IF Carrick keeps winning - he is the LEAST RISKY appointment!

0:00A BetterHelp ad. Hold on. One second. I just need to...

0:11What if you had a room where no one interrupts? No notifications. No expectations. Just space to talk. with better help therapy happens in a space that's yours visit better h-e-l-p.com slash random podcast for 10 off your first month of online therapy there's there's there's risks with anyone who goes in there no matter what michael carrick does how well he does and if he got the job on the back of a great end into the season right it's still risk there's an element of risk but every one of the names that get thrown into the hat there's an emelette risk with all of them it's just like i don't know in any walk of life where someone comes in given the opportunity to do well and put their first foot forward for a job opportunity they smash it and hopefully he carries on at the moment he's smashing it four wins out four and people are going no he shouldn't get it i don't understand it it's crazy what more can you do right welcome to another episode of real presents guys we are here we're brought to you by Crafted every week and I'm joined by Mr.

1:20Steve Housen and Joe no not Joe actually don't even it's Ashley Williams man Joe's at the Super Bowl he's at the Super Bowl he's ditched us for the Super Bowl he's banged out of order anyway how have you been Ash? good mate you've moved you've relocated yeah it's nice to be invited on as well how are you enjoying it? good I like it yeah just trying to fill the void that you left in the community trying to hold up the community alright big shoes to fill there I'm trying I'm trying man no you know what I was a ghost in the community I wasn't really out I was always out working and then come back home family stuff and I weren't really out and about so you're not really you ain't going out why?

1:58you ain't allowed out that's out of order we've really started already outside the studio you know what I mean I'm right or wrong Ash you're under the phone I'm right or I know yeah Ash for real I can't have it off you two I'm not having it I might take it off someone but I'm not taking it off you two you're just too busy collecting data and you're at work it's true it's true I'll say that I'll say that but are you under the thumb are you under the thumb nah are you under the thumb are you rain manning alright listen before we come to blows anyway four wins out of four carries hey listen United are playing the best football in the league and anyone can find me if they think otherwise here here there's nobody coming close to us at the moment why are you taking deep breaths no listen I am with you on it but if it's going to be a man United loving I'll just leave now I can't be arsed.

2:45I might as well go. I can't be arsed. I'm going to be honest with you. You might as well go. Well, we've got a script here. It's looking like it's all red. It's all red. And I ain't seen nothing but United on here. I'm joking. I'm joking. I'm joking. But no, no, no. Well, okay. A lot of people heard what we think. What do you think about May 9 at the moment? No, good. All four, what? The turnaround. Like, it's night and day, isn't it? And Fletch went in there. I think that helped Carrick a bit. Why? because it was a small transition away from something so shit. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Obviously, they weren't enjoying it and it weren't very good.

3:22And then Fletch probably helped out with that, put it a little bit back to what it should be. And then that teed up character go and do what he's done. And now I agree like Saturday that they play the most attractive football to watch. I'm enjoying watching Man United again. And also for these, like my eldest son is 14. Man United fan he's never seen Man United play like this because it's been so drab for so long so he's just got he's just but I did a match today with Carrick not long before he got that job and I don't really know him but obviously you know him well but it doesn't surprise me with him because he's so level headed he knows football he's very intelligent just seeing him on the side you can tell that he knows what he's doing you played against him what was he like as a player because I think it's important for people to understand also what he's like as a player and then you can use that as a reference to what he's now transitioned to as a manager because I think there's a lot of connections in there.

4:19When you play against certain, obviously I was a centre-back, but there's certain midfield players which are hard to play against. He was one of them. Modric was one of them. He's one of them because you can't read him. So a lot of the time you're up against a striker, but you're also really up against their centre-mid because whether it's balls in behind, down the side, into feet, you're trying to read all what he's doing. Well, you're trying to see what shape he's making. Yeah, you're trying to read whatever he's going to do before he does it. So you've got, because you don't want to be reacting to what's happening.

4:48And he was one that dictated the tempo, very intelligent, would wait for you and then play the other pass. Or, you know what I mean? Like if you go channel, he's going to go to feet. So he was always a clever type of player. Probably one that we don't see a lot of them at the minute in the Premier League these days. So I think when you've got that type of player, if he can transfer that into coaching and communicate that kind of level of football intelligence, you're going to get a good coach out of him. So it doesn't surprise me that he's doing... It has surprised me how well they're doing, but it doesn't surprise me that he's achieving good things.

