Carrick vs Bruno, Kane For The Ballon D’Or & Who Are the Champions League Favourites?

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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 Richardson. And me, Gary Lineker. Alan will be joining me in the second half. Micah, it's been another bonkers week full of goals in the Champions League. We've seen 74 over the last two days. Usually we'd start with English clubs, but I think we saw probably the two best teams in world football on Tuesday. So we'll start there. But firstly, how was your couple of days at CBS? To be honest, guys, I'm tired. Are you? I feel like I need a rest.

3:10Two days work on the trial. I think you guys are working me too hard. CBS are working me too hard. The Beeb are working me too hard. And Sky are working me too hard. I need a rest. Micah, can I say at this point, you just sit down and you talk? Yeah, but I don't just talk, do I? Some of the stuff I do on CBS is... You perform. Exactly. That's what I was looking for. You're an artist. I'm a performer. You are a performer. And I lose my voice from time to time because I shout and I go up and down and round and round. You know, I need to be more measured like you guys, you know? You can learn. round and round you know I need to be more measured like you guys you know just speak you're so articulate

3:46but you're so calm at the same time even when you're making a valid point you're just always nice and calm well let me give you one piece of advice Micah yes don't shout if big weeks don't shout I'm not the same am I well I don't know I think you can shout enthusiasm. You don't have to shout if it's your voice you're worried about, you know, as you get into your older years. But you'll be fine. But one thing, there was some good football to enjoy. PSG and Barcelona, I mean, they're quite tasty, aren't they? Yeah, but there was no Nuno Mendes. Yeah, there were quite a few players missing. Dembele goes off injured. It felt like we had the big build-up to it, but the game was still amazing, but we didn't

4:33have all the star players. So after the game, you're thinking, what did we learn? Rodri didn't start and you're thinking, we had a whole analysis piece about Rodri, about the difference before and after. You think he's going to start, don't you? And then he doesn't start. You just throw that out the window and it's almost like it was a warm-up game to see where everyone's at a little bit. That happens quite frequently, doesn't it? When you plan a build-up to a match. It's the only part of the broadcast, really, that you can properly plan, isn't it? a build-up to a match, it's the only part of the broadcast really that you can properly plan, isn't it? The build-up to the game. So I don't know.

5:08How long do you do at CBS prior to kick-off? About an hour. Which I think is stretching it from my experience. But you plan and you talk with the production. You'll decide an analysis piece that you want to make in the game. So say, for example, right, we'll do something on Rodri and you spend, I don't know, quite a long time putting together the different pieces and then you'll practice voicing it, trying to get your point over. And then the team sheets come in just as you go on air and Rodri's not on it. And then there's a decision to make. Do we still do the piece because it's really good or do we drop it because actually it's no longer relevant? So what did we do? We dropped it. So Carragher was doing something and I was coming off the back of it.

6:00But I still did PSG's midfield because the goal, the first goal, Douay's goal against Man City was just incredible. Zaya Emery played with, obviously, Routinia, Fabian Ruiz. And the movement. You know, when you watch teams now, guys, and we always talk about structure, don't we? And we always talk about style of play. PSG have a structure, but are allowed to do whatever they want as long as they run hard and get back into shape. Hakimi almost plays as a number 10. He's everywhere. He's the best right back I've seen for a while. I know him and Trent at one point, when Trent was at Liverpool, it looked like it was out of them two, but Hakimi, he's took his game to the next level. Even when I'm going back to the likes of Kyle Walker,

6:42Kyle Walker was excellent defensively and he won as attacking at defensively and he was, he wasn't as attacking at Man City as he was at Spurs. But Hakimi can do absolutely everything. I don't think I've seen a modern day fullback like him. Can I suggest one? Oh, you're going to suggest one? Go on. Dani Alves. Yes, okay. No, no, no. Could he defend? Could he defend like Hakimi? He could defend, yeah. Well, no, no. Could he defend? Could he defend like Hakimi? He could defend, yeah. Well, you know what he did? He didn't really need to defend because he always got really tight. They always had the ball. Dani Alves, yes. I'll give you that one. But you would say Dani Alves is more a forward-thinking full-back, wouldn't you?

7:22Well, I think you'd say the same about Hakimi. Yeah, but I think Hakimi can... That's the thing, Hakimi can defend also. He rarely gets done. If he gets skinned, you're like, ooh. Hakimi or Mendes? Ooh, good question. Nuno Mendes has kept Lameed the Dream quiet a lot, hasn't he? Even though he'd played the day. I think all round, I would have to go with Hakimi. Would you agree with that? Between those two? Yes. Probably just, but not much in it. I mean, talk about get two great fullbacks in one team. I mean, that is extraordinary, isn't it? It's not fair though, is it? You mentioned Laminia Malle. I thought he had, I think that might have been, the first half might have been the worst I've seen him play.

