Are Man United In A Relegation Battle? Carrick on the brink After Bournemouth Defeat

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2:10They're the first to rise, the last to leave. They always have that little extra something. And maybe you've got it too. Chevrolet together. Let's drive. Visit chevy.com slash trucks to explore the lineup. Hello and welcome to the Restless Football with Micah Richards, Aaron Shearer and me, Gary Lineker. Another fascinating weekend of Premier League football to discuss. But there's only one place to start, Manchester United. It's a bit of a shit show really, isn't it? Yeah, is the answer. It's been like that for a long time. How many times have we said it? They've been through manager after manager after manager. They've been through directors of football. They've been through so many players. They've been through so many players.

3:06They've spent an absolute fortune. And they're in a relegation battle. Yeah, but can we have a proper conversation about it? Because you know when everyone talks about Man United, everyone just goes on a massive rant. What is the problem? Or is it just everything? Because I looked at some numbers the other day, and since they won the league in 2013 they've spent 1.6 billion pounds normally you'd say okay the players then you would go to okay the managers or whatever it may be but surely the the person behind the scenes who's making these decisions needs to take a little bit of accountability now. And it's not as if Man United are competing every single year, where they're getting in the Champions League

3:50every single year and someone's pipped them. But every year you're thinking, what's going to go wrong? Every single year. It took Carrick last season to come in to stabilise the ship after Amarin and then they're going to get the Champions League. However, they were only playing once a week. But what are the deeper issues now? I think it needs more of a, I think it needs to be put into context, guys. And I know you've got some stats because you're the stats man. Well, I'm not necessarily a financial expert, but I think it's quite easy for anyone to understand that they've spent, as you said, 2.273 billion and received from sales incoming £0.674 billion. So the net spend is over £1.5 billion, which is miles more,

4:43miles higher than any other club in the Premier League. Some of them have spent lots of money, of course, but they have brought in a lot of money the other way. So you probably can't accuse them of not spending to try and get players, but you can accuse them of really Patrick Kruger. Yeah, but who's spending that money? That's the question. They've got, I don't know, chief executives. You've got the director of football. You had a director in football who had gone in there and left. They'd paid compensation for him. Clearly, he wasn't happy with how things were being run or who they wanted to bring in as manager, who players or what players they wanted to bring in. You said it before, Mike, about accountability. Isn't it time that you heard from someone other than the coach at Manchester United?

5:30Because we all know the coach gets the rap, he gets the sack, he gets paid up and he has to front the media three or four times a week. Whereas it's not all the coach's fault what's going on at Manchester United. And clearly someone else has to come out and do some talking rather than the manager. Well, again, I'll go back to the point I've made. The coach really seems to be a scapegoat. Just as it goes really bad and they have another inevitable bad run of form, the board or the owners, they get rid of the coach because obviously that's the point of blame. So they can always push that away from themselves. Although I think at United, the fans know really who's responsible. Obviously the Glazers and the way they've come in and put the club in massive amount of debt,

6:18even though in the first few years, of course, under Sir Alex, it was still going reasonably well. But since then, then they brought in Jim Radcliffe, who has actually occasionally done interviews, Alan, and has spoken about it as a sort of new incumbent. But things have almost gone from bad to worse since he took charge of the football side of things. So it just seems like a never-ending cycle of doom and gloom for United and their fans. I mean, they've won just seven points from eight Premier League games this season. That's their lowest at this stage of a league season since 1986-87. I was playing them, Micah. Since the 23-24 season, no Premier League side has lost more home games by a margin of three or more goals in all competitions than United.

7:10Seven. And interesting, Brian Abuma was the only player in the Manchester United starting XI that had scored a Premier League goal in 2026. We're a week away from November. Wow. Wow. Yes, it's easy just to be scathing of the players. Yes, it's easy to be scathing of the coach. But ultimately, the club has not been run very well recently. Certainly in terms of the recruitment side of things, for sure. I would say the noise for Michael Carrick when he was walking around the stadium yesterday was pretty telling. The fans are not daft. They understand what's going on. They understand and they can see in the interviews how much it's hurting him and how much it means to him. And also what he can't say.

8:00I mean, that's the big thing for me is I can see a guy there who cares deeply for the football club and is hurting like hell at what's going on there. You can see that clearly. But I can also see a guy that is desperately holding stuff in that you can't see what's going on behind the scenes. They all say it after they've gone, don't they? Not all of them, I should say. But remember Mourinho when he said finishing second with Manchester United was probably the best thing I've done in my career. You can now see what he was talking about, possibly. Yeah, but why don't they go a little bit deeper so people can actually understand? You know these throwaway comments. It's not good for anyone. You know, finishing second was my greatest achievement.

