Rant Cast

On this week’s show we discuss the ups and downs of life at Manchester United. It has been a disappointing week on the pitch, with David Moyes side losing heavily at Chelsea and then being knocked out by Sunderland in the Capital One Cup semi-final. Off the pitch the week ended with Juan Mata signing from Chelsea for an incredible £37.1 million. Defeat at Stamford Bridge came at a heavy price, with United now 14 points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal and six behind fourth placed Liverpool. Moreover, the manner of defeat will worry Moyes – his players barely look capable of playing for the Scot, let alone willing to. Then came what many hope is the season’s nadir, with Sunderland beating United on penalties to book a date with Manchester City in the Capital One Cup final. At least Moyes admitted his side’s performance was abject – it’s close to the first time that has happened this season. But the week ended on a hugely positive note with midfielder Mata signing a four and a half year contract with the club to set a new club record transfer fee. Finally, we look forward to United’s fixture with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Cardiff City in midweek and take your question!  

On this week’s show Ed & Paul look back on Manchester United’s victory over Swansea City in the Premier League. After three defeats on the spin David Moyes’ side secured a small measure of redemption against the Welsh outfit. Three points keep United in contention for a spot in next season’s Champions League, but perhaps more importantly, injects a little confidence into the squad. Yet, it was one of the strangest games at Old Trafford in recent years, with United enjoying just 30% of the possession in a match that only really came to life in the second half. Fortunately United could rely on Adnan Janzaj, the 18-year-old kid who has become integral to Moyes’ side. Almost too important for a player of such a young age. We take your questions, reveal the winner of our book competition, and look forward to matches against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and Sunderland in the Capital One Cup at Old Trafford.

*With apologies for the poor quality sound on Ed’s side this week due to unforeseen technical difficulties. The mic broke, innit!* On this week’s show Ed and Paul look back on a difficult week for Manchester United and David Moyes, where two poor cup results leaves United’s season in the balance. At Old Trafford United’s meek exit from the FA Cup to Swansea City brought boos from the terraces. It was one of the worst performances of an increasingly underwhelming campaign. Then at the Premier League’s worst side, Sunderland, United lost 2-1 in the first leg of the Capital One Cup semi-final. The sides meet again in 10 days to decide who meets Manchester City at Wembley. We discuss Moyes’ future, transfer activity this winter, United’s away support and take all the your questions in what has been a traumatic week. Finally, we preview United’s rematch with Swansea at Old Trafford in which Moyes men will seek a modicum of revenge and, more importantly, three points. After all, the Reds remain seventh in the Premier League.

On this week’s pod we look back on another difficult week for David Moyes and Manchester United. Victory at Carrow Road over Norwich City brought three vital Premier League points, but another disappointing performance from the Reds. Then back at Old Trafford, United lost a fourth home match of the season, with Tottenham Hotspur beating the Reds 2-1. Another game, another heap of pressure for Moyes’ under performing side. Also on this week’s show: we take your questions, discuss Nicolas Anelka’s latest controversy, and look forward to upcoming cup matches against Swansea City in the FA Cup and Sunderland in the Capital One Cup!

On this week’s Rant Cast we look back on a good week for David Moyes and Manchester United. Victories over West Ham United and Hull City keep the Reds in touch with the Premier League leaders. In perhaps United’s best performance of the season United dispatched the Hammers at Old Trafford, scoring three before Sam Allardyce’s men grabbed a late consolation. Then Moyes’ outfit came back from two down at Hull City to secure victory. It was hardly a classic performance, but in putting together five consecutive victories the Reds certainly have momentum. Also on this week’s show: we have a book to give away, take your questions and look forward to United’s matches against Norwich City and Tottenham Hotspur. To win Mark Payne’s “Fergie’s Last Stand: A Correspondent’s Diary 2012/13”, which follows Sir Alex Ferguson’s final campaign as United manager, simply listen to the pod.

Yeah, Ashley, it was good goal but can you do it on a cold, wet Wednesday in Stoke?! Regular presenters Ed and Paul look back on a successful couple of matches for Manchester United. Victory on the road at Aston Villa in the Premier League and then at Stoke City in the Capital One Cup. Three points in Birmingham bring United to within (just!) 10 of Arsenal in the league, while a cup semi-final against John O’Shea’s Sunderland beckons in January. We discuss the fall out from two far more positive United performances. We also take your questions and look ahead to United’s matches with West Ham United on Saturday and Hull City on Boxing Day!

It’s a packed show this week with regular presenters Ed & Paul looking back on four Manchester United games: Tottenham Hotspur, Everton, Newcastle United and Shaktar Donetsk. It was a period in which United dropped seven points in the Premier League as the title surely slipped away. However, victory in Europe ensured qualification from the group in top spot and an easier tie in the Round of 16. We discuss where it has gone wrong and right for new manager David Moyes, and speculate on the path ahead for the Reds. Also on this week’s show: we take your questions in a busy week of United activity on and off the pitch, discuss Shinji Kagawa’s eating habits, Marouanne Fellaini’s texting habits, Rio Ferdinand’s Nativity role and Fergie versus Keane! Finally, we look ahead to two games this week with United facing Aston Villa in Birmingham at the weekend and then Stoke City in the Capital One Cup.

