City have fallen foul of Uefa’s curiously subjective FFP structures and now the roof is falling in, writes Simon Curtis.

John Bull has always divided opinion. To our neighbours, he came to symbolise the best of British: A jovial, chubby, but solid and honest character of rural stock. For others (ie pretty much everyone else), this representation came to be viewed in very different terms. Just how different was apparent in a New York Times piece from 1861.

Reports yesterday suggest sacking Jose Mourinho is likely to cost Manchester United £24m (€26.8m) in a pay-out to the Portuguese native, which will soften the blow in his household this Christmas at least.