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There was a social media post doing the rounds last week that asked an awkward question about Alexander Isak.

Would you cut your losses, sell him for £80m and reinvest in a more reliable player? Seen 385,000 times, the replies were surprisingly mixed. For every five accusing the original poster – a high-profile Liverpool account – of rage bait, there was one admitting he might have a point.

It is not a feeling shared inside the four walls of Anfield. Liverpool sources insist they retain confidence in Isak – to the extent that their summer transfer plans revolve around signing a right-footed winger who will draw the best out of their record signing.

The transfer plan was always to build on last summer’s substantial spend – their player trading strategy giving them room within the financial rules – but the departure of Mo Salah and Hugo Ekitike’s serious injury have focused minds. Everything still revolves around Isak.

Arne Slot drew criticism when he referenced Newcastle’s Jacob Murphy, who dovetailed so effectively with the Sweden striker at St James’ Park, as the sort of player Liverpool couldn’t call upon but the message clearly got through to the hierarchy. They are prepared to commit up to £75m to sign RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande, with Bradley Barcola of Paris Saint Germain another possible target.

Antonio Nusa, who primarily plays on the left, is another on Liverpool’s radar and all would probably give Isak a better chance of returning to the sort of form that persuaded the Reds that they were signing a “sure thing” when they paid Newcastle £125m for him in September.

What’s gone wrong?

Clearly, the impact of a summer of turmoil has lingered. Sources at Newcastle always described Isak as a confident, thoughtful and popular member of the dressing room but the manner of his departure was bitter and consumed the club.

David Hopkinson, Newcastle’s CEO, hailed it as a “good deal” for the club recently but the Magpies have not really recovered from it. At one point Newcastle’s entire legal department were so busy working on Isak’s transfer that Odysseas Vlachodimos was left in limbo over his own loan move. That didn’t feel healthy – and neither did training on his own for months.

Sessions lacked intensity and Isak, according to one source who witnessed the summer’s events, became “deconditioned”. That was a dangerous position for a player whose fitness had to be carefully managed at Newcastle.

Sure enough he was a long way from match sharpness when he eventually moved to Anfield, unable to replicate the explosive bursts of pace that made him so unplayable for Newcastle.

A broken leg suffered just before Christmas – just at a point when Anfield insiders felt he was approaching something like the Isak they signed – was a significant setback. He worked hard alongside Liverpool’s head of rehab physiotherapy Lee Nobes to get back but even now he looks a pale shadow of the player they were supposed to be signing.

‘He’s got to deliver’

“He’s never really looked anything like the player I believe we signed,” Dan Clubbe, presenter on Redmen TV, tells The i Paper.

“The numbers speak for themselves: no 90 minutes completed, four goals, no assists. That’s damning in itself but he just hasn’t passed the eye test. Even when he’s been getting back fit, looked to be getting back to groove, the system around him doesn’t make much sense.

“And of course he’s still got that instinct in front of goal but the other stuff – the dribbling, the running off the ball, the coming deep – he’s not been doing any of that. No one is going to write him off, he’s clearly a wonderful footballer, but I think he’s going to have to deliver next season.”

Isak has not been helped by a changing of the guard at Liverpool, with reliable Jurgen Klopp lieutenants like Andy Robertson and Salah moving on. While there is little doubting the technical quality of the players the Reds signed in the summer, some fret about the lack of true “leaders” in the dressing room now.

That probably doesn’t help Isak, who left a Newcastle team full of forthright personalities. Liverpool is a different kettle of fish – a club expected to challenge for titles every year.

A changing of the guard

While supporters may be losing patience with Slot, there’s no suggestion that the club are readying the ground for a change. Liverpool are unmoved by Xabi Alonso’s advanced talks with Chelsea – first revealed in The i Paper this week – and Slot’s own comments appear increasingly bullish.

But there may be change elsewhere. Sources have told The i Paper that sporting director Richard Hughes is set to join his former colleague Simon Francis at Al-Hilal at the conclusion of the summer transfer window.

What that might mean for the future direction of the club is unclear but one thing is certain. Hughes’ biggest gamble needs to start paying off next season.

