Gyokeres Better For Arsenal Than Man Utd | Top 8 finish ‘Realistic’ For Man Utd

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1:05Yes, guys, it's Rio Ferdinand Presents. We are back Monday, 5 p.m. here on YouTube. Make sure you subscribe. Notifications on Telephone. We've been flying all... We're global. Listen. We've been all around the world. You've been everywhere. My partner in crime is back. I'm back. But you, you, you, Stee, I saw the gym sessions. I smoked him. Did you? What? No way. No, Stee's been chatting, right? Really? No, we've got to really just understand there's levels to this, isn't it? You're joking. No, no, Steve's in unreal shape. No, we're not talking about shape here. In unreal shape. We're talking about we're in the gym.

1:38But I thought, so when I land anywhere, yeah, I go gym, I'll find a gym. If there's not one in a hotel, I'll find one. Luckily, we had one in a hotel. Landed in New York, New Jersey, got to the hotel. Next minute, Steve, let's do a workout. He said, I'm in, let's do a session. I said, yeah, man, let's do one. When I land anywhere, where it's normally like a little full body, little just going through the motions one, just to get myself back on track, re-collaborate the body, et cetera. So it went a mad session. My man was sweating, boy. You're joking. Yeah, I don't know if he's a big sweater, but the sweater I was seeing...

2:11He is a big sweater, to be fair. Mate, there was a sweating guy on the I ain't seen. He was confused. And then I was saying to the cameraman, you need some close-ups, because I ain't sweating. I think he realised, Ra, Rio's actually... There's levels to this. But he's... Yeah, there's levels. Nah, he's... I kept myself in great shape. Anyway, man, I want to talk about the fact that we've got the guy that's come in, man. Finally, I can do this. I've been waiting to do this, Rio. Guy Carez. I've been waiting. This could be the difference, you know? Listen, one thing we can't, there's no dispute on, this guy has dominated for two years Portuguese football.

2:47Yeah. Led defenders all over the place and smashed them all over the gaff. That has been, you can't argue. And some people, obviously on the show, he was massively linked to Manchester United because of the Amarim connection, et cetera. And I was one who was saying, and I don't want it to be distorted. The reason why I was saying no for Manchester United. You and Julian, by the way. Yeah, I was saying no for Man United because I didn't think he was the right profile for Manchester United in terms of, massively in terms of experience and of the top level. And you look at the two signs Man Utd have made Premier League experience they understand Premier League whatever level you think they are they're not going to have that adaptation to the Premier League and to the culture etc where he will have to have that we don't know if he can play in the Premier League he ain't done it played for Coventry what about I know we're going off topic here but Benjamin Seska do you think he's a better profile for you guys if I was an either I would have gone Gokoresh because I've seen more of him he's scored more goals at his club previously he's a genuine goal scorer for Sporting Lisbon.

3:52But my point was, if there's someone like Ossiman available, which he was, I thought that is the profile you need to go for. Experience, done it at the top level consistently, won trophies as well. And the biggest factor, we've got Highland and Zerksy and Chido, young strikers, inexperienced, who need to look at someone and go, yeah, that's how you get it done. Yeah. So that was the reason. Now, let's fast forward now. Greco is signing for Arsenal. Absolutely makes sense. So why does it make sense for us and not for Manchester United? Because you're in a different position. You haven't got young strikers sitting there waiting to know what to do.

4:34Havertz is your number nine. Jesus is your number nine. They're experienced. You just need someone that you think can go in and score goals. I think Man United need more than that. They need somebody who can shoulder all the responsibility and bring players with them. Ossimem would have done that, in my eyes. Ain't happening. You should have said that last time. You wouldn't look like a hater. I think Arsenal, if I thought they could win it, or they had a chance, I'm much stronger on it now with Goikres in their team. 100%. Because like you say, they create chances. They need someone who... I love Havertz, by the way, and I think he's a top player.

5:09They've got two now who can play that. I think they're an absolute threat, yeah? But with Gokic, he's somebody who lives and breathes just to finish. Havertz wants to be in the game, wants to get involved. This summer brother wants to just bang goals. Which is why when you look, if you look last season, there's loads of opportunities. I remember against Inter Milan when we played against them, whipping balls into the box in the Champions League and no one's there. You need someone that's going to be able to, you know, like just attack the goal and go for it. However, there has been a lot of memes and stuff flying around when it comes to Gokoresh, because apparently when you look at his stats, he's scored two goals in eight games against teams that finished between second and fifth in the table.

