Labour held firm in the local elections in Manchester central – losing just one ward – but the party had some close calls along the way.

Manchester United will go into Saturday’s lunch-time clash at Watford without a senior striker, after Louis van Gaal revealed the extent of their injury woes.

Louis van Gaal insists his Manchester United side always seek to entertain ahead of tomorrow’s Premier League clash against Crystal Palace.

Consecutive wins over Crewe Alexandra and bitter rivals Rochdale in ‘El Flatcapico’ helped Oldham end a three-game losing streak and revive hopes of a late push for the play-offs.

After moving past Cambridge United, the Red Devils now face Preston North End in the last 16 and United’s Dutch boss is well aware that silverware could be just four games away.

Colombian striker Falcao missed a hatful of gilt-edged opportunities on Saturday afternoon as United stayed in the top four, a point above Arsenal who turned over champions Manchester City.

The club have brought through 36 players to be ranked second of the 98 clubs surveyed by the International centre for sports studies and 12 of those still play for United.

Les Parry, who won the Medical & Sports Science Professional crown at the North West Football Awards on Tuesday, is convinced United’s academy will continue to produce talented youngsters.

Prodigy Wilson netted four goals in last night’s Manchester Senior Cup final, including a solo wonder strike that helped the Red Devils thrash rivals City 4-1.

United fell at the final hurdle in their bid to retain the title as Chelsea came from behind to triumph 2-1 in front of Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and 13,000 other spectators at Old Trafford

Interim Manchester United manager Ryan Giggs has told fans the club will soon return to their glory days, after beating Hull City 3-1 in their final home game of the season.