Phil Bardsley: Lewis Hall Would Be the Perfect Fit for Man United

Former Man United and Sunderland defender Phil Bardsley believes that Newcastle United’s Lewis Hall is the perfect fit for Michael Carrick’s side. 

In an exclusive interview with Casinolyze, Bardsley discusses other transfer areas for Man United to target this summer, discussing the Red Devils’ issues upfront. 

The 41-year-old also delves into what it was like being a reality TV star, featuring in The Bardsley Bunch, as well as reflecting on the boxing video that went viral with Wayne Rooney.

Read the full interview below.

Q: Man United have been linked with a third midfielder to sign after Andrey Santos and Yuri Tielemans joined the club. Who should that third midfielder be? 

“I think Manchester United need to go and get a more defensively-minded player in midfield. They’ve now got Kobbie Mainoo, Youri Tielemans, Andrey Santos and Bruno Fernandes and I think they need to go and find another Darren Fletcher now.

“I really like Sékou Koné. He’s the type of player who would probably offer something a little bit different to the rest of the players United already have to anchor the midfield and give the other boys more license to roam forward and take risks knowing that he has their back, ready to get stuck in.

“United also have to sign more players. When you’re back in Europe, and you’ve got so many games to play, you need a bigger squad. That needs looking at because there are a few areas of the team that need attention and I expect a few more players will be going out the door too.

“There’s still time in the transfer window but they need at least one more midfielder, someone who is more defensively-minded, and another left-back. Luke Shaw has looked sharp in pre-season but with his injury record you always worry. I don’t think you can always rely on him for a full season, especially when United are back in the Champions League, because of the amount of games they’ll have to play.

“Lewis Hall from Newcastle United would be the perfect fit. It’s just a question of getting him out of Newcastle United this summer when they’ve already sold so many players and lost Eddie Howe. He’s a Premier League proven player though and a great age. I think the way he plays suits Manchester United to a tee.

“United need another centre-forward for me. You’re only as good as your strikers and Benjamin Sesko had a decent enough campaign in the end last season but does he offer enough to really challenge for the Premier League title? I’m not so sure. 

“So I think there are three areas I’d like Michael Carrick to look at but we also don’t know what’s happening with Matthijs de Ligt and his injuries. United might need another centre-back at this rate too.”

Q: Having seen the impact Rangers had on Amad Diallo on loan, who are the youngsters who could use the club as a proving ground this season?

“For any young players on the fringes of the first team at a top club who aren't getting the minutes they want, the Old Firm is the perfect place to go and play your football.

“I don’t know who would be the right players from Manchester United because I don’t know what Michael Carrick’s plans are for the youngsters but after pre-season the proof will be in the pudding. If you go up there, it’s competitive, you’ll be challenging for the league title. There’s no better place to go on loan.

“It was the best loan of my career. Everything about it was fantastic. It demanded a similar sort of mindset to what was expected at Manchester United when we were competing for the titles. 

“My advice to any young players who are willing to put themselves out there with a loan move is to look at it. Listen, I love Rangers but it’s the same with Celtic too. What a place to go and play football. Glasgow has got everything, and you’ll even be playing in Europe too which is massive.”

Q: Who could be the right signing for United up front? Victor Osimhen? Nicolas Jackson? Brian Brobbey?

“Brian Brobbey? I don’t mind him but I think Manchester United need someone with a bit more experience, someone to lead the line that Benjamin Sesko can learn from a little too.
“It’s difficult. If Harry Kane would come back to England, you’d go all out and get him because I think he’s still at a good age. I thought he looked tired by the end of the World Cup but he’ll come back fresh after the summer. I just don’t know what it’ll take to get him out of Bayern Munich.

“Can Nicolas Jackson offer something to Manchester United? It’s about who is going to guarantee you goals, and United have gone down the youthful route by signing Rasmus Hojlund and Benjamin Sesko, and in Sesko they’ve been a bit more successful in terms of what he’s delivered in goals.

“What United need now is someone who knows how to lead the line at a club like United, challenging for the biggest trophies in the Premier League and in Europe. So what about Victor Osimhen? They’ve always had a good variety of forwards with three or four strikers when they’ve had success and right now there’s Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko so they need another high quality centre-forward to help carry the load.

“I don’t think looking at Romelu Lukaku again is a good idea. We’ve seen him at Manchester United and listen, he scores goals, he is what he is, but I don’t think he’s the right fit at the minute for what Michael Carrick is trying to do.”

