Episodes

#992 | Ed and Tom fill the long international and FA Cup break by running through United players on international duty and broader World Cup qualifying storylines, including England experiments under Thomas Tuchel. Maguire and Mainoo featured, there's notes on Portugal, with Bruno’s backheeled assist a hightlight, Brazil featured Casemiro’s return and Senne Lemmens played for Belgium. United announce friendlies in Helsinki, Stockholm, Gothenburg), Dublin and Wrocław. Then there's is a reflectio...

#991 | Ed sits down with George Baker to check in on FC United’s progress this season. The club is top of the Northern Premier League in a tight title race with Hednesford and Hebburn. Ed and George talk about the run-in, progress that has been made this season, and how the club remains the antidote to commercialisation in the Premier League. 00:00 Introduction 00:27 Season to Date 07:00 Key Players and the Manager 10:30 The Title Race and Run-In 13:39 Easter Monday: The Big Decider 15:36 ...

#990 | Ed and Dharnish review Bournemouth 2–2 United - a game in which United were robbed by referee Stuart Atwell. One moment turning down a penalty for a clear foul on Amad, the next moment, watching Bournemouth score. Inexplicably, Atwell then gave a penalty and a red card for a foul by Harry Maguire. Soft as fuck. But, apart from crap refereeing, United performed well for a half, creating plenty of chances before a quieter second half. What does this mean for the top four race and Michael Ca...

#989 | Ed and Jamie discuss a Premier League settlement with Chelsea over £47 million worth of undisclosed, off-book payments to players, agents and third parties from 20011–2018, involving names including Samuel Eto’o, Eden Hazard and David Luiz. The £10m fine and suspended transfer/youth-player bans show inconsistent rule enforcement versus PSR points deductions for clubs like Everton and could weaken the Premier League’s position in Manchester City’s case, while signalling cooperation and ow...

#988 | Ed, Dharnish and Daniel review United’s 3-1 win over Aston Villa, praising a patient approach after a quiet first half against Villa’s high line and mid-block. The episode covers the role of United's flexible front three, how Casemiro and Mainoo controlled midfield, Bruno's flexible positioning, and United's dominance at the back. Then we look ahead to the game against Bournemouth on Friday night 00:00 Intro and Match Reaction 04:35 Cunha's Role and the Left Side 09:38 Bruno's Freedom 10...

#987 | Ed and Tom discuss Manchester United’s 3–1 win over Aston Villa, a strangely low-intensity match that still moved United closer to securing Champions League football. It might have started slowly, but United’s second-half, shaped by Bruno Fernandes’ brilliance, Casemiro’s head, and Benjamin Sesko’s ability off the bench, were enough to secure the points. It’s a bit odd how slowly United start in these games under Carrick. Is the team undercooked or is it something more fundamental? With ...

#986 | It’s a quiet news week at United but Ed and Dominic preview Sunday’s crucial Old Trafford match vs Aston Villa in a very tight Champions League race. United need both points and a convincing performance after uneven recent displays. There are concerns about squad fitness, slow starts, and breaking down low blocks. There’s some chat about poor first-leg Champions League results for English clubs and the potential impact on the Premier League’s coefficient and fifth-place qualification. Ple...

#985 | Ed, Daniel, and Dharnish react to United’s 2–1 loss at Newcastle, focusing on a flat, low-energy second half and a missed chance to beat 10 men while the Champions League race remains tight. Carrick’s honeymoon has faded as recent performances show recurring issues: opponents pressing man-to-man to block central progression, limited ball progression without Lisandro Martínez, and little attacking width due to problems at fullback. Newcastle’s 3v3 midfield control and second-half 4-3-2 sha...

#984 | Ed and Dominic react to United’s 2–1 defeat at Newcastle - the first loss of the Michael Carrick era. It was a particularly flat, listless performance despite Newcastle going down to 10 men. Bruno Fernandes created eight chances but for the most part the rest of the team let their captain and manager down. Why were United so flat and why couldn't the team control the game despite having a man extra? There were moments of refereeing controversy, but in the end United's lack of physicality ...

#983 | Ed and Dharnish review United’s win over Crystal Palace, focusing on a poor, flat first-half marked by weak progression from the back, Palace’s press clogging central areas around Casemiro/Mainoo/Bruno. There’s a discussion about United’s left-sided imbalance amid injuries to Shaw, Martínez, and Dorgu. There was improved intensity after halftime and some decisive Bruno Fernandes passing that led to a penalty and red card, shifting control and eventually a winner. United leaned on crossi...

#982 | Ed and Daniel review United’s 2–1 win over Crystal Palace. Victory marked by slow buildup and low urgency, helped by a penalty and a red card, but ultimately Michael Carrick’s adjustments brought improved control and sustained pressure. There are still issues in buildup, at fullback and Palace were able to get behind United’s midfield. And yet United were good enough to see it out and move third in the Premier League table. It’s another goal and assist for Bruno - and one more for in-form...

#981 | Ed and Wayne record a Friday-night pod focused on Manchester United’s finances and Sunday’s match against Crystal Palace. The financial results held few surprises aside from the scale and persistence of United’s debt. The long-term “millstone” that just won’t go away. Football fans want to watch football not become finance experts, but here we are anyway. Two years after Ratcliffe’s takeover is his strategy working … and at what cost? Then we shift gear to focus on Sunday’s game against ...

