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

A full complement again as Ian Irving, Andy Mitten, Carl Anka, and Laurie Whitwell preview Manchester United's hectic April schedule, one they'll start without Casemiro away at Newcastle United. And, there's a glance ahead to next season and the possibility that some established players may leave. Scott McTominay had a great week for Scotland, but would you keep him, and what about David de Gea? P...

It's a full house as Carl Anka, Andy Mitten, and Laurie Whitwell join Ian Irving for our second week of the international break. Roughly 28,000 were at Old Trafford to see Manchester United WFC return to the top of the Women's Super League, and the title race is hotting up nicely! As always, Manchester United's men had a host of players away on international duty, so we took some more of your ques...

Ian Irving brings you the latest on Manchester United's takeover talks with Andy Mitten and Laurie Whitwell, and while there was a bit of drama it felt more like Corrie than Dynasty. And, with the international break this week, we asked for your questions about the club (and the podcast). There were so many good ones we'll be rolling it over to Monday, but we made a good start with answers on gaij...

A 3-1 home win in the FA Cup against Fulham sounds like comfortable Sunday afternoon viewing for Manchester United fans. You probably already know that wasn't the case, but Ian Irving, Andy Mitten, and Laurie Whitwell are here to fill you in on the details. We consider the potential for two domestic semi-finals against Brighton, one of which could lead to a Manchester derby at Wembley, and we reac...

Ian Irving tries to rein in a very chipper Andy Mitten and Laurie Whitwell with the pair in boisterous mood after a comfortable win in Betis. So from Checkpoint Charlie to Notting Hill via Doha and Rotterdam here's our rambling take on Facundo Pellistri, Fulham, and the Europa League quarter final field (recorded before all results were decided). Produced by Ollie Bellwood. Hosted on Acast. See ac...

Ian Irving, Andy Mitten, and Carl Anka review a disappointing weekend for both the men's team, who saw Casemiro sent off in a goalless draw with Southampton, and the women who lost to WSL title rivals Chelsea. Erik Ten Hag's men now have a Europa League second leg to prepare for. Real Betis will probably provide a sterner test in Seville, but with a three goal lead the next order of business shoul...

Ian Irving, Carl Anka, and Andy Mitten react to a hugely improved mood as Erik Ten Hag's Manchester United recover from Anfield embarrassment with a convincing Europa League first leg win over Real Betis. Goals (in ascending order of relieved player) came from Marcus Rashford, Antony, Bruno Fernandes, and Wout Weghorst, and the team will take momentum into the weekend's game against Southampton an...

Here we go again... Ian Irving hosts the Monday podcast he thought we'd put behind us, debriefing a catastrophic defeat at Anfield with Andy Mitten and Laurie Whitwell (who added calamity to disaster even after the final whistle). So, what happened, and was it a one-off or will it leave a scar? We get into the details, plus a round-up of a couple of news stories, and Andy's fortuitous link to the...

Ian Irving, Andy Mitten, and Carl Anka are still coming down from the high of winning at Wembley, but we've already got another cup win to celebrate. Alejandro Garnacho starred as Manchester United overcame a slow start to kick West Ham out of the FA Cup and, of course, they'll play at home in the next round. First, though, a trip to Anfield; why are Manchester United and Liverpool never good at t...

Ian Irving, Laurie Whitwell, Andy Mitten and Carl Anka are all on hand to react to the first trophy of the Erik Ten Hag era at Manchester United. All assembled on Wembley Way, following the 2-0 win over Newcastle United the crew analyse the significance of the result and what it could mean for United. With Avram Glazer in attendance the panel discuss his presence at Wembley as well as the latest o...

Ian Irving has the whole crew assembled at Old Trafford for instant reaction to Manchester United's comeback win over Barcelona in the Europa League play-off. The Manchester Madridistas were delighted with the win, thanks to two goals from Brazilian boys Fred and Antony, and it's on to Wembley to face a 'keeper-starved Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup Final. Produced by Ollie Bellwood *** • Get...

Ian Irving returns after a short break and he's joined by Carl Anka, Laurie Whitwell, AND Andy Mitten for a fully stocked edition of The Athletic's Manchester United podcast. Erik Ten Hag made the right calls mid-match again as the team won despite Leicester's bright start. In a huge week of on-pitch matters, fans are split on who should take ownership of the club, and the manager made a direct ap...

Carl Anka takes the helm with Andy Mitten and Laurie Whitwell joining him from the third tier of Camp Nou to digest a terrific first leg of the Europa League play-off tie between Manchester United and Barcelona. Marcus Rashford starred again, flipping the game on its head with a great goal and possible an even better assist, and we think Erik Ten Hag will be the happier manager despite taking exce...

