Sports
Sir Alex Ferguson Called Paul Scholes ‘the Absolute Perfect Player’
Sir Alex Ferguson certainly had a good eye for talent spotting. To put it simply, there’s no way you win a record 13 Premier League titles without knowing how to build a strong squad.
Across his time at Manchester United, the legendary manager worked with some of the best players in the club’s long history. The likes of Ryan Giggs, Roy Keane, Wayne Rooney, Eric Cantona and so many others shone at Old Trafford with Sir Alex calling the shots.
Out of all the iconic footballers he coached, however, Ferguson felt as though one could be described as ‘the absolute perfect player.’
Sir Alex Ferguson Loved “Fantastic” Man Utd Legend
Paul Scholes belongs in any conversation when it comes to talking about Manchester United greats. For some, he is the best midfielder the Premier League has ever seen. With 499 Appearances, 107 goals, 55 assists and 11 titles, it’s certainly hard to look much further than the Englishman.
Ferguson has certainly never been shy about lauding the talents of his former player either. Speaking in 2018, he praised Scholes in no uncertain terms, saying: “When he joined us as a little runt of a lad at 13 years of age he was about four foot 10 or something and we had great doubts whether he’d grow.
“Fortunately he did and he became the player we all saw. Over 718 games and 155 goals, absolutely fantastic career.” He added:
“He was the absolute perfect player and no matter how many great players we have had in the past at Manchester United Paul sits in the great pantheon of those players there is no question about that.”
“And I had read one or two bits by former players, Xavi, Iniesta, Pirlo and they all recognise him as the best English player of all time and that is some accolade that.”
Xavi Felt Scholes Was a ‘Spectacular Player’
When it comes to iconic midfielders of the past, Scholes certainly deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as Xavi, Andres Iniesta, and Andrea Pirlo. Speaking in 2011, Xavi revealed that the Englishman has a great reputation in Spain. He recalled:
“In the last 15 to 20 years the best central midfielder that I have seen — the most complete — is Scholes. I have spoken with Xabi Alonso about this many times. Scholes is a spectacular player who has everything.”
He then added: “He can play the final pass, he can score, he is strong, he never gets knocked off the ball and he doesn’t give possession away. If he had been Spanish then maybe he would have been valued more.”
The only blot on Scholes’ career will be that he perhaps never quite shone for the Three Lions as he did for Man Utd. That said, he wasn’t alone in that, with the likes of Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard, fellow midfielders who failed to truly deliver the goods for England’s Golden Generation.
Sports
Liverpool Waiting For £130m Transfer To Sell ‘Incredible’ Star
Liverpool need some transfers to fall in place elsewhere across the market to help unlock a potential sale this summer, reports Gazzetta dello Sport.
The Reds are currently firmly focused on potential signings, with the aim of improving the squad available for new head coach Andoni Iraola next season.
Jeremy Jacquet’s move has been agreed since the start of the year, as he officially joins this summer, while the signing of Victor Munoz was confirmed swiftly after triggering his release clause at Osasuna.
Attention is then placed on the signing of Yan Diomande, as talks continue with RB Leipzig over a deal to sign the highly-rated Ivorian winger.
With that deal set to be the most expensive of the summer for Liverpool, some sales may be needed to help balance the books. One such move appears to be on the cards, but only if other deals in the market line up.
Curtis Jones Transfer Latest
Curtis Jones continues to be linked with an exit from Liverpool, as the midfielder enters the final year under contract at Anfield.
The Reds’ academy graduate has been rumoured with interest from Inter Milan, having been linked with the Nerazzurri back in the January transfer window.
However, any sale for the 25-year-old will depend on moves elsewhere. Gazzetta dello Sport reports that there is a transfer domino or two that needs to fall before any deal can be agreed.
Manchester City’s £130 million move for Elliot Anderson is believed to be the starting point, as Nottingham Forest will need to find a replacement in the market.
Inter Milan’s Davide Fratessi is believed to be their top target, and with Inter open to a deal, any fee landed from him will be reinvested into getting a transfer for Jones over the line.
It’s unclear exactly how long that could take, which may make it difficult for Liverpool to get a sale over the line. But it’s clear that a transfer is still possible.
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Liverpool Losing A Key Star In Jones
An exit for Jones may prove to be a costly mistake for Liverpool, as the midfielder nears the peak years of his career and has the potential to grow even further.
The 25-year-old has been described as “incredible” for his displays at Anfield over the years, but he hasn’t done quite enough to secure a place for himself in the team regularly.
Jones may prove his quality in Serie A, much in the same way Scott McTominay has at Napoli ever since he left Manchester United, something not many saw coming.
