Talk of the Devils

Ian and Carl in normal surroundings, Andy and Laurie living it up on the West Coast. Talk of the Devils returns (again) for a dip into the US pre-season tour and a round-up of the latest news back in Manchester. A 2-1 defeat to Arsenal didn't concern us... more

An episode of your favourite Manchester United podcast... in July! We're really spoiling you with a midsummer catch-up amid a hive of activity at Carrington and throughout the club, including significant staff cuts as anticipated earlier in the year. Maybe... more

It's the least surprising emergency podcast in history: Erik Ten Hag will continue as the manager of Manchester United into the 2024/25 season. Nevertheless, the podcasters have assembled at short notice; breaking away from holidays, tours, Euro preparations,... more

Ian, Andy, Carl & Laurie gather to reflect and an incredible performance from United to win the FA Cup at Wembley! How did Erik ten Hag mastermind victory and is that his final game in charge? There is discussion and analysis from the game and behind the... more

So, here it is, the season finale. Unfortunately, the Premier League has not ended as we would have liked, and Erik Ten Hag's men will need to win the FA Cup final if they want to play in Europe next season. Under normal circumstances, that would be a good... more

Manchester United's men beat European rivals Newcastle in their last home game of the season to rekindle hope of European qualification via the Premier League (for a few days at least). After Chelsea won at Brighton, though, the only route to the Europa League... more

A podcast very much in three parts for you on a stormy Sunday night in May with Andy and Ian braving the Manchester rain and Carl looking nervously out of his twentieth floor window... Arsenal did what was expected of them at Old Trafford, winning for just... more

Another full house but we're a bit more relaxed now, a few days after that chastening result at Selhurst Park. One member of the team has even been brave enough to watch the game back again! Now that everyone has calmed down, we have a more measured look at... more

It's another unwanted inquest on Talk of the Devils with Laurie Whitwell back in the UK and Manchester United back in the mire. In fact, the whole podcast team are on hand as we dig into some heavy questions prompted by Crystal Palace's dismantling of a... more

It looks like Sir Jim Ratcliffe's INEOS team have really taken the rudder at Manchester United, and the latest in a series of changes at executive level demonstrate just that. But, with many football clubs close to the edge of their budgets, a quiet summer... more

Another Monday podcast, another day trying to defy the gloom after Erik Ten Hag's men made it one win in six games in the Premier League with a draw at home to relegation candidates Burnley. We're actually talking about the performance, especially the first... more

Ian, Andy, and Carl are all feeling a bit better about Manchester United, football, and life in general after Bruno Fernandes inspired a 4-2 home victory against Sheffield United. There was a landmark moment during that game as Ethan Wheatley became the... more

How can an FA Cup semi-final win at Wembley leave fans feeling empty, if not despairing? That's the conundrum we try to unravel on this podcast. Recorded late on Sunday evening, in a state of serious fatigue, it's a riddle that tests our panel to their... more

We're looking for positives today on Talk of the Devils, and not just from Real Madrid. The U18s won their league this week and there's plenty of talent coming through. We also saw the first meeting of a new committee charged with planning the regeneration... more

Andy is feeling a little low after his ambitions were thwarted in dramatic fashion in the Manchester Marathon. Unfortunately, Erik Ten Hag's Manchester United hit roadworks of their own at the Vitality Stadium. A draw, and they were arguably lucky to escape... more

Laurie Whitwell is called away from the airport departure lounge to fill us in on his breaking story, that Manchester United's Football Director John Murtough has left his post this week. Promoted internally and given a subtly different job title to many of... more

Manchester United will finish the season unbeaten against Liverpool after another "silly" game at Old Trafford finished in a two-all draw. After an hour, Erik Ten Hag's men had achieved an xG of 0.01, yet they were level at 1-1, Bruno's magnificent 40-yard... more

Two crucial fixtures in West London in the last five days have yielded just one point for Erik Ten Hag's Manchester United. If that wasn't bad enough, they held the lead going into the 99th minute in both games. If Brentford was bad, this was an astonishing... more

It may be Easter, but it feels a lot like a Monday as Ian Irving hosts Andy Mitten and Carl Anka to "pick over the carcass" of Saturday night's performance at Brentford. Such was the home side's dominance, it's easy to forget this finished a draw. But,... more

We're back after the international break and we are all aboard Kobbie's hype train! After the Carrington graduate bossed Belgium, it's time for the rest of the country to acknowledge what we already knew; Mainoo is the future. Thanks to everyone who sent in... more

Laurie Whitwell returns to the pod to make it a full complement as we bask in the glory of a magnificent, dramatic, extra time victory over Liverpool in what is being called the greatest FA Cup win in Manchester United's history. There are so many threads... more

