Man United's Champions League draw: LIVE!

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2:01The Athletic FC.

2:21Yes, hello and welcome to Talk The Devils. It's our second live stream on YouTube. Of course, this is the Manchester United podcast from The Athletic. We're going to be looking at the Champions League draw, which is already underway in Monaco. We've got Karl, we've got Andy, we've got Laurie. We'll be talking about Joshua Zerzi's future. Previewing the game against Ipswich Town, a really important game for United, of course, now in the Premier League at the weekend. And let's see what else comes along on this live stream. We want your questions, of course, as well. Get involved in the comments.

2:52We've got someone emailed too, which we're going to be looking at as we go through this stream. But how is everyone doing? Okay, are we excited for this draw? It's been a while. It has been a while. I've got more devices open than David Ornstein on deadline day. There's all sorts of things looking at me. But the ceremony is underway in Monaco. The draw is due to start in about 10 minutes' time, something like that. Obviously, as the teams are drawing, we'll let you know who Manchester United have got. We've got loads of questions to get in already. Quite a few people, James016 included, asking about Joshua Zerksi.

3:27Laurie, you've been writing about that today. So before we talk about the draw and who we might get, what's the latest on Zerksy? Yes, so this is moving on this week. It felt that this was building towards a potential exit for Zerksy. Low move, it seems like he's going to be the most likely outcome. And there'd been a lot of interest from Italian clubs, Juventus and Como, actually, who obviously in this Champions League draw had been expressing some interest. But more recently, in the last day or so, Fiorentina have come to the party and have a beginning to make offers, sort of having talks over what it might look like in terms of a loan for Xerxes.

4:04I'm told at the moment that an option rather than obligation to buy is the perhaps more likely scenario, which I know will be, you know, not great music to the ears of United fans who are already kind of wondering about United sales. But yeah, I don't know if this is definitely going to go through with Fiorentina. They are feeling like it could happen. Certainly people are telling me that it's got a chance. But there's other clubs that are interested. I believe Napoli might also be interested in making a move, who obviously are in the Champions League draw as well. I know that they've been looking at strikers.

4:37But the thing with Fiorentina is that you've got Moise Keane going to Como. That looks like that's going to go through. So they need a striker. So Fiorentina are there. I think that Napoli might be there as well. Let's see how it develops. But I would expect now that the things are moving on Xerxe now. So I would expect this to become a confirmed exit as we get towards deadline. Okay. Again, lots of questions coming in about what happens next, Andy. So Elliot Rigby amongst them. Will there be a replacement for him before deadline day? What do you think?

5:10The Athletic FC Team: I've said on this pod a number of times that Manchester United's transfer activity will be dependent on sales. and if Josh Dirksley leaves, as I've consistently said, I won't put it as strong as up for sale, but I think it's been clear throughout 2026 that he doesn't have a future at Manchester United for the reasons that we've explained. Someone who trains well, very popular in the dressing room, but just hasn't performed to the levels expected on the pitch. I said a month ago, we had several suitors in Italy and now is the time when they're getting flushed out because the transfer window is coming to an end.

5:45The Athletic FC Team: I think Manchester United have got to do what's best for the club. And then, will we see new players come in? I think it's increasingly... I think there's a possibility. But I cannot say for... And also, I don't know whether they'd be signed or loaned. So we've discussed the areas where Manchester United are looking to strengthen. If you lose a striker, then Manchester United suddenly look a little bit light up top. that that's the way i i read the situation i'm not sure how the other lads read it loaned to what i'd heard in terms of a an incoming so let's see okay we'll wait and see on that i mean carl you're impressing people we've got jordan thompson referring to as professor carl with the attire that you've chosen for the stream if you've got no idea what i'm talking about by the way get yourselves on youtube um if you're listening back to this get yourself subscribed to talk the devils turn the notifications on so you know when we're going live thank you for all the people who are getting involved already.

6:47John Moulton, Carl's dressed for a job interview. He's already got the job, mate. Don't worry about that. Gary says, are you interviewing for a deadline day deal on Sky? Well, he doesn't need to, does he? I don't need to. I'm in the right place. I'm exactly where I need to be. And I'm excited to return to Champions League football for the first time since 23, 24. I'm not going to bring up too much, but truly a dreadful campaign. I do think it's a little bit weird, considering what Laurie said, that there's a good chance Rasmus Hoyland and George Xerxi could be strike partners in Serie A for Napoli now.

7:22Yeah, that's probably right. Hoyland did well. I like what happened there. Let's go back to the well. Manchester United well, maybe. Yeah, well, it's served them well so far, certainly that well. Let's get into some of your questions then, because we've got one from Jeremy, which tees up this Champions League draw very nicely. So, thank you for those of you who've got in touch on email you can always get in touch devilspod at theathletic.com so Jeremy's question is what euro way would you like look at this hey fancy graphics what euro way would you like taking into consideration not just football but the stadium places to visit culture food and drinking establishments there is only one person to ask this question to Andy Mitten which euro way would you like above all else I like somewhere I've not been before Manchester

8:07The Athletic FC Team: Just United have never played Napoli before, for example. United have never played a competitive game in Norway. So we can list some of the best cities in Europe. And Europe is the most amazing continent. I don't think people fully appreciate. You've got this dense network of historic cities that are well-connected. It's relatively easy to travel between them. It's relatively safe. And when you travel around South America or North America, I think you appreciate Europe a little bit more. I'm just happy to be in it. I'm happy to be infused about whoever Manchester United get. Clearly, some games are much more trickier to get to than others.

8:46The Athletic FC Team: They've all got the virtues. I mean, Lons, for example. Lons is not a beautiful place at all, but it's a football-mad former mining village, and that would excite me. Sabah I've just been reading about in Azerbaijan. Amazing, right? I've never even heard of them. Never even heard of them a few days ago. I mean, they only got founded in 2017, is it? the Bank Republic Arena they play out Andy any guessing at the attendance potential capacity for that stadium? I'm reckoning knowing that country I'll go in for total guess 12 ultra modern you're not far off it's just shy of 9 ,000 the capacity of the stadium yeah can you write a piece explaining all about that club Andy that I may or may not read if Manchester United draw them Laurie I'll go straight into it I've been to Azerbaijan before I think you have as well I was airing the Euros yeah Baku lovely yeah yeah but this isn't even Baku I've just been looking it's on the coast just on the outskirts yeah okay just on the outskirts of Baku I mean again some fantastic shouts in the comments Mr Minimoz says Laurie must want to go to Belgium then for the chips he's obviously been listening for a while it was Spanish chips that got you excited wasn't it I mean this is a myth populated by Mr Andrew Mitton whilst we were in Seville and I was having lovely tapas that just happened to become accompanied with some chips.

