Claim OwnershipTalk of the Devils: The Athletic FC's Manchester United show
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Host Ian Irving is joined by The Athletic's Laurie Whitwell, Carl Anka and Andy Mitten on the world's biggest Manchester United podcast. Subscribe for expert insight from inside the club, breaking news and two episodes every week.
336 Episodes
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1Andy 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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The summer transfer window is coming to a close and, albeit with several loose ends yet to be tied up, it looks like Manchester United have done what many fans have long hoped for and moved on several fringe players.
One of those loose ends is the uncertain future of Jadon Sancho. With rumoured interest from Chelsea seemingly reliant on a player swap, would Raheem Sterling actually make sense, or might there be other players who would serve the squad better.
And, with Liverpool making the short hop to Old Trafford this weekend, we use your memories of this fixture to get the fire burning. Hopefully, Erik Ten Hag can get one over on his compatriot, the more fashionable (?) Arne Slot.
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Another defeat to Brighton (bogey status confirmed), another late goal conceded (inverse Fergie Time pending), another problem defending a set-piece. This game had a worryingly familiar feel.
We're also worried about goalscoring in general, and specifically Marcus Rashford's form (even if he didn't justify all the criticism he got). However, there were positives, and we promise to get into those as well.
And with five days to go in the summer transfer window, a fee has been agreed with Napoli for Scott McTominay. Should the deal go through, maybe with a move for Jadon Sancho and some smaller sales, it could end up as a productive summer of outgoings.
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It's that rarest of beasts, a relatively quiet week in the existence of Manchester United. Despite that, there's a host of interesting questions as Erik Ten Hag prepares his squad for a trip to Brighton.
Listeners were eager to know more about potential recruits at left-back and in midfield, but with barely a week left in the summer transfer window, the sale of Facundo Pellistri isn't thought to be enough to free up PSR breathing space.
What about that game at the Amex Stadium. It's their first home fixture in the Premier League since losing 1-0 to... Manchester United at the end of last season. Ten Hag's men didn't play to their peak that day, and there's a very little margin for error this time.
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Joshua Zirkzee might not be the most high profile signing of the summer but he got his club career off to the perfect start with a goal on his home debut. A goal that, finally, broke the deadlock and proved to be decisive.
Immediately after the final whistle at Old Trafford, Ian, Andy, and Laurie reflect on an encouraging win over a decent Fulham outfit and a positive, if imperfect, performance from Erik Ten Hag's team.
One man who wasn't involved was Jadon Sancho. A minor medical issue was the official cause, but with a fractious history between the player and the manager, there was inevitable speculation about another falling out or even a potential transfer.
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It's the eve of the new Premier League and Manchester United, bolstered by the confirmed signings of De Ligt and Mazraoui, had more good news in the shape of a new contract for club captain Bruno Fernandes.
Yet another muscle injury for Luke Shaw did take the shine off things a bit, and according to The Athletic's fan survey, fans are nowhere near as positive as we seem to be.
With Fulham coming to Old Trafford on Friday night, we asked for your questions and you DID NOT disappoint. Here we go again!
To buy tickets to TotD LIVE in Manchester, go to https://thelowry.com/whats-on/talk-of-the-devils-podcast/
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The full podcast squad assemble at Hotel Football, overlooking Old Trafford, to look ahead to the new Premier League season which starts with the visit of Fulham on Friday night.
Defeat, via penalties, to City in the Community Shield had us feeling low at the weekend. But, with time to reflect and reinforcements arriving from Munich, there's growing confidence in the air.
So, what is left to do in the transfer market, who will Ten Hag put his faith in this season, and is the 'Mitten-standard' for success enough to satisfy us this time around?
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Third time's the charm; it's our summer comeback number three as Ian Irving, Andy Mitten, Laurie Whitwell, and Carl Anka review Manchester United's US tour and look ahead to the Community Shield and the Premier League season.
The warm-ups are done and, with the small matter of a Wembley showdown against Manchester City before the Premier League gets underway, we look at potential recruits to strengthen the squad (and cover for frustrating injuries).
We've also got a couple of exciting announcements with the news of a new Manchester United whatsapp channel from The Athletic and two Talk of the Devils live shows.
To buy tickets to TotD LIVE in Manchester, go to https://thelowry.com/whats-on/talk-of-the-devils-podcast/
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Ian and Carl in normal surroundings, Andy and Laurie living it up on the West Coast. Talk of the Devils returns (again) for a dip into the US pre-season tour and a round-up of the latest news back in Manchester.
A 2-1 defeat to Arsenal didn't concern us much, with the result an afterthought and positive performances from established first team players (and one or two hopefuls).... but, there is some worry after injuries forced Rasmus Hojlund and Leny Yoro off before half-time.
Closer to home, literally, and Laurie has been writing about an ambitious plan for a new one-hundred thousand seater stadium next to Old Trafford. What that means for the current stadium, and the surrounding area, is not clear but it is an intriguing development in what is already something of a saga.
And, of course, we catch up with developments in the transfer market, with right-back seemingly the position of most interest.
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An episode of your favourite Manchester United podcast... in July! We're really spoiling you with a midsummer catch-up amid a hive of activity at Carrington and throughout the club, including significant staff cuts as anticipated earlier in the year.