8:04I mean, I just suddenly thought, there's a human being in there. Yeah, but he's only young, isn't he? When he gave away the ball for the goal, I was thinking, oh, it's a big stage. Everyone was talking about this game. Lamina Dream, he's gone into hiding. But I said in the second half, he's going to turn up. And what did he do? Turned up. Real shame for Klaver Skellier, wasn't it? I mean, I was gutted on that. I love watching him play. And he's obviously heartbroken by it. Terrible injury. Probably out for the whole season. So that's a big miss for PSG. Dembele as well. Looked like pulled his hamstring. So a few blows for them. I'm sure Dembele will be back like Paulie's hamstring so few blows for them I'm sure

8:45and Dembele will be back for the knockout stages but I felt for Kvala and Skellier Yeah I think last season he was the best winger in European football I think he's so underrated this season he's sort of been a little bit up and down he's not played all the games that he would like to have played but he started the game very well. But then, yeah, that injury, it's a bad one, which changes their team massively. I know they've brought in new players this season. Aklyusha, he's coming to the team, mainly on the right. He's more number 10, though, but he's been playing on the right times he's added something different but losing Travis Kelly it doesn't make him as dynamic as it was last season I mean they're still

9:31very strong in midfield with you know Bertini is still obviously purring you've got on the other side Barcelona's midfield he mixed it around as you say left Rodri out so which of the two midfields do you think if Rodri out so which of the two midfielders do you think if you had to pick one of them oh I know what you're going to say Barcelona of course you are that's why I'm asking you you're not biased it's it's tough this because you've got Rodri Pedri and Olmo Lopez can get in there as well Vitinha Ruiz Neves, and you obviously with Zay Emery as well. No, I think the equal. Yeah, there's a touch of core. I think Rodri going into Barcelona has made it equal. I always would have said PSG with Jao Neves, Vitinha, Zay Emery and Ruiz.

10:24But now, Rodri going there, he's changed everything. So I'd say they're equal. Have you seen any improvement in terms of the vulnerability of Barca to the counter-attack? No. No. I was going to ask you that because I thought the same. In the Spanish league this year, they've just battered everybody. I mean, they still scored two goals against PSG, but conceded four. Big test this weekend as well with the Clásico. So that'll give you a bit of a sign as to whether they've stopped that. But at the same time, if they don't play that way, will that diminish their attacking superiority? I don't think it will, no. Because if you look at who Barcelona have got, Gordon can take people on, even from a

11:11little bit deeper. Lameen the Dream, we know what he can do. Olmo can get the ball wherever and run wherever he wants and still create something. So, no, I don't believe it changes. The only thing that changed is Rodri. If you look at the games and you watch the league are more than me, when they have the high line, Rodri's ready to drop and get in. There was a beautiful clip which was going to show before the game where they go up and then Rodri fills in. So I think they can still play that way because Rodri's very organised. But if Rodri doesn't play, I wouldn't play that high line. And they will keep the ball a lot better when Rodri's on organised but if Rodri doesn't play I wouldn't play that high line

11:45and they'll keep the ball a lot better when Rodri's on because he keeps it safe keeps it ticking dominates the game with his passing his IQ spatial awareness so when Rodri plays we're a different team but if he doesn't play I suspect he'll play in a classic home and that's probably why he got a bit of a rest I know but what's the point this is what annoys me about Champions League league phase. We build it up, big game. And we wanted big games earlier because normally in the old format, it was, okay, you win a couple of games, win three games, then you rotate. We want to see the best players now in a league phase. And because of domestic leagues, everyone's rested everyone. So have we learned

12:23anything different? I don't think we have. I suppose because it's the Classico coming up, everyone's rested everyone. So have we learned anything different? I don't think we have. I suppose because it's the Clásico coming up, that's unusual. And in reality, both these two teams are going to cruise through. They do give themselves a bit of a, I suppose, danger of not making that top eight, which will give them an extra two fixtures. PSG, I don't think that's a big issue for them if they have to play two extra games because he rarely plays his first team in Liga anyway. Although now, obviously, with having a few injuries, that might be a different scenario. I'll have to probably play a more consistent team. But yeah, I think at this stage, given the nature of the group,

