🎤 Giuseppe Rossi Exclusive Interview

Interview February 2026

What did you make of the AFCON final?

I dont understand how things like that happen in modern day football.

Its not about the penalty. Listen, he tried to do what he wanted to do. It was the lead up to it that was crazy, man. How can a team walk off the field and not be sanctioned? How did the referee not call it a forfeit? It should have been given as a Morocco win. Its wild, man.

Im not going to judge Brahim Diaz over a penalty because he was the leading goal scorer, he led his team to the final, so I dont buy that. He tried something but he was a little too cute.

Hes a young player. Hell understand in these moments in the future that its about being effective not being cute. It was the wrong time to try something like that.

I still think he deserves more of a chance at Real Madrid after this tournament. Hes shown his stuff. Im hoping he recovers from what happened because it can be very tough. Its tough to miss a penalty in general. Imagine missing a penalty in a final like that. Im sure his buddies will gather around him with his family and friends and make sure hes back up and running.

It doesnt have to be the end. John Terry missed a penalty in the final of the Champions League when Manchester United won it. Cristiano Ronaldo has missed penalties. David Beckham has missed penalties. It happens to everybody. He shouldnt be judged for it.

Would Manchester United be repeating a mistake if they gave Michael Carrick the job as manager in the summer?

Michael Carrick // Picture: Alamy

Its a funny thing that people say it was a mistake to keep Solskjaer. I don't think there was any mistake with Solskjaer. I think he was doing things the right way.

Rome wasn't built in the day. Fergusons legacy wasn't built in a day either. It took a while.

People need that time to instill their thoughts, to instill their principles, their own culture, the way that they want to run stuff. At a club like Manchester United, veering away so much from the way that Ferguson did things, that has led to not so great results. I think we've seen that from many managers. I don't think they needed to get rid of Solskjaer.

Now they've brought in Michael Carrick, somebody who's played under Sir Alex Ferguson for many years, and he has started off great. Obviously its a long, long season but I think he understands the environment and what's needed at Manchester United. He will stay true to the culture that made Manchester United what Manchester United was when he was a player. He is a part of that history and I think Manchester United will be in the right hands now with Michael Carrick. Hopefully the results continue after what we saw in the Manchester derby.

What’s your prediction for his next game, away against Arsenal?

I'm going for 1-0 to Manchester United with a strong defensive game. Catch Arsenal on the break with counter-attack and grind it out.

A win like that against Manchester City gives credibility to Michael Carrick in the dressing room.

Some of those players maybe didn't know Carrick as a coach. Some of them will have played under him when he was caretaker the last time but some don't. Carrick is a great player but now the new players know he is someone to listen to as a coach.

Can he manage us? Can he take care of us? I feel like its little things. He was there for three days and there's not much you can do in that time but he got those small details right and was able to communicate with the players. That gives him real credibility, and credibility to the way he wants to do things.

Now all the players will be on board. They will follow this guy. This is an opportunity for some great momentum for United.

Is the true test for Carrick against teams that sit back and won’t let United run in behind like Nuno’s West Ham and Dyche’s Forest?

Does Carrick need to prove he can beat a low block to get the job on a permanent basis? Look, leagues are won not by beating the big teams but by beating the smaller teams, and that's very important.

These United players need a mentality shift. They have to understand that in order to achieve something special like winning the league, or even getting into the Champions League, every game needs to be won at all costs. There are 38 games. You have to believe you should win all 38.

United need a mentality shift on how to approach every game the same way, the right way. Some games speak for themselves like the Manchester derby, Liverpool or Arsenal and motivation comes easier. Of course those matches need something else but the coaching staff and the leaders in the dressing room need to make it clear that we play other teams with the same intensity we play against City.

I think Michael Carrick understands it. He gets it. Hopefully he's able to communicate that.

Does the impact that Carrick has made so quickly damage Ruben Amorim’s reputation?

I think Ruben was actually doing a good job. I feel like he started in a very tough position and it was always an uphill battle for him. Certain decisions obviously were met with skepticism and I understand but some decisions he made were very good, and I think he deserved more time.

