The mancunian way: desperate for a win

PLUS WORLD CUP IN MANCHESTER? AND THE BOSS TAKES DOWN TRUMP…AGAIN 09:00, 22 May 2025 HELLO, Those of you who powered through the Great Manchester Run last weekend are no doubt still nursing

your blisters and aching calves. Sympathy and respect to you all. Friends of mine who took part promised they would cross the finish line together, holding hands. But at the final ten yards,

my mate was imbued with an intense sense of competition and suddenly mustered all her strength to zip past her partner. “My ankles were completely shot but I was suddenly desperate for a

win. I’ll trip him up next time,” she boasted, later. Those of you who took part can look for yourselves cheering and waving - or elbowing loved ones out of the way - in our gallery here.

While we’re on the subject of sport, can you see our city hosting World Cup matches? It’s an ambition of Andy Burnham, who wants the new Old Trafford to be ready for such an event within the

next decade. The mayor says games for the FIFA Women’s World Cup could be hosted ‘at a rebuilt Old Trafford’ stadium in 2035, essentially putting Manchester United on a 10-year deadline.

Both the government and Mr Burnham’s Greater Manchester Combined Authority have ruled out giving public money for the project - but leaders hope to build a new neighbourhood around the arena

by spending taxpayer cash on new infrastructure. As a comparison, thousands of homes, a retail park, a public park, an indoor arena and food and drink spots have opened in the capital since

18 years since ‘new Wembley’ opened. Could a similar set up be coming to Manchester? Local democracy reporter Ethan Davies has the answers. THE BOSS IN MY HOMETOWN Bruce Fever has swept

Manchester in recent days. Bruce Springsteen has certainly made an impact during his short stay in the city, during which he took over the entirety of the 40-bedroom Stock Exchange Hotel.

Die-hard fans camped outside the Grade II listed hotel in the hope of catching a glimpse or a photo with the Glory Days star. And they were in luck as The Boss sprang onto the side of a car

to greet them yesterday afternoon. The 75-year-old jumped onto his limo to wave to fans and shake hands before being whisked over to Co-op Live ready to entertain 23,000 fans on Tuesday

night. And as our chief reporter Neal Keeling admits, his performance made ‘even Salford's toughest weep’. During his three-night run at Manchester’s newest music venue, Springsteen

took the opportunity to lampoon US President Donald Trump, who later retorted by calling the superstar an ‘obnoxious jerk’. Bruce has been spotted around Greater Manchester and beyond,

including on a visit to Marks & Spencer and Selfridges, a stroll at Heaton Park and a meal out with his actor pal Stephen Graham in Huddersfield. And he stunned staff when he popped into

Stockport recording studio. In fact, owner Martin King had to race 300 miles back home from holiday after getting a call on Sunday telling him the veteran rocker was there. “What made me

laugh is I asked him if I could take some photos with him and I just haven’t got the technology skills to take a selfie, I couldn’t get it to work, and he said to me with a smile on his

face, ‘Let me do it, I’m good at these’”,” Martin said. You can read that story here. PUT YER MONEY WHERE YER MOUTH IS Oasis fans are expected to spend an eye-watering £766.22 on average on

tickets, travel, accommodation and merchandise for the Live ’25 reunion tour. That’s according to Barclays’ Wonderwallets research, which predicts a total spend of £1.06 billion over the

course of the14-date UK tour. That exceeds the £997m that Barclays estimated would be spent on the UK legs of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour in 2024. What’s On editor Jenna Campbell has the

details here. NOT-TO-BE-MISSED While we’re on the subject of Liam and Noel, we can report that a guitar signed by the Gallagher brothers will form part of a major city centre event this

summer. ‘Music for the Senses' will host a not-to-be-missed guitar-led takeover with guitar-themed artworks, exhibitions and other installations on Manchester’s streets and squares from

July 7 to 31 August. You can read about it here. 'I DREAMT OF WORKING THIS JOB FOR YEARS’ North west nurses are debating sanctions against those who attack NHS staff. It follows horror

stories of workers getting abused 'on a daily basis'. Our health reporter Helena Vesty has been speaking to Karen - a nurse who attended a Royal College of Nursing conference on

the issues - about the realities of the job. "I've been punched in the head numerous times,” the mental health nurse said. "While working as a nurse I've also been bitten

in the head, I was then asked if I really had to go to A&E because it would leave the ward short-staffed. "I've been intimidated, pushed and shoved by both patients and their

families. I've been told by one patient that they would 'quite happily kill me'. I have scratches all over my body. I am verbally, physically, racially assaulted on a daily

basis." You can read Helena’s illuminating piece here. HEADLINES WARNING: Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust has been issued an urgent warning from the health and care watchdog after an

inspection of its hospital wards. It was visited by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) following safety concerns from whistleblowers and people using the units between June and October 2024.

Details here. INVESTIGATION: Vile anti-Jewish graffiti is being covered with kindness and love in a welcome community stand against the evil of racism. Police are investigating multiple

reports around the Kings Road and Bury Old Road areas of Prestwich, in Bury, over the weekend. More here. PAY: Salford city mayor Paul Dennett could pocket £98,000 a year if councillors

approve plans to raise their allowances. An independent panel has proposed a £1,200 uplift to bring basic allowances for councillors in Salford up to £14,000 a year from the current rate of

£12,790. Mr Dennett is paid seven times the basic allowance, so would earn the £98,000 sum if the panel’s recommendation is voted through during a council meeting on May 21. More here.

TENTS: Homeless tents have been put up in Stockport opposite the town hall. Two blue tents have appeared on Edward Street outside the offices of Stockport Homes, a social housing landlord

managing properties on behalf of the council. Details here. WEATHER THURSDAY: Overcast changing to sunny by lunchtime. 18C. ROADS: A572 St Helens Road southbound, Leigh, closed due to

roadworks from A578 Twist Lane to Bonnywell Road. Until June 30. A6 Chapel Street westbound, Salford, closed due to long-term roadworks from A6041 Blackfriars Road to A34 New Bailey Street.

Until January 19. WORTH A READ Inside a bustling hub off the M6 near Newton-le-Willows is a 24-hour control room that never sleeps; with huge screens displaying the north west's busy

road network in real-time. James Holt visited the hub to speak to the people keeping our roads safe. Article continues below You can read his fascinating piece here.