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

This was always going to be a World Cup centred episode, but we had hoped the news would be a little happier. Manuel Ugarte has sustained a significant knee ligament injury and while, of course, it will have an impact on United's summer transfer plans our immediate thoughts are with the man himself.

Elsewhere in the tournament, there hasn't been an awful lot of action for United participants. Bruno Fernandes has played every minute ...

We're back! Alright, we're still scattered across the globe on World Cup duty and the much more important matter of a summer holiday. But, we are podcasting and there is some news to get through...

A new Old Trafford may be one step closer with reports that Manchester United have acquired an important plot of land. However, there is still a long way to go and with the club's debt in the news again it's that same old question... how ...

Zidane Iqbal has been on a journey; that's a cliche, of course, but in this case it's also literally true... and there are more air miles incoming.

The Manchester United academy graduate was raised by a Pakistani father and Iraqi mother just a stone's throw from Old Trafford. He became the first British-born South Asian to represent the club when selected as a substitute in a Champions League fixture in Switzerland.

Now playing for U...

As Talk of the Devils heads toward our well-earned end of season break (albeit we've one more fun treat for you before we do), it's time for us to take a look at the 2026 World Cup.

Man United players would usually be headline acts but this renewal, hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the USA, looks a little different. There's plenty of interest, of course, but it's unclear how central the club's players will be to their national teams be...

The dust is settling on another Premier League campaign and, as the summer solstice looms on the horizon, it's time for our annual end of season awards.

It's a much happier, therefore considerably less tongue-in-cheek, set of awards than this time last year as we decide the player of the year (who's not the marvellous captain bruno) and the best first-season United player.

We also choose our favourite from a pretty healthy selection ...

It's the last Q&A of the season (or the first of the new one, depending on how you look at it). Either way, it's a whopper, with a massive influx of questions.

Mixed fortunes for Manchester United players past/present/on loan/future(?) when it comes to World Cup call-ups. We discuss the merits of Harry Maguire's omission by Thomas Tuchel, and whether Anthony Gordon's Barcelona move will skupper Marcus Rashford's hopes.

Ederson lo...

Michael Carrick was appointed as Manchester United's permanent head coach before the final game of the 2025/26 Premier League season and he will start his two-year contract off the back of a comfortable three-nil win on a beautiful day in Brighton.

Bruno Fernandes was once again mobbed by his teammates after his corner was headed strongly home by Patrick Dorgu; he has now made the Premier League assist record his own with 21 for the...

Apparently, there have been a couple of domestic trophies decided this week... no, us neither. While Manchester United have made significant progress in the Premier League, it would be nice to be the ones celebrating this time next year. How can that be achieved?

Obviously, the big question is on midfield recruitment, and we may be getting closer to some answers there. It would also seem that Michael Carrick and the current coaching...

Manchester United beat Nottingham Forest 3-2 at Old Trafford on Sunday, their last home game of the season. However, it was Bruno Fernandes who was the focus of most attention (in the game, at least) as he equalled the record for assists by one player in a Premier League campaign. He can still make it his own at Brighton next week, but really should have done so already going by his remarkable chance-creation stats. We dive in.

Outs...

Manchester United will face Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford this Sunday and there should be a good feeling about the place. Results have been close to perfect under Michael Carrick and we understand the club's executive team will recommend his appointment as permanent head coach.

So, hopefully Carrick will be staying on, but Casemiro will say a fond farewell to the home crowd after four emotionally charged seasons. The Brazil capt...

We asked a series of questions about the rest of the season on our podcast last Thursday, mostly concerning Manchester United's "squad" players and what they need to do in the last three league game to stake their claim for a prominent role next season.

In the first of those three games, at Sunderland, it's fair to say we were left rather underwhelmed by the answers. With the caveat that they haven't played much football recently, a...

Manchester United will compete for the 2026-27 Champions League and when the draw comes around they will most likely be in Pot 2 which should deliver a couple of high profile matches and some more interesting destinations as well. But, what does that mean for the rest of this season?

Will Michael Carrick (still not confirmed as a permanent head coach of the team) choose to rotate a little and give opportunities to fringe players an...

Manchester United are back in the Champions League having done the double over Liverpool, that's the league double against Liverpool.

The lads rushed straight to the studio to record this podcast for you, even with Ian feeling a little poorly, and even though United didn't take their 2-0 half-time lead and add a few more to really add insult to injury.

As it was, we had to make do with another great winning goal, another goal in a bi...

Manchester United face Liverpool at Old Trafford this Sunday knowing that a win against their biggest rivals will guarantee Champions League football next season. It would also represent an incredible turnaround in the two teams' fortunes from this time last year. It looks good, especially with the hand Arne Slot has at his disposal, but the podcast's confidence is very cautious.

Michael Carrick likes to keep his cards close to his ...

Man United ran through this season's full repertoire in beating Brentford at Old Trafford on Monday night. Casemiro header, tick, Bruno assist, tick, Sesko finish, tick, wobbly spell at the back and nervy last five minutes... tick, tick.

Casemiro put in a statistically remarkable performance but also did lots of Casemiro things and we're forced, once again, to ask, "is there a chance he'll stay on?" Meanwhile, Bruno keeps coming up ...

Manchester United will host Brentford in the Premier League at Old Trafford on Monday night. The Bees are still in with an outside chance of a top-five finish and Champions League football, but Carrick's men may be able to seal it in this game if other results go their way. However...

Today is all about summer transfers on Talk of the Devils. Laurie Whitwell has returned from paternity leave, dropped a big-read on Super Coaches (fea...

A man who needs no introduction, least of all to Man United fans, Captain Marvel Bryan Robson joins us in the studio for a jam-packed hour of great stories!

From his playing career, almost 900 games of it (what injuries?!), winning his first major trophy with Man United, and a few more, European glory, and, of course, the celebrations…

We ask him about the current United side as well. What does he make of Bruno, Kobbie, and Ca...

It's almost done, then. United defied a defensive *crisis at Stamford Bridge to keep their first clean sheet since February and Matheus Cunha delivered the killer blow to see off Chelsea... we don't even need to tell you who provided the assist.

Ayden Heaven was, eventually, partnered by Noussair Mazraoui at centre half and, with Luke Shaw and the returning Diogo Dalot either side (and Kobbie in front), they looked fairly comfortabl...

Manchester United head to Stamford Bridge for a Saturday night Champions League six-pointer with Chelsea but there's a good chance it won't match up to the all-guns blazing shootout that was Real Madrid at Bayern in this season's quarter final.

It has now been confirmed, at the eleventh hour, that Harry Maguire will miss the Chelsea game having had his red card ban extended for an FA charge of abusive language. It's also unlikely th...