Let's Kick It Off!

Manchester United's dramatic 3–2 comeback against Roma brought the Old Trafford crowd to life, but did it change anything about Michael Carrick's future?

Steve, Ash and Az break down the game, from a disjointed first half and tactical questions to Cunha's inspired performance and the team's second-half fight. They also debate whether Carrick should stay, who could replace him, and what Manchester United need from their next manager.

🎙️ EPISODE CHAPTERS

00:00 Intro

02:49 United's Disjointed First Half

13:56 What Sparked United's Second-Half Fight?

22:12 United's Famous European Comebacks

29:10 Should Carrick Be Sacked?

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#MUFC #ManchesterUnited #Carrick #INEOS

Manchester United have been humiliated 3-0 by Bournemouth, yet Michael Carrick remains in charge. Why haven't INEOS acted?

Steve, Ash and Az are joined by Ed Barker from No Question About That (NQAT) to debate Carrick's future, Bruno Fernandes and dressing-room tensions, United's recruitment failures, and the accountability of Jim Ratcliffe, Jason Wilcox and the club's hierarchy.

Plus, who should replace Carrick? Nagelsmann, Eddie Howe, Conte, Emery or McKenna? All four give their verdict.

🎙️ Check out Ed's work at No Question About That on YouTube, Substack and all major podcast platforms.

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CHAPTERS

0:00 Intro: Man United 3-0 Bournemouth and Ed Barker joins

1:16 Why hasn't Michael Carrick been sacked yet?

4:55 No shortlist after two months?

7:48 Should Jason Wilcox be the first to go?

9:32 Omar Berrada, the club's finances and the CEO's brief

13:20 Bruno Fernandes, Cunha and the Bournemouth team selection

17:22 Was the summer transfer window the real problem?

22:24 Ratcliffe vs the Woodward era: wages, spending and the squad

28:26 The candidates for next manager

51:15 Who will be in the dugout against Chelsea?

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Let’s Kick It Off is brought to you by Go Play Sports — the digital platform connecting grassroots sport.Create and manage your games, organise your players and take payments all in one place.Download Go Play Sports on iOS & Android: www.goplaysports.co.uk

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Subscribe to the channel, leave us a comment and let us know who you would appoint?#MUFC #ManchesterUnited #Carrick #INEOS

Ricky Hatton wasn't just a world champion. He was a working-class hero who united Manchester, brought football and boxing fans together, and created nights that will never be forgotten.

We're joined by Adam Smith, the legendary voice of British boxing, now working for DAZN and talkSPORT, former Head of Boxing at Sky Sports and author of The Light That Never Goes Out, to celebrate Ricky's extraordinary life and legacy.

From that unforgettable victory over Kostya Tszyu in Manchester to the incredible travelling support in Las Vegas against Floyd Mayweather, Adam shares behind-the-scenes stories of the fighter who captured the hearts of a nation, and explains why Hatton's impact stretches far beyond the boxing ring.

In a deeply personal conversation, Adam reflects on delivering Ricky's eulogy, the inspiration behind his new book and the importance of talking openly about mental health. He also shares his own battle with cancer, the warning signs he initially ignored and why early detection matters.

We discuss Hatton's relationships with football stars, the contrasting defeats to Mayweather and Pacquiao, and look ahead to Tyson Fury finally facing Anthony Joshua.

An emotional, entertaining and revealing tribute to one of British sport's most loved personalities.

📖 ADAM SMITH'S BOOK

Purchase Adam's book on Ricky Hatton, The Light That Never Goes Out, at the retailers below.

Amazon: https://amzn.eu/d/094Apez5

Waterstones: https://www.waterstones.com/book/ricky-hatton/adam-smith/andrew-flintoff/9781399644457

🎙️ EPISODE CHAPTERS

00:00 Intro & Welcome Adam Smith

03:59 Hatton vs Tszyu: The Defining Night

06:11 Why Everyone Loved Ricky

11:30 Why Adam Wrote The Light That Never Goes Out

14:50 Ricky's Mental Health and Speaking Out

20:46 What Sport Teaches Us

24:53 Ricky's Funeral and the Importance of Talking

25:54 Adam's Return to Boxing

27:03 Fury vs AJ: The Fight Fans Waited For

32:19 There's No Shame in Losing

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Thank you for your support!

Follow the podcast, leave us a rating and let us know what Ricky Hatton's legacy means to you.

Lifelong blue, Lee, joins us to share his journey supporting City through the darkest days, the unforgettable Agüero moment and the transformation under Sheikh Mansour. From the heartbreak of Maine Road to the glory of the Guardiola era, what does Manchester City's remarkable rise really mean to the fans who lived through it all? We explore the rivalry with Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal, the psychology of title races, and why City's success means so much more to supporters who remember life in the third division.

