Rio Ferdinand Presents

With Joel taking in the Super Bowl, Ashley Williams joins Ste Howson and Rio to provide an outsider’s view of the improvement under Michael Carrick.

With 745 Premier League appearances as ball-playing defenders between them, Ash and Rio analyse why Lisandro Martinez is becoming one of the most important players in possession in the way Michael Carrick wants his team to play.

Rio addresses Kobbie Mainoo directly after questioning the reasons behind the lack of appearances under previous manager Ruben Amorim and points to team mates Matheus Cunha and Diogo Dalot as other examples of players who are thriving under new management.

Rio admits he is struggling to understand why Roy Keane still has such a downer on Michael Carrick as manager of the club and details the importance of Manchester City’s late, dramatic win over Liverpool at Anfield for both Arsenal and Pep Guardiola’s side when it comes to the title race.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Following the third positive weekend in a row for Michael Carrick as Manchester United manager, Rio is joined by Ste Howson and Joel Beya to analyse what’s different about the players and the performance.

There’s discussion about the difference between Kobbie Mainoo and Adam Wharton following another impressive performance by the United academy graduate along with the reasons behind the improvement shown by Sesko and why there’s so much love from all his team mates.

Bruno Fernandes has been one of the most consistent players in the Premier League over the last 6 seasons so Ste compares the level of credit the Portuguese midfielder gets compared to another player who performed well individually in a poorer team - Steven Gerrard.

Rio also reveals why he feels Liam Rosenior is getting unfairly treated for the things he says to the media and why Arteta doesn’t really mean that he wants his players to play with more freedom and why Kai Havertz’s return from injury is a huge positive for Viktor Gyokeres.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rio comes in HOT after another statement victory for Manchester United, following up a win over Manchester City with victory at the Emirates Stadium against Arsenal. With a huge improvement in form and positivity around the club since sacking Ruben Amorim, the conversation quickly turns to why Michael Carrick should not be judged through the same lens as Ole Gunnar Solskjær.
From Arsenal supporters' growing tension to Arteta’s obsession with control, the lack of freedom for Bukayo Saka and whether this really is a “now or never” moment — this episode pulls no punches on the Gunner's race for the title.

Rio compares Arteta’s Arsenal to Klopp’s Liverpool and Mourinho’s Chelsea, arguing this isn’t about tactics — it’s about personality, leadership, and dressing-room energy. He then focuses on why Saka, in particular, needs reminding of the basics — discussing the need for freedom over fear.

There’s also a comparison to what Ruben Amorim did with the same players which contrasts with how Michael Carrick is getting them to perform - Ste and Rio come up with and investigate those differences - paying particular attention to Patrick Dorgu, Kobbie Mainoo and Diogo Dalot
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After Michael Carrick brought the “feel-good” factor back to Old Trafford with a victory over rivals Manchester City - Rio is joined by Ste Howson and Joel Beya to analyse what made such a positive difference.

There’s a discussion about whether the comments made by Paul Scholes about Lisandro Martinez were “too personal” and why Roy Keane was so negative about Jonny Evans appointment.

Tactically - Ste and Rio analyse why the players were so successful at preventing Pep Guardiola’s side from creating many chances and how Carrick was able to extract the best of Kobbie Mainoo, Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes.

After many fans online started comparing the stats of Matheus Cunha and Bukayo Saka - the trio debate whether Saka needs to improve his output this season, why Oliver Glasner has fallen out with the Crystal Palace board and why Sadio Mane saved African football following the unprecedented scenes at the end of the AFCON final.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Asamoah Gyan sits down for a special episode of Rio Presents exploring how he became one of the highest paid players in the world and the pitfalls that come with money and fame in such quantities.

Both Gyan and Rio are strident in their belief that AFCON should be treated in the same way as other major continental tournaments (Euros and Copa America) rather than being played during the European domestic football season.

Gyan reveals how confidence helped build him into the most recognised face in Ghana along with the struggles he faces when dealing with that level of fame.

He also reveals the pressure a letter from Nelson Mandela added to his Ghanaian team during the first World Cup to be held in Africa and discusses why players from the continent aren’t respected in the same way as their European or South American counterparts.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.