Wolfsburg Hat-Tricks

#902 | Ed, Dharnish and Daniel pull apart United’s performance against Arsenal. The shape out of possession looked cleaner, United broke the first press often enough, but box occupation and decision making let them down. United's build-up worked far better, yet the final action and consistent presence in the area still lagged behind the approach play. Much better overall. What’s inside Pressing shape – where it worked, where it fell apart, and how the front line triggered the press. Breaking the press – patterns that beat Arsenal’s first line and why United needed more third-man runs. Box presence – too few bodies attacking space, poor timing on cut-backs, and wasteful shot selection. Midfield roles – Cunha between lines, Mount as connector, and the knock-on effects for the rest defence. Wide areas and full backs – when the overlap helped, when it clogged lanes, and how to create better threats. Buildup problems – clean exits from the first phase that fizzled before the final pass. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:40 Baiting the Press 13:03 How the system hel up 15:44 Season expectations and on-pitch IQ 17:35 Build-up bottlenecks 18:36 Full backs and box occupation 18:58 Midfield dynamics and roles 22:55 Bruno Fernandes’ positioning 26:29 Development priorities for key players 29:16 Final thoughts Takeaway Progress in structure, not yet in punch. United can reach good zones against strong pressure. The next step is simple to say and hard to do – arrive in the box with numbers, improve the last touch, and turn control into goals. If you are interested in supporting the show and accessing a weekly exclusive bonus episode, check out our Patreon page or subscribe on Apple Podcasts. Supporter funded episodes are ad-free. NQAT is available on all podcast apps and in video on YouTube. Hit that subscribe button, leave a rating and write a review on Apple or Spotify. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

18 Aug 34min

#901 | Ed and Daniel talk about United's defeat to Arsenal at Old Trafford. It was largely settled by a single goalkeeping error. The performance was markedly better: heavy possession, more than twice Arsenal’s shots and real influence from new signings Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, who were standouts. They break down what worked, what didn’t and why the result flatters the visitors. The discussion turns to recruitment: can United address the ‘keeper situation before the 1 September deadline, and is midfield business still on the cards? Decisions in the next couple of weeks will shape the season. 00:00 Introduction 01:38 The Goal 04:23 Team Selection 07:26 Tactical Analysis 15:34 Defensive Performance 34:39 Transfer Window 40:13 VAR Discussion 46:19 Looking Ahead If you are interested in supporting the show and accessing a weekly exclusive bonus episode, check out our Patreon page or subscribe on Apple Podcasts. Supporter funded episodes are ad-free. NQAT is available on all podcast apps and in video on YouTube. Hit that subscribe button, leave a rating and write a review on Apple or Spotify. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

17 Aug 56min

#900 | Ed and Daniel discuss the upcoming season and all of Manchester United's hopes and fears. The discussion covers the preseason, players' preparation, and the transfer market. There's a chat about squad quality, key players and the impact of the new acquisitions. We end with some predictions for the season and the role of the academy and club identity at the start of another campaign. 00:00 Introduction 00:27 Pre-Season Review & Transfer Market 23:48 Team Identity & Quality Discussion 48:19 Squad Analysis 59:00 Season Predictions & Final Thoughts If you are interested in supporting the show and accessing a weekly exclusive bonus episode, check out our Patreon page or subscribe on Apple Podcasts. Supporter funded episodes are ad-free. NQAT is available on all podcast apps and in video on YouTube. Hit that subscribe button, leave a rating and write a review on Apple or Spotify. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

16 Aug 1h 15min

#899 | Ed, Daniel and Danish tee up the new season through a tactical lens: what Ruben Amorim wants, what’s actually changed, and what still needs work. Pre-season hints at the same framework with sharper edges, plus what the new signings add. We get into movement and pressing, set-piece tweaks, and how the wing-backs role has changed, midfield balance, defensive structure - and, yes, the goalkeeping question. The plan and the pitfalls, are all on the table. 00:00 Tactics Show: Pre-Season Preview 00:46 Introduction 01:25 Season Preview Overview 03:04 Tactical Changes 04:29 Defensive Structure 09:59 Analysis of Midfield 13:39 Carlos Baleba Analysis 17:27 Bruno Fernandes Discussion 23:49 Big Spaces, Small Spaces 28:09 Set Piece Analysis 34:07 Goalkeeper Situation 41:09 Closing Thoughts and Season Outlook If you are interested in supporting the show and accessing a weekly exclusive bonus episode, check out our Patreon page or subscribe on Apple Podcasts. Supporter funded episodes are ad-free. NQAT is available on all podcast apps and in video on YouTube. Hit that subscribe button, leave a rating and write a review on Apple or Spotify. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