5:23Mate, two months ago, or not even, against Brighton, I think we did this pod and I was like, we can't pass, we can't tackle, we can't run, we can't shoot. Like, we don't have a clue what we're doing. And in five, six weeks, we've gone from that to, I think we play the best football in the league. Ruben Amarin had too many players that were having to kind of adjust their game and their understanding of football through playing in different positions. I think you can do that with a couple of players. You can do it one or two, three maybe players in a team and kind of get away with it. Also, if you're confident, if your team's got momentum.

5:57But if you're doing it with most of your players in your team and even the players that are coming on having to play different roles that they ain't grown up on and not understanding properly, and the teams lacking confidence can't get no momentum under huge pressure as well and scrutiny that Man United brings it was a massive uphill task to do that almost impossible it proved impossible but what about the arrogance level of it as well I think that like and when he came in and the shape that he played and what he'd done before I was like I think it's a difficult shape to play against when you get it right like we've seen Palace do something similar earlier on in the season you can see why it works you played in the back three didn't you?

6:32yeah played in the back three similar yeah Wales played the same two wing backs a box midfield and a striker but like how long it was almost like the more you it doesn't work and you tell me to change it I ain't changing it like it's so stubborn and like arrogant really for Amarin that it's just shocking but then when you but then when you take that and you come in I don't want to say it's easy because it's not what he's done but like you can just like put players in and go play with a bit of I know they've got some structure which we'll probably touch on later on. But just let them players play because they're good players.

7:08It's weird, isn't it? You're saying they can't do... You're thinking at the time, he can't pass, he can't run, we can't do anything. Mate, I was watching the low and I'm just thinking, if I can get near him, I'm throttling him because what is he doing? The guy can't pass at all. His decision-making is horrendous. And in the last four games, he had a game the other week, he had 100 % pass completion. Don't know. It's like what I said to you before, though. He's receiving the ball as a winger under Amaroum. He's receiving the ball higher than the winger at times or as high as all the front players with his back to play.

7:40You try and receive the ball. And Mark by the sideline as well. You try and receive the ball like that, yeah? As good as you were on the ball, yeah? I was good on the ball. Don't put me in that position because I'm sitting there going, right, you know what? There's probably 15 and a half squad better than me at doing that. Like, it's just the way it is. So he ain't going to be a producer of good representation of himself. Cobby Maynard is a perfect example. like I was sitting here on the pod loads of times going do you know what he wants to play a two in midfield with big spaces around them right so that doesn't really suit Cobby Maynes so I understand why he might not be playing him but we was also saying how good is this kid on the ball he's shown us how good he is so maybe you build a structure that suits one of your best players who has a superpower that not many other players not only in your team or squad but in the league have the way he receives the ball in any area of the pitch with a confidence and the amount of times he comes out of it and then the game opens up, it's unreal really.

8:34But he wasn't for kind of buying that or even trying it. So these games so far are just showing Ammar and up for who he was and what he believed in at the time. And I'd like to speak to him in another six months' time and just see how he reflects on his time here. What would he change? Would he be as stubborn? Do you know what I mean? Because it was, obviously it could be a defining moment in his whole career if he doesn't change. You know what I mean? But just to see what he thinks when he looks back. Because it's really, I find it really interesting that you see stuff and you go, we were talking about out there, weren't we?

9:11Like, did managers in our time go, oh, because he can't do that, I can't play him, he's not playing? They must have done. Football players have got to the level because they're good football players. They can find, look, you're talking about Kobe Maynard. That kid finds a solution more times than not when in possession. So he'll get out of tight situations and he'll pass forward or he'll get it from one side of the pitch to the other. He's comfortable being in that position being asked that question in the game. He's a good player. He doesn't need to be told like I don't think he needs to be told all the time get the ball from here and we're looking for that.

9:46Then maybe he's got some patterns of play but he will figure it out because he's good. Bruno Fernandes he thinks for himself is another good player. Cunha another good player. They can make something out of nothing. So why don't you just let them players go and do that put them in the right places and then you don't, I don't think you need to coach that too much. I've never, the best teams I've played for with attacking players, you just let them go because that's what they've done all their life. Yeah, you coach up to them. And it'll be unpredictable. You coach up, a little bit of structure up to them and then go, guys, you're here because of...

10:12Do you think? Yeah, exactly. I think Kunja probably fits into that category and Kunja's another one where you hear a lot of people saying, oh, can he play wide in a team now where you've got to be up and down and you've got to be able to defend and whatnot. But I don't think... I see him defending. But I don't, No, but I think he's one who I think he could be a bit loose at times. I think he runs around a lot. That's what we would suggest he might run around. I'm not sure. But my character's gone, you know what? He gives me too much in other areas. So I'll suffer that if we can compensate through structure when we haven't got the ball, maybe.

