Reasons Man Utd need to sign Elliot Anderson and Dutch Wonderkid

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0:57guys in Holland, friends, the kids got it. But I think for talking for here and now, Anderson is top of my list as well. I think he's somebody who would absolutely balance out our midfield.

1:15Yes guys, welcome to another Rio Presents. This is being brought to you by our trusted partners, Crafted, Stehausen, Joel Bayer in the house. First it was the quadruple, then it was a treble. I don't know where we are with that because confidence and momentum we always talk about on the show, right? And do you know what? It's mad because we had Gabriel Jesus on Rio Meats only this week, right? At the beginning of the week. And he said Arsenal fans need to make sure that they remain confident in their team to win the league. That's in the latest edition of Rio Meats. Joel, where are you at with this?

1:47I'm not worried. You know, I...

1:54I'm not worried. obviously your voice you've got no bass in your voice I'm not worried that's not me that's the mic I think the mic's a bit let me tilt the mic I'm not worried you know obviously it would have been nice to win the game but I think the most important thing is we're still in two competitions two of the big ones the big is and of course we're nine points clear of the league so like Gabriel Jesus said on the latest Rio meets we just need to have the most confidence around man and it was a good interview by the way Rio I know we're talking about Arsenal It was a really, really good interview.

2:26I thought where he hit the nail on the head was when he spoke about, you know, the impact that the ex-players have on current players. I never saw it like that. You know, we do this show and we do take it seriously and all of the others. But the players feel the pressure, even though they act nonchalant. Didn't that touch you as well? Yeah, that's one of the great things I like about talking to the players, you know. And Gabriel Jesus was no different to any of the others. is that you ask them a straight question and a lot of the time when you get them in that comfortable environment and they give you a straight answer and he's like, yeah, it does affect us.

3:01But sometimes we laugh at it. And sometimes we sit there and think, like, what are you talking about? And listen, you can criticise us, set pieces, this, that and the other, but we're winning games. So we just laugh. We don't care. And I just love that. I love that, honestly. See, they're nine points clear, bro. It can't go wrong. It can't go wrong. Let me just explain to you how the rest of this season is going to play out. If anyone who's not watching And you're doing audio Steve is brought out of the shades Here's how this season's going to play off And do you know what you were thinking We're in for a disaster here You've got Arsenal running away with it You've got all these things going on Let me tell you how football survives this season Here's what's going to happen Arsenal's nine points Is not nine points Manchester City have uno game in hand They're in fantastic form at the moment They're going to win it It's down to six points Then they play each other And we already know Pep has got his number Three points When they lose against Bournemouth at weekend The lead is gone Arsenal bottle of league Manchester City win the title Arsenal fans complete meltdown You've already seen them bubbling up this weekend They then throw away the Champions League and they win nothing.

4:24And Arteta spent a billion to have a 16-year-old be his best player that he found in the locker. And the best part of all of this, Arsenal actually will win the league, but they'll get no satisfaction out of it because Manchester City are getting docked, they're getting relegated, and Arsenal have to go and pick up a trophy with no ceremony, and they win it by asterisks. And that is the most fantastic way that this season can end. Wow, that'll be madness. What's actually changed? What do you reckon has changed for Mikel Arteta and Arsenal right now, at this point? I think it's confidence, man.

5:00I think before we were just about winning games without playing well. We were getting away with it. We were struggling to find where the goals were coming from. And now we're still struggling to find where the goals are coming from and we're being punished by it. I want to ask you, though. We spoke about Man City showing a blueprint of how to beat Arsenal and how to put Arsenal under pressure, allowing the centre-backs to have the ball and going, come on, come on, you play, show us what you can do. And you saw our players struggling to break the balls through the line. What can Arteta do when teams play that way against us?

5:32You're the experienced guy, Rio. Where do we go from here? Because right now, we're stuck. Well, one of the definite ways to kind of get around that will be that it won't be Kepa in goal. No disrespect, it'll be Raya. And he can play, he plays riskier passes. He's better on the ball. He's more confident with the ball. I think you've got to allow Zubomendi to go back into those deep areas and try and probe and be one of the centre-halves, maybe split into a three and do it there with Zubomendi at the base. Even let Rice do it because Rice can travel and break the line. He can draw someone to him and then play it.

6:10So those are the things. And the two centre-backs have to be confident on the ball and be willing to take the risk to play through that press. and over it and around it. You've got to be able to go direct. Go Karez, get the ball into him. Smash it into him and say, right, bring it down. I watched a clip online the other day and he's never going to be this guy. And you haven't got this guy in your team. And there's not this guy in world football right now. But imagine if Arsenal had like a Didier Drogba they could play the ball into, right? That's the solution. But surely Go Karez can use his strength.

