Premier League

A MANCHESTER UNITED star rang Paul Scholes and tried to confront him at the training ground over his negative TV comments.Scholes, 50, is not afraid to speak his mind in his role on The Overlap Fan Debate and as a pundit for TNT Sports.A Manchester United rang up Paul Scholes about his negative punditryCredit: YouTube/The OverlapThe unnamed player wanted to confront him at the training groundCredit: PABut his criticism got under the skin of one irked Red Devils squad member.Asked whether players react to comments made by pundits, Scholes revealed on The Overlap Fan Debate via Sky Bet one unnamed United man took matters into his own hands.He said: “Players can be a little bit touchy these days.“I had a player this year, who contacted me and wasn’t happy with some of the things I’d said. READ MORE ON MAN UTD”He wanted to meet me at the training ground.”I said, ‘Of course, no problem,’ and gave him my number but he never got back to me.“I would have done it. If I’m saying things I believe and he wants me to explain why, it wouldn’t have been a nice conversation.”But I said if they or anyone else has a problem, there’s my phone number.”Most read in FootballJoin SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Old TraffordScholes refused to reveal the name of the individual in question in what has been another disappointing campaign for his former club – under both Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim. But he reckons criticism from the media and former players is part and parcel of life as a professional footballer.’Gary Neville’s having a proper meltdown’ – Fans fear for Man Utd icon after he apologises for his derby co-commentaryThe United legend, though, thinks players should be able to brush off the comments – although that is easier said than done. Scholes added: “What we say as pundits shouldn’t affect a player. “The only people that should affect the players is what the manager thinks, the coaching staff, and their team-mates. “Whatever is said on TV should be taken with a pinch of salt.”I’m not even sure how many players these days watch football and watch what we’re saying. “There was one United player who obviously took a bit of offense to what I said, but you just deal with it. “If things need an explanation or a meeting over a tea or coffee, I’d be happy to give it.”I only do punditry for Manchester United games now. “I very rarely do other games because I want to watch United, and I want to be at the United games. “Ever since I’ve started doing it, the performances have not been great. Paul Scholes’ slams of the season”I don’t think I saw them win for a long time and you look terrible having a go at your club when that’s the club you played for, for 20 years – it’s the last thing you want. “It’d be so easy if you were a Manchester City player for the last ten years. “Where we are now, it makes you look like a bit of a villain.”Jamie Carragher then opened up on being called out by Daniel Sturridge for telling Liverpool to sell the forward.The Sky pundit said: “It was Daniel Sturridge. “You wouldn’t believe this, but when I stopped playing for a couple of years, Liverpool asked me and Steven Gerrard to go on an end of season game in Australia.“Liverpool couldn’t sell out the tickets to fill out this stadium in Australia, so they asked me, Stevie, and Steve McManaman to play with the team. “I’d said that they’d needed to sell Daniel Sturridge, and he confronted me in the dressing room when we got over there. “And I thought, ‘Fair play, good on you.’ Read More on The Sun”There is nothing worse than someone backing down, so I wasn’t going to. “Sometimes, if I was a player with a journalist, I might say something and they’d back down and say sorry, but no, just front it.”United have had another difficult season under Erik ten Hag and Ruben AmorimCredit: RexJamie Carragher told Liverpool to get rid of Daniel SturridgeCredit: Getty More

JEREMY MONGA was forced to wear a Leicester shirt without a sponsor on his senior debut.The 15-year-old became the second-youngest player in Premier League history when he came off the bench in the Foxes’ 3-0 defeat to Newcastle tonight.Jeremy Monga was banned from wearing the club’s shirt sponsor on his debutCredit: ReutersDue to his age, he is not allowed to promote a gambling companyCredit: RexMonga is 23 years younger than veteran striker Jamie VardyCredit: GettyMonga, who was born in 2009 and is 23 years Jamie Vardy’s junior, replaced Bilal El Khannouss after 74 minutes at the King Power Stadium.But the wonderkid was not allowed to wear the same kit as his team-mates due to the club’s sponsor.Leicester shirts have crypto casino BC Game on the front and due to the teenager only being 15 years and 271 days old, he is not allowed to promote a gambling company.The winger, with No93 on his back, therefore wore a kit without the brand printed across his torso.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLMonga is a highly-rated youngster who has earned six caps for England’s Under-16s.He has caught the eye of top clubs already amid interest from Manchester City, Chelsea and Real Madrid.Despite his young age, Monga’s senior debut has been a long time coming.Asked about him on his arrival, manager Ruud van Nistelrooy said: “The first thing I did here was look at the Under-21s, at the Under-18s, getting them into first-team training and seeing them.Most read in Football“When players are good enough the age doesn’t matter to me, and they can help the team.”Van Nistelrooy revealed last week that Monga’s education commitments were making integrating him difficult, explaining: “He’s developing really well and you can see how good he is.Leicester stars party in nightclub next to ‘Enzo I miss you’ sign hours after Chelsea loss on night before Cooper sacked“I also mentioned the situation still as a 15-year-old, with school, and with the possibility to have him around the team, it’s limited.”The record for youngest Prem player ever is held by Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri, who made his debut at 15 years and 181 days old in September 2022. More