10:41And I think, again, it's a breath of fresh air for these players. And I don't think he's had to change loads. I just think he's gone, guys, you're all good players, man. Back on Mainu, you was asking whether he was working hard enough, whether he could do this. Yeah, perfect. Have you seen that he's run the most in every game? Where's the camera? Where's what Andra talks to? Kobe Mainu. We asked the question. I asked the question. I hope he's working. Is he working? Is he doing what the manager's asking? Is he putting the physical mileage in on the training ground? There's no doubt in my mind that you come into a team and you run the amount that he has and you put in the performances he has.

11:18It's concrete that he was working when he weren't in the team because, listen, you know when you're out of the team and you come in listen you can get a few good passes off and you can have a few shots and maybe score a couple of goals yeah but the red light comes on at 60 minutes the tank is empty first game you might get through adrenaline game 3-4 you are on the floor and he must have been doing some real work so you know what tip your hat to Kobe Mane forget performance but physicality 18 passes against Spurs the most duels on the pitch like it was a proper all-round performance performance which that was the question was whether or not he could do the defensive side and he's just shown that he cast the mirror a bit of a ghost on Saturday what I think on that point is before Amorim wanted them two sitting players and then I think he kind of switched it to a one because Bruno was a little bit more advanced just go where he wants to go after the ball and I don't think Mano is the type of player to just sit in there anyway because he's too he's got too much energy for that situation so it didn't it didn't he wouldn't be having him because he'd just go I want two to sit and protect my back three and then let the others go the other five but so okay so then he's not suited for your team a bit like what you said earlier but when you when you're not winning games and you're not doing well and you've got that behind you that engine to figure out a way to get him in to get him in and let him do all his running because I don't think he's disciplined like we're not saying he's that type of guy that sits in the middle and links play no he's got too much about him for that.

12:52There's times for that, teams and players for that position. I don't think that's him. He's the one to go and fetch the ball. That's a fine. That is your phone as well. Press-ups. Sorry, I'll do some press-ups after. Sorry, guys. Fucking hell. What is going on? He gets the ball and he'll, what I like about him is he doesn't like, he'll bounce a couple. So it's just, we're talking about, we're glazing things now that just used to be normal. Basics, yeah, normal. he'll bounce two or three and then the next one you think he's going to and then he'll get out of it and like as a defender then great because that's the transition that you want to get you at the pitch you can give him a ball with people on him he just deals with it he's got the strength now in him as well to hold someone off if they go hard on him but he's also got that lovely feet he can go left he can go right he can move it around and he's putting it into the final third as well do you think he goes World Cup?

13:47Who's in the squad in front of him? Declan Rice Anderson Anderson, to absolute certainty. There's your three starters, potentially. Depending on what shape he wants to go with. No, I don't see him. I don't know. I don't think that's now done. No, I can. No, nor do I. I do. I think he's on the plane, at least. Those, yeah, Walton. Yeah. Then you've got Jude. Is he counted as one of those? The eight? Who else, possibly? A million tens. Morgan Rodgers. Yeah, loads of tens. Palmer, Foden. I think he goes. I'd take him. I would 100 % take him. I'd take him. You've got to move someone, but I would take...

14:29Do you know what as well? He's done it. He's been there. Yeah, he's been there. Shown that level and that stage and that type of football in national football, which is different to the Premier League. He can do it, but it's all down to... I think it's down to what the manager wants. What does Tuchel want in there? Do you know what I mean? I think he'll like him and I think he'll go. And if he plays, he'll do well. I've got confidence, yeah. All right, I'm going to talk about ball-playing defenders here because I'm lucky enough to be sat with two. So give the people a little bit of knowledge on this, one.

14:59We've heard Rio talk about this before. Talk to me about Martinez. I remember me and you was in Copenhagen absolutely slating Maguire for his passing and how long it took him. Martinez, a bit different. Yeah, and I even seen one time Martinez is going up to win a ball of Sri Lanka and Maguire comes over the top of them and wins it. So you've got one who's physically strong in the air and whatever. And then you've got one who that's a weak part of his game, but on the ball, he's brilliant. So I think he's gone, well, I'm gone. I've got two good players here with different qualities, match them up, just like it was back in the day.