Q: Are you disappointed United didn’t sign Anderson for £130m or Tonali for £100m when you look at the value of Tielemans at £35m? 
“Signing Youri Tielemans for £35 million is a great bit of business. I think Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur certainly overpaid for Elliot Anderson and Sandro Tonali.

“I knew it was getting to a stage with Elliot Anderson where he’d be £100 million plus and I just didn’t feel comfortable about going to that sort of price for him as a player. Listen, he’s outstanding. I really like him. 

“I was in Portugal earlier in the summer playing golf with Ryan Giggs and we saw Anderson on the golf course and had a chat with him to try and persuade him to join United. He was still unsure what he wanted to do but north of £100 million for a defensive midfielder like him? If I’m spending that money, I want a player who will add 30-40 goals to my team a season. That’s what I’m looking for at that fee. That’s value for money.

“Compare that sum for what United have paid for Tielemans and it’s a steal. He’s a proven Premier League player, he’s captain of Belgium, he can deliver and he’s won trophies. He won the Europa League with Aston Villa last season. He brings an element of calm and real class on the ball too but he’s also not afraid to get stuck into the ugly side of the game too so I think he’s a really good signing, even leaving aside the price but I’ve been really impressed with the deal.”

Q: What do you think about the expectations already being placed on Michael Carrick to go and win the title? 

“Michael Carrick will relish the pressure on him to go and win a Premier League title. That’s why he’s in the position he’s in. That’s what he has taken the job to go on and do.

“If you know Michael Carrick, you know he’s gone in there to win football matches and league titles. He was never going back to Manchester United as a manager to just keep things ticking over, finishing fifth or sixth. That’s not his nature, not in any part of his life.

“He’ll be 100% going out to try and compete and win a trophy for the club this season, whether it’s the Champions League of the FA Cup or the Premier League title.

“On the flip side, he needs help from the club. Manchester United are still short of another four or five players before the season starts. Michael Carrick can do all that he can do on the training pitch to get the team ready for games but unless the club gets him the players he needs, he will only be able to take them so far. 

“Early doors, I think United have done well with the business they’ve done but it’s not enough, not when they’re back in the Champions League this season. They are still short of the players Carrick needs to build his squad but I know, regardless of what he has to work with, come the start of the season he will be trying to compete across every single front possible.”

Q: What should Man United do with Marcus Rashford? Would he be the most talented player in the squad if he stays? 

“If Manchester United were to bring back the Marcus Rashford we saw at Barcelona last season, you’d take him back in a heartbeat, but we’d need to see it consistently. 

“The problem Rashford has got is he needs to win the trust back of some fans. I don’t know how it would sit with them to see him back in the team but if he’s got a clean slate from Michael Carrick, and he’s like the Rashford of old, he’s a player who can deliver United trophies.

“If Michael can get him back to enjoying his football at United, then he’d be another brilliant player but I don’t know why you wouldn’t already be enjoying your football playing for the biggest club in the world? 

“It all depends on which Marcus Rashford turns up, and whether he does turn up in a United shirt.”

Q: Man United are looking at signing a left-back/left wing-back. Would Lewis Hall fit the bill or should they look at Myles Lewis-Skelly? 

“I prefer Lewis Hall to Myles Lewis-Skelly when you look at what Manchester United need this summer.

“Hall is better suited to playing left-back. I think if you look at Lewis-Skelly, he’s a much better player when you play him in midfield, and I don’t think United need another young player going into the middle of the park. They need a proven defensive midfielder who’s got that experience to come in and own that position.

“Listen, he’s a quality player. There’s no doubt about it. He won the Premier League last season and started in a Champions League final in midfield. But for me, if I had to pick between the two of them, it’s Lewis Hall every day of the week and twice on Sunday.”

Q: How do you see the title race going this season? Who else will challenge Arsenal? 

“It could be an interesting season because it’s a fresh start for Manchester United in Michael Carrick’s first full season and recruitment will be key to decide how that will play out. I think the work they’ve already done earlier in the window has been good but more is needed if they’re going to compete.

“Liverpool have been pretty quiet in the transfer window despite bringing in a new manager. There’s not been much happening there but obviously they’ve lost Mohamed Salah so they’ve got to find a way to replace his 30 goals a season. That’s a difficult ask but maybe Alexander Isak can be the answer for them at last, and I must admit I do like Andoni Iraola. The work he did at Bournemouth was excellent.

