Tom and Larry look back at Juan Mata's time at Old Trafford ahead of his move to Western Sydney Wanderers in the A-League.
The Hated, Adored, Never Ignored Podcast
Juan Mata to Western Sydney Wanderers & a look back at his Manchester United career
(upbeat music) - Hey, the adored, never ignored. Welcome back to something a little bit different. And obviously one of the main reasons I do, or did start this podcast in regards to have these type of chats away from who's Manchester United's next transfer target, or which manager is going to replace the current manager. I think those discussions had far too often. And I think we do need to change pace at times and talk about some of the other factors around Manchester United. And this time being a former player who is obviously due to many people at Manchester United and obviously myself as well, which we'll get into. But obviously you have clicked on the title, you do know who this is about and is obviously one matter. And obviously trending at the moment, not only involved football in news, but also here in Australia. He's gonna arrive on our doorstep in Western Sydney to play for one of the A&E clubs. Western Sydney wanders, so he thought no better time in regards to, there's no football at the moment. So I don't count international football as football. So with no football at the moment, no Manchester United really, so topics to talk about. I thought why not look back at better times and when one matter arrived at Manchester United and his time. And we've got Larry from the United pubcast on to join us. So I'm really good to sort of pick his brain and sort of reminisce about better times about I think about a player who I don't think anyone, Chelsea fans, Manchester United fans, Liverpool fans, Sydney FC fans will get into as well, has a bad word to say about one matter. Obviously one of the nicest people in football. I am battered up with his feet, one hell of a footballer which we'll get into. All his achievements in very short time, but Larry, first things first, how's things made? - Great, Tom, you'll know that, look, I'm not really just about the A-week, but in saying that nothing will lift this competition more than a player who just, a little under three years ago, was a Manchester United player. So this isn't someone who's been far removed. So I'm excited, I'm really excited to talk about this. I know you have a fun love of one matter. One that I would say borderline fandom to obsession. But nonetheless, I'm excited to have this conversation with you because I cannot have another Eric Tanhag, Manchester United conversation. So I'm looking forward to talking about something a little bit different. - I definitely, definitely do have a bit of a soft spot slash man crush on one matter, which we'll get into. And obviously, I think a lot of the discussion is around, he's a rival in the A-leg and what it means. One for the club Western Sydney one, who is but also football in general in this country. But before we do start, a little bit of trivia as always. Now Larry, if you do know the answer to this, don't answer it right away. We'll answer at the end of the episode, but don't for those playing at home, feel free to sort of re-job your memory, but turn one matter. We might always remember for today, his nice spirit. He's graceful football, he's achievements in regards to goals, assist, trophies, et cetera. He did get a red card at Manchester United. So my question to you is, who was the opponent? Who did he get sent off against? When he was playing for Manchester United? Bit of a tricky one. I do need to have a bit of a thing. I do remember and I'm probably deserved in regards to, it was a tricky one, but he did get sent off once for Manchester. So have a think about that one and give us the answer at the end of the episode, but Larry, before we get into his arrival, and I think that one matter is a rival at Manchester United, he's part of his story, and he's part of why I sort of had that bit of a, I don't know if I know favorite players since I've been an adult, but one matter was one of those players who fell in that category and I think he's a rival in terms of that James Bond nature of it did play a part in it, but before he's a rival, before it's sort of a record transfer to Manchester United, one matter of the player in regards to obviously, he had a bit of a career in Spain, obviously came through at Real Madrid, made his name at Valencia, obviously had a big money move or big move to Chelsea, and you do look Chelsea back then in that era, sort of around 2010, he came in and you talk about new sign, it's hitting the ground running, and we had a strong rivalry with Chelsea at the time in regards to Melbourne and titles, et cetera, it was really Man United and Chelsea. Up there almost, almost before Manchester City, were coming in and around that time. Manchester City were taking their first steps towards where they are, and one matter came into Chelsea, and I think he was their player of the season in the two seasons, he was there, I think he won the player of the season both times, he won the Champions League, I think he won the FA Cup as well, not just seeing one matter as a rival in England, not many players that you look at early in Harlan now, not saying on the same level, but early in Harlan came in and delivered straight away. Not often