15:34Strader, because you'd have a big one, a little one, centre-half, you might have the same. And he's gone. When we were in session, dropped the ball off at Martinez. And now he can dictate. He was dictating the tempo, the pace of the game. Sometimes you slow it down. and the importance of that is letting his team get a little rest and get reset, get into the shape that they want to be in. And then he might bounce a couple again. But the good thing about him is, like you said, he wasn't passing for passing sake and just going across slow, slow, slow. He might do that one or go there and then he's cutting through.

16:06Now they've got options. They're on the move in front of him. So when he sets up and he stops the ball, they all get set and then you'll see the chain of events come. So then he'll play it. He might bounce it, but then the next one's coming. so he can play through the lines and then they're off. And then it looks like the Manchester United, what we all talk about, the old Manchester United, they attack with so much pace, the shots are flying in, but it's getting set off from him. And I just think it's really clever for Michael Carrick to go, I understand your strength and your weakness and your strength and your weakness and we'll play to both of them.

16:35Why not? It's that simple that he's just, just do that, lads. It's so clear. I don't think that's, I think that he's literally just gone, right, when we've got the ball, if it's the back line, we give it to Lissandro. and not get out of the way, but just support that. Be ready for what we're talking about in case he does do it and he gets cut out, we're all nice and ready. But we don't really want Harry Maguire's... He's not terrible on the ball, but that's not his strength. He's stronger, but you're better in the air. Harry's better at carrying the ball. He'll run out with the ball a little bit.

17:06Not so much now, but when he was younger, especially, he would drive out with the ball and then someone would come and engage and he'll just shift it off to the right or the left. But I agree, like Martinez, he's passing his like... And we spoke about this the other day, the way he draws the forwards onto him to get really close. There's a bravery in that. I mean, people talk about bravery and the tackle and whatnot. But there's a bravery in taking the ball and risking it. He takes big risks on the ball with the distance that he allows between him and the forward, which is why he does that, is to pass it.

17:35When he passes it beyond that striker, that striker can't react and then make a difference in the next phase of play. and I think he's a again you know you want the right people around you in these situations as well, the right characters like he's had a bit of pressure on him focus has been on him with what's gone on off the pitch with some other guys in the media so he's under big scrutiny to go on play and still take those risks and be the dominant force on the ball and his numbers on the ball, like the amount of touches he's having but also he's I don't know whether it's been told I want you to do this So I think it seems like it's in him that, no, no, I want you to impact the play.

18:12He wants to make a difference in the game. Most centre-halves, the midfielders are coming and getting the ball off them to make a difference on the game. It's a five-yard pass. Yeah, the United midfielders now go, no, no, he's good enough on the ball. We'll move around away from him because he'll find us somewhere to then affect the game. So it's really, it's interesting to see in Longman that continue. I think on that one as well, he's one of them players where, as a centre-back, I don't see it a lot these days, but are you willing, not the high ball, but are you willing to slap up a side-footed pass through the midfield line to the front line and he will cut it open, which is a risky pass as well because if that gets cut out, it's a bit of danger.

18:53But he's so good on it, he'll get that through there and then you see the next part of this Michael Carrick-Manchester night where it goes there, set, someone coming in, it's all one touch and then next thing you know, I don't know how many shots they had, by the way, but they peppered the goal and it was all from things like that where he can pass through the line which is a difficult skill because there's so many bodies. If you imagine you're on the ball you've got all them bodies there you're trying to take in all that information you can see a gap a small gap by the way and you've got a certain amount of time to get that there and he can do that and he's doing that now so I think it's again like you said it's very simple but it's alright saying it's simple but we don't see it that much these days we see a lot of these centre-halves trying to go around the block I mean most games you could just put your team out of possession in a kind of Christmas tree block and go alright keep going round us and round us and there's no one with that bravery or quality to go I'm not going to accept the round I'm going to go through I'm going to go through and City couldn't do it who do you see doing that in the game at the moment is there anyone outside of Martinez that does that Bastoni at Inter can do it when they're playing and they're on the top of their game Bastoni's going to the ball man he's a bit more of a driver with it as well but he can play as well I like him on the ball he plays in a three so it's a bit different I think that was what that was what we were speaking to the gaffer in the summer about when it was about whether he's sort of outsourced the playmaking a little bit to one of the three by sacrificing one of the midfielders I think it's easier in a three I don't think there's a lot of them because like the problem is is that the question sometimes is it's not about are they good enough to do it these centre-halves to play them risky balls and to really kind of penetrate it's what they're being asked to do what they're being coached to do they're being coached to recycle the ball and just change the angles of the play and just keep putting it around till an opening comes somewhere else don't really want you doing that you used to slap them into Rooney often I remember those and Carrick obviously Carrick would come and get them off you but when you'd break it and go right through midfield into Rooney was that coached?

