Mainoo’s Comeback, United on Fire & Is Saka World Class? | Stick to Football EP 114

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0:19Howard. It was a sore one, that one, isn't it? It happens. It's football. We pick ourselves up. That was a sore one, though. I thought we played well. second half I know but you don't take your chances and then you get a little bit of a punch that's what football does to you brings you back down to earth with a bump we've had two good weeks and then you get carried away and you think is that not what United might do two good weeks and get carried away I hope not I hope not Kieran don't think it's a time to get carried away but it's a time to be happy again and your lot by the way oh don't start your lot They're not in the running order, are they?

1:03And you're all turning on your manager. I see. Is that harsh? I don't think it's harsh giving the money. I think he's like a manager. The signings. But you've got to let him work it out, I mean, surely. He deserves that. I really like him. I don't dislike him. He's in the league in his first season. Honestly, see, you don't get it, though, but I think they're painful to watch. I don't think they are painful to watch. I mean, look, again, I thought Leeds, is it Leeds at home? I watched a bit all of them Fulham away even Arsenal away it was a good result Arsenal thought you played really well we've got Carabag this week yeah ideally we need to win that but why is Ekotiki on the bench then against Bournemouth well we start Gakpo again Brighton isn't it eh Bright Bright thank you I'm going to get rid of this one here yeah thank you give me that thank you do you want to keep that or do you want me to give you I was just supposed to say where's Jamie obviously you and Roy have got matching jumpers I know do you know how long he's had that jumper.

2:01No, honestly, guess. It's been passed down through generations. No, I haven't, but I've had a long time. No, guess. How long? Have a guess. Eight years. More. That's Salford, that. Cheers, getting a buzz. That's where I'm Salford. How long? The same colour. That's Salford. And then he goes. We're the same colour. Yeah. 23 years. It's a bit darker. It's a bit darker. It's green, green. Hey, green's a wonder, isn't it? 2002. You weren't wearing that while you were playing for Man United. You can't wear that as a Man United player Under his strip Thank you A bit of quality Oh funny You have an idea Do you know how long she's had that jumper?

2:39I literally got this for Christmas Roy what make is that jumper? Not that it matters Don't know I don't think it's a make is it? You get it What do you got for you? It's not a make I don't know Gary you've got that off I don't know why I don't know what I'm doing actually I'm a bit confused actually I'm a bit in between everything Where's your old black? I'm all black, I know. I just thought, do you know something? I need to brag. You've gone with green as well. Green, eh? They say genius fit green, that's what they say. Ryder, you love a bit of green, don't you? I love green. Green's my favourite colour, easily, by far.

3:07Ryder, you should say anything, though. Well, I don't know. I don't say anything. I don't say that, because Roy gets jealous of you. I get jealous. Don't say that. Green. No, Roy's jumpers. Green mini. They've got a Paul Smith one coming up. Paul Smith edition mini. Really? Yeah, that'd be good. Paul Smith mini. Did they have club suits for it, didn't they? Did they? Did they? Yeah, did they. Paul Smith? Oh, he's probably still got it. British icon. 30 years ago. I actually still have got... That's weird. I'll bring it in, actually. I've actually still got, I think, my Club Blazer from United.

3:36Wow. Which one? The one that you let Emma in. The other one that... With the badge on. Club Blazer. I think I've still got my Club Blazer. There's a load of them. You also have yours, won't you? No. I remember I threw mine off the bus, I think, in 99. You know, we were going on Manchester. Oh. Have you kept your grapesuit? I always give my any cup final suits are suits to my dad do you really yeah my dad used to love wearing them suits kind of and it might be like inside the badge you know the year no not the badge but it might say the cup final oh that's actually really nice that's lovely was he about the same size no I'd be like I'd be hanging off him he'd be going like you know I'm a wisdom you know suits hanging off him don't worry about the size imagine how proud was wearing that.

4:22Gavin, you should wear yours next episode. Shall I wait? I've got, I think I've actually got what I've got. Do you know the light grey Versace suit you were in the 99 final? Yeah, I've just asked about that. I think I've still got that. Yeah, I've got Versace. Have you got that? Was it Versace? It was Versace. So Beck's got... Was that Versace? Versace. Versace. Versace. And we have Prada for the FA Cup final. Fancy having a Versace suit and it was just that plain grey. Prada for the FA Cup final and Versace for the European Cup final Champions League I remember when we went to the first when our Sheffield Wednesday final like George Graham wouldn't even let us have suits we had to wear the same club blazer for that I'm just thinking that's part no we were wearing it all season but you think teams are smarter back then remember the blazer no we didn't always like wearing a blazer but it's nice to be smart it does look good I like to see Arsenal would assume the only two clubs I ever associate with the club blazer were Arsenal and United I don't associate any other club I think Arsenal still wear a blazer now, do they?

5:22No. They should do, though. Well, to be honest, it would be nice. I think it still looks good. I think that's a nice touch. You couldn't go anywhere without your suit. Aeroplane to the airports. And it was annoying. It was annoying. You look back. It was smart. Yeah, it was smart. Michael now's got the club blazer on with a T-shirt, and he does... He did it in the home game, though, did he? It's just because... You love it all. Before we start off on the war here, I'm complimenting a man's clothes. His hair. You must love his hair. Right. Michael's a little blazer on. And he's wearing a modern interpretation of it with a T-shirt.

5:58And he looks like that. It's crisp and clean. Sometimes a manager walks down the touchline and you think, not sure about that. And just how they look. I think Michael walks down the touchline. I think he looks like, yeah, he looks like that. Yeah. And I think that's... He looks clean. What did you wear when you managed? Suit, right? What was the suit, wasn't it? He's coaching himself. Sunderland suit. What do you think? But when we won the league, yeah, suit. That was his suit. When we were second bottom, yeah. Yeah, the suit, I think. I think would you not want to be more in, like, coaching stuff?

6:33Like, Arteta's always got their... When I look on the sideline, you know who's the manager. If everyone's in tracksuits, you don't want to look like the kit man. The only manager, though, that screams that that was Klopp, because Klopp could wear a right scruffy cap. A cap and then he's got this gear on. You're thinking, but he's obviously... Can I just say, with Pep, he looks good. He's got this nice little bow leg thing going on with his nice jacket. He looks really smart in everything he wears. He just falls off him because he's got that slender body where the clothes just hang off him. And I think when you're winning every week, you can literally wear what you want.

7:04That's where Cara always takes the piss out of me because, to be fair, Valencia, I had about six different... I tried everything. The suit, the casual look, the track suit. Trying to get the winner. The bomber jacket. Was he actually thinking about what you were in character? I know, but you know you're in trouble if you're thinking, this might get us a result. No, it is. Don't manage it. No, you try different things. But if you're changing every week... Do you know something? It's like you lose your confidence. You think, oh, what are you doing here? You're out for it. You just earned Rapido for six weeks.

7:36Concentration. Concentration. Concentration. Concentration. Oh, love it. Do you know what, Gareth? Do you know what? It's good that you can laugh. We talked about Valencia a few weeks ago, about the guy telling you what system to do. They're still like, are they only fourth or fifth bottom in the league? Yeah, they're still a little bit now. So is the guy still telling managers what to do over there? No, no, he's not there anymore. All right, but my point is the club is still having its troubles. Am I coming back in for you? Come on, Jill. Come on, Jill. It's got written on here that Ian and Jill have launched the Women's Intercontinental Cup.

8:13Yeah. Oh, have you? When did you do that? Well, you've been stalking our Instagram. He was like, I've seen you as taking a picture. Brilliant. No, it's really good. It's a good thing. Was it London? When is it? Yeah. It's going to be the semi-final. So you've got Gotham City are playing, Gotham playing. So you've got Arsenal playing as far from the World Cup. As far, Corinthians versus Gotham. Corinthians versus Gotham. Today? So Brentford, they'll be playing those semis at Brentford and then the final will be on Sunday at the Emirates. Are you going? Yeah, I'm going on Sunday. The thing with it is, Gal, it's another like for me, it's a showcase for the women's game.

8:45It needs to be done. It needs to be the actual scope of the women's game and the fact that the levels have to be risen all around the world. How is that going to grow the women's game? It's more publicity. Exactly. What will happen is more publicity, more money, more funding going into it. Federations will get more money. They'll try and help, obviously, raise the standard. Because remember, it's the standard, the minimum standard of the women's game needs to be risen across the world. But hasn't it made great progress the last few years? It's made great progress. You just can't relax. Yeah, but the thing is that when you're, like, for instance, I thought the World Cup going up from 24 teams to 32 for the women was brilliant because we saw some really good results.

9:20And you can see that there's countries, women teams countries, who, if given the right kind of funding, will start to play well. And that's what they're trying to do with the Club World Cup. They're trying to make sure that they can reach everybody so everybody can have the opportunity to try and play against everyone. Yeah. You know? Right. Stick to Football is brought to you by Arm Clothing We couldn't beat Liverpool We didn't beat Forrest and then Liverpool Do you know what they should do? I'm serious, people laugh at me Go for a Chinese, bit of paintball And a goal cap Gabby, you have to mention how good United were Oh, chill, of course we're coming on to that That's really clear Jesus, have you seen how much we talk about Man United When they haven't done anything?

10:01It's not the manager you say And the manager said, take the shackles off The players have got to do it How in three days have they got that defensive and attacking organisation. You're the one who just said it. Three days and we're seeing a difference. You have to win the league this year. You must agree with that. That's not putting pressure on you, by the way. It is putting pressure on us. No, it's not. We can't not win it. Don't argue with them. Just because he's doing well at United doesn't mean he'll do well at another club. He's got the players back. It's all been sliding doors moments. And he's took advantage of it.

10:29Happy birthday, Cara. Happy birthday, Cara. How are you doing? I'm all right, mate. But as you know, I don't call my Liverpool get beat.

