themanchestereveningnews--2020-08-16--The Manc lad who came into our homes every Saturday and spawned a phenomenon

Family , friends and stars have paid tribute to Mark 'Rollerball ' Rocco , the hard-working north Manchester lad who became a world-famous wrestling legend and a Saturday TV star - the baddie grapple fans loved to hate .
He is credited with paving the way for the the mega-bucks entertainment behemoth that is WWE .
Real name Mark Hussey , he died at a care home in Warrington .
He had been suffering with vascular dementia for the last three years of his life .
He was 69 .
Today 's younger wrestling fans will not remember Rollerball Rocco @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do , and they have paid tribute to a man they regard as a wrestling pioneer .
Raised on a farm in Simister , Prestwich , he defied his wrestler dad ( Jumping Jim Hussey ) to become a wrestler himself , learning his craft from the age of 12 while his father was n't watching in the ring at the farm gym .
Not many know he was also talented show-jumper and rode for Great Britain , but his real passion was in the ring .
He turned professional in 1969 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first to adopt the Black Tiger character whose ring feud with Tiger Mask made him a household name in the Far East .
He would wear the mask every time he went out in public and would be mobbed by fans .
Hussey went on to become a household name here in the UK too , fighting as Mark 'Rollerball ' Rocco every Saturday lunchtime on ITV 's World of Sport hosted by Dickie Davies .
His ring nemeses were Oldham wrestler Marty Jones and Wgan fighter , Dynamite Kid - and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Long before WWE in the US made world stars of wrestlers like Dwayne Johnson and Mark 's good friend Hulk Hogan , he helped bring wrestling to the masses .
Without Mark , WWE could not have happened .
The US giant reported record revenue of $ 960m last year ( £731m ) .
Wearing just a pair of trunks and boots , he understood that fans wanted to be told a story , not just watch two men throwing each other around the ring .
So he became the wrestler grapple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ circles he was considered a pioneer and skilled operator .
In a revealing and articulate 2013 interview published on YouTube , he lamented how the Brits had let things 'drift away ' while the the Yanks had taken wrestling to a new level and knew how to turn entertainment into big bucks .
He said : `` You 've got to remember that British wrestling was the start of all this .
The Americans came a lot later than the British .
The British were wrestling professionally in the 30s and 20s and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off until the 50s really , properly . ''
ITV 's World Of Sport had brought the sport to a national audience for the first time while in the US it remained at first in high school gyms and on local TV which left the yanks 'in awe ' , he said , of the huge audience British wrestlers were getting in the UK .
He said : `` We had fantastic stars and great wrestling characters and we had the upper-hand by a long way .
America followed us and followed our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put wrestling on the map .
`` Unfortunately we let it drift away because the promoters in America were very interested in re-investing the profits they made back into the business which in England the promoters were a group of different people and they took the money and ran with it .
`` They bought islands off the shore and bought Rolls Royce and Bentleys and that 's what killed the wrestling business and the talented people moved away from here .
We lost some of the talent and it was replaced by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a great show but did n't hold people 's attention for very long .
`` Now-a-days , the American style - and I 'm not knocking it , it 's fantastic and it 's spectacular and they make millions and they are paid much better paid than the English guys were at the time - it 's lost something .
`` In our day , I 'm not saying we were the best but we were pretty close world-wide with our TV wrestling shows .
The wrestlers got into the ring with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ boots .
`` And they told an amazing story which would keep people transfixed for weeks .
The Americans now on the other hand , they get into the ring with a microphone and they speak for 20 minutes .
`` Then they all run about and slap each other and run up and down .
There 's no story .
They do n't care if he wins , he loses .
In our day , people used to cry on the ringside if their hero got beaten or the bad guy took @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so involved because they understood it . ''
He was a friend of United legend George Best , meeting his future wife Ann , a croupier , at Best 's Manchester nightclub Slack Alice .
Perhaps his greatest achievement in the ring was winning the WWF junior heavyweight title at Madison Square Garden in New York 1982 , fighting as Black Tiger against The Cobra .
Rollerball Rocco won a string of world and British wrestling titles until he retired in 1990 at the age of 39 .
He was taken to hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ final bout .
Doctors found an abnormal heart-beat and they urged him to stop .
He had a pace-maker fitted .
He and Ann raised their two sons Rich and Jono at their home in Timperley where wrestlers like Giant Haystacks would be regular baby-sitters .
The family moved to Tenerife where Mark became a pillar of the community - he ran a number of businesses and was president of Lions Club International on the island , raising thousands for charitable causes .
The couple returned to Manchester five years ago but Mark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ill-health .
He was diagnosed with Alzheimer 's .
Ann , 66 , recalled their life together : `` It was exciting and an unusual life .
We travelled a lot and we met a lot of unusual people . ''
Their son Rich , who gave his mum and dad their first grandchild , Albie , in 2018 , said : `` Giant Haystacks was just under 7ft tall .
Me and my brother used to hang off his beard when he came to babysit us !
He took a real shine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ little boys .
My dad was so proud of his two lads .
`` He was a great dad and me and my brother were always really proud of him growing up .
Once we went to Disneyland in America and there was a wrestling show .
My dad said we 'd just sit in the crowd .
He got up to go to the toilet and he gets grabbed and we were all taken back to Hulk Hogan 's dressing room .
`` And there was Macho Man too just before their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day .
We had photos with them .
I could n't believe it .
I thought my dad had been telling porkie pies , saying that he knew Hulk Hogan .
Me and my brother were looking at each other in amazement .
That 's a memory I 'll never forget , meeting my favourite wrestler and him acknowledging my dad for being a really good wrestler as well . ''
Jono , 37 , who had a successful pro boxing career fighting as Jonny Rocco , explained how his father was revered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ My dad could not really walk down the street in Japan without getting mobbed .
He had to wear the Black Tiger mask everywhere he went .
He could not be seen as any other person apart from Black Tiger which is a crazy hearing about it now .
He had tours of three or four months out there , '' said Jono .
It was ITV 's World Of Sport that made Mark 'Rollerball ' Rocco a household name in the UK .
Jono said : `` We only had three channels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TV every Saturday and he became a big household name . ''
His dad played a pantomime villain who wrestling fans loved to hate .
`` He would get booed into the ring and booed out of the ring .
He used to tell me some amazing stories , '' said Jono , among them that his dad was attacked by an old lady with a pair of scissors .
`` When wrestling at the side of the ring they used to get belted over the heads with handbags and umbrellas , especially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to properly get into it .
He got stabbed by someone with a pair of scissors once but security took her away .
I think he had to strap his hand up but he was OK after a couple of days I think , '' he said .
Wrestling took a terrible toll on Mark over the years .
Jono said : `` He had so many injuries .
I think he broke every single bone in his body .
He broke his back three times .
He had numerous problems with his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
People saying wrestling his fake and it is to an extent these days but back in them days they took a lot of bumps .
`` My dad took wrestling to another level .
He was quite a good Olympic wrestler .
He knew all the moves .
People like Big Daddy were massive .
They body-slammed people .
That 's all they did .
My dad knew what he was doing . ''
Ann , though , baulks at the suggestion that his wrestling injuries caused his Vascular Dementia .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minute .
I think it did n't help but it was hereditary for him .
He started getting quite forgetful in his 60s and in the last three years it really got bad .
We had our first grandchild and he got to see him but he did n't really know who he was which was a terrible shame , '' said Ann .
The world of wrestling mourned news of his death .
US wrestling legend Hulk Hogan tweeted a picture of the pair and wrote : `` RIP ROLLERBALL ROCCO , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ handshake and laugh was at Wembley , we both rocked that place many times , I always loved going out at night to find the old school fish houses after the matches with Rocco , we would laugh , drink Ichiban beer for hours me , him , and Andre HH . ''
Another WWE star , Welsh fighter Flash Morgan Webster , tweeted : `` Just heard about the passing of Mark Rocco .
Rollerball was without a doubt one of the very best to lace up a pair of boots .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and its safe the junior heavyweight style wouldn ’ t be what it is today without his contribution . ''
Another , William Regal , wrote : `` I ’ ve woken to the terrible news that my friend and colleague Mark “ Rollerball ” Rocco has passed away .
`` Becoming a friend and getting to wrestle Mark at 18 was a dream come true .
Mark had an unbelievable work ethic in and out of the ring and my life was better for knowing him .
`` There aren ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much it means to me to be fortunate enough to have known him , wrestled him and explain how much he meant . ''
Mark 's funeral , for close friends and family , is due to take place at Overdale Crematorium in Bolton on August 20 .
The Hussey family are planning a memorial service on May 11 , 2021 , which would have been Mark 's 70th birthday , to raise money for Alzheimer 's Research UK .

