^ ^ Wayne Rooney warns Michael Carrick over ‘fed up’ Man Utd star

Wayne Rooney has been concerned by Man Utd’s recent performances (Picture: The United Stand)

Wayne Rooney fears Michael Carrick is on the verge of feeling the wrath of Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes.

The recently crowned PFA Player of the Year cut a frustrated and dejected figure on Saturday after his side blew a chance to return to winning ways against Tottenham.

Struggling Spurs had been reduced to 10 men shortly after Bryan Mbeumo had given United the lead, the Dominic Solanke’s late equaliser ensured a share of the spoils.

With just one win from their first six Premier League games of the new campaign, Carrick is already facing mounting pressure and with games against Leeds United and Atletico Madrid on the horizon, his team must come up with a quick response.

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The prospect of taking a clearly frustrated Fernandes out of the firing line is a remote one, but Rooney is adamant Carrick needs to make a significant change to United’s engine room in order to avoid a breakdown in his relationship with his skipper.

Rooney told United Stand: ‘He’s fed up. I genuinely think he looks like ‘oh here we go again’.

‘It’s the same thing and there’s only so many times, although he’s getting personal recognition for his performances, assists and carrying the team, but then sometimes you need taking out of that position.

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‘You can’t take yourself out but you need taking out of that role just to breathe again because I feel like now you can see it building, there’s going to be an explosion with him if this carries on.

‘He’s not scared to come out and voice his opinion so there is going to be that explosion if this carries on the way it’s going.

‘I think whether you move him back or take him out the team you say we’re going to freshen it up a bit and be more solid in the midfield. You need to get results any way you can and say OK we will sit back a little bit.

Man Utd captain Bruno Fernandes (Picture: AMA)

‘Tielemans can play in that position in the more attacking position but for me you need three in midfield at the minute because we’re getting outrun, we’re getting outplayed and all of a sudden you’ve got Mainoo and Tielemans who aren’t the quickest and aren’t the most mobile to cover the full width of the pitch so they need help in there.

‘Whether you stick Baleba in there as well and say Mainoo is good going forward as well, they just need a bit more security to help the back four. You need to be solid first then try and win the game.’

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^ ^ Paul Scholes says two players will stop Man Utd from ‘ever’ winning the Premier League

Man Utd legend and former England midfielder Paul Scholes (Picture: Getty)

Paul Scholes says Manchester United will ‘never’ win the Premier League until they replace centre-back duo Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez.

United’s poor start to the season continued on Saturday as Michael Carrick’s side could only draw 1-1 with ten-man Tottenham.

Spurs, who were bottom ahead of their trip to Old Trafford, were on top for large periods and missed a number of chances to take the lead.

Bryan Mbeumo broke the deadlock against the run of play with 20 minutes remaining before Tottenham were reduced to ten men, Rodrigo Bentancur sent off for headbutting Luke Shaw.

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Despite their one-goal lead and numerical advantage, Manchester United were unable to hold on for a much-needed win as Dominic Solanke headed home an injury-time equaliser.

The hosts were booed off at half-time and after the full-time whistle was blown as their winless run extended to four games and they slipped to 12th in the Premier League.

Scholes was hugely disappointed by Manchester United’s performance and believes an underwhelming summer of recruitment is already beginning to catch up on his former club.

Man Utd drew with ten-man Tottenham (Picture: Getty)

The Old Trafford legend doubts United’s summer additions will do much to strengthen the team and says defensive reinforcements should have been a priority.

Scholes not only believes England international Maguire and Argentina international Martinez will prevent Manchester United from ‘ever’ challenging from the Premier League, but says at some point an entire ‘new back-four’ will need to be signed.

‘Tottenham were bottom of the league ahead of the game on Saturday and they absolutely run all over Manchester United,’ he said on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast.

Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez (Picture: Getty)

‘We talk a lot about recruitment, don’t we? The idea is to make your team better and someone like [Manchester City summer signing] Elliot Anderson would make them better, but I’m not sure the players they brought in make them better.

‘I actually think they’re alright in the forward areas but look at the centre-halves, that’s an area of the pitch that hasn’t been addressed for a number of years.

‘We’ve had the same centre-halves now for two or three years and we know you’re not going to be successful with them. You’re never, ever going to win the Premier League with them.

‘The goal on Saturday was a prime example – we know Lisandro Martinez is a good footballer but for your centre-half to be bullied like that… you cannot let that happen, it’s criminal.

‘Manchester United need a new back-four, they need a new back-four.’

Carrick will be desperate for his side to produce a better performance on Tuesday night when United visit Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.

Manchester United beat Sabah in their Champions League opener while Atletico began their European campaign with a 2-1 defeat to Liverpool.