13:04and we know that it'll go through, but I still find it more entertaining than it used to be. There is that thing that it's not, the jeopardy is not super high for the big clubs, is it? No, I would agree with that. But who are your favourites? I want to ask you guys, for the Champions League, just up till now, I know PSG always start slow and then they come. But after what they did to Man City and after what they did to Barcelona. I think those two teams are my favourites. I think PSG, it's tough to do it three years on the bounce. You get one bad day and it's all over. I think Barcelona with Rodri, with with rodri i'll specify that art will have a little bit more cleverness about them there'll be a bit more canon um with his experience and

13:55know-how they are my probably them and psg tough to call between them obviously i think by munich and arsenal probably as they showed on a similar sort of level and probably the next two favourites behind them but I still if you said to me now you've got to name a winner your life depends on it if your life depended on it though I think they probably might shift to PSG and Lewis Emmerich but if you ask me what I see with my eyes, I would say full-strength Barcelona because you've got Luminio Mal, a bit more mature, extra year down the road. You've got all sorts of attacking options. The midfield is incredibly strong. Cabassi's getting a little bit more experience and he's great anyway. So I would probably just say Barca.

14:49Yeah. Now that PSG have lost Kravach-Gelija, I would say Barcelona. If Kravach-Gelija was fit, I would say PSG. That's how much I think... Yeah, I think that's how important he is to PSG and the way they want to play. The other game that I thought was really entertaining was, it wasn't quite of the technical level, probably most of it, as PSG and Barca, but Arsenal and Bayern Munich. And let's start with Harry Kane. I mean, his performance yesterday, his penalty was great, obviously. We know he can knock a penalty in. But, I mean, he played a slightly deeper role. performance yesterday. His penalty was great, obviously. We know he can knock a penalty in, but, I mean, he played a slightly deeper role.

15:28Saibari played up front and he was playing everywhere. I mean, the highlight of the game for me was when he took a quick goal kick. But the thing is, who's telling him he can do this? Because it's unbelievable. You know, in the tactics, when you go, when you're doing, you're before the game, you're your tactics or whatever. I don't know what it was like in your days. I don't know if it was just like, go out there and score a goal or whatever. But when he was playing, it was proper analysis. Proper video room. Proper stuff. Well, they were black and white videos. But where in his mind did he think, you know what? They're going to leave three players up by a minute. I'm going to take the goalkeeper.

16:09Surely he should be one of the players who were left up to have the vision to do that. He's played the best football of his life. But it was a very quick thought, the thing, because he suddenly spotted it, put it, it was down, and he just went bang, bang, and hit it. And it was actually an exquisite pass as well from the goal kick. And then the ball through, obviously, everyone's raving about the pass for their goal. I mean, it was a beautiful ball through, perfectly weighted. And that all-round game that he's got, I got a feeling he'll win the Ballon d'Or. He's a big favourite now. By this stage, a big favourite generally means that they've probably been given the nod. They usually do some video piece,

16:50don't they? So I don't want to take the steal the limelight or thunder of the Ballon d'Or announcement, but I... Do you know? Have you got some inside information? I promise you, I've got no inside information. And if I did, I wouldn't share it, got no inside information and if I did I wouldn't share it but I would tell you if I did. Okay. But I wouldn't tell you. But I haven't. Who was the last Englishman to win it? Michael Owen. Hey! What year was it? What year? That was 1990... Oh, hang on a minute. No. Hey! He's getting involved here. Hey! Hey! We can hear you in the back. We can hear you. Shut up. We know we can't see it, come on. I was going to say, but it wasn't, yeah, 98 was when he won

17:32the Young Player. I think, what year did the Ballon d'Or become actually the world? Oh, that is a good question. World rather than Europe. Because when I played Micah, the Ballon d'Or was actually for, it wasn't called the Ballon d'Or, it was called the European Football of the Year. Ah, was it? And there was a thing called the World Player of the Year, which I was robbed, obviously, of the European Football of the Year in 86. But I wouldn't have, even if there had been a Ballon d'Or, then I wouldn't have won it because Maradona was around and he won the World Player of the Year that year. So I think Michael was 2001. Ronaldo won it obviously in 2002 after his remarkable World Cup. At that stage, there were a couple of competitions going around.

18:19You've got the European Football of the Year and you've got the World Player of the Year. And then it all merged in 2007. So then it really became the proper Ballon d'Or. So in effect, you could say that if, and I really hope he does, I think he deserves it, if Harry Kane wins it on Monday night, I would say he'd be the first English player to win it. Can I ask you though, why is Ballon d'Or so special? Because, no disrespect, it's just journalists voting, isn't it? Or it started that way? I don't know why. I mean, it certainly wasn't in my day, right? Even though I was gutted not to win it and I thought I should have won it genuinely in 86 and it was European Football of the Year, but as we know, that's been merged.