6:43He's got a great frame to pin a centre-half, play it into him. he actually doesn't even need to take it in half the time. It just needs to be a nuisance and that the second ball is there to be won by the Arsenal players then. That's got to be one of the ways to get out as well, other than what I said before about trying to play through it with confidence. But Pep has seen a weakness, an inability to be able to play from deep areas for Arsenal, and he's gone, this is the way it needs to be done. And other teams are going to see it. You can't tell me that Sporting aren't looking at this. I'm sure they would have watched the Southampton game as well.

7:18So it's going to be interesting this week for Arsenal against Sporting. I mean, it's funny because, you know, Southampton boss was just like, yeah, you know, we figured out a way to beat them. He said something along the lines is he knows what he has to do to beat us. And I find that very disrespectful. I don't care if before the match they were, you know, on this full team game on beating streak. We should be disposing of those championship teams. Do you know what I mean? Like, I was so vexed. I was calling him Division 1. Do you know what I mean? Like, we should be annihilating. Why is it disrespectful when he said we knew how to beat you, and he actually beat you?

7:51And he did, yeah. Because you know what, yeah? We should be holding, like, more pride in ourselves. We were going for the quadruple a couple weeks ago, Rio. The quadruple, bro. We told you at the time, Joe, we told you at the time, it was outlandish. It was blasphemous to be even talking about the word quadruple. More like quad bike. quadriceps. Like, you would never, it's a pipe dream. Who's ever done the quadruple in this country? It's never been, I don't even know why you've been talking about it. You've got to win the league. Yeah, you've not even done that. Do you know why we're speaking about it?

8:28It's because, you see, you're right. You don't always win the quadruple or the treble, but the route to this, but the route to this Rio is as easy as it could have been. Do you know what I mean? We were playing a Man City team that weren't in form. The FA Cup run was sweet. You know what I mean? The Champions League run is sweet. Nine points clear. You're expecting to pick up a couple trophies at the very least. At least one of those four ones. And Joe, and what's the team who knocked Manchester United out of the European Cup while you've been a Manchester United player? Because I've seen us lose to some random teams, whether it be Leverkusen, whether it be Monaco.

9:06It's not always Real Madrid that knocked you out. Porter. Yeah? Joe, you just mentioned that you just reeled it off like you reeled off like got an easy run in your sport in one of the less fancy teams at this stage of the knockout stages of the Champions League. Southampton, team that everyone would probably have wanted at this stage. You would have been happy with that draw. You got to a Carabao Cup final, got beat by City. Yes. And you're nine points clear. If someone had said that at the beginning of the season, you'd be in this position with seven games to go, whatever it is, right? You lot would have bit their arm off.

9:38Yet I'm hearing big parts of your fan base, especially online, talking about they're not happy with Mikel Arteta. He needs to go if he doesn't do this or that. What is going on here? Where are you guys at? Yeah, it's the pressure, Rio. Like, you can feel that because we haven't won the league in, you know, almost X amount of years. It's like you can feel that every time we lose or we draw or, you know, we don't do what we're supposed to do. Even when we win, sometimes you can feel it's nervy. but I guess that's the question we've got the privilege of having you here right how does pressure play a role in performance because there's now been eight goals a bit different yeah well okay but I want an elaboration of that because there's eight goals from Arsenal's errors in the past 23 games there was just one in 28 matches prior to that so you can see this part of the season it's getting a little bit shaky how does pressure play that role well pressure makes You know, earlier in the season when players are playing, doing Rabonas and flicks and little shake and bakes, 40-yard passes, no-look passes and all that, yeah?

10:48That's all great before Christmas. That's all great before March and April. You get to April now and it's tight up there and maybe there's a momentum shift. those fast twitch muscles start slowing down a bit everyone starts getting uptight everyone starts sweating a bit more everyone starts overthinking a bit more everyone starts thinking shall I shan't I like before Christmas there ain't no thoughts like that it's just like let me just blap it out this 40 yards bang if you don't come off who cares give me it again bang not now mate you miss you miss a five yarder now a lot of the time you see that you see the back of people's shirts when you've got the ball and they say, I don't want it now.

