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The Forgotten Dead

BBC Radio Manchester explore the case of a woman whose partially mummified body was found in Bolton in 1982

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  1. 'These players can win the FA Cup'published at 17:52

    BBC Radio Manchester's Joe McGrath and Gaz Drinkwater discuss Manchester United's chances in the FA Cup final on Saturday on the latest episode of The Devils' Advocate podcast.

    Both agree that United have a chance, but admit that Manchester City will have to not be on their A game.

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    Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

  2. 'You can still admire City and be bored'published at 17:46

    Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton has been discussing how much teams are really "pushing" champions Manchester City at the top of the Premier League on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club:

    "Everyone is talking about Arsenal pushing them with their 89 points. The average points City have had over the last seven seasons is just over 91.

    "Unless something drastic happens, and Guardiola loses his mojo and motivation, he is just going to keep on winning.

    "It's incredible - those numbers, that consistency. Unless City fall of a cliff this is just going to carry on.

    "This is why people say they are bored of City winning but you can still admire them and be bored."

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    Watch the full episode of Monday Night Club on BBC iPlayer or listen to the podcast on BBC Sounds

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  3. Farmers' league? Let's take a look...published at 17:41

    Mike Minay
    BBC Radio Manchester reporter

    Phil Foden with the Premier League trophyImage source, Getty Images

    For Manchester City fans, a fourth Premier League title in a row is something to celebrate.

    For rival supporters, it can seem to be a time to find flaws, with terms like "boring" and "farmers' league" used after City's sixth title in seven years under Pep Guardiola.

    But they hardly romped to the crown.

    In fact, for a fifth time in their eight league title wins, the race went to the final day. And four last-day shootouts for the English top-flight championship in the past 10 years is the same number as in Spain's La Liga.

    Across the season as a whole, it was arguably the tightest battle the Premier League had seen since its inception in 1992 - data I have seen shows the average points gap between the top two was 1.5.

    Liverpool , who in the end fell short, actually spent more days top of the table - 87 - than the 76 of both City and Arsenal.

    In the past decade, there have been four winners of the Premier League.

    That is the same as in Italy. In Germany, Bayer Leverkusen have just ended Bayern Munich's 11-year hold on the Bundesliga, while only Lille and Monaco have broken Paris St-Germain's grip in France over the past 10 years.

    And in terms of spending, both Chelsea and Tottenham spent more than City last summer. The Gunners only a few million less.

    "Farmers' league"?

  4. Southgate addresses Rashford's England exclusionpublished at 14:36

    Wolves' Nelson Semedo up against Marcus Rashford and Luke shaw Image source, Getty Images

    After Marcus Rashford's exclusion from England's provisional 33-man Euro 2024 squad, Gareth Southgate was asked about the Manchester United forward in a news conference: "These are difficult calls. With Marcus, I just feel other players in that area have had better seasons. It's as simple as that."

    On Luke Shaw's inclusion: "[Luke Shaw's] up against it. He's missed a lot of football. The fact that he has been our first choice in that position means we've probably given him a lot longer than we would have done [others].

    "I'm not sure what's realistic at this time. I have to say, he's a long shot."

  5. Will Southgate play Foden in his best position?published at 14:18

    Phil McNulty banner
    Phil Foden of England makes a pass during the UEFA EURO 2024 European qualifier match between North Macedonia and England at National Arena Todor Proeski on November 20, 2023Image source, Getty Images

    BBC Sport's chief football writer Phil McNulty is answering all of your footballing questions.

    Finlay asked: How important is it that Phil Foden plays in central midfield, rather than on the wing, considering he has played there all season?

    Phil answered: This is going to be a really thorny problem for Gareth Southgate to solve because Foden's best position is clearly centrally - but the team simply has to be, and will be, built around Jude Bellingham, with Harry Kane as the central striker.

    Does Southgate find a way to get Foden in alongside Bellingham in the centre or does he play him on the left with licence to roam and come inside?

    One thing is for sure, Foden has to be in the team. In the central position would be ideal but this would need some tactical tweaking by Gareth Southgate and, at the moment, Bellingham looks to be the perfect number 10.

    Follow McNulty's Q&A and other England provisional squad announcement news

  6. England's provisional Euro 2024 squad announcedpublished at 14:06

    England's Euro 2024 provisional squad list: Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal), James Trafford (Burnley). Defenders: Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton), Lewis Dunk (Brighton), Joe Gomez (Liverpool), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Jarell Quansah (Liverpool), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle), Kyle Walker (Manchester City) Midfielders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Curtis Jones (Liverpool), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace). Forwards: Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Jarrod Bowen (West Ham), Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Jack Grealish (Manchester City), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), James Maddison (Tottenham), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Ivan Toney (Brentford), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa).
  7. 'This season Rashford has struggled badly'published at 13:57

    Simon Stone
    Chief football news reporter

    Marcus Rashford of Manchester United looks dejectedImage source, Getty Images

    Marcus Rashford's huge dip in form encapsulates Manchester United's season.

    Last term, he scored 30 goals for United. The idea of him not making England's squad this summer would have been non-existent.

    But this season, Rashford has struggled badly. He has lacked confidence at times and was carrying an injury for long stretches of the campaign.

    He has scored eight goals, and none since March. He featured for 15 minutes in England's friendly against Brazil, as a substitute for Anthony Gordon.

    Rashford came on as a substitute against Newcastle United last week when Gordon caused the home side huge problems.

    Little wonder it looks likely Gordon has got the nod.

