Football Articles | Mail Online

• Match of the Day TV review: BBC fall back to tried-and-tested amid behind-the-scenes 'mutiny' - but their next steps will define how they press on with 'modernising' revamp24 August 2026, 6:01 am
  Despite an addiction to trying to fix what is not broken, the BBC begin each and every MOTD by celebrating how long this staple of Saturday nights has been on our screens.
  
• After the darkest of times, the glint is back in Terry Butcher's eye...  you can't keep a good man down24 August 2026, 6:00 am
  The photographs on the wall are only a small sample of his myriad adventures in the game.
  
• Michael Carrick must make his mark as capitulation in dismal defeat by Hull raises fresh concerns over this Man United squad's ability to build on his achievements, writes CHRIS WHEELER24 August 2026, 6:00 am
  When Michael Carrick celebrated his return to Old Trafford in January with back-to-back wins against Manchester City and Arsenal, the message from the head coach was calm and consistent.
  
• Journey to Wembley: After a fortnight of fretting over floodlights on the fritz, Nelson's FA Cup journey ends at Witton Albion - where home fans toasted victory with pina coladas!24 August 2026, 1:00 am
  It's the annual pina colada festival in the Witton area - the song about the drink, which topped the US charts in the late 1970s - but life has not exactly been a cocktail party for Nelson lately.
  
• Alexander Isak's Newcastle return was full of vitriol and vicious noise - the £125m man looked paralysed by pressure in performance that will not have endeared him to ambivalent Liverpool fans, writes CRAIG HOPE24 August 2026, 1:00 am
  CRAIG HOPE AT ST JAMES' PARK: Four, four-letter words. Love. Hate. King. Isak.
  
• Why Andoni Iraola should be concerned after Newcastle draw: The key problem Liverpool must solve, the player they desperately need in the transfer window and a worrying lack of depth in attack24 August 2026, 1:00 am
  LEWIS STEELE: Last August, they were singing and dancing as they left the stadium. They were doing the same here but with a nagging worry in the backs of their minds.
  
• Arsenal target Julian Alvarez BOOED by his own fans amid attempt to force move away from Atletico Madrid23 August 2026, 11:07 pm
  Julian Alvarez was given a hostile reception from his own Atletico Madrid supporters to further intensify doubt around his future at the club.
  
• 'I want to put a rocket up him!': Gary Neville hits out at Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak, claiming £240m Liverpool duo are 'too nice' as he warns 'enough is enough' after another poor display23 August 2026, 10:39 pm
  Gary Neville has warned Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak to improve and become more tenacious if they are to succeed as Liverpool players.
  
• Carlos Baleba passes Man United medical ahead of £70m move as Old Trafford chiefs monitor Barcelona star Alejandro Balde23 August 2026, 10:35 pm
  SIMON JONES: The agreement for the Cameroon midfielder, 22, is made up of a £65m guaranteed payment plus £5m in bonuses.
  
• New season, new hairstyle for Haaland! Man City star Erling chops off iconic long hair and shows off new look ahead of Premier League campaign23 August 2026, 10:28 pm
  He teased the new trim in a short Instagram video on Sunday morning and fans will get to see it in all its glory as City take on Bournemouth in their Premier League opener.
  
• Celtic boss Martin O'Neill warns players to steer clear of social media and keep eyes on the prize23 August 2026, 9:30 pm
  Martin O'Neill ordered his players to steer clear of social media and stay focused on securing a return to the Champions League.
  
• Manchester City agree £81.4m deal to sign Morocco's teenage World Cup star Ayyoub Bouaddi, 18, after new boss Enzo Maresca insisted club urgently need a Rodri replacement23 August 2026, 8:27 pm
  Manchester City are set to complete the signing of Moroccan teenager Ayyoub Bouaddi for an initial £81.4million.
  
• Police investigate derby disorder after Dundee keeper Owen Goodman is struck by missile at Tannadice23 August 2026, 8:17 pm
  Police are investigating the incident in which Dundee goalkeeper Owen Goodman was struck by a missile thrown from the crowd at Tannadice yesterday.
  
• Matthias Jaissle hits out at 'soft' penalty decision that cost Newcastle victory in 2-2 draw with Liverpool as Andoni Iraola backs £125m Alexander Isak after star's disappointing return23 August 2026, 8:04 pm
  CRAIG HOPE: The Reds rescued a point at the death when substitute Victor Munoz was brought down by Lewis Hall and Dominik Szoboszlai converted.
  
• Man City 2-1 Bournemouth: Enzo Maresca's bold call to play Marc Guehi in midfield was Pep Guardiola-esque - it paid off, but the Italian knows they need more signings there for a title challenge, writes JACK GAUGHAN23 August 2026, 7:32 pm
  JACK GAUGHAN AT THE ETIHAD: Part of City's insistence on making this place an entertainment venue is to install a zip line from the South Stand to the new one named after Pep Guardiola.