'P*ss right off!' - Paul Scholes slams Jude Bellingham midfield plan as Man Utd legend goes on sweary England Euro 2024 rant

With the Three Lions stumbling their way through the group stage at Euro 2024, as Gareth Southgate struggles to find a system that works, there have been suggestions that Real Madrid star Bellingham should be dropped into a deeper role alongside Declan Rice.

That would allow Manchester City’s Premier League Player of the Year, Phil Foden, to operate as a No.10 and get more pace and creativity – in the form of Anthony Gordon or Cole Palmer – onto the flanks. Scholes, though, is having none of it.

The United legend, who earned 66 caps for England in his playing days, has posted on social media: “[Kobbie] Mainoo will make you play, Foden and Bellingham will win you games, think forward and take less touches pls Dec. Laters.”

Scholes added: “Keep hearing drop Bellingham back next to Rice… piss right off!”

He was not done there and went on to say of claims that Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka could be moved to left-back – where Luke Shaw is nursing a knock and Kieran Trippier has failed to convince: “Making me piss these Arsenal legends trying to get Saka in at left back because they’re afraid he’s gonna be left out for Palmer.”

Big selection calls now rest in the hands of Southgate, as he considers shuffling his pack again for the start of knockout football. England, who topped their group and have landed on the most favourable side of the draw, are set to face Slovakia in the last-16 on Sunday.