From the Back Pages, March 19: Robin van Persie’s hat-trick saves David Moyes’ season

David Moyes’s tactical nous has come under serious scrutiny this season as Manchester United have lurched from one crisis to the next - and now one of his former players has claimed his successor at Everton is a better tactician. England midfielder Ross Barkley, 20, was given his debut by Moyes in 2011 but he has excelled this season at Goodison Park under Roberto Martinez as Everton have outperformed Moyes’s underachieving United side. (Daily Mail)

Arsenal are lining up Toulouse youngster Serge Aurier as a possible replacement for Bacary Sagna. Sagna could leave the Gunners this summer as his contract expires in June and he is yet to agree a new deal. The former Auxerre man is reportedly being pursued by Inter Milan. (The Mirror)

Jose Mourinho has received his second improper-conduct charge of the season following Chelsea’s fractious defeat against Aston Villa on Saturday but the Portuguese is not facing the threat of a touchline ban. (The Telegraph)

Sections of the pitch at the Amazônia Arena in Manaus, where England begin their 2014 World Cup campaign against Italy, are undergoing emergency repair due to seriously undernourished grass following the excessive use of fertiliser on the new playing surface. (The Guardian)

Giles Clarke wants England supporters to move on from the Kevin Pietersen controversy, but the batsman will not be forgotten during the World Twenty20 even though his international days are over. (The Times)

ANDY MURRAY and coach Ivan Lendl have mutually agreed to end their two-year partnership, the Wimbledon champion has announced. (The Express)