#824 | United fought back to earn a draw at Everton. It was a spirited end to the game after more than an hour of some of the worst football played by a United team in living memory. There's quite a long list in that department. Ed and Dan wonder why Ruben Amorim waited until the 70th minute to make any substitutions? And why United couldn't muster a shot on target until a couple of minutes later? And whether it'll ever get any better? CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 00:45 Bruno Fernandes: The Lifel...
Feb 23, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 794
#823 | United have drawn Real Sociedad in the Europa League - a tough draw against a strong Spanish side, albeit one that's not having the best season. The prize on offer for United: a back door into next season's Champions League. It's there and you can almost touch it. But only if Ruben Amorim's team doesn't blow it first. Ed and Dominic discuss. CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction and Europa League Draw Overview 00:53 Analyzing the Draw: Real Sociedad 03:17 Challenges and Opportunities in the Europa ...
Feb 21, 2025•26 min
#822 | INEOS closed their acquisition of around 25% of Manchester United a year ago (now up to more than 28%) and the change has been stark and sometimes brutal. Layoffs, cost-cutting, poor management decision making. It's an attempt to turn the club around but with brutal consequences. How should we think about it. Ed and Tom try and digest a year of change. CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 00:29 Reflecting on United's Past Year 01:20 Financial Struggles and Cost Cutting 02:11 The Telegraph Article ...
Feb 20, 2025•28 min
#821 | Defeat to Spurs for the third time this season. This one hit a little different, with an injury crisis prompting United to start the game with eight teenagers on the bench. Not that Ruben Amorim was tempted to use the kids for long - Chido Obi enjoying about three minutes at the end of another disappointing game. This was a poor quality game, a ninth defeat for Amorim, leaving United in 15th place. FIFTEENTH PLACE. CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 00:51 Injuries and Squad Challenges 01:54 Perf...
Feb 16, 2025•42 min•Ep. 793
#820 | United have a problem - Josh Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund aren't scoring goals and yet they cost so much money it's going to be a problem for United to move either of them on in the summer. How did we get in this mess and how do we get out. With Ed and Dominic. CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 00:16 United's Striker Dilemma 02:20 Failed Striker Signings 03:17 Modern Striker Trends 07:55 Financial Constraints and Future Prospects 18:34 Potential Transfers and Targets 30:30 Conclusion and Final Th...
Feb 14, 2025•33 min
#819 | Ed and Isabel dive deep into the current state of the club, including dressing room chatter about Ruben Amorim's tactics. Is there player discontent to go along with and the broader issues facing the club, including tight finances, job cuts and far too many defeats on the pitch. Despite the negativity, they explore the potential path forward for the club under Amorim's leadership and the need for patience and strategic decision-making. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Host Introduction 00:37 ...
Feb 12, 2025•23 min
#818 | Mailbag episode! Ed and Adam discuss United's current state and future prospects. They breakdown potential managerial changes, hypothetical squad adjustments, and the importance of financial prudence under current ownership. Listener questions lead to analyses of Ruben Amorim's tactical flexibility, the need for versatile player profiles, and comparisons to historical precedents. Financial constraints and future investments are also covered, along with nostalgic reflections on past manage...
Feb 10, 2025•59 min•Ep. 792
#817 | FA Cup victory over Leicester through a last-minute Harry Maguire goal. It should be one of those very special nights at Old Trafford. So why does it feel so flat? We should be moving forward and yet the team, the system and even the fans feel more confused than ever. Ed and Tom enjoy the win but can't help but feel concerned. CHAPTERS Analysing United's Lucky Escape and Amorim's Tactical Dilemma 00:00 Introduction and Initial Reactions 00:58 Controversial Offside and Match Analysis 01:47...
Feb 08, 2025•57 min•Ep. 791
Daily #816 | The winter transfer window has closed not so much with a bang but a whimper as far as Manchester United are concerned. There are three in and three out... and yet the details matter. United have bought one senior player and two youth players this January, and then loaned three senior players out - including Marcus Rashford. Ed and Dominic analyse the window, what it means for United's transfer strategy, and where the club might go from here. If you are interested in supporting the s...
Feb 04, 2025•32 min
#815 | Beaten by Crystal Palace at Old Trafford for the fourth time in five years. Not so much a fortress as as comfortable nest for the Eagles. United, without a striker on the pitch, were toothless (in the Premier League) once again. There were chances but only in halves and United are far from an efficient finishing team anyway. It's a seventh defeat at Old Trafford this season and, frankly, one United deserved. After a decent performance in midweek, where do United go from here? Ed and Dan d...