It's a fresh looking line-up on Talk of the Devils as Mark Critchley and Jay Harris drop by to talk Jadon Sancho, money matters, and Liverpool with Ian and Andy. Sancho got his first goal back in yellow at the weekend and Jay was at Bremen to see the game... more

Once again, it wasn't pretty, but Manchester United got the job done: two-nil at home with Alejandro Garnacho winning two first-half penalties, scored by different players. The same questions remain, though. Casemiro's wasteful performance with the ball was... more

The team have relocated to Hotel Football, overlooking a very famous waterway, not that Ian Irving would know. We're going in-depth today, first on Andre Onana, the subject of 'cautious optimism' and a detailed profile by Andy Mitten and Carl Anka. Slightly... more

Marcus Rashford would have been a huge talking point on Manchester derby day whatever happened after his op-ed for the Players Tribune. But, with less than ten minutes on the clock, he struck hope into red hearts with a lightning strike from thirty... more

The awesome foursome are united once again on Monday morning after Manchester United scraped through to the FA Cup quarter finals at the City Ground. Casemiro's late run, late in the game, was just enough to edge out relegation-threatened Forest in a... more

A Monday morning full-house from the podcast team, but there's precious little positivity on offer after Manchester United lost at home to Marco Silva's Fulham. An injury to Rasmus Hojlund in training on Friday was a huge blow and it was alarming how much... more

Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS have, after an arduous process, completed their partial takeover of Manchester United and will now assume control of football operations. We'll hear from Sir Jim himself, speaking at a press briefing on Wednesday afternoon in... more

Manchester United won 2-1 at Luton's Kenilworth Road on Sunday night, and Andy Mitten was the happiest man in Bedfordshire. It wasn't all plain sailing, despite Rasmus Hojlund setting new Premier League record's for United's fastest goal and their fastest... more

Manchester United have identified Newcastle's Dan Ashworth as their primary target for the position of Sporting Director. With investment from Sir Jim Ratcliffe's INEOS nearing approval, a period of dramatic change seems inevitable. It's a fascinating time... more

Ian, Carl, and Laurie are up bright and early on Monday morning in the hope that we can catch Andy Mitten has he passes through yet another airport. This time, it's India, where he enjoyed Manchester United's huge win at Villa in the company of a club... more

It is sixty six years since the Munich Air Disaster and the death of Sir Bobby Charlton in October means all survivors of the crash have now passed away. Yet, in recent years attendance at services in Munich and at Old Trafford have grown. We discuss the... more

Recorded post-match at Old Trafford: Ian Irving, Andy Mitten, and Carl Anka are revelling in the slightly unfamiliar feeling of a comfortable win at home. What's more, it came against a pretty good West Ham team and, by a three goal margin. Birthday boy... more

Ian, Carl, Andy, and Laurie expected to be talking about Marcus Rashford, hoped to be talking about a Manchester United win, but had no clue about the rest. In the end, the evening belonged to Kobbie Mainoo. The 18 year-old scored his first senior goal for... more

It wasn't all about Marcus Rashford this weekend, but his absence (through 'illness') did provide a medium sized distraction as Erik Ten Hag prepared his squad for a trip to fourth-tier Newport County. What next for the 26 year-old forward who shone last year... more

We've got a full complement again as we dip briefly back into the Omar Berrada hire with The Athletic publishing fresh details on how the club got their man. Anthony Martial has undergone groin surgery, which means he will be out for ten weeks. With his... more

Ian, Carl, Laurie & Andy discuss the huge story broken exclusively by The Athletic’s David Ornstein that Omar Berrada will move from Manchester City to become Manchester United’s new CEO.. Plus there is time to answer a selection of questions from listeners... more

A bit of finances special by taking a dive in to United’s latest financial results and making sense of what it means for the club on and off the pitch We’ll bring you the latest transfer news - not much coming in but a bit going out, and there’s news from... more

Ian, Carl, Laurie & Andy breakdown United's two-two draw against Spurs at Old Trafford - was the performance a worry or should it be seen as a good point? Are we seeing signs of Marcus Rashford returning to full fitness? And Laurie & Ian share their first... more

Coming up today a deep dive into one of the most significant characters at INEOS - Sir Dave Brailsford. The Athletic's Matt Slater joins the pod to give his unique insight into Brailsford's background and what he can bring to United. We’ll also of course... more

Erik Ten Hag picked the strongest Manchester United team available at Wigan in the FA Cup 3rd round and the result was never in doubt, but it still left Ian, Andy, and Laurie a bit cold. We consider how Dave Brailsford and the INEOS contingent will have... more

