It's Still the Midfield

#827 | Sir Jim Ratcliffe is undertaking a revolution at Old Trafford. Much of it has attracted a negative reaction. It's as bad as it's been in 40 years on the pitch, there's unrest among the fans, and 100s of people have lost their jobs at United. Can Ratcliffe's austerity strategy turn the club's finances around? And can the club successfully pull off a new transfer strategy that focuses on younger players? Ed and Adam discuss. 00:00 Introduction 01:02 Job Cuts and Strategy at United 02:39 Financial Turnaround 03:58 PSR and Wage Budget Analysis 06:56 Challenges with Young Talent Strategy 11:17 Communication and Fan Engagement 24:12 Commercial Strategy 32:35 Full Sale Debate 34:11 Global Streaming Deals 37:22 The Future of Sports Broadcasting 39:43 Sports Franchise Valuations 48:17 INEOS and Manchester United's Strategy 55:57 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 Subscriptions. We do a bonus show and a tactical review every week for backers. No Question About That is available on YouTube, Apple, Spotify, Amazon and all podcast apps. Hit that subscribe button, leave a rating and write a review. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

28 Feb 1h 2min

#826 | United beat Ipswich in terrible weather at Old Trafford - coming from behind, suffering Patrick Dorgu's dismissal, and showing plenty of spirit. It was a very low quality game and yet is there something to take out of victory in difficult circumstances? Ed and Wayne review the match and then look forward to United's FA Cup game against Fulham this weekend. CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 05:14 Match Analysis 06:07 Player Performances and Tactical Observations 14:55 Set Pieces and Goals Breakdown 20:46 Red Card Incident 25:45 Analyzing Harry's Performance 26:21 Defensive Struggles and Positives 29:32 Importance of Upcoming Matches 35:19 Squad Depth and Injuries 39:38 Managerial Adaptations 45:54 Garnacho's Professionalism 49:43 Closing Remarks If you are interested in supporting the show and accessing exclusive bonus episodes, check out our Patreon page or subscribe on Apple Podcasts Subscriptions. We do a bonus show and a tactical review every week for backers. No Question About That is available on YouTube, Apple, Spotify, Amazon and all podcast apps. Hit that subscribe button, leave a rating and write a review. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

27 Feb 54min

#825 | Our weekly tactics show, now open for everyone. United escaped Goodison Park with a draw but for an hour it was another totally inept performance by the Reds. Ed, Dharnish and Daniel discuss United's tactical approach. The good (left-sided overlapping runs from Patrick Dorgu), the bad (the non-existent press and lack of intensity), and the ugly (what is going on with Andre Onana?). CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 02:05 United's Pressing Issues 04:07 Tactical Analysis 09:13 Dorgu's Performance and Impact 16:53 Bruno Fernandes' Role and Challenges 18:17 Defensive Concerns and Onana's Performance 27:47 Upcoming Game Against Ipswich 31:14 Closing Remarks If you are interested in supporting the show and accessing exclusive bonus episodes, check out our Patreon page or subscribe on Apple Podcasts Subscriptions. We do a bonus show and a tactical review every week for backers. No Question About That is available on YouTube, Apple, Spotify, Amazon and all podcast apps. Hit that subscribe button, leave a rating and write a review. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

25 Feb 34min

#824 | United fought back to earn a draw at Everton. It was a spirited end to the game after more than an hour of some of the worst football played by a United team in living memory. There's quite a long list in that department. Ed and Dan wonder why Ruben Amorim waited until the 70th minute to make any substitutions? And why United couldn't muster a shot on target until a couple of minutes later? And whether it'll ever get any better?  CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 00:45 Bruno Fernandes: The Lifeline 02:25 Defensive Woes and Maguire's Struggles 07:05 Goalkeeping Concerns 10:42 Offensive Issues and Team Dynamics 17:23 Managerial Decisions 29:37 Europa League Hopes 31:34 Controversial Penalty Decision 33:30 Transfers and Player Performance 34:29 Relegation Battle 38:27 Youth Players and Team Dynamics 45:57 Financial Challenges and Player Sales 56:11 Closing If you are interested in supporting the show and accessing exclusive bonus episodes, check out our Patreon page or subscribe on Apple Podcasts Subscriptions. We do a bonus show and a tactical review every week for backers. No Question About That is available on YouTube, Apple, Spotify, Amazon and all podcast apps. Hit that subscribe button, leave a rating and write a review. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

