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

Manchester United's terrible run of form in the Premier League continued at Brentford as a VERY youthful side lost 4-3. Alejandro Garnacho had a good day, as did Mason Mount, but it's all a bit 'Groundhog Day' and we're not too perturbed by the result.

We will, however, be disconsolate if Amorim's men are not able to defend their three goal lead going into the second leg of the Europa League semi-final against Athletic Club.

Champions League football is the prize, of course. Manchester United's women achieved that at City's expense with a battling draw in the Manchester derby at Old Trafford.

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Harry Maguire, we have now established, can do anything he wishes. From ball-winning centre-half, to aerial target man, to tricksy winger...

After a nervy first twenty minutes in Bilbao, Maguire (wide on the right) turned, turned again, and delivered the cross which Casemiro eventually headed home. Then came the Bruno show.

A nerveless penalty, won by Rasmus Hojlund, before bursting through to add a third first-half goal, the skipper's stats are astonishing. More importantly, Manchester United are on the brink of a Europa League final.

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Ruben Amorim's Manchester United team head to Bilbao on Thursday night for the first leg of a Europa League semi-final that will define this season, but what are United's greatest European away days?

From the early days of Best and Busby, touched of course by the Munich air disaster, through the lean years, the Fergie era, and one or two modern classics, there are many great performances to choose from.

When it comes to Europe, though, it's not just about the football. Exploring beautiful cities, different cultures, missed connections, and the occasional drink, there's so much more to relive than Roy Keane just doing his job in Turin.

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Rasmus Hojlund remained on the pitch for the entire game at Bournemouth which meant he was able to scramble home United's latest ever equaliser. We talk momentum and social media off the back of a familiar-ish team display at the Vitality Stadium.

Next up, of course, it's the most important game of the season, away at Athletic Club. Andy's man in the Basque country gives us the inside track on an opposition full of confidence but maybe looking a bit leggy.

And, it's another Whitwell scoop with details on the latest staffing cuts at the club. Not entirely unexpected, but interesting timing and it looks like significant changes to scouting/recruitment.

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It's a strange time for Manchester United and it's confusing the mood of our podcasters, so much so that Laurie seems to want to get Andy talking about trains...

We're so excited about Matheus Cunha that we are comparing him to both Cantona and Messi, but we're also nervous about his recent tendency to fly off the handle. The Athletic's Steve Madeley provides expert insight.

Meanwhile, we're very energised by the prospect of a Europa League semi-final against Athletic Club, but we are deeply concerned about the ability of that same squad to get a result at Bournemouth.

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After the Lord Mayor's show. Manchester United returned to earth with a bump on Sunday as in-form Wolves won at Old Trafford.

Ruben Amorim blooded Tyler Fredicson; he and Harry Amass acquitted themselves well, but it was another tough afternoon for Rasmus Hojlund.

Still, we'll always have Thursday night. To cheer ourselves up, we went back through the email inbox for more memories of that remarkable comeback against Lyon.

Send us your favourite MUFC European away days: [email protected] (put EXTRA in the subject line).

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The short version is that Ruben Amorim's Manchester United beat Lyon to progress to the Europa League semi-finals, where they will face Athletic Club. The long version... wow!

Cruising at 2-0 after an hour, the team suffered not one but two implosions; the first to take the game to extra time, then another to find themselves four-two down against ten men.

Strikerless, subs used, needing a miracle; Amorim got three. Casemiro won a penalty, converted by his captain (the 5,000th Utd goal at Old Trafford), and the Brazilian then laid on goals for makeshift strikers Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire, leaving the stadium, and fans watching on TV around the world, in equal measures of disbelief and rapture.

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As we anticipate a crucial second leg against Lyon at Old Trafford on Thursday night, with Europa League progress (and the team's season) on the line, we look back at some of the Theatre of Dreams' greatest European hits.

From the pioneering efforts of Sir Matt Busby, touched by tragedy, through Fergie's agony and ecstasy, to Ten Hag's beating of Barca, it's a rich history packed with thrills, hilarity, and frustration.

It's not just Manchester United, either, some of the game's greats have graced the Manchester turf. Join us for a whistle-stop tour of the best... no, the best of the best, moments.

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A chastening 4-1 defeat away at Newcastle is not a result that anyone at Manchester United would want to consider acceptable, nor do they. But, perhaps there are more important things to worry about right now... as Andre Onana may testify.

In fact, there were one or two little glimpses of positivity: Garnacho's excellent finish and the move that led to his equaliser, as well as Harry Amass's performance on Premier League debut.

However, Joshua Zirkzee might not want to face Newcastle again in a hurry; his hamstring injury counts as a blow as Ruben Amorim's main objective, progress in the Europa League, looms large.

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After Joshua Zirkzee nodded home from a magnificent lifted pass by Bruno, giving Manchester United the lead in Lyon with moments left, we began putting together a triumphant podcast.

Unfortunately, there was still time in the Europa League quarter final first leg for Andre Onana to concede; all this coming after a war of words with Nemanja Matic and a bad first-half error to gift Thiago Almada the opening goal.

Judging by Ruben Amorim's comments, there's a non-zero chance Altay Bayindir will start the game at Newcastle. More importantly, there's a pretty good chance Manchester United will progress to the Europa League semi-final stage.

For more information about Talk of the Devils on tour: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6235043/2025/03/31/talk-of-the-devils-2025-tour-dates-uk-ireland/ (no subscription required)

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