Fabrizio Romano joins Market Madness with major updates on Rodri to Barcelona, Bradley Barcola to Liverpool and Marcus Rashford’s Manchester United future. Prime Minister Andy Burnham also delivers a blunt verdict on Gianni Infantino as FIFA’s leadership crisis deepens.
Sports
Pep Guardiola Used Man Utd Footage To Show Unacceptable Behaviour
Pep Guardiola has always demanded more from his players than goals, assists and trophies.
The 55-year-old has called time on his days as Manchester City manager after 10 years, delivering 20 trophies that include City’s first-ever Champions League title, and a record four Premier League titles in a row. His former assistant and former Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca is reportedly close to replacing him, as Guardiola takes up a role as Global Ambassador for the City Football Group, with him making it clear that an immediate return to management isn’t on the cards.
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As reported by The Athletic, a story that emerged from inside the club during what was the final campaign of Guardiola’s tenure perfectly captures that mentality, and interestingly, the example he chose to make his point came from the other side of Manchester.
Guardiola Used Manchester United Star to Make a Point to his Squad
Following September’s Manchester derby, a match City won 3-0, Guardiola gathered his squad together for a routine post-match debrief. Players expected the usual tactical breakdown, analysing what City had done well and where improvements could still be made. Instead, Guardiola prepared something completely different.
Rather than focusing on his own team, he directed attention towards the reaction of one United player immediately after Phil Foden opened the scoring in the 17th minute. Guardiola reportedly had clips prepared and ready to show the squad, determined to use the moment as an example of behaviour he’d never want to see from his own players.
The individual in question wasn’t a fringe player, or an inexperienced youngster. It was one of United’s senior figures, a footballer regarded as one of the Premier League’s most talented creators and somebody Guardiola himself is believed to admire greatly.
Guardiola’s issue wasn’t with the player’s ability. In fact, those present say he made a point of acknowledging the player’s quality before delivering his message.
Instead, the City boss focused on the reaction itself. In frustration following the goal, the United star had openly turned on his teammates, visibly berating them as City celebrated. Guardiola used the clip to reinforce the standards expected inside his own dressing room, where public blame and visible frustration towards teammates are seen as damaging behaviours.
The player Guardiola used as the example was Bruno Fernandes, the new holder of the Premier League’s all-time assist record and Player of the Season.
The article explained: “The day after September’s derby, one source who was present describes how the manager did not want to highlight what his players had done — the focus was instead on Bruno Fernandes. The Portugal midfielder was livid with his United team-mates for their role in Phil Foden’s opening goal, openly berating them as City celebrated.
“Guardiola had the clips prepared so he could send a message to his players that while Fernandes is a fine player, displaying such a negative attitude towards his team-mates would not be accepted at City. Guardiola is not averse to public shows of dissatisfaction with his own players during matches and this was another reminder of the standards he expects.”
The incident in question appears to have occurred after Foden scored the opener vs Man Utd in September 2025. As the footage shows below, Fernandes doesn’t track his man but immediately expresses his frustration with his teammates instead of taking responsibility.
Pep Guardiola’s Obsession With Mentality at Manchester City
Those close to Guardiola’s methods say moments like this are entirely consistent with how he’s always operated. Throughout his managerial career, he’s obsessed over details many others would overlook, believing mentality and body language are just as important to a player’s game as ability is.
A similar lesson was reportedly highlighted after City’s victory over Arsenal in April. Guardiola pointed to Rodri immediately sprinting forward after losing possession, forcing William Saliba to track him and creating the space for Erling Haaland to score. At the same time, Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard was said to have hesitated before reacting.
Those tiny differences matter enormously for Guardiola. His belief was that titles are often decided not by moments of magic, but by mentality and reactions in split seconds.
Ultimately, City fell short in the title race this season, as Arsenal ended were crowned champions following two disappointing draws for City against Everton and then Bournemouth. But even during the final weeks of his reign, stories like this suggest the City manager remained every bit as demanding and obsessively meticulous as the figure who transformed the club into one of football’s great modern dynasties.
Every Trophy Pep Guardiola Has Won
The Manchester City boss is one of the most decorated managers in football history.
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The Truth About Vini JR with Fabrizio Romano and Ben Jacobs
Sports
Fabrizio Romano Shares What He’s Hearing on Man Utd’s Next Signing
Manchester United are looking at signing a left-back in the remaining weeks of the transfer window, Fabrizio Romano has told GIVEMESPORT’s Market Madness podcast.
The Red Devils have prioritised a midfield rebuild all summer and completed deals for Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans for a combined £83m, from Chelsea and Aston Villa respectively. The club has also brought in Karl Darlow for their goalkeeper department, which has allowed Altay Bayindir to join Celta Vigo on loan, while young winger Tynan Thompson has also joined from Tottenham.
Reports have suggested the club are still keen to bring in at least one more midfielder during this window, having seen Casemiro join Inter Miami at the end of his contract and Manuel Ugarte suffer a serious knee injury at the World Cup, but it is not the only position the club are looking at.
