Foden and Palmer celebrated by PFA. But can they play together for England?

Some good shows are coming up at the Manchester Opera House. Elvis Costello in concert, Only Fools and Horses - The Musical, Frank Skinner’s “30 Years of Dirt” tour, along with the more traditional The Nutcracker, which is not the tale of when Vinnie met Gazza.

Last night, the 112-year-old venue was taken over by another long-running Manchester-based institution, the Professional Footballers’ Association, to celebrate the talents of the country’s best players. Much focus was on two local lads, the winners of the men’s Player of the Year and Young Player awards, Phil Foden and Cole Palmer respectively.

The Mancunian theme at the Opera House intensified with a typically feisty performance by Aitch, the rapper born in New Moston, five miles from the venue. Foden was born in Stockport and Palmer in Wythenshawe, both seven miles away from the Opera House. They have not travelled far geographically but have gone far in their careers.