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Family, friends and stars have paid tribute to Mark 'Rollerball' Rocco, the hard-working north Manchester lad who became a world-famous wrestling legend and a Saturday TV star - the baddie grapple fans loved to hate.
He is credited with paving the way for the mega-bucks entertainment behemoth that is WWE.
Real name Mark Hussey, he died at a care home in Warrington. He had been suffering with vascular dementia for the last three years of his life. He was 69.
Today's younger wrestling fans will not remember Rollerball Rocco - but their modern-day WWE heroes certainly do, and they have paid tribute to a man they regard as a wrestling pioneer.
Raised on a farm in Simister, Prestwich, he defied his wrestler dad (Jumping Jim Hussey) to become a wrestler himself, learning his craft from the age of 12 while his father wasn't watching in the ring at the farm gym.
(Image: @jonnyrocco1)
Not many know he was also talented show-jumper and rode for Great Britain, but his real passion was in the ring.
He turned professional in 1969 and became a huge star in Japan, the first to adopt the Black Tiger character whose ring feud with Tiger Mask made him a household name in the Far East.
He would wear the mask every time he went out in public and would be mobbed by fans.
Hussey went on to become a household name here in the UK too, fighting as Mark 'Rollerball' Rocco every Saturday lunchtime on ITV's World of Sport hosted by Dickie Davies. His ring nemeses were Oldham wrestler Marty Jones and Wgan fighter, Dynamite Kid - and their TV duels made him a star.
Long before WWE in the US made world stars of wrestlers like Dwayne Johnson and Mark's good friend Hulk Hogan, he helped bring wrestling to the masses. Without Mark, WWE could not have happened.
The US giant reported record revenue of $960m last year (£731m).
(Image: @jonnyrocco1)
Wearing just a pair of trunks and boots, he understood that fans wanted to be told a story, not just watch two men throwing each other around the ring.
So he became the wrestler grapple fans loved to hate although in fighting circles he was considered a pioneer and skilled operator.
In a revealing and articulate 2013 interview published on YouTube, he lamented how the Brits had let things 'drift away' while the the Yanks had taken wrestling to a new level and knew how to turn entertainment into big bucks.
He said: "You've got to remember that British wrestling was the start of all this. The Americans came a lot later than the British. The British were wrestling professionally in the 30s and 20s and the American thing didn't really kick off until the 50s really, properly."
(Image: @jonnyrocco1)
ITV's World Of Sport had brought the sport to a national audience for the first time while in the US it remained at first in high school gyms and on local TV which left the yanks 'in awe', he said, of the huge audience British wrestlers were getting in the UK.
He said: "We had fantastic stars and great wrestling characters and we had the upper-hand by a long way. America followed us and followed our styles. It wasn't America that put wrestling on the map.
"Unfortunately we let it drift away because the promoters in America were very interested in re-investing the profits they made back into the business which in England the promoters were a group of different people and they took the money and ran with it.
"They bought islands off the shore and bought Rolls Royce and Bentleys and that's what killed the wrestling business and the talented people moved away from here. We lost some of the talent and it was replaced by the Big Daddy type characters which were a great show but didn't hold people's attention for very long.
(Image: The Hussey family)
"Now-a-days, the American style - and I'm not knocking it, it's fantastic and it's spectacular and they make millions and they are paid much better paid than the English guys were at the time - it's lost something.
"In our day, I'm not saying we were the best but we were pretty close world-wide with our TV wrestling shows. The wrestlers got into the ring with a pair of trunks and a pair of boots.
(Image: The Hussey family)
"And they told an amazing story which would keep people transfixed for weeks. The Americans now on the other hand, they get into the ring with a microphone and they speak for 20 minutes.
"Then they all run about and slap each other and run up and down. There's no story. They don't care if he wins, he loses. In our day, people used to cry on the ringside if their hero got beaten or the bad guy took a liberty with them. They were so involved because they understood it."
(Image: The Hussey family)
He was a friend of United legend George Best, meeting his future wife Ann, a croupier, at Best's Manchester nightclub Slack Alice.
Perhaps his greatest achievement in the ring was winning the WWF junior heavyweight title at Madison Square Garden in New York 1982, fighting as Black Tiger against The Cobra.
Rollerball Rocco won a string of world and British wrestling titles until he retired in 1990 at the age of 39. He was taken to hospital after what turned out to be his final bout. Doctors found an abnormal heart-beat and they urged him to stop. He had a pace-maker fitted.
(Image: The Hussey family)
He and Ann raised their two sons Rich and Jono at their home in Timperley where wrestlers like Giant Haystacks would be regular baby-sitters.
The family moved to Tenerife where Mark became a pillar of the community - he ran a number of businesses and was president of Lions Club International on the island, raising thousands for charitable causes.
The couple returned to Manchester five years ago but Mark's last three years were blighted by ill-health. He was diagnosed with Alzheimer's.
(Image: @jonnyrocco1)
Ann, 66, recalled their life together: "It was exciting and an unusual life. We travelled a lot and we met a lot of unusual people."
Their son Rich, who gave his mum and dad their first grandchild, Albie, in 2018, said: "Giant Haystacks was just under 7ft tall. Me and my brother used to hang off his beard when he came to babysit us! He took a real shine to us. We were Rocco's little boys. My dad was so proud of his two lads.
(Image: The Hussey family)
"He was a great dad and me and my brother were always really proud of him growing up. Once we went to Disneyland in America and there was a wrestling show. My dad said we'd just sit in the crowd. He got up to go to the toilet and he gets grabbed and we were all taken back to Hulk Hogan's dressing room.
"And there was Macho Man too just before their match. I remember it clear as day. We had photos with them. I couldn't believe it. I thought my dad had been telling porkie pies, saying that he knew Hulk Hogan. Me and my brother were looking at each other in amazement. That's a memory I'll never forget, meeting my favourite wrestler and him acknowledging my dad for being a really good wrestler as well."
(Image: The Hussey family)
Jono, 37, who had a successful pro boxing career fighting as Jonny Rocco, explained how his father was revered by wrestling fans in Japan.
"My dad could not really walk down the street in Japan without getting mobbed. He had to wear the Black Tiger mask everywhere he went. He could not be seen as any other person apart from Black Tiger which is a crazy hearing about it now. He had tours of three or four months out there," said Jono.
(Image: The Hussey family)
It was ITV's World Of Sport that made Mark 'Rollerball' Rocco a household name in the UK.
Jono said: "We only had three channels back then. He was on the TV every Saturday and he became a big household name."
His dad played a pantomime villain who wrestling fans loved to hate.
"He would get booed into the ring and booed out of the ring. He used to tell me some amazing stories," said Jono, among them that his dad was attacked by an old lady with a pair of scissors.
(Image: The Hussey family)
"When wrestling at the side of the ring they used to get belted over the heads with handbags and umbrellas, especially by the old ladies. They used to properly get into it. He got stabbed by someone with a pair of scissors once but security took her away. I think he had to strap his hand up but he was OK after a couple of days I think," he said.
Wrestling took a terrible toll on Mark over the years.
Jono said: "He had so many injuries. I think he broke every single bone in his body. He broke his back three times. He had numerous problems with his arms and knees. It was crazy. People saying wrestling his fake and it is to an extent these days but back in them days they took a lot of bumps.
(Image: @jonnyrocco1)
"My dad took wrestling to another level. He was quite a good Olympic wrestler. He knew all the moves. People like Big Daddy were massive. They body-slammed people. That's all they did. My dad knew what he was doing."
Ann, though, baulks at the suggestion that his wrestling injuries caused his Vascular Dementia.
"I don't think so for one minute. I think it didn't help but it was hereditary for him. He started getting quite forgetful in his 60s and in the last three years it really got bad. We had our first grandchild and he got to see him but he didn't really know who he was which was a terrible shame," said Ann.
The world of wrestling mourned news of his death.
(Image: The Hussey family)
US wrestling legend Hulk Hogan tweeted a picture of the pair and wrote: "RIP ROLLERBALL ROCCO, what a good man, our last handshake and laugh was at Wembley, we both rocked that place many times, I always loved going out at night to find the old school fish houses after the matches with Rocco, we would laugh, drink Ichiban beer for hours me, him,and Andre HH."
Another WWE star, Welsh fighter Flash Morgan Webster, tweeted: "Just heard about the passing of Mark Rocco. Rollerball was without a doubt one of the very best to lace up a pair of boots. He was a pioneer and an innovator and its safe the junior heavyweight style wouldn’t be what it is today without his contribution."
(Image: @jonnyrocco1)
Another, William Regal, wrote: "I’ve woken to the terrible news that my friend and colleague Mark “Rollerball” Rocco has passed away.
"Becoming a friend and getting to wrestle Mark at 18 was a dream come true. Mark had an unbelievable work ethic in and out of the ring and my life was better for knowing him.
"There aren’t enough words for me to explain how much it means to me to be fortunate enough to have known him, wrestled him and explain how much he meant."
(Image: The Hussey family)
Mark's funeral, for close friends and family, is due to take place at Overdale Crematorium in Bolton on August 20.
The Hussey family are planning a memorial service on May 11, 2021, which would have been Mark's 70th birthday, to raise money for Alzheimer's Research UK.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-08-16--Young Man City defender Pedro Perro leaves on two-year loan deal

Young Manchester City right-back Pedro Porro has secured a two-year loan move to Portugal with Sporting .
The Spanish Under-21 international will spend the next two seasons with the Primeira Liga side who announced the news on their website on Saturday .
They have also been given the option to sign Porro permanently .
The 20-year-old hasn ’ t made a first team appearance for City since making the move to the Etihad Stadium last summer , and spent the whole of last season out on loan .
Having begun his professional career with Peralada , Porro made the move @ @ @ @ @ @ @ snapped up by City last year in a deal worth a reported £11million .
Just four days after signing for Pep Guardiola ’ s side , he was sent back to Spain as signed on loan with Real Valladolid , where he made 15 appearances in all competitions and helped his side to 13th in La Liga .
Porro didn ’ t play following the resumption of the season earlier this summer , and despite being contracted at City until 2024 , it appears his future now lies in Portugal .
Have your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Upon signing for Sporting , Porro told the club ’ s website : “ I am very happy .
Sporting CP is a big player in Portugal and the project excited me .
“ It 's a big step in my career .
I come to give my all and have a great championship .
“ I am a type of player who likes to work , to set goals and stick to them .
I come to do my best and help my teammates and this great club .
”