LEICESTER fans were seen heading for the exits just 35 minutes into their game against Newcastle.The Foxes, who look set for relegation to the Championship, saw their dire run of form of continue at home to the Toon.Leicester fans appeared to be heading home before the half-time whistleCredit: Sky Sports The stands were left empty as Newcastle scored with easeCredit: Rex More

THE FA will reportedly not take action against Manchester United fans after their vile abuse of Phil Foden.Foden’s mum Claire Rowlands was the subject of sick chants during yesterday’s Manchester derby, which ended 0-0.Phil Foden was targeted by vile abuse in yesterday’s Manchester derbyCredit: GettyFoden appeared to sarcastically applaud the foul-mouthed fansCredit: TikTok/mohsin.d10Chants were directed at Foden’s mum ClaireCredit: Paul EdwardsThroughout the game, sections of the Old Trafford faithful sung about the City and England star in videos that have gone viral on social media.The Mail claim the FA are understood to be aware of the chants and condemn them.However, United will escape punishment as the abuse does not breach their regulations.In one clip that has surfaced online today, Foden can be seen sarcastically clapping and giving a thumbs up to a section of his rival supporters.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLCity manager Pep Guardiola slammed the behaviour of United fans, saying: “It was a lack of class. “We are so exposed in football – managers, owners and players especially.”I don’t understand the mind of the people involving the mum of Phil.“It’s a lack of integrity, class, and they should be ashamed.”Most read in FootballSenior City figures are understood to have been shocked and disgusted by the chants, both in the amount of those taking part and the frequency of them.It comes amid claims that Foden’s team-mate Jack Grealish was slapped in the face by a United fan yesterday.‘They should be ashamed’ – Pep Guardiola slams Man Utd fans for sick chants aimed at City ace Phil Foden’s mumThe midfielder was apparently assaulted near the tunnel as he made his way off the pitch after the final whistle.A 20-year-old man has been charged with assault and will appear at Manchester Magistrates’ Court in July.Jack Grealish was allegedly struck by a Man Utd fan after the gameCredit: Getty More

ARSENAL legend Emmanuel Petit urged Manchester United to take serious action against the fans who subjected Manchester City star Phil Foden to vile chants during the derby.Foden, 24, was targeted on Sunday by some United supporters during Man City’s goalless draw at Old Trafford with horrible songs about his mother Claire Rowlands.Manchester City star Phil Foden was subjected to vile chants by some Manchester United fansCredit: AlamyArsenal legend Emmanuel Petit backs Foden and urged Man Utd to take severe actionCredit: GettyPetit, 54, fully backs the England international and slammed the repulsive behaviour he had to endure by calling for severe repercussions for the guilty parties.So much so that the Arsenal legend insists Man Utd should show “zero tolerance” and suggested there should be lifetime bans for those targeting loved ones, including children.Petit told SunSport, on behalf of William Hill,: “Sometimes [they chant about] your mother, children [or about] your father who is dead. If I am Manchester United, I would be very hard on my own fans. I will say zero tolerance.”You know you did that. We got the images. We have the proof you’ve done that. You’re out of the game, you’re out of the stadium.Read More on Football”You don’t come back. We don’t need you. We don’t want you back in the stadium. You are not the fans we want.”So that, for me, is very simple with everything there is – there is cameras everywhere. We know who do that. So it’s very simple to take action from that. “Petit knows all about this awful vitriol some players go through as he also received despicable chants about his family, while some yobs targeted him with racist songs back in his playing days.The France legend would often get his revenge on the pitch by focusing on his game and delivering a stunning performance that shut the hecklers down, but even that was sometimes not enough.Most read in FootballPetit added: “Back in the day when I was playing, I received some bad comments as well. Sometimes they used to call me Gypsy, and they said things about my family. There, I received some racist comments as well. “I tried to avoid them all the time. I tried to protect myself not to get emotional about this. And I tried as much as possible. ‘They should be ashamed’ – Pep Guardiola slams Man Utd fans for sick chants aimed at City ace Phil Foden’s mum”The best answer you can give is on the pitch – just win the game, shut your mouth and leave the game.”But when you go back in the dressing room, even if you do that, you have the feeling, ‘What the f***? I mean, I kept control. I did everything I should do on the pitch, I won the game… I just gave the best answer for those f****** p*****’. “But in the meantime, what’s next? Are they going to be in trouble? No.”Petit called on the powers that be to finally get “ruthless” and start handing out severe punishments to such “stupid people”.The former midfielder supports campaigns by Fifa and Uefa dedicated to ending racism within the game, but he insists examples need to be made to eradicate this sort of “disease”.Petit said: “I’m talking about what happened in Manchester United, but it’s everywhere, the same. Fifa and Uefa, those guys, have to be ruthless. They have to take decisions and they have to make examples out of it. “I think in France is the same. I think sometimes those who are responsible of the game don’t take those problems seriously. “It’s funny to see the message that Uefa or Fifa try to send every time there is a fight against racism. You want to do it? Do it properly.”I mean clubs, they are protecting their fans all the time. They have to be ruthless. So what can I say more honestly? It’s a pity, it’s a disease.”This is something that we’ve been fighting against in football for years, and years, and years. I think the sanctions, the fines, should be more important, because you can identify people easily with cameras in a stadium. So something has to be done. Petit admitted he was abused by fans during his careerCredit: GettyRefs need to take action”Those stupid people, they feel free to do what they want to do in a ground. “What is the point of spending money, buying a ticket to watch the game, and then you go there and just make some very bad comments about family, about loved ones, the skin of one’s colour, or religion? I don’t know. I don’t get it, honestly.”So for me, it’s a disease in football, it’s a disease on social networks. And those people who are responsible of the game or social networks, I think they have to step up and take their responsibility.”Petit believes everything starts with the referee and urged officials to stop the match and order the teams back into their dressing rooms even if only one player is subjected to such vile chants.He said: “Well, I think the referee has to take the decision as well. They should stop the game. No more of that, send a strong message every time you hear bad comments, racist comments about family, stop the game. That’s it. Send the players back into the dressing room. “Because I think it’s very easy for so many people to hide behind their fingers. So I think referees have to to step up to make a strong decision, even if it’s not popular. “But as well, the players. I’ve seen the last few years some players and teams leaving the pitch after racist comments about their team-mates. And this is one solution. Read More on The Sun”But in the meantime, it’s not the priority of the players to do that. They’ve been paid to play. “Those people in charge of the laws, they have to step up and take the responsibility, and it starts with the referee.” More

