This is why the police helicopter was out above Trafford and south Manchester in the middle of the night

straight to your inbox every day for freeSir Alex Ferguson's flat cap was pulled so snugly over his brow it was unclear if he was awake in the Old Trafford directors' box.

direct to your inboxA cyclist is in a critical condition after a collision involving a bus in south Manchester. The 20-year-old woman was rushed to hospital following the crash on Wilmslow Road in Rusholme on Monday evening.

Bolton is the largest town in the country without a direct train service to the capital and with the recent electrification of the line, transport leaders believe it is the ideal time for that to be rectified.

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.

Ariana Grande has brought some Christmas cheer to hundreds of young hospital patients in Manchester.The pop star has surprised hundreds of children at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital and Manchester Royal Infirmary (MRI) with an Amazon voucher each worth £100.Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, the father of one of the patents said his daughter was “absolutely delighted” with the kind gesture, describing the ‘7 Rings’ singer as “a wonderful human being”.“She said, ‘look dad, I’ve got a

Ariana Grande is proving the people of Manchester are very much in her heart this holiday season.

Ariana Grande had an early Christmas present for young people in Manchester spending the festive season in hospital. It’s been reported that Ariana has gifted every child being treated at Manchester’s Royal Infirmary and the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital with a £100 voucher that they can use on Amazon.

direct to your inboxTwo men from Greater Manchester who won £20,000 on the hit BBC show Race Across the World have donated their prize money to charity.Emon Choudhury, 36, from Stockport, beat four other teams to win the race alongside his nephew Jamiul Choudhury, 25, from Oldham.The pair beat the odds to complete an epic 54-day journey from Mexico City to the south of Argentina for the second series of the BBC2 show.On their travels, the men were visibly moved by the number of homeless children

to a report of a 39-year-old man appearing in hospital with a gunshot wound to the foot. The shooting took place earlier that morning around 5am, near to Cromwell Road in Salford, say Greater Manchester Police officers.

direct to your inboxThugs shouted 'Manchester Manchester' at horrified onlookers after battering a man in a shop doorway in Liverpool city centre. Mobile phone footage shows two men kicking and punching the man on Basnett Street in front of Christmas shoppers on Sunday, the Liverpool Echo reports.

direct to your inboxPolice have recovered a 'large knife' from the scene of a stabbing in Moss Side.A 15-year-old boy remains in a serious condition in hospital after he was stabbed in the back near Alexandra Park on Saturday night.Three teenagers, all 15, have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after the attack.They remain in police custody for questioning.Police are treating the stabbing as a targeted attack.Greater Manchester Police are appealing for anyone with information about

straight to your inboxManchester City have given a Christmas present to every primary school kid in East Manchester and every child in in care across the whole city.Staff, players and coaches have paid for, wrapped and delivered more than 5,500 gifts.And with the coronavirus pandemic meaning the traditional Christmas visits to hospitals are off the cards, stars including Phil Foden and Kevin De Bruyne have been video calling patients on children's wards at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital,

straight to your inbox every day for freeEdinson Cavani could miss Manchester United's first visit of Leeds United in nearly 11 years due to a groin injury.Cavani, 33, has missed the last three matches since he was forced off at half-time in United's win at West Ham on December 5.The Uruguayan has resumed light training this week but faces a three-match domestic suspension over a Football Association misconduct charge that alleges he 'brought the game into disrepute' over an Instagram post.After

direct to your inboxCoronavirus has brought heartache to thousands of families across Greater Manchester.More than 3,800 people have died in our region's hospitals alone. And tragically, this number is continuing to rise.Behind the Covid-19 death statistics that we publish each day are human beings who all had stories to tell.

direct to your inboxPolice took to social media to call out the 'worst parking in 2020' after a car was found on a grass verge near the Trafford Centre.The black Vauxhall had come off the road and onto a grass area on Old Park Lane in Trafford Park.It appeared to be damaged, with the front bumper hanging off.Officers said the driver of the car had no insurance, and the vehicle was seized.Get the latest updates from across Greater Manchester direct to your inbox with the free MEN newsletterYou

direct to your inboxResidents in an area of south Manchester say they have been left without post for weeks due to a shortage of postal workers. People in Victoria Park, near Longsight, say they have faced major delays in receiving letters and parcels, with some residents even missing important appointments due to late mail.

direct to your inboxTwenty-six more people have died from coronavirus in Greater Manchester's hospitals.The region's hospital death toll has risen to 3,900, the latest NHS figures show.Nine more Covid-related deaths were recorded by Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust in its 24 hour data.The trust runs the Manchester Royal Infirmary (MRI), Wythenshawe Hospital, the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital and Saint Mary's hospital.Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust confirmed five new deaths.

direct to your inboxThree vehicles were involved in a road traffic collision in south Manchester on Tuesday morning (December 8). Greater Manchester Fire Rescue Service (GMFRS) were called to reports of a collision on Dene Road in Didsbury at 10.38am.

direct to your inboxEighteen more people have died from coronavirus in Greater Manchester's hospitals.The region's hospital death toll has now risen to 3,787, the latest NHS figures show.Thirteen new deaths were recorded at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, the organisation in charge of the Manchester Royal Infirmary, Wythenshawe Hospital, Saint Mary's and the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital.Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust confirmed four new deaths.

direct to your inboxA south Manchester road was closed late last night following a road traffic collision.Police were called to Moseley Road in Fallowfield at 10.35pm on Saturday, to reports of a crash involving a black Skoda Fabia.The road was closed at the junction with Wilmslow Road while emergency services attended the scene.Police say there are no reports of any injuries.No arrests have been made.Get the latest updates from across Greater Manchester direct to your inbox with the free MEN