Botched terror training exercise at Trafford Centre 10 months before Manchester Arena attack 'was a disaster', inquiry into atrocity told

direct to your inbox More than 5,500 people have died in Greater Manchester's hospitals alone after contracting coronavirus. And tragically, this number continues to rise everyday.

straight to your inbox every day for freeDaniel James is hugely impressed with the "unbelievable" Amad, who arrived at Manchester United in a £37million move in January.United wrapped up the deal for the 18-year-old in October, but he could not be officially unveiled until the January transfer window opened.

straight to your inbox every day for freeManchester United have been putting the finishing touches on their preparations to face Real Sociedad in the Europa League.The Reds are 4-0 up from last week's first game as they ran out comfortable winners in their away leg, which was played at a neutral venue in Turin.

direct to your inboxThe ambulance service said failures and delays at a counter-terrorism training exercise held a year before the Manchester Arena atrocity 'would unequivocally have resulted in unnecessary loss of life' in the event of a real attack.Exercise Winchester Accord was held overnight on May 9, 2016 - a live exercise involving the scenario of a marauding terrorist firearms attack (MTFA) on the Trafford Centre.But feedback from the exercise by North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) shown

direct to your inboxCoronavirus has brought heartache to thousands of families across Greater Manchester.More than 5,200 people have died in our region's hospitals alone. And tragically, this number is continuing to rise.

straight to your inbox every day for freeOle Gunnar Solskjaer is not happy with Manchester United's position in the Premier League - despite the club having made clear progress in recent months. That's according to ex-Red Owen Hargreaves, who bumped into the Old Trafford boss during a chance meeting where the pair spoke about the club's current fortunes.

direct to your inboxThe NHS has confirmed the deaths of 18 more patients in hospitals in Greater Manchester who had tested positive for coronavirus.Nationally, a further 309 hospital deaths were reported on Thursday.Of those, 42 were in hospitals in the north west region.Six further deaths have been recorded at Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, with five more at Stockport NHS Foundation Trust.Three further deaths were recorded at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust and at Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh

straight to your inboxNot only were Manchester City buoyed by the return of Kevin De Bruyne to training on Tuesday, but there was another injury boost as Fernandinho looks to have taken a step closer towards his return. The club captain has missed the last two fixtures with 'niggles', with his absence more precautionary than anything else, and the Brazilian joined De Bruyne in training at the City Football Academy before they take on Everton tonight.

direct to your inboxImages have been released of two men police want to speak with after a couple and their son were attacked in a car park at the Trafford Centre on Christmas Eve.Police believe there are 'links' between the men pictured and the Middleton and north Manchester areas of Greater Manchester.Greater Manchester Police said officers were called at 5pm on December 24 last year to reports of a father, mother and son being attacked by three other men.It happened in a car park of the

straight to your inbox every day for freeManchester United forward Marcus Rashford has posted an emotional message to Ravel Morrison after his fellow Old Trafford graduate shared several eye-catching revelations about his football career. Morrison, who remains a free agent after bringing his short spell at Dutch Eredivisie side Den Haag to a premature end last month, was the latest guest on Rio Ferdinand's Vibe with Five podcast.

straight to your inboxSergio Aguero stepped up his return to full fitness by taking part in Manchester City training after the win over Tottenham.Aguero was a surprise inclusion on the bench against Spurs after Pep Guardiola had previously urged caution over easing him back too soon from his injury and isolation setbacks. However, Guardiola named Aguero on the bench, saying the decision was made on Friday in order to reacclimatise Aguero with the matchday routine.

direct to your inboxPans for a £1billion development which would see 3,000 homes built opposite the Trafford Centre have edged one step closed.An agreement in principle has been struck over the operating costs of a lifting bridge over the Manchester Ship Canal.

straight to your inbox every day for freeManchester United are putting the finishing touches to their preparation ahead of facing West Brom on Sunday.The Reds are looking to get back to winning ways in the Premier League following last weekend's dramatic draw with Everton.There were some talking points from training ahead of the game, with spirits seemingly high in the United camp as they look to try and close the gap on league leaders Man City.Here are the notable things we spotted in United's

straight to your inbox every day for freeMarcus Rashford is the most difficult Manchester United player to play against in training, according to Teden Mengi. Mengi is currently on loan with Derby County for the remainder of the 2020/21 season after being recruited by Wayne Rooney for the club’s battle against relegation from the Championship.

straight to your inbox every day for freeMason Greenwood was substituted in the second-half against West Ham because Manchester United are managing his game-time.Greenwood, 19, has started in six of United's last seven matches but was replaced by Edinson Cavani in the 86th minute, much to the surprise of many observers who felt he had performed better than fellow forwards Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial.Martial was starting for the first time in four games but failed to score while

direct to your inboxThe police watchdog warned GMP a key post in dealing with any terror attack could be 'overwhelmed' with work in the event of any terror attack just a few months before the Arena atrocity.It also outlined concerns over how prepared unarmed officers and control staff were if there was a marauding terror attack in the city.The fears were said to have been reported to an assistant chief constable of the force on November 3, 2016, following a week-long inspection of GMP's

straight to your inbox every day for freeManchester United return to Premier League action on Saturday night following the 9-0 thrashing of Southampton on Tuesday.Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side will be desperate to secure all three points against Everton, with Manchester City facing Liverpool at Anfield a day later.

direct to your inboxEvaluation of a major counter-terrorism training exercise held a year before the Manchester Arena bombing raised 'significant issues', the public inquiry into the atrocity heard evidence could show.Exercise 'Winchester Accord' was held overnight on May 9, 2016 - a live exercise involving the scenario of a marauding terrorist firearms attack on the Trafford Centre.Paul Greaney QC, counsel to the inquiry, said it formed part of a national programme.The exercise, he said,

straight to your inbox every day for freeManchester United have a chance to right a few wrongs when they return to Premier League action later.Ole Gunnar Solskjaer 's men suffered a shock 2-1 home defeat to bottom-of-the-table Sheffield United in midweek. That brought to an end a run of of 13 league matches unbeaten and left them second in the table, one point behind leaders Manchester City, who have a game in hand.