Carrick won’t go without fight! | Rio Reacts to Man Utd’s Comeback

0:00Therapy's biggest impact doesn't show up in some dramatic breakthrough. It shows up in the smallest moments. You bite your tongue instead of escalating. You put your phone down instead of firing off that text. You say what you actually mean instead of what would hurt someone else the most. Nobody applauds those moments, but they quietly change your life. That's what growing feels like. And that's exactly what Grow Therapy is here for. Grow is therapy that works, covered by insurance. Sessions average$21 with insurance, and some pay as little as$0, depending on their plan. There are no subscriptions, no long-term commitments.

0:37You just pay per session. Grow connects you with thousands of high-quality, licensed therapists across the U.S., offering both virtual and in-person sessions, nights and weekends. You can search by what matters, like insurance, specialty, identity, or availability. And you can book a therapy session in minutes and begin in as little as two days, not the national 48-day average. See if you could pay as little as$0 for therapy in seconds at growtherapy.com slash start now. That's growtherapy.com slash start now. growtherapy.com slash start now. Availability and coverage vary by state and insurance plan.

1:20Yes, guys, this is Rio Reacts and we're back after a game for Manchester United versus Leeds at Ellen Road. Always a tough, tough task. That is a tough assignment. I went back as an ex-Leeds player to Ellen Road and that was in May United. We were at the peak of their power. Tough game. I think we got beat 1-0, you know. But what I remember about it is the atmosphere. And I know today, the Leeds fans, they're up for that game. They can't wait for it. It's the biggest game on the calendar. and they would have made that place a hostile environment. I spoke about it a couple of weeks ago on one of the shows we'd done and it was like, that's one of the vivid memories I have of going back to Old Trafford as a Man United player is that I went there as a West Ham player before that and there wasn't the hostility that I received and I felt.

2:04I know it was obviously because I left Leeds and went to Man United, but just in general, the fire, the venomous in the stadium for that game, especially at Ellen Road is different to any other fixture that I've encountered when I went as a Leeds player and you see what it's like against Man United and I've been there for West Ham and for other teams and you think it's not the same but the way the fans get up for it the hatred they have for Manchester United especially is crazy so the players I knew it was going to be a tough game but I've got to be honest with you in the run that we're going for where we've got the worst start to a Premier League and you go where do you want to go and play a game to try and get out of that rut I want to go to a place where it's going to be tough I know it's hard and the fans and everyone's going to be up for it where the spotlight's going to be on so there's no hiding places they're the games you want immediately when you're having a bit of a bad spell because there's no like oh we've got to try and get ourselves up for this game because sometimes Listen, I'm not making excuses for the players, but I'm saying that the best teams can get up for every game to almost within 1 % or 2 % of every single game.

3:23They're never too far off it, right? They might have an off day here and there. But the teams that just fluctuate in the league and can't find consistency, the teams that when it's a massive game against one of their rivals or a local derby, they can get up for it. But when it's against a team that they should beat, it was lower down in the league, they'd do a few percent off, 2, 3, 4, 5 % off, even 10 % off, and they get beat. That's the difference. But when you go to these games and it's a big game against one of your rivals, local rivals, there is no room to just be off it. And they force you to be in a zone where focus is there 100%, effort, intensity is there.

4:05And I think that's what Man Utd needed in this game. They needed to be focused by the opposition, the enormity of the game, the atmosphere that was going to be in the stadium. And I thought they didn't disappoint. I thought Man United stepped up to the assignment, yet couldn't keep a clean sheet. But that's been the story of the season. And you look at it, the way that he set up, Michael, was to be able to contain, to be able to get into good shape without the ball, but to still be a threat when the ball does turn over and we have the ball ourselves. and Bruno playing almost like... You look to Bruno playing quite high and centrally as well.

4:42And I don't know. And you look at Tielemans running out to the right-hand side a lot of the time, I mean, to the left. But that little area in the midfield, I thought was really, really good for Man Utd. Not to let anything through the central areas. Bruno, Tielemans. Behind them was Santos and Balaba. And you look at that and go, that was solid in there. and not allowing big gaps and big, big holes on transitions was a key thing as well. We'd seen that in a couple of games recently where that was worrying for me. And still being able to be some sort of threat on the other way when we're going forward with Nbouma.

5:19I mean, Nbouma missed a few chances. That's been the story of the season, really. I think we've been able to contain quite a lot of teams. And then chances have come our way and we've not been able to capitalise. And then you let teams back into it. But again, another chance was created. Tielemans, where you say, pushing out to that right-hand side at times, smashes the ball in. Great ball, and it's a great finish from Mbumo. And it was a good... I thought the first half was really good. Really solid, really sound. Kept the opposition chances to a minimum. I thought Lenny Jorah, especially in the first half, defending the back post was top draw.

5:56He looks like he's grinding confidence. I think Lenny Jorah just needs a run in the team now. I think he'll make... I don't know what position he'll make his own first, but he'll go, I have to be in this team. I think if he just continues playing in the way that he is and just continues to get games. I don't care who gets back fit now. I think Lenny Erogens needs to stay in a team, prove his worth, prove his value to this team. Because I think every week he's getting stronger now. I thought in Madrid, I thought he looked solid. The game before that for France, he was outstanding at centre-back under Zidane.

