Louis Saha exclusive: Fergie would never have signed Jadon Sancho, Manchester United have made so many mistakes

This week, www.punditarena.com sat down with Manchester United and Premier League legend Louis Saha to discuss the Red Devils’ chances of finishing in the top four and what he’s expecting from his former clubs Fulham, Everton, Tottenham and Sunderland this season. 

Manchester United

Man United have quite a favourable run of games coming up in the league, is this the part of the season where Ruben Amorim can really get some good results under his belt?

I think that’s what the aim has to be, this looks like a period of favourable games. I think United have been stronger of late, but there have still been some erratic results because the team still isn’t consistent enough. Sometimes we get the results we need, but we need to be better.

I think the biggest challenge is for the team is now to show that they have become more mature and they have grown. A win against Everton would be a big step, but they now need to focus on all those winnable games all the way up until the game against Newcastle (insert date of game). The league is what is important, not the FA Cup. You can get far with a few good draws in the FA Cup, but that’s not true for the league.

It’s about consistency and beating the smaller sides, with all due respect. I can see the club has been patient with Amorim, and that’s given him the confidence to act. He has the chance to believe in his formation and in his preferred players. He has started to reconnect with his fans. I want to see more of this, and I think the team is close to putting a real run together.

Do United need to go into the transfer market again in January despite their summer spending?

If they find the right target, yes. If they don’t, they have to take the hit and miss out this winter. The market has not been the easiest one for many years. So they need to take their time, and not act just for the sake of it. They need real purpose in the transfer market.

They have to be very deliberate about who they recruit. You need to find the right people, the right players. Players need to have a bit of fire to play for Manchester United.

They need to want to play for Man United more than anything, and this is what they have really done well in the summer. They signed players who really want to play, and don’t think about themselves only. 

So there are elements of joy to see that they’re completely in line with the mission, and the challenge ahead. They’ve stopped looking at players who just see United as a stepping stone. That doesn’t work. I think if they find the right players, they can act, but they don’t need to add players just for the sake of it.

What have you seen and liked of Sesko so far in the Premier League? Which former United striker does he remind you of the most?

I think he’s done okay because he’s coming from a new league. He showed his talent in Germany with RB Leipzig, and now he’s starting to show it in the Premier League.

His potential is enormous. People may think that it’s easy to just join a team in transition like Manchester United with the pressure and all that. I can see that he’s got all the qualities to improve – he just needs to score one or two goals in some big games and I think his United career will really take off. I’ve seen enough of him to think that he’s a very impressive lad. He’s done well enough so far.

When you have two other players as well in that front line, like Cunha and Mbeumo in, it’s not easy to adapt right away, in the team and to each other. In the months played so far you can see there are big things coming. Hopefully with Bruno Fernandes and Amad Diallo coming through too, we will see goals. 

I hope we’ll be not just creating chances but putting the opposition under real pressure. It’s going to be a joy to watch.

I can see a bit of Edin Dzeko about him, the Dzeko that played for Manchester City. I think in his stature, there’s a little bit of Ruud van Nistelrooy, but that’s where the comparison ends for now.

I think Ruud had a unique eye for goal that I just haven’t seen in any other player. Ruud was a different animal, whereas Sesko is happy to play more for the team. Ruud was ruthless in front of goal, very focused, almost selfish. That’s a very difficult thing to learn, and I think that United need to give Benjamin a player like that to train and play with, to develop those skills.

I think that’s missing at the club right now, so it’s the kind of learning he’ll have to figure out for himself, and that’s a mistake from United that they need to put right. Right now, they’re making him do that work alone.

Have the players finally got to grips with Amorim’s system?

I don’t think it’s the formation that’s the problem. The problem was that the players were not clicking, and that they were not making the most of their opportunities. They would get exposed because they were lacking confidence in the final moment or final pass. That’s what the problem was, and they got punished for that lack of edge.

I thought at the time that the disconnect was a huge one, but some of the players didn’t understand what was required, but it wasn’t a huge problem. It was more about the approach. Some of those players just need to be more ruthless and committed.