Feb 02, 2025•54 min•Ep. 790
Daily #814 | United face a tricky process evolving Ruben Amorim's squad to fit the new manager's needs. The club needs to restructure the wage budget and target players who are willing to come to a non Champions League club (without the Champions League wages)... while trying to get decent fees for players who are wanted. Ed and Adam discuss. If you are interested in supporting the show and accessing exclusive bonus episodes, check out our Patreon page or subscribe on Apple Podcasts Subscription...
Feb 01, 2025•46 min
#813 | Victory in Romania and it really should have been a rout. This was perhaps the closest iteration of a Ruben Amorim side yet. United were dominant in possession, creative in attack and but from some profligate finishing and desperate defending, the visitors would have run up a cricket score. Ed and Dan digest United's progress towards the last 16, debate the latest moves in the transfer market and look ahead to Crystal Palace at the weekend. If you are interested in supporting the show and...
Jan 31, 2025•53 min•Ep. 789
#812 | Patrick Dorgu, the Danish international left-back, wing-back, inside forward is set to join United for €30 million from Lecce. We finally have a left footed left back folks. Hallelujah! Praise the football gods. Ed and Dominic talk about the qualities Dorgu may bring to the team, think about some of the weaknesses and try and place the transfer in context. If you are interested in supporting the show and accessing exclusive bonus episodes, check out our Patreon page or subscribe on Apple ...
Jan 29, 2025•30 min
#811 | It's 30 years since Eric Cantona kung-fu kicked a Crystal Palace supporter at Selhurst Park. It's still one of the most iconic moments in football history. To celebrate the launch of their new two-part podcast episode on Eric Cantona, we're joined by the Upshot's Zach Sweeny-Lynch to recount a few stories about the mad Frenchman! If you are interested in supporting the show and accessing exclusive bonus episodes, check out our Patreon page or subscribe on Apple Podcasts Subscriptions. We ...
Jan 28, 2025•29 min
#810 | Victory at Craven Cottage but with just one shot on target, there's plenty of questions about the path forward. This is still not a side that creates or scores freely despite the strong defensive performance in London. Then there's news about the future of Old Trafford, with government support apparently forthcoming, and that damn fine footballer Antony joins Betis on loan. If you are interested in supporting the show and accessing exclusive bonus episodes, check out our Patreon page or s...
Jan 27, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 788
#809 | Look, we don't want to be rude, but there won't be many tears shed for Antony when he departs on loan for Real Betis this week. Costing the club £85m when he joined two and a half years ago, the Brazilian has rarely delivered on the pitch and been, well, a bit more of a hit off it. But where does Antony rank in the worst post-Fergie transfers? Ed and Adam discuss. If you are interested in supporting the show and accessing exclusive bonus episodes, check out our Patreon page or subscribe o...
Jan 25, 2025•47 min
#808 | United beat Rangers in the Europa League with a last minute goal from Captain Bruno Fernandes. How many clutch moments can one man produce. There's action in the transfer market, with both Antony (loan) and Alejandro Garnacho (£??) potentially leaving the club. Ed and Tom bemoan the state of the club and - sort of - enjoy United's performance against Rangers. If you are interested in supporting the show and accessing exclusive bonus episodes, check out our Patreon page or subscribe on App...
Jan 24, 2025•57 min•Ep. 787
This is the first episode of a new project, Manchester United: The Lost Tapes.You can find The Lost Tapes on its own feed, everywhere you find podcasts. Enjoy. --- Few footballers have had a transformative impact to compare with that of Eric Cantona at Manchester United. When he arrived at Old Trafford from Leeds United, the club were still licking their wounds after passing 25 years without a league title - ironically, marking the occasion by coming agonisingly close in a battle with Cantona’s ...
Jan 24, 2025•45 min
This is Manchester United: The Lost Tapes. Stories about United's rich history, told in a way you've never heard before. Written by Wayne Barton, narrated by Patrick Barclay and produced by Studio 1878. Episode One: Cantona Eric Cantona’s arrival from Leeds United transformed Manchester United after a 25-year title drought, reshaping the club’s fortunes and igniting the Premier League’s imagination. Internal conflict at Leeds and Cantona’s infamous disciplinary issues under Howard Wilkinson, cul...
Jan 23, 2025•5 min
#807 | Andre Onana started the season well, and at one stage had the best data (saves vs expected saves) of any keeper in the top European leagues. Yet, he has made some ridiculous errors in recent weeks against Wolves, Forest and Brighton. Together with mistakes that cost United last season, the focus is once again on a stopper who has not lived up to his price tag or billing. Should United dip into the market? Can United afford to dip into the market? Ed and Dominic discuss. If you are interes...
