fellow defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka told MUTV after the game that the United back four were satisfied with just their fourth clean sheet of the season.
"The clean sheet is important for us defenders, that’s what we want," he said.
“I enjoy playing in front us of the fans, as a team it helps our team spirit.
“I’m confident in the team that we can get there (to the top four), we’ve just got to keep working hard.”


themanchestereveningnews--2020-01-12--Manchester United player ratings vs Norwich: Juan Mata and Marcus Rashford brilliant

Built on his decent midweek display with an excellent save from Todd Cantwell just before half-time to keep United ahead .
7 Was beckoned forward regularly but still not fully at it in the final third .
Had opportunities to provide service for the United forwards .
6 A much more serene outing and Lindelof looked much more composed with Harry Maguire alongside him .
6 Maguire has had an unremarkable season so far but it was not a coincidence his return coincided with a clean sheet .
7 Ebullient as ever and proactive in attack .
Won a penalty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ choice left-back now .
Should have scored .
7 There were some careless stray passes but Matic provided the pivot against Norwich 's loose formation .
6 Eager to supplement attacks and is becoming more vocal on the pitch .
Not one of Fred 's more influential performances .
6 Endeavoured to show he had earned the privilege to start as the playmaker .
End product was lacking at times .
7 The irony of the playmaker playing out of position was he procured the breakthrough .
Quick-thinking for Anthony Martial 's goal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
8 Met Mata 's cross clinically for the breakthrough and was in crowdpleasing form before his goal .
Converted a penalty .
Undeniably the talisman .
8 Careless in the penalty area but had a work ethic that was appreciated by supporters and scored with a header .
7

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David de Gea
Built on his decent midweek display with an excellent save from Todd Cantwell just before half-time to keep United ahead. 7
Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Was beckoned forward regularly but still not fully at it in the final third. Had opportunities to provide service for the United forwards. 6
Victor Lindelof
A much more serene outing and Lindelof looked much more composed with Harry Maguire alongside him. 6
Harry Maguire
Maguire has had an unremarkable season so far but it was not a coincidence his return coincided with a clean sheet. 7
Brandon Williams
Ebullient as ever and proactive in attack. Won a penalty and Williams is effectively United's first choice left-back now. Should have scored. 7
Nemanja Matic
There were some careless stray passes but Matic provided the pivot against Norwich's loose formation. 6
Fred
Eager to supplement attacks and is becoming more vocal on the pitch. Not one of Fred's more influential performances. 6
Andreas Pereira
Endeavoured to show he had earned the privilege to start as the playmaker. End product was lacking at times. 7
Juan Mata
The irony of the playmaker playing out of position was he procured the breakthrough. Quick-thinking for Anthony Martial's goal, too. A joy to watch. 8
Marcus Rashford
Met Mata's cross clinically for the breakthrough and was in crowdpleasing form before his goal. Converted a penalty. Undeniably the talisman. 8
Anthony Martial
Careless in the penalty area but had a work ethic that was appreciated by supporters and scored with a header. 7
Subs
Daniel James
Contributed to Greenwood's goal. 6
Mason Greenwood
Great goal. 8
Angel Gomes
Decent cameo. 6


themanchestereveningnews--2020-01-12--The Voice is thrown into chaos by a fly

The Voice is thrown into chaos by a fly

Singer and judge Olly Murs joked he 'legit nearly died ' after a fly got into The Voice UK set .
Olly was giving his verdict on singer Baby on the ITV singing contest when he was interrupted by the pesky bug .
The Troublemaker singer batted it away before jokingly falling to the ground much to the amusement of Baby , his fellow coaches Meghan Trainor , Sir Tom Jones and will.i.am - and viewers watching at home loved it .
Olly has ruled out appearing on I 'm A Celebrity ... Get Me Out Of Here !
after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ died on @ thevoiceuk tonight , '' he tweeted .
`` Don ’ t think I ’ d last in the Jungle . ''
One viewer on Twitter joked : `` The fly heard everyone saying you smell good so he had to smell for himself . ''
`` Sign him up for the jungle , '' said another .
`` That was so funny thanks @ ollymurs for making the nation laugh , '' another fan commented .
`` And another wrote : `` Nearly fell off my chair as well you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she saw the fly buzzing around Olly Meghan cried : `` Oh it 's a bug , it 's a bug .
Run for your life . ''
Getting back up off the floor hitmaker Olly said : `` I think I swallowed it .