20:59was that asked for? or did you just see it and want to do it? no but that's what manager bought me because that's what i like to do that's what that's the way that i played the game and then then you've got players and that's key what i said you've got players that can that that can do that then when they get it turn and face and then hurt teams right man we got loads still to come right on this pod but we'll be back shortly after this

21:25host unforgettable backyard barbecues with savings from whole foods market get the good Time's going with made-in-house chicken or pork sausages and ready-to-cook kebabs for hassle-free flavor. Grab tasty flatbreads and their new balsamic chicken salad in the prepared foods department. Keep things fresh with organic red cherries, strawberries, and peaches at their peak. And stock up on bug sprays and sun care must-haves. Make your summer sizzle at Whole Foods Market. Hey, Pablo Torre here. As a sports journalist, I've covered global sports for many years now. and there is one thing that I can promise you.

22:01Nothing compares to the World Cup. And this time it is even better thanks to McDonald's. You have the chance to take home one of nine legendary cups when you order the FIFA World Cup meal. The cups feature some of the biggest legends in football like David Beckham, Terry Henry and Ronaldinho, Christian Pulisic, Lamin Yamal and Alfonso Davies. Right now, get one of nine legendary cups when you order the FIFA World Cup meal only at McDonald's. At participating McDonald's only for a limited time while supplies last. All rights reserved. Copyright 2026. McDonald's at the FIFA World Cup 2026.

22:39Declan, right. If I played in the Arsenal team, I'd have to tell Declan. Go away. Please. Go away, yeah. Please. And I don't see anyone else talking about it. Not to say that he's not one of the best centre midfielders in the world. Clearly he is. But I think I can get you the ball more advanced at the pitch. But I want to ask you, what would you be saying? Like, because I see that a lot now as if like, I can't play. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I'll take it as a diss, I'll take it as a diss. That's what I would do. I'll take it as a personal. I used to take it as a personal. If, and as good as like, Scolzi or Karras was, I used to say like, like, go away.

23:12Yeah, don't come near me. That's what I wanted to ask you because I see it every week they just give him the ball and I'm like, I'm not going to, I think I can get you the ball in a better area and also I can do the same thing you're going to do Because most of the time, they get the ball and just pass it anyway. I've seen that come into the game a little bit, where midfielders are taking it off defenders, as if they can't do anything. That's what my point was before. I think that Arteta is telling Declan Rice to go there, and he's creating, I don't know, having more numbers here to draw people out.

23:42And I think that's maybe what they're doing, because obviously Arsenal are the best team at the moment, and teams are sitting back, and that's where they find it maybe a bit more difficult, having that imagination around the box. but if they can draw teams out and play through bigger spaces, maybe that's what the reasoning might be. But like you say, but then that's the difference between generations. Like we get told a certain thing before a game, but then in the game, if we saw something, we'd go, whoa, whoa, move. What are you doing? This is my area. Move out of this space here. And then the manager's not really going to you.

24:11Because if you go on score and you win the game, the manager's not coming at you. Even if he didn't win the game, he probably doesn't come to you and go, why are you doing that? Because they've bought you because you're good at passing the ball. They trust you. You know what I mean? Was your role at Swansea asked, coached, or just what you wanted to do? No, a little bit of all of them, to be honest. We knew the format was we're going to dominate the ball, which we did probably most games. And we was always going to do that at home or away. We'd try at least to do that. But we wouldn't really have like...

24:41We wouldn't be like, you're going to be here and pass to him. It was just like, listen, we're going to keep the ball. But then within that, we just developed relationships where timings is a big thing. Timing of when to receive a ball. I think we're losing all of them types of little details. So if I've got time on the ball, no one's coming to try and get the ball because I'm fine, I'm safe. The ball's safe, they don't need it. The minute I get pressed, Joe Allen, Leon Britton are going to pop up. Exactly where it's, same like Gareth Barry. He's going to be there where I need him to link it, get us out to the three-man, where's the three-man every time.

25:16So the manager can't tell, say where the three-man is going to be. Because who knows in that one play? I think the problem has been though recently is that everyone's become structured. Like really like overcoached and everything's about the system and the system overrides any individuals and that's why there's no Mavericks or not as many Mavericks in the game now. I think it's going to change around. I think it's where the position, I could see it starting to change a little bit in cycles. Yeah. I mean, I went and watched Paris Saint-Germain yesterday against Olympic Marseille and they're structured to a point, but when they go and break, They're like flying from all angles, all over the place.