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Young Manchester City right-back Pedro Porro has secured a two-year loan move to Portugal with Sporting.
The Spanish Under-21 international will spend the next two seasons with the Primeira Liga side who announced the news on their website on Saturday. They have also been given the option to sign Porro permanently.
The 20-year-old hasn’t made a first team appearance for City since making the move to the Etihad Stadium last summer, and spent the whole of last season out on loan.
Having begun his professional career with Peralada, Porro made the move to Girona in 2017, before being snapped up by City last year in a deal worth a reported £11million.
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Just four days after signing for Pep Guardiola’s side, he was sent back to Spain as signed on loan with Real Valladolid, where he made 15 appearances in all competitions and helped his side to 13th in La Liga.
Porro didn’t play following the resumption of the season earlier this summer, and despite being contracted at City until 2024, it appears his future now lies in Portugal.
Have your say in our Man City end-of-season survey:
Upon signing for Sporting, Porro told the club’s website: “I am very happy. Sporting CP is a big player in Portugal and the project excited me.
“It's a big step in my career. I come to give my all and have a great championship.
“I am a type of player who likes to work, to set goals and stick to them. I come to do my best and help my teammates and this great club.”


themanchestereveningnews--2020-08-16--Tahith Chong training with Werder Bremen ahead of Man United exit

Werder Bremen have released a picture of Manchester United youngster Tahith Chong training with them , ahead of his proposed loan move .
The 20-year-old is expected to complete a loan to the German side as United allow him to leave on a temporary basis , to get first team experience .
Chong has played 12 times in all competitions for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer 's side this season , though is yet to score a senior goal .
His most recent appearance came in the Europa League last 16 second leg versus LASK at left back .
After signing a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March , a loan now seems the inevitable next step in the Dutch winger 's development .
Bremen appear to have agreed terms with United and their official account showed Chong in training , with a pair of eyes emoji .
They added a statement saying : `` Although the final terms of his move are yet to be agreed , Chong has been given permission to train with the club . ''
MEN Sport understands a deal will be announced and completed early next week .
Bremen 's sporting director Frank Baumann @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their pursuit of Chong .
He said : “ There is still a lot to be clarified .
I 've been in business long enough to know that a transfer like this can fail because of many things . ''
But all now looks in order and Chong will link up with the Bundesliga side .

Manchester United have confirmed Tahith Chong has completed a season-long loan transfer to Werder Bremen.
The 20-year-old has already started with German side as United allow him to leave on a temporary basis, to get first team experience. He will wear the No.22 at Bremen.
Chong has played 12 times in all competitions for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side this season, though is yet to score a senior goal.
His most recent appearance came in the Europa League last 16 second leg versus LASK at left back. After signing a new two-year contract extension at United in March, a loan has now been agreed as the ideal next step Dutch winger's development.
Bremen initially teased Chong's arrival by tweeting out a picture of the youngster training with them.
A deal has since been announced by both clubs and Chong has been officially unveiled.
O le Gunnar Solskjaer said: "We are pleased with the progress Tahith has made since he stepped up from the academy and are looking forward to continuing to develop his talent. He has great potential; given his age, ability and work-ethic, we can see that he has a bright future at Manchester United.”


themanchestereveningnews--2020-08-16--Police pelted with missiles trying to break up massive Gorton party

Police were pelted with missiles when they tried to stop a party in Gorton .
Officers were forced to call for back up after arriving at the gathering in Harlow Drive last night .
It was the second big gathering Greater Manchester Police had to deal with this weekend , after large crowds congregated on Wilmslow Road in Rusholme on Friday night .
Police chiefs have slammed those 'blatantly flouting ' Covid restrictions , saying the force has been 'extremely stretched ' in the last few days .
Officers are now reviewing their footage of the Gorton event with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Deputy Chief Constable Ian Pilling said : `` Despite having significant number of GMP officers on duty , supported by officers from North Wales and Cheshire , we were extremely stretched again yesterday with unprecedented demand .
`` The last thing we need is large gatherings such as this , as well as unacceptable attacks on officers attending the scene .
`` Quite frankly , it is beyond comprehension and I am incredibly disappointed that people feel they can gather in this way - blatantly flouting the rules .
I can honestly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I have never seen anything quite as outrageous as this behaviour .
It is appalling . '
`` We are still in the midst of a global pandemic and over 40,000 people have lost their lives .
`` Greater Manchester is specifically affected to the extent we have a local lockdown and many places still have a rising infection rate .
People behaving in this way are contributing to an already difficult situation .
`` This morning , I have officers examining the footage and I hope to act shortly .
We are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and also have officers back at the scene gathering evidence .
`` GMP owes it to our communities to not tolerate this kind of behaviour.
” Police were also forced to shut Wilmslow Road in Rusholme on Friday night after hundreds of people gathered in the street .
Big crowds congregated in Wilmslow Road , also known as Curry Mile , to celebrate Pakistan Independence Day on Friday evening .
Police say the area was 'heavily congested ' with pedestrians , as well as cars being driven up and down Wilmslow Road in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shared on social media shows hundreds of people waving flags and sounding air horns .
Officers shut the road and dispersed the crowd with the help of a local councillor , a GMP spokesman said .

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Police were pelted with missiles when they tried to stop a party in Gorton.
Officers were forced to call for back up after arriving at the gathering in Harlow Drive last night.
It was the second big gathering Greater Manchester Police had to deal with this weekend, after large crowds congregated on Wilmslow Road in Rusholme on Friday night.
Police chiefs have slammed those 'blatantly flouting' Covid restrictions, saying the force has been 'extremely stretched' in the last few days.
Officers are now reviewing their footage of the Gorton event with a view of prosecuting those breaking the law.
Deputy Chief Constable Ian Pilling said: "Despite having significant number of GMP officers on duty, supported by officers from North Wales and Cheshire, we were extremely stretched again yesterday with unprecedented demand.
"The last thing we need is large gatherings such as this, as well as unacceptable attacks on officers attending the scene.
"Quite frankly, it is beyond comprehension and I am incredibly disappointed that people feel they can gather in this way - blatantly flouting the rules. I can honestly say that in 30 years of policing I have never seen anything quite as outrageous as this behaviour. It is appalling.'
"We are still in the midst of a global pandemic and over 40,000 people have lost their lives.
"Greater Manchester is specifically affected to the extent we have a local lockdown and many places still have a rising infection rate. People behaving in this way are contributing to an already difficult situation.
"This morning, I have officers examining the footage and I hope to act shortly. We are considering all options with regards to prosecution and also have officers back at the scene gathering evidence.
"GMP owes it to our communities to not tolerate this kind of behaviour.”
Police were also forced to shut Wilmslow Road in Rusholme on Friday night after hundreds of people gathered in the street.
Big crowds congregated in Wilmslow Road, also known as Curry Mile, to celebrate Pakistan Independence Day on Friday evening.
Police say the area was 'heavily congested' with pedestrians, as well as cars being driven up and down Wilmslow Road in an 'unsafe manner'.
Video footage shared on social media shows hundreds of people waving flags and sounding air horns.
Officers shut the road and dispersed the crowd with the help of a local councillor, a GMP spokesman said.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-08-16--Four things spotted in Man Utd training as Fernandes and Pogba sharp

Manchester United 's players were put through their paces on Saturday afternoon , as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer oversaw one final training session before the Europa League semi-final against Sevilla .
It took place at the RheinEnergieStadion , where the semi-final will be played on Sunday night .
United are gunning for a spot in the final , where they will face either Inter Milan or Shakhtar Donestk .
Here are four things we spotted in the training session : Solskjaer clearly has a good mood in his squad , something he was obviously keen to keep going before such a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surprise that all his 30-man squad were involved in this training session , with a big group discussion taking place before the players were put through some off-the-ball work .
The Norwegian tends to oversee matters while coaches like Kieran McKenna and Michael Carrick are more vocal and that appeared to be the case again in Cologne .
The good spirit is still there with many players seen sharing jokes and taking each other on in competitive sprint races .
You can tell when Bruno Fernandes is in the mood .
He tries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ training and other players tend to gravitate towards him .
And that was no different in this session on the eve of a big semi-final .
Fernandes has enjoyed a wonderful Europa League campaign , first with Sporting and most recently with United .
His delightful pieces of skill in training show that the Portuguese man is ready for a tilt at the trophy .
United fans have reasons to be excited .
The Spanish passing game the 'Rondo ' has become a staple of top-level training sessions the world over .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working on their close control and intricate passing ahead of a meeting with a Spanish side .
It was also little surprise that Paul Pogba looked the most impressive player in these drills .
His ability to keep the ball under pressure is almost unrivalled in European football .
Andreas Pereira and Juan Mata , two players who honed their skills in Spain , also looked good .
United then moved onto small-sided games with a small net , again designed to get them keeping the ball well along the ground .
Pogba @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defenders as they linked up in one such game .
Another element of the training session was a give-and-go shooting drill in which two players set each other up , with one having an effort at goal .
Fernandes and Juan Mata , interestingly , were one of the combinations exchanging passes .
The pair linked up nicely in extra time of the quarter-final against Copenhagen and could do so again versus Sevilla if Mata comes off the bench .
The finishing of both looked to be in good order , particularly Fernandes @

