"Am I allowed to say that?" – Paul Scholes reveals INEOS treatment of Man Utd legends

Paul Scholes has shared details on how Manchester United have treated club legends at Old Trafford in what he described as a “very different” club under INEOS.

The Old Trafford legend retired in 2013 and has since watched on as both a pundit and fan as the Red Devils continue to struggle. Whilst his generation stole headline after headline by winning Premier League title after Premier League title, current stars are simply hoping to take United back into the top four.

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By
Ethan Lamb

Nov 25, 2025

There’s no doubt that Ruben Amorim would love to have a player of Scholes’ calibre these days. Where there was a big occasion, there was so often a big moment from the legendary midfielder.

Legends don’t get much bigger than Scholes at Old Trafford, but as Nicky Butt revealed, the Red Devils haven’t always treated their former players well in recent years.

Speaking on The Good, The Bad & The Football, Butt revealed: “I’ve had an email saying ‘you’re having your ticket taken off you’. So I rang them up and said can I speak to somebody about this please? And they go ‘who am I speaking to please?’, and I go Nicky Butt and they go, ‘OK, well who’s that?’”

It’s not the first time that Man United have cut former players off, either. Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS reportedly cut an annual £40,000 charity donation to the Association of Former Manchester United Players last December in a controversial decision.

INEOS then went and spent over £120m on reinforcements in the summer transfer window to add insult to injury for those former players.

Now, Scholes has shared a problem that he’s had with the club to follow on from Butt’s admission and INEOS’ decision to end United’s charity donation.

Scholes shares disappointment at "very different" Man Utd

Also speaking on The Good, The Bad & The Football, Scholes admitted that he has to use ticket touts for some Man United games after running out of season tickets to use.

Some would argue that the midfielder’s goal against Barcelona should have been enough to ensure free entry for life, let alone his 11 Premier League titles and two Champions League wins, but his struggles beg a greater question.

If a club legend is struggling to attend games, then how much are the fans struggling? The last thing that INEOS need is to potentially shut their own fans out, and that includes the likes of Scholes and Butt.

Man Utd surge into race against Liverpool and Arsenal to sign £123m superstar

Fortaleza diz que irá tomar 'todas medidas judiciais cabíveis' contra acusações de Textor, dono do Botafogo

MatériaMais Notícias

O Fortaleza repudiou as acusações do dono da SAF do Botafogo, John Textor, em nota oficial divulgada na madrugada desta terça-feira (2). Na noite de segunda-feira (1º), o bilionário afirmou, por meio de publicações em seu site, que jogadores do Leão do Pici participaram de manipulação partida contra o Palmeiras, pelo Brasileirão de 2022, terminada em 4 a 0 para o Verdão.

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Via redes sociais, o Tricolor afirmou que “tomará todas as medidas judiciais cabíveis” sobre a questão. Apesar das fortes declarações, John Textor não apresentou nenhuma prova de manipulação de resultados nas partidas que apontou fraude, como cita o Fortaleza em seu texto.

Confira, na íntegra, a nota publicada pelo Fortaleza contra as acusações do dono da SAF do Botafogo:

O Fortaleza repudia de forma veemente as declarações do Sr. John Textor, dono da SAF do Botafogo, que acusa atletas do tricolor de estarem envolvidos em esquema de manipulação de resultados.
Lamentamos que essas afirmações proferidas, sem a apresentação de quaisquer provas, possam macular a reputação de nossa instituição centenária, gerando assim danos na imagem do clube. Não acreditamos nessa forma de fazer futebol, preferimos o caminho da verdade, e caso o Sr. John Textor tenha provas, que as apresente para que os culpados sejam punidos.
O Fortaleza Esporte Clube espera que tudo seja esclarecido de forma legal, e caso necessário, tomará todas as medidas judiciais cabíveis.

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➡️ Palmeiras campeão garantido e goleada no São Paulo: relembre jogos que Textor cita manipulação

Além do Leão do Pici, o São Paulo também foi alvo das acusações de John Textor. Segundo o empresário, cinco jogadores do Tricolor Paulista teriam feito parte de manipulação na goleada do Palmeiras por 5 a 0, no Brasileirão do ano passado. Há meses, o dono do Botafogo vem afirmando que o Verdão vem sendo favorecido pela arbitragem.

