Paper Round: Hummels chooses love over money, and United

Hummels earns enough at Dortmund: Manchester United's hopes of landing Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels have been hit after the Germany international said he is happy at the Bundesliga club and his family life in Germany. United are desperate for defensive reinforcements and manager Louis van Gaal is thought to be interested in the centre-back, with a view to a move in January. But the Daily Mail reports that the World Cup winner thinks he earns enough cash where he is, loves his life in Dortmund with his girlfriend Cathy and wider family, and is not tempted by a big-money move to Old Trafford. He told Bundesliga Magazine International: "We earn enough here...I believe that's enough for me."

Paper Round's view: How refreshing. One of the world's best players not interested in money. Well, more money than the rather adequate amount he is already on - but even still, it's a genuine rarity to see a player so in love with his current club and family life that he won't be tempted away by the prospect of quadrupling his wages. And that is what we're talking about, incidentally: Hummels is on £40,000 a week, way less than the average Old Trafford bench warmer. Van Gaal must be tearing his hair out (the report has quotes from the Bundesliga Magazine International, so we can trust the story) that not even his riches can tempt his targets to Manchester. Hummels isn't the first to say so either - Bayern Munich trio Bastian Schweinsteiger, Arjen Robben and Thomas Mueller were all summer targets but refused to move despite United's wealth. Champions League football next season may, of course, help - though the way things are going even a Europa League spot looks far from guaranteed.

Pardew lives to fight another day: Alan Pardew has a final chance as Newcastle manager with the under-pressure boss given extra leeway because the Magpies failed to sign a goal-scorer in the summer. The Daily Mirror reports that owner Mike Ashley feels guilty for not finding a proper replacement for last season's top scorer Loic Remy and is willing to give Pardew time to turn things around as a result.

Paper Round's view: In some ways, Ashley's stubbornness in the face of football's sacking culture is somewhat refreshing, but in others, it's rather painful to see a great club spiral downwards under the stewardship of Pardew. And, given Ashley's refusal to speak to the media, we don't really know the true reasons for his stance. Is it because of this 'guilt' at not giving Pardew a fair crack of the whip or could it actually be down to the fact that there are few, if any, alternative options at the moment? Managers are a special breed, but there can't be many out there willing to work under the notorious Ashley.

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Toon star wants to Cheick out: Meanwhile, another one of Newcastle's top players wants out, according to The Sun. Cheick Tiote is ready to jump ship and could leave in January. The paper, whose source is "an Ivorian mag", quotes Tiote as saying, "I want to leave. I’ve spent four years with Newcastle. I think I have reached a stage where it’s maybe time for me to look elsewhere for a new challenge".

Paper Round's view: One of the major problems Newcastle would face if they were to find a new manager is convincing any potential replacement for Pardew that the club's best players would not be sold. That's a trend that has blighted the club of late, and if this report is true, one that looks set to continue. That said, the mysterious "Ivorian mag" can hardly be relied on as a trusted source, so perhaps Toon fans should wait for something a bit more concrete on this before allowing panic to set in. That is, if they're not already panicking for any number of other reasons...

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Sakho to be dealt with internally: Mamadou Sakho's strop at not being included in Liverpool's squad for the weekend's Merseyside derby will be dealt with internally, according to the Daily Mirror. The France international was photographed storming off in his car after learning he would play no part in the Reds' clash with their city rivals at Anfield, but manager Brendan Rodgers said any punishment would stay "in-house". Sakho was not on the plane taking Liverpool to Basel for their Champions League encounter on Wednesday, but Rodgers insisted that was nothing to do with the player's tantrum, rather that he had picked up an injury in training.

Paper Round's view: Managers love players who are aggrieved when left out - it shows their desire, passion and hunger to play, apparently - but no one likes a stroppy young man who throws his toys out of the pram when things don't go his way. Rodgers says Sakho has apologised, learned his lesson and moved on; let's hope that is the case.

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