BRENT A GOB: This week, Harry's going after Alexander Isak for his handling of the Liverpool-Newcastle transfer saga, and Bruno Fernandes for his questionable leadership skills
14:48, 28 Aug 2025
Harry Brent
Harry Brent is a journalist, broadcaster and columnist who joined Reach PLC in 2021. He specialises in football and opinion writing and is the voice of the Daily Star's unmissable weekly 'Brent A Gob' column. Previously, Harry worked for GiveMeSport and The Irish Post.
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Our man Harry Brent is not happy in his latest column
Alexander Isak is a right numpty. I mean he's great at kicking balls in nets n'all, but he seems about as dense as a Sean Dyche low block.
He's navigated this Liverpool transfer malarkey with the sort of elegance and timing Andre Onana displays when he's flapping at crosses. The fact that he waited until Newcastle were backed into a corner to kick up a fuss shows his business instincts are as sharp as Nicolas Jackson's finishing instincts.
For crying out loud, Newcastle had Hugo Ekitike on a bloody plate. If he'd pushed for a move back then, he'd be in Merseyside now. Instead, he twiddled his thumbs, let Liverpool nick Ekitike, then decided to go nuclear. And now he's having a Mark Goldbridge-level meltdown in the worst case of Tyneside petulance since Kieran Dyer and Lee Bowyer's mid-match punch-up.
Ultimately, Isak has bungled this like Robert Sanchez playing out from the back, and I suspect his agent will be given the boot quicker than the tea ladies at Manchester United were when job-cutter Jim Ratcliffe strolled in.
Footballers need reminding: contracts work both ways. Isak signed one until 2028. If he snaps his neck tomorrow, Newcastle still have to pay him – they can't just tear it up as casually as Reece James tears hamstrings.
Alexander Isak and Virgil van Dijk compete for the ball
Alexander Isak has shot himself in the foot with his handling of the saga(Image: Getty Images)
He might want out, but if no one meets Newcastle's asking price – tough Toblerone! So whinge all you want, Mr Isak, but like anyone silly enough to sign for Tottenham, the only thing holding you back is your own poor judgement.
Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United with Referee Chris Kavanagh before taking a penalty during the Premier League match between Fulham and Manchester United
Bruno Fernandes says he was "triggered" by the referee on Sunday(Image: Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
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Upset? Triggered? Sorry pal, are you a Premier League footballer or a safe-space coordinator moderating a campus debate on microaggressions? No wonder United finished 15th last season if their skipper crumbles at the faintest whiff of adversity. Honestly, I've seen better composure from rabbits darting across the M25!
As captain, you've got to lead by example: be tougher, smarter, more grounded. Except Bruno's version of 'grounded' is hitting the turf after the slightest touch – then lying on his back and moaning like Bonnie Blue in full swing.
United might as well strap the armband to a bloody traffic cone. At least traffic cones don't collapse every five minutes, don't whinge at anyone within earshot, and – crucially – actually guide people in the right direction.