England captain Wayne Rooney has “unreservedly” apologised to interim manager Gareth Southgate, the FA and fans following the emergence of “inappropriate” images from the weekend.

At half-time yesterday, one of my ageing colleagues, known for his punchy pessimism, summed up proceedings better than I could: “Same old shoite, then. A team full of physically weak cowards, and the only hope of a goal is if Martial makes something out of nothing.”

Manchester United 1 Everton 0: Manchester United started the day by honouring arguably the club’s greatest ever player by renaming the main stand The Sir Bobby Charlton Stand and ended it by keeping up the hope that Old Trafford will see Champions League football next season.

Roy Hodgson accepts he has a challenge to overcome at the heart of England’s defence, but tempting back John Terry is not a solution that has seriously crossed his mind.

As Ireland gears up to face England for the first time since fans tore up Lansdowne Road 20 years ago, Paddy Power is battening down the hatches at its closest shop to the ground — by bubble wrapping it.

15 minutes after the rain came to halt play in the one-day international between Ireland and England, all 9,000 seats at Malahide Cricket Club were empty and the groundstaff had already begun the clean-up.

Wayne Rooney knows Champions League qualification is Manchester United’s to lose, making this weekend’s clash with Aston Villa all the more important.

Roy Hodgson not only has the Football Association’s support but the England players’ too, with goalkeeper Joe Hart saying the whole team is behind their manager.

England physio Gary Lewin is to return home from the World Cup after suffering a fracture and dislocation of his ankle while celebrating Daniel Sturridge’s first-half equaliser in Saturday night’s 2-1 defeat against Italy.

Uruguay striker Luis Suarez has told his Liverpool team-mates in the England camp that he will be fit for next month’s clash between the two nations in Brazil.

Ashley Cole has retired from international football after being left out of England’s World Cup squad – a decision Roy Hodgson admits was one of the hardest of his career.

Roy Hodgson is still putting his £10 on England to win the World Cup, but Football Association chairman Greg Dyke clearly thinks the team have no chance of getting out of their “group of death”.

Phil Jagielka remains committed to Everton despite the departure of manager David Moyes.

David Beckham will retire from football at the end of this season.

Fraser Forster might just have taken a step closer to an England call-up after a solid display for Celtic against Benfica last night in front of Three Lions’ goalkeeping coach Ray Clemence, but he refuses to be fazed by the prospect.

Former Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has revealed he was “quite relieved” at not being offered the England manager’s job.

In fairness, the question was posed by a man from China, who has not had many opportunities to ask.

Harry Redknapp may withdraw his offer to be a BBC pundit at Euro 2012, the Tottenham manager says.

Harry Redknapp maintains he has still not been approached over the vacant England manager’s position.

Alex Ferguson is waiting for the results of a scan on the thigh injury Michael Owen suffered at Old Trafford last night as the Manchester United striker faces up to another period on the sidelines.

Frank Lampard was left out of a competitive England starting line-up for the first time since 2007 as Fabio Capello adopted a bold approach for this evening’s Euro 2012 qualifier in Bulgaria.

Fabio Capello might find his belief that results are everything being sorely tested as the aftermath of England’s 2-0 win over Wales on Saturday provided yet more questions about the Italian’s judgement.

RIO FERDINAND has admitted he wondered whether he was about to lose the captaincy of England as well as Manchester United.

Joe Hart hopes that a season as Manchester City’s number one will help him cement a place in Fabio Capello’s starting XI for England’s Euro 2012 qualifying campaign.

England’s post-World Cup gathering descended into farce tonight after Wes Brown joined Paul Robinson in announcing his international retirement.

Arsene Wenger believes Jack Wilshere has what it takes to follow Theo Walcott into the England team – but called for patience from the Arsenal youngster ahead of what could be a breakthrough season.

Gareth Bale has urged Tottenham to do everything they can to bring Joe Cole to White Hart Lane.

ROY HODGSON could be about to slam the door on one of England’s management options.

Under-20 Colombia international goalkeeper Cristian Bonilla claims he is set to sign for Manchester City.

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp today admitted he would jump at the chance of managing England should Fabio Capello leave the post following the Three Lions’ World Cup debacle.

Wayne Rooney has apologised for “any offence caused” by his post-match rant at England’s fans in Cape Town last night.

MATTHEW UPSON has warned Franz Beckenbauer that England will adopt the tactics that win the games and ignore his barbed comments about the Three Lions’ style of play.

Japan 1 England 2

The World Cup ’Group of Death’ reared its ugly head this afternoon – and left Brazil facing a tough task to progress to the knockout stage in South Africa next year.

Alex Ferguson will not go back into the transfer market to solve Manchester United’s early season scoring problems.

Alex Ferguson has ruled Rio Ferdinand out for another three to four weeks with a thigh injury.

Emile Heskey has been given a shock recall to the England squad for the Euro 2008 qualification double-header with Israel and Russia.