Football Articles | Mail Online

• Broken promises and nobody taking responsibility: Erik ten Hag is right - Man United are addicted to going around in circles, writes NATHAN SALT, and Michael Carrick is learning his bosses don't have a clear plan21 October 2026, 10:09 am
  Michael Carrick wore a smile on his face as the rain came down at Carrington with Manchester United putting the final touches to preparations ahead of flying to Italy.
  
• Football regulator insists it will have 'absolute power' to force Man City owners to sell if they are proven to have run the club 'in a way that is neither fit nor fair'21 October 2026, 9:44 am
  The IFR, which was founded last year, has permission to remove club owners and suspend or revoke licences if they deem the wrongdoing by to be sufficiently serious.
  
• 'Are you telling me an academy kid would have had 50 games if he was playing as bad as Wirtz? Never.' TIM SHERWOOD gave Harry Kane his big break... now he fears English football is failing its next generation of stars21 October 2026, 9:34 am
  As Harry Kane closes in on some of football's most prestigious accolades, the man who gave him his big Premier League break fears Tottenham have failed their next generation.
  
• Erik ten Hag takes on the pundits: Ex-Man United boss insists club legends 'don't know what's going on' inside Old Trafford and are trying to 'protect their legacies'21 October 2026, 9:11 am
  The Dutchman had come under fire from pundits during his time in the Old Trafford dugout, with Gary Neville and Rio Ferdinand among former Man United stars speaking out about events at the club.
  
• Arsenal's meeting with Bayern Munich and Harry Kane is a litmus test in Europe for a team playing ugly football, writes IAN LADYMAN - as David Raya fires back at 'boring' critics21 October 2026, 8:24 am
  IAN LADYMAN IN MUNICH: It is 144 days since Arsenal came within a couple of bad penalties of winning the Champions League Final in Budapest. Mikel Arteta still hasn't got over it.
  
• Villa Park... get ready for a Viking invasion! How spirited Champions League minnows plan to topple Aston Villa after stunning Bayern Munich - with TWO managers at the helm21 October 2026, 8:10 am
  Viking did more than spring a surprise against Bayern Munich. The underdogs carved out a stunning 2-0 half-time lead and then showed real character to snatch a last-gasp equaliser.
  
• Cristiano Ronaldo's night to forget: Star, 41, misses huge chance AND a penalty in Al-Nassr win, hours after being attacked by Erik ten Hag for 'letting down' Man United21 October 2026, 6:49 am
  Ronaldo's difficult evening capped a tricky day for the Portuguese forward after former Man United boss Erik ten Hag hit out at his attitude in a wide-ranging interview with The Athletic.
  
• How two tobacco tycoons, Cesc Fabregas' unique link, a former England hardman and the 'Disney model' inspired Como's remarkable rise ahead of Manchester United clash21 October 2026, 6:04 am
  Just seven years ago, they were playing in Serie D, the fourth tier of Italian football, having suffered three bankruptcies between 2004 and 2017.
  
• How Ezri Konsa became Arsenal's 'blessing' in defence: The challenge Mikel Arteta set him to keep William Saliba out of the team, dressing-room impact and his excellent record against the world's best strikers as he faces off with Harry Kane again21 October 2026, 1:00 am
  ISAAN KHAN: The Gunners could not have wished for more when looking for a player capable of filling the William Saliba-shaped hole in their backline.
  
• The night Rio Ngumoha cemented his status as a future world-beater: Liverpool had a £400m attack at their disposal but it was the 18-year-old who shone brightest in chaotic comeback win, writes LEWIS STEELE20 October 2026, 10:57 pm
  LEWIS STEELE AT ANFIELD: They used to call it 'Pep roulette' at Man City, when Pep Guardiola would throw a surprise every weekend by changing up his front line to devastating effect.
  
• Champions League RECAP: Liverpool fight back to beat Villarreal in seven-goal thriller, Phil Foden hits hat-trick for Man City against AEK Athens20 October 2026, 10:40 pm
  Relive Daily Mail Sport's coverage as Liverpool beat Villarreal and Manchester City smashed AEK Athens in the Champions League group phase.
  
• Why defiant Man City fans are going bananas: former forward Imre Varadi on his trademarked giant inflatable fruit based on his famous terrace nickname... with club set to order another 30,000!20 October 2026, 10:40 pm
  Bananas are back in fashion, and Imre Varadi is a man in demand. 'The phone is ringing off the hook,' he explains and right on cue his device pings and lights up with another message.
  
• The Phil Foden show in front of 20,000 empty seats at the Etihad: Man City's hat-trick hero has found the fizz and purpose that deserted him last season as he stakes his claim in style, writes JACK GAUGHAN20 October 2026, 10:20 pm
  JACK GAUGHAN AT THE ETIHAD: While all eyes are on how Man City replace Erling Haaland, Phil Foden made his point on who fills in for Antoine Semenyo on the right wing.
  
• Michael Carrick dismisses Erik ten Hag's damning suggestions of 'toxic' culture and broken promises at Man United - and insists he has the backing of his Old Trafford bosses despite six games without a win20 October 2026, 8:23 pm
  CHRIS WHEELER IN COMO: Michael Carrick is adamant there is no 'toxic culture' at Old Trafford despite explosive allegations by former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag.
  
• 'Boring' training sessions, four-hour meetings and annoying the owners: 'Crazy' Antonio Conte would be a 'DISASTER' at Man United, claims Ashley Young20 October 2026, 7:02 pm
  Young played under Conte at Inter Milan, where they won a Serie A title together, and says that Manchester United's players would be unhappy with his love for running and lengthy meetings.