#980 | Ed and Jamie review Manchester United’s fiscal 2026 second-quarter results, arguing the numbers look bullish despite no European competition: revenues held up, EBITDA is strong, and the club posted an operating profit of just over £30m. They credit Ineos’ restructuring - about £50m a year removed from the cost base, including redundancies and efforts to rationalise player wages - with improving the club’s financial foundations, while noting debt remains high, cash is low (~£44m), and hist...

#979 | Ed and Dan look back on United’s 1–0 win at Everton. It was functional rather than convincing but a vital three points as United close in on a return to the Champions League. There’s plenty of praise for another excellent Senne Lammens performance in goal under heavy pressure from Everton’s agricultural set-piece routines. When, if ever, are referees going to protect goalkeepers who are now routinely fouled? It’s all Mikel Arteta’s fault. Despite the victory, was this another case of Uni...

#978 | Ed and Adam suffer through the long wait for United men to play again. In the meantime they enjoy United Women’s 5–0 aggregate win over Atlético Madrid to reach the Women’s Champions League quarterfinals. It’s been a strong performance from the team so far this season despite the often critical reception to manager Marc Skinner. There’s a deep-dive on United’s strategy behind revamping midfield in the summer - Anderson, Wharton, Baleba, Tonali … somebody else? That group will include Kob...

#977 | Michael Carrick’s audition continues. With four wins from five, including victories over Arsenal and City, Ed, Dharnish and Daniel break down what we’ve actually learned about Carrick’s “game model” so far. Is this a sustainable tactical evolution or a short-term bounce? And how should United approach the next run of fixtures, starting with Everton? The discussion covers why West Ham’s low block caused problems; the emergence of a clear tactical identity under Carrick; increased player p...

#976 | A listener mailbag episode with Wayne and Ed, recorded during a gap in the men's fixture list (though United Women notched a seventh straight win). Wayne's been deep in writing a book on an under-explored era of United history, with fascinating cross-era player comparisons. Listener questions drive wide-ranging discussion: the ongoing burden of Glazer debt and whether Ratcliffe's involvement changes anything meaningful; the stadium regeneration plan; and pointed criticism of Ratcliffe's ...

#975 | Ed and Dharnish discuss United's 1-1 draw with West Ham. It’s the first draw of the Michael Carrick era - second act - and Nuno’s low-block caused plenty of challenges. Why were United so flat? Was it tiredness after a second game in three days or just too many players off their game? There’s plenty of talk about Casemiro’s role and how United might replace him, another strong Kobbie Mainoo performance, and an outstanding goal from substitute Benjamin Sesko. Could the Slovenian have start...

#974 | United put in a dominant and convincing 2-0 win over Spurs. How much of that was down to Cristian Romero's red card and how much United’s quality? Ed and Dan dig into it. There’s plenty of chat around Kobbie Mainoo’s growing influence in midfield, how the Casemiro-Mainoo-Bruno balance is clicking, and Lisandro Martinez’s influence at centre-back. Plus, Bruno's evolving role. There’s a nod to United Women’s good form and then a look ahead to West Ham away on Tuesday night. 00:00 Introdu...

#973 | Ed and Jamie dive into United's quiet transfer window, what it means for the summer budget and the inevitable trade-offs between long-term planning and short-term risks. There's a discussion about the club's commercial performance, where new revenue might come from and the curious case of Avram Glazer bidding for an IPL franchise. 00:00 Introduction 01:53 Why United Held Fire in January 09:19 Summer Transfer Budget 12:42 Academy Value 18:51 Commercial & Sponsorship Gaps 21:41 Fan Ex...

#972 | Ed and Adam discuss United’s decision not to reinforce the squad in the winter transfer window. Sensible long-term financial planning or one injury away from disaster? Perhaps both, with United in a great position to qualify for the Champions League next season and deeply reliant on Casemiro’s revival in central midfield. There’s a celebration of United’s revival under Michael Carrick. Will it continue this weekend against a Spurs side desperately out-of-form and unhappy with manager Tho...

#971 | Ed, Dharnish, and Daniel look back on United's recent 3-2 victory over Fulham - with a focus on the tactical decisions and performance. Key topics include pressing and out-of-possession challenges, the proactive and vertical play under 'Carrick Ball,' midfield balance, and the crucial contributions from Lisandro Martinez and Casemiro. The conversation also looks at Matteus Cunha’s role and how the club might be thinking about midfield next summer. 00:00 Introduction - Three Wins on the B...

#970 | Ed and Dan dissect United’s late victory over Fulham at Old Trafford. What an impact Michael Carrick has had in his three games in charge! From key tactical shifts, to a new attacking intent, and the squad's spirt - it’s been a good couple of weeks. On the pitch, there was another outstanding performance from Casimiro and some fine goals as well. United are in a very good position to make European competition next season. Which one? We’ll find out over the next 14 games. Off the pitch, a...

#969 | Ed and Wayne preview the upcoming United vs. Fulham match, which will present a different challenge to recent victories over Arsenal and City. There’s a brief review of United’s (lack of) transfer market activity. There may be outgoings although even that seems unlikely this winter. There’s changes in the coaching ranks amid the age-group teams. And Collette Roche has a new job as the head of the new stadium project. 00:00 Introduction 01:45 Transfer Window Discussion 10:45 Under-21 Co...