  8. Grealish set to make England's Euro 2024 squadpublished at 13:28

    Dan Roan
    Sports editor

    ack Grealish of Manchester City celebrates with the Preack Grealish of Manchester City celebrates with the Premier League Trophymier League TrophyImage source, Getty Images

    Jack Grealish is set to be named in Gareth Southgate's provisional England squad when it is announced at 14:00 BST.

    The midfielder has made 39 appearances for Manchester City this season, as Pep Guardiola's side secured a fourth Premier League title in a row.

    However, he did not play in any of the final three matches, including the decisive win over West Ham on Sunday.

    The 28-year-old only played 20 Premier League matches this season, half of which has been as a substitute due to injuries.

    Grealish has scored three goals and provided one assist, giving him an average goal contribution average in the league of one every 251 minutes.

    However, of all players with over 1,000 league minutes this term, Grealish is the most fouled per 90 minutes, winning 3.7 of decisions per 90 minutes.

    He may feature for City in their FA Cup final with rivals Manchester United this weekend.

  9. 'Walker's leadership qualities are there for everybody to see'published at 13:27

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    Leicester defender Conor Coady on Manchester City captain Kyle Walker's impact on the Premier League champions:

    "He's incredible. I think he's a leader because of how he leads on the pitch and how he plays the game. As a person, he has such respect from everyone.

    "He's leading by example for younger players. This year with how he plays, you can't leave him out for a full-back inside so Pep Guardiola has started changing to a centre-back stepping into midfield with John Stones or [Manuel] Akanji because you have to have Walker in that team.

    "His leadership qualities are there for everybody to see."

    Listen to more reaction to Man City's title win on BBC Sounds

  10. Rashford set to miss out on England's Euro 2024 squadpublished at 12:56

    Simon Stone
    Chief football news reporter

    Marcus RashfordImage source, Getty Images

    Marcus Rashford is set to miss out on a place in Gareth Southgate's England squad.

    The 26-year-old has scored nine goals in 49 appearances for club and country this season.

    In the Premier League, Rashford registered seven goals and two assists in 33 games last term.

    That's a goal contribution every 253 minutes - way off Cole Palmer's goal or assist every 80 minutes.

    He's likely to feature for United in their FA Cup final with rivals Manchester City this weekend.

  11. 'Can I suggest the East Stand be renamed in Pep's honour?'published at 12:01

    Nigel Rothband
    Fan writer

    Manchester City fan's voice graphic

    After last season’s Treble and five trophies in the calendar year, critics still say Manchester City have not been at their best. However, despite the season not being over yet, there was so much to celebrate at the Etihad on Sunday.

    No other team in the history of the game has ever won four top-flight titles in a row - even the great Huddersfield Town side of the mid-1920s only ever managed three in a row!

    We also celebrated the outstanding talent of footballer of the year Phil Foden, a second Golden Boot award for Erling Haaland, Kyle Walker’s 300th game in a City shirt and Rodri’s outstanding milestone of 50 unbeaten games…. the list goes on.

    A win at Wembley on Saturday would also give City a double double and would surely be the catalyst for Pep Guardiola to decide to finally move on when his contract expires at the end of next season. After all, what else is there left for him to achieve?

    How do you begin to recognise Pep for his unbelievable achievements? Well you can’t move for statues outside the stadium so can I suggest the East Stand be renamed in his honour.

    Let’s get over the line at yet another Wembley final on Saturday first.

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

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  12. What is going on with McKenna's future?published at 11:20

    Phil McNulty banner
    Kieran McKennaImage source, Getty Images

    BBC Sport's chief football writer Phil McNulty is answering all of your footballing questions.

    Chris asked: Where do you think Kieran McKenna is best off being next season? As an Ipswich Town fan who already has reservations about being back in the Premier League, I would be completely hacked off if our manager is poached before a ball is kicked.

    Phil answered: I can fully understand your emotions around this after what McKenna has achieved at Portman Road.

    The problem would be that a club like Brighton seems such a perfect fit for him, although links with Chelsea and Manchester United would be a step too far for him at this stage, in my opinion.

    I actually hope he is still Ipswich manager at the start of the next Premier League season, but there is no escaping the lure of a more established top-flight club, and one that will give him time to build would be a big one.

    It is a very big decision for him and Ipswich, should Brighton make a move, and maybe he will feel loyalty to the club that gave him his big chance in management – but I can see why you are concerned.

    Read more of the McNulty Q&A here

  13. Will Ten Hag start the season?published at 11:01

    The Devils' Advocate logo

    The team on BBC Radio Manchester's The Devils' Advocate podcast have been pondering what will happen next at Old Trafford after an eighth-placed finish in the Premier League and whether Erik ten Hag will keep his job.

    Presenter Joe said: "Do the board know something we don't? That Ten Hag has struggled this season and when this new staff arrive they will take things off him so he can solely focus on being a great coach?"

    His co-presenter Gaz responded: "I think - it's an excuse and I am sick of hearing Ten Hag blame the whole season on injuries - but it has been absolutely ridiculous this season, especially in defence. That, coupled with the fact there aren't many other options out there. Also, it's a new structure at Man Utd now and I am curious to see how any manager does under it.

    "At the same time I would understand if Ten Hag did get sacked. It would almost make sense if you finish in that position.

    "I think they are going to give him the start of next season. He needs to be right up there at Christmas. I mean right in the top four. A comfortable season where we finish in the top four. Otherwise I think he will be gone after that."

    Listen to the latest episode here