But with Manchester City's financial controversy continuing to divide football, the debate goes far beyond nostalgia. Lee offers a passionate defence of his club, challenges the established football elite and explains why no punishment could ever erase the memories of City's greatest triumphs. From the influence of money in modern football to the legitimacy of City's success and the future of the Premier League, expect an entertaining, passionate and unfiltered discussion from a perspective that rival fans might not want to hear.

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Let’s Kick It Off is brought to you by Go Play Sports — the digital platform connecting grassroots sport.

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Download Go Play Sports on iOS & Android: www.goplaysports.co.uk

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#mcfc #manchestercity #mufc #manchesterunited #lfc #premierleague

Manchester United’s standards are under scrutiny after a dismal run of results and Lisandro Martínez’s public criticism of the club’s hierarchy. Steve, Ash, Az, and Kabs debate what’s behind the problems at Old Trafford: tactical choices, recruitment, fitness, dressing-room morale, or a culture that lets players and executives off the hook.

The conversation then turns to Manchester City’s charges and the consequences for the Premier League. Should titles be stripped or seasons voided? Are the rules fair—and what punishment would protect the credibility of the game? Expect sharp disagreements, tactical analysis, and a candid discussion about whether football still feels like a fair competition.

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CHAPTERS

00:00 Manchester United’s Atletico defeat and falling standards

07:37 Bruno, Tielemans and the midfield balance

11:23 Physicality, fitness and United’s conditioning

17:28 Intensity, second balls and tactical readiness

25:28 Where does the blame for United’s struggles sit?

34:41 Martinez’s comments and player accountability

41:34 Man City’s charges: what should the punishment be?

43:44 The impact on Liverpool and stripped titles

51:20 Financial rules, ownership and football’s future

01:06:38 Should Manchester City be expelled?

01:08:46 Why fans are losing faith in the league

01:15:00 Liverpool under Iraola and the weekend ahead

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Let’s Kick It Off is brought to you by Go Play Sports — the digital platform connecting grassroots sport.

Create and manage your games, organise your players and take payments all in one place.

Download Go Play Sports on iOS & Android: www.goplaysports.co.uk

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#mcfc #manchestercity #mufc #manchesterunited #lfc #premierleague

Manchester City’s 114-charge scandal has blown up the entire Premier League era and this episode asks the question every fan is thinking: what happens now? Steve, Ash, and Az break down the explosive allegations, the leaks that exposed them, and why this could end with titles stripped, points deductions, and even the owners being forced out.

The conversation gets into the details that make this case unlike anything football has seen before - fake sponsorships, disguised owner funding, false accounts, and a cover-up that stretched for years. The hosts trace how City’s commercial revenues suddenly surged, why that growth never sat right with rivals, and how the evidence has reignited the long-running debate over state ownership, sportswashing, and whether football’s rules were ever fit for purpose.

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TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Manchester City verdict: first reactions

04:10 Comparing football’s biggest scandals

08:04 State ownership and the City takeover

14:32 The commercial revenue graph

18:50 Financial rules and fair competition

24:34 How City’s rise affected rival clubs

29:20 Blackburn, investment and meritocracy

39:11 What should the punishment be?

46:15 Should the owners be forced out?

48:19 Sportswashing and football ownership

50:43 Appeals, evidence and accountability

58:14 Relegation, title stripping and sanctions

01:04:12 Pep, players and on-pitch responsibility

01:07:03 Could City be sold after punishment?

01:18:03 Premier League returns: United vs Spurs

01:22:24 Baller and Wasteman of the Week

01:26:12 Final thoughts on City’s future

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Let’s Kick It Off is brought to you by Go Play Sports — the digital platform connecting grassroots sport.

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Download Go Play Sports on iOS & Android: www.goplaysports.co.uk

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#mcfc #manchestercity #premierleague

Manchester United are not just out of rhythm—they look predictable, passive, and one injury away from a full-blown crisis. In this heated breakdown, Steve, Ash, Az and Scott unpack the Fulham draw, the reaction to Neville’s Sky criticism, and whether Michael Carrick’s approach is tactical control or a team being drained of life.

The discussion covers United’s lack of intensity, Bruno Fernandes’ influence, midfield balance, recruitment problems and who should take most of the blame. The panel also debates Carrick’s future, the pressure on the club’s hierarchy, possible managerial changes and the Eddie Howe links. With United facing a crucial run of fixtures, can Carrick restore energy, balance and belief—or is the current project already heading towards breaking point?

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 United’s lack of intensity against Fulham

05:40 Is Bruno Fernandes running out of road at United?

08:24 Are the players at fault—or is it Carrick’s tactics?

