Welcome to your Friday morning briefing. Let us ensure you’re up to speed on what’s happening and are prepared for the day ahead.

Suddenly, the lead-in to Ireland’s European Championship qualifier with Gibraltar has become a little more interesting. Roy Keane is back with a book.

Radamel Falcao insists he has recovered from the serious knee injury that saw him miss the World Cup and is keen to make his stay at Manchester United permanent.

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal let Danny Welbeck leave the club because he felt his goal-scoring record was not good enough.

Manchester United last night clinched the British record signing of Real Madrid winger Angel di Maria.

No matter what else the television sports year offers up, we think we saw its most delightful touch last Saturday night.

In the most literary of the new La Liga season’s previews, AS editor Alfredo Relaño wrote that Carlo Ancelotti reminded him of mythical Greek hero Sisyphus.

Everton 2 Arsenal 2

Swansea City 1 Burnley 0

Sunderland 1 Manchester United 1

PREMIER LEAGUE:

Martin O’Neill says England have intensified their efforts to secure dual-eligibility players and has confirmed Jack Grealish, fresh from his Premier League debut for Aston Villa, has asked for more time to consider his international future.

Manchester United’s new signing Marcos Rojo is facing a court case back in Argentina after allegedly injuring a neighbour in a fight with a bottle in November 2010.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has admitted he is taking a risk in selecting Diego Costa for tomorrow’s Premier League clash at Manchester City, but that the Blues cannot do without their star striker.

Louis van Gaal would be interested in bringing Cristiano Ronaldo back to Old Trafford, but the Manchester United manager does not think Real Madrid are willing to sell him.

Alan Hutton insists Roy Keane’s "volcanic" personality has been key to Aston Villa’s impressive start.

Jim McGuinness revealed he had to overcome crippling self-doubt and a severe lack of confidence to become an All-Ireland-winning manager.

Roma opened their Champions League Group E campaign in style with a 5-1 mauling of Russian side CSKA Moscow at the Stadio Olimpico.

Champions League Group D

English Premier League teams boosted spending on new players by 30% to £835m (€1.047bn) as clubs in soccer’s richest competition benefited from higher television revenues, according to accountants Deloitte LLP.