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

Amazing strikes from a resurgent Patrick Dorgu and supersub Matheus Cunha gave Manchester United a massive win at the Emirates Stadium after Bryan Mbeumo's first half equaliser set Arsenal hearts fluttering.

Michael Carrick now has the shortest, most impressive resume, of any interim manager. Is it unfair to completely dismiss him as an option to take the job permanently? And how have the last few days changed our perception of what a Manchester United manager should be.

However things progress over the next few months, a more acute change in mood is difficult to imagine. United now sit fourth in the Premier League; are they in pole position (outside the top 3) to take a Champions League spot next season?

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What's this? A quiet week in Manchester United world?! Surely not! Yet, there has been little by way of headlines; is this the calming effect of Michael Carrick?

Perhaps it's the lack of activity in the transfer market. Manuel Ugarte has been linked with Ajax and there are more than one Italian club keeping an eye on Joshua Zirkzee, but with no long-term transfer targets on the market a first-team acquisition doesn't seem likely.

Things will get lively again come Sunday, for sure. Arsenal have a formidable defence, Declan Rice, and their set-pieces; it may be as tough as ever getting three points at the Emirates Stadium. But with renewed confidence and a week on the training ground, who knows...

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Here it is, almost 48 hours after the final whistle (sorry!), we're here to properly dissect the magnificent performance from Michael Carrick's mighty reds in the Manchester Derby.

From Maguire and Martinez, Bruno, Casemiro, super sub Cunha, and "ballon" Dorgu there were top marks across the board as United 'pulverised' City into submission. It's a huge game, of course, and a heightened atmosphere was guaranteed, but what does this say about the players' performances under previous managers and can it be sustained?

Lisandro Martinez had a particular point to prove after high profile criticism and we also get into some off-pitch matters as Carrick settles into a campaign which must deliver European football next season.

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Michael Carrick is the new Head Coach, interim or otherwise, of Manchester United. How will he change the way the team plays and is the target of qualifying for the Champions League, stated explicitly to players by Director of Football Jason Wilcox, really achievable now?

It will be a baptism of fire for Carrick and his staff with Manchester City coming to Old Trafford on Saturday lunchtime. Will the players returning from AFCON go straight into the team, and can they help Benjamin Sesko build on a promising couple of games? United will need to defy expectation based on a difficult recent record in home derbies.

If you haven't already listened to our documentary episodes published on the anniversary of the Glazer takeover of Manchester United, you can find them in our podcast feed back in May, or via the following links:

Episode 1: The Story of the Glazer Takeover

Episode 2: What next for the Glazers at Manchester United

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Darren Fletcher's brief stint in charge of Manchester United's first team may be over after a draw at Burnley and an FA Cup third round exit to Brighton. His (expected) departure saw some stern-sounding words for the playing staff after the game on Sunday; will he continue as part of a longer-term interim coaching team?

Michael Carrick is now favourite to take the helm, having stepped in with some success in difficult circumstances previously. Does the move to appoint a successful former player signal a change of tone for INEOS leadership and is "heritage" the right way to go? Director of Football Jason Wilcox has some big decisions to make.

"Flat" is the word Carl chose to describe the FA Cup defeat to Brighton at Old Trafford. The crowd was the quietest it has been, amid a sense of befuddlement It feels a bit like limbo, now, and 40 games will be the shortest full campaign in over a century, but the season can't be considered over with European football still to play for.

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The first few specks of dust have settled on the sacking of Ruben Amorim, and while Darren Fletcher will be in charge for the FA Cup match against Brighton at Old Trafford, thoughts now turn to who will take the helm until the end of the season.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is interested, but would that be a regressive step, and will the atmosphere be significantly different to the last time he stepped in. Michael Carrick is another option, as is Ruud van Nistelrooy. Is a non-Manchester United figure completely out of the question? More questions for Jason Wilcox, Omar Berrada, and Sir Jim Ratcliffe; their answers will draw more scrutiny, and rightly so.

Amidst all this, there was a fixture at Burnley and, while two goals for Benjamin Sesko will be a huge personal boost for him, the team failed to win again, missing another big opportunity in this crazily congested Premier League season. If only Shea Lacey's strike had dipped another few inches...

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EMERGENCY PODCAST INCOMING

Here we go again: it's an unscheduled, perhaps unexpected, extra episode of Talk of the Devils with reaction to the news - first reported by The Athletic's David Ornstein  - that Manchester United have sacked Ruben Amorim. Youth team manager and former player Darren Fletcher will take charge of first-team affairs until further notice.

Amorim's reign lasted 18 months and it was a tumultuous period. Disastrous league form in his first part-season was tempered slightly by a run to the Europa League final, but defeat to Spurs in that game in Bilbao was a body blow.

Improved performances and results in the Premier League this season stuttered before Christmas. The team are currently sixth in the table but, with a heavily congested chasing pack making up ground, senior management decided the time was right to dismiss their man.

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Leeds away; a 'bear pit' negotiated with several first-choice players missing. Off the back of a dodgy festive period, ordinarily you'd take your point and run.

Yet, the game was almost a footnote today in the context of Ruben Amorim's comments during both his pre- and post-match press conferences. His usually outward demeanour a little different; bleak statements about the transfer window, cryptic references to other managers; a flat refusal to discuss the formation of the team. Is something afoot?

We'll hear from Mr Amorim again before and after Burnley away, a game that now has more than a frisson of intrigue on it. Just four points separate 5th from 14th in the Premier League.

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They're desperately short of players, and in isolation perhaps you could excuse it, but Man United's one-all draw with (statistically speaking) one of the worst Premier League teams in history fits a pattern of nearly-but-not-quite this season.

As we arrive in 2026, what can we expect from Ruben Amorim's team, and what standard should we demand? Is the Champions League too big an ask for a side that has achieved only one string of league victories?

It was a hugely deflating affair on Tuesday night but Leeds United, and their supporters, will show no sympathy when the Reds roll into Elland Road. Are they ready? Is Andy?

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A Patrick Dorgu volley gave Manchester United a half-time lead against Newcastle at Old Trafford and, well, you know the rest.

The second half wasn't pretty, and Ruben Amorim's substitutions did more than raise eyebrows, but frankly, who cares?!

With Wolves next, United are up to fifth in the Premier League, but will need to get players back as soon as possible. Can you name the line-up who finished the game tonight? Good luck!

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