Man Utd
United Icons and Martínez Locked in Public Exchange After Post-Match Comments
Butt and Scholes dismissed Lisandro Martínez’s reaction, saying criticism comes with United football.
Lisandro Martínez found himself at the centre of a pointed response from former Manchester United team-mates Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes after his challenge to the pair following a recent match.
Martínez had been praised for “expert handling of the City striker” and then told Butt and Scholes to “come to his house ” to raise any issues face-to-face. That invitation provoked a strong reaction on the subsequent episode of The Good, The Bad & The Football from the two former United players.
Butt said: “For me, we talk like lads in a pub having a conversation,” and defended the tone of their remarks as light-hearted. He added: “I think when people get so upset about someone in the media or on a podcast … saying “come to my house,” it’s like ‘f—— grow up.’
“If you’re going to get so emotional about someone saying something about you and react like that, you shouldn’t be at a big football club.
“I’m telling you now he’s gonna get that for the rest of his career at Man Utd . You’re going to get your ups, you’re going to get your downs. I got so much c— when I played at Man Utd and Newcastle but then the next week you get applauded.”
Butt also stressed his own boundaries: “I’m 50 years of age, I’m not going knocking on someone’s house saying “can we have a chat?’
“It’s just ridiculous … and if you’re going to get that precious, you better be s— hot every week.”
Scholes accepted the duo might have chosen their words differently but reinforced Butt’s broader point that criticism accompanies the responsibilities of representing United. He also disclosed a previous private run-in with Martínez which he had initially kept to himself.
The public exchange underlines tensions that can follow frank public commentary about current players, with ex-players arguing that scrutiny is an inescapable part of life at a major club and the current squad reacting defensively when invited to engage directly.
Man Utd
Sancho weighs Saudi switch after Getafe deal collapses
Sancho has turned down Getafe, with Saudi Arabia now emerging as the likeliest next step.
Jadon Sancho is reportedly closing in on a surprise move, with a switch to Saudi Arabia now said to be the likeliest outcome after his proposed transfer to Getafe broke down.
According to MARCA, Sancho rejected the La Liga side because he is still seeking a higher salary. The report says he wants €3 million ($3.3 million) per year, a figure that is seven-and-a-half times above what Getafe were ready to offer. That has left the deal dead.
The same report claims a Saudi club has now made a more attractive proposal, and discussions are under way between his representatives and the Middle East. No team has been named.
Sancho is currently out of contract, which means he can sign for a new club outside the transfer window, although registration rules still vary depending on the league. He has been training away from a club since leaving United this summer, while his agents continue to search for a permanent landing spot for the 26-year-old.
talkSPORT also say Sancho has been offered to West Ham United in the Championship, while several other English clubs have been made aware that he is available on a free transfer. Whether any of those sides will move for him remains unclear.
Earlier reports suggested Sancho understands the appeal of playing outside England after five difficult years at United. During that period, he remained under scrutiny even when on loan with Chelsea and Villa.
Chelsea
Palmer Avoids Premier League Ban as Chelsea Suspension Falls in Carabao Cup
Palmer serves his ban in the Carabao Cup, so Chelsea avoid a Premier League absence for him.
Cole Palmer will not miss a Premier League match after his red-card suspension was absorbed by Chelsea’s midweek Carabao Cup tie with Liverpool. The one-game ban will be served in that fixture, leaving him available for league duty despite the dismissal.
The midfielder’s night turned late in the contest after stand-in goalkeeper Mike Penders helped the visitors in front with a costly own goal in the 77th minute. Soon afterwards, Palmer picked up a second yellow card, having already been booked for running into Mateus Fernandes. On another occasion, that incident might have brought a red card immediately, but the greater problem came when he stood on Conor Gallagher’s ankle.
The scheduling and the FA handbook have combined to spare Palmer from a Premier League absence, although he will miss Chelsea’s next match, which is the trip to Anfield. That means he will not be available for the fourth round Carabao Cup tie on Wednesday night.
Chelsea’s record at Anfield remains a poor one. They have not won there in front of fans since 2018, when Eden Hazard inspired a side managed by Maurizio Sarri to a Carabao Cup third round victory. This time, however, their No. 10 will be watching from the sidelines.
Palmer addressed the fallout on social media the next morning. “Not good enough by me,” he wrote on Instagram. “Live n learn. Apologies. On to the next.”
The manager was more restrained in his assessment and chose not to publicly escalate the issue. “I need to check the action to talk with Cole, but it is one to learn for the future for sure,” he said after the match.
He added: “I think that Cole, when he is focused on the game, when he is enjoying, and today after the 1–0, it is a moment to keep calm, a moment to keep mature and for everyone.”
Arsenal
Villa’s Win Over City Triggers Another Opta Refresh
Villa beat City, Arsenal stay close, and Opta updates the title, Europe and relegation outlooks.
Aston Villa have delivered the Premier League’s first defeat of Manchester City this season, and they are also the first side to take points from them. Unai Emery’s team earned that landmark result at Villa Park, where City were below their best and paid for it. Gianluigi Donnarumma and Marc Guéhi were both singled out for especially poor showings, Nicolas Jackson struck on loan to make the difference, and Zion Suzuki contributed six saves across the 90 minutes.
City remain top of the current Premier League standings, but the performance offered the first domestic indication that they are not untouchable. Arsenal followed by matching them on points after beating Everton, leaving the title race level at the summit and Arsenal second only on goal difference.
That Arsenal victory came with Bukayo Saka unavailable and possibly out until Christmas. The Gunners were short of natural creativity, but they compensated by rediscovering the set-piece strength that served them so well last season.
With those results, and two others on Saturday, Opta’s supercomputer updated its predictions again.
The title model now has Arsenal first with 79.55 predicted points and a 53.82% chance of finishing champions. Manchester City are second on 76.11 points and 34.39%. Brighton remain the only other side above 5%, while Liverpool are at 3.29% and Chelsea at 1.42%.
The Champions League outlook keeps Arsenal and City well clear, with both above 90% to qualify. Brighton stand at 58.37%, Liverpool at 46.70%, Chelsea at 31.28% and Aston Villa at 21.66%. Brentford, Leeds and Everton are further back, and Manchester United’s five-match winless run has left them below 6%.
At the lower end, Tottenham have made a notable move in the right direction. Two wins in a row have cut their relegation chance to 14%, and the model now projects them to finish 13th. That is not especially strong, but it is a considerable improvement on consecutive 17th-place finishes in the last two seasons.
