Rio comes in HOT after another statement victory for Manchester United, following up a win over Manchester City with victory at the Emirates Stadium against Arsenal. With a huge improvement in form and positivity around the club since sacking Ruben Amorim, the conversation quickly turns to why Michael Carrick should not be judged through the same lens as Ole Gunnar Solskjær.

From Arsenal supporters' growing tension to Arteta’s obsession with control, the lack of freedom for Bukayo Saka and whether this really is a “now or never” moment — this episode pulls no punches on the Gunner's race for the title.

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

There’s also a comparison to what Ruben Amorim did with the same players which contrasts with how Michael Carrick is getting them to perform - Ste and Rio come up with and investigate those differences - paying particular attention to Patrick Dorgu, Kobbie Mainoo and Diogo Dalot

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

He also reveals the pressure a letter from Nelson Mandela added to his Ghanaian team during the first World Cup to be held in Africa and discusses why players from the continent aren’t respected in the same way as their European or South American counterparts.

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Ste Howson and Joel Beya join Rio in the aftermath of a torrid Manchester United performance against Brighton and an amazing El Clasico in Saudi Arabia. 

There’s analysis of what Rio’s former team mate, Michael Carrick needs to bring to the role after he’s expected to be named interim manager until the end of the season and Rio analyses what Shea Lacey has shown in his limited first team appearances that separates him from his team mates.

There’s a call for senior people like Jason Wilcox and Omar Berrada to speak about the decisions they've taken and become more visible for the fans and Rio lays out an argument for appointing Roberto De Zerbi in the summer.

With all the signs pointing to a change in formation away from Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-3 - Rio and Ste look at two players they think will thrive in a 4-2-3-1 system along with how best to use Bruno Fernandes.

Rio shares his experience of being on the training ground with Liam Rosenior, the importance of the new Chelsea manager getting better performances from Cole Palmer and Ste shares the footballing journey of Macclesfield’s Isaac Buckley-Ricketts who played for him at Stretford Paddock after winning tournaments with England Under 19s before climbing back up the football Pyramid and scoring in the biggest FA Cup shock in history as his side beat the holders Crystal Palace.

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The boys get back together to analyse Arsenal’s season so far as well as looking ahead to what they could achieve come the end of the campaign.

They analyse the biggest strengths of Mikel Arteta's side and pose the question about what the manager’s future looks like should he fail to win the league.

Rio and Joel discuss the importance of Declan Rice for both club and country and Rio names him as the second most influential player in both the Premier League and in Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad.

Joel and Rio make their predictions for the remainder of the season and there’s two areas that they earmark for improvement - specifically from Arteta - the inclusion of youth players and allowing players to play with more risk.

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Whilst everyone else is tucking into the final chocolates and leftover turkey, Rio, Ste and Joel review Manchester United’s season so far. They analyse the biggest weakness of Amorim’s side and specifically praise the duo of Senne Lammens and Matthijs De Ligt.

When discussing the priorities for the January transfer window, Rio compares Kobbie Mainoo to Gerard Pique as the England midfielder searches for more game time and how Benjamin Sesko plays an integral role for the team which often goes un-noticed and underrated.

Ste and Rio make their predictions for the remainder of the season and there’s a debate around how successful Ruben Amorim has done relative to pre-season predictions and comparisons to the last campaign.

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After a busy week for Ruben Amorim following Kobbie Mainoo’s brother protesting about the lack of playing time and/or opportunities to move away from the club and a defeat at Aston Villa, Rio is joined by Ste and Joel to dissect those points and the title race.

Rio admits Kobbie is doing himself “a disservice” if he isn’t getting onto the manager asking how he can get into the team and discusses with Ste whether there is a way back for the England midfielder at Old Trafford.

Morgan Rogers had two game defining “world class moments” and after one of the trio admit they don’t see what the fuss is all about, Rio breaks down the goals and analyses who and what should have done better.

There’s some advice for (and a defence of) Leny Yoro, admission that some of the current squad “aren’t good enough” to cope with the defensive demands at Manchester United and a warning for Bukayo Saka who said that Arsenal were “in control” of the title race as they spend Christmas at the top of the table.

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Rio heads to Carrington for an unmissable sit-down with Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes — his most honest interview yet.

For the first time, Bruno lifts the lid on the truth behind his Manchester United loyalty, revealing two genuine chances he had to leave, why he stayed, and how modern players’ loyalty is judged differently compared to legends like Francesco Totti, Ryan Giggs and Paolo Maldini.

Bruno also breaks down the big tactical shift in his game this season — how playing deeper has changed his decision-making, the challenges for him and Kobbie Mainoo who play in that role what the manager demands from him in the No.8 position, and how Italian football influenced his game.

He gives rare insight into United’s dressing room dynamics, analysing his teammates and explaining the incredible level of detail he computes on the pitch to ensure he delivers the perfect pass depending on which forward he’s feeding.

Bruno also addresses Roy Keane’s criticism and how he really feels about it, the private conversations referees have had with him about body languag and discussions with managers Ruben Amorim and Erik Ten Hag about the level of pressure he puts on himself and how it sometimes negatively affects the team’s structure.

And in classic Rio Meets style, Bruno opens up about the personalities behind the scenes — the biggest jokers in the squad, what really happens when someone steps out of line, and how he handles moments as captain that fans never get to see.

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Rio is joined by Joel and Ste after a visit to the Manchester United training ground where he teases the potential release of a Rio Meets episode with one of the players.

After spending time with the squad, the manager and the coaching staff, Rio reports on what he saw and how positive the environment was.

Ste challenges Rio after he disagreed with Amorim’s comments about younger players struggling and Rio reveals how players respond to pundits who return to their former club after they’ve criticised performances.

There’s detailed analysis of Gyokeres’s struggles and Rio gives Joel three reasons why the Swedish striker is struggling to adapt since his move from Portugal and there’s special praise reserved for Morgan Rogers who fired Aston Villa into the title race.

Whilst giving Rogers his flowers, Rio and Ste look at how the number 10 selection is shaping up for Thomas Tuchel and pick out the one player who could become the England manager’s “biggest headache”.

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