8:43Like, that's amazing. And we know how difficult it is. We know that Man United have got scrutiny. But what is the actual problem? And somebody needs to actually listen for once. Because otherwise, it's going to keep happening and happening and happening. It is probably more difficult, I would say, as a player playing for Man United, especially when things are not going well than any other club, because the scrutiny is far more than most clubs. Micah, I would say they have said it. We've heard what Ralf Ranić said. We've heard Eric Ten Hag has done an exclusive in the last week or so about what he feels the problems were and who he feels is to blame and how it went for him when he was inside

9:24and some of the decisions that were made. Managers that have been in there have actually said the problem, but the people that are in there keep on making mistake after mistake after mistake. I mean, just go back two or three years with the 10-hard when they stuck with him and then hammer him and then they brought in Dan Ashworth, paid the compensation, then he left. I I mean it's just honestly it's just it is mistake after mistake and there are managers that have been in there have tried to tell that yeah but what is the plan if you look at the managers who Man United have had over say the last decade every single manager is different if you go from Carrick okay you would say when he was at Middlesbrough I would say last decade. Every single manager is different. Yeah. If you go from Carrick,

10:05okay, you would say, when he was at Middlesbrough, I would say he played front-footed football, but yes, the way he got success at Man United, finishing third, was in a low block and then on transition. And then if you go to Ameren, Ameren played a completely new, different system who wanted to control the ball and then be going all over, running all over the pace with high energy. You go even further back to someone like Solskjaer, he was a nice person, he played some decent football, but what was his actually identity? I don't know. And then you've got Mourinho, you've got Moyes. Like, it's all different. So when we talk about Brighton and we talk about Bournemouth and we talk about Brentford, it's a clear structure.

10:50What are you, Man United, trying to do? It's almost like every time they go through a bad spell, it's almost like they panic and then think, okay, he can fix it for now. And then without having a proper planning pace to say, you know what, it's going to be bumpy for two years, but we'll get through that and then we'll move forward. It's almost like they'll do bad, they'll do well, they'll do bad and then they'll get sacked. I totally agree, Mark. I think at some point they need to find a coach who they genuinely believe in and stick with him through thick and thin. Or they can take the alternate route and just do interims. So maybe Michael Carrick, they fire him this week and then bring him back in next week as an interim.

11:36And you keep doing that and that might work. I mean, I jest and it's a serious situation. But you're right. Every kind of coach they've brought in has got a totally different style. So how can you possibly buy players for a certain style and then he gets a sack and then he brings someone in with a different style and he has to bring his players in? Recruitment becomes really very difficult indeed. So there doesn't seem to be that long-term plan. They can't get their number one and two targets in recruitment because they're not the football team like they were years ago. They're not that team anymore. They can't get number one or number two targets. They're into number three and number four targets now, Man United.

12:20Yeah, but, okay, you bring in Tielemans. You guys know football. What are Tielemans' best qualities? He's a very intelligent footballer. He's a control footballer. He's a creative footballer. He doesn't get all over the pitch. He's not, you know, he's not particularly quick. Correct! So why is he in the midfield now with someone like a Santos? Yeah, the Belieber was injured. Why would he start with someone like Santos, who is a good young player, but he's new. He didn't do that well at Chelsea. Like he's trying to play well for himself. There's no chemistry. There's no cohesion. But then you're playing behind Fernandes, who Fernandes will run all over the place. Then you're exposing Tielemans, and then you're putting Tielemans on the right, and then you're

13:10trying to accommodate Fernandes because actually we'll put him on the right. Actually, then we'll put Tielemans in the number 10. Come on, what are you expecting from the play? So when it comes to recruitment, what are the recruitment for? Al makes a good point in terms of maybe they are second and third and fourth. But we've seen that Tielemans can do it when he's got people in there who have got legs and they can sort of play to his strengths and don't isolate him in areas where he can be exposed. He's a very good player. But he goes to Man United, there you go. Well, we don't really know what areas where he can be exposed. He's a very good player, but he goes to Man United. There you go.

13:46Well, we don't really know what we're doing. Last season, playing a low block and counter-attack worked for us. But this season, to move on, we've got to be a little bit more expansive. Let's buy Tielemans. But actually, we've not got a plan for how he's going to make the team move forward. It's just put him in there and see how it goes. I just, honestly, it's embarrassing. I mean, you mentioned they're like in the pecking order of second, third, fourth in terms of transfers, and that's totally correct. But you also raised the point of how Brighton are running, Bournemouth are running. I think it's difficult probably for a club like Manchester United to use a philosophy that those clubs use

14:27because they're a higher level and Bournemouth and Brighton will find young players and clever little signings. United fans want big name players. That's the side of the club for me that they really need to get right now is that whole recruitment sector, how they go about it. They can't get the big players to come to Manchester right now is that whole recruitment sector, how they go about it. They can't get the big players to come to Manchester United now, not at present, but you can get really good younger ones. This was the opportunity because they played one game a week and they got into Champions League. Now, totally agree with you. You might not get that play now. We talked about how much Man