10:43Ian, we'll start with you Right Arsenal versus Manchester United on Sunday You were at the game And I just kept telling the producer When Arsenal were losing Cut Ian Wright up Just show us Ian Wright It did keep going to you all the time Show us Ian Wright The thing is I wanted to come and see you and your mate Patrick And all you lot having a great time in there But you know what But it was one of... God, I just felt a bit deflated there because the way we played in the game and the mistakes we were making in the game, we started to think like, you know what, this is one of those, if we get something, I'll be happy to get something.

11:19You know what I mean? Yeah, TV Tech. Right, because what we seem to have lost recently is the intensity, is the control. But like, then when you saw, man, you know, he just kept bringing, like the players. He just went again. Even when he brought Kunia, they just went. They kept coming forward. They kept coming at us. And I think that kind of threw us a little bit. And then when they scored, to make, when they scored a 2-2, then the 3-2, then I started to think, like all the other fans, you just started to feel, you know what, this is my worst night, this is the worst thing I was expecting and it's happened.

11:45But then you listen to Mikel talking to the guys and I say there was mistakes in the game but it was sloppy, it was a little bit like, hang on a minute, everybody needs to have a refresher because we're playing poorly. You know what I mean? This is not what got us to where we are. When did you think in the game, because I thought the first 25 minutes you weren't playing poorly. I thought it was after you scored. There was a nervousness. That's what I'm saying. And this is what, again, this is what you can feel in the stadium. I remember even back to Wolves. When we played Wolves, we'd beaten Wolves 1-0.

12:13Wolves came back and they scored. You could feel it before Wolves scored. So what's that? People were saying about the crowd. I said, I'm not really fussed about the crowd. You know what else I'm annoyed about? People saying, yeah, but let's just stay calm. No. It's like someone telling you to stay calm when you're ready to go. Yeah, it's too late then, yeah. No, we need to double down on the fact that, like, Mikko's had this conversation with the boys. He said it was a great meeting, what he had with them. He wants to let them off the leash. He wants them to enjoy what they're doing. I hope that that works because something has to change.

12:43Something has to change with what we're doing because if we carry on playing like that, teams can see they're flooding the water, Roy. Yeah, when you look back at the Forest game and even the Liverpool game, you can have an off day, but it's been three or four now. It's been three or four. The thing with those two games, right, Gareth, if we win those two games, which I think we could have in the game, I remember Declan coming off of the Nottingham Forest and he was, you could see he was raging, he was very angry. Yeah. Because you need to get those wins, you all know, you guys, you all know. So then if you do have this kind of performance, you can think, OK, let's put that down to, listen, that's just a one-off, we need to regroup because we're in the stage of the season where the test is coming.

13:21But I say everybody's waiting to, right, let's see what Arsenal are about for the next game. So Leeds is going to be a big game for us. But what needs to change, the only thing, right? Well, you know, the thing is, is that what we were doing at the start of the season, the intensity, the getting the ball forward quicker. We don't seem to be able to get... We're not getting the ball forward as quick as we can. I still thought the first part of the season was a little bit... We was getting away with it, but then the thing with that... Getting away with it, yeah, yeah. We were getting away with it, but I think it was working for us.

13:47Obviously, the set pieces have come in, and they have helped us, and the fact that we're not scoring enough goals, when you look at the people who are scoring at the moment, we ain't got too many people scoring. That helped as well, but you're not going to be able to continue to depend on that. Can they change, right? Because you're talking about change there in terms of playing the ball forward quicker, but they do recycle it more than, and they do control games when they recycle it, and they sustain attacks, and it's really good when you watch them, but then they don't have enough risk-takers.

14:16Well, this is what we need. So I thought, what do you think of the substitutions? Because I thought when United went 2-1 up, I immediately thought Madweke, Martinelli, and Eze. Yeah. Just thought the spontaneity, the players who've got a little bit of unpredictability come on but he actually sort of brought four subs on but he brought Ben White and Mourinho on with Jokeres and then just one of them Can I tell you one what really made me feel like because our left side especially when Ben White was on and then he changed He took in Kapi off Zubamendi Yes but what I'm saying is the substitution I wanted to see and I'm not just saying this is a left footer like a Miles Lewis Skelly on that side to get that left side working.

14:59The thing is, we're talking about someone like Eze. Now, Eze's coming in now, and now we're saying, well, Eze, do your thing what you do at Palace. Eze needs to be played and just be free to play. Like, rid of me. He needs to get rid of him. So he's talking, this is what I'm saying. I don't think he's going to get that. Yeah, but listening to what the manager's saying about enjoyment and letting people go and express yourself. He comes from that pep school of methodology over what would be being the Maverick. Because when I look at pep teams, and what he did with Grealish, and when I see what Mikel does, you've got to admire how would they put that system into the players, but they do want the methodology and the process of how you play to be followed over the individual sort of like...

15:37Well, you say what's got to change to a certain extent for him. Can he change that? Well, if you've got someone like Eze, right? If you've got someone like Eze, who plays with freedom, he has to play where he can... Like the goals what Kuno scored and even the goal what Dorgi scored, two great goals, but they're in positions where that's where you want to see someone like Eze getting into that because he can do that. so he's got to have the freedom to be able to play and wander into these areas and do what he's doing. But at the moment, it does feel a little bit rigid for him, and that's why it feels like people say...

16:06So you're saying you would leave Odegaard out and put Eze in? I wouldn't say... I was going to say, yeah. You know what, listen, the thing is that with Odegaard and the way he was trying to find... It wasn't happening. But if you're going to leave Odegaard out and bring Eze in, bring this Eze in, who's not free, doesn't feel free... Why is he not free? Because at the moment... They play with structure, though. They don't know that the players aren't going to get that. I think Gilles hit the nail on her. That methodology and structure is... Like Grealish didn't benefit. Yeah, but this is why he's saying...

16:32What he's saying in, like, he's got to let them off... He's got to let... Has Mikhail said that in the last 24 hours? He said that in the meeting. Yeah, yeah. About enjoyment and letting... Because if he doesn't do something like that... I'd say older guys cover the problem. In what respect? Because older guys play as a number 10. And if you're not playing good, it's his job to make your team play good football. good attacking football I don't think he does it enough I think he drops into midfield I like him, technically he's brilliant he's good to watch but he drops into the midfield I play number 10, we have number 10 if they come into the midfield area and play play where Roy should be Roy should say, fuck off, get up there he doesn't do it enough in them areas where it wins games for your team you think about the teams we've watched win the league Liverpool, Man City exciting to watch.

17:25Liverpool aren't that. They're exciting to watch because people like David Silva, people like Phil Foden, receiving the ball on the edge of the box where it's important. A lot of movement and it also kills your centre forward as well. But the hold the position. The centre forward's got nobody to play with. The attacking field is hold the positions and where you can focus. They're imperative to make your team play good football. This is why I feel like Eze is the perfect player to go in there and play like that. Stick to Football is brought to you by Arm Clothing. So you're leaving there to get out for Eze, is what I'm saying, though.

17:57Well, the thing is, someone's going to have to be left out at some stage, but you can't have somebody like Eze just there not contributing to this when we need that kind of profile. When Eze came on, though, I thought he did the same thing. He almost played it like a centre-field player again. Yeah, because I think that's at the moment... There's no link from the midfield to the forwards. There's no link. But this is what I'm saying, Scrozi. Something has to change to make him be able to be free. The manager's got to take some shackles of it and say, go and just go and do it. You lot defend here.

18:24You know, Zubermen, you defend here. Drop back in if you have to, Declan. Make sure that we defend and stay tight so these guys can go forward. But from the weekend, you're talking about, they scored two goals going forward, actually. Whatever ugly goals are set. I get it, but that's part of the game. The issue is giving up three goals. Yeah, that's the, yeah. And the mistake. That's the biggest issue on the weekend. But Roy, that's the first time they've done that in like three seasons. Of course, isn't it? Yeah, but Roy, it's come at a time. Look where it's coming. We're February now. This is where the pressure starts to come.

18:51This is where, you know, I haven't seen Zubimendi do that to that extent. That first goal together. Yeah. Honestly, you don't see that. So you're thinking, what can that be? What can that be? And we're getting to, exactly right. Exactly. So we're getting to a place now, like I said, there's blood in the water. Now we have to start saying, right, something has to change for us to say, right, this is how we're going to go forward with the intensity, with the confidence to beat teams. But they've responded well before, right? This is where the other side of it, you don't panic. Yeah, all this, they need to improve on that.

19:18the lads coming off the bench have to kind of bring a bit more play with a little bit more freedom when they're attacking but they've had their success from being structured and having a decent squad at Liverpool early in the season they lost again to a set piece of free kick afterwards again everyone was critical they had to take the hammer and they kind of did for a while they've had their set back not long ago against Aston Villa last minute winner and they recovered well from that so for all these issues that can happen to lots of teams don't panic exactly also it's like a reset going as we've had a set back just step back I think we're in a chance for four competitions thank you you have to remind them they're not obviously not and sometimes it's not it's not the manager you say and the manager said take the shackles off the players have got to do it yeah I like your deck and rice and Zuba Mendes he played loads of games yeah get fucking all the guys up there get us up there you don't need to it started well but where we were sitting every little straight pass was oh the players we talk about bravery as a footballer your bravery don't worry about the Arsenal fans exactly the courage comes from wanting the ball when you don't really want it and cuddle with them like the first goal these are huge moments these are huge moments in a match As a player though do you feel that?

20:25Because I always thought when I played I was just in the game I don't think you could see the nervousness of the fans would make you nervous Part of being a footballer deal with obviously any sport deal with the pressure Yeah that's what I mean though where they're not just I think you can't underestimate unless you're at the stadium when I was at Arsenal there was a strange feeling before the game and do you know what happens with United when United come to town there is something there is something when United are in town the fans obviously and the Arsenal and the warm up I was looking at you look at body language and Arsenal like Gary said there was something in the air there was something in the air look maybe sometimes you say I'm going to say something now that people will say well you would say that because you're a United fan it felt like a a real super Sunday in terms of you know just that sort of and we needed that though some of the last few games have been really poor that I've watched just in general it felt quite big didn't it in terms of like a a big game and it felt like just the way in which it went I suppose none of us are taking what happened on Sunday and thinking that this is going to be Arsenal I still think Arsenal will win the league do we all think the same thing?

