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Spain halts arrivals from UK as number of countries banning Brits continues to grow

More than 40 countries have now banned flights from the UK - with Spain the latest to close its borders to British travellers.

The Manc The Manc - 21st December 2020
Wikimedia Commons

More than 40 countries have now banned Brits from entering – with Spain the latest to close its borders to travellers.

The Spanish government confirmed it would not allow people from the UK to enter the country from Tuesday 22 December unless they were Spanish citizens or residents.

Madrid confirmed it would reinforce controls at the border with Gibraltar to ensure compliance.

Dozens of countries have announced travel bans today following the revelation that a new, more contagious COVID variant is spreading in Britain.

These include Hong Kong, India, Belgium, Canada, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Romania, Russia and Switzerland.

On Sunday, France closed its borders with the UK for 48 hours – stopping lorries, flights and ferries – but has since said it will aim “to ensure movement from the UK can resume”.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson held an emergency meeting on Monday morning as more countries cut themselves off from the UK.

He will address the nation this evening with an update at 5pm.

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André Onana is set to leave Manchester United on loan as early as next week

Danny Jones Danny Jones Onana leaving Man United on loan

Manchester United goalkeeper André Onana is reportedly leaving the club as early as next week as he prepares to make a late move to mainland Europe.

It’s fair to characterise Onana‘s time at Old Trafford as fraught and divisive, to say the least, but now the Cameroonian keeper is set to leave Man United on loan for the rest of the season.

While most dealings had to be completed at the start of the month, Turkey’s own transfer window is still open for another few days, and now, the seemingly exiled shot-stopper is set to spend a potentially future-defining spell in the Süper Lig.

Preparing for his soon-to-be fully completed move to Trabzonspor, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano states that he will complete the deal next week.

As detailed by Romano, the 29-year-old former Ajax number one – who arrived as one of the first key signings under Erik ten Hag – has personally agreed to the terms of the switch.

It is a little surprise too, as the journalist claims that Onana will earn more money overall, with the Turkish team set to fully cover his United salary, plus the signing fee and bonuses, taking the overall package beyond his base wage of £120,000 a week.

Although both clubs have agreed to a season-long loan, with Trabzonspor promising more than his normal pay packet has been at Old Trafford, there is no loan fee or obligation/option to buy included.

Safe to say that not all supporters will be exactly sad to see him go, as despite some good moments in the shirt (including besting both David de Gea and Peter Schmeichel’s penalty save ratio early doors), his tenure in Manchester has been less ‘Theatre of Dreams’ has been far from it.

So much so, in fact, that in response to the news of his imminent departure, a compilation of all his unforced errors thus far was quickly shared online:

Once his medical has been completed and the final Ts have been crossed, Onana will be one of several statement outgoings from Man United this summer, with the likes of Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho and Rasmus Højlund all leaving the club in the last couple of months.

While only Garnacho’s was a direct sale, Onana’s is the only other one of these loan deals which doesn’t necessarily imply a permanent move away as yet.

Either way, the ever-controversial keeper will need to make the next 12 months or so very impressive if he has any hopes of standing between the sticks for United again, especially with Altay Bayindir now quickly returning to the second string with the arrival of Senne Lammens.

What about you, Reds – are you sad to see him go, and do you think this time away could see him revive his Premier League career?

Read more:

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Featured Images — Happiraphael (via Wikimedia Commons)

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‘Mass disruption’ expected as Greater Manchester Bee Network bus drivers prepare to strike this month

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

‘Mass disruption’ is expected on the Bee Network this month as thousands of bus drivers are set to stage strike action.

2,000 workers who are employed by Stagecoach, Metroline Manchester, and First Bus Rochdale – all of which are firms among those that make up the bus part of the Bee Network – will walk out in a co-ordinated strike amid an ongoing pay dispute.

Unite the Union says all the firms are ‘highly profitable’ and it’s therefore ‘disappointing’ that workers are being denied a fair wage.

At Stagecoach, around 1,000 drivers based across the Oldham, Stockport, and Middleton depots have rejected a pay offer of 3.5%, and 1,000 Metroline Manchester members will also do the same after turning down an ‘unsatisfactory’ below-inflation pay offer.

Workers at both Metroline and Stagecoach believe the offer doesn’t address years of low pay they’ve recieved, especially given the ongoing cost of living crisis.

‘Mass disruption’ is expected on the Bee Network this month / Credit: TfGM

Then, over at First Bus Rochdale, 110 members have rejected this year’s pay offer of 6%, as they feel this does not go far enough to address the fact they’ve had years of being paid less than their counterparts at other companies, and are still the lowest paid in the region.

Stagecoach, Metroline, and First Bus Rochdale, part of First Group PLC, are all firms which have seen a rise in profits in recent years.

Given the number of drivers and companies involved in the upcoming strikes, Unite says ‘travel chaos’ is expected – with many delays and cancellations of services in Manchester and the surrounding areas.

2,000 drivers are set to stage strike action / Credit: TfGM

It’s also expected to impact several events on in the city centre, including Manchester United v Chelsea at Old Trafford, comedian Peter Kay’s gig at the AO Arena, and singer Tom Grennan’s concert at Co-op Live.

“With so many drivers across the Bee Network walking out at once, this will be a highly disruptive strike that will bring parts of Greater Manchester to a standstill,” admitted Unite regional officer, Colin Hayden.

“We know residents will be disappointed to hear of potential action, but this is entirely the fault of the employers involved and our members feel they have no choice but to walk out to make their voices heard.

Read more:

“Unite remains open to negotiations with the bus companies who need to return to the negotiating table with an improved offer.”

Strikes will take place this month from 19 to 22 September.

Featured Image – TfGM

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