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^ ^ Mikel Arteta responds to Lionel Messi’s bold Max Dowman prediction

Max Dowman is Arsenal’s rising star (Picture: Getty)

Mikel Arteta has responded positively to Lionel Messi’s prediction that Arsenal starlet Max Dowman is on the road to greatness.

The 16-year-old is already firmly established as part of the Premier League champions’ first team squad and is pushing to be included on a more regular basis.

Dowman’s only start so far this season came in a convincing 4-2 Carabao Cup victory against Ipswich during which he underlined his burgeoning talent with two goals in a man of the match display.

The teenager’s fleeting appearances have already caught the eye of Messi who named Dowman among 10 youngsters who he expects to have bright futures in the game.

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‘If Messi, who is the best ever player, says that,’ Arteta said, smiling in response to Messi’s new advert for adidas.

‘His eyes are I think better than anybody else’s. Hopefully he’s right.’

Asked what made Dowman stand out to someone of Messi’s stature, Arteta said: ‘That he’s got something special.

a legacy to build on 🐐. the next chapter starts here.
meet the rising stars of Messi +10, season 3. 💫 pic.twitter.com/8DVfmTPaXW

— adidas Football (@adidasfootball) October 11, 2026

‘In the few appearances that he had, he’s already done remarkable things. That’s somebody that is touched with a special gift.

‘He’s a joy to watch. The way he moves, the way he touches the ball, the way he carries himself, it’s just different.

‘And that’s what makes him unique.’

Oliver Giroud said leaving Arsenal was the ‘toughest choice’ of his career as he prepares to make his Emirates Stadium comeback, aged 40.

Giroud scored 105 times in 235 appearances across nearly six years for Arsene Wenger’s Gunners before leaving to join Chelsea ahead of the 2018 World Cup.

Lionel Messi's 10 to watch

Tomas Aranda – Boca Juniors
Can Uzun – Eintracht Frankfurt
Max Dowman – Arsenal
Gilberto Mora – Tijuana
Zavier Gozo – Crystal Palace
Jesus Rodriguez – Como
Kees Smit – AZ Alkmaar
Chloe Sarwie – Chelsea
Giovanna Waksman – Lyon
Lotta Wrede – Hamburg

The former France international departed Stamford Bridge for AC Milan before a one-year stint in Major League Soccer for Los Angeles FC.

However, Giroud returned to his homeland last year and the striker is set to face his one-time employers when Lille face Arsenal in north London on Tuesday night.

‘Arsenal was a major part of my career and I had to leave in order to play at the 2018 World Cup,’ said Giroud.

‘I was really sad when I left the club but I had to make that choice, and it was one of the toughest ones in my career, but it was important and necessary for the rest of my career.

‘So, it is great to come back at 40 years old with a French club and to play against Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal. That is a blessing. It is something I wanted to happen, and I feel very lucky.’

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^ ^ ‘This one was mad’ – Cole Palmer names his favourite goal for Chelsea

Cole Palmer has scored some memorable goals for Chelsea (Picture: REUTERS)

Cole Palmer’s 2023 move to Chelsea raised plenty of questions at the time but it is fair to say he has answered them in style.

The forward had come through the Manchester City academy and was clearly hugely talented, but was yet to make his big breakthrough.

Palmer had 19 Premier League appearances to his name and no goals, although he had netted six times in 41 games across all competitions.

His place in the City team was not secured, but it did not look guaranteed at Chelsea either when the Blues decided to spend an initial £40 million on him.

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The Blues had spent big that summer, yet again, bringing in the likes of Nicolas Jackson, Christopher Nkunku, Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia.

Palmer quickly made an impact, though, and would have a stunning first season in west London, scoring 22 Premier League goals and 25 in all competitions.

He has remained a fixture in the starting XI, when fit, and now has 58 Chelsea goals to his name in 139 outings.

Palmer has four goals to his names so far this season (Picture: Getty Images)

Last week it was announced that the England international has signed a new contract at Stamford Bridge, keeping him there until 2034.

Palmer has been looking back on his time at Chelsea so far and picked out some highlights, including his favourite goal.

It was not a piece of technical brilliance or the calm finishing he is known for, instead it was a shot which took a fortunate deflection off Scott McTominay and found the back of Andre Onana’s goal.

However, it came after 100 minutes 39 seconds of the match against Manchester United and the latest winner in Premier League history completed a remarkable 4-3 come-from-behind victory.

‘This one was mad,’ Palmer said of the dramatic late winner. ‘I don’t think I slept that night. It was madness. The Bridge was crazy. I think that fourth goal is my favourite ever.’

