Evans, who maintains his innocence, was set to join the Latics on a long-term deal until 20,000 people signed an online petition urging the club not to sign him.

Louis van Gaal’s men, now unbeaten in nine Premier League fixtures, could only wrestle a draw from Tottenham at White Hart Lane on Sunday, despite having confidently dispatched Newcastle United on Boxing Day.

After coming on at half-time for his first appearance in English football since May 2012, ex-England international Heskey slid home Eidur Gudjohnsen’s cross to cancel out Josh King’s opener.

City opened their brand new £200million state-of-the-art training complex last week, an 80-acre site connected to the Etihad Stadium which boasts a selection of world class facilities.

Rochdale inflicted a fifth straight defeat upon Colchester thanks to goals from Matty Lund, Peter Vincenti, Ian Henderson and Jack O’Connell at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

In a repeat of last season’s draw, Manuel Pellegrini’s men will welcome the Catalan club to The Etihad in February before travelling to the Nou Camp in March.

United were in devilish form at Old Trafford on Sunday as they sealed their sixth consecutive Premier League victory by beating Liverpool 3-0.

The relative lack of current success for both clubs is threatening to take some of the bite out this most tempestuous of clashes.

The last meeting between the two was in April 2013 when Oldham’s Lee Johnson bested his father Gary, winning 1-0 thanks to a solitary goal from Matt Smith.

On Monday City opened their new state-of-the-art £200million training ground in the presence of playing legends past and present.

Robin van Persie’s double secured a 2-1 victory for United – their fifth on the bounce – against Southampton on Monday evening, though they only managed three shots on goal, their lowest tally in a game since 2003.