What the back pages say: Freddie set for Hammers exit, United in injury crisis, Liverpool star Gerrard's fitness fight and more

Freddie Ljungberg's disastrous spell at Upton Park is over after only 12 months as West Ham agreed to pay a staggering £6million to get him off their spiralling wage bill.

The long-term future of Manchester City is in doubt again today after it emerged that owner Thaksin Shinawatra has tentatively explored the possibility of selling the club. 

THE SUN

Alex Ferguson last night defiantly crushed Cristiano Ronaldo's dream of moving to Real Madrid, insisting: "He is staying with us".

Also: Manchester United were plunged into crisis last night with nine stars set to miss the big kick-off...Steven Gerrard faces a race to be fit for next Wednesday's Champions League qualifier and the start of the league season...Phil Scolari insists he will never be a big-head like Jose Mourinho.

THE INDEPENDENT

England coach Peter Moores wants Kevin Pietersen to be himself when he takes charge of the England cricket team against South Africa tomorrow morning. Also: Gerry Sutcliffe, the Minister for Sport, talked yesterday about the need for Britain's Olympians to provide a return on the £500million invested in them.

DAILY STAR

Manchester United were last night rocked by the news that Wayne Rooney will miss the start of the season. England star Rooney has been struck by a virus picked up on United's African tour. Also: Football is facing red-card carnage after officials vowed to clamp down on out-of-control stars...Vedran Corluka will agree an £8million move to Tottenham today after agreeing personal terms.

THE TIMES

Manchester United and England were dealt a severe blow last night when Wayne Rooney was ruled out of the start of the season and possibly much longer after being struck down by a tropical virus during his club's controversial trip to Nigeria last month. Also: Iain Dowie was on the verge of being dismissed as QPR manager last night after an argument with Flavio Briatore, the club's Italian co-owner.

DAILY MIRROR

Manchester United are reeling from the news that Wayne Rooney will miss the start of the season with a mystery virus. Also: Everton want to land Alan Smith in a cut-price £3million deal that will end his misery at Newcastle - and save the Geordies £12.5million in wages.

DAILY EXPRESS

Luiz Felipe Scolari has said the days of Jose Mourinho-style arrogance are over at Chelsea. Brazilian Scolari insists he will not be proclaiming his greatness and announcing that he is going to win 10 titles. Also: Kevin Pietersen may sound like one of them, but the South Africans think of England's new captain as the enemy according to coach Mickey Arthur.

THE GUARDIAN

The International Olympic Committee may stop London from staging the now-traditional international torch relay before the 2012 Games after a leading figure described the Beijing relay as a "disaster". Also: Luiz Felipe Scolari has distanced himself from the brash arrogance which was a feature of Jose Mourinho's Chelsea and insisted he would make the club "loved".

DAILY TELEGRAPH

Plans are in hand to appoint a support staff around Kevin Pietersen to help him cope with the demands of being England captain at a time when cricket is becoming a global sport.