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Manchester United's players were put through their paces on Saturday afternoon, as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer oversaw one final training session before the Europa League semi-final against Sevilla.
It took place at the RheinEnergieStadion, where the semi-final will be played on Sunday night. United are gunning for a spot in the final, where they will face either Inter Milan or Shakhtar Donestk.
Here are four things we spotted in the training session:
Big group session
Solskjaer clearly has a good mood in his squad, something he was obviously keen to keep going before such a big game.
Therefore it was no surprise that all his 30-man squad were involved in this training session, with a big group discussion taking place before the players were put through some off-the-ball work.
The Norwegian tends to oversee matters while coaches like Kieran McKenna and Michael Carrick are more vocal and that appeared to be the case again in Cologne. The good spirit is still there with many players seen sharing jokes and taking each other on in competitive sprint races.
Fernandes flicks
You can tell when Bruno Fernandes is in the mood. He tries all sorts of flicks and tricks in training and other players tend to gravitate towards him.
And that was no different in this session on the eve of a big semi-final. Fernandes has enjoyed a wonderful Europa League campaign, first with Sporting and most recently with United. His delightful pieces of skill in training show that the Portuguese man is ready for a tilt at the trophy.
United fans have reasons to be excited.
Pogba stars in Rondos
The Spanish passing game the 'Rondo' has become a staple of top-level training sessions the world over. And it was no surprise to see United working on their close control and intricate passing ahead of a meeting with a Spanish side.
It was also little surprise that Paul Pogba looked the most impressive player in these drills.
His ability to keep the ball under pressure is almost unrivalled in European football. Andreas Pereira and Juan Mata, two players who honed their skills in Spain, also looked good.
(Image: 2020 Manchester United FC)
United then moved onto small-sided games with a small net, again designed to get them keeping the ball well along the ground. Pogba and Fernandes could be seen toying with defenders as they linked up in one such game.
Finishing on point
Another element of the training session was a give-and-go shooting drill in which two players set each other up, with one having an effort at goal.
Fernandes and Juan Mata, interestingly, were one of the combinations exchanging passes. The pair linked up nicely in extra time of the quarter-final against Copenhagen and could do so again versus Sevilla if Mata comes off the bench.
The finishing of both looked to be in good order, particularly Fernandes.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-08-16--Merseyside murder investigation launched as woman dies

A murder investigation has been launched after a woman died in hospital after being found bleeding in street A man has now been arrested on suspicion of murdering a 45-year-old woman .
Police were called by the ambulance service to Moorland Road , Maghull , Merseyside , at about 9.20pm on Saturday to a report of concern for the woman .
According to eye witnesses , locals in the street rushed outside after the woman collapsed on the driveway of a home with serious injuries , the Liverpool Echo reports .
They said she was bleeding heavily after sustaining what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ injury .
Despite efforts to save her before emergency services arrived , the woman was taken to hospital where she sadly died .
A 47-year-old man , who is believed to have been known to the woman , was held on suspicion of murder .
A spokeswoman for Merseyside Police said : `` Specialist officers are supporting her relatives at this difficult time .
`` Investigations are ongoing into the full circumstances , and forensic analysis as well as house-to-house inquiries will likely continue throughout the weekend . ''
Anyone with information should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 15 .

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A murder investigation has been launched after a woman died in hospital after being found bleeding in street
A man has now been arrested on suspicion of murdering a 45-year-old woman.
Police were called by the ambulance service to Moorland Road, Maghull, Merseyside, at about 9.20pm on Saturday to a report of concern for the woman.
According to eye witnesses, locals in the street rushed outside after the woman collapsed on the driveway of a home with serious injuries, the Liverpool Echo reports.
They said she was bleeding heavily after sustaining what is believed to have been a neck injury.
Despite efforts to save her before emergency services arrived, the woman was taken to hospital where she sadly died.
A 47-year-old man, who is believed to have been known to the woman, was held on suspicion of murder.
A spokeswoman for Merseyside Police said: "Specialist officers are supporting her relatives at this difficult time.
"Investigations are ongoing into the full circumstances, and forensic analysis as well as house-to-house inquiries will likely continue throughout the weekend."
Anyone with information should contact police quoting log 1071 of August 15.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-08-16--Kerry Katona's daughter Heidi tipped to be a star after The Voice Kids

Kerry Katona has spoken of her pride in daughter Heidi as she made her final appearance on The Voice Kids .
Unfortunately 13-year-old Heidi did n't make it through to the semi-finals of the ITV singing contest as young contestants took part in the battle rounds .
She performed Shakira 's Whenever , Wherever for celeb coaches Danny Jones , Paloma Faith , Pixie Lott and will.i.am , but sadly not everyone was able to get to the next round .
Paloma had the tough task of picking from her trio of Heidi , Dara McNicholl and Rachel O'Donnell and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on The Voice Kids may have come to an end , but viewers have now tipped her for stardom just like her mum who shot to fame in 1998 with the girl band Atomic Kitten .
Sharing backstage snaps on her Instagram Kerry , 39 , wrote : `` Sooo super proud of all three of these brave , amazing , talented young people !
`` What an amazing time Heidi and I had filming @ thevoicekidsuk and wishing every single one of you the best of luck in the future !
# @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She added : `` @ daramcnicholl you smashed it !
!
And Rachel your amazing . ''
Followers rushed to tell Kerry how impressed they were by Heidi .
`` She was amazing !
!
Definitely a star in the making .
Well done Heidi , '' said one .
Another wrote : `` Glad that we got to see Heidi truly shining tonight !
Little power-house . ''
`` Heidi will be a star and get her breakthrough as she is very talented , '' commented another viewer .
`` Well done @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another follower told Kerry : `` Kerry I just want to say how lovely mannered your daughter is , seeing her on The Voice tonight she was loving that little girl telling them both not to worry about things , she ’ s a credit to you hun you must be proud . ''
Kerry also has daughters Molly , 18 , Lily-Sue , 17 and six-year-old Dylan as well as son Max , 13 .

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Kerry Katona has spoken of her pride in daughter Heidi as she made her final appearance on The Voice Kids.
Unfortunately 13-year-old Heidi didn't make it through to the semi-finals of the ITV singing contest as young contestants took part in the battle rounds.
She performed Shakira's Whenever, Wherever for celeb coaches Danny Jones, Paloma Faith, Pixie Lott and will.i.am, but sadly not everyone was able to get to the next round.
Paloma had the tough task of picking from her trio of Heidi, Dara McNicholl and Rachel O'Donnell and she chose Dara.
(Image: Kerry Katona Instagram)
Heidi's time on The Voice Kids may have come to an end, but viewers have now tipped her for stardom just like her mum who shot to fame in 1998 with the girl band Atomic Kitten.
Sharing backstage snaps on her Instagram Kerry, 39, wrote: "Sooo super proud of all three of these brave, amazing, talented young people!
"What an amazing time Heidi and I had filming @thevoicekidsuk and wishing every single one of you the best of luck in the future! #followyourdreams #nevergiveup @heidikatona."
She added: "@daramcnicholl you smashed it!! And Rachel your amazing."
Followers rushed to tell Kerry how impressed they were by Heidi.
"She was amazing!! Definitely a star in the making. Well done Heidi," said one.
Sign up to the free MEN email newsletter Get the latest updates from across Greater Manchester direct to your inbox with the free MEN newsletter You can sign up very simply by following the instructions here
Another wrote: "Glad that we got to see Heidi truly shining tonight! Little power-house."
"Heidi will be a star and get her breakthrough as she is very talented," commented another viewer.
"Well done Heidi keep going girl!"
And another follower told Kerry: "Kerry I just want to say how lovely mannered your daughter is, seeing her on The Voice tonight she was loving that little girl telling them both not to worry about things, she’s a credit to you hun you must be proud."
Kerry also has daughters Molly, 18, Lily-Sue, 17 and six-year-old Dylan as well as son Max, 13.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-08-16--Manchester United news and transfers LIVE

Manchester United have no fresh injury worries ahead of their Europa League semi-final with Sevilla .
United flew out to @ @ @ @ @ with a 30-man squad but regulars Nemanja Matic and Victor Lindelof were rested from the @ @ @ @ @ over Copenhagen in Monday 's quarter-final .
Matic and Lindelof both came on from the @ @ @ @ @ Bruno Fernandes succumbed to cramp at the end of the exhausting evening , but United @ @ @ @ @ `` We 've had a few good days now preparing , both recovering , preparing @ @ @ @ @ Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said .
`` It ’ s not very often that we have @ @ @ @ @ so we ’ re ready .
`` We ’ re physically , definitely ready .
@ @ @ @ @ be ready because it 's a semi-final and everyone will want to take part and @ @ @ @ @ want them to enjoy it . ''
Meanwhile , United continue to be linked with @ @ @ @ @ Stay tuned for the latest Man United news throughout the day .