Ian, Carl, Andy & Laurie are back to look back on another eventful few weeks at United. Coming up, what if any business United might do during this transfer window following the confirmation of investment from INEOS… On that we’ll look at the likely... more

Ian, Carl, Laurie & Andy give their reaction to the news that Manchester United finally confirming that billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe has agreed to purchase a minority stake in the club. Find out what how the deal panned out and hear about the work that... more

Ian Irving is on great form, unlike last time, and the whole team are feeling pretty upbeat about Manchester United's prospects going into the new year. Join us as we look back at twelve months that started so brightly, with Erik Ten Hag and his squad... more

Ian Irving and Andy Mitten are feeling a little tender this Monday morning. Fortunately, it's not because of another chastening defeat at Anfield! Laurie Whitwell completes the trio as we dissect a resolute defensive performance from Erik Ten Hag's... more

Andy, Ian, Laurie and Carl get together inside Old Trafford to reflect on another defeat, this time going out of the Champions League with a flat performance in defeat to Bayern Munich. There is also a look ahead to a huge game at Anfield against Liverpool... more

Just when you think United have turned a corner, you realise they have been down this dark road before.. Ian, Andy, Laurie & Carl pick the bones out of a dreadful 3-0 defeat at Old Trafford against Bournemouth and try to find reasons to be positive ahead of... more

Ian, Laurie, Carl & Andy reflect on a positive night at Old Trafford where Erik ten Hag once again made a big call & got a big performance as United put away Chelsea.

There is also a look ahead to Bournemouth the first game of another huge week.

It's a full house on the podcast as we dissect another awful performance away from home at a top-half Premier League side. A 1-0 defeat in Newcastle didn't tell the story with Ten Hag's men clearly second best throughout. St James's Park has not been a... more

Ian, Laurie & Carl are joined by Andy from Istanbul to review another Champions League performance from United that felt like a recurring nightmare.. United once again implode, throwing away a two goal lead twice to draw 3-3 in Istanbul against... more

Ian, Andy, Carl & Laurie pour over a hugely satisfying win for Manchester United topped off by one of the greatest goals they have ever scored courtesy of Alejandro Garnacho.. There is also a first-hand assessment of Kobbie Mainoo's stand-out debut... more

United have not played since the last pod but Ian, Andy, Carl & LAURIE still have lots to talk about.. You'll get the latest on the takeover which is edging closer - has it really been a year since that crazy day of the announcement of the strategic... more

Victor Lindelof succeeded where the attackers struggled and provided a winner against Luton. Relief was the most obvious response but, wait, what's that? Manchester United are the most in-form team in the Premier League?! As the men go into an international... more

Ian Irving chairs the inquest with Carl Anka and Andy Mitten after Manchester United lost 4-3 at Copenhagen in the Champions League, a defeat which sees them bottom of Group A and facing a European exit. Marcus Rashford's red card was the turning point on a... more

Ian, Carl & Andy look back on United getting a much-needed with at Fulham despite another uninspiring performance... As well as Bruno stepping up they discuss Marcus Rashford who didn’t feature at the weekend and was criticised by Erik ten Hag for going to... more

Ian, Carl & Andy have yet another home defeat to digest as United are knocked out of the EFL Cup by Newcastle. Bringing you reflection on the same old problems and even some new ones served up inside Old Trafford by Erik Ten Hag's team. What if anything... more

Ian, Andy & Carl reflect on a terrible day for United as they are comprehensively beaten by City. Why can't Erik ten Hag get his players to the way he wants and how do they move forward ahead a collection of must win games? There is also a look at the... more

Today's podcast will be in three parts, with increasing numbers of people. In order of appearance, Ian Irving, Andy Mitten, Laurie Whitwell, AND FINALLY, Carl Anka. Andre Onana's penalty save was the very last touch of the ball in a dramatic Old Trafford... more

Ian Irving is joined by Andy Mitten and Laurie Whitwell as we share memories of the life of Sir Bobby Charlton, who died this week aged 86. A truly iconic figure, Charlton was a recognisable name the world over and he is one of only nine players in history to... more

So a brave new era or another false dawn ? Ian, Laurie & Andy bring you what they know about the boardroom meeting and proposed deal from Sir Jim Ratcliffe to buy a minority stake in United.. They also round how United’s players have fared on international... more

Ian, Laurie & Andy gather post match inside Old Trafford for instant reaction to Scott McTominay's two injury time goals that saw United secure a dramatic victory over Brentford. The lads then have a breather and are joined by Carl a couple of days later... more