11:31Don't give it to me. Don't give it to me. Pressure. It plays, it's a massive part. And you know what? This ain't a slant at Arsenal and their players. This is actually just facts of any player that plays football, but it's at this moment, it's who deals with it best. And a lot of the time, experience counts for a lot. And that's why you've got to say, City, if they get within touching distance of you guys now, right? Now there's been a momentum shift and this shift stays, you guys are going to be in trouble because they know this they know this walk they've walked this path too many times arsenal walked this point the last two or three and they finished up runners up so they know what that feels like they know they don't know the winning element of this they're trying to get there and this is where michael arteta will earn his money this is where michael arteta and his leaders in his team will show if they have the metal to be able to do this because it's not easy I'm not sitting here and listen we can all joke and everything right but this is a difficult period of the season for Arsenal they've got like you say they've got Bournemouth at the weekend tough game right if you don't win that game wow and then you've got City the week after who are in form it could be good night you know he's going to see the wheels absolutely launched off this thing you know you should be ashamed of yourself Steve the way you're supporting City at the moment but listen just before you go and bathe off in your shades, right?

12:53We should be discussing something. I want to be looking at Manchester United. There's been stuff bubbling on socials. Ain't that right, Rio? Yeah, man. I mean, like, we saw us link to Tonali and Guamara both from Newcastle. And I said straight away that they won't be my first choice. That isn't no slant, again, on those players as footballers. They're just not the right type, I feel, for Manchester United at this time. I think we need more there's a different type of player that we need and both of those guys are fantastic on the ball great manipulators can dictate games great passes etc but I think you need players that are going to blend with what we have there I'm not looking at an individual player if I look at individual players those two might be in the shake-up but if I'm looking at players that are going to blend with what we have I look elsewhere and that's why I look at someone like an Anderson the way he can move the way that he's robust he's an engine in there provides the legs that you might see lacking in somebody like a Kobe Manu to some extent and even a Bruno if he's going to be dropped back in there at times so I don't know I don't think it's black and white I just feel that there's got to be horses for courses when you're going to recruit players in the engine room of Manchester United's midfield I had both of them quite low down on my list.

14:20There's been a bit of a short list emerging. I think the club are off the record acknowledging that that is more or less the list. And it does seem like Elliot Anderson is the top of that list when you listen to the journalists that are the closest to people at the club. He's been my top one. And sometimes that can be a mistake because you can often look at what someone does at one club and then try and project that they would do that at your club. And it's not necessarily the case because, you know, he's going to be playing up alongside Mainu and Bruno, not Sangar and Gibbs-White. It's a different thing and there's different things he's going to have to cover for that the other players in the Nottingham Forest side are currently doing for him.

15:05That wouldn't happen at United. At the same time, he might have a lot less defending and more ball playing to do. Like, it's sometimes, like, look at Onana, for example. the player that we signed did not appear at Manchester United. We never saw a goalkeeper like quarterbacking in the six. It never happened. Whereas that's all we saw at Inter. For me, Alec Anderson is number one. I don't hate any of the players that are on that list, whether it's Wharton, whether it's Tonali, whether it's Kamarish, whether it's Balaba. I think all of those players improve United's midfield. The problem is you need two.

15:39So I think that whoever you get, If I could have a magic wand right now, I'd go with Elliot Anderson and João Gomez. And I see a lot of people going, how do you, like, do you got to think about Mainu and this, that and the other, like, who works best with him? Forget that. I love Kobe Mainu, and I hope he has a thousand appearances for United. But we just need whatever the best midfield is. The cream will rise to the top. And I think if you, if sometimes it's João Gomez and Elliot Anderson with Bruno, because you go into the Etihad away and you think we're going to play off the back foot a little bit.

16:13I think that works. And some games you might go, we need Maynou and someone else and we're going to hold the ball because we're not going to have too much of a threat from the opposition. I think you can't pick a best 11. You have to have like 16 starting 11 players. And I think that's where United, especially going into the Champions League next season, have got to find a way. I'll tell you what I'd add to that mix. Keith Smith is an A-Z out-and-one. If you've seen this kid play, a young Dutch kid, midfielder. Oh my God, seriously. Would you do what we did last summer, Rio, where we went very, very heavy with a lot of our signings being Premier League proven, and then we added a couple of little gambles?

16:53Yeah, he's not a gamble, because his talent is ridiculous, and he'll be a top player, right? But he's one you go, I'm buying him. It doesn't have to be right for now. He could come in, and I hope he does. He comes in and takes the world by storm, but if we've got to wait six months to a year for him, I do not care because we can't let him go elsewhere. Keith Smith is the truth, man. I'm telling you, this kid, I've seen him play a couple of times now and that's all I need to see. And I've seen the clips, man. I've spoken to some guys in Holland, friends. The kid's got it. But I think if we're talking for here and now, Anderson is top of my list as well.