5:54Do you think that's going to be an issue for us? That would be a flag for me. I don't think it would really determine if I take him, but it would be something I'd go, Let me just look back further down the line then. And then what's the reason? Me and Julian sat here and one of my mates, we watched a game together that he played against Man City. We watched that and I think we watched a game against Arsenal together as well. Against Arsenal, he played against two machines. Saliba. And Gabriel. And Gabriel. Mate, they made it a hard day's work for him. And they do for most strikers, yeah? So physically, if he's matched, what else has he got?

6:31That's the question I'm asking now. and then he played against Man City oh he looked menacing he looked good running through Scott played against an 18 year old centre half Akanji played against him didn't play well Akanji that game either but so it skewed oh he can do it against English teams for me in that sense so I don't know there are question marks but I just feel for Arsenal he's going to get so many of the more looks at goal I don't think I don't think it's a big gamble for Arsenal I've got to say I'm sorry I just feel that the chance is going to go. As long as he don't go looking for football outside the box too much, stay in and around the penalty box, the ball will come.

7:09The sackers of this world, the responsibility that he's been shouldering for all these years in terms of goals, he's going to be put at ease. Not even just that. If Arsenal get more pens, which you probably are going to now that you've got even Max Dalman involved now as well. Can we talk about it in a minute? He needs his own segment. Yeah, like, you know, as long as that happens, look, he's going to get more chances to score penalties. And everyone's saying, oh, he's just a penalty merchant. Hey, you've got to put him away. Don't matter. Still a goal. I mean, listen, you think Alan Shearer is worried about his top goal scorer in Premier League history.

7:43He's got a lot of penalties. Do you think he cares? Is there anything else that we need, do you reckon? Because obviously... Yeah, transfers. Yeah. Zubi Mendy's come in, midfield. You lost party. Yeah. Jorginho's gone. That's two midfielders you've lost there. Tioni Tavarez has gone

8:04you know what a lot was made about Madueke as well I think he's a good signing for you he's a little bit off the cuff him he gives you something different and I know what people are saying the reason why I got a lot of the stick as well is because yes it's Chelsea and you've done a lot of business that's not gone so well with Chelsea but two all your fan base wanted a number nine so if you would sign Goykeres first and then Madureki, I don't think people are shouting as much. I do think he's going to do well. I do think it's the timing of the transfer and also the money as well because when you're looking at other signings, you're going, oh my gosh, like, you know, like West Ham sold Kudos for like what?

8:43It was less money or something like 50 mil or something like that. You're looking, you're going, hang on, what's going on at 55 mil? No, it was around a similar price. Yeah. So is Kudos massively better than Madureki? Yes. Do you think he is? Yeah, I do. I think, for me, I think Kudos is bad. I think, yeah, he had a rough season last year, but I think that's just where the club was in general. When he played against the big teams, he showed up. I think potential-wise, I don't think there's massive difference. I think age is a big thing. The amount of games that Maduweki's played and compared to Kudos, I think there's a big difference.

9:21He only had exposure in the Premier League, especially. I think I think Madureke has got a ceiling he's got a high ceiling I think he can go I think he can go places I think he can do well I think he's in a beer I think he's a really good addition I think he's a great addition in terms of he's direct he can play on both wings again I'm not I'm not co-signing the the petitions I think all of that is wrong and as soon as a player puts on the shirt you have to support him I think where the fans where some of the fans were coming from where the majority of the fans were coming from they're going Are you spending that much money on a Saka backup, if that makes sense?

9:59But I don't think he's going to be back. I think he goes on the left. I think he fights for Martinelli's position. I think that as well. I think when you want to give someone like Saka a breather, who needs a breather, who hasn't had it, you can, you've got a ready-made someone who can go there. You can also fight for the left-hand side position and he gives you that ability. Now you've got a number nine, Maduweke on the left makes sense because he can go on the outside, cross the ball, and you've got a number nine with presence in the box so you can finish things off. So I think it makes sense in many ways now.

10:27So there's a clear, I think a clearer playing style at Arsenal that might suit him as well. And I don't know. There's stability as well. Like, you know, Chelsea is chopping change. Eze, do you think we still get Eze? I don't think you need Eze. Why do you need Eze? Where's Eze going to play? He's a luxury player for us right now. Where's he going to play then? that's the thing you've got Zubamendi holding Declan on the left hand side of the eight Odegaard on the right hand side of the eight then you've got a winger out of Medoheke or Martinelli yeah or the best is not Eze's left position anyway I think he's the eight inside one I know yeah so Declan's playing there if Declan played holding I'm taking Eze in a heartbeat is it does it make sense is what I'm saying Rio like yeah if he gives you depth then because then you can just move that about.