Ian, Carl, Laurie & Andy come to you  from the rooftop of Hotel Football  overlooking Old Trafford the scene of United’s latest defeat that will of course be the focus of this episode.. They try to keep things as upbeat as possible and also look forward to... more

Ian, Andy & Laurie get together to share their thoughts from witnessing another defeat for United at Old Trafford. Why can't United score goals or even create chances? Plus they discuss the ongoing injury problems - with Martinez out for an extended... more

Ian Carl & Andy look back on that win against Palace this week that means yet another home tie awaiting United in the next round of the league cup.. They also look at Sofyan Amrabat who impressed on his full debut - a player with an interesting rise to the... more

Ian, Carl, Andy & Laurie FINALLY have a win to talk about as United see it through against Burnley with that brilliant Bruno volley.. Plus they discuss Rasmus Hojlund and the details of how his move to Old Trafford got over the line. And they look ahead... more

Ian, Andy & Laurie reflect on a very strange night that ultimately led to disappointment to discuss United’s 4-3 defeat at the hands of Bayern Munich n the Champions League Plus we’ll hear from Andy Mitten about his huge exclusive interview with United... more

Ian, Laurie, Andy & Carl pick the bones out of a terrible 3-1 defeat for United at Old Trafford and also look ahead to Bayern on Wednesday.. What on earth is going wrong for United on the pitch? The guys pick out the small tactical details that proved too... more

Ian, Carl, Andy & Laurie discuss the news that Jadon Sancho has been banished from the first team after refusing to apologise to Erik ten Hag about the events that followed the Arsenal game. They also discuss the treatment of Harry Maguire who looked to... more

Ian, Laurie, Andy & Carl reflect on that harrowing defeat at Arsenal last weekend. They also discuss the future of Jadon Sancho after being dropped from the squad for the trip to The Emirates. And there is a look inside United's summer window, how the... more

Ian Irving hosts The Athletic's podcast dedicated to Manchester United with Andy Mitten and Carl Anka joining him and Laurie Whitwell providing a last-minute transfer update from Carrington. It looks like four players could join the club today, with Turkish... more

Ian Laurie & Andy look back look back on United coming back from two goals down to beat Forest - a good result or papering over the cracks? And is why are fans so divided on the performances of Antony? We get their take on matters on the pitch and also the... more

Packed pod with a full house with Andy, Carl, Laurie and Ian. After the Spurs defeat and a wonky win against Wolves..Is United’s start to the season a cause for concern? We’ll hope for better as we look ahead to this weekend’s game Forest with a sit... more

Ian Irving, Carl Anka, Laurie Whitwell & Andy Mitten discuss the news that United have abandoned their plan to bring back Mason Greenwood to the first team squad. The Athletic reported last week that CEO Richard Arnold had informed the club’s executive... more

Ian Irving, Carl Anka, Laurie Whitwell & Andy Mitten meet up in Manchester to reflect on the sticky win against Wolves and look ahead to Spurs away. We hear from one of the players that impressed on Monday - Aaron Wan-Bissaka - and they we hear how his game... more

Ian Irving, Carl Anka, Andy Mitten & Laurie Whitwell discuss the news broke on the Athletic that Manchester United’s chief executive, Richard Arnold, had told the club’s executive leadership group in early August that United were planning to reintegrate Mason... more

Ian Irving, Carl Anka, Laurie Whitwell & Andy Mitten record instant reaction from Old Trafford where United somehow came away with three points against Wolves in the opening game of the season. The guys discuss the performances, where United went wrong... more

Ian, Carl, Laurie & Andy answer listeners' questions across a range of topics ahead of the start of the season - but mainly transfers! They reflect on the imminent departure of Harry Maguire and discuss who might replace him. And explain why Dean Henderson... more

Ian Irving, Laurie Whitwell, Carl Anka & Andy Mitten take a look at possible outgoings from Old Trafford - stick around till end of pod for some developments on Harry Maguire + Scott McTominay. Carl shares his thoughts from Saturday's friendly at Old... more

Ian Irving grills Laurie Whitwell & Andy Mitten on what they noticed first hand by watching new signings Mason Mount & Andre Onana on the US tour in pitch side at matches. Laurie noticed something especially interesting with the Onana in the warm-up, Andy... more

Talk of the Devils is back for the 2023/24 season as Ian Irving is joined by Carl Anka - and belatedly Laurie Whitwell from Las Vegas! As United's pre-season US tour comes to a close Ian and Carl analyse the games with Wrexham, Real Madrid and Borussia... more

Ian Irving is joined by Carl Anka - fresh from Oslo & Laurie Whitwell  who is following United on tour in the USA. Plenty to discuss including reaction to another friendly win for United - with a surprise return for Jonny Evans - plus Wayne Rooney's... more