When you are in that club in transition, you have to do extra work, extra running, extra effort. You need to be at the top of your game for the first 70 minutes, at least, before you can relax. Some of the players weren’t doing that. They thought they were too good for it, too talented to need to work hard.

But no, everyone has to give their all physically, and only then can your talent really shine through. When the players looked tired or without confidence, that was holding Amorim back.

What would an FA Cup win mean?

If they win the FA Cup but they don’t get into the top four, it doesn’t really mean anything. To get a domestic trophy but show no consistency, that’s not good enough. That’s not enough improvement. I think with how the team is playing now, the target has to be the top four.

An FA Cup won’t define the season in a meaningful way. It’s about building a foundation for the side, to build confidence and showcase your talent more regularly. The team needs courage and it needs to show that it has its own identity. 

Are we now starting to see a more positive attitude within the United camp and does that vindicate the exits of Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho?

Totally (the squad is much more harmonious). It’s the best transfer you can make. When you have one player who is not pulling their weight, you can just about manage. You can leave them out of the side and the rest of the squad can cope.

But when you have three or four players who are really talented, but just aren’t at the races, then it drags the team down a level.

It’s really hard for the manager to turn that situation around, so I think it’s very important to act decisively in situations like that, so Amorim got rid of them (the disruptive players).

He replaced them with Sesko, Mbeumo and Cunha, and now United are playing at a higher level than what we had before. These three work hard, they’re willing to defend, they don’t think they’re bigger than the team. With a negative attitude, a team is in big trouble.

I think that was the main goal for United in the transfer market. Players who thought about themselves above the team, they needed to go. The squad is more balanced now.

You need at least three quarters of your team to be dedicated, willing to sacrifice, and talented too. You can afford a few flair players who might not always have that attitude, but it has to be a small minority. Back when I was there, we had Gary and Phil Neville, John O’Shea, Wes Brown. They made life easier for us.

Mainoo has been linked with Arsenal, West Ham, Chelsea, Everton and Napoli. Would it be painful to see another youngster leave the club, especially if he joined Arsenal? 

Yeah (it would be painful to see Mainoo leave for a rival). It’s painful because he’s a talented boy and I think he has a real love for the club. Yes, he thinks that he deserves more time on the pitch. 

I think he has his right to say that and ask that, but at the same time you can say that he has to show more as well. Every player needs to work on their game and improve, and Kobbie is no exception.

Of course, Kobbie’s a really talented boy, and he must be doubly frustrated because there is a World Cup coming and he won’t want to miss out on that. The main concern for the club, though, has to be the club, they can’t do a player any favours because it’s a World Cup year.

Mainoo still needs to be thinking about how to serve United, but talks about loans away won’t help him. Instead, he might see how Scott McTominay is thriving in Italy, the league’s best player. Mainoo must see that and feel tempted to explore a similar opportunity.

It looks almost certain that Mainoo will leave in January on loan. Would that be a mistake from United given the squad will be stretched during AFCON? 

I think it makes sense that United don’t rush to get rid of Mainoo in the winter, particularly because of the African Cup of Nations. You need a squad that will last for a whole season and can be equipped to deal with all the complications ahead.

You need numbers, and you need players to be around at the right time. Mainoo might not appreciate that, and that’s understandable, but there are different times when other players can come good. Kobbie could shine in the absence of other players, and that is his opportunity to show why he deserves to be starting every single week.

Obviously the boy is frustrated, and nobody can argue with that feeling, but he’s very talented and needs to show that when the chance comes his way. I think by December he will have had an opportunity to show what he can do, and he can come into a more stable side where most players know what is expected of them, and they are functioning better as a team. Sitting on the sidelines hurts, but he can use that time to observe the team, but he has to maintain his self-belief for when he gets to return to the side.

Who has impressed you most of Sesko, Mbeumo and Cunha?

Who has impressed me the most out of Mbeumo, Cunha and Sesko? It’s been Mbeumo leading the way. He’s been the most efficient, he’s settled in the best with the team.

The amount of involvement he has in the team is tremendous already. He has won individual awards already. Cunha isn’t doing badly, but he’s not scored as much. You can see though that he has the confidence, drive, energy and technique to make an impact over the coming months. There’s potential there.