Tudo sobre

BotafogoFortalezaJohn Textor

Sunderland now lead Newcastle in race to sign "great" star who Le Bris knows

Sunderland are now reportedly in pole position to sign a midfield star who Regis Le Bris already knows well ahead of rivals Newcastle United.

Le Bris eyes Sunderland reaction vs Bournemouth

It’s not often that Sunderland have been handed setbacks this season, but defeat against Fulham last time out was exactly that for Le Bris’ side.

Whilst it was just their third loss of the season and there’s no reason to think that last week’s result could derail their strong start, the Black Cats will be eyeing a reaction against Bournemouth.

Three points could take the Black Cats to as high as third if other results also go their way and after 13 games that would simply be remarkable. In many ways, those at the Stadium of Light are replicating the impressive work that Bournemouth have gradually enjoyed since their own promotion.

Le Bris admitted his admiration for the Cherries, saying: “Bournemouth are a good model for us. They way they have built in the last four seasons in the league is really interesting for us.”

An Isidor repeat: Sunderland line up move to sign "special" £4.7m star

Sunderland could win their next Wilson Isidor by going after this star in January.

ByKelan Sarson Nov 24, 2025

It must be said, however, that Sunderland’s model has so featured more investment and the type of investment that could see them land Matteo Guendouzi ahead of Newcastle in January.

Sunderland leading Newcastle in Guendouzi race

According to TeamTalk, Sunderland are now ahead of Newcastle in the race to sign Guendouzi in 2026 in a deal that could be worth up to £26m. Le Bris knows the Lazio midfielder well from their time together at Lorient and admitted that he’s still in contact with his former midfielder a few weeks ago.

It would be a statement move if the Black Cats landed a transfer target ahead of their rivals, who are backed by the extensive riches of PIF. But that’s the position they find themselves in after such an impressive start to the Premier League campaign.

Minutes

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1,080

Progressive Passes

45

66

Tackles Won

5

13

Ball Recoveries

43

55

It’s easy to see why Sunderland are chasing a reunion between Le Bris and Guendouzi, given how the Frenchman has compared to star man Granit Xhaka so far this season. The transfer report even states that the Black Cats view Guendouzi ‘as the perfect midfield partner for Xhaka, adding experience and bite to their engine room’.

Previously dubbed a “great professional” by former Hertha Berlin sporting director Arne Friedrich, Guendouzi also has unfinished business in the Premier League after leaving Arsenal under a dark cloud in 2021 and could earn redemption at Sunderland.

Isidor upgrade: Sunderland open talks to sign "unstoppable" £26m striker

Why Head hopes Ashes pitches continue to help the bowlers

While most batters have struggled in Australia over the last four summers, Head has thrived saying he enjoys the greener pitches more than flatter ones

Alex Malcolm24-Oct-2025Travis Head is hoping for seam-friendly pitches in the Ashes and says he enjoys batting on such surfaces more so than flatter ones believing that it presents more opportunities to score.The pitches that will be presented in the Ashes is a major talking point with the Test surfaces in Australia over the past four summers trending heavily in favour of the seam bowlers compared to decades past.Head was the player of the series in the 2021-22 Ashes following stunning centuries on challenging pitches in Brisbane and Hobart. He is hoping for more of the same this summer.Related

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“I probably enjoy batting on those sort of wickets,” Head told ESPNcricinfo. “The flatter wickets, with the grind, that more so challenge technique, I think, over longer periods of time [trying] to eke out runs has never probably come as natural to me with being a stroke player and wanting to get on with it. And the slower, flat wickets probably don’t tend to that. But fast-paced pitches that nip, you can maybe get away with a few things.”And then obviously the way I want to play is if they present opportunities to score, you score. So when they’re greener, they pitch up a little bit more and a bit fuller, and the style that I play, if they miss a little bit, I’m able to hopefully score and get busy.”It’s a run based game. You see some of the great players, like Steve Smith, Joe Root, you blink and they’re on 30 or 40. And that’s something that I’ve always appreciated, and definitely [on] these wickets, you know that you potentially have got one with your name on it. You can still play well. You can still get runs. Sometimes you’ve got that go about it in different ways. But ultimately, it’s a game where you go try and score as many as you can.”Since the start of the 2021-22 Ashes, top seven batters have averaged just 30.22 per dismissal in Test matches in Australia and combined for 24 centuries across 20 Test matches. In the four summers before that, from the start of 2017-18 Ashes to the end of the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar series, top seven batters averaged 38.14 across 20 Tests with 34 centuries scored.

