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

The third, and final, discussion in our trilogy of summer transfer previews is a boutique affair, certainly by our usual standards, as the panellists (with one exception) don't expect much business to be done in this area.
Whether that turns out to be the case could depend on what happens to Joshua Zirkzee. Other than a few fleeting moments, the young Dutchman hasn't got airborne at United and, with potential interest in Italy, a move might open the door for another forward to come in.
And then, of course, there's the matter of how all this is going to be funded. Rasmus Hojlund and Jadon Sancho are almost certain to depart, with Marcus Rashford's move to Barcelona less sure. Could there be other sales?
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's part two of our early look into summer transfer business, and the first parting of the ways on opinion. Everyone agrees midfield is the highest priority, but how important is it to bring in defensive reinforcements?
The club has been well stocked with centre backs for quite a while now, not least because the team was playing with three of them under Ruben Amorim. Now that the formation requires only two, all is well, right? Spoiler alert: yes, but...
Fullback is where things start to get interesting. Tyrell Malacia is expected to leave and Patrick Dorgu has been employed further forward by Michael Carrick. That means a long-term replacement is needed for Luke Shaw, but how urgently? And then there's the matter of competition/support for Senne Lammens. Plenty to discuss!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As we enter a lengthy break for the men's first XI it's time to take a look at what will be needed next season with European football, most likely the Champion's League, impending. We will publish three episodes of TotD this week, one on each department of the squad.
In today's first of the three, it's the midfield. Without a doubt the most urgent area of recruitment as United have struggled to negotiate a forty-match season with the current options. Add in the extra games, plus the expected departure of Casemiro, and reinforcements are a priority.
What will be required from the midfield next season, who can provide those qualities, and how will United deal with the noise of agents and rival clubs? it's certain to be a fascinating few months.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bournemouth draw, they always draw, and we knew that. The circumstances were a bit more dramatic than expected, however, with Manchester United's manager Michael Carrick describing two of referee Stuart Attwell's decisions as "baffling" and "astonishing".
Still, it was a good game and a good performance. Bruno Fernandes continues to impress spectators and statisticians, Matheus Cunha tormented the Bournemouth defence, and United's league position is very satisfying going into the international break.
Harry Maguire had a full-on evening at Bournemouth and, while Kobbie Mainoo's match experience was a little quieter, the two have also been called up to Thomas Tuchel's 35-man England squad, seemingly an audition for places at the World Cup. They are both also very close, according to reports, to agreeing new club contracts.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michael Carrick takes his Manchester United squad to Bournemouth for a Friday night fixture which will be followed by a 23-day break. With a patchy recent record against the Cherries, a win will keep the Champions League charge going during that hiatus.
Will there be a defensive reshuffle? Leny Yoro has regained some form and played very well against Aston Villa, but Lisandro Martinez is expected to be fit and has unique qualities. There's a question mark at right back as well with Noussair Mazraoui, an AFCON champion (for now, at least), pushing for some minutes. Places up front will be interesting, too.
Before that game, there's an FA Youth Cup tie at home to Sunderland. Chris McKenna drops by to discuss that, Andy fills us in on his interview with Steve Torpey, and we round things off with a look at United fans travelling over from the Emerald Isle.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.