* This from The Sunday Times:
Two Bulgarian prisoners have sewn up their mouths and are refusing to eat until they are allowed to watch the World Cup. The two lifers had demanded a television in their cells in the Pazardzhik jail. The pair, who left a small part of their mouths unstitched so they can smoke, have warned another 15 prisoners will follow suit if their demands are not met.
* The Screws claim that United are 'chasing Argentine Javier Mascherano, the £15m-rated Corinthians midfielder.'
* Chelsea and United are battling for Atletico Madrid's £25m-rated Spanish forward Fernando Torres, says the Daily Star Sunday
More in the Mirror:
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has been given permission to go ahead with a £25million move for Spain World Cup star Fernando Torres.
Atletico Madrid striker Torres, 22, was Spain's top scorer in their qualifying campaign and has told World Cup team-mates that he will move to Old Trafford.
* The NOTW reports that Real Madrid are in talks with Arsene Wenger:
Arsene Wenger is in talks to walk out on Arsenal and become Real Madrid's new manager.
The favourite to win the Spanish club's July presidential election last night revealed he has had discussions with the Frenchman to lure him to the Bernabeu.
Juan Villar Mir declared: "We have opened negotiations with Wenger and Fabio Capello, two excellent managers. We will bring the best one here."
Wenger, whose Arsenal contract runs until 2008, is the No1 choice ahead of Juventus coach Capello.
* Australia in WC betting query (from the NOTW):
Gambling revelations by Premiership stars Tim Cahill and Mark Viduka have put Australia's World Cup campaign in the balance.
Every World Cup player, official and administrator signed a FIFA fair play "World Charta" before the tournament in Germany.
The document has a clause promising NOT to bet on matches and last night FIFA confirmed this includes gambling among themselves. Everton star Cahill's confession that team-mates Lucas Neill and Archie Thompson bet on him to score the Aussies' first ever goal in the World Cup finals has sparked a FIFA probe.
Cahill did just that in Australia's 3-1 victory over Japan on Monday.
And he admitted to Australian paper the Herald Sun: "They both backed me to score.
"That's why when I got the first goal I ran straight to them."
* Piece about Ecuador and a link to United (Indie:)
The unexpected elevation of Ecuador into the last 16 of the World Cup has been due in no small measure to a link with Manchester United.
The cynics scoffed that they were a side who could only operate at altitude, and especially in Quito, where they defeated Argentina and Brazil in qualifying. Instead, Ecuador opened in Group A with victories against Poland and Costa Rica, and England are looming on the horizon.
The South Americans' success under their coach, Luis Fernando Suarez, can be traced back to talks he had before the tourn-ament with United's assistant manager, Carlos Queiroz.
The meeting had been organised by the London-born Les Dickens, who now lives in Ecuador and acts as a consultant to the country's football federation (FEF).
Suarez was anxious to get the inside track on how European teams are set up, and travelled to United's plush training complex at Carrington, near Sale. Dickens, who has known the Colombian-born coach for 11 years, accompanied him on the trip. United gave them access to all areas, with their coach Mike Phelan involved as well as Queiroz, and the visit proved an eye-opener for Suarez.
Dickens said: "Suarez came away with a better understanding of European teams after meeting Queiroz. It was a great learning experience for him and very uplifting. As a manager you are very much on your own, and Manchester United were very helpful. They rolled out the red carpet and we were given the royal tour, and stayed for five hours. The visit was worthwhile; you just have to look at how Ecuador played when they defeated Poland. They love their football in Ecuador and it is crazy there at the moment."
* The MEN report that West Brom are wanting to take Gerard Pique on loan next year.
* Quotes from Jonathan Spector following his £500K move to West Ham:
"I see it as a great opportunity for myself to become part of a young and exciting team.
"I'm excited by the prospect of playing under Alan Pardew.
"The guys have just had a great year and hopefully I can become part of helping the team build on that success next season.
"I'm already used to living in London so it won't be a problem for me, especially as I come from Chicago.''
* Sky Sports:
Molde starlet Magnus Wolff Eircom is set to sign a two-year scholarship contract for Manchester United.
The 15-year-old has trained at Old Trafford a number of times in recent years and will sign when he turns 16 in August.
However, Molde director Terje Nordstrand Jacobsen doubts whether the teenager has made the right decision.
"I advised him to stay at Molde and play first team football here," he sighed.
"I am sceptical about young players leaving, but of course I respect his decision."