They sacked him at his best moment but the decision was made and the players had to be professional enough to accept it and move on, which they did.

I think they put in a great performance against City. Carrick probably touched the right buttons. I don't think he did anything crazy on a tactical or technical level. He moved one or two players around. I think the change was in the mental approach. That's what changed things around.

You know, after two bad results, that was really needed and they put in the work. Michael probably had the team going more psychologically than tactically or technically.

Who are your picks to be the next permanent manager of Manchester United?

You need managers who were players that have been in the system. Michael Carrick. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Give me Roy Keane!

Roy Keane // Picture: Influential Photography / Shutterstock

These are the types of players that understand what it is to be a Manchester United player because its a different culture, its different expectations, its a different atmosphere when you're in Carrington or at Old Trafford.

Ask all the ex-coaches who have been at United. Its very hard to live up to the legacy of the boss, of the man, but people like Sir Alex, who are the names I've been saying, they don't want to compare themselves to him. That's been the error of those coaches, trying to be like Sir Alex and better him and create their own way of doing things at Manchester United.

You need to be humble. Put your ego to one side. Let a lot of things go. Sure, implement certain things that are true to you so you can see yourself in the team but what Manchester United really need is someone who knows what they had with Sir Alex to bring it back.

Was it a shame to hear Roy Keane make those comments about Sir Alex Ferguson hanging around the club like a bad smell?

Its a shame that Roy Keane cant just bury the hatchet with Sir Alex but listen they have their reasons and truthfully Ill just leave it up to him and to whoever is involved.

I always like to talk the football side of things, and personality-wise, I see Roy as a manager who might be one of the only guys who could do what Sir Alex did at United.

He hasn't managed in a while but I feel like he has that same fire in him, and he loves Manchester United. I think we can all tell he's saying things from a place of passion. He always wants the best for the club.

If that day ever comes, that Roy Keane returns to United, you're going to see him show more similarities to Sir Alex Ferguson rather than differences.

He's doing great with his media career and you know what, why not take advantage of it? God bless him for doing that. He's done so tremendously well with his playing career, he deserves to do whatever he wants, whatever makes him happy. But I would love to see him at Manchester United.

Can comments by Keane and those exchanges between Paul Scholes and Lisandro Martinez actually help United by adding in a bit of healthy tension?

Does criticism by United legends in the media help the club? Its a double-edged sword.

It could help with motivation. You want players thinking I'm going to show you that I belong here. The other side of it is these greats of the game bashing the current players and then taking it personally.

There's a lot of ex-players in the media now and they have to say what they think is true, and United have been going through a lot.

When the current team are not living up to their standards, the greats are going to go against you but I don't think any of it is personal.

Can they go too far sometimes? Maybe but you have to take it on the chin as a player. Use it as motivation. Know that they don't want nothing bad against you because you're wearing the shirt that they've represented all their lives.

Is it a concern that Sesko wasn’t selected to face City?

Can Benjamin Sesko become the Erling Haaland of Manchester United? I don't know if Manchester United has that long of a leash that they can give to players.

I don't think Michael Carrick is looking at the price tag, and that's the right way to be. Its not about caring about how much they paid for you, its about what can you do for me now? I think these are the decisions Carrick and the coaching team are making.

Is it the right way to go about it for Sesko? No its not. Players need time to adapt. They need continuity. But just because you missed a game, it doesn't mean your'e now no good anymore or don't deserve a run.

Its the mentality of what can you do for me, at this moment, and its going to be like this for the rest of the season because United have to fight for Champions League football, which they are right now.

Hopefully, with Champions League football, Manchester United can give players like Sesko a longer leash next season.

Is Sesko one for the future rather than the player United need him to be now?

If a player is talented, young or old it doesnt matter.

If he has the right mindset, you play him and you live with the consequences if he has a bad game or he makes a mistake.

You have to hope they are hungry, they want to be out there to prove they belong at the highest level. If somebody has that programmed into their head at a young age you play them and you live with the consequences.

Manchester United has that history of putting in the young players who are hungry and want to be the main man in the team.

