'P*ss off!' - Paul Scholes slams Arsenal legends over Bukayo Saka and sends Declan Rice message

Paul Scholes has hit out at Arsenal legends over calls for Bukayo Saka to start at left-back for England while also offering Declan Rice advice on what he needs to change.

England will take on Slovakia on Sunday afternoon in the Euro 2024 Round of 16 and many supporters are hopeful of seeing changes to the starting-eleven after three drab group stage performances that have left the nation uninspired.

Among those fans are hoping to see selected from the start is Chelsea star Cole Palmer, who impressed during his cameo display against Slovenia earlier this week.

Were Palmer to be handed a start by Gareth Southgate this weekend, it is likely it would come at the expense of Saka in the right wing role. Offering a solution to this problem, Arsenal legend Ian Wright suggested the Three Lions could shift Saka to left-back in order to fit Saka into the team.

Of the view Wright's suggestion falls under the category of 'nonsensical', Scholes posted the following message on his Instagram story: "Making me p*** these Arsenal legends trying to get Saka in at left-back because they're afraid he's going to be left out for Palmer."

Scholes also had some advice for Declan Rice after his slow start to the tournament, adding: "Keep hearing drop Bellingham back next to Rice... p*** right off! Mainoo will make you play, Foden and Bellingham will win you games. Think forward and take less touches pls Dec. Laters."

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Rice recently responded to criticism that has come his way at Euro 2024 from pundits covering the competition by telling ITV: "I’m not disappointed because I’ve played football long enough now, I know how they work. That’s why I really do not get bothered about it at all. Look, they’re entitled to their opinion. They’re on TV, they’re saying whatever they want. I know some of them personally. They’re great guys.

"But, like I said, they’ve been in our shoes as well and sometimes just to have that thought of process, you know, just before they speak. They’ve been where I’m sat, where our other players have sat and not done well at tournaments. So look, I don’t know why we feel like such a negative thing. We’re talking like we’re going out of the tournament here."