10:13He then decides to put that out there. Outright chips, not even for Taffas Brothers. Yeah, no, it was chips. It was just chips, yeah. Listen, I ate them. I'm not denying that. Of course, yeah, they were nice, weren't they? I'm sure. I didn't deliberately order them. Let's have a look at the pots then because we've got a graphic to show the different pots. So a reminder, Manchester United, as you can see there, are in pot two. the draw will pit them against two teams from each of the pots, one at home, one away. You can't face a team from the same nation in the league phase, and you also can't face more than two teams from the same nation as well.

10:47It obviously works a little bit differently from when United were last in the competition because you're drawing opponents, not groups. And it's a little bit more technical than it used to be as well. I was getting in a right muddle the other day about what exactly the balls were pulled out of. Well, it turns out there's not as many balls pulled out as there used to be anyway, so to speak. So actually, a lot of it's done by computer and allocated. They're just beginning to show. You're right, Carl? You're getting loads of notifications here. Oh, right. He's fuming that there's not balls being drawn.

11:17I know. It's just a big Champions League button now, isn't it? I've been following the social media account and the magic's gone. Well, can I clarify though, Carl? The tie, is that because it's a Champions League draw? Have you dressed up for the occasion? I don't think we've actually got an answer there. Of course. Okay, good. You know, Carl. Is it Blazer then for the first game or what? I mean, you're going to step it up as we get to the final.

11:41The Athletic FC Team: Have you put a tie on because it's a Champions League draw? No other reason. Why not? Are you surprised, Andy? I mean, it's totally up to you what you wear. Okay, fair enough. Absolutely. Obviously, in terms of dressing for the occasion, who would you want Manchester United to face, Carl, out of these pots? which are your sort of dream combos? Let us know in the comments who you think as well. I think, right, pot one, I'd quite like to play Real Madrid. I don't think United have done that for a while. And I think the storyline potential of a match-up... 2013, Ferguson's last ever Champions League tie, the last time he played Real Madrid.

12:17I think the storyline potential of going up against a Mourinho-led Real Madrid would be interesting. Also, yes, they've got incredible firepower top. I think United might have a chance there. I've never been to the San Siro. So any opportunity I can get to the San Siro before it is eventually knocked down and it's looking like the 2030s now, I'm going to snatch a hand off. So Inter Milan away from home would be one for me. Going to pot two, Club Bruges interests me. Real Betis would be quite fun. I'd want to avoid PSV. I think their high-pressing style might be a bit annoying for Manchester United there.

12:57Pot 3 Great storyline potential Up against Napoli See when you get to Pot 3 and Pot 4 Part of me kind of wants to avoid teams United have played in the Europa League recently So I wouldn't be that interested in the matchup Against Porto Well Porto in Pot 2 The idea of playing Fenerbahce again I'm like yeah you know well that's kind of fun But we've been there done that So yeah I'm a bit like Andy I want to go to new places and I also want to go to some historic places. The sort of footballing cathedrals, you're told that you have to go there. You absolutely have to go there. So, yeah, those are my picks.

13:35Carl, they're your picks. Laurie, what are you thinking? Well, just when Carl was saying that, I was thinking LASC, maybe... I know that United have played them recently, but that was literally the game when everything shut down for COVID. Yeah, true, yeah. Odia Nogalo there. 5-0, I think it was. Great. I think he scored in that game as well, didn't he? He did. He's got a banger, yeah, yeah. But yeah, it was an empty stadium, basically. So going back and kind of, you know, completing the circle with a full attendance, maybe that would be something to get excited about. Well, especially considering what they've done to Celtic in the playoffs, turning around a three-goal deficit from the first game.

14:12They're the Austrian champions as well. So I like the idea. The comment section is asking whether Andy is representing Celtic here with his attire.

14:19The Athletic FC Team: No, but I was reading a lot about Celtic, thinking we could be going to Glasgow. and Celtic were cruising at 4-0 and then they just fell apart against Lask who've built a new stadium I think since we went there. Laurie's right, it was right before COVID as only a handful of journalists allowed in the ground. No, I'm going to watch Barcelona Athletic Club later so I've got to wear neutral colours. That's why I'm wearing green. I just thought, is this going to get me in any trouble? No, it probably isn't because I've put my foot in it a couple of times. I was in Cairo a couple of years ago and I went wearing white and I didn't realise that the team there were red and if you wear white, that's their main rivals and I stood out a mile so that's the reason for me wearing this today.

15:07A man who's written books about rivalries being caught out by the wrong colour. You need to pull your socks up, Mr Mitten.

15:12The Athletic FC Team: I know, I know. Something happened pretty recently as well when I was in Ireland. I had to rush out and buy a t-shirt. Seriously, that was only last Saturday. Leipzig. I've never been to Leipzig. We were going to go there during Oli Ball, but it was COVID. And they were sort of saying, we'll let journos go, we won't, we won't. And I planned it all. And then it was the only one they wouldn't let us go to. And we lost it, didn't we? I remember being gutted on this podcast about that one. You are always gutted about that performance. This is one of the performances that has forever stuck in your craw.

15:41Yeah, I think so, Laurie. It was the defeat that got sent United into the Europa League. Yeah, that's right. I remember the game at home, a 5-0 win. Marcus Rashford hat trick and Julian Nagelsmann with the worst pair of trousers I think I've ever seen in my life as well. He looked like a yacht salesman. I could not. Not even a good one. I could get my head. Your view on manageratires is interesting, Ian. It kind of feels like that's quite a big factor in whether you rate them as a manager or not. It does play a part, actually, to be honest. So, yeah, if we played Como, it would be interesting to see what Cesc Fabregas' trousers are like because he was getting praised for some of the ones he wore in pre-season and they were dreadful as well.

16:22He's going for the wide leg. There was a great piece in GQ about this, about how managers are going for wide leg attires. Yeah. Back to the reading mail. Questions? Well, I think the draw is actually taking place now, which is the whole purpose why we're doing the live stream. But it's difficult to stay across everything. So it looks like Real Madrid's opponents have been drawn out. So they've got Inter and Arsenal from pot one, PSV, Roma from pot two, Leipzig and Shakhtar from Pot 3 and Laskin, Eich, Athens from Pot 4. So Manchester United not facing Real Madrid. They were the first team to be drawn and allocated their matches.

17:00So that means they could still face PSG, Bayern, Inter, Barcelona and Atleti as well. So there's a few, I mean, it'd be great to play Bayern Munich again, wouldn't it? Given all the history between the two clubs. We'd be seeing reruns of the 1999 Champions League final, which is never a bad thing, is it, to be fair? Plus we managed to time it perfectly last time we played Bayern because it was Oktoberfest. So me and Critch had a couple of rather large lagers, enjoyed the fairground. I did a lot of research on this. Bayern, Man Utd is, despite all the history and the lineage, the first time they met competitively was only in September 1998.

17:38Yeah. So they've not played too many times, but every time, well, normally when they do play, there's a lot of tension and thanks to Andre and Anna, there tends to be quite a few goals.

