Another Friday, another edition of Gibbs’ Game, and another week in which I’ve somehow managed to spend far too much time watching sport while convincing myself I’ve been reasonably productive.
I’ve actually been making a real effort with my running lately. I managed 711 miles throughout 2025, and this year’s target is 850. I’ve stepped things up considerably over the past few weeks, and I’m feeling pretty good about it.
I’ve also been using the iFIT system on my treadmill, which has allowed me to spend some time running up Mount Kilimanjaro. Not literally, obviously. I suspect the real thing might be slightly more demanding than jogging in the comfort of my own home.
It’s been a fascinating experience, though. I love hearing the stories, learning about the history and discovering things about places I’ll probably never visit. When you spend as much time sitting at a desk as I do, there’s something quite enjoyable about escaping to the other side of the world for an hour, even if you’re technically going absolutely nowhere.
The dog hasn’t had quite such an enjoyable week.
She needed a dental procedure to remove some plaque, which set me back £300. Three hundred quid to clean a dog’s teeth! I’m starting to think she might need to get herself a part-time job. The cost of living crisis really is getting ridiculous.
On the sporting front, I managed to catch some of the European football, although the cricket provided perhaps the most extraordinary entertainment.
Harry Brook becoming the first England player to score a double century in a one-day international was quite something. I remember watching Sachin Tendulkar achieve that milestone for the first time back in 2010 and thinking we’d witnessed something almost unimaginable.
Now we’ve reached the point where a player can score 200, his team can post an enormous total, and the opposition can still chase it down. Sri Lanka winning that match was absolutely remarkable.
It shows how much cricket has evolved, although I must admit I’ve fallen out of love with the sport a little over recent years. The endless stream of T20 franchise competitions has become too much for me. There was a time when I’d watch cricket whenever I could, but these days I struggle to keep track of who’s playing for whom.
I’m sure the Ashes next year will rekindle my enthusiasm. Nothing quite beats a proper Test match for me.
Anyway, back to football.
European fixtures have a habit of complicating the Premier League weekend, particularly when teams have had difficult journeys, bruising encounters or very little time to recover. I’ve certainly taken that into account with some of this week’s predictions.
We’ve also had another spectacular week of Manchester United drama, while Trent Alexander-Arnold’s supposedly dream move to Real Madrid is beginning to look rather less dreamy.
So, plenty to get through. Let’s get into it.
Bruno Fernandes, Michael Carrick and Manchester United's Leadership Problem
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. Bruno Fernandes has never struck me as captain material.
Before Manchester United supporters start sharpening their pitchforks, let me make something absolutely clear. I think Fernandes is a brilliant footballer. In fact, I’d argue he’s almost single-handedly kept United relevant at various points over the past few years. His creativity, goals, assists and willingness to take responsibility on the ball have been invaluable to a club that has spent an extraordinary amount of money achieving remarkably little.
But being your best player doesn’t automatically make you your best captain.
Fernandes has always been a whinger. He’s constantly complaining to referees, throwing his arms around, looking towards teammates in disbelief and generally behaving as though every misplaced pass is somebody else’s fault.
His body language is absolutely abysmal at times.
I’ve watched him produce moments of genuine brilliance, only to spend the next five minutes looking like a toddler who’s been told he can’t have another biscuit.
And that’s precisely why I’ve never understood the decision to give him the armband.
A captain should set standards, encourage teammates and provide reassurance when things are going wrong. Fernandes often looks like the most frustrated man in the stadium. You can understand that frustration, particularly given what he’s had to endure at Old Trafford, but there’s a difference between demanding better and making everybody around you feel worse.
Wednesday’s 4-1 Champions League humiliation against Como has brought those leadership qualities back into focus.
Fernandes’ post-match interview has been interpreted by many as a public criticism of Michael Carrick’s tactical approach, particularly United’s decision against pressing man-to-man.
Having looked at the comments, I’m not entirely convinced he deliberately set out to undermine his manager. There’s a reasonable argument that he was simply explaining the instructions and why United struggled to execute them.
But that’s almost beside the point.
When you’re Manchester United’s captain, speaking immediately after another embarrassing defeat, you should understand how your words will be received. Especially when Lisandro Martínez has already spent the previous week publicly questioning the club’s direction.
United have enough people criticising them without their senior players adding to the noise.