Fees correct prior to summer 2026
All 10 found — excellent!
Romano: Movement in Next Weeks for Man Utd Signing
Question marks remain over the future of Marcus Rashford and Joshua Zirkzee in attack, with both players linked with moves away before the September 1st deadline. That has seen the club linked with a move to bring in a new forward to ensure they aren’t short on numbers, having qualified for the Champions League.
However, left-back is a position that is reportedly featuring more prominently in discussions behind the scenes, with Newcastle United star Lewis Hall earmarked as a top target.
While appearing on the Market Madness podcast (Aug 6), Romano was asked about the business United could do in the final weeks of the window, and revealed that left-back is something they are looking at doing, although it may not end up being Hall.
“They are looking at left backs, so I think also in that position there could be some movement in the next weeks,” he said.
“It’s not easy for Lewis Hall because Newcastle now want to keep the player after making profit with Bruno Guimarães, but for sure Man United are looking at that position.”
|
Lewis Hall Premier League Defensive Stats (per 90) |
|
|---|---|
|
Appearances |
24(6) |
|
Minutes |
2181 |
|
Tackles |
1.8 |
|
Interceptions |
0.9 |
|
Clearances |
2.6 |
|
Blocks |
0.5 |
Lewis Hall Top Man Utd Target
Hall is a very highly-rated defender, and he earned the praise of Man Utd legend Wayne Rooney after Newcastle claimed a draw with Barcelona in the Champions League last season.
“First of all, I thought you were terrific tonight,” he said. “We were talking about it before the game, the challenge you had ahead of you against Yamal, and I thought you were brilliant.”
It’s been reported that Hall is the top target at Man Utd for the left-back position, but after bringing in around £240m for Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes, it’s no surprise that Newcastle are not interested in selling.
But Hall, 21, is understood to be unhappy at St James’ Park after a fallout with previous manager Eddie Howe, and GMS understands he would be open to a move to Old Trafford.
Statistics courtesy of WhoScored – Correct as of 06/08/2026.
Sports
Arsenal More Keen on Ezri Konsa Than Liverpool
Arsenal and Liverpool are both keen on Aston Villa star Ezri Konsa this summer, with the Gunners holding a stronger interest, Fabrizio Romano has told GIVEMESPORT’s Market Madness podcast.
The Gunners have had a decent summer window, completing deals for Illan Meslier and Christos Tzolis, while an agreement is in place with Newcastle United for midfielder Bruno Guimaraes too. But the team have been rocked by William Saliba picking up a back injury, which could see him ruled out until 2027.
That has seen the Premier League champions look at options in the market to strengthen their defence, and England international Konsa is someone who has been heavily linked with a switch to the Emirates Stadium.
Romano: Arsenal and Liverpool Like Konsa
Konsa, who has been described as ‘elite’ by Breaking the Lines, emerged as a target following his performances at the World Cup, but talks with Villa saw a £60m valuation, which was seen as too high.
That reportedly opened the door to Liverpool, who are looking for a senior replacement for Ibrahima Konate after he left on a free transfer to Real Madrid this summer, and they are considering the former Watford star as an option too.
While appearing on the GIVEMESPORT Market Madness podcast, reliable transfer guru Fabrizio Romano was asked about the situation involving the 28-year-old defender, and admitted that it’s Arsenal who are pushing the hardest currently.
“They [Arsenal] will be busy for sure,” he said. “I’m sure.
“On some of the names you ask me: on Konsa, I’m told there is more interest from Arsenal than Liverpool at this stage, but let’s see.
“Still [a] long [time to go]. I think both clubs will be keen on defenders, so there will be movements from now [until] the end of the window.”
Fees correct prior to summer 2026
All 10 found — excellent!
Rogers: Konsa ‘One of the Best’ Defenders
Konsa has seen his reputation within the game grow over the last two seasons in particular, establishing himself as a regular under Unai Emery and Thomas Tuchel at the heart of their defences.
His performances for Aston Villa last season saw him make 48 appearances in all competitions, as the team finished fourth in the Premier League and ended a 30-year trophy drought by lifting the Europa League. He has also earned the respect of his teammates, with Morgan Rogers singing his praises recently.
|
Ezri Konsa Defensive Stats at World Cup 2026 (per 90) |
|
|---|---|
|
Appearances |
7(1) |
|
Minutes |
647 |
|
Tackles |
0.6 |
|
Interceptions |
1 |
|
Clearances |
2.4 |
|
Blocks |
0.5 |
“I think he’s one of the best centre-backs in football, if I’m honest.”
“I think at this World Cup, the ability that he’s got and everything that he can do as a centre-back. He never gets beaten, strong in the air, strong in the tackle, unbelievable on the ball. I honestly don’t know a flaw in his game.
“I think that [him not getting enough credit] has helped Villa in terms of nobody from a bigger club taking him in the last few years. I think that’s helped us because I honestly don’t know a problem in his game.”
Statistics courtesy of WhoScored – correct as of 06/08/2026
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