Sesko has had the toughest start, and it’s a hard position to adjust to as a young No, 9. It’s a lot of responsibility to take on, to lead the line in a new system with new teammates. Even Bruno Fernandes has had to adjust, so imagine how it is for a new player in the squad.

How would Sir Alex have got the best out of Jadon Sancho and how concerned are you by his drop off? 

Honestly, I don’t think Alex Ferguson would have wanted to sign him. I think he knew that the best way to deal with players of Sancho’s profile is to never sign them. I think that’s where Man Utd went wrong in the market since he (Sir Alex) left.

One of the essential things to do for any transfer is to do your homework before you sign a player.

You need to know the character of a player before you even try to sign him. Ferguson would always chase information on a transfer target before he signed them.

I don’t think that has been happening much at United. You will always make the odd mistake in the market even if you do that work, but it’s happened so often at United with recent signings that it has became a real problem. It doesn’t just hurt United. For some of the players who have ended up at the club and failed to perform, it hurts their career too.

If Sir Alex had looked at the player, he would not have wanted to sign Sancho from the off. If you picture a scenario where Fergie signs him, the environment at the club would have helped. 

Roy Keane, Gary Neville, Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra, each of them would have been able to offer words of warning, or encouragement, to bring him along in the manner that players were expected to behave. 

In recent times at United, it seems there were no boundaries, and it was easier to break the rules. That’s obviously changing under Amorim. 

When I was there it didn’t matter if you were talented, if you were from another country, whatever. You had to meet the standards of the club. Those foundations disappeared.

Would you sign Danny Welbeck as back-up to Benjamin Sesko?

I would have loved United to sign Danny at the start of the season. He’s not just very talented, but he’s very efficient and he’s experienced. When I came to the club, there was Van Nistelrooy and Solskjaer, but we had more than that. We had Tevez and Alan Smith, and there was depth, there was a variety. We all learned from each other.

I think Sesko and other forward players would benefit by having someone like Welbeck to challenge them, to make them learn more about the game, more about positioning. 

Welbeck’s experience would give an example for them to all learn from, and I think if Danny arrives in the winter transfer window, he could make a huge difference to results on the pitch.

Tottenham

Is it fair that Thomas Frank is under pressure?

Yes, I think it’s fair that Thomas Frank is under pressure. He might be new to the club but the expectations were well known when he arrived. The league is very demanding, and Spurs fans always demand a lot from their manager too. Now, Frank has done some good work in stabilising the side, and it’s still a team in transition. They’re missing a few players in key positions.

The manager still has work to do, and it’ll take more than just a few weeks to put it all right. It would be silly to get rid of the manager now, and it’s too early to reach any conclusions about him. While I understand why he is under pressure now, football deserves better than constantly and quickly sacking managers.

Has the Xavi Simons signing been a failure? Do you expect him to come good? 

I do expect Xavi Simons to come good. I think he’s a very talented boy and moreover, he seems quite intense. So it’s just not about his physique because I think he’s capable of doing great things. Now, he’s out of his comfort zone, so there are things that he needs to improve, and both he and the club need to be asking more of him because he’s a player with a lot of talent.  

I would like to see him start playing with more freedom and take more risks. He needs to show his courage and not be afraid to miss a pass or make a mistake. He has to be able to bring that attitude, every game. Everyone can see has talent, so it’s up to him to no longer be scared. I think at some point, just like Florian Wirtz at Liverpool, his talent is going to shine through.

Spurs seem to lack a proper 9. Would you endorse a move for Ivan Toney if a deal can be done? 

It’s a difficult situation to comment on. I haven’t followed Ivan Toney too closely since he moved to Saudi Arabia, and it’s not easy to draw conclusions because the standard of football obviously isn’t the same as it is in the Premier League or Europe’s other top competitions.

I think if Toney is free to move in the winter transfer window, then it’s something you’d have to consider. He’s the right kind of player for Tottenham be looking at, particularly given Dominic Solanke and Richarlison aren’t quite at the required level – at least they aren’t now.