`` Turning back to the contestant he told her : `` Anyone comes near you Baby I 'll take them down . ''
Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for the latest news .
We are also on Instagram .
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Singer and judge Olly Murs joked he 'legit nearly died' after a fly got into The Voice UK set.
Olly was giving his verdict on singer Baby on the ITV singing contest when he was interrupted by the pesky bug.
The Troublemaker singer batted it away before jokingly falling to the ground much to the amusement of Baby, his fellow coaches Meghan Trainor, Sir Tom Jones and will.i.am - and viewers watching at home loved it.
Olly has ruled out appearing on I'm A Celebrity ...Get Me Out Of Here! after his dramatic run-in.
"Legit nearly died on @thevoiceuk tonight," he tweeted.
"Don’t think I’d last in the Jungle."
(Image: ITV)
One viewer on Twitter joked: "The fly heard everyone saying you smell good so he had to smell for himself."
"Sign him up for the jungle," said another.
"That was so funny thanks @ollymurs for making the nation laugh," another fan commented.
"And another wrote: "Nearly fell off my chair as well you're so funny Olly."
When she saw the fly buzzing around Olly Meghan cried: "Oh it's a bug, it's a bug. Run for your life."
Getting back up off the floor hitmaker Olly said: "I think I swallowed it."Turning back to the contestant he told her: "Anyone comes near you Baby I'll take them down."
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--2020-01-12--How to save money on school holiday breaks and days out in 2020

The kids are back in school and while the next half term might seem like an eternity away , if you get preparing now you could save some serious cash on keeping the family entertained .
Even some of the big - and typically expensive - attractions can become a more affordable option if you think smart and plan in advance .
If you 're planning ahead for the coming half term and summer break , there are plenty of savvy ways to save money on those big days out and even on a getaway during the school holiday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ forward planning and creative booking .
Check out our comprehensive guide on how to save the £s while planning for an action-packed 2020 .
While places with free entry are the best way to make sure you do n't have to splash the cash , many of the top parks and attractions charge entry - and when there 's several people to pay for that can soon add up .
There are plenty of simple tips that can make sure you are n't spending over the odds on that special day out .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ paid-for attraction , consider booking ahead of the date to get a fairly substantial saving on the gate price .
For most places , you 'll find the best prices online .
For instance , if you 're debating a trip to Chester Zoo .
you can save up to £4 per person by booking tickets more than seven days in advance .
Book online before 9.30am on the day and you 'll still save £2 per ticket .
Or over at Alton Towers , you can get a massive £20 off gate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and you get their Rainy Day guarantee included , meaning you get a free return visit if the weather is rubbish on your chosen day .
Prices at LEGOLand Windsor are substantially cheaper if you book online in advance too - looking at from £29 per person compared to upwards of £49 on the day .
If you are flexible with where you want to go , it might be worth signing up to a discount or voucher site , all which regularly have voucher codes and money saving offers .
You can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ based on where you are .
At the time of writing , Wowcher was offering entry to The Crystal Maze Live Experience for four , plus souvenir photos for £99 - a saving of 50 % on the door price .
Meanwhile , Groupon had discounted entry to Go Ape !
and Blackpool Tower and Circus .
Do your research , as parent forums like mumsnet.com , money-saving deals sites like hotukdeals.com and voucher codes sites like Voucherbox.co.uk can also help cut the cost of your day trip .
If you find yourself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a year , it might be worth considering a membership or an annual pass .
Plenty of places offer year-round entry at a fixed or monthly fee , and could end up in a huge saving compared to the cost of individual visits .
Many of the passes cost little more than the cost of standard entry .
For instance , a season pass for Alton Towers is £58 when booked online - the same price as a single standard gate entry .
LEGOLand Windsor have their season passes down to £59 per @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you consider the gate price is upwards of £49 it makes sense if you think you 'll be there again .
Most zoos and animal parks also offer memberships , which usually end up being a huge saving providing you get your use out of them .
Blackpool Zoo 's Bronze Family membership is just £90 for unlimited Sunday entry throughout the year - compared to £67 for on the day family admission .
Annual memberships for heritage sites across Britain , such as those looked after by the National Trust , English @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Family tickets are roughly £10 per month depending on the trust and can be a great option if you want to get out and about - not to mention usually a huge saving on the door price .
If you can get a fair few of you together for the trip , there 's savings to be made as many attractions offer decent discounts for group bookings .
