EMERGENCY PODCAST INCOMING

Here we go again: it's an unscheduled, perhaps unexpected, extra episode of Talk of the Devils with reaction to the news - first reported by The Athletic - that Manchester United have sacked Ruben Amorim. Youth team manager and former player Darren Fletcher will take charge of first-team affairs until further notice.

Amorim's reign lasted 18 months and it was a tumultuous period. Disastrous league form in his first part-season was tempered slightly by a run to the Europa League final, but defeat to Spurs in that game in Bilbao was a body blow.

Improved performances and results in the Premier League this season stuttered before Christmas. The team are currently sixth in the table but, with a heavily congested chasing pack making up ground, senior management decided the time was right to dismiss their man.

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

Leeds away; a 'bear pit' negotiated with several first-choice players missing. Off the back of a dodgy festive period, ordinarily you'd take your point and run.

Yet, the game was almost a footnote today in the context of Ruben Amorim's comments during both his pre- and post-match press conferences. His usually outward demeanour a little different; bleak statements about the transfer window, cryptic references to other managers; a flat refusal to discuss the formation of the team. Is something afoot?

We'll hear from Mr Amorim again before and after Burnley away, a game that now has more than a frisson of intrigue on it. Just four points separate 5th from 14th in the Premier League.

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

They're desperately short of players, and in isolation perhaps you could excuse it, but Man United's one-all draw with (statistically speaking) one of the worst Premier League teams in history fits a pattern of nearly-but-not-quite this season.

As we arrive in 2026, what can we expect from Ruben Amorim's team, and what standard should we demand? Is the Champions League too big an ask for a side that has achieved only one string of league victories?

It was a hugely deflating affair on Tuesday night but Leeds United, and their supporters, will show no sympathy when the Reds roll into Elland Road. Are they ready? Is Andy?

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