Kiena Dawes took her own life after a campaign of domestic abuse by her partner

The mother of a young woman who took her own life after a prolonged campaign of domestic abuse has backed a campaign to create a new law in her daughter’s name.

23-year-old Kiena Dawes took her own life on a railway line in Lancashire in July 2022, after enduring a two-year relationship with Ryan Wellings, from Bispham.

In the wake of her death, Wellings was tried for manslaughter, with Preston Crown Court hearing that he regularly physically assaulted her, slapping her, ‘ragging’ her by her hair, and subjecting her to verbal and financial abuse.

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In her suicide note, Kiena wrote: “I was murdered. Ryan Wellings killed me. He ruined every bit of strength I had left. I had dreams. I had a future at one point. That was taken away from me.”

Wellings was acquitted of manslaughter but was convicted of coercive and controlling behaviour and assault, and was jailed for six-and-a-half years in January 2025.

Now, Kiena’s mother, Angela, has given her support to a campaign calling for a new law. The Kiena’s Law petition, which has almost 19,000 signatures, calls for the introduction of a new and specific criminal offence of ‘domestic abuse-related suicide’.

Angela believes the proposed law could help save lives. “To have a standalone charge for things like what Kiena went through, I do feel is so important,” she said at an event in Blackpool this month.

“Nothing is ever going to bring my baby back, but if we can change things moving forward, I’d hate to see another family go through what we’ve been through.

“My girl didn’t want to die. My girl wanted to live. But she lived in fear. We’ve lost a beautiful, very special, kind young girl who’s missed so much, not just by me but by so many other people.

“Please make changes before girls have to die to be heard. I can’t personally save any other girls, but I hope I can help by saying this.

“Please don’t give up, all of you who are working so hard for these changes. Please don’t give up. Let’s stop losing girls in this way.”

Since Kiena’s death, Angela has vowed to be a voice for Kiena and other people who have died in similar circumstances. “Changes need to be made. Girls shouldn’t have to die to be heard, and my daughter had to die to be heard. There was so much victim blaming,” she said.

The campaign for Kiena’s Law also for the inclusion of coercive and controlling behaviour within the ‘dangerous offender’ framework.

‘We owe it to Kiena’

Lancashire Police said the campaign been spearheaded by Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw, who has worked closely with Angela and Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse (AAFDA) to raise awareness of domestic abuse-related suicide and press for reform.

Frank Mullane MBE, CEO of Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse (AAFDA), said that Kiena’s case ‘exposed a serious gap in the law’.

“Too often, when a victim dies by suicide following prolonged domestic abuse, coercive control and intimidation, the full impact of that abuse is not recognised by the criminal justice system,” he said.

“Angela’s courage and determination have helped shine a light on this issue, but this campaign is about much more than one family.

“Kiena’s Law represents an opportunity to recognise the devastating and sometimes fatal consequences of coercive and controlling behaviour, improve accountability and help prevent future deaths. We owe it to Kiena and to every family affected by domestic abuse-related suicide to make that change.”

Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw said Angela had been ‘courageous and inspiring’. “Kiena’s story has touched people across Lancashire and beyond,” he said. “We must continue to learn lessons, improve protections for victims and ensure that women and girls are supported when they seek help.

“I would encourage people to support the petition and help keep this important conversation at the forefront of public and political debate.”

You can sign and share the petition here: www.change.org/kienas-law

David Whan, 60, of Old Barber, Harrogate, is alleged to have told fellow jurors information relating to the case they were sitting on that was not given in the courtroom. The offence allegedly occurred in 2024.

He denied the charge of disclosing information to other jurors when he appeared before Leeds Crown Court as a defendant.

Judge Neil Clark ordered that Whan’s trial start on August 26 next year.  It is expected to last for two days and will be held at Leeds Crown Court.

Whan was released on conditional bail until then.

A government ends and a new government begins, determined to make a splash with its early policy announcements.

We can expect to see and hear plenty from the new Prime Minister Andy Burnham and his senior ministers in the coming days, making arguments, travelling the country and trying to make an impact.

