River Croal to be improved as part of £1.8 million project

straight to your inboxPep Guardiola is proud of the way his Manchester City players are continuing the legacy of Colin Bell and previous club greats. The Blues made history by booking a fourth consecutive League Cup final and only Tottenham stand in their way of winning the competition for a fourth year in a row.

straight to your inbox every day for free Eric Bailly says he is targeting a prolonged spell in the Manchester United team without suffering an injury following his return to form. The Ivorian centre-back is one of the most in-form defenders in the Premier League following a string of impressive performances for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side.

Wanderers manager Ian Evatt as to whether this was a tactical move - but the Wanderers manager confirmed this was not the case. With Greater Manchester and the North West now placed in tier 4 of national coronavirus restrictions, Evatt confirmed the move was purely part of protocols to reduce the risk posed by the virus and was a health and safety measure.

straight to your inboxEverton boss Carlo Ancelotti has sent his best wishes to anyone at Manchester City affected by coronavirus - four days after the postponement of their Premier League game. The Premier League made a late decision on Monday that Pep Guardiola and his squad should not play at Goodison following an outbreak of Covid-19 at the club that had worsened since their Boxing Day game and was threatening to cause more damage.

direct to your inboxA suspected drink driver was stopped by police after they spotted the 'state' of his car.The silver Land Rover was pulled over by officers in Chadderton, Oldham, after it was seen being driven on its rims.Police said the motorist provided a positive breath test at the road side, but refused to provide another sample in custody.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

direct to your inboxStockport and Trafford have been awarded millions in government funding to help transform their high streets.The aim of the cash, from the Future High Streets Fund, is to support areas as they recover from the Covid-19 pandemic and 'help transform underused town centres into vibrant places to live, work, visit and shop'.  Stockport and Trafford are to receive the full amounts they bid for, £14.5m and  £17.6m respectively.  Get the latest updates from across Greater Manchester

direct to your inboxA man was attacked with a baseball bat by masked robbers who left with expensive watches and a Land Rover.The victim suffered injuries to his head, arm and torso, and was said to be lucky to have not been more seriously hurt.Three men broke into the house on Wool Road in Dobcross, Oldham last Saturday, at about 9pm.They threatened the victim, demanding money and attacking him with a baseball bat.Get the latest updates from across Greater Manchester direct to your inbox with

straight to your inbox every day for freeOle Gunnar Solskjaer has noticed a significant improvement in Anthony Martial's running stats, after hammering home the point to the Manchester United striker in training.Martial has returned to form of late after a difficult start to the season, scoring and assisting as a substitute in United's 2-0 Carabao Cup victory over Everton.The impressive cameo came on the back of a goal and assist in United's win over Sheffield United and two more assists in the

straight to your inboxMicah Richards says he is looking for more from Riyad Mahrez's end product on a consistent basis.The Manchester City star found the net in his side's 4-1 Carabao Cup victory over Arsenal, curling in a free-kick that should have been saved by Gunners goalkeeper Runar Runarsson.Yet the Icelandic international let the free-kick through his hands, giving Mahrez his fifth goal of the season.Mahrez previously scored a hat-trick in City's 5-0 win over Burnley but has struggled to

direct to your inboxThe deputy mayor has expressed fears there could be a rise in illegal raves and house parties in Greater Manchester over the Christmas period.Beverley Hughes told a press conference led by Andy Burnham on Tuesday that there is intelligence to suggest the region 'could see a return' of the raves and parties seen over the summer.

direct to your inboxAn elderly couple were conned out of thousands of pounds at Christmas by evil fraudsters who claimed to be Greater Manchester Police officers.Police chiefs have issued a festive fraud warning as a result.Detectives are investigating after the couple handed over bundles of £50 notes.The victims - who haven't been identified - visited their banks and building societies to withdraw cash.Police haven't revealed the exact sum involved, but said it was 'thousands of pounds'.The

straight to your inbox every day for freeManchester United are interested in signing Ecuadorian midfielder Moises Caicedo from Independiente del Valle in the January transfer window as part of a new recruitment strategy.The MEN understands United want to sign Caicedo, 19, so he can move to Manchester in the New Year due to new work permit regulations.United have decided to pursue the highest-rated teenage talents around the world, having previously preferred to pursue long-term targets aged

here"We're looking at Covid and licensing breaches, plus any defective and dangerous vehicles."Working with Liverpool Council licensing officers, we have stopped private hire vehicles from out of the area to check for road worthiness and breaches of licensing and Covid legislation this evening."A private hire driver from Bolton had his license suspended and our activities continue."Eight drivers from areas including Bolton already issued with enforcement action."Police are carrying out the

straight to your inboxAn injury-free run and positive mentality has allowed John Stones to turn around his Manchester City fortunes as he impressed again in the hard-fought win over Southampton.Stones, starting his fourth game in the last five, has been one of City's stand-out performers in the last two months, winning back his place in Pep Guardiola's side and not letting go. Once more, he was solid at Southampton against the prolific Danny Ings and dangerous Che Adams.

Manchester Evening News as a new book about her father's life is published, Kelly said the family hoped an inquest would shed fresh light on his murder.

It looks like Wayne Rooney has passed on his famous football skills to his son.

Wayne and Coleen Rooney's oldest son Kai, who turned 11 last month, has put pen to paper on a contract with Manchester United's Red Devils.The football star, 35, broke Old Trafford's goalscoring record and won the Premier League on five occasions as well as the Champions League when he spent 13 years at Old Trafford. Wayne's son Kai has now signed a youth contract with Manchester United.