25:53You know what I mean? And that can't be coached because there's no way Enrique is saying, run this way. You run diagonal. You run that. They just go, I'm sure. And different people are popping up in different areas of the pitch. It's nice to see the fluidity. But you know what? Also, because you're here, Ash, we've had our say on whether Carrick should get the job, when he should get it, comparisons to Oli and people like that. Where do you sit on this? Listen, if he continues to do what he's doing, he gets a job 100%. I don't see how you don't give him it. And why wouldn't you give him it? Because of what?

26:22Because of experience, lack of, or not a big name in coaching terms. He gets it. Now, if they fall off a cliff and it all becomes too much for him, maybe they don't play well, then you've got to look around. But then who are you getting? The turnover of managers for most teams, but United as well is like, well, you've tried everything. You've tried the smaller name. You've tried the big name. you've tried the ex-player if you've got one that's you've only got to watch that game against Spurs and go yeah I can go to war with this guy he knows exactly what he's doing, his persona this is the best I've seen watching Manchester United for ages man apart from when I used to play against them since them so I'll actually tune in for Man United now I want to watch it, I'm serious I'm not a Man United fan but I'm enjoying the football and I bet you haven't been watching it for a while No, and it's hard to talk about them because we're all in the same boat where we go, you're going to say this week?

27:21No, man. We said it last week. It's the same. That was the worst part is, mate. Some of them standing in the crowd at Old Trafford. I'm in the Stratford and I am bored and it is quiet. There's just a groan. Like the Bournemouth game, the Newcastle game, and you're just thinking, this is rubbish. You're spending your hard-earned money to go and watch that. And it's not the team that you grew up with, but then when they watch that game, exciting the shots are flying off they ain't even waiting he's just getting set back bang bang long range shots all sorts is going on but like I think he gets I'm going to say if he continues with this he gets a job if they don't give him it that's some political business going on like Enrique's been linked and obviously he's got an incredible CV but he's got an incredible CV with teams that were way further ahead in their development and closer to being a finished article than where United are right now didn't you get linked 200 to 1 I was, yeah.

28:15200 to 1, yeah. Which is a bit of a piss take, really. That I was higher on than Gary Neville because I was fucking well better than Gary Neville. But Enrique, he had to quit Barcelona because the pressure at Barcelona got to him. I can't imagine with the amount of teams at the top end of the Prem that are fighting for the way they are, that he's going to be able to handle it. Do you know what I think, Steele? I've seen a lot of people say, oh, Michael Carrick ain't got the experience. he hasn't done anything what has he done to deserve the opportunity etc he's in the hot seat and he's earning the right to be kind of positioned to be the next manager if he keeps doing well but that's what I was going to say it doesn't matter who you bring in what they've achieved what level they are how many trophies they've won no one's a guarantee football's a mad game like that no matter what you bring in through the front door there's no given right that you're going to have to win or improve massively as to where you are And you look at like, I don't know, you look at Enrique, you said there, do we know if he's going to be able to change things?

29:20There's so many different layers to it and moving parts that might affect his development or his ability to make this team a success. Mourinho, everyone said he was going to be a guaranteed success. Do you know what I mean? Conte won with Chelsea, went to Spurs, won a success. Just because you've won here or you've got experience, oh, he hasn't got, you need more Premier League experience. Why? Why? that might be a hindrance by the way yeah like if you look at I'm a fan of him I think he's a really really good manager what he did at Brentford but look at like Thomas Frank I know he's got all the injuries and that but he's not like you wouldn't have thought this he's scratching his head looking for ideas of how I can affect a game yeah yeah honestly he used to look like a mastermind before so you don't know man like even how to beat the names they're anything but how to beat they're just wide open but like you look at the names I don't know we got some names on here Nagelsmann an Ancelotti to call Zidane I don't know you want to throw the name at it but I used to say he can do the job better than Michael Carrick there's risks with anyone who goes in there no matter what Michael Carrick does how well he does and if he got the job on the back of a great ending to the season right it's still risk there's an element of risk but every one of the names that get thrown into the hat there's an element of risk with all of them it's just like I don't know in any walk of life where someone comes in given the opportunity to do well and put their first foot forward for a job opportunity, they smash it, and hopefully he carries on.