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Two years ago, Hummel promised to deliver the Rolls Royce treatment after agreeing the biggest kit deal in Sunderland’s history.

Despite record sales and critical acclaim, they are not in the mood for a victory lap.

Instead a recently inked long-term extension to the original five-year deal, which represents a significant uplift for the Black Cats to reflect their Premier League status, appears to have focused minds at the Danish kit manufacturer.

“When we first started talking to Sunderland I felt there was something special there but it’s turned out to be even bigger than we could imagine,” Hummel UK chief executive Neil Burke tells The i Paper.

Part of that is local sales, which have increased year-on-year but “are yet to reach their ceiling”.

But an equal amount is what Burke calls “the connection”, fans queuing round the block for replica kits and responding to a firm that has committed to “100 per cent bespoke designs” for the club every season.

Globally, Sunderland shirt sales have also spiked since a return to the English top flight.

There is now a roaring trade in Mexico for example, while Burke says there has been a brisk take-up among shirt collectors.

He says he wants to “carry on the momentum” with next season’s strips.

The first kit to launch is slated for a June release while the others will follow in July and August.

Hummel are planning activations to coincide with the club’s US tour, all part of Sunderland’s desire to grow their global brand.

While the home kit will always be red and white, Hummel will “play around” with patterns and shirt collars to give the kit a point of difference.

Burke flags the away kit as “one we’re really, really excited about”.

The bold design will be eye-catching but also has a story behind it that he believes supporters will instantly connect with.

Hummel are also planning two “retro drops” that will be a play on the period between 1988 and 1994 when Sunderland previously played in the brand’s famous chevrons. 

While speculating on designs and leaks is part of the supporter experience, kits actually matter for the club.

Under the Premier League’s new financial rules, Sunderland’s spending will be capped according to revenue – so Hummel committing more money to the partnership is significant.

“We thank the club for backing us because they would have had other offers but they’ve stuck their neck out and gone for Hummel,” Burke says.

“We felt the partnership could be big but it’s turned out even bigger than either side thought so our financials of what we’re offering have increased. We feel that is justified with how things have gone in the last two years.

“It’s fair to say commercials are different when you’re in the Championship and Premier League so we felt it was only right to pay that worth back to Sunderland now they’re established in the Premier League.”

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Long-term the aspiration at Hummel – who recently signed Bournemouth to their stable of clubs – is to become part of Sunderland’s “brand”, perhaps even into the late 2030s or even 2040s.

“We’ve recently signed the extension but I’d love to go even further than that into the 2030s and beyond,” Burke says.

“Why not? There aren’t many bigger clubs in the country than Sunderland.”

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It is currently a matter of time until Michael Carrick is officially charged with being the latest rabbit in the headlights at Manchester United.

The senior figures leading the managerial recruitment process, chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox, are convinced and will recommend the former midfielder for the role in the coming days and weeks.

Other candidates remain in the frame, but nobody has impressed Berrada and Wilcox enough to persuade them to overlook what Carrick has achieved in steering this faltering giant back into the Champions League.

There were dream targets, Paris Saint-Germain’s Luis Enrique being the ultimate pick, but of the attainable options, Carrick is deemed the best fit.

The days of United being able to attract anyone they wanted are long gone.

Formal talks will begin shortly, only after one person in particular can be completely assured over the 44-year-old’s credentials.

Gravitas important for the owner

When Sir Jim Ratcliffe purchased a minority stake in United, one of the many business-focused mantras he was keen to get across was that appointments in senior positions had to be the “best in the class”.

Before Ruben Amorim was hired, Ratcliffe was a fierce proponent of then England coach Gareth Southgate, someone he saw as having the global footballing persona and fluid public speaking acumen to lead a sporting behemoth like United.

Amorim was hardly the biggest name, but his honest and fiery approach to the media, where he wasn’t afraid to speak his mind, while also keeping the gravitas of being United manager in mind, sat well with the Manchester-born billionaire.

The Portuguese coach said the right things behind the scenes early on, too, which is why Ratcliffe persevered with Amorim longer than many would, given the disastrous form on the pitch

Ratcliffe has been buoyed by United’s uptick in results since Carrick took charge – no team has taken more Premier League points in that time.

