UK Back Pages: Falcao's Agent Hammers Van Gaal, Defoe Nears Sunderland Move

Days after a healthy Radamel Falcao was surprisingly dropped from Manchester United's squad in an eventual 1-0 defeat to Southampton, Falcao's agent, Jorge Mendes, has spoken out, hammering Louis van Gaal for the move. 

The Colombian was brought to Old Trafford from Monaco on loan, but injuries and selection have made him a bit of a peripheral figure at United, and the story continues to dominate the sport pages. 

In Star Sport, Van Gaal has "dropped a clanger," and Roy Hodgson's proposed dinner with England players is squashed due to too much brushback from Premier League coaches. 

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Wednesday's Daily Star back page: Van's dropped a clanger #tomorrowspaperstoday #bbcpapers #mufc pic.twitter.com/Mr3s2JBNaI

— Nick Sutton (@suttonnick) January 13, 2015"

Similar Falcao concerns are relayed in Mirror Sport, which also reports that Harry Redknapp is on his last legs with QPR. A loss to United could mean his sacking, with Tim Sherwood waiting in the wings. 

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Wednesday's Daily Mirror back page: Harry's last stand #TomorrowsPapersToday #bbcpapers pic.twitter.com/PY4jnMNLmL

— Nick Sutton (@suttonnick) January 13, 2015"

Meanwhile, Sun Sport reports that Sunderland have come to a lucrative £14 million agreement with former Tottenham player Jermain Defoe. 

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Wednesday's Sun back page: Fat cat Defoe #TomorrowsPapersToday #bbcpapers pic.twitter.com/jgCmtA6Tch

— Nick Sutton (@suttonnick) January 13, 2015"

The Falcao story continues to rule the headlines in Daily Express. 

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Wednesday's Daily Express back page: Anyone else would play Falcao #tomorrowspaperstoday #bbcpapers pic.twitter.com/dVyhkmOr2L

— Nick Sutton (@suttonnick) January 13, 2015"