17:52The Athletic FC Team: I'd be worried about Bayern because they're good. They're really good. There's quite a few good teams in this tournament, Andy. I know. I'm excited though. I'm looking through them all and little things, when I see like Club Bruges, I think that is the worst trek to the ground from the city centre and everyone gets caught out by it. It's miles. That was another one we played at just before COVID kicked in as well. And Bayern, Munich's a great city and it's a top place I remember arranging to meet a Bayern fan who I'd met the previous year when we last played down 23 and he turned up absolutely paralytically drunk I don't think he knew who it was I just wanted to talk about your tactics today how do you think it will settle down you know right Inter have just come out so they will be allocated their matches as I'm speaking now so the first game that they've got is Real Madrid so a reminder Manchester United could face Inter they're just beginning to allocate their matches now.

18:47Not played Inter since 2009, en route to the final. We knocked them out in the last 16. Obviously, they've got a bit of an English contingent. Yeah, that was 99, wasn't it? En route to the final as well. John Stones, Jed Spence and Curtis Jones are there. Obviously, they're the Italian champions as well, but United won't be facing them. Their draw has taken place and United aren't facing Inter. So, yeah, it's beginning to take shape. We're still waiting a little bit. Keep the comments coming. Keep the questions coming as well. We'll get back to the chat on transfers and previewing Ipswich Town a little bit later on.

19:26But, yeah, I mean, this feels just like it should be, doesn't it? Manchester United lorry should be in the Champions League drawing. It's mad that it's been two years already. Yeah, it's right, isn't it? I mean, you're way ahead of me on the stream, so I'm like looking up, still catching up here. so I'll just take whatever you're telling me with absolute veracity. United have not been drawn out yet, so that's fine. Okay, great, good. Barcelona's opponents are about to be allocated, so it could be United, yeah. Yeah, come on, I love that. So they do draw a ball out at least, but then they just push a big button.

19:56Is that what's happening? And then it just all kind of clicks into gear. Okay, right. Yeah, Barcelona have got City. That's the first team that they've been allocated from pot one. They could have a Mancunian double there, couldn't they? Oh no, they've got Aston Villa, but not Manchester United. so we're not facing Barcelona either just building the suspense this having to wait sorry Laurie can't continue good though isn't it it's what we want to be

20:21The Athletic FC Team: I'm nervous yeah well I mean also you sort of feel like with the league phase being as it is you're going to get a knockout round unless something dramatic happens and I know something dramatic did happen the last time United win the Champions League and they didn't get out of a group that they should have got out of but yeah hopefully not this time I quite like Athens you know I've never been to Athens before so back to Ike were a team for me when I was a kid because I got an Ike shirt on holiday once so you say Ike Demis Nicolidis at the back not the AK it's Ike Athens if you speak to the locals so okay well I've never been so I've not been able to speak to the locals I say the locals I was in a Greek island somewhere right Atletico the next team they're about to be allocated their games will you have Alvarez playing for them or not here it comes the last time United played Atletico obviously Anthony Langer's name was echoing around the stadium wasn't it what was that the last 16 2022 yeah that was the night that the there we go were in Ukraine started we're going to Atletico Madrid there it is okay they've been allocated Manchester United at home so yeah we'll be playing away at Atletico good city Just to get a flavour for the final, Andy, right?

21:42The Athletic FC Team: Yeah. Our bearings.

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23:52The Athletic FC Team: we've never beaten Atletico Madrid in a competitive game it's about time this happened it's my first ever European away that apart from a final in 91 and when we beat them pre-season in Stockholm wasn't it that was the first time but that was only a friendly game so we need to do them properly in the game. Alvarez, will he stay there? That's the big question and I don't know the answer to that. I think he absolutely wants to leave. Diego Simeone will do what he does. I hope United are better prepared than last time because 90 minutes before kick-off they didn't know the team. There were three different right-backs, wasn't there, I think?

24:29The Athletic FC Team: The players did not know the team. Why not? Because they've not been told the team. Why not? because it had not been communicated to them. Why not? Andy will keep on slightly dancing around it here. PSG, they're the next ones out. So United will face one of PSG or Bayern Munich at Old Trafford. My maths are right. So they've been allocated Manchester City away and Barcelona at home, PSG. Best team in the world, aren't they? here we go it's not Manchester United so that means I think United will face Bayern at Old Trafford but obviously we'll wait for confirmation from an official source such as the UEFA draw council to see that come out in a moment yeah but no PSG that would have been good it would have been great to go back to Paris wouldn't it after Manchester United's two trips there and not that too distant a past I'd prefer to play PSG until you absolutely have to play them yeah so Bayern at Old Trafford that was our last Champions League game wasn't it it was it was a fairly sedate was it a 1-0 defeat yeah yeah fairly sedate yeah the damage had been done in Istanbul on it a few weeks before or a week or two before yeah they got to the semi-finals last year as well didn't they and played PSG knocked them out German champions Vincent Kompany the manager they're just doing Liverpool's now so we'll have to wait a moment for confirmation of that Bayern game So Atletico and Bayern Yeah, so basically what they do now which I didn't realise until doing the research for this they draw all the pot one teams out allocate all their opponents and then they go through to pot two then obviously United are in pot two and then their opponents are then allocated from the remaining pots so from the pot two teams the pot three teams the pot four teams by that point they'll already know who of the top teams they'll face so we've not got that much longer to wait for United to know the opponents.

26:34Andy, do you know when the actual schedule is decided? Obviously, we'll know who United face, but we won't know what order for a little while, will we?

26:42The Athletic FC Team: I've written it down as by Saturday, but that's just my note. I'm not putting that as an absolutely verifiable source. That's just a squiggle in my diary. Yes, I have the same note. Well, we've double-sourced it then, haven't we? Triple-sourced. Caleb in the comments says Saturday as well. so there you go it's confirmed remember that that's when uh skyscanner will be getting opened by everyone won't it oh yeah you can get there yeah other websites are available we need to know yeah other websites are available yeah exactly met someone who worked for skyscanner and they said how do you make your money just said like commissions and referrals and all that other websites are available as i've said right Bayern Munich are now being drawn by Thierry Henry he's just opening the uh the little ball and he's holding up the piece of paper that says Bayern Munchen on it so their games will be allocated in just a moment I'm pretty certain it'll be Manchester United versus Bayern Munich at home so better be true okay yeah the Julian Alvarez thing's interesting isn't it because that was a I think a little bit of a wrinkle in the whole Miles Lewis Skelly is he available is he not available.

27:54You know, do Arsenal need money to go for a big sign-in? And obviously, it still feels like it's a bit of a live one, although obviously Barcelona are pushing and Atletico have come out, haven't they, yesterday, with a pretty strong statement about not negotiating with Barcelona. I don't know if that extends to Arsenal. I think it's also had a knock-on effect to the situation with Marcus Rashid at Barcelona too, because Barcelona have been very, very clear they wanted someone to replace Lewandowski. They very much had Zunin Alvarez as their number one. They need cash to make such a bid. And the longer that's gone, I think that's had knock-on effects on all the other prospective players, and also possibly outgoing players for Barcelona too.