Burnham’s new cabinet will meet for the first time at lunchtime.

Its appointment became something of a nocturnal affair.

At gone 22:00 BST on Monday night, there was still a minibus full of ministerial wannabes inside Downing Street waiting for their new positions to be confirmed.

One of the later posts to be filled was that of defence secretary, a role taken by Wes Streeting, whose resignation as health secretary two months ago contributed to the draining of Sir Keir Starmer’s authority as prime minister.

The story of the reshuffle can best be summarised as neither of the two ministers most widely talked up as chancellor – Shabana Mahmood and Ed Miliband – getting that job, it instead going to John Healey.

And there being a pretty significant cull of the ministers closest to and most loyal to the now former prime minister: think David Lammy, Darren Jones, Peter Kyle, Lord Hermer, Steve Reed and Rachel Reeves – albeit Reeves, I am told, was offered a cabinet post but turned it down.

A decision notice to approve the plans was published in July 2026

Plans for a huge industrial and logistics development in Cambridgeshire, described by some as an “eyesore”, have been given the go-ahead. Huntingdonshire District Council has granted Newlands Property Developments permission for the development at Hinchingbrooke Logistics Park.

The plans will see Newlands Property Developments deliver a “substantial industrial and logistics development”, including warehouses up to 24m high and a new bus depot. The A141 will also be remodelled with a new roundabout and underpass.

The majority of the site is currently used for arable farming. The developer proposes to create up to 205,000sqm of general industrial and storage and distribution space, with maximum building heights ranging from 18.5m to 24m.

A planning document says: “The site is in an optimal location for industrial and logistics development. The proposal will deliver high quality sustainable buildings, with supporting facilities and infrastructure, that will be accessible to employees, visitors, and the local community by sustainable modes of transport.”

The applicant says the proposal aims to deliver a “significant boost to the economy through the creation of new employment opportunities”. The proposals faced local backlash, with several objections against the project lodged with Huntingdonshire District Council.

One person said: “The height and extent of the logistics park will be a blight on the area, an ugly oppressive eyesore. The intimidating nature of the plan will be destructive to the natural beauty. The logistics park will inevitably negatively impact on house prices. Noise pollution, HGV traffic, the ugly visual intrusion, destroying the skyline will inevitably reduce desirability and value of my home that I recently bought.”

Another person objected: “Not only is this a clearly unsuitable development but it is additional development considered unnecessary adding to the more pressing development and disruption of the key local amenity of Hinchingbrooke Hospital.

“The Hospital development is essential for local people unlike the logistics park. The Logistics park development requires major road access works to the A141, demonstrating that existing infrastructure is insufficient. This threatens increased congestion affecting hospital access — a critical public service.”

A decision notice was published on the council’s planning website on July 15.

Mr Lammy, until now the deputy prime minister and justice secretary, and previously foreign secretary, announced he was leaving Government on social media, while Mr Reed, seen as an arch-loyalist to Sir Keir Starmer, said he was “disappointed to be leaving Government now” in a letter to Mr Burnham.

Tottenham MP Mr Lammy said he “would have been proud to continue serving in Cabinet. But a new Prime Minister is entitled to build his own team”.

He added he would “support this Labour Government from the backbenches and do everything I can to help defeat Reform again at the next general election”.

In a post on X, Ms Reeves wrote: “It has been the privilege of my life to serve as the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

“The economy today is stronger, fairer and more resilient because of the choices we have taken as a Labour Government over the past two years.

“I wish the very best of luck to my successor, Andy and his Cabinet.

“You have my full support and I will continue to play my part in helping this Labour Government deliver the change the country needs.”

Mr Reed, who has served as environment secretary and housing secretary since the general election in 2024, said Labour “won power the hard way”, and in a rebuke to the incoming Prime Minister later added: “Keir Starmer showed loyalty to me by appointing me to his Cabinet.

“I make no apology for returning that loyalty.

“It’s what is expected of functioning teams, and I hope those who did not show loyalty to Keir will now show it to you.

“I’m proud I acted with integrity at every step over the turbulent past few months.”

