hello and welcome to sportsday — i'm gavin ramjaun. manchester united look to put stuttering performances behind them — they take on burnley , in the sole premier league game tonight. who can stop their rivals manchester city. they finish the year top, will anyone be able to catch them in 2022. and things go from bad to worse, for england head coach chris silverwood. he's forced to isolate, and miss the 4th ashes test in sydney. hello and welcome to the programme. they might be unbeaten under their interim boss ralf rangnick. but manchester united are far from inspiring at the moment like tonight's opponents burnley, they've been hit by much disruption due to covid. but tonight's match at old trafford could see them move back up the table, against a side struggling in the relegation zone. i spoke to our reporter simon stone, who's at the game later — and he told me united's tactics and ideas under rangnick are yet to bed in... there is a bit of head scratching going on about what he's brought to the table giving there's been a couple of unconvincing victories against crystal palace fc and norwich city and a difficult draw against the champions league but it did not really matter because they were already through and their big break in fixtures due to a couple of postponements because of covid—19 and then that very disappointing performance against newcastle on the 27th of december. so, i think people are still trying to work out what his style of play will be and what improvements if any he's going to bring to manchester united. there are a lot of issues with manchester united. and there are now, they have not gone away just united. and there are now, they have not gone awayjust because the man at the top has departed. what not gone awayjust because the man at the top has departed.— at the top has departed. what is a realistic aim _ at the top has departed. what is a realistic aim for _ at the top has departed. what is a realistic aim for the _ at the top has departed. what is a realistic aim for the club _ at the top has departed. what is a realistic aim for the club towards i realistic aim for the club towards the end of the season? doing well in europe? maybe a trophy? tupperware is alwa s a europe? maybe a trophy? tupperware is always a prerequisite _ europe? maybe a trophy? tupperware is always a prerequisite for _ europe? maybe a trophy? tupperware is always a prerequisite for any - europe? maybe a trophy? tupperware is always a prerequisite for any of - is always a prerequisite for any of the big clubs and carry we are talking about six clubs in england who are a realistic aim at that and you and in clubs like west ham who have been in the top for for quite a long time this season so getting in the top four aids for the overriding priority. obviously they are still in the champions league and while most people would accept that united are not one of the favourites for that competition giving chelsea the current and manchester city are in there as well along with liverpool and bayern munich the fact that there any in the last 16 stage gives them a chance and i think the overriding priority top four and getting their hands on some silverware.— getting their hands on some silverware. ., , ,., , ., ., silverware. the opponents tonight at old trafford, — silverware. the opponents tonight at old trafford, is _ silverware. the opponents tonight at old trafford, is this _ silverware. the opponents tonight at old trafford, is this an _ silverware. the opponents tonight at old trafford, is this an ideal- old trafford, is this an ideal opportunity for them to assert themselves and get a good rating with bernie down at the bottom of the table as well?— with bernie down at the bottom of the table as well? bernie have not -la ed the table as well? bernie have not played against the _ the table as well? bernie have not played against the 12th _ the table as well? bernie have not played against the 12th of - the table as well? bernie have not i played against the 12th of december because they teams have a match is called off against them because of their own covid—19 issues so it will be very interesting to see what kind of team he puts out and how battle hardened they are. over two and a half weeks it's almost unheard of in the premier league without a major break or something like that. yes, it is an opportunity for manchester united but playing at home against anybody should be an opportunity to win a game. well united's match is the last in a round of premier league fixtures that have seen manchester city stretch their lead at the top to eight points. they beat brentford 1—0 last night thanks to a lovely finish by phil foden, and with their title rivals chelsea and liverpool dropping points over the last two nights, it's starting to look like the title may be going back to the etihad come may joe lynskey reports. in 2021 and they have 136 games in the premier league it's the most in one calendar year. so in 2022, manchester city start. they have 110 in a row and they are a point clear. the question for the rest is who can see them zipping up. with phil foden's gold baby 1—0. they found a way to win. with five months ago may not be caught. in way to win. with five months ago may not be caught-— not be caught. in december no one is chamions not be caught. in december no one is champions so — not be caught. in december no one is champions so many _ not be caught. in december no one is champions so many things _ not be caught. in december no one is champions so many things will - champions so many things will happen. we lose games. i can imagine right now i'm thinking of chelsea and southampton so so we can say congratulations to the team but we have to follow. for congratulations to the team but we have to follow.