I think they both need to work on a better understanding and connection with the midfield and the players who are out wide. Tottenham have become more cohesive under Frank, but there’s still a missing link between the players. They must have had high hopes for Xavi Simons, but he’s been quite timid so far, which hasn’t helped.

Richarlison, of course, does have a bit of confidence and an aura about him, but that isn’t always enough because he doesn’t read the game well enough, and he isn’t clinical enough. I also think Solanke is lacking confidence, so it’s a tough one for the manager to solve.

I’ve always been a big fan of James Maddison, and he’s done really well, but he is injured, and perhaps when he is back things will improve, and perhaps they could afford to lose a holding midfielder which would open up the game for Tottenham’s attacking players. 

Back to Toney, Frank obviously knows him and knows what he can offer. I think it’s worth a conversation if there is a chance a deal can be done. 

PSG vs Tottenham

Are you concerned that Tottenham could be on the receiving end of a Champions League spanking in Paris? 

I’m not worried (about Tottenham getting thrashed), but Paris Saint-Germain is a team full of extremely dangerous players. They can hurt anybody in the world. Last season was a really long one for them, and they have had a few injuries to contend with.

They still have players out like Achraf Hakimi. PSG are deadly in Ligue 1, and they’re still improving – they’re not anywhere close to the standards of last season, but they’re getting back to that level. 

So, PSG is still coping with the demands of last season, so it could be a good time to play them for Tottenham. I think this is a very interesting game for Tottenham. Because Spurs have shown the fire and talent to put PSG in difficulties recently. Even with the injuries that PSG have, it will be tough for Spurs. Luis Enirque has done a great job there and some of their kids have lots of talent even if they are not big names yet.

PSG have so many brilliant players. Who is the one that Tottenham need to be the most wary of?

I think there are so many players who can pose a threat for PSG, but I am a big fan of Desire Doue, though it’s not certain he will be back to full fitness yet.

I do think they can be got at, though. They are not at the same level they were last season, and Chevalier, the keeper who replaced Donnarumma, isn’t quite as commanding. He doesn’t have that authority, even though he is starting to settle in. PSG remains a very dangerous side – it’s not just one player they need to worry about this week.

Everton

Do you think they need a new striker? They’ve been linked with Republic of Ireland hero Troy Parrot – would you endorse that move? Or is there another player who would be good?

They definitely need a player with a different profile to play up front. Thierno Barry definitely has plenty of potential, but he’s still young and inexperienced. I don’t think it’s a huge surprise that he’s still struggling.

What Everton need now is someone with more experience. I think Ivan Toney would be perfect for them right now. It’s never easy to get a proven goalscorer in, especially in January, but he’s the kind of player who would be ideal. They need someone who knows where the goal is and who has done it before. They need someone with technique and consistency, and Toney provides that.

Everton have been linked with a record-breaking move for Scott McTominay – could he propel them into the top four? Is that a move that you would endorse? 

Well, it’s good for speculation but I don’t see a player in that kind of form going to Everton. I am surprised to hear this kind of rumour. 

I just don’t see it happening. I think he’s playing out of his skin right now at Napoli. I think a Premier League return might be right for him down the line, but right now I don’t see it – especially not to Everton. I think he’s good enough to go to Real Madrid or Barcelona, maybe Bayern Munich. That’s the level he is capable of and no disrespect to Everton, but they’re just not there.

Fulham

What’s your gut-feeling on Marco Silva’s future? Do you think he will sign a new deal or leave at the end of the season? 

It’s a difficult one because managing in the Premier League is extremely hard, and it’s hard for clubs to stay in there without spending huge sums of money. 

Shahid Khan has done some good work by stabilising the club and sometimes, to go to the next step up, you have to be patient again and manage your finances carefully, but you also need to get your transfer business spot on. It’s not easy. 

I think Marco Silva has done a brilliant job since he’s been at Fulham. He’s got the absolute maximum out of the players in his squad.

The most successful clubs have that combination between the ownership and the manager where they trust and support each other. Marco Silva is still growing as a manager. He needs to understand a few things and prove that with a bigger budget down the line, that he will do amazing things again. That’s the nature of managing a club. There are so many aspects that we don’t even consider. 