Peter Kyle, who was business secretary, has also lost his job, the Press Association understands.

Sir Keir Starmer’s attorney general Lord Richard Hermer has confirmed he is leaving the Cabinet, saying he will support Andy Burnham’s Labour government from the backbenches.

Steve Reed has revealed he is no longer Housing Secretary, and said in a letter he is “disappointed to be leaving Government now”, after Andy Burnham entered Downing Street as Prime Minister.

Mr Burnham is expected to begin making appointments to major Cabinet positions on Monday afternoon.

Several junior ministers announced they were leaving Government earlier on Monday.

Prisons minister Lord James Timpson was the first to announce he had resigned, and was shortly followed by Lord Patrick Vallance, a science minister.

Millie Mackintosh officially moved out of the marital home she shared with her ex husband Hugo Taylor on Monday. 

The former Made In Chelsea stars split in early February after seven years of marriage, during which time they welcomed daughters Sienna, six, and Aurelia, four.

And opening up in her recent Instagram, Millie shared snaps from the moving process as she revealed that while divorce isn’t what she had imagined for herself, she has found the moving process a ‘healing’ one. 

Taking a swipe at Hugo, she shared that this next chapter will be ‘written entirely on my own terms’. 

She penned: ‘Moving day. Nervous, excited, everything all at once. And so it begins. New postcode, new front door, new chapter written entirely on my own terms this time.

‘Divorce isn’t the ending I imagined for myself, but this house, this next bit feels like proof that new beginnings really can be beautiful even when they start with cardboard boxes and lots of uncertainty.’

Taking a swipe at Hugo, she shared that this next chapter will be ‘written entirely on my own terms’

Sharing snaps of the empty rooms and packed boxes she continued: ‘This is what starting again actually looks like. Not glamorous, not perfectly styled, just honest, and mine. I’ve learned more about myself in this in-between that I have in years. 

‘Every room a little emptier today, and me a little lighter for it. Funny how a house holds so much of you without you ever realising, until you have to carry it all out the door. 

‘Slowly, slowly it starts to look like somewhere new. One chair at a time, one plant at a time, building a home that’s entirely mine feels like its own kind of healing.’ 

Admitting she had found the caption hard to write, she said: ‘I’ve put off writing this caption for a few days because I wasn’t quite sure how to sum it all up. 

‘This move has been so many things at once, exciting, overwhelming, sad, hopeful, all wrapped into one very long day surrounded by boxes. Starting again somewhere new has taught me more about who I am than I expected. 

‘Turns out you can grieve a chapter and be genuinely excited for the next one at the same time.’

Millie and Hugo have officially filed for divorce and have both appointed legal teams, with the pair said to be keen for a ‘clean break’ while continuing to co-parent.

Before their separation, Millie and Hugo spent months completing a full renovation on their £5million family home, regularly sharing updates about the project.

Before their separation, Millie and Hugo (pictured right) spent months completing a full renovation on their £5million family home, regularly sharing updates about the project

She penned: ‘Divorce isn’t the ending I imagined for myself, but this house this next bit feels like proof that new beginnings really can be beautiful’

Sharing snaps of the empty rooms and packed boxes she continued: ‘This is what starting again actually looks like’

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She added: ‘Turns out you can grieve a chapter and be genuinely excited for the next one at the same time’

In April 2025, Millie posted a year into their renovation, revealing that the past 12 months had included ‘time, energy and late nights’.

Millie said: ‘It’s wild to think it’s been a whole year since we started our renovation… sometimes you get so caught up in the day-to-day that you forget to stop and appreciate just how far you’ve come.

‘When I look back to the early days — the plans, the moodboards, the dust (so much dust!), the endless decisions and all the highs and lows that come with a project like this — it honestly feels like a lifetime ago.’

She continued: ‘It took time, energy, late nights and a lot of patience… but seeing it now, I’m so proud of everything we put into it.

‘The best part? We’re finally at the stage where it’s about the little things. Filling the space with art, books and those pieces you pick up over time that make a house feel like home.

‘There’s still plenty I want to do — but it feels really special to pause, look back and soak it all in.’

