Manchester

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Manchester City's elected supporter group has met with Uefa about perceived shortcomings at the 2023 Champions League final.

City Matters believe the talks were "a step in the right direction" and offered a chance for dialogue about situations fans faced in arriving at the Ataturk Stadium in Istanbul.

The group had submitted a report to City after taking "evidence from dozens of supporters there on the night who told stories of poor organisation, insufficient facilities and unhelpful staff".

The club then forwarded this to Uefa along with a request for the meeting.

In a statement City Matters also confirmed Uefa offered to work alongside them "to ensure that fan perspective is considered in the planning of future Uefa events."

City won the final 1-0 against Inter Milan to secure a historic Treble.

Manchester United forward Anthony Martial is continuing on an individual fitness programme in a bid to get fit enough for a first-team return.

Martial has not featured for United since the 9 December home hammering by Bournemouth.

The Frenchman was ill over Christmas and that caused him to miss all three matches. He is now trying to work his way back into contention for selection.

However, there is an additional issue to factor in given Martial is also troubled by a minor hip complaint. His agent feels the problem requires surgery but United's medical staff are still considering how to treat it.

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Manchester United defender Harry Maguire says he is "looking forward" to reaching 200 appearances for the club.

The 30-year-old, who was stripped of the club captaincy and linked with a move away from Old Trafford in the summer, is eight games away from reaching the milestone.

"To make 200 appearances would be a great achievement for myself, something that when you're a young boy you can only dream of," Maguire told United's official website, external.

"I'm looking forward to making that milestone and many more to come.

"I've been here five years now and every time I come in I try to make this club successful and try to get it back to winning the big trophies.

"It's a long process - but these fans demand it, and they deserve it.

"Every time I come in I do my best, I work hard, and do everything for the badge."

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Former defender Nedum Onuoha feels Manchester City have "a tonne of options" in midfield.

While Rodri is a mainstay in front of defence, Pep Guardiola has regularly switched who plays alongside the Spain international.

Despite losing Ilkay Gundogan in the summer and Kevin de Bruyne only just returning from a long-term injury, the additions of Mateo Kovacic and Matheus Nunes, alongside the versatility of Bernardo Silva, has helped provide options for the City boss.

Speaking on the BBC's Planet Football podcast, Onhoua said: "While Guardiola is there, as I see it, the way they play [in midfield] can almost be dictated by where they are at in the season.

"Every season they have been successful has felt slightly different. At times, the personnel has been different. At times, they've won the league with Silva playing alongside [Ilkay] Gundogan when [Kevin] De Bruyne was injured, then next minute Silva is playing out on the right-hand side.

"There is a reason why he [Guardiola] has brought in a Kovacic and a [Matheus] Nunes because they probably see something a bit different there as well - even, at times, you have seen Rico Lewis go in there. Does the midfield depend on whether they are going to have a John Stones or an Akanji that can step in there to play alongside a Rodri? They have a tonne of options.

"When they have 60-70% possession, they have to do it in a certain way and I think the manager has a very keen eye to figure out what is the best option in the moment and I'm sure having Kevin de Bruyne back for the next four or five months of the season is a great option to bring in there."

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Leeds striker Patrick Bamford and comedian Joe Wilkinson discuss Erling Haaland on the 'My Mate's a Footballer' podcast, and the Norwegian's importance to Manchester City.

Listen to the full episode here

Friday's papers feature comments from former Manchester United captain Roy Keane, who has questioned the character of the current crop.

Midfielder Bruno Fernandes is discussed in detail, with Keane telling the Stick to Football podcast: "It can't all be the coaches and managers. There's a player out there and if he's doing all that stuff and still producing magic, you almost forgive him. But if you're in a struggling team and you’re doing all that stuff, that’s where it stands out.

"And you go 'you're killing us, you’re costing us'. I reckon if you look back at his career, he’s done it in every team. It’s a trait. It’s not as if he’s an experienced player - leopards and spots. He’d get away with it if United were winning more matches and he was producing his bits of magic, which he's done before."

The Telegraph's Luke Edwards discussed the future of Manchester United defenders Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof on the transfer gossip daily podcast.

"I looked at Harry Maguire who played in the World Cup for England and thought he was a top-quality centre half. And then he goes back to his club and he struggles. And that happens sometimes. Harry didn't feel loved at Manchester United," said Edwards.

"I don't think he got what he needed necessarily from Erik ten Hag. I think he was probably giving off slightly negative vibes. But I hope whatever Maguire does, I hope he goes and shows what a good player is. I think he has to do that away from Manchester United personally. I can understand why he stayed."

Listen to the full episode here

Manchester City have a strong interest in bringing Tottenham and Spain right-back Pedro Porro, 24, and Aston Villa and Brazil midfielder Douglas Luiz, 25, back to the club in deals that could cost them £200m. (Football Insider), external

West Ham are one of the clubs interested in Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips and the Hammers are well placed to win the race to sign the 28-year-old England international. (Standard), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

Manchester United are considering a revamp of their defence in the summer which could mean England centre-back Harry Maguire, 30, and Sweden defender Victor Lindelof, 29, leaving if significant offers are made for them. (ESPN), external

Juventus and Netherlands defender Matthijs de Ligt, 24, is one of the targets being considered by the Red Devils. (Gazzetta dello Sport - in Italian), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column