But also, at Fulham, they need to start bringing through good players from the academy and signing and developing young players. Crystal Palace and Brighton have shown the impact that can have on team performances and also the bottom line of a club’s finances. Brighton are the masters of developing young players, even if they’re brought in from abroad.

So there are a lot of elements that you can look at that can improve the club. It’s not about only spending money on players. That’s just one parameter. Fulham have come really far in the last few years, but the next step up would be a big one, and they don’t have limitless funds to do that. It’s not easy to find the right balance. 

Newcastle

Do you think Newcastle’s away form will cost them a place in the Champions League knockout format?

Their away form is going to be a real problem if they don’t fix it soon. Newcastle have a challenge now. They’ve had a great couple of years. They’ve done really well. They managed to transition well away from Isak by bringing in Woltemade. It wasn’t easy, but they handled it terrifically.

But all that change is the reason why they’re struggling to find the necessary level of consistency, and that will cost them in the Champions League. I think they have to find the solution soon but it will take hard work. 

The Champions League alone is a huge challenge, and a huge step up in quality. They’re going to be good enough to win some games but they will lose some as they find their level, too. The Champions League is a tough format now, to be able to handle everything that comes your way is a huge ask. It’s no surprise that Newcastle will find this difficult. Having said that, Newcastle’s starting XI has real quality, and they should be looking to rise to the challenge.

Is Nick Woltemade currently a better striker than Alexander Isak?

No, I don’t think that Nick Woltemade is a better striker than Alexander Isak at this moment in time. I don’t think it’s even possible to compare, because Isak has been injured and is struggling for fitness. He’s struggling to adapt to Liverpool’s new style.

Of course, Nick has done really well. He’s a new signing and Newcastle are also a team who are still on the up, still adapting. He’s done really well to try and elevate their potential and maximise his own. He’s done great, but the comparison doesn’t work for now. They are two very different players.

Right now, you can say that Woltemade is the man in form, and he’s had a better season so far. But I think it’s still just a matter of time before Isak comes good at Liverpool and starts scoring plenty of goals.

Marseille vs Newcastle

Is Marseille an intimidating place to play at? What advice would you give the players to handle the atmosphere? 

It’s a tough place to go, but that’s true of most teams at that level. When you play in the Champions League, you’ll be coming up against great sides in historic stadiums.

They should be looking forward to it because Marseille has a beautiful stadium and a vocal, loud ground. They’re going to enjoy that. The two sets of fans are both incredible and they could create an amazing atmosphere.

It’s a joy for anyone who loves football. The Champions League is such a great format because it gives us games like this, and you can get surprises in so many matches. Marseille are playing well at the moment – they’re going to be tough opponents.

Sunderland

Is it a given that Sunderland will be playing Premier League football again next season and could they qualify for a place in Europe? 

I think Sunderland have done really well. At this moment in time they’re in a very good position. They did brilliantly in signing the right players, keeping the right ones from last season, and managing expectations.

There’s a great momentum behind the team and they have to maintain that and ride it for as long as they can. But the Premier League can spring a surprise, you can get trapped in complacency. Sometimes you play well for a month or two, and then next, you have one bad game and everything goes off the rails. Things change so quickly.

If you lose three or four games in a row, everything changes, the mood switches. I think if they can keep playing well into February, they’ll be safe.

France

With Pogba set to make his debut, do you think he has time to win back a place for the World Cup?

I think he can still make it to the World Cup. Even though he only played five or six minutes, his talent was evident. It’s no surprise that it took some time for him to get back his fitness, particularly to the level you need for the top flight in France and for international football.

I think the issue for him is his quality and confidence to come back to its highest. If he does that, every team will want him, and France might even want to take him to the World Cup.

It’s sad for football that we’ve missed him for two years. France, of course, have amazing talent, and they have choices. They have so many different players they can choose from, but none of them can match Pogba’s unique ability, his imagination and unpredictability. The way he can find strikers is unmatched, as is his composure. If he is at his best, I see no reason he can’t go to the World Cup.

