The Premier League champions shelled out £30million on Ivorian forward Wilfried Bony as transfer deadline day approaches but here is MM’s take on other movement in the market.

A poll by bookmaker William Hill to identify the most ‘weather hardened fans’ gave United 23% of the vote – not surprisingly coming behind the Premier League’s two North-East sides Newcastle United and Sunderland.

Lampard was seen receiving treatment for a muscle injury before City took on Hamburg in an Abu Dhabi friendly but the 36-year-old asked his manager to let him play.

Three-times European champions United rose two places to second in the 2015 annual Deloitte Football Money League report published yesterday.

Mancunian Matters has teamed up with Manchester City to offer one lucky fan the opportunity to experience all the excitement of the FA Cup as the Blues take on Middlesbrough this Saturday.

City are currently two points behind Chelsea in the Premier League and play host to the Gunners at The Etihad on Sunday.

After 21 league games Manchester City sit second on 47 points, two points behind leaders Chelsea. 12 months ago Manuel Pellegrini’s mob had the same number of points and were one point and one place behind pacesetters Arsenal.

League Two Bury have prided themselves on developing young English talent and remain in the promotion hunt, sitting 13 points behind leaders and Saturday’s opponents Wycombe, despite lacking their own training facilities.

How the impending signing of Swansea City’s Wilfried Bony will help Manchester City’s title chase against Chelsea.

Argentina have been integral to Manchester City’s recent success – the player of the year award has gone to an Argentine in three of the last five years – with four still remaining in Pablo Zabaleta, Martin Demichelis, Willy Caballero and Sergio Aguero.

With Chelsea overcoming a stubborn Newcastle side at Stamford Bridge, the result leaves City two points behind ahead of the top two sides’ meeting in three weeks’ time.