The pre-match protest organised by the 1958 Group was greater in numbers than most predictions and that energy only served to rev up the atmosphere at Old Trafford on Sunday teatime. Ruben Amorim's tactics were a slight compromise on one or two of his principles, but the deeper defence allowed United to contain and control Arsenal before Bruno Fernandes served up another set-piece special. A draw that felt almost like a win, then, and with "La Real" coming to Manchester on Thursday, we're hoping...
Mar 10, 2025•1 hr•Transcript available on Metacast Joshua Zirkzee scored his first goal in European competition as Ruben Amorim's slimline squad earned a draw in San Sebastian, leaving their Europa League tie with Real Sociedad finely poised. It could easily have been a win with Manchester United growing into the game after half-time and squandering several good opportunities through profligate finishing and rash decision-making in attack. But, La Real equalised from the spot and looked much the stronger side at the finish. Might Amorim consider...
Mar 07, 2025•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast Sir Jim Ratcliffe's investment in Manchester United with INEOS has brought a welcome re-focusing on sporting achievement as opposed to commercial success. Project 150, encompassing Mission 21 and Mission 1, sets out a clear ambition to have the men's and women's teams winning their respective leagues by 2028, the club's 150th anniversary. Does this statement of intent, now public knowledge, help channel the attentions and efforts of the club's staff? And is there conflict with recent cost-cuttin...
Mar 05, 2025•52 min•Transcript available on Metacast With European qualification via the Premier League an outlandish prospect, Ruben Amorim's Manchester United had two hopes of making it back into continential competition. On Sunday, two became one. Another dispiriting, disappointing showing saw Fulham defy Bruno Fernandes second-half equaliser to progress to the quarter-finals via a penalty shoot-out. The Champions League may yet save our bacon, but Real Sociedad provide the first of up to four significant obstacles standing in the Europa League...
Mar 03, 2025•56 min•Transcript available on Metacast The r-word has been put to bed after Bruno Fernandes delivered three more set-piece goals (via Morsy, De Ligt, and Maguire), but there was no shortage of drama at Old Trafford on Wednesday night with Andre Onana setting hearts racing again and Patrick Dorgu dismissed on his first home start. Fighting spirit on the pitch, then, but surely a sombre mood among Manchester United's staff after they were informed of more job cuts by Omar Berrada. We briefly break down the main points with a TotD Extra...
Feb 27, 2025•57 min•Transcript available on Metacast If you were to try and identify Manchester United's worst first half performance this season you would have a lengthy queue of candidates, but the latest showing at Goodison Park might just be it. In fact, the malaise dragged on for 70 minutes when, possibly fortunate to only be 2-0 down, the team were sparked into life by Bruno Fernandes. The captain beat Jordan Pickford with a free-kick but also dropped deeper in midfield to generate some momentum. Manuel Ugarte's well taken equaliser was the ...
Feb 22, 2025•42 min•Transcript available on Metacast Our normal schedule resumes and we're back on some familiar subject matter, but not before another big interview courtesy of the team at The Athletic; this time, Charlotte Harpur sat down with Raphael Varane and while he spoke in a measured manner he was fairly candid about his time at the club. Manchester United's accounts were published on Wednesday and, even for those versed in the club's financial problems, some alarming figures emerged. Debt repayments resulting from the Glazer family's lev...
Feb 20, 2025•56 min•Transcript available on Metacast It's the debut of our spin-off, in-depth, discussion podcast Talk of the Devils EXTRA and we're not afraid to dive in head first! Getting goals is the most valuable skill in football and, as a result, strikers are the most expensive players. It's also something Manchester United are really struggling with this season and a likely priority in the next transfer window. So, who are United's recruiters looking at? Has the shortlist changed much since Ruben Amorim came in? What does all this mean for...
Feb 19, 2025•44 min•Transcript available on Metacast It was dubbed El Calamatico; a clash of two teams falling disastrously short of expectation in the Premier League this season. Unfortunately for us it was Tottenham, through Manchester United fan James Maddison, who found the crucial breakthrough. In fairness to Ruben Amorim's eleven, they had little support from the bench after a series of injuries in training this week. But, the forwards failed to convert one of a few decent chances on the night; an all too familiar story (that we will look in...
Feb 17, 2025•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast No midweek game but no respite; this is Manchester United! It's an epic show with no fewer than three FA Cup round-ups after the senior men and women and the U18s all booked their opponents in their respective competitions. If things aren't going great in the Premier League, it may be even messier in the backroom where more job cuts were announced in an effort to stem a major financial drain, even if the cause of that shortfall lies elsewhere. Before a look at the Calamatico v Spurs, we also dip...
Feb 13, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Transcript available on Metacast Harry Maguire was the hero at Old Trafford on Friday night as Manchester United progressed to the fifth round of the FA Cup in entirely uncontroversial fashion... well, that's not entirely true. Yes, it was offside, but that's not the controversy we're talking about. What we want to know (as do many listeners) is why Ruben Amorim played his new left-sided winger on the right! Patrick Dorgu played 45 minutes at right wing-back before he became a half-time substitute for Alejandro Garnacho, with t...
