Episodes
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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.
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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.
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Episodes manquant?
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The lads are feeling a little bit worse for wear as we record in our hotel lobby after two nights on tour at Manchester's Lowry Theatre and the Limelight in Belfast.
It's a relatively quiet week at Manchester United with the new manager getting his feet under the desk amid a men's international break, but Laurie had a (short-lived) exclusive when we learned that Ruud van Nistelrooy has left the club.
We'll get into Ruben Amorim's in-tray next week, when we want your messages please, but we put down some early thoughts and glanced at a stuttering season for the Women's team, in contrast to the boys' U18s who are firing on all cylinders.
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The era of Ruud's interim Reds has come to an end, and it's been a near-perfect run. Three wins from four games, including Sunday's 3-0 win over Leicester, sees confidence much-improved since Erik Ten Hag left.
Ruben Amorim was due to start work at Manchester United on Monday 11th November, but visa friction may mean a slight delay. Nevertheless, we've got some fascinating material gathered by Charlotte Harpur as we try to get under the skin of the new man.
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Can a win be described as "routine" when it's your first in more than a year? If so, that's what 'Ruud's unbeaten interim Reds' achieved on Thursday night at Old Trafford.
Amad Diallo was the clear stand-out performer, first breaking the deadlock with a looped header from a searching Fernandes cross. He made the second himself with persistent pressing, a strong run, and a sharp finish. 2-0, job done.
That's not to say it was all plain sailing; van Nistelrooy was not pleased with the first-half performance and demanded better in the second. His time as manager will end with the Leicester game on Sunday but it remains to be seen if he will leave the club altogether.
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Ruben Amorim has been officially confirmed as the next manager, or 'head coach', of Manchester United. He will start work on Monday November 11th, coincidentally the day of our live show at Manchester's Lowry Theatre!
We're making sure, as we did with Ralf Rangnick, that we leave no stone unturned when it comes to learning how to pronounce Ruben Amorim. Is the media's very positive take on the Portuguese matched by fan sentiment?
One thing is for sure, he has a big job in front of him. The man who now has most influence on how big that job will be is Ruud van Nistelrooy. The caretaker followed a good Carabao Cup win with a dull draw at home v Chelsea, which must be followed by victory over PAOK on Thursday night.
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Laurie brings us the latest details from the negotiations between Sporting Lisbon and Manchester United with a deal apparently agreed for the release of Ruben Amorim to join the club. But, it won't be an immediate move and there are still elements to sort out including the transfer of some assistants and coaching staff.
Ruud van Nistelrooy, then, will continue as interim boss and things started very well for him as Leicester City were dispatched from the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night. His side led 4-2 at half-time and hit five in all, albeit not without a bit of luck here and there.
What next for Ruud; will he stay on under Amorim? We consider his future, answer a selection of your questions about an eventful week, and look ahead to a huge match against Chelsea (and, frankly, Cole Palmer) this weekend.
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As revealed exclusively for The Athletic by Adam Crafton and David Ornstein on Monday lunchtime, Manchester United have relieved manager Erik Ten Hag of his duties after the team's latest defeat in the Premier League at West Ham.
So, where did it all go wrong for the man who arrived from Ajax with a reputation for strict discipline and a winning track record. He did win two trophies, the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup, but the team's form in the Premier League and European competition fell far below the standard required at Old Trafford.
And, following The Athletic's second huge exclusive of the day, Ian and Laurie make a late amendment to the podcast with a discussion of Ruben Amorim and why he has been identified as the man to replace Ten Hag.
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It's difficult to know what to make of Erik Ten Hag's Manchester United. We know they're not going to win the league, but can you honestly make a solid prediction beyond that?
In the Europa League, it'll be tricky to finish the first phase outside the top eight, but with three points from the first three games it's now not unthinkable. Strangest of all; at the end of ninety minutes in Istanbul, the happiest in the stadium seemed to be the one complaining about not getting a penalty.
West Ham at the Olympic Stadium next; not too many happy memories from that ground, or are there? Luckily, we do actually find our happy place precisely 20 years ago, when Arsenal's 49-game unbeaten run ran headlong into an immovable Phil Neville and the slice hit the man.
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The mood is "off the floor" after Rasmus Hojlund scored the winning goal in a game at Old Trafford against "decent Premier League side" Brentford. In fact, all the 'big' attacking players contributed, which is great news.
It could be important news as well, with a win in Europe long overdue and a trip to Istanbul up next. Jose Mourinho is not the only familiar face in the Fenerbahce camp, but they are a club with worries that might sound familiar to Manchester United fans as well.
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Manchester United have decided to terminate the contract of a manager, but it's not the current one.
Sir Alex Ferguson's role as a paid ambassador for the club will come to an end this summer, and it's a decision which has provoked a strong reaction, especially from some notable former players. Fans seem mixed, and our panel can certainly see both sides of the argument.
The women's team head to Brighton, the former club of red-hot striker Elisabeth Terland, with a 100% win record so far this season while Ten Hag's men face a tough test at Brentford. The first ninety seconds could be crucial in that one!
Donate to Andy Mitten's Kilimanjaro fundraiser for the Manchester United Foundation by clicking here.
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Jonny Evans rolled back the years to provide Manchester United's defence with a vintage performance and a clean sheet.
Sadly, Ten Hag's attackers couldn't find the net again. The game was goalless, and provided very little by way of entertainment or clues as to the future of Erik Ten Hag.