15:05United have spent so they can still play ridiculous wages you see what players are doing now Ollie Watkins is still a top Premier League player he's got he's gone to Saudi so you can get a calibre of player if you're willing to pay which Man United still can pay and plus it wasn't well still in Champions League now but because of what they did last season they still in Champions League now, but because of what they did last season, they're in Champions League. This season, if they finish 12th, let's say they finish 12th, of course they're not going to track top players. This was the opportunity that they had to do it properly. And then they still, at the moment, have got it wrong. I guess in finances,

15:40because they haven't qualified for Champions League in previous years, then they may not have the finance that they once had years and years ago. And that's why I go back to... I'm going to use Elliot Anderson as an example. I'm pretty sure Man United wanted him in the summer. Whether they could pay the fee or whether they could pay the wages, I don't know, I doubt it. And in the end, it was a no-brainer for him to go to Manchester City. I guess he was one of their targets, but that's what I'm saying. If he's number one, they're not getting number one targets. They're not getting this, are they? They've got themselves in a very difficult position. There's an element of Groundhog Day around them.

16:16You said, Alan, in your opening statement, you think Manchester United are in a relegation battle. Do you really think that? What are you laughing at? They're not in a relegation battle. Do you really think that? What are you laughing at? They're not in a relegation battle. Come on, what we played eight games. Don't be so silly, Alan. Honestly, it's going to turn. It always does. They'll pick up a bit of form. The plays that they've got in there, if whatever happens with the manager, there'll be a new manager comes in, there'll be a little bit of a bounce. But come on relegation scrap so we always say after about nine or ten games we can always have a look at the table and we know where we are

16:52so we're not far away from that so two points off the bottom yeah two points off the bottom and not won in how long and been awful and it looks as if the club is in chaos in terms of the dressing room. And I know that the likelihood is Michael will probably lose his job. Someone else will come in and they'll try and get the dressing room going again and they'll pick up for a little while. But from what I've seen up to now this season, I would say Man United are in a relegation battle, yeah. The only reason why I say they're not, Al, is because all they have to do is go back to how they played last season. Boring, pragmatic. Yeah, but look at the state of the dressing room, Micah. Look what's happening in the dressing room with Martinez.

17:32And then he leaves Bruno Fernandes out yesterday. And I think that was the right decision. He doesn't even contemplate putting him on when they're struggling like hell. They can't create anything, yet they've got their best player. The player of the year from last year sat on the bench because of disciplinary reasons. There's no doubt he's making a point and saying, F you, you're not coming on. I'm going to try and embarrass you by sitting you on the bench. I hear all your points, but a relegation battle, I don't think they'll be great, but I don't think they'll be in a relegation battle. Where does Bruno stand now, do you think? Well, clearly he wants, he'll want the manager to leave and a new manager come in, there'll be a renegation battle. Where does Bruno stand now, do you think? Well, clearly he'll want the manager to leave.

18:07And a new manager coming in, you'll see a bounce and it'll get better. Whether he's doing what he did because of the contract situation. But I think Michael did the right thing in leaving him out yesterday. Even if it's partly it might cost him his job for what he did yesterday. He knows that. But at least he did it his way because the sack will be coming anyway, I guess. But at least he's made a point and tried to embarrass Bruno Fernandes in front of that Old Trafford crowd. And when he walked off and Michael Carrick got the cheers and they started singing his name because of what he's done and the respect they have for him. And then Bruno Fernandes and Martinez and the rest of the squad walked off behind Michael and got booed.

18:48That is a pretty big statement because the fans are not daft. They know what's going on. I was disappointed in Fernandes as well because he... How many times have we said on this pod previously about his waving up his hands? Some people have said it's passion, it cares. And he talked about tactically sort of not going man to man. Like every time he presses, he presses for himself. And I've said that, and I've been ridiculed for that in the past. He is a fantastic player and he wants to give everything for the team, but he's selfish in the way he wants to press the ball. So when there was a time, I've said it a couple of weeks ago, when he pressed, he was playing, going as one of the strikers, but going when he wanted. All it was taking is one

19:35pass, another pass round him. And then there was on to Tielemans and Santos or whoever was playing on Main who was ever playing in that game. I think Carrick made the right decision, whether people like it or not. He had to make a stand. It was similar to Liam Resignia. I actually thought Liam Resignia, because he was new to management at Chelsea and he needed Enzo on side, he needed Cucurello on side. I actually think he made a mistake, but I think with Carrick, what did he have to lose? Man United are not playing well anyway. So yeah, he's made a stance, hasn't he? You know what? Your neck is on the line as a manager. You've got the whole world looking at you and you've been battered by Cuomo and the manager's come out and apologised.

