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

As we enter a lengthy break for the men's first XI it's time to take a look at what will be needed next season with European football, most likely the Champion's League, impending. We will publish three episodes of TotD this week, one on each department of the squad.

In today's first of the three, it's the midfield. Without a doubt the most urgent area of recruitment as United have struggled to negotiate a forty-match season with the current options. Add in the extra games, plus the expected departure of Casemiro, and reinforcements are a priority.

What will be required from the midfield next season, who can provide those qualities, and how will United deal with the noise of agents and rival clubs? it's certain to be a fascinating few months.

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Bournemouth draw, they always draw, and we knew that. The circumstances were a bit more dramatic than expected, however, with Manchester United's manager Michael Carrick describing two of referee Stuart Attwell's decisions as "baffling" and "astonishing".

Still, it was a good game and a good performance. Bruno Fernandes continues to impress spectators and statisticians, Matheus Cunha tormented the Bournemouth defence, and United's league position is very satisfying going into the international break.

Harry Maguire had a full-on evening at Bournemouth and, while Kobbie Mainoo's match experience was a little quieter, the two have also been called up to Thomas Tuchel's 35-man England squad, seemingly an audition for places at the World Cup. They are both also very close, according to reports, to agreeing new club contracts.

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Michael Carrick takes his Manchester United squad to Bournemouth for a Friday night fixture which will be followed by a 23-day break. With a patchy recent record against the Cherries, a win will keep the Champions League charge going during that hiatus.

Will there be a defensive reshuffle? Leny Yoro has regained some form and played very well against Aston Villa, but Lisandro Martinez is expected to be fit and has unique qualities. There's a question mark at right back as well with Noussair Mazraoui, an AFCON champion (for now, at least), pushing for some minutes. Places up front will be interesting, too.

Before that game, there's an FA Youth Cup tie at home to Sunderland. Chris McKenna drops by to discuss that, Andy fills us in on his interview with Steve Torpey, and we round things off with a look at United fans travelling over from the Emerald Isle.

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It doesn't matter who called it first: Aston Villa came to Old Trafford and left with nothing, Michael Carrick maintains his 100% record at home, and United put clear air between themselves and the other contenders for top three in the Premier League.

Bruno put in another inspirational display and assisted two of the three goals; he took the corner that allowed Casemiro to break the deadlock with a trademark header and provided a sumptuous pass for Matheus Cunha to restore the lead after Villa's equaliser. David Beckham's single-season record for United assists is gone; surely the Premier League's overall tally is to follow. We restate the case for him to win player of the season.

Unfortunately for Marc Skinner and co, the women were unable to break their Chelsea hoodoo, defeated two-nil in the league cup final, so it's Champions League or bust for them.

Click here to ease Andy's pain with a subscription to United We Stand.

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The Champions League, is it the be-all-and-end-all of club football? With Manchester United's financial results getting a deep analysis from The Athletic's Chris Weatherspoon and cashflow problems coming into real focus, it has never seemed more important.

Aston Villa are another club for whom chasing the glory and riches of the Champions League has been a huge part of the narrative. They will play Lille in the Europa League, in fact, before they make the trip to Old Trafford for what could prove a crucial head-to-head in the race for Europe's premier competition.

It's also a huge weekend for Manchester United's women; aiming for their second major trophy and to join an elite group of women's league cup champions, they will need to defy a woeful record against their bogey team, Chelsea.

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Defeat at Newcastle ended Michael Carrick's superb unbeaten run since taking interim charge of first team affairs at Manchester United. Does this actually give us an opportunity to build a more accurate picture of his work since taking over? Our first dive into summer business asks the question; is Carrick headed for the job on a permanent basis?

We'll look at the football, of course, where most people will be giving him high marks. He has also dealt with the media in a typically straightforward manner; is there more to come on that front, should he be more bullish at times?

Ticket prices are in the news again with the club, and others across the Premier League, announcing rises for next season. It's a subject which provokes strong reactions, and there are lots of finer details to consider as well. We also look briefly at the two new appointments in the academy.

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The honeymoon is over... what about the future of the relationship? Michael Carrick's unbeaten run as Manchester United manager, which has lit a fire under the pursuit of Champions League football this season, is over.

In truth, it was a poor performance; the team had laboured even during a largely uneventful opening forty minutes. Of course, the level of incident changed dramatically at the end of the first half but, going in level at the break with Newcastle reduced to ten men, a victory seemed the more likely outcome.

We break down the reasons why that didn't happen, what it means for the rest of the season, and the perception of squad depth... or lack of it. As always, we're trying our best to maintain perspective in the face of another frustrating midweek result.

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Another week, another win. Crystal Palace started brightly at Old Trafford and centre half Maxence Lacroix gave the visitors the lead in a stodgy first half-hour. But, Michael Carrick has the midas touch right now; he identified the tactical tweaks needed and Big Ben Sesko scored yet another crucial goal.

It was Bruno Fernandes' pass to Matheus Cunha which allowed the Brazilian to slip past Lacroix and the captain also scored the resulting penalty to get United level. His form was good this season under Amorim, in an unfamiliar position, and he's been incredible since Michael Carrick stepped in. Is Bruno F a decent bet for player of the season?

A quick turnaround with a midweek Premier League schedule and Manchester United play Newcastle under the lights on Wednesday night. Eddie Howe's team have been struggling badly in the league of late; could it be a first win at St James's Park since 2020?

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Benjamin Sesko is so hot right now; the six foot Slovenian has been scoring regularly and impacting games. Is it time for Michael Carrick to hand him a start against an ailing Crystal Palace at Old Trafford?

Having made club history by winning the FA Cup and the Community Shield, Palace are now in a bad way; the squad has been decimated by departures and injuries. Manager Oliver Glasner (tipped by some as an outside bet for the Manchester United job) has fallen out with his board over recruitment and, having decided to leave this summer, has also lost his rapport with the fans.

We also have a brief update on Manchester United's finances with Q2 results incoming, Andy's got exciting plans for the weekend, and Ian has some serious statistics on substitutions before we dive into the Champions League qualification run-in.

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After a fortnight off, Manchester United returned to Premier League action at Everton's Hill Dickinson stadium and, while the match didn't live up to our heightened expectations (heightened for all sorts of reasons), the team pulled off a big win with composure and inspiration in key moments.

The composure and calm came from the back; Harry Maguire and co were in sufficiently combative mood, repelling the physicality of David Moyes' Everton, but it was goalkeeper Senne Lammens who really shone, taking the man of the match award with a commanding display.

...The young summer signing at the other end of the pitch is also producing the goods. Six goals in seven appearances qualifies as prolific form for the big Slovenian and he was used from the bench again, rounding off a dynamic counter-attack with a cool finish.

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