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From The Guardian:

Hi Robbo, how’s it going?

Great thanks, Small Talk. How are you?

Tip top thanks. Tell us, what’s the greatest match you ever played in?

[Ponders] One of the classics for myself was for United against Liverpool at Anfield in ‘88. We had a man sent off and were 3-1 but we got back to level terms. Gordon Strachan actually missed a great chance later on to win it for us. It was definitely one of the all-time great games as far as I’m concerned.

That was at a time when United always seemed to beat Liverpool but Liverpool would go on to win the title …

Yes, that’s right. In those years we always did well against them in one-on-one games. We also did really well in the cups around then because in one-off games we could beat anybody. But Liverpool had a great consistency and probably a slightly stronger squad.

It’s been said United underachieved back then because the dressing room was full of boozehounds?

[Defensively] No, I don’t think it was a case of that at all. I just think that our problem at that stage was that if some of our top players got injured, the players that came in basically weren’t good enough, whereas Liverpool’s squad guys were very good players as well.

You were recently dumped by West Brom. Are you keen to get back into management?

Yes, if a job which I felt was suitable came up - a good challenge - then I’d go straight back into it. I was really enjoying it at West Brom, had good camaraderie with the lads and I think they’ve got a good squad of players who have a great chance of getting promoted.

Were they right to give you the boot?

I just think that the relationship between myself and the chairman since the January window had gotten quite bad. I think that had a lot to do with it. And, of course, the chairman wasn’t happy with the start to the season. But for me, being four points behind the leaders after six games isn’t disastrous. We were still well placed to get promotion.

Who’s the dirtiest opponent you ever faced?

I won’t say he was dirty but certainly the hardest opponent was Jimmy Case. He could certainly look after himself. [Admiringly] He was very clever about it as well.

What’s the last CD you bought?

[Chuckles] Well, I was given the last Westlife CD.

Are you a big fan?

I am actually. It started because I played with them in a 5-a-side football tournament recently and we won it. Brian [McFadden] and Nick [Byrne] became very good friends.

Word is they’re good players too …

Yes, very good indeed. Nick was an apprentice at Leeds at one stage and Brian loves his football.

What’s your favourite TV show?

I’ll go for an old classic: Cheers.

Cheese or chocolate?

Definitely cheese, I’ve never had a sweet tooth.

What’s your poison?

Bottled Budweiser.

What would you like to chuck into Room 101?

The only thing that really annoys me is traffic jams … which I think makes me the same as everyone else in the country!

What’s the wackiest request you’ve ever had from a fan?

That was probably when this guy asked me and my wife to attend his wedding, even though we had no idea who he was.

Lion or tiger?

The tiger.

Why?

I think he’d be a bit more cunning.

Scarlett Johansson or Paris Hilton?

Scarlett Johannson.

Because she’d be a bit more cunning?

[Explosive laughter] Let’s not go there Small Talk!

Fair enough, Bryan. How about finishing by telling us a joke?

[More raucous laughter] I know loads of jokes, Small Talk, but you couldn’t publish any of them!

Oh yes we could …

How about you find a nice family-friendly one and put that in for me?

That’d take too much effort, Robbo, so let’s just leave it blank. Thanks for your time. Bye!

Bye Small Talk.

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