Two of the most highly sought-after roles in regional sports journalism have gone to internal applicants.

Two months ago the Manchester Evening News advertised on HTFP for the newly-created positions of Manchester United editor and Manchester City editor.

Despite being among the most-viewed job adverts ever advertised on the site, both posts have gone to current members of the MEN team.

Paul Handler, currently a sports content specialist on the digital team, will become Manchester City editor while sports writer Rob Dawson will be Manchester United editor.

Rob and Paul will be working closely with associate editor Paul Coates and the existing football writers covering the clubs, Stuart Mathieson (United) and Stuart Brennan (City) whose roles are unaffected.

MEN editor Rob Irvine said: “I am certain that Rob and Paul and their teams of top notch writers will continue our rapid audience growth and ensure that Red and Blue fans will be guaranteed an unrivalled service of news, analysis and opinion.”

Meanwhile owners Trinity Mirror has confirmed that former head of features Deanna Delamotta has left the MEN after ten years at the title.

Deanna, who joined the paper from the Express & Star in Wolverhampton in 2004, had held the role of head of advance content since the paper axed its features desk in 2013.