There is no doubt Manchester United have given Bruno Fernandes a push to get this award.

United have been playing up Fernandes’ claims and also ensured the Portugal playmaker was promoted through some recent media engagements.

However, this would have been pointless had Fernandes not delivered at a time in the season when United needed him to deliver.

In October, when Fernandes spoke about qualification for the Champions League, few thought it was likely.

In January, when technical director Jason Wilcox told the United squad that was the aim despite Ruben Amorim’s dismissal, it seemed a tall order.

That they have achieved it with three matches to spare and could yet end the campaign nearer in points terms to the eventual champions than in any other season since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement 13 years ago, owes a huge amount to Fernandes.

Since returning from a rare injury against Burnley, Sunday’s victory over Liverpool was only the third match out of 16 in all competitions when Fernandes has not either scored a goal or created one.

His performances across the season have been consistently high and worthy of wider recognition.

Twelve months ago, when the debate over Fernandes’ United future raged, the question being asked was simply this: where would they be without him? The suspicion was they would have been much closer to relegation than they actually were.

The same could be asked now. The answer? They surely would not be looking forward to a Champions League return.

The household names had been absent from their normal slots on the radio station

Five top presenters from local radio station U105 are to leave the airwaves after a shock announcement tonight.

Linda Cullen, Denise Watson, Rick Nugent, Stephen Woods, and David Johnson are all set to depart after being missing from our airwaves for several weeks. There has been speculation that talks were being held as part of a possible takeover.

It’s believed the five and bosses could not agree terms in new contract negotiations.

In a short statement on Friday May 8 the station said: “We wanted to update listeners that Denise Watson, David Johnson, Linda Cullen, Rick Nugent and Stephen Woods are leaving the U105 schedule, as we have been unable to reach mutually agreeable terms for new contracts.

“We would like to thank Denise, David, Linda, Rick and Stephen for their significant contribution to U105, we know they will be missed by many listeners. We wish them all the very best for the future.”

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

Last time Sverre Nypan faced Manchester United he was strutting his stuff as football’s next big thing during a pre-season clash in 2024.

Nypan was only 17 at the time, but he was already a first team starter for his then club Rosenborg and delivered an assured performance at Old Trafford.

A little under two years and a £12.5million move to Manchester City later and Nypan was back in action against United. He lined up for the Blues Under-21s side in the Premier League 2 play-off semi-final, playing off Mahamadou Sangare in attacking midfield role.

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It’s a big summer for Nypan, who was on loan at Championship side Middlesbrough in the first half of the season but returned to City in the winter window to continue his progress under the watchful eye of Pep Guardiola and the Academy staff.

The 19-year-old was with the first team at Wembley when the Blues won the Carabao Cup and was on the pitch and involved in the celebrations after the game. He is held in high regard by the club, who have faith in a talent that was wanted by many of Europe’s big-hitters before signing for City.

His pricetag reflects the ability that is clearly there and he showcased some of it during the defeat to United on Friday night at the Joie Stadium even if not everything went to plan.

With City a goal to the good early on, the Norwegian sidefooted wide of the target when clean through, while shortly after he didn’t quite get his pass away to Reigan Heskey when leading a counter-attack.

But he was calm and composed on the ball and adept at finding space in the final third. He fashioned a chance for himself late in the first half but screwed his shot wide before only a superb finger-tip save from United keeper William Murdock on the stroke of half-time kept him from getting on the scoresheet.

Nypan’s work-rate was noticeable too. The last action of the first 45 was the midfielder clearing his lines after tracking back to help thwart a United attack.

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The teenager continued to press well from the front as City chased a way back into the contest, having fallen 3-1 down by half-time and 4-1 shortly after. The Blues did find an immediate response from Sangare and set up a grandstand finish when Samba scored again with eight minutes to play but couldn’t force a leveller.

That ends the Under-21 campaign, and Nypan is likely to begin next season with City’s first team in Asia for pre-season. He’ll hope for another summer chance to showcase his skills.

Shaw looks set to leave City this summer after talks stalled over a new contract.

Chelsea, who won six titles in a row before City’s recent success, are favourites to sign Shaw, who previously had no desire to leave the club.

But a breakdown in communications led to her exploring other options and Chelsea are understood to have offered at least one more year on a contract than City were willing to agree to.