players come in from the continent and just beat the team's best player straight away and one matter definitely was that. So before he's sort of arrived at Manchester United, you thought on one matter, 'cause he's one of those little sort of foreign players that I always compare to sort of Benardo Silva, you say he's come to the league, he won't make it, he doesn't have what it takes to make it in England, and suddenly he, oh, he does have it. And I'd just eat your thoughts on one matter before he became a main choice and not a player. - Honestly, fell in love with him straight away, just the style of player he is, I've always had a great appreciation, I myself am not a big person, so I've got a great admiration for players who are not athletes, and I don't mean that with any disrespect to one matter, but I think he himself, if you asked him, am I an athlete, he'd say no. But you have to admire players who their brilliance actually comes from their feet and also what happens between the years, because if you're not an athlete, that means you have to outsmart people, it means you have to be a little bit more intelligent, you have to have maybe a bit more technical ability and one matter, marriage, football, intelligence, and technical ability perfectly. At Chelsea, and while you're listing off the accolades and the praise of him at Chelsea, what also should be taken into consideration is, he suffered from this at Manchester United two, didn't play in his favorite position, played quite like an inverted right winger. He was fantastic, brilliant free kicktaker, I remember the game against Manchester United, I think it was three all at the bridge. - Scooter had four goals against United, I don't know, he scored the winner at Old Trafford. - Yeah, yeah, he did, he did, and I remember that game because he scored a brilliant free kick, I believe in that game too, and he's a brilliant player, it doesn't matter where you're playing, and that's a compliment to him too, 'cause if you think of Manchester United, we've had debates in the past about Anthony Mashaia, what's his best position, Marcus Rashford, what's his best position. One matter is the exception to that rule, you can play him anywhere, and he will have an impact, because he's technically brilliant, and he's football IQs through the roof, great admiration for him, so I was absolutely delighted when he eventually became a United player. - So on becoming a Manchester United player, we look back here, the end of one matter's career at Manchester United, and it's a good career, everyone likes him, and that's not often the case on a Manchester United player, leaves, especially in his last decade, we don't have the greatest respect for some of our players, a hell of a lot of the players actually to be quite frank, but one matter, I think he's unanimously in the sort of adored amongst the fan base. He came in right, and I'm not pinning it on one matter, I'm definitely not blaming him, but if you had to put a sort of timestamp on when things started to go, not when they started to go wrong, but when visibly they started to go wrong, it was pretty much one matter's arrival. That was three, four months into David Moyes's reign at Manchester United, so one matter was here for all the dark days, pretty much arrived as soon as they were happening, and for him to come out the other side, and it's the lead Manchester United, but leave with the good grace of Manchester United fans, where so many have come in for big money and sort of failed, and sort of we lose respect for them, we don't like them when they leave. One matter has done the complete opposite, and I'm just thinking, we'll get into his time of Manchester United in Manhattan today, how you sort of view it, and instead of a rating out of 10, et cetera, and the highs and the lows. But you go back to his arrival, I'll try it to you in regards to what you want to touch on first. One, it's crazy to think out in terms of what's happened financially now with the money. It was a record transfer for Manchester United, I think it was around £35, £36 million, which was crazy money at the time, in regards to January transfer, sort of thing, you look at what's £36 million to get you now, like an under-18 squad player. I'm not sure that Jordan Pickford, I think, costs around that, which is absolutely mind-boggling to me, but the discussion around the record transfer and his arrival there, or what I would look at as well, in regards to what art, why I think it plays such, so in terms of the heartstrings of myself as well, in regards to the visual aspect of it, here's a rival at Manchester United, we're talking about Rafael Varan being unbaled on the pitch, Kazemiro on the pitch, Agate on the pitch, one matter arriving in a suit in a helicopter at the training ground, it's an image that's sort of sticks with me, so he's a rival at Manchester United, cast your mind back, over 10 years ago now, to what you're thinking, what you're feeling. I was excited, I thought, I thought he'd play his own game. I think he's going to turn our season round, I thought we're going to go back to total, cos it is, but I thought he's going to be... Oh, yeah, honestly, honestly. It's the missing link, our season's back on track. I thought we'd make the top four when we signed him. Like, that's the hopes I pinned on him. So, what he did at