Do YOU have the X Factor? Simon Cowell hunts for next star in Manchester auditions
Simon Cowell, Cheryl Cole, Louis Walsh and Mel B will take the places behind the judging panel
‘I’m just trying to be the best I can be’: Manchester City’s Joe Hart vows to repay Roy Hodgson for keeping faith
The keeper’s sudden dip in form resulted in his omission from the City side for seven Premier League games – but Hart retained the faith of national manager Roy Hodgson and is eager to repay that support
‘De Gea is best in world but we’re ready’: Dutch star Van Persie hails United teammate but issues Oranje warning
The Dutch captain is expected to start at the Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador in a repeat of the 2010 final which saw the men in orange beaten in extra-time.
Footy fans risk relationship red card if partners neglected during World Cup, says Manchester divorce lawyer
Manchester divorce and family lawyer Ros Bever said fans who spend too much time watching the tournament in Brazil could find themselves without a teammate come its conclusion in July
Revealed: Booze crime surge across Manchester in World Cup years – police vow to punish ‘inevitable’ violence
With World Cup fever gripping the nation, Greater Manchester Police are bracing themselves for the ‘inevitable’ number of alcohol-related city centre incidents the tournament will cause.
‘Sing me to victory’: Leighton Baines says Manchester’s Morrissey will be singing for England during World Cup
Baines met his hero when he was staying in the same hotel as Roy Hodgson’s team in Miami last week
Sepp up your game or go: FA chairman Greg Dyke urges FIFA ‘old boy’ Blatter to step down over ‘corruption’ claims
British football officials lined themselves up in opposition to Fifa president Sepp Blatter in a day of off field drama that will be difficult to match at the forthcoming World Cup.
Blue blood appeal: Etihad flowerbed turned red to help make National Blood Week donors bloom
Manchester City Council are turning a flowerbed outside the Etihad red to raise awareness of National Blood Week.
Argy bargy! Manchester City trio elbow their way into Argentina World Cup squad selfie
Manchester City’s Argentinian trio Martin Demichelis, Pablo Zabaleta and Sergio Aguero have are flying high ahead of the World Cup in nearby Brazil.
Domestic violence surge predicted as Greater Manchester tune-in and booze-up for World Cup
GMP have set up an operation to identify potential abusers and limit the rise of attacks once the tournament kicks off on Thursday.
Capoeira king: Danny Welbeck shows of his samba style in Rio ahead of Italy World Cup opener
Manchester United forward Danny Welbeck showed off his samba skills ahead of England’s opening World Cup clash on Saturday