From the Back Pages, August 27: Jose Mourinho cools interest in Wayne Rooney

José Mourinho, the Chelsea manager, suggested he would withdraw his interest in signing Wayne Rooney if he decided he wished to remain at Old Trafford because of the “special support” the forward received from his present club’s fans during the goalless draw last night. (The Times)
From the back pagesFrom the back pages
From the back pages

So the Special One still has the Indian Sign over the Chosen One. Nine times, David Moyes has faced Jose Mourinho and the Manchester United boss has yet to come out on top against his Chelsea counterpart. (The Mirror)

Tottenham are lining up a sensational approach for Chelsea playmaker Juan Mata. The north London club will pocket £86milllion from the imminent transfer of Gareth Bale to Real Madrid and have earmarked Mata as a replacement for the Wales international. (Daily Mail)

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At Real Madrid they have already erected a tented scaffold in one of the stands at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, a small stage upon which they hope the football world will focus later this week. Gareth Bale, the Cardiff boy who made good at Tottenham Hotspur, is set to be unveiled as the world’s first €100m (£86m) footballer barring an unlikely counter bid from Manchester United. The Spanish economy may be wheezing in recession, but Real are intent upon bucking the trend. (The Guardian)

FRAIZER CAMPBELL has been backed for England honours after his second-half brace stunned Manchester City. (The Express)

Surrey fury after England ‘urinate’ on Oval pitch. Chief executive urges ECB to look into allegations that players relieved themselves on pitch after fifth Test. (The Telegraph)

Despite the funky distortion of that engineered final session, this was not the best of Tests for Andy Flower. Controversial selections that cost his team a shot at victory, coupled with the borefest on Friday, visited upon the England head coach a heap of scorn. Even so, he would not have expected to be reading about his own demise over breakfast. He refused to deny reports on Sunday evening suggesting that his reign will not extend beyond the Ashes return Down Under. “We’re just going to enjoy tonight,” was as far as he would go. (The Independent)