17:30I think he's somebody who would absolutely balance out our midfield. Ria, I want to ask, when it comes to the, I would say, the smaller games? Obviously, Man United versus Leeds is a big game because there's a rivalry there. But are you worried in Carrick's performances in the smaller games like everybody has started making noise? Are you pretty comfortable? You reckon he's done enough? It's a huge game in the calendar. This could never be called one of the minnow games or one of the minor games in the Premier League. This is one of the bigger games for Manchester United in the Premier League.

18:00So, yeah, Leeds are not at the same level that when I was there and that era. But nevertheless, Nevertheless, their fans will go into that game supercharged and that there'll be one in blood. So, listen, Michael Carrick, you'll know that, you'll understand that, but I think we've got to just look at Michael Carrick's whole time at Manchester United as manager come the end of the season. And again, he'll be put alongside other candidates. The club will then do an appraisal and they'll make a decision. But listen, I don't think Michael Carrick can be doing much more than he's done to this point in terms of putting his best foot forward to go and get the job.

18:38The results have been fantastic. His win rate is ridiculous. But it's not been perfect. There's areas that I've got question marks over still. I'd like to see a little bit more Shea Lacey, just as something a little bit different. I think one of the biggest limiters is we've not really changed that starting XI too much. It's kind of been the same answer for every single opposition, and I don't think that's the right thing. I think that there was times when other players, other tactics might have been the better option. But the limiting factor is our squad is absolutely tiny. So what do you do?

19:14Could we not have tried Cunha, maybe down the middle? Could we not have tried Mbumo off the left to give us that little bit of balance? I know Dog is back in training. I think he's been a little bit of a miss, to be honest with you. A massive miss, massive miss. I think the fact that we've not had... I mean, can you imagine the crying if Van Dijk and Canate weren't available for the entire season from Liverpool fans? like we haven't had De Ligt or Martins I don't think they played a game together you know we've been dealing with up and coming youngsters in Euro who's got a phenomenal future but he's still a child in terms of being a centre half you've got Harry Maguire who you know I think he's had a great season but he's firmly a back up player that's been our centre half partnership and we're going to find ourselves in the top three probably by the end of the season with that after sacking our manager with midway through the season so I think Michael Carrick deserves an enormous amount of praise and I think if he doesn't get the United job full-time, he's done himself no harm whatsoever for wherever he goes after this.

20:08But right now, especially with Enrique seemingly signing a new deal at PSG, who out there definitely comes in and does a better job than Michael Carrick? I'm not sure that person exists. That's my thing, Steve. I see a lot of people saying, oh, how can you give it to Michael Carrick? How can you not go out there and look at what's that? Who the hell's out there? Two courtes would have been a candidate signed a new deal do you know what I mean Ancelotti would have been a candidate signed a new deal the guy you just said there again he's going to sign a new deal probably and even if he doesn't sign a new deal he'll have other offers that at this moment in time he might fancy more than Manchester United because Man United are in a position in terms of how the club looks the reputation at the moment it might not be something that anyone wants to get involved with after being at a club where it's very stable and he's won two trebles the geezer like it's like where we're talking about a guy is he going to come and risk stuff at a club that's starting from such a low ebb I don't think so I don't think he wants that he'd want that kind of want that fight he's in a place where he's very comfortable he's appreciated he's lovely he's respected he's continuously fighting for the biggest honours now where's he why are you going to leave that right so all these people saying oh you can't just go to Michael Carrick what has Michael Carrick ever done he's only managed Middlesbrough well he's been given the opportunity and he's proved himself In any other walk of life, you go, you know what?

21:34Fair play. We'll give him a chance. Why is it so different here? Nah, it's true. Because you could have ended up in a Liam Rossini situation. But listen, Steve, I know that you want to go enjoy your bank holiday. You know, I appreciate you joining us here. But before you go, I need the prediction for the Leeds match, please. I think we win. I think it's a good game. I think Monday night Leeds, Old Trafford's going to be rocking. I can't wait. I'm after a spare. If anyone knows anyone, get in touch, please. Can't find one. Everyone wants to go. Are you going, Steve? I'm going, yeah, but I've got a mate coming up who wants to go and can't find a ticket.

22:09So anyone's got any spares, hit me up, please. Thank you. All right, mate. Enjoy it. See you later. So, Steve's gone, but Rio, what do you think? Manchester United versus Leeds at Old Trafford. I want to go for a Man United win. I think it's a tough game. I think Leeds have had a tough game in the FA Cup against my old team, West Ham, as well. which was a great game. Massive, massive, massive game. Crazy game, really. But it's really good to watch that. But obviously, Leeds were the winners and they go into the semifinals at Wembley. I think they got Chelsea, didn't they? But I think that emotionally would have been a massive game for them.