Months before, Millie had posted pictures of her old kitchen which she had transformed into a cosy snug.

But now Millie is ready to get stuck into a new project after moving into her new place following their split.

Flares were let off as mourners gathered in London to celebrate what would have been the 21st birthday of a British illegal immigrant who was shot dead in the US after allegedly trying to con a pensioner. 

Irish traveller Salis Hanrahan, from Essex, was fatally shot aged 20 on July 8 inside the home of ex-firefighter George Barr, 75, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 

Hanrahan was reportedly working on Barr’s house as part of a construction team in the days before his death. Local reports suggest he was shot after trying to charge the American £51,800 for repairs on the £190,000 property. 

The Briton had entered the US illegally after being denied a visa because government officials determined that he was affiliated with the ‘The Travelling Conman Fraud Group’. 

Members of that organised crime gang, as it has been designated by the FBI, are known for overcharging victims for building work which they have failed to complete.

Hanrahan collapsed on a pavement outside Barr’s home in the Roxborough neighbourhood of Philadelphia – and later died in hospital from a gunshot wound to his chest. 

The traveller’s body has since been repatriated back to London, where more than a hundred mourners gathered today in his memory.

Hanrahan’s body arrived at a west London funeral parlour in a £500,000 Rolls Royce as friends and family let balloons into the sky and held placards reading: ‘RIP Salis’.

Hundreds of mourners gathered in west London to celebrate what would have been Hanrahan’s 21st birthday on Monday

The deceased’s body arrived at a funeral parlour near Hanwell in a Rolls Royce thought to be worth £500,000

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Mourners appeared to have parked their vehicles across the street causing grid-locked traffic

Footage showed plumes of red and white smoke billowing into the sky after flares were let off on the busy road.

Mourners parked their vehicles across the street causing grid-locked traffic, and cars could be heard tooting their horns as crowds set up pictures of Hanrahan on the pavement. 

One showed a picture of the 20-year-old posing with his thumbs up, with golden messages surrounding his image reading: ‘Happy 21st birthday Salis Hanrahan.’

Barr, Hanrahan’s alleged killer, has been charged with murder, possession of an instrument of crime and recklessly endangering another person. 

He has not yet entered a plea and is being held at a Pennsylvania prison after being remanded into custody. 

Hanrahan appears to have wed his wife Roseann just months before his death, and the couple shared a one-year-old daughter together. Roseann posted on social media after his passing: ‘My beautiful husband. I love you so much.’ 

US police said last week that contractors were fitting sliding doors on Barr’s home shortly after 2pm on July 8 when gunfire was heard. 

Philadelphia police Captain James Kimrey told reporters: ‘They heard arguments or some kind of commotion inside and then they found the boss outside.’

Local outlet KYW said that the victim had been ‘asking for more money’ every day prior to his death.  

Hanrahan was ‘an illegal alien from the United Kingdom’, the US Department of Homeland Security said, and entered the country without a work permit.  

Balloons were lifted into the sky and friends and family held banners reading: ‘RIP Salis’

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Placards of the 20-year-old were set up outside the funeral parlour

George Barr, 75, has been charged with murder, possession of an instrument of crime and recklessly endangering another person

A spokesman said: ‘He entered the country illegally on an unknown date and location and was denied Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) as he was determined to have affiliation with ‘The Traveling Conman Fraud Group’, a transnational criminal organization’.

The victim’s family hit out at his alleged killer in the days after he was killed, describing Barr as ‘evil’ and ‘scum’. 

A relative called Paddy Hanrahan posted a news story about the incident on Facebook, writing: ‘Please look at the evil in he’s [sic] face. He couldn’t even give a reason why he done it. He cold-bloodedly killed him for nothing’.

Friend Martina McCarthy responded: ‘I said the same u can see the evil behind his eyes rip salis [sic]’.

Another friend, Michelle Bas, wrote: ‘He needs to rot in jail!!!’

Hanrahan’s sister Lisa-Marie posted a picture of Barr and wrote: ‘The scum that took my baby brother lord pls why us.’

