No Question About That - a Manchester United podcast

#1060 | Michael Carrick changed the system at Elland Road and United came home with a 1-1 draw. It was closer to a street fight than a football match for much of it. Ed and Dharnish go through United’s approach and performance, including a back three and Bruno Fernandes pushed out wide. It wasn’t very pretty but at least United matched Leeds for physicality before the second half slipped away.

The point leaves United on two wins from 10 across all competitions this season. The question on everybody’s lips is how long Carrick has? More defeats over the next few weeks will increase the pressure on club and manager.

Then, what does a growing injury list mean for United’s trip to Como in the Champions League.

0:00 Carrick changes the system
0:46 Leeds away: a proper scrap
2:46 What’s going on with Bruno?
6:37 Fight and physicality, but no football
17:22 Should Carrick be sacked?
26:03 Does Bruno need a rest?
33:24 Preview: United vs Como
42:26 Final thoughts and sign-off

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*Apologies for the dodgy audio on this week's episode*

#1059 | Ed, Dharnish, and Daniel open in meltdown mode. Manchester United have two wins from nine and the latest crisis is the fallout from Lisandro Martinez’ criticism of Jason Wilcox.

The tactics tell the story. United conceded after 50 seconds at Atletico with five players in one zone and nobody closing down. They had used a 4-4-2 mid-block against Spurs and were pulled apart anyway.

The diagnosis is a team caught between pressing high, sitting deep, and dominating the ball. Masters of none.

From there, we work through questions around Yoro, Maguire, Martinez and De Ligt at centre-back. Then there’s Leeds’s 3-5-2 to deal with at the weekend and what Como will ask of United next week.

0:00 Meltdown mode
1:35 Pressing problem vs Atlético
5:24 High press or mid-block?
7:51 Spurs: the 4-4-2 falls apart
9:58 Squad building and Carrick’s vision
14:57 Centre-back questions: Yoro, Maguire, De Ligt
18:29 Ball dominance isn’t working
25:00 Predicted XI vs Leeds

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#1058 | Ed and Dominic pick over United’s 2-0 defeat at Atletico Madrid. It was better than the scoreline but still leaves Michael Carrick under pressure. United opened with another defensive blunder but grew into the game, creating some decent chances before losing Leny Yoro to a dubious red card.

But defeat is defeat and the noise around Carrick is likely to grow, especially if the run of Leeds, Como, Bournemouth, and Chelsea goes badly.Then post-match, as we were recording, Lisandro Martinez dropped a bombshell!

0:27 Intro: another defeat in Madrid
1:15 Team news, formation, and that opening goal
7:44 The noise around Michael Carrick
15:39 If not Carrick, then who?
21:17 VAR, the disallowed goal, and the red card
25:33 Midfield: Santos, Baleba, and the trade-offs
31:38 Martinez calls out the board: recruitment and finances
50:20 City, PSG, and the cheating debate

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#1057 | Ed and Andy catch up on four straight wins for United Women, which have turned the mood around after a difficult start to the season. 10-1 against Sheffield United, a narrow victory over West Ham, 5-1 against Durham, and a single goal victory over Liverpool. The team’s personality is becoming clearer under Eva Olid.

The conversation widens to goalkeeper depth and how a youth-heavy squad is developing.

Then there’s a preview of the games in the coming week. Charlton in the WSL, a second meeting with Liverpool in the Players Cup, and the Manchester derby.

Read the Barmy Article

0:26 Intro
1:40 New momentum: four wins in a row
5:22 Aggressive press
10:50 Goalkeeping depth
16:38 Crowds, marketing, and the fanbase
19:12 Young players coming through
26:39 WSL picture and City’s charges

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#1056 | Ed and Daniel pick through Manchester United 1-1 Tottenham, a game United led until the 92nd minute but in which they played badly for most of the 90. The first half was as poor as anything this season, with Spurs running through United’s midfield at will. One side was moving, the other standing still. Carrick’s changes on the hour briefly changed the game, including a positive cameo from Carlos Baleba. But after Spurs were reduced to 10 men, United went into their shell and produced some more comedy defending.

Where does Michael Carrick go from here, especially with Tuesday’s trip to Atletico coming up fast, and a very difficult schedule ahead. Nobody at the club wants another manager change but we’ve seen this film before.

0:00 Match reaction: United 1-1 Spurs
2:15 Squad building and transfers
8:25 Tactical analysis: pressing and intensity
15:50 Accountability and selection
24:15 Baleba
31:10 Red card
40:30 Manager future and fixtures
53:20 Atletico preview and sign-off

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