Bletchley Park offer a 24 % discount on groups over 12 , while Chester Zoo offer up to 30 % off an fast track @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Cashback sites like Quidco and TopCashback allow you to earn cashback on purchases from hundreds of retailers , top attractions and booking sites .
It 's a great way to save a bit extra on something you would 've bought anyway .
As well as checking the attractions website , it 's also worthwhile heading over to their social media accounts to see if they have any deals or offers advertised there .
Sometimes these are limited to social media only and not promoted on the website so there could be a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quick visit to their Facebook .
And if you have a particular attraction or event in mind , pop your email address on their mailing list .
The newsletters often have offers inside - and can sometimes give you advance notice on events and planned discounts .
It 's not just online where you can find offers .
Parking tickets , bus tickets , train tickets sometimes have deals printed on the back to encourage people to visit .
There 's always money saving offers to be found If you 're well-prepared and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discounts available for your days out .
These are just some of the offers available during 2020 .
Cadbury 's are currently offering a free ticket to Merlin attractions when you buy a promotional pack .
The voucher is redeemable at over 20 locations with the purchase of a full-priced adult ticket - both for entry on the same day .
The voucher is valid for visits until July 2020 - you can find out more here .
Register with National Rail 's Days Out Guide and you 'll get a printable voucher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attractions if you travel by train .
Attractions include Alton Towers , Cadbury World , the MUFC museum and tour , SEA LIFE and Chessington World of Adventures .
You can search the full list of attractions here .
But remember you 'll need both the voucher and a train ticket bought from National Rail on the same day .
Another Merlin attraction offer - this time where an adult gets free entry with the purchase of a full-priced adult or child ticket to select attractions .
All you need to do is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cereal , cut out the voucher on the box and take it with you to one of the participating locations - or book in advance online and use the unique code printed on the inside of the box to get the same deal .
The voucher is valid until June 30 , 2020 .
All details and Ts & Cs here .
Get 50 % off your next visit There have been 23 reverse vending machines installed at parks and attractions across the UK , and all you need to do is recycle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the gate price on your next visit .
You 'll find these machines at Legoland Discovery Centre Birmingham , Sea Life Blackpool and Warwick Castle Resort .
Just pop your empty bottle in and you 'll immediately get a voucher .
And you do n't have to use it at the same place - you can put it towards the admission cost to other selected attractions , up until March 31 , 2020 .
These include Madame Tussauds : London and Blackpool , The Blackpool Tower Eye and Circus , The Bear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Legoland Discovery Centre Manchester , The Dungeons : London , Edinburgh , York and Blackpool Tower and all the Sea Life centre branches .
Motorists who have breakdown cover often have discounted days out as part of their membership perks .
At the time of writing , AA members could get up to 49 % off entry to Thorpe Park , over 40 % off at Shrek 's Adventure , up to 50 % off at Alton Towers and Chessington World of Adventures and up to 49 % off at the UK 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could enjoy up to 32 % off Blackpool Tower Attractions , £20 discount on The Railway Touring Company ’ s steam specials in addition to huge savings on Merlin attractions .
Planning a getaway during the half term breaks and summer holidays can be an expensive experience .
Dynamic pricing based on demand means firms jack up the prices outside of term time , and the threat of fines for parents taking their children out of school adds to higher prices .
While it is undeniably going to be more expensive to holiday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a few things you can do save money on your trip .
If you are restricted to a break away during the school summer holidays , it pays to go for the latest possible dates available .
Travel in the last week of August or the first week of September and you are likely to find prices are much cheaper than the rest of the holidays - as much as 15 % compared to the rest of the peak season prices .
Consider travelling mid-week - flights in particular are generally cheaper mid-week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Some schools are incredibly strict and do not allow any holidays during term times under any circumstances .
Where others may allow you to apply in writing for the time off , which has to be approved by the head .
While it 's wise to assume it 's unlikely the school will grant time off for a family holiday , it 's always worth checking directly with the office just in case they are a bit more flexible with the policy .
Not all UK school term dates match up - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from everyone else 's , this could mean big savings on a trip .
Just figure out where your dates differ from everyone else 's , which could be as much as breaking up a week earlier or finishing a few days later .
If your school is off while other 's are n't , you 'll probably find a bargain .
Ever-changeable inset/teacher training days , which are set by the school rather than the council , can also add up to cheaper rates when booking a long weekend away .
Check @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other schools ' dates via the Gov.uk search tool .
This also works abroad as term dates vary from country to country , so it 's worth a quick check before picking which week to go .