Manchester United have no fresh injury worries ahead of their Europa League semi-final with Sevilla.
United flew out to Cologne, Germany last week with a 30-man squad but regulars Nemanja Matic and Victor Lindelof were rested from the start of their extra-time win over Copenhagen in Monday's quarter-final.
Matic and Lindelof both came on from the bench against the Danes and Bruno Fernandes succumbed to cramp at the end of the exhausting evening, but United have no new concerns.
"We've had a few good days now preparing, both recovering, preparing and training," manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said. "It’s not very often that we have six days between games, so we’re ready.
"We’re physically, definitely ready. Mentally, the boys will be ready because it's a semi-final and everyone will want to take part and join in. I just want them to enjoy it."
Meanwhile, United continue to be linked with Lille defender Gabriel Magalhaes.
Stay tuned for the latest Man United news throughout the day.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-08-16--Netflix's mystery thriller White Lines series two fate confirmed

Netflix 's White Lines has had its series two fate confirmed .
The mystery thriller , which landed on the streaming service back in May was centred around clubbers in Manchester and Ibiza .
It followed Zoe , a librarian from Manchester ( Laura Haddock ) , who flies out to Ibiza when her brother 's body is discovered there , 20 years after he disappeared .
She then makes it her mission to find out what happened to Axel ( Tom Rhys Harries ) , whose dream was to become the world 's greatest DJ .
The show takes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ run , and flashes back to the clubbing life of the 90s , and Zoe 's present day search and discovery of life in the party isle .
But for fans of the Netflix series , it 's bad news .
Following rumours about its axe , Daniel Mays , who played Axel 's best mate Marcus , has confirmed that a second series wo n't be happening after all .
Writing on Instagram , the actor said : `` Following the reports in the press over the past couple of days , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for all those asking me on here , it 's with a heavy heart I post the # WhiteLines season 2 ship has well and truly sailed .
`` Huge thanks , respect and admiration to @ netflix @ netflixuk @ alexpinaoficial @ leftbankpictures and @ vancouvermedia_ for the ride of a lifetime .
`` Love to the incredible cast & crew and to all the amazing fans for watching around the globe .
Your support for the show meant the world to us .
`` So THANK YOU !
Farewell Marcus ... @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And it 's fair to say a lot of viewers are n't happy .
`` NNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO !
Please say it isn ’ t so .
Best thing on Netflix EVER , '' wrote one .
Another said : `` Gutted !
So much more to this tale and wanted to see where this journey ended up ! ''
`` No season 2 !
!
!
No Marcus , No Boxer ... my heart is breaking , '' added a third .
A fourth also commented : `` Oh what !
!
!
!
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ this ! ''
`` How can there not be a second series ?
!
?
What a show , '' added another and one even said : `` Need to start a petition !
# freewhitelines . ''
The response clearly left Daniel a bit overwhelmed as he returned to Instagram with some images from the show .
Alongside a photo of him as Marcus he wrote : `` Mr Marcus Ward .
Gon na miss playing you mate . ''

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Netflix's White Lines has had its series two fate confirmed.
The mystery thriller, which landed on the streaming service back in May was centred around clubbers in Manchester and Ibiza.
It followed Zoe, a librarian from Manchester (Laura Haddock), who flies out to Ibiza when her brother's body is discovered there, 20 years after he disappeared.
She then makes it her mission to find out what happened to Axel (Tom Rhys Harries), whose dream was to become the world's greatest DJ.
The show takes many twist and turns throughout the 10-episode run, and flashes back to the clubbing life of the 90s, and Zoe's present day search and discovery of life in the party isle.
But for fans of the Netflix series, it's bad news.
Following rumours about its axe, Daniel Mays, who played Axel's best mate Marcus, has confirmed that a second series won't be happening after all.
Writing on Instagram, the actor said: "Following the reports in the press over the past couple of days," the actor wrote, "and for all those asking me on here, it's with a heavy heart I post the #WhiteLines season 2 ship has well and truly sailed.
"Huge thanks, respect and admiration to @netflix @netflixuk @alexpinaoficial @leftbankpictures and @vancouvermedia_ for the ride of a lifetime.
"Love to the incredible cast & crew and to all the amazing fans for watching around the globe. Your support for the show meant the world to us.
"So THANK YOU! Farewell Marcus.......you were my favourite."
And it's fair to say a lot of viewers aren't happy.
"NNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Please say it isn’t so. Best thing on Netflix EVER," wrote one.
Another said: "Gutted! So much more to this tale and wanted to see where this journey ended up!"
"No season 2!!! No Marcus, No Boxer... my heart is breaking," added a third.
A fourth also commented: "Oh what!!!! I’ve been impatiently waiting for this!"
"How can there not be a second series?!? What a show," added another and one even said: "Need to start a petition! #freewhitelines."
The response clearly left Daniel a bit overwhelmed as he returned to Instagram with some images from the show.
Alongside a photo of him as Marcus he wrote: "Mr Marcus Ward.
Gonna miss playing you mate."


themanchestereveningnews--2020-08-16--Manchester United's plan for stopping Sevilla's biggest attacking threat

Sevilla set a new club record of 19 matches undefeated with Tuesday night ’ s win over Wolverhampton Wanderers and have now won seven of their last eight matches .
They go into Sunday night ’ s Europa League semi-final against in a rich vein of form in a match-up which pits together the two strongest teams in the competition .
That run of eight games has seen them concede just one goal and they have now kept five successive clean sheets .
The team ’ s success is based on resilience , organisation and intensity , marshaled superbly by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jules Kounde — both of whom were signed from Ligue 1 clubs last summer and both are now in high-demand .
Yet there are also a number of players who offer a goalscoring threat at the other end of the pitch .
Sevilla ’ s primary flaw this season has been the lack of a prolific strike .
Their top scorer in La Liga was Lucas Ocampos , with 14 goals to his name , but there was a notable drop down to the next highest scorer , Luuk de Jong with six @ @ @ @ @ @ @ start in either of the Europa League wins over Roma and Wolves , with January signing Youssef En-Nesyri selected in his place .
A January arrival from Leganes , the Moroccan international is a live-wire striker — much more mobile and agile than target-man De Jong — capable of stretching defences .
Despite areas of the 23-year-old ’ s game still being raw and not without deficiencies , he is a threat both aerially and via counter-attacks - as he showed in netting Sevilla ’ s second in their win over Roma .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the assists for that goal via his timed run and perfectly-timed squared delivery - who is the real goal threat for Julen Lopetegui ’ s side .
The Argentine arrived from Marseille last summer and has netted 18 goals across all competitions this season while providing four assists .
Aged just 24 , Sevilla are Ocampos ’ sixth club but he has been given a new lease of life in Andalusia and has truly eclipsed his previous form to establish himself as one of La Liga ’ s best players .
Having played @ @ @ @ @ @ @ role , he is now often deployed on the right-side of a three-man attack at Sevilla , with his tactical awareness and ingenuity as notable as his technical abilities .
It is unclear exactly what role Sevilla ’ s star player will fulfill against United , with former Liverpool player Suso also expected to occupy one of the wide forward roles .
Another January arrival , the 26-year-old is naturally left-footed but has often played on the right - the idea is for him to cut inside and allow Jesus Navas , once @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from right-back to deliver from the flank .
The full-backs are a major offensive weapon for Sevilla .
Both Navas and Sergio Reguilon have huge attacking responsibilities alongside their defensive duties .
Reguilon — owned by Real Madrid and a reported transfer target for Chelsea — showcased his ability with a fine individual goal against Roma , but both he and Navas push high up regularly and deliver crosses into the box .
This is a key feature of Sevilla ’ s play and likely to be critical for United to combat — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ via central defenders aerially — to reduce the threat .
Another key for United will be to crowd Ever Banega in central midfield .
The Argentine will leave Sevilla after this competition to move to Saudi Arabia but he is still one of the finest midfield operators in La Liga and is capable of controlling the game .
Limiting his time and space on the ball is pivotal for snuffing out Sevilla in the final third and this could heighten the likelihood of the combative Fred being deployed by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ this is a Sevilla side whose threat lies all over the pitch and who can not be allowed to control the game .
The game is likely to be won and lost in the midfield battle , while much will depend on how effectively Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Brandon Williams shut down the flanks .

Sevilla set a new club record of 19 matches undefeated with Tuesday night’s win over Wolverhampton Wanderers and have now won seven of their last eight matches.
They go into Sunday night’s Europa League semi-final against Manchester United in a rich vein of form in a match-up which pits together the two strongest teams in the competition.
That run of eight games has seen them concede just one goal and they have now kept five successive clean sheets.
The team’s success is based on resilience, organisation and intensity, marshaled superbly by the central defensive duo Diego Carlos and Jules Kounde — both of whom were signed from Ligue 1 clubs last summer and both are now in high-demand.
Yet there are also a number of players who offer a goalscoring threat at the other end of the pitch.
Sevilla’s primary flaw this season has been the lack of a prolific strike. Their top scorer in La Liga was Lucas Ocampos, with 14 goals to his name, but there was a notable drop down to the next highest scorer, Luuk de Jong with six.
Dutch striker De Jong did not start in either of the Europa League wins over Roma and Wolves, with January signing Youssef En-Nesyri selected in his place.
A €20million January arrival from Leganes, the Moroccan international is a live-wire striker — much more mobile and agile than target-man De Jong — capable of stretching defences. Despite areas of the 23-year-old’s game still being raw and not without deficiencies, he is a threat both aerially and via counter-attacks - as he showed in netting Sevilla’s second in their win over Roma.
Yet it is Ocampos - who provided the assists for that goal via his timed run and perfectly-timed squared delivery - who is the real goal threat for Julen Lopetegui’s side. The Argentine arrived from Marseille last summer and has netted 18 goals across all competitions this season while providing four assists.
(Image: Friedemann Vogel/Pool via Getty Images)
Aged just 24, Sevilla are Ocampos’ sixth club but he has been given a new lease of life in Andalusia and has truly eclipsed his previous form to establish himself as one of La Liga’s best players. Having played much of his career in a midfield role, he is now often deployed on the right-side of a three-man attack at Sevilla, with his tactical awareness and ingenuity as notable as his technical abilities.
It is unclear exactly what role Sevilla’s star player will fulfill against United, with former Liverpool player Suso also expected to occupy one of the wide forward roles. Another January arrival, the 26-year-old is naturally left-footed but has often played on the right - the idea is for him to cut inside and allow Jesus Navas , once of Manchester City, to maraud forward from right-back to deliver from the flank.
The full-backs are a major offensive weapon for Sevilla. Both Navas and Sergio Reguilon have huge attacking responsibilities alongside their defensive duties. Reguilon — owned by Real Madrid and a reported transfer target for Chelsea — showcased his ability with a fine individual goal against Roma, but both he and Navas push high up regularly and deliver crosses into the box. This is a key feature of Sevilla’s play and likely to be critical for United to combat — initially at its source, and then via central defenders aerially — to reduce the threat.
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Another key for United will be to crowd Ever Banega in central midfield. The Argentine will leave Sevilla after this competition to move to Saudi Arabia but he is still one of the finest midfield operators in La Liga and is capable of controlling the game. Limiting his time and space on the ball is pivotal for snuffing out Sevilla in the final third and this could heighten the likelihood of the combative Fred being deployed by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
While Ocampos is the standout player, this is a Sevilla side whose threat lies all over the pitch and who cannot be allowed to control the game. The game is likely to be won and lost in the midfield battle, while much will depend on how effectively Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Brandon Williams shut down the flanks.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-08-16--Inside the North Wales castle that's tipped to star in I'm a Celebrity 2020