Who better to put a spring in our steps (especially Andy, we hope) but Captain Marvel himself, Bryan Robson joins the pod to fill us in on a special charity challenge.
Click here to donate to Andy (and Robbo)'s Kilimanjaro fund for Manchester United Foundation.
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There's a hint of crazed laughter in the voices of Ian Irving, Carl Anka, Andy Mitten, and Laurie Whitwell as they dissect the latest madcap entry in Erik Ten Hag's Manchester United soap opera.
Twenty minutes in, two-nil up and cruising, the team once again snatched chaos from the jaws of victory as they conceded twice before half-time, went behind less than five minutes after the break, and then lost captain Bruno Fernandes to a red card for the second successive match.
Harry Maguire's emphatic header from a Christian Eriksen corner saved a Europa League point, but will it save the manager?
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There's a question mark in the podcast title, but there isn't much doubt in our camp. The first half against Spurs at Old Trafford on Sunday was the most disjointed, mistake-ridden performance we've seen since Erik Ten Hag became manager of Manchester United.
Bruno Fernandes red card was harsh, there's agreement there as well; but, by then, much of the damage had been done. For the second time in a week, an opposition defender carried the ball forty yards through the heart of midfield to set up a goal and the fragile atmosphere shattered.
So, once again, we're asking THAT question. The executive team, aiming to win the Premier League by 2028, chose to back their man in the summer but can he provide enough of an upturn in the team's results (and performances) to stretch his tenure as far as 2025?
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Ian Irving, fresh from the stands at Old Trafford, holds court with Carl, Laurie Whitwell, and Mr Mitten as we cast judgement over another disappointing performance in Europe.
FC Twente, despite a rich history (one which features Erik Ten Hag in three spells), have the lowest UEFA coefficient of any of United's opponent's in this season's Europa League. That didn't stop them fighting back to earn a point, though, as Sam Lammers levelled following a series of mistakes and weak challenges.
Christian Eriksen was robbed of possession for the Dutch side's goal; a shame, as the night had been going pretty well for him. He celebrated his fourth consecutive start with a sharp strike from the edge of the box. Next up for Manchester United, Eriksen's old club Tottenham.
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The performance of Erik Ten Hag's side at Crystal Palace was, according to Laurie Whitwell, the most complete of his tenure. Yet, in order to be actually complete, the team need to put the ball in the net. Who's going to stick their hand up?
Marcus Rashford might have been high on your list of names there, but he was named on the bench at Selhurst Park. Rotated, not dropped, and Alejandro Garnacho deserved his chance to start.
Erik Ten Hag's boyhood team, FC Twente, will be the visitors in Wednesday's Europa League opener: it's a match that absolutely doesn't matter given the format of this year's competition. Yet, after the Palace result, this one does matter, and Andy says we should target this trophy.
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Andy Mitten secured an exclusive interview with Gary Neville this week, one which was reported widely (and sometimes inaccurately) by the press. We get his take first hand as the Old Trafford task force prepares to gather opinion from fans and local residents.
The WSL returns this week, and The Athletic's Charlotte Harpur has just arrived in Manchester where she'll have a news brief including coverage of United's women's team. It's been an eventful summer, one that has seen significant changes to the squad, and there are many questions to be answered as Marc Skinner's side prepare for the visit of West Ham on Saturday.
Erik Ten Hag's men brushed Barnsley aside in the Carabao Cup and are growing in confidence with a trip to Crystal Palace coming up this weekend. The Londonders aren't in their best form, so one thing is pretty much guaranteed; it will be more enjoyable than the last visit.
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Nobody's underestimating the achievement of a win on the South Coast but, despite a hairy opening half-hour, Saturday's three points at Southampton were won in relatively routine fashion... we're taking it.
Meanwhile, Manchester United's senior executives have assembled on the riviera in Barcelona where they have been discussing strategy and planning. Laurie pressed a metaphorical glass against the wall and lets us know what he knows about the major talking points.
Erik Ten Hag's squad will face Barnsley at Old Trafford on Tuesday night in the Carabao Cup. Can they sell seven thousand tickets for the away end? Not at the advertised price, it seems.
(TIckets to our live shows in Belfast, https://www.ents24.com/uk/tour-dates/talk-of-the-devils-live, and Dublin, https://www.nch.ie/all-events-listing/talk-of-the-devils-live/)
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The band are back together as the international break draws to a close and we're looking ahead to a Southampton game which feels like it has a lot riding on it; for Manchester United, of course, but also for Erik Ten Hag with fan opinion split down the middle on his future.
The Athletic FC's recent survey of all their Manchester subscribers showed that, while there was strong support for INEOS and a big thumbs up for summer transfer business, expectation of results on the pitch aren't any higher than the end of last season.
And, with mixed fortunes for United's international players, we take a closer look at how Bruno Fernandes, Manuel Ugarte, and Matthijs de Ligt might be used in these next few games with so much at stake, plus a little bonus from Laurie's chat with Angel Gomes to mark his England debut.
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Arne Slot's Liverpool came to Old Trafford and won in second gear in his third game in charge; a damning indictment of Manchester United in the Premier League under Erik Ten Hag.
It all feels horribly familiar as we ask many of the same questions on the first "Monday inquest" of a new season. Is there a case for giving the manager and the squad any slack at the end of a busy transfer window, one that had looked very productive.
Irish listeners will take some cheer from the news that our long-promised ticket update for the live show in Dublin has finally arrived, and we have also added an extra date in Belfast!
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