The top stories making Monday’s back pages in the UK…
The Sun: Louis van Gaal says Manchester United are not ready to challenge for the title — but will still grab it if they get half a chance.
Also: Diego Costa is the Premier League’s dirtiest player — according to 85 PER CENT of SunSport readers.
Daily Mirror: John Terry is facing the humiliation of playing for Chelsea’s second-string side in their Capital One Cup tie at Walsall.
Also: Jose Mourinho admits he would like to sign EVERY Arsenal player – as long as they were FREE.
And: Arsenal fans have launched a petition to stop Mike Dean refereeing their games – and it’s VERY popular.
Daily Star: Marcos Rojo has saved his Manchester United career after crunch talks with manager Louis van Gaal.
Also: Juan Mata believes his winner against Southampton is the blueprint for Manchester United.
And: Brendan Rodgers wants his Liverpool side to get rid of their Anfield anxiety and make it a fortress again.
Daily Mail: The son of the Syrian refugee tripped by a Hungarian journalist accompanied Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo onto the pitch before the team’s Spanish league game on Saturday.
Also: By the end, even the Southampton supporters were applauding Anthony Martial. Not for the goals which dragged Manchester United back into this game, but for having the decency to stop and help Virgil van Dijk treat his cramp.
And: Lionel Messi missed a penalty and Marc Andre ter Stegen dropped a cross that led to a goal but Barcelona still ran out comfortable 4-1 winners over Levante.
Daily Express: Saido Berahino shot down any theories that his winning goal was a fluke and believed there was even a bit of Zinedine Zidane about it.
Also: Hector Bellerin insists he is happy to be at Arsenal.
And: Louis van Gaal praised Anthony Martial’s perfect start to his Manchester United career and insisted there was was more to come.
Metro: Barcelona are plotting a shock transfer move for Arsenal star Theo Walcott, according to reports.
Also: Arsenal target Michy Batshuayi could make a transfer away from Marseille, the club’s president has admitted.
The Times: Diego Costa is expected to face retrospective disciplinary action from the FA today after photos appeared to show that he left scratch marks on Gabriel’s neck during Chelsea’s 2-0 victory over Arsenal.
Also: For a raw diamond Anthony Martial is looking remarkably polished.
And: Two Dutchman put aside their antipathy to shake hands at kick-off, but Louis van Gaal and Ronald Koeman ended the game quarrelling about the strength of Manchester United’s defence.
The Guardian: Louis van Gaal hailed “the confirmation of our philosophy” after Manchester United came from behind to beat Southampton thanks to two goals from Anthony Martial and a third from Juan Mata following a 44-pass move the United manager called “unbelievable”.
Also: Steve McClaren probably feels a bit like an architect who starts sketching out some rough plans but quickly crumples up his piece of paper and throws it in the bin after realising the proportions are not quite right.