Others, however, were quick to show their support for the 75-year-old. 

One local woman wrote: ‘Free George Barr, NOW! He is a retired Philadelphia Firefighter and a hero from [the] Vietnam War’.

Another woman posted: ‘I have known George for a very long time. Frankly, I can’t believe this. Always been so kind to me and my daughters’.

In an exclusive interview with the Daily Mail, Tommy McKiernan, the vice president of the Philadelphia firefighter’s union, said that Barr joined the Fire Department in 1989 and retired in 2015, having last served at Ladder 11 in the South of the city.

McKiernan said that Barr’s wife Angela, who he married years after they began dating, had died in September.

He said: ‘He was an exceptional firefighter and this is something that’s way out of character for him.

‘I don’t know if he was diagnosed with PTSD from Vietnam but it’s likely something from being a firefighter, maybe a combination of the two.

Police said last week that contractors were putting sliding doors on Barr’s home (pictured) shortly before Hanrahan’s death

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‘I wasn’t there when it happened so I don’t know if any of that was triggered.

‘George isn’t the kind of guy who would just pull a gun out and shoot somebody. I’m wondering if there was a confrontation, maybe it got physical. I’m hoping it’s self-defence.

‘I’ve never seen him angry or argumentative. He was in control. That was not his character to get mad or confrontational.

‘The only time I saw him angry is if we had jobs back in the day and somebody got killed on the job’.

Court documents showed that the Travelling Conmen Fraud Group, of which Hanrahan was believed to be a part, is made up of UK or Irish nationals who enter the US on tourist visas and overstay. Others, however, enter the country illegally.

The documents state: ‘Once in the United States, Travelers go to different cities and states, soliciting construction work.

‘This is sometimes done door-to-door, by knocking and introducing themselves to homeowners, usually elderly individuals, claiming to have extra materials left over from a prior job or noticing a defect or damage to the home that needs to be repaired immediately.

‘The members often quote a low price, and then, after further inspection, demand much more money.

‘Travelers usually start with a small job (such as fixing brick entry steps or re-pointing chimneys) and then convince homeowners that their homes need major repairs, such as foundation work or waterproofing.

‘At this point, the Travelers overcharge homeowners and sometimes intimidate homeowners into paying them up front for work that is not completed.’

Barr’s family did not return calls and texts asking for comment.

The Philadelphia Police Department confirmed that Barr had been charged and that a firearm was recovered at the scene.

Its statement said: ‘The investigation remains active and is being conducted by the Philadelphia Police Department’s Homicide Unit.’

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The thought of suddenly being deprived of my precious HRT struck fear into my heart. Would I transform overnight into a grumpy old witch? Feel like a forgetful, arthritic 80-year-old? Wake up at 1am in a flood of sweat?

Last month, after six uninterrupted years of Oestrogel, I found out. On a romantic week away in Fuerteventura, I forgot to pack my gel pump, aka the key to my sanity.

I discovered my disastrous error on a Sunday – pharmacies’ day of rest. But that was fine. Even I could go a day without. So my partner, the long-suffering DG, and I chuckled at my mishap over multiple jugs of sangria, safe in the knowledge I’d rectify the situation come Monday.

Dr Google informed me that, although you technically need a prescription to get HRT in Spain, pharmacists would be likely to bend the rules for a tourist in distress.

A panicked call to the nearest farmacia five miles away proved this was not correct. It turns out Spanish pharmacists are sticklers for the rules, insisting on either a UK or local prescription.

I toyed with getting a doctor’s appointment and paying 120 euros (£102) for the pleasure. But the beach bar was far more fun. So I told DG I’d see if I could go without for a week. He muttered ‘OK’, clearly as nervous as me about my impending transition into an ogre.

We spent the rest of the day, and the next one, surfing, sunbathing and guzzling vino blanco. Despite the laidback vibes, irritability kept sneaking up on me. Making plans with DG, one of life’s great procrastinators, made me snippy.

Yes, this happens at home but, on holiday, I’d hoped to be more chilled.

