Talk of the Devils: The Athletic FC's Manchester United show

Manchester United are back in the Champions League having done the double over Liverpool, that's the league double against Liverpool. The lads rushed straight to the studio to record this podcast for you, even with Ian feeling a little poorly, and even though United didn't take their 2-0 half-time lead and add a few more to really add insult to injury. As it was, we had to make do with another great winning goal, another goal in a big game, from Kobbie Mainoo. Bruno can get his assists record in the next few weeks, no bother at all! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Manchester United face Liverpool at Old Trafford this Sunday knowing that a win against their biggest rivals will guarantee Champions League football next season. It would also represent an incredible turnaround in the two teams' fortunes from this time last year. It looks good, especially with the hand Arne Slot has at his disposal, but the podcast's confidence is very cautious. Michael Carrick likes to keep his cards close to his chest and he has not been drawn on a potential appointment as permanent manager (or head coach), but he did confirm he had a cup of tea with Sir Jim Ratcliffe last week. Meanwhile, Kobbie Mainoo will hope to celebrate his new contract with a positive performance in the middle of the park; it's not that long ago he and the club were seriously contemplating his departure. We also hear from Mason Mount about his hopes for next season as the players look to build on the current momentum. And just one more thing; "a win against their biggest rivals"... Are Liverpool actually the number one rivals for Manchester United? We start the debate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Man United ran through this season's full repertoire in beating Brentford at Old Trafford on Monday night. Casemiro header, tick, Bruno assist, tick, Sesko finish, tick, wobbly spell at the back and nervy last five minutes... tick, tick. Casemiro put in a statistically remarkable performance but also did lots of Casemiro things and we're forced, once again, to ask, "is there a chance he'll stay on?" Meanwhile, Bruno keeps coming up with new and interesting ways to impress and entertain us, even though there were sticky patches and we've got fresh fitness concerns. But they did win, for the first time on a Monday since August 2023; thanks to a half-time adjustment from the coaching staff? Carrick's managerial record in this spell now reads won 9, drawn 2, lost 2; he has the most points of any Premier League manager in that time, and his team need just two more to guarantee Champions League football. Bring on Liverpool. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Manchester United will host Brentford in the Premier League at Old Trafford on Monday night. The Bees are still in with an outside chance of a top-five finish and Champions League football, but Carrick's men may be able to seal it in this game if other results go their way. However... Today is all about summer transfers on Talk of the Devils. Laurie Whitwell has returned from paternity leave, dropped a big-read on Super Coaches (featuring no mention of Josep Guardiola)... now he's delivered a detailed update on who the club will be pursuing to boost their ranks for next season. Two midfielders are still the priority and there's a long long-list. Budgetary matters are dependent on the time and nature of departures, not least Marcus Rashford whose Barcelona career has stuttered recently. An additional defender is also tipped, with Tottenham's Micky van der Ven having several useful qualities. You can read Laurie's full transfer analysis here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A man who needs no introduction, least of all to Man United fans, Captain Marvel Bryan Robson joins us in the studio for a jam-packed hour of great stories! From his playing career, almost 900 games of it (what injuries?!), winning his first major trophy with Man United, and a few more, European glory, and, of course, the celebrations… We ask him about the current United side as well. What does he make of Bruno, Kobbie, and Casemiro (and who might come next)? And how is former midfielder Michael Carrick doing as manager? Bryan also tells us about advising young sports stars on money matters via his new venture and there’s the matter of his toughest ever leadership gig, dragging Andy away from the microphones and up Kilimanjaro. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's almost done, then. United defied a defensive *crisis at Stamford Bridge to keep their first clean sheet since February and Matheus Cunha delivered the killer blow to see off Chelsea... we don't even need to tell you who provided the assist. Ayden Heaven was, eventually, partnered by Noussair Mazraoui at centre half and, with Luke Shaw and the returning Diogo Dalot either side (and Kobbie in front), they looked fairly comfortable despite a slightly rocky start. Chelsea had the ball and the territory but losing Estevao was a blow and Alejandro Garnacho struggled in his place. All that matters in the end is that two more wins are needed to guarantee Champions League football next season, Bruno is on course for records and awards, and Michael Carrick has settled the nerves again. Good news from Old Trafford as well, where the U18s set up a Manchester derby FA Youth Cup final by beating Crystal Palace with a goal from JJ Gabriel and an extra-time winner from Chido Obi. *opinions may vary Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Manchester United head to Stamford Bridge for a Saturday night Champions League six-pointer with Chelsea but there's a good chance it won't match up to the all-guns blazing shootout that was Real Madrid at Bayern in this season's quarter final. It has now been confirmed, at the eleventh hour, that Harry Maguire will miss the Chelsea game having had his red card ban extended for an FA charge of abusive language. It's also unlikely that Lisandro Martinez will feature after he was sent off against Leeds, so Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven are expected to be Michael Carrick's centre half partnership. Add in uncertain form from United's attackers, and there are question marks there. Meanwhile, Chelsea are adrift after a series of poor performances and results. Fans are showing open hostility to both the owners and the manager and they have attacking problems of their own having failed to score in four of their last five games. Surely, United can take a great stride toward Europe's top table with a win... