Dwight Yorke exclusive: Jackpot City speaks to Manchester United legend Dwight Yorke about Bruno Fernandes and United's prospects this season.

Promoting their online slot game Football Star Deluxe, Jackpot City Casino, speaks exclusively to Manchester United legend Dwight Yorke about why Bruno Fernandes should consider a transfer to Saudi Arabia. 

The Premier League icon has also urged his former side to sign Gianluigi Donnarumma before the window closes and given his thoughts on Alexander Isak at Newcastle.

Yorke has also explained the impact Viktor Gyokeres has already had on Arsenal and given his take on Cristiano Ronaldo’s ongoing trophy drought at Al-Nassr.

Q: What was your reaction to Manchester United’s draw at Fulham?

“I'd say I'm a little bit disappointed that Man Utd didn’t get all three points. I thought they played well in spells, but not overall. The team still isn't as fluent as I'd like to see.

“You can see there was a little bit of an improvement, and it's a game they probably would have lost last season. Although I felt that they probably think they could have got all three points had Bruno obviously converted his penalty, that would have been a game changer.

“Nevertheless, it's a point on the board out of two games, so I think they will be disappointed. But as I said, progress has been made.”

Q: Who has been your standout player for Man Utd so far this season?

“Matheus Cunha. I think he's new, he brought this type of energy that we've been lacking, certainly in penetrating the defending teams. He has that ability to go past players and really create as well as score. And you're seeing it in spells.

“Obviously that will only improve as the players around him improve because they need to really see the best of him because he seemed like he had to do quite a lot to really stamp his authority in the game.

“I would like the other players to join in and sort of participate a little bit more in my opinion.”

Q: What do you make of Bruno Fernandes in a deeper role?

“Bruno Fernandes has the ability to play both roles, but ideally, he's still a fantastic attacking player. While he lacks some impact in a deeper role, you might see him move into that position more often.

“He's not as young as he used to be, but he still has a lot to offer in attacking areas. You don't want your best player to be so deep that he has to create from long distances, you want him closer to the opposition's box so he can still score, as that's one of his key strengths.

“I'm a bit puzzled that they haven't addressed the midfield and goalkeeper crises, especially since the season has already started. I'm quite disappointed by that.”

Q: Was Bruno Fernandes in the wrong to mention the referee in his penalty miss?

“These things happen on a football pitch, but you still have to be professional and calm about it and not lose your composure, which Bruno Fernandes tends to do.

“We know he plays with his heart on his sleeve and he's really passionate about how he does things, but he must know that — that was a really big moment for United.

“People say he's got distracted and all that. I think that's a little bit of a myth, really, to be blaming the referee. He certainly wasn't in his way when he was ready to take that penalty.

“So, really and truly, there isn't any excuse. Yes, there might have been a little bit of an altercation before, but ultimately, when he's ready to take that penalty, he should keep better composure in taking that penalty. And he didn't.”

Q: Should Bruno Fernandes be replaced as Man Utd’s penalty taker?

“Bruno has been a fantastic penalty taker for us, he has consistency despite the occasional miss. There's competition, and he knows that Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo are also excellent options.

“If Bruno were to miss a second penalty, it might be an option to let someone else take the position. Even Bruno, at his level, would likely acknowledge that if he missed two in a row, someone else should be given a chance.

“Adding such quality to the team means you're on borrowed time if you're missing two penalties consecutively. What United lacked in previous years was that quality to step up.

“Bruno, whether he's missed or not, always seems to take on the responsibility. So, I'm all for Bruno at the moment, but if he were to miss, Cunha is clearly there to replace him.”

Q: What did you make of Ruben Amorim staring into the turf instead of watching the game?

“It’s really bizarre. He doesn't look when there's a corner kick or a penalty. Managers have got different superstitions in some way and maybe that is his.

“Maybe we are reading too much into it. He has a lot on his plate. He's got to figure things out during the game, what the changes he may have to make.

“So he might take a moment that he needs to really focus in on and by staring in the way he does, maybe might get him to concentrate.

“There's a lot of things happening on the football pitch. There's so much the crowd obviously playing the part as well, but it's a bit unusual when you see a manager really bow down to the ground and then sort of having to figure things out.