DG soon started suggesting cocktails every time we passed a bar. When I asked him why he wanted me semi-permanently sozzled, he confessed to trying to drown out any potential withdrawal symptoms. Ouch.

DG soon started suggesting cocktails every time we passed a bar. When I asked him why he wanted me semi-permanently sozzled, he confessed to trying to drown out any potential withdrawal symptoms

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That night, I went to bed a little worse for wear and was awoken at 1am by a sweat so savage even the back of my knees were dripping. A reaction to the booze? The Canarian heat? Or a return of the dreaded meno night sweats?

Consumed by a sense of doom, I grabbed my phone, found an inexpensive online doctor service and booked a virtual appointment for 10am. For a mere 20 euros (£17), I spoke to a Spanish doctor with impeccable English and, hey presto, a prescription landed in my inbox.

DG had no qualms about changing our beach plans in favour of hiring bikes and cycling five miles to the pharmacy. He was clearly as invested in getting me back on the drugs – because by now I really did feel like a junkie in need of a fix.

An hour later, I triumphantly handed over my prescription. ‘Ah,’ said the pharmacist, ‘you must be the lady who asked to get the medication without a prescription.’ Apparently, my desperation had become something of a legend in this little corner of the Canaries.

After coughing up more euros, I ran outside, yanked at my shorts and slathered myself in Spanish oestrogen. Its calming effect seemed immediate. Yet HRT’s impact isn’t instantaneous. So all that grouchiness, panic and sweat… was it in my head?

GP and hormone specialist, Dr Louise Newson, confirms that for most women, it takes a few days for HRT’s effects to reboot.

However, she thinks my symptoms may not have been entirely imagined. ‘Some women have told me that their holiday was ruined when they forgot their HRT.

‘Everyone responds differently, with some experiencing more severe symptoms [like poor sleep, anxiety, low mood, hot flushes and irregular bleeding] than others.’

So perhaps it wasn’t bonkers to sacrifice a day and a fair few euros to sourcing local HRT? Dr Newson says: ‘If you’re away for more than a couple of days, then it’s worth trying to find a local doctor to prescribe HRT.

‘Using an alternative or foreign brand is often preferable to stopping treatment, but it should be done with guidance from a pharmacist or doctor because formulations and doses vary between countries.’

And that certainly rings true. When I tore open my Spanish HRT box, I was alarmed to find a syringe. It needed to be screwed on to the end of a tube of gel so the correct amount could be suctioned out. But what was the correct amount? I opted for 1.25ml. It was only back in our Airbnb, with help from a calculator, that I realised I needed 2.5ml and swiftly applied an extra splodge.

If you can’t find a local alternative, Dr Newson advises prioritising rest, hydration and exercise while swerving stress. Potentially feasible on holiday.

The biggest takeaway, aside from saving a photo of my UK prescription on my phone, is that I can survive without HRT for a few days.

Once I’d calmed down, I reflected back with a fresh perspective. It wasn’t quite the crisis of my imagination.

That said, I’ll never leave my pump at home ever again. And I expect DG will be fully supporting me by triple checking my suitcase before we leave for our next holiday.

Manchester United are continuing to make moves in the summer transfer window ahead of the upcoming Premier League campaign

Manchester United notably let a future World Cup winner and one of England’s most lethal strikers escape their grasp. The club have overseen some remarkable transfers down the years, attracting many successful players to Old Trafford.

However, United have watched some promising talents choose other Premier League clubs and further afield. Michael Carrick has secured deals for Andrey Santos, Karl Darlow and Youri Tielemans this summer.

Talks with Atalanta’s Ederson hit a roadblock after a medical flagged up knee issues. Carrick is determined to prevent any more transfer setbacks as he assembles a squad capable of competing for trophies.

Here, Mirror Football looks at some of the botched transfers at United, including a Ballon d’Or winner and World Cup champion.

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Ronaldinho

United came within touching distance of a £9million swoop for Ronaldinho from Paris Saint-Germain in 2003. The Brazil star had shone in France, recording 44 goal contributions across 77 outings.