Maybe that should read Midsommar... with Ten Hag's early pre-season squad (and Andy Mitten) in Trondheim for a pipe-opener in the Norwegian sunshine. Not that the manager seemed to be enjoying it much after his team were beaten by a late goal.
Lots of positivity around as well, though, with INEOS-appointed executives getting to work and a re-jigged coaching team ready to welcome new signing Joshua Zirkzee into the fold. Rumours of an 'Oranje' change kit may be speculation at this stage.
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It's the least surprising emergency podcast in history: Erik Ten Hag will continue as the manager of Manchester United into the 2024/25 season. Nevertheless, the podcasters have assembled at short notice; breaking away from holidays, tours, Euro preparations, and a haircut, to get into some of the questions... and there are many.
How was the decision reached, and why did it take so long? How much did the FA Cup final affect the thinking? Is everyone fully on board? How close did any other candidate get to taking over? And, most importantly, what does the future hold, both for the man himself and his team?
PRODUCER: Ollie Bellwood
EXEC PRODUCER: Adrian Moorhead
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Ian, Andy, Carl & Laurie gather to reflect and an incredible performance from United to win the FA Cup at Wembley!
How did Erik ten Hag mastermind victory and is that his final game in charge?
There is discussion and analysis from the game and behind the scenes from a memorable day to end a very forgettable season.
The lads also detail the latest on the future of the Manchester United manager.
PRODUCER: Ollie Bellwood
EXEC PRODUCER: Adey Moorhead
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So, here it is, the season finale. Unfortunately, the Premier League has not ended as we would have liked, and Erik Ten Hag's men will need to win the FA Cup final if they want to play in Europe next season.
Under normal circumstances, that would be a good distance short of what is expected from a Manchester United manager and he would be seeking employment elsewhere. Of course, these are not normal circumstances.
So, the full podcast team get into the nitty gritty of United's least fruitful league campaign since 1990 and try to map a route to cup victory against (ASTERISK) the best club team in recent history.
NB we do take the occasional detour!
PRODUCER: Ollie Bellwood
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Adrian Moorhead
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Manchester United's men beat European rivals Newcastle in their last home game of the season to rekindle hope of European qualification via the Premier League (for a few days at least). After Chelsea won at Brighton, though, the only route to the Europa League is by winning the FA Cup.
Manager Erik Ten Hag delivered a rousing speech to the crowd after the game, thanked the fans, and reaffirmed ALL his players' commitment to the cause.
Tributes were paid to this season's successful Academy teams as well, and the Women's FA Cup was added to the honours board, although the mood is mixed amid cost-cutting measures by Sir Jim Ratcliffe's new backroom team.
PRODUCER: Ollie Bellwood
EXEC PRODUCER: Adey Moorhead
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A podcast very much in three parts for you on a stormy Sunday night in May with Andy and Ian braving the Manchester rain and Carl looking nervously out of his twentieth floor window...
Arsenal did what was expected of them at Old Trafford, winning for just the second time in seventeen attempts, despite a slightly brighter performance from Ten Hag's men. Meanwhile, at Wembley, Ella Toone inspired Manchester United's women to a performance that absolutely validated their favouritism in the FA Cup final.
...and something a little different, and very exciting, for you to finish the show. None other than David Beckham speaking to Andy Mitten on the red carpet at the Manchester premiere of new film 99, a documentary about that year's famous treble-winning team.
PRODUCER: Ollie Bellwood
EXEC PRODUCER: Adey Moorhead
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Another full house but we're a bit more relaxed now, a few days after that chastening result at Selhurst Park. One member of the team has even been brave enough to watch the game back again!
Now that everyone has calmed down, we have a more measured look at where Erik Ten Hag stands as Manchester United manager, whether there are any threatening candidates (or not), and whether he gets a slightly raw deal from the media.
...And there's a 'Super' Sunday in store with the potential for an annoying clash between the Women's FA Cup Final v Spurs and the men facing Arsenal at home, a fixture they've only lost once in the last sixteen iterations.
PRODUCER: Ollie Bellwood
EXEC PRODUCER: Adey Moorhead
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It's another unwanted inquest on Talk of the Devils with Laurie Whitwell back in the UK and Manchester United back in the mire.
In fact, the whole podcast team are on hand as we dig into some heavy questions prompted by Crystal Palace's dismantling of a depleted United side. The biggest of those is whether the performance was bad enough for Erik Ten Hag to be relieved of his duties before the end of the current season.
Casemiro's form hit a new low but the whole team was some distance below acceptable standards and Ten Hag refused to single out individuals, instead citing a failure to 'follow the script'. Several television pundits said the writing is on the wall for the Dutchman, but does he deserve to lead the team out at Wembley?
PRODUCER: Ollie Bellwood
EXEC PRODUCER: Adey Moorhead
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United States
A very one sided discussion. Poor from #TheAthletic
Too much personal banter
remember when a dicky bird said "united need an open heart surgery" and he got slaughtered....rio being 1 of them...crazy that the chicken has come to roost....fans see it, but those delusional men at OT are still trying to find this "process" that they been looking for for years 🤡🤡🤡
Really enjoying this podcast - balanced, insightful, fun. thanks - i do look forward to it!!! Rich