Can we get back to that club mentality of playing the young kids and having trust in them, giving everybody the right checks?

Hopefully the results will come fighting for the Champions League spots and then fighting for Premier League titles and then youre back to the Manchester United way.

Who would you like to see the club go out and buy to partner with Kobbie Mainoo in midfield next season?

Bring back Scott McTominay!

Scott McTominay // Picture: Alamy

You cant get a player now and then change for a different player in the summer. Its all up to the coach. I feel thats all up in the air.

You cant really go out and start buying players if you know the coaching situation yet.

I always say McTominay because he would actually be a good player for Manchester United at this moment.

Would Manchester United be the perfect job for USA boss Mauricio Pochettino after the World Cup?

I dont fancy Mauricio Pochettino for the Manchester United job at the moment because hes coming from a reality where hes not living or breathing it with the US national team where it really means everything and more.

Theres a certain type of mentality when you go into international management and I dont see the fire that he had when he was at Paris Saint-Germain or Tottenham or Chelsea.

If youre telling me its the same Pochettino from Tottenham or PSG then hell yeah because hes a great manager. But I dont see that same motivating factor now.

Can Michael Carrick be to Manchester United what Zidane and Xavi were to Real Madrid and Barcelona as managers?

Xabi Alonso // Picture: Alamy

Maybe. The reason why Id take someone like Zinedine Zidane at United is because they understand the game, they have a vision for the game, theyre very detail orientated and they have a football brain, not just general knowledge of the game.

These guys truly understand what football is, the Xs and the Os of the game of how to communicate with players, how to manage the dressing room.

Its Michael Carricks demeanour more than anything. He was never somebody that was loud and in your face rah rah rah but he had a calmness that hell be to bring to the group.

I think thats something very important. Youre never going to teach these guys how to kick a soccer ball or how to play the game because theyre pros. Theyre big time players.

To have that type of calmness in big pressure moments, you just need to look at him and the players can grasp that tranquility. He wont make your mind start racing. He will let them be in the moment and just do what they know how to do, not making it bigger than what it is.

Is that what Xabi Alonso got wrong at Real Madrid?

I think at that level you have to learn how to be a manager more than a coach.

I love that Xabi wants to coach. Im like that when I play with my kids but its obviously different at Real Madrid.

Xabi was a player with so much knowledge that he wants to give back and teach it, and hes such a passionate guy, but this is a learning curve.

Maybe theres a couple things that he learned from his situation. Was he treated properly? I dont think so. I think he was doing totally fine. But hey, we all have to learn and look internally and see these little things that we have to get better at.

Are there any American players you’d love to see follow in your footsteps at United?

There is a very good player that I like a lot whose name is Diego Luna.

He plays for the national team. He still plays here in the MLS. I think he has a bright future.

Very technically gifted. I think he could get to the level of Manchester United. It would be great to see if he could sustain the pressures of playing for a big team like United.

I dont think a move in January would be beneficial. I try to tell players never move in January.

Thats very hard at any club. Its even harder at a club like Manchester United. Not only playing at the top level but also for clubs in the relegation zone too. Its very tough. A move for Luna to United before the beginning of the season is great.

Can Cristiano Ronaldo become a Hollywood star?

Cristiano Ronaldo // Alamy images

I think he has the aura. Hes got the fans. I think it would be an easy transition for him.

He likes the spotlight so why not take advantage of it and go into a world thats kind of similar to professional sports and see how it goes. Im very curious to see him as an actor.

He would definitely be the villain in something. Lets make him the Joker in the next Batman maybe?

Which franchise would suit him best if he made the move to MLS?

Hes made for LA, man. Hed be perfect for LA. Thats an interesting thought.

How big could United’s move into NBA Europe become?

That would be awesome. This cross-sport type of investment or partnership, I think its the next wave and its really cool to see.

When I was younger, I wish there was this type of cross-sports investment or partnerships because it would have made everything closer, seeing your favorite teams here in America and other sports.

Clubs like United partnering with the NBA, thats the perfect match. The perfect storm.

What can MLS offer to Mohamed Salah over Saudi Arabia?

