Yaya Toure birthday: Planes and songs as no-one forgets Manchester City midfielder's big day

No-one was going to forget Yaya Toure's birthday this time around.

When last year Manchester City failed to mark the Ivorian turning 31 it led to a serious rupture in the relationship between player and club and even suggestions he would force an exit from the Etihad.

So with Toure turning 32 this coming week, Manchester City are keen to make an effort.

“We will think what is the best thing for him," Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini said ahead of his side's 6-0 win over QPR. "It is important to learn from the mistakes that you have in the past."

With Manchester City putting in an order at the bakery, Toure can already feel the occasion has been well marked.

Having been named on the bench for today's game at the Etihad, Toure would have been able to get a good look at a betting-firm-paid-for aeroplane trailing a banner that read: "HAPPY BIRTHDAY YAYA".

And then when Toure came off the bench to replace Fernandinho in the 75th minute the Manchester City supporters serenaded him with a verse of Happy Birthday.

Toure turns 32 on Wednesday.