Manchester

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A bomb, gang turf wars and the rise of club culture - poet, author and broadcaster David Scott looks at Manchester in the 1990s

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  1. Haaland 'always surprises you'published at 23:29 23 October

    Erling Haaland celebrates goalImage source, Getty Images

    Former Manchester City striker Jon Macken, speaking to BBC Radio Manchester about Erling Haaland's acrobatic goal against Sparta Prague: "You don’t even try it! That is the unusual thing.

    "You might do something stupid in training when you are mucking around, but to do it in a serious manner like he did – because there was intent there and he did mean to do it – it was like a backheel scissor kick in a crazy way.

    "But he does things like that, he always surprises you. I’m really pleased for him. He is a fantastic player, a great goalscorer and he didn’t actually have that much to do, but when he does do that he has a big impact.

    "How he impacts games is with goals and that is what he does - there is no one better.

    On Haaland breaking records: "He excites people because you know he is going to score goals.

    "You look at the next game and think, what records is he going to break now? Who is he going to surpass now? And that is the beauty of it with a player like Haaland. He is young and you know he has time to go and break records."

  2. Man City 5-0 Sparta Prague - Haaland hailedpublished at 23:09 23 October

    Gary Rose
    BBC Sport journalist

    Erling Haaland celebrates scoring against Sparta PragueImage source, Getty Images

    Watch Erling Haaland's first goal against Sparta Prague on Wednesday and the question you will find yourself thinking is 'how?'

    There's something that amazes with each watch of a replay - from the height Haaland managed to get his foot up to, the fact he was facing away from goal and then the connection and power he managed with a backheel volley.

    It was an incredible goal but a finish we should perhaps be no longer surprised that Haaland is capable of producing.

    It came from just his 12th touch of the ball and it opened the floodgates both for himself and Manchester City as he got another goal in a 5-0 win.

    Bigger picture, however, it ended his mini-drought after failing to score in his previous two games and Manchester City fans will now be hopeful it will spark him on to another incredible scoring run like he enjoyed during the first few games of the season.

    An image detailing how to follow your Premier League team on BBC Sport: "On the app? Tap the bell icon to get news about your club sent to you. Signed in on a browser? Hit 'Follow' to stay up to date.
  3. 'When Haaland is not available Stones can play as the striker'published at 23:05 23 October

    Pep Guardiola with Erling HaalandImage source, Getty Images

    Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, speaking to TNT Sports:

    "We were playing good. I didn't expect them to defend so deep. They played offensively in their other matches but they defend so deep it's difficult. The moment we broke the game for 2-0 it was fine."

    On Erling Haaland goal: "I saw it when the ball came in. It's unbelievable. He's a statue. So tall and so flexible. I like it, he has this sense of humour. Very similar to the Dortmund one a few years ago. Unbelievable. I don't know which was more difficult, both very difficult.

    "He had some chances but it's difficult. He is literally on the penalty spot with three defenders and two midfielders - he's always surrounded by five or six players. He's so fast too, that's maybe why teams defend so deep."

    On taking Haaland off before penalty: "We play a lot of games and I had to do this. He understands the decisions and is so generous with the team."

    On John Stones goal: "When Erling is not available, John can play as a striker. Gerard Pique in Barca - he had an incredible sense of goal and John is the same. He's already scored a few goals. He's back and I'm happy for him."

    On celebrations: "Sometimes the opponents jam and jam. I was happy we pressed well. It was just satisfaction. When they defend with 11 players the space is not there and in the right moment we have to punish. Really pleased for the momentum that we have with the 14, 15 players we had available. We are who we are.

    "I know the players how they are and the players will come back. They will do everything for the team."

  4. 'If I tried to do like Haaland I'd pull my groin'published at 22:50 23 October

    Phil Foden looks on as Erling Haaland scores acrobatic goalImage source, Getty Images

    Manchester City's Phil Foden, speaking to TNT Sports:

    "Important to get the win tonight. First half they frustrated us a bit, we were a bit sloppy and they were good on the counter attack. We had to stay patient and in the second half we broke them down more.

    "He [Pep Guardiola] just told us to stay patient [at half time], when a team is sat so deep it's difficult to break them down and he just said don't try and rush things, keep possession. He likes for you to stick to your role and be patient and waiting for the lads to give you the ball at times.

    "I've had a slow start to the season. I'm getting a bit more match sharp. Playing in the pockets is something I've always worked on from being a youngster. I will always check my shoulder to see what's coming. Good for my confidence to score early and feel sharp out there again."

    On slow start to season: "I was the best player last year, that's what everyone wants to see. That's the standard I've set myself and I want to get back to that.

    "I don't feel pressure. I just enjoy the football and don't think about the outside. But I do put pressure on myself to get better. I always want to push myself.

    "The aim is to hit what I hit last year. I showed over a long season I was consistent."

