From the Back Pages, October 3: Sir Alex Ferguson on turning down Chelsea

Sir Alex Ferguson has given David Moyes, his successor, a vote of confidence and ruled out a return to managing Manchester United. (The Times)

Andre Villas-Boas has expressed his dismay at the FA’s decision not to take further action against Fernando Torres for an apparent scratch on Jan Vertonghen, labelling it “disgraceful” and “farcical”. (The Independent)

Fernando Torres got his second lucky break in 24 hours on Wednesday evening as Chelsea’s worst fears over his knee injury were eased. (The Mirror)

Gareth Bale is set to miss the next three weeks in a bid to be fit for the season’s first Clasico. (Daily Mail)

It was another night to admire the awesome power of Bayern Munich and, in the process, a collective ordeal for Manchester City and a personal one for Joe Hart. They have never been outclassed like this, on their own ground, in the Abu Dhabi era and, dignified though it was, the men in power will take no pleasure from the fact that even City’s supporters had started to applaud Bayern before a harrowing defeat came to its close. (The Guardian)

David de Gea spared David Moyes from the calamity of a fourth defeat as Manchester United manager with a crucial late save from Shakhtar Donetsk winger Taison in the Donbass Arena. (The Telegraph)