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

It's part two of our early look into summer transfer business, and the first parting of the ways on opinion. Everyone agrees midfield is the highest priority, but how important is it to bring in defensive reinforcements? The club has been well stocked with centre backs for quite a while now, not least because the team was playing with three of them under Ruben Amorim. Now that the formation requir...

As we enter a lengthy break for the men's first XI it's time to take a look at what will be needed next season with European football, most likely the Champion's League, impending. We will publish three episodes of TotD this week, one on each department of the squad. In today's first of the three, it's the midfield. Without a doubt the most urgent area of recruitment as United have struggled to ne...

Bournemouth draw, they always draw, and we knew that. The circumstances were a bit more dramatic than expected, however, with Manchester United's manager Michael Carrick describing two of referee Stuart Attwell's decisions as "baffling" and "astonishing". Still, it was a good game and a good performance. Bruno Fernandes continues to impress spectators and statisticians, Matheus Cunha tormented the...

Michael Carrick takes his Manchester United squad to Bournemouth for a Friday night fixture which will be followed by a 23-day break. With a patchy recent record against the Cherries, a win will keep the Champions League charge going during that hiatus. Will there be a defensive reshuffle? Leny Yoro has regained some form and played very well against Aston Villa, but Lisandro Martinez is expected...

It doesn't matter who called it first: Aston Villa came to Old Trafford and left with nothing, Michael Carrick maintains his 100% record at home, and United put clear air between themselves and the other contenders for top three in the Premier League. Bruno put in another inspirational display and assisted two of the three goals; he took the corner that allowed Casemiro to break the deadlock with...

The Champions League, is it the be-all-and-end-all of club football? With Manchester United's financial results getting a deep analysis from The Athletic's Chris Weatherspoon and cashflow problems coming into real focus, it has never seemed more important. Aston Villa are another club for whom chasing the glory and riches of the Champions League has been a huge part of the narrative. They will pla...

Defeat at Newcastle ended Michael Carrick's superb unbeaten run since taking interim charge of first team affairs at Manchester United. Does this actually give us an opportunity to build a more accurate picture of his work since taking over? Our first dive into summer business asks the question; is Carrick headed for the job on a permanent basis? We'll look at the football, of course, where most p...

The honeymoon is over... what about the future of the relationship? Michael Carrick's unbeaten run as Manchester United manager, which has lit a fire under the pursuit of Champions League football this season, is over. In truth, it was a poor performance; the team had laboured even during a largely uneventful opening forty minutes. Of course, the level of incident changed dramatically at the end o...

Another week, another win. Crystal Palace started brightly at Old Trafford and centre half Maxence Lacroix gave the visitors the lead in a stodgy first half-hour. But, Michael Carrick has the midas touch right now; he identified the tactical tweaks needed and Big Ben Sesko scored yet another crucial goal. It was Bruno Fernandes' pass to Matheus Cunha which allowed the Brazilian to slip past Lacroi...

Benjamin Sesko is so hot right now; the six foot Slovenian has been scoring regularly and impacting games. Is it time for Michael Carrick to hand him a start against an ailing Crystal Palace at Old Trafford? Having made club history by winning the FA Cup and the Community Shield, Palace are now in a bad way; the squad has been decimated by departures and injuries. Manager Oliver Glasner (tipped by...

After a fortnight off, Manchester United returned to Premier League action at Everton's Hill Dickinson stadium and, while the match didn't live up to our heightened expectations (heightened for all sorts of reasons), the team pulled off a big win with composure and inspiration in key moments. The composure and calm came from the back; Harry Maguire and co were in sufficiently combative mood, repel...

Manchester United will return to Premier League action on Monday evening after thirteen days without a game; Harry Maguire, Leny Yoro, Ayden Heaven, and Carl Anka took advantage of the break with trips abroad but Andy is energised by an upcoming trip to Everton's nearly new Hill Dickinson Stadium. In on-pitch matters, the women's team made serene progress to the Champions League quarter finals by...

Eric Steele was Manchester United goalkeeping coach for five years under Sir Alex Ferguson. Talk of the Devils is delighted to welcome him to our studio for a wide-ranging discussion with a man who has coached some of the best goalkeepers in football. From his own slightly unorthodox arrival at the club to the scouting, transfer, and management of David de Gea as Edwin van der Sar's replacement, h...