A castle just an hour from Manchester is hot favourite to play host to the 2020 series of I 'm A Celebrity ... Get Me Out Of Here !
ITV have already confirmed the 20th series of the popular reality show would no longer take place in Australia , instead at a castle in the UK .
And speculation is growing that Gwrych Castle , which overlooks the coastal town of Abergele , is first choice for the show .
The Grade I listed house and its 250 acres of land and gardens have reportedly been earmarked by producers hoping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the tropical climes of the outback , the harsh conditions on North Wales coast will provide a completely different experience for the celebs - this year taking place in November .
Forget plush restored castle rooms and banqueting halls , Castell Gwrych is currently a shell of what it was in its prime .
And it 's even reportedly got its own resident ghost .
Take a look at what could be in store for the contestants in the 2020 series of I 'm a Celebrity ... Get Me Out Of Here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ town of Abergele on the North Wales coast - about 15 minutes from Rhyl .
And while the castle is visible from the road , it 's actually nestled in the hillside away from the main town .
It 's not a huge town , but has its own primary and secondary schools , a small high street with mostly independent shops .
The local Tesco is just opposite the gates to the castle entrance .
The town itself is a popular holiday spot , with the beach at Pensarn within walking distance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it easy access to all North Wales destinations .
Perched on atop an imposing hill called Tan y Gopa , Gwrych Castle overlooks the local area with amazing views out across the Irish Sea .
It 's also flanked by a thick woodland - Coed y Gopa - and has expansive land at the front of the main castle building .
So while it is actually really close to civilisation , it 's also closed off enough to be well away from prying eyes .
It 's no medieval castle .
In fact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attempts at replicating medieval architecture in Europe in the 19th century .
This sprawling estate was built around 200 years ago by Lloyd Hesketh Bamford Hesketh as a memorial to his mother 's ancestors .
It was later passed to the Earls of Dundonald - it is reported its last resident , Winifred Bamford-Hesketh , Countess of Dundonald haunts the castle .
It had a really important part in World War II , where it was used in Operation Kindertransport , offering sanctuary to 200 Jewish children from the raging war in Europe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ famous training base for World Middleweight Champion Randolph Turpin , who was regularly besieged by adoring fans as he exercised in the grounds .
In the 60s it was transformed into a popular medieval-themed tourist attraction with jousting tournaments , banqueting events .
But it was closed in the 1980s and it fell into a period of decline .
Despite being purchased by and American property developer in 1990 with the site earmarked as a hotel , it never progressed .
It was abandoned , the castle fell into ruin , vandalised , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a period just a few years .
In 1997 , a 12-year-old Mark Baker founded ASFOG ( A Society For the Friends of Gwrych ) which is now the Gwrych Castle Preservation Trust , which has campaigned tirelessly for the preservation and protection of the site .
By 2018 , the trust - still led by Baker who grew up to be an acclaimed historian - had secured purchase of the castle and its grounds .
Work has been continuous at the site , with the aim to bring the castle to its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Countess of Dundonald lived there .
Outside , the castle has some impressive Gothic fairytale-style architecture .
When it was inhabited by the Hesketh family , there were 128 rooms in total , 28 of which were bedrooms .
But the celebs wo n't be treated to luxury or comfort here , as all that remains of the opulent country home is the walls .
And while restoration work continues , the walls are in many places covered in greenery and completely exposed to the elements .
The masonry of the castle still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it once was , but is mostly just a shell .
Ornate window frames can be seen throughout , but most of the stained glass windows have now been destroyed .
The preservation trust runs regular tours through the castle and the grounds along with regular events although not all of the areas of the castle are open to visitors with a number of the rooms and areas behind the castle walls off limits .
A few parts of the castle have been restored though - the Countess 's writing room , located @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to how it looked a century ago , along with the castle gardens which even have a rose bush that is from an original plant during the Dundonald era .
An old cellar room has also been cleared in recent months , which was unveiled to the public for the first time at a public event .
There 's also two resident peacocks that wander the grounds freely - although it is unclear whether they will feature in the show .
Can you stay there ?
You ca n't stay at the castle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you can stay in the Countess of Dundonald 's converted beach house that looks out to sea .
Originally part of the castle estate , Ty Crwn was a place where over many decades the family would come to enjoy the beach whilst having comfortable facilities nearby .
Like the castle , it has its own turbulent history , with many owners over the years .
Just two years ago it was in desperate need of renovation - the roof was falling off , there had been a fire and the building was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ homes list .
Inside , not many original features survived except a cast-iron log burner covered in undergrowth and birds ' mess .
But after it came on the market , it was quickly snapped up by Mark Baker who has now painstakingly restored the beach house , removing decades of unsympathetic decorative schemes and bringing it back to as close as the original property as possible .
Today , it 's available as a holiday let .
And there are currently dates available for when the show is due to air ... @ @ @ @ @ @ @ might also have a paranormal challenge ahead , with the castle reportedly haunted by its last resident , the Countess of Dundonald .
Known as the Woman in White , she is said to roam the grounds of Gwrych .
Strange goings-on have been reported at Gwrych Castle since work began back in 2014 to revamp the Grade I listed building and its gardens .
Visitors claim to have seen a ghostly white woman hovering in the air while dogs have also been spooked while walking through the grounds .
In 2017 group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was once believed to have been kennels and stables and began to call out to any spirits .
When asked “ how are you feeling about the renovations to this castle ” , Paul claims that they have captured the voice of a ghost replying “ happy ” .
Will it actually be filmed here ?
And although both ITV and the castle 's preservation trust remain shtum about the rumours , it has been neither confirmed or denied .
In recent days , aircraft owned by aerial videographers specialising in film and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the region .
There are also local reports that producers have also been contacting nearby caravan sites about availability around the time the show is due to be aired .
Its location close to the A55 expressway would make it ideal for getting to and from other sites - with the 2020 series rumoured to be making the most of the local landscape .
Joe Swash was also seen at nearby Zip World recently - could be a coincidence , or could be another clue .
National news have reported this week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from crumbling '' as heavy machinery and cranes were spotted at the site .
But while the sight of such work taking place once again fuels speculation , preservation and restoration work has been undertaken regularly at the castle for many several years .
So unfortunately it does n't provide a solid clue either .
But while all evidence points towards Gwrych Castle being home to this year 's series , ultimately nothing will be confirmed until producers decide the time is right .