20:21Your job's on the line and you're looking towards your players. You've got 11 players who you're thinking, come on, guys, come and give me something. Show me something that you're prepared to run around and hurt for me and bleed for me because I'm going to lose my job here. And they put in that performance. That's the best that they can do. I mean, come on, that was embarrassing yesterday from a Man United point of view. As brilliant as Bournemouth were, but from a Man United point of view. As brilliant as Bournemouth were, but from a Man United point of view, it was embarrassing. Yeah. Let's move on to the other club that will probably be in a relegation battle, Manchester City. Ah, yeah. Who lost, obviously, their first time under Maresca

21:01in the league this season. Bit of a bogey team, Villa. Yeah, they've got a good record recently, haven't they? Three of Manchester City's last five Premier League defeats have come against Villa, while they've lost four successive away league games to a side for the first time since February 2023, which was Spurs. Good game. Villa were very good, weren't they? Outstanding, weren't they? They were unbelievable. The work rate and all of that. Let's just compare that work rate to other teams over the weekend. Ask the Villas. Incredible. I thought we were going to lead with the Oracle, Jackson. I knew I was coming. Even against my own side, Manchester City, I was worried. Because, talk to me guys, Al, come on.

21:48Talk to me through Nicholas Jackson. He's on fire right now. Yeah, he's brilliant. He's obviously full of confidence, full of belief. The manager knows him. He knows what makes him tick. He knows how to get the best out of him. And he's doing that now. He looks a brilliant centre forward at the minute, doesn't he, Nicholas Jackson? No, but he's looked a brilliant centre forward for a while. He just, like you were right, Al. I knew you were right from time to time. You've got to put the ball, you have to put the ball in the back of the net. I totally agree with that. But if he actually watched the game and look at the things that he does, these one-touch layoffs, when he turns or what. And I understand for fans,

22:28historically, he would be frustrated because he's always in the right position and then wasn't scoring. So I get that. But I was just like, this guy has got something and he's not getting the rewards. Pretty sure me and Gaz both said there's actually a player in there somewhere. Bloody hell, there's a player in there somewhere bloody bloody there's a player in there that's easy to say there's a player in me still now why can't I play Premier League football there's not Micah don't get don't be delusional there's not a player in you anymore your knee's a shot you've got no chance but I there's always been a quality there the one thing that has been lacking as you said is the right number of goals to be considered an elite center

23:14forward yeah interestingly i saw unoy emery's interview after the game talking about um jackson um and he said why they asked him why the improvement, et cetera. And he said, well, you know, at the start of the season, he was hitting, everything was going in the stand. How do you say, like in rugby? He said, like in rugby. And I thought, yeah. And that's the issue. It's finishing, which is obviously the most important aspect for being a number nine, is how you finish. He's going through a spell where he's finishing well. He's got to continue that to show that he is a top centre forward. And if he can get 20 goals a season plus, then you can, then I will be saying, Oracle, you are right. No, no, 15 to 18.

24:01No, Michael. 15 to 18. Midfielders get 15 to 18 nowadays. What's up with you? Which midfielders get that, mate? Well, Frank Lampard used to be. Yeah, a decade ago. All the great goal scorers in the world at the moment are scoring a goal a game, right? If you said to me you'd get 15 a season, I'd be so disappointed in 15. Come on, what's up with you, Micah? You claim to be the Oracle that you see in the top centre forward if he gets 15 goals. Do me a favour. No, no, no, if you actually use your ears, actually use them every now and then. I've got a good pair, Mike, tell me. I said he's not the elite elite. So you've got all the heart. I just said that. He's not the elite elite. We're not talking about... He's one of the... Because there's not that elite. We're not talking about...

24:46He's one of the... Because there's not that many nines, I believe he's one of the best nines in Europe. He's not the elite, elite level. We know that. But he's just the one below that. He can't be just below that if you're not scoring at least a goal every other game. Okay, so he's just one below that. There's an elite. There's Haaland. There's Haaland. Who's on the lead. He, so he's just one below that. There's Haaland. He's reversing. There's Haaland, who's ridiculous. There's Mbappe, who's ridiculous. There's Alvarez, who's ridiculous. Obviously, he's not that level. He's a level below them. Yeah, but he can be like them. If he's finishing, if suddenly he's worked out that you've got to be calm in front of goal

25:31and you can finish it off. And he looks calm this season. How many goals did Alvarez get in the league? In the league when he was at Manchester City? And he didn't play every week, did he? Exactly. And he played wide and he played different areas. Jackson goes to Chelsea. He's not the number one always. I wouldn't put Alvarez in the same bracket as Kane or Haaland or Mbappe. Nowhere near. Who, Alvarez? No. What? The same level as Haaland and... No, no, no, no, no. Is he that elite striker? Alvarez? No, no. Alvarez is in the bunch just below. He's not Haaland, Kane, or like Lewandowski was, or... No, No, Alvarez is in the bunch just below. He's not Harland Kane or like Lewandowski was. No, no, but that's, okay.