Palmer just keeps adding to his highlight reel… 😮‍💨#CFC | #CheMun pic.twitter.com/BvoqpIuHU8

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) April 5, 2024

Palmer also recalled scoring all of Chelsea’s goals in a 4-2 win over Brighton in 2024, doing so by the 41st minute of the game.

That is a remarkable achievement as it is, but especially so given he had barely slept the night before.

‘This one was the maddest. I went to bed at 5am before this game,’ he said. ‘I can’t remember if I couldn’t sleep; I just ended up going to bed so late, but I ended up scoring four and I also missed another chance. I think I was offside, but my Dad doesn’t think I was.

‘He said if I had went to bed earlier, I might have scored six. I told him if I went to bed earlier, I wouldn’t have had those four chances!’

Palmer scored four against Brighton in September 2024 (Picture: Shutterstock)

On signing his new deal with the Blues, which is one of the longest contracts in the Premier League, Palmer said: ‘Chelsea means a lot to me and I think the club is going in the right direction, so I’m delighted to sign and I’m obviously very happy.

‘Speaking to the owners, to the sporting directors and obviously the manager, they gave me a lot of confidence so it was only right to sign.

‘Speaking to players as well, everyone has the same ambitions. I feel like we win major trophies here consistently and I want to be a part of that and play a big role in it too.’

Palmer did not score in the 5-1 win over Bournemouth on Saturday, but the resounding victory saw Xabi Alonso’s team climb to fifth in the early Premier League table.

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^ ^ Gary Neville picks out one ‘devastating’ banner Liverpool fans aimed at Man City at Anfield

Liverpool fans made their feelings clear at Anfield (Picture: Shutterstock)

Manchester City’s win at Liverpool on Sunday will only add to a ‘feeling of annoyance’ in football fans across the country, summed up by a ‘devastating’ banner at Anfield, believes Gary Neville.

City were in action for the first time since it was confirmed that they have been found guilty on a huge number of charges related to breaching Premier League financial rules from 2009-18.

The club is appealing those verdicts so the process continues and no punishment has been announced, but if City are unsuccessful then sanctions will be severe.

In the meantime they will continue to play and the 3-0 win at Anfield on Sunday saw Enzo Maresca’s team keep up their perfect start to the season, with six wins from six Premier League matches.

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There were plenty of banners at Anfield with pointed messages to Manchester City, but one caught Neville’s eye especially as he felt it summed up the mood of thousands of fans around the country.

‘There was a banner over in that far corner, I thought it was devastating: “A Generation of Supporters Have Been Cheated”,’ Neville said on his Sky Sports podcast.

‘I thought, that will be the mood around the country, for 10-15 years, they’ve been cheated.

A banner read: ‘A Generation Of Supporters Cheated’ (Picture: Getty Images)

‘Manchester City have that appeal and they’re confident they’re going to win it and if they do then obviously we all sit there and say fair enough. But if they don’t and those guilty verdicts are confirmed then they’ve got a massive problem.’

The game was very even until Liverpool’s Ryan Gravenberch was shown a second yellow cast on 62 minutes and City ruthlessly capitalised on having an extra player.

Neville said he was left with an odd feeling after the match, though, on two fronts.

With Manchester City having been found guilty, there is the sense that this brilliant team has only come together thanks to off-field cheating, while there is the odd situation of expecting City to be punished heavily, with a points deduction or even expulsion, so their victories could mean little or nothing.

‘All of your stars are fading away’ was a nod to Oasis (Picture: PA Wire)

‘We’re sat here not knowing what this means,’ said Neville. ‘We know what it means today, that Manchester City go three points clear at the top of the league, but there is a feeling that this is ultimately not going to be where City are going to finish.

‘Liverpool fans are singing “Going Down” and they’re shouting “Cheats” during the last 10-15 minutes of the match.

‘They’ll be delighted, City fans, but I don’t think they probably recognise right now the stain, the stigma, the damage that this is going to do to them.

‘There is going to be, up and down the country, a lot of annoyance that they see this team that is glorious to watch at times, win football matches. It’s just not going to be enjoyed.

An appeal is set to run into 2027 (Picture: Getty Images)

‘As a United fan I’ve never enjoyed City winning games, but I have admired them. But there’s just a little bit of something there. You feel a little bit lower in your stomach, that you’re watching something that’s false, that’s not right.

‘We just have to get through to January or February when Manchester City will either clear themselves or the guilt is confirmed. The feeling at the end of the match feels quite strange.’

City boss Enzo Maresca has been intent on focusing football, saying after the win: ‘My message to the players since we were together three days ago, when they all came back from their national teams, has been quite clear: guys, the noise will always be there so it’s about how we learn to deal with the noise and it’s our duty to make our noise.

‘Our noise is to win games in the way we did today and to be happy. It was our fans making the noise at the end of the game today.’

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