“But, every manager has got their superstitions, so to speak.”

Q: What should be the minimum target for Man Utd this season?

“I still think even though we're going through a transition period, which we have been for God knows how long – it's been such a long time and you can't continue to be in a transition.

“I think United are still very good enough to be in the top five, top six. I don't see them outside of that, despite the dismal run and obviously coming off a last season where they finished their lowest ever in Premier League history. I don't think there will be a repeat.

“They've spent over 200 million this season so far, and you expect them to be back in the top four or pushing for a top four spot.

“I would think the least that they will be saying in that dressing room, and probably what Amorim is targeting with his players, is to be in the top four.

“Anything outside of that, I think sixth is acceptable, but anything outside of that is just really not good enough. United ought to be in a far better position.

“Despite the changes, despite where we finished last season, there is no excuse that we shouldn't be in the top six in my opinion.”

Q: Should Bruno Fernandes consider a transfer to Saudi this summer?

“I think when you have that sort of distraction, you might think about it, and why wouldn't he?

“He's 30. He's really trying to push the boundaries with United. Does he see United in the future going to places that he wants to go and win major trophies?

“Or maybe seeing it as a retirement. I don't think he will really consider it. He's obviously turned it down before, so he's not sure of his commitment towards United.

“But if that continues to linger around and United are not making progress, I think you ought to look at it. I don't see any reason why he wouldn't.

“It's a bit of a distraction, but the season is off and running. You know the Saudis are there, trying to really make an impact in so many ways, not just him, but you're seeing a bit more solidity as well when they were trying to sign various players.

“Jack Grealish was recently mentioned by the Saudis. So they are constantly trying to push the limit or push the boat, so to speak, on trying to get major talent, and Bruno must be in that category.

“That's why they continue to mention it. But as I said, for us as an ex-Manchester United player and certainly a huge fan, we want to see the best players in the Premier League.”

Q: Should Man Utd consider a big bid for Bruno Fernandes?

“I'm sure they probably have looked at it, whether they decide to go ahead with it. Of course, we say these things in the media, but obviously it's down to Bruno whether he really wants to leave or not.

“A big bid for a 30-year-old is always going to raise a few eyebrows, but he's still our best player at the club. So that's probably hard.

“I don't think the fans will really think that United should be getting rid of him, maybe in a year's time or so, but right now we need our best players at the club to really get us back to where we belong.”

Q: What are your early impressions of Benjamin Sesko?

“We haven't seen enough of Benjamin Sesko, just glimpses. He's one for the future, I'm sure, and that's probably the intention. He needs to bide his time and work his way into the team.

“However, the reality is that these players have a good chance of playing for and starting for United because current players aren't performing at a high level. The manager is likely to chop and change.

“What you need to do is put yourself in a position to get into the team, because outside of maybe one or two players, every other spot is up for grabs in my opinion when you look at that United team.

“It would be very encouraging for him to get his head down and start to perform the way he can perform, then he would be too hard to ignore.”

Q: Can Benjamin Sesko hit the ground running against Grimsby Town?

“As a player, I always thought that when you played against lower league teams, you'd get your confidence and score. But at United it hasn't been like that for a number of years.

“Back in the day, you could guarantee a couple of goals in these games, cement your place in the team, and hopefully go on a run as a player.

“But United are making it hard work. Whoever they play, it's never straightforward. These games used to be straightforward, guaranteed results. The manager would just put out whatever team he fancied and guarantee a result.

“That's not the case at United now. Every game is a grind, every game requires high intensity. And what's worrying for me is that Grimsby probably genuinely think they have a chance against us, which never used to happen.

“That's where United are at the minute. The manager is going to be really aware of that, I'm sure he is. He can't afford to slip up here, as much as he'd like to change the players.

“It's an early stage in the season. You don't want to be going out this early in a Carabao competition against Grimsby. So, he's got to make sure that doesn't happen, and he's going to be very defensive in that because you know when you're playing at United, these major competitions now, even though back in the days the Carabao Cup wasn't one of our priorities, it is now.

“So it becomes a very big tournament, and United can't pick and choose at the minute. They have to sort of grasp whatever they can, and Grimsby is a good opportunity to start and also get a win under their belt because they haven't won yet. So that's important as well.”

