Obviously, for Guardian Media Group, the end justifies the means. Having milked the Manchester Evening News cashcow for decades, they discard it before losses are even posted, and with a brief cursory mention of the sale in the Guardian. So long & thanks for all the fish, indeed.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/press/end-of-the-old-guard-the-sale-of-the-manchester-evening-news-1906267.html