28:34This is me slightly trying to tease you, Laurie, to talk about Balde when you're ready. Oh, Balde, oh, right, yeah. Well, I mean, Hansi Flick's been nice about him, hasn't he, again? Oh, yeah. Yeah, so I read a piece on The Athletic yesterday from Paul, basically going over that detail. And yeah, I mean, it certainly was a lone option for United they were kind of considering looking at maybe. But I guess if they've thought, if they've made friends again, maybe that becomes less of a likely prospect. Yeah, you said before, Andy, about United's record against Atletico never having beaten them in a competitive fixture.

29:16Well, I'm not sure the record against Bayern Munich's that good either, is it, to be honest? down the years. It's been confirmed now Manchester United will face Bayern Munich at Old Trafford. I'm just having a look at their head-to-head record. So yeah, they've only beaten Bayern twice. Obviously, one of them was pretty important. It was the final. That was the one that mattered most. Yeah, in 1999. They also beat them in 2010 3-2 at Old Trafford, but it actually knocked United out in Champions League that season. 2-0 up, weren't they, in the home? 3-0 up, I think, wasn't it? 3-0. It was 3-2 win, wasn't it?

29:48That was it, yeah. but they went through on away goals.

29:51The Athletic FC Team: Oh, and Robin, yeah. That was when he grabbed Patrice Evra and said the atmosphere is incredible. The start to that game was amazing. It's got to be one of the best atmospheres at all track. I remember being in the Victoria Warehouse fan zone for a little while. I don't know what's happened to my camera at some point just zoomed. They did the fan zone over there. That's not too close. I'll just go a bit further back. And Wayne Rooney was in question about whether he was going to play or not because he'd hurt his ankle, I think it was, in the first leg. And the cheer in that place when it was revealed that Rooney was in the team was even louder than the goals.

30:28It was absolutely amazing that night. He was meant to be out for at least three weeks. That was the season where he was being called White Pele and the connection between him and Antonio Valencia looked just absolutely incredible. There's been conversation in the years since that he was meant to be out for three weeks. he was asked if you'd be willing to give it a go in that game against Bayern Munich. And then before he went out, he was advised to try and only run in straight lines because he was nowhere near ready. And yet just having Rooney on the field just for 15, 20 minutes was just incredible.

31:04Those two games against Bayern Munich were immense. And you think if Rooney was fit, if Rooney was fit and if Raphael hadn't got sent off, United would have won that tie. Yeah, Robben got him sent off, didn't he? Robin and Ribéry, I seem to remember, combining. If Raphael hadn't got sent off, I genuinely think I would have had a very, very good chance of winning that Champions League. Yeah, they think that as well. I've been speaking to people around that at that time and they think that was an opportunity for them to win another one.

31:31The Athletic FC Team: I love it how respectful they are about the Munich Air disaster. My opinion of them has grown in recent years. They're fantastic. And one thing about Atletico, you'll get 5 ,000 tickets there, not guaranteeing that don't book your flight just in case it's not confirmed but it's a bigger way end and when we were there last time it's when the alanga went song really went off yeah one of the highlights was me overhearing two spanish tv commentators saying are they really singing rhythm as a dancer as for alvarez i've said it on the pod before but i met him a couple of years ago and I didn't know who he was.

32:10The Athletic FC Team: Julian Alvarez? Yeah, met him. I'm not that impressed that you met him. I was more shocked you didn't know who he was. He was in the tunnel. He's quite a big time, isn't he, Andy? He's pretty big time. And he was talking to Lissandro Martinez and all I knew was where he from, he said Cordoba. Oh, decent city, mate. I've been there talking about the different clubs in Cordoba. Didn't know who he was. Oh, dear. Doesn't reflect well on me that, but that's the truth. You'll know what he is in future when Manchester United face him if you're still there, like you say. Right, the Pot 2 teams, sorry, Carl, are coming out.

32:42So Dortmund have just been allocated their opponents. United won't face them. Club Brugge also have been allocated their opponents and Manchester United won't face them either. So they'll wait to find out exactly who they get goes on. But like I say, in a moment, they will pull United's name out and all the opponents that they face will then be allocated. Who's that one now? Right, Porto are now out. So we'll find out if United will face them. Continue, Carl, sorry. No, I was just going to say, Alvarez was one of the players apparently recommended by Ralf Ragnik for Manchester United to go out and sign.

33:11Oh, was he on the list, was he? He was on the list before he went to Manchester City. That January, wasn't it? They didn't go for a striker that January because they didn't want to sign players for Ralf as an interim manager that the new manager wouldn't want, basically.

33:27The Athletic FC Team: Along with Choumenia and Camavinga, he recommended those two as well. Which... go on Carl say it no I'll be polite I'll be polite can't slack people off with a shirt and tie on right Porto they've had their teams allocated now their opponents Manchester United won't face Porto so Thierry Henry is just unscrewing the next pot two team and it is Aston Villa so Manchester United can't face Aston Villa so we need to pad for at least a couple of minutes until the next team is allocated. So Bayern Munich is Harry Kane at Old Trafford. I know he'd already come to Old Trafford as a Bayern player in that last time that they were there, but his contract's up at the end of the season.

34:14I know they're not giving him a new contract. I'm just saying, would you? Would you take him aged 34, I think he'd be?

34:20The Athletic FC Team: Yeah, I would. Well, we could have him on loan this season, to replace Joshua Zirk. Surely that's a deal that could be negotiated. That would be absolutely a straightforward deal to do. Ten Hag really wanted him didn't he Yep Him and Declan Rice Yeah And that's the sort of debate isn't it Amongst now United's business this summer Where you know Do you go and spend big on one player Because you think they're absolutely Top draw gold standard Or do you think that there's actually Untapped potential in other players for cheaper And then you can get more players in So let's see how it develops But obviously those two examples I think in Rice and Kane Yeah I think a lot of people Would have had them at the club but Eriksen Haag especially would have cost a lot of money maybe it would have been very difficult to deal with Daniel Levy you know he'd rather sell Harry Kane to Bayern Munich than Manchester United for example but yeah they didn't really well they didn't ask the question did they it was Rasmus Hoyland they said that somewhere wasn't it I think yeah right Real Betis they've just had their opponents allocated as well Manchester United are not amongst them no return to face them and a reunion with Anthony that would have been quite funny wouldn't it to see United go up against Anthony again after all the history there.

35:33Obviously we played him in the Europa League. Yeah, that's true. Played him in the Europa League in 2023. Manuel Pellegrini is still their manager. He's done really well there.

35:42The Athletic FC Team: He's done brilliantly because it was such an unstable club and he's made them stable. Right. That would have been a new stadium. They're playing games at the Olympic Stadium. Roma are now being allocated their opponents. That would be great having them back at Old Trafford. I think we beat them 6-2 and 7-1 the last two times we've faced them, haven't we? Something like that. Cracking atmosphere away as well there. Oh, we're away at Roma. Oof. There you go. Wow. Oh, get the Cacio Pepe out. Cacio Pepe. There was trouble there. There was trouble there, yes. There was trouble there a few times. Oh, no, hang on.