15 Aug 48min

#898 | Ed and Jamie breakdown the finances of United's transfer market, including the recent signing of Benjamin Sesko. How can the club afford it when Sir Jim Ratcliffe said Untied were running out of money just months ago? The conversation touches on the impact of club's cost-saving measures, the strategic structuring of deals, and the dynamics of player sales. There's also plenty of chat about how United may sell some of the 'bomb squad' in the coming weeks. 00:00 Introduction 00:28 Benjamin Sesko Deal Analysis 01:25 Financial Restructuring and Clever Deal Structuring 03:04 Wage and Transfer Fee Breakdown 04:35 Funding Gaps and Credit Facilities 06:37 Market Dynamics and Player Sales 16:43 Chelsea's Strategic Moves 28:26 Ownership and Future Prospects 35:50 Conclusion and Farewell If you are interested in supporting the show and accessing a weekly exclusive bonus episode, check out our Patreon page or subscribe on Apple Podcasts. Supporter funded episodes are ad-free. NQAT is available on all podcast apps and in video on YouTube. Hit that subscribe button, leave a rating and write a review on Apple or Spotify. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

9 Aug 40min

#897 | Ed and Adam discuss Manchester United's transfer strategy and preseason progress. Benjamin Sesko signs and there's a potential deal for Carlos Baleba in the works. It's a summer that's generating optimism among United fans after last season's disaster. Despite walking a fine line to improve the squad amid limited finances, United have been aggressive in the market. Then the conversation covers the return of David de Gea with his Fiorentina team this weekend. 00:00 Introduction 00:34 Transfer Window Optimism 06:06 Benjamin Sesko: The New Signing 10:59 Squad Building 17:40 Tactical Variety 27:57 Market Opportunities 33:19 Newcastle's Ambitions 36:49 State Ownership 40:30 United's Financial Strategies 44:08 United's Midfield Plans 54:32 Preseason Preparations If you are interested in supporting the show and accessing a weekly exclusive bonus episode, check out our Patreon page or subscribe on Apple Podcasts. Supporter funded episodes are ad-free. NQAT is available on all podcast apps and in video on YouTube. Hit that subscribe button, leave a rating and write a review on Apple or Spotify. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

8 Aug 1h 4min

#896 | Ed and Dharnish discuss United's preseason progress, including the squad's fitness, tactical improvements and performance in recent games. There's a look at how the team's shape and movement have evolved and how new signings are being integrated. This is set in the context of a really difficult first quarter of the season. 00:00 Introduction 01:09 Preseason Performance and Fitness 03:15 Tactical Analysis 07:15 Midfield Dynamics 16:23 Team Chemistry and Fitness Strategy 25:36 Hojlund vs. Sesko 30:34 Squad Depth and Young Talent 33:07 Preseason Preparations 36:29 Tactical Adaptations 43:05 Premier League Competition 43:59 Final Thoughts If you are interested in supporting the show and accessing a weekly exclusive bonus episode, check out our Patreon page or subscribe on Apple Podcasts. Supporter funded episodes are ad-free. NQAT is available on all podcast apps and in video on YouTube. Hit that subscribe button, leave a rating and write a review on Apple or Spotify. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

3 Aug 49min

#895 | Ed and Jamie dive into the economics of United's transfer market strategy. There's the potential acquisition of Benjamin Sesko and how the deal might be funded without player sales. Other topics include the economics of freezing out players, details on Rashford's transfer to Barcelona, and a debate over player valuations and swap deals. The conversation also explores the financial angle of Chelsea's interest in Alejandro Garnacho and the gap in United's sponsorship training ground/kit sponsorship deal. The episode concludes with a look at the growing financial landscape of women's football, highlighted by the recent success of Euro 2025. 00:00 Introduction 01:23 Football Economics and Player Sales 04:28 Sponsorship Deals and Financial Maneuvering 07:44 Player Exchanges 15:31 Rashford's Transfer 20:58 Chelsea's Financial Constraints 28:06 Player Loans 30:10 Sancho's Career Decisions 33:39 Tax Structures and Player Transfers 36:19 Women's Football Growth 45:06 Final Thoughts If you are interested in supporting the show and accessing a weekly exclusive bonus episode, check out our Patreon page or subscribe on Apple Podcasts. Supporter funded episodes are ad-free. NQAT is available on all podcast apps and in video on YouTube. Hit that subscribe button, leave a rating and write a review on Apple or Spotify. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

2 Aug 50min