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

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 emerged with great credit as United toughed out a late wobble after Trevoh Chalobah pulled one back for Chelsea.

So, how much has that improved our Monday mood and how much are we looking forward to the next few weeks? (spoiler alert; loads) it will be an exciting time for the women's team as well after Elisabeth Terland fired them into the Champions League and they followed up with a resolute point against Arsenal in the WSL.

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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 think, but dig down a little into the numbers and it gets a bit more complicated.

Chelsea come to Old Trafford this Saturday teatime with a deeply (and we mean, deeply) unenviable record since Sir Alex Ferguson's tenure. They were roundly beaten at Bayern, but Andy isn't having any talk of them as a "crisis club". Alejandro Garnacho will be looking to make an impression, you would think; how will he be received by the home crowd?

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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 plenty to say as well.

So whether you remember the glory days or not, join us for a trip down memory lane... we hope you agree it's a welcome break from analysing the football!

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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, Erling Haaland, Phil Foden, and the rest of City's attackers "feasted" as United faltered in the key moments. It was a sobering, numbing experience for everyone in red, one that has us "spiralling".

It was a bad day for the fans and the players, but it felt especially difficult for Amorim. He faced questions, again, about his dedication to a formation that doesn't seem to play to the strengths of his players. He himself, as he often does, raised the idea that his future at the club might be in doubt. Tongue in cheek, perhaps… but when do the serious questions come?

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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 against Pep Guardiola so far in his managerial career; his Manchester United first team is still a "work in progress". but there are reasons to be optimistic about the match-up this time as well.

And, of course, there's the question of goalkeepers. Both sides signed a new 'keeper late in the transfer window, so there could potentially be debutants lining up behind either defence. Will Amorim stick with Bayindir or throw Lammens in at the deepest of deep ends, and has Donnarumma had enough training time to do himself justice?

Tickets for Talk of the Devils LIVE:

• Belfast (The Limelight) – October 12, 2025: Click here to buy tickets
• Dublin (Vicar Street) – October 13, 2025: Click here to buy tickets
• Cork (Opera House) – October 14, 2025: Click here to buy tickets
• Manchester (New Century Hall) – November 10, 2025: SOLD OUT
• London (Soho Theatre, Walthamstow) – November 11, 2025: Click here to buy tickets

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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 have suddenly moved very quickly for him. We get the inside track on his progress from local journalist Axel Brisart.

United's women's team hit the ground runnning exactly as planned in WSL and, with news of another (more cryptic) carousel, we look at the activities, or lack of, from United's players on international duty.

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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 takes on the tough task of filling the centre forward position at a tender age. Might there be a midfield solution from within the squad?

Two midfielders, England Lionesses no less, have swapped sides of the Manchester divide. Is it a sign of progress that MUWFC haven't lost another player without a fee, or is it poor squad management? Charlotte Harpur joins us to consider the two sides of that argument, "plane-gate", Brann, and the WSL season.

Talk of the Devils LIVE:

• Belfast (The Limelight) – October 12, 2025: Click here to buy tickets
• Dublin (Vicar Street) – October 13, 2025: Click here to buy tickets
• Cork (Opera House) – October 14, 2025: Click here to buy tickets
• Manchester (New Century Hall) – November 10, 2025: SOLD OUT
• London (Soho Theatre, Walthamstow) – November 11, 2025: Click here to buy tickets

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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 satisfactory impression of the business achieved across the window; even Rasmus Hojlund's move can be viewed in a positive light for both club and player.

That's not to say it couldn't have been better, though. There is still a bit more than a nagging feeling about the options available in midfield and it's going to take time to evolve the team and the squad to a fully rounded one.

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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 of several major opportunities. Unfortunately, there were a few old worries as well; the conversion (or not) of those opportunities, and another unconvincing display by an MUFC goalkeeper.

With the UK transfer deadline looming, things are starting to happen for the "bomb squad". Alejandro Garnacho has joined Chelsea, Rasmus Hojlund is Italy-bound with a deal on the cards there. Meanwhile, Spain could be the destination for both Antony and Tyrell Malacia. As for Jadon Sancho, who knows?!

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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 loss. After the game, Ruben Amorim's cryptic comments invited speculation that he may be questioning his future at the club. Where do we go from here?

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