WHEN I was a young pro at Watford, my manager Gianfranco Zola, told me: “You’re a footballer, you are paid not to have feelings.”Those words were true, but never easy to accept, and they came back to me when I heard the sick abuse being chanted at Phil Foden by hundreds, if not thousands, of Manchester United followers during Sunday’s derby at Old Trafford. Phil Foden was targeted by sections of Old Trafford on SundayCredit: AlamyFans referenced Foden’s mum in vile chantsCredit: GettyDeeney was left shocked, but not surprised, at the vile abuse Foden receivedCredit: APTheir grotesque chants targeted Foden’s Mum – whose only ‘crime’ has been to raise an exceptional footballer.Those who sang about the Manchester City star’s mother are senseless morons and they are cowards too. How many of them would have made those comments to Foden’s face if they met him in the street? But it’s safety in numbers, the anonymity of the crowd. It says a lot about the sickness in our society that a large number of grown men can go to a football match and get their kicks from aiming horrible chants at a young man’s mum.  READ MORE IN FOOTBALLFoden was one of only three Mancunians to play in Sunday’s match. His family lives in the area, so they are going to be affected even more by such behaviour because they cannot escape it. We talk a lot about wanting local heroes. We talk about wanting ‘proper derbies’. We talk about wanting big English clubs to be in touch with their roots in a globalised, cosmopolitan Premier League.And then Manchester produces a player as good as Foden – a working-class, council-estate lad with a supreme gift who is the reigning Footballer of the Year – and Mancunians treat him like that. I suffered plenty of abuse from the terraces during my playing days – some of it racist, some of it aimed at my family, even my children. Most read in FootballTroy Deeney played under Gianfranco Zola at WatfordCredit: AlamyIt is not something you ever really get used to. Depending on the individual, it will make you angry or sad or vengeful – but it always stings. Zola told me I was ‘paid not to have feelings’ when my daughter was born, not long after I had come out of jail.‘They should be ashamed’ – Pep Guardiola slams Man Utd fans for sick chants aimed at City ace Phil Foden’s mumI was receiving a lot of stick from supporters and in the media. I wanted to do an interview to tell my side of the story, a basic human instinct to set the record straight, but he told me that it would only add fuel to the fire. Maybe he was right but I could never quite get my head around how my choice of career meant that I was apparently fair game for abuse.No amount of money can make those sorts of chants palatableTroy DeeneyAnd please don’t try to tell me that because Foden earns more than 200 grand, he should just deal with it. No amount of money can make those sorts of chants palatable. It seems that nothing is off-limits in modern football – because nothing is off-limits in modern society. Social media, with its lack of filters, allows this sort of abuse to flourish and become normalised. Read More on The SunI don’t know what can be done to knock sense into the heads of the sad people who think it is acceptable to call a footballer’s mother a ‘s**g’. Foden, like every professional footballer, is paid not to have feelings. But he will be feeling this all the same. Foden started Sunday’s Manchester derbyCredit: Getty More