Reports suggest Chelsea are ready to pay Shaw up to £1m a year and while boss Sonia Bompastor gave no hint as to whether Shaw’s future lying with the club, she admitted in a news conference on Thursday that signing a number nine is high on the Blues’ priority list.

Speaking on Friday, City manager Andree Jeglertz said: “I still hope she’s signing a new contract with Manchester City, definitely, but that’s more of a discussion for the player and for people at the club.

“Right now, the most important thing is to enjoy our player, and she’s here to compete with us, and do everything she can.”

City face Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-finals on Sunday (15:30 BST), with the winner playing either Liverpool or Brighton at Wembley on 31 May.

A Reform UK candidate who allegedly said the Holocaust was a hoax has won a seat in the local elections.

Jay Cooper, who won one of three seats in the Sefton Council for the Bootle West ward, has been accused of spewing out conspiracy theories and labelling the genocide of millions of Jewish people ‘propaganda.’

The earlier social media comments made by the newly elected councillor from Merseyside Reform have come under scrutiny following his win with 705 votes.

In a since-deleted Facebook post made last September, Cooper referred to the death of US right-wing activist Charlie Kirk with caption ‘Heartbreaking. Murdered for having an opinion,’ the Liverpool Echo reported.

A comment made by another user said that Adolf Hitler had an opinion and asked ‘did he deserve to die?’

Coope responded: ‘I don’t agree with him murdering innocent people. But the Hallocaust [sic] is a hoax.

‘There wasn’t [sic] even 6 million Jews in Europe at the time. Propaganda.’

He has made a series of other conspiracy theory-fuelled comments online since, including claiming a link between the Labour government and the Southport attacks.

A post made in February, which is still online, said along with a link to a poll: ‘These polls have got to be wrong about Liverpool how are people in the right mind still thinking it’s acceptable to vote for Labour.

‘The 3 young girls in Southport slaughtered by the hands of Labour should have been the turning point. Makes me ashamed to be from Liverpool.’

In March, he reposted an AI image from a local page depicting Prime Minister Keir Starmer in a hijab with text with it: ‘Labour have given up winning elections with policies. They focus on demographics instead.

They import votes because the public hate their policies. Import the 3rd world and bribe them with taxpayer benefits.Terror comes with it and they don’t care.’

In January 2024 he shared a video suggesting that the 9/11 terror attacks in the US were not real.

The video repost, which is still up on Cooper’s profile, said: ‘Ultimate proof. 9/11 is not what we thought it was.’

Reform’s leader Nigel Farage hinted that the newly elected councillor would not be welcome in the party.

Farage told the Echo today: ‘When you are putting up 5,000 people, do some slip through the net because they don’t tell you their social media handles or tell you the truth? Yes. Do we welcome people with these ideas? No, we absolutely don’t.’

When told that Cooper was now elected, he said he ‘could not speak to that’ before adding ‘But I tell you what, he’s not welcome.’

Metro approached Cooper and Reform UK for a comment.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

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He added: “So my message to Downing Street tonight is very, very clear – they have got a lot of listening to do to the fact that Labour have been hammered here in Scotland and an SNP Government, after 19 years in office, has just been emphatically returned to office, and Scotland needs respect as a consequence of that election outcome.”

​The Jill Kelly Skincare Clinic, located near the town centre and Scarborough Railway Station, can be converted into a three-bed house after plans were approved by the council.

​The owner, who is approaching retirement age, has “owned the building for several years and has run a successful skincare business within it”.

​According to submitted plans, the owner has been “winding the business down for several years, allowing previous employees to take some of her clientele” and is hoping to sell the building as a dwelling.

​The Grade-II listed property, at 53 Falsgrave Road, is part of a group of terraced properties, constructed around 1830-1840 from red brick and with slate tiled roofs.

​According to submitted plans, there will be no changes to the fabric of the building or its external appearance.

“The only change externally is to remove the signage from above the door and the small panel adjacent to the front door,” the applicant said.

​Scarborough’s conservation officer raised no objections and said the proposal would “not result in structural alteration or loss of historic fabric and would not result in a detrimental impact to the designated heritage asset”.

​According to the owner of the skincare clinic, the property is suitable for conversion and can “easily be adapted to a dwelling, as there is an existing kitchen and bathroom and the other rooms have no fixed furniture”.

