From the Back Pages, September 25: Manchester United made £100m Gareth Bale bid to try to stop transfer to Real

Chelsea fear Marco van Ginkel has suffered a cruciate ligament injury that will keep him out for the rest of the season after he was taken off at Swindon in their 2-0 Capital One Cup win at Swindon on Tuesday night. (Daily Mail)

Theo Walcott is out of England’s two crucial World Cup qualifiers against Montenegro and Poland next month, denying manager Roy Hodgson a player who started the previous two games and has become a key member of the squad. (The Independent)

DAVID MOYES says Manchester United will suffer further setbacks between now and January, when he can finally bring in some high-class signings. (The Express)

David Moyes admitted that he needs to sign players who will immediately improve his Manchester United team and warned that their derby demolition on Sunday may not be a one-off this season. (The Times)

Sunderland’s players stayed on after the final whistle, briefly walking around the pitch, saluting their supporters, who clearly appreciated the strong shift of work they had just seen from the team. After a painful few days during which a squad not given to militancy felt compelled to rebel against the controversial Paolo Di Canio, the Stadium of Light felt and sounded united again. (The Telegraph)

Ryan Harris has welcomed the handful of inexperienced additions to an otherwise “stock standard” England squad for the return Ashes tour, saying the uncertainty around their best batting options will play into the hands of Australia. (The Guardian)