Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has responded after forward Julián Álvarez commented on his amount of playing time and potentially dropped a hint about his future at the Etihad.
Having just won his second Copa América with Argentina and now rolling straight into Paris 2024, Álvarez has still yet to return to training with the Man City first team, but the 24-year-old has opened up on what he hopes will happen when he returns to club football.
Speaking to American broadcaster DIRECTV Sports, the former River Plate striker admitted that whilst “there is a lot of talk”, his current focus is solely on the Olympics and that he feels “very good at City”, adding, “I played a lot of minutes”.
However, he did go on to confess that “maybe it’s annoying to be out in big games, players always want to help on the pitch”, adding, “But we will see after the Games. First, if I can, I will take a few days off. Then we will decide,” – a remark that has sparked some speculation online.
🔵🇦🇷 More quotes from Álvarez’s interview from @clarincom.
“I feel good at City. We will see what happens after Olympics”.
“Maybe it's annoying to be out in big games, players always want to help on the pitch! But my season was good, so I'm very happy”.pic.twitter.com/FrEHkKrrqq
Not only did Álvarez get the transfer rumour mill churning – inadvertently or not – but it seems word travelled fast to his manager as well, as Pep addressed the situation whilst on City’s pre-season tour in the US.
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Speaking to the media ahead of the two games against Barcelona and Chelsea this week, Guardiola recognised that the attacking talent “wants to play in important moments, but the other players [want that] too […] I read he has to think about it, so OK, think about it, and after that, he will inform us what he wants to do.”
Reiterating that has no desire to sell or replace him, he simply put the ball in the player’s court, stating: “Once he has finished thinking, his agent will call Txiki [Begiristain, Man City‘s sporting director], and we will see what happens.
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You can see the clip from the press conference down below:
GUARDIOLA LE RESPONDIÓ A JULIÁN ÁLVAREZ: "LEÍ QUE VA A PENSARLO. QUE LO PIENSE" 😱
🗣️ El argentino manifestó que debe analizar si sigue en el City en la próxima temporada y Pep, desde Estados Unidos, le contestó
Whether this was just a hint towards the Catalan coach in hopes of getting the nod for those most important games or a suggestion that he might look for a move elsewhere if his position in the squad doesn’t change, only time will tell.
That being said, having now played his moments in a treble-winning season, won even more back-to-back major tournaments with the World Cup and Copa América, not to mention looking to bring home an Olympic gold to boot, it’s fair to say he has experience on the biggest stage, even at such a young age.
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It isn’t the first time questions over his amount of playing time and deployment off the bench have been questioned, with fellow compatriot and club legend Sergio Aguero even raising the issue last year, and now reports have suggested that Atlético Madrid have already expressed interest in signing him.
What do you think, Blues, does Álvarez deserve more minutes in the key fixtures, and would you keep him in the City squad for as long as possible, or should Pep let him move on if he wants to?
Marc Skinner leaves Manchester United Women after half a decade
Danny Jones
Manchester United Women’s team boss Marc Skinner has officially left the club after half a decade at the helm ahead of the upcoming WSL season.
Spending five fairly fluctuating years in charge of the women’s Red Devils side, to put it mildly, the 43-year-old departs after having led MUWFC to their only ‘major trophy’ in the modern era with their FA Cup win back in May 2024.
Multiple outlets have claimed that Skinner had been pushing for more backing when it came to recruitment, especially with so many teams levelling up and spending a significant amount in the Women’s Super League – and that’s just in this transfer window alone.
Conversely, a good chunk of the former Birmingham and Orlando Pride manager’s tenure involved saying goodbye to big and/or key players who have served the team well, including Alessia Russo, Katie Zelem, Hannah Blundell, Leah Galton, Millie Turner, Melvine Malard and Lucia Garcia.
Meanwhile, under INEOS, United have brought in very limited reinforcements of late – recently reiterating that they wanted to turn to the youth ranks instead, according to reports – and the divisive ownership have been heavily criticised for their treatment of the women’s squad and facilities.
As The Athletic journalist Carl Anka put it on X, it feels like “All change at the club”, adding that “you could feel Skinner was getting frustrated over the relative lack of investment in the team.
Joining the countless reactions online, one user said, “Thanks for the memories but it was time to move on”, while another even went so far as to add, “The best decision done ever.”
This was the moment Manchester United women’s team won their first ever major trophy under Marc skinner’s regime.Thank you Skinner❤️ pic.twitter.com/kiMRVd5Md0
Im not his biggest fan, but to give him some slack, the Club are paying players poorly, selling his best players and not replacing them. Can't compete in the transfer market either. He must be able to see that the only way is downhill.
Issuing a passionate response in the comments under the official United post confirming the parting of ways, another supporter wrote: “Fans may have seen so many things wrong with him. But he was an incredible guy, THANK YOU for everything, Marc.
“You gave me so many memories supporting this great club, gave me so much of your time. Made me feel like me again. I will support you always in your next steps.”
So he clearly has had some detractors of late, but there are still plenty of people who have remained behind even during difficult times; whether or not claims of him offering his resignation or counter arguments that he was ‘eventually going to be sacked’ come out in the wash, only time will tell.
Featured Images — Katie Chan (via Wikimedia Commons)/MUTV (screenshot via YouTube)
Sport
Greater Manchester’s ‘Stroll for Salford’ walking event returns for its second year in 2026
Danny Jones
Following its successful debut last year, Greater Manchester’s now much-loved Stroll for Salford (SfS) event is back for 2026 this autumn.
We’d like to think everyone from around here is filled with hometown pride, but you ask anyone from Salford, and they’ll quickly remind you that this place is its own city, and that it quite rightly deserves celebrating all of its own.
And that’s exactly what the SfS is all about: not just toasting it as the region’s so-called ‘second city’, but as the culturally abundant place that it is and has been for more than 100 years.
Yes, with this sophomore edition following on from the borough celebrating its official Centenary, what better time to hail all things Salfordian.
Stroll for Salford is back🚶🧡
We are delighted to announce the return of the popular fundraising walk back for its second edition on Saturday 19th September as part of Salford's Centenary Year celebrations!
— Salford City FC Foundation (@SalfordCity_FDN) July 30, 2026
Set up by Salford City FC and the partnered charity arm, Foundation 92, the inaugural walk raised more than £3,000 for charity with its maiden event.
Thousands got behind the cause, be it through volunteering and/or donating, as well as talking on the walking route itself back in October.
It’s actually happening a little earlier this time, with the second Stroll for Salford scheduled for Saturday, 19 September.
Kicking off from 10am, those taking part will be setting out on foot for a six-mile journey across the city, starting at the likes of the Civic Centre in Swinton, before passing through other key towns and finishing, of course, at Salford’s AIG Stadium on Moor Lane in Kersal.
The local League Two side continues to do plenty of important work in and around the community – this is just one of many recent, well-received initiatives.
As mentioned earlier, those getting involved will not only receive a special Salford t-shirt following the event alongside a finisher’s medal, but even a complimentary ticket to go and see ‘The Ammies’ in action at their home ground this season.
Not a bad deal at all.
For anyone uninitiated interested in coming along the journey, the route will also pass several key landmarks and a real sense of local history – all while doing your bit for a good cause.
You can help raise important funds for the local area and sign up for the Stroll for Salford 2026 HERE.
Elsewhere in Greater Manchester, another wholesome all-ages event is fast-approaching this August, too; keep on reading to find out all about it…
Danny Jones -
30th July 2024 
