The Athletic FC Podcast

Liverpool vs Arsenal + Can you fix Manchester United?

19K views · 6h ago · 49:54

It’s a big one this weekend as Arsenal travel to Merseyside to take on Liverpool. This comes following an all time classic upset after they were knocked out of the Carabao Cup by fourth tier side Fleetwood Town. Kate Mason is joined in the studio by Rob Green and tactics writer Liam Tharme to preview all the action at Anfield - a game so good they cleared the whole day for it - as well as break down the trending tactics of the season so far.

Topics: Arsenal vs Liverpool preview · Show and Tell · Premier League trends · How do you fix Manchester United?

Would Unai Emery leave Villa for United?

19K views · 9h ago · 10:25

In a survey conducted by The Athletic, 41.2% of Man United fans voted Aston Villa manager Unai Emery as the man they'd like to see take over at Old Trafford should Michael Carrick be dismissed. In this segment from Wednesday's episode of The Athletic FC Podcast, Aston Villa reporter Jacob Tanswell joins Emma Paton, Cerys Jones and Thom Harris to discuss whether he could be prised away from Villa Park...

Why are the Glazers nowhere to be seen?

87K views · 1d ago · 43:59

Guest: Tim Williams

Since taking full control of Manchester United in 2005, the Glazers have pocketed over 1.3 billion pounds, all while racking up over 700 million in debt at the club. So with Manchester United in crisis again, why are the Glazers nowhere to be seen?

Topics: How did the Glazers buy Man United? · How has the Glazers' role changed since 2005? · Would the Glazers ever sell their stake? · Do the Glazers care that they’re hated? · Tim Williams on how the Man United's structure · How involved are the Glazers at Man United?

Who could handle the Man United job?

73K views · 2d ago · 40:14

Guest: Cerys Jones

After Manchester United’s 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth it looked as though time was up for Michael Carrick. But with news he’ll stay in charge for Saturday’s game against Chelsea, is this really a show of faith or just a stay of execution?

Topics: Carrick set to stay Man United manager, for now... · Assessing potential replacements: Eddie Howe · Unai Emery · Julian Nagelsmann · Antonio Conte · So... Stick or Twist?

Did the Ballon d'Or expose the Premier League's superstar problem?

53K views · 3d ago · 52:14

Guest: JJ Bull

Harry Kane won the Ballon d'Or on Monday night, pipping Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal to the award. But with just two players in the top 20 in the rankings, how can the Premier League claim to be the best league in the world when so many of the sport's superstars play elsewhere?

Topics: Behind the scenes at the Ballon d'Or · Seb on Kane winning it · How long will the Ballon d’Or elude Mbappe & other stars? · Does the Premier League lack superstars?

The day Man United turned mutinous

115K views · 4d ago · 47:04

Michael Carrick's future is hanging by a thread at Man United after his side were embarrassed by Bournemouth at a mutinous Old Trafford on Sunday. But with the club’s hierarchy in the spotlight, will sacking Carrick solve United’s problems?

Topics: Bournemouth take out Man United 3-0 at Old Trafford · Can Michael Carrick survive? · What went wrong for Man United on the pitch? · Have Man United fans finally turned on the club? · Should Omar Berrada be under as much scrutiny as Carrick? · Which managers are rumoured to be in the running if Carrick is let go?

What If... we erased the Messi x Ronaldo era?

16K views · 6d ago · 46:58

With the Ballon d'Or fast approaching, this week's episode of ‘What If’, Emma is joined in the studio by The Athletic’s Tim Spiers, Dan Kilpatrick and Jack Pitt-Brooke to pick apart the unfathomable... What if Messi and Ronaldo didn’t exist?

Chelsea vs Spurs + how are Brighton this good?

39K views · 1w ago · 54:47

It’s a jam packed show this week as Kate Mason is joined in the studio by tacticos Liam Tharme and Rob Green to discuss all the weekend’s goings on, including a fierce London derby as Chelsea host rivals Spurs. Plus, we’re joined by former Brighton defender Adam Webster to get an inside look at all things football on the south coast. What’s it like to play for Roberto de Zerbi? How do you stop Erling Haaland? And, the question on everyone’s lips - how are Brighton that good?

Topics: Chelsea v Spurs preview · Chelsea’s defensive improvement · Spurs building up as a three · How De Zerbi deals with pressure · Kulusevski returning to action · ‘Guess The Player’ game

Man United, INEOS and a failing sports empire

122K views · 1w ago · 45:37

Guest: Matt Slater

Manchester United’s ownership is in the firing line again, with players accusing leadership of negligence, just two wins so far all season and a humiliating defeat to Como in the Champions League. So with United in their latest doom cycle and growing unrest across their other clubs and investments, is Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS sports empire crumbling?

Topics: Bruno questions Carrick’s tactics after Como · Should Bruno have been more selective with his words? · Do we feel sorry for Carrick? · Why have INEOS had Nice up for sale for so long with no bite? · Why are INEOS neglecting Man United’s women’s team? · Does Ratcliffe want out of Man United?

How does anyone stop PSG this season?

22K views · 1w ago · 44:11

Tuesday saw PSG and Barcelona lock horns at the Parc des Princes as Luis Enrique’s side came out victors despite injuries to key players Ousmane Dembele and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Emma is joined in the studio by Manchester United writer Cerys Jones and Senior Editor Tomas Hill Lopez-Menchero to break down all the action.

Topics: Are PSG and Barcelona Europe's best sides? · Does PSG’s ability to rotate make them unstoppable? · Is El Classico still football's biggest fixture? · Can Real Madrid compete this season? · Laurie Whitwell’s exclusive interview with Erik ten Hag · Como vs Man United preview