Footage shows mass hammer and knife brawl on Salford street - it sparked a huge police investigation amid reports of shots being fired

direct to your inboxPep Guardiola showed off his lighter side by trolling Rio Ferdinand during an interview with the former Manchester United man. Taking a break from Manchester City's relentless pursuit of a third Premier League title in four years, the Spaniard sat down with Ferdinand for the latest in his 'Rio meets' series for BT Sport.

straight to your inboxBrazilian legend Rivaldo believes that Manchester City would be the favourites for any competition should they sign Lionel Messi on a free transfer this season.Messi is in the final year of his contract at Barcelona and may look to leave the club in the summer.He infamously handed in a transfer request last summer but refused to take the club to court over a clause that would allow him to move on a free transfer.City have been linked with a move this summer, reuniting Messi

straight to your inboxThe staggering depth of Pep Guardiola's squad has been a key factor as Manchester City continue their one-team assault on the Premier League title. That's the assessment of Match of the Day pundits Micah Richards - the former City defender - and Jermaine Jenas.

direct to your inboxA large cordon was in place in Manchester city centre on Saturday night after police were called to reports of shots fired.Officers were called to St Peter's Square just before 8.30pm following reports of a suspected firearms discharge and a road traffic collision.Emergency services quickly attended and found an abandoned vehicle on the tram tracks in the square.No one is believed to have been injured in the incident.Two 16-year-old boys and a 19-year-old man have been

direct to your inboxGreater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has described harrowing body cam footage of an 'unlawfully killed' father begging to be freed as he was restrained by Metrolink-contracted staff as "one of the most distressing things you could see."He expressed sympathy to the friends and family of Jack Barnes, 29, who was pinned down outside Australasia restaurant on Deansgate in Manchester city centre.The dad-of-one had been involved in an altercation with staff at Victoria Station,

direct to your inboxDetectives are investigating following a firearms discharge in Sale overnight.Officers received a report of a party at an address on Fairway Avenue, just after 1am on Saturday.Around ten minutes later, a further call to a report of shots being fired at the address was received. Get the latest updates from across Greater Manchester direct to your inbox with the free MEN newsletterYou can sign up very simply by following the instructions hereOfficers attended and no one was

direct to your inboxThe Government's failure to vaccinate police against Covid-19 as a priority has been described as a 'damaging betrayal'. The view, from National Chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales, John Apter, was supported by Greater Manchester Police Federation chairman Stuart Berry.

straight to your inboxMicah Richards revealed that Mario Balotelli told him that he would win the title for Manchester City while the pair were warming up against Queens Park Rangers.City's first Premier League title win came in the 2011/12 season in the most dramatic fashion. Sergio Aguero's famous last-gasp goal to hand City the title while Manchester United waited for their noisy neighbours to falter is one of the most memorable and recognisable goals in Premier League history.

straight to your inboxMicah Richards believes Liverpool's success in recent seasons has been a motivating factor for Manchester City amid their resurgence this campaign.Liverpool claimed their first Premier League title in 30 years last season, building on the Champions League victory the season before that.

straight to your inboxMicah Richards has admitted that Pep Guardiola and Manchester City's decision to not sign a striker ahead of this season has proved the pundit wrong.Guardiola has made some unpopular decisions during his time at the club, including dropping Sergio Aguero and Joe Hart when he first arrived. However, the City boss has consistently been proven right throughout his City tenure, and this season, his managerial prowess has once again been highlighted.

straight to your inboxThe response to Barcelona's latest Champions League hiding has drawn a predictable response from Manchester City fans. Last season's 8-2 defeat by Bayern Munich came before Lionel Messi announced his desire to leave the Nou Camp.

direct to your inboxAmanda Holden is the golden girl on her 50th birthday as she posed in a dazzling jumpsuit. The Britain's Got Talent judge took centre stage on her big day, and she chose an embellished jumpsuit from the Manchester-based global fashion house boohoo.

straight to your inbox every day for freeThe influence of Paul PogbaManchester United's difficulties in creating clear chances against a side shorn of confidence showed how much they can miss Paul Pogba.Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had little option but to go with a midfield axis of Fred and Scott McTominay instead, but this was the kind of game that didn't really require two more defensive midfielders, even if the Scot got forward more often in the second half.This was Fred's 100th game for United but

direct to your inboxArmed police were sent to a street in Manchester following reports of “shots fired”.Officers are currently working at Sandown Street in the Abbey Hey area of Gorton.Emergency crews were called to the area shortly before 4.30pm this afternoon (February 13).Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said no evidence of a firearms discharge has been found.Nobody has been injured and no arrests have been made, they added.Images taken at the scene show armed officers conversing with

straight to your inboxMicah Richards says Rodri has brought out the best of Joao Cancelo at Manchester City. Cancelo has been in fine form for City this season, occupying attacking areas despite playing primarily as a full-back.

Get the inside track on the big stories from Manchester courts with our weekly newsletterThe 'heavy' of a gang who posed as police officers and kidnapped a 'drug dealer' before demanding £500,000 in cash and drugs for his release has admitted his part in the plot.Micah Walfall, 36, who was referred to by other offenders as 'Big Dave', pleaded guilty to conspiracy to kidnap.Five other members of the gang were previously jailed for a total of more than 50 years, for their part in the audacious