SPEEDY GONZALES

Laurent Blanc pleaded guilty to speeding in his top-of-the-range Mercedes.

The former France captain was caught travelling at 59mph in a 30mph zone on Chester Road at 2.30am on January 23 on his way to his Woodford home after visiting team-mate Fabien Barthez.

He faced a maximum of six points on his licence, and disqualification for up to 56 days. But after mitigation from solicitor Mr Nick Freeman at Trafford Magistrates Court, Blanc was given four points on his licence, a £300 fine and ordered to pay £35 costs.

Blanc, a father of three, who holds a Spanish driving licence, was caught on a speed camera only hours after Manchester United had lost 1-0 to Liverpool.

Mr Freeman said: "This is the first offence he has committed in this country and he is very embarrassed about it."

Meanwhile the Mirror adorns its own report with the following headlines "you never thought you'd see": George Bush joins MENSA, Jordan to marry Prince William, Scots win World Cup.