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A castle just an hour from Manchester is hot favourite to play host to the 2020 series of I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here!
ITV have already confirmed the 20th series of the popular reality show would no longer take place in Australia, instead at a castle in the UK.
And speculation is growing that Gwrych Castle, which overlooks the coastal town of Abergele, is first choice for the show.
The Grade I listed house and its 250 acres of land and gardens have reportedly been earmarked by producers hoping to film on site.
A far-cry from the tropical climes of the outback, the harsh conditions on North Wales coast will provide a completely different experience for the celebs - this year taking place in November.
Forget plush restored castle rooms and banqueting halls, Castell Gwrych is currently a shell of what it was in its prime. And it's even reportedly got its own resident ghost.
Take a look at what could be in store for the contestants in the 2020 series of I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here!
Where is Gwrych Castle?
It's in the lovely market town of Abergele on the North Wales coast - about 15 minutes from Rhyl. And while the castle is visible from the road, it's actually nestled in the hillside away from the main town.
It's not a huge town, but has its own primary and secondary schools, a small high street with mostly independent shops. The local Tesco is just opposite the gates to the castle entrance.
The town itself is a popular holiday spot, with the beach at Pensarn within walking distance and just off the A55 expressway giving it easy access to all North Wales destinations.
Perched on atop an imposing hill called Tan y Gopa, Gwrych Castle overlooks the local area with amazing views out across the Irish Sea.
It's also flanked by a thick woodland - Coed y Gopa - and has expansive land at the front of the main castle building. So while it is actually really close to civilisation, it's also closed off enough to be well away from prying eyes.
What's its history?
(Image: Hadyn Iball)
It's no medieval castle. In fact, it was one of the first attempts at replicating medieval architecture in Europe in the 19th century. This sprawling estate was built around 200 years ago by Lloyd Hesketh Bamford Hesketh as a memorial to his mother's ancestors.
It was later passed to the Earls of Dundonald - it is reported its last resident, Winifred Bamford-Hesketh, Countess of Dundonald haunts the castle.
It had a really important part in World War II, where it was used in Operation Kindertransport, offering sanctuary to 200 Jewish children from the raging war in Europe.
In the 50s it became the famous training base for World Middleweight Champion Randolph Turpin, who was regularly besieged by adoring fans as he exercised in the grounds.
In the 60s it was transformed into a popular medieval-themed tourist attraction with jousting tournaments, banqueting events. But it was closed in the 1980s and it fell into a period of decline. Despite being purchased by and American property developer in 1990 with the site earmarked as a hotel, it never progressed.
It was abandoned, the castle fell into ruin, vandalised, damaged and practically all assets stripped over a period just a few years.
(Image: Gwrych Castle Preservation Trust)
In 1997, a 12-year-old Mark Baker founded ASFOG (A Society For the Friends of Gwrych) which is now the Gwrych Castle Preservation Trust, which has campaigned tirelessly for the preservation and protection of the site. By 2018, the trust - still led by Baker who grew up to be an acclaimed historian - had secured purchase of the castle and its grounds.
Work has been continuous at the site, with the aim to bring the castle to its former glory, restored to when the Countess of Dundonald lived there.
What's inside?
(Image: Hadyn Iball)
Outside, the castle has some impressive Gothic fairytale-style architecture. When it was inhabited by the Hesketh family, there were 128 rooms in total, 28 of which were bedrooms.
But the celebs won't be treated to luxury or comfort here, as all that remains of the opulent country home is the walls.
And while restoration work continues, the walls are in many places covered in greenery and completely exposed to the elements.
The masonry of the castle still stands and is just as impressive as it once was, but is mostly just a shell. Ornate window frames can be seen throughout, but most of the stained glass windows have now been destroyed.
(Image: George Frost)
The preservation trust runs regular tours through the castle and the grounds along with regular events although not all of the areas of the castle are open to visitors with a number of the rooms and areas behind the castle walls off limits.
A few parts of the castle have been restored though - the Countess's writing room, located in a tower, has been refurbished to how it looked a century ago, along with the castle gardens which even have a rose bush that is from an original plant during the Dundonald era.
(Image: Hadyn Iball)
An old cellar room has also been cleared in recent months, which was unveiled to the public for the first time at a public event.
There's also two resident peacocks that wander the grounds freely - although it is unclear whether they will feature in the show.
Can you stay there?
(Image: Mark Baker)
You can't stay at the castle or camp in its grounds. However you can stay in the Countess of Dundonald's converted beach house that looks out to sea.
Originally part of the castle estate, Ty Crwn was a place where over many decades the family would come to enjoy the beach whilst having comfortable facilities nearby.
Like the castle, it has its own turbulent history, with many owners over the years. Just two years ago it was in desperate need of renovation - the roof was falling off, there had been a fire and the building was now on the local council's empty homes list.
(Image: Mark Baker)
Inside, not many original features survived except a cast-iron log burner covered in undergrowth and birds' mess.
But after it came on the market, it was quickly snapped up by Mark Baker who has now painstakingly restored the beach house, removing decades of unsympathetic decorative schemes and bringing it back to as close as the original property as possible.
Today, it's available as a holiday let.
And there are currently dates available for when the show is due to air...
Is it actually haunted?
The celebs might also have a paranormal challenge ahead, with the castle reportedly haunted by its last resident, the Countess of Dundonald. Known as the Woman in White, she is said to roam the grounds of Gwrych.
Strange goings-on have been reported at Gwrych Castle since work began back in 2014 to revamp the Grade I listed building and its gardens.
Visitors claim to have seen a ghostly white woman hovering in the air while dogs have also been spooked while walking through the grounds.
In 2017 group of paranormal investigators visited an area which was once believed to have been kennels and stables and began to call out to any spirits.
When asked “how are you feeling about the renovations to this castle”, Paul claims that they have captured the voice of a ghost replying “happy”.
Will it actually be filmed here?
And although both ITV and the castle's preservation trust remain shtum about the rumours, it has been neither confirmed or denied.
In recent days, aircraft owned by aerial videographers specialising in film and TV have been spotted in the sky over the region.
There are also local reports that producers have also been contacting nearby caravan sites about availability around the time the show is due to be aired.
Its location close to the A55 expressway would make it ideal for getting to and from other sites - with the 2020 series rumoured to be making the most of the local landscape.
Joe Swash was also seen at nearby Zip World recently - could be a coincidence, or could be another clue.
National news have reported this week that the castle is being "saved from crumbling" as heavy machinery and cranes were spotted at the site.
But while the sight of such work taking place once again fuels speculation, preservation and restoration work has been undertaken regularly at the castle for many several years. So unfortunately it doesn't provide a solid clue either.
But while all evidence points towards Gwrych Castle being home to this year's series, ultimately nothing will be confirmed until producers decide the time is right.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-08-16--'I’ve always known that I didn’t have a connection to any gender'

Last year , 21-year-old Maj Ellis was living in the small Australian town of Castlemaine with a population of less than 7,000 people .
A year later , Maj is one of the 3.3 million people living in the city-region of Manchester and they 're soon about to embark on one of the biggest moments of their life .
The decision was made after Maj , now 22 , finished their studies and decided to work in the media industry .
“ There aren ’ t a lot of options in the media in Australia so I thought I should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Maj tells the M.E.N .
“ I have dual-citizenship as my dad ’ s from England so I thought it would probably be the best decision to come here and Manchester seemed like the perfect place because of MediaCity.
” Now living in Salford , the move to a new country was also an opportunity for Maj to live a more authentic life .
Earlier this year , they began identifying as non-binary as it felt more in line with how they felt .
“ I feel like I ’ ve always known @ @ @ @ @ @ @ connection to any gender , ” Maj says .
“ But I came to terms with being non-binary a few months ago when I realised I had to identify as something more clear to other people .
“ It ’ s never been a big revelation ; I knew I wasn ’ t ever a woman and I ’ d always see the ‘ cool guys ’ on TV but never wanted to be them either .
I was just me . ''
Read more of today 's stories here Maj , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aiming to raise funds to help them have top surgery , a procedure to remove breast tissue in order to alter the chest size and appearance .
“ Even as a child I never wanted to be womanly , I just wanted to be me , without any labels or expectations , ” Maj explains in the fundraiser .
“ I walked around shirtless all the time until I started 'developing ' then I would get in trouble.
” The decision to raise money through a fundraiser came about after Maj realised that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a waiting list of three years .
“ I wasn ’ t really sure if I could wait any longer for this - I ’ ve already waited 22 years , ” they say .
“ So , I looked into how I could go about surgery through private .
I ’ ve never asked anyone for money and I definitely couldn ’ t ask my family for money so I thought I ’ d see if anyone wanted to donate .
“ I ’ m surprised that I ’ ve even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s been very humbling to see that people care and want to support me.
” Back home , Maj says they are loved by their family but they can struggle to understand what they ’ re going through .
“ Finding out that your kid ’ s gay is a big thing to deal with , ” Maj says .
“ So , I think finding out I do n't identify as anything and want to have surgery to take off a part of my body would be a lot to put my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ friend came out as non-binary last year and Maj ’ s mum struggled to understand what it meant .
“ She was very confused about it , ” Maj explains .
“ And then when I bought a chest binder a couple of years ago , my mum was so upset when she found out about that because she wasn ’ t sure why I wanted to hide my chest .
“ That wasn ’ t even a permanent change , it was like getting a sports bra.
” Since moving to Manchester @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lot more liberating than their small hometown in Australia .
“ Australia is quite backwards and I come from quite a small-minded town , ” they add .
“ The closest gay bar to me was five hours north in Brisbane but here in Manchester , there ’ s a whole gay village .
`` Living in the city feels a lot more open .
I love it , it ’ s so cool.
” In September , Maj will meet with a doctor for a surgery consultation and hopes to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a fifth of their way to reaching their fundraising target and have even received contributions from family back home .
`` Having this surgery will help me feel more confident in myself and become closer to people , '' Maj adds .
“ I ’ m just very grateful for what has been donated already and super impressed with the support .
“ I ’ m also hopeful that maybe this will help someone else who is in a similar position to me .
`` Maybe it ’ ll let them know that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be done.
” You can donate to Maj 's fundraiser here .

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Last year, 21-year-old Maj Ellis was living in the coastal Australian village of Sawtell in New South Wales with a population of less than 4,000 people.
A year later, Maj is one of the 3.3 million people living in the city-region of Manchester and they're soon about to embark on one of the biggest moments of their life.
The decision was made after Maj, now 22, finished their studies and decided to work in the media industry.
“There aren’t a lot of options in the media in Australia so I thought I should try either America or England,” Maj, who was born in Castlemaine, Australia, tells the M.E.N.
“I have dual-citizenship as my dad’s from England so I thought it would probably be the best decision to come here and Manchester seemed like the perfect place because of MediaCity.”
Now living in Salford, the move to a new country was also an opportunity for Maj to live a more authentic life.
Earlier this year, they began identifying as non-binary as it felt more in line with how they felt.
“I feel like I’ve always known that I didn’t have a connection to any gender,” Maj says.
“But I came to terms with being non-binary a few months ago when I realised I had to identify as something more clear to other people.
“It’s never been a big revelation; I knew I wasn’t ever a woman and I’d always see the ‘cool guys’ on TV but never wanted to be them either. I was just me."
Maj, who works in sports media, is now aiming to raise funds to help them have top surgery, a procedure to remove breast tissue in order to alter the chest size and appearance.
“Even as a child I never wanted to be womanly, I just wanted to be me, without any labels or expectations,” Maj explains in the fundraiser.
“I walked around shirtless all the time until I started 'developing' then I would get in trouble.”
The decision to raise money through a fundraiser came about after Maj realised that getting the surgery on the NHS came with a waiting list of three years.
“I wasn’t really sure if I could wait any longer for this - I’ve already waited 22 years,” they say.
“So, I looked into how I could go about surgery through private. I’ve never asked anyone for money and I definitely couldn’t ask my family for money so I thought I’d see if anyone wanted to donate.
“I’m surprised that I’ve even got more than £5, it’s been very humbling to see that people care and want to support me.”
Back home, Maj says they are loved by their family but they can struggle to understand what they’re going through.
“Finding out that your kid’s gay is a big thing to deal with,” Maj says.
“So, I think finding out I don't identify as anything and want to have surgery to take off a part of my body would be a lot to put my family through.”
Maj says a close friend came out as non-binary last year and Maj’s mum struggled to understand what it meant.
“She was very confused about it,” Maj explains.
“And then when I bought a chest binder a couple of years ago, my mum was so upset when she found out about that because she wasn’t sure why I wanted to hide my chest.
“That wasn’t even a permanent change, it was like getting a sports bra.”
Since moving to Manchester, Maj says they have found it a lot more liberating than their small hometown in Australia.
“Australia is quite backwards and I come from quite a small-minded town,” they add.
“The closest gay bar to me was five hours north in Brisbane but here in Manchester, there’s a whole gay village.
"Living in the city feels a lot more open. I love it, it’s so cool.”
In September, Maj will meet with a doctor for a surgery consultation and hopes to have surgery in December.
They are already a fifth of their way to reaching their fundraising target and have even received contributions from family back home.
"Having this surgery will help me feel more confident in myself and become closer to people," Maj adds.
“I’m just very grateful for what has been donated already and super impressed with the support.
“I’m also hopeful that maybe this will help someone else who is in a similar position to me.
"Maybe it’ll let them know that it’s possible, it can be done.”
You can donate to Maj's fundraiser here.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-08-16--Man City star De Bruyne voted Premier League Player of the Season

