Paper Round: Manchester United attempt to sign Gareth Bale yet again

Manchester United are again interested in a summer move for Real Madrid winger Gareth Bale. Bale has suffered from injuries this season, but United believe he could be returned to the level of fitness he achieved for Tottenham Hotspur. The 28-year-old Welsh international has occasionally considered a return to Britain, and having been out of 40 of 60 of Real's last games, and out until the new year with an injury, Real are happy to let him go.

Paper Round's view: Mourinho is rarely a manager willing to indulge players' injuries, so there is reason to believe that this is a transfer coming from Ed Woodward's perspective rather than the Portuguese manager's. Secondly, United have a terrible record with keeping their players fit, and have since the time of Sir Alex Ferguson - they should only be confident of any positive change if they are going to change their approach to fitness at Old Trafford.

Phil Jones suffered yet another injury, this time on international duty for England, meaning he could be out for another three weeks after a thigh problem flared up. Mourinho has claimed that Jones received six injections on the day of the game against Germany, complaining a friendly was not of sufficient importance. Antonio Conte has also criticised Gareth Southgate for his poor handling of Danny Drinkwater.

Paper Round's view: Mourinho is right to be upset over the injections, if his account of Jones' treatment is accurate. It is short-sighted and irresponsible of Southgate to put his own players' club careers in danger for the sake of a friendly. Similarly, Conte has identified another problem with Southgate, who has started to give off a whiff of hubris following his appointment despite no evidence he has the abilities to succeed in his past jobs.

Chris Coleman has reportedly quit his job as Wales manager in order to take up a job at Championship club Sunderland. Ally McCoist had also been linked with the position, but it appears that the 47-year-old is going to return to club football. The Sun believe that he could be in the job, with a £750,000 deal agreed, by Sunday.

Paper Round's view: Coleman showed his talent in international football rather than his club career, and that may be to his benefit for the Sunderland job. There is little money to spend, as previous permanent manager David Moyes pointed out, so coaching the players at the club is both necessary and something that Coleman will have to do if he is to make the most of Sunderland's existing squad. He should keep in mind, though, that Sunderland has brought down plenty of managers in recent years.

Bayern Manager Jupp Heynckes is looking for a back-up striker to Robert Lewandowski, and has turned his attention to a former Bayern player. Sandro Wagner, a 29-year-old German international striker, wants to leave Hoffeinheim in January and rejoin the Bundesliga leaders, who he left in 2008. Manager Julian Nagelsmann has said that there is no grudge between the club and player, and a move could be agreed to see him return to Bayern.

Paper Round's view: If Bayern can give their most important player a rest over the coming months, it may improve his happiness at the club and make sure that he is fresh for Bayern's most important games over the rest of the season. Bayern have endured a difficult start after Carlo Ancelotti's second season, and winter transfers for players already used to the Bundesliga might be an easy way to bring about quick improvements.