Where he isn’t quite won over is with personality. Carrick is comfortable enough in the media spotlight, but doesn’t really give much away, in terms of insight or passion.

Ratcliffe wants the manager to have the character to match the size of the club. It is unlikely to be a sticking point enough to overrule Wilcox and Berrada, who Ratcliffe entrusted to identify the next candidate, but it is understood to have dampened the co-owner’s enthusiasm.

Player power still has a sway

Whoever you ask around Carrington, first-team regulars or those on the periphery, there is unanimity.

Mason Mount insisted he “likes the way Michael works” in a recent interview with The i Paper. Matheus Cunha claimed Carrick has the “Fergie magic”, while captain Bruno Fernandes hailed the interim coach’s attempts to champion togetherness.

Carrick and his close-knit team of coaches have really enhanced the feelgood factor, with the mood in the camp as buoyant as it has been for many years.

Ineos has made a point of making the right signings in terms of personality to compliment the playing talent, which has helped create an impressive widespread bond, with no cliques.

Senior sources suggested it would be somewhat foolish to go against so many senior players’ wishes.

Backroom staff equally impressive

Steve Holland is starting to develop something of a cult following at Old Trafford.

Having someone of his experience and enthusiasm has been a welcome addition, with sources insisting the assistant coach has played as big a part in United’s success under Carrick as the interim boss himself.

What has been so unusual for a short-term appointment is how Carrick already has a full coaching staff in place. Not just assistants, but first team coaches already gelling with players.

Holland, Jonathan Woodgate, Jonny Evans and Travis Binnion come as part of the Carrick package. There would be no bedding-in process that could have a detrimental effect on results early in the season, effectively writing off yet another campaign before it had even begun.

Signing up Carrick includes a backroom staff who have forged relationships with the club’s shiny new data department, one who are in regular consultation with the recruitment team, ahead of what promises to be a huge summer in the transfer market.

Fits perfectly into the Ineos structure

What got Amorim sacked in the end was what had earlier earned him a stay of execution: his mouth.

Once you clash with the director or football over power, there is only going to be one winner. It is unlikely Carrick would repeat the same mistake.

Carrick is more than happy to take a backseat in recruitment and overall vision. If he has to play a certain way, then so be it. That is what he has been doing since he walked in the door.

It is not clear what Carrick’s tactical approach will be long-term, as he hasn’t had the opportunity to showcase it. Should he get the role on a permanent basis, we will get a better indication of his philosophy.

There will be no Amorim-esque insistence on a back three, however. Carrick’s style of play could come to the fore and bring great success. If it doesn’t, and the powers that be insist he changes his tactical approach, Carrick would be more than willing to toe the company line. Keeping everyone important happy.

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ETIHAD STADIUM — A few weeks ago, I was concerned that Phil Foden and his fabulous talent had hit the buffers. Potentially forever.

Hauled off at Wembley before the hour mark in Manchester City’s FA Cup semi-final tussle with second-tier sleuths Southampton, Foden looked like a beaten man as he trudged off, another nadir amid a second successive season to forget.

This was when this generational talent was supposed to be well on the way to being the greatest midfielder to ever wear the England shirt. Not a benchwarmer in a City side who seemed to be giving up on him.

Since signing a lucrative new contract earlier this month, something that, on the face of it, appeared rather churlish from a slick operational unit like City given Foden’s two-year form struggles, there has been a glimmer of the “Stockport Iniesta” finding his dancing shoes once more.

Against Everton last week, as City’s grasp on the Premier League title slipped away, Foden’s late cameo off the bench was full of the vigour that had been absent for so long.

City were tepid in the extreme at the weekend against Brentford, until Jeremy Doku inspired them to victory. Foden’s introduction also deserved an honourable mention.

The real beacon of hope came last night. Again, City were labouring early on against a Crystal Palace side who were causing more problems than the script suggested they would.

Jean-Philippe Mateta stunned the Etihad into silence early on after finding the net, before a late linesman’s flag caused widespread relief.

A much-changed City, with the FA Cup final to come at the weekend, looked shorn of joie de vivre. What they needed was a moment. The source of that match-defining pass was a welcome one.