19:12So it's been a big deal in places like Spain, particularly Real Madrid. They've kind of thought it was something special. And then it's become this big event. We talk about it for weeks and weeks and weeks. And obviously, it's a team sport. So it is a little bit odd, frankly, but maybe it was also enhanced by that kind of rivalry between Messi and Cristiano. So maybe that's something to do with it, but it's odd because as you say, it's just a bunch of journalists deciding who they think is the best player in the world. But if you've got a better relationship with a journalist, say it's like neck on neck. So this year it could be anyone. There are a lot of journalists, aren't there? There are a lot deciding.

19:52Yeah, but it depends. Have you got a PR machine behind you? Well, they all do that now, don't they? I mean, you've got the Minimal coming out saying he thinks he should win it. Kylian Mbappe said he thinks he should win it. Harry Kane hasn't said he thinks he should win it. Butylian Mbappe said he thinks he should win it. Harry Kane hasn't said he thinks he should win it. But he's doing a lot of media. He's done my interviews in the last month and I've seen him in his entire career. And obviously all of them are talking about the Ballon d'Or. So I think you have to do a little bit of that now. It's like the Oscars, isn't it? You'll get people who are deciding the Oscar vote and they'll have little kind of lobbying groups and the actors will go along to meet.

20:28And he's like, yeah, I went to one. And it was like, oh, that happens, does it? So it was a small film, an international film. And the director was there and people talking. And there's two or three people there apparently who have some kind of, you know, voting intentions in the actual awards. So it's become a little bit like that. So, but I don't mind it. I mean, it promotes football. It promotes the good bit of football, the entertaining, the brilliant players. And if you have to do that, you have to do that. But it has been quite amusing watching them, particularly Harry appearing on. It was probably the best time we should have gone out there to Germany and seen him and get him in the pod.

21:12But if you're listening, Harry, we'd love a chat once you've got that ballon d'or. I'll get Harry on. Don't you worry. I'll get Harry on. If he wins it, I'll get him on. He will win it. He'll win it. Finally, before I let you go, Mike, and start talking to Alan, I don't want anyone to think that Alan and Mike are no longer speaking because the last two weeks have done it this way. It's just been circumstances. Can you just say the real reason? Because essentially, me and you have to work around Alan's diary. Let's just call it how it is. He's got an event. And you were obviously working last night. I don't know what that means, but a line on City because... Philip Fodor's back! Hatshreek! I was so pleased to see that

21:56because it's one of the slight mysteries of the last couple of years is that, you know, how good he was. He won Football of the Year, didn't he? He was magnificent that season. And then he's been very patchy since. He said, didn't he, the season before that he'd had a few off-field without knowing what it was. So I'd love to see him back because there is a wonderful footballer in there. Yeah, I think the competition was high though, wasn't it? If he was at any other club, he'd be starting week in, week out. When you've got Bernardo Silva, obviously, who's left. Rodri, even at times when Foden was trying to play a little bit deeper. But now he's got Cherky as well. But I think he'd admit by his standards,

22:37they certainly dropped, especially after one play of the year. That Cherky goal was tasty. Oh my, it was ridiculous, wasn't it? So it feels as though every time he's in the team now he has to perform but we all know Phil Foden he's always going to get back to his best he just needs to be consistent again now and hopefully under the new manager he does get that game time because whether he brings in Bouardi obviously Enzo and Anderson look like the midfield. Cherky's the one to come on if he needs to open up a game. It's where does Philip play? It looks as though he's playing more off the right the other day at times. So hopefully he can stay playing well because we all know how good he is. I mean, if you just read out some of the players,

23:19I mean, the decisions he has to make as well. Midfield alone, Boadi, Anderson, Enzo, Cherky, Foden, and then you add to that the wide players and Jai, Semenyo. Foden, again, you could put in there, possibly Doku. Even O'Reilly's a midfield player, really. I mean, really, O'Reilly? Some title. I mean, they've got so much to choose from. They really have. Can we give a quick shout out to Samba? Samba, Chris Samba's son. Samba, he played up front. I believe he's only 17 or 18, I believe. And he had a really good game. Big, big, strong lad. Led the line really well. But it's nice to see young players giving opportunities as well. So, yes, it, led the line really well. But it's nice to see young players

24:05given opportunity as well. Yes, it wasn't the best opposition, but he did really well in the game. It doesn't matter, do you? You've got to start somewhere. As long as you start well. Exactly. Okay, Micah, I'll be back shortly with Alan Shearer because he can fit us in at that point. But thank you, Mic Micah and safe travels is this what we're going to do he's just alive because he's scored 260 in the Premier League he's like is that what we're doing now he just does what he wants you're the big boss you're the better player you've got a golden boot at the World Cup what's he got hang on a minute Micah here this you're now telling me I'm the better player. Every fucking time you're asked to choose between me and Al,

