Name of east Manchester's new £350 million arena and who will get first refusal on gig tickets revealed

straight to your inbox every day, freeArsene Wenger has revealed he blocked Robin van Persie's attempts to return to Arsenal after being sold by Manchester United.The Dutchman joined United for £24million in 2012 on a four-year deal and fired United to the Premier League title in what transpired as Sir Alex Ferguson's last season as manager.Under David Moyes and then Louis van Gaal, Van Persie struggled to replicate his early form at United that had made him one of the Premier League's most

Plans to remove dangerous cladding from tower blocks in Manchester city centre have been submitted - three years after the issues were first identified.Residents of City Gate in Castlefield have lived with the knowledge that their buildings were clad in the same aluminum composite material (ACM) found at Grenfell Tower.Two months after the tragedy in August 2017, leaseholders at the three towers were told by property management firm Rendall & Rittner that they would have to pay up to £7,000 to

on the university's website.The University of Manchester (UoM) has so far ruled out an MMU style lockdown at its halls.On Monday, the M.E.N asked if this was now a possibility.A UoM spokesperson said: “The safety and wellbeing of our students, staff and the wider local community is the University’s primary concern and we will support them in every way we can.“We are concerned by the rising rate in Manchester and we will be meeting with Public Health colleagues as a matter of urgency to discuss

straight to your inboxManchester United fans believe that a new centre-back should be the club's priority on transfer deadline day, rather than Jadon Sancho, following Sunday's humiliating 6-1 loss to Tottenham.Things couldn't have started better at Old Trafford as Bruno Fernandes put United ahead from the penalty spot within the opening two minutes but things quickly started to unravel.Tanguy Ndombele and Son Heung-min took advantage of some dreadful United defending to overturn United's lead.

The total number of coronavirus deaths at hospital trusts in Greater Manchester, as of Friday, October 2 is:Nationally, a further 47 people, who tested positive for the coronavirus (Covid-19) have died, bringing the total number of confirmed reported deaths in hospitals in England to 30,096.Patients were aged between 51 and 97 years old.

famous Belle Vue entertainment complex in October 1989, closed along with all other cinemas in the country when the coronavirus pandemic hit in March. They had already agreed to sell the land to Manchester City Council to build a new school for pupils aged 11 to 16.

straight to your inbox Andreas Pereira has arrived in Rome ahead of his departure from Manchester United in the summer transfer window.

United just one year after signing, with Leeds United among those keen on a move either permanently or on loan this summer. MEN Sport understands James is keen to remain at Old Trafford and fight for his spot.And Giggs, James' manager for Wales, has no concerns about the 22-year-old after calling him up to his national squad for upcoming games against England, Ireland and Bulgaria.

straight to your inboxFormer Manchester United defender Rafael has provided more stinging criticism on flop Alexis Sanchez.

straight to your inboxJesse Lingard has held talks regarding an exit from Manchester United but is yet to be persuaded to depart - according to reports.Lingard faces an uncertain future at the club after slipping down the pecking order under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, making just nine starts in the Premier League last season.The 27-year-old started United's Carabao Cup win against Luton earlier this week and has one year left on his contract at the club, though United have the option to extend it for

Harrison is currently on loan at Leeds United for the third successive season and is widely expected to make a move to Elland Road permanent next summer.However, it was United that secured Harrison's signature at the age of eight and it was the now-23-year-old's decision to leave Old Trafford after what he described as a 'sliding doors moment' when speaking to his mum.The winger left United for a scholarship in the US, where he worked under Patrick Vieira and Frank Lampard after signing for New

a curfew would be the 'nail in the coffin' for Manchester pubs.

Firefighters were called out to tackle a grass fire in east Manchester on Monday night.The fire service attended in Bradford when an area of grassland was caught alight just after 8pm.One onlooker described seeing white smoke in the area."Definitely something on fire because there is smoke blowing from the gasworks going towards the Clayton/Droylsden area," they said.While Robbie Kimpton tweeted about a "massive fire" towards the end of Bradford Road.A Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue

hereIt meant passengers on some trams had to be evacuated while services through the area were suspended.A rescue truck was sent to remove the stranded vehicle.The drama began at around 5pm and the vehicle was removed at around 8pm.Pictures from the scene showed officials helping a motorist from the stricken car before the car was removed.Manchester Metrolink tweeted: "There is a disruption on the Airport line due to a car blocking the tracks.

A 10pm curfew would be the 'nail in the coffin' for pubs and bars in Greater Manchester, operators have warned.Hospitality businesses are bracing for the opening time limit to be introduced across the region, as similar restrictions come into force elsewhere in England.As well as being a further blow to already financially stricken sector, industry leaders fear it will only shift the problem elsewhere, leading to more day drinking, house parties and large crowds leaving venues at the same