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

The honeymoon is over... what about the future of the relationship? Michael Carrick's unbeaten run as Manchester United manager, which has lit a fire under the pursuit of Champions League football this season, is over.
In truth, it was a poor performance; the team had laboured even during a largely uneventful opening forty minutes. Of course, the level of incident changed dramatically at the end of the first half but, going in level at the break with Newcastle reduced to ten men, a victory seemed the more likely outcome.
We break down the reasons why that didn't happen, what it means for the rest of the season, and the perception of squad depth... or lack of it. As always, we're trying our best to maintain perspective in the face of another frustrating midweek result.
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Another week, another win. Crystal Palace started brightly at Old Trafford and centre half Maxence Lacroix gave the visitors the lead in a stodgy first half-hour. But, Michael Carrick has the midas touch right now; he identified the tactical tweaks needed and Big Ben Sesko scored yet another crucial goal.
It was Bruno Fernandes' pass to Matheus Cunha which allowed the Brazilian to slip past Lacroix and the captain also scored the resulting penalty to get United level. His form was good this season under Amorim, in an unfamiliar position, and he's been incredible since Michael Carrick stepped in. Is Bruno F a decent bet for player of the season?
A quick turnaround with a midweek Premier League schedule and Manchester United play Newcastle under the lights on Wednesday night. Eddie Howe's team have been struggling badly in the league of late; could it be a first win at St James's Park since 2020?
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Benjamin Sesko is so hot right now; the six foot Slovenian has been scoring regularly and impacting games. Is it time for Michael Carrick to hand him a start against an ailing Crystal Palace at Old Trafford?
Having made club history by winning the FA Cup and the Community Shield, Palace are now in a bad way; the squad has been decimated by departures and injuries. Manager Oliver Glasner (tipped by some as an outside bet for the Manchester United job) has fallen out with his board over recruitment and, having decided to leave this summer, has also lost his rapport with the fans.
We also have a brief update on Manchester United's finances with Q2 results incoming, Andy's got exciting plans for the weekend, and Ian has some serious statistics on substitutions before we dive into the Champions League qualification run-in.
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After a fortnight off, Manchester United returned to Premier League action at Everton's Hill Dickinson stadium and, while the match didn't live up to our heightened expectations (heightened for all sorts of reasons), the team pulled off a big win with composure and inspiration in key moments.
The composure and calm came from the back; Harry Maguire and co were in sufficiently combative mood, repelling the physicality of David Moyes' Everton, but it was goalkeeper Senne Lammens who really shone, taking the man of the match award with a commanding display.
...The young summer signing at the other end of the pitch is also producing the goods. Six goals in seven appearances qualifies as prolific form for the big Slovenian and he was used from the bench again, rounding off a dynamic counter-attack with a cool finish.
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Manchester United will return to Premier League action on Monday evening after thirteen days without a game; Harry Maguire, Leny Yoro, Ayden Heaven, and Carl Anka took advantage of the break with trips abroad but Andy is energised by an upcoming trip to Everton's nearly new Hill Dickinson Stadium.
In on-pitch matters, the women's team made serene progress to the Champions League quarter finals by beating Atletico Madrid 5-0 on aggregate; The Athletic's Megan Feringa drops by to tell us about another Jess Park masterclass. There are now high hopes of success for Marc Skinner's team this season albeit Chelsea, Chelsea, and Bayern will provide stiff opposition in the cups.
In a packed show, we also review United's progress to another quarter final; this time in the FA Youth Cup at Oxford with Chris McKenna watching on. Andy has more on his article about the club covering the cost of fans' coach travel to Bournemouth, and we try to answer Eric Steele's trivia question from this week's TotD Extra.
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