11:21Because if Declan gets injured, who you got? Max Talman. Baller. Just before we get on to someone like him, what's a successful season for Arsenal this year and Arteta? I'll keep it real, Rio. Either the Premier League or the Champions League. Like, anyone can take it as they want. That's what I see as a successful season and I'm not moving away from that. I'm not here to answer any other questions. So to get that, so semi-final Champions League or final you either win it and then finish in second is a bad season what happens if that happens what happens read my lips success this season is the Premier League or the Champions League so if anything else I don't know anything else what happens to your manager what do you want to see what do you want to see happen to your manager if you don't get that let the club deal with that you see me what I want to see is the Premier League or the Champions League I'm sick I'm saying I'm sick like I need to be seeing something this season.

12:18So if you're fighting to the last day of the season and it doesn't happen, semi-final or final or Champions League doesn't happen, you still think it's an unsuccessful season? Yes, because... What if you win the FA Cup? It's not good enough, Rio, man. Rawr. Nah, it's not. I'm sorry. You lot are an entitled bunch. It's not entitlement, Rio. It's standards. And you talk about standards more than anyone. Yeah, I know. We've been second three times in a row. And in one or two seasons, then someone could argue that we should have won it. Maybe once or twice. Liverpool should have, could have won it.

12:49Liverpool, they've had an unbelievable summer. Yeah. You don't chance to win. That's what I'm saying is that. So what I'm saying is that. One of the greatest summers of all time. And if they get Isak as well. So how can you say that you expect to win the league then? It doesn't matter because this is where we are in the project now, right? If we want to talk about projects, where we are in the project now, we're in the phase of the project where we should be winning the league or the Champions League. It's not good enough anymore to be like, oh yeah, we're second in. Do you not consider what's going on around you though?

13:15sometimes you can't just go oh we should be winning the league regardless of what anyone else is doing that's not my problem anymore I think before that was acceptable there's got to be realism to these expectations sometimes we've been second three times in a row Rio we've got to the semi-final of the Champions League you need to be able to get past that yeah no I agree but sometimes you've got to look at your position as well like Liverpool are champions and they've gone on they've gone on like added to that already Rio last year at the start of last year's season if you had said that Liverpool were going to win the league you would have said no that's not the case especially with a new manager you know like you would have looked and said well we don't know the situation regarding the contract but winners win I think it's different because it's not like Man City went out and had the best transfer window after winning the league it's not like you guys went and had an unbelievable transfer window and what did they do Liverpool Liverpool going back to last season they saw that there were teams struggling they took advantage we've had City have dodgy starts for the last three seasons by the way no but my point is that the teams last season gave Liverpool the opportunity to come in because they didn't have the windows that you might expect from teams that are going, we're going to go another level.

14:21Liverpool have won and gone, right, we're going to blow the bank quick and we're going to be assertive. And they've done that. And it's like, that puts you even further back. Yeah, maybe. But end of the day, we are where we are with the project. If you're a player, some of these players, they've been at the club now for four or five years. Come in second, come in second, come in second. How long can you keep doing that? No, the Declan Rices of this world have gone there to try and win. Odegaard the captain wants to win I'm sure wants to put his name up in lights all of the guys there will be like that and I only say this as somebody who's not playing now but sometimes you've got to look at your position like we looked at it's not saying anyone's Barcelona but we lost two Champions League finals to Barcelona sometimes you've got to go you know what they're fucking unbelievable yeah that's great but you were winning stuff during that time as well the issue is with us is we haven't won anything since the first Mikel's first season you know and if you look at Man United everybody around us you know what's making it worse we've won more than United do you want to make it worse everyone around us is winning City Chelsea Liverpool Chelsea Man United Newcastle Man United even Man United Tottenham Tottenham everyone's winning what's happened to you lot man no because can I just say sorry we can't be too negative I don't want negativity I'm not being negative you've asked me a question you've talked this down the energy in the room now is under the table right now for me just because we spoke about at Arsenal.

15:43You ain't kicked a ball yet in the start of the season. No, listen, I'm not, I'm just saying, I just know what my expectations are. I haven't said anything good or bad. I haven't said, he's got to go, he's got to stay. Tom, does it feel low in here, a negative energy? I haven't said anything. Yeah, he's nodding, he's saying, yeah, and he's an Arsenal fan. Yeah, I'm just saying, this season, and I'm sure, I'm going to take a leave from Rio's book, I'm sure if you was to ask Mikel Arteta himself, he'll tell you the same thing. We have to win. Let's get on a positive note with Arsenal because Because you've got two of the most talented young players in this country at the moment.