24:50and I hasten to add, when Alan Shearer is on the conversation, now you're saying because he's not here, I was the better player, right? No, no, no, no, no, no. My argument was, if he was listening, that I didn't see much of your videos. But there weren't many, really. Back in your day, I see the England stuff. Yeah. And I see the gold record. And I see the golden boot. And my dad and family always used to talk about you. However, as I always say, I see more of Alan Shearer. So I have to say Alan. Well, to be honest, on the podcast, you see more of me. But I'll be seeing Alan Shearer. So I have to say Alan. Well, to be honest, on the podcast, you see more of me. But I'll be seeing Alan Shearer

25:29after the break. Cheers, Micah. This episode is brought to you by Guinness. Some things are just part and parcel of match day and with the weather getting colder and cosy season kicking in, for a lot of us, it's the pub. Particularly you, Alan. Hey, you can't beat a little good pint, can you? There we go. Oh, yes. That sound. I'm getting good at this now, you know. You're getting used to it, aren't you? You should be. I'm a lucky now. Yeah, you're not bad, Micah. What makes a good pub? Good people, good pints, and good crack. And especially before match. Why have we not been invited to this pub? That's a very good point, Micah. You're invited every single week, boys, whenever you want. Sounds good.

26:13Make your match day a lovely day for a Guinness official beer and non-alcoholic beer of the Premier League. Search for pubs serving Guinness near you with the Guinness Pub Finder. You might even find one that's made it into the Guinness Harp Guide for pulling a particularly good pint. 18 plus for the facts, visit drinkaware.co.uk. Please drink responsibly. Hello, the rest is football. This is Richard Osman and Marina Hyde from The Rest Is Entertainment. Now I know you all had your World Cup this summer in America, but for telly fans, the new Celebrity Traitor series is our World Cup. Yes, every Thursday and Friday, we are reacting to the pop culture phenomenon that is the Celebrity Traitors.

26:57On YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts, Richard and I will be sharing our opinion on every banishment, murder and insane fan theory. Who do you think out of the three racist football hosts would last the longest in the Traitors' Castle? Oh, I think it would be Micah. Of course it would be. Why are we even asking the question? They'd vote out Gary immediately. Micah would just stay in all the way to the end, just laughing his head off. Laughing his, yeah. And then right at the last minute goes, I was a traitor. Yeah. So if you're watching The Celebrity Traitors, don't forget to tune into our reaction episodes every Thursday and Friday night at 10pm. Find us on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.

27:48Discover the new Myself Eau de Toilette Intense A masculine and long-lasting fragrance for every day A bold scent with sensual musk and woody notes Myself Yves Saint Laurent Welcome back to The Rest Is Football. In this half of the show, I'm joined by Alan Shearer and we're going to pick out some different games. Obviously, you were at Anfield Alan, we'll come to that in a moment because I think probably the big story really was the performance of Manchester United or the lack of a performance should I say. I know we both watched that game on television and all credit to Como, all credit to Cesc Fabregas. But as for United, well, it was woeful. It was woeful, absolutely. It was as bad as it could be.

28:51Clearly, pressure is mounting. When you hear the captain and Bruno saying what he said after the game, Bruno Fernandes, and then when you hear the manager, Michael Carrick, saying what he said after the game in terms of, doesn't matter how you play, you've still got to turn up and run around. And I think that was pretty damning on his player's part. And I think it was an interesting response to the question he was asked about his captain saying what he said. So in the space of a week, you've had Martinez saying what he said, saying about the recruitment and how bad it was. And then you've had the captain a week later saying it was the manager's tactics. He got it wrong. He got us to do what we did.

29:34Told us not to press or whatever. I've got the exact words here, Alan. It's a decision from the staff to not press man to man and sometimes leave space behind and try to get the ball. That is on the manager and the staff, not press man to man and sometimes leave space behind and try to get the ball. That is on the manager and the staff, not me." I know he can get a bit petulant sometimes, Bruno. We've seen it before, haven't we? He was throwing his arms around quite a lot early on and we've seen that in the past, but I thought that perhaps we'd seen that side of him and he was captain and I thought that perhaps we'd seen that side of him and he was captain. And I thought perhaps, you know, he's not going to do that again.