Laurie Whitwell (and his cat, Ron) makes a podcast comeback with Ian Irving and Andy Mitten (and his dog). Manchester United beat Leeds at the second time of asking with another goal from Marcus Rashford and one from the recently-criticised Alejandro Garnacho. It wasn't vintage football but it's a huge result, especially with so many rivals dropping points this weekend. As we speak the team, and t...

Ian Irving, Andy Mitten, and Carl Anka assemble under the eaves at Old Trafford with The Athletic's new boy Mark Critchley. It was a disappointing result, certainly, as visitors Leeds United caught Ten Hag's men cold, not once but twice! However, there was a warm glow in the air (and on Andy's face) after Marcus Rashford and the returning Jadon Sancho scored to salvage a draw. On that evidence, th...

Ian Irving is joined by Carl Anka and Andy Mitten with live breaking news as we preview Wednesday night's game against Roses rivals Leeds United. Of course, on Saturday Marcus Rashford scored again as Manchester United beat Crystal Palace at Old Trafford; but, the result was overshadowed (slightly) by Casemiro's red card. Produced by Ollie Bellwood. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more...

No apologies; Ian Irving, Andy Mitten, and Carl Anka are excited about Manchester United going to Wembley for the Carabao Cup final after Erik Ten Hag named a strong line-up for the semi-final, 2nd leg, and Forest proved no match at Old Trafford. And, with Christian Eriksen ruled out for several weeks through injury, we take a look at the deadline day loan move for Bayern Munich's Austrian midfiel...

Ian Irving, Andy Mitten, and Carl Anka review another comfortable home win, this time the FA Cup clash with Paul Ince's Reading. Casemiro was the main man once again, even scoring twice, and he's loving life in England. Everything's evolving nicely under Erik Ten Hag, and Carl's taken a close look at their development for The Athletic, but with Christian Eriksen facing some time out, how much will...

Ian Irving, Andy Mitten, and Carl Anka are in good spirits (in one case, quite literally) and we've added a musical twist to the show as we celebrate taking control of the EFL Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest. Taking a three goal lead into the home leg means Erik Ten Hag should be able to rotate his squad over the next few days. The optimism is flowing, so much so that we're not too downbe...

Andy Mitten and Laurie Whitwell join Ian Irving for a jam-packed Monday edition, sore from a rousing but ultimately fruitless trip to North London. Still, there's a Carabo Cup semi-final to look forward to... and, after changes to the Stretford End were announced, there's another Old Trafford date for our WSL table-toppers. Produced by Ollie Bellwood *** • Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial...

Ian Irving, Andy Mitten, Carl Anka, and Laurie Whitwell were on cloud nine after the Manchester derby but it's down to Earth with a bump as United cost themselves two Premier League points with sloppiness at Selhurst Park. Casemiro has become a vital presence in midfield, so much so that Erik Ten Hag chose to start with him on Wednesday night, and it proved costly. A yellow card means he will miss...

The podcast team were all in attendance, and a little giddy, as Manchester United fought back from a goal down to claim victory over City and move to within a point of Guardiola's men in the Premier League table. After a first half masterclass from Erik Ten Hag, with some bold team selections allied to a canny strategy, Jack Grealish gave City the lead. But, United showed resilience and guts to eq...

Ian Irving, Andy Mitten, and Laurie Whitwell discuss the Carabao Cup quarter final win over Charlton, Manchester City's shock exit at Southampton, and the form of the two sides going into Saturday's derby. And, as progress with the loan deal for Dutch striker Wout Weghorst picks up speed, The Athletic's analysis of United's recruitment system is proving a popular read. Laurie fills us in on the ba...

Carl Anka was at Old Trafford for the "standard home win" against Everton in the FA Cup third round on Friday night and he joins Ian Irving and Andy Mitten to reflect on another superb showing from Marcus Rashford, de Gea's wobbles, and encouragement for Antony. Next up, Charlton Athletic in the Carabao Cup quarter-final; they're managed by Dean Holden, a huge United fan, and one Andy knows very w...

Erik Ten Hag's Manchester United made it six wins in a row with a comfortable victory at home against Bournemouth with several individuals putting in good performances. Luke Shaw was the main man for new Athletic writer Mark Critchley but Casemiro showed his class again, David de Gea played an important role, and Marcus Rashford hit a six of his own. Produced by Ollie Bellwood. Hosted on Acast. Se...