36:16Sorry. Sorry. At Old Trafford. Because it's Roma's allocation and it's away Manchester United. Yeah, there's a lot of people in the comments correcting me. Thank you very much. Okay, so that'll be interesting. That means Roma will be at Old Trafford again. Roma are led by Jean-Pierre Gasparini, who took Atalanta through their most recent golden age on the Europa League there. I mean, just earlier this week, Roma won 4-0 against Fiorentina. They've got Daniel Marlon. They've got Pablo Dybala. And they're looking really, really good going forward. Gasparini, this is what Gasparini does, right? He's one of the best sort of striker whisperers around Europe.

36:52He gets them to play incredibly high-energetic football. then comes the stuff. Sorry to interrupt you, Carl, but Manchester United's opponents are now being allocated. We are away at Sporting.

37:02The Athletic FC Team: So back at Sporting would be brilliant for the Portuguese considerate of the club. You've got your wish of Leipzig, Andy, but it's at Old Trafford, not away. Villarreal away again. We've had them a lot down the years. Sabath at Old Trafford and away at Como. We've got the Como tree. We are not going to Como. We're going to Sassuolo, unfortunately. What? the games aren't at home Como will play their Champions League games in Sassuolo Stadium because their stadium in Como is not ready oh dear what do you want to know about the stadium I've been there three times anything you need to know nearest train station but yeah a matchup against Sassuolo and Ian can have a look at his trousers yeah I look forward to that already how far away is Sassuolo from Como then can we do a day trip to the lake Sassuolo Stadium is not in Sassuolo okay it's in a place called Reggio d 'Emilia which is on the main train line from Milan to Bologna and you can get a fast train there or you can get a slow train there and the slow train's about 20p and the fast train's about 300 quid.

38:06I knew you were on this dream for a reason Andy.

38:08The Athletic FC Team: It was where I met Patrice Evra before writing his book for the first time in 2015. It's a modern four-sided stadium. United should get a big allocation because Como are not particularly well supported. I went there last year to watch Nemanja Matic who's playing for Sassuolo but they don't play in Sassuolo you want to fly to Bologna Modena is a really cool town nearby, it's where Ferrari, Stone Island a couple of brands like that are from Parma's really nice, that's close by as well but most people will go into Milan or into Bergamo How is your Italian then be? I cannot tell from all those place names I know, he's putting a little spice on your pronunciations I want to hear I'm just having a look there then.

38:50So, okay, Sabath and Como, obviously, Manchester United never faced them. They're both Champions League debutantes as well. So there's obviously going to be a sense of occasion for United to overcome. Are we away at Sabath? No, at home.

39:02The Athletic FC Team: Oh, right. Away at Villarreal. So, I mean, United have played there a lot down the years, haven't they? 2021 Champions League, the last time. 0-0-0-0-0-0. 4-0-0. Back to back in the noughties. Yeah, I remember that very well. and Sporting as well. Bruno Fernandes going back to Sporting. We haven't played them since 2007. Cristiano Ronaldo scored a 90th minute winner back at his old team in 2007. He did a big shrug goal celebration as well after he did it. Right, okay. Maybe Bruno can do the same this year. Laurie, how excited are you about all this? Well, I was way more excited until Karl popped my balloon by saying that it's not actually Como.

39:40I'm still Googling how far away Sassoulo is from Como or wherever this stadium is to see if there's a day to... Reggio de Milia. Okay, I've put the wrong place in for this thing. That's where the stadium is. It's two hours away. Two hours away. It's not even close. Two hours away, 130 miles. It's near Palmer, actually, isn't it? Yeah, I just said. It's near Moderna. I think it's Moderna. I just said Moderna. Moderna, right, sorry. Moderna, yeah. That's where they make balsamic vinegar, isn't it? Well, you said Stone Island, didn't you? Well, I've been really stupid to think that Stone Island wasn't Italian.

40:15I don't know where I thought it was from, but I didn't think it was Italian. Right. What about the standard of these opponents? Because there's definitely more difficult opponents in these groups, isn't it? I don't want to do a whole city and say, how easy is this game going to be again? But they could certainly have had a tougher draw than that, couldn't they?

40:33The Athletic FC Team: So just tell us the away ones again, mate. So right in the away game. Sporting, Villarreal, Como. I'll list the entire thing. So from pot one, they're at home to Bayern Munich and away to Atletico Madrid. Pot 2, they're at home to Roma and away to Sporting. Pot 3, at home to Leipzig and away to Villarreal. And Pot 4, home to Sabath and away to Como. Got to be having that. So you've got three games in Iberia, all three away games are in Iberia. Yeah, the travel's good, right? The travel's good because Como's close to Milan, which is really well linked. Also, good omen with Villarreal away. Who was the manager the last time United faced Villarreal away?

41:14Unai Emery for United oh Oli Gunnar Michael Carrick

41:21The Athletic FC Team: wasn't it oh yeah that's right good shout and he won I asked him his first question after the game I just wanted to for a buzz what was your question he gave me a really good answer I tweeted it at the time and you can't remember it or is that good I can't remember it we dropped Bruno Fernandes for the game didn't he and did like a diamond in the field played well that night played very well Yeah, Bruno was on the bench, wasn't he? Wasn't it Ronaldo on the bench as well? Both of them. No, Ronaldo started. He dropped Ronaldo for the Chelsea game. Ah, right. Okay. Yeah. So they've rebuilt the stadium, the Ceramica.

41:55The Athletic FC Team: Since we went there, they've clad it in ceramics because that's what... They're on that part of the world. And it's like really bright and yellow. We need revenge for that Europa League final in Gdansk against Villarreal. To Villarreal, you ought to fly into Valencia or Castellon if that airport's open yet. I love how Andy goes straight to the logistics how much is the taxi from the airport to the centre of Villarreal Andy Villarreal ain't New York mate there's a lot of great cities in Spain and that is not one of them there's a brilliant place for Paella there and it's a really sort of humble nice people really well run football club when they get into Europe in the Champions League they tend to really suffer in La Liga but they've got a good budget you've seen their model under Fernando Rodgers, the president, getting on a bit now.

42:48The Athletic FC Team: But they've got into the Champions League coming out of Spain. That's a difficult league to... Can I just raise something slightly? Someone in the comments said that Como Stadium is ready, Rooney 87. And I've just Googled, where will Como play Champions League? Allegedly, the mayor of Como has confirmed that the Giuseppe Signe-Gaglia stadium has been approved for Champions League. But I mean, listen, this is the first thing I've found there, so I could be wrong. Okay, if this is a more recent update. They were definitely, at the end of last season, they disbanded the stand behind the goal. And the impression I had was that they were building a new one really quickly.

