Manchester City’s Yaya Toure has claimed the club denied him compassionate leave to visit his dying brother – as rumours of a summer Etihad exit grow.

Ex-Manchester United striker Andrew Cole has backed claims that England players duck out of international duty, insisting that international football is ‘just a bonus’.

The 26-year-old, nicknamed ‘Little Pea’ and who was officially the fastest player at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, scored his country’s final goal in a 3-1 defeat of Croatia to secure a place in the last 16.

Midfielder Herrera, part of Spain’s London 2012 Olympics squad, would become only United’s second midfield signing in seven years after Belgian Marouane Fellaini became the first in six last summer.

Robin van Persie’s diving header against now deposed champions Spain set the Netherlands on their way to a 5-1 mass destruction of their 2010 final opponents and also earns a place in MM’s top five United goals at the World Cup.

Hart and England have been dumped out of the World Cup after losing their first two group matches against Italy and Uruguay.

Greater Manchester Police targeted motorists across the region as swarms of England fans hit the pubs to watch their opening game against Italy

Danny Welbeck has scored eight goals in 24 international appearances but ex-Manchester United team-mate Rio Ferdinand believes that record should be even better as England prepare for Uruguay showdown.

Following the Netherlands’ destruction of holders Spain, orchestrated by new United boss Louis van Gaal, it would be a wasted opportunity to not discuss the smoke issuing from the Old Trafford rumour mill.

The 5-1 humbling by a Robin van Persie inspired Dutch side in the Group B opener on Friday was world and European champions Spain’s heaviest loss in over 50 years.

This following England XI offers an insight into some of great footballers Greater Manchester has produced