30:44At the moment he's smashing it, four wins out of four, and people are going, no, he shouldn't get it, though. I don't understand it. It's crazy. What more can you do? Imagine he wins, let's say he wins 75 % of the games, and he can still drop three or four losses in this. We're definitely finishing top four if he does that. Maybe even a little bit higher than that. Imagine that he does that, he gets Champions League. Last season we came 15th. He comes third or fourth, and we go, hey, nice one. Off you pop. And we bring somebody else in. The first game we lose, people's heads are going to fall right off.

31:17I think it's almost impossible. Not impossible, but I think you've got to give it to him. On the basis if he does that one. You're compromised as you mate. No, no, but I think if he... I'm not saying give it to him if he wins 50 % of the games. I'm saying if he goes in there and goes like, okay, he loses two or three games to the end of the season, we finish third or fourth, qualify for the Champions League, and from where we were and from the negativity surrounding the club to being positive and backing in Champions League and you go, no, we're going to go with Sanso who's still an element of risk about him other than the person who's actually got to play Champions League.

31:51But that's all the comments are going to say. He's your mate. No, I don't care. Well, are you going to Solskjaer's one mate? And I said that they need to get rid of him at the time. I know, I'm just saying. I weren't one of those who didn't say it. I'm just saying. Nev? No, I'm joking. It's going to be interesting to see how United get treated. You know, though, mind you, Roy Keane's, well, not his biggest fan, I think it's safe to say, isn't it? But I don't understand that with Roy. I've got to be honest. I don't understand, man. I just, like, I don't know how you can be so against, like, even his back-wing staff.

32:22Steve Holland has been around the biggest managers in recent times in recent football, has been an integral part of the coaching staff. Why? Does anyone know this, by the way? Why did Steve Holland, why was he a club appointment at Chelsea and saw through all of those managers? because normally the assistant, that's your boy, isn't it? Like, if you come in as a gaffer, you bring your mate in. What are you smiling at? Maybe it's a Chelsea thing, isn't it? I don't know. Because you know what the old thing used to be? I just want to make this clear. I'm not saying this is Steve Holland, yeah? I'm not saying this is Steve Holland.

32:53But normally when the manager goes and one coach stays, it's a little bit snaky, isn't it? I ain't saying that's him, but that's what it just comes to my mind. I think he was just a club guy. He's got some bodies under his patio then because, oh my God, did he see a lot of them off at Chelsea. I think it was Chelsea's, he's the club guy, he's the absolute that stays, he's the constant that is here. And maybe that's why they were successful regardless. Yeah, maybe, yeah. So he had an idea what the Chelsea DNA was at the time and every manager is going to have to have an element of that. But you can add your own spice as well.

33:25Do you know what I mean? If you'd have said in the summer when Liverpool got to their 20th title and United had just finished 15th, United are going to win the 21st before Liverpool, people would have locked you up. 100 % but it's going to happen and Michael Carrick's bringing it by the way talking to Liverpool what the hell happened there I've only just stopped laughing 20 minutes ago what the hell happened man so in our notes it says we're not allowed to talk about the VAR because everybody agrees does everyone agree what are we even agreeing on because I'm not even giving you my opinion agreed on what on what happened at the VAR at the end I think it's a horrendous decision do you yeah you mean are we agreeing on like what's the point of it all what's the point yeah that's what I agree what are we doing man it's a joke I actually like it common sense should come in I actually like it because City lose a goal and Liverpool get a player suspended I think it's fantastic when both teams are fuming you've done something wrong just leave it and everyone would have got on with it not one person would have been like I think the referee probably should have called that for a weekend not one it's stupid do you know what though I look at the result and it's also like the timing of the goals the drama and what that does for Man City's change room like they needed a result like that do you know what I mean and almost like you need to win a game like that just to stay ahead of us yeah but to create that kind of emotion in the change room that goes guys lock back in again we're back in this we've got a chance because they play first again this week it could be three points by the time that Arsenal put their boots on and the pressure's different yeah and the that's what I'm saying the psychology So, the Georgia Arsenal, they were nine points clear with a few minutes to go.

35:07And I'm telling you, the WhatsApp group would have been popping off. Boys, it's happening. Yeah. Boys, where are we going? Where are we going? Yeah. Book our beef off. Book our beef off. Right? Whatever, right? I'm sure there would have been something going on or outside the group, a couple of them going, we got this. Right? And then it changes. They're slumped, some of the Arsenal boys, right? Like it or not. but the City players in that dressing room are like they're galvanising the energy's different the only thing I would say is that this ain't the same Man City team of the last 7 or 8 years and I don't think it's the same Arsenal team I have to say yeah I think they're a bit more robust about the situation but you know you disagree I'd like to see it put to the test but the only thing I'd say is they're getting a bit of a free pass like in terms of it would be nice wouldn't it now if City three points City turn the gears on them and then if they do stand up to it brilliant for Arsenal I want Arsenal to win I keep saying everyone thinks I'm fucking about it but I actually I want Arsenal to win this but I want I want there to be drama I want I want it to get close again you don't want it done now I want to see twitchy twitchy behaviour do you know what I mean who react best Arsenal crumble City crumble you're just saying yeah if Arsenal win no way where are you going with it because we're finishing above them.