Chelsea, probably, I mean, it's because it was so long ago, it's easy to forget, but in two seasons at Chelsea, well, two and a half, he scored 33 goals and provided 58 assists. And it is 135. That was some... People don't do that these days. No, no, they don't. Find another midfielder, I don't care where on the pitch they play. Find another player who creates that much in terms of goals and assists. It doesn't happen. I mean, goals, perhaps, in assists? Absolutely not. As much as I love Bruno Fernandez, I think Juan Mutter, if United had played him in number 10, could give you what Fernandez does, but with probably a little bit higher percentage in terms of his output. I thought we'd turn it around, but unfortunately for Juan Mutter, how often did he play behind Wayne Rooney? He ended up being shoved on the right, much like he did at Chelsea. Well, before we get into... I was going to do the highs, then, the lows, and probably aren't too many lows, but on that, in regards to whether we wanted to define it as a low point of one matter's time at Manchester United... Not a specific moment, but a specific situation around him. The negatives around, not specifically one matter, but one matter's time at Manchester United. One in terms of, you can look at the physical aspect, which you mentioned, in regards to, while he's absolutely brilliant and sort of the fans' kind of love with him, he wasn't the stereotypical Manchester United player. A huge part of being a great Manchester United player is that physical aspect and that sort of power. That's sort of the make-up of a Manchester United player. You need to have that pace and that power, and hopefully you have the ability to sprinkle on top of it. He didn't have that, and that did let him down on occasion, in regards to especially being played in wide areas, but that goes into my next sort of topic in and around. One of those sort of negatives/low points around his time at Manchester United. The misuse of one matter just... He's still performed, but even when he was scoring two goals here or a goal here or a winner in this game here or doing all this fantastic work, he always felt, "What if we did this instead, would we get more out of him?" And I just think that the misuse of one matter for whatever reason, you could talk about Wayne Rudy's influence or this manager likes him, or that manager doesn't like him. Don't want to say it's criminal, but my God, my frustration of my love towards him, sometimes it did feel criminal in regards to what could have been if we got... No, I'm not saying we're going to be winning Premier League titles or champions, even if one matter was played in the 10. But I do think in regards to, "We'll let down so often in that area of the pitch." And one matter, I don't want to say personally, let us down on the right-hand side. But he wasn't a great help to the 10. Maybe we could have had a better option on the right compared to him. So I'm just seeing that situation around the misuse of one matter. I don't say it happened to Chelsea at times as well. Spain sometimes, now Spain is a different kind of efficient, in regards to the way they play, and you can have those plays out wide. But throughout his career, often pushed aside for a different figure in that number 10 role. Yeah, punished for his versatility, I think. Like, yeah, he's not what we were used to as wingers. Like when I think of what your prototype Manchester United winger. Answer that for me right now. If I say, "Do you Manchester United winger, what's the first person that comes to your mind?" Well, the one I was watching yesterday, Antonio Valencia, who is the definition of pace and power. Sure, I mean, and I was thinking of Ryan Geeks. But both of them, pacey, powerful, different style players. But that's a point. When you think of a Manchester United winger, you think of someone who's pacey and powerful and direct. One nuts is not that type of player. But what he can offer you in those wide areas is he'll keep possession well. He'll spread the pitch. He'll play one, two's. So, you know, if your objective is to keep possession, one matter could do that, no matter where he played. And if you look at that, and that football is funny in the way it goes in cycles, but most teams don't play with a number 10 anymore. But, you know, so I guess that if you think of your prototype number 10, most of them had to play in that advanced role and central role, whereas one matter had the technical flexibility as opposed to playing the wider positions. I agree with you. I don't, maybe we wouldn't have won leagues. Maybe we would have, who knows. But I think we never got the best out of him. And perhaps the, although we all love him and found him so endearing, I think the status of where he occupies Manchester United fans' minds would probably be elevated if he had been afforded the opportunity to play in a more central position. I look at him and compare it almost to his obviously, his fellow Spaniard, David DeHaia. If David DeHaia's performances came in a more successful period for Manchester United, would we put him in the same discussion as Van Dessar and Peter Schmuckle? I do look at David DeHaia's performances. I do put them in which Michael and Van Dessar, however you do look at the time and his overseeing a period of complete failure where the other two, one, the absolute, a lot of