30:07I mean, again, a little bit like Martinez's thing. I think whilst he might have a point, I don't think it's the right thing to do to voice it publicly. It should stay in the dressing room. Do you know what? As much as I think Man United is a mess, and I'm not the first person to say that, I won't be the last. And again, whatever happens at the top of the club always finds its way down onto the pitch. And that's what's been happening for a long time at Man United now. But, and it's a big but, when you're a player at Man United, when Bruno comes out or when Martinez comes out, it's all someone else's fault, isn't it? Do something about it yourself, lads. When the manager's accusing you of lack of running,

30:53lack of effort, all of those things, and that's there for everyone to see, I would say have a look at yourselves, lads, before you come and criticise others. Yeah, I wouldn't disagree with that at all, Alan. I don't think it does anyone any favours. No, not at all. And obviously Carrick cares about the club. You know, all managers and coaches can make mistakes and possibly did on this occasion. It's only a few weeks into the season and it's a completely different picture than it was towards the end of last season when he seemed to have got things going a little bit. And I think you're right, though. Ultimately, the players are saying these things because the club has been in turmoil for quite a while. Their performances have been nowhere near those that

31:36a club of the stature of Manchester United should have. But just look at the list. You can blame the coaches all you like. You can look at the list of coaches. They've tried some of the biggest names in the game. And they've tried some of the emerging coaches that we've had in the game. And they've tried old players that they've had at the club. And none of them, all of them have done okay for a few weeks. And then it's gone. Ralph Rangier, for example, talked about it, didn't he? I can't remember? He said, I can't remember his exact words, but he said the club was absolutely in need of a complete work over. Open heart surgery. That's correct, Alan. It's exactly what he said. Yeah. And you have to say,

32:18at the time, he thought, oh, blimey, that's quite a strong statement for someone involved in a club. But he was absolutely right. I saw, you know, Ten Hag, I remember talking about the fact that he was at Ajax where he had data and this and, you know, whatever you think about Ten Hag. Then he goes to United and he said, well, you know, it's not data-driven and I wanted them to bring that in and they didn't. So, I mean, it's been a mess for quite a long time and you look at the situation of the club in terms of its debt and where they are in comparison to other clubs that can afford big-name players. So, yeah, it's spiralling out of control. Obviously, the Glazers have had the blame shifted a little bit

33:01to Ratcliffe. He's come in. He was in charge of what... He's obviously a businessman. He knows what he's doing on a business front, I'm sure. But, you know, he brought in the cycling coach and things like that, which were strange things to do. So it's not working. And I don't know what the answer is. Do you? I mean, they've tried that many things. I guess Man Utd are a huge football club and always will be. But in terms of a football team, they're so far down the pecking order now. I mean, I guess part of the problem is they didn't get targets number one and number two, maybe not even number three in the summer because they wanted better players and they wanted better recruitment. And that's been a problem for a while at Manchester United.

33:46They spent a fortune on some players that clearly are not good enough to get them to where they want to be. So the blame doesn't always necessarily lay at the coach's door. I mean, he did an incredible job getting them to where he did last season as an interim manager. But then the fall off from where they were last season, the Michael Carrick, to where they are now is incredible, isn't it? I mean, it's as if, I don't know, I'm guessing this. You go in there as an interim and you tell all the players what they want to hear and you be nicey-nicey. And then you get given the job and you realise what has to be done. And you might have to put one or two noses out with joint and then they don't like it.

34:31And then that's the situation they're in now. And clearly... I hope he stays in the job. Me too, yeah. At some point, the club has got to recognise that it might not just be down to the coach. I mean, I know a lot of Man Utd fans now will probably turn against Michael Cac. I hope not. Maybe some have already turned against him and don't think he's quite got what it takes. I understand those things, but he ain't the problem at Manchester United. The problem's above. Well, just look at the number of managers or coaches they've had in. It doesn't take a genius to work it out. They can't all be wrong, can they? But what it is, the coach is a great scapegoat. Yeah, yeah, yeah. It's a great scapegoat for those above,

35:14whether it be the Glazers, whether it be Jim Ratcliffe, whether it be the director of football. It's someone, oh, like, here we go. Do you know what would be a good plan for Man United? Get four interims a season season don't give them the job just bring in another interim yeah yeah yeah it's like incredible isn't it maybe that would work so it was a really poor performance what I mean what do you do as well if if you Michael Carrick now with Bruno when someone talks about openly about the fact that he thinks you've got it wrong tactically. Do you know what it is, though? It's like last season, he was the best player in the Premier League. He won Player of the Year. And he's a brilliant footballer.