“I think Chelsea are finally trying to add the right type of players to their squad under Xabi Alonso. We’ve seen over the last year or so they’ve lacked experience and they’ve gone and addressed that by signing Danny Welbeck and Jordan Henderson, two brilliant players. We all played together, the three of us, for Sunderland when we beat Chelsea 3-0 at Stamford Bridge so it’s funny to see them there together now but it speaks volumes about them and their quality. The question is can Morgan Rogers take them to that next level given the money they’ve spent on him? We’ll have to wait and see.

“Tottenham Hotspur have done some decent business this summer but I don’t think they’ll be title contenders. Not yet. I really like Roberto Di Zerbi. I always have. He’s very good. I think they’ll improve but it couldn't really have got any worse for them, could it? Let’s be honest. I know they won the Europa League the season before last but to finish where they did two seasons on the spin is not good enough. They’ve recruited well this summer though and could end up in the Champions League places.

“I think all of the big clubs will struggle and it won’t be the greatest start to the season for any of them because of the World Cup hangover and all their players coming back late and needing to get up to speed. I think it will be a very start-stop first couple of months for everyone. I don’t think anyone will be running away with it before Christmas. We might even see a mid-table club at the top of the table going into the autumn.”

Q: Does that give Hull City, Ipswich Town and Coventry City a chance to win some vital points in the opening weeks while other teams get to grips with the season?

“I think if you’re Hull City, Ipswich Town or Coventry City you want to play as many of the big teams as you can early doors this season because there will be points to be had.

“If they’re looking at the fixture list and you’ve got any of the big six clubs in the first few weeks you should be licking your lips because you could gather a bit of momentum by catching them cold while they’re still getting themselves together after the summer.

“I think of all the sides to have come up, Coventry City have the best chance to be the surprise package this year because Frank Lampard has that experience of the Premier League and I think their ground will be a tough place to go. They can make it a fortress. That was key for Sunderland and their success last season too.

“Lampard’s got a young and hungry squad and I think they’ll do okay. It’s the other two, Ipswich Town and Hull City, who I worry about.”

Q: Is there an established club that could struggle this season as Spurs and West Ham did last year to give the promoted teams a chance to stay up?

“Newcastle United really could go down this summer. I don’t know how you can have the richest owners in the world, bring in all these high quality players to go to the next level and then suddenly find yourself in this situation selling them all and losing your manager. It doesn’t make any sense where their model is supposed to be taking them now. 

“I understand they’ve got to deal with financial fair play but they haven’t invested into the stadium or the training ground despite the promises that were made around the Saudi PIF money that was supposed to be coming in.

“It’s not like they’ve put money in to improve the club’s infrastructure for the future. It feels like they’re giving up when they’re in the middle of the journey. They got into the Champions League. Fell away again. Now they’re selling their star players. I’ve never seen anything like it. It’s been shocking and I think they’ll really struggle this year. It’s going to be a tough season for Newcastle.”

Q: Have Chelsea signed Morgan Rogers in order to keep Cole Palmer happy to rebuild their team around him rather than lose him to Manchester United?

“I think Cole Palmer is the key to everything Chelsea are doing but when I’ve watched him play over the last year or so he hasn’t looked like a player who is particularly happy. He’s been going through the motions.

“Will bringing in Morgan Rogers put a smile back on Palmer’s face? He’s had injuries which were setbacks but the rumours around Manchester United were interesting. United would be silly not to have a real look at him if there is anything to it but the problem could have also been this Chelsea squad.

“They’ve had a lot of inexperienced players at the club who have dropped below the standards needed without people to get tough with them and lay down what’s required and pull people in line, making sure everyone is training correctly every day.

“Danny Welbeck and Jordan Henderson can certainly address that but I hope they don’t turn it around to make Palmer happy where he is because I’d love to see him in a red shirt!”

Q: If Man City lose Guardiola and Rodri this summer will they go back to being United’s noisy neighbours again as Sir Alex once said?

“If Rodri leaves this summer, it’s curtains for Manchester City. It’ll be over for them.

“It’s not just Pep Guardiola they’ve lost this summer. They’ve also lost John Stones and Bernardo Silva. If they lose Rodri too, we’re talking about a loss of experience and a drop in standards and missing the players needed to keep demanding more of the squad.

