It wasn't all about Marcus Rashford this weekend, but his absence (through 'illness') did provide a medium sized distraction as Erik Ten Hag prepared his squad for a trip to fourth-tier Newport County. What next for the 26 year-old forward who shone last year but can't consistently reach the heights his talent promises?

In the end, the return of some key figures saw the Red Devils through fairly comfortably; although there were a few palpitations when Bryn Morries and Will Evans levelled the scores at 2-2. We discuss Altay Bayindir's competitive debut and Antony's first goal of the season.

Bristol City or Nottingham Forest await in the fifth round but, next up, a Wednesday EVENING kick-off at Wolverhampton, which usually proves "attritional".

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We've got a full complement again as we dip briefly back into the Omar Berrada hire with The Athletic publishing fresh details on how the club got their man.

Anthony Martial has undergone groin surgery, which means he will be out for ten weeks. With his contract expiring at the end of the season, he may have played his last game in a spell that leaves us asking what could have been.

Manchester United have a game of football this weekend and everyone at Newport County is excited to be hosting the first ever competitive fixture between the two clubs, not least their manager Graham Coughlan, a huge United fan.

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Ian, Carl, Laurie & Andy discuss the huge story broken exclusively by The Athletic’s David Ornstein that Omar Berrada will move from Manchester City to become Manchester United’s new CEO..

Plus there is time to answer a selection of questions from listeners across a range of topics including the summer transfer window and the United player you'd love to have seen play.

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A bit of finances special by taking a dive in to United’s latest financial results and making sense of what it means for the club on and off the pitch

We’ll bring you the latest transfer news - not much coming in but a bit going out, and there’s news from Sir Jim Ratcliffe's meetings with fans and locals this week as well plus yet more detail on how his investment was negotiated and completed.

The whole crew are here - Ian , Carl, Andy & Laurie - as well as our mate Mark Critchley to explain United’s first quarter financial results which were announced yesterday and how it affects United keeping on in line with the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules

It’s an episode on FFP, PSR & SECs but we’re hoping to still have a few LOLs in there too as always…

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Ian, Carl, Laurie & Andy breakdown United's two-two draw against Spurs at Old Trafford - was the performance a worry or should it be seen as a good point?

Are we seeing signs of Marcus Rashford returning to full fitness? And Laurie & Ian share their first impressions of sharing a room with Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

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Coming up today Ian, Laurie & Andy take a deep dive into one of the most significant characters at INEOS - Sir Dave Brailsford. The Athletic's Matt Slater joins the pod to give his unique insight into Brailsford's background and what he can bring to United.

We’ll also of course look ahead to United back in action in the Premier League at home to Spurs -a match where Sir Dave is expected to be joined by his boss Sir Jim.. no doubt sat next to Sir Alex.

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Erik Ten Hag picked the strongest Manchester United team available at Wigan in the FA Cup 3rd round and the result was never in doubt, but it still left Ian, Andy, and Laurie a bit cold.

We consider how Dave Brailsford and the INEOS contingent will have viewed the performance, and how they decided who would sit next to who, plus what's really going on with the Martial/Varane contract talks.

And there are a few of our usual asides, including Eastleigh's stadium spec, how Andy's uncle spearheaded the defence of their bench in their Premier League days, and the merits of a pie sandwich.

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Ian, Carl, Andy & Laurie are back to look back on another eventful few weeks at United.

Coming up, what if any business United might do during this transfer window following the confirmation of investment from INEOS…

On that we’ll look at the likely departure of Jadon Sancho on loan and what that could mean for United’s plans this month

And a upbeat look back at that dreadful result at Forest and look ahead to United’s third round FA Cup tie at Wigan on Monday which Andre Onana will be sticking around for.

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Ian, Carl, Laurie & Andy give their reaction to the news that Manchester United finally confirming that billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe has agreed to purchase a minority stake in the club.

Find out what how the deal panned out and hear about the work that still needs to be done as revealed in Laurie special report on the current state of the football operation Sir Jim is inheriting.

And of course we kick things off with reflection on a thrilling second half comeback for United at Old Trafford against Aston Villa.

To vote for Talk of the Devils in the Sports Podcast Awards, go to: https://www.sportspodcastgroup.com/sports_category/best-team-podcast/

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Ian Irving is on great form, unlike last time, and the whole team are feeling pretty upbeat about Manchester United's prospects going into the new year.

Join us as we look back at twelve months that started so brightly, with Erik Ten Hag and his squad winning the Carabao Cup at Wembley, before subsiding badly going into the new season.

But, as we said, we are an optimistic lot, and we're expecting at least six points over Christmas, plenty of improvement from the men in 2024, and for newly crowned SPOTY Mary Earps to tell Arsenal what she told Jenni Hermoso after that penalty.

To vote for Talk of the Devils in the Sports Podcast Awards, go to: https://www.sportspodcastgroup.com/sports_category/best-team-podcast/

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