43:25The Athletic FC Team: So I was a little bit surprised when you said they're playing at Sassoulo. So I'm sure it'll all become apparent by Saturday morning. I know who to ask. I know who to ask. James Horncastle. Get him on. get on um this is why you came isn't it for updates on the status of como stadium and and travel relevant travel details it is important stuff

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46:15Welcome along. If you've just joined us during that Champions League draw, it's the live stream for Talk of the Devils. If you're listening back to this or you're watching this back on YouTube, make sure you get yourself subscribed to our channel. Hit the notifications as well so you know whenever we go live with these live streams, we're going to be continuing to do them during the season as well. Thank you for every single one of you who's joined. Thank you for getting involved in the comments. Let's just park the Champions League for the moment because we've got a game this weekend against Ipswich.

46:43Manchester United need to win, obviously. They need to win every game. That's the life of Manchester United, isn't it? but certainly after that opening weekend result to Hull. How important is this game, Andy, just to make sure that that result was just a bad start and nothing more?

46:58The Athletic FC Team: It's hugely important because it's a pretty terrible result at the weekend against a promoted team. And worryingly, I think Ipswich are a better team than Hull City. They're aggressive, they're strong. They spent a lot of money in the summer. They've got Emerson, big centre-forward, 6 '5", I think he came from Toulouse. Dyson who came wide left came from Celtic where he was a very good player there they've got a lad called Nunez who came from Norwich technically very good Darroche is the captain I've spoke to a few people the football they're playing is nowhere near as good as under Kieran McKenna but it doesn't need to be they just need to stay up and I'm a little bit worried that teams at the bottom of Premier League might be particularly strong I think Ipswich play a 4-5-1.

47:50The Athletic FC Team: They've got a lad from Manchester area, Leif Davis, at left back. They had a good win against Sunderland. The Ipswich fans I spoke to, they're all absolutely buzzing for it because they came up last time, but it was that game played midweek and the weather was terrible. This is like a weekend one. It's the first away game. So they spent£200 million this summer at Ipswich Town. That's a lot of money. Name three of the players there who I'm told are particularly effective. So, plugged into it, but I'm a bit worried. Yeah, yeah. I mean, we had a question from Kai on email ahead of this game. And obviously, he's seen what's happened in the pre-season game against Milan and then also against Hull at the weekend.

48:33He says, is there any reason to suggest the same thing that happened versus Milan and Hull is not going to happen again on Sunday? If you're Ipswich, why wouldn't you just copy what they've done? I mean, Laurie, in terms of Ipswich's approach, which Gary O 'Neill does favour a 4-2-3-1, like Andy was saying a moment ago. But he has switched to a back three in previous jobs that he's done in the Premier League at Wolves and Bournemouth when he's been away against big teams. I looked at some quotes earlier from pre-season as well, where he said that they will adapt to opponents throughout the campaign.

49:03So I don't think it would be a massive surprise if they came with a back three, back five at Old Trafford. And it'll be a challenge for United to try and overcome that, considering this building record that people are beginning to talk about against the back three, back five, Carrick's United. Yeah, I mean, Gary Neal's certainly a tactician of sorts, isn't he? I mean, I always find when he does his post-match interviews, he's quite specific, isn't he, on details that he's then addressed at half-time. And so, yeah, I can well see that being a discussion for them this week. And Leif Davis, who Andy just mentioned, I think he has played wing-back.

49:36He's probably more suited maybe to being a wing-back. I don't know. You know, he likes to get forward. So, yeah, I mean, I don't know what they're going to do, obviously, but you can see that maybe teams would have a consideration to do it. And then I guess it's up to United to counter that. I mean, no doubt United will be working on different scenarios this week and Carrick addressed that in the press conference after Hull where he said, yeah, there's certain systems or certain ways of playing do cause different issues. So he's clearly aware of it and it just really, they can't, they need to be winning this one, don't they, United?

50:10I mean, Ipswich looked good, to be fair, against Sunderland opening day. had high energy about them. So United do need to meet that. And I think they will. I think they'll respond, like I said, every time, I say every time, two times that Carrick's been beaten as manager prior to this point. They've won the next game. So hopefully they can address the issues that came up at Hull. And yeah, just kind of get an immediate response to that. Because I don't think you want this kind of sense of uncertainty to continue and sense of, you know, United not being at their best. No, not at all. And it's the first game at Old Trafford, Carl, isn't it?

50:47The new season is back at Manchester United's home ground and there'll be a real energy to that. There's an anticipation despite that result against Hull. Yeah, I think there's an anticipation, there's an energy. There'll be a little bit more oomph. And I also think there are two or three more immediate personnel changes you can do to help alleviate some of the issues that you've seen against Milan and against Hull. What would you do? I think if you bring in Diogo Dalot right back over Nizim as Raui, that might help your ball progression down the right-hand side, particularly if you're looking at the way Carrick's setting the team up to play.

51:22And there's loads of one-touch, small little passing triangles to progress the ball through the central areas. The way Dalot can invert and also spin out will be really, really useful. The way he's quite athletic and aggressive would really help as well. The longer Carrick persists with this 4-2-4 shape, where it's asking a lot from the front four to press. and it's also asking quite a bit from the fullbacks to jump high. So if Gary O 'Neill wants to take a leaf out of Hull's book and play with wingbacks, sure. Carrick can counteract that by playing more aggressive down the wings. And I think a player like Diogo Dalla would be useful.

51:57Maybe if Seshko can play a lot more than the 30 minutes that he played against Hull, that could be really, really useful. And that could free up Cunha for left wing, or indeed if you want to play Marcus Rashel on left wing too. So there's not enough yet for me looking at this Ipswich team for me to get too worried yet. That's me knocking on wood. What would you do, Laurie? Want to change things? Yeah. Or would you change things? Yeah, yeah, yeah. I mean, if Cesco's fit to start, I would start him. I just think that United missed a focal point at Hull. maybe it's too soon for him to start because he'd not played all pre-season.

52:39The injury that he sustained was at the end of last season. But the alternative is you know that you're going to get maybe 60 minutes out of him. Maybe that's, you know, take sure you do it that way around and then start, as you mean, to go on a little bit. I agree with the Dalot shout. I think there's a stat, isn't there? I think I mentioned on the last pod, actually, that he's kind of not been defeated in his last 16 games and Masurabi's numbers at that. on that basis are not as compelling. So I could see that being a switch. And midfield as well. I mean, maybe Cobby come back in. I think you just need a player of his ball-playing ability.

53:14Obviously, he didn't start the last game because he'd come back from England duty later than others. But I feel like that's a fix to do. And to be honest, Marcus Rashford as well. I mean, I just think that what he did in the second half, although I suppose if you're playing Cesc up top, just Cunha just start on the left and then you bring on Rashford again as more of an impact player to change the game a little bit. But yeah, I think there's certainly selection issues to address and I think there'll be a few changes on Sunday.