16:13Three. Oh, sorry. Yeah, yeah. Skelly. But Skelly, he's been exposed. We've seen him. But he's still young. Yeah. No, no. But I'm saying that ones that we ain't seen enough of yet. We ain't seen. Skelly is playing superhuman football at left back in some of the biggest games. And I'm going, he's smoking this like it's nothing. He's playing at goals. Yeah. Ethan and Wary. Yeah. Right. I think he's a ridiculous talent. And I've said this before on the show. If Arteta had confidence in him, enough to put him in when Odegaard was injured at the beginning of the season and then when Saka was injured, I think you're closer to winning the league.

16:51Big player. And I think he's got... Yeah, he's not afraid of the big occasion. The only problem, the only thing I'm worried about is that they play, these two boys play in the same positions as Odegaard and Saka. Did you see the rumours in the summer about Noheri potentially going to Chelsea and stuff. Yeah, Chelsea, yeah. Like next season or whatever. Well, the problem Arsenal have got is if these two young boys don't get enough minutes... Who, Dalman and Ethan? Yeah, if they don't get enough minutes, especially in Noheri, he's thinking, I'm seeing kids my age now playing loads of games. I'm not getting enough minutes.

17:31They could start getting itchy feet. Maybe a bit early for Dalman, but they could start getting itchy feet and people around them maybe in their network, no, there's better off, there's more game time here, you need to play games, etc. Patience, wear and fin. You run the risk of losing them. I think they're ready to be dipped in a lot more often than what we saw last season, especially Nwuri, because he's had that year of like adapting to the first team schedule, etc. But when I've seen him come on, like you said, I think it's a good point. He don't care the occasion. Give me the ball, I'll do something.

18:02And I think he's got a real, he's got a great talent. but Darman excites me on another level right even more than Ethan yeah no no this kid this kid is different yeah people are saying that he's the best talent this country has seen since Wayne Rooney yep that's what some people are saying I'm saying the same thing I think that's that's it's a big statement and even for a guy that I want to see do really well I think we need to be easy with that one what have you seen him I have but you see Wayne Rooney Wayne Yakubi Obafemi Rooney No, they're different. That guy. No, Rooney. This kid ain't Rooney.

18:39Just put it out there. He ain't Rooney because he's not built. He ain't got a hairy chest. He ain't got a beard at 16. Wayne was. He was a man. Man child. The funny thing is I was going back and forth with my mates the other day because we were comparing Max and we'll talk about his come up. We'll talk about Cole Palmer's come up. We'll talk about. I said, I have never seen anything like Wayne Rooney at 16, 17 years old. Remember the name. But the thing with Rooney, Wayne Rooney came on with like, he has guile, but he came on with like brute force. He was like, you're going to know about me because I'm going to force it down your throat.

19:13This kid is more subtle. He's more techie. He's more jinky. All he's going to do is going to have people on ice skates, slipping and sliding everywhere because he just off balance. See you later. Play. Very rarely you see a player actually get near him and touch him. Yeah. Because he's that elusive. He had Joe Linton on ice the other day, bro. So he's a player that will excite you, that will get you off your seat. Have you seen that? He's having defenders as memes constantly when he plays. The type of football we like, when we talk about players. That's what I like. That's not what we're saying.

19:48He ain't coming. I think he goes into games thinking, how many can I get on the show reel? A hundred. That's the type of player we've grown up loving. I see their youth team manager likened him to Kaka a little bit. Yeah, that's mad. He used to have people on showreels. These players are what we, the Messi's, the Cristiano Ronaldo's when he's a May United player where you've got people just showboating. Ronaldinho, he's not them levels. I'm just saying, his mindset is, I want to hurt people. Cole Palmer does it now a little bit. That's why people love Cole Palmer. He does stuff that makes you go, oh, oh my God.

20:22Do you see what he's done to him? Can I be the first to say on the show this season and I'm saying it with chest? Ladies and gentlemen, Cole Palmer is my favourite player in the Premier League. Is he? Facts man Yeah he'll be up there Like for me And not necessarily Because he's the best player But because for me I'm now advocating That brand of football Yeah That's what I want to see I'm sick and tired Of everything else I think I might second that Is it? Yeah As your favourite player In the Premier League Like Salah's the better Salah's the better The better player He's done all this He's like You can go There's a couple of other players You put like They're better And they've done more Yeah But this player Would make me pay to go And watch football more I'd go and pay to watch Cole Palmer, but probably before, I think maybe anyone in the game in England at the moment.

21:06I think I'd agree with you. I think Haaland is obviously not the same position, but I would still much rather go see Cole Palmer than Haaland. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And Haaland scores goals for fun. Yeah, I agree. There's not a player in the Premier League that I'd rather pay to watch more than him. You could clip it up. You could say what I'm standing on that. And hopefully Max is that player for us as well. Like, I'm really impressed. I just want to see Max Dalman give him minutes because I think when he gets minutes, he will come on and it'll impact the game. He had 30 minutes, I think it was against Newcastle.