22:47And I think that might have done Man Utd a favour. And I think Man Utd would have gone to win that game against Leeds. Right, man, we've got loads still to come on this pod, but we'll be back shortly after this.

23:26We'll see you next time.

23:40We want to talk about Max Dalman. He was easily one of our better players against Southampton. Is that a good thing? Or should we be embarrassed that a 16-year-old is holding us up, propping us up in the FA Cup? No, I don't think any player at Arsenal will be embarrassed if Max Dalman is deemed the best player at Arsenal. I think, yeah, a bit of pride or ego will be pierced a little bit. But if it means that you're going to go and win trophies, they'll be happy. It's like Laminya Mal when he came in. I'm not saying that Max Dahmer is Laminya Mal, but if Laminya Mal are deemed the best player at Barcelona and they're winning trophies, do you think anyone's that bothered?

24:15Sure. So you don't worry. And as long as they're comfortable in their skin. But what I would say about Max Dahmer, I think you saw the game the other day against Southampton, the way he's riding tackles from the... Yes, he played that wide for a bit, and he came inside and he's riding, he's driving the team from central areas. Who do we see doing that for England? I mean, Cole Palmer was doing that a little while ago. He's had a bit of a spell with injuries and whatnot. So we'd like to see him come back into that form to do that. But those areas in the middle, that's why we love Cole Palmer at that point because he was turning, facing the game, either a pass or a drive with the ball through central areas.

24:50It's the hardest place to play. If you're back to play half the time, being able to turn on your opponents and a defender on a sixpence and then be a threat, either on the run or with your head up passing or even having a shot at the end of it. And if he continues this and continues working in this way, in this manner, and attacking games and opponents in this manner without any fear at all, God knows what he's going to be. And the only thing I would say is I want him to be protected. And again, I'm going to name some players. I'm not saying he's anywhere near these players yet or anything. I'm not comparing it.

25:24I'm just saying that we need to protect precocious talent. We need to protect talent like this. And I think that's why the likes of Lamin-Yamao, Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar even. When they're young, these guys, they all play wide. And eventually they then come into the middle of the park and the middle areas where there's more bodies. When they play wide, it's an ability to protect them a little bit. There's less bodies around them. there's not as much contact coming from different areas and different angles and from blind sides you know where your opponent is a little bit more time with the ball at times if you position yourself right and it just protects that young body and i think that's the one massive thing i think as a player who coached um max dalman i think it's a 13 year old he played him in an under 18s game and i saw some some quotes from him a while ago he played central areas massive injuries like Denton's career hurt him.

26:20Yeah. And we can say there's reasons as to why here, but I don't think he was protected as well as he should have been. Right. And I don't want Down to fall into that, into that, into that trap. And I think he got, he got challenges from all different angles at the weekend against Southampton, as great as he was and as great as everyone were going. I was looking at that going, how many more of those challenges over a 30, 40 game period can he can he can he withstand is his body at that young age being able to withstand big men crunching and falling down on you etc so i just that air i just want that protection for a kid like him as well and i think just moving him sometimes out of those central areas i know you'll drift in there but look when the medium are what he's doing now right yeah when he starts doing that centrally it's not you can't stop it i want to ask you you you said that he got played as a 13 year old that was by jack wilshire wasn't it and and he was obviously you're right he he could have had more protection but they asked also asked him about you know should he should he be in two cold squad and he said well spain would take him you know he's definitely good enough yamal went at 16 years old to the euros and he was the best player in the tournament like do you agree do you think get that boy in the plane has he played enough minutes rio to discharge one of the other players like Bowen or whatever.

27:38And I'm using Bowen as an example because he'll be on the peripheral, right? Has he done enough to go to the World Cup this summer? I think he has to go. When you've got a talent that is so... I think he's special. He's going through every age group that I've seen him play football. He's doing the same thing now in the Premier League against men, against grown men. He's been doing the same thing for all this season. in training with the Arsenal team that are nine points clear in the Premier League. Like, even the players that are there are going like, whoa. Even the manager, right, is going behind the scenes.

28:16I don't know. I ain't seen anything like this, really. This is crazy. Like, so, them types of talents have to go. Michael Owen went. He played more football. But he went. Then all of a sudden, blows up the whole world. like these talents like this you've got to give them every bit of experience they can get and like even if he went there and didn't play one minute but he just got to suck up the experience and the environment and what it looks like being at a tournament it'll be hugely valuable there's been some great players over the years that have done that and been better for it I was a a a good player but I I went to a tournament 98 World Cup in France didn't play one minute but that experience So when I went in 2002 and became somebody that people then recognise as a player who can perform on the world stage, there was a huge, huge compliment for Glenn Hoddle for taking me to the 98 World Cup because I saw so many things that I didn't have to worry about.