This also works for child free people wanting to take advantage of term-time prices , or wanting to avoid a holiday resort being potentially packed with kids .
Take advantage of Kids Go Free places Many travel firms offer free places for kids up to 16 years of age , which could be a way to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Lots of operators have their own online search tools where you can search for free places to best suit your needs .
A large majority of these free places apply to the school holidays and half terms , too .
But remember , most of these free places are limited in availability and are in high demand , so it pays to book sooner rather than later when the offers are launched .
Otherwise you 'll have to wait till the next wave of places are announced .
Some of the tour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ include : It 's worth noting if you 're travelling with multiple children only the first child goes free , you 'll have to pay full price for other kids .
Resorts themselves also offer limited time Kids Go Free deals .
At the time of writing , LEGOland was offering free child places - subject to availability - and include a second day free on short breaks .
Other popular destinations including Alton Towers Resort and Disney are also known to have free kids places on selected dates , so it 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an eye out for room sales If you 're planning a UK break , keep an eye out for flash room sales at hotel chains .
They 're subject to availability , but usually include the school half term holidays and summer break .
And it 's not just city centre locations included , many have branches in some sought after holiday destinations .
Both Premier Inn and Travelodge regularly hold room sales throughout the year , with many rooms going for less than £29 a night - that 's just over £7pp @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four sharing .
Resorts in Belgium , France , Germany and the Netherlands can be massively cheaper than the UK Center Parcs resorts - especially when booking a school holiday break .
These days they are run by who separate firms under the CP umbrella , the experiences are incredibly similar and worth the effort if you can handle the journey over .
The folks at MoneySavingExpert.com have discovered that there 's huge savings to be made here .
They found that a three bed lodge at Woburn Forest park in Bedfordshire started @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This was compared to just £573 at its Park Hochsauerland site in Germany .
With the addition of flights for a family of four at £350 the total came to £923 – £1,105 less than the UK break .
If you 're thinking of going abroad over the summer holidays , you could save a packet by flying from Scotland instead .
The schools over the border have different term dates to those in the rest of the UK , with most kids back in lessons by mid-August , meaning prices drop substantially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back in the latter half of the month .
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suit you .
Our push notifications help highlight the biggest stories to you first .

Something went wrong, please try again later.
Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later.
Something went wrong, please try again later.
The kids are back in school and while the next half term might seem like an eternity away, if you get preparing now you could save some serious cash on keeping the family entertained.
Even some of the big - and typically expensive - attractions can become a more affordable option if you think smart and plan in advance.
If you're planning ahead for the coming half term and summer break, there are plenty of savvy ways to save money on those big days out and even on a getaway during the school holiday.
Most require little effort, just some forward planning and creative booking.
Check out our comprehensive guide on how to save the £s while planning for an action-packed 2020.
Save on days out
While places with free entry are the best way to make sure you don't have to splash the cash, many of the top parks and attractions charge entry - and when there's several people to pay for that can soon add up.
There are plenty of simple tips that can make sure you aren't spending over the odds on that special day out.
Book ahead and save
If you're planning on visiting a paid-for attraction, consider booking ahead of the date to get a fairly substantial saving on the gate price.
For most places, you'll find the best prices online.
For instance, if you're debating a trip to Chester Zoo. you can save up to £4 per person by booking tickets more than seven days in advance.
Book online before 9.30am on the day and you'll still save £2 per ticket.
Or over at Alton Towers, you can get a massive £20 off gate price by booking online in advance - and you get their Rainy Day guarantee included, meaning you get a free return visit if the weather is rubbish on your chosen day.
Prices at LEGOLand Windsor are substantially cheaper if you book online in advance too - looking at from £29 per person compared to upwards of £49 on the day.
Sign up to a discount site
If you are flexible with where you want to go, it might be worth signing up to a discount or voucher site, all which regularly have voucher codes and money saving offers.
You can also set it to discover localised deals based on where you are.
At the time of writing, Wowcher was offering entry to The Crystal Maze Live Experience for four, plus souvenir photos for £99 - a saving of 50% on the door price.
Meanwhile, Groupon had discounted entry to Go Ape! and Blackpool Tower and Circus.
Do your research, as parent forums like mumsnet.com, money-saving deals sites like hotukdeals.com and voucher codes sites like Voucherbox.co.uk can also help cut the cost of your day trip.
Consider an annual membership
If you find yourself visiting a particular place more than once a year, it might be worth considering a membership or an annual pass.
