Van Nistelrooy 'prefers Bayern'

Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, Bayern Munich's chairman, has claimed that the unsettled Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy wants to join the German club.

"Van Nistelrooy has told us he would like to play for us next season," Rummenigge said. "We have already spoken about money with him but it will be United who will finally decide."

Football memorabilia belonging to Van Nistelrooy's United team-mate Wayne Rooney has been stolen in a burglary at his parents' home in West Derby, Liverpool. England caps, a World Cup shirt and his BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year Trophy were taken.

United's Paul Scholes is reported to be considering coming out of international retirement. Sources apparently close to the Manchester United midfielder have suggested that he decided to quit after a falling-out with the then England coach, Sven Goran Eriksson, and is ready to reconsider under the Swede's successor, Steve McClaren.

United were beaten on penalties in their final game on tour in South Africa on Saturday, losing 4-3 after a 0-0 draw with Kaizer Chiefs in Pretoria.