Episodes

#1014 | Ed and Tom look past the football at the expanded 2026 World Cup in the US. The focus is the off-pitch mess: visa and border problems, geopolitical tension, and reports of players and staff held for long stretches at US border control. Bans restricting fans from certain countries sit awkwardly against the tournament's "welcome the world" branding, and the gap between the message and the environment gets a hard look. Ticketing comes in for the heaviest criticism. FIFA's high, dynamically...

#1012 | Ed and Dharnish conclude their tactical review of the season, focusing on Michael Carrick’s interim spell at United. Carrick’s appointment mean no return for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and quickly produced results, with a focus on pragmatic but front-foot football. Carrick immediately installed a 4-2-3-1 system, highlighted by compact defending, fast transitions, plus one- and two-touch combinations in tight spaces. The strong results won him the job permanently, but slow starts and limited pr...

#1013 | Ed and Dominic discuss United’s deal to sign midfielder Ederson from Atalanta for around £35m plus add-ons. There’s been a muted reaction from fans but his standout physicality and counter-pressing should offer something the squad is missing, although concerns about his limited inventiveness in passing are fair. A useful squad option if United add two more midfielders, with Matheus Fernandes also progressing. There are rumors of United’s interest in Lewis Hall and Marcus Rashford has an ...

#1011 | Ed and Dharnish continue their tactical review of United’s season, covering the period from early November to Ruben Amorim’s January sacking. This period included a run of inconsistent, often drab matches saved only by United’s success from set-piece finishing. Then the turning point: 4-4 against Bournemouth, possibly United’s best attacking performance under Amorim, and a shift toward a back four. Only for Amorim, inexplicably, to return to a back three against the wishes of the club. ...

#1010 | Ed and Dharnish begin a three-part season tactical review, covering the start of the campaign through the autumn and setting up later segments on Ruben Amarin’s downfall and Michael Carrick’s resurgence. There’s a review of early matches including Arsenal, Fulham, Burnley, City, Chelsea, Brentford, and a damaging loss at Grimsby. Why did Amorim lean into long balls, why wouldn’t he move away from his beloved 3-4-3, and why did he insist on playing his best players out of position ... or ...

#1009 | Ed and Jamie review United’s Q3 financial results, noting slightly better-than-expected revenue, improved operating profit versus last year’s loss, and a wage bill at its lowest share of revenue in about a decade, alongside raised guidance. However, United face weak liquidity - around £60m cash- with the revolver credit up to £260m, ongoing outflows for historic transfer fees, and the continuing constraint this places on squad rebuilding. There’s a discussion around the confirmed costs o...

#1000 | Ed and Paul reminisce about 1000 episodes of Rant Cast/NQAT, from its origins as a weekly phone call, to committing to recording every week, and then the expanding NQAT universe over the past couple of seasons. The conversation turns to United’s post-Fergie decline and Ed Woodward, the Glazers’ ownership, Ratcliffe’s restructuring, and optimism about Michael Carrick’s steadying impact, squad depth, transfers, and a Champions League schedule next season. 00:00 Introduction 00:27 The Los...

#1009 | Ed and Dan recap United’s comfortable win over Brighton on the South Coast. There was a little bit of liquid football to close out the season in an upbeat mood. With no Casemiro in the squad and Cunha on the bench, Patrick Dorgu and Mason Mount started in what could easily have descended into an end-of-season dead rubber. Instead, this was the best way to close out the campaign, including Bruno's record-breaking 21st assist of the season. 00:00 Introduction 02:05 Carrick's Tactical Cho...

Ed and Dan break down Michael Carrick's appointment as Manchester United head coach on a two-year deal: why the job went to him over the alternatives, and what comes next. Sixteen games into the interim spell, the results speak for themselves. The floor has been raised, and his methods are not complicated: a back four, Mainoo restored to the team, players returned to roles they recognise, and Amorim's pressing scheme abandoned. From there the conversation turns to what's next. Does Carrick hav...

#1007 | Ed and Dan review Manchester United’s 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest in the final home game of the season. More than 4 xG created, 29 shots taken and Bruno Fernandes’ 20th assist. Plenty of entertainment on offer. It's Michael Carrick’s 11th win of his short tenure, but he's found a way for United to keep emerging victorious from these narrow-margin games. It was a day when Casemiro said farewell to Old Trafford, Luke Shaw scored his first goal for three years, and Bryan Mbeumo eventua...

#1006 | Ed and Adam look forward to United’s final home game of the season against Nottingham Forest. It’ll be the chance to close out the season with some momentum and say farewell to Casemiro. There’s a review of United U18s defeat to City in the FA Youth Cup final. A positive start, but United were eventually overpowered by a strong, older City team. City’s 6,000 ground wasn’t even full. Then we turn to the imminent (re)appointment of Michael Carrick as United’s Head Coach. Carrick is likely ...

#1005 | Ed and Jamie discuss United’s likely Champions League revenue uplift, which might be over £100m across prize/broadcast, matchday and sponsorships. Despite higher associated costs EBITDA projections might top £250m next year. How might that translate into summer spending under new squad-cost rules? It might well be a theoretical ceiling near £400m, with £300m more plausible. And what other revenue streams might there be from possible sales to bolster United’s transfer budget? Finally, the...

