Rant Cast

#867 | Ed and Dharnish analyse United's victory over Athletic Bilbao that secured their place in the Europa League final. They discuss the emotional impact of the team's performance, key players and their contributions, and debate tactical decisions made by Ruben Amorim that turned the game around. In the context of the season, this was a massive victory even if the team only really started playing after the hour mark. What will the final against Tottenham look like? Finally, a very brief preview of United's home fixture against West Ham this weekend. 00:00 Introduction 02:06 Game Analysis 04:58 Goalkeeper Critique and Defensive Concerns 09:32 Midfield Struggles 13:58 Substitutions Impact 22:33 Upcoming Final 24:15 Analysing the Goals 24:46 Debating the Final Lineup 26:42 Context and Stakes 37:55 Anthony's Rising Value 42:53 Concluding Thoughts If you are interested in supporting the show and accessing exclusive bonus episodes, check out our Patreon page or subscribe on Apple Podcasts Subs

#866 | Ed and Dominic discuss the current state of Manchester United's wingback positions. They explore the diverse pool of players available, including Diogo Dalot, Amad Diallo, Luke Shaw, Patrick Dorgu, Noussair Mazraoui and emerging talents. The conversation dives into the feasibility of strengthening the wingback position in the summer transfer window, considering both the financial constraints and the need for versatile players who can adapt to various roles. They also touch upon United's broader transfer strategy, the potential impact of European competition qualification, and the importance of balancing the squad. The episode concludes with reflections on the club's youth prospects and the challenges of maximizing their development and potential.

#865 | Ed and Jamie (aka Subprime Goals) dive into a wide range of football finance topics concerning Manchester United, including the Women's Team's qualification for the Champions League. The discussion then shifts to Jim Ratcliffe's potential sale of OGC Nice and what it means for United's financing. They also explore the implications of the upcoming Club World Cup and how lucrative it could be for participating clubs. Finally, they review transfer possibilities for United, considering the financial feasibility of acquiring players like Matheus Cunha, Liam Delap, and more, while also talking about the impact of the Saudi Pro League on player sales. Could Bruno Fernandes really be moving to the Middle East?

#864 | Defeat to Brentford. United's focus may be on progress in the Europa League but this was a reminder of the team's lack of physicality. Despite scoring first through Mason Mount, United went on to concede some basic goals as Brentford bullied Ruben Amorim at set pieces and from wide areas all afternoon. United were much-changed but some very familiar weaknesses were on show. Ed and Dan review the afternoon's action and then look forward to Athletic Bilbao's visit to Old Trafford on Thursday. Then there's United Women who qualified for next season's Champions League after a 2-2 draw against City at Old Trafford.

#863 | Ed and Dharnish conduct a tactical debrief of United's victory over Athletic Club. They discuss the significant victory and dissect the tactical nuances that led to United's success. The conversation explores the team's pressing issues, the first 30 minutes of the game, and key performances from players like Casimiro, Fernandes, Maguire and Garnacho. There's also a discussion around future roles for Mason Mount and Kobbie Mainoo. We end with a mini look ahead to a potential final against Spurs. No jinxing it!

#862 | Ed and Wayne celebrate Manchester United's 3-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao in the Europa League. We expected a tough night but instead, led by the irrepressible Bruno Fernandes, Harry Maguire's sublime dribbling skills and Casimiro's renaissance, United secured a memorable victory. What a night! The hosts also talk about the implications of victory, which leaves United on the verge of another Europa League final - tp be played in the same San Mames stadium.

#861 | Ed, Daniel and Dharnish, preview the upcoming match between Athletic Bilbao and Manchester United. The discussion opens with concerns about Bilbao's tactical prowess under coach Ernesto Valverde and their formidable home record. The team breaks down Athletic Bilbao's flexible 4-2-3-1 system, highlighting their compact defense and explosive attack, particularly focusing on key players like the Williams brothers and their pressing strategies. The conversation shifts to potential weaknesses and how United might exploit them, considering United's recent struggles with finishing and their reliance on Bruno Fernandes' creativity. The episode concludes with insights into the strategic adjustments United might need to make during the game and the implications of potential injuries and strength off the bench, emphasising the critical importance of securing a favorable result in Spain.

#860 | Ed and Dan dive into United's recent match against Bournemouth, where Rasmus Højlund scored a late goal to avoid yet another defeat. There's analysis of the latest transfer moves with a deal for Matteus Cunha seemingly sealed by the club. What does it mean for Højlund, Alejandro Garnacho and Robbie Mainoo? There's some chat about another classic United defensive mistake, the many chances missed, and some controversial incidents. The conversation then shifts to the upcoming Europa League match against Athletic Bilbao and what United might need to do to advance.