Ian Irving is joined by Carl Anka, Laurie Whitwell & Andy Mitten to discuss the latest transfer news coming out of Manchester United, including why a new keeper is now the priority over a striker. We also go inside the deal that brought Mason Mount Old... more

Ian Irving looks back over Manchester United's 2022/23 season with Andy Mitten and Laurie Whitwell, but sadly not Carl Anka. Andy and Laurie were at Wembley Stadium for Saturday's FA Cup Final. Unfortunately, Manchester City won the first ever Manchester... more

Ian Irving is joined by Andy Mitten and Laurence James Whitwell to preview the final match of the season, the first ever FA Cup Final Manchester Derby. Of course, there's a lot more on the line than the Thomas Lyte-designed sterling silver cup. Pep... more

Ian Irving is joined by Andrew Mitten and Laurence Whitwell to look back over the final game of the Premier League season, a 2-1 home win over Fulham, and the league campaign as a whole. We also field your questions (send more to devilspod@theathletic.com),... more

Andy Mitten calls in from Barcelona to Old Trafford where Ian Irving and Carl Anka have just watched Manchester United beat Chelsea 4-1 to qualify for next season's Champions League. Having already won the Carabao Cup, that meant the club has achieved the... more

Ian Irving hosts a very Champions League-y edition of the show with a full podcast team at his disposal. The South Coast was as kind to Manchester United's men as it was to Andy Mitten; Casemiro's early strike was enough to beat Bournemouth and Erik Ten... more

We are pleased to announce Talk of the Devils is going on the road for the first time with two live tour dates in Manchester and London at the start of September.

To buy tickets go to: http://www.myticket.co.uk/artists/talk-of-the-devils

Andy Mitten looks on from Barcelona this week as Ian Irving, Carl Anka, and Laurie Whitwell scout out New Century. That's one of the venues for our live shows, with new dates announced for September in Manchester AND London. to book tickets head to... more

Andy Mitten and Laurie Whitwell join Ian Irving to discuss the latest goings on at Manchester United with Carl Anka reporting from the Womens' FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium. It was a frustrating afternoon for MUWFC and Marc Skinner who took the initiative... more

Ian Irving is live from Nottingham's jazziest coffee joint with Carl Anka, Andy Mitten, and Laurie Whitwell fielding YOUR EMAILS! Yes, we've got an email address, so send your questions, comments, and general positivity to devilspod@theathletic.com. In... more

Ian Irving, Andy Mitten, and Laurie Whitwell have got the hump with Manchester United's away form. David De Gea's rick at the London Stadium made the headlines but the performance was alarmingly familiar. What we'd give for a run of away form like the one... more

Brighton's last-gasp penalty means Manchester United will almost certainly finish the Premier League season with just one point from all their away games at top-half clubs; Ian Irving carries out the post-mortem with Andy Mitten and Carl Anka. On the 30th... more

Ian Irving is joined by Laurie Whitwell and Dan Sheldon post-match at Old Trafford, before a later date with Laurie, again, and Andy Mitten. On the agenda: two crucial league wins against Aston Villa as Manchester United's men and women both took another... more

Ian Irving holds court as Andy Mitten and Laurie Whitwell negotiate the post-match obstacles of Tottenham with Carl Anka chuckling on from Manchester. The big question is whether Thursday night's draw at Spurs is an acceptable result given Manchester United's... more

Logistics very nearly got the better of us but despite a dash to Euston after the penalties we do have a Wembley podcast for you with instant reaction to the win over Brighton from Ian Irving, Carl Anka, Andy Mitten (just about), and Laurie Whitwell. It'd... more

Ian Irving, Andy Mitten, and Laurie Whitwell report on a disastrous night for Manchester United after they were dumped out of the UEFA Europa League in Seville. The men will have to pick themselved up quickly to beat Brighton in Sunday's FA Cup semi-final;... more

It's a busy, busy Monday as Ian Irving, Andy Mitten, and Laurie Whitwell review a good win for the men at Forest, a ground-breaking victory for the women against Brighton, and update you all on takeover business before previewing the Europa League... more

Ian Irving hosts a slightly shell-shocked Europa League debrief with Carl Anka, Laurie Whitwell, and Andy Mitten. Manchester United were 2-0 up after twenty minutes against relegation-threatened Sevilla, with the Spanish side naming some first-choice... more

We're four-handed all week with Ian Irving, Andy Mitten, Laurie Whitwell, and Carl Anka meeting online this Monday before getting together at Old Trafford on Thursday. There's an Everton debrief and a news round-up before we preview the reason for that... more