Q: What is your score prediction for Grimsby Town vs Man Utd?

“Right now, nothing straightforward with United, but I think they will win. I hope they win comfortably. I'm going for a 3-1 score.

“That might just settle things down a little bit, ideally. But as I said, it's about getting a win under the belt because they haven't won in two.”

Q: Should Man Utd be in for Randal Kolo Muani before the window closes?

“They have attacking options, even without Rashford and Hojlund potentially leaving on loan or permanently, I think they need to look at defensive and goalkeeping options.

“Altay Bayindir is suspect on crosses, and there's uncertainty when he plays. They need someone more accomplished and a new number one.

“Attacking isn't their main problem, a defensive midfielder and a more certain goalkeeper would be better options. While another striker wouldn’t be bad, I'd prioritize a goalkeeper and a defensive midfielder over other attacking players.”

Q: Would signing Gianluigi Donnarumma be a no brainer for Man Utd?

“Manchester United should always be linked with the very best. Gianluigi Donnarumma is one of the best goalkeepers in Europe, if not in the top two, top three in the world currently.

“You need that presence, you need those personalities. Goalkeepers make a huge difference, they are a key element in a team. You want someone who is absolutely accomplished, competent, reliable. Donnarumma is all of the above.

“Ideally, they can get him in, but they're talking about the PSR, I think that comes into play. And obviously, his wages and all that as well are a factor.

“To move on Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir would be a challenge, but ideally, I'm sure everybody would be delighted if we got Donnarumma on our roster.”

Q: Would Emi Martinez have a huge impact on Man Utd’s squad?

“Emi Martinez has a big personality, there's no two ways about that. He's won the World Cup, he's one of the best at saving penalties, and he's got character – he's got everything.

“Ideally, I thought we were going to get him because at one stage it looked like he was dead certain to be going to United.

“He probably tried to force that move, but for some reason it didn't materialise, which in my opinion is a bit of a disappointment.

“However, Villa is also a club that I'm very familiar with, so whether he stays at Villa, I think it's a good move for him as well. But I'm sure United would love to have him.”

Q: Could Man Utd have considered bringing in Caoimhin Kelleher?

“I don't think Caoimhin Kelleher to Man Utd would have worked. That wouldn't have resonated too well.

“There are some things that the United fans will put up with, but certainly not having a Liverpool ex-player coming into United. That doesn't work. I don't think that ever really happened either.

“I don't think Amorim would have wanted that on his roster. He's got too much on his plate to be worried about that. There are other really good options.

“Emi Martinez, we thought we would have had, and Gianluigi Donnarumma, who's there, I think it's a good option to try and get one of those.”

Q: What do you make of Alexander Isak’s actions at Newcastle this summer?

“If you've been in his position, you could understand. I certainly have with my transfer from Aston Villa to Manchester United. It never really ends well when a player comes out and says he wants to move. It never really does.

“What I don't condone is not training, not participating, because ultimately he's still getting paid by the club, and he's still their player.

“Coming out and wanting to leave to go to a bigger club, it's happened all the time. So I don't understand how all these ex-players are saying all this and that.

“These guys probably haven't been in those circumstances. But for the ones who have been in those circumstances, they totally get it. So you want to go and play for Liverpool, and no disrespect, Newcastle, Liverpool is a bigger club, and that's what players want.

“They want to go and play in all these big competitions, want to win major competitions. That's the only reason.

“He's given three years at Newcastle. You've seen Andy Cole made that transition from Newcastle as well. So it's not like it's never happened before. All these players and ex-players and all of those, fans, it's something that is common in the game.

“It's always been there for a number of years. So I don't understand the uproar when someone says he wants to leave because he wants to go to a bigger club. He wouldn't leave the club to go for a lesser club than Newcastle. That conversation wouldn't take place.

“But a bigger club, and that's what big clubs do, they go after players who are going to make their team better. And that's simply the case. So I don't get why it's become such an uproar. It's happened for years.

“Only the players who have been there could understand. For the players for whom a big transfer deal hasn't come in, they don't understand what it is or what the player is going through because he wants to go. And if a player wants to go, ideally, no club wants to lose their best player.

“Jack Grealish did it, £100million when he left Villa. So what is the big deal about him having to come out and say he wants to go to Liverpool? I just don't get it.