21:25Yes I'll still go Chelsea I don't think a real City four points now it's January and Arsenal wait until it gets to March and April and it's only four points but then City are still having their days against United don't get me wrong I don't think City are right but I think they've got players coming back as well and they're always better towards them I'm quite confident in the fact that whatever happened in the dressing room afterwards, something's going to change. Something has to change. Otherwise, it will peter out for us. Something has to change. And this is what it's... Surely this is what it's about winning at least.

21:57You're meant to be on a journey. Yeah, yeah, yeah. You're meant to say, oh, my God, remember when we lost that United game out of the blue? We couldn't beat Liverpool. We didn't beat Forest. Do you know what they should do? I'm serious. People laugh at me. What? Go for a Chinese, a bit of paintball and a go-can. Nice. It fixes everything. It really does. Am I right? You know, usually at clubs, we used to do it. Put a blazer on, put a club blazer on. I think that because of... You know what, Gareth? It's a good point you make. Clubs, teams, you let off a bit of steam. Yeah. Because you go back in the...

22:24Let's go back in the training, bitch. No, don't get back in the training, bitch. Have a chill-up. Let's have a chill-up. We've got loads of games. You can walk around, Dad. I remember we had a big loss one weekend. I think it might have been against United, and on the Tuesday when we went in, I thought we were just going to get absolutely hammered. And there was an ice cream fan just on the training day. so we're like just reset just chill out and we actually had a good week that week but I think sometimes it is happening I think it's a good thing it's a good thing for us how many sessions do we have at United and you lot offer a bit of esteem and lads come in the next day yeah it was cool wasn't it I like it for us because it's a seminal moment for us I remember we were on pre-season one time I remember sorry quick story I think Mikel Sylvester we always end up in an Irish pub don't you no matter where you are you can be on the moon you find an Irish pub and Mikel said to me he says right I remember he said why do we always end up in an Irish pub, wherever we are.

23:10I remember looking at him going, just shut up and drink. He told me we'd have like a conversation. He wanted to go deep. Shut up, man. Stick to Football is brought to you by Arm Clothing. When I look at Mikel Arteta, I don't get the impression that's a guy that's going to turn up with an ice cream van to be on a Tuesday, you know what I mean? He looks quite, he's quite intense, isn't he? You know what I mean? Yeah, but this is what I'm saying, Gal. There's something that's to change. You have to adjust, you know, because teams work you out. You know, you lose confidence. He's going to have to, at some stage, something's going to have to change because we can't carry on like that, can we?

23:47No, but my point is, though, you're asking him to change, but I genuinely don't think he will change. I don't think managers do, to be fair. Once they've set a system of play, which they are, it's so set Arsenal. I'm talking about changing mentality. That's what's got to change because I don't, like you say, the way he plays, it's rigid. But righty, sorry, do you know what's interesting? Footballers, man, we talk about giving freedom. Everyone just throws that word out there, freedom. But if everyone started playing with freedom, you'd be all over the shop, you know what I mean? The reason they've had a little bit of success this year is what they've been doing is work.

24:15They're top of the table. They've had a little bit of a sticky patch. Then we're talking about what Eze can do for that team. Oh, we all like Eze. Yeah, of course. That's down to players rather than the managers. So then you're saying that you want Eze to go in that team and go against what Mikel wants. But that's what's going to have to happen for Eze. Well, sometimes you've got to do that. You're right, you're a striker. I think Arsenal are the best team by far from the goalkeeper right to the edge of the box. They're the best at actually handling every part of the game, either defensively or in possession.

24:45They do it brilliantly and then they sustain attacks, which is amazing. But they re-sat. I've never seen a team, to be fair, get the ball in sort of a wide area where you can see Odegaard and Saka on that side, can't you, with either Ben White or Timber. And they're playing those. And then they very rarely ever play a ball into the box. No. And if you're a striker, if you're Jokeres, and you're thinking, I'm making my first run and it's not coming, I'm making my second run, and when are they going to actually play this ball in? It must be impossible for a striker to think about timing their runs in that team because you don't know when it's going to be.

25:18But what about Jesus to weekend? Whatever movement, his touch was so awful. Do you not think Jokeres should have started and bring him on? I don't think Jokeres was going to come on and make a massive difference. Do you know what I mean? Think about it. You think about the fact that Jokeres, forget Jokeres, it could be anybody, but there's no balls going into the box hardly at all with all the possession they have. Remember as well, that's... Saka was quiet as well, by the way. That's the thing, yeah. You know, when you look at that, to play in this, as a striker in this team, right, to make a run to the near post when the ball goes out, is Saka going to whip it in first time when you've got defenders and forwards running in so as you could come in and maybe...

25:57I don't see that happening. Now we've got Jokeres. This is what I said about Jokeres a couple of... like a couple of weeks ago, if he's not pulling people and saying, when you get there, just put it in. I agree. But, Rade, sorry to interrupt you, but it's harder when a wide player is left-footed. Well, that's how it is. He's always going to come back in. No, I don't agree. I think Mahrez, when he used to cut in, or Salah, and they'd play them balls in with, like, in-swinging three kicks. Yeah, but, Gary, the half a second... The players, they're more dribblers. The lads we're talking about are more dribblers.

26:27The thing is, Roy, is the split second it takes for you to, instead of doing that, and you cut back to do that, gives the defender that extra charge to come back and block it. It's got to come first time. OK, so, right, you've said you want change. You said you want change. You talked about Eze. Right, what are your front six? Forget the back four and goalkeeper. What are your front six that you would pick to make that change that would make Arsenal more creative? Obviously, I'd have Saka. Of course. He's your mate. Yeah. That's not a boy. He's been quiet, hasn't he, Reddy? He is the biggest threat, though.

27:00No, he's not been creative. Saka on the right. Even on the game Sunday, if one person's going to do anything, it will be in. I wasn't thinking that on Sunday. I'd have Martinelli. I'd have Martinelli. I'd probably, up top, you know what? Saka, Martinelli. I'd put Zoccheres up there. Zoccheres? Yeah. And then who's your number 10? I'd probably start... You've got to go with him. No, no, no. I'd still start with Erdogan, the captain. After what you just said before? Yeah. The fact is, only because if Eze's going to come in and Mikel's going to let him play, then I want to see that one. Because if that's the guy, then he plays.

27:38But I still feel that Martin Odegaard can get the ball and it's up to other players to be moving as well. He is more than capable of doing it. Yeah. Yeah. Yes. But he isn't. You think he's... Not in a minute, no. Yeah, but then he's got to find it. He's a captain. So surely Eze deserves a chance. But when he was older, the team was a bit better when he was missing Odegaard for a few months. Of course, Eze deserves a chance. But at the same time, like you said, Eze came on and it's the same as what Erdogan's doing. So what's the difference? Has it crossed your mind if they don't win it this year?

28:09Of course it does. What do you think my head was in my hands when the tackle was on the ball? To be fair, Patrick before the game said now or never. Even just a few Arsenal fans, obviously not the same sort of stature as Patrick, are saying, to be fair, if we don't win it this year, we'll never win it. I don't believe that. No, no, no, write it. I'm sorry. I know that's just a statement, but my point is that is the feeling. If you don't win it now, it's almost like... Yeah, but Gary, you're kind of like forgetting the fact that we've tried for the last three years. This anxiousness is what's going to happen.

28:37The other teams are in a different place now, right? Yeah, they're in a different... I'm not interested. Liverpool are out of it. I'm not interested with Liverpool or City at the moment because we are in the... But you can't not win it this year. It's in our hands to do it. Yeah, but you can't not win it this year. Do you agree with that? What do you mean we can't not win it? You can't not win it. You have to win the league this year. You must agree with that. That's not putting pressure on you, by the way. It is putting pressure on us. No, it's not. We can't not win it. Did you see how we played the other day?

29:02If something don't change, that's something that you have to worry about. No, you have Arsenal Football Club, one of the greatest clubs in this country and in Europe, and you've basically got to get back to winning titles. You haven't won one for 20 years, and it's there in front of you. You must have a mentality of, we have to win this league this year. You have to. Well, that's why I'm hoping they've got that mentality. No, not hope. Yeah, but you're hoping because we've just seen a result where it looks like, well, mistakes, We're losing a game. Obviously, it's against United. It's a big game for Arsenal United.

29:30But they've lost a game that would have been a brilliant marker if you won that game and moved on again. Righty. Were you surprised at the Nottingham Forest game? Because when City dropped points, I thought they were going to go to Forest. As a player, you're like, they've dropped points. I'm going to Forest. Are they making sure they're not losing? I was like, go and do it 3-0. This is what people are saying as well, Jill, is that the way our manager is, is that he's worried about going to win than just trying not to lose. And I don't think you win anything in that way. Honestly, people might say I'm applying pressure to Arsenal.

30:06Absolutely not. Everybody hopes to win the title. Everybody wants... No, Gary, everybody hopes to win. At the start of this, when we started the season well, I remember you saying, oh, it's Arsenal's to win. After, like, eight games, it's Arsenal's to win if Arsenal lose from here. After eight games, Gary was saying that to me. Write it. Everybody wants to win the title. Everybody hopes to win the title. Arsenal need to win the title this year. They need to win it this year. This is their year. City are dropped. Liverpool have gone. This is it. The door's open. Don't start sort of like being half-hearted.

30:40I'm not being half-hearted. You are a little bit. I'm not being half-hearted. I'm trying to explain where they are in their heads at the moment. What I'm saying is not applying pressure. It's expectation levels of a football club like Arsenal. I put them up here. I put them right up here I'm trying to make the last step he's nervous Gary no you're not trying you've got to make the last step we're trying to got to make the last step we're trying to say that then that's what we're trying to do we've done it for the last three years we're trying we're in a position now Roy you guys know because we're at that stage of the season where the pressure kicks in of course I think we'll do it but the fact is it's not going to be easiest part of the journey that's all I'm saying right I absolutely agree never easy but my point is the language coming out of the club, the language coming out of the fan base should be, look, yeah, I get it.

