Henry Winter

Thomas Tuchel on Cole Palmer being overlooked, “I guess everyone is desperate to play with England. And Cole is the same. He misses too many opportunities to impress. It's not personal. We will never assume Cole is in the mindset never to come to the camp (ie he wants to play). We stick to the guys who were in camp (last time when Palmer absent), it was excellent, the impact of all the players was immense, we have Josh King as a new player, can play there (10) and both wings.” #ENG

No Cole Palmer in England squad. Right call by Thomas Tuchel. There was a lot of talk about Palmer possibly being recalled today to the England squad to face Croatia and Spain. In form for Chelsea, five goals, three assists, undeniable talent etc. Yet what happened in the last extended international break cast a cloud over Palmer. Commitment? Load management? What was going on? Going into the break, Palmer completed 90 minutes for Chelsea against Brentford but was then deemed not fit for England because he was playing with “discomfort and pain”, according to Tuchel. England’s head coach was clearly annoyed, said that Palmer “misses too many opportunities” and that others could seize the chance in Palmer’s absence. While England had four Nations League qualifiers, Palmer had a break and rehab. On resumption of club football, Palmer started Chelsea’s next PL games. His absence from the England squad is good news for Chelsea, of course, he has another break, can focus on them. Will Palmer be missed by England? They have strength in depth at 10. Morgan Rogers, Morgan Gibbs-White, Eberechi Eze and now Josh King with, obviously, Jude Bellingham undisputed first choice. #CFC #ENG

Jobe Bellingham joins brother Jude in England squad. Josh King gets a deserved call. No Cole Palmer. #ENG

Greatest manager of the Premier League era. 40 years ago today Alex Ferguson started at Manchester United. 13 titles, 2 Champions Leagues, 1 Cup-Winners’ Cup, 5 FA Cups, 4 League Cups. 1500 games. 11x PL Manager of the Season. Knighthood, statue, stand, legend. #MUFC

In tribute to the Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel, players in Spain will walk on to the field this weekend wearing a special shirt bearing the number 9 and the message “Siempre En Nuestro Recuerdo” “Always In Our Memory”. Captains will lay a floral tribute in de Miguel’s memory. This will be followed by a minute’s silence, during which screens will show an image of de Miguel, followed by applause from players and fans, La Liga adds. At minute 9, the referee will stop play and the screens will show a tribute video dedicated to the player. Following applause from the players in their positions, play will resume. RIP.

Cristiano Ronaldo was holding Portugal back. He’s now announced his international retirement. Column @FourFourTwo last month on why Ronaldo should accept reality fourfourtwo.com/person/playe…

Sky Sports and Sir Gareth Southgate’s 1071 Media partner to launch new football content skysports.com/football/news/…

A whole new board game… after 50+ episodes of The Football Boardroom, we’ve been signed by Sky Sports. Now The Football Boardcast - same cast with me and Christian Purslow, same Gareth Southgate 1071 Media stable - now in partnership with @SkySports.

What an international career: 146 goals in 234 appearances. Right time to go, of course, he's 41 and Portugal are stronger without him but this can't have been an easy decision and announcement for someone as patriotic and competitive as Ronaldo. What a legacy 🙌🇵🇹

Scott Parker, West Ham, the importance of feeling in a family and the art of taking responsibility. Column. #WHUFC henrywinterfootball.substack…

His story continues. History-making continues. Harry Kane at @FCBayern

Well-deserved record contract for Harry Kane. Reward for persistence, maximising talent, marginal gains, leaving nothing to chance and for taking his chances. For being a team player. Kane's a 9, 10 and all-round role model. Deserved reward, too, for his family/support network 🙌

A look at Oliver Glasner’s outburst at Nottingham Forest. Sounds familiar? @FootyBoardroom #NFFC youtu.be/R9SqJFM-mqo?si=4_Bx…

Brilliant news 🙌 Aston Villa hold meeting “establishing a clear commitment beyond 2029 for the joint development of the club under the sporting leadership of Unai Emery…” #AVFC

How and when could Manchester United be sold, for how much, and to whom? @FootyBoardroom pod with fascinating insight from Christian Purslow. #MUFC youtu.be/BJ-rrQ_Ao3Q?si=vUKY…

There is so much good, balanced and insightful about the BBC’s football coverage - John Murray, Ian Dennis, Guy Mowbray, Mark Chapman, Gabby Logan, Kelly Dalglish, Alan Shearer and plenty more, including hugely respected voices across local radio, Nick Barnes, Giulia Bould, Adam Blackmore, Nick Godwin and many others. The BBC has good reporters covering Manchester United but a usually excellent website’s daily focus on Michael Carrick’s job prospects – in, out, in out, it’s like the Boat Race – has become wearisome when the real focus should be more on the Glazers. They are far more responsible for the systemic mess at United? The Glazers. Carrick may well be out of his depth in a job that has already defeated more famous managers. But he’s faced the challenge, and faced up to the media, with dignity. All media obsesses about United (see my timeline tbf), always huge news. But the BBC, the national broadcaster, whose values include “the provision of impartial, high-quality and distinctive output”, has to be balanced - and never forget that there’s a human being in the headlines.

You could see how much representing Manchester United meant to Shea Lacey – and how much an exciting, 19-year-old home-grown winger who plays for the shirt means to the fans. Lacey embodies what United should be about. Fearlessness, width and academy-nurtured. Positive, quick and tenacious (boxing genes). Got an assist v Roma (clever, firm pass to Cunha), could have had a penalty, helped out at right-back. Should he start v Aston Villa on Sunday? Maybe he’ll have a greater impact still off the bench, still learning, can’t heap too much pressure on Lacey, but certainly get him on earlier than 75 mins. #MUFC

A Roma therapy session for Manchester United and Michael Carrick. They’ll feel so much better now. Beating Roma 7-1 in 2007 as a player was huge for Carrick, who scored twice. Now this win over Roma as a coach under pressure. Proper United response, 2-0 down, 3-2 up. Great attitude, Mainoo outstanding, Lacey made a difference, Cunha deft and daft #MUFC #MUNROM

Football, bl👀dy hell. What drama, pens, posts, Manchester United remembering the ethos of the club and their brilliant fans - defiance in adversity. Players have to maintain this mindset now. #MUFC #MUNROM

Manchester United used to have great left-backs Irwin, Evra, Heinze, Albiston, Houston, Dunne, Byrne and more. Now, with Dorgu as well as Shaw injured, they have a right-back out of position in every sense at left-back. Not Dalot’s fault, although some concentration would help. It’s partly Carrick’s - why not address the mess with Amass. It’s mainly Ineos’ fault - why not go all out for Lewis Hall in the summer? Rather than blowing the budget on three midfielders, only one of whom (Baleba) is deemed good enough to start. Great club badly run. #MUFC #MUNROM