“I just think people are making so much of it when they haven't totally been in that position. It's, again, common. It's something that's happened all the time.

“You leave a football club to go to somewhere that is bigger and better. And ultimately that's what players want. They want to play for the best teams in the world.”

Q: Do Liverpool need to sign Alexander Isak if they are to win the title?

“Everybody is improving, and every year, each team tries to improve. Obviously, Arne Slot has come in and hasn't made too many changes. He's built on the winning formula that Jürgen Klopp left and has managed to turn it over.

“But he thinks to go another step because the team will improve. He needs to improve; he needs to add. Alexander Isak is one of the best players in the league currently. His stats show that, and he thinks this will be vital.

“You need that edge. You need that to stay ahead of the pack because people are closing the gap, and Isak is one of those players who will give him that little bit of a cushion going forward.

“Right now, I think he's still got the edge going into the Premier League, but they know that there are teams like Manchester City who we all are told will push them all the way and come up short against Tottenham.

“So it goes to show, if you don't stay one step ahead, people are going to be closing that gap very closely. And so that's why the whole Isak thing has come about because even though you spend heavily, they're still in a good position to add that kind of value to the team. It should send a clear warning to everybody else.”

Q: Is Viktor Gyokeres the man to win the title for Arsenal?

“They’ve been crying out for years, and I'm surprised that Arteta has taken so long to get a major striker. You can see the massive difference with him being there.

“Okay, he didn't play particularly great in the first game, but he's still getting to know the players, and the players are still getting to know him. Then he came up with two goals.

“Ultimately, that's what it's about, right? Because at the end of the day, when you come in for that type of money and you're going to be the X-factor and make the difference, you're going to be judged on goals. And he's certainly done that.

“So, two games, two goals – and that's what Arsenal has been missing. He's a goal scorer, he's proven that. Also, the stage is a bit bigger. The Premier League is a little bit tougher, but they certainly give themselves an even better chance now to go that one step further by getting an out-and-out striker who can find the back of the net.

“Throughout the years of the Premier League, there might be teams like Man City who have gone without a number nine and won the Premier League, but only one team has done that.

“Most teams that have won the Premier League, and not too many teams have won the Premier League, normally have a number nine.

“I think it's a great move for both Arsenal and Gyokeres. Now there shouldn't be any more excuses in terms of trying to win the Premier League.”

Q: Could Man Utd end up regretting the sale of Rasmus Hojlund?

“I think it's a difficult one. I think Rasmus Hojlund came into very difficult circumstances at United, and we all feel for him.

“We've seen him struggle. We've seen this sort of battle, and sometimes you need a little bit more experience around him to try and guide him. The Premier League doesn't take any prisoners.

“You play for United, factor all those things in. It's a tough ask for a young kid. Everybody says when you buy a young player, it's all about potential. He's obviously had some type of potential.

“At the end of the day, he has struggled in the two seasons he's been there. He's not been prolific. He's been low on confidence. However, I don't think it will come back to bite them. I think the Scott McTominay deal was a real hiccup by the club in letting someone go. And certainly the David De Gea, in my opinion, deal—they have let those two go away, which arguably has come back to bite them to this point.

“I don't think Rasmus will be that. He simply needs to go away, understand the Premier League is a tough place. He's come into tough circumstances. Go and find that confidence again, and maybe in three, four years he'll become more accomplished.

“Maybe in three, four years he might become even a better player. United, would he come back to bite United? I don't think so. I don't think he's that good of a player that one day you'll think: ‘Wow, he's just amazing.’

“I think he'll be a good player, no doubt, but he's not going to be a player that United will go, ‘I wish we had kept him.’ in my opinion again.”

Q: Do you have concerns for Aston Villa this season?

"They maybe need a little bit more, Aston Villa. I thought last season they did reasonably well and pushed really hard to get into the Champions League, which was new to them.

“They haven't been in that situation for a number of years. Unai Emery has done a remarkable job there at Villa. They brought back that energy, that passion. Villa Park is a real tough place to go and get results, and they've become resilient in every sense of the way.

“So you could see the development at Aston Villa. But the reality is, can they now consistently produce what everyone is expecting? We thought last season was going to be a test. It shows in spells that they have been tested and they haven't really kicked on.