31:26We've lost games. We're going to lose games in a season. But this is it. We're winning it this year and we're going to get through this. Asked a lot of our fan base as well. They've seen it for the last three years. I know, they have. So you've got to expect them. Even me sitting with my hands in my mouth. They feel like that as well. They still want to be positive about what's going on, but they're afraid. It's up to the players to make us realise it's going to happen. That's the word. I think Aston Villa could do it. They're scared. This could be the fourth time. that's what they're afraid of you can't expect the fans to not feel like that it's up to the players to eat that my last statement on this is it feels a little bit unthinkable for Arsenal not to win it I'll be honest with you it feels a little bit unthinkable in terms of the impact that that might have but I'm not even going to mention his comment that they're going to be the worst team ever to win the title if we win it we win it with more than 77 points like you got won it for like fuck's sake is that my mate there reading this it's my mate he's just shooting from the hip he's just he's just I meant to say most boring team, not worst team.

32:23There you go. Correction. Put him on record. It'll be boring. I'll take boring. It don't matter how you do it. I'll take boring and win. I'm very excited because, again, like you say, I believe, yes, we do have to win it because we do have to win it. And I'm confident enough that we will do it. I agree. I'm confident. Gabby, I have to mention how good United was. Oh, Jill, of course we're coming on to that. That's really clear. Have you seen how much we talk about Man United when they haven't done anything? All your bit would be edited out. That Arsenal bit will end up being about three minutes.

33:03So, Manchester United. Wow. Wow, wow, wow. Here we go. So exciting. Look at them bringing in stats, bringing everything. Look, to be honest with you, I'm absolutely startled. I've been looking at your face already. I'm absolutely startled at the turnaround. Remember, we saw, obviously, a change of manager with Ruben Amarim to go to Darren Fletcher, and there was not much difference in terms of energy and sort of strength. And they went to a back four in those games, by the way. And then all of a sudden, from Darren Fletcher to Michael Carrick in that two or three days, what has happened? I mean, I can't believe it.

33:40I genuinely can't believe what I've seen. You've got his African nations player back, didn't he? This is not just about Embermo and Amad, because, to be fair, Ruben had them for a number of games. I was talking about from Fletch to... Oh, Fletch, yeah. Goalkeeper made some good saves at the start. Oh, great. Keep us safe and I like him. Yeah, he did. Against Arsenal. Against Arsenal? Yeah, I thought he made a chance. I thought he created a chance. I just think he looked comfortable. That's what it is. He did make great saves. I'll tell you what. I think we win that game with Van Aners. Absolutely, he had some presence.

34:08We were sat in here two weeks ago. Michael Carrick was just about to go into the City game. None of us could have ever imagined that what we've seen we were going to see, surely. No one could have ever imagined that. Nobody would have thought he'd win them first two games. The way they've won them as well, though. Yeah. Dogu was brilliant, though, weren't he? And he's going to be out now for ten weeks. How do you... Can I say something? If you're Ruben Amrim watching this at home and you're looking at these players, what are you thinking if you're him in terms of how has this changed? You'd be hard by a one, yeah.

34:36Yeah, absolutely. But at the same time, Michael Carrick's got something out of him that's there for that manager to get out of him. Remember, he was very rigid in what he wanted to do. He's almost to the point where he doesn't even want to listen to anything what's going on. He's played people in the normal positions as well. Exactly. You know who was good at the times? Martinez at the back. The way he's passing out. And Maguire. The way Maguire has come back into it. They were very good. And then you've got people in front who, like even Ahmed. I thought Ahmed put in a good shift for you as well.

35:04You know what I mean? The way they played. I was going to say, Michael's got a little bit of luck in the players he's got back. Martinez and Maguire. You think it was Samarim's last game against Leeds. It was two young centre-half players. two goals against the second and third goal it does help when someone lashes one in oh beautiful you know what I mean exactly you know the thing is what I love about even with Cunha's goal is when you know I'm sitting where I was sitting as soon as he picked it up you know when you see that uncomfortable space in front of him you think that's too much space as he got the quality to it bam and he's done it and I thought you know something he used to do that Wolves didn't he's got that in his locker he's got that and you think to yourself if that's what United are doing with like Mbwemo and who else up front with Mbwemo at the start who's that?

35:42Ahmad with them dropping off the centre-arms not knowing what to do them just causing all that kind of problem and then when they pushed up on us it was like winning a ball back in the Rondle a man who's took his chance Colby and Fernandes and then Bruno can go on when I say some of their linker players I mean that's what I'm talking about Arsenal missing Colby and Fernandes they make your team play football when they've just been doing it with Fernandes a central mid-seam he didn't really have anyone to play with now Cobby's also got that ability to play with somebody they're all working they're working so hard as well I think it was the 85th minute Casemiro pressed down by and then sprinting to get back in I'm like I don't think they were running like that before I mean look there's definitely an energy a new energy about the team for the last year the last few months people were talking about United are the champions later not in Europe out by Grimsby but we weren't seeing the energy at weekends we weren't going do you know they've had a good week's training this week but the last week or two you're looking going there's definitely and energy about them.

36:45And obviously they've added quality to it with their goals. Five goals all from open play. Is it helping them not having the midweek games as well? I bet he's never had seven days of prepare. No, it looks like it is now. Previously it was. I've had them before, by the way. No, I know. No, that's my point. I've not had them before, but we haven't seen the benefits of the weekend. But Roy, why this team has no games? Why the change in energy, attitude, performance levels, everything? Well, obviously a new voice has come in. There's new staff or whatever. He's got nice energy as well. Nice energy about them, whatever.

37:12I think the timing was perfect the players were probably ready for a new voice it's not necessarily on the new manager they're probably just glad to see the last manager go training might be a bit more intense it might be shorter it might be it'll be all little tweaks to training a bit like that players are back available he brought Maguire back in you know about Holland he's worked with England he goes whatever we need lads we need some characters in the team brings Manu back in we're talking there about six seven weeks so Manu should leave Man United he goes no bide your time you might get that chance but when you get the chance and what he has done if Amarim was still there though he'd probably but he's gone now.

37:42But what he's done, Gary, with Manu, we obviously in football you get opportunities but you've got to take it. Man City home, Derby game, big game for United, Arsenal away, Arsenal are going really well. So you couldn't ask for any more. Absolutely. It's been brilliant. I must admit, I never liked the handling of Manu. I think we talked about that a lot on this show. I never liked the handling of that. When he said at the start of the season, Ruben, that basically it was him or Bruno, I never agreed with that. I thought that was just... Bullshit. It killed him. It killed him, to be fair, publicly.

38:10and then he never put him in the team at all, apart from Grimsby. I think his brother's T-shirt freed him, I think. It was all down to that. He was underbroodder. But when you watch Kobe now in the two games, that was nearly pushing a talented player out of the club before he'd even really had a chance to perform. You look at him now in these two matches and you think, how could that be? How could a Garty... But let's not put too far in the other way. It is only two games. Roy, I get it. I get it. It's two games, not to get carried away. But we just know what he's capable of. Well, people get carried with United.

38:40We saw it after the game. It can be. That's where you need to... It's like when Man United win a game. I know United can be extreme. They're losing a few odds at the end of the world. They win a few... Oh, they're back. You've got to get that balance right. Even the reaction after the game. We should all be sitting here ex-United players going, you know, there's still has to be a bit of your group. They're going, we expect to go and compete with these teams. Even to go down to Arsenal. Liverpool probably should have won there a few weeks ago. Forrest drew with them. It's not as if Arsenal are in a great moment.

39:07So when Man United to win the game afterwards, I wish sometimes even the manager, the players would come up and go, yeah, we're cool with it. There was players going and hugging the... No, there wasn't. There was players hugging the... There was players going and applauding for 20 minutes. You're going, did you not think you could win a game of football on an Arsenal? It can happen. So I'm just talking about the balance. Enjoy the victory, but don't all of a sudden think they've got the answers to everything. Because the key is, we're just talking about our Arsenal are now, keep going. You've got to be consistent.

39:33And this team hasn't shown it yet. We can blame the manager, you're the tactics, the system, but this group of players still haven't got the trust from me anyway to go, yeah, I expect them to win loads of games over the next one, two, three, four, five seasons competing. So get that balance right. Yeah. Nice to see them back. We'll kick on now. Home game of the weekend, different challenge, teams might be sitting in, blah, blah, blah. It is nice to see a Manchester United team at least look like something. Of course. I think the league needs it. It's just brilliant for everyone. It really is. You want Man United competing at the top and the type of goals they're scoring.

40:03We're talking about the attacking player. United's history we're kind of criticising Arsenal for their attack and play but United's history over the years is about attacking players I remember the George Best we remember all the gigs all these brilliant attacking players canting it for that we saw the two goals after the game we're pundits watching the match we're going what good game this is to watch attacking players playing with freedom and by the way shooting from outside the box instead of playing 60, 70 passes can we open them up let's go back out to the other side no no let's go straight down the middle and go at them and that's what United's two goals were in the second half.

40:35Let's go right on. They got a gift with the first goal but they took it. They were pressing people at the right time and a good finish but the second and the third goal from United, no matter who you support, were brilliant goals. Yeah, they were brilliant goals. Does it say something about, I mean, you're right, when Michael comes in, what can he possibly do in three days or eight days to make that transformation? Does it obviously say something about how unhappy the players were previously? Of course. But it goes to show, when you hear... We didn't have a clue what they were doing. When you hear managers coming...

