Man bragged on bus about buying the 'best drugs in Manchester' - right in front of police

direct to your inboxThe Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital is to open emergency Covid beds for adults in a sign of the unprecedented pressure facing Greater Manchester’s hospitals.Sir Richard Leese, the region’s health chief, said the situation in the system was now ‘critical’ as NHS bosses have scrambled to discharge as many people as possible ahead of a sustained peak over the coming three weeks.Crisis meetings have been held to determine the ability to scale up beds, as Salford Royal and

direct to your inboxThe NHS has sadly confirmed the deaths of 29 more patients in hospitals in Greater Manchester who had tested positive for Covid-19.The region's hospital death toll now stands at 4,757.NHS bosses said on Friday a further 993 people who tested positive for the virus have died in hospitals across England.It brings the total number of confirmed reported deaths in hospitals in England to 65,104.In the north west, a further 94 hospital deaths were reported, the NHS said on Friday.A

straight to your inboxPep Guardiola praised his Manchester City defenders for toughening up and eradicating the errors that scuppered their Premier League title chances last season.The Blues moved into second in the table - their highest position of the campaign - with a 4-0 dismantling of Crystal Palace that leaves them two points behind neighbours United with a game in hand.Roy Hodgson declared afterwards that the team have all the qualities needed to win the Premier League, and while

direct to your inboxA drunk man who sexually assaulted a tourist in Piccadilly Gardens in front of police - then denied he had done anything wrong - has been found guilty.Abakwe Adam, 31, had been ‘causing a nuisance’ in the popular spot in Manchester city centre before police officers became involved.After being asked to move on, Adam returned ‘within minutes’, Manchester Crown Court heard during his trial.A tourist from Canada was sitting by herself on a bench nearby when Adam, of no fixed

direct to your inboxA flood 'alert' has been put in force in Greater Manchester today after hours of heavy rainfall overnight.The alert warns of 'possible' flooding around the area of the middle River Mersey catchment area.It includes areas near Bramhall in Stockport, Sale, Altrincham and Urmston.The Environment Agency warned: "Flooding is possible - be prepared."And Transport for Greater Manchester said: "With heavy rain in Greater Manchester this morning, expect flooding in some areas.

direct to your inboxA man has suffered serious injuries following an incident in Old Trafford.GMP said they were called to Shrewsbury Street just before noon after receiving a report of a man with a bladed weapon.A man in his 50s was taken to hospital with injuries described by police as serious but not life threatening.Officers arrested a 38-year-old man on suspicion of section 18 assault.We have a dedicated Facebook group covering court cases across Greater Manchester.For all the latest trial

direct to your inboxManchester City have secured their annual spot in the Carabao Cup final, after beating Manchester United 2-0 at Old Trafford.City, in search of their fourth consecutive trophy in the competition, earned bragging rights after second half goals from John Stones and Fernandinho. Meanwhile for United, and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in particular, it represents a fourth semi-final defeat under the Norwegian, reigniting the pressure that had been quelled in recent weeks.

straight to your inboxKevin De Bruyne is ready to turn down Manchester City's opening offer for a new contract, according to reports.De Bruyne enjoyed a fantastic 2020 in which he was crowned the PFA Player of the Year and equalled Thierry Henry's long-standing assist record for a single season with 20.The brilliant Belgian has firmly established himself as the best player in the Premier League and, according to The Times, wants that fact to reflect in his pay packet.It's reported that City want

straight to your inboxKevin De Bruyne says Manchester City need to be winning games against top four rivals more often if they want to challenge at the top of the Premier League.De Bruyne played as a false nine as City were without Gabriel Jesus and Ferran Torres at Stamford Bridge, while Sergio Aguero was only fit enough for the bench. The Belgian was in superb form and registered a goal and assist as City raced into a 3-0 half time lead thanks to a ruthless display in the first 45 minutes.

straight to your inboxManchester City might use their academy players for the FA Cup clash against Birmingham City in order to field stronger teams against Chelsea and Manchester United.The new year begins with a big Premier League clash against Chelsea on Sunday, before a Carabao Cup semi-final at Old Trafford and an FA Cup third round tie at home to Championship side Birmingham.With at least five City players set to be missing for the Chelsea trip due to Covid tests, Guardiola will have to

straight to your inboxPep Guardiola has told his Manchester City players not to look too closely at a Premier League table that has rivals Manchester United as joint leaders.United moved level with Liverpool on New Year's Day by beating Aston Villa, with City seven points behind the pair albeit with two games in hand.Speaking ahead of City's trip to face Chelsea, Guardiola said he is not surprised to see a club of United's stature back at the top of the table, but warned Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's

straight to your inboxManchester City goalkeeper Ederson Moraes appears to be a doubt for Sunday's match against Chelsea and the Manchester Derby on Wednesday.Pep Guardiola 's men face Manchester United at Old Trafford during the week in a Carabao Cup semi-final clash, and they could be without their number one. Ederson has said he is self-isolating, putting him at risk of missing the clash with Manchester United in just four days' time.

direct to your inboxThe streets were empty as Greater Manchester said goodbye to 2020 and ushered in a new year - but many were determined to keep alive at least one tradition.Our video from Werneth Low shows how many parts of Greater Manchester were ablaze with colour as people set off fireworks at midnight to celebrate the arrival of 2021.Around 200 socially distanced people gathered on the popular spot to watch the moment our region said goodbye to 2020 and ushered in the New Year.Car horns

direct to your inboxIt has been a year like no other.However Great Mancunians have still made headlines across the world, for all sorts of reasons.Here we look at those who have put the region on the map in 2020, a year we will never forget.2020 has undoubtedly belonged to Manchester United and England star Marcus Rashford.However it is his incredible work off the pitch which has made the headlines, even more than his impressive goal-scoring feats on it.The Withington-born and Wythenshawe raised

direct to your inbox"It's absolutely gut-wrenching."Hair salon owner Jane Nixon describes how she felt as Matt Hancock announced that Greater Manchester would be moving into Tier 4.And it's a feeling thousands of business owners across the region will be familiar with.A change in restrictions, businesses finally being allowed to open then being forced to shut again just a few weeks later.

direct to your inboxDoctors and paramedics say they are bracing themselves for a new tide of Covid patients to hit Greater Manchester's hospitals within weeks. Speaking as plans for the region's move to Tier 4 were announced and the return to school for secondary pupils was delayed, Dr Carole Gavin, a consultant in Greater Manchester, said concerns were growing as hospitals in the south battle to find beds as infection rates - largely found to be caused by the new mutant strain - rise.

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straight to your inboxPep Guardiola was thrilled with Manchester City's performance in their 2-0 win over Newcastle.

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.