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

As the warm glow of jubilation fades after Anfield... OK, maybe just one more quick spin around the happiness block! But with a quick mental ice bath of our own, thoughts quickly turn to a game against Brighton at Old Trafford... one that, with good reason, still gives cause for trepidation. Carlos Baleba thinks he has rediscovered his old self just in time to show Mancunians what he is capable of...

The title says it all; after more than nine years and ten failed attempts, Manchester United have beaten Liverpool at Anfield. We savour every moment from Bryan Mbeumo's goal just seconds after the final whistle to Harry Maguire heading in the winner from Bruno Fernandes special volley-cross. It was a 90-minute performance and it was a team performance; the boys from Brazil jetted back (from South...

We've completed the first leg of our live-show tour with dates in Belfast, Dublin, and Cork. Ian and Laurie are back at home feeling the effects, Andy continues on a bit more of a trek having paced himself, and Carl has wisely allowed himself a day off. No rest for Manchester United's international stars, though. Mixed results for the club's players in African World Cup qualifying Even Andy's mile...

October international break can only mean one thing, seemingly random news stories about Manchester United. This time it’s the ownership in focus. Coming to you from the boardroom in Dublin, the team break away from the Talk of the Devils Live tour to discuss claims the club might be for sale. With Sir Jim Ratcliffe looking to make a new stadium his lasting legacy at Manchester United, fan surveys...

We've said it before, no doubt we'll say it again... just when you think Manchester United are going to have a quiet week, something happens! This time it was minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe talking at length to a new business podcast from The Times ( https://podfollow.com/the-business ). The emphasis of Sir Jim's words may have been distorted by headline writers, but he did say he wants to give...

October international break and it's time for another Talk of the Devils Extra, this time it's an audience Q&A. So, after another healthy response from you all we cover the season so far, whether we'd swap the Brentford/Chelsea results, why the team are swapping ends, and Amorim's system. There's also an update on the best chippy in Manchester (albeit not a definitive one), Carl's preferred dr...

Saturday saw a "routine" win for Manchester United at Old Trafford, if there can be such a thing under Ruben Amorim. The head coach was certainly not under that impression, saying there's "no momentum" for his team. Nevertheless, it was a good result and an encouraging performance. Senne Lammens made an excellent impression on Premier League debut; not perfect, but reassured, and that composure he...

Laurie Whitwell taking a day off? As if that would happen. Our resident newshound stepped back into the breach despite a scheduled absence to tell us all about potential changes to development plans for a new Old Trafford and plans for.a mid-season friendly in Saudi Arabia. Ruben Amorim's future has been the source of increased speculation in the media, and throughout the fanbase, but noises from...

Another failed attempt at back-to-back wins and a worrying performance saw a significant shift in the mood of our correspondence, and amongst our team as well. The ease with which Brentford, who haven't started the season brilliantly themselves, were able to exploit the flaws in Manchester United's set-up, and the lack of intensity on show from the Reds only added to the sense of alarm. Even Benja...

Manchester United will face Brentford in West London on Saturday lunchtime looking to pick up back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time under Ruben Amorim. Mark Critchley joins Ian, Andy, and Carl in the studio to preview the game, but are we confident of three points? The man most likely to provide cutting edge in attack is actually one of a host of key/leadership figures who left Brent...

Manchester United made it back-to-back wins (at Old Trafford) by beating the World Champions! It was a madcap first half with the Blues ''keeper Robert Sanchez sent off in the opening minutes before Bruno Fernandes, making his 200th appearance, gave United the lead with his 100th goal. They overcame the dismissal of second goalscorer Casemiro for a second bookable offence and the back three emerge...

Mark Critchley joins Ian, Carl, and Andy on a week when Manchester United were all over the news again, and not in a good way. Everyone has an opinion, don't they, but what's the truth behind our results in the Premier League this season... The club's financial results were published on Wednesday (sort of, we'll let Critch explain). In short, it's a record figure for revenue; great news you might...

In this Talk of the Devils Extra, the first of the new season, we take stock of the atmosphere at Old Trafford; why it's important, how it has evolved over the years, and how we can make sure it thrives in the future. Joining us are some special guests, chant leader Pete Boyle and youth supporters club representative Luca Black, but of course this is Andy Mitten's specialist subject and he has ple...