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Manchester United had three and a half weeks without a competitive fixture and it looked like longer as Leeds swarmed them in the first half at Old Trafford. Harry Maguire was a big miss on the night as United's unfamiliar back four struggled and the Yorkshireman may yet miss the trip to Stamford Bridge. Lisandro Martinez almost certainly will after his controversial red card for pulling Dominic Calvert-Lewin's hair. What does this result tell us about United's squad depth, the mentality of the fringe players, and Michael Carrick's game management (particularly his reluctance to make changes)? Most importantly, will there be a reaction when the team head to West London next weekend? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's been 84 years... well, 24 days actually, but it's felt like years. While Manchester United versus Leeds United is no longer the titanic struggle it has been in the past, it's a huge game as Michael Carrick's men close in on the Champions League. Just seven games remain in the Premier League season and, with a fifth UCL spot guaranteed and a seven-point cushion between themselves and a misfiring Chelsea, it's looking more and more likely that United will return to Europe's top table. United have been preparing for the game against Leeds at a training base near Dublin and they will return to Ireland during an exclusively European pre-season schedule which will also included fixtures in Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Poland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're in the deepest stretch of the gaping chasm that is Manchester United's March/April Premier League hiatus and we have a very special collaborative episode of Talk of the Devils for you to enjoy. Hosted by Bobby Faghihi of the excellent Career We Go podcast, it's a Man United quiz with Andy and Critch teaming up against Carl and, a very competitive, Ian to find out who really knows their stuff. Play along while you listen and let us know how you got on but prepare yourselves for a nail-biting finish in our battle of brains, and nerves! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michael Carrick's second spell as Manchester United manager has gone about as well as could have been expected. After our three-part assessment of United's summer transfer objectives, you asked if he is likely to be in charge next season, whether that affects the transfer plans, and if he's a big enough name to attract the right players. Harry Maguire, along with Kobbie Mainoo, returned to international duty this week but Thomas Tuchel appeared to talk down Maguire's chances of making his World Cup squad. We briefly review a stop-start game against Uruguay and outline why, whatever happens with England, he's important to Manchester United and deserves a new contract. Marc Skinner's future with the club is being questioned again in some quarters after a disappointing week for Manchester United's women. A spirited performance was spoiled by naive errors in the Champions League and they were thoroughly dismissed by City in the derby. Megan Feringa returns to fill us in on the details. Read more about Brian Peat's flags here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The third, and final, discussion in our trilogy of summer transfer previews is a boutique affair, certainly by our usual standards, as the panellists (with one exception) don't expect much business to be done in this area. Whether that turns out to be the case could depend on what happens to Joshua Zirkzee. Other than a few fleeting moments, the young Dutchman hasn't got airborne at United and, with potential interest in Italy, a move might open the door for another forward to come in. And then, of course, there's the matter of how all this is going to be funded. Rasmus Hojlund and Jadon Sancho are almost certain to depart, with Marcus Rashford's move to Barcelona less sure. Could there be other sales? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's part two of our early look into summer transfer business, and the first parting of the ways on opinion. Everyone agrees midfield is the highest priority, but how important is it to bring in defensive reinforcements? The club has been well stocked with centre backs for quite a while now, not least because the team was playing with three of them under Ruben Amorim. Now that the formation requires only two, all is well, right? Spoiler alert: yes, but... Fullback is where things start to get interesting. Tyrell Malacia is expected to leave and Patrick Dorgu has been employed further forward by Michael Carrick. That means a long-term replacement is needed for Luke Shaw, but how urgently? And then there's the matter of competition/support for Senne Lammens. Plenty to discuss! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As we enter a lengthy break for the men's first XI it's time to take a look at what will be needed next season with European football, most likely the Champion's League, impending. We will publish three episodes of TotD this week, one on each department of the squad. In today's first of the three, it's the midfield. Without a doubt the most urgent area of recruitment as United have struggled to negotiate a forty-match season with the current options. Add in the extra games, plus the expected departure of Casemiro, and reinforcements are a priority. What will be required from the midfield next season, who can provide those qualities, and how will United deal with the noise of agents and rival clubs? it's certain to be a fascinating few months. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bournemouth draw, they always draw, and we knew that. The circumstances were a bit more dramatic than expected, however, with Manchester United's manager Michael Carrick describing two of referee Stuart Attwell's decisions as "baffling" and "astonishing". Still, it was a good game and a good performance. Bruno Fernandes continues to impress spectators and statisticians, Matheus Cunha tormented the Bournemouth defence, and United's league position is very satisfying going into the international break. Harry Maguire had a full-on evening at Bournemouth and, while Kobbie Mainoo's match experience was a little quieter, the two have also been called up to Thomas Tuchel's 35-man England squad, seemingly an audition for places at the World Cup. They are both also very close, according to reports, to agreeing new club contracts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michael Carrick takes his Manchester United squad to Bournemouth for a Friday night fixture which will be followed by a 23-day break. With a patchy recent record against the Cherries, a win will keep the Champions League charge going during that hiatus. Will there be a defensive reshuffle? Leny Yoro has regained some form and played very well against Aston Villa, but Lisandro Martinez is expected to be fit and has unique qualities. There's a question mark at right back as well with Noussair Mazraoui, an AFCON champion (for now, at least), pushing for some minutes. Places up front will be interesting, too. Before that game, there's an FA Youth Cup tie at home to Sunderland. Chris McKenna drops by to discuss that, Andy fills us in on his interview with Steve Torpey, and we round things off with a look at United fans travelling over from the Emerald Isle. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It doesn't matter who called it first: Aston Villa came to Old Trafford and left with nothing, Michael Carrick maintains his 100% record at home, and United put clear air between themselves and the other contenders for top three in the Premier League. Bruno put in another inspirational display and assisted two of the three goals; he took the corner that allowed Casemiro to break the deadlock with a trademark header and provided a sumptuous pass for Matheus Cunha to restore the lead after Villa's equaliser. David Beckham's single-season record for United assists is gone; surely the Premier League's overall tally is to follow. We restate the case for him to win player of the season. Unfortunately for Marc Skinner and co, the women were unable to break their Chelsea hoodoo, defeated two-nil in the league cup final, so it's Champions League or bust for them. Click here to ease Andy's pain with a subscription to United We Stand. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Champions League, is it the be-all-and-end-all of club football? With Manchester United's financial results getting a deep analysis from The Athletic's Chris Weatherspoon and cashflow problems coming into real focus, it has never seemed more important. Aston Villa are another club for whom chasing the glory and riches of the Champions League has been a huge part of the narrative. They will play Lille in the Europa League, in fact, before they make the trip to Old Trafford for what could prove a crucial head-to-head in the race for Europe's premier competition. It's also a huge weekend for Manchester United's women; aiming for their second major trophy and to join an elite group of women's league cup champions, they will need to defy a woeful record against their bogey team, Chelsea. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Defeat at Newcastle ended Michael Carrick's superb unbeaten run since taking interim charge of first team affairs at Manchester United. Does this actually give us an opportunity to build a more accurate picture of his work since taking over? Our first dive into summer business asks the question; is Carrick headed for the job on a permanent basis? We'll look at the football, of course, where most people will be giving him high marks. He has also dealt with the media in a typically straightforward manner; is there more to come on that front, should he be more bullish at times? Ticket prices are in the news again with the club, and others across the Premier League, announcing rises for next season. It's a subject which provokes strong reactions, and there are lots of finer details to consider as well. We also look briefly at the two new appointments in the academy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The honeymoon is over... what about the future of the relationship? Michael Carrick's unbeaten run as Manchester United manager, which has lit a fire under the pursuit of Champions League football this season, is over. In truth, it was a poor performance; the team had laboured even during a largely uneventful opening forty minutes. Of course, the level of incident changed dramatically at the end of the first half but, going in level at the break with Newcastle reduced to ten men, a victory seemed the more likely outcome. We break down the reasons why that didn't happen, what it means for the rest of the season, and the perception of squad depth... or lack of it. As always, we're trying our best to maintain perspective in the face of another frustrating midweek result. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.