Jan 22, 2025•27 min
#806 | Ruben Amorim ... Ruben Angerim more like. The Manchester United Head Coach reportedly smashed a TV in the Old Trafford dressing room after United's defeat to Brighton on Sunday. His anger stems from players refusing to follow his instructions. Hosts Ed and Isabel like it. If you are interested in supporting the show and accessing exclusive bonus episodes, check out our Patreon page or subscribe on Apple Podcasts Subscriptions. We do a bonus show and a tactical review every week for backer...
Jan 21, 2025•27 min
#805 | That's 10 defeats in the Premier League this season. "Losing so many games at home is not acceptable," said Ruben Amorim after the game. And yet it has been the story now for two seasons. Amorim came in with one idea and one that he can only sell to the players if they win games. Right now, this is a United team that's a mess, in a club that's haemorrhaging money and credibility. Ed and Dan survey another disaster at Old Trafford. “We are being the worst team maybe in the history of Man U...
Jan 20, 2025•54 min•Ep. 786
#804 | For 80 minutes, United were absolutely dreadful. Following two spirited performances away at Liverpool and Arsenal, confidence was high and the question that Ruben Amorim posed: could United sustain this performance level in a game when they're expected to win? He got a definitive answer. Then there was Amad. Amadadona. Maradiallo. El Amad de Oro. This is Amadchester United. Ed and Wayne marvel at the little man's big performance and worry about United's future. If you are interested in s...
Jan 17, 2025•58 min•Ep. 785
#803 | Manchester United sold Anthony Elanga to Nottingham Forest around 18 months ago. In the time since, the Swedish international has made steady progress, including assisting Forest's goal against Liverpool earlier this week. Did United get the right deal for Elanga, and what does recent speculation about Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo say about the club's approach to youth development? If you are interested in supporting the show and accessing exclusive bonus episodes, check out our P...
Jan 16, 2025•24 min
#802 | After two positive results at Liverpool and Arsenal, can United progress against a Southampton side bottom of the Premier League and seemingly heading out of the division? That's the question fans and Ruben Amorim are asking ahead of Thursday night's game. There's some momentum and United have to grasp it agains the worst side in the Premier League. Ed and Dominic preview the game. If you are interested in supporting the show and accessing exclusive bonus episodes, check out our Patreon p...
Jan 15, 2025•31 min
#801 | There are increasing rumours in the media today that Napoli are interested in Manchester United winger/forward Alejandro Garnacho. Any potential deal would represent a large profit for the club and be highly beneficial in PSR terms because he has come through the United academy. But should the club even think about selling a high potential young player? Ed and Isabel discuss. If you are interested in supporting the show and accessing exclusive bonus episodes, check out our Patreon page or...
Jan 14, 2025•24 min
#800 | United produced a great backs-against-the-wall performance to beat Arsenal on penalties in the FA Cup. Ruben Amorim's side scored a fine breakaway goal to lead before Arsenal's Andy Madley produced one of the more bizarre refereeing performances of the season, finding a reason to send off the careless Diogo Dalot before awarding one of the more ridiculous penalties you'll see. Altay Bayindir saved it and then another in the shootout after United defended with spirit with 10 men for an hou...
Jan 12, 2025•53 min•Ep. 784
#799 | Arsenal v Manchester United in the FA Cup - one of the classic fixtures of the genre. It's the 16th time the two teams have met in the FA Cup, with United winning eight, although there have been a few painful defeats along the way. Ed and Adam preview the game at the Emirates where 8,000 United fans (1,000 fewer tickets than should have been allocated by the tight-fisted North Londoners) will cheer on Ruben Amorim's side. Can the visitors stop Set Piece FC lumping it into the box yet agai...
Jan 10, 2025•26 min
#798 | We’re at the halfway stage of the season and, well, it’s been pretty shit to date. Ed and Dan take a look at the squad, assessing how everybody has done so far, where United might look to evolve the squad this winter (or more likely in the summer) and what the second half of the campaign might bring. If you are interested in supporting the show and accessing exclusive bonus episodes, check out our Patreon page or subscribe on Apple Podcasts Subscriptions. We do a bonus show and a tactical...
Jan 09, 2025•56 min•Ep. 783
#797 | Manuel Ugarte put in his best performance of his short time at Manchester United against Liverpool last Sunday. Ed and Dominic talk about the Uruguayan's impact at United and the ongoing discussion about Ruben Amorim's midfield options. If you are interested in supporting the show and accessing exclusive bonus episodes, check out our Patreon page or subscribe on Apple Podcasts Subscriptions. We do a bonus show and a tactical review every week for backers. No Question About That is availab...
Jan 07, 2025•25 min