Manchester United say he doesn't go in that category for a lot of people and understandably, rightly so. But it's interesting that one matter was playing in the early 2000s and how would we have sort of viewed his time at Manchester United, but we'll answer that at the end in regards to weighing up out of 10, his time at Manchester United. But that's enough lows and that's enough negatives around one matter for me. Let's go straight into the higher than I think that's where. It's sort of the most enjoyable part of this discussion will come. Moments in a Manchester United shirt. Obviously the one that does spring to mind is obviously Anfield and the two goals there, which obviously everyone's got their own stories about it. I do have my one in and around Stephen Gerard. I never even saw the red card. That's how quick it happened. I was still having my half-time piss and I came out and everyone's sort of celebrating. I'm thinking, what are they celebrating for? This call looks the same to me about three minutes later. Someone told me, "Jara got sent off." But you do look at moments like that. You do look at an FA Cup final equaliser. We do remember Jesse Lingard putting in the top corner against Crystal Palace. One matter scored a late equaliser. That's obviously huge. Obviously when you were over the league, didn't win a league cup as well. So when we sort of talk one matter at Manchester United, what are the images that spring to mind? Perhaps a little bit different for me. Look, one field is obviously top, right? Just because it's your biggest rival and he scored two goals. In a game, and away, I don't have United one away at Anfield. Since then. We won the following season, Wayne Rooney. That was Van Hal's first season. In Van Hal's second season, Rooney scored as well and that was the last win. And speaking of Wayne Rooney there, and one matter. I was hearing both big fans of Wayne Rooney. Obviously a massive fan of Wayne Rooney. I have never forgiven Wayne Rooney for that day at Anfield with one matter. One matter scored two goals. We've got to peddle him at the 94th, 95th minute and Wayne Rooney took it and he missed. And I just think, can you imagine, whatever the statuettes are at all, the traffic, one matter scored a hat-trick at Anfield. No, just think, one matter was on the picture. I had no idea why he wasn't afforded the opportunity to score a hat-trick at Anfield when Wayne Rooney stepped up. But that's my bumper at that day. Obviously a famous day for what matter. And Manchester United, but yeah, right off a few other moments in regards, the ones that do stand out in regards to, he did score a couple goals in Manchester City. I remember one in the rain, he scored not a bit of a counter-attack, but he was through on the whole scored in a 4-2 victory in the Van Hal's first season. But I think it was that period, maybe even around that game at Anfield. I think we won Tottenham, Manchester City and Liverpool. One matter was in very good form. A couple of big goals scored in a lead-up game against Manchester City. We won one nil, went on to win the trophy in Jose Mourinho's first season. But spread off a few other moments when one or two others come to my mind as well. You know, this won't be an obvious one for people. But it would have been in the back end of, was it Rennick? There was a period, I think it was, it was under Rennick. I can't remember what game it was. But for whatever reason, it was decided we're going to play one month and the 10th. And I remember he absolutely busted in that game. It's bothering me that I can't think of who it was against. But I remember it so clearly because Manchester United were playing such good football to the point where when one matter wasn't on the field, fans were saying, "Why are you taking one matter off or where's one matter?" I can't think of the game and it's going to drive me a bit crazy. I'm going to try and find it while we chat a lot. You talk about one matter is a rival. I want to throw up after Jose Mourinho's a rival. And our perceptions and sort of play relationships, etc. And when Jose Mourinho came in, he was obviously the manager at Chelsea when Manchester United signed one matter. And he wasn't being used. Jose Mourinho came in that season when David Moyes came in. One matter was Chelsea's best player to see. And suddenly he's not being used, which that also accelerated a move to Manchester United. So when Jose Mourinho arrived at Manchester United, sort of one matter's time is done. He's going to be first out the door. If you do look at Jose Mourinho's time at Manchester United, he could say David Dejaer in regards to a best performer. For me, you look at the whole situation and the ups and downs and the consistency of everything. Play he trusted was one matter. And one matter was arguably my opinion. Maybe someone could throw a name out there, maybe somewhere else. But one matter was probably Jose Mourinho's biggest asset. And I just think that the perception was that he was going to fail under Mourinho. But he did anything but? Well, sorry for butting in, but you talk about moments. How could we forget the goal against Juventus? Yeah, the free kick, a really goal. And we obviously end up going to win that match now, unfortunately. You don't know to win the trophy. But he had many great, free kick. There was a period in and around