Voltar
Oct 27, 2026, 6:05 PM GMT
Hal is an experienced freelance sports journalist at GiveMeSport, having previously produced content for websites such as Goal, football.london, HertsLive, 90min, The Set Pieces and many others.
Hal picked up his MA in Sports Journalism and NCTJ qualification from St Mary's University Twickenham, Hal has since been part of Valnet since late 2021.
He started as a freelance football writer for This Is Futbol and carried that on over to FootballFanCast before becoming their social media editor. He now works as an editor for GiveMeSport, predominantly focusing on Premier League, Champions League, and English football.
He also helps GiveMeSport cover other major sports such as MMA, boxing, darts, tennis, and golf. Key events like the summer and winter Olympics are also highlights when they appear on the sporting calendar.
Hal is an Arsenal and Three Lions fan, but keeps an eye on the All Blacks, his favourite rugby team, having grown up in New Zealand.
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There can be no arguing against it. The start Manchester United have made to the 2025/26 season has not been good enough.
At the time of writing, Man Utd are winless in their last eight outings and have picked up three points in the Premier League on just one occasion. As such, they sit 16th in the division, on seven points after eight games.
Michael Carrick is very much under pressure, but GIVEMESPORT sources understand he won't be sacked before the trip to Chelsea this weekend. With so many issues beyond just the manager at Old Trafford right now, many feel as though the Englishman isn't entirely to blame.
On that, Steven Gerrard has taken a remarkable swipe at six Man Utd stars, claiming they are 'not good enough' for the club right now.
Man Utd's season reached a low point last weekend, losing 3-0 at home to Bournemouth. Reacting to that while speaking on Overlap Daily this week, Liverpool legend Gerrard listed a collection of players who he had big doubts about.
He praised Bruno Fernandes, but didn't have much faith in the squad beyond that, noting: "Manchester United, if you go through the squad, they’ve got some good players. Bruno Fernandes is the best player. I look at him and when I watch him and when he’s at it, even though I’m a Liverpool fan, he’s a pleasure to watch. He’s a terrific footballer talent-wise.
"But if you go through the squad, the back four. Harry Maguire’s had a really good career, Luke Shaw, I played with Luke, he was top in his day. They’re not Manchester United players anymore. They should have been moved on quicker.
"Lisandro Martinez last year, only interested in the World Cup. He’s come back, he’s seen that the players haven’t signed, the four or five that he wants…in his world. Selfishly comes out and speaks then gets injured, goes off at half-time with a kick [against Leeds] and he’s fit the next game. That stinks to me.
"You look at the midfield, they signed a player from Chelsea, £50 million, [Andrey] Santos, not a Manchester United player. Then it goes to recruitment higher up.
"Why are you signing players that are not good enough to play for Manchester United? These [are] the only players you can attract now, but he’s not a Manchester United player.
"[Carlos] Baleba, £70 million. He’s got potential. He’s not ready to help Manchester United compete at the top of the league now.
"You look on the sides of the pitch. When I played against United, you had [Ryan] Giggs, [David] Beckham, world class players. I look at the sides of the pitch. Young Amad [Diallo]. Hot and cold. When he’s good, he’s good. But hasn’t shown nothing this season.”
While there will be questions about Carrick while he remains in charge, whoever potentially takes over from him will have a big task on their hands. In the eyes of Gerrard, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Lisandro Martinez, Andrey Santos, Carlos Baleba, and Amad Diallo are all not good enough to 'compete at the top of the league' right now.