The top stories making Sunday’s back pages in the UK… The Sun: Arsenal plunged into crisis last night in the wake of Robin van Persie’s £22million move to Manchester United. Also: Sunderland are poised to land Adam Johnson in a shock £10million raid.
Sunday Mirror: Luka Modric is set to snub new interest from Chelsea to drive through his Real Madrid move this week. Also: Joey Barton last night launched a new attack on the FA – by branding them ‘a firm of muppets’. And: The full cost of Sir Alex Ferguson’s sensational capture of Robin van Persie amounts to a massive £70million. Plus: Newcastle are braced for a battle to hang on to midfield stars Cheick Tiote and Yohan Cabaye, with Chelsea and Manchester United both tracking the much-coveted pair.
The People: Roberto Mancini has been ordered by Manchester City’s Abu Dhabi owners to stop his public attacks on football director Brian Marwood. Also: Alan Pardew could face an FA rap after pushing assistant referee Stuart Burt during Newcastle’s dramatic 2-1 win over Tottenham. And: Sunderland last night made a move to sign £5million Dimitar Berbatov as the race for the Manchester United misfit begins to hot up.
Daily Star Sunday: Manchester City are planning to discuss a new £180,000-a-week contract with Mario Balotelli in the new year. Also: Adam Johnson is on the way out at Manchester City after Sunderland offered £10million for the winger. And: Rio Ferdinand has plunged Manchester United into a central-defensive crisis after being injured in training.
Mail on Sunday: Sir Alex Ferguson has planned his exit strategy from Manchester United and will quit in two years’ time after building his last great team around Wayne Rooney and last week’s £24million capture from Arsenal, Robin van Persie. Also: Roberto Mancini’s grand five-year plan for Manchester City is in danger of hitting the buffers only weeks after the Italian signed a £37million long-term contract with the club.
Sunday Express: Newcastle boss Alan Pardew faces an FA rap for pushing assistant referee Stuart Burt in last night’s home win over Tottenham.
Metro: Arsene Wenger has admitted that he does not know whether Theo Walcott will sign a contract extension with Arsenal. Also: Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini believes that neighbours United are more likely to regain their Premier League crown this season after the capture of Robin van Persie from Arsenal. And: Clint Dempsey has been fined £25,000 by Fulham after he refused to be included for their opening Premier League match against Norwich amid speculation he is going to join Liverpool before the end of the month. Plus: Brendan Rodgers’s tenure at Liverpool got off to the worst possible start as his side shipped three away at West Brom and had Daniel Agger sent off, as Arsenal struggled in front of goal without last season’s top scorer Robin van Persie.
Sunday Telegraph: Brendan Rodgers endured an horrendous start to his career as Liverpool manager as his new club suffered their heaviest opening day defeat in the top flight since 1937. Also: Rio Ferdinand is expected to miss Manchester United’s Premier League opener against Everton tomorrow and there are fears that the former England captain may be facing a month on the sidelines after sustaining an injury in training.
The Sunday Times: Tottenham have approached Manchester City for Adam Johnson who has grown frustrated at his lack of playing time under Roberto Mancini.
The Independent on Sunday: Arsenal accepted the loss of a second regular first-team player last night when agreeing a £15million fee with Barcelona for Alex Song, who will have a medical in Spain today.