A no-look backheel to set up the opener for Antoine Semenyo was not the mark of a midfield maestro on the wane. The fact Foden even tried it was heartening enough, but to pull it off, in such a pressurised situation, could do revolutionary things.

"He's just got that magic!"

Micah Richards analyses Phil Foden's assist against Crystal Palace pic.twitter.com/7YI5xaxIZc

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 13, 2026

Another assist shortly followed for Omar Marmoush’s second in the first half, completing the job with time to spare, to at least give Arsenal something to think about ahead of the weekend.

Finding that knack of creating something out of nothing again could not be more timely, with the World Cup on the horizon.

Foden’s woeful form has put him way down the pecking order to even get in the squad. Attacking midfield is one area in which England are not lacking. But there aren’t many who could conjure that kind of backheeled magic on the biggest of stages.

Knockout international football is all about moments. The latter stages are always especially tight, where one piece of incredible skill is enough to settle an entire contest.

Foden hardly warrants a starting berth, but could Bukayo Saka, Cole Palmer or Eberechi Eze come up with something similar in pressurised situations? Remarkably, in this most unflattering campaign, Foden has more Premier League goal contributions than all three.

The smile as he was withdrawn, minutes before Savinho made sure of City’s success late on, said it all. As did the reaction of his manager, who greeted the departing local hero like a son who had just come home from a year abroad.

Guardiola would love nothing more than restoring Foden to his former glories before heading for the hills himself. There’s a long, long way to go, but there have been signs recently that all may not be totally lost yet.

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If there is one thing worse than being disliked, it is being ignored.

For Salford City, the 2014 takeover by the Class of ’92 put a target on their back.

Four promotions in five years, on the back of serious spending by the gang of five former Manchester United players that was led by Gary Neville, made them look like a real threat to the EFL order.

The reaction of rival supporters veered between hostility and hatred.

They were not helped by the perception that Neville, whose business partner and ex-Valencia owner Peter Lim was footing most of the bill for the investment, and company seemed to think that this lower league stuff was all a bit too easy.

At the club’s first post-takeover press conference, Ryan Giggs set them a target of being in the Championship by 2029.

Paul Scholes said the natural target was the Premier League after they escaped the National League.

And then? They got marooned in League Two, toppled by their own hubris.

Successive bosses left or were fired, some of them grumbling about Neville’s tendency to micro-manage his managers.

Richie Wellens, who went on to win promotion to League One with Leyton Orient, bemoaned having to have conversations for conversations’ sake in an interview with The i Paper.

Investment that always felt unsustainable on Salford’s crowds was dialled back and behind the scenes a new ownership model was sought as the club’s financials became frightening.

A summer takeover by a new investment group, with Neville and David Beckham remaining alongside 21 other investors as part of the AIG consortium, was painted as “saving the club from oblivion”.

On the pitch they flirted perilously with relegation out of the EFL a couple of years ago.

The appointment of the outspoken Karl Robinson, who has led the club to their best ever EFL finish, was just in the nick of time to prevent them returning to the National League in 2024.

While this has been going on, Salford have dropped off the radar.

The familiar refrain of Salford hogging TV coverage as cameras panned for a shot of Beckham in the director’s box has been passed onto Wrexham, whose own starry assault on the lower leagues has made them the new EFL fans’ bete noire.

“The worst thing you can be is an irrelevance and maybe that has happened a little bit,” admits Danny Shepherd, author of One Up Front, a Salford City blog.

“I think we felt some of that hostility over the years in League Two because it was almost an unlimited budget for our level.

“But when that didn’t work I think the perception of us started to change a bit. It’s been a strange journey.”

Whisper it quietly but perhaps there is reason to fear them again.

With fresh funds secured off the back of the AIG takeover, momentum is returning to the project.

The clock has been reset on the goal to get to the Championship and funds have been poured into infrastructure and squad building.

While the Ammies missed out on automatic promotion with a controversial draw at Crawley Town on the final day of the League Two season, they are 90 minutes from a return to Wembley after winning at Grimsby Town on Sunday.

The Peninsula Stadium is sold out for Friday night’s second leg and mistakes made during those brash early years seem to have been turned into lessons learned.