“Unfortunately, I don't think they've got enough in their locker. Seeing Leon Bailey just move to Roma, they are making acquisitions and additions to the team. I just think Villa will slip back a little bit in my opinion this season.

“I think they will go into about sixth or seventh, which again, because of the high expectation at the club when Unai Emery came in, they got that energy, that buzz. To maintain that, that's a tough ask with teams improving and closing the gap around them all the time.

“I think it will be a tough ask for them this season. So as much as I want them to be in the top four, I can see Villa kind of struggling a little bit because the demands are so high now and these players are not used to that kind of demand.

“They expect the odd year to be in the top four, but that consistency of being in the top four, especially with the teams around them that usually are in the top four, are making improvements in their teams as well. I think it's going to be a tough ask for Villa this season."

Q: Can Birmingham City secure back-to-back promotions?

“In Tom Brady, he has a big personality and he has a real impact on the football club. There's a high expectation.

“Having said that, these guys want to be in the Premier League like everybody else and I think any of 10 or 12 teams in the Championship have a chance of promotion.

“I think that's the beauty of the promotion race when you've been down there. I managed to do that with Sunderland in my playing career at the time. We were in 23rd position when I got there in September, so second bottom, and we managed to finish at the top by April.

“So, it's a huge opportunity for them. They have the momentum, they have the backing, it seems they have a financial backing unlike any other club.

“You want to be in the Premier League, why not go for it? And I think Birmingham seem to be doing that. Can they build with what they already have? As I said, they got off to a really good start, so we'll wait and watch the space where Birmingham is concerned.

“But there's no question about it. That's the ambition. They have big owners, and so they're pushing to get to the Premier League, back to back. That would be awesome for the city, having both Birmingham and Aston Villa in the Premier League again.”

Q: Have Wrexham had a wake-up call in the Championship?

“It's a bit of a step up. Wrexham haven’t been there in so long, but Birmingham have, so they're familiar with being in the Championship.

“Wrexham have gone up another level now, so they're going to take some time before they find their feet. It's not as clear-cut as it seems.

“They're trying to add some quality players to their squad, which they need to compete, they probably need one or two former Premier League players to help them through this phase because it's a big step up for players who have never been at that level before, even though it's just the Championship.

“They're normally in League One and League Two, and now they're in the Championship, so it's a significant jump for some of these players. Although you still trust the players who got you there, when you reach another level, you need to add value and quality to your squad.

“They'll find it tough going, but I expect them to probably make a push or be thereabouts. It's certainly going to be fascinating to watch the Championship, as it always is.

“It's nail-biting most of the time throughout the season. Ipswich have made changes here, letting players go. But it's also not as clear-cut as some people think when teams come down.

“I think it's an open competition this season, and for anyone brave enough to get to the top, the reward of the Premier League is huge.”

Q: Will Sunderland’s Premier League status go down to the wire?

“Sunderland’s home games are crucial. There is no way that Sunderland believe that they're going to be comfortable in the Premier League.

“It shows over the years, you just have to look at the history where Sunderland is concerned. They come up, they get relegated, they go back, they come back up, they've got that inconsistency.

“It's probably something in their DNA. I don't know what it is, but it's certainly not going to be an easy ride where Sunderland are concerned. They've got to play out of their skin and every game is like a final for them.

“They can't go through the motions because the only way you're going to survive in the Premier League is to make sure that you get off to a very good start. Yes, one win, one draw, one loss. I would think if they could continue that format right throughout the season, they will take it.

“What they can't do is concede and go on a really bad run because the moment you start sort of slipping and defeat becoming a regular thing among them, then the panic button will start to set in because we have seen it in the past with Sunderland.

“They're not consistent enough to hold out. I hope, because I played for Sunderland, I want to see them remain in the Premier League, but I really do think it's going to be a tough ask for them to survive.”

Q: What should Man Utd do with Jadon Sancho?

“Manchester United not being able to sell Jadon Sancho, I think it's because of his wages, that's the factor. He's earning such huge money.

“In reality, they've probably got a player who is capable of playing for United, no doubt about it. Whether the player or the manager see eye to eye, that's a factor. Does he still want to be at United? Does Ruben Amorim want him there? We don't know.