— have to follow. for now the party sta s in have to follow. for now the party stays in the _ have to follow. for now the party stays in the stands. _ have to follow. for now the party stays in the stands. city - have to follow. for now the party stays in the stands. city faced . stays in the stands. city faced arsenal at 12:30pm on new year's day. chelsea will look for a slip—up they are now the closest chasers but not the way they wanted and a 91st minute equaliser meant to brighten left the bridge with a draw on the 1st of december, chelsea were topped points in one month there has been a nine point swing and for chelsea's manager the reason is clear, his first team squad being hit by covid—19. first team squad being hit by covid-19. ., �* ., ., , covid-19. you're dealing with an eye on a daily basis _ covid-19. you're dealing with an eye on a daily basis and _ covid-19. you're dealing with an eye on a daily basis and we _ covid-19. you're dealing with an eye on a daily basis and we are - covid-19. you're dealing with an eye on a daily basis and we are all - covid-19. you're dealing with an eye on a daily basis and we are all good | on a daily basis and we are all good and we give our very best, everybody together, it's not hard. hose and we give our very best, everybody together, it's not hard.— together, it's not hard. how do you stand team — together, it's not hard. how do you stand team -wise, _ together, it's not hard. how do you stand team -wise, selection - together, it's not hard. how do you stand team -wise, selection wise? | together, it's not hard. how do you i stand team -wise, selection wise? no stand team —wise, selection wise? no idea. will you be able to get a decent side out?— idea. will you be able to get a decent side out? sure. chelsea pay liverool decent side out? sure. chelsea pay liverpool next _ decent side out? sure. chelsea pay liverpool next and _ decent side out? sure. chelsea pay liverpool next and that _ decent side out? (is chelsea pay liverpool next and that suits city. one will fall even further behind and for some months the top flight has been a three horse race but now all the signs point to one champion. let's take you through some more of the day's other sports news now... leicester's injury woes show no sign of getting better yet... jamie vardy is facing a month out, with a hamstring injury....vardy, leicester's top scorer this season, suffered the injury in their 1—0 win over liverpool on tuesday. england are expected to have captain owen farrell available for the beginning of the six nations. the fly—half and centre farrell required surgery on an ankle injury suffered in the win over australia in november. hookerjamie george and centre manu tuilagi are also hoping to be fit for england's opening game against scotland at murrayfield at the start of february. and deontay wilder's coach malik scott says oleksandr usyk could beat a "vulnerable" tyson fury. if the heavyweights eventually fight. usyk is set for a rematch with anthonyjoshua — but, if he wins, could agree a unification contest with wbc champion fury later in the year. england's cricketers will be without head coach chris silverwood for the fourth ashes test in sydney. he's in isolation after one of his family tested positive for covid. it's the seventh positive test in the touring party — three support staff and four family members have all contracted the virus. the match is due to start next wednesday. england are 3—0 down in the series, and have already lost the ashes... clearly it is very disruptive for the parents who as yet none of them have tested positive but they are being tested daily and we should not forget that the coach was in contact with some of them yesterday during their practice so it will be an anxious wait for the next few days to see if any of the england players test positive themselves. a flight to sydney on a charter plane tomorrow as they are trying to keep them separate from everyone else and they are dentistry aliens are flying together and it will be very anxious weekend for england players. india have taken a 1—nil lead..... in their three test series in south africa — after the hosts fell well short in their run chase in centurion. needing 305 to win, south africa lost their last three wickets in just 12 balls after the lunch break as they were bowled out for 113 with tailenders kagiso rabada and lungi ngidi falling to the spin of ravichandran ashwin. the second test starts on monday injohannesburg. following the match south africa wicketkeeper batsman, quinton de kock has announced his retirement from test cricket with immediate effect. he says he wants to spend more time with his family — he was due to miss the remaining two tests of the series, to be quinton de kock has announced his retirement from test cricket new zealand's ross taylor will also retire from all international cricket after their two—match series against bangladesh.the 37—year—old is the black caps' leading run—scorer in tests and one—day internationals. the series against bangladesh gets under way on saturday. his final appearance for new zealand will be six odis against australia and the netherlands in 2022. it's all set up for an exciting evening of action at the world darts championship — with three former champions playing... rob cross, gary anderson and peter wright are all aiming to reach the quarter finals. mervyn king has already sealed his place in the last eight. he fought back from 3—1 down to win 4—3 against raymond smith — and reach the quarter finals for the first time since 2009. and that match wasn't the only fightback of the day. in the quarterfinals. and callan rydz is also into the last eight — as his remarkable tournament goes on. after losing the first set to alan souter, the 23 year won 10 legs in a row to ease to a 4—1 victory. speculation continues to build, over whether the australian open champion novak djokovic, will play at the first major of the year in melbourne. fellow serb, dusan lajovic has said the world number one is unsure if he'll make the tournament, due to start in just over two weeks. djokovic has already withdrawn from the serbian team taking part at the atp cup in sydney this weekend. the 3a—year—old, who's won a record nine australian open men's titles, has repeatedly declined to say if he's been vaccinated for covid—19 a requirement demanded by organisers at melbourne park, unless