29:15I knew prep. I knew recovery. I knew timings of things and how it looked. I knew of getting the environment in my room right for the next three, four weeks, however long we're going to be there. I knew what type of things I had to take. There was no second guessing anything. So I would love to see it. And I think it's one of those things as well. It's exciting for English football. It is. It really is. I mean, again, on Wilshere, he spoke about Dalman's physical capabilities, right? He said at 13 and 14, he was getting the highest numbers in the under 18s for his sprints and his high intensity running.

29:52He was just robust. I mean, look, Ria, we already look at him. I know you talk about other players being chopped down and, you know, can they take it? I think Max is built differently. Would you agree? He's a bit bigger than most at his age. Yeah, but you say that. Look at Jack Wilshere. Jack Wilshere was a stocky little boy. He was stocky. He was strong. Powerful little kid. But this is high, high level, high energy, high impact at times. and if your young bones and your young ligaments and stuff are getting continuously bang, bang, bang through the games, it's going to take its toll, man. We've seen it.

30:29I mean, look at Saka. Saka's played a relentless amount of minutes, right? And he's had a bad injury, right? And he's still trying to get back to the form that he had before that injury, right? There's no, I'm telling you, Michael Owen's hamstring injury came. He was on a Rio meet. Go on, look at it if you've not seen it. He was talking about maybe not being protected as much when he played far too many games as a kid. Right. But I would 100 % take him. And like Jack Wilshere said, Lamin-Yemal went at 16. I'm not saying they're the same at all. I'm not comparing. But Lamin-Yemal, they saw a special talent there.

31:01And the Spanish FA said, we've got to take this kid. And he went and he blew everyone's socks off. And I think, see someone like him, he could be the key to Mikel Arteta getting Arsenal over the line. I think he's that good. I think he could be, because I don't think he's got the scars of the previous seasons. All the other players have got scars, mental scars from finishing second. He hasn't. He's not asked. He's not bothered. I was doing my like 12, 12 times table and 10 times table them times when I was seeing that last year. I was knee deep in coursework. Didn't have time to look at what he...

31:38He ain't phased by that. So you might need someone like him to lean on and go, go on, just be yourself, be fearless and just help us through it without telling him, without giving him too much responsibility in his own ears. But he could be a massive key in that sense. I mean, you mentioned Laminya Mao a few times here. Speaking of him, Rio, how ridiculous was his performance against Atletico Madrid? Oh my days. That right there for me, that win was so important because obviously they've gone seven points clear now in La Liga and it's going to be really difficult for them. I mean, you've got his fourth top goal scorer in La Liga, top in the assist charts too, Rio.

32:18Did you see the nutmeg and the pass? Mate, the outside of the boot passing. That's becoming the La Minha malpass now, by the way, because there's too many times I've seen that pass where he hits it, gets us a bit of skill, then bang. round the defender and the TV screen weren't even ready for it. They had to fast up and go, oh, there's a player on, he's on there. We didn't even see it. He is, wow, I just I've run out of words. He makes me love football again. You know that before when there was like Maradona, Raquel Me, Verón,

32:57Berkham, Di Canio. I can keep, there's other names that I forget Zolas, do you know what I mean? Bagios These guys, yeah That's why I love football John Barnes, people that took people on and done mad stuff and just took risks Laminya Mao is in that category of risk taking, of wanting to entertain, of wanting to say no, I'm not going to do the normal system stuff, I ain't that guy, if you want that guy, sell me He just does stuff that makes you go I was in a stadium and the last time I'd done this was was Laminia Mao against Inter in the semi-final in Barcelona I watched the first 45 minutes and he made me go you know what this has took me back to my childhood how I used to feel about watching all these players I just mentioned this is what it feels like again that's what he is like he's a joke man he's a and if we're talking best player in the world right now man he's got to be in that conversation and do you know what I love about him as well he's more than a footballer because this kid, he's 18 years old, right?

34:01He's using his voice, by the way, now to draw attention to anti-Muslim chants at stadiums. I am a Muslim. Yesterday at the stadium, the chant, the one who doesn't jump is the Muslim was heard. I know I was playing for the rival team and it wasn't something personal against me. But as a Muslim person, it doesn't stop being disrespectful and something intolerable. Like this is the kid who's talking, you know? This ain't no seasoned pro who's been here 10 years. This is an 18-year-old who's took it upon himself and goes, you know what? I ain't standing for that. That's disrespectful. It's out of order.