there. A free kick on the edge of the box to one matter. It's pretty much a penalty. But he had a great record from free kick. So I don't understand it's in front of me. But I'm assuming it was up around seven or eight, eight, nine, ten free kicks. He's called to Manchester United. And I remember one again, Shrewsbury in the season. We won the FA Cup. I don't know, this one springs to one. So it's the weirdest little free kick. He's like right on the edge of the box. And he doesn't even like shoot. He just sort of like scoops them all over the wall. The goalkeeper doesn't even move. It's fascinating how he's sold the goalkeeper there. I remember a late winner. He won against Watford, a free kick. I think he captained us on the day. And he talked about that a lot. And we came from behind when Jose was under pressure. So say Jose, I remember when Jose, he's first came and charged his community shield. Obviously, Jose, I mean, he's famous. He counts that as part of his Manchester United treble. I remember he brought one matter on in the second half, but then took him off. Right at the end of the game when we'll defend in a corner. And that was sort of shake and hand and smile and laugh and on the sideline because obviously Joe's every year was just time wasted and getting someone taller on the field to defend the corner. But the shit storm after that and regards to Joe's every year's first game with one matter. Oh my God, he publicly humiliated him. But that's obviously the media for you. But yeah, I'm enjoying grappling off of these moments. So there are ones I remember. A point one was, I think it would have been his last goal for Manchester United. I think it was obviously, what was last goal? I'm not sure. I think it would have been his last goal. What was the zebra kit? It was obviously off the back and he did have a layoff from Manchester and regards to the passing of his mother. Obviously that was a long sort of process in regards to he spent a few months away from Manchester and back in Spain, he came back and all painted the zebra kit. And he scored a penalty, which was quite emotional for him in regards. I think that was his last goal away at the Molin youth. Correct me if I'm wrong. But I'm running off these moments and you all mentioned them as well. It's such a dark time to me interest in regards to, it's been a horrendous decade. But he's one of the players, like if we had to put a player of these dark days together or at best 11, he walks in. He's probably a captain along with David Hale. Yeah, it's a shame. I think it's just because the style of player he is, he's not, his goals weren't loud, if that makes sense. Like if I said to you a name Marcus Rashford goals, it just, they'll flow off the tongue because of the style of player he is, but that explosive style. If I say to you, you know, list off a Ronaldo or Rooney goal, like just, it's because of the intensity and the nature of their goals, one matter is such an elegant player. So when you try and think of moments, 'cause the thing with one matter is, and it's not a criticism of him. I think again, it comes back to the way he was utilized, didn't probably have like dominant 90 minute games, but would always be influential in key moments, would come up with an assist or a goal or be part of a build-up play. And again, no reflection of him. I think that's just based on how he was used. And I think that's why the moments kind of come up as you really think about it. He was pretty critical in, you're right, and Mourinho's first season. - I'd probably say that that was his most influential. - Yeah, I think that's his best season. And again, it's something that I've shown you. His stats and everything is just my visual remembering that that was, in my opinion, his best season. Manchester, I'd obviously, I think Europa League, him and Mickitarians, were sort of in the team of the Europa League season. They were both very good in there. - They had a good chemistry. - Yeah, obviously did win a league cup. From memory, one matter was quite good in that league cup. As I said, I think in the early round, we beat Manchester City at Old Trafford, one matter scored, in front of Stratford End. So I do think, ironically, that was the point was his best season at Manchester United. But going back in regards to, before we discuss his actual departure from Manchester and look ahead to his time in Australia. I'd say it's so hard sort of weighing up and evaluating people at Manchester United over the last 10 years because our frustration sort of naturally takes over in regards to it's been such a sort of poor period for the club. One matter, I would sit here and say, is a club great to potentially, maybe not a club legend, but you put him in that sort of top-tier bracket of a sort of respect amongst Manchester United fans. But if you do look at it and you've been sort of harshly analysing the situation for a record sign-in, did he achieve what a record sign-in really should do at Manchester United and a scene would say no. So I'm just thinking out of 10, can you do it out of 10? Sort of rate his time at Manchester United taking all the things into consideration because there's a tough one in regards to a record transfer, but we weren't really winning Premier League's or Champions League's he did well, but maybe not the best leading at the most out of him. I'm