6:27and he's come back, I think, with a newfound confidence and I think that's good for Man United. But the way he defended the crosses at the back post and again, them away games where you get crosses coming in the box and you're put under pressure, you've got to have people that are willing to put their bodies there, get into good positions, head the ball, etc. And I thought today it was a class act in that sense especially. But I said it, it's weird, I'm in a WhatsApp group and I said it just before, probably two minutes before the goal was scored in the second half, we came out for the second half, Credit to Leeds.

6:57They came out, they changed the speed of the game, upped the intensity. And I think the instructions from their manager was cross the ball. Keep crossing the ball and you'll get chances because that's what you see with Man United. Those things aren't going to change overnight. You cross the ball against Man United. Yeah, they can defend them for a period of time, but they're going to give you chances. And a corner comes in and we weren't good enough defending the corner. And Calvert-Lewin, who's been very good for Leeds this year, comes up with a great finish in that situation. and it's disappointing because all the hard work and the effort that went in the first half undone immediately and then it was the momentum shift in the game and it was Leeds United on the ascendancy then and it looked like only one team was going to win we had to weather that storm but you have these moments in the game and you've got to expect them moments at Ellen Road that they have a team that are going to get the upper hand for a bit and they're going to get the momentum shift and they're going to get the positivity and they're going to have balls raining down in your box and you've got to be able to defend it I thought Harry Maguire headed loads out done well Masraoui when he came in I thought was very good I think Dado as well the whole back four to go to Ellen Road and get a point and even a win you've got to defend well you've got to play well as a back four right man we've got loads still to come right on this pod but we'll be back shortly after this

8:12Therapy's biggest impact doesn't show up in some dramatic breakthrough it shows up in the smallest moments you bite your tongue instead of escalating you put your phone down instead of firing off that text You say what you actually mean instead of what would hurt someone else the most. Nobody applauds those moments, but they quietly change your life. That's what growing feels like. And that's exactly what Grow Therapy is here for. Grow is therapy that works, covered by insurance. Sessions average$21 with insurance and some pay as little as$0 depending on their plan. There are no subscriptions, no long-term commitments.

8:48You just pay per session. Grow connects you with thousands of high-quality, licensed therapists across the U.S., offering both virtual and in-person sessions, nights and weekends. You can search by what matters, like insurance, specialty, identity, or availability. And you can book a therapy session in minutes and begin in as little as two days, not the national 48-day average. See if you could pay as little as$0 for therapy in seconds at growtherapy.com. slash start now. That's growtherapy.com slash start now. growtherapy.com slash start now. Availability and coverage vary by state and insurance plan.

9:31Mod.com is changing the way people battle excessive fatigue. Ever hit a wall in the middle of the day and a third coffee just doesn't do it anymore? Here's what's actually happening. Coffee only briefly blocks adenosine, the chemical that tires you out. When it stops working, your system is flooded and you crash. Modafinil is a prescription treatment that works in a completely different way. Modafinil works by stimulating multiple receptors in the brain associated with wakefulness, including dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine, histamine, glutamate, and orexin. It's a more complete solution that gives you 10 to 12 hours of steady focus and energy.

10:13To learn more, go to mod.com. Fill out your intake form, meet with a licensed provider, and if approved, Mod Alert ships straight to your door. Go to mod.com to get started. That's M-O-D dot com.

10:33Santos, I think, has been interesting for me. I think he's obviously his name's called out a lot, 50 odd million pounds for him. And a lot of people go, ah, it's a waste of money. But you see, Mainu's injured. Mason Mount's coming back from injury. You need more bodies in there. You do need bodies and you need someone who can come in there and give you a 7 out of 10. I think Santos just goes under the radar a little bit. People can try and pick it. You don't go in there and go, oh, he's glaringly really bad at anything. I don't think you can. I think some people try and nitpick at him and you go, you know, he's a solid player.

11:04I think he's one of those guys who just gives you a 7 out of 10 most weeks. 7 out of 10. Some weeks he might go up a little bit. He might be a little bit below maybe, but he ain't going to be far off that. And you need a load of those guys in a team. Again, today, wins it, breaks the lines a lot of the time, tries to play forward, tries to be progressive with his passing. I think he's just very solid. I think, again, if the game opens up physically in big spaces, he could be exploited. But as long as the team stay compact, like they did today for large parts, he can look very sound in them, be very effective.

11:34But that's the way you answer a week of pure pressure and spotlight on your team, I think. Now, you would have liked to have got a win. A clean sheet would have been even better. But to go to Ellen Road, where it's harsh, it's hostile in there, and to withstand the pressure that came today, in the second half especially, when the spotlight's on you and the pressure's on and everyone's expecting you to capitulate, I think Michael Carrick will be pleased with that. I think he'll be going around at Changer after the game, high-fiving the whole squad going, you know what? That's resilience. That's a bit of character.

