From the back pages, February 23: Man City boss Mancini hits back at criticism
MANCHESTER UNITED are working on a stunning £55m deal to bring Cristiano Ronaldo back to Old Trafford. United aim to piece together a complex financial package which will become the new model for big contracts in European football. (Daily Star)
SWANSEA manager Michael Laudrup has refused to talk about the rumoured interest from his former club Real Madrid ahead of his current side’s Capital One Cup final against Bradford at Wembley. Laudrup has won many fans after the way he took over at the Swans from successful coach Brendan Rodgers last summer to take the Welsh club to the brink of their first ever major trophy success. (Daily Express)
JONATHAN TROTT admits he is going to have to up his game to see off the challenge of Joe Root. The 22-year-old is breathing down the neck of England’s senior batsmen. (Daily Star)