It's difficult to believe it now, but there was a healthy degree of confidence going into the latest edition of the Manchester derby. Yes, Ruben Amorim's United are still a work-in-progress, but they are slowly improving, and City are going through the mill a bit as well, right? That's not how it turned out at all. Despite a half-decent first fifteen minutes and a brief flicker after half-time, Er...

It's the first Manchester derby of the new season and, coming quite early in proceedings, there are lots of interesting question marks hanging over both teams. Firstly, there's the issue of form and fitness: there was relatively little action on the international front for the two squads but there are a couple of fresh injury concerns. Then, there's the tactical battle. Ruben Amorim has fared well...

Andre Onana has joined Turkish side Trabzonspor on loan in a shock post-UK-transfer-deadline move. Broadcaster Engin Kehale tells us about the Super Lig's goalkeeping carousel, but does that mean he has played his last game for Manchester United? It sounds like good news for Senne Lammens. The young Belgian has had to be patient to get his chance at domestic level in his home country but things ha...

The Premier League is taking a break for international fixtures so it's a chance for us to take stock. High on the agenda, of course, how Manchester United's new signings will fare now that we know the make-up of the squad until January, at least. Most pressingly, there are concerns about options in midfield. Louis Saha thinks that area could affect the whole team, not least Benjamin Sesko as he t...

Manchester United bought a goalkeeper on transfer deadline day and it was the young Belgian Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp. The transfer went through despite late whispers of a switch to Emi Martinez and Aston Villa's Argentinian was left hanging on the phone. With sales required, the club were able to move all but Tyrell Malacia from Ruben Amorim's "bomb squad" and we are all left with a satisf...

Manchester United's men won their first game of football this season (the women won, too; more on that soon). Where Grimsby had started to feel like Ruben Amorim might be reaching his Old Trafford endgame, Bruno's late penalty saw off Burnley and the feeling is very different going into the international break. There were many positives; Bryan Mbeumo, the whole first half display, and the creation...

This isn't the first time we've used the phrase "a new low" in recent years, not by a long way, but it's difficult to see us using it again soon. Amorim's United were dominated by fourth-tier Grimsby Town as the hosts took a deserved 2-0 lead in the first half of their Carabao Cup second round tie. Despite fighting back to draw level, new signings Cunha & Mbeumo missed in a penalty shootout lo...

Oh no, are we doing this again?! After a positive opening day performance in defeat at home to Arsenal. hopes were high as United's faithful headed South for the annual raid of Craven Cottage. Unfortunately, after a decent start, some old habits crept back in and it started to feel worryingly like last season. Part of the problem was a penalty miss by Bruno, who had a strange day, and represents t...

A few days on from Manchester United’s defeat to Arsenal, Ian Irving is joined by Andy Mitten, Laurie Whitwell and Carl Anka to unpack the big talking points. From United’s uncertain goalkeeping situation to the impact of the new signings, the panel debate where the team really stands — and ask the burning question: where was Kobbie Mainoo? We also dive into Carl’s analysis of Matthijs de Ligt, he...

Another Premier League season begins, and it's another home defeat for Amorim's Manchester United. The stats don't look good, but you can make stats say anything... We're actually feeling quite upbeat about things in general. New signings Cunha and Mbeumo played well individually and within the team. If there's to be no Baleba at Old Trafford this season, maybe there are a few believers in the mid...

It's the eve of the Premier League season: at Manchester United, Omar Berrada and Ruben Amorim have addressed staff as they do everything possible to hit the ground running. While there are a few nagging doubts, the mood is good and there is real hope of positive change. Will the team change much? Ruben Amorim has been criticised for sticking rigidly to his system but he can, of course, name a com...

Manchester United have got their man... again! Benjamin Sesko (pronounced Ben-ya-min Sheshko) met the Old Trafford crowd before the final pre-season game against Fiorentina (featuring David de Gea) and United's £200m revamp of their frontline is now complete. It's not just the frontline that's had a lick of paint. The rejuvenated training facilities at Carrington were unveiled on Friday and, despi...