21:35I think he had the most dribbles, most take-ons, etc. in that 30 minutes. When is he 16? Bro, my man ain't even done his GCSEs yet. I'm looking forward to seeing him play this season. We said it on air. I think we said it before anyone, you know. I think the only other person that said it before you is Culture Camp. When did he say it? Well, he was telling me personally. I don't know if he said it on his channel, but I'll probably be We can all say it behind closed doors. I have to be. We can all say it with our mates in the garden. I'm trying to give you props. No, Cam's knows he's football. No, Cam.

22:05I have to say, Cam's told me this. He was just like. When? I don't care what he said. When? You know when United beat us in the FA Cup last season? Last season. Yeah, but when? What month was that? I don't know if that was. When did it be? I don't know if it was Jan or something like that. Yeah, I think we said it in November. Because he used to go to, with my company, Football Escapes. Oh, did he? travel around the world, go to Portugal and that used to come on the camps. So we've always seen him. Was he special back then? Like, did you? Yeah, the coaches used to say, man, this kid. How old is he at this point?

22:35Because he's still. He's young, man. 14, something like that. Last year. Last year. Younger. 12, might be even 11. He used to come and just go and like, he loved football. The thing that, the feedback always, yeah. Yeah. This kid loves football. He wanted to come there and do the bibs and cones. He wanted to come there and help with equipment. That early? Like, mad, like crazy. Loves the game. Well, he's ours now anyway.

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23:41Sessions average$21 with insurance and some pay as little as$0 depending on their plan. Visit growtherapy.com slash start now today to get started. That's growtherapy.com slash start now. growtherapy.com slash start now. Availability and coverage vary by state and insurance plan. Quick question. When was the last time a display ad changed your mind? Now think about the last time a friend told you about something they loved. Different feeling, right? That's how podcast advertising works. A host who's built real trust with their audience talks about your brand in their own words, in their own voice.

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24:44I want to move on to Manchester United. You were out there in Chicago and New York. New Jersey, New Jersey, yeah. Rio I'm not gonna lie to you I was looking at your stories yeah every day I was jumping I was getting excited your carpool ride with Rooney oh yeah jokes really good vlog please if you haven't seen it go watch it whose idea was that? they came to us yeah obviously the tweet he sent years ago like can I pick you up or whatever but no it was just we'd done we travelled from Detroit to Chicago in a car four hour journey so all the stuff me and him all the stuff that goes on, chatting away and like catching up, reminiscing.

25:23Went five guys, mate. Just look to the clip at five guys. It's classic. That's your boy, you know. Oh man, it's funny. That's your boy. What a guy. It was nice to just kind of have time, me and him. We ain't really spent much time with each other since retiring. It was just nice to catch up, man. And also I saw your two-touch with him as well. Like, you see me, yeah. I know I'm an Arsenal fan, but I'm a football fan in general. Like just seeing you two do two-touch. I even wrote in the comments, I was like, there's 11 Premier League titles in this clip, you know. that's mad we can't even get one that's not as much as Giggsie Giggsie's got 13 madness mad but no yeah just being spending time there but also spending time with a squad I was in the same hotel as them just being around it getting the atmosphere the vibe seeing the players how they interact they feel like a real there's a knitted group that kept the togetherness seems really kind of it's genuine and that's what happens on pre-season tours I've said this loads of places and I realised it when I was there the importance of a pre-season together for a manager is massive.

26:22One, he gets the players together for two, three weeks without any interruptions. He gets to see them in all different environments, how they react into hard sessions, et cetera. He gets to know them a lot more. So he'll have a better understanding of all of these players after this preseason than I think that he had from last season, the whole season that he spent there. So it's a huge importance. And then, but all of that positivity that I've seen, you need to get results. and the start of the season, the first six games, we've got some tough games, it's a hard start. It could be over before it started.

26:54All right. No, it could. I'm just saying. It could undo all of the good feeling that I felt on this tour with a few bad results in the first six games. That's the problem. That's the worry I have at the moment. So they need to start well. One thing he is doing, he run the life out of them. These guys are working hard, man. I mean, all teams work hard, but I'll see it up close and I'm thinking, right, these guys are running proper. Amarim wants a fit team And I think that's one of the things that I think it would have surprised in coming to May United last year is how unfit the physicality of this team that they lacked.