12:06We need more of that. I want to see more. I was surprised he didn't bring on Rashford. Maybe he might be carrying a little injury, but I was surprised Rashford didn't come on because that bit of pace, I think, alongside Cunha in the second half would have made Leeds go on the back foot maybe a little bit, but we managed to still keep the point. But it is a difficult game. And I think I was listening to the commentary and I heard Gary Neville talking about, oh, maybe that the Martins comments, what he was alluding to was look at the back four. There's no, there's no, none of these players are playing in their rightful positions other than Harry Maguire.

12:39But I don't necessarily agree with that. I agree that none of the players are playing in their positions, but who could have predicted or preempted that both your left backs are out, Dorgu and Shaw, and you're looking at Harry Ramas on the bench, on that side, and you've got an injured, coming out from injury

13:05Masrawi you've got your centre-back Yoro playing right back you've got Aidan Heaven out injured De Litt out injured and you've got Martínez then picks up an injury in the game like no one could have pre-empted that that's just bad luck you know what I mean and you know what we're going to get into that tomorrow I'm going to talk to you about the squad and the window and stuff and just I'm going to strip it right back and have a real good look at it because I think it's important to get a bit of context and just look at the actual way that the window went for us and why and just start asking and pick it.

13:37Just have a little pick it and just go through it because I think there's a lot of people saying, oh, we should have done this, you should have done that. Why didn't we do this? And I don't think they're looking at the big picture and there's a bit of context that goes towards it. So I'm going to have a little go. So keep your eyes peeled for tomorrow on the show, Rio presents because I'm going to get into that. But I think Carrick shifting a few of the players around. I think Tielemans and Bruno in the positions that they played, I think today was a good choice. I think especially Tiedemann's.

14:02I thought he put in a great shift. I thought his work ethic, his work rate was great in that area. Just in front of Balaba and Santos. I thought Santos was solid. No frills. Done the job. Just done. It was nice and quiet and effective in there. Balaba still growing into it. Do you know who I do really like? I love Ahmad. I love his work ethic. He's grit. But then when you get in and around the opponent's box, because he's got that little bit of imagination and that little bit of like where you go, I don't know what he's going to do next. And his decision-making today wasn't perfect. It wasn't, but that'll come with more games, I think, and a bit of confidence within the team when his team starts getting a bit of confidence and momentum, especially if you get the opponent's team in and around their box, pen back.

14:47That's when he becomes a frightening player who the fullbacks, I think, feel fear because he can go outside or inside. And if he gets too much space, he can score a good goal. So, yeah, I'm enjoying seeing Ahmad back in the team. But we've got one thing I've got to say. If I've got anything to nitpick at today and I come out of this game and go, you know what, you set your stool out now, you set the bar, your first 45 minutes work ethic, that is the standard. And we've got to aim to get to and beyond. We can't go anything below that because to look at anything like a half-decent team, I don't care how you play with the ball, it's how you work without the ball, especially.

15:24And then when you're on it, then you work again in a different way. but there needs to be an intensity, an aggression, a desire in the way you play football, especially without it, that's going to give you an opportunity to try and win a football match. And you know what as well? To add to that, we've got to become more clinical at finishing our chances. And Bremer today, yes, gets a goal but could have had a couple more. Kunja, when he comes home, I want to see more opportunities to take chances. I want to see Ahmad to be more clinical. Obviously, Bruno, he wants to get more clinical again this season after what he's done in previous seasons.

15:54That's put to bed now. Let's go again this season. So we need that clinical spirit within the team, that decisiveness to come back into this team. Because if we do that, we're getting chances. We saw it again in midweek. We had chances against Atletico. We just aren't clinical enough right now. And at the top level, don't care who you are, you don't finish your chances. You always leave yourself open to get opened up and hurt yourself and concede chances and goals. And we've been punished far too many times this season. but the first half today that's what I'll leave this game with the first half gave us an insight into where our level should be in terms of working and an intensity and a desire off the ball especially to work hard for each other and to make the other team have to work a hell of a lot harder than they have been to score goals and get chances against us so Michael Carrick will be I think will be pleasantly I think Michael Carrick will be pleased not overjoyed not going crazy and that's not the type of person he is, but I think he'd be pleasantly, not surprised, but pleased with the way that they came out today after a really, really pressurised week with a lot of spotlight on this squad and they put in a workman-like performance that I think, especially in the first half, they could be proud of and it's a start, I think, it's a starting block to really start building some foundations for this season.

17:15So let's go. But I have to say as well, it's now the worst start in terms of points since 1986. which isn't nice to read. And it's worrying, it's concerning. But again, I'd like to think that the first half, especially today, will be a step in the right direction to kind of get away from that. We started poorly last season. It's become a bit of a common theme. We started poorly last season and look how it finished. Let's hope we've got that little kick on this season to change things around. And you've got to stay with someone like Michael. Give him the time. Let him go out there. Let him turn this around.

17:48It's the first bump in his managerial career at Manchester United. you can't just turn someone's lights off at the first sign of trouble give them the chance to change the fortunes of the club that's Rio Reacts guys see you on Monday

18:50We'll be right back. 1-800-GRAINGER. Click grainger.com or just stop by. Grainger, for the ones who get it done.