And what about Carrick?
I suggested last week that I’d be surprised if he was still in charge a month later. Seven days on, I’m even less confident he’ll survive.
Two wins from eleven matches is dreadful by anybody’s standards. The defeat in Italy was humiliating, and Sunday’s home fixture against Bournemouth suddenly feels enormously significant.
United appear determined to give Carrick another opportunity, but how many more opportunities can they realistically afford?
Names such as Eddie Howe, Julian Nagelsmann and Antonio Conte are already being discussed as potential replacements. I can see the appeal of some of them, although I suspect Conte and the current United hierarchy would be an absolutely magnificent disaster waiting to happen.
Imagine Antonio Conte trying to work under Sir Jim Ratcliffe while Bruno Fernandes spends ninety minutes waving his arms at everybody. I’d pay good money to watch that documentary. Apparently Amazon are already making one!
Yet another managerial change wouldn’t solve everything.
United have been replacing managers for years, and somehow the same problems keep returning. Players lose confidence, performances deteriorate, senior figures become frustrated and the manager eventually carries the can.
Carrick may well be out of his depth. That doesn’t absolve the players of responsibility.
Fernandes deserves enormous credit for what he’s contributed to Manchester United. Without him, their decline might have been considerably uglier.
But great footballers aren’t necessarily great leaders, and I remain convinced that handing him the captaincy was a mistake.
As for Carrick, I suspect the clock is ticking rather loudly.
And knowing Manchester United, we’ll probably be having this exact conversation about somebody else before Christmas.
Trent Alexander-Arnold: Liverpool Must Move On, and So Should He
There’s been plenty of discussion this week about Trent Alexander-Arnold potentially returning to Liverpool, given how badly things appear to be going for him at Real Madrid.
My response is fairly straightforward. No thanks.
I appreciate that might sound harsh coming from somebody who watched Trent develop from a hugely talented local youngster into one of the finest attacking full-backs I’ve ever seen. He gave us some wonderful memories, played a significant role in winning the biggest trophies and produced moments of footballing brilliance that will live with Liverpool supporters forever.
But football moves on, and so must Liverpool.
Trent has slipped down the pecking order at Madrid, with Denzel Dumfries and Federico Valverde currently preferred at right-back. He’s featured just once in their last five matches, and even that appearance ended after 52 minutes.
For somebody who once talked about becoming the greatest right-back in football history, sitting on the bench while a midfielder plays in your position must be rather humbling.
I don’t particularly enjoy seeing former Liverpool players struggle, but I’m struggling to find much sympathy here.
Let’s address the elephant in the room.
Trent was perfectly entitled to leave Liverpool. I’ve never had a problem with a footballer wanting to experience another country, another culture or another challenge. Real Madrid are the biggest club in world football, and I can understand the attraction.
What I cannot accept is the manner in which he engineered his departure.
This was a local lad who understood exactly what Liverpool Football Club meant to the city and its supporters. He’d grown up with that connection, benefited enormously from it and repeatedly spoken about how special it was.
Yet he allowed his contract to run down, eventually leaving for Madrid with Liverpool receiving only a relatively modest fee to release him early for the Club World Cup.
For me, that was a betrayal of the supporters who had adored him.
And what made it worse was the apparent failure to appreciate why so many people were upset. He seemed genuinely surprised by the reaction, as though Liverpool fans were somehow unreasonable for feeling let down.
I’ve always found that arrogance difficult to understand.
Perhaps he genuinely believed the affection he’d accumulated over the years meant supporters would simply wish him well and move on. But loyalty works both ways, particularly when you’ve spent your entire career presenting yourself as one of their own.
That wound will take time to heal. I’m sure it eventually will, because football supporters have a remarkable capacity for forgiveness. Memories soften, emotions settle and the passage of time changes perspectives.
But I don’t believe the manner of his departure should ever be forgotten.
And even if you remove every emotional consideration from the argument, bringing him back makes little sense.
Trent turned 28 earlier this month. He’s suffered repeated muscular injuries since moving to Spain, and there’s a reasonable argument that his very best years are already behind him.
He would command an enormous salary, Madrid would presumably expect a substantial transfer fee, and Liverpool would be investing heavily in a player whose physical reliability has become an increasing concern.
Why?