Plenty of places offer year-round entry at a fixed or monthly fee, and could end up in a huge saving compared to the cost of individual visits.
Many of the passes cost little more than the cost of standard entry.
For instance, a season pass for Alton Towers is £58 when booked online - the same price as a single standard gate entry.
LEGOLand Windsor have their season passes down to £59 per person - down from £89.
When you consider the gate price is upwards of £49 it makes sense if you think you'll be there again.
Most zoos and animal parks also offer memberships, which usually end up being a huge saving providing you get your use out of them.
Blackpool Zoo's Bronze Family membership is just £90 for unlimited Sunday entry throughout the year - compared to £67 for on the day family admission.
Annual memberships for heritage sites across Britain, such as those looked after by the National Trust, English Heritage or Cadw, are fairly cheap.
Family tickets are roughly £10 per month depending on the trust and can be a great option if you want to get out and about - not to mention usually a huge saving on the door price.
Travel in a group
If you can get a fair few of you together for the trip, there's savings to be made as many attractions offer decent discounts for group bookings.
Bletchley Park offer a 24% discount on groups over 12, while Chester Zoo offer up to 30% off an fast track admission for groups of 15 or more.
Book using free cashback sites
Cashback sites like Quidco and TopCashback allow you to earn cashback on purchases from hundreds of retailers, top attractions and booking sites.
It's a great way to save a bit extra on something you would've bought anyway.
Join social media pages and mailing lists
As well as checking the attractions website, it's also worthwhile heading over to their social media accounts to see if they have any deals or offers advertised there.
Sometimes these are limited to social media only and not promoted on the website so there could be a saving to be made by making a quick visit to their Facebook.
And if you have a particular attraction or event in mind, pop your email address on their mailing list.
The newsletters often have offers inside - and can sometimes give you advance notice on events and planned discounts.
Check the back of tickets
It's not just online where you can find offers.
Parking tickets, bus tickets, train tickets sometimes have deals printed on the back to encourage people to visit.
Check the M.E.N.'s print edition too.
There's always money saving offers to be found
If you're well-prepared and do your research, there's usually discounts available for your days out.
These are just some of the offers available during 2020.
Get a free ticket to a Merlin attraction
Cadbury's are currently offering a free ticket to Merlin attractions when you buy a promotional pack.
The voucher is redeemable at over 20 locations with the purchase of a full-priced adult ticket - both for entry on the same day.
The voucher is valid for visits until July 2020 - you can find out more here .
Get 2for1 entry with National Rail
Register with National Rail's Days Out Guide and you'll get a printable voucher for 2for1 entry to over 300 UK attractions if you travel by train.
Attractions include Alton Towers, Cadbury World, the MUFC museum and tour, SEA LIFE and Chessington World of Adventures.
You can search the full list of attractions here.
But remember you'll need both the voucher and a train ticket bought from National Rail on the same day.
Full Ts & Cs here .
Adults Go Free
Another Merlin attraction offer - this time where an adult gets free entry with the purchase of a full-priced adult or child ticket to select attractions.
All you need to do is get a promotional pack of Kellogg's cereal, cut out the voucher on the box and take it with you to one of the participating locations - or book in advance online and use the unique code printed on the inside of the box to get the same deal.
The voucher is valid until June 30, 2020.
All details and Ts & Cs here .
Get 50% off your next visit
There have been 23 reverse vending machines installed at parks and attractions across the UK, and all you need to do is recycle a 500ml bottle to get half price of the gate price on your next visit.
You'll find these machines at Legoland Discovery Centre Birmingham, Sea Life Blackpool and Warwick Castle Resort.
Just pop your empty bottle in and you'll immediately get a voucher.
And you don't have to use it at the same place - you can put it towards the admission cost to other selected attractions, up until March 31, 2020.
These include Madame Tussauds: London and Blackpool, The Blackpool Tower Eye and Circus, The Bear Grylls Adventure, The London Eye, Legoland Discovery Centre Manchester, The Dungeons: London, Edinburgh, York and Blackpool Tower and all the Sea Life centre branches.
Check your breakdown cover for member benefits
Motorists who have breakdown cover often have discounted days out as part of their membership perks.
At the time of writing, AA members could get up to 49% off entry to Thorpe Park, over 40% off at Shrek's Adventure, up to 50% off at Alton Towers and Chessington World of Adventures and up to 49% off at the UK's SEA Life centres.
While RAC members could enjoy up to 32% off Blackpool Tower Attractions, £20 discount on The Railway Touring Company’s steam specials in addition to huge savings on Merlin attractions.
