Paul Scholes takes aim at 'afraid' Ian Wright over Bukayo Saka, tells other pundits to 'p**s off' and issues withering advice to one England midfield star in a no-holds-barred take on the Euros

Paul Scholes took to Instagram to air his views about England's midfieldHe took aim at Ian Wright for suggestion that Bukayo Saka could be left-backLISTEN to It's All Kicking Off! EUROS DAILY: All the reasons England fans have to be positive going into the last 16

Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has taken aim at Ian Wright for his suggestion that Bukayo Saka could play left-back for England and told other pundits to 'p**s off'.

Saka, a right winger for club and country, has played his usual position in every game of Euro 2024, but a problem area for the Three Lions is on the left side of defence, with right-footed Kieran Trippier playing on his unnatural flank.

Scholes did not name Wright explicitly in his Instagram story but it seemed obvious who he was referring to in addressing 'Arsenal legends'.

He wrote: 'Making me p**s these Arsenal legends trying to get Saka in at left-back because they're afraid he's going to be left out for Palmer.'

In his role as a pundit for ITV during the tournament, Wright had said: 'With how naturally left-sided Saka is, could you maybe put Saka at left back, put Palmer on the right? Simply because we need to get some balance and fluidity in the game.'

Paul Scholes took aim at Ian Wright over his suggestion to move Bukayo Saka to left-back

Paul Scholes took aim at Ian Wright over his suggestion to move Bukayo Saka to left-back

The Man United legend took to Instagram to offer his opinion for the Slovakia game

The Man United legend took to Instagram to offer his opinion for the Slovakia game

Saka has played right wing consistently for club and country
Wright suggested it was an option to move back

Wright previously said Saka could move position to allow for Cole Palmer in the team

Podcast All episodes
  • PODCAST: 'Ronaldo never accepted him': Why Ralf Rangnick failed
    PODCAST: 'Ronaldo never accepted him': Why Ralf Rangnick failed
  • EUROS PODCAST: Will any other nations be AFRAID to play England?
    EUROS PODCAST: Will any other nations be AFRAID to play England?
  • EUROS DAILY: Sub-par Scotland sent packing as Lineker rattles England
    EUROS DAILY: Sub-par Scotland sent packing as Lineker rattles England
  • LISTEN: Why is Declan Rice immune from criticism and can England win?
    LISTEN: Why is Declan Rice immune from criticism and can England win?
  • Is Kane doing enough for 'chaotically, pathetically bad England?'
    Is Kane doing enough for 'chaotically, pathetically bad England?'
Play on Apple Spotify

Saka had played at left-back before, much earlier in his career, and with Luke Shaw coming back from injury, England's options are limited.

But Saka would be a huge risk out of position in a knockout game and it remains to be seen whether Gareth Southgate would take an uncharacteristic gamble.

Scholes also had his say on the midfield, adding: 'Mainoo will make you play, Foden and Bellingham will win you games, think forward and take less touches please Dec. (Rice) Laters.'

His dig at Rice is an interesting one and suggests he thinks the Arsenal man is being too ponderous on the ball and slowing down England's attacks.

There's a huge desire from fans and pundits alike to see the many talented players in the side finally ignite the campaign after struggling so far to find form.

England topped the group and find themselves on the supposedly easier side of the draw at after his impressive showing off the bench against Slovenia, Mainoo looks favourite to start in midfield against Slovakia on Sunday.

Scholes also has a word of advice for Declan Rice ahead of the last-16 game

Scholes also has a word of advice for Declan Rice ahead of the last-16 game

Scholes would prefer Kobbie Mainoo (left) in central midfield over Jude Bellingham (right)

Scholes would prefer Kobbie Mainoo (left) in central midfield over Jude Bellingham (right)

The Manchester United midfielder is clearly Scholes' choice to partner Rice and selection has been a massive topic of conversation all tournament.

Scholes, who won 66 caps for England, shot down the idea of moving Bellingham back alongside Rice, writing: 'Keep hearing drop Bellingham back next to Rice... p**s right off!'

