Episode 5: Risk and Reward

How did Ferguson rise to the challenge of Manchester City to bow out of United on a high?Key players Michael Carrick, Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand recall Ferguson’s final season as a Robin Van Persie-inspired United re-capture the league title from City.Kelly Cates and Jonathan Northcroft assess where Fergie ranks among the pantheon of great football managers and whether his methods could still bring success today.

Ferguson sees off the challenge of Jose Mourinho and inspires United to another Champions League success in Moscow.Kelly Cates and Jonathan Northcroft hear from Rio Ferdinand, Carlos Quieroz and Wayne Rooney on how Ferguson drew on the spirit of Sir Matt Busby to overcome Chelsea on penalties in 2008.With Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo to the fore, Ferguson has taken United back to the summit of European football - but a new challenge awaits right on their doorstep.

From the infamous 'hairdryer' to managerial mind games, hear stories of why Ferguson was the ultimate boss.Kelly Cates and Jonathan Northcroft explore how Fergie controlled his players, rival managers, referees and the media in the relentless pursuit of success.With Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal emerging as a rival to be reckoned with, Ferguson had to draw on all his experience to keep United at the top of their games, even if that meant dispensing with star names like David Beckham.

How Sir Alex Ferguson turned a talented crop of young players into an unstoppable force in England and, ultimately, Europe.Kelly Cates and Jonathan Northcroft trace how Ferguson’s faith in youth was integral to his success in Scotland and England.After establishing themselves as the dominant force in English football, we hear how Ferguson overcame early setbacks in Europe to land an unprecedented treble in 1999.It’s all told via the memories of Dwight Yorke, Andy Cole, Nicky Butt and iconic goalscorer Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Inside the Manchester United dressing-room as Alex Ferguson recovers from the brink of the sack to bring trophies back to the club.Kelly Cates and Jonathan Northcroft explain how Ferguson ruthlessly cleared out United heroes like Paul McGrath and Norman Whiteside to build a team in his image.We hear from key players like Steve Bruce, Dennis Irwin and Gary Pallister as Ferguson ends United’s 26-year-wait for a top-flight title to lay the foundations for an era of total dominance.

How did Sir Alex Ferguson’s working-class Glasgow upbringing shape the man and manager he would become?Kelly Cates and Jonathan Northcroft retrace Ferguson’s steps from the Govan shipyards to European glory with Aberdeen.We hear about Fergie’s admiration for trade union activist Jimmy Reid, his fledgling football days at Drumchapel Amateurs and how, after rejection at Glasgow Rangers, he combined his early managerial career with running a pub.Then former Aberdeen stars Willie Miller, Gordon Strachan, Mark McGhee and Stuart Kennedy take listeners behind the scenes of Aberdeen’s victories over Bayern Munich and Real Madrid in the 1983 European Cup Winners’ Cup.

Coming soon: The definitive Sir Alex Ferguson story, from his working class roots in Glasgow to the top of European football, told by the people who know him best.First-hand accounts from a host of former players and adversaries including Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand, Gordon Strachan and Sir Kenny Dalglish reveal what it was like to play for Sir Alex's all-conquering Manchester United and Aberdeen teams, while exploring the Scot's origins and where his legendary will to win came from.Presenter Kelly Cates and Ferguson expert Jonathan Northcroft explore what made him so successful and how he was able to constantly reinvent himself and his teams to remain at the very top for decades.Could there ever be another manager like Sir Alex?

With Euro 2024 and a move to Real Madrid on the horizon, the future looks bright for Mbappe.Steve and Julien are joined by Spanish football expert Sid Lowe to discuss the challenge facing Mbappe at the serial Champions League winners.Can he go on to match the achievements of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo? Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer and Arsene Wenger give their views.

France icon Lilian Thuram reflects on racism, football and French identity after Mbappe suffers racial abuse at Euro 2020 following his penalty miss.Lacking support from the French Football Federation, Mbappe threatens to quit the national team, forcing change before he stars at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.We hear from France team-mates Hugo Lloris and Ibrahima Konate as Mbappe emerges as a natural heir to Lionel Messi in an unforgettable final.

After winning the World Cup, Mbappe returns home to Paris a national hero and gains increasing power at Paris Saint-Germain. Club insiders detail how Mbappe became an increasing influence on and off the field as PSG’s Qatari owners set their sights on the Champions League.We hear from experts on why the Mbappe-Messi-Neymar strike force never delivered Europe’s ultimate prize.And why Mbappe’s imminent departure from PSG is such a blow to French president Emmanuel Macron.