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

4.7 (198)
SOCCER
UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

Host Ian Irving is joined by The Athletic's Laurie Whitwell, Carl Anka and Andy Mitten on the world's biggest Manchester United podcast. Subscribe for expert insight from inside the club, breaking news and two episodes every week.

18 HR. AGO

Tyrell Malacia exclusive and Q&A

The podcast team have returned from touring Britain and Ireland and we're wearing our fatigue heavily; well, some of us are... others are buzzing for Amorim's United. But, what's the right way to deal with the excitement? It would be another huge boost to have Tyrell Malacia, a genuine left-back, returning to the pitch. He has been talking exclusively to Mark Critchley about the reasons behind his extended break with injury, and some of the crazier theories that emerged about why he was keeping a low profile. And, we get to your questions on a wide range of subjects from youth team formations to the new coaches via european loyalty points. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1h 3m
NOV 13

Talk on tour as Van Nistelrooy departs

The lads are feeling a little bit worse for wear as we record in our hotel lobby after two nights on tour at Manchester's Lowry Theatre and the Limelight in Belfast. It's a relatively quiet week at Manchester United with the new manager getting his feet under the desk amid a men's international break, but Laurie had a (short-lived) exclusive when we learned that Ruud van Nistelrooy has left the club. We'll get into Ruben Amorim's in-tray next week, when we want your messages please, but we put down some early thoughts and glanced at a stuttering season for the Women's team, in contrast to the boys' U18s who are firing on all cylinders. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

43 min
NOV 10

Van Nistelrooy interim spell ends with 3-0 win

The era of Ruud's interim Reds has come to an end, and it's been a near-perfect run. Three wins from four games, including Sunday's 3-0 win over Leicester, sees confidence much-improved since Erik Ten Hag left. Ruben Amorim was due to start work at Manchester United on Monday 11th November, but visa friction may mean a slight delay. Nevertheless, we've got some fascinating material gathered by Charlotte Harpur as we try to get under the skin of the new man. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1 hr
NOV 8

Amad sparks PAOK win in Europa League

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

54 min
NOV 3

Amorim confirmed: Ruud's interim Reds draw with Chelsea

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

54 min
OCT 31

Amorim deal agreed and Ruud’s five-star Reds

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1h 2m
OCT 28

Ten Hag sacked; club 'working on deal' for Amorim

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1h 2m
OCT 25

Good point in Istanbul? Unhappy Hammers, and Pizzagate remembered

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1h 5m

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TRAILER

Introducing: Talk of the Devils

Talk of the Devils is your twice-weekly dedicated Manchester United podcast from The Athletic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

07/08/2023

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3 min

4.7

out of 5

198 Ratings

It good

Aug 22

Berkley S

The show. It good.
The calm during the storm

May 28

MUFC DIEHARD

First of all, these gents have kept me sane through one of the most turbulent seasons in recent memory with their thoughtful, rational, and at the same time completely relatable approach to everything that’s happening at the club. I love their conversational style that just feels like any great sports conversation over your favorite drinks.
Coffee & Cheese

Apr 2

Footballz fo life

Incredible podcast. Hosts are funny and at the same time have amazing insight and analysis. Andy’s coffee and cheese bit is an all time bit. Look for it if you haven’t listened.
Outstanding pod!

Mar 11

Noble11112111

What a great group. Wonderful pod!

Host Ian Irving is joined by The Athletic's Laurie Whitwell, Carl Anka and Andy Mitten on the world's biggest Manchester United podcast. Subscribe for expert insight from inside the club, breaking news and two episodes every week.