“I will never knock Gary Neville for what he’s done for the club,” Shepherd says.

“Without him we’d still be in the eighth tier being watched by about 150 people. But it is interesting when you see him being challenged over decisions made in the past.

“I’m not sure he’s used to that and there is that prickly side to him. He’s incredibly eloquent but sometimes it comes across like he thinks he’s right about everything when he’s not and maybe that message has started to get through.”

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Robinson succeeded Neil Wood, a former United Under-23 academy coach, and Salford have benefited from his combative style and knowledge of the lower leagues.

He has largely been left alone and is not backward in pointing out that the club have progressed year-on-year under his stewardship.

The ambitious targets set by Neville and company might finally be a bit more realistic.

“If we had gone up last season, we maybe wouldn’t have been ready,” Robinson says.

“There’s growth behind the scenes, and that’s important. Before you can enjoy success you have to ensure the foundations are in place.

“When I walked in they were getting relegated out of the Football League. I firmly believe that was the case. It was spiralling. Two and a half years on we’re talking about getting into League One – that’s some turnaround.”

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Ben White’s injury shines a light on one of England’s problem positions heading into the World Cup.

The Arsenal defender is among eight players to have started at right-back in Thomas Tuchel’s 12 matches so far as England manager.

Tuchel this week submitted a provisional 55-player squad for the World Cup, although the full make-up has not been released by the Football Association , and it is unclear whether White has been included.

White’s World Cup hopes are in the balance after he was ruled out for the remainder of the season when sustaining a significant medial knee ligament injury against West Ham United on Sunday.

The 28-year-old had only just returned to the England fold, ending his exile after four years when featuring in March’s friendlies against Uruguay – against whom he scored – and Japan.

White’s potential absence therefore opens the door for other contenders, including Trent Alexander-Arnold, who has not made the German’s last four squads.

Tuchel’s starting right-backs

• Reece James: 4
• Kyle Walker*: 2
• Curtis Jones: 1
• Ezri Konsa: 1
• Djed Spence: 1
• Jarell Quansah: 1
• Tino Livramento: 1
• Ben White: 1

*Walker has retired from international duty

Real Madrid right-back Alexander-Arnold has played just 26 minutes for England under Tuchel, against Andorra last summer, but could find his chances of heading to North America have just increased.

But where in the pecking order is he? Many would make him their top pick, but here is where he realistically ranks among the right-backs in contention to start England’s World Cup opener against Croatia on 17 June.

Curtis Jones

Wait, what? Well, we are counting down after all, and Liverpool’s Curtis Jones made a surprise start at right-back – ahead of Alexander-Arnold – in the game against Andorra last June.

Jones’s versatility makes him a strong squad option, but after making Tuchel’s first two squads in 2025 he has missed out on the last four.

Joe Gomez

Jones’ club teammate Joe Gomez can play across the defensive line, but he has not earned a call-up since the Gareth Southgate days. Intriguingly, there has not been a Liverpool player in any of Tuchel’s last four squads.

Jarell Quansah

Former Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah is predominantly a centre-back but his one and only England cap to date came at right-back away to Albania in November.

The Bayer Leverkusen star is therefore on Tuchel’s radar and only withdrew from the March squad due to a thigh injury he has since recovered from.

Nico O’Reilly

Why not? The Pep Guardiola pet project of the season has left us wondering if there is anything the Manchester City player cannot do, and though mainly a left-back – where he has started three of the last four England games – the 21-year-old would no doubt be comfortable making the switch if required.

Djed Spence

Also contending with O’Reilly for the left-back role, Djed Spence has played both sides under Tuchel.

The Tottenham Hotspur defender has had a niggling calf injury this year, starting infrequently for Spurs, but is probably on the World Cup plane thanks to his versatility.

Tino Livramento

Newcastle United right-back Tino Livramento has been plagued by injuries this season, missing more matches than he has played due to knee, hamstring and thigh problems.

Livramento started for England against Uruguay in March, and though back in training, Newcastle boss Eddie Howe is reluctant to rush him back.

“That would feel silly,” Howe said. “We will let him recover and get a good summer behind him.”