Premier League

Semenyo has been linked with all of the Premier League’s biggest clubs – Liverpool, Chelsea, United, Arsenal – who do you think he would suit best? 

Manchester  United would be perfect for him, and United should definitely make a move in January if there’s a chance they can sign him. Semenyo is perfect because he has power and confidence.

There’s a lot to his game which makes him an easy fit into this United side. I can see that he’s the type of player who can play across the front line. He’s a fast learner, he adapts to different dynamics of a position and a game. He’s got a very interesting profile.

I think he could play anywhere for United. I think he’s good enough on the ball and he’s strong enough, so he can adapt. Whatever position is free, he could excel in. I don’t think specialisation in football teams is the best idea. I think players should be versatile, especially if they have enough quality – and he definitely has that.

What have you made of Viktor Gyokeres so far?

He’s done well so far. It’s a good start. Viktor has had it easy in some ways, because Arsenal are a team who create a lot of chances and they’ve been on the hunt for a No. 9 to put the ball in the net. He should be finding himself in the position to score week in, week out. But the real test will be at those tough moments, when the pressure is on.

I think we’re going to judge Gyokeres’ debut season on those moments of real pressure and importance, and we haven’t seen them yet. It’s only November. Those moments will define his season and his time at Arsenal. He may only need to score tap-ins, but it’s when those tap-ins come that matter. 

He’s been in England before, for a few seasons, at Coventry and Brighton, so the style of football and the way of life can’t be a shock to him. He needs to adapt quickly because this is a side that had its foundations made long ago. He just needs to be the final piece of the puzzle, to put away chances in big games, or when they’re struggling.

Is this the season where your old Everton teammate Mikel Arteta finally wins the Premier League title with Arsenal? 

This is definitely the first time that he has the best squad in the Premier League, and they’ve had the best start of any side, too.

To be honest, he has the most confidence in his team, because after three or four years under his belt, you can see he has the composure and the mentality the club needs. He needs to still be like that come the end of the season, at those real crunch moments.

They’ve been there before. They’ve done this for two years already, and then it falls away, so now they need confidence to go the whole way, to prove it to themselves and others.

I think this is the year (for Arsenal to win the Premier League) because when you look at the squad, when you look at the talent, what they have, it’s the most complete squad in the league. He has built confidence around it. I think Mikel has proven that he’s a top manager. He’s a top guy, and I love his ability to grow as a man. I think sometimes he has made mistakes in communication, but it’s normal to make mistakes as a young manager.

I think now he can prove his critics wrong and show he has learned his lessons.

If Arteta doesn’t win major silverware this season, do you think his Arsenal future is at risk? 

It’s good pressure for Mikel to be under. It’s because he has shown tactically he can solve so many problems. He has got on top of the mentality problems at the club, even if they still have not yet got that major trophy.

He has shown he and his team can overcome difficult moments, but they need to show that they can keep that approach into February and beyond, when the pressure ramps up even further. If next year they are playing as champions or winners of the Premier League, then the pressure will be even greater to maintain that level of excellence.

He could be a legend like Wenger, and he wants to see the team winning leagues in the same way. They have matched the quality of Wenger’s teams, but not their ability to win titles. That’s their goal next.

Are Liverpool going backwards under Arne Slot? 

I don’t think it’s possible or fair to decide they’re going backwards right now. It’s true that it’s a really difficult moment for Liverpool, but it happens in football.

People compare to three or four months ago, but a club has to adapt to new signings. There are definitely some changes to the foundation of the team. There is a new style in playing, new strengths they want to play to.

The club now has a different dynamic from the team that Arne Slot inherited from Jurgen Klopp. They’ve changed the formation to fit in Florian Wirtz, and it hasn’t worked out so far. It’s disrupted their usual strengths and they are less clinical up front.

Salah isn’t scoring so much, and that’s a problem, because he used to score so many goals. There’s an element of frustration creeping in, but some of that comes from not understanding football. Nothing is guaranteed, and some things take time. You could be Real Madrid and struggle, it happens to every team. For now, that’s all it is.

Did they make too many changes in the summer? 

