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

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

The Athletic
Manchester United
Premier League
Ruben Amorim
Bruno Fernandes
Europa League
Erik Ten Hag
FA Cup
Manchester City
Liverpool
Marcus Rashford
Arsenal
Old Trafford
Everton
Casemiro
Crystal Palace
Michael Carrick
Champions League
Benjamin Sesko
Bournemouth
Tottenham Hotspur

Host Ian Irving is joined by The Athletic's Laurie Whitwell, Carl Anka and Andy Mitten on the world's biggest Manchester United podcast. Subscribe for expert insight from inside the club, breaking news and two episodes every week.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes530Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Sports

Listen to this Podcast

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

Latest Episodes

Talk of the Devils streamed live to the four corners of the globe for the first time on the eve of the 2026/27 Premier League season.

The headline news is that a deal is progressing between Manchester United and Brighton for the transfer of defensiv... more

Pre-season is over, finishing with a slightly dispiriting 4-2 defeat to Ruben Amorim's AC Milan in Wroclaw, Poland, but overall the feelings are positive. So, what are Michael Carrick's priority issues as the start of the new campaign gets ever neare... more

Manchester United's penultimate pre-season test ended in a penalty shootout victory over Leeds at Croke Park in Dublin.

Following that, Michael Carrick sat down with the journalist pack to discuss the state of his squad, his vision for how he wants t... more

Another week closer to the new season, and another successful workout for Michael Carrick's squad; 1-1 against PSG in Gothenburg saw Andrey Santos do well again; will he be part of Manchester United's starting midfield on the opening day?

The remain... more

Key Facts

Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Recent Guests

Michael Carrick
Former Manchester United manager (interview subject)
Manchester United (as former player/now manager during discussion)
Episode: What is Carrick’s vision for Man United?
Megan Firinga
Athletic reporter presenting breaking news on Mark Skinner
The Athletic
Episode: Are Man United Premier League ready?
Liam Toomey
Chelsea writer for The Athletic
The Athletic
Episode: Man United adapt their midfield plan
Zidane Iqbal
Former Manchester United academy graduate, Iraqi international
Iraq national team, Manchester United alumnus
Episode: From Man United's academy to the World Cup, with Zidane Iqbal
Mason Mount
Professional footballer, Manchester United midfielder
Manchester United
Episode: Will Man United beat biggest rivals to Champions League?
Brian Robson
Former Manchester United captain and ambassador; featured as a guest on the episode
Manchester United
Episode: Man United close in on Champions League at Chelsea
Bobby (Career We Go)
Host of Career We Go, a football quiz podcast
Career We Go
Episode: Man United Quiz with Career We Go
Megan Fringa
Guest analyst for Talk of the Devils
The Athletic
Episode: Why Maguire deserves a new Man United contract
Carl Anka
Athletic writer and media voice
The Athletic
Episode: Do Man United need to fix their defence this summer?

Hosts

Ian Irving
Host with deep ties to club coverage and insider reporting.
Laurie Whitwell
The Athletic writer providing expert club insight and analysis.
Carl Anka
Panelist/Host offering tactical talk and club context.
Andy Mitten
Football writer and industry insider with long club history.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 5.7k ratings
  • The PL is weak?

    Posted this below when you lot were bleating on about how weak the league was latest season with United languishing in 16th, well guess what, the standard is worse this season hence The Ordinary Boys have qualified for the CL, and not a word on ‘weak league’?!?

    Oh, and give it Carrick please, your winning no league, weak or otherwise, with him in charge!

    I’m no United fan by any means but I listen most weeks because I find you guys worth an our or two of my time, but I have to object to the co... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    WillyWonks66
    United Kingdom3 months ago
  • Love it - one small tweak

    Please please set the intros/outros, adverts and main body of the podcast to the same volume - currently it cuts to an outro or advert and suddenly my car radio is shouting at me uncomfortably loudly and I’m scrambling to find he volume controls just to have to rise the volume begrudgingly when the podcast coms back on - love the show often watch it on YouTube and listen on podcast to the same show as I enjoy hearing all the content twice

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    vhfxhk
    Australia4 months ago
  • Best Manchester United podcast

    TOTD is the best! The crew is funny, engaging, and genuine. The content is A+ and I always feel more informed after a podcast. They also do an excellent job presenting balanced views and bringing key context for listeners like me who may only ever make it to Old Trafford once in his life. I really appreciate the context they give for/from match going supporters.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    APS-SD
    United States4 months ago
  • 500!

    Part of the review was just to be the 500th!

    I listen to the latest podcast every time I go running. Brilliant grounded opinion and honest discussion. A must listen for every United fan

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    NickG2401
    United Kingdom4 months ago
  • Addicted

    Had to write this to both recommend and thank the lads for this truly uplifting, sharp and compelling podcast.

    If United, Manchester and football are your passion - there isn’t a better group of passionate, articulate and fun United experts out in the pod world.

    Thank you for an incredible investment in each episode and to making us, who live elsewhere, feel so close to the club and the city.

    You work so well together and are a gift to each other and your listeners - well done!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mancunian Utd
    United States4 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Mixed reactions to ads and occasional critiques of focus on certain players or topics.
High quality deep-dive analysis with strong guest contributions.
Fans praise balanced views, insider insight, and engaging banter.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#201
United States/Sports
Spotify
#114
United Kingdom/Top Podcasts
Spotify
#13
United Kingdom/Sports
Apple Podcasts
#167
United Kingdom/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#22
United Kingdom/Sports
Apple Podcasts
#142
Canada/Sports

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Man United Q&A: Rashford, Ederson, Keane, ‘Carrick-ball’, & more!
Q: What is the football Michael Carrick wants to play, Andy?
Andy explains Carrick's approach as pragmatic and adaptable, aiming to win games with a balance of attacking and defensive qualities, and that more signings would give him more system options.
Should Sesko start against Palace?
Q: Should Sesko start against Crystal Palace?
The discussion concluded with some hosts supporting the idea of starting Sesko due to his goal-scoring form, while others believe he can continue to impact matches effectively as a substitute.
Mailbag: Semenyo release clause and Rooney the artist
Q: What are the circumstances behind Matthias Cunha's head injury?
Cunha's head injury is not serious, and he is expected to return for the next game.
Mbeumo’s impact at Man United & Brentford preview
Q: How has Bryan Mbeumo adjusted to playing for Manchester United?
He has shown adaptability and the potential for significant impact on the team's performance.
Inside Old Trafford: The Atmosphere Explained
Q: How successful do you think all of that has been?
Pete believes that recognizing fan culture and efforts by groups like TRA has made a significant impact on the Old Trafford atmosphere.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A roundtable-style Manchester United-focused show that blends tactical analysis, transfer gossip, and insider context. Episodes typically weigh squad balance, midfield recruitment, and pre-season form, while tracking managerial decisions, women's team coverage, and broader club strategy. Notable is the mix of data-driven insight with lively banter and insider anecdotes from The Athletic reporters and long-time club observers, which can make it appealing to listeners who want both rigorous football analysis and behind-the-scenes perspective. The format often includes breaking news segments and guest appearances that add club-wide context and historical depth, making it a strong fit for fans who enjoy deep dives anchored in current events.

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How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 7 years ago and published 530 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Michael Carrick
2. Megan Firinga
3. Liam Toomey
4. Zidane Iqbal
5. Mason Mount
6. Brian Robson
7. Bobby (Career We Go)
8. Megan Fringa

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