School holiday getaways
Planning a getaway during the half term breaks and summer holidays can be an expensive experience.
Dynamic pricing based on demand means firms jack up the prices outside of term time, and the threat of fines for parents taking their children out of school adds to higher prices.
While it is undeniably going to be more expensive to holiday during the school breaks, there are a few things you can do save money on your trip.
Pick your dates carefully
If you are restricted to a break away during the school summer holidays, it pays to go for the latest possible dates available.
Travel in the last week of August or the first week of September and you are likely to find prices are much cheaper than the rest of the holidays - as much as 15% compared to the rest of the peak season prices.
Consider travelling mid-week - flights in particular are generally cheaper mid-week, even in the peak summer months.
Check your school's holiday policy
Some schools are incredibly strict and do not allow any holidays during term times under any circumstances.
Where others may allow you to apply in writing for the time off, which has to be approved by the head.
While it's wise to assume it's unlikely the school will grant time off for a family holiday, it's always worth checking directly with the office just in case they are a bit more flexible with the policy.
Find hidden cheap booking dates
Not all UK school term dates match up - and if your kids' school differs from everyone else's, this could mean big savings on a trip.
Just figure out where your dates differ from everyone else's, which could be as much as breaking up a week earlier or finishing a few days later.
If your school is off while other's aren't, you'll probably find a bargain.
Ever-changeable inset/teacher training days, which are set by the school rather than the council, can also add up to cheaper rates when booking a long weekend away.
Check your own dates and compare them with other schools' dates via the Gov.uk search tool .
This also works abroad as term dates vary from country to country, so it's worth a quick check before picking which week to go.
This also works for child free people wanting to take advantage of term-time prices, or wanting to avoid a holiday resort being potentially packed with kids.
Take advantage of Kids Go Free places
Many travel firms offer free places for kids up to 16 years of age, which could be a way to save money when booking a family holiday.
Lots of operators have their own online search tools where you can search for free places to best suit your needs.
A large majority of these free places apply to the school holidays and half terms, too.
But remember, most of these free places are limited in availability and are in high demand, so it pays to book sooner rather than later when the offers are launched.
Otherwise you'll have to wait till the next wave of places are announced.
Some of the tour operator with kids go free place finders include:
Tui
Jet2
First Choice
Coop Travel
Easyjet
Espritski
It's worth noting if you're travelling with multiple children only the first child goes free, you'll have to pay full price for other kids.
Resorts themselves also offer limited time Kids Go Free deals.
At the time of writing, LEGOland was offering free child places - subject to availability - and include a second day free on short breaks.
Other popular destinations including Alton Towers Resort and Disney are also known to have free kids places on selected dates, so it's always worth checking before booking.
Keep an eye out for room sales
If you're planning a UK break, keep an eye out for flash room sales at hotel chains.
They're subject to availability, but usually include the school half term holidays and summer break.
And it's not just city centre locations included, many have branches in some sought after holiday destinations.
Both Premier Inn and Travelodge regularly hold room sales throughout the year, with many rooms going for less than £29 a night - that's just over £7pp per night based on a family of four sharing.
Slash the cost of a Center Parcs stay
Resorts in Belgium, France, Germany and the Netherlands can be massively cheaper than the UK Center Parcs resorts - especially when booking a school holiday break.
These days they are run by who separate firms under the CP umbrella, the experiences are incredibly similar and worth the effort if you can handle the journey over.
The folks at MoneySavingExpert.com have discovered that there's huge savings to be made here.
They found that a three bed lodge at Woburn Forest park in Bedfordshire started at £2,028 for early August 2020.
This was compared to just £573 at its Park Hochsauerland site in Germany.
With the addition of flights for a family of four at £350 the total came to £923 – £1,105 less than the UK break.
Follow tourism writer Zara Whelan on social media To follow Zara on Twitter click here. To connect via Facebook, click here. Zara also runs our Discover The North Facebook group specialising in all the latest on things to do, where to drink, eat, shop, go out, events and travel guides across the north of the UK. You can join the conversation here. Here's a link to the M.E.N.'s main Facebook page where we share our latest stories.
Fly from Scotland
If you're thinking of going abroad over the summer holidays, you could save a packet by flying from Scotland instead.
The schools over the border have different term dates to those in the rest of the UK, with most kids back in lessons by mid-August, meaning prices drop substantially around the time the local kids go back in the latter half of the month.
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.