#1004 | Ed and Tom look back on United’s 0-0 draw at Sunderland, the first goalless game of the season. Casemiro’s absence exposed how disjointed United look without him. With five mostly enforced changes, they discuss underwhelming displays from Mason Mount and Josh Zirkzee, limited attacking output from the full-backs, and United’s lack of physicality. Once again, Senne Lammens came to United’s rescue. What a signing he has been. With Champions League secured, and not much action on the pitch...

#1003 | Ed and Dominic discuss United’s new Betway training kit sponsorship worth £18m per year and the wider ethics and prevalence of betting money in football as front-of-shirt bans loom. They then cover controversy around the FA Youth Cup final being staged at City’s 6,000-capacity Joie Stadium, limiting United’s allocation compared to the 67,000 at Old Trafford in 2022. The conversation turns to Michael Carrick’s interim reign: a pragmatic approach, improved results and momentum, Mainoo’s i...

#1002 | Ed, Dharnish and Daniel react to United’s 3–2 win over Liverpool and debate whether “underlying metrics” matter without context? United are succeeding on fine margins with elite attackers and reduced chances conceded under Michael Carrick. They break down Carrick’s approach: bypassing the opposition press, sitting compact in a mid-block, and attacking quickly in transition. With Champions League secured and Carrick seen as favourite for the job, we discuss how his football might evolve ...

#1001 | Ed and Daniel enjoy United’s 3–2 win over Liverpool. United’s strong first half that could have produced four; Liverpool almost snatched an improbable draw, only for a fine finish from Kobbie Mainoo to win the game. It’s the first time for a decade United secured a Premier League double over Liverpool - and the win officially secured Champions League football next season. In truth United were always likely to find enough against a ponderous Liverpool team but a couple of individual error...

#999 | Ed, Daniel and Dharnish return to discuss United’s 2-1 win over Brentford. They break down United’s fast start to the game before Brentford found space in wide areas and behind the midfield, then credit Michael Carrick for a decisive halftime shift to a back five that helped United control the game. Casemiro and Mainoo’s heavy involvement and defensive output are highlighted, alongside concerns about the difficulty of replacing Casemiro’s all-round contribution next season. The show then ...

#998 | Ed and Daniel discuss Manchester United’s win over Brentford at Old Trafford, leaving United on the brink of Champions League qualification. That’s Michael Carrick’s 10th win in 13 games as interim manager. It was another strong set of performances from Lammens, Maguire, and Heaven at the back and plenty of quality from Mainoo and Casemiro in midfield as well. With Champions League almost secure, the conversation turns to summer needs - especially the need for two elite midfielders plus ...

#997 | There’s a positive vibe about United, with Champions League qualification close, players returning from injury, and Michael Carrick making a strong case to become the permanent manager. Victory over Brentford on Monday will make a return to the top flight of European football almost certain. Ed and Wayne preview the game, think back on that tight win over Chelsea last week, and bemoan the inconsistent refereeing performances that have impacted United recently. 00:00 Introduction 05:31 M...

#996 | Ten points clear of Chelsea with five games left. A gritty, utterly necessary win at Stamford Bridge. United's return to the Champions League is no longer a question of whether, but when. Dan and Dharnish unpack all you need to know. With Martínez and Maguire suspended, Carrick turned to an Ayden Heaven and Noussair Mazraoui as the centre-back pairing. In front of them, Kobbie Mainoo delivered the standout performance of the afternoon alongside Casemiro, whose is giving us quite the fare...

#995 | Daniel and Dharnish react to United’s first game after a 24-day break - an undercooked, low-intensity first half in which Leeds could have led by more than the two they scored. United fought back, briefly, only to lose to Leeds at OT for the first time in 45 years. There's questions over Michael Carrick's team selection and delayed substitutions. There's a debate over Lisandro Martinez’s red card for pulling an opponent’s hair - and plenty of concerns about midfield issues without Mainoo...

#994 | Ed and Jamie discuss how English football’s huge revenues still produce widespread losses, driven by an arms race in wages and transfer fees. They compare crises elsewhere (French TV rights falling about 80% amid PSG’s dominance and conflicts of interest) and note the growth of multi-club ownership and private equity, including Sixth Street’s move into Sunderland Women and the broader rise of MCOs. Reviewing 2024/25 accounts, they highlight Chelsea’s staggering losses (about £262m pre-tax...

#993 | United Return After 24-Day Break: Ed and Wayne can’t wait to get into the football. Does the extended layoff leave United undercooked despite positive reports from a training trip to Dublin and an improving injury situation? With Harry Maguire suspended, Lisandro Martinez’ potential return can’t come at a better time. Meanwhile low-scoring Leeds arrive at Old Trafford in high spirits after an FA Cup win, but in poor form overall. Victory for United will strengthen the team’s hunt for a C...

From NQAT Extra. Rebroadcasting for everyone given that Harry Maguire has signed a new contract and Mainoo's new deal is very close! --- Ed and Dominic discuss reports that Harry Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo are close to signing new contracts. It's an important step both for squad depth ahead of likely European football and a heavier schedule, and in retaining key local talent. Maguire will stay on a shorter, lower-value deal - a sensible move given injuries across United’s centre-backs, his rel...