The midfielder was viewed as David Beckham’s successor, who appeared destined for a move to Spain. Barcelona had opened discussions with the England skipper over a £30m transfer and Real Madrid were also circling.

Madrid ultimately secured Beckham for around £25m, yet Barca managed to swoop in and snatch Ronaldinho from under United’s noses. United were “99.9% certain” the World Cup winner would sign but the Spanish giants pipped them to his signature for £25.5m.

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The Brazilian would go on to claim the Ballon d’Or in recognition of his outstanding performances in Spain.

John Obi Mikel

John Obi Mikel snubbed United in favour of Chelsea, despite holding talks with Sir Alex Ferguson and even penning a pre-contract. Speaking on TNT Sports’ What I Wore, the Champions League winner said: “My first trial was with Manchester United. After the Under-17 tournament, I went there for trials. And then United thought, ‘Spend two, three months with us, and then go back home, and come back. And when you become 18, you can sign a professional contract.’

“So I went back home and then Chelsea heard about the whole thing, that I was back home. And they sent an agent to Nigeria to come and get me to go to trials at Chelsea. I went to trials at Chelsea and they liked me and wanted me to sign. So they thought, ‘Okay, we’re not going to make the same mistake as United by sending you back home. We’re going to send you to Norway’. United went to find out where I was, and then they sent an agent to come to Oslo.

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“That’s when the contract came from United, Fergie and his agents. That’s when I signed the contract. But of course, Chelsea had sent me to Norway and they said, ‘Why would you do that? We’ve been looking after you for about a year now.’ So when they saw that [I’d signed for United] they refused to let it go and said they’d fight. FIFA couldn’t sort it out and get either team to back off, the English FA got involved and then I had a one-to-one meeting with Fergie.

“He said he wanted a meeting with me, alone without anybody for 30 minutes, and that he would be able to convince me to come to Manchester United. So I had the meeting, but he couldn’t convince me and that’s how it was settled.”

Toni Kroos

Toni Kroos verbally agreed to join United from Bayern Munich in 2013 as David Moyes stepped into Fergie’s shoes at Old Trafford. The Germany international was considered a top target but remained in his home country for a further season before making the switch to Real Madrid.

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Moyes told talkSPORT in 2018: “Toni Kroos had agreed to come to Manchester United with me. I met him and his wife and we agreed it all when he was at Bayern Munich.”

Kroos went on to claim the World Cup with Germany in 2014 and won the Champions League five times at Madrid.

Paulo Dybala

In 2019, United attempted to orchestrate a swap deal with Juventus featuring Paulo Dybala and Romelu Lukaku. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believed the Belgium international wasn’t needed and reports from Italy suggested an agreement had been reached between the sides.

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Dybala eventually decided to stay with Juve and won 11 major honours in Italy. He was also included in the Argentina side that lifted the World Cup in 2022 and currently plays for Roma.

Alan Shearer

Alan Shearer had his choice of Newcastle and Manchester in 1996 following his Premier League triumph with Blackburn Rovers. The division’s all-time leading marksman sat down with Sir Alex and his childhood hero, Kevin Keegan, who proved pivotal in the forward’s eventual decision.

He revealed on The Rest is Football podcast in 2023: “I had the choice between Newcastle and Man United. I went to meet Kevin and Sir Alex on the same day, I met Kevin in the morning, Sir Alex in the afternoon. And the first words in the afternoon, Sir Alex came in and said to me, ‘Am I meeting you first or am I meeting you second?’

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“And I said, ‘I’ve just met Kevin this morning,’ and he said, ‘That’s me f*****, I’ve got no chance.’ I asked why and he said, ‘Always first impressions last.’ Anyway, a day went over, I went home and I said, ‘I’m signing for Man United.’

“Fergie was incredible, we went to Manchester and we went house hunting. Then two days later, I got a call off Kevin to say, ‘I would like an hour with you before you go and that’s it.’ I had talks with him and I rung my Mrs up and said, ‘I’m signing for Newcastle, there’s a taxi coming in half an hour, you need to pack a bag for me and we’re flying to the far east tonight.’”

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Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.

Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.

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