26:10Okay, okay. They're in their own brackets. That's my point. I just said and you went mad at me. Okay, okay, okay. Let's have a discussion on right backs and then you'll be all right, mate. There's Alvarez, a discussion on right backs and then you'll be all right, Michael. There's Alvarez. There's Alvarez level. And then there's just below Jackson. All right. So we're going three levels then. We've got the absolute elite and then the ones, the up and coming, the possibles just below, like Alvarez. Yeah. And then I would say below that, Jackson, he might... He could join like an Alvarez if he continues. Correct, correct. That's all I'm saying. That's all I'm saying. It wasn't all you were saying

26:49because you scoffed at me when I put, when I put Alvarez or you put Alvarez in the same tier as Mbappe. No, no, we're talking about number nines. We're talking about number nines. Speaking of number nines, Jackson leaves Chelsea and then ends up at Aston Villa. And then you look at Chelsea at the weekend. Yeah, good pose. João Pedro was injured, but they looked blunt at the weekend, eh? Before you switch, I want to give a big up to Suzuki, the goalkeeper. Oh, how good has he been? Brilliant. Wow. How good is he? On the ball, at his save. He's ridiculous. Yeah, very, very good. We talk about style of play and what they want to do. He's just outstanding. He's made one of the best starts to the Premier League

27:32I think I've ever seen for a goalkeeper. Because normally the goalkeepers make some good saves, not really noticed that much unless you're maybe a Peter Cech or someone like that. But on the ball, he's ridiculous. He's like Edison level. I mean, what a start he's had. I think we first really noticed him in the World Cup, playing for Japan. I thought he was exceptional in that World Cup. But I mean, his performances, and he's got a calmness, as you say, Michael. He's so cool on the ball. I mean, the big six signings that they've brought in, Jackson Manzambi, Mbai, youngster, Gomez, youngster, Suzuki and Alisson. I mean, they've all, I would say, impacted the team, all starting well. That's not easy.

28:17I mean, Unai Emery, he must be one hell of a coach. And interestingly, of course, he had Jackson, didn't he, at Villarreal. And now suddenly he's performing better't he at Villarreal and now suddenly he's performing better than he's performed in his career and he gives a lot of credit to Unai Emery and he said he pretty much taught him everything he knew about I had a conversation with Harry on the exclusive Netflix little show that we do on Sunday evenings and we were wondering whether at the moment you could say pound for pound he'd be the best coach in the Premier League. I mean, Pep's gone. Klopp's no longer there. Eddie Howe's out of action at the moment, if you would have included Eddie.

28:55I just think because of the way the rules are, because of what they've had to do and how he's managed to maintain where Aston Villa are in and around top four, top five. I know they've had poor starts to the season the last couple of seasons, but their recruitment, their football, who they've played against, who they've won against, where they are. I wouldn't argue with that, guys. He's been absolutely outstanding as Unai Emery. Top notch. Totally agree. I mean, Arteta's been good though as well. Oh, clearly. No, but just because I think it's easy now to say Emery. I would always say Emery's magnificent. I've always said he's one of the best in it. But you think what Arteta had to do, where he was essentially assistant,

29:39go to a big club in Arsenal, get the time. He was playing a certain way, was a bit more adventurous, let's say. He sort of changed his tactics a little bit to be a little bit more pragmatic and then won the Premier League, getting to a Champions League final. So yeah, they're both, I mean, it's neck and neck, isn't it? It's just done in different ways. I said the same thing. I thought, I mean, Arteta, and interestingly as well, two clubs that have stuck with a manager, with a coach and a little lesson there maybe at some point because, you know, you can say, well, yeah, but Arsenal were doing really well. Well, no, there were a lot of times where the fans turned a little, some fans, I hasten to add,

30:19some fans turned a bit against Arteta. Villa have stuck with Unai Emery, although, you know, even when they had that really bad start for Etcetera, where other clubs might have gone, oh, let's panic a little bit. So lessons to be learned for owners and CEOs of football clubs. Let's take a little breather and discuss some of the other weekend action when we come back. This episode is brought to you by Hotels.com. You know what's better than getting a good win? Getting another one straight after it. With the all new 10 for £100 benefit from Hotels.com, members that stay 10 eligible nights can get £100 back in Hotels.com cash to use on a future booking. Work trips, weekends away or longer holidays,

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32:51More encouraging signs for the Tottenham faithful. Yeah, but you said though, Gaz, to be fair though, that you have been playing well. Well, in patches, yeah. Yeah, in patches. Yeah, yeah, yeah. So it was only a matter of time before they got a big win you can't keep playing that like that and being in games and then yeah I still think they're making it hard for themselves in terms of how they're scoring the goals you can't dominate like they can go to Stamford Bridge and play like that you've got to put the game to bed and then they sort of allowed them to still be in the game but if you look at the whole game Spurs were the better team by far I think deserved to win created more chances I was like you Mike

33:34I was thinking oh no not again well when they missed the chances that they had I think they're going to get punished here because as you know you've seen it so many times but to be fairly stuck at it and they deserved to take the three points, didn't they? I thought they were strong in midfield. Tenali and Fernandes. And also ahead of them, that creativity that Maddison gives, if he can just stay fit, because he's a much better team when he is. He's a hugely talented player. I quite like that midfield. Yeah, it's a really nice balance to it. Although, like you said, Maddison, it didn't look great. You know when you... I've been in that situation when you're on the floor and you're like, oh, I don't want to let everyone down here.