41:00We were watching systems, sorry, right, we were watching systems. what are they trying to do I don't know what they're doing and all of a sudden you play players in the right positions the players have looked so much happier they look like yeah of course and happier and Michael will know that because he's probably still mates with some of them so he probably knew that they wanted to copy playing you've used the word here and I can be careful they are playing particularly tackle players a bit of freedom and players coming off the bench having an impact but right this is what I'm saying you can feel it can you feel something different so this is what I'm saying going back to Arsenal you just need to feel like something's happened something's like but you know what the Arsenal players have to do loosen up and there's always question marks when you're in a title race and you're playing in front of 60 ,000, 70 ,000 courage comes from wanting the ball and deep down you might want it because the fans if we weren't tuning up after 10 minutes the fans would be edgy but the courage the courage is not like nailing somebody the courage is going give me the ball or a striker showing for it or somebody getting on a half turn that's my point about Oldergaard he can do it in them deeper areas yeah brilliant great you've got to do it where it matters you've got to hurt teams you've got to get it next to the centre half you've got to receive it there like David Silverfield holding us up before they win games of football by doing that and that kills your centre forward when he's up fucking there the centre forward has been brought in to get a bit of help from your number 10 he's not giving it and not just your centre forward your wide players as well he brings them into the game that's what's got him stick to football is brought to you by Arm Clothing.

42:35We know there's a change in attitude and we know there's a change in results and performances but what I've been surprised by with the United is actually it's very difficult to get combinations. It isn't just a team sat behind the ball counter-attacking. So we've seen United over the years go back into a really deep shape counter-attack with Rashford and Marseille at games beat City away or win games like that. The way in which they're combining through the midfield the way in which they're actually Wavelands. They're on the same wavelength Yeah, and to get that in three and eight days, that's the shock for me in terms of just the actual...

43:06He hasn't done that. The players have done that. That's correct. And the players... Like Paul's saying, in the right positions. They know what each other wants. I think something is as simple as that sometimes. Football in general, not just with the United situation. And good players like playing... And they know when there's something in the air. And the last few months were like, there's something... But we've also had to listen to it last year when the manager came in talking about, I need a pre-season with everybody. The good players got... I need three or four days. we'd be fine you don't need three or four months to build up a relationship with a footballer when I played with Scorsi people say what did you work on what didn't really work on anything what would he have been for when I sat in chemistry I'm surprised by the combination I'm surprised by the to be fair not the defensive compactness because I think that's something that a manager would be able to put into a group of players but the way in which the two the full back and the wide player on each side are working together to try and nullify threats and then spring in from that the way in which Bermot and Bruno are defending in terms of how they're doing and then it looks...

44:01In the two games, are you talking about the weekend? I'm talking about Steve Holland you're talking about. No, no, no. But they conceded two games against Arsenal. Let's not make out it was a defensive masterclass. No, they set pieces against Arsenal. But their attacking players turned up. They set pieces against Arsenal to be fair a massive threat. They restricted Arsenal in open play to next to nothing and give them very little. Liverpool did and Forrester as well. Yeah, but my point is with what we're seeing is that ordinarily you don't tend to see the organisation... They look like a team that have been drilled over a period of months and months and months in their defensive shape and in their attacking shape.

44:33Yeah, but again, they've brought two centre-halves and they're experienced players. They've played loads and loads of games. I get that, but my point is they're not just dropping off to the edge of the box. They're holding a sort of good line, which to be fair, Maguire and Martins in the past have not held good lines against City. They've dropped a lot deeper. Are they holding good lines? I think they are playing quite deep. I can't attack more than anything because they're playing against two very good teams. But if you look against City... It'll change on Saturday, Sunday. At City against Old Trafford, they did, to be fair, they were 20 yards, 30 yards outside the box.

45:01That's not always been the case. They were for a large period. City still had 70 % possession or something. No, they did. My point is that I just feel like there's been a great... Look, the players have taken it on board. I get that. Yeah, you give credit for that 100%. However, there's definitely been an organisation defensively and an attack that I think they've picked up very quickly that I'm surprised. But Gary has good players. Shouldn't you just be able to go in any system? And obviously the communication of the manager, Gary, is very clear for them. Well, let me throw this back at you then.

45:27Those good players have been with a manager for 18 months and he's not been able to get a system into them. They've not picked up that. That's on the coach. Yeah. So hang on, why have good players not been able to pick up with him? Because that's how he's coaching them. Well, you said that as well, Gary. You said the best. You said it's about players. You can't just say it's about... Yeah, but Gary, we've seen after... You're the one who just said it. Three days and we're seeing a difference. You're talking 18 months. He's not been able to give us anything. What was the value of? It's on our moral system.

45:52No, so I'm saying, basically, how in three days have they got that defensive and attacking organisation? You're saying it's down to good players. Good players and communication. Why have those same good players not been able to pick up a system for 18 months? But is this one more a system that they used to play in? It wasn't suited to that. Right, OK. We all played three at the back under Glen Hoddle with England, right? I used to play three at the back with Glen Hoddle in England, 4-4-2 at United. But under Glen, we picked up the system pretty quickly in terms of how to play different players.

46:21Good players. Oh, my God. I knew. But, Nev, I agree. But it's still only two games. I get that. United beat Liverpool earlier this season. I get that. I get that. And they're fun ways. They have fun ways to win games of football before. They're fun ways over the last week. Not playing like that. No, it's been definitely better to watch. I'm agreeing with you. But let's see over the next few months and the next year or two. How it goes. So let's not get too carried away over the two games. I'm not going to get carried away. I think the attacking play certainly has been excellent. But, again, you're on about the way they're set up.

46:49They gave up two goals at Arsenal. I think they've defended excellently in the two games, by the way. They gave up two goals against Arsenal. It was set-piece. All right, that doesn't count then. You're not going to Champions League. It does count, Roy, but my point is Arsenal are a freak. Arsenal are a freak from set-pieces. They just are. I mean, they are a freak. They are. As you mentioned a minute ago, you've got to have players to suit systems. So if you went to England and you say you played three at the back, probably suit them. Your players might have done. These players have shown that they haven't fitted into the system.

47:18Anything a system would have done. left side side is a left back yeah and what's been better the last one or two big position at United the goalkeeper thank you it was the last year to United goalkeepers the goals they've been given away I think it might look how close you were to losing Kami Mainu where are you at Michael let's move around the table quite an emotional thing around don't you tap away honestly Kami's got to throw something go on Giles I thought my answer there is a debate that obviously will to be fair start to emerge now over Michael Carrick because he's won the two games. Should he be the next England manager?

47:55And this idea of should Michael Carrick be considered and should he be given the job at the end of the season if this continues? I suppose that's the question. So I think, like you said, what we've seen after three days, that's what you said, if he could do that in three days, Gal, then surely, then surely, if he carries on for the rest of the season winning games like that and looking good in the games, what are you going to do? What are you going to say, right, let's find someone else, to find the next hammering because he's somewhere else and we've got someone right in our midst and we're not going to give it to him.

48:25Give it to him if he's doing this, like Roy said, continually, if it still happens. Give it to Michael Carrick. Why not? I hope they give it to him. I hope they give it to him in the summer. You said the other day, Roy, I don't think it's the right decision. Good luck with it. I'm sticking to my guns. I've said my piece. I think he's got the job and if he gets it in the summer, you go, listen, good luck to him. But as a caretaker manager, it's a different animal to being a manager of United trying to win league titles over the next two, three, four, five years, whatever it might be. I think you can get a better manager than Carrick.

48:55Absolutely. But I think he's doing a good job. Perfect timing for him. And even if he doesn't get the United job, these results are a bit like rude in Odom. He'll get another job. He'll probably get a premiership manager. But just because he's doing well at United doesn't mean he'll do well at another club. He's got the players back. It's all been sliding doors moments. Carrick will get better. And he's took advantage of it. He'll get better, I think, Roy. Of course. If he gets the opportunity at United and he's done this already. That's a different animal. the structure of the club's scouts. He'll get better.

49:18His job within the last week or two was to get results at Man United. If you become a manager, you have to start looking at the structure, the scouts. I think he'll do that. Well, I disagree with you. That's about opinions. When you asked this the last podcast, I did say if he does well, gets him top four, he should get to keep it because we're talking about these great managers, but how did they get to be great managers? Alex Ferguson, the first four seasons. He touched something at Aberdeen, though. First four seasons, yeah. What did he do at Aberdeen, Jim? 13th, 11th, 2nd. What did he do at Aberdeen?

49:46One European. But still... What did he do at Aberdeen, I'm asking you? No, but in the modern game, I'm saying, sometimes they don't get a chance to become a great manager. Alex Ferguson would have been gone in this day and age with his first couple of seasons. The thing I say, how can Michael go up against some of the managers that are around? I don't see him. You think you're Thomas Tuchel, you're Enrique, you're Unai Emery, Eddie Howe. But we have to see. Well, yeah, we have to see. But I mean, when you talk about records, you think about managing a big club, going on to anything. Michael can't compete with that now.

50:16we talk about what you need but Arsenal how many players have won the league title at Arsenal it's all new experience so Michael Carrick is going to be manager of Man United he hasn't got enough experience I don't think he'll have enough football knowledge but how did he get experience by doing the hard job he's done it at Middlesbrough he's done it at Middlesbrough and I'm not saying Michael Carrick can't be a top manager but he's talking about timing of Man United I think the timing for Carrick to be manager of Man United in the summer I don't see it and if he goes in and proves me wrong and starts competing and winning titles I go I tell you what unbelievable Unbelievable.

50:46The character of him, I think he's somebody who could take the next step to get to that. Yeah. I love that. That club, Roy. Yeah, it's not. That club, that club. You know what, lads? Do you know what? One of the things that happen with all this scares people a little bit. A little bit. And there's hidden agendas with the media. The media will be going after one character to get a job. A lot of media out there who work for Man United will be saying, and he's English, they want Gerrard to do well, they want Rudy to do well, Scott Parker to do well, whoever it might be. So they'll be pushing for character, obviously.

51:13But if you asked us four or five weeks ago, the future manager of Man United, who do we think? Carrick wouldn't have been mentioned. No. It was perfect timing for him. Ex-player, blah, blah, blah, he's available. Do it till the end of the season to win. You wouldn't have mentioned him. You're saying to get in the top four. Look how bad. United are almost... They'll definitely be, you're thinking, they'll definitely be fourth or fifth. Yeah. Unless the wheels come off and it doesn't look like it because they're playing with energy and a bit of freedom. So just doing that job means you should get the manager of Man United.

