Manchester United
Martínez Responds to Scholes and Butt After Old Trafford Derby
Martinez rejects Scholes and Butt podcast jibes, praises team after Old Trafford win in 2025/26. xG.
Lisandro Martínez directly addressed criticism from Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt after Manchester United’s spirited performance at Old Trafford. The Argentina centre back, nicknamed ‘The Butcher’, was targeted on a podcast when the former players suggested he could be picked up and treated like a “little toddler” by Erling Haaland. Martínez insisted the remarks made on air did not reflect what he encounters in person.
“Honestly, he can say whatever he wants,” Martinez said of Scholes. “I told him already, if he wants to say something to me, he can come to wherever he wants. To my house, wherever. I don’t care.”
Martínez underlined his frustration at the gulf between commentary delivered on television or podcasts and the reality at the ground. “I think for me, I respect the relations [ex-players] when they want to help the club because everyone can talk on the television,” Martínez said. “… but when you see [them] here face to face, no one says anything in your face.
“For me, I don’t really care what they say. I just put the focus on my performance, the performance of the team and I give everything to this club until my last day.”
His remarks followed a match in which Martínez was credited with keeping Haaland largely at bay; Haaland recorded an xG of 0.13 and managed 14 touches in 80 minutes before being withdrawn by Pep Guardiola. United’s display was strong enough to surprise observers connected to both clubs, and Guardiola reflected on the difference in intensity. “They had something we did not have. I’ve come many times here. But today we were not the level required to win these types of games,” the manager said. “They have a new manager, and they had the energy in a derby that we didn’t have.”
The exchange highlights growing tension between current United players and some ex-players in broadcast media during the 2025–26 campaign, with Martínez choosing to let his performance on the pitch answer the criticism.
Hull City
Jakirović admits Manchester United ambition as Carrick pressure grows
Jakirović has named Manchester United as a dream job while Carrick faces growing scrutiny.
Hull City manager Sergej Jakirović has made clear that he is aiming high, with Manchester United on his radar as speculation continues around Michael Carrick.
Carrick has come under sharper scrutiny after United managed only two wins from six matches in all competitions, with the recent collapse against Brighton & Hove Albion only intensifying the discussion around his position. The United boss has dismissed the idea that his job should already be in doubt, calling it “ridiculous”, but that has done little to calm the wider talk.
Jakirović has now added another layer to the conversation by openly stating his admiration for the United post. When asked whether he would think about a return to Dinamo Zagreb, the Croatian said to RTL: “Where am I? I’m looking towards Manchester United … I’m looking more towards here to get to the biggest clubs because I think you should dream.”
At this stage, Carrick is not in immediate danger. His strong work in the second half of last season, when United climbed into Champions League qualification after being written off under former boss Ruben Amorim, remains an important part of the picture. That recent progress is a major reason club officials are understood to be behind him and expect a recovery.
Even so, modern football leaves little room for comfort. If results continue to go badly, decision-makers at Old Trafford will have to consider every possibility, including life after the current manager.
United’s meeting with Fulham on Sunday offers a chance to steady the mood. Another poor result would not end Carrick’s time in charge, but it would deepen the pressure and make the international break far more uneasy for him.
Manchester United
Carrick Dismisses Exit Talk After United’s Early Stumble
Carrick has dismissed exit speculation after United’s poor start, insisting the situation is not a disaster.
Michael Carrick has rejected the growing noise around his Manchester United future, calling the speculation “ridiculous” after an uneven opening to the 2026/27 season.
United’s campaign began with a defeat to Hull City, and the pressure has intensified following back-to-back setbacks against Manchester City and Brighton & Hove Albion. The derby loss came in the Premier League, while Wednesday’s Carabao Cup defeat to Brighton was even more frustrating after Carrick’s side allowed a two-goal lead to slip away.
There has been no shortage of criticism, yet Carrick insists the talk about his job security is detached from reality. Speaking before Sunday’s meeting with Fulham, he made clear that he understands the standards at the club and is focused on the work rather than the noise.
“I know the club, I know the role, I know what’s expected here in terms of playing to a certain standard and achieving certain things on the pitch,” the 45-year-old said ahead of Sunday’s clash with Fulham.
“In terms of future and ownership and how long I’ve got in the job, that’s totally not in my thinking. It’s ridiculous to think that way in the position I’m in, that’s just not on the radar.
“It’s two or three games. It’s two or three games too many because I really hate losing, but that doesn’t mean the world caves in. In some minds it does, it can’t for us.”
He later added: “It’s not a catastrophe or a disaster. It’s not the end of the world,” a view supported by the team’s underlying numbers.
Despite the defeats, United’s data is not as bleak as the results suggest. They have the second-highest expected goals total in the Premier League at 8.3, the most touches in the opposition box with 139, and only three sides have created more big chances. Defensively, only three teams have conceded less expected goals than their 5.2, while their expected points tally of seven is behind only Arsenal and Manchester City.
With only six competitive matches played so far, Carrick still has time to steady the team, provided he remains in post. Since taking charge in January, he has lost only five matches and records a 61% win rate.
Bayern Munich
Bayern admiration for JJ Gabriel highlights growing transfer pressure
Bayern’s interest in JJ Gabriel has been acknowledged, while Real Madrid are said to lead the race.
Bayern Munich sporting director Christoph Freund has praised Manchester United youngster JJ Gabriel as reports in Germany continue to underline the scale of interest in the teenager.
United are not compelled to agree to Gabriel’s exit request, with his youth contract running until the end of the season. Even so, the 15-year-old is attracting attention from across Europe, with clubs hopeful of persuading him with a clearer path to first-team football.
Speaking to BILD, Freund was careful not to go beyond admiration when asked about Bayern’s involvement. He said: “We know the player because he is very, very talented. An exceptional talent. But I can’t say anything more about it.”
When pressed again on whether Bayern are in talks over a move, Freund replied: “Not at the moment,” although BILD suggested that stance may not tell the full story.
The report claims Bayern have been in “close contact” with Gabriel and his father, who represents him, since February. According to the same account, the Bundesliga champions made their interest clear from that point if an opportunity to sign him emerged.
Bayern are not said to be out of the running, but the early signs point elsewhere. Gabriel and his family are understood to be weighing up options from around Europe, with first-team assurances a key factor. United were reportedly prepared to give him a senior debut during the midweek defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion, only days after his exit demand.
Earlier this week, Fabrizio Romano said Real Madrid are leading the race for Gabriel, a view since echoed by several outlets in England and Spain. More recently, Mario Cortegana of The Athletic said Madrid are “very confident” of winning the chase for a player whose move would cost no more than €1 million ($1.2 million) in compensation.