34:15I know I can't continue, but I've just come back from injury after injury after injury. It was just disbelief on his face and I was just... I was gutted for him because even the game before where he was getting in little pockets and getting on the ball, where he was coming deep with that number 10, someone who's not afraid of the ball, it certainly helped them since he's come back into this team. I hope he's all right, actually, yeah. I really do because he's had some rotten luck over the last few years, no doubt about that. But overall, I think obviously, he's had some rotten luck over the last few years no doubt about that but overall I think obviously I was never really worried about Spurs

34:50being in a relegation battle this season I thought but my concern would have been again if they'd have like panicked got rid of Deserby brought in another coach with a different style they've been doing similar things obviously to Manchester United over the last decade or so. Yeah. Different types of manager, attacking managers like Postacoglu, defensive managers like Mourinho and Conte. And that makes absolutely zero sense. But I think with De Zerbi now, he's an aggressive, forward thinking, likes to play high, likes to play high press. And I think, you know, if high likes to play high press and I think you know if you want a style of football I think in the modern game that's not a bad one to have

35:30and stick with it and you know overall the squad looks pretty good you agree Philbert? Yeah I'm just barking in the background that he's or maybe he doesn't agree I think that'll give them great hope I think that's without doubt the best performance of the season I know they won on was it Monday night. I think that'll give them great hope. I think that's without doubt the best performance of the season. I know they won on, was it Monday night? But I think to go there and perform like they have done will give them great belief going forward. What about Chelsea, Micah? He's tinkering a little bit with the way he plays. I mean, we know, obviously, Xabi Alonso from particularly in his days at Leverkusen,

36:04where he played three and high wing backs. And he's done that quite a bit at Chelsea. He didn't do it in Madrid, but Madrid's a different kind of club. But he's done that. When he's done that this season, they seem to have done pretty well. And when he switched around, not so much. I think sometimes it's not even down to system with him because I really watch his tactics and what he's trying to do. I think this game was more personnel. I think with Jao Pedro being out, they just had no, they had no one to get onto the ball. Morgan Rodgers didn't quite know what his role was supposed to do. Is he supposed to be facing back? Is he supposed to be getting on the pockets? But then Cole Palmer was dropping a little bit deeper.

36:43It was crying out for Danny Welbeck. I don't understand. I was just thinking to myself, but obviously there must be a reason why, because obviously he's a coach and he can understand the decision he needs to make. But I was thinking, there's no balance to the team here. And when Welbeck's played, he's done really well. But yeah, there was no real chemistry in midfield. It was too easy to play against. Spurs got down the sides a little bit too easy as well. The team just looked unbalanced, which I've not said about Chelsea all season. So maybe it was just a blip. But I definitely think it was the personnel. Without Jair Pedro, they don't tick the same. Well, the stats bear that out. This season,

37:29with Jao Pedro, six games, four wins and 17 goals. Without Jao Pedro, two games, two losses, no goals. Wow. Says quite a bit. Needs to get back fit. What do you think about the red card for Palmer? It deserved to. He could have got sent off with the first challenge, couldn't he? When he got the yellow card, he could have been sent off with that. I don't want to be a hypocrite because I remember back in the days when I was playing for Villa and I was playing against Costa and I did a similar thing, but I didn't hit his face. I mean, it was similar. He's sort of like my buddy. He was pushed up against his head a little bit. With Palmer, it was a little bit lower, I would say. But I think a yellow card is totally fine there.

38:13That's a couple of weeks now. I don't know if he's a bit frustrated, but I think I saw him last week. He was kicking the ball away and he nearly got two yellow cards then. He could conceivably have done that as well. So maybe the frustrations of not being the England squad and maybe who knows what goes on in the minds of young footballers. Liverpool, first league win at Anfield for six months since they beat Crystal Palace. 2-0 against Brighton. You say, well, that's a really good result. I thought it was, obviously. I saw improvements. But at the same time, Brighton probably thought they had decent chances. I mean, before anyone scored, they missed an absolute sitter. They had their chances in that game.

39:01Well, I think because of how well Brighton have been going and the results against some of the big hitters, particularly Arsenal, that was always going to be a tough game with Liverpool. So I guess, brilliant result for Liverpool. Signs of the big hitters starting to click a little bit up front, maybe? Yeah. Barker, Wurz and Isak? Yeah, I think so. I mean, Wurz, he's starting to get the breaks that perhaps he didn't have before. You need a bit of luck sometimes. He's got the deflected goal. But overall, his performances, I think, have been better. I think Barkley, we know, is obviously a huge signing and he's got banks of ability. We all know he sacks terrific. If you can keep him fit, that's the issue there.