51:37No, but managers have wanted in the past to have brought in. But I could maybe a hundredth more who haven't. people mention Pep all the time Zidane Ferguson was Aberdeen he's an experienced manager by then but you could have hundreds who got big jobs who weren't ready for it everyone mentions Pep Pep is over Amarin yeah good shout but when we talk about Amarin coming in we had our doubts about Amarin because he's at Lisbon and he's out of the league and we sit here and obviously we were having a laugh about Holland and all these boys and they are experienced people but we're doing a podcast we have a bit of fun about it and I'm not saying these aren't good footballing people but again a month or two to go, would you have been mentioning any of these people to come in and get Man United back?

52:15Forget top four or five over the next few years. I'm on about winning titles. That's where Man United have to be. But the next step is they have to get back to the Champions League next year. And if Carrick can do that job, you go, I take my hat off to him. And I guarantee you, if he doesn't take the job, someone a big manager might come in and go, I'd like you to work alongside me. Stick to Football is brought to you by Arm Clothing. To be the head man at Man United. Who would you bring in then? Well, there's better options out there. Who do you see? I think there's better options out there. It could be Tuchel, it could be Enrique.

52:44I like Simone, but are they going to get these guys if you're Man United? Go and try and get the best. Go and get the best. When Tuchel, look at how I mess Tuchel about when they're interviewing Tuchel. You know what I mean? That in itself, what are you doing? We played with Michael Carrick for a long time. We're both on the set. Why would we say that we wouldn't want Michael to be the manager at the end of the season from a personal perspective? You know this is not personal because, to be fair, we have a lot of time for him, a lot of respect for him. amazing player, teammate of ours. We're not going to turn on Michael Carrick.

53:13It's not like a, it's not a jealousy point. It's not like a, right? Michael shouldn't get the job at the end of the season, in my opinion. And I'm saying this really unemotionally, right? It's nothing to do with what two weeks ago were, to be fair, I agree with Roy that no one would have mentioned Michael for the job, right? If you're going to earn your stripes and manage one of the biggest clubs in the world and handle the pressure that's going to be thrown at you, I think you have to have that. years of experience personally. Why did Man United give it to Amirim? I'm not having that go. If he goes in now and he's proven that he can do it, off of the back of this result and carries him to do it, what are you talking about?

53:53He should get it. He should get the opportunity to see if he can do it. If you've given it to Amirim... This has nothing to do with all the decision and why it's gone wrong previously or giving it to Ryan when Ryan took over for a few games. My honest view is at the end of the season, Man United have to remove as many risks as possible from moving forward in terms of appointing a manager. If you're Ineos, you can't afford to take risks. Now, Michael, to be fair, has had a couple of years at Middlesbrough, done a good job there. And to be fair, he's learning. He's got great composure. He's got all the characteristics to be a fantastic manager, Michael, because he doesn't get too up.

54:24He doesn't get too down. He's thoughtful. He's intelligent. He's obviously put good coaches around him with Steve Holland. So I've got brilliant. What Roy just said, if Thomas Tuchel came in or Enrique came in, right, you think about what Ateta did under Pep at Sort of City. if say Enrique came in or a Tuchel or an Ancelotti and Michael was there for two or three years actually just with that person and then at that point they sort of stepped up to being a manager I'd say that for me feels right to actually give Michael the job after four months of being a manager at Manchester United and a couple of years at Middlesbrough I do think he's setting him up for failure I do think he's setting him up So that's what they've done with Amorim then No I do think he's setting him up for a hard time and I say this without any emotional and if he gets the job there will be no one wants him to do better and then actually I would want him to absolutely go and win the league.

55:09But Ampham was on the gamble, right? Do you know what my concern is? It's the same kind of gamble that you'd have to take. Yeah, but they've obviously learned from that. Right, and my concern is that we're going to end up watching one of our own again go through some form of what would be crash in the next 18 months. And that's the reason you don't want him to? No, I just feel that's where we're going to end up again in the next 18 months whereby basically he'll lose five or six on the bounce, the wheels will turn, why do they give it to him? And we've seen it before this movie and I just feel like that's where we're going to end up if he actually gets the job and that's my concern.

55:35Are you scarred by that a little bit, though? What about if he does do great? I'm going on the other side. I think if he follows Tuchel, the pressure would be off a little bit more, wouldn't it? Because he's followed Amarim, who's never really been proven. So if you follow somebody who is proven, he's won everything there is with his clubs, I think it would be a little bit easier. Yeah, I just feel unemotional about it, in the sense that I just feel like, at the end of the season, Manchester United... You're never unemotional. I know, but I'm trying to keep it, because Manchester United should get the best-in-class manager that they can in the world that's available in the summer and there's three or four of them coming out of contract out of the World Cup.

56:11I do believe that they should go and appoint that manager right now. Do you trust them to do that, Gary, when they add Tuchel in the building? Do you trust them to do that? Because what's all of a sudden going to change? It might not be just Tuchel. It might be Ancelotti, it might be Eddie Howe, it might be Enrique, it might be one of those four managers or even others that are coming available, Nagelsmann, whatever you want to call. So there's five or six managers that are coming available that Michael could work closely with. I just feel like now we need someone who's won the Champions League, who's been around the block, who can attract players, by the way, into the club.

56:41So for me, if Ancelotti too could come, Manchester United are going to attract, I think, better players than if they could stick with Michael right now. And that was the big plus the last two results, by the way, about the manager and tax assist. United need to be in the Champions League next year, whoever the manager is. Players will want to play in the Champions League. So the benefits for Man United is going, oh, we're now hopefully going to finish fourth or fifth and be in the Champions League. and then you've a nice decision to make in the summer. We sit here every week or every two weeks and we talk about football.

57:06Every week, Roy. And we get things wrong. So if Carrick gets a job in the summer and he gets it two or three, we'd sit here and go, do you know what, listen, all the best to you. And if he does the business, you go, do you know what, been proven wrong again because that's what football does to you. You give an opinion on something and then the following week you go, what was I thinking about that game? We could be watching it back. You think they should try and appoint somebody now? Well, Michael's actually the type of person, Scholes, it wouldn't surprise me if he actually came out in a few weeks and said, look, I'm not taking it at the end of the season.

57:33I think he is that type of person, to be fair to him. He's one that would... I don't think he will, but he is. It's going to start getting impossible for him in the next few weeks if he carries on winning, because every question is going to be about, are you going to carry on? He could say, look, let me be clear, let's say March, and he's won eight games, as an example, and it's becoming unbearable, he could definitely in a press conference say, look, I'm going to hand it over to someone else at the end of the season, because that's what was planned, and that's what we were going to do. And he wouldn't surprise me if Michael did that.

57:58That's why I'm saying, take the speculation. away now. So really, what I'm getting from you, Gary, is that it's someone come in, Michael come in as like... He might not want to support someone. That's what you'd prefer for him. He might not want to support someone. He might want to go away and be a number one somewhere and do that as well. That's fine. But my point is... If it's someone like Ancelotti and then you come in next... Surely you'd say, I'd take that rather than go somewhere else. You want to work under Ancelotti. Surely then... It depends what options you'd have. You say that, Ray.

58:24It depends what options he'll get in the summer. If he wins games against United Champions League, he will have really good options, maybe better options than me in number two at Man United. But that's high-class problems for him. But Roy's made a good point in what he said. Michael has only been considered for this job right now because they wanted someone to come in who knew the club, who would understand how to basically manage the reins for four or five months. If Michael hadn't have played for United, you would never consider Michael for the job at Manchester United. It's only because he's played at the club.

58:50Michael's not got the job because of his managerial record at Middlesbrough. He's got the job because of his knowledge of United and that Rude and Oli had already been in before a little bit more than him maybe. And Oli had been in before and there was a feeling that they'd like to have something fresh. So Michael's got the job because of his basically just being in the right place at the right time. That is not the criteria for being a Manchester United manager. It's different. Chocolate cheese. It's not the criteria for it, unfortunately. How many times have we seen managers going in, whatever, experts, and doing a job for a good month or two and then they get the job and they're gone a few months later?

59:18It's bizarre. It's just the nature of football. Whatever it might be, a new voice can lift players for a few months. But if you're on about, he's going to be the manager for the next two, three, four years, look after all the scouting stuff and represent the club and compete with Pep and all these managers. I think Michael's got something. Yeah. I think he's got something. I'm not saying he's got something. To be manager of Man United. To be manager. And you guys know, obviously, more than me than you said to a manager of Man United. I totally get it. I think that Michael... The right path for Michael might just be at the end of the season when Arsenal don't win the league that he goes there and then comes back to United.

59:48Perfect, perfect. Perfect. Get some experience, yeah? For now, though, if you're a Man United fan, just enjoy one game a week and you're winning. Don't even think about the manager. I've had that for a while, one game a week. Just talk about managers. Jamie Carragher said on Monday Night Football, I believe that if Arnes Lott wasn't to get in the top four or five, then he felt that basically it would be a different story, which tells you that he feels that Arnes Lott's underpriced. Should we ring Carragher? It's his birthday. It's his birthday as well, isn't it? Should we ring him or no? Yeah, see what he says, yeah.

1:00:15Is he off for his birthday? I've already pressed it. Gary? I've not pressed it. Gary? What's that? Is he off for his birthday? I can't imagine if United... Champions League, wasn't it? There we go. All right, one game against Arsenal. Let's sing. I'm in his chair. What age is he? What age is Jamie? 74. I'm getting it off. 40, 47, 48. Is he in the gym? 47, 48 maybe. How old's Jamie today? How old's he? How old's Cara? 47? 48? He's not answering. No, he's not answering. Ian, you ring him in. Right, let's do Super 6. LAUGHTER

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1:01:27Come on, Arsenal. Again and again. Come on, Arsenal. You never came to see your son, that's strange. I sent a message, you know what I mean? You're sitting across here and he doesn't come across and say hello. You're right over the other side. I wasn't with Thierry. Yeah, relax. You know, around the other side, I'm going to come and then act like, hey Skybox, can I come with my friends? Hey Skybox. He was with Mr Dean. I wasn't with Mr Dean. I wasn't with Mr Dean. I was with my son. I want them to win just for righty. Did you? No, I want them to win just for righty. We all want them to win the league.