35:53And he has been for Man Utd. I mean, there'd been a much worse state if it wasn't for him, his performances. Not this season, I might add. But it's, I mean, Michael is shoehorning him into the team in terms of, yes, he's got to play him, but he can't leave his best player out. He can't find a way to get his best player in his best position because of other circumstances. So he sort of played him out on the right-hand side, didn't he? Played him up top tonight. Yeah, played him up top tonight. So clearly he's not happy and a few of them are not happy. We know what that usually means. And you know what that usually means on an international break looming. And we know what that usually means. They got Bournemouth on Sunday at home.

36:42Do you know what? It just feels as if you're a game away from a disaster at Man United. That's been that way for a while now. Rinse and repeat. Yeah, it is. That's what it is, yeah. A word on Como, though, because I thought they were terrific. They played some really good, entertaining rotations, good football. I thought Nico Paz was absolutely brilliant. And obviously he's taken over. I think he's taking Messi's number 10 shirt. So he'll need to be really good. But I mean, I thought his performance was fabulous. Young Argentine. He was born in Tenerife, you know, actually. All right. Paz, yeah. And he was at Real Madrid. And a good bit of recruitment there to get him on a four-year contract.

37:26Early on when he came on, you mentioned about up-and-coming managers. Wow. He's the next one on the block is Cesc Fabregas. I love his attitude. I love how calm he is, how balanced he is. And, I mean, the job he's doing there is remarkable. And they played – I mean, when you look at, I don't know, look at the squads and look at the difference in terms of how much it costs to build those squads. And the difference, the huge difference in tonight's performance from Cornwall to Man United is incredible. And you have to see a well done to Cesc for that. You really do. Obviously, we've both worked with him. Yeah. And when he's sitting next talk to him on tactics and all this and his views and his interest in the game,

38:17you could see that there was something in there. But I love his drive as well. Obviously, I went out to Como to interview him for the podcast a year or so ago and when they just got promoted and the whole thing was can he keep them up and he did and now he's got them to play in Champions League football and they're in the top ten in the Champions League group stage at the moment he's going to have a big decision at some point because if he continues even if it's just moderate success with Como because realistically at the moment he's going to have a big decision at some point because if he continues even if it's just moderate success with Kono because realistically you know it's a tiny little ground

38:52someone big will come for him there's no doubt about that yeah Martin Man United if he takes that job he'd be mad yeah that's the thing though isn't it I mean we talk go back to Michael Michael Carrick now and Man United. I mean, I know it's a huge football club, but it's not an attractive job at the minute, is it? Because of how many's been in there and how many's been sacked. I mean, the only thing attractive about it is you might get a great payoff in 18 months or 12 months' time. That's it. It's a graveyard really. Right, Alan, let's turn to a kind of happier story. It didn't look like it was going to be at Anfield last night, did it? When they went two down quite early and then managed to claw things back at half-time

39:35and turn things around. What was it like there, firstly? It's always a great atmosphere. Yeah, it's brilliant at Anfield. I love going to Anfield, especially on Champions League nights under the floodlights. It's always a great atmosphere. Yeah, it's brilliant at Anfield. I love going to Anfield, especially on Champions League nights under the floodlights. It's always a great atmosphere. They do it really well. The team didn't do it really well in the first, what, 35 minutes. Liverpool were as bad as I've seen them for a long time in that first period. They were dreadful. Mistake after mistake after mistake. And Van Dijk made a huge error. I think he made three big errors in the first six or seven minutes

40:10and got punished for one of them in terms of the header back to Alisson which never got there. And then Mikitadze finished it off from a tight angle. And then they go 2-0 down. What were the crowd like, Alan, were it 2-0? You know when I'm in the co-coms box and I can hear these fans behind me and all I can hear is, come on, lads. It's like, I mean, the language was incredible and seeing how bad they were playing. And I was having a little chuckle, really. But somehow, I mean, to be fair, the fans stuck with them. And as soon as they get the first goal to make it 2-1, McAllister from a corner. You know what it's like, it's the old cliche, isn't it? Goals change games. And it did. And then they somehow got to 2-2 at half time.

40:53And that was a huge positive because they were never, ever going to play as bad as they did in the second half as they did in the first half. He's good at getting his head on the end of things, McAllister. He's not very big, but he's brave and he gets in there, doesn't he? He's hard to mock. He was a great header at the right time because if they had gone in behind it at half-time, it might have been different. And to be fair to Iriola, he changed it around. He put Gravenberch into right back and brought Wurz on. Wurz, I thought, was very good. But the star of the show on the night was Liverpool's best player by a mile. Rio? It was Rio Ngamoa. Yeah, he's a talent, isn't he? I think he's something special.