Liverpool definitely made too many changes in the summer. Stability is vital at a club, and they’ve upset the balance. They had that kind of settled feeling for years under Klopp. The first year with Arne Slot, that feeling was still there.

When you bring in a lot of players, that can be a dangerous moment for a manager. You have to make sure the players gel right away with the type of pressure you’re under. At Anfield, that really isn’t easy. Some will adapt quickly, but some are going to take longer, some will not have the confidence. 

Those players in defence have to be on it right away, because things get shaky otherwise. The midfield has changed a bit, but they’re relying on a different approach now, and that’s really dangerous. It’s risky.

Alexander Isak has had a rotten start to his Liverpool career. Does he need to take the blame for that given his lack of fitness?

A lot of people are to blame for Isak’s poor start, but I would say that his agent has to take most of the responsibility. In a situation like that, you need advisers who want the best outcome for their players. That wasn’t what he got over the summer. It was bad timing. 

It’s always easy to judge players, but he’s at a Liverpool side that is not playing well. It’s easy to point fingers, but there’s a wider problem at Liverpool now.

I think the agent needs to carry some responsibility. He got his cut of commission and he’s safe in his position. Maybe he brought all this nonsense around the transfer, and the player is now not playing well. He’s injured, he’s not fit. Now the player is under pressure, but the agent is secure.

The principle should be to focus on the agents more than the players in situations like this. The player has a responsibility for his fitness, but he would know that Liverpool are a big club and that he would want to go to the World Cup this summer and do well. It’s not easy, but both clubs made it tough for him too.

Harry Kane has been linked with a move to the Premier League this summer, but he also has Barcelona and Real Madrid reportedly looking at him. If you were Kane, would you be more interested in exploring the options of the Spanish giants? 

Harry Kane has earned his position to be the target for Europe’s biggest club, and that’s the best position for him to be in. He would be welcome at any club in the world.

He’s a goal scorer, a good guy, a legend and also a leader. He represents football really well, and he is respected by everyone in the game. I really like that.

It’s great to see, and he has earned the position he is in, where everyone would want him. I would love him to be at Manchester United of course, and I thought that would be the best move for his career.

He’s done it for Bayern Munich, he’s won the league and may win it again. Stats wise, he’s incredible, but at United, he could get Alan Shearer’s record and maybe even add more trophies to his CV. It would be perfect. Harry, forget about Barcelona and Real Madrid, come to Manchester!

Who do you think has been the best new signing in the Premier League this season? 

For me, the best signing is between Hugo Ekitike and Bryan Mbeumo. I think Woltemade has been brilliant too, I love him.

I think those three have been the standout players so far, but I think that Mbeumo has probably been the very best of the three. He’s playing for a side that is in transition. Ekitike is playing for the league champions, and Woltemade arrived at a team that is in the Champions League. They both have their problems, of course, but I think United were in the toughest place at the start of the season.

I’ve seen United struggle, and how hard it was for Mbeumo, and he’s done brilliantly to raise standards at the club and keep his own standards up.

Man United have been linked with a move for Neymar, his contract expires in December. Would that be a good move? Can you see Neymar joining a PL club? 

If you asked me six months ago, I’d have loved Neymar at Manchester United. But right now, he seems fragile, or injured. Maybe he’s lost his spark.

It’s sad, because I love Neymar. I thought a couple of years ago it’d have been a perfect move because he can still be an amazing player. He could really boost United with his inventiveness and talent. 

I think perhaps the way he has had his career guided needed to be challenged in the past. I don’t know how he can set about putting things right and rebuilding anymore. United need players who will sacrifice themselves for the team, who are in love with the club. I’m not sure Neymar is the man to offer that to United at this point in his career. 

What did Manchester United players make of Gabriel Heinze wanting to join Liverpool?

Some of these guys come from abroad and they don’t always understand the importance of local rivalries, but there’s something else, too. Some of the guys like Tevez or Balotelli, or Heinze, they have dealt with much more dangerous situations than football rivalries.

They won’t worry too much about crossing city rivalries, because they have enormous confidence, and they aren’t afraid of anything. You’re not going to scare Gabriel. Going to Liverpool from United, it’s just what he wanted to do in life and he couldn’t be scared off it. 

