Sir Alex Ferguson hailed Ruud van Nistelrooy after the Dutchman saved Manchester United from Euro disaster last night.

United were 2-0 down at half-time, but van Nistelrooy scored twice in five second-half minutes to rescue a point.

Van Nistelrooy has now overtaken Denis Law as United’s leading scorer in Europe with 30 goals.

A relieved Ferguson said: "You just can’t praise him enough for that performance. It was incredible as it was only his second game in four months." (The Sun)

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Former England boss Sir Bobby Robson is the bookies favourite for an astonishing return to international management - with Wales.

If he lands the job, it would see him plotting against England in a World Cup qualifier next month.

Mark Hughes, who took over at Blackburn last night, will stay in charge of Wales for the next two games but the hunt is on for a replacement.

FA of Wales councillor Alun Evans said: "I don’t want to nail my name to just one candidate but we could do with having someone like Robson.

"He would be an ideal choice with a huge amount of experience." (Daily Mirror)

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Glenn Hoddle is being lined-up for a shock return to Southampton, according to The Sun.

His chance will come because current coach Steve Wigley is not qualified for the manager’s job.

Saints will be in breach of Premiership rules if Wigley remains in charge at St Mary’s for more than three months.

Hoddle was chairman Rupert Lowe’s choice after Gordon Strachan quit last season, only for a fans’ backlash to kill off the appointment.

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Steve McClaren has challenged English clubs to turn the clock back and conquer Europe.

McClaren, whose Middlesbrough side make their European debut against Czech champions Banik Ostrava tonight, is looking for an English revival.

He said: "It’s about time we started dominating Europe like we use to.

"There was a period when our clubs seemed to win a trophy every season but that’s not happened for a while." (Daily Star)

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Rafael Benitez thinks Liverpool’s 2-0 win over last season’s Champions League finalists Monaco last night has set the tone for the club’s Euro assault this term.

"It was important to win our first group game - especially with it being at home," said Benitez.

"It gives players much more confidence to take into our next games in this competition." (The Sun)