1:02:02And Declan Rice. Arsenal. Oh, I want Arsenal. I do, yeah. I do. You're saying I didn't even come to... No, if Arsenal don't win the league, it would be fun. Why didn't you go to the league? It would be what? I'm walking. Not after. Did you text me? Meet for a little coffee. I need a pen. I'm walking. I'm in the zone. The zone? I thought it was the green sky. We want Arsenal to win the league, by the way. Yes, we do. What are you saying? I do. I do. Our Villa. Blue, I've never used Blue before. I'm our Villa. I wanted to speak about Villa. You know something, I can't even tell you the feeling. The Villa manager for United.

1:02:33You know what, even Villa. Would you go in there? You know what, Villa with what's going on now. You know you've been number two. Would you go in? Too many injuries. Villa are not winning the league. All the midfielders. I'm just saying, they can have a real goal there. I love it. Super six. Hey, Benny. Welcome to Super six. Last week's scores. Gary and Jamie got two points. That's shocking. That's shocking, yeah. What did we get, Ben? You only got two correct scores. Roy Till and Ian got seven. Yay! I got the Sunderland score bang on. Bang on, bang on, yeah. Yes, we're back. I said... 4-1. I don't think we've ever only got two points.

1:03:10That's terrible. Bad, that's right. Jeez. Right, you can lead Arsenal. We need them. 1-1. I know your heads are down, mate. You fancy Arsenal? Leeds are doing okay. I know, Leeds are all right there. We should go on a trip, shouldn't we? Arsenal have gone on a trip. Not everyone, but not cameras around, just a trip. Go on. We're going to go 1-1. There you go. You've dropped two more points here. Leeds-Arsenal. What time kick-off? Saturday 3pm. Oh. What's the weather? It makes a difference. It does. Cold, windy. I think Arsenal will win. You'll see if you're out. Arsenal have the gloves. No one's settling, Leeds.

1:03:44You know what? I'm going... 2-1. No, I'm not giving no goals. 2-0. We just gave three away and we're not giving no more. 2-0. 2-0. Go on, you go. Going 2-0 to my team because they're coming back this week. 2-0. Vengeance. Brighton-Everton. Brighton-Everton. This could be anything. No, Brighton, I think. No, Everton-David-Marsh. Everton, got away from home. Everton are a very difficult team to work out. Is he back? Got away from home. 1-1. I can't seem to get that. 1-1. 1-1. Love it, 1-1. We didn't even discuss. Brighton win that. Brighton-Everton. 1-1. It's just powerful 2-1 to Brighton 2-1 to Brighton Chelsea, West Ham I'm doing that game 5.30pm West Ham coming back I'm doing that game I'm doing Tottenham City Chelsea with Liam 2-1 Chelsea Liam for England He's a world rest manager, isn't he?

1:04:39He's English, you see, so don't be pushed I think Chelsea If you're English, they'll push for you, I'm telling you Is that something that's thought by people from Ireland or is it something that's thought by people from just outside of England that's worried about my thoughts? Nice one. Of course, the media will be all over it. Any young English coach. We don't ask anyone. It looks good for the FA and all that. I think Carrick's in for it now. When you say something, does that represent Bury? One win for United. Two wins for United. City and Arsenal is enough for Carrick to get... Andrew's doing a decent job at Brentford, don't you?

1:05:09You know what I mean? Yeah, you have to go. And the West Ham? Chelsea. We're going to go Chelsea. Hold on a sec. We've got disgust here. Chelsea. 3-1. OK, 3-3. Jared Bourne's playing well. A big fan. 2-0. I'll give him no doubt. He hasn't mourned. He hasn't win. You know what? It's good. Liverpool. Liverpool. Newcastle. It's our goal. Saturday, 8pm. Liverpool. I think Newcastle. I think Newcastle's going to beat them. Do you? It's getting hard. At Anfield. He's not forever going to these. You can't get going. I like him. Yeah, draw. Let's do a draw. 2-2. Could be a mad game. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I was going to say that.

1:05:52You could still say it. Kevin Keegan was 3-3, wasn't he? Yeah, but that type of game. 4-4. No one's in the exact score. Well, let's go 3-3 then. Go 3-4. Yeah, 3-3. Yeah, sure. I love that. It's like Arteta. Proper Kevin Keegan. You know, Arteta, you ask about managers. The great managers are gamblers. Is he a gambler? I hope so. I hope he's started to get... He doesn't play like a gambler, do you know what I mean? United were 9-0, wasn't it? I might give him a walk off. Gary, are you a bit worried that when they're expected to win? 3-1, 2-0. Are you a bit worried that when they're expected to win?

1:06:29This is a different... It's like a different United draw. This is a different type of test on Sunday, which is interesting. They're all tests. Because I think they've done well against the good teams. It's when they're expected to win sometimes. I agree. Do you know what? You're all over-thinking it. They've got an ice cream man at the train. They were in the pocket. 8-1. Right. United-Fulham. Draw. I fancy Fulham. No, do you know? I think United will keep up. 2-1. I would have went 2-1 Fulham. I would have. Tottenham City. Tottenham City. Sunday 4-30. Sunday 4-30. Please do. My ex-City. Sydney.

1:07:03If United lose to Fulham. I'd like to discuss. Spurs have a good record against City, don't they? Yeah, they do. City will win. They'll be goals, though. No, they'll be goals, Jill. Jill's pretty good at this. Yeah, you're getting really good, Jill. We'll go 2-2. I think Tottenham will get something. You think? Yeah. He's back. Are you working this weekend? I'm doing that game. Thank you very much. Super 6. Nice one, Ben.

1:07:37Can we discuss Tottenham? Yes. Five points, sorry, three points from a possible 15 this calendar year against Brentford, Sunderland, Bournemouth, West Ham and Burnley, which is a pretty poor situation. Their next four games are City at home, United away, Newcastle at home, Arsenal at home. Isn't it mad? What you're talking about, the chat with Frank, so Thomas Frank. About the manager. So every time he hears a difficult spell, Everyone's chatting about a manager getting sacked. It's mad, isn't it? What do we think, though? He's under pressure. What's under pressure? What, should he be sacked? About 14, 15, sort of?

1:08:14Well, that's the question. Not the question, should he be sacked? The question is, will they sack him? Obviously, will they sack him? Well, like, now... They've got... Is Daniel Levy not here anymore? So they've got the fella from Arsenal. Yeah, that's right. But will he be a different mindset? We're going to give him a bit longer. It depends on how much pressure he's under in respect to the pressure he'll get because, like, oh, he's the Arsenal guy and he's brought him in. Is he under that kind of pressure? That's what I mean. It's a different dynamic. You know something? No, I wouldn't even think...

1:08:42I feel for him because, like... That could be Michael's next job. But Spurs are home. Their home record has been poor, hasn't it? Yeah. It's the home... When you're home form, because that's obviously most of your home supporters come and watch you. When you get away from home, they almost forgive you. But what is it? Lack of goals. Can't score goals. They're missing his best players. Spurs always want to be better entertainers, aren't they? Solanke's been out for a while, hasn't it? It's so tough on him, with those players missing. So tough on him. The question is, will Tottenham sack him or will he stick through it and keep him?

1:09:11Well, at some stage, he'll be sacked. No, this season. I'm talking about this next season. Are your phones ringing? I think. Cara, get him on. One bad result. Too late. Let's sing. Hello. Cara? It's not her first time. Happy birthday, Cara. Happy birthday, Cara. Are you on the podcast? I know, I know. How are you doing? I'm all right, mate. but as you know I don't come on my Liverpool get beat so

1:09:40yeah it's alright going very well just a quick one did you say on Monday Night Football that you felt that Arna Slott would be sacked if he didn't get Champions League qualification yeah they did yeah wow not holding back Jay exactly that's what we get paid for big statement though it's a massive statement go on Arsenal haven't got you know when a world-class player in the attack? Do you agree with that? No, I think... You've got an ear right. I think Saka's close to a world-class player. Come on, man, with what he's done on the stage as well. Oh, he's an amazing player. I just don't think they've got a player who could maybe, right now, maybe in the future...

1:10:19You don't think Saka's... You don't think Rice is world-class? No, but he's not part of the attack. Sorry. I'm talking about Michael. But he hasn't been getting forward. You know, there's two strikers or wingers. Someone who could have, like, a season like Salah did last year or Haaland or De Bruyne or Hazard. They've always just sort of lacked that sort of... I mean, all top players, but a genuine superstar. I mean, wait to Thierry Henry. Is Saka world-class? That's the question. I think he is world-class. I think he is. I saw someone else saying the other day he weren't world-class. I can't remember if it was Max or Max.

1:10:49I think he's the level below that. I think he's the level below that. What's world-class then, Chari? What's world-class now? Give us four players in a type that are world-class in the world right now. obviously Harland Jamal and Bape you know that type of level we're talking about there's three I don't think Saka's quite there he's probably the one below that isn't he I'd say Jamie going back to start so you think if they don't get the chance Liverpool should sack the manager yeah I think if you win the league and you spend that type of money it's not just him the other people are you know by the way I'm giving my opinions you might get them fucking paid for this

1:11:28Invoicing, J It's a great opinion Yeah, listen I just think it'd be difficult Wouldn't it In terms of the feeling Around the supporters Maybe they look at us The people That would feel knee jerky Cara, just one question Is it the fastest erosion Of No, seriously Think about it A manager that wins the league For Liverpool Usually has a lot of love For a long time Is it the quickest erosion of confidence that we've ever seen in a manager, because I can't believe that Liverpool are thinking like that, because I love slot. I do, and I do, and I've almost argued, I think some of the way people have spoken about him, you know, as if he's you know what social media is like now and sort of support, I've been taken aback by how quickly people have turned on, people are talking about changing the manager right now, and I just think you can't change a manager to one of the league a year ago you have to obviously assess it at the end of the season, so I am a bit taken it back, especially because Liverpool in the past have had really big relationships, almost a real bond with the supporters and the manager, but we're in a new age, and Liverpool have never been in this position in this social media age where everyone's got an opinion, because they had Klopp for, what was that, eight years?

