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

The Athletic

Your go-to Manchester United podcast for unrivalled insight and opinion

  • 53 minutes 40 seconds
    Dismal Christmas display as Bournemouth win at Old Trafford (again)

    The stats don't make for pretty reading after Bournemouth won 3-0 at Old Trafford, just as they did on their previous visit. In fact, United are setting all the wrong trends with Ruben Amorim's honeymoon period, if he ever had one, well and truly over.

    The Marcus Rashford situation might not be exactly what fans are making of it, but after he was left out of the squad for a third time, it looks like it may take a little while longer before that's resolved.

    And, with January on the horizon, Harry Maguire's contract will need addressing or he might leave on a free transfer in the summer. If he does stay on he will probably have to delay any holiday plans, with a tour to Asia mooted.

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    22 December 2024, 8:52 pm
  • 57 minutes 5 seconds
    Rashford seeking 'new challenge' as Utd exit EFL Cup

    Ruben Amorim rang the changes again as Manchester United tumbled out of the Carabao Cup at the quarter-final stage against Tottenham. Spare a thought, especially, for the goalkeeping coaches.

    Meanwhile, Marcus Rashford has responded to his recent non-selection by telling journalist Henry Winter that he is now looking for a 'new challenge'. But, many questions remain unanswered.

    It's Bournemouth next; we're not scared of re-emphasising exactly how tricky that game could be against an eminently 'decent' side.

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    20 December 2024, 2:57 am
  • 51 minutes 31 seconds
    Amad derby ending: Manchester Red again

    Amad Diallo flipped a dismal derby on its head in the final ten minutes as Manchester United came from behind to win at the Etihad Stadium.

    Ruben Amorim took a sizeable gamble by leaving Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho out of the squad and, with Mason Mount injured after fifteen minutes, it looked to have backfired.

    However, the young Ivorian won a penalty which his captain put away and then latched onto a Lisandro Martinez through-ball to finish from an acute angle.

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    15 December 2024, 10:11 pm
  • 54 minutes 4 seconds
    Hojlund double delivers away win in Europe and derby 'hunger'

    The Czech town of Plzen created a special beer to celebrate the visit of Manchester United, but after Andre Onana sold Matthijs De Ligt short, the Reds needed a Rasmus Hojlund double to round off the night.

    After a turgid first half Hojlund, along with Ruben Amorim's other substitutes, injected pace and purpose bringing United level almost immediately and sealing the win late on.

    To win away in Europe for the first time since March 2023 puts another positive spin on Sunday's derby at the Etihad Stadium against an ailing City side... but we're not getting carried away!

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    13 December 2024, 1:44 am
  • 56 minutes 20 seconds
    Ashworth out & Sir Jim Ratcliffe talks to Andy

    After a tumultuous, albeit entirely precedented, weekend at Manchester United football club we break down two huge exclusives involving the team.

    On Sunday The Athletic's David Ornstein, Adam Crafton, and Laurie Whitwell combined to reveal that Sporting Director Dan Ashworth would leave after just five months in the job. Meanwhile, Andy Mitten published a lengthy and wide-ranging conversation with club minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

    We also take time, as everyone at Old Trafford did before the defeat to Nottingham Forest, to share tributes to the club's longest-serving staff member (perhaps ever), the much-loved Kath Phipps.

    We just about found time to talk about some football, much of which wasn't great; but was it all that bad?

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    9 December 2024, 3:13 pm
  • 53 minutes 39 seconds
    United undone by Arsenal set-pieces

    Wednesday night's fixture at the Emirates stadium went roughly as expected, including the method of scoring, but was no less disappointing as a result.

    Ruben Amorim made six changes to his starting line-up, with more alterations in-game, but he loses his impressive personal unbeaten run in the league.

    Forest are no pushovers this season, we look at the threat they pose, and discuss a story from Adam Crafton about how and why the players abandoned a plan to wear jackets in support of the Premier League's Rainbow Laces campaign.

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    5 December 2024, 6:00 pm
  • 48 minutes 25 seconds
    Amad on song as United thrash Everton

    Manchester United four, Everton nil. It's the type of result that shouldn't be as rare as it has become but we're happy with the scoreline and delighted with the performance of the team, despite a fairly unspectacular opening period.

    Amad Diallo was the man of the match, a 'professional pest' and provider of the fourth goal. That was scored by Joshua Zirkzee, who himself put in possible his best showing at the club so far.

    There was more unrest at ticket price hikes, including chants against Sir Jim Ratcliffe, and we reflect on your reaction to the news, plus a preview of Arsenal away (that's the league fixture, not the FA Cup third round!).

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    2 December 2024, 7:37 pm
  • 50 minutes 49 seconds
    Amorim opens OT account with a win amid ticket price anger

    Ruben Amorim's first home match in charge of Manchester United started with a bang and ended with a win over Norwegian champions Bodo/Glimt.

    But, it wasn't all plain sailing; the visitors fought back to lead 2-1 after Garnacho's super-early strike (even quicker than Rashford v Ipswich) and the result wasn't assured until the final whistle blew.

    A major talking point among those attending the game was the club's decision to disallow any concessions on tickets remaining for sale this season. This was taken without fan consultation, contrary to an agreed protocol between the club and fan representative groups, and has provoked significant anger.

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    29 November 2024, 1:56 am
  • 57 minutes 9 seconds
    Rashford ignites Amorim's United but team held at Ipswich

    Marcus Rashford was on the scoresheet after just 81 seconds of Ruben Amorim's first game as Manchester United manager, rounding off a very encouraging move after good work from Amad Diallo.

    Unfortuntately, that was as good as it got with Kieran McKenna's Ipswich fighting back to earn a point; perhaps a lesson for the Portuguese on exactly how competitive the Premier League is.

    There was plenty to digest from that game, from positional play to passion and spectacular saves, and there's likely to be a fair bit more to come over the next few matches starting with a fascinating Bodo Glimt side on Thursday night.

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    25 November 2024, 4:28 pm
  • 49 minutes 16 seconds
    Inside Ruben Amorim's first press conference

    Premier League football returns after the November international break and the trip to Ipswich this Sunday(!) was on absolutely nobody's lips at Carrington on Friday.

    That's because a sizeable press contingent had assembled to greet the club's new manager, or should that be head coach, Ruben Amorim.

    Ian, Laurie, and Carl took part in said press conference with Andy listening in and we share our (mostly) first impressions of the Portuguese 39 year-old as he prepares his squad for Portman Road.

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    22 November 2024, 6:50 pm
  • 1 hour 3 minutes
    Tyrell Malacia exclusive and Q&A

    The podcast team have returned from touring Britain and Ireland and we're wearing our fatigue heavily; well, some of us are... others are buzzing for Amorim's United. But, what's the right way to deal with the excitement?

    It would be another huge boost to have Tyrell Malacia, a genuine left-back, returning to the pitch. He has been talking exclusively to Mark Critchley about the reasons behind his extended break with injury, and some of the crazier theories that emerged about why he was keeping a low profile.

    And, we get to your questions on a wide range of subjects from youth team formations to the new coaches via european loyalty points.

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    20 November 2024, 4:49 pm
  • More Episodes? Get the App
© MoonFM 2024. All rights reserved.