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

There's a case to say Lisandro Martinez is providing Manchester United's most potent attacking threat at the moment as we dig into some alarming trends with respect to the centre forwards.

Positive sounding news on stadium development this week but unease continues to rumble among the fans and there was a fairly hostile response to Sir Jim Ratcliffe's presence at Craven Cottage.

But, with FCSB up next, a top eight finish in the Europa League first phase might bring some respite and everyone but the Window Warriors TM will be glad to see the transfer deadline pass next week.

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Captain Bruno rescued three Europa League points for Manchester United after Cyriel Dessers looked to have earned Rangers a draw at the death.

But while a European top eight finish, bypassing the play-off round, now looks likely there is still a lot of uncertainty around the club with financial question marks muddying the transfer waters.

Will the club reach a deal for Patrick Dorgu, can the price be right for Alejandro Garnacho, and might Marcus Rashford still have a future at Old Trafford? We'll find out next week, after a very tricky trip to West London, where the eye-watering ticket prices are only adding to fans' anxiety.

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Strong themes running through today's show as we remember United great Denis Law, the only Scottish footballer ever to win the Ballon d'Or, after his death on Friday at 84.

How this current team could do with a centre forward, a goalscorer, an all-round footballer of Denis's ability. After Brighton won at Old Trafford again, Ruben Amorim called his side the worst in United's history. A joke, perhaps, but we're not laughing.

Ella Toone celebrated her recent return to action with a hat-trick in a momentous derby win, the women's first ever victory away at Manchester City. Next up for the men is a Europa League clash with a Rangers team who seem to save their best for this competition.

Talk of the Devils LIVE in London, March 17th: https://www.leicestersquaretheatre.com/show/talk-of-the-devils-live/

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Ian Irving might have been glad of a day off, very glad indeed, were it not for Amad's late show at Old Trafford on Thursday night. He became Manchester United's second youngest hat-trickster after Wayne Rooney and their first since Cristiano Ronaldo.

While the 22 year-old Ivorian has a long way to achieve the stature of those two players, he is well on his way to becoming a cult hero and is a shining light at a time when things are still not going to plan; the first 75 minutes of this game saw Southampton, yes Southampton, good value for a one-nil advantage.

Brighton are next and, while they got their first win in nine Premier League games at Ipswich, they have a very good record against United in recent times. Meanwhile, on the transfer front, no news is both good news and bad news.

Tickets to the live show at London's Leicester Square Theatre on 17th March can be purchased here: https://www.leicestersquaretheatre.com/show/talk-of-the-devils-live/

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After a drab first half at the Emirates Stadium, the FA Cup third round tie between Arsenal and Manchester United caught fire; so much so, that it brought back memories of the fierce rivalry between the two clubs.

Bruno gave United the lead with a superb finish, but Diogo Dalot was dismissed for a rash challenge which brought a second yellow card and things looked difficult with Arsenal equalising soon after.

But, Turkish goalkeeper Altay Bayandir saved an in-game penalty from Martin Odegaard, helped his defence stand firm, and then denied Kai Havertz in the penalty shootout before Joshua Zirkzee fired home to seal the win.

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We were sceptical clubs would come in for Marcus Rashford, but just a few days after he stated his openness to a move there are already some significant suitors. Could this actually happen?

Much less likely is a transfer for either Kobbie Mainoo or Alejandro Garnacho: the two FA Youth Cup winners may not be certain starters for Amorim, but fans need not fear a fire sale... the price would have to be right.

...and with not one, but two FA Cup defences starting this weekend we catch up with the women's team, consider the merits of Arteta's Arsenal, and remember the season of no FA Cup football thanks to the inaugural FIFA club world cup.

(Laurie's article, as discussed in the show, lives here... https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/1498500/2020/01/02/fergies-calls-to-alastair-campbell-hang-gliding-in-brazil-and-trying-to-sign-rivaldo-the-year-manchester-united-pulled-out-of-the-fa-cup/?source=emp_shared_article)

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A committed showing in an entertaining contest at the league leaders; how refreshing was that! It was certainly a pleasant surprise relative to our gloomy expectations.

The return of Ugarte and Mainoo helped midfield, as did that of a resurgent Bruno Fernandes, but there were positive performances across the defence, from Diogo Dalot against Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Garnacho off the bench as well. The only big question was why they haven't been able to produce this before now.

Marcus Rashford was not included in the squad; an expected move after Ruben Amorim said his training had been limited by illness, but Laurie shed a little light on the wider situation for Rashford with an article earlier in the weekend.

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It was the worst month for Manchester United in 95 years, yet it started with a four-nil victory and included a famous derby win.

We attempt to pick apart the problems of a team learning new patterns of play while negotiating a hectic festive programme and with their most valuable player deemed un-selectable, for the time being at least.

Is there much hope for improvement in the near future? We do our best, but it's tough when you're visiting Europe's best team (on form) and the Premier League's hottest attacker of all time.

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The stats don't make for pretty reading after Bournemouth won 3-0 at Old Trafford, just as they did on their previous visit. In fact, United are setting all the wrong trends with Ruben Amorim's honeymoon period, if he ever had one, well and truly over.

The Marcus Rashford situation might not be exactly what fans are making of it, but after he was left out of the squad for a third time, it looks like it may take a little while longer before that's resolved.

And, with January on the horizon, Harry Maguire's contract will need addressing or he might leave on a free transfer in the summer. If he does stay on he will probably have to delay any holiday plans, with a tour to Asia mooted.

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Ruben Amorim rang the changes again as Manchester United tumbled out of the Carabao Cup at the quarter-final stage against Tottenham. Spare a thought, especially, for the goalkeeping coaches.

Meanwhile, Marcus Rashford has responded to his recent non-selection by telling journalist Henry Winter that he is now looking for a 'new challenge'. But, many questions remain unanswered.

It's Bournemouth next; we're not scared of re-emphasising exactly how tricky that game could be against an eminently 'decent' side.

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