Comment: We go crazy over young talent in this country… but Welbeck should start over flavour of month Sterling
Viewers on ITV voted with their feet in poll over starting berth with Sterling winning by a landslide.
Piccadilly Pulse: Will England get out of their World Cup group?
Roy Hodgson’s side go into the campaign with lower expectations than usual, although optimism is starting to creep in alongside the increasing appearances of the St George’s Cross and Adrian Chiles.
Home comforts: New Zealand-born Sale forward Paterson receives England call-up… on family trip home
Christchurch-born Paterson played for an England XV against the Barbarians at the start of the month and England Head Coach Stuart Lancaster has decided to add the former Hurricane as cover.
Football-shaped houses and trophy rooms… World Cup stars’ most extravagant houses
With the 2014 FIFA World Cup kicking off today, MM have teamed up with real estate website Lamudi to take you on a tour of the incredible property portfolios of top footballers past and present.
Wayne Rooney says he’s 100% ahead of Italy clash as he aims for ‘greatest thing possible’… World Cup glory
Wayne Rooney insists he’s fit and ready to lead England’s attack against Italy on Saturday, despite recent criticism of the Manchester United striker.
‘Sing me to victory’: Leighton Baines says Manchester’s Morrissey will be singing for England during World Cup
Baines met his hero when he was staying in the same hotel as Roy Hodgson’s team in Miami last week
Can England lions avoid shoot-out mauling? Roy’s boys practise penalties… with no keepers
England face a tough World Cup group involving Italy, Uruguay and Costa Rica but Hodgson is clearly looking ahead to the knockout stages
‘Av it! Paul Scholes’ trademark volley to fan’s head heats up England-Italy rivalry ahead of World Cup
Manchester United legend Paul Scholes gave some noisy Italians a pizza his mind ahead of England’s opening World Cup game.
Domestic violence surge predicted as Greater Manchester tune-in and booze-up for World Cup
GMP have set up an operation to identify potential abusers and limit the rise of attacks once the tournament kicks off on Thursday.
Capoeira king: Danny Welbeck shows of his samba style in Rio ahead of Italy World Cup opener
Manchester United forward Danny Welbeck showed off his samba skills ahead of England’s opening World Cup clash on Saturday
Manchester City’s Joe Hart insists England goalie hoodoo won’t strike again in Brazil
England have had a number of goalkeeping howlers at World Cups, most notably David Seaman blunder against Ronaldinho and Robert Green in South Africa four years ago