23 Feb 1h 3min

#823 | United have drawn Real Sociedad in the Europa League - a tough draw against a strong Spanish side, albeit one that's not having the best season. The prize on offer for United: a back door into next season's Champions League. It's there and you can almost touch it. But only if Ruben Amorim's team doesn't blow it first. Ed and Dominic discuss. CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction and Europa League Draw Overview 00:53 Analyzing the Draw: Real Sociedad 03:17 Challenges and Opportunities in the Europa League 07:59 Financial Stakes 11:20 Injury Concerns and Squad Depth 20:53 Everton at the weekend 23:02 Conclusion and Final Thoughts If you are interested in supporting the show and accessing exclusive bonus episodes, check out our Patreon page or subscribe on Apple Podcasts Subscriptions. We do a bonus show and a tactical review every week for backers. No Question About That is available on YouTube, Apple, Spotify, Amazon and all podcast apps. Hit that subscribe button, leave a rating and write a review. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

21 Feb 25min

#822 | INEOS closed their acquisition of around 25% of Manchester United a year ago (now up to more than 28%) and the change has been stark and sometimes brutal. Layoffs, cost-cutting, poor management decision making. It's an attempt to turn the club around but with brutal consequences. How should we think about it. Ed and Tom try and digest a year of change. CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 00:29 Reflecting on United's Past Year 01:20 Financial Struggles and Cost Cutting 02:11 The Telegraph Article and INEOS Critique 04:42 Transfer Mismanagement 07:21 Leadership Failures and Communication Issues 12:14 Future Prospects and Final Thoughts If you are interested in supporting the show and accessing exclusive bonus episodes, check out our Patreon page or subscribe on Apple Podcasts Subscriptions. We do a bonus show and a tactical review every week for backers. No Question About That is available on YouTube, Apple, Spotify, Amazon and all podcast apps. Hit that subscribe button, leave a rating and write a review. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

20 Feb 28min

#821 | Defeat to Spurs for the third time this season. This one hit a little different, with an injury crisis prompting United to start the game with eight teenagers on the bench. Not that Ruben Amorim was tempted to use the kids for long - Chido Obi enjoying about three minutes at the end of another disappointing game. This was a poor quality game, a ninth defeat for Amorim, leaving United in 15th place. FIFTEENTH PLACE. CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 00:51 Injuries and Squad Challenges 01:54 Performance Analysis 02:36 Midfield Struggles 03:45 Fan Reactions 05:52 Player Development and Future Prospects 10:09 Striker Issues and Goal Scoring Woes 14:04 Commentary on Pundits and Rivals 21:33 Ex-United Players as Pundits 22:21 Paul Scholes' Perspective 24:46 Rio Ferdinand's Interview 26:26 Onana's Performance 26:44 James Maddison 31:03 Everton's Revival Under Moyes 37:23 United's Defensive Woes 38:15 Concluding Thoughts and Farewell If you are interested in supporting the show and accessing exclusive bonus episodes, check out our Patreon page or subscribe on Apple Podcasts Subscriptions. We do a bonus show and a tactical review every week for backers. No Question About That is available on YouTube, Apple, Spotify, Amazon and all podcast apps. Hit that subscribe button, leave a rating and write a review. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

16 Feb 41min

#820 | United have a problem - Josh Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund aren't scoring goals and yet they cost so much money it's going to be a problem for United to move either of them on in the summer. How did we get in this mess and how do we get out. With Ed and Dominic. CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 00:16 United's Striker Dilemma 02:20 Failed Striker Signings 03:17 Modern Striker Trends 07:55 Financial Constraints and Future Prospects 18:34 Potential Transfers and Targets 30:30 Conclusion and Final Thoughts If you are interested in supporting the show and accessing exclusive bonus episodes, check out our Patreon page or subscribe on Apple Podcasts Subscriptions. We do a bonus show and a tactical review every week for backers. No Question About That is available on YouTube, Apple, Spotify, Amazon and all podcast apps. Hit that subscribe button, leave a rating and write a review. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

14 Feb 33min