#859 | Ed and Dominic dive into United's future, answering questions from listeners. They discuss transfer priorities, highlighting the need for a new striker, a number 10, and midfield reinforcements. The conversation navigates through potential signings, positional needs, and the complexities surrounding squad building. The hosts also consider manager Ruben Amorim's future, stressing the importance of giving him time despite current challenges. The episode further touches on the Glazer family's ownership, the impact of financial constraints, and the role of ownership changes in shaping the club's future trajectory.

#858 | Ed and Daniel discuss the latest striker options for Manchester United, focusing on Matteus Cunha, Liam Delap and Victor Osimhen's potential fit for the team. They analyse the current speculation around Cunha's desire to join United and the team's need for a proficient forwards. The conversation also touches on current players like Rashford, Sancho, and Antony, as well as the potential financial maneuvers the club might need to undertake. The discussion ends with thoughts on integrating youth players and looking ahead to possible tactical fits with new signings.

#857 | Ed and Isabel discuss the current state of United under manager Ruben Amorim. They explore the team's mediocre Premier League performance, hope for success in the Europa League, and the role of fan support. The conversation dives into why fans are still backing Amorim despite poor results and why the club needs to back the manager with summer signings that fit Amorim's tactical system.

#856 | Defeat to Wolves at home - a 15th Premier League loss of the season. Pre-season vibes. Six starting players 22 or under. There wasn't the intensity or passion of United's victory over Lyon in midweek, nor could we expect there to be. Ruben Amorim rested most of his key players with all eyes on that May 1st game against Athletic Bilbao. Ed and Tom review a match that was dominated by context.

#855 | Victory over Lyon in the Europa League to book a place in the semi-final. Perhaps something can be salvaged from this disastrous season after all. United will meet Rangers/Bilbao next. Goals from Manuel Ugarte and Diogo Dalot were enough to secure the win at Old Trafford. Ed and Adam review the action and then look forward to Sunday's Premier League game against Wolves. Sponsors NordVPN - You can take advantage of our Exclusive NordVPN deal including four months free on the two year plan and a 30-day money back guarantee. Go to → https://nordvpn.com/nqat AG1 - We have a very special offer worth £82: Subscribe now and get 5 Travel Packs, a Vitamin D3 + K2 bottle, a Welcome Kit & the AG1 Morning Person Cap with your first subscription. Go to → https://drinkAG1.com/nqat 00:00 An Epic Match! 01:37 The Turning Point: From Despair to Hope 05:32 Extra Time Madness 07:35 Player Performances and Tactical Analysis 12:23 Goalkeeper Critique 20:17 Defensive Struggles 25:37 Media Criticism and Pundi

#854 | Ed and Dharnish discuss United's defeat to Newcastle, their reaction to the fan meltdown, and contextualise it within the season's most critical fixtures. They extensively analyse the United's tactical and personnel issues, particularly focusing on the left-back position, midfield struggles, and goalkeeping performances. The podcast then shifts to discuss the upcoming match against Lyon, where they evaluate player performances, tactical setups, and the improvements needed. They also touch upon the team's injury woes, especially regarding players like Luke Shaw and Mason Mount, and the potential summer transfers required to bolster the squad. 00:00 Introduction 01:27 Analysing the Newcastle Defeat 04:22 Contextualizing the Season's Performance 06:00 Previewing the Lyon Match 10:46 Key Players and Tactical Insights 15:31 United's Tactical Transformation 16:09 Personnel Challenges 17:01 Buildup Play 19:58 Young Talent 25:50 Summer Plans 27:52 Reflections Sponsors NordVPN - You can take ad

#853 | United were thrashed at Newcastle and the second half performance was just about as bad as it gets. Low bar, but you know where we're coming from! Squeezed between two important fixtures, late in the season, there was an expectation of defeat against a team chasing a place in next season's Champions League ... but it really shouldn't have been this shambolic. Ed and Wayne review defeat in the North East, worry about Josh Zirkzee's injury and then look ahead to Lyon at Old Trafford on Thursday. 00:00 Introduction 00:58 Discussion on Women's Team Performance 03:04 Defeat to Newcastle 03:43 Team Strategy 07:43 Defensive Errors 13:00 Squad Changes 37:23 Defensive Mistakes 37:50 Systemic Issues 41:02 Player Accountability 42:21 Striker Dilemmas 49:32 Financial Implications 51:44 Upcoming Match Against Lyon 01:02:05 Concluding Thoughts Sponsors NordVPN - You can take advantage of our Exclusive NordVPN deal including four months free on the two year plan and a 30-day money back guaran