Feb 10, 2025•56 min•Transcript available on Metacast The January transfer window closed on Monday with a new experience for Manchester United fans. The club's restraint in the face of deals they didn't consider good value has been met with a mixed reception by fans. So, with the help of your questions, we assess that strategy, and think about how Ruben Amorim will now address the main problem he has this season; a team that doesn't score enough goals. Can he turn the Reds aroooound? Ruud van Nistelrooy will return to Old Trafford on Friday for the...
Feb 05, 2025•50 min•Transcript available on Metacast Any sense of optimism that had been building around Ruben Amorim's team was squashed by a workmanlike Crystal Palace who, remarkably, haven't conceded a goal against Manchester United in two years. Were the wounds self-inflicted? Amorim chose to move Kobbie Mainoo, excellent in Europe as a ten, to play false nine and left out both his misfiring strikers. Overthinking, or perhaps a message to the transfer department? Danish international Patrick Dorgu has signed from Serie A's Lecce and uncertain...
Feb 02, 2025•57 min•Transcript available on Metacast Ruben Amorim deployed Kobbie Mainoo in one of the number ten positions against FCSB as Manchester United won comfortably to ease themselves through to the last 16 of this year's UEFA Europa League. A "rotated" starting XI looked like a bit of a gamble from the Portuguese manager, but a cautious approach initially followed by the introduction of more creative players at the break really paid off. The draw for the last 16 will take place later in February with four potential opponents; Galatasaray...
Jan 31, 2025•1 hr•Transcript available on Metacast There's a case to say Lisandro Martinez is providing Manchester United's most potent attacking threat at the moment as we dig into some alarming trends with respect to the centre forwards. Positive sounding news on stadium development this week but unease continues to rumble among the fans and there was a fairly hostile response to Sir Jim Ratcliffe's presence at Craven Cottage. But, with FCSB up next, a top eight finish in the Europa League first phase might bring some respite and everyone but ...
Jan 27, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Transcript available on Metacast Captain Bruno rescued three Europa League points for Manchester United after Cyriel Dessers looked to have earned Rangers a draw at the death. But while a European top eight finish, bypassing the play-off round, now looks likely there is still a lot of uncertainty around the club with financial question marks muddying the transfer waters. Will the club reach a deal for Patrick Dorgu, can the price be right for Alejandro Garnacho, and might Marcus Rashford still have a future at Old Trafford? We'...
Jan 24, 2025•1 hr•Transcript available on Metacast Strong themes running through today's show as we remember United great Denis Law, the only Scottish footballer ever to win the Ballon d'Or, after his death on Friday at 84. How this current team could do with a centre forward, a goalscorer, an all-round footballer of Denis's ability. After Brighton won at Old Trafford again, Ruben Amorim called his side the worst in United's history. A joke, perhaps, but we're not laughing. Ella Toone celebrated her recent return to action with a hat-trick in a ...
Jan 20, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Transcript available on Metacast Ian Irving might have been glad of a day off, very glad indeed, were it not for Amad's late show at Old Trafford on Thursday night. He became Manchester United's second youngest hat-trickster after Wayne Rooney and their first since Cristiano Ronaldo. While the 22 year-old Ivorian has a long way to achieve the stature of those two players, he is well on his way to becoming a cult hero and is a shining light at a time when things are still not going to plan; the first 75 minutes of this game saw ...
Jan 17, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Transcript available on Metacast After a drab first half at the Emirates Stadium, the FA Cup third round tie between Arsenal and Manchester United caught fire; so much so, that it brought back memories of the fierce rivalry between the two clubs. Bruno gave United the lead with a superb finish, but Diogo Dalot was dismissed for a rash challenge which brought a second yellow card and things looked difficult with Arsenal equalising soon after. But, Turkish goalkeeper Altay Bayandir saved an in-game penalty from Martin Odegaard, h...
Jan 13, 2025•1 hr•Transcript available on Metacast We were sceptical clubs would come in for Marcus Rashford, but just a few days after he stated his openness to a move there are already some significant suitors. Could this actually happen? Much less likely is a transfer for either Kobbie Mainoo or Alejandro Garnacho: the two FA Youth Cup winners may not be certain starters for Amorim, but fans need not fear a fire sale... the price would have to be right. ...and with not one, but two FA Cup defences starting this weekend we catch up with the wo...
Jan 09, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Transcript available on Metacast A committed showing in an entertaining contest at the league leaders; how refreshing was that! It was certainly a pleasant surprise relative to our gloomy expectations. The return of Ugarte and Mainoo helped midfield, as did that of a resurgent Bruno Fernandes, but there were positive performances across the defence, from Diogo Dalot against Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Garnacho off the bench as well. The only big question was why they haven't been able to produce this before now. Marcus Rashford...
Jan 06, 2025•59 min•Transcript available on Metacast It was the worst month for Manchester United in 95 years, yet it started with a four-nil victory and included a famous derby win. We attempt to pick apart the problems of a team learning new patterns of play while negotiating a hectic festive programme and with their most valuable player deemed un-selectable, for the time being at least. Is there much hope for improvement in the near future? We do our best, but it's tough when you're visiting Europe's best team (on form) and the Premier League's...
Jan 02, 2025•1 hr 8 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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...
Dec 22, 2024•54 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 'd...
Dec 20, 2024•57 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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...
Dec 15, 2024•52 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 ...
Dec 13, 2024•54 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 th...
Dec 09, 2024•56 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 ...
Dec 05, 2024•54 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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...
Dec 02, 2024•48 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 ...
Nov 29, 2024•51 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