“We speculate about these things. I don't know if that conversation is taking place. I imagine, ideally, that he would like to move on from looking from the outside, without knowing too much about what's going on behind closed doors.      

‘He wants to go, but as I said, these players want to go, but not just to any team. They want to go to a team that will enhance their chances of being in Europe and certainly can maintain the level of expectation as well as paying the wages.

“And of course, with the World Cup coming up, they want to be playing for a team that will be noticed, right? That's how they get into these teams for the World Cup. So all those things you factor in.

“But it's a situation that any manager or player doesn't want to be in, where there's uncertainty. One, he hasn't got a squad number, so that tells me that they don't really want him around.

“Had he been given a squad number, at least you'd think there was probably a little bit of hope there. But the fact that there was no squad number, I think they're desperately trying to get him out.

“The transfer market is going to be closed in less than a week's time. So if he's not gone, then what happens? You've got a player who is worth £300k a week just sitting there, probably still one of the most talented players there.

“You pay him all this money and you're not going to play him. So I think it's a scenario that again, you hope that United would have solved early in the season, yet the season has started and there are issues that the manager doesn't need because he needs to focus on his team and the players who are available to him.

“That kind of scenario is not ideal for anybody. The club, the players around, seeing a player of that talent walking around the place and you know he's training with the reserves or whatever he's doing, it's just not a cool place to be.”

Q: Should Man Utd consider terminating the contract of Jadon Sancho?

“I don't believe United currently has the funds to pay him outright. They're likely hoping for an opportunity to cut their losses, with another club taking him on for at least his wages, allowing them to recoup some investment.

“Allowing the situation to simply slide would represent a significant loss for the club. They've made poor business decisions in the past and want to avoid a repeat with Jadon Sancho.

“We'll have to see how it unfolds, but it's a truly bizarre situation that neither a player or the club desires.”

Q: Could Jadon Sancho be a star at Bayern Munich?

“It'd be a huge break if Bayern Munich comes in for Jadon Sancho. I think he will jump at it because obviously they are one of the giants in Europe and we know what they're like in the Bundesliga, they dominate.

“It’d be a win-win situation for both clubs if that were to happen. If he's linked with that, I would think he will be pushing for something like that more than anything else. Because when you have that talent and you're capable and Bundesliga is a place that he's been, he's well liked, he's very comfortable in that league.

“So there's no question that might be an option. And if that's the option, I'm sure that's the one he would prefer over anything else.”

Q: How would Sir Alex Ferguson have reacted to Alexander Isak?

“It's a different time now. The game has changed. Back in the day, we didn't have too much of a say. Sir Alex Ferguson had total control at Manchester United back then.

“I don't think situations like this would have escalated. The manager is too experienced, he would have handled it. If a player wanted to leave and he couldn't convince them to stay, he would have accepted it and let them go.

“He doesn't hesitate. There were no great errors with Sir Alex, he's either black or white. If you don't want to be at the club, I'm sure he would let you go. As I said, when you're at United, you don't want to leave under Sir Alex. That was never the scenario.

“You were always fighting to stay. Very few players at United wanted to leave, that never used to happen in the past.

“Now, players wanting to leave United seems like a fantasy world in my opinion. It's one of the giants, the biggest club in Britain. If you want to leave United, then something is totally not right there.

“Sir Alex Ferguson wouldn't have tolerated it, the scenario would not have gone out of control like it has been. It would have been nipped in the bud from the very beginning, whether the player had gone or the player stayed. Sir Alex would have dealt with it like he always has in the past.”

Q: Could Nicolas Jackson have a big impact at Man Utd?

“Nicolas Jackson is still developing, and I'm not entirely convinced he's a Manchester United player. While he has potential and has performed well, I don't see him fitting the 'United type' of player that excites fans.

“It's bizarre that a club would get rid of a good player, especially one who has been a starter. Good players don't typically leave big clubs unless there's a strong reason. Chelsea letting him go, despite him scoring goals, suggests there's something wrong.

“When I watch him play, he doesn't excite me. He's a good player, but not in the same vein as someone like Alexander Isak, who Newcastle are fighting to keep. The fact that his current club chose to get rid of him speaks volumes to me as a manager.