Livramento is therefore an unknown, and should he and White miss out it could mean…

Trent Alexander-Arnold

Enter Alexander-Arnold? He has reportedly made the 55-player cut but whether he survives the final cull – well, he certainly won’t be holding his breath.

“I know what Trent can give us,” Tuchel said after omitting Alexander-Arnold in March, and when asked what the other right-backs offer he replied: “A slightly different profile.”

In short: he does not fit tactically, and his only hope of going to the World Cup is if Tuchel overlooks the, arguably exaggerated, defensive frailties and sees value in taking one of England’s best passers since David Beckham. Yes, I’m an Alexander-Arnold fan, why do you ask?

Ezri Konsa

A shoo-in for the plane and perhaps even a starting role at centre-back next to Marc Guehi, Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa has played on the right for Tuchel and could make way in the centre if John Stones is preferred to partner his Manchester City teammate.

Konsa would be a safe pair of hands at right-back, if not entirely exciting.

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Reece James

Few doubt Reece James is Tuchel’s starting right-back of choice this summer, but plenty will have doubts over his fitness.

The Chelsea captain recently returned from a hamstring injury to face Liverpool on Saturday, and provided he navigates the next month without a hitch – no guarantee – he will be in the starting XI against Croatia.

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Welcome to the summer of the asterisk.

Manchester City remain alive and kicking in the Premier League title race but if whispers in the game of a June resolution to their “115” charges case prove to be true, that will soon be overshadowed by events elsewhere.

Ditto the so-called “richest game in football”, the Championship play-off final, which has been rocked by a “Spygate”‘ row that leaves a bitter taste in the mouth.

It is alleged and has not yet been denied by Southampton that a spy from the South Coast club was spotted at Middlesbrough’s training ground last week, collecting details on their rivals’ final preparations for the play-off semi-finals.

The details feel like a James Bond movie – the perpetrator hurriedly changing clothes before dashing off amid incredulity in the Teessiders’ camp – but this could be one where the “bad guys” end up winning.

Boro will not let the matter go, with owner Steve Gibson ready to vigorously pursue the case. They want a chance to present their findings to the EFL, which includes CCTV footage and a dossier with other explosive claims. Nick De Marco, the “Lionel Messi” of sports lawyers, has been retained by Boro, who are pushing for expulsion.

Legal experts contacted by The i Paper this morning feel talk of a final resolution in time for next week’s Wembley date is unrealistic though.

While the EFL want the process expedited, shortening Southampton’s usual 14 days to respond to Friday’s charges in order to get the matter dealt with, it is now in the hands of an independent commission. And they do not move quickly: just ask the Premier League and City.

Can a hearing be convened, Southampton and the EFL’s counsel heard, and a verdict delivered that is legally watertight in 10 days? “No chance,” said one source who has worked on these matters before.

He points out that even with three members of the panel working day and night, there are procedures to go through to ensure everyone is fairly treated. If it is rushed it leaves them open to losing an appeal and then what? Southampton reinstated to a play-off final that they were thrown out of sometime in July? It’s a mess.

In reality the timeline is tighter: it’s understood Boro want to know by the end of the weekend where they stand. This Thursday is a long-scheduled end of season debrief for their players which will take place as planned. But beyond that?

The club have players with a World Cup to prepare for, the logistics of selling and distributing Wembley tickets to take on and training plans to sort out. The timeline feels far too tight to get all of this ticked off.

There is also the small matter of Hull City, who are currently planning to play Southampton. Is it fair on them if they are suddenly faced with a very different challenge just a few days out from Wembley? Tigers sources are keeping their counsel at the moment but expect them to have something to say if it is left too late.

The most likely scenario at this stage is that Southampton play Hull on 23 May with the cloud of suspicion still hanging over the South Coast club and a possible punishment lingering into next season. That would leave Boro licking their wounds and surely contemplating further legal action.

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None of it is good enough. If time was on their side, Southampton might be in a lot more trouble. Discovering top secret information in the days before a game is clearly a huge advantage, and they should be thrown out if it is proved.

But with the clock ticking, the only thing certain is that the Championship play-offs will have a massive asterisk next to them.

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