^ ^ Paul Scholes suggests Man Utd star ‘doesn’t fear’ Michael Carrick after Hull defeat

Scholes was not impressed with some of the post-match comments (Picture: The Good, The Bad and The Football)

Paul Scholes has suggested Luke Shaw and Bruno Fernandes undermined Michael Carrick and his staff with their comments made after Manchester United’s defeat to Hull City.

United fell to a dismal 2-0 defeat to the newly-promoted side in their opening game of the new campaign on Saturday, undone by two set pieces in the first-half.

After the game, Bruno Fernandes said United were guilty of making the same mistakes as last season, comments former United captain Wayne Rooney described as ‘strange’ over the weekend.

‘Same mistakes as we did last season, every away game we give too much of the ball to them. In the first 20 minutes, the goalkeeper was the one with the most touches,’ Fernandes said on Saturday.

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‘We needed to press more, be more aggressive, and then again we need to work on set-plays and not concede these type of goals. Against these types of teams, they are waiting for that moment.

‘We knew before the game that set-pieces would be a big part of their game. They played all pre-season with a back four, but went to a back five against us for some height in these moments. The most frustrating thing is that we lost the game.’

Shaw meanwhile suggested his side were not prepared for the challenge Hull posed despite a full pre-season campaign that included games against Atletico Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Leeds United and AC Milan.

Fernandes underwhelmed against Hull (Picture: Action Images via Reuters)

‘I think we have to do, as a whole team, much better,’ Shaw said. ‘I think even leading up the game, we need to prepare better on what their strengths are and of course that’s set-plays.’

Discussing Fernandes’ comments on The Good, The Bad and The Football, Scholes suggested it would have been a better idea for Fernandes to ‘keep his mouth shut’ given his own performance.

On Shaw’s comments, Scholes insisted they will be perceived as a dig at Carrick and his staff over the methods used to get the squad into shape over the summer.

Shaw was at fault for Hull’s second (Picture: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)

‘Luke Shaw always says something. And that’s a slight on your staff. That’s a slight on your manager. If one of your players is saying that, f*****g hell you’d have them in Monday morning.

‘What do you mean by that? Those comments, it’s not so much about respect, you speak about fear of managers sometimes… those things they have said they have said, they are a slight on the manager and his staff.

‘If we said something like about Sir Alex, that we weren’t prepared… f*****g hell, he’d probably single you out in front of the whole team.’

United return to action on Sunday at home to another promoted side in Ipswich Town.

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^ ^ Xabi Alonso told to ‘find someone else’ and axe Chelsea star after Fulham win

Xabi Alonso and Chelsea got their season off to a winning start against Fulham (Picture: Getty)

Xabi Alonso has been told he needs to make a ruthless decision and axe Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez following last night’s win over Fulham.

The Blues got their Premier League campaign off to a winning start at the home of their west London rivals, edging a five-goal thriller at Craven Cottage.

Alonso’s new-look side laid down something of a marker and demonstrated th attacking potential that has marked them out as potential title contenders.

After a summer of rest and recouperation, Cole Palmer looked more like his old self and got on the scoresheet, along with Joao Pedro and debutant Morgan Rogers.

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At the other end, despite significant reinforcements, the Blues still looked less than secure, not helped by another error-strewn performance from their goalkeeper.

Sanchez joined Chelsea from Brighton three years ago and has never fully convinced under a succession of managers who have all attempted to ease him out of the side.

The 28-year-old was again at fault last night and former Chelsea defender Frank Leboeuf believes Sanchez’s latest calamitous display should represent the final straw.

Robert Sanchez didn’t cover himself in glory against Fulham (Picture: Getty Images)

He told ESPNFC: ‘I felt they were shaky like everybody else. You know as a defender at the back when you don’t have a Barthez or a great goalkeeper you don’t feel confident, therefore you get shaky.

‘You see on the second goal with Colwill he should’ve got on the ball with the header and you have nobody behind to save you when you make a mistake.

‘It’s hard to be a goalkeeper because you have nobody behind you but we know Sanchez. We have known him for a while and that he can do mistakes.

‘But when you play for a club like Chelsea and you see what they can do offensively they were perfect the three guys up front scoring three goals away from home that’s great, but you cannot waste that by making silly mistakes.

Robert Sanchez was bailed out by Chelsea’s forwards (Picture: Getty)

‘King’s goal it’s a good shot but why do you open up at the front post? You have to be there and control that, you cannot concede a goal on that side. It’s impossible, you play for Chelsea.

‘There is an issue and Xabi Alonso has to find someone else really quickly. It’s been an issue for a while, we don’t want to see that any more.

‘All due respect to Sanchez we tried, it doesn’t work and when it’s important he’s not there to save the club so we have to find another one.’

Alonso, meanwhile, would not be drawn into criticising Sanchez after the game. The goalkeeper left too much room at his near post for Josh King’s equaliser and was slow to get down, the shot zipping between his wrists and in.

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‘It’s not about individuals,’ said Alonso. ‘We can adjust a few things. The first goal, we can do better to defend, to avoid that.

‘It’s part of the game. We need to accept and to learn. This is going to be a process. All the lines – strikers, midfielders, defence, goalkeeper – we want to do better in everything.

‘The goal was to start good. It’s been a good start. Relax and carry on.’

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^ ^ Alan Shearer tips Arsenal to make ‘title-winning’ signing before transfer deadline

Premier League record goalscorer Alan Shearer (Picture: Getty)

Alan Shearer has given Arsenal major hope of ‘nabbing’ Julian Alvarez before the transfer deadline and says the Atletico Madrid striker would be a title-winning signing.

