Summary

  1. get involved

    Get Involved - your favourite football star as a film characterpublished at 13:45 British Summer Time 2 September

    #bbcfootball, WhatsApp 03301231826, text 81111 (UK only, standard rates apply)

    Roy Keane as all 12 Angry Men

    Rob

    Roy KeaneImage source, Getty Images
  2. 'It is inconsistency that is infuriating'published at 13:38 British Summer Time 2 September

    Phil McNulty Q&A

    John, Marylebone: With respect to the sending off of Declan Rice, do you think Arsenal could or should appeal the automatic one-match ban for a second yellow for delaying the restart? Given that Rice was walking away from the incident, how was he delaying the restart? Why did VAR not point out to referee Chris Kavanagh that Veltman had taken a vicious swipe at Rice's knee/leg?

    Phil: Hi, John. They will not appeal because under the letter of the law (sorry) referee Chris Kavanagh made the right decision. The counter argument from Arsenal will be to ask how Joao Pedro escaped punished for lashing the ball away half the length of the field in the first half? It is inconsistency that is infuriating.

    As for Veltman, I thought he was very lucky not to get a red card for that wild kick on Rice.

    Declan Rice and Chris KavanaghImage source, Getty Images
  3. 'I was very much an advocate of VAR, but not anymore'published at 13:30 British Summer Time 2 September

    Phil McNulty Q&A

    Richard, London: In my mind the standard of refereeing is quite simply the worst it has ever been. A group of referees who have now had years of VAR and who shirk all decision making with the hope that technology will intervene. Except, this year it isn't supposed to. It is actually turning me off watching games now as the inconsistency is too infuriating. Do you agree that refereeing is a huge risk for the Premier League product because it is starting to ruin the game.

    Phil: Hello, Richard. I think the intrusive way VAR has been used in the Premier League, as much as the refereeing, has had an adverse impact on the product. I’ve made my views on this clear in the past, with too much interference, too much scanning for minor infringements to see if goals should be disallowed.

    I was very much an advocate, but not any more. Fans are now actually reluctant to celebrate goals because they are wondering if they will be ruled out.

    I’d be happy with line technology and semi-automated offside.

    The screen shows the VAR no goal decisionImage source, Getty Images
  4. Postpublished at 13:24 British Summer Time 2 September

    Does anyone else have a vision of the Terminator as a match official? No, just me?

    Terminator robot and Arnold SchwarzeneggerImage source, Getty Images
  5. AI taking over refereeing 'a truly horrific prospect'published at 13:18 British Summer Time 2 September

    Lee Blackwood: Hi Phil, do you think it's only a matter of time before AI takes over from VAR to get rid of the human element altogether?

    Phil: Hi Lee. You raise a truly horrific prospect and I truly believe this will never happen. On the day it does (and it won’t) I may decide I don’t want to watch football any more.

  6. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 13:14 British Summer Time 2 September

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Xlibit: Salah was tremendous. However, I don't get all the fuss about his and Van Dijk's and Alexander-Arnold's contracts. A new manager needs more than a pre-season and three league games to assess who he wants to stay beyond the season. Absolutely normal.

  7. 'Not a lot of options' for Man Utdpublished at 13:09 British Summer Time 2 September

    Phil McNulty Q&A

    Joe: Hi Phil - simple question, would you sack Erik ten Hag? And a less simple one, who would you bring in as his replacement?

    Phil: Hello, Joe. No I wouldn’t [sack Ten Hag]. Not after three league games when he was given a new contract extension in the summer.

    I would wait to see what happens when he has all of his new signings available and the likes of Luke Shaw, Mason Mount and Rasmus Hojlund in the team – although who knows when that will be?

    What I do think is that if there is no sign of significant improvement or progress around October or November then Ten Hag will be under real pressure, because there was no doubt his removal was considered last summer.

    Replacement? I can see managers like Gareth Southgate and Graham Potter being linked should this happen, but maybe Thomas Tuchel can be persuaded this time.

    Not a lot of options, which perhaps explains why Ten Hag is still there.

  8. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 13:08 British Summer Time 2 September

    #bbcfootball, WhatsApp 03301231826, text 81111 (UK only, standard rates apply)

    All the talk about Mo Salah is too premature... Yesterday is history, Tomorrow is a mystery. Only this moment in time is thine... Should apply for now.

    KW

  9. 'Van Nistelrooy standard United forwards should be aiming for'published at 13:03 British Summer Time 2 September

    Man Utd 0-3 Liverpool

    Simon Stone
    BBC Sport's chief football news reporter

    Erik ten Hag and Ruud van NistelrooyImage source, Getty Images

    Sometimes, a statistic appears that delivers a sobering underlying message.

    That only four Manchester United players have scored more goals at Old Trafford than Mo Salah since January 2021 tells its own story about the relative merits of United and Liverpool.

    I saw Ruud van Nistelrooy come to speak to Erik ten Hag in his technical area during yesterday's game and could only imagine what he would have made of what unfolded.

    Van Nistelrooy was part of a very different United side, in a very different era.

    But his 150 goals in five seasons was the standard and consistency United forwards should be aiming for.

    Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney followed Van Nistelrooy but since Robin van Persie scored 30 in the 2012-13 title-winning campaign, only Marcus Rashford in a single season has matched that figure. Only on three other occasions has United's top scorer got more than 25. Five times it was less than 20.