Would MLS be an option for Mohamed Salah to get out of Liverpool? I dont know if he cares to come to America, in all honesty.

He doesnt seem like someone who cares for the glitz and glamour but its going to be interesting to see how it unfolds for him at Liverpool.

I still find the situation very strange. I think people are almost ungrateful for what Salah has done for them. Well see what happens.

Will Viktor Gyokeres cost Arsenal?

Arsenal's Viktor Gyökeres in action during a friendly soccer match between Arsenal FC and Tottenham Hotspur // Picture: Alamy

Everybody needs time. You cant expect big things from players right away. Theres not a lot of Wayne Rooneys around. Give him time. He has the quality.

I think he can deal with the pressure. I think hell be fine with the pressure. Im sure that hell be able to fulfill the purpose he was brought to Arsenal for.

Could Arsenal vs Manchester United become Gyokeres vs Sesko? Imagine that. That would be crazy.

They could both go off in this game and put their stamps on the season. Its such an important game for them both and I hope they do. I hope for Sesko more so.

I just want to see good football from Arsenal vs United. I want to see a rival game like how it was back in the day between these two.

Did you ever get an offer to play in Scotland?

I had a chance to move to Celtic actually, back in the day. I was contemplating it a lot. It was definitely on my list to try as a new experience, to try something different.

A team like Celtic has so much history and so much love and I think thats great, and it would have been a great experience for me to go there. I think most players should try it.

I remember playing for Genoa and their derby with Sampdoria was amazing to be part of. I really enjoyed that atmosphere.

Villarreal and Valencia wasnt that crazy. It was good, but nothing crazy. Fiorentina dont have any local derbies. They just have rivals like Juventus but its not a real derby. I was at Manchester United but back then it wasnt the City of today.

Celtic and Rangers is top three in the world. You put it up there with Roma vs Lazio. Thats a crazy one to witness too. It would have been cool to play a part in an Old Firm derby.

Would you have considered a move to Wrexham if you were still playing?

I think Wrexham is very interesting to everybody in football right now. Its been a catalyst for a lot of people in Hollywood to look again at soccer and even more ex-players to get into ownership and building up a team.

Im even doing my own thing here when it comes to the New York Cosmos and you never know, maybe one day I might personally get involved in owning some European teams as well.

Is there one Premier League club that would be the right platform for Kenan Yildiz to reach his full potential?

Could Kenan Yildiz be a star in the Premier League? Id take him at United.

I think hes a hungry young player. He has very many great qualities not only technically but also his character too. He is somebody whos not afraid of the big moments. I think hes built for big moments a club like Manchester United should be able to give him.

Is he the perfect successor to Bruno Fernandes? I think thats a great shout. Yildiz is a player made for those moments that Bruno is the master of. He always wants to take on the player in front of him and hes not scared to try and make something happen. He tries to be the best player on the field in every single game using all his talents, not only for himself but for the team.

I think thats a very important characteristic that many players should learn from and if he does end up at United, Ill be very happy

What’s your prediction for the Premier League?

I think Manchester City are going to win it.

Arsenal second. Liverpool third. Manchester United fourth. Theyre going to make the Champions League with Michael Carrick.

I think Chelsea are going to struggle a little bit so theyll finish fifth ahead of Aston Villa.

What’s your prediction for the Champions League final four?

Barcelona. Bayern Munich. Inter. Manchester City. Barcelona to win it overall.

Could we see scenes like AFCON at the World Cup if Donald Trump wants the spotlight?

Theres definitely going to be a lot of memes. A crazy ton of memes.

You saw the ones right after the Club World Cup when he was there. He gave Chelsea the trophy. Usually, you get the hell out of the way. Its not about you. Its about the team. But he stayed there.

I feel like thats going to happen again. Whoever wins the World Cup, obviously hes going to be there. Hes going to give the winners the trophy.

Are you concerned about teams or players boycotting the tournament?

I think its all words. At the end of the day, lets keep football and politics apart. Give the fans what they want, which is a tournament full of energy, full of positive vibes, so we can celebrate all our countries. We want to see them do well and create history. Hopefully we get that.