Council tax in Manchester could rise by almost five per cent to protect vital frontline services from cuts

described the move as disingenuous, dangerous and difficult.It was a real low point of the year for those in the industry, and set the tone for a year of restrictions and measures that would disproportionately impact the sector.Four days later, on March 20, hospitality venues were officially ordered to close and chancellor Rishi Sunak unveiled the furlough scheme that millions have relied upon this year.It was another three days before the UK was officially placed into full lockdown, with Brits

straight to your inbox every day for freeAston Villa loan star Ross Barkley could be fit to face Manchester United on New Year's Day.The England international has been out of action since November 21 due to a hamstring injury sustained in the early stages of the 2-1 defeat to Brighton.So far, the attacking midfielder has missed five matches - and he will be absent for a sixth game as he is not eligible to play against parent club Chelsea on Monday.

straight to your inbox every day for freePaul Scholes says Manchester United's position in the table shows they have the ability to be title challengers this season.Their recent form has prompted plenty of talk about whether United can launch a challenge that was unexpected at the start of the season. Some of United's players have been bullish about their chances and Scholes can see why.

straight to your inbox every day for freeManchester United head into the Christmas week on a high following their recent run of results.United will be hoping to maintain their form going into the new year following three successive wins.Keeping players fit is often crucial at this time of the season - and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer does not have too many issues to deal with on that front as it stands.There are still a few injury concerns ahead of the Boxing Day trip to Leicester City.Here is the

Ariana Grande has brought some Christmas cheer to hundreds of young hospital patients in Manchester.The pop star has surprised hundreds of children at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital and Manchester Royal Infirmary (MRI) with an Amazon voucher each worth £100.Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, the father of one of the patents said his daughter was “absolutely delighted” with the kind gesture, describing the ‘7 Rings’ singer as “a wonderful human being”.“She said, ‘look dad, I’ve got a

Ariana Grande is proving the people of Manchester are very much in her heart this holiday season.

Ariana Grande had an early Christmas present for young people in Manchester spending the festive season in hospital. It’s been reported that Ariana has gifted every child being treated at Manchester’s Royal Infirmary and the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital with a £100 voucher that they can use on Amazon.

direct to your inboxTwo men from Greater Manchester who won £20,000 on the hit BBC show Race Across the World have donated their prize money to charity.Emon Choudhury, 36, from Stockport, beat four other teams to win the race alongside his nephew Jamiul Choudhury, 25, from Oldham.The pair beat the odds to complete an epic 54-day journey from Mexico City to the south of Argentina for the second series of the BBC2 show.On their travels, the men were visibly moved by the number of homeless children

straight to your inbox every day for freeManchester United fans believe Eric Bailly and Marcos Rojo could have blossomed into a top centre-back partnership for the club were it not for both players' fitness problems.Bailly and Rojo face uncertain futures at Old Trafford after slipping down the pecking order under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

direct to your inboxDreaming of a white Christmas?Sadly, forecasters have predicted there will be no snow on Christmas Day this year.But the Met Office has said Greater Manchester is likely to see widespread frosty conditions that will bring a 'seasonal feel' to festivities on the day.Temperatures across most of the country will stay in mid-single figures on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, but no snow is expected to settle, Met Office forecasters have predicted.They said that despite a wet

straight to your inboxManchester City have given a Christmas present to every primary school kid in East Manchester and every child in in care across the whole city.Staff, players and coaches have paid for, wrapped and delivered more than 5,500 gifts.And with the coronavirus pandemic meaning the traditional Christmas visits to hospitals are off the cards, stars including Phil Foden and Kevin De Bruyne have been video calling patients on children's wards at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital,

straight to your inbox every day for freeEdinson Cavani could miss Manchester United's first visit of Leeds United in nearly 11 years due to a groin injury.Cavani, 33, has missed the last three matches since he was forced off at half-time in United's win at West Ham on December 5.The Uruguayan has resumed light training this week but faces a three-match domestic suspension over a Football Association misconduct charge that alleges he 'brought the game into disrepute' over an Instagram post.After

straight to your inbox every day for freeManchester United defender Marcos Rojo has suffered another injury.The injury-prone Rojo, 30, has not played for United in over a year and appeared just once on loan for Estudiantes last season.

direct to your inboxManchester council will proceed with plans to axe its ‘declining’ schools catering service next year despite concerns from councillors and trade unions.Around 430 people - mostly women on low incomes - are employed by Manchester Fayre across a third of the city’s schools.More schools are opting out of the council-run service every year as they want a greater control over pricing and the type of food provided to its pupils.With a dwindling client base and a potential £1m bill

direct to your inboxCoronavirus has brought heartache to thousands of families across Greater Manchester.More than 3,800 people have died in our region's hospitals alone. And tragically, this number is continuing to rise.Behind the Covid-19 death statistics that we publish each day are human beings who all had stories to tell.

direct to your inboxTwenty-six more people have died from coronavirus in Greater Manchester's hospitals.The region's hospital death toll has risen to 3,900, the latest NHS figures show.Nine more Covid-related deaths were recorded by Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust in its 24 hour data.The trust runs the Manchester Royal Infirmary (MRI), Wythenshawe Hospital, the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital and Saint Mary's hospital.Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust confirmed five new deaths.

straight to your inbox every day for freeJuventus director Fabio Paratici has stoked the Paul Pogba transfer fire at Manchester United by claiming the Italian club still "love" the player. Pogba's agent Mino Raiola insisted it is "over" for the Frenchman at United on the eve of the Reds' 3-2 defeat by RB Leipzig.

direct to your inboxEighteen more people have died from coronavirus in Greater Manchester's hospitals.The region's hospital death toll has now risen to 3,787, the latest NHS figures show.Thirteen new deaths were recorded at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, the organisation in charge of the Manchester Royal Infirmary, Wythenshawe Hospital, Saint Mary's and the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital.Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust confirmed four new deaths.

straight to your inboxSummer signing Diego Rosa has said his farewells to Gremio ahead of a January move to the City Football Group.Manchester City and the CFG agreed a move in August for the midfielder, but couldn't complete the transfer until he turned 18 in October. The Brazilian under-17 World Cup winner signed for an initial £2.65million with another £1.75million to be paid when the deal is completed in January.

straight to your inbox every day for freeManchester United chief Ed Woodward has claimed the club's involvement in the rejected Project Big Picture plans for reform in the English game were motivated by a desire for a "financially sustainable and robust pyramid".United and Liverpool had worked on the proposals with EFL chairman Rick Parry, but the plans drew criticism from other clubs, the Football Association and the Premier League.Within a matter of days the Premier League said that all 20 of