Palmer's superb showing, also from the bench, gives Southgate a headache but outside of ending his 'experiment' with Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield, the manager has been reluctant to make many alterations.

OTHER NEWS

16 minutes ago

Expect an 'exciting dividend announcement' from JPMorgan, says UBS's Erika Najarian

16 minutes ago

Brittney Griner Receives Technical Foul for Hostile Shove of Aliyah Boston

16 minutes ago

England stun Euros with win '20 seconds' before exit

16 minutes ago

READ IN FULL: Ramaphosa’s Cabinet announcement speech

16 minutes ago

UCLA Basketball News: Jaime Jaquez Jr. selected for USA Basketball Select Team

16 minutes ago

Austrian GP Data: How Max Verstappen lost the race and the Lando Norris effect

19 minutes ago

Public service attractive, adapting to new challenges: Chan Chun Sing

19 minutes ago

Spain see off brave Georgia to set-up Germany quarter-final

19 minutes ago

Coach Bielsa suspended after Uruguay arrive late onto pitch at Copa America

20 minutes ago

Brewers put up 7-run 4th inning in victory over Cubs

22 minutes ago

Josh Lucas and meteorologist Brianna Ruffalo are engaged after 2 years together: 'I got crazy lucky'

22 minutes ago

Justice Department Is Said to Offer Boeing Plea Deal Over 737 Max Crashes

22 minutes ago

Using last year’s sunscreen? Double check it before applying

22 minutes ago

The Ritz-Carlton's Third Superyacht Is Coming Next Year — and It'll Have 12 New Itineraries Across Asia

22 minutes ago

Time Crystals Could Unlock a Radical New Future For Quantum Computers

22 minutes ago

Robbo's plan for axed Wallabies star in deadline race

22 minutes ago

Grandma, 58, Makes Olympic Team for Race Walking: 'Never Known Anyone Who Is as Mentally Tough'

22 minutes ago

NSW Liberal Party considering cutting ties with Nationals

22 minutes ago

Reform to lodge complaint against TikTok after Widdecombe ‘cut off’

22 minutes ago

Supreme Court Overturns Chevron Ruling

22 minutes ago

Sunak refuses to say whether he told former aide about election date

22 minutes ago

Homelessness affects young people's health, safety, education. Here is Hailey's story

22 minutes ago

A Night With Janis Joplin star promises 'wildly different' show unlike anything in the West End

22 minutes ago

Ian Wright and Gary Neville go wild as Kane nets England winner against Slovakia at Euro 2024

22 minutes ago

General Election 2024: June 30 round-up

22 minutes ago

What happens to JD Vance's Senate seat if Trump chooses him as veep and wins re-election?

25 minutes ago

Kevin Costner Reveals He Was Sick While Making ‘Hidden Figures’, “Worked 10 Days Under An IV Drip”

26 minutes ago

Hurricane Beryl to hit Caribbean unseasonably early

26 minutes ago

Anatomy of Jude Bellingham’s bicycle kick – and where it ranks among England’s greatest goals

26 minutes ago

Seek, Indeed and Gumtree urged to join fight against ‘brazen’ job ads

26 minutes ago

FIBA 3X3 Women's Series Quebec City: Quebec vs. Canada

26 minutes ago

Alan Shearer perfectly explains the two reasons Alexander Isak will not go to Chelsea

26 minutes ago

Andy Roddick gives his honest verdict on Rafael Nadal deciding to skip Wimbledon

26 minutes ago

Andy Murray makes final Wimbledon decision as he races to be fit for tournament

26 minutes ago

Joseph Quinn on the Possibility of a ‘Stranger Things' Cameo: "Nothing's Impossible" | THR Video

26 minutes ago

Bazball 2.0 takes shape with senior England players left out of Test squad

26 minutes ago

Far-right enjoys massive win in French parliamentary elections

27 minutes ago

Spain pass a new test in familiar style to make Euro 2024 statement

27 minutes ago

Jude Bellingham says goal celebration was response to ‘rubbish’ being spoken

27 minutes ago

Backward walking may be the best exercise you aren't doing. Learn the impressive benefits