1:12:39So I think Klopp came about ten years ago or something like that, and obviously he had one of the best managers in the world, so it was never really up for debate, was it, really? But I have been taken back with the feeling with the manager. I can't believe Liverpool supporters are almost talking the way they do about it. Reputation of Liverpool supporters has always been, as you said Jamie, many times, they'll always back the manager, generally speaking, but now, a few months after winning the league. Marvin Alonso will help him. That probably doesn't help, but what I would say is I don't think he should be talking about now, I'm not in that camp, I just think he's probably got to have a good second half of the season a good cup run get in the Champions League have a cup run in the FA Cup build some momentum for next season where you actually believe that the team's gone somewhere not that it's like on a constant sort of like you know negativity for the next sort of two or three months that's what I would say you think they'll make the Champions League would I make it Joe?

1:13:37I think it's a toss up I think because if they haven't run in the Cups and United maybe don't have as many games but they should they should have enough when you look at the players they've got in the squad and the more suited is Champions League it might get to the stage in March and April where they've actually got more chance of winning the Champions League if they're still in it than probably getting in the top four or five Cara you've just said something that you've been ridiculing me and laughing at all season are you actually starting to think the unthinkable that United are going to finish above Liverpool well Gary Gary I think a lot about what me and you both say because I've always got to come back with me with me arguments you didn't back this man United with Michael Carrick playing a back four you back to Rumanamor and we're back three.

1:14:19And he got sacked and got lost in the news. Those all kinds of shites. All those shites. No, it's not, James. Do you know something? He's like the Boris Johnson of punditry. He just makes things up and everyone believes it. I do believe him. I believe him. I'm following Jamie all the way. Happy birthday, James. Happy birthday. He can see what he wants. Happy birthday, James. Bye. I've got to go. I've got an invoice to send to the office. We only rang to say happy birthday. Stick to Football is brought to you by Arn Clothing. Right, a couple of questions. Last few questions here. Gerard Piquet, I was quite interested in this, because that's something that I feel, when I go and do a game on a weekend and I come away and it's nil-nil, I always feel really like, oh, all the supporters are going out the ground, they've not had a chance to cheer or anything like that.

1:15:09He says, neither team should get a point. Do you agree if it's a nil-nil? No. Sometimes you work so hard for that nil-nil when you're in the underdog. Do you think it? To be fair, when I go to watch a game, look, at the end of the day, I agree with you because keeping a clean sheet is not easy, but I actually think when you go to watch a game and there's no goals, you come away from it and think, oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. Don't you? You come away from it and get what's next goal? Someone should have a penalty shootout so someone wins or something. He's just saying if it's nil-nil, neither team should get a point.

1:15:40Yeah, but over the last weekend, I think there was something on the radio last night, was there only one, like, it was games last night, I think it was only 1-0-0. There's not that many 0-0s, is there? No. And if you have a man set up and you're sitting against a big team, you can't be punished for that. Sometimes you get a brilliant 0-0. I disagree. Let's get a brilliant 0-0. I think, no, don't start messing around with a 0-0. She and him's got the same birthday. OK, this next one. I'm going to ask you three, actually. Pep Guardiola, the referee made a huge debut. Now everybody will know him.

1:16:05Do you agree with that? I actually thought it was amazing what the referee did. I thought it was brilliant. Yeah, I did as well. Because to be fair, this penalty where the player's arms... I think if your arms are here above your shoulders, I think, to be fair, as a defender, you're asking for trouble. If your arms are anywhere in the arc of defending like this, and in there... No, seriously, if your arms are here, you cannot give a penalty against defenders. So basically, they asked him to go and look at the screen and then usually they'll give the decision. Didn't give it. Didn't give it. But he is an ex-player, isn't he?

1:16:33And everybody was talking about that, saying, does that help? But Gary Cahill was saying, do you have to walk around defending like this? No. You know what's really annoying about it? Do we agree with it? Just quickly, Gail. What they're saying about, oh, everybody's saying, oh, we want ex-players because they'll know. And then he makes a bad decision. They say, oh, no, you can't have ex-players now. It's just like... But no one said that, Ian. No, no, no, I'm just saying, that's what I was reading. No, no, Jill, didn't you hear that as well? Do you want to say, oh, ex-players, we want ex-players.

1:17:00And then people say, well, now we've got an ex-player, he's getting it wrong as well. But just going back to the point, were you in agreement and did you think it was bold that that guy went over to the screen and didn't get, I thought it was brilliant. Pep was quite critical, wasn't he? Pep. I think he's apologised, he rolled back a little bit. I think it's because we're not used to seeing him go there and be bold like that and so, because we're not seeing it often so we're thinking, wow. Well, number one, did you think it was a penalty? No. Right, okay. So for a referee that's having his first Premier League game to go over and actually, to be fair, ignore VAR, I think that, to be fair, deserves some level of...

1:17:30Yeah, but then people could say he's doing it just so as he can, like Pep said, he's made a great debut.

1:17:39you're impossible today. You know, I'm in a flux place. I'm in that place where Neo, you're a Neo in the Matrix. He had to do that train station he couldn't get out. That's where I am. You were supposed to go to the Salford match, let me down. I didn't let you down, I just didn't feel right. He'd be in my house and he'd be staying in my house and then I can't make it. Right, okay. Did he stay in your house? Did you make his little? I didn't feel right. I had a bit of salmon waiting for you. I'd love a bit of salmon. That's probably why he didn't come round. No, it's just that I didn't feel right.

1:18:09I felt weak and I just didn't feel sociable. Trod me out of the way, so I'll leave you front seat. Right. If you're right, once we do. Last question. Bovril. Bovril. Bovril. I had a Bovril again. Go on then, gal. What? I've got two. Which player is the best player to have never earned a cap for their country? Steve Bruce. Steve Bruce comes to mind when you think of it at United. But I'm thinking of other players. Must be other players. Steve Bruce scored 20-odd goals that season. Remember that season? Yeah. Who's a player? Any suggestions? He nearly played for Ireland, didn't he, right? Best player never to have earned a cap for their country.

1:18:39Yeah, but he would have been classed as a foreigner. Yeah, the manager stopped him, didn't he? Who's a player that should never have earned a cap for their country? Best player never to earn a cap for their country. No, the worst thing is if you get... I prefer none. You know when players get one cap? Yeah. I think I'd rather get none. Yeah. Because you only get one. So people go in, they have a look at the squad. You get a game and they go, he's not coming back. I know what you mean. One cap, yeah. But you've still got a cap for your country. Oh, but not one. Paulo Ducaneo's just been mentioned in my ear.

1:19:05Didn't get a cap. Oh, wow. No. Didn't he? That's an incredible player, that, isn't it? Yeah. He was, he was. He was a good player, yeah. You know what? I was with him at West Ham, honestly. Yeah, brilliant. Unbelievable work ethic in respect to his fitness. He was brilliant against us all the few times. God almighty, he's so good. I watched his documentary the other day. Why do you always look at me? He didn't play against me. I was right back. He was not. You played a man in that cop match. Played him on, Galf. I remember it. With Fabian. With Fabian. Yeah, yeah. Oh, that was a brilliant way to do that.

1:19:33I didn't play him on, though. Carry on and score. It was brilliant. No, but you're still proud of the back four. I mean, he's dissed himself from the other three lads. You always say back fours work together, chemistry. That was a real shit-assery from Bartez. He was just onside. Oh, brilliant, wasn't he? It was such good acting work, but it was brilliant. So good what Bartez has done. Wow. So, Paul DiCannio. Yeah, I thought it was clever. It was so clever because I believe him. Who else is there? He had personality, didn't he, DiCannio? Ian Taylor. Ian Taylor. Is that way back, Ian Taylor? Dennis Taylor.

1:20:03Dennis Taylor I'm going Brucie absolutely straight off yeah Brucie or Palo de Canio I think I would go yeah why did Steve Bruce not get a cap he wasn't good enough do you know something the daft thing is because Gary Pallister I think only got 23 caps and he was like he never wanted to travel away he was an unbelievable but at the time you had like Tony Adams Keo Keo there was more Desuartes there are a lot of players around okay who is the greatest January transfer signing of all time did Virgil go in January no I mean obviously you can talk about a team near the bottom I know West Ham years ago did Harts go to West Ham and kept them up did Tepes and Mascherano keep West Ham up in the January transfer window wasn't Bruno Fernandes a January signing I think he was yeah Was Virgil van Dijk a January signing?

1:21:02He was, but the criteria for January has got to be that they have an impact in that season, do something like unbelievable. Yeah, extraordinary. Because I was going to say Johnny Evans done well for me at Sunderland when he came in in January. And Carlos Edwards, I got from Luton. He was good at Sunday. Was that January? Were they not there all season? They didn't play for about six months, did they? Yeah, it felt like they were taking pictures in the summer. It might have been in the summer. Who was on here? Who was at January signing? Yeah, it was. On London Bridge. Like you and Ginny. Yes, in London Bridge.

1:21:27Andy Cole. I remember Masquerado and Tevez now. That T-shirt is summery kind. That's not January. If we're saying anybody, we say Van Dyke, don't we? That's what I said first. If anybody, it's Van Dyke. Steve Bruce, Van Dyke. You could have finished the argument there, because I've finished it. Who did you say? Van Dyke, Steve Bruce, the two answers. Don't argue with somebody. Two centre-halves. Gandhi's back. Gandhi's back. We'll finish on that. we'll finish really enjoyed that so thanks for that Man United are brilliant isn't it

1:22:11honestly could you imagine what it's going to be like if Man United start really fucking challenging Jesus they beat City in arse they beat City in arse we're back

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