Piers Morgan has slammed BBC Sport’s commentators following comments made about Cristiano Ronaldo during Portugal’s 2026 World Cup clash against Croatia on Thursday night.

Ronaldo, playing at his sixth World Cup finals, scored his first ever World Cup knockout stage goal in Portugal’s 2-1 win at the Toronto Stadium. The 41-year-old had a well-taken goal ruled out for offside on the hour-mark but broke his knockout stage duck minutes later when Portugal were awarded a penalty.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner, who has blown hot and cold at this summer’s showpiece international tournament, cut a frustrated figure when he was subbed off in the 81st minute, with the scores locked at 1-1.

However, Goncalo Ramos fired Portugal through to the last 16, where they’ll face neighbours Spain next week, with the winning goal in the fourth minute of stoppage-time.

Croatia thought they’d sent the Round of 32 tie to extra-time when Josko Gvardiol bundled home from close range in the 13th minute of stoppage-time, but the dramatic equaliser was controversially ruled following a VAR review. FIFA have since released a statement explaining why the goal was disallowed.

BBC Sport

Over on X (Twitter), Piers Morgan has accused BBC Sport commentators Steve Wilson and Stephen Warnock of “trashing” Portugal’s all-time leading goalscorer throughout the Croatia match.

The broadcaster, who makes no secret of his high admiration for Ronaldo, posted on X: “The BBC commentators in this Portugal-Croatia game have spent most of the match trashing Cristiano and saying he should come off. Then he has a brilliant goal narrowly disallowed, and scores a superb penalty. And they’re STILL saying he should do more. Pathetic.”

After Ronaldo was subbed off by Roberto Martinez and replaced by Ruben Neves, co-commentator Stephen Warnock, the former Liverpool and England defender, said: “Cristiano Ronaldo is not happy. He is not happy at all.

BBC Sport

“Take the name out of it, it’s the right decision. He hasn’t affected the game enough. Yes, he scored the penalty. The link-up play, the pressing, it is not there from him.

The commentators also sounded surprised when Ronaldo wasn’t one of the four players substituted in the 61st minute of the match.

Lead commentator Steve Wilson asked Warnock for his opinion on Ronaldo continuing, to which the former Premier League player replied: “Interesting. Very interesting. Now he’s got a player up alongside him, will that change the dynamic of how he plays?”

Wilson added: “I have to say, I’m surprised that Vitinha and Bruno Fernandes have been pulled, but they have.”

Despite the goal, Ronaldo didn’t have his best game. Goal handed the legendary forward a 6/10 rating, commenting: “Didn’t play particularly well, scored a wonderful goal that was ruled offside, buried a pen, got subbed. A really weird game.”

Manchester United are said to have spoken to the representatives of a breakout World Cup star this summer. Michael Carrick and the Red Devils recruitment chiefs are working hard to improve their squad this summer, with United sensing an opportunity to become a side involved in the title race after a solid third-place finish last season.

Carrick has needs, with a replacement for Casemiro needing to be found. That search remains ongoing after Mateus Fernandes was snatched from their grasp by big-spending Tottenham.

United remain calm in their search for strength and depth, and their search could lead them to an up-and-coming World Cup star.

United consider deal for Boudaddi’s midfield partner

via Reuters

Much has been made of Morocco youngster Ayoub Bouaddi in the Morocco midfield during this World Cup, but his midfield partner Neil El Aynaoui is now attracting attention for his impressively consistent performances in North America.

The Roma midfielder has been excellent in a dominant Morocco midfield that specialises in winning the ball and serving a fast transitional attack.

According to TeamTalk, El Aynaoui is becoming a hot property thanks to his work in North America this summer, and a number of sides are said to have spoken to his intermediaries. United are named among a host of clubs to have held conversations, and it’s though El Aynaoui could become available if Roma are handed the right proposal this summer.

Just how much that proposal would need to be worth remains to be seen, but it will be safely above £25million.

The 25-year-old would likely be a supplementary signing for United, and he would perhaps have more of a squad role despite his impressive displays at the World Cup and the African Cup of Nations. The Red Devils have already signed Ederson this summer, and they are likely to make a statement midfield signing ahead of the new season.

El Aynaoui an underrated player

Perhaps not helped by the midfield superstar in the making he has alongside him, El Aynaoui is an underrated talent, as noted by MoroccoBeat, who say he is one of ‘the most important players you don’t notice’.

Describing the player earlier this year, they wrote: “Observers highlight El Aynaoui’s tactical maturity as one of his greatest strengths. He positions himself intelligently between the lines, cuts passing lanes, and provides constant support to teammates under pressure. His calm use of the ball allows his team to build from the back without panic, while his physical engagement ensures defensive solidity.

“Another key aspect of his game is consistency. Match after match, El Aynaoui delivers the same level of concentration and discipline, qualities highly valued by coaching staff.”

Arsenal are now said to be readying a bid for one of their main targets this summer. The Gunners are carefully plotting their summer business as they look to become a dominant force both at home and abroad.

Mikel Arteta’s men won the Premier League title last season, but they still have some areas to improve to be able to consistently compete with PSG and Bayern Munich. Andrea Berta and Arteta were clear on where they needed to improve last summer, but while they will likely have a plan for this summer, it is certainly less obvious what the Gunners need to do.

Arsenal are likely to sign a left winger, a hybrid midfielder and some sort of extra cover for right-back, while some of the squad players who may leave will need replacing. Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes is said to be a key target, and a bid may now be lodged by the Gunners.

Arsenal preparing Guimaraes bid

via Reuters

Arsenal are said to be preparing a bid for Guimaraes, who has established himself as one of the most dominant midfielders in the Premier League. According to The Sun, Arsenal believe they can still push through a £60million deal for the ‘world-class’ Brazilian despite Newcastle already selling Sandro Tonali to Tottenham for £92million upfront and a further £8million in potential add-ons.

The report adds that Arsenal are currently readying a bid, so this could be a transfer saga that speeds up quickly in the coming days and weeks. Although Guimaraes is currently at the World Cup, so the deal may need to wait until after the summer, depending on Carlo Ancelotti’s policy on club matters during an international competition.

Arsenal already have some solid options in the midfield between Declan Rice, Mikel Merino, Martin Zubimendi, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Christian Norgaard, but Arteta wants to increase competition further.

Guimaraes is an all-rounder

Guimaraes has become one of the most reliable midfielders in the top-flight, and he was described as ‘top-class’ by Adrian Clarke during a Premier League analysis back in 2024.

“The Brazil international is like two players rolled into one for the Magpies,” wrote Clarke. “He is essentially a specialist holding midfielder out of possession, scurrying around looking to break up play as a sitting midfielder in a three-man unit.

“But once Newcastle have the ball, Guimaraes transforms into an attacking box-to-box player who offers drive, creativity, goals and assists. He is seemingly everywhere on the pitch, so it is little wonder there is only one top-flight player, West Ham United’s James Ward-Prowse, who has covered more distance this season.”

He added: “One of Guimaraes’ strongest features is his willingness to do the ‘dirty work’.

“He is always on the move looking to get involved in duels, and in that sense Guimaraes is one of the most effective midfielders around. Playing for a side who have to do more defending than the top three clubs – Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City – his work off the ball is comparable to their top-class holding midfielders.”