#852 | Ed and Dominic look at the ups and downs of Mason Mount's career at Manchester United. They discuss the disappointing statistics, frequent injuries, and the underwhelming performances that have frustrated fans and raised questions about his value for money. Despite these setbacks, they explore why Mount remains a favorite among coaches, highlighting his work rate, pressing ability, and potential fit within the team's tactical system. The conversation also touches on future transfer strategies, the need for key signings, and the challenges United faces in reshaping the squad. 00:00 Introduction 00:43 Discussing Mason Mount's Performance 02:06 Challenges and Injuries 02:45 Comparing Mount with Other Players 05:28 Team Strategy 08:34 Mount and the Transfer Market 24:29 Data Analytics 30:01 Conclusion Sponsors NordVPN - You can take advantage of our Exclusive NordVPN deal including four months free on the two year plan and a 30-day money back guarantee. Go to → https://nordvpn.com/nqat

#851 | Ed and Tom analyse United's match against Lyon in France. Emotions are high as they discuss the disappointing performance of Andre Onana, who has been at fault for numerous goals this season. The analysis covers the whole team's shortcomings, including issues in attack and defense, the pressures on young players like Garnacho and Hojlund. Yet, United left France with a draw and should complete the job next week. Finally, there's a look ahead to the game against Newcastle on Sunday. Sponsors NordVPN - You can take advantage of our Exclusive NordVPN deal including four months free on the two year plan and a 30-day money back guarantee. Go to → https://nordvpn.com/nqat AG1 - We have a very special offer worth £82: Subscribe now and get 5 Travel Packs, a Vitamin D3 + K2 bottle, a Welcome Kit & the AG1 Morning Person Cap with your first subscription. Go to → https://drinkAG1.com/nqat Run of Show 00:00 Introduction and Initial Reactions 01:00 Andre Onana's Controversial Performance 06:48 Analyzing

#850 | Ed, Dharnish, and Daniel look back at United's nil-nil draw with City, discussing United's evolving attacking patterns and Casimiro's role in the game. The discussion explores the tactical details of how United's defensive strategies have improved, while considering the challenges they face in the upcoming match against Lyon. They touch on the necessity for better decision-making among United's attackers and debate the impact of specific players on the team's overall performance. The discussion is rounded off with a look ahead to the European clash with Lyon. 00:00 Introduction 00:51 Match Analysis: United vs City 08:31 Player Performance: Casimiro's Role 10:59 Defensive Strategies and Passing Dynamics 16:16 Rasmus Hojlund's Limited Impact 16:59 Tactical Adjustments and Wingback Performance 19:15 Previewing the Match Against Leon 19:44 Paolo Fonseca's Coaching Style 20:52 Key Players and Strategy 22:04 Defensive Improvements Under Amorim 25:06 Travel Plans and European Football Nostalgia

#849 | Has a Manchester derby ever had this little intensity? United's prize is in the Europa League this season; City are playing for fifth. Perhaps hearts and minds were elsewhere but this was a low-quality, entertainment-light, casual affair that felt more like a pre-season friendly than a intra-city rivalry. But being pro-podcasters means Ed and Dan go on anyway. Sponsors NordVPN - You can take advantage of our Exclusive NordVPN deal including four months free on the two year plan and a 30-day money back guarantee. Go to → https://nordvpn.com/nqat AG1 - We have a very special offer worth £82: Subscribe now and get 5 Travel Packs, a Vitamin D3 + K2 bottle, a Welcome Kit & the AG1 Morning Person Cap with your first subscription. Go to → https://drinkAG1.com/nqat Run of Show 00:00 Introduction 03:24 United vs. City 06:05 De Bruyne 08:57 Pep Guardiola's Integrity Rant 10:01 Sponsors Message 12:04 United's Tactical Setup 13:41 Player Performances 23:47 Evaluating Hojlund's Performance 29:13

#848 | Ed and Adam and Ed look forward to the derby, which is set amid a much wider context than just the game. For United, there's a decade of failure on the pitch and financial meltdown. For City, a relatively catastrophic season on the pitch and a looming verdict on 115 Premier League charges of systematic financial cheating. 00:00 Introduction 00:48 United vs City: A Crisis Comparison 03:12 City's Squad Planning Issues 07:00 United's Tactical Flexibility 11:10 Young Players Under Pressure 17:52 Financial Contrasts 19:26 City's Legal Troubles 24:31 Potential Outcomes and Appeals 26:30 Impact on English Football 40:14 Final Thoughts and Derby Hopes Sponsors NordVPN - You can take advantage of our Exclusive NordVPN deal including four months free on the two year plan and a 30-day money back guarantee. Go to → https://nordvpn.com/nqat AG1 - We have a very special offer worth £82: Subscribe now and get 5 Travel Packs, a Vitamin D3 + K2 bottle, a Welcome Kit & the AG1 Morning Person Cap with