It's 30 years since Eric Cantona kunf-fu kicked a Crystal Palace supporter at Selhurst Park. It's still one of the most iconic moments in football history. To celebrate the launch of their new two-part podcast episode on Eric Cantona, we're joined by the Upshot's Zach Sweeny-Lynch to recount a few stories about the mad Frenchman! If you are interes…

#788 | Victory at Craven Cottage but with just one shot on target, there's plenty of questions about the path forward. This is still not a side that creates or scores freely despite the strong defensive performance in London. Then there's news about the future of Old Trafford, with government support apparently forthcoming, and that damn fine footb…

Daily #22 | Look, we don't want to be rude, but there won't be many tears shed for Antony when he departs on loan for Real Betis this week. Costing the club £85m when he joined two and a half years ago, the Brazilian has rarely delivered on the pitch and been, well, a bit more of a hit off it. But where does Antony rank in the worst post-Fergie tra…

#787 | United beat Rangers in the Europa League with a last minute goal from Captain Bruno Fernandes. How many clutch moments can one man produce. There's action in the transfer market, with both Antony (loan) and Alejandro Garnacho (£??) potentially leaving the club. Ed and Tom bemoan the state of the club and - sort of - enjoy United's performanc…

This is the first episode of a new project, Manchester United: The Lost Tapes.You can find The Lost Tapes on its own feed, everywhere you find podcasts. Enjoy. --- Few footballers have had a transformative impact to compare with that of Eric Cantona at Manchester United. When he arrived at Old Trafford from Leeds United, the club were still licking…

This is Manchester United: The Lost Tapes. Stories about United's rich history, told in a way you've never heard before. Written by Wayne Barton, narrated by Patrick Barclay and produced by Studio 1878. Episode One: Cantona Eric Cantona’s arrival from Leeds United transformed Manchester United after a 25-year title drought, reshaping the club’s for…

Daily #21 | Andre Onana started the season well, and at one stage had the best data (saves vs expected saves) of any keeper in the top European leagues. Yet, he has made some ridiculous errors in recent weeks against Wolves, Forest and Brighton. Together with mistakes that cost United last season, the focus is once again on a stopper who has not li…

Daily #20 | Ruben Amorim ... Ruben Angerim more like. The Manchester United Head Coach reportedly smashed a TV in the Old Trafford dressing room after United's defeat to Brighton on Sunday. His anger stems from players refusing to follow his instructions. Hosts Ed and Isabel like it. If you are interested in supporting the show and accessing exclus…

#786 | That's 10 defeats in the Premier League this season. "Losing so many games at home is not acceptable," said Ruben Amorim after the game. And yet it has been the story now for two seasons. Amorim came in with one idea and one that he can only sell to the players if they win games. Right now, this is a United team that's a mess, in a club that…

#785 | For 80 minutes, United were absolutely dreadful. Following two spirited performances away at Liverpool and Arsenal, confidence was high and the question that Ruben Amorim posed: could United sustain this performance level in a game when they're expected to win? He got a definitive answer. Then there was Amad. Amadadona. Maradiallo. El Amad d…

Daily #19 | Manchester United sold Anthony Elanga to Nottingham Forest around 18 months ago. In the time since, the Swedish international has made steady progress, including assisting Forest's goal against Liverpool earlier this week. Did United get the right deal for Elanga, and what does recent speculation about Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Main…

Daily #18 | After two positive results at Liverpool and Arsenal, can United progress against a Southampton side bottom of the Premier League and seemingly heading out of the division? That's the question fans and Ruben Amorim are asking ahead of Thursday night's game. There's some momentum and United have to grasp it agains the worst side in the Pr…

Daily #17 | There are increasing rumours in the media today that Napoli are interested in Manchester United winger/forward Alejandro Garnacho. Any potential deal would represent a large profit for the club and be highly beneficial in PSR terms because he has come through the United academy. But should the club even think about selling a high potent…

