Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed that Wayne Rooney wants to leave the club.
However, the veteran United boss denies that he has fallen out with the former Everton star and says the 24-year-old will not feature in Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Bursaspor because of an ankle injury.
Rooney’s United contract expires at the end of next season but he will now be courted by the likes of Manchester City and Real Madrid.
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Gordon Strachan has left Middlesbrough by mutual consent after spending less than 12 months in charge at the Riverside Stadium.
The 53-year-old replaced Gareth Southgate last October but, despite being given significant transfer funds in the summer, his team are currently just above the relegation zone and lost at home to Leeds United on Saturday.
Strachan previously managed Coventry City, Southampton and Celtic after enjoying an illustrious playing career that included successful spells with Aberdeen, Manchester United and Leeds United.
Former West Brom and Celtic manager Tony Mowbray has been installed as the online favourite to succeed Strachan.
Meanwhile, Hibernian have named the former Northampton Town and Nottingham Forest boss Colin Calderwood as their new manager.
The 45-year-old, who has been working as the assistant manager to Chris Hughton at Newcastle United, has penned a three-year contract with the Easter Road-based side.
In rugby league, Great Britain and England hooker Matt Diskin has left Leeds Rhinos to join Bradford Bulls on a three-year contract.
The 28-year-old had spent the whole of his professional career to date at Headingley, but thinks the time is right for a change of scenery.
In rugby union, Aviva Premiership strugglers Sale Sharks have signed Fiji international back-row forward Asaeli Boko on a contract running until the end of the season.
The 29-year-old has impressed while on trial at Edgeley Park, having failed to win a deal with Saracens last season.
Boko’s arrival will help to offset the loss of skipper James Gaskell, who is facing at least two months on the sidelines with ankle ligament damage.
Warwickshire’s director of cricket, Ashley Giles, remains confident that new signing Younus Khan will fulfil the two-year contract he has signed with the Edgbaston club.
The 32-year-old is currently frozen out of international cricket with Pakistan, although talk of a return to the fold has increased in recent times.
However, Giles has faith that Younus will join up with the Bears for the whole of his agreed deal.
