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

Marcus Rashford was on the scoresheet after just 81 seconds of Ruben Amorim's first game as Manchester United manager, rounding off a very encouraging move after good work from Amad Diallo.Unfortuntately, that was as good as it got with Kieran McKenna's Ipswich fighting back to earn a point; perhaps a lesson for the Portuguese on exactly how competitive the Premier League is.There was plenty to digest from that game, from positional play to passion and spectacular saves, and there's likely to be a fair bit more to come over the next few matches starting with a fascinating Bodo Glimt side on Thursday night. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Premier League football returns after the November international break and the trip to Ipswich this Sunday(!) was on absolutely nobody's lips at Carrington on Friday.That's because a sizeable press contingent had assembled to greet the club's new manager, or should that be head coach, Ruben Amorim.Ian, Laurie, and Carl took part in said press conference with Andy listening in and we share our (mostly) first impressions of the Portuguese 39 year-old as he prepares his squad for Portman Road. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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

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

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

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.