just thinking out of 10. He's time at Manchester United, sum it up for me. A really solid seven. And I say seven because, like, definitely passes on all colours, won some trophies, influential, but doesn't go into that higher bracket because doesn't unfortunately win any other major honours. You know, it doesn't win a Premier League, it doesn't win a Champions League. It's part of the FA Cup winning squad, though, and a really great player, classy player. So I think seven. I want to go 7.5, but I'll stick with my seven. Well, I would go seven as well, but because of the player or the person who he is, I would bump that up toward eight and eight, and I'm not going to take any arguments there, but just on that, obviously, he does lead Manchester United. He goes off to Galatasrai and then off to Japan. But just in regards to why we like one matter, obviously, a very good player, achieved great things or very good things at Manchester United. That is obviously why we do like him, but there is no hiding from the fact that it is off the field, which is a huge reason why Manchester United fans did fall in love with him and sort of look, it is about what you do on the pitch, but I think over the last sort of 10 years, especially sport Manchester United in terms of what is happening in the world in regards to the challenges that individuals and societies have faced over the last sort of 10, 15 years. Life is hard, and there's always some more important things. Faciness, and you do look at one matter, sort of has provided people off the field, both individually and sort of communities as well. It is part of why Manchester United football does love one matter. Seeing what role does that play in regards to his personality and his off field sort of attributes have in our view of him as a sort of Manchester United success. - That's an interesting question. - Because other people are very good people and other people do great work off the field, but one matter just, it just felt a little bit different, that's not to criticise any other's work or any other sort of person, just one matter, just had a feel of everyone warm to him. Chelsea fans didn't hate him. Arsenal fans liked him, everyone sort of liked him. I'm just seeing that's very rare in football. - It is rare in football. I think the blogs helped a lot. I know the blogs stopped. When did they stop? - Well, whenever the worst period was, when they stopped, he just got to the point where he just couldn't do them anymore. Because even people who loved him were saying, "Why, it's not the time, you can't be good at stuff out now." - But that's the thing I actually think, like I know we joke about it now, but I think the blogs helped him a lot because it just, as fans, we crave a dig behind the curtain as often as possible. And the more global, I suppose, Manchester United have become as a brand, the more they've pulled the curtain back, sorry, the more they've actually like drawn the curtain. I actually think they need to pull it back or find a way to pull it back because people are so invested. Like, I think if Manchester United did it, we're going to walk around with Marcus Rashrod, Eric Tanhar, Bruno Finanzo for a week. People would live for that. They'll invest and watch. And I think the blog actually showed one, he didn't write it in a traditional professional interview post game, for example, I'd say, yeah, credit to the other team, it was a hard game. - You could tell it was you. - On to next week, we're not getting too far ahead. It was authentic, it was written in a way that he actually told you how he felt, like he would mention like, no, you deserve better as fans. We let you down here. We're striving to do better. I love the hugs and kisses at the end. But it just felt like you were talking to your mate who just had written you a letter. And I think that authenticity really shone through. And I think that's why fans kind of got this idea that is a really lovely man. And then outside of that, he complemented those blogs with making time for fans. You obviously met him on occasion and got him to pass the flag over to him and sign that. And you got his book signs as well. But see, it's those moments that where you look at the blog, you look at that and you say, this is just a really genuine good guy who actually makes time for fans. One of the reasons that this is a bit of a segue into his move to Australia to wrap up the podcast and the move to Western Sydney Wanderers. But just on the end regards to why Chelsea fans do like him, why Manchester United fans do like him, while I assume Gala Tassarite fans will like him and why I think, well, why I hope Western Sydney Wanderers are made in the broader sort of football and community in Australia do fall in love with him as well in regards to his ability off the field to sort of endear himself to whether you want to call it a community or a city. I do remember him at Chelsea. There was always footage of him sort of riding the tube in the London, in the busiest parts of London and just walking around. In Manchester, he would be in the city centre, so he had a restaurant in which I still believe he does. And in Manchester City, the centre of Manchester City, I should say, stuff like that. And just endearing himself into the community and sort of the reason I bring that up in regards to people in Sydney and our