Liverpool need to evolve. They need to build a squad capable of competing for the next five or six years, addressing the weaknesses that have become increasingly obvious, particularly in defensive transitions and the balance of the team.
Spending a fortune to bring back a former favourite would feel like looking backwards.
Yes, his passing range remains extraordinary. There are very few footballers who can deliver a ball quite like Trent Alexander-Arnold. I haven’t forgotten what he can do.
But we’ve also spent years discussing his defensive vulnerabilities, and those concerns haven’t magically disappeared in Madrid. If anything, his difficulties adapting to different tactical demands have reinforced them.
I’d much rather Liverpool identified a younger, more athletic right-back who could develop within Andoni Iraola’s system and give the team greater defensive security.
There is also something rather uncomfortable about the idea of Liverpool paying a huge fee to bring back somebody who deliberately ran down his contract to leave.
Real Madrid got the player they wanted on favourable terms. If they’re now discovering that the arrangement hasn’t worked out quite as planned, that’s their problem.
Trent made his choice, and he was entitled to make it.
I hope he eventually finds his feet in Spain. I genuinely do. He’s still a hugely gifted footballer, and I’d rather remember the wonderful things he achieved at Anfield than spend the next decade celebrating his difficulties.
But would I welcome him back into Liverpool’s squad?
Absolutely not.
Some chapters are best left closed.
Premier League Predictions: Gameweek 8
After another week of European football, it’s time to turn our attention back to the Premier League. And judging by the opening seven rounds, predicting results this season is becoming an increasingly hazardous occupation.
Manchester City are winning everything, Brighton are looking remarkably impressive, Liverpool remain frustratingly inconsistent and Manchester United are providing enough entertainment to justify their own television channel. Although, given their Champions League performance against Como, perhaps a comedy channel would be more appropriate.
Anyway, I’ve dusted off the crystal ball, ignored the temptation to predict everything based on blind optimism and come up with my ten selections for Gameweek 8.
Ipswich Town 1-2 Nottingham Forest
I quite like what Ipswich have shown since returning to the Premier League. They’re competitive, they’re organised and Portman Road can be an uncomfortable place for visiting teams. But Forest have more quality than their league position suggests, and I suspect Oliver Glasner’s side are due a positive result. It won’t be straightforward, but I’m backing Forest to edge it.
Aston Villa 1-3 Manchester City
I’d love to predict a Manchester City defeat. Believe me, nothing would make me happier than watching their winning run come crashing down at Villa Park. Unfortunately, I can’t see it happening. Unai Emery will have a plan, as he always does, and Villa are perfectly capable of causing problems. But City have started the season with seven consecutive league victories, and their ability to punish mistakes is frightening. Another three points for the cheats, I’m afraid.
Arsenal 1-0 Everton
This has all the ingredients of a thoroughly miserable afternoon for anybody hoping to see entertaining football. David Moyes will arrive with Everton organised, disciplined and determined to frustrate Arsenal. Mikel Arteta’s side are hardly strangers to that approach themselves. I can see a tight, physical encounter with very little space and perhaps even fewer chances. Arsenal’s quality should eventually make the difference, although I wouldn’t be surprised if a set-piece settles it.
Coventry City 1-1 Fulham
Coventry have shown enough to suggest they’re capable of competing at this level, particularly at home. Fulham finally recorded their first league victory last weekend, which should provide a much-needed confidence boost. Neither side looks particularly convincing defensively, but I’m expecting a fairly cautious contest. A point apiece feels about right.
Chelsea 3-1 Tottenham Hotspur
London derbies are notoriously difficult to predict, but Tottenham’s record at Stamford Bridge is dreadful. Spurs finally managed their first league victory of the season against Coventry on Monday, although I’m not convinced that suddenly transforms their prospects. Chelsea have more attacking quality, and I fancy them to expose Tottenham’s defensive weaknesses. There’ll probably be the usual controversy, a few yellow cards and plenty of complaining. Chelsea to win comfortably enough.
Crystal Palace 2-2 Newcastle United
Two teams struggling to find consistency, and two defences that don’t exactly inspire confidence at the moment. Palace will be desperate to respond after their heavy defeat against Brighton, while Newcastle have looked surprisingly vulnerable themselves. I can see this becoming a fairly open contest, with both sides enjoying periods of control and neither managing to hold onto a lead. Four goals and a share of the points.