If the academy graduate is keen to leave, however, a move may show that Liverpool are finally being proactive when it comes to sales and contract situations.
Liverpool Hold Talks to Make Barcelona Target Iraola’s Second Signing
Liverpool are in the market for defenders, and have held talks over a deal to land one potential target for the summer.
Too many players have entered the final year of their deals in recent seasons, with a few of them moving on for next to nothing.
An exit for Jones would show an ability to recoup a decent fee for a player who isn’t in the club’s plans. That may help other transfers go through in the coming weeks.
Sports
Mark Hughes’ Son, Alex, Passes Away Aged 38
Former Manchester United forward Mark Hughes has revealed the sudden passing of his 38-year-old son, Alex, in a heartbreaking statement on Saturday night.
Hughes senior, 62, most recently managed Carlisle United, but he left the club at the end of May after failing to win promotion from the National League.
Prior to that, he had a journeyman managerial career with stops such as Manchester City, Blackburn Rovers, Southampton, and Bradford City. But now, family matters are of primary importance, following this week’s sad news.
Mark Hughes’ Emotional Statement After Passing of Alex
In an emotional family statement shared via the League Managers Association (LMA), he wrote: “Jill and I are totally heartbroken by the sudden and unexpected loss of our beloved son Alex.
“Alex was a wonderful son, brother to Curtis and Xenna, devoted husband and father to Jessica and their two beautiful children Sebastian and Leonardo. Alex was Player Recruitment Lead at Grimsby Town FC, and had many good friends and colleagues. He will be so deeply missed by us all.”
It concluded: “We ask for privacy during this sad time as we come to terms with our family’s loss,” with the circumstances around the tragedy currently unknown.
Born in 1987, while dad Mark was contracted to Barcelona, Alex had a brief football career in Wales before moving into a variety of behind-the-scenes roles. As per The Sun, he earned his stripes as a match analyst at Blackburn before Man City took him on as a scout.
Alex then worked as chief analyst at another of his dad’s former clubs, Fulham, before forging his own path with advisory roles at 1860 Munich and Reading. In 2024, he took over as director of football at AFC Fylde before returning to prominent scouting roles at Morecambe and Grimsby.
Sports
Liverpool Fans Cast Yan Diomande Verdict After Germany vs Ivory Coast
All eyes were firmly on teenager Yan Diomande during Germany vs Ivory Coast at the 2026 World Cup. The RB Leipzig winger has been heavily linked with a switch to Liverpool this summer, and fans have now had their say.
Replacing Mohamed Salah was never going to be an easy task after the Egyptian King brought his nine-year spell at Anfield to an end last month. It’s certainly proving to be a costly mission, with Diomande’s current club slapping a £100 million+ price tag on his head.
Not only are Andoni Iraola’s side looking for a player who can play on the right flank, but Diomande’s versatility is likely a very appealing trait. For his country, he started on the left-hand side of attack following an impressive debut in the competition vs Ecuador.
Yan Diomande Catches the Eye vs Germany
It was a slow start at Toronto Stadium for the young forward. Diomande had several loose touches, giving the ball away needlessly in the opening exchanges.
Even with his lightning speed, he was struggling to get on the end of his own heavy touches. However, the first hydration break shortly after the 23-minute mark definitely woke him up.
The 19-year-old looked like a different player once proceedings got back underway. He gave veteran full-back Joshua Kimmich a torrid time with his lightning-quick feet and fearless dribbling ability.
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He was key to the opening goal as Diomande breezed past Kimmich before firing a dangerous ball into the area. It eventually fell to Franck Kessie, who put the ball in the net. From that moment on, the Germans were terrified of what the young Ivorian could do.
Liverpool fans were conducting their own scouting mission while watching from home. “Liverpool just pay the f****** money for Diomande; this kid is top quality,” one supporter pleaded.
Andoni Iraola’s Dream Liverpool XI If He Replaces Arne Slot Would Cost Just £190m
Andoni Iraola has been linked with the Liverpool job, and could have an ideal starting 11 next season.
Another compared Diomande to Ousmane Dembele, who has a similar turn of pace: “A stop-start move on either side from Diomande is as good as peak Dembele.”
Even ex-Red Daniel Sturridge was raving about the performance, posting: “Diomande is causing all kinds of trouble. Africa always produces amazing attackers, and he’s next up. Love his game.”
One fan simply said: “Diomande that is incredible wowwwww,” while another compared him to a Liverpool great: “Yan Diomande showing us all that Sadio Mane trait. Stand the defender up, slow, slow, slow and then boom! He’s gone. Impossible to defend. What a talent.”
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