The Gunners remain interested in signing long-term transfer target Alvarez, who was heavily jeered by Atletico fans during their La Liga draw with Villarreal on Sunday evening.

The Atletico fanbase are unhappy with Alvarez’s desire to leave the club and secure a controversial move to Spanish rivals Barcelona.

Alvarez has spent two seasons in Madrid, scoring 49 goals in 107 appearances following his £82m move from Manchester City.

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The Argentine World Cup winner lifted back-to-back Premier League titles at Man City but his progress at the Etihad Stadium was blocked by superstar striker Erling Haaland.

Arsenal are interested in Alvarez as £64m signing Viktor Gyokeres endured a mixed first season at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners looked set to miss out on a deal as Alvarez favoured a move to Barcelona, but recent reports claim he has softened his stance over a switch to north London.

Atletico Madrid striker and Arsenal target Julian Alvarez (Picture: Getty)

And former England striker Shearer believes Arsenal could be in the driving seat to sign Alvarez given Atletico Madrid will not want to sell to a direct rival.

‘We’ve heard of a lot of pushing from Barcelona and the reluctant from Atletico,’ Premier League record goalscorer Shearer said on The Rest is Football podcast.

‘It seems like their thinking might be, “if we have to sell, we’re not selling to you [Barcelona”.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta (Picture: Getty)

‘There’s just maybe a small opportunity or a small window there for Arsenal to nab him you would think. And if they do it’s done by the way [the Premier League title race].’

Micah Richards has also encouraged Arsenal to press ahead with their interest in Alvarez, insisting he would take Arteta’s side to ‘the next level’.

‘I would actually go for a striker if I was Arsenal and we’ve all seen the situation with Alvarez at Atletico,’ Richards said.

Julian Alvarez não se despede dos adeptos do Atleti 😬#DAZNLALIGA pic.twitter.com/0WSIhLeMmc

— DAZN Portugal (@DAZNPortugal) August 23, 2026

‘He was booed by his own fans the other night and there are reports he wants to go to Barcelona. But are Atletico going to sell him to Barca?

‘It might be one for Arsenal to just sneak in there and offer a bid. He’s clearly not happy… If Arsenal had Alvarez he would take them to the next level.’

Arsenal lifted the Premier League trophy for the first time since 2004 last season while reaching the Champions League final.

The Gunners began their title defence with a routine 3-0 win over newly-promoted Coventry City on Friday night.

‘Arsenal have put themselves in a hugely positive situation,’ Shearer added.

‘Everyone else is changing and starting to go again but Arsenal are already there and ready. It took them a while to get there so you have to give them a huge amount of credit.

‘Clearly all their challengers are looking at them and knowing that they’re the favourites and in the best position to do it again and even challenge for Europe again.

‘They have an unbelievable opportunity to really stamp their authority on the Premier League over the next couple of years.’

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^ ^ Lille set asking price for Arsenal to sign Matias Fernandez-Pardo

Lille forward Matias Fernandez-Pardo is wanted by a number of club (Picture: Getty)

Arsenal have added Lille’s Matias Fernandez-Pardo to their list of targets in their bid to sign a new forward before the transfer window closes.

The Gunners began their Premier League title defence in dominant fashion last Friday, cantering to a 3-0 win over newly promoted Coventry City.

Summer recruit Christos Tzolis impressed on the left-wing and he is already looking to be a a smart replacement for Leandro Trossard who joined Besiktas earlier this month.

Fellow newboys Bruno Guimaraes and Ezri Konsa will add plenty of Premier League experience to the Gunners’ ranks as and when they are deemed ready to feature, but Mikel Arteta remains keen to strengthen his forward line still further ahead of the deadline.

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Arsenal missed out on the signing of Morgan Rogers, who opted to join Chelsea instead, while their pursuit of Vinicius Junior ultimately ended in the Real Madrid star signing a new contract.

The English champions are continuing to monitor what appears to be an untenable situation for Julian Alvarez at Atletico Madrid, but are drawing up contingency plans should the Argentina international either remain at his current club or secure his dream move to Barcelona.

To that end, Arsenal are keeping a close eye on Fernandez-Pardo, who has made no secret of his desire to leave Lille this summer.

The 21-year-old refused to play in a friendly against Everton this summer and had hoped he would be granted a move, especially having seen Ayyoub Bouaddi given permission to join Manchester City.

Matias Fernandez-Pardo wants to leave Lille this summer (Picture: Getty)

Fernandez-Pardo is currently under contract until 2029 and publicly Lille are adamant that he won’t be sold.

‘Matias Fernandez-Pardo is a very important player,’ said sporting director Sylvain Armand, underlining Lille’s stance on Sunday.

‘We’re counting on him. Talking about Mathias leaving isn’t necessarily on the table right now.’

According to Footmercato, however, Lille would consider doing business were they to receive an offer in the region of €70 million with Atletico and RB Leipzig also interested in the Belgium international.

Gabriel Martinelli is set to leave Arsenal (Picture: Getty)

In order to make room in their squad, Arsenal are ready to part company with Gabriel Martinelli.

The long-serving Brazil international has been told he is surplus to requirements by Mikel Arteta having been left out of the last twomatchday squads.

Having rejected a move to Galatasary, Martinelli is now open to moving to t he Saudi Pro League with Al-Hilal set to table an opening offer in the region of £50million.

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