  10. Happy hunting groundpublished at 12:57 British Summer Time 2 September

    Mohamed Salah celebratesImage source, Getty Images

    Most goals at Old Trafford in all competitions since 24 January 2021:

    31 - Marcus Rashford

    29 - Bruno Fernandes

    17 - Cristiano Ronaldo

    13 - Scott McTominay

    10 - Mohamed Salah

    10 - Anthony Martial

  11. What has Salah achieved while at Liverpool?published at 12:52 British Summer Time 2 September

    Mohamed Salah with the Champions League trophyImage source, Getty Images

    Well, what hasn't he achieved? The Champions League, the Premier League, the FA Cup and that's just the beginning of Salah's trophy list at Liverpool.

    Individually too, the Egypt international has achieved a number of accolades including three Premier League Golden Boots and two PFA Players' Player of the Year awards.

    He is the club's all-time leading goalscorer in the Premier League.

  12. 'Dropping two points in your third game is painted as an expensive slip'published at 12:47 British Summer Time 2 September

    Phil McNulty Q&A

    Jake: Rice's red and Arsenal's dropped points - is it just a wobble or is the title suddenly a lot harder to get?

    Phil: Think you’re over-reacting there, Jake. Three games, two wins and a draw is hardly a bad start.

    What is a factor in every title race now, though, is the psychological pressure Manchester City apply instantly on those who want to challenge them. Dropping two points in only your third game is suddenly painted as an expensive slip.

    It almost has you feeling Arsenal must win at Spurs in the north London derby with their next game being a visit to City.

    This is what City’s dominance has done.

  13. When does Salah's contract end?published at 12:44 British Summer Time 2 September

    Mo Salah's contract expires in the summer. He signed a three-year extension in July 2022, making him reportedly the highest paid player in the club's history, on more than £350,000 a week.

    Last September Saudi Pro League side Al Ittihad's £150m offer for the Liverpool talisman was rejected.

    Mohamed Salah celebratesImage source, Getty Images
  14. Salah comments 'tough pill to swallow'published at 12:39 British Summer Time 2 September

    Man Utd 0-3 Liverpool

    Charlie Austin
    Former Southampton striker on Football Daily

    Mo Salah is the talisman at Liverpool - he is the main guy. For him to come out and say such words, that it's his last season at the football club - it's a tough pill to swallow.

    He has really put the ball in Liverpool's hands.

  15. What has Salah said about leaving Liverpool?published at 12:36 British Summer Time 2 September

    Mohamed Salah says it is his "last year" at Liverpool and that nobody at the club has talked to him about a new contract.

    "I was coming to the game, I was saying, 'look, it could be the last time'," he told Sky Sports after their 3-0 win over Manchester United on Sunday.

    "Nobody in the club talked to me yet about contracts so I was just like, 'OK, I play my last season and see at the end of the season'.

    "I feel I am free to play football – we will see what happens next year.”

    Mohamed SalahImage source, Getty Images
  16. 'I would wait to see what happens with Ten Hag'published at 12:31 British Summer Time 2 September

    Phil McNulty Q&A

    Joe: Hi Phil - simple question. Would you sack Ten Hag? And a less simple one! - who would you bring in as his replacement?

    Phil: Hello, Joe. No I wouldn’t. Not after three league games when he was given a new contract extension in the summer.

    I would wait to see what happens when he has all his new signings available and the likes of Luke Shaw, Mason Mount and Rasmus Hojlund in the team – although who knows when that will be?

    What I do think is that if there is no sign of significant improvement or progress around October or November then Ten Hag will be under real pressure, because there was no doubt his removal was considered last summer.

    Replacement? I can see managers like Gareth Southgate and Graham Potter being linked should this happen but maybe Thomas Tuchel can be persuaded this time.

    Not a lot of options, which perhaps explains why Ten Hag is still there.

  17. Deeney's TOTW - attackpublished at 12:27 British Summer Time 2 September

    Erling HaalandImage source, Getty Images

    Mohamed Salah (Liverpool): He got a goal and two assists. His second assist was a great pass inside. He caused Manchester United problems all day. It was a lovely finish for his goal to top off what has been a fantastic season so far.

    Erling Haaland (Manchester City): The main man up front. I tried to find someone else but you can't score back-to-back hat-tricks and not get in the team of the week.

    Luis Diaz (Liverpool): The two Liverpool wingers tormented Manchester United. Diaz got two goals and was excellent.

  18. Ten Hag 'needs Ugarte to be a success'published at 12:22 British Summer Time 2 September

    Phil McNulty Q&A

    Sean: Phil. Looking at yesterday Man U v Liverpool. Do you think it is far too early for Mainoo? Great potential, but I thought he was exposed yesterday and potentially targeted as a weak point in that midfield. Why they sold McTominay is beyond me. I think he was responsible for 12 points last season.

    Phil: Good morning, Sean. Mainoo was exposed yesterday but he was in a tough position because Casemiro had such a nightmare before being replaced by youngster Toby Collyer.

    Mainoo just had too much to do against a very good Liverpool side. I do not think he was the specific weak point. I think there was a lot of weak points all around him and I still think he will be a big player for Manchester United this season.

    It was sad to see McTominay go but he has clearly been sold to ensure funds to buy Manuel Ugarte from PSG. There is an awful lot riding on that deal for manager Erik ten Hag as he desperately needs Ugarte to be a success and make a difference.

    Manuel UgarteImage source, Getty Images
  19. Ten Hag asks reporter to 'explain' mistakes in heated exchangepublished at 12:18 British Summer Time 2 September

    Man Utd 0-3 Liverpool

    Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has a heated exchange with a journalist in a news conference after his side's 3-0 defeat by Liverpool at Old Trafford in the Premier League on Sunday.