Hull City 1-2 Brentford
Hull have made life difficult for opponents at times, but sustaining performances over ninety minutes has become a problem. Brentford demonstrated against Liverpool last weekend that they’re capable of causing problems, even if their discipline ultimately let them down. I expect Hull to make this competitive, perhaps even take the lead, but Brentford’s greater Premier League experience should tell. An away victory for me.
Liverpool 2-2 Brighton
I’d love to be predicting a comfortable Liverpool victory at Anfield, particularly after the excitement of Tuesday’s 4-3 Champions League win over Villarreal. But there’s a rather obvious problem.
Brighton are playing some outstanding football.
Four consecutive Premier League victories, fifteen goals scored and none conceded. Those are remarkable numbers, and Fabian Hürzeler deserves enormous credit for what he’s building on the south coast.
Liverpool, meanwhile, remain capable of looking brilliant going forward and alarmingly vulnerable defensively, sometimes within the same five-minute spell.
There were encouraging signs against Villarreal, particularly the character shown to recover from two goals down, but conceding three at home hardly suggests we’ve solved our problems.
I think we’ll score twice because we have the attacking talent to hurt anybody. Unfortunately, I also think Brighton will expose the spaces Liverpool continue to leave behind.
I’d happily take being proved wrong, but I’m going for an entertaining 2-2 draw.
Manchester United 1-1 Bournemouth
Given everything I’ve already said about Michael Carrick and Bruno Fernandes, you’ll hardly be surprised to discover I’m not predicting a convincing Manchester United victory.
The atmosphere around Old Trafford is becoming increasingly toxic, and Wednesday’s humiliation against Como has only intensified the pressure.
Bournemouth have proved particularly awkward opponents for United in recent seasons, and they’ll arrive believing they can get something.
I actually think United might produce a response. Playing at home, with their manager under enormous pressure, surely somebody will decide it’s worth putting in a shift.
But confidence looks fragile, the football remains unconvincing and I struggle to see them controlling this match.
A 1-1 draw, followed by another weekend of speculation about Carrick’s future.
Sunderland 1-3 Leeds United
Sunderland have endured a difficult start to the campaign, and although I don’t believe they’re quite as poor as some of their results suggest, confidence must be suffering.
Leeds, on the other hand, have shown they can compete and carry a genuine attacking threat. Their comeback against Manchester United last weekend will have done wonders for morale, particularly given the rivalry between those clubs.
I expect Sunderland to have their moments, especially with the home crowd behind them, but Leeds look the stronger side at present.
I’m backing the visitors to finish the weekend with an impressive 3-1 victory.
So there we have it. Ten predictions, including another Manchester City victory, more Manchester United frustration and an entertaining draw at Anfield.
I hope I’m wrong about at least two of those.
Ideally, Liverpool will collect three points and Manchester City will finally remember what losing a football match feels like.
But I wouldn’t recommend putting your mortgage on any of my predictions. Particularly this season.
More To Life Than Football
That’s another Friday coumn wrapped up, and I’ve got a fairly busy weekend of sporting entertainment ahead.
The European Darts Championship is on, so I’ll certainly be finding time to watch some of that. I do love the darts, particularly when the big tournaments reach the business end and the pressure starts getting to people.
I’ve also been enjoying Celebrity Traitors again. I watched it last night and I’ll be tuning in again tonight. I’m really hoping Romesh survives because he’s one of my favourites. There’s something wonderfully entertaining about watching people become increasingly suspicious of absolutely everybody around them.
Actually, thinking about it, perhaps they should introduce a version at Manchester United. Stick the players, coaching staff and executives around a table and ask them to identify who’s responsible for the latest disaster.
Although I suspect they’d need considerably more than one episode.
It’s also the end of the school holidays here in Scotland, with my son heading back next week. That should mean a little more peace and quiet during the working day and, hopefully, a noticeable improvement in my productivity. That’s the theory, anyway.
Between the football, darts, Traitors and another few miles on the treadmill, I reckon I’ll have enough to keep myself occupied.
As always, thanks for reading. If you enjoy these Friday ramblings, please consider becoming a subscriber. Your support genuinely makes a difference and allows me to keep doing what I love.
Have a brilliant weekend, enjoy the football, and let’s hope Liverpool can prove my prediction wrong.