39:37So, a bit more encouraging, Micah, for them. I actually thought this was a game that Liverpool was going to win. I don't know why. I think I said... The Oracle, that's why. No, I just thought the way Brighton play, they leave so much space, don't they? And if Barcola can get up to speed and Rio Ngamoa can get up to speed and Isak can get up to speed, I just thought there's an opportunity then to break fast and punish them. But I also thought Brighton would score a few goals. I think the chance we were talking about was Ayari, wasn't it? And even Groh had a chance as well. He's got a known goal. And now we're on that. Just quickly, I've got to talk about my fantasy football. Oh no, Micah. It's a disaster.

40:23Honestly, it's a disaster. I bring in Groh. Groh? Who's Groh? You mean Gross? of football honestly it's a disaster honestly it's a disaster bringing Gro Gro who's Gro you mean Gross well well if you say it correctly it's Gro Pascal Gross oh I don't know anyone been saying Pascal Gross for 10 years Pascal Gross and now he's he's past the growing age it's Pascal Gross Pascal Gross No, he's grown. He's past the growing age. He's Pascal Gros. Is he? Oh, okay. Anyway, so I bring him in. Ione scores her own goal. I was clever. I thought, you know what? All the talk around Fernandes. I'll take Fernandes out. I'll bring in Cole Palmer. He gets a red card. Honestly, I was like, why am I even doing this to myself?

41:14I had Jackson in my team. Well, there you go. I'm not even lying here. You know when you press save, but he didn't save properly. Oh, so he wasn't in your team. So I was like, okay, well, he wasn't in my team and I didn't want to put him against City as well, but I thought, you know what?, he wasn't in my team and I didn't want to put him against City as well. But I thought, you know what? If he scores, it's win-win. It was Man City-win. It was one of those reverse psychology ones that I did. And it was just, they said Calvert-Lewin wasn't fit. They said it was 50% chance of him playing. And he started. What is this nonsense going on? Well, 50-50 means you might start, you might not. Yeah, but in fantasy means you might start, you might not.

41:49Yeah, but in fantasy, they only really do that when, if they do that, it means they're not played really. And then who else? Calafiori didn't start, but then he comes on. Who else? Guardiola, Guardiola should have scored two or three against Villa. Guess nothing. Can I say something? I don't wish to be rude, right? But for someone who's a supposed oracle, you know, fuck all about what's going to happen in the games. You know what? He needs to grow a pair. I don't even look in my leagues. Oh, that's a dad joke. Love it. Anyway, rant over a dad joke. Love it. Anyway, rant over. Where were we? Sorry. Brighton had the most of the ball. Liverpool's possession was only 35.6%. It was their second lowest on record since 2003-04

42:36in a Premier League home win and lowest in an Anfield League victory since 2010. But they scored two goals and conceded none correct that's all that matters you know who's doing alright though just before we wrap up say his name again Araujo you call anybody you'll be telling me in five years time Micah that actually the way we say his name is Araujo Araujo he's playing well guys he's playing well he's doing alright he's a solid lump you know he can play and he's playing well guys he's playing well he's doing alright he's a solid lump you know I know exactly that he can play and he's big and strong he's not most mobile I've watched him a lot at Barcelona and he's dangerous in both wait he's good in both boxes

43:16he's dangerous in the opposition's box correct correct I just thought I'd give him a shout out because he's he's not right back he's centre half playing right back but he has been centre half player, right back. But he has been aggressive. Oh, hang on. I stand corrected here. Harry's just muttering into my ear that he's been clocked as the fastest player in the Premier League. This season? I saw a stat. Really? What stat? Is that AI stat? Oh, wow. Maybe it's on the turn then. what stat is that AI stat oh well maybe it's on the turn then maybe it's on the turn once he gets going so my apologies just before we go lads what about the team sat in the air to the Premier League who are they I wonder who that is

43:58come on Micah black and white stripes possibly you can see you can see how good Newcastle were in the second half yesterday first off well unfortunately that was a game at two o'clock wasn't it Black and white stripes? You can see how good Newcastle were in the second half yesterday, first half was a bit of a... Well, unfortunately, that was a game at two o'clock, wasn't it? Yeah, it was never going to be the game I watched either. Who am I going to watch? Man United, Bournemouth, Liverpool, Brighton, Hull, Brentford, or Palace, Newcastle? The oracle has to stay across everything. So if you just watch one at two and then watch another one when the whole football's finished in the evening. Okay, here's what I think.

