You went to Trafford, not Manchester so your point isn't valid.
Crazy statement.
You can not be from Manchester, if this is really what you think.
Trafford has its own Council, but you ask any of the people that live in that 'M' postcode, are they from Manchester.
Its the same in Liverpool, for Kirkby and Sefton. Both by every sense IS Liverpool, other than the Council it is under, with its "boundaries".
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Yes ok. After London and Edinburgh it's the third most visited City in the whole of the UK by tourists. If it was that much of a $#@!hole, people wouldn't come.
The City Centre is stunning imo, and is now probably only 2nd to London, in terms of City Centre's.
But, its not always been this way.
If you know your History..... tell us the story about the amazing transformation, into the vibrant City Centre it is now ?? from the decrepid mess it was for over 50 years ??