53:42The Athletic FC Team: I think the Rashford point is quite interesting. Sort of a free hit when you come on and you're 2-0 down, but I did think he looked better and I thought his understanding with Luke Shaw was better. I just hope they wake up. It worried me that performance the other day. And for all that possession, there were very few chances. I don't think United looked like scoring. it started quite brightly Michael Carrick said there were a couple of things that they'd done well but I was a bit alarmed by it I don't know if the changes will be made in defence if Lissandro Martinez is to come in because he's a much more experienced player will be different because it's at Old Trafford Manchester United need to win this game and the players have got to overcome the pressure that comes with that the season feels like it's not started yet with the Champions League draw, with the League Cup draw, Brighton.

54:36The Athletic FC Team: Yeah. City get like the dog and duck, don't they? We get Brighton. I said that to my brother-in-law today, who's a big City fan, and he just went, I know it's mad, isn't it? Like Grimsby Town, Brighton. All right, he's done me there. Yeah, and obviously we'll have the newly crowned PFA Player of the Year in the team as well, Bruno Fernandes, who was given his award on Tuesday. in Manchester. By one matter. By one matter, yeah. Need to see a bit more from him, Carl, as well, don't we, in that Ipswich game? We need him to get up to speed as quick as possible. Yes, absolutely. I know there's been some conversation as to whether or not Bruno Fernandes' energetic, quick transitions and long passes is going to sync well with Uri Tielemans, who wants to pass sometimes around the offensive block.

55:25You don't win the PFA Player of the Year without being an incredibly talented football player. I think it's really interesting that he's won the FWA award, voted by all of us journalists that apparently are quite smart, but also he's deeply respected by all of his peers with this PFA award as well. So I want to be in the Bruno Fernandes business until Bruno Fernandes, his legs eventually fall off and he says he can't do it anymore for Manchester United. I know there will be games and I think it's quite nice that we're in a situation where Manchester United could possibly rest Bruno Fernandes. even if he doesn't want to be rested.

56:02But for now, even if he's starting a little bit slowly, I'd give him the majority of the game against him to try and make something happen. And I'd like to see, hopefully, some of those teething problems with him and Tielemans to eventually subside and then we can really get Stu going. Yeah, and it's trying to get a bit more within the play, Laurie, as well, isn't it? There's a few people mentioning that in the comments, to be fair. Manu or Manu1.1. the worrying part of United's attack is playing too narrow. Is there any specific reason for it, do you think? To reduce space when the ball is lost, maybe?

56:36And that was something that stood out to me at Hull, that there wasn't as much width in the first half. That seemed to be something they looked towards in the second half to try and rectify the problems they were having in that game, creating. Yeah, I don't think that was part of the plan, was it? With Ahmad being injured, I think, although obviously just cutting on his left, I think he probably would have held the right more than Mbumo. Mbumo's been central, hasn't he, as a forward this pre-season. So, you know, that natural tendency maybe. And then obviously Cunha does just drift inside. So whilst Rashford, that's how he does attack, you know, cutting in.

57:11But he's much more, you know, hugs the left wing first then to come in rather than kind of drifting in to do the build-up. So, yeah, I think that's something that they need to get better. And also, to be honest, their full-backs, you know, it's obviously bombing on. and that's what you saw then from Luke Shaw's second half. To be fair, he did it in the first half as well, but it's just that relationship with Dorgue isn't as, you know, it's not full of understanding like it has been with Rashford. So I think when you've got full-backs that are content and Masrawi, he doesn't really do that, does he?

57:39He kind of does, he had a really good season when he first came and I really liked what he did on the ball. He was kind of coming inside and, you know, he was getting involved in attacking moves, but he's not that one that kind of goes for a burst on the overlap and gets the crossing. Dallow's much more suited to that. So I think the full-backs need to provide the width when you've got wingers that are going to invert, which seems to be United's way for the foreseeable, given the players they've got. So, yeah, it's a team thing, but I think certainly some of the personnel will affect that. Yeah, OK.

58:09Let's do a flick of transfers then before we finish on this live stream because we've just got a few days left of this transfer window. Laurie talked at the start of this about Joshua Zerkes' future at Manchester United and the interest in Italy in him and obviously the talks that are taking place with Fiorentina. What else, Andy? Do you think there is more left in this window for them? You said earlier you thought there was a possibility that United could go out and do possibly more loan signings than spending money. But there's been Castello Loqueba, who a lot of people have asked about. He plays at Leipzig.

58:44What colour will he be playing in when Manchester United face Leipzig in the Champions League, in your opinion?

58:50The Athletic FC Team: I haven't got a clue. I don't even know what colours Leipzig were. They were white. Andy, I know you're interested in playing Leipzig. I'm quite glad that you don't have to go to Leipzig to watch them because Leipzig is not a very interesting place to go. Really? No, it's... You're kibosh in the transfer chat here, mate. Sorry. What was the question? I think there might be... The left-back position has still not been solved, has it, Ian? People sort of refocused on Carlos Belaver signing last week. But I think the two areas where Manchester United fans would be most concerned about now would be another striker because of perhaps an over-reliance on Benjamin Sesko and left-back.

59:36The Athletic FC Team: And then there might be more outgoing. So let's see what happens with Josh Zerkesy. Josh Zerkesy cost a lot of money. His agent made a lot of money from that deal. and hopes were high when he came in. Okay, that's football. Toby Collier, there were talks with West Brom. I did a piece for The Athletic on Monday because I do a Q &A section there where I said that they were miles apart on the fee and then Hull City, who were the other team that Toby Collier went on loan to last season, they're also interested in him. So from Manchester United's perspective, it's to get as much money as possible with a decent sell-on.

1:00:12The Athletic FC Team: hard because he's not played a lot of football at top level but he did play he played a few games at Hull and West Brom last year and he played really well in them but it was just interrupted by injury and that's why I don't think you'll be getting a particularly high transfer fee from him but okay if if you can get an auction situation between them two I know for a fact that Toby Collier likes both them clubs because he's told me he's been completely comfortable living in both of those places so he's just gonna have to make a choice you know Premier League how much is he going to feature if it is Hull City or West Brom are obviously a huge championship club.

1:00:46The thing is, Laurie, there's only a few days left in the window, like I say, and the Premier League spending has gone absolutely crazy, hasn't it? Some of the money that's been spent by Manchester City, by Tottenham, it feels like there's so much for teams to sort out in the remainder of this window and United are the opposite in some ways almost. I mean, what do you make of all of that? And I suppose this is the big question, isn't it? Could they spend more money if they wanted to? That's certainly an argument. I don't know. I always think that when you look at the debt that the Glazers have put on the club and the way that transfers have gone in recent history where they've not worked out and they've spent big.

1:01:24And I think that being diligent and disciplined, I can't disagree with it. But at the same time, I think certain players are worth pushing the boat out for. I believe that United think that the prices that have been paid for Elliot Anderson, Morgan Rodgers, well, obviously Mateus Fernandes, they were actually willing to go to 85 as a total. Maybe not straight out, but there was ways that West Ham were able to pay that. that were more appealing to, sorry, that Tottenham were able to pay that that were more appealing to West Ham and also the wages and offer to the player. So yeah, I don't know the answer because I feel like a player like Mateus Fernandes or Elliot Anderson, there you feel really strong about them coming into the team and doing well and being good players, great players maybe.

