The UTD Podcast guests still playing pro football
There are 174 episodes of the UTD Podcast to date, with the latest episode featuring former Red Daley Blind.
From club legends to current players, guests touch on a series of topics to reveal stories about their personal and professional lives.
On Monday (19 June), we released the most recent episode, featuring ex-United defender Blind, who is one of a select group of players who have appeared on the podcast and are still playing today.
As we approach episode 175, which will be released in the coming weeks, let's take a look at that exclusive list of UTD Podcast guests who remain active as professional footballers at the time of writing...
Watch Daley Blind's UTD Podcast in full
UTD Podcast | Watch Daley Blind's full episode here, as the former Red discusses Ajax, Martinez, Ten Hag and more...
Having returned to Athletic Club, via Paris Saint-Germain, Herrera invited the UTD Podcast to Bilbao for one of our most passionate episodes to date. The former United midfielder became tearful when discussing his 2019 exit and explained the joy he felt playing for the Reds. This one is a must-watch.
Chicharito will forever be a fans' favourite at Old Trafford, simply because of his diligent work rate and eye for goal. In his episode, back in season three, the Mexican dialled in from Los Angeles to chat about his move to Old Trafford and career as a Red. He also spoke glowingly about his relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson, plus how he has developed as a person since moving to the USA. The striker still plies his trade for LA Galaxy today.
Still playing for Watford in the Championship, midfielder Tom Cleverley appeared on the UTD Podcast recently. The Academy graduate discussed his rise through our youth system and subsequent debut for United, and also how the rise of social media impacted him off the pitch. Tom revealed what it was like to play for both England and Great Britain (at the Olympics) too.
Despite retiring in 2022, former United goalkeeper Ben Foster returned to the professional game in January 2023 with National League side Wrexham. He has since helped the Welsh side gain promotion into League Two and signed a one-year contract extension, meaning he is set to face Erik ten Hag's Reds in San Diego this July. In his UTD Podcast, goalkeeper turned YouTuber Foster spoke about competing with Edwin van der Sar for a starting spot and how he felt he 'wasn't right' for United.
Ben Foster - "I wasn't right for United"
podcastWe joined former Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster at his podcast recording studio in Leamington Spa for this week's UTD Podcast. The Watford 'keeper turned YouTuber and podcaster talked about his unconventional rise through the footballing pyramid, where he didn't come through a formal academy set-up but was instead scouted by chance for Stoke City. He then talked about the shock move to Manchester United and how he struggled under the weight of the pressure to be the number one at Old Trafford. Ben told us he loved working under Edwin van der Sar but struggled to fill the gloves of the legendary Dutchman. Despite picking up a winners' medal and the Man-of-the-Match award in the League Cup final versus Tottenham Hotspur, Ben revealed that he rarely enjoyed any moments while he played for United, and felt relieved to move on to Birmingham City in 2010.
Brazilian pair Fabio and Rafael arrived at United together back in 2008, and also came on the UTD Podcast as a duo too. They spoke about how they differed in the way they adapted to life in Manchester, and also how Cristiano Ronaldo played a role in their transfer to the club. After differing careers in Europe (Rafael in France and Turkey, Fabio in England and France) the pair now both play back in Brazil. Rafael plies his trade for Botafogo while Fabio represents Gremio.
Burnley - and ex-United - defender Phil Bardsley appeared on UTD Podcast in series three, talking about his dream of playing for the club, having grown up across the road from our famous training ground, The Cliff. Phil spoke about the infamous Wayne Rooney boxing 'incident' and shared other intriguing tales from his time as a Red.
Italian-American attacker Giuseppe Rossi is the final player on our list who is still active today, playing for S.P.A.L. in the Italian third tier. Having played for the Reds between 2004 and 2007, after being signed into our youth system, the attacker played in La Liga, Serie A and the MLS. In his episode, he revealed his experiences of these moves and how they shaped him as a player and a person.
Fabio and Rafael - "Ronaldo's call clinched our transfer"
podcastManchester United fan favourites, Fabio and Rafael da Silva join the UTD Podcast this week, in a particularly international episode. Fabio joined from his home in France, while Rafael dialled in from the training pitch in Brazil. The twins looked back on their eventful years together at Old Trafford; Cristiano Ronaldo calling them up before they signed for the club, Rafael scoring a screamer at Anfield, Fabio starting a Champions League Final, and much more. The Brazilians revealed they had different approaches to their start at Manchester United; Rafael felt confident straight away, but Fabio struggled with the nerves and anxiety that playing for such a big club can bring.
RECENT REDS
Since the launch of the UTD Podcast, players who were members of the first-team squad have since left the club. Among the first guests we had were midfield duo Nemanja Matic and Paul Pogba, both of whom departed the club in 2022 and moved to Italy with Roma and Juventus, respectively.
Juan Mata is another of our former guests who featured on the podcast during his time at the club. Mata now plays for Galatasaray in Turkey.
CURRENT REDS
There are, of course, some guests who still form integral parts of United's first-team set-up. Club captain Harry Maguire was one of the first Reds to feature on the show, while the likes of Marcus Rashford, Tom Heaton, Diogo Dalot and Christian Eriksen are just a few others who have sat down for the lengthy chat. United Women have also been well represented, by Ella Toone and captain Katie Zelem, among others.