18:48 Squad balance, Rashford and midfield problems

26:01 How bad was the Fulham performance, really?

37:48 Baller & Wasteman of the Week

46:11 Carrick’s future and pressure on the hierarchy

50:23 “Deadline” talk and the Eddie Howe links

53:32 How Carrick can turn things around

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Let’s Kick It Off is brought to you by Go Play Sports—the digital platform connecting grassroots sport.

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#mufc #manchesterunited #premierleague #championsleague

Manchester United threw away a 2-0 lead against Brighton, and the fallout goes far beyond one bad night. Steve and Az break down how a promising first half featuring Shea Lacey’s stunning strike and Mason Mount’s goal unravelled into another damaging defeat, questioning the team selection, shaky goalkeeping, game management and Michael Carrick’s second-half changes. They also dig into the controversial derby VAR decision, United’s worrying running and intensity numbers, and whether Carrick is being asked to implement a style that simply doesn’t suit the players at his disposal.The conversation then turns to the real issues at Manchester United: the growing pressure on the hierarchy, supporter protests against the ownership, recruitment strategy and whether the club should keep holding out for one elite target. There’s also discussion around wonderkid JJ Gabriel and what his situation says about youth development, patience and the advice young players receive. From Lacey’s breakout moment and the Brighton collapse to Carrick, VAR, recruitment and the ownership mess, Steve and Az ask where responsibility really lies — and why the problems at United run much deeper than the manager.----------------------------------------TIMESTAMPS00:00 Man Utd 2-3 Brighton16:00 Manchester derby defeat28:38 Baller & Wasteman of the Week40:30 Andy Mitten interview51:30 Carrick's future----------------------------------------BROUGHT TO YOU BY GO PLAY SPORTS ⚽️Let’s Kick It Off is brought to you by Go Play Sports — the digital platform connecting grassroots sport.Create and manage your games, organise your players and take payments all in one place.Download Go Play Sports on iOS & Android: www.goplaysports.co.uk ----------------------------------------FOLLOW LET’S KICK IT OFF!Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/letskickitoffukTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@letskickitoffukX: https://www.x.com/letskickitoffukSubstack: https://letskickitoffuk.substack.com----------------------------------------Subscribe to the channel, leave us a comment with your Baller and Wasteman of the Week, and let us know how you’re feeling about United’s start to the season.#mufc #manchesterunited #premierleague

Ahead of the Manchester derby, Steve caught up with Andy Mitten — editor of United We Stand, writer for The Athletic and regular on the Talk of the Devils podcast. Outside Old Trafford for an exclusive conversation on the state of Manchester United. Andy discusses United’s summer recruitment, including the club’s understanding that Elliot Anderson and Lewis Hall wanted to join, while Steve and Andy debate whether United should have pushed their finances further to land their top targets.

They also discuss the latest rebuild, the continuing impact of the Glazers, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, rising ticket prices and the pressure surrounding Michael Carrick. Recorded before United’s derby defeat at Old Trafford, several parts of the conversation feel even more significant after what unfolded on the pitch, so Steve returns after the interview with his post-match thoughts on United’s midfield, left-back situation and why he still believes the club should have pushed harder for Elliot Anderson.

Read and subscribe to United We Stand: https://www.uwsonline.com/

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Introduction
01:51 Andy Mitten interview
11:17 Reflections

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Steve, Ash and Jackson dig into United’s frustrating 2-2 draw at Everton and what it says about Michael Carrick’s side three games into the new season. United led twice but failed to see the game out, raising questions about game management, the defensive structure and whether four points from the opening three games is a cause for concern.

The lads assess where United are after the summer transfer window and where the squad still looks strong or vulnerable, before the latest Baller/Wasteman of the Week — picking the best and worst person from the last week in football. Then attention turns to Europe, with the Champions League returning and the big question of how far United can realistically go this season.

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TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Everton 2-2 Man Utd

11:20 Rashford, Shaw & United’s Attacking Balance

15:47 Pressure on Carrick?

23:35 Baller and Wasteman of the Week

29:19 Transfer Window Review

39:12 Champions League Return

43:34 Old Trafford Refurbishment vs New Stadium

47:15 INEOS, Ownership & Transfer Strategy

50:58 Manchester Derby & Upcoming Fixtures

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Let’s Kick It Off is brought to you by Go Play Sports — the digital platform connecting grassroots sport.

Create and manage your games, organise your players and take payments all in one place.

Download Go Play Sports on iOS & Android: www.goplaysports.co.uk

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Subscribe to the channel, leave us a comment with your Baller and Wasteman of the Week, and let us know how you’re feeling about United’s start to the season.

#mufc #manchesterunited #premierleague #championsleague