City hosted Championship side Middlesbrough at the Etihad on Saturday and it was Aitor Karanka’s men who grabbed a famous 2-0 victory.

Despite being watched by an average crowd of just less than 3,500 this season, Rochdale fans have turned out in force as the club prepare to take on top-flight opposition for the first time in 10 years.

With a crucial Premier League game against league leaders Chelsea just a week away, Manuel Pellegrini might have been tempted to rest some of his stars against Championship side Middlesbrough in the FA Cup fourth round.

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.

Bury manager David Flitcroft has urged the Premier League to support the professionalisation of referees in the Football League after criticising the standard of officiating.

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.

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

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

Despite controlling much of the proceedings at Old Trafford, United failed to register a single shot on target, with Dusan Tadic’s well-taken effort enough to secure victory for Ronald Koeman’s high-flying Saints.