27:25Well, when you had the chance to sit down with a few players and Buemo interview, my goodness, Rio, you was the first person to speak to the Manchester United signing. I saw in the comments and they were like, Rio, there's no other former pro that's so involved in the culture with the club at the moment. I don't know how you become this guy, but that interview was really good. And for me, hearing him speak, it gave me like a new respect for him. And, you know. Do you know what? I think, yeah, the comments, I know what you mean. It's quite positive at the moment. And the reason why is I think because it comes through and you can see it.

28:02Feels like I've kind of been accepted back in a little bit in that sense. You're not coming like with a media company like TNT, which is more corporate. You're coming with just you and your channel, which would be, there may be a bit more, I don't know, a bit more trust. I don't know what it is. but also I think the players, but also the backroom staff and the hierarchy the club understand and see with me. I actually want the team to do well. Like I'm not sitting here waiting for them to foul. I want them to do well. I think a lot of the old-worlder players want them to do well, but we show it in different ways.

28:32I actually really, the better they do, the more happier I am. And you see that in what I do. So when I'm there with them and seeing how positive it, I'm thinking, yeah, I'm feeding off that. This is what we need, man. and that's good energy and I think when you're at a club a football club when you're in that bubble you need good energy around you and so I just try and be that and that's just genuine like so I ain't got that bad energy for players or for the club I want them to do well but if they don't play well I'm going to say what I see you've got a job to do yeah exactly and I had that discussion with Harry Maguire so just check it out on the channel coming soon guys Harry Maguire we had a sit down with him and I addressed things like that with him we had the tough questions like that about what's it like when you're having criticism and someone who's actually risen from the dead almost, shown great character.

29:18Almost. He was out. He was down and out. He was down and out, yeah. He got that undertaking, man. So to show that character and resilience, man, it was nice to just get kind of beneath the skin and have a little talk with him about it. I think that's wicked. And I think that leads me on as well because I saw some quotes with Luke Shaw regarding this season and players and something that was really interesting to me. He said, there are no stragglers in this group anymore. Everyone has to put the team first. Obviously, there's been players that have been, you know, not included, the Garnachos, the Sanchos, Anthony, Rashford's at Barcelona.

29:55It almost felt as if he was saying something to someone or a bunch of people. I'm not trying to start a mix here, but that's the only way you can take it when you hear that. What's your thoughts when you saw that? Yeah, it was quite a damning statement, wasn't it? Like when I heard that, I was like, rah, I wonder what the next meetup's going to be like if he sees any of them guys. Because I think I'd have had something to say about that if I thought it was about me. But then you go, maybe they don't say nothing because they might think and know that it's true. On the other hand, I don't know. But there's a confidence in there with him that goes, you know what, they know that I know what went on, so I can say this with my chest.

30:38That's what it feels like. and also the environment that he's feeling now would have to be a positive one for him to come out and speak like that. I'm surprised though because I think it's whoever he's saying that to, that's his business. I was surprised like that he had the confidence to say that because he hardly played. By his stature within the squad, I noticed that while I was on tour. He has a very high, strong stature within the squad. Oh, really? He's been there, I think over 10 years now. So he's seen it all there and all the bad times, he's seen it. So he's one of the most experienced and most Man United players in that squad.

31:11So I don't think he has any qualms about coming out like that. And he obviously is saying it. It tells you that. But I think you have to have seen enough to be able to go and talk like that. So I think it's a strong comment, a strong statement. And I don't think there's any two ways that it's directed at those four players because they're the ones sitting on the outside. But listen, Rashford's gone to Barcelona. You've seen his first two performances? I haven't. I think they were all right, to be fair. I think that people were trying to give him a hard time in the first game. Were they? Yeah, I think the first game was a bit like...

31:46People want to see people foul, man. I think he did all right. And I think second game, what he's going to have to do, in my opinion, he needs to score when he's on the pitch. Or assist or score, because at the end of the day, you do have Rafinha. I disagree. I think it would be good for him to score. but more importantly if I was in Rashford's camp now this is what I'd be saying to Marcus Rashford go on the pitch and what is the differentiator between you and everyone else outside of goals and assists what is that? Hunt man down run aggressive I ain't seen a game I'm just saying this is what I'll be saying you be the guy that comes in there and changes the energy in this team with the ball without the ball run behind Be that difference.

32:35Be someone who's going to want to hurt teams. Look at Pedro. I'd be giving... If I was on his team now, I'm going, right, don't watch Messi. Don't watch Henry. Don't watch Eto 'o. Don't watch Villa. Watch Pedro, the winger from before in our time. Why am I watching him? Oh, you're talking old school. Pedro, the winger. Why am I watching him? He's not the best player. He's not a talent. He's not like Marcus. He doesn't play the same way. No, no, no. I don't want to watch anything about pass. my man was the the press he was the instigator he was the trigger bang and he was aggressive without the ball and you know what we probably spent as much time talking about him as anyone else in the team before a game really because he was have you seen him work have you seen him as players have you seen how much he works mate he don't stop pressing as soon as they lose the ball bang he's on it like and in that Barca team I guarantee you you speak to all them man Xavi, Iniesta, Messi talk about great players in that team He'll be one of the first names they talk about because of what you give them.

