Plans for tranquil memorial to victims of the Manchester Arena bombing set for approval

direct to your inboxThe country's top counter-terror police officer has sent his sympathies to those left bereaved and injured by the 'horror' of the Manchester Arena suicide bomb attack, saying he thinks of the victims everyday.Neil Basu, the Metropolitan Police's Assistant Commissioner for specialist operations and the national lead for counter-terrorism policing, spoke before giving evidence at the ongoing public inquiry into the atrocity.And he went on to describe dealing with an incident of

straight to your inbox every day for freeIn the talkSPORT radio studios — a holy site for purveyors of no-nonsense, laddy banter — David Moyes found himself being asked a strangely personal question. When was the last time he cried?"Oh... err... Probably when I lost my job at Manchester United". A bit of awkward laughter followed.It was never meant to go this way for Manchester United's 'Chosen One', anointed to be the successor to Sir Alex Ferguson by the great man himself.But just a few months

straight to your inbox every day for free Manchester United know a positive result is vital this weekend as they look to keep their Premier League title charge alive. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side have shocked most people with their form over the last few months, with United second in the table despite suffering defeat to Sheffield United in midweek.

straight to your inbox every day for freeManchester United are hopeful Amad Diallo will develop into their long-term right winger.Diallo, 18, completed his £37million transfer from Atalanta this month and was one of two right wingers United signed in October, along with Uruguayan teenager Facundo Pellistri, following the failed pursuit of Borussia Dortmund forward Jadon Sancho.The last specialist right winger United signed prior to Pellistri and Diallo was Wilfried Zaha in the January 2013

straight to your inbox every day for freeThe games are still coming thick and fast and Manchester United are back in action on Wednesday as Sheffield United visit Old Trafford.United go into the game full of confidence after beating Liverpool in the FA Cup on Sunday and having not lost in the Premier League in 13 matches.The players were back in training at the start of the week ahead of the Blades' visit.

Dancing On Ice bosses have been urged to fire Rufus Hound from the show following shocking claims he made about the Manchester Arena attack. Survivors of the terrorist attack and MPs spoke out against the comedian competing on the hit ITV show.The 41 year old had previously posted comments on Twitter implying that he thought then Prime Minister Theresa May had been behind the cruel tragedy in order to help the Conservatives win the ongoing general election.

direct to your inboxManchester’s planning committee have delayed making a decision on a controversial 55-storey student skyscraper in the city centre after hearing concerns from residents and councillors.Council officers have backed the £130m development of 853 flats in Hulme Street despite being warned that it will face a legal challenge if planning permission is granted.Residents of Macintosh Village off Oxford Road have been fighting against the red-brick ‘tombstone’, which would be one of

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 inboxGreater Manchester’s long-delayed Clean Air Zone could be signed off by leaders by the summer after months of public consultation.Vans, buses, coaches, taxis, private hire vehicles and lorries that do not meet emission standards would have to pay a daily charge to drive in the city-region under the plans.Local authorities across the UK have been mandated by the government to introduce charging Clean Air Zones to combat illegal levels of air pollution in the shortest possible

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

direct to your inboxPlans for more than 400 new homes in Partington have been approved.Trafford council’s planning committee met last night (Thursday) to discuss proposals from developer Countryside Properties for 449 houses on land off Hall Lane, and another plot next to the Manchester Ship Canal.Plans were submitted in two applications.The first will see 151 homes on land off Hall Lane, including a mix of two, three and four-bedroom homes.There will be 78 affordable houses on site, according

straight to your inbox every day for freeManchester United fans want the club to do everything in their power to keep Paul Pogba this summer. Despite falling behind in the first five minutes, United retook top spot in the Premier League on Wednesday with a hard fought 2-1 victory at Fulham.

“Their memories will endure and Manchester will never forget them.

direct to your inboxThe Premier League have confirmed that all Premier League games throughout February will be shown live in the UK, allowing Manchester United and Man City fans to watch their teams in action.Supporters briefly returned to some stadiums in England over the Christmas period for the first time since March, with clubs in Tier 2 allowed to home 2,000 supporters.That was short lived, though, as the UK entered its third national lockdown in under 12 months at the start of January.As

direct to your inbox"Can we have all available ambulances, please?"We need every available ambulance."As many as you can get please."The harrowing words of a police call room operator to North West Ambulance Service control in the minutes after the Manchester Arena terror attack."All ambulances."As many as you can get please." The audio recording was one of many radio and telephone exchanges made between emergency services in the aftermath of the explosion to be played at the public inquiry into

straight to your inbox every day for freeFormer Liverpool defender John Arne Riise has identified the match where Alan Smith broke his ankle as his worst memory against Manchester United.The two title rivals lock horns this weekend and, ahead of the fixture, Riise has spoken about his memories - which include the horrific injury sustained by the former United man.Smith was left with an injury that would continue to cause problems with him beyond the end of his career and Riise has spoken about

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 inboxManchester council is pressing on with plans to take back control of 13,000 homes in the north of the city after winning the support of tenants and leaseholders.

direct to your inboxThe independent public inquiry into the bombing atrocity at Manchester Arena has now been sitting for 50 days.As ever, thoughts remain with the families and friends of those who lost their lives, as well as those who were injured in the terrorist attack.Suicide bomber Salman Abedi detonated a home-made bomb he was carrying in a rucksack in the City Room area of the Arena after an Ariana Grande concert on May 22, 2017.The attack claimed 22 lives.The inquiry has heard 1,017