“While there's always a possibility he could thrive at United, based on what I've seen, I don't think he's a United player right now."

Q: Should Aston Villa go after Nicolas Jackson this summer?

“At Aston Villa, Nicolas Jackson might get a chance. Coming from Chelsea to Villa would be a big move, certainly from a Villa standpoint, and some fans would be excited.

“Personally, I think he's a good player, but not someone I'd be overly excited about. However, I can see why he'd go to Villa.

“He's linked to Villa, and Villa needs that push and spark. Jackson might be that player. I wouldn't be too overly excited, but I think he'd be a good buy and someone to push Ollie Watkins to keep him on his toes. I think he would fit in better at Villa than at Manchester United, for sure.”

Q: Can Joao Pedro and Liam Delap fire Chelsea to the title?

“Joao Pedro, I do rate. I think he's got something about him. You can see that. Liam Delap, I mean, he's an honest guy. He will run into space and he had a half-decent season last year for Ipswich.

“He's done that and he's been relatively productive in terms of his goal scoring.

“A complete player, I'm not so sure. Still developing, still learning the game. I think Pedro has got the edge on him, in my opinion.

“But yeah, you've got a team playing with Cole Palmer around him and being the creativity that he has. Pedro Neto as well, those kinds of guys are really exciting when they're in full flow. So yeah, having those two options is a good option for Chelsea, for sure.”

Q: Do you see Chelsea as being in the title race this season?

“I don’t see Chelsea as being in the title race. I don't think they're in the mix to challenge for the title, but they are in contention to finish in the top four as always, and that's likely to happen.

“I just think that's where they are. I like the manager, but I didn't like when they had an opportunity and were looking good last season, and he said: ‘We're not there yet.;

“You don't pick and choose when you're there, it doesn't happen overnight. I just think when that run happened, he should have been a little bit more aggressive in his approach to the media.

“He was very reserved, and I don't particularly like that about him. I think he's an exceptional coach, proven by his time as Pep Guardiola's assistant, then at Leicester where he immediately secured promotion, and now at Chelsea where I think he's done a very good job.

“I have one incident where I might be a little critical, but it's that one incident where he could have really said: ‘Yeah, we look like we can.’

“That would have given everybody a little bit more lift instead of being reserved. But again, there's a reason for it as a manager; you take a little bit of caution in the Premier League and avoid being too aggressive.

“Going back to it, I don't really see them as title contenders. I think they'll have fun, like they have been, and sort of hang around the top four as they always are, but I think they're not quite there.”

Q: Should Man Utd accept a bid of £30million for Alejandro Garnacho?

“Alejandro Garnacho’s value is going down. If he’s not playing, it's another year and his value just keeps decreasing. So you've got to a point where you have to make a decision.

“He does have a squad number, which means there's still a little bit of hope there. That's the first thing I would check. If that's the case, then yes. But you know, holding out on the demands for players who are not playing, sometimes you just have to suck it in and have a clean slate.

“Admit you made mistakes and don’t make them again. As a club, are you £30million better off. Yes, his value is 50, but he's not playing and he'll continue to not play.

“So, the longer that carries on, it's just another mess that United could make. They have to clean their act up. We're talking about starting fresh with the new owners coming in, new managers coming in.

“Start with a clean slate. Get rid of the deadwood. Get rid of those guys who don't want to play for the football club and are making an issue of it. Sometimes you have to make bold decisions. It's not ideal, and it never will be ideal. Circumstances are not perfect.

“Nothing is perfect. Sometimes you just have to take it on the chin, move on, get it over and done with, and start fresh. Get people in and get the fans back and excited. I just don't understand it. Don't get me wrong, it's easy for me to stand here when you invest in players.

“I get it for the club, but the whole thing is a constant mess every year. It was Marcus Rashford a year before. Now he's gone. Then you've got Jadon Sancho.

“It's more annoying than anything else. As a manager, as an owner, as fans, you don't want this constant drama. It's been going on far too long, in my opinion. Get rid.

“Take it on the chin. Start fresh. Get the new lads in, young lads. Get the team moving forward in a way that the manager wants to play.