33:34Players appreciate that. Be appreciated by your teammates. There ain't always skill that gets you that respect and appreciation. It's a bit like how you talk about Jenson Park and Fletcher. Yeah, man. Without them, you ain't winning. That's what I'll be saying to Marcus. And I hope he sees this or hears this or he's being told this by his team already. Or by the manager there. Because I think he's got so much to offer. But I want to see it. He's looking strong, you know. Like I see sometimes when the ball comes and he's receiving it and the confidence is he's standing on the ball. You know, things that you haven't seen him do for a while.

34:06Like you go. He's got it all. If he starts firing, bro. Yeah. Taking it back to standards, Rio. Amarum had some quotes and he says, sometimes when you are losing, you might think, let's change the standards a little bit for them. I eat the players to be with me. I didn't. And then I saw it. Now they understand when I say something, I will do it. I don't treat the players as babies if they don't train in the right way I have footage to show you and I show you in front of everybody so he's not joking we said this on the show I said this time ago about humiliating the players or embarrassing them in front of teammates if it's not going well and you're not listening and I've told you a few times I've told you on my own I've pulled you to the side and this is what I expect of you and you're still not doing it right Like, team in the meeting room, 25-man squad there.

35:01Guys, what do we think of that? That's what I'll be doing. I'll be saying, is that what we expect from Manchester United? That there? Is that what you think is right? You're moaning you're not in the team. You're moaning I've not pictured the last three weeks, but what the hell is this? I'll be putting it on people like that, and I'm so happy I've seen that because it makes you accountable. If you know on Monday morning, the video's going up and I could potentially be on there because I ain't tracked my runner and it's led to a chance or it's led to a goal or I've shirked a bit of responsibility in the game or I haven't, the trigger's gone and I'm off it.

35:40I'm two yards off it. I'm a second late or whatever. It makes you feel accountable. Accountability is massive within a group. Right. Okay. I've got to work right here. I've got to think right. I've got to be on it. So I think it's huge. I think what's even more interesting is he's appointed a leadership group of six players. Now, listen to the players. Sorry, just quickly. That quote there is telling me that those four players that he's omitted from the squad, he's done this with and it still ain't changed them. That's what he's telling me. Without saying it, that's what it tells you. Crazy, man.

36:15Not that crazy. I mean, we saw footage. No, no, it's crazy though. I couldn't allow that to happen, man. I ain't sitting there on Monday and being a scapegoat for no one, if I can help it. I mean, he's appointed, like I said, a leadership group of six players. I think it's interesting, the players that he's chosen. You've got Bruno Fernandes, who everybody knows he's a leader. He runs around. Sometimes we criticize him for doing too much. You've got Harry Maguire, who we said ourselves, he's risen from the dead. You've had a chat with him. And one thing you said offline is your respect for him has just gone through the roof.

36:51he understands hard work yeah definitely to come back he was berated he was abused he was online made a meme we speak about this in the interview so make sure you check out the interview on the channel drops I think a week before the season starts or soon drops in a few days if they want to know they've got to subscribe yeah definitely but that list is Tom Heaton again experience came through the academy knows the club inside out Diogo Dallot if you spent any time with him I spent a bit of time with him on tour really intelligent guy inquisitive curious guy you can see why he's in that group and Martinez who I've not spent any time with but I think on the pitch you can see he's someone who others respect and fully committed and you've also got Masraoui as one of those who he was more of a surprise I don't really know his character or anything but obviously seems like a stand-up what he is good at is adapting on the pitch he can play numerous positions understands the game obviously so it seems like a good group but again this will all be tested when the season starts because all this positivity is good, but it can unfold and be unraveled by bad results.

37:56And that's what they've got to steer clear of. So when you're looking at that list of players and you're listening to Ruben Amaram's quotes, what gives you the confidence that this season will be different? No, no, I don't. It doesn't. My confidence in the team hasn't gone up yet. I need to see results. This is a great sign that I've been on tour with the team. I've seen the energy. The ambience is very good. The work ethic in the squad looks on point. They're being drilled physically and being coached a particular way now with time on the grass. But it doesn't change or alter the way I'm thinking.

