The Sport Matrix: Tuesday 1 October 2013

United will hand Moyes money to revive fortunes

The Glazer family are ready to invest substantially to reshape David Moyes’s Manchester United squad in recognition of the new manager’s claim that he has inherited a club short of world-class players.

United are likely to respond opportunistically in January rather than lay detailed spending plans. It is possible Moyes (above) will be asked to work until the summer with a squad he has said is six world-class players light of Champions League-winning quality.

United’s owners acknowledge that the Premier League may be far more competitive this season and that it may take time and patience, as well as investment, to see the club through the managerial succession.

After Saturday’s 2-1 loss to West Bromwich Albion contributed to United’s worst start to a season since 1989-90, there is an acceptance that the club should have bought out Moyes’s contract at Everton as soon as they appointed him, giving him six extra weeks to prepare for the summer transfer window. Moyes was named United manager on 9 May – 52 days before his contract at Goodison expired. MORE

Lukaku shines as Everton prevail

Everton maintained their unbeaten start to the season as they rose to fourth with an enthralling 3-2 win over Newcastle. Romelu Lukaku scored twice and Ross Barkley also found the net for Everton, while Yohan Cabaye and Loic Remy struck in vain for Newcastle. MORE

Wenger dares to dream of glory

Arsène Wenger has spoken of his desire to win the Champions League with Arsenal before his side’s encounter with Napoli tonight. Wenger said yesterday: “Yes, we would love to win it as it has never been done with this club and we have flirted with it a few times.” MORE

Mourinho storms out of conference

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho showed the first sign of tension since his return to the club by dramatically cutting short his press conference before tonight’s game against Steaua Bucharest. He walked out when asked why Kevin De Bruyne had not even travelled with the team. MORE

Messi injury a boost for Celtic

Celtic manager Neil Lennon believes the absence of Lionel Messi from tonight’s Champions League tie with Barcelona at Celtic Park is “very good news for us”. Messi injured his thigh in Saturday’s 2-0 La Liga win over Almeria and is out for two to three weeks. MORE

McClaren named Derby head coach

Derby County yesterday named former England manager Steve McClaren as their new head coach on a two-and-a-half-year deal. McClaren replaces Nigel Clough, who was sacked as manager after Saturday’s defeat to Nottingham Forest. MORE

Benitez lavishes praise on Wenger

Napoli manager Rafael Benitez has described his Arsenal counterpart, Arsène Wenger, as “the best coach in the Premier League” ahead of their game tonight. Benitez said: “Hopefully, he can win the Champions League, but in another year.” MORE

Cuellar shocked by Di Canio’s antics

Sunderland defender Carlos Cuellar has spoken of his shock at Paolo di Canio’s management style following the Italian’s sacking. Cuellar said: “It was the first time in my life I have seen something like that [Di Canio’s management].”

Tomkins hopes O’Loughlin returns

Wigan’s stand-in captain Sam Tomkins hopes regular captain Sean O’Loughlin, who has been struggling with an Achilles injury, returns for Saturday’s Super League Grand Final against Warrington. “He’s Wigan’s best player,” Tomkins said. MORE

No compromise in Heineken Cup row

The row over the Heineken Cup’s future continues, with English and French clubs planning to play in a proposed Rugby Champions Cup. ERC chief Derek McGrath has bemoaned a lack of compromise. MORE

Bunce on boxing

Boxing Correspondent Steve Bunce pays tribute to Johnny Greaves, who quit the ring after winning his 100th fight at the weekend – his 96 losses means he retires as the King of the Journeymen. MORE