34:36It's racist. And people need to know. And I thought that comment was tone perfect. What were your thoughts about how angry he was after the game? Because he didn't score. I don't know if he was vexed out for Antares for not finishing the chance. I don't know what it was, but he seemed to have walked off and his manager tried to catch his attention and he didn't really want to know. Well, I like that, man. It shows me there's passion. It shows me there's fire in his belly, man. They just won a game against one of the biggest teams in Spain. The third biggest team in Spain. They just beat him at their house.

35:10And he's walked off and he's dissatisfied. I like that. And if I'm his manager, Flick, I'm going, yeah, we've got to work out where he shows that anger and a bit of anger management maybe towards that. But I'd rather that than not have it. I'm telling you. Trust me. I mean, also during that game, we have to give credit to Marcus Rashford. Oh, what a goal. What a good goal, man. Great performance. That's now 10 goals and 10 assists for him at Barcelona so far this season. I mean, I wish he was here because I would have wanted to ask him, if he was playing like that, would you have him back at Man United, Rio?

35:49Absolutely. If Marcus Rashford is playing like that, that goal there is Marcus Rashford, right? That isn't a surprise. We're not sitting here going, oh my God, did you see Marcus Rashford? What he done the other day? Never knew he could do that. No, no. That's what we expect. That's what Marcus Rashford has made us feel is the norm with him because he's that good. Potentially, he's that good. It's just that we just hadn't seen it for a while at Manchester United. And there's obviously reasons behind that. But let's forget that now. That page has turned, right? He's now at Barcelona. Like you say, 10 goals, 10 assists this season.

36:23what a loan signing he has been for Barcelona if you look at it like that. And so would you have that Marcus Rashford back? 100%, right? But I think that ship has sailed and I think Marcus Rashford is looking forward. I think deep down he'll want to go to Barcelona and I just hope that actually materialises for him because I think when you look at it like that, is he playing consistently like the Marcus Rashford that we knew before? I'd argue probably not but we're seeing more glimpses of it that would be making me go I'd bet on that and if I was Barcelona I'd take him Yeah especially because Rafinha's injured now as well I mean you saw what he did during the international break as well like we've got to keep an eye on him because surely that's going to help us in the World Cup this summer real Also Joel if Barcelona get him for the reported£26 million that we're talking about and they get that version of Marcus Rashford that is an absolute robbery.

37:23It's a steal. Do you know what I mean? So, as I said, I'll just say good luck to him. I want him to do well, you know what I mean? Because I've seen him grow as a young player at Man Utd and good luck to him in that sense. Nah, he's doing well, man. Listen, Man City, they could be on a treble of their own, Rio. Slapping four past Liverpool in the FA Cup quarterfinal. Rio, tell me how dangerous are Manchester City right about now? I think Man City, they can smell blood. I think, I said before the Carabao Cup final, this game is massive for Man City because if they beat you there, momentum shift could be a big factor in the running.

38:06And they beat you, then you go and get beat in the FA Cup by Southampton as well. So confidence is lowered again. They have a game in hand, which could be six points, and then they get to play you and they're in a real confident mood, I don't know, man. I think it makes it very difficult for you. So I think they're a real dangerous, dangerous, dangerous animal now. And added to that momentum and that form and loss of confidence for Arsenal, they have the experience. They have the experience on you guys. They have walked this far many times with good outcomes, with positive outcomes, with trophy outcomes.

38:45And so they know what to do. and they've got a manager who in the Carabao Cup final, I thought, schooled your manager. Your manager didn't have answers for him. Like, Pep, it's like chess. Pep made a play and said, deal with that. Let's work it out and you guys couldn't work it out. Whether it's Arteta or your players or a combination of that, they just didn't manage to work it out and that's a, that's something that the player, that wouldn't go unnoticed by the players. Both, both sets, Arsenal and Man City. Trust me, I'm telling you. But, look, Steve's not here, man. Come on. It's just me and you.

39:19I think you'll win it, Phil. I still think you're going to win it. But I thought you'd win it by five or six points. I think you might just scrape over the line now. But listen, does it matter? Does it matter how you get over the line as long as you win it? It doesn't matter at all, mate. That's the most important. It does not matter at all. I still have hope. The hope is a little bit... There's a little bit of sound in my voice. It's a little bit weak. But the hope is still there. Do you know what I mean? Joe, Joe, Joe, what has happened to the base in your voice? Just seriously. Where has it gone?