By contrast, Test pitches in England have trended the other way in the same four year periods with batters averaging 30.90 in Tests in England between 2018-2021 and 38.94 since the Bazball era began in 2022.But while run-scoring has trended down in Australia, Head has thrived averaging 54.64 in home conditions with six centuries striking at 88.90. No other player has averaged more than 45.29 in Australia in the same period.While Head has thrived, other Australian batters have been neutralised in home conditions in recent times. Steven Smith has averaged 45.26 across the last four home summers with four centuries, having averaged 63.20 in Australia across the first 10 years of his career.He believes England’s batters will face a challenge if Australia’s pitches remain spicy for the upcoming Ashes.”England play pretty well on the flatter wickets, the way they play,” Smith said. “So, if there’s a bit in it like there has been the last three or four years, with our bowling attack, it certainly makes things a lot more difficult for their batters.”

Torcedores cornetam atuação de jogador do Flamengo na altitude: 'Desgosto absurdo'

MatériaMais Notícias

Durante a partida contra o Bolívar pela Libertadores, os torcedores do Flamengo aproveitaram para criticar o desempenho de Wesley na altitude. Para alguns rubro-negros o lateral-direito está dando um desgosto absurdo. Confira as reações abaixo.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasFutebol NacionalZico doa parte da renda do Jogo das Estrelas a 19 instituiçõesFutebol Nacional24/04/2024FlamengoAuditores relataram tratamento ‘grosseiro e rude’ de Gabigol, do Flamengo, com coletoresFlamengo24/04/2024FlamengoPela Libertadores, Flamengo quer voltar a vencer fora e melhorar retrospecto na altitudeFlamengo24/04/2024

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Former Cy Young Winner Dallas Keuchel Signs Deal With AL Team

Veteran starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel is in agreement with the Kansas City Royals on a minor league contract, according to a report from ESPN's Jeff Passan.

The 37-year-old former Cy Young winner held a workout last week and hit 92 miles per hour on the radar gun. He will report to Triple-A. If he makes it back to the majors, he will earn $2 million prorated.

Keuchel started four games for the Milwaukee Brewers last season, where he gave up 10 runs over 16.2 innings pitched – good for a 5.40 ERA. He was designated for assignment following his four starts with the franchise.

Keuchel has bounced around quite a bit in recent years, but the Royals are taking a shot on him in hopes he can find a semblance of prior form.

Chelsea star was "not good enough" last season; now he's on par with James

They might not have won, but Chelsea put in an incredible performance against Arsenal on Sunday evening.

Enzo Maresca’s side were comfortably on top for most of the first half, and even when Moises Caicedo got himself sent off, they remained competitive.

Moreover, there were sensational displays from across the pitch for the hosts, including, of course, Reece James.

However, there was another starter, someone who was previously lambasted by Gary Neville, who was just as crucial to the result.

James' performance vs Arsenal

James has undoubtedly been one of the best right-backs in the Premier League for some time now, but Maresca has taken to playing him in midfield more often this season.

The Italian opted to start his captain there again on Sunday, and while there was plenty of talk around the battle between Declan Rice and Caicedo, it was the Cobham graduate who stole the show.

For example, while Trevoh Chalobah was the one who headed home the Blues’ goal, it was the versatile James who delivered it with pinpoint accuracy from the corner.

However, the academy graduate did far more than just provide an assist.

In his 94 minutes of action, he played two key passes, won 100% of his tackles, won 11 of 12 duels, didn’t get dribbled past at all, recovered the ball twice, completed three of his four crosses, took one shot and completed 100% of his dribbles.

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Crosses (Accurate)

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Fouls Won

4

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Clearances

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Ground Duels (Won)

6 (6)

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6 (5)

In addition to all the measurable metrics, the 25-year-old also showed his leadership skills, helping to marshal the team in the moments the Gunners exerted pressure of their own.

Described as “absolutely ridiculous” by one analyst and “gargantuan” by presenter Olivia Buzaglo, the Redbridge-born international was unsurprisingly, and deservedly, named as the man of the match.

Without him in the middle of the park, there is a good chance that Chelsea would not have won that game, which is what could be said about another starter who has been heavily criticised over the last few seasons.

