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

After Joshua Zirkzee nodded home from a magnificent lifted pass by Bruno, giving Manchester United the lead in Lyon with moments left, we began putting together a triumphant podcast.Unfortunately, there was still time in the Europa League quarter final first leg for Andre Onana to concede; all this coming after a war of words with Nemanja Matic and a bad first-half error to gift Thiago Almada the opening goal.Judging by Ruben Amorim's comments, there's a non-zero chance Altay Bayindir will start the game at Newcastle. More importantly, there's a pretty good chance Manchester United will progress to the Europa League semi-final stage.For more information about Talk of the Devils on tour: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6235043/2025/03/31/talk-of-the-devils-2025-tour-dates-uk-ireland/ (no subscription required) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

United and City played out a dull 0-0 draw at Old Trafford, with both sides lacking cutting edge. City, without the injured Haaland, couldn’t break down a well-organised defence. United will be happy to finish with a clean sheet, having conceded 17 in their nine previous league matches at Old Trafford under Ruben Amorim.Garnacho was United’s main outlet but wasteful and a decent Zirkzee effort was well saved by Ederson. De Bruyne — set to leave City this summer — couldn’t provide a spark in a flat game.City stay fifth in the table, United sit 13th, and both teams will just be glad not to have lost.Also on the show, we preview the upcoming Europa League clash against Lyon with the help of Julien Laurens. Can United keep their season alive?TotD Tour dates and ticket info: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6235043/2025/03/31/talk-of-the-devils-2025-tour-dates-uk-ireland/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nottingham Forest pulled off a league double against Manchester United for the first time since they were managed by Brian Clough, and it was United academy product Anthony Elanga who got the early goal.Nuno's subsequent tactical switch and United's inability to break it down was as predictable as it was frustrating. Alejandro Garnacho showed his annoyance after several shots went astray, but a lack of goals from the whole team is becoming a big problem.Despite that, there's confidence for the derby at Old Trafford with City still not themselves and Erling Haaland ruled out. Sadly, that will be the last derby of the season after the U18s lost to Aston Villa on penalties in the FA Youth Cup semi-final.TotD Tour dates and ticket info: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6235043/2025/03/31/talk-of-the-devils-2025-tour-dates-uk-ireland/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A provocative title? Perhaps; in one sense, of course United (13th in the PL) are underdogs away at (3rd placed) Forest. But, perhaps it's not that straight-forward...United's results were much improved in March, bringing a player of the month nomination for Bruno Fernandes and a manager of the month nod for Ruben Amorim. Meanwhile, Forest might be without Chris Wood, and maybe there's a distortion in media coverage of player form.Prompted, in part, by comments from Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Laurie has been looking at player contracts to try and get a firmer grasp on the overall budget and how it might affect transfer business in the future.TotD Tour dates and ticket info: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6235043/2025/03/31/talk-of-the-devils-2025-tour-dates-uk-ireland/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

No getting away from it, it's a long one today, but we think it's worth it... Join Ian, Laurie, and Andy as we venture inside Carrington to speak to some of the key figures managing player development in Manchester United's Academy.We'll hear from Academy Director Nick Cox, Academy Coach Colin Little, and U18s Head Coach Adam Lawrence at a very exciting time...On Monday, the U18s will face Aston Villa in an FA Youth Cup semi-final at Villa Park. Not only is a place in the final on the line, but it could be a Manchester derby at Old Trafford!We want to hear about your podcast habits. Go to theathletic.com/athletic/survey25 to fill out a short survey and be in with the chance of winning £/$100 Amazon vouchersTotD Tour dates and ticket info: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6235043/2025/03/31/talk-of-the-devils-2025-tour-dates-uk-ireland/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's been an 'interesting' time for Manchester United Women in the last two years or so. Big names have left, crowd numbers wobbling, yet the team's performance is impressively robust.Uncertainty remains, though, with Marc Skinner's future unclear, an interim boss, and significant question marks about Sir Jim Ratcliffe's enthusiasm for the project.Charlotte Harpur joins Ian, Carl, and Andy, to look at their pursuit of Champions League football, derby day success, and another FA Cup win. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

No game to report on with the international break underway, so we asked you for a fresh batch of queries and concerns.Ticket price rises at Old Trafford is the issue of the week, so we dig a little deeper on that, and we think about famous father and son duos in United colours.There's also, of course, the shape of Ruben Amorim's team and how it might look after the summer window. Finally, is Bruno a club legend, what are the criteria, and do you have to have met Andy in Salford? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rasmus Hojlund and Alejandro Garnacho were back on the scoresheet for Manchester United as Ruben Amorim's side made easy work of Leicester City.Managed by United legend and recent interim manager, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Leicester aren't the stiffest test in the Premier League right now, but there are real signs of progress after a difficult spell.Even the news of a ticket price rise was met with relatively good humour as it was less than some had feared. We discuss the ins and outs of that, the international break, and our recent live show at London's Leicester Square Theatre. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

He's done it again, Bruno Fernandes may not be an alpha captain but as a player he leads by example and steps up whenever he is needed; especially when that stepping up is to a penalty kick.Bruno holds quite a few Europa League records now, but in truth this was a team performance, one that will reassure Ruben Amorim that he can place his trust in some key players.Ruud van Nistelrooy's Leicester City are up next, and it's difficult to take pleasure in saying they should not provide much of an obstacle to United's momentum. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Manchester United's senior management, and members of the Old Trafford regeneration task force presented plans for a new 100-thousand capacity stadium on Tuesday at Sir Norman Foster's architectural practice in London.It's a bold design, and one that has drawn mixed reactions from fans and media. We look into the concept, the build strategy, and the persistent question of how this will all be funded.Sir Jim has been conducting several interviews with media outlets this week and he drew attention with some eyebrow-raising comments about the club's finances and one or two players. Is it just refreshing to have a (co) owner communicating with the public, or can we expect better? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.