“They’ve bought Elliot Anderson but he’s no Rodri. I do like Enzo Maresca and I think he was unlucky at Chelsea but they need to get a few more players through the door because otherwise I’m not sure how much longer they’ll be able to keep Erling Haaland at this rate either. He could be off to Bayern Munich, Real Madrid or Barcelona if Manchester City is no longer the place to be.

“In terms of their style of play, I think he’d sit Real Madrid better than Barcelona but I just don’t know how he would fit in with Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jnr. Could you have a front three of Vinicius Jnr, Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe? 

“I don’t think Arsenal will sign Vinicius Jnr. I think he’s playing the game. He’s looking for a new deal. He’s seen what the other players at Real Madrid are on, especially the signings coming in on higher wages, and he wants his own deal, and I don’t blame him, but he’s using Arsenal to get what he wants. Mikel Arteta may have to be careful what he wishes for because I think he would be a hard character to manage.

“Carlo Ancelotti got the best out of him and there was obviously a lot of respect between them both but he struggled with Xabi Alonso. That might not bode well for Arteta. I also don’t think his form has been particularly great but you never know, Jose Mourinho might dig his claws into him and get him back in line.”

Q: What do you make of the suggestions that Trent Alexander-Arnold could come to United one day? Would that be like when Luis Figo joined Real Madrid from Barca?

“I love Trent Alexander-Arnold but I would be shocked to see him in a Manchester United shirt but it will be interesting to see what happens to him at Real Madrid, whether Jose Mourinho fancies him or not.

“They’ve brought in Denzel Dumfries to play in Trent’s position this summer but he’s an outstanding player so maybe Mourinho has a plan for him. We talk about his defending being an area where he needs to improve but he creates so many chances, and Madrid have so many willing runners, that you could just play him on the right in midfield. He’d play the role David Beckham used to play for Real, pinging balls for Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jnr to run onto because Trent is finding you no matter what. 

“I think Mourinho will look at that and carve out a different sort of role for him, and it’d suit him down to the ground with the amount of time he’d get on the ball and the passes he could play. It wouldn’t be a bad idea at all but I can’t see him coming back to England to play for Manchester United. I can see him playing in a way that makes him the new David Beckham. Just not at United.”

Q: What do you make of Rangers’ transfer business and Derek McInnes as manager? Will they beat Celtic to the title this season? 

“Rangers still need to do more business if they’re going to overtake Celtic this season.

“Lawrence Shankland is a good addition. He leads the line well. He scores goals. He’s a great personality but I think Derek McInnes needs more to build out his squad.

“I think Dan Neil is a good signing from Sunderland. He’s looked good when he’s come on last week but there are still areas where they need some reinforcements. Defensively they don’t look too great. They’ve got to address that but that’s the case with every club at the minute. The market is still open. There’s players you don’t really want and you have to try and move them on before you bring in some new faces, so it’s chicken and egg.

“I think Rangers can be smart and look at the Premier League academies because there’s some cracking kids down there playing Under-21s football for Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal and the rest of them. There’s some wonderful players coming through at United, especially. If things are looking a bit tight for transfer fees to bring in some proven, senior players then it wouldn’t be a bad option at all.”

Q: Would signing Lewis Ferguson make Rangers favourites for the SPFL title? 

“Lewis Ferguson would bring a bit of extra steel to this Rangers team. I like him and I think he did well for Scotland at the World Cup too. He’s got great quality and he comes from good Scottish stock. Ferguson. A great surname. He’d be a fantastic addition but I don’t know if it’s realistic to be honest. If he’s enjoying his time in Italy, would he want to move back to Glasgow? I’m sure Derek McInnes is looking at it and putting a pitch together. It’ll be an interesting one to watch unfold.”

Q: What’s your view on Ashley Barnes’ appointment to the Burnley coaching staff? 

“Ashley Barnes is just a wonderful character.

“In training he demanded the highest standards every day. He made sure we were all working so hard. For him to go into the next phase of his career and into coaching is great for the club. They’ve already got Jack Cork in there. I heard the new manager, Nicky Hayen, speaking and he comes across very well, I just think their recruitment over the last couple of years has not been particularly great, to be honest.

“It’s a big year for Burnley. I think a lot of the players are Championship level so it’ll suit them much more than the Premier League, and that’s not intended to be disrespectful, it’s just a fact.

“I’m just glad Barnes is staying in the game. It’s great to see him involved in football because he’s a true character. 

“The things he used to do to my stuff and my car at training… I used to get a message in the treatment room after training and he’d move my car to the other side of the training ground.