The Chelsea star on a par with James

The excellent news for Maresca and the Stamford Bridge faithful is that there were more than a few starters who truly shone last night.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Be it Chalobah, Wesley Fofana, Enzo Fernández or even Pedro Neto, who carried the ball up the pitch and into dangerous areas again and again.

However, when it comes to someone who was previously lambasted but exceptional against Arsenal, it’s impossible to look past Robert Sanchez.

Prior to this season, the Spanish goalkeeper was seen as something of a blunder waiting to happen between the sticks, and to some extent, that is what he’s been for much of his time in West London.

In fact, just last season, after a loss against Manchester City in which he was at fault for one of Erling Haaland’s goals, Gary Neville claimed “he’s not good enough.”

However, since the start of this season, the former Brighton & Hove Albion ace has been far more impressive, and on Sunday evening, he was as important as James for the Blues’ win.

On top of stopping a number of good efforts, like Gabriel Martinelli’s in the first half, the 28-year-old was effective in possession and confident in collecting crosses.

In fact, football.london’s Bobby Vincent awarded the keeper an 8/10 match rating at full time, writing that it was a ‘top performance.’

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Saves in the Box

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Goals Prevented

1.18

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Key Passes

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Touches

60

Recoveries

11

Unsurprisingly, the statistics back up this appraisal: in his 94 minutes of action, the shot-stopper made three saves, two of which came inside the box, prevented 1.18 goals, made two high claims, played one key pass, took 60 touches and recovered the ball 11 times.

Ultimately, while it will take some time to shift his old reputation, Sanchez is well on his way to doing so, and was as important as James in Chelsea’s draw on Sunday.

Chelsea star who saved Caicedo is their "most underappreciated player"

The underrated Chelsea ace made sure Caicedo’s red card didn’t cost Enzo Maresca’s men against Arsenal.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Nov 30, 2025

موندو ديبورتيفو تتغنى بلاعب برشلونة بعد الفوز على أتلتيكو مدريد

أثنت صحيفة موندو ديبورتيفو المقربة من نادي برشلونة على لاعب الفريق، وذلك في انتصار الفريق الكتالوني أمس الثلاثاء على أتلتيكو مدريد بالدوري الإسباني.

وحسم برشلونة قمة الجولة الـ15 من الدوري الإسباني، وذلك بعدما حقق الانتصار على أتلتيكو مدريد بثلاثة أهداف مقابل هدف على ملعب كامب نو.

وشارك بيدري جونزاليس لأول مرة مع برشلونة بشكل أساسي منذ عودته من الإصابة، والتي كان يعاني منها وأبعدته عن صفوف البارسا لمدة تجاوزت الشهر.

بيدري لعب كبديل خلال مباراة برشلونة أمام ديبورتيفو ألافيس يوم السبت الماضي، والتي انتهت بفوز برشلونة 3-1، قبل أن يلعب بشكل أساسي أمس.

اقرأ أيضًا.. بالدي بعد فوز برشلونة على أتلتيكو مدريد: نشعر بـ”قلة تقدير”

وأشادت موندو بمستوى بيدري في مباراة أتلتيكو مدريد، حيث صنع اللاعب الشاب هدف برشلونة الأول والذي جاء عن طريق رافينها.

وأشارت الصحيفة، إلى أن عودة بيدري إلى تشكيلة برشلونة الأساسية أتت تأثيرها سريعًا مع البلوجرانا، حيث كان الفريق الكتالوني يفتقد إلى قوته وقدرته على السيطرة على الخصوم وخلق الفرص.

وخشى مدرب برشلونة، هانز فليك، على بيدري من الإصابة ليقوم باستبداله في آخر 20 دقيقة من المباراة ضد أتلتيكو مدريد ليحل محله مارك كاسادو.

وأبرزت موندو أرقام بيدري في المباراة، والذي أكمل 60 تمريرة صحيحة من أصل 64 تمريرة ولمس الكرة 70 مرة، كما قام بالربط مع زملائه في برشلونة في الثلث الأخير من الملعب 14 مرة، في حين أكمل ثلاث مراوغات ناجحة من أصل ثلاث محاولات.

ولم يكتفي بيدري بتأثيره الهجومي فقط ضد أتلتيكو مدريد، حيث تحدثت موندو عن دور اللاعب الدفاعي والذي استعاد الكرة أمس 8 مرات كثاني أكثر لاعب في الملعب يستعيد الكرة بعد زميله في برشلونة، لامين يامال برصيد 9 مرات.

