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

Darren Fletcher's brief stint in charge of Manchester United's first team may be over after a draw at Burnley and an FA Cup third round exit to Brighton. His (expected) departure saw some stern-sounding words for the playing staff after the game on Sunday; will he continue as part of a longer-term interim coaching team? Michael Carrick is now favourite to take the helm, having stepped in with some...

The first few specks of dust have settled on the sacking of Ruben Amorim, and while Darren Fletcher will be in charge for the FA Cup match against Brighton at Old Trafford, thoughts now turn to who will take the helm until the end of the season. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is interested, but would that be a regressive step, and will the atmosphere be significantly different to the last time he stepped in...

EMERGENCY PODCAST INCOMING Here we go again: it's an unscheduled, perhaps unexpected, extra episode of Talk of the Devils with reaction to the news - first reported by The Athletic's David Ornstein  - that Manchester United have sacked Ruben Amorim. Youth team manager and former player Darren Fletcher will take charge of first-team affairs until further notice. Amorim's reign lasted...

Leeds away; a 'bear pit' negotiated with several first-choice players missing. Off the back of a dodgy festive period, ordinarily you'd take your point and run. Yet, the game was almost a footnote today in the context of Ruben Amorim's comments during both his pre- and post-match press conferences. His usually outward demeanour a little different; bleak statements about the transfer window, crypti...

They're desperately short of players, and in isolation perhaps you could excuse it, but Man United's one-all draw with (statistically speaking) one of the worst Premier League teams in history fits a pattern of nearly-but-not-quite this season. As we arrive in 2026, what can we expect from Ruben Amorim's team, and what standard should we demand? Is the Champions League too big an ask for a side th...

A Patrick Dorgu volley gave Manchester United a half-time lead against Newcastle at Old Trafford and, well, you know the rest. The second half wasn't pretty, and Ruben Amorim's substitutions did more than raise eyebrows, but frankly, who cares?! With Wolves next, United are up to fifth in the Premier League, but will need to get players back as soon as possible. Can you name the line-up who finish...

Every Manchester United loss, and there have been a few. in the last 12 months has prompted some sort of inquest or soul-searching... until now. United were certainly the better team in the first half at Villa Park, maybe the second as well, but they allowed two moments of quality from the Premier League's most in-form player to decide the game in Aston Villa's favour. Of more concern than losing...

Bruno Fernandes' interview with Portuguese TV's Canal 11 (run by the national football federation) caused some consternation at Manchester United this week. How dramatic were his claims, translation and context allowing, and is it time to consider a life without Bruno? He'll be as important as he's ever been over the next few weeks with Amad and Mbeumo's goal threat heading to AFCON. Their departu...

Wowsers... what a thrill ride... what a rollercoaster! Do you like rollercoasters? Sure you do. Ruben Amorim's Manchester United put in one of the best attacking performances since he took charge of the team. The passing and movement of players throughout the team caused real problems for Bournemouth as Mbeumo, Cunha, and of course, Bruno, put them to the sword. Unfortunately, the formation/system...

Kobbie Mainoo, whether or not he should be allowed to leave the club, and how to accommodate his talents into a system that doesn't seem naturally suited to them. It is a debate that has come to represent more than just the future of one capable young footballer. Where do we stand now, what is likely to happen next, and how do we feel about it? The next generation of Manchester United's academy mo...

A win at Wolves, a convincing win. OK, it wasn't entirely trouble-free, but United scored four and put the game to bed comfortably in the second half; they are now sixth in the Premier League, a point behind Crystal Palace in fourth and separated from a potential Champions League-qualifying fifth place by goal difference. Mason Mount, if he can be described this way, was the star of the show. Scor...

West Ham haven't won away from home since beating their now-manager Nuno Espirito Santo's Nottingham Forest at the end of August, so this looked like a game where Manchester United could capitalise on an encouraging second half at Selhurst Park, get a win and climb the Premier League table. In fact, despite a 'turgid' start, that was how it was proceeding when Diogo Dalot controlled a bobbling bal...

Well, isn't this nice... Manchester United win away, in South London, and you can take the first bite out of your advent calendar while you listen to four happy podcasters praise the performances of Bruno Fernandes, Mason Mount and, yes, Joshua Zirkzee. It was a remarkable turnaround at Selhurst Park, very much not a happy hunting ground for United in recent years. But, whether it was because of P...