38:35I'm still not in a positive mind frame yet. I need to see it in Premier League games this season. The one big bonus we have now is that the manager signed two players that he wanted for his team, Premier League experience. I think one or two might come in before the end of the window but Man United playing one game a week more often than not I think it's going to be a huge help more time to coach still more time to recovery between games less games than other teams so that hopefully will bode well but a positive season for me I asked you that about Arsenal a positive season for me for Man United would be top 8 Rio das it's realistic yeah I'm not an entitled fan I'm realistic.

39:18If we finish in the top eight from 15th, we've done well. That's mad. Yeah, it's where we are. It's mad because I remember you lot were laughing at us. You're talking about berating. I remember when Mikel came and he was finishing in their mad position. They were like, what's going on? Everyone's laughing. And now that's what you're saying, we've done well to finish top eight. No, people were expecting that for Man United now. If I said, if I went, oh, we've got to be aiming for Champions League now, that's when you start getting laughed at. Can't you say top six, at least? Why? Why? Because you're Manchester United.

39:50Yeah, but Manchester United, you're talking about the badge. You're not talking about the here and now. Be realistic. You finished 15th. I mean, you're lucky that there were some real dead teams below that, that we weren't struggling. But do you know why that bothers me? Why? Because you are Manchester United, badge or not. If I'm a player and I know that, maybe not my manager, but the fans and people who support this club worldwide, they're expecting top eight. To me, that's a bit, it's a dangerous place to be because you still have some players that might go, well, we lost today. Well, as long as we finish top eight.

40:22The players won't be thinking that. The players will be going, oh, we got off to, yeah, top eight will be okay, but we'll be striving for more. Yeah. There's no way the players are sitting there and going, we finished top eight. Well, well done. No, no, no. They're going to want more. Players are greedy. Players have pride and ego. But this is where I feel realistically Man Utd have to aim for. I'm not saying the next season they aim for top eight. I would say hopefully there's a progression. They achieve that or beyond. And then your aspirations are greater again. But I don't think you can go from 15th to expecting to go into the Champions League positions straight away.

40:58If I was them, I'd still say top six. Well, that's you. You're an entitled fan. Yeah, right. Maybe I am, but here we go. Listen, Rio, it's great to have you back. I was getting a little bit jealous of you being out there. I'm not going to lie. Is it? well next year we're going World Cup bro we're going World Cup we're going pre-season as well though different pre-seasons I don't have more misses without it it's too long away it's too long away it's like a lads holiday for two months I'm definitely going but it's been so good to see the content as well on the channel bro I'm not going to lie here you're giving us the insight that fans worldwide want to see whether you support Man United whether you don't that's not even including the interview with Carrick and Sir Alex No, that was funny, man.

41:41That was incredible stuff. You know what I've realized, especially going on tour this summer, is that this is an absolutely global sport. 24-7, fans want info, insight, et cetera. And that's what we're doing. That's our job, is to bring the fans closer to the game. That's behind the scenes, talking to players in a different light. And the players who, I think, that's one of my niches, that I bring that trust element. I ain't looking to get a headline out of them. I want to just know what all fans really, they'll ask them questions and get the answers to them. Have you got big interviews coming out?

42:12Yeah, we've got some big interviews. We've got Harry Maguire obviously we've talked to. We've got a wicked one. You know what? Michael Owen, we've got one with Michael Owen. No way. Just the picture on the thumbnail is going to surprise a lot of people. Really? But he don't hold back. Good. This is the Michael Owen I know in the green room or when we're out having a drink. Yeah. I think people have forgotten him. I was talking about Wayne Rooney. When you listen to him talk after the interview you're going to go rah, I forgot because he don't hold back Michael Owen well yeah Rooney we've got Rooney and then we've got a proper sit down with Rooney yeah wicked when we was in Chicago we had a little sit down chat which was good and when we've got some other big ones in Europe coming as well so we're going to be flying about that's what I'm saying now I'm free I've got my I've just said you know what let me just open up a bit of time I'm flying in flying out for all these places around Europe man so some of the biggest names in the game we're having on the channel.

43:07So make sure you subscribe, notifications on, tell a friend, tune in, man. That's it. And thank you very much to the team that have helped as well during the tour. Tom, man. The producers. Mike, George. George, everybody involved. Everybody. Shout out to you guys. Great content. And that's it really. Joel Baer, Rio Ferdinand. We will be back soon. So stay tuned. We are back. Signing out. Peace.

44:05We'll see you next time. where that introduction happens. As the world's largest podcast marketplace, we let you browse shows, see who's listening, and book host-read sponsorships or run your own ads all from one platform. Transparent pricing, real-time data, complete control. Start advertising on podcasts by visiting acast.com slash advertise.