39:45It's been there. It's bank holiday weekend, mate. I started early. The base has just evaporated out of your soul. I started early. But I also want to quickly mention the Rio-Ferdinand derby that just happened. West Ham versus Leeds. And Leeds came out on top. It was a really, really good game. It looked like Leeds were going to run away with it. But West Ham coming back at 2-2. They actually had disallowed goals as well in the extra time period. But, you know, obviously Leeds won on the penalties. Rio man how does that feel seeing your two teams together who are you supporting where do you lie your allegiance to no I still I still got feelings for both clubs but I spent I came through at West Ham West Ham's like my club man I love West Ham I loved it there I came through as a school boy I had many years there grew up there gave me my first debut first appearance in Premier League football in men's football so like West Ham's my club man I love it and we don't talk about West Ham a lot on here and people think oh I don't I don't remember West Ham at all.

40:45It's just that they're not topic of conversation all the time. And so that's just the case. But it doesn't diminish my affection for the club. Every time I go there, I do get a fuzzy feeling in my belly, just like I do when I go to Man United, because there's so many great memories, different memories. But again, with Leeds, I still have a great feeling. And I've always said this consistently about Leeds. Whenever I see Leeds fans and when I talk to them, probably the most carefree and enjoyable two years of my whole career. because there wasn't massive pressure. There wasn't a massive expectancy.

41:19And it was just a bunch of young guys living life and enjoying life. And by the way, all being good at football. That's what it felt like. And we were going out in a city. The whole package was just unreal. But yeah, I probably would have... I was slain for West Ham to win, especially when it got put back to 2-2 and then they had disallowed goals. Like, oh my God, what a result this is. But never materialised. and Leeds fair play to them while on penalties. Good luck to them. I mean, now the semi-final draws look in Chelsea versus Leeds and Southampton versus Man City. Surely Man City are clear favourites to win now.

41:55Yeah, massive favourites. I'd love Leeds to get to the final. I'd love their fans to get a day out at Wembley like that. So fingers crossed for Leeds to get to the final, but I think it'll be a Chelsea, Chelsea City final now. Well, no more quadruple, but the double is still on. That's right. Listen, man, you'll see me, bro. at the parade. I'm going to have exclusive footage for Rio Presents. I want you guys to share it. I want you guys to celebrate with me. I want us all to bask in the is that how you say it? Bask in the in the in the humidity of us winning the league. It's coming Rio. It's coming.

42:33You sound like you're wishing it in now. There ain't that authority that calm authority in your voice now. There's panic. I can hear trembles in your tone at the moment. I hope that doesn't transmit to your team. Trust me. I hope it doesn't either. But till then, keep on watching Rio Meets as well because obviously that interview with Gabriel Jesus was really good. It's great when you get the old school players like Betta Stuta, but also the current players. I think it's always really good to see, man. Great insight. And you're really, you're getting even better at your one-on-one interviews. Thank you.

43:07I don't know if anyone tells you that. I don't know if you see it yourself. I know that there's a lot with the team that goes into it, but the way the research is done and the way you go deep and you get the most, for me, you get the best out of the players. I appreciate that. I appreciate that. The community tell us that in the comments. We see that in the comments and the appreciation for some of the guests that we have, for all the guests that we have is, again, it's always nice to see. And what I must say, I've just done two the other day. Oh my God. Oh my God. Oh my God. I've done two interviews with two guys who I absolutely respect to a T.

43:45I respect a lot of people, but there's a level of respect again. You know what I mean? There's levels to it. These two, for different reasons, oh my God. Soon, yeah. Coming soon, yeah? Coming soon. And you know what? I think next week, this week, next week, I'm doing another one, like a bad boy one. A big one. Is it? A bad boy two. Stop, man. They're teasing. Listen, before we go, though, I want to give a massive shout-out to the Congo, beating Jamaica and making it to the World Cup. Listen, big, big ups, man. Like, I've been watching them in the last couple of years more and more, and I've seen the improvement, and it means so much.

44:21Rio, players even missed their games this weekend because they were at the parade, you know? Are you Congolese? I'm Congolese. No, that's Congolese. I'm Congolese, my brother. Congolese, okay. That's why I can feel your energy. Of course, brother. so yeah it means a lot to us so massive shout out to the boys who did us proud and yeah man you'll see us at the World Cup but we will be back next week on Tuesday after Manchester United versus Leeds so please make sure you keep on watching it's going to be after Monday Night Football myself Joel Baer Steve who's enjoying Bank Holiday Rio Ferdinand inside as always keep on watching Rio Ferdinand presents signing out peace

45:32We'll see you next time. authenticity, and performance data that proves it worked. Don't fight for attention. Buy it with Acast. Learn more by visiting acast.com slash advertise.