The Everton result has sparked a new wave of soul-searching, but is it fair to feel so dispirited by one result against a competent Premier League team. Or, are we still not being harsh enough to an underperforming manager? Doubtless, you have a fairly strong opinion one way or the other. We decided to try and raise a bit of a laugh with a hastily devised parlour game; a series of United "would yo...

A second November Q&A for you lucky devils. OK, the mood isn't great after Everton but a few juicy January transfer morsels might perk us up. Should we be worried that transfers are the main source of optimism, though? What about a fantasy dinner party with three United players? It could be magical, as long as they don't start fighting amongst themselves... Also under discussion; the shortage...

On Monday night Everton became the first side to win at Old Trafford in the Premier League having had a man sent off. To say that doesn't tell the whole story is somewhat of an understatement. The bizarre events that lead to a red card for Idrissa Gueye haven't been seen for a long, long time (only twice before in the Premier League, in fact). However, what followed was scarily familiar to Manches...

The last 48 hours of international football has provided some incredible drama. Laurie Whitwell travelled halfway around the world to witness a 0-0 draw between Jamaica and Curacao (which was more exciting than it sounds, tbf) while Denmark, featuring Patrick Dorgu and Rasmus Hojlund, were beaten to World Cup qualification by Scott McTominay and Scotland. As we return to domestic affairs, the club...

It's been a slightly busier international break than usual and, with Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro both putting in leading performances, we consider the prospects for a continued effort into Christmas with Manchester United. There's also news of a disappointment for Bryan Mbeumo and a report from Jamaica(!) who will face Curacao in a winner-takes-all showdown in CONCACAF qualifying for World Cup 20...

Ruben Amorim was appointed by Manchester United, seemingly in a flash, twelve months ago to replace outgoing manager Erik Ten Hag. But why then, rather than the end of the season? And was anyone else seriously considered? A year later, and after an incredibly tempestuous spell so far, it looks like the storm has eased and the first team are plotting a healthier course. In this special focussed dis...

A result, and a performance, that felt very familiar. Leading, then trailing, and rounded off with a late equaliser, Amorim's Manchester United reminded us (again) that they are a work in progress and that you can't believe the league table at half-time. So here we are, again, praising Casemiro, but wondering if he has another five or ten minutes in him. We believe in Benjamin Sesko, but not witho...

It's a hectic time for the Talk of the Devils crew, with two more live shows coming up next week in Manchester (sold out) and Walthamstow (last few tickets here ), but Andy found time to squeeze in a Radiohead gig in Madrid; clearly, it's had a profound effect. Ruben Amorim's Manchester United have one thing on their minds, winning at Spurs. It might actually be easier to achieve that in North Lon...

November has arrived and, while there haven't been any major fireworks yet, we're feeling much better about Manchester United under Ruben Amorim. In this extra episode, we've opened the floor to questions and you've delivered once again. So, whether it's the immediate future of midfield, reporting on the club as a fan, or the weather at AFCON, we cover plenty of ground. Join us next Tuesday (11th...

Manchester United salvaged a draw at the City Ground, home of Nottingham Forest, with a fantastic volley from Amad Diallo (his first goal of the season) and could have gone on to win the game late on with Forest defenders scrambling to deny the same player. But, in the same game, they had thrown away a one-nil lead with ninety seconds of madness just after half-time. So, was this a case of a point...

Three wins in a row, confidence seeping back into players, and an encouraging set of fixtures over the next few weeks. Life is so much brighter now for Manchester United fans, but is there still a fragility to the mood, and is the football sustainable? Ruben Amorim's critics are, naturally, quieter than they were. But what has brought about the change in form? Is it the manager's stubborn resolve...

Back, to back, to back. If Sunderland was relief, and Liverpool was elation, what does a win at home to Brighton mean? Does it mean Manchester United are now good again, and does it mean we can be genuinely optimistic about this season? Mark Critchley WAS at Old Trafford with Carl Anka on Saturday and they are in the studio with Ian while Andy joins us online from Spain. Everyone was delighted to...