A weekend without Premier League football and, with Manchester United out of the FA Cup, we were expecting a quiet few days. Unfortunately, the club has been in the headlines more than ever, and not in the way most fans would want. In an interview with Sky News at an industrial conference in Antwerp, co-owner and figurehead Sir Jim Ratcliffe gave a view on UK politics and his comments on immigrati...

Michael Carrick's 100% record as interim Manchester United manager (in this spell, at least) has come to and end. It was a disappointing game when compared to the four wins so far, of course, but how badly should we feel? Let's not forget, it should have been a defeat. Benjamin Sesko rescued a point in Stratford with an innovative finish deep into injury time. Does Sesko have qualities that are us...

MUFC's fourth consecutive win continued Michael Carrick's perfect start as Manchester United manager. OK, Spurs held their own until captain "Cristian" Romero was dismissed for a tackle on Casemiro, but the team is growing in confidence and the gap to third (and second) is narrowing. Our Bry found the corner after a neat set-piece routine and the evergreen, ever-prolific, Bruno sealed the win in t...

Lads, it's Tottenham. It's a well-worn phrase for a team that shouldn't be taken seriously; but what to make of this current Spurs team. They remain firmly in the bottom half of the Premier League table and fans are on the edge of mutiny, yet they have sailed through to the last 8 of the Champions League. And, let's not forget, they beat Manchester United four times last season. Instead of that fo...

Premier League journalists have been able to put their feet up during January with only 33 'first-team' transfers taking place. For Manchester United that number is zero, with management deciding the squad they have in place is sufficient for the fixture list that lies ahead. In this TotD Extra podcast, we'll ask how much of a gamble it is to keep the powder dry, how close the club were to securin...

Benjamin Sesko has his first Man United moment, scoring an injury-time winner in front of the Stretford End. We're hoping, of course, that it will be the first of many but will he have to wait a little while for his next opportunity? Patience has been as much a virtue for him as any of his physical prowess. At the other end of the spectrum, Casemiro's career at the club is coming to an end. The Br...

A 'gentle glow' is still lingering over Michael Carrick's Manchester United but, with seventh-placed Fulham coming to Old Trafford this weekend, are we now entering a run of games that will give us a clearer indication as to whether he has turned the team's fortunes around? Tactically, there aren't too many obvious concerns, but Fulham are a big strong side and physicality will be paramount. Becau...

It's January 2026 and, with things looking up for Manchester United under Michael Carrick, it's time for our first Q&A of the year. Frankly, there's only one question you want an answer to... what will it take for Carrick to get the job full time and, if he doesn't, who are the main candidates? There's a brighter outlook for several players, too. We consider the prospect of Kobbie Mainoo makin...

Amazing strikes from a resurgent Patrick Dorgu and supersub Matheus Cunha gave Manchester United a massive win at the Emirates Stadium after Bryan Mbeumo's first half equaliser set Arsenal hearts fluttering. Michael Carrick now has the shortest, most impressive resume, of any interim manager. Is it unfair to completely dismiss him as an option to take the job permanently? And how have the last few...

What's this? A quiet week in Manchester United world?! Surely not! Yet, there has been little by way of headlines; is this the calming effect of Michael Carrick? Perhaps it's the lack of activity in the transfer market. Manuel Ugarte has been linked with Ajax and there are more than one Italian club keeping an eye on Joshua Zirkzee, but with no long-term transfer targets on the market a first-team...

Here it is, almost 48 hours after the final whistle (sorry!), we're here to properly dissect the magnificent performance from Michael Carrick's mighty reds in the Manchester Derby. From Maguire and Martinez, Bruno, Casemiro, super sub Cunha, and "ballon" Dorgu there were top marks across the board as United 'pulverised' City into submission. It's a huge game, of course, and a heightened atmosphere...

Michael Carrick is the new Head Coach, interim or otherwise, of Manchester United. How will he change the way the team plays and is the target of qualifying for the Champions League, stated explicitly to players by Director of Football Jason Wilcox, really achievable now? It will be a baptism of fire for Carrick and his staff with Manchester City coming to Old Trafford on Saturday lunchtime. Will...