1:02:15And so with the ones that they have bought, so Andre Santos, 50 million, I just don't know what he's going to do at United. He could be great. if he develops and he obviously fits a certain profile that United are after and he's only coming for£50 million. So they've obviously cut their cloth accordingly and time will tell whether that's the right approach. When you look at what they did last season as well, it's sort of that£60-70 million range that they feel comfortable going to. It feels like anything more than that, albeit I've just said that they were willing to go to£85 for Fernandes, feels like a very, it'd have to be a unique set of circumstances for that to happen.

1:02:54The Athletic FC Team: And I don't think it's just transfer fees, Ian. I think it's wages as well. Okay. I mean, how frustrating is it watching City spend probably upwards of£300 million rejuvenating their midfield? £116 million on Anderson, I think something like£85 million on Buwadi. Also chasing Enzo Fernandes, which will be north of£100 million too. And even Spurs, the money that they're spending on players. and a lot of United fans are asking the question, why aren't we doing this? Well, there are several reasons for that. One is the ownership structure with the Glazers and the debts which are paid out, which we've discussed many times negatively on this podcast.

1:03:34The Athletic FC Team: Or another reason is that Manchester United were a loss-making football club because of bad decisions. And you're talking about bringing in world-class players and missing out on Harry Kane or Declan Rice. Well, actually, Alexis Sanchez and Angel Di Maria and Bastion Feintyger did come on massive wages. And I wouldn't really say that any of them were a huge success at Manchester United. So there's a hangover from that. If I'm being brighter, if Manchester United are back in the Champions League, because we're miles bigger than all these other clubs, then the ship should right itself. But it's still an imperfect ownership model.

1:04:13The Athletic FC Team: and for much as I admire the way that United conducted last summer in the transfer window and the fees and the sensible wages which were paid for Cunha and Benjamin Sesko and Brown and Bumo, ultimately United don't control the market any more than when Sir Alex said there's no value in the market. He didn't control that. The market controls the market and you have extremely wealthy football clubs and that's pretty sobering. and the ownership model on each of them. We can discuss the pros and cons of that and the private equity which is moving in as well. But Manchester United are being beaten for price.

1:04:54The Athletic FC Team: It's a long way from when Ed Woodward told me in 2013, we won't be beaten by anybody for price. Manchester United will absolutely be beaten for price. And they have to be smarter now in recruitment. And to be fair, I think they have been smarter. But I look at the squad and think, love another striker. Love another left-back. I think it's on a knife edge in that United don't necessarily have the money to just wantonly throw wads of cash to solve any situation. But sometimes when you have limited resources, you have to be more inventive. You have to think smarter. And I think United activating Uri Teeleman's release clause has been intelligent.

1:05:28Andre Santos is a young man who could end up being a very good defensive midfielder. And I quite like that Santos, Balaba and Mainu are all of a similar age. there is a very good chance all of them can be a very good trio growing up together learning each other's strengths and weaknesses and how to complement each other and how to hide each other's weaknesses is a really really good appealing prospect to me and part of me wants to hit fast forward and see what they all look in 26 when they're age 26 so that's fun yeah it's absolutely annoying i would have loved matthews fernandez but i would have loved matthews fernandez to cost 60 million and not be closer to 200 000 pound a week because united have only just about got their wage structure under control.

1:06:11And a lot of that hinges on Bruno Fernandes being the highest paid player or close to the highest paid player. So if anyone else comes in, you're like, nah, you don't get the big money until you do Bruno Fernandes-style running. It's difficult. It was only last season that we were informed that Omar Barada had told club staff that United's budget was set on the proviso of, not last season, the season before last season, where Omar Barada told club staff that the budgets were set for three years of Europa League football. Unfortunately, this is a time where belts are being tightened right now. And United cannot go to market and sign players at the highest wage bracket to do that.

1:06:51You have to be intelligent. You have to box clever. I think United have boxed clever in places. And in a league where, I'd say Arsenal aside, it looks quite open between third place and 10th place in the league. They look all right. I'm not panicking about United just yet. I still want a new left back. This is not an excuse to not try and get a new left back. And when Laurie tells me a new left back's on the way, I'm going to get straight in the tactics truck and clip up footage. I've got two players I've been keeping an eye on. So we'll see. Laurie, don't pull that face. Don't you dare pull that face.

1:07:22Last word, Laurie. That face, I can't leave a live stream with that face and not let you articulate what you were feeling when Kyle just said that. No, it's just, I feel bad that Kyle has now sort of written or delved into a couple of targets that haven't yet come to pass. So we will see. I mean, there's some people that would say there's no guarantee that United do sign a left-back or make further moves. But then again, I suppose they weren't necessarily sure about Xerxes going, although obviously there's been a lot of work done to do that. So yeah, if that goes through, then you'd think surely you need a replacement to come in because it does, for all the attacking options that United have got and Xerxes didn't get off the bench today at Hull, surely you need another player in there so let's see i think united listen if they wanted to splash the cash they could do but it basically would be a case of them going into the revolving credit facility that they you know installed after the pandemic and so it'd be a case of taking on more debt and then how do you pay that debt back well okay if you're successful or you do good commercial deals then you get enough money to you know or you sell players obviously that you know it does stick in the how much Man City are spending when you've had these charges pending for several years now.

1:08:37But nevertheless, they do still are able still to sell players for a lot of money. So, you know, United haven't got to that point yet. Success will breed that because then they're more appealing to clubs that are looking at your players. But yeah, I mean, the Champions League now being back in it, that will help revenue no end. and just United need to keep doing that. And then I think they can start to really pay big money for players because United should be at the top of the table. I mean, the thing is you've got Sir Jim Ratcliffe is the owner alongside the Glazers and Ratcliffe is across a lot of the detail of United and his modus operandi has been to trim costs, has been to keep spending down, to revert what he feels is bad management.

1:09:24So, yeah, I think that's the kind of starting point for all this. And then it's a case of trying to find players that can fit within that budget. OK, well, we'll see what's left in the remainder of this window for Manchester United. Obviously, keep your eyes on The Athletic for the very latest on what Manchester United are doing in the remainder of this window. But that brings us to an end on our second live stream. Manchester United are back in the Champions League. We've found out our opponents. we've had a little update on transfers and we've also previewed It's Rich Town at Old Trafford this weekend as well thank you so much all of you for getting involved in this remember if you want to join and watch our live streams get involved in the comments in future get yourself subscribed to the channel on YouTube click the bell so you're subscribed and you get notification then of when the live streams will take place and exactly when they are beginning as well but thank you for your company, thank you for all your questions Laurie, Carl, Andy thank you so much as well we'll be back on Monday after Ipswich whatever happens we'll see you then take care bye bye

1:10:49The Athletic FC.

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