#784 | United produced a great backs-against-the-wall performance to beat Arsenal on penalties in the FA Cup. Ruben Amorim's side scored a fine breakaway goal to lead before Arsenal's Andy Madley produced one of the more bizarre refereeing performances of the season, finding a reason to send off the careless Diogo Dalot before awarding one of the m…

Daily #16 | Arsenal v Manchester United in the FA Cup - one of the classic fixtures of the genre. It's the 16th time the two teams have met in the FA Cup, with United winning eight, although there have been a few painful defeats along the way. Ed and Adam preview the game at the Emirates where 8,000 United fans (1,000 fewer tickets than should have…

#783 | We’re at the halfway stage of the season and, well, it’s been pretty shit to date. Ed and Dan take a look at the squad, assessing how everybody has done so far, where United might look to evolve the squad this winter (or more likely in the summer) and what the second half of the campaign might bring. If you are interested in supporting the s…

Daily #15 | Manuel Ugarte put in his best performance of his short time at Manchester United against Liverpool last Sunday. Ed and Dominic talk about the Uruguayan's impact at United and the ongoing discussion about Ruben Amorim's midfield options. If you are interested in supporting the show and accessing exclusive bonus episodes, check out our Pa…

#782 | United pick up a creditable draw at Anfield where the team's spirit, resilience and organisation came to the fore. It begs the obvious question: why don't we see this every week? Ed and Wayne praise United's performance, pick apart the mistakes and bemoan a late Harry Maguire missed chance. Enjoy! If you are interested in supporting the show…

Daily #14 | Liverpool v Manchester United. The biggest game in English football. Hated rivals. 19 v 20 league titles. The benchmark for success. Except that this time United head into the game as huge underdogs. Injuries, poor form, a system that doesn’t suit the squad, Liverpool winning every game. And with United starting one inevitable Michael O…

Daily #13 | Ruben Amorim has mentioned the R word. So are United really in a relegation battle this season with the team starting the year in 14th place. Ed and Isabel discuss the latest, talk about the financial implications and speculate about transfer window moves. If you are interested in supporting the show and accessing exclusive bonus episod…

#781 | Comprehensively beaten by Newcastle at Old Trafford and it wasn't even really close. Ed and Paul discuss United's defeat, the ongoing challenges at the club, Sir Jim Ratcliffe's wrong-ness and where United go after this. If you are interested in supporting the show and accessing exclusive bonus episodes, check out our Patreon page or subscri…

#780 | United are both a shockingly poor football team and desperately unlucky - Schrödinger's football team. Very little is going right at the club after the team suffered a fifth defeat under new Head Coach Ruben Amorim. Ed and Wayne try to unpick what happened at Wolves on Thursday night after Bruno Fernandes' red card and yet another goal conce…

Daily #12 | It is one year since Sir Jim Ratcliffe, through his Trawlers Ltd company and INEOS Sport group, purchased just over 25% of Manchester United, later upped to over 28%. In that there has been a significant amount of change at the club. Not all of it has gone down well with the fans. Ed and Wayne review a year of disruption at the club. Ho…

#779 | Thrashed by Bournemouth yet again. WTAF is going on? Unlike the midweek defeat at Spurs, there was very little redeeming about this performance in which missed chances and defensive mistakes were scattered throughout. Ed and guest co-host Adam commiserate and then look forward to United's Boxing Day game at Wolves. If you are interested in s…

#778 | Are you not entertained? United are out of the League Cup after a chaotic game at Spurs in which Ruben Amorim's side gifted the hosts three goals. Ed and Wayne look back on an eventful night and aren't too disappointed despite exiting the competition. Then there's a conversation about United's home match against Bournemouth at the weekend. I…

Daily #11 | United face Tottenham in the League Cup on Thursday, with a place in the semi-finals at stake. With the drama over Marcus Rashford's future in the background, Ed and Isabel look forward to some actual football at the imaginatively-named Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. If you are interested in supporting the show and accessing exclusive bonus…