given an exemption. he said and not coming to the atp cup, we will see about the australian open. he did not specify if he is coming or not but that he is waiting for a decision. he kept in touch with all of us and it was a last—minute decision and the australian open is still uncertain for us. i don't know the information so i think it will come in the next couple of days or whenever is the deadline or whatever it is so we don't know right now and hopefully he will be there and be able to play the grandson. it he will be there and be able to play the grandson-— the grandson. it may have been in ashes series _ the grandson. it may have been in ashes series to _ the grandson. it may have been in ashes series to forget _ the grandson. it may have been in ashes series to forget that - the grandson. it may have been in| ashes series to forget that english cricket fans can enjoy a bit of australian humiliation thanks to steve smith social media. the captain had an interesting afternoon.— captain had an interesting afternoon. ., ., afternoon. not quite the night i had lanned. afternoon. not quite the night i had planned- i'm _ afternoon. not quite the night i had planned. i'm currently _ afternoon. not quite the night i had planned. i'm currently stuck- afternoon. not quite the night i had planned. i'm currently stuck in - afternoon. not quite the night i had planned. i'm currently stuck in a - planned. i'm currently stuck in a lift. i'm taking a seat. what else do you do when you're stuck in a lift? i could be here for a while. they brought some food for me. it's been 15 minutes i'm still here. it’s been 15 minutes i'm still here. it's a shame they _ been 15 minutes i'm still here. it's a shame they could not have all been stuck in the left for the third test. thank you for watching and will be back later. the information commissioners office describes itself as the uk independent authority set up to uphold information rights in the public interest. promoting openness by public bodies and data privacy for individuals. over the past five years the commissioner has been elizabeth benham. she leaves her post at the end of november. elizabeth, thank you for speaking to the bbc. information commissioners in 2016. a particularly lively period in british politics. were you aware of what you are getting into in terms of this scale and power of the california tech companies that have been so much of your focus? i have been so much of your focus? i have been in the cross hairs of some of those big companies in my previous working in canada but what i did not know and i think none of us knew the massive acceleration of information, communications, technologies, they take out of service is online and also the size and scope of these companies that are bigger than nation states and the lobbying power that comes with it because they added trillions of dollars in their power and spent some of that money trying to stop going through lobbying and stopping people from the lake regulating them. ., �* ., them. the other thing i've learned is bi tech them. the other thing i've learned is big tech not _ them. the other thing i've learned is big tech not only _ them. the other thing i've learned is big tech not only has _ them. the other thing i've learned is big tech not only has lobbying . is big tech not only has lobbying power but they also have really deep pockets. power but they also have really deep ockets. ,, ., power but they also have really deep ockets. . ., , power but they also have really deep ockets. .., , ., pockets. so when it comes to liti . atin: pockets. so when it comes to litigating and _ pockets. so when it comes to litigating and these _ pockets. so when it comes to l litigating and these companies pockets. so when it comes to - litigating and these companies are definitely willing to litigate against public authorities like my office, deep pockets means that there is an inequity of arms when they are tackling these big companies. so the acceleration of technology and especially with the pandemic how much of our lives we now spend online committees has been a change that i could not have anticipated. a change that i could not have anticipated-— anticipated. you had an early skirmish which _ anticipated. you had an early skirmish which may - anticipated. you had an early skirmish which may be - anticipated. you had an early skirmish which may be in - anticipated. you had an early| skirmish which may be in 2017 anticipated. you had an early - skirmish which may be in 2017 you launch an investigation into the use of personal information and political influence on the scale of the investigation was completely unprecedented for a data protection authority anywhere in the world. one element of your investigation was the eu referendum. can you remind us what your conclusion was on that specifically? taste what your conclusion was on that specifically?— specifically? we were looking at more than _ specifically? we were looking at more than 30 _ specifically? we were looking at more than 30 organisations - specifically? we were looking atj more than 30 organisations that specifically? we were looking at - more than 30 organisations that were part of data enabled political campaigning so that's what it was really important to look at the political parties and he needed to let at the data brokers who provide a lot of this data and the platform particularly facebook and a company that was the centre of face crises and these questions which was cambridge analytical. aha, and these questions which was cambridge analytical.— cambridge analytical. a british com an . cambridge analytical. a british company. something - cambridge analytical. a british company. something that - cambridge analytical. a british. company. something that some cambridge analytical. a british - company. something that some people who have ambient awareness of this company may not know is that you concluded that in the end it will be wrong to assume that data from cambridge analytical played any role in influencing people to vote leave. we could not find the