People were always going to talk, and he has the mentality where he doesn’t care what other people think. He would go to his job and come back in the evening, and that was it. 

People talking in public, in pubs, that’s not his problem. I respect that attitude. I didn’t have it in me, but Gabriel was set apart.

You played with Gabriel Heinze at United. What do you think he will bring to the Arsenal coaching team and was he one of those players that everyone at United loved, but everyone else hated?

Heinze is a really rigorous guy. He knows so much about the tactical side of the game. He’s very focused, very savvy, very passionate. He’s honest.

After three years at the club, some Arsenal players will be in their comfort zone. With Heinze there, that just won’t be possible anymore. He has that same vibe as Roy Keane, with some Argentinean style. You can see it’s something that will really help Mikel.

Mikel might be a bit more, shall we say, diplomatic than Gabriel, so I can see them being complementary to one another. This is great for an Arsenal side with talent and flair, and he can add some steel. 

They have their set piece expertise, and Gabby will only be helping that aspect too. He’ll be a really great addition to the setup there.

Champions League

Kane returns to London this week with Bayern as they take on Arsenal. Without Gabriel, do Arsenal need to worry about him – is he the best striker on the planet right now? 

I think it’ll be interesting. Gabriel has been vital in the partnership alongside William Saliba, and they have a great track record together at the back.

Harry Kane has always been a threat when he’s come up against Arsenal, but playing against Champions League teams, there’s always one threat or another.

Bayern Munich have done enough this season and in the past to know that it’s going to be a really tough game for Arsenal, and I can’t wait for it. 

When Harry is back in London, there are always great memories. It makes for a fascinating game.

Teammates

Cristiano Ronaldo was in the White House this week. Is Ronaldo the most influential footballer in the world and do you think he may have asked Trump to see if he can have a word with FIFA about potentially reducing his ban that could cost him minutes at the World Cup? 

I think yes, Cristiano Ronaldo is still the most influential footballer on the planet. I don’t know if he might have understood the ramifications of that visit, or the impact he would have with that meeting.

I don’t usually comment on politics, but it might be taken as an endorsement of some of the policies of Trump, and he might not mean it to come across as that.

Maybe the time to do it was early in his presidency when there was less controversy. I’m surprised Cristiano chose to do this, it’s something new for him compared to previous years of his career. I remember he pushed two bottles of soft drink away at a press conference, and it caused a storm, so he’s always had the ability to influence the wider world.

The Championship

Frank Lampard has his Coventry team top of the Championship by 5 points. They’re goal difference is insane – do they look destined for the Premier League? 

I think Frank needed time and experience to build his confidence as a manager. He’s had a few spells with different teams, he’s now settled on the approach he wants. He knows his preferred tactics and style of play.

He has come to a club at the right moment with the right players, in the right stages of their career. It’s a great opportunity for them all to come together and find the right formula.

You can tell it’s an exceptional team and time because they’re scoring so many goals and creating so many chances. They’re almost unstoppable, and it’s not just down to one or two individuals. Frank, and his players, have done a great job so far.

You know how tough the Championship is. Why do you think Leicester and Southampton are struggling so much after being relegated? 

It’s always hard for the teams dropping back down from the Premier League. Newly promoted sides have to contend with games against teams like Liverpool and Manchester City. You might do OK against Sunderland and Brighton, but then you come up against the Big Six and it’s really tough.

Promotion is great, of course, but you have to stabilise your side and improve it, and then survive. It’s extremely hard. You can have a good month, but then lose against a smaller side and you end up treading water. I think for Southampton and Leicester, they found out just how hard it is in the Premier League and they’re yet to really recover.

Did you ever play at Millwall during your career? Would they be a good addition to the PL? 

They’re a big club. I remember Tim Cahill played there, my old Everton teammate.

I know the ground, the New Den is very vocal, the fans try to be intimidating. Games can be very tough there, and if they go up into the Premier League, it’ll be a big deal.

I think Millwall fans will be absolutely bouncing if they go up. It would be an interesting experience for the big sides to go there, that’s for sure.