“I had a blue tracksuit, brand new. It looked a bit like a Chelsea tracksuit but it was just blue. He somehow managed to get a Chelsea badge and iron it on to this brand new tracksuit. 

“He’s somebody you need in the game. His barnet’s looking horrendous though. He’s going to need to look at that again!”

Q: Where can you see Sean Dyche managing next? Would he be the perfect successor to Martin O’Neill? 

“I’d love to see Sean Dyche come to Rangers of course but obviously you’d need to get him off social media first before he considers another job!

“When the right thing comes along that’s a good fit for him, he’ll take a look at it. He’s obviously been at Nottingham Forest and took on the Everton job so right now I think he’s enjoying time away from the game and making the most of all those payoffs, because he’s put all that work into his craft over the last 15 years coaching and managing. He deserves it.

“I think he comes across really well too in the media and it looks like he’s enjoying himself with it and I bet he’s enjoying some time with his family too, and why shouldn’t he?

“But if something like the Celtic or Rangers job popped up, I think he'd certainly take a view on it.”

Q: Has it been pleasing to see Joe Hart on punditry duty? Could he one day be the host of MOTD and replace Gary Lineker? 

“I thought Joe Hart had a brilliant World Cup. He’s very articulate and speaks really well with passion about what he knows and what he likes.

“The thing with Joe is that he dedicates himself to something, he goes all out to try and become the best at it, and that’s the same with his punditry.

“I think he was great on all the panels and all the coverage during the World Cup. Wayne Rooney was brilliant too and the blend of Joe Hart, Micah Richards and Wazza really worked. I still turned over to watch ITV though because it’s always worth watching Roy Keane on there!

“Joe has a great personality, he’s a great character, and he’s a really disciplined professional, and if he thinks his future is becoming the new host of Match of the Day, like Gary Lineker, then I’m sure he’ll go and excel at doing exactly that.”

Q: Is Middlesbrough’s squad stronger or weaker than last season after their incomings and outgoings? 

“The big question for Middlesbrough is how they react to the hangover from last season and another disappointing end to the playoffs for them.

“They will always be up there because I think they're the type of club that'll be there or thereabouts any year. They always manage to find a way even if they fall short. It'll be interesting to see but I’ve always admired how they operate. 

“They've always been a brilliantly run club who give youth an opportunity. I like Middlesbrough and I hope they go well this year but I think losing Hayden Hackney will be a blow. He was a very good player for them but they’ll miss his goals too. We’ll have to see what Sebastian Berhalter can offer.

“I do think the signing of Radek Vítek from Manchester United is decent for them in goal.”

Q: What are you expecting from Colchester United next season under Danny Cowley? 

“I just want to see a bit of consistency from Colchester United, to be honest. I know what League Two is like. It’s so demanding and it can take its toll on you but you’ve got to find that fire within to keep getting the results when the weather’s rough and it’s a Tuesday night away somewhere in the middle of nowhere. That’s where Danny Cowley needs to show his knowhow as a manager with experience. Hopefully the players buy into that challenge this season and they go well.”

Q: What did you make of Stuart Maynard being replaced by Scott Lindsay at York City? 

“I don’t really understand what’s gone on there because Stuart Maynard just got the club promoted. It’s a strange one how it’s unfolded but it’s up to the new manager now to take on the mantle and push the club forward, picking up from where his predecessor left off.

“It’s another step up now and another big challenge and like clubs at all levels so much will depend on the players they can bring in, and hopefully they can compete but as we all know it doesn’t get any easier the higher you climb up the football pyramid. 

“We don’t know the ins and outs over what happened between the owner and the previous manager but it’s going to be a difficult challenge for York City to step up either way.”

Q: What are you expecting from Oldham Athletic under Micky Mellon next season? 

“I’m sure Micky Mellon will be trying his best to bring in the players he needs this summer to see how far he can take Oldham Athletic back up the football pyramid.

“There are characteristics you look for in players that can help you go to that next level but sometimes you find players lower down the leagues who are happy to be there and accept that that’s their level, and they don’t want to push and go to the next level.

“Micky needs to find the players who have the inner belief to take themselves and their team to that next level and prove themselves against better players. Does he already have enough of those players or will he have to go and find them? If you want to keep going you can’t have a squad happy to coast through their careers, and I mean that with no disrespect. Sometimes you find the level that suits you and you’re comfortable with it but that’s not helpful to a club that wants to climb the leagues. For that, you need the right players with the ambition to go to another level with you.”

