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.
Fulham
Manchester United face fresh Lewis Hall setback as Newcastle dig in
United lose ground on Hall as Newcastle plan to keep the defender and strengthen their stance.
Manchester United’s hopes of landing Lewis Hall have taken another hit, with the Newcastle United left back now expected to stay at St James’ Park this summer.
Hall had been identified as a leading option to strengthen the left side of the pitch at Old Trafford, where work still remains if United are to mount a serious challenge for silverware next season. Michael Carrick is still searching for additions in midfield and at left back, but the England youth international appears set to remain out of reach for now.
“I do not expect Lewis Hall to be coming to Man United,” journalist David Ornstein revealed on The Athletic FC podcast. “Following the departure of Eddie Howe, Newcastle will be more determined to keep him, maybe even tie him down to a new contract.”
That stance is understandable. Hall is under contract until June 2029 and Newcastle are looking to preserve stability after a difficult period. The club has already seen Anthony Gordon move to Barcelona and Sandro Tonali join Tottenham Hotspur, while Bruno Guimarães is seemingly headed to Arsenal. Alexander Isak also departed last September, a loss that fed into Newcastle’s 12th-place finish in the Premier League in 2025-26. With Howe stepping down and Matthias Jaissle now in charge, there is little appetite for further disruption.
If United cannot get a deal done, they will have to look elsewhere. Luke Shaw, at 31 and carrying a difficult injury record, cannot be the only natural left back in the squad. Diogo Dalot, Noussair Mazraoui, Ayden Heaven and Lisandro Martínez can all cover, but with Tyrell Malacia gone and Champions League soccer returning, the need for another senior left back is clear.
Antonee Robinson has already been mentioned as an alternative. The Fulham defender, 28, brings six seasons of Premier League experience and arrives off a strong World Cup campaign with the U.S. men’s national team. He would offer a short-term answer while United continue to pursue Hall, or another younger option, in the years ahead.
Man Utd
Manchester United add Cristian Orozco to their midfield ranks
United have signed Cristian Orozco, a teenage Colombian midfielder with clear long-term potential.
Manchester United have confirmed the signing of 18-year-old Colombian defensive midfielder Cristian Orozco, bringing in one of South American football’s most sought-after teenagers.
Orozco remained with Fortaleza FC in Colombia’s top flight after the agreement was reached, but moved to England once he turned 18 on July 13. United have now formally introduced him as their newest midfield arrival.
“Manchester United have completed the signing of exciting young midfielder Cristian Orozco,” the clubs said in a statement .
The expectation is that he will spend much of his early time with United’s youth teams while he settles into a new setting. Even so, the club will view him as a player who could grow into an important part of the future.
His route to this point has been swift. Orozco made his professional debut only last February, so there is no realistic expectation that he will step straight into the first team. Yet his profile has already drawn attention. He captained Colombia at the 2025 U–17 World Cup in Qatar, and he has also worn the armband across several youth national-team age groups. Those who have worked with him previously, particularly managers from Colombian development side Rojo, have long highlighted his leadership.
There is more to his game than organisation and authority. As a central midfielder, he has shown passing ability, strength in duels and tactical intelligence. He still needs physical development to handle the intensity and ferocity of the Premier League, and he remains a raw player, but the foundation is in place.
Before his official unveiling, Orozco had already appeared for United at U–21 level, featuring in the 1–0 preseason friendly defeat against Altrincham FC.
Last fall, after United agreed to sign him, he travelled to England to see the club at Old Trafford. That visit clearly left an impression.
“I visited the city and everything was very nice,” Orozco told ESPN . “I was able to see the stadium, the team’s training ground and honestly I’m fulfilling a childhood dream. It was very nice.
“My expectation from now on is to learn a lot of English,” Orozco added. “I realized that it’s very important and I want to arrive there, learn and adapt as quickly as possible. That’s what’s required to show my level there, what I can offer.”
Man Utd
Rashford could still be drawn into an Amorim reunion in preseason
Rashford may meet Amorim again in Milan, adding intrigue to United’s final preseason fixture.
Marcus Rashford may yet be forced into an awkward meeting with Ruben Amorim, despite the forward spending much of the summer trying to move on from the past.
Nineteen months ago, Amorim made his feelings plain when he said he would rather use his 63-year-old goalkeeper coach Jorge Vital than Rashford at Manchester United. The winger was later pushed into the club’s “bomb squad” last summer after returning from a loan spell with Aston Villa, before joining Barcelona on loan. There, he helped the Catalans win La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup while Amorim was dismissed in January.
Even after Rashford made clear his wish to stay with the Spanish champions, Barcelona did not activate his buy option. That sent the 28-year-old back to Old Trafford, where he remains under contract until June 2028.
Michael Carrick has since arrived as the new man in the dugout and has given the forward a fresh start this preseason. Yet Rashford may not be able to avoid Amorim after all.
United are scheduled to face AC Milan in their final preseason fixture before the 2026/27 campaign on Saturday, Aug. 15. Amorim is now in charge of Milan after replacing Massimiliano Allegri in June. Had the game come earlier in the tour, Rashford would likely have missed the meeting because he is still resting after the 2026 World Cup and has not yet joined up with the Red Devils, just like Kobbie Mainoo and Lisandro Martínez.
The pair are due back on Monday for the penultimate leg of United’s tour in the Republic of Ireland, with Rashford expected alongside them. Carrick is unlikely to throw him straight into the match against Leeds United days later, which would make the Milan game the likeliest stage for a long-awaited reunion.
That would add another layer to a match already loaded with interest. It would be Amorim’s first game against his former side since his difficult spell ended seven months ago. Across 63 games at United, more than a third ended in defeat, while he managed only 15 wins in 47 Premier League matches.
His time there was marked by sharp press conferences and divisive calls, not least his criticism of Rashford’s training habits. Now he faces both the club he left behind and the player he helped force out of Manchester.
Rashford, meanwhile, rediscovered his rhythm in Spain, finishing with 14 goals and 11 assists in 49 appearances for Barcelona. Much of that came from limited minutes, which only made the return more striking while he played behind Raphinha for much of the season.