Australian listeners that will understand, but if you're from overseas and sort of looking at his arrival in Australia, you'd look at, okay, he's playing for one of the Sydney teams and everyone overseas has a visual of what Sydney looks like and the opera house and the Harbour Bridge, et cetera. He's coming to Western Sydney Wanderers and there is a divide into, well, in terms of so many aspects of it, but Sydney and Easton Sydney and the visual of that and the Harbour Bridge and the Harbour, et cetera, then the Sydney CBD compared to Western Sydney and Larry and I are both from Western Sydney and there is no hiding from the fact that it is the heart of Sydney, but also it is a tough place to live. It's not the glitz and glamour of what the postcards do say. Western Sydney is a tough place and there's challenges with it and I definitely wouldn't change it for anything. It's part of our makeup, et cetera, but one matter arriving in Western Sydney, why not? I'll try to do it. Do you have faith or do you have confidence? How do you think he will sort of adopt? Do you think he's gonna like, I remember Morgan Schneiderland. I won't criticise one matter for this, but I remember Morgan Schneider and I think Lyndon Cudgy and sort of commuted to Rudy Hill and the Wanderers for Training. Do you think it's something where one matter might live in? I'm not saying, he's got a choice where to live, et cetera, but do you think he might live in Parramatta sort of thing and sort of really embrace Western Sydney? Or do you think it'll be a, not to, he shouldn't live in Bondi or anything, but do you think one matter, do you have confidence in him, sort of really embracing not just Sydney, but Western Sydney because Western Sydney fans or which we'll touch on in a sec, there is that divide, there is a rivalry, there is a social difference between Sydney and Western Sydney and I'm just thinking, how do you think one matter goes about that in regards to his relationship with fans? That's a really interesting question. Look, I'm not gonna be too critical of a player if they wanna live in the United States. Oh, yeah, yeah, definitely. And I know he won't, I know he won't. So he will live out somewhere near the beach and obviously, I don't think so. Why on earth would you, like the whole appeal for these players to come to Australia is the weather. So, and like, you know, like, okay, we're not gonna just go around it. One matter is a multi-millionaire. He will want to live close to the water, like he'd be crazy not to, to be fair, right? I mean, why is one of those... - There's a new beach out at Penrith, yeah. (laughing) - And he made made beach, there's been a sea and there's water. - Maybe he'll be fair, no, there's. In saying that, like, you know, if it's about the commute, what one matter and what people won't tell him about Sydney is the traffic. So if he really wants to get stuck in the commute from Kojiyo Bandai to Rudy Hill, then all power to him. Look, I think it'd be nice to... The fans, or if he wants to get behind the fans, if he actually wants to... Do we know how many years this deal is? - Oh, I'm assuming it's just a one-year deal. Oh, that's all I've heard, it's a one-year deal. - Yeah, I mean, it depends. Is his objective to see as much of Sydney as possible and enjoy the weather, is his objective to enjoy Sydney, but indeed to the fans. I think at this stage of his career, I've got to be honest, I'll be surprised if he's living in Western Sydney. - Oh, I wouldn't hold anything against him, it just in regards to it. Even if he does live in Eastern Sydney, I don't have that real opinion. I work in Eastern Sydney. I work literally in the rich of suburb in Sydney. And I live over here in Western Sydney, but so I don't have any issue with that divide. - I think the fans would love it. - I do appreciate it, it's also in regards to, if he does live over there, obviously, why not? I do think, I have confidence in him, to embrace him. And so, as said, in London, he'd get the tube into the middle of London, in Manchester, he would go into Piccadilly. And I just think, I do have faith, which I do think will sort of warm him to football fans. I can see him embracing Western Sydney, because there is a difference in regards to I think a lot of overseas listeners just think of the Harvard Bridge, et cetera, where no, where one matter will be playing, is two-minute drive from one place. And so, that's a tough area. - Yeah, it'd be really interesting to see. And I think he will. I think, if you look at every player who has played for Western Sydney, who has come from overseas, they all have fallen in love with a fan base. The Western Sydney Wonder, a fan base, has had its issues and its challenges, as has the whole A League. But what I will say about the Western Sydney Wonder as fans is, I do not think you'll find a more passionate fan base in Australia, at least. I'm prepared to say that. I think they love their football team. I think they get behind their players. And if the players show the love back, those fans will back you to the absolute heel. So, and if there is a player that you do back to do that, it is one matter. I mean, he did buy a restaurant in Manchester, maybe he can buy the local Quebec shop in Parramatta. I wouldn't put a past in, but my last question to you, here we are saying great sign-in for Western