36:29Just be happy. And you know what? You sound like Joel and the Arsenal fans. Just be happy. It's true, Steve. Be happy, man. I agree with that. You're fourth. Just relax yourself. I said this the other day, and this man was laughing at me. I was saying, just calm it, man. I don't know. Why are we? What's up here? If Arsenal had dropped some points, I might have got to get here. Listen, we're just going about our business and pick up another three points. I just think it's a bit, without the influence of Rodri, who I think is their most important player, I think this is hard to see City going on a run like we've seen in the last few years.

37:00If Rodri was the Rodri of last year and the year before... Do you think yesterday was a really low-quality game? It was exciting, though. League One's exciting, Rio. It doesn't mean it's good. Yeah, but I want to be excited when I watch a game, though. I'm with you on that, but I'm talking about the quality of the game. It was gashed, wasn't it? There were moments. Oh, rubbish. That's just you, mate. You're never fucking happy with anything. By the way, he's watching Liverpool City. Who didn't enjoy that game anyway? Who didn't enjoy the game with all the goals and the ending? I'll tell you who didn't enjoy it.

37:34Most of the cup, six minutes to go, 1-0. Just all thinking like we might finish above Everton this year. And before you know it, there were 3-1 down. My WhatsApp group with loads of Liverpool fans, it went silent. There was no chat. No chat. And they've been lively the last 18 months. What happens if Everton finish above them? That can't be. I mean, they can go above them literally this week. What a mental season Liverpool have had, by the way. How can you win the league? It's got to be one of the worst follow-ups to a championship winning league. Defend your title. They win the league. They spend 450 mil improving their squad.

38:16And at that point, at the point where you're at now, you just hand-picked the best players in those positions that we can all think of. Do you know what I mean? So you go, perfect recruitment, nailed on. And they get worse. New contract for Salah. New contract for Virgil. On the back of the season he just had. It's a myth what's happened there. I don't know what's happening. I don't get it. It's mad. It all went downhill when he got on the decks. I reckon if someone said to, if he was the manager, end of the season after he won the league, the way they did, re-signed two best players and someone went to you, you've now got to be 10 positions worse yeah and I'm going to give you 450 million pounds to spend and be worse I think you find it hard I find it hard to do that it's mad I don't know I don't even know what Arna Slaught would be thinking you must just go and go fuck I'll tell you one thing he ain't doing he ain't going to Ibiza for a while he ain't going back there for a while wow mental season it is a mad season because United have literally been dog shit clinically dog shit all season won four games on a bounce turned it around and I think we're going to come second yeah yeah well you are I'm not on my own Rio I'm really not on my own no one's saying it out loud that's the difference oh they are no you're the only one chatting like this I can't believe you're doing that to be honest you've been hammering Joel for this type of stuff for years you've been like moaning about it you'll have shades next week I know it'll turn into an helmet well that was a different episode without Joel wasn't it no shades no fake cigars off the trophy he's probably took the trophy to the Super Bowl do you know what I mean but Ashman good to see you man thank you bro Mr London Mr London now Mr South London I try man I'm around I'm here alright if you need me alright guys well that's enough that's us done myself Rio Ferdinand Steve Housen and Mr Ashley Williams thank you very much make sure you subscribe tell a friend notifications on and make sure you stay tuned

40:33Hey, Pablo Torre here. As a sports journalist, I've covered global sports for many years now. And there is one thing that I can promise you. Nothing compares to the World Cup. And this time it is even better thanks to McDonald's. You have the chance to take home one of nine legendary cups when you order the FIFA World Cup meal. The cups feature some of the biggest legends in football, like David Beckham, Terry Henry, and Ronaldinho, Christian Pulisic, Lamine Yamal, and Alphonso Davies. Right now, get one of nine legendary cups when you order the FIFA World Cup meal only at McDonald's. At participating McDonald's, only for a limited time, while supplies last, all rights reserved, copyright 2026.

41:12McDonald's at the FIFA World Cup 2026.