​North Yorkshire Council said the proposal was “acceptable and would not result in harm to the designated heritage asset”.

​The application was approved subject to conditions.

Jack Cornwell, 21, will leave Durham Cathedral with his sister and three friends tomorrow at 9.30am, with the aim to be in Darlington town centre between 6pm and 6.30pm.

The 21-year-old is raising funds for Macmillan Cancer Support and is walking in memory of his nan, Valerie Bland.

Valerie sadly died two years ago from cancer.

Jack’s nan, Valerie Bland (Image: JACK CORNWELL)

Jack explained why he is doing the walk.

“In the later stages of my life, my nan was supported by nurses from Macmillan,” he said.

“But they were also really supportive to us. They were fantastic and support as many people as they can throughout the country.

“I think the work they do is amazing.”

Jack on a previous fundraising event (Image: JACK CORNWELL)

Jack lived with his nan since the age of four and said she always helped him with whatever he needed.

He added: “Some people these days may not be that close with their nan, but I was incredibly close to her.”

This is the fourth fundraising event Jack has done in memory of his nan and to raise funds for Macmillan.

Jack as a child with his nan, Valerie (Image: JACK CORNWELL)

He said: “I did a walk from Middlesbrough to Darlington, raising just short of £1,000. Then I did an event where I had my head in a hole and people threw wet sponges at me, which was horrible.

“And I did two cake sales as well. The events were really positive and raised more than £2,000 for a great charity.”

So far, Jack has raised £1,250 for charity ahead of his walk tomorrow, which he is really looking forward to.

He said: “We are stopping in Ferryhill and Newton Aycliffe on the way. The walk is 20 miles; it’s not a short walk.

“We have t-shirts ready for tomorrow; it’s going to be amazing.”

You can donate to Jack’s fundraiser by visiting: https://www.gofundme.com/f/macmillan-walk-saturday-9th-may-durham-to-darlington

One person in EastEnders that surely does not take rejection well is the unsettlingly unhinged Bea Pollard (Ronni Ancona)… as Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) is about to learn.

The bizarre bunny-boiler has developed an unhealthy fixation on Honey Mitchell (Emma Barton), worming her way into her and her husband  Billy’s (Perry Fenwick) home and manipulating them so she can stay under their roof. Worse still, she’s been funding her time on the Square by using a fraudulent credit card in Honey’s name.

During her time in Walford, Bea has also sparked up an unexpected romance with Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt), getting in the way of his spiky will-they won’t-they relationship with frenemy Elaine Peacock (Harriet Thorpe).

She’s usethe money she defrauded from Honey to buy Ian drinks and charm him with dates, and has even helped him in his campaign battle against Harriet in the local council elections. 

Unfortunately, Bea doesn’t play nice.

The deranged newcomer hatched an underhanded plan to launch a smear campaign video about Elaine to bolster Ian’s chances. 

Although reluctantly allowing Bea to the post the video online, apparently there are some things even Ian Beale finds morally reprehensible and as soon as Elaine wished him luck, he suddenly had a change of heart.

Despite Ian’s best attempts to to delete that video, Elaine soon learns of the video’s existence from Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins). 

Cue a confrontation between a raging Elaine and a guilt-ridden Ian, who tried to reverse his smear campaign. 

After Bea’s dirty tactics damaged his reputation, upcoming scenes of Eastenders will see Ian decide to call time on his relationship with his girlfriend… with explosive consequences.

Bea fusses around Ian , he’s Ian distracted to pay attention.

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Later, Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) lectures Ian for his underhanded actions as he tries to smooth things over with Elaine.

Meanwhile, Honey continues to worry that her identity has been stolen and later, after encouragement from Billy, asks Bea to confirm when she’s moving out. Bea reassures Honey she’s hoping to move in with Ian,

However, her plans are scuppered when Cindy shows Ian Bea’s article in the gazette… which names them as husband and wife. Spooked by his beau’s intensity, Ian decides to call time on their relationship.

When he tries to let Bea down gently, it goes even worse than any EastEnders viewer migh exepect and Ian is left well and truly shaken by Bea’s reaction.

But that’s just the tip of the crazy iceberg. When Bea gets home, Billy’s furious to learn about her latest antics and kicks her out on the spot…

… which leads a vengeful Bea to tamper with his ladder.

Don’t mess with Bea. You’ll get stunng.

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