“It's just tiring, isn't it? It's just boring and tiring at the moment when you just want to get players playing, and it's good for both parties because players just move on and play. I just don't get it. I just find it drags on far too long.

“With the squad number, he's probably still got a glimmer of hope in there. But as I said, it's just the same thing every year. They had a row with Marcus Rashford for a number of years. Now you got this one. Now you got Sancho. And they're the highest-paid players in the team as well. Get rid of them.”

Q: Which Man Utd legend would you like to see on the coaching staff?

“I don't know, but you've got to be really passionate and into the job and know what you're doing behind the scenes of a football club. And as much as you know the football club, they're just players coming in there with a big personality.

“I'm not sure if that's the right way to go forward just yet. Clean slate, yeah, I get all that, get rid of the deadwood. That's what they need to do. I'm not sure. Having a legend in there at the minute is probably ideal. And who fits the bill then? That's another question.

“I don't really know if there is anyone at the minute that is involved in football. Because the thing is, you've got to be involved in football. We all watch football, but if you're not involved in football and the coaching aspect of it or the management aspect of it that fit the criteria, that's a different story.

“We can talk football as much as we like. We all talk football because we played the game at that level. But coaching and dealing with players on a regular basis is a totally different ball game. Until you go into those environments, your people can just walk back into it and it's just a magic wand.

“It just doesn't happen that way. You've got to commit to that side of the game. If you're punditry, then that's fine. You can only talk football. You can't go out there and coach. I think it just doesn't come across the same way as talking on the football field.

“Rather you go in and do it practically on the thing because it's got to resonate with players when you play. It's easy to listen to a conversation and when it comes to do the practical side of it, you don't get in that transition. Yeah, I'm not sure if there's the next player right now, you look into it who is because they all talk football.

“They don't practice the football side of it. So that's the difference. So I don't think anyone out there that is doing that right now that is capable is just going in.”

Q: Could Wayne Rooney be done in management now?

“I don't know. I have a mixed view of Wazza as a manager. He's been given chances to really elevate himself as a manager, but that hasn't quite worked.

“When you listen to Wazza on these podcasts, he likes that. He looks comfortable in that environment, and hence that's why he signed a long deal. He's a big personality, knows the game.

“He's one of my all-time great United scorers and won everything in the game, clearly. But, you know, he's more of a ‘lads, lads’ kind of person.

“You listen to him, he likes telling stories and that kind of stuff. He's an entertainer in that aspect. So, as I said, I'm sure you will probably think that I think I've heard him saying he wants to get back into management, but you can only be given so many chances in management.

“A break probably would do him well, in terms of staying away from the game and looking at it from a different angle. But yeah, he's a storyteller on those podcasts. He enjoyed being with the lads, and management is totally different.

“You have to have a certain personality when you're dealing with players and having them perform at a certain level, which is a bit different for him.”

Q: How will Cristiano Ronaldo feel having missed out on another trophy in Saudi?

“I work on the Saudi League and follow it comprehensively. Cristiano Ronaldo still scores a lot of goals, but his goals are no longer enough, whereas in the past, they were sufficient to win major competitions.

“This is certainly true in that league. I don't think his team-mates are contributing as much as he has. He has big names and good players around him to really win the league. But for some reason, Al Hilal are the ones dominating the Saudi League.

“He's struggled with Al-Nassr for a number of years. But as you know, he will go to the very end because he's continued chasing these goals. He was a serial winner in the past, but he hasn't been able to win any major competition there, and that must be eating away at him.

“They have come close and had an opportunity to win a major competition but just haven't been able to get it over the line. But, you know, he's got Sadio Mane and those type of guys alongside him, so they really should be closer.

“But they come unstuck every time they come up against Al Hilal, who dominate the league, and somehow, they haven't been able to overcome them. That's the biggest challenge, and I'm sure he will want to win it.

“He's been given a two-year contract extension, so he's got another two years, including this year, to really try and do something. They're desperate, and he is desperate to win something major because wherever he's been, he's won, hasn't he?

“So he will not want that to slip without him winning a major cup. I expect them to come closer this season. I really do. With the signings, and they continue to try and add to the squad, I expect them to come very close.

“He's doing everything. He's still scoring on a regular basis. I'm not sure how many goals he got last season, but he's got quite a bit for both club and country.”