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

Can a win be described as "routine" when it's your first in more than a year? If so, that's what 'Ruud's unbeaten interim Reds' achieved on Thursday night at Old Trafford.

Amad Diallo was the clear stand-out performer, first breaking the deadlock with a looped header from a searching Fernandes cross. He made the second himself with persistent pressing, a strong run, and a sharp finish. 2-0, job done.

That's not to say it was all plain sailing; van Nistelrooy was not pleased with the first-half performance and demanded better in the second. His time as manager will end with the Leicester game on Sunday but it remains to be seen if he will leave the club altogether.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ruben Amorim has been officially confirmed as the next manager, or 'head coach', of Manchester United. He will start work on Monday November 11th, coincidentally the day of our live show at Manchester's Lowry Theatre!

We're making sure, as we did with Ralf Rangnick, that we leave no stone unturned when it comes to learning how to pronounce Ruben Amorim. Is the media's very positive take on the Portuguese matched by fan sentiment?

One thing is for sure, he has a big job in front of him. The man who now has most influence on how big that job will be is Ruud van Nistelrooy. The caretaker followed a good Carabao Cup win with a dull draw at home v Chelsea, which must be followed by victory over PAOK on Thursday night.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Laurie brings us the latest details from the negotiations between Sporting Lisbon and Manchester United with a deal apparently agreed for the release of Ruben Amorim to join the club. But, it won't be an immediate move and there are still elements to sort out including the transfer of some assistants and coaching staff.

Ruud van Nistelrooy, then, will continue as interim boss and things started very well for him as Leicester City were dispatched from the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night. His side led 4-2 at half-time and hit five in all, albeit not without a bit of luck here and there.

What next for Ruud; will he stay on under Amorim? We consider his future, answer a selection of your questions about an eventful week, and look ahead to a huge match against Chelsea (and, frankly, Cole Palmer) this weekend.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As revealed exclusively for The Athletic by Adam Crafton and David Ornstein on Monday lunchtime, Manchester United have relieved manager Erik Ten Hag of his duties after the team's latest defeat in the Premier League at West Ham.

So, where did it all go wrong for the man who arrived from Ajax with a reputation for strict discipline and a winning track record. He did win two trophies, the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup, but the team's form in the Premier League and European competition fell far below the standard required at Old Trafford.

And, following The Athletic's second huge exclusive of the day, Ian and Laurie make a late amendment to the podcast with a discussion of Ruben Amorim and why he has been identified as the man to replace Ten Hag.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's difficult to know what to make of Erik Ten Hag's Manchester United. We know they're not going to win the league, but can you honestly make a solid prediction beyond that?

In the Europa League, it'll be tricky to finish the first phase outside the top eight, but with three points from the first three games it's now not unthinkable. Strangest of all; at the end of ninety minutes in Istanbul, the happiest in the stadium seemed to be the one complaining about not getting a penalty.

West Ham at the Olympic Stadium next; not too many happy memories from that ground, or are there? Luckily, we do actually find our happy place precisely 20 years ago, when Arsenal's 49-game unbeaten run ran headlong into an immovable Phil Neville and the slice hit the man.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The mood is "off the floor" after Rasmus Hojlund scored the winning goal in a game at Old Trafford against "decent Premier League side" Brentford. In fact, all the 'big' attacking players contributed, which is great news.

It could be important news as well, with a win in Europe long overdue and a trip to Istanbul up next. Jose Mourinho is not the only familiar face in the Fenerbahce camp, but they are a club with worries that might sound familiar to Manchester United fans as well.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Manchester United have decided to terminate the contract of a manager, but it's not the current one.

Sir Alex Ferguson's role as a paid ambassador for the club will come to an end this summer, and it's a decision which has provoked a strong reaction, especially from some notable former players. Fans seem mixed, and our panel can certainly see both sides of the argument.

The women's team head to Brighton, the former club of red-hot striker Elisabeth Terland, with a 100% win record so far this season while Ten Hag's men face a tough test at Brentford. The first ninety seconds could be crucial in that one!

Donate to Andy Mitten's Kilimanjaro fundraiser for the Manchester United Foundation by clicking here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jonny Evans rolled back the years to provide Manchester United's defence with a vintage performance and a clean sheet.

Sadly, Ten Hag's attackers couldn't find the net again. The game was goalless, and provided very little by way of entertainment or clues as to the future of Erik Ten Hag.

Who better to put a spring in our steps (especially Andy, we hope) but Captain Marvel himself, Bryan Robson joins the pod to fill us in on a special charity challenge.

Click here to donate to Andy (and Robbo)'s Kilimanjaro fund for Manchester United Foundation.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There's a hint of crazed laughter in the voices of Ian Irving, Carl Anka, Andy Mitten, and Laurie Whitwell as they dissect the latest madcap entry in Erik Ten Hag's Manchester United soap opera.

Twenty minutes in, two-nil up and cruising, the team once again snatched chaos from the jaws of victory as they conceded twice before half-time, went behind less than five minutes after the break, and then lost captain Bruno Fernandes to a red card for the second successive match.

Harry Maguire's emphatic header from a Christian Eriksen corner saved a Europa League point, but will it save the manager?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There's a question mark in the podcast title, but there isn't much doubt in our camp. The first half against Spurs at Old Trafford on Sunday was the most disjointed, mistake-ridden performance we've seen since Erik Ten Hag became manager of Manchester United.

Bruno Fernandes red card was harsh, there's agreement there as well; but, by then, much of the damage had been done. For the second time in a week, an opposition defender carried the ball forty yards through the heart of midfield to set up a goal and the fragile atmosphere shattered.

So, once again, we're asking THAT question. The executive team, aiming to win the Premier League by 2028, chose to back their man in the summer but can he provide enough of an upturn in the team's results (and performances) to stretch his tenure as far as 2025?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.