44:28I think you are way too emotional about Newcastle. When they're up, they're up. And when they're down, you're too down. That's what we do as fans, isn't it? That's why it's such a great game. I think, yes, they're doing a fantastic job. New club. At times, yes, they lack a little bit of, I don't know if it's creativity. I don't know if it's a little bit of calmness on the pitch. Everything at times looks a little bit erratic. But from when I first saw Newcastle early on in the season, I liked the way they looked just because even what they lack sometimes in quality, they make up with running and working for each other. And Newcastle will be fine. I think in January, you could do with a couple,

45:15in all honesty. But for now, Newcastle are doing just fine, Alan. I'll let you have that and I won't say anything on Newcastle because it's been a lovely weekend. No, go on Alan I love that emotional side too first half I thought was pretty poor second half I thought they were much better there's analysis for you that's the proper analysis right there thoroughly deserved the win I thought Crystal Palace were really poor but big win for Newcastle he needed that one they're Palace in trouble yes worry about them a little bit. It's tight down the bottom. Nobody's doing absolutely terribly, are they? You know, the bottom is five points. So it's, because most seasons, there's a couple of sides, usually at least one of the promoted teams

46:00is on one, zero, one point, two points. But, you know yeah some of the I mean at the bottom of the table there it's hard though because Palace are in Europa League Sunderland are in Europa League like it's difficult it is it's difficult to navigate that you have to bear that in mind when you you evaluate the situation I mean there's there's what is the I mean even if you go to halfway in the table, which is Hull, Everton and Ipswich on 10 points, that's only five points from the bottom spot. Wow. So, it's an unusual start because normally there's one or two sides that would be down on one or two points at this point. So, you think to yourself, they'll probably be, you know, the other clubs would be okay. But I think they'll all be you know the other clubs will be okay

46:45but I think they'll all be looking over their shoulders at the moment so I mean there will be you know obviously two teams to go down this season along with Man City more oh my god I thought you were talking about Man United then I was like could be could be Manchester clubs can you imagine that oh dear I thought you were talking about Man United then. Could be. Could be both Manchester clubs. Can you imagine that? Oh, dear. That would be, I wouldn't say amusing. Hardly amusing, maybe. Obviously, with City's defeat and Arsenal's victory, they're now joint top of the Premier League. Very Arsenal, wasn't it? Set pieces. They hadn't scored a set piece, so they got the first Arsenal, wasn't it? Set pieces. They hadn't scored with set pieces,

47:25so they got the first one, didn't they? Or a couple. So it was pretty standard for Arsenal, wasn't it, in the weekend? Surely, Mikey, you've got Konza or Gabriel in your team. You've got at least one of those. This is what I mean. It's ridiculous. I had Odegaard, David Raya, who obviously got a clean sheet, and I had Calafiori. Oh, dear, Oracle. He's had a tough weekend, the Oracle, hasn't he? As Oracles go, he ain't the best one around. You know what? The managers piss me off. You know why they piss me off, though? If someone is not starting, don't bring them on. just for one point. It just kills absolutely everything. So, yeah. Micah, don't be too downhearted. You're still second in the Rest is Football League.

48:15Our league. Our little one we have. Let me, like, so, Dave, Dave, he's at the bottom. Max is, I mean, that's good. Our producers are not above us anyway. That's really good. Alan, who we now call the ringer, that's the name of his team, 498 points. Mark, you got 510 points. Imagine how good you could have been if you'd made the right decisions this weekend. And well, Harry, my team, obviously. 576 points. We're only 66 points ahead of you. The last two weeks... Hey, didn't I read something about Fantasy League, about a manager finding something out? Was it Alonso? No, the guy at the press conference asked him, he said, certain players and families have taken out João Pedro from their team because they got wind

49:01of the fact that he wasn't available for the game. And you could see João Alonso going, why the fuck are they asking me about fantasy football? Because it's a real thing. My weekend was absolutely ruined. Seriously. Ruined. I knew it was going to be a bad one. I thought you were quiet on the group chat. When fantasy football doesn't go, you won't hear from me. I'm sick to death of it. I still think, looking at Arsenal, they're still not getting that many goals from forward positions. Is that something to be slightly concerned about for them? I mean, we've been there before. I just think they've got that many good players that they'll eventually find a way to score a goal. By hook or by crook,

49:43I think that's what Arsenal do if they're not playing that well it didn't half help when you keep a clean sheet most games David Raya's unbelievable oh how good is he no no seriously he's not even number one Spanish keeper he's ridiculous his agility is not normal yeah and even even the Oracle I didn't see this when he was at Brentford I didn't I didn't see it I was like oh he's coming in to compete with Ramsdale both very good goalkeepers but he's took his game to the next level he's the best goalkeeper in the Premier League good way to finish nice positive note that's it for this episode of The Rest Is Football goodbye from me have a great week everyone football goodbye for me goodbye for me goodbye for me have a great week everyone brussels clean up nicely at sweet glazed, roasted, and edges perfectly caramelized.

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