وينتظر برشلونة مباراة صعبة الأسبوع المقبل ضد ريال بيتيس، وذلك لحساب منافسات الجولة ال16 من الدوري الإسباني في لقاء صعب لرفاق بيدري.

MLB Player's Family Had Priceless Reaction to His First Career Hit Being a Home Run

Marlins rookie Maximo Acosta had a moment he'll never forget in Miami's win over the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday night and making things all the more special was that his family was in the crowd to witness it firsthand.

Acosta, the No. 25-ranked prospect in the Marlins' organization, not only got his first career hit in the victory but he did in style, sending a 1-0 pitch in the bottom of the sixth inning well over the wall in straightaway center field.

Acosta's family was shown on the broadcast going nuts in celebration of his incredible achievement as he circled the bases.

This was a pretty awesome scene at LoanDepot Park:

Acosta had gone hitless in his first eight at-bats in the majors before crushing that home run.

What a night for the Acostas.

Libby makes twin hundreds as Worcestershire chase comes close

Teams settle for enthralling draw after Hampshire’s enterprising declaration

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay01-Aug-2025 Hampshire 293 (Middleton 79, Weatherley 62, Taylor 5-55) and 313 for 7 dec (Gubbins 84, Organ 45*) drew with Worcestershire 249 (Libby 100*, Hose 82, Baker 5-72) and 303 for 8 (Libby 106, Kashif 65)Worcestershire produced a bold and spirited run-chase on the final day at Visit Worcestershire New Road, before the Rothesay County Championship Division One fixture against Hampshire ended in a gripping draw.Chasing a daunting target of 358 in just 53 overs after Hampshire’s enterprising post-lunch declaration on 313 for 7, the home side carried hope of completing one of the Championship’s most dramatic final-day turnarounds.In a match that ebbed and flowed throughout, it was Jake Libby’s second magnificent century of the game, a perfectly judged 106 off 122 balls, that fuelled Worcestershire’s pursuit. With solid support from Kashif Ali (65 from 79) and a string of aggressive cameos down the order, the chase was very much alive deep into the final hour. But with wickets falling, the hosts closed on 303 for 8, 55 runs shy of their target.Resuming on 139 for 2 overnight, Hampshire batted with purpose to build their second-innings lead, despite a short interruption from rain. Nick Gubbins anchored the innings with a fluent 84, while Tilak Varma added 38 and Felix Organ struck an unbeaten 45 from 54 balls.There were contributions all the way down the order, with Joe Weatherley (25), Tom Prest (27), and James Fuller (26) all chipping in to maintain momentum. Ben Allison (2 for 58) and Ethan Brookes (2 for 54) were the pick of the Worcestershire attack, with Taylor, Waite, and Finch each taking a wicket.Hampshire’s declaration just after lunch, setting Worcestershire 358 to win in a minimum of 53 overs, showed real intent, and set the stage for an enthralling afternoon.Worcestershire’s chase got off to a stuttering start when Gareth Roderick was adjudged run out for 4 in the very first over, but from then on, the home side turned the game on its head.Libby and Kashif added a superb 134 for the second wicket in just over an hour and a half. The pair struck the ball cleanly and rotated the strike with authority, bringing up their respective half-centuries in fine style. Libby, who had scored just one previous Championship hundred this season, was timing the ball sweetly and accelerated confidently after reaching fifty.Kashif, too, looked composed, striking six fours and two sixes before falling lbw to Sonny Baker for a brisk 65. At tea, Worcestershire were 61 for 1 from 15 overs, very much in the game.The final session saw drama at every turn. Worcestershire kept pushing with a string of aggressive middle-order contributions. Adam Hose clubbed a quick 25 from 18 balls before being bowled by Eddie Jack, who proved a key figure with 3 for 63. Brookes (12), D’Oliveira (37 off 23), Waite (19), and Taylor (25 from 18) all took the fight to Hampshire’s bowlers, but wickets began to fall regularly.Libby reached a majestic hundred, his 13th for Worcestershire, but was finally bowled by Fuller as he looked to push on, the score 213/5.Still, the hosts didn’t relent. D’Oliveira’s cameo, five crisp boundaries in 23 balls, briefly reignited hopes, but follow the Worcestershire skippers dismissal, Allison and Finch saw the Pears safely through to the close.

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