    On Erling Haaland's goal: "I just spoke to him - if I tried to do that I'd pull my groin. I don't know how he did it I just think it's just his long legs. He's a freak isn't he. I've seen him score one similar against Borussia Dortmund."

  5. Did you know?published at 22:40 23 October

    Manchester City players celebrate goals against Sparta PragueImage source, Getty Images

    Manchester City have set a new record for unbeaten games in the history of the European Cup and Champions League, going 26 without defeat (W18 D8) and breaking the record set by rivals Manchester United between 2007 and 2009 (a run of 25).

  6. Ten Hag on missing players, winning trophies and facing Mourinhopublished at 20:49 23 October

    Nicola Pearson
    BBC Sport journalist

    Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has been speaking to the media before Thursday's Europa League game at Fenerbahce (kick-off 20:00 BST).

    Here are the key lines from his news conference:

    • Mason Mount's recovery from injury is taking "a little bit longer than expected" but Ten Hag is expecting the midfielder back "soon".

    • On facing an intense atmosphere in the stadium: "We have enough players in the team. They are so experienced in facing these situations more often. We are looking forward to it. It will be a great ambience and fuel for the team; a challenge and motivation that will be good for us."

    • Ten Hag said winning the Europa League is a "target what we want to achieve and we have a big opportunity this season". He added that he and his players "know what we have to do and we have to win games."

    • On Jose Mourinho's comments when leaving United about the club not being seen as elite in Europe: "This season, we just started - we have two draws. First season, we won a lot of European games. Last season was, domestically and in Europe, a more difficult journey. But we are confident we are capable of doing this - winning games in the Premier League and in Europe."

    • On facing the former United boss: "Mourinho and I, we won a lot of trophies. But you have to prove yourself every year and if we don't we are always under criticism. Professional football is about winning games and when you don’t then you know criticism is coming. In the end, we know that it is about how you are at the end of the year. Mourinho is so experienced - he will lead [his team] to best form and be successful."

    • Ten Hag said Fenerbahce are a "very good team" that United will not "underestimate or overestimate", adding: "We will play our own game. We are looking forward and always look forward against good teams because we are professional footballers and enjoy these challenges."

    • On how they attack this competition while missing players: "It is complicated. It is never easy, but we will deal with it. We have to play many games in a short time and will do the best possible. As long as you have players available enough, then you can construct a team without injury risk and you can play games. At the moment it is OK, but hopefully we don't have many more injuries because then we will be short."

    An image detailing how to follow your Premier League team on BBC Sport: "On the app? Tap the bell icon to get news about your club sent to you. Signed in on a browser? Hit 'Follow' to stay up to date.
  7. Follow Wednesday's Champions League games livepublished at 18:37 23 October

    A graphic showing players from all 20 Premier League clubs with the text: "Follow the teams you care about. Sign in or create an account for the latest news, expert opinion, fan views and stats, and to get notifications."
    An image detailing how to follow your Premier League team on BBC Sport: "On the app? Tap the bell icon to get news about your club sent to you. Signed in on a browser? Hit 'Follow' to stay up to date.

    Nine matches make up Wednesday's Champions League schedule, with Manchester City and Liverpool both in action.

    • Atalanta v Celtic (17:45)

    • Brest v Bayer Leverkusen (17:45)

    • Atletico Madrid v Lille

    • Barcelona v Bayern Munich

    • Benfica v Feyenoord

    • Manchester City v Sparta Prague

    • RB Leipzig v Liverpool - live on BBC Radio 5 Live

    • Red Bull Salzburg v Dinamo Zagreb

    • Young Boys v Inter Milan

    All kick-off times 20:00 BST unless stated

    Follow all of the action and reaction here

  8. 'They are giving Ten Hag conditions to keep developing his job'published at 15:42 23 October

    Jose Mourinho looks on as Manchester United managerImage source, Getty Images

    Former Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho says the "conditions" for Erik ten Hag are "different" to what he had when he was at the club.

    Mourinho was asked about his old club before his current team Fenerbahce's Europa League encounter with United in Istanbul on Thursday.

    In praising United for keeping faith Ten Hag during the present difficult spell, Mourinho managed to refer back to his own dismissal in December 2018 after two and a half seasons in charge.

    "I wish the best to Manchester United since the moment I left," he said.

    "I left with a good feeling to the club and with a good feeling to the fans. If things are not going amazingly well for them it's not something that makes me happy.

    "It doesn't make sense for me to be thinking about what happened and what didn't happen. What happened for sure, because it's very objective, is they keep faith in the coach.

    "They support the coach and the coach is staying season after season. That means stability and it means trust. They are giving him conditions to keep developing his job. That was different in relation to me."

    Mourinho said he was unaware he has never previously lost a home game against United.

    He pointed out his previous encounters with them were with 'big clubs' and said Fenerbahce would require the help of 35,000 home supporters in the stadium to stand any chance of victory.

    "We are going to try and we can do it, but there is a gap," he added.