Sydney, great sign-in for Australia, of course. If I was asking a hardcore Western Sydney Wonder is fan, I could see one or two of them making a case that they're not happy with his sign-in football wise, in regards to, could this spot go to a young academy player coming through? Do we need to be spending this money on someone who, let's face it, at the end of their career, running around in 40 degree heat, which it will be in two or three weeks time, is not ideal. Now, there are pros and cons to every sign-in like this, et cetera, but what do you think football wise, this looks like for one matter, and the hardcore Western Sydney Wonder is fan's relationship with the footballer? - Well, to the hardcore Western Sydney Wonder is fan, who has an issue with it, suck it up, because we are not in a position where we can pick and choose which, when you get players of that calibre, who make themselves available, you just got to clap and applaud it, simple as. We are, like, seriously, I don't think people understand, the A-League is on its knees. They just had to renew their contracts with Paramount. Like, that is such a failure. So, I just think this country, and, you know, we could talk for hours upon hours time, about football in Australia. But for where the issues are, if you get the opportunity to get a player the calibre of one matter, you just got to take it, he will absolutely, what he will do, and what my answer back to that Western Sydney Wonder is fan is, would be, is he will put bums in seats. People will go out to Western Sydney Wonder is games, and they will go watch in play. - Larry, I've already got a ticket. I'm going to the Sydney Derby. - Case in point. So am I, and I've fallen out of love with the A-League, but I'm going because I want to watch one matter. And that's the point. There are people like you and me, thousands of people like you and me, who will want to go to A-League matches to watch one matter play. So for that reason alone, it is absolutely a fantastic sign. - Yep, no, I- - And he'll be the best player in the league, by the way. He will dominate. - I think people will be surprised how good he is, just in regards to, I'm not sure about dominate, but there will be times to see, oh my God, he's on a different level. But definitely looking forward to that, and definitely get out to as many games as possible. And I'll definitely tune in, as part of it, who knows what the situation will look like in five years for the A-League. That's not for me, and that's not for one matter to decide. That's for football, in general, in this country facing far bigger issues than a great footballer arriving, that's only a positive. So before we do wrap up, wait, I've loved that. I absolutely love that chat, but any other talking points on one matter before we answer this week's trivia? - No, just, I think, to your point, I think people will, look, if you haven't watched one matter live before, just get out and go to a Western Sydney Wanderers game. Just go watch him play. He might not, you know, you will see a different colour bar of player on the ball. One of the best first touches I have ever seen. I am prepared at one of the best first touches I've ever seen. The only Manchester United player I've put just an edge of head is Dimitav Erbatov. But outside of that, one matter is the best first touch. - Wouldn't disagree there. So, yeah, it was good seeing Dimitav Erbatov line up for the men who are legends against some salty class night per term to wrap up this week's episode, Trivia. I asked at the start of the episode, Larry. One matter did receive a red card, very unlike him. That Manchester United, you know, who the opponent was. - I do, I do. I had to think back into the memory bank. I'm gonna say West Bromwich. - It was West Bromwich. It was too quick for yellows from memory. It was like, they were both yellows, but they were kind of-- - Yes, they were super yellows. - They were weird, like, they were yellows, but they were kind of just unfortunate yellows, just sort of weird, okay, that's a yellow. But then the next yellow happens, two seconds later. Oh my God, what's happened here? He's got two yellows and he's off. So, yeah, very unlike one matter, but did face one red card at Manchester United. But hopefully everyone did enjoy that podcast, a little bit of a change of pace and something a little bit different compared to the usual topics around Manchester United. If you do want to get involved and discuss your own play in terms of your favourite play growing up or a legend you think, you just wanna sort of run a lot of some memories, feel free to get in touch, send me a message, come on. And have a chat like this where it'd be over Zoom or at the pub more than welcome to do that. So, hopefully everyone did enjoy that. And leave a rating, review, whatever your podcast app does. Allow on the podcast app, they'll be very much appreciated. Make sure you go over to YouTube and support Larry on the United podcast. Just type that into YouTube. Very easy to find and have a good week, good weekend. And I'm sure we'll be bringing you plenty more one matter updates throughout the season. Who knows, maybe the end goal for this podcast. Get him on the podcast, who knows. Time will tell that enjoy your weekend, week wherever you are, have a good one. Cheers. (upbeat music) (upbeat music) (dramatic music)