Manchester City want to try and win it

Manchester City FC manager Mark Hughes is not an obvious choice for the role of game-show host, but as he looked ahead to the UEFA Cup quarter-final tie with Hamburger SV he produced a line that would have graced the format: “If you’re in it, then you’ve got to try and win it.”

“It’s important the club are in Europe next season, for our profile,” said the Welshman, whose eagerness was illustrated by his arrival, 20 minutes early, for the pre-match press conference. “We are probably fighting for seventh, which I expect would be enough; but I’d rather qualify for the Europa League as UEFA Cup holders.”