Ruud van Nistelrooy will miss the first month of the season with a hernia injury. (Sun, Mail)

The Manchester United striker goes in for an operation on Monday.

That means he misses Sunday’s Community Shield clash with Arsenal and the Champions League qualifier at Dinamo Bucharest next Wednesday, as well as the Premiership opener against Chelsea a week on Sunday.

Van Nistelrooy could miss a further four games on top of that.

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The Daily Mirror claim Arsenal have made a £7.5million bid for 20-year-old Copa America star Javier Mascherano to replace Patrick Vieira.

Meanwhile the Sun report that a surprise offerfor West Ham’s Michael Carrick is in the pipeline.

Argentine Mascherano plays for River Plate and has already made a massive impression at international level.

Carrick, also wanted by Charlton, Portsmouth, Everton and Crystal Palace, is apparently viewed by Arsene Wenger as an ideal cut-price replacement for Vieira as he would cost around £3million.

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Real Madrid have insisted they will not be held to ransom by Arsenal over Patrick Vieira.

Real president Florentino Perez is adamant that he will not pay more than £25million for the French midfielder.

"We will not meet Arsenal’s demands," said Perez. "At this moment in time the deal has not been completed." (Daily Express)

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Wayne Rooney is on the verge of committing his immediate future to Everton - but wants an escape clause inserted in his proposed new five year-year contract. (Mail, Express)

After stalling on Everton’s record-breaking offer of £50,000-a-week over five years, Rooney has apparently finally let it be known he is ready to accept their terms, provided the clause is written into the deal.

The only remaining stumbling block is likely to concern the amount stipulated to activate his departure, with Everton certain to push for around £30million and Rooney’s representatives reportedly holding out for nearer £20million.

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Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich vetoed Adrian Mutu’s loan move to Juventus last night after the Italianclub tried to land the striker on the cheap. (Daily Mail)

The Romanian international was set for a 12-month loan move to the Serie A club, with Chelsea continuing to pay more than half his £60,000-a-week wage.

But after a day of negotiations between Juventus, Mutu and his agents, Abramovich insisted the Italians pay all of the striker’s wages - or the deal was off.

However, Mutu’s agent, Ioan Becali, remains confident a deal could be completed.