Q: What should the expectations be for John Eustace and Derby County next season? 

“Derby County had a bit of a hit and miss season so I think John Eustace needs to help them find a bit of a rhythm this year, and I think he’s the man to do that. Wherever he’s been, he’s done a really good job. He was unfortunate to lose his job at Birmingham City and then there was stuff at Blackburn Rovers but he has ended up at a good, solid club at Derby.

“It’s been a few years since we saw them having a real go for it and pushing to try and get into the Premier League but you never know. This year could be the one. Look at Coventry City last season. 

“Of course, you need financial backing when you get into these positions at these clubs and unfortunately not everyone’s got the cash in their pockets to throw at bringing in better players, and for me what you do in a season is only limited by what you can do in the transfer window.

“If they can bring someone in who can put the ball in the back of the net that gives any team a decent enough chance to make something happen.”

Q: What did you make of Luke Littler saying he’s the best athlete in the world at 19 ahead of Lamine Yamal? 

“I think Lamine Yamal has got a better chance of hitting 180 than Luke Littler has of running down the pitch and bending one in the top corner but Luke Littler is something else.

“We’ve never seen a player like him. He could be the greatest of all-time and he’s how old? 19? People talk about the likes of Phil Taylor but the kid is winning silverware every other week and that’s just become the norm. It doesn’t look like anyone is even close to beating him unless Littler himself is off it, and that’s rare.

“Sure he’ll have a little bit of a scare here and there but he just wipes the floor with people, and from a sport point of view it’s always great to see someone who is such a master of their craft like that. To be so talented at such a young age, you usually need a bit of time to gain the experience to realise your potential like that, but he’s always been at home at the oche in front of fans and it’s astonishing to see what he continues to achieve as a darts player.”

Q: You had a taste of reality star life with the Bardsley Bunch show on ITV, what was the biggest surprise about filming? The thing that shocked or annoyed you the most about it? 

“Doing the Bardsley Bunch was a lot of fun. It was just filming with my family. There were a few comedy sketches thrown in and we were just trying to put a smile on people’s faces with what we were doing. There’s so much serious stuff happening in the world. We just wanted it to be light-hearted for people to enjoy and connect with it because we all go through the same stuff as families with kids and all the rest of it. 

“The only stuff I didn’t enjoy was being told where to be again and what to do at certain times of day because I’d just come out of football 18 months before and I was enjoying my freedom playing golf and doing whatever I wanted to do, work-wise. Being told that I needed be here, there and everywhere, I just couldn’t handle it.

“All in all it was a good experience. We all enjoyed it. I'm sure people got a few giggles out of it as well.”

Q: You rarely appeared on Real Housewives of Cheshire, were you ever tempted to make a bigger appearance for a certain scene? 

“Was I tempted to make a bigger appearance on Real Housewives of Cheshire? No, not at all. It was never really my bag. It just wasn’t for me but it was what my wife enjoyed doing so it was her thing. I took a step back. I was a footballer. That was my job. Real Housewives of Cheshire, that’s what she liked doing. That was her job.

“No, no, not at all. No, it's not really not my bag at all. where she enjoyed being on it and filming and doing her thing. So, yeah, it's like a step back. was a footballer. So that was my job and that's what she liked to do. That was a job. I just let her crack on with it.”

Q: Who from Real Housewives of Cheshire is your favourite and who do not keep in touch with anymore?

“I’m still friends with Erik Pieters and Nermina. We still see Seema and Sandeep.

“When it comes to the others, I’ve seen Lauren a couple of times since but apart from that I don’t really have much to do with them. I don’t come across them in my life to be perfectly honest so I don’t have any sort of relationship with them.

“When Tanya was filming, I was playing. It was like ships crossing in the night. I didn’t really socialise or have much of a relationship with any of them.”

Q: You previously went viral for a boxing video with Wayne Rooney. If you guys did a televised fight for charity, who would win? 

“Who would win out of me and Wayne Rooney today? Probably Wazza, to be fair! He’s looking after himself a bit better these days. He’s looking trim. He’s back in training. I know he’s on a diet and he looks great so fair play to him!

“He’s a big scrapper from Liverpool isn’t he so he’d probably fill me in, to be honest. We’d have to be stone cold sober this time though, and it wouldn’t be in anyone’s kitchen.

“Would it ever happen? Listen, you never know with this Misfits Boxing stuff do you. We’ll have to wait and see.”