41:38Even when they were struggling in the first half, he was the only one in the first half, first 35 minutes, he was the only one in a Liverpool shirt that was positive, that got the ball and went straight at the defender. And he had the defender on toast, really, playing on the right-hand side. He caused him massive problems all night. And once they came out in the second half, it was a different Liverpool. Played on the front foot, pressed higher, worked as a team, playing passes into the front men. Wurz played very well. McAllister got his second goal. Wurz got a goal. So, yeah, it was so much better second half. And you could just tell it was a different vibe, different attitude, and they were a much better, different team.

42:20I think Ongomu is really exciting. He knows he's good as well, and I love that. Not in an arrogant way, but I heard him interviewed, and he said, what do you want to do? And he said, I want to win this, I want to win that, I want to win the Ballon d'Or. And I'm thinking, wow, okay. He knows he's good. And he's not scared to take people on. He's got that very exciting young in his time. I'm looking forward to watching him. Do you know what it is though? It's like they've got, you've spent a fortune on those players guys. They've got Barcola, they've got Munoz, they've got Wirtz, they've got Isak and I mean, John Champion asked me in commentary last night, what does the manager do for the weekend now?

43:01What is it? I mean, after this performance. He plays. If you're that good, you play. Can you imagine after playing that well and pulling your team out of the mire like you did at 18 years of age and then not playing at the weekend? I mean, I said for me, go again. You've done that well. Go and play again at the weekend. That's what I said. Let's not compare them completely yet, but Luminio Mal, for example. Everyone knew how good he was. Barcelona knew how good he was and he was in the team at 15. not compare them completely yet but Luminio Mal for example everyone knew how good he was Barcelona knew how good he was and he was in the team at 15, 16 playing hopefully that won't come back to bite them

43:33because we've seen it with possibly other players and even you could say perhaps Kai Osaka now who's getting injured again which is a shame and he's played so much football when they're young so they need to be nurtured and protected. But it is exciting to see young players. Brilliant. He was outstanding. You mentioned Gravenberg went back to right back. I was actually watching, obviously, PSG and Barca. So they're not quite replaced of the Trent. But there's a few rumours. I mean, he's not really getting much of a look in with Mourinho at Madrid at present. There are a few rumours that the boy, Alexandre Arnold, might go back. That would be interesting, wouldn't it? Yeah. I mean, the criticism, I guess, but what he got when he left and we're all like, well, okay, it's fine.

44:22He's been a boy there. Well, he got from some the fans, because they don't like to see him leave. That would be interesting. Really interesting, wouldn't it? Big test for Liverpool at the weekend. We've got Brighton. Brighton, yeah. Who are flying. Who are flying, absolutely. Should be a good game, that one. They'll have to defend better. Yeah, Liverpool leave you big chances in terms of the space in front of the back four and behind. They're going to have to massively improve Liverpool defensively big chances in terms of the space in front of the back four and behind. They're going to have to massively improve Liverpool defensively because they conceded three in the last Champions League game,

44:54conceded three against Villarreal. You can't go on like that. They have to improve massively at the back. Before we go, I think we should have a word on Villa, second only to PSG in the overall table. I think you remember at the start of the season, they got battered by Brighton on the opening day. They'd lost some big-name players, you know, Rodgers, Watkins, Konza as well. And you're thinking, oh, they're going to struggle, bad start. But Unai is good, isn't he? I mean, seven wins from nine games. I mean, there's them, Liverpool, Real Madrid, PSG, one or two others who have won three out of three in the Champions League. And I got a good look at Villa at the weekend, didn't I? Because they were at Newcastle.

45:40And Unai Emery did a job on Newcastle. He is an unbelievable coach, he is. With what has gone on at Villa and what they've had to do and for them to keep going and going and replacing and buying and the job that he's done and the coaching that he does and the way he gets the very, very best out of his team. He's a brilliant coach, he really is. He is. I love his enthusiasm. He's got that drive, constant drive, season in, season out. And all the success he's had in European football as well, even winning Villa a trophy as well. So I wanted to give him a... I'd be lovely to interview him for the pod at some stage. So if you're a listener, Unai, we'd love to have a chat. We're big fans. We are.

46:24And I'm sure Villa fans love him they must love him what a job he's done and it just shows you as well all the stick with when you've got someone good stick with them give them a chance can you imagine any other job in the world where you go in and six months later how can you change anything really realistically in a business I know football's a mad world, but it just shows you, but Unai Emery, obviously, fantastic job that he's doing. Okay, Al, That's it for this episode. The rest is football. Goodbye from me. Goodbye from me. Why does Progressive work hard for truckers? Because truckers unite the world. They unite kids with their first drum sets and parents with earplugs. But truckers can't do this if they're not on the road.

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