Kevin De Bruyne has been voted as the best player in the 2019/20 Premier League season .
The Manchester City midfielder enjoyed arguably his best campaign yet at the Etihad , scoring a personal best of 13 league goals , and equalling the record for 20 assists in a season .
De Bruyne claimed his 20th assist on the final day to move level with former Arsenal hero Thierry Henry in registering the most amount of assists in a single season .
The Belgian even had two assists controversially taken off him in both fixtures with Arsenal , with him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Whether he shares the record with Henry or not , De Bruyne won the Playmaker of the Year award for his efforts this season as City finished second in the table .
Two of his goals were also nominated for Goal of the Season — his thunderbolt half-volley at Newcastle , and his final day curled effort against Norwich .
That award was rightly won by Heung-Min Son 's incredible solo effort for Spurs vs Burnley .
De Bruyne , who won City 's Player of the Year vote and is favourite to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , beat competition from Trent Alexander-Arnold , Jordan Henderson , Danny Ings , Sadio Mane , Nick Pope and Jamie Vardy .
Incredibly , De Bruyne is only the second Man City player to win this Premier League award , with Vincent Kompany winning the accolade in 2011/12 .
Liverpool dueo Mo Salah and Virgil Van Dijk won the award in the last two years when City were crowned Premier League champions .

Kevin De Bruyne has been voted as the best player in the 2019/20 Premier League season.
The Manchester City midfielder enjoyed arguably his best campaign yet at the Etihad, scoring a personal best of 13 league goals, and equalling the record for 20 assists in a season.
De Bruyne claimed his 20th assist on the final day to move level with former Arsenal hero Thierry Henry in registering the most amount of assists in a single season. The Belgian even had two assists controversially taken off him in both fixtures with Arsenal, with him claiming the record outright in interviews.
Whether he shares the record with Henry or not, De Bruyne won the Playmaker of the Year award for his efforts this season as City finished second in the table.
Two of his goals were also nominated for Goal of the Season — his thunderbolt half-volley at Newcastle, and his final day curled effort against Norwich. That award was rightly won by Heung-Min Son's incredible solo effort for Spurs vs Burnley.
De Bruyne, who won City's Player of the Year vote and is favourite to be named PFA Player of the Year, beat competition from Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jordan Henderson, Danny Ings, Sadio Mane, Nick Pope and Jamie Vardy.
Incredibly, De Bruyne is only the second Man City player to win this Premier League award, with Vincent Kompany winning the accolade in 2011/12. Liverpool dueo Mo Salah and Virgil Van Dijk won the award in the last two years when City were crowned Premier League champions.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-08-16--One UK ticket-holder scoops £10.7m Lotto jackpot

Winning the lottery seems like a dream for many .
But one lucky UK ticket-holder has become an overnight multi-millionaire .
A single player has won Saturday 's £10.7 million Lotto jackpot , the National Lottery said .
Andy Carter , senior winners ' adviser at The National Lottery , said after the draw last night : `` Tonight 's amazing £10.7m Lotto jackpot has been won by a single ticket-holder .
`` We 're urging players to check their tickets online to see if they might be Lotto 's latest big winner – The National Lottery results are always @ @ @ @ @ @ @ National Lottery app .
`` For the last 25 years , National Lottery players have made a huge difference to good causes with , on average , around £30m raised every week .
`` Thanks to National Lottery players , up to £600m is being used by charities and organisations affected by the impact of the coronavirus outbreak , including £300m to support the most vulnerable in communities across the UK . ''
The big question is , is it you ?
The winning numbers are : 10 , 14 , 16 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bonus number is 21 , said operator Camelot .
Three more people also became millionaires after scooping £1 million each by matching five numbers plus the bonus ball .

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Winning the lottery seems like a dream for many.
But one lucky UK ticket-holder has become an overnight multi-millionaire.
A single player has won Saturday's £10.7 million Lotto jackpot, the National Lottery said.
Andy Carter, senior winners' adviser at The National Lottery, said after the draw last night: "Tonight's amazing £10.7m Lotto jackpot has been won by a single ticket-holder.
"We're urging players to check their tickets online to see if they might be Lotto's latest big winner – The National Lottery results are always available on the website and via the National Lottery app.
"For the last 25 years, National Lottery players have made a huge difference to good causes with, on average, around £30m raised every week.
"Thanks to National Lottery players, up to £600m is being used by charities and organisations affected by the impact of the coronavirus outbreak, including £300m to support the most vulnerable in communities across the UK."
The big question is, is it you?
The winning numbers are: 10, 14, 16, 22, 25, 34 and the bonus number is 21 , said operator Camelot.
Three more people also became millionaires after scooping £1 million each by matching five numbers plus the bonus ball.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-08-16--Man United 'revive' Saul Niguez interest and Sevilla team news

Here are your Manchester United morning headlines for Sunday , 16 August .
Manchester United have revived their interest in Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez , according to reports .
The details are outlined in a story from the , as cited by the , who claim that United are weighing up a move for the Spain international .
It is claimed that the Reds are prepared to offer £150,000-per-week to land the versatile midfielder , although MEN Sport understand he is not a priority transfer target .
The Atletico academy product is under contract at the Wanda Metropolitano until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fresh injury worries ahead of Sunday ’ s Europa League semi-final against Sevilla on Sunday .
Axel Tuanzebe ( foot ) , Luke Shaw ( ankle ) , and Phil Jones are the only absentees for United going into the game , while Victor Lindelof and Nemanja Matic may both start after being used from the bench in Monday ’ s win over Copenhagen .
`` We 've had a few good days now preparing , both recovering , preparing and training , '' Solskjaer has said , in quotes carried by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ often that we have six days between games , so we ’ re ready .
`` We ’ re physically , definitely ready .
Mentally , the boys will be ready because it 's a semi-final and everyone will want to take part and join in .
I just want them to enjoy it .
`` For me , as well , I ’ m looking forward to the semis .
We ’ ve already been to a semi twice this season and , of course , we ’ re happy going as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re not satisfied .
We want to go one step further . ''
Manchester United take on Sevilla for the first time since their Champions League last-16 defeat by the same opponents in 2018 .
Jose Mourinho ’ s side suffered a shock loss at Old Trafford after surprising team news that evening , with star midfielder Paul Pogba left on the bench .
As highlighted by the , United can not afford to repeat the same error in tonight ’ s semi-final with the Frenchman back to full fitness and form .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ this season and he will be hopeful of propelling United to glory in this season ’ s Europa League tournament , a tournament he helped the club win three years ago .

Here are your Manchester United morning headlines for Sunday, 16 August.
United revive Saul interest
Manchester United have revived their interest in Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez, according to reports.
The details are outlined in a story from the Daily Star , as cited by the MEN , who claim that United are weighing up a move for the Spain international.
It is claimed that the Reds are prepared to offer £150,000-per-week to land the versatile midfielder, although MEN Sport understand he is not a priority transfer target.
The Atletico academy product is under contract at the Wanda Metropolitano until 2026.
No United injury concerns
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has no fresh injury worries ahead of Sunday’s Europa League semi-final against Sevilla on Sunday.
Axel Tuanzebe (foot), Luke Shaw (ankle), and Phil Jones are the only absentees for United going into the game, while Victor Lindelof and Nemanja Matic may both start after being used from the bench in Monday’s win over Copenhagen.
"We've had a few good days now preparing, both recovering, preparing and training," Solskjaer has said, in quotes carried by the MEN .
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"It’s not very often that we have six days between games, so we’re ready.
"We’re physically, definitely ready. Mentally, the boys will be ready because it's a semi-final and everyone will want to take part and join in. I just want them to enjoy it.
"For me, as well, I’m looking forward to the semis. We’ve already been to a semi twice this season and, of course, we’re happy going as far as we have but we’re not satisfied. We want to go one step further."
United must avoid Pogba mistake
Manchester United take on Sevilla for the first time since their Champions League last-16 defeat by the same opponents in 2018.
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Jose Mourinho’s side suffered a shock loss at Old Trafford after surprising team news that evening, with star midfielder Paul Pogba left on the bench.
As highlighted by the MEN , United cannot afford to repeat the same error in tonight’s semi-final with the Frenchman back to full fitness and form.
Pogba has been instrumental during the run-in this season and he will be hopeful of propelling United to glory in this season’s Europa League tournament, a tournament he helped the club win three years ago.