Manchester

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To absolutely no one’s surprise, the Manchester City juggernaut ploughed through London unchallenged. It was high octane stuff and not for the first time Josko Gvardiol was grabbing the limelight. The whole day seemed like a glorious parade heading towards the title.

Each week it could be any player making the difference for City. Your free scoring striker has an off day, no problem, the part-time left-back-come-winger will do the business.

The 22-year-old Croatian Gvardiol is at the start of what should be an epic career. Effortlessly brilliant at centre-back as a youngster, this move to left back/left winger could lead to anything.

Maybe Guardiola has him lined up as Rodri’s long-term replacement, that wouldn’t surprise me. Pep is like a chess player playing in multiple dimensions, including the future.

Most coaches would be happy with concentrating on winning a closely fought title race and maybe another FA Cup, the City boss takes it to other levels.

Pat Nevin was writing for the BBC Football Extra newsletter

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Manchester United have scrapped plans to host a player of the year award next week.

The awards had been planned for 20 May.

However, manager Erik ten Hag and the rest of the football leadership at Old Trafford do not want any distractions ahead of the FA Cup final against Manchester City on 25 May.

Club sources say winners will be selected for the men's and women's team and the academy as normal but there will be no dinner, which the club has said in the past raises "vital funds" for United's Foundation.

While at first-team level, it has been a difficult season for United, on Sunday their women's team won the FA Cup for the first time.

United's academy side finished top of Premier League North, winning 20 out of its 24 matches. They play Chelsea for the national title on Tuesday.

Presenter Joe McGrath discussing Erik ten Hag's future at Manchester United on the latest episode of The Devil's Advocate podcast: "If we do lose both of our games, say by a goal each, we'll finish the season on minus six goal difference and finish eighth place.

"How can any manager keep their job at the biggest football team in the world with that?

"It's a disgrace. It's a disgrace and people coming after me for some of this - I get aggravated by it.

"I get it - Ten Hag's had his difficulties with the injuries but that is still disgraceful."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

I have attended every single Manchester City fixture at the new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, apart from this season’s FA Cup tie at the end of January when Nathan Ake squeezed in an 88th minute winner.

So, not only am I yet to see City win a game there, I’ve not been able to celebrate a single goal.

I did consider not attending Tuesday's fixture but that’s simply not an option for me. With two games to play and two victories needed to achieve a historic fourth league title in a row - I need to be there.

This week I received an email from the club asking for my nomination for City’s player of the year. Would my vote go to the already crowned Football Writers' player of the year Phil Foden or maybe last year’s winner, Erling Haaland, who’s top of the Premier League scoring charts again this season?

Both these players, of course, have been nominated for the prestigious Premier League Player of the Season Award too.

I had absolutely no hesitation in voting for Rodri; one of the most underrated Premier League players ever. It’s a disgrace that he has not been nominated.

He has had another brilliant season and he has so much influence in how City play. When he plays, City don’t lose.

Let's hope he plays on Tuesday and Sunday.

Nigel Rothband can be found at The Man City Show podcast, external

Manchester United’s plans to replace the roof on the Sir Bobby Charlton are on hold until the club decide whether they are to remain at Old Trafford.

More pictures of rain leaking into the stand accompanied the huge storm that broke out in the north-west towards the end of Sunday's 1-0 home defeat by Arsenal.

While club officials have pointed out more than a month’s worth of rain fell in two hours and Old Trafford wasn’t the only place affected, the pictures have highlighted a long-standing issue with that specific stand.

It is understood detailed plans exist for the roof to be changed and this remains an option.

However, it is also known the cost involved would be high. Not only would the infrastructure cost multi-millions, the work itself would take a number of years which would cause significant disruption to stadium operations.

Under the circumstances, no decision will be taken until Old Trafford’s overall future is determined by the Old Trafford Regeneration Task Force, chaired by Lord Coe, which is looking at an enormous amount of development across the whole Trafford Park area, with a completely new stadium envisaged as part of the plans

Manchester United midfielders Casemiro, 32, and 29-year-old Bruno Fernandes are attracting interest from Saudi Pro League clubs. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

A number of Manchester United players are unconvinced by Rasmus Hojlund's ability to find the net so have been reluctant to pass to the 21-year-old Denmark striker during matches. (Manchester Evening News), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

With Manchester City needing to win their game in hand against Tottenham on Tuesday to leapfrog Arsenal and head into the final game of the season at the top of the Premier League table, the We're Not Really Here podcast have been discussing the crucial trip to north London and whether they can keep their title destiny in their own hands.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

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BBC Radio Manchester's Gaz Drinkwater has defended Old Trafford after images of the roof of Manchester United's stadium leaking after defeat to Arsenal on Sunday were widely circulated.

United say 41mm of rain fell in the two hours following the final whistle of the defeat by Arsenal. Last year, only 29mm fell at Old Trafford in the whole of May.

"Let's have it right on the rain situation - that was biblical," Drinkwater told the latest episode of The Devil's Advocate podcast.

"I will criticise Old Trafford when it needs to be criticised and it can't handle those sort of weather conditions. But, I don't think there are many stadiums that can handle those kind of weather conditions.

"From what I've seen, it did look absolutely insane. I understand people will have a go at Old Trafford and its leaky roof and we all know about that but let's not forget that is getting sorted. The talks are in place.

"Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Ineos, it seems to be that they want a new stadium and I think that is what is going to happen.

"It's not good, it's not great, but it's getting sorted out. Everyone calm down a bit.

"I'd still rather Old Trafford than some soulless bowl like a load of football teams play in."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

With the Premier League title race now guaranteed to go down to the final day of the season, BBC Radio Manchester's We're Not Really Here podcast has been reflecting on the big win over Fulham that took Manchester City (temporarily) to the top of the table.

The team are also joined by Arsenal fan Tom Canton from Football.London as they look ahead to the defining week of the 2023-24 campaign.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

On the latest episode of BBC Radio Manchester's The Devils' Advocate podcast, Gaz Drinkwater and Joe McGrath are fed up again after losing again in the Premier League, this time to Arsenal.

They are also joined by Michala Hulme to chat about the women's FA Cup win over Tottenham at Wembley.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

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As Manchester United chased an equaliser against Arsenal on Sunday, the bright blue sky above Old Trafford rapidly gave way to thunderstorms and heavy rain.

Those conditions could easily act as a metaphor for the Red Devils' season, where hopes of battling with the Gunners and Manchester City at the top of the table have turned to frustration at another campaign of disappointment.

Erik ten Hag's future at Old Trafford remains uncertain. He has a year left on his contract but there has been growing speculation new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who was in attendance on Sunday, might be tempted to make a change.

The former Ajax boss understandably points to the volume of injuries his side has had to contend with this season.

"Every manager can always do better," he said after Sunday's game. "I have been here two years and only one time had a full group of players.

"It is like swimming with your hands on your back and you have to keep your head above the water level."

Despite the issues United have had this season, they do have the FA Cup final to look forward to.

But their opponents in that game are Manchester City and Ten Hag knows his side will need to show significantly more fight if they are to finish a disappointing season on a high.

Read the full article here