On this week’s show regulars Ed & Paul look back on a schizophrenic week for Manchester United. The Reds dropped points at Cardiff City at the weekend, with another lifeless Premier League performance. Yet, in Germany on Wednesday night, David Moyes’ team smashed Bayer Leverkusen in the best performance of the Scot’s Old Trafford tenure to date. Shinji Kagawa, Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs and Nani starred in the 5-0 rout. We praise Giggs, who turns an incredible 40 this week yet continues to perform at the very highest levels – what a remarkable career. We review “The Class of 92” – an excellent new cinematic documentary on the success and friendship of Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt, David Beckham, Giggs and the brothers Neville. In a special bonus there’s an interview with director Ben Turner! Finally, we take your questions and look forward to game against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane, and Everton back at Old Trafford.

On this week’s pod regular presenters Ed & Paul look back on international week, with a dramatic series of play-offs taking place worldwide to find the final qualifiers for next summer’s World Cup in Brazil. Sweden versus Portugal in the World Cup was a classic; England’s friendly against Germany at Wembley was not. Around a dozen Manchester United players made it to the finals. Also on this week’s pod: we look forward to the weekend’s game against Cardiff City in Wales and to the Champions League fixture with Bayer Leverkusen in Germany next week. Finally, we have a fantastic competition to give away three pairs of tickets to the Manchester Premier of “The class of 92”. To win simply answer this question. In the famous picture of the ‘Class of 92’ featuring the Neville brothers, Nicky Butt, Paul Scholes, Gary Neville and David Beckham with coach Eric Harrison, who is the player everyone forgets?  

On this week’s show Ed & Paul look back on Manchester United’s hard-fought victory over Arsenal at Old Trafford. David Moyes secured the biggest win of his short spell in Manchester, but did it come at the expense of good football? We look back on all the major talking points coming out of the game that reinvigorated United’s title campaign. Also on this week’s show: a special interview with Guardian journalist Daniel Harris, looking at his new book The Promised Land: Manchester United’s Historic Treble, which reviews the 1999 season. We take your questions, look ahead to international week, and refuse to open the transfer window can of worms. Sort of. Finally, we talk Michael Carrick and Rene Meulenstein. Injury and a new contract for the United midfielder; a new job for the Dutch coach.

On this week’s show Ed & Paul look back on matches against Real Sociedad and Fulham. “That paint’s not going to watch itself dry,” commented one Manchester United supporter as the Reds played out a bore-draw against Sociedad in Spain this week. The Champions League point came after David Moyes side secured victory over Fulham in west London. There were 22 minutes of good football in 180. Plus ça change. Also on this week’s show: we take your questions, discuss Ashley Young’s diving and preview Moyes biggest match of his United regime to date – Arsenal at Old Trafford in the Premier League.

As bonfire night approaches, in England at least, Manchester United’s season has finally sparked into life. There were fireworks at Old Trafford as David Moyes’ side came from behind to beat Stoke City in the Premier League and then thrashed Norwich City in the Capital One Cup. Has United finally found some much needed momentum this season? We discuss the performances of Adnan Januzaj: the Belgian-Kosovan teenager inspired United’s comeback win over Stoke and was the outstanding performer at ‘number 10’ against Norwich. Also on this week’s show:- we take your questions, discuss United’s defensive problems, and speculate about the upcoming transfer window. And finally, we look ahead to a busy week in which the Reds play Fulham at Craven Cottage and Real Sociedad at Anoeta.

On this week’s packed Rant Cast regular presenters Ed and Paul discuss Manchester United’s fixtures against Southampton and Real Sociedad at Old Trafford. In the Premier League a late Southampton goal snatched a point for the visitors, but what part did United manager David Moyes play with a late defensive substitution? Then, in the Champions League, United put in one of the more impressive performances of a disappointing season to date, beating the Basque club 1-0 with an exciting performance from Shinji Kagawa thrown in for good measure. We talk about Sir Alex Ferguson’s autobiography, with the former manager laying bare his relationship with Roy Keane, David Beckham and others. But did the Scot go too far in revealing the dressing room’s secrets, while omitting to discuss the most controversial aspect of his 25 year Old Trafford reign: the Glazer takeover. Finally, we take your questions and look ahead to matches against Stoke City in the Premier League and Norwich City in the Capital One Cup.  

[With apologies for the less than optimal recording quality on Ed’s side this week – Ed recorded from a very noisy New York City] Rant Cast returns after the international break, with regular presenters Ed and Paul discussing all the fall out from World Cup qualifiers around the world. There is likely to be a strong Manchester United contingent at the tournament in Brazil. We look back on United’s victory over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light – a fixture in which the Reds’ second half performance eclipsed the first, but Adnan Januzaj stole the show and headlines. The 18-year-old Belgian has become the subject of much speculation in the past fortnight, but when will the club actually tie him down to a new deal. And we look ahead to United’s fixtures in the coming week. David Moyes’ side takes on in-form Southampton at Old Trafford in the Premier League followed by Real Sociedad in the Champions League. How will the Scot’s side fare against two teams with contrasting performances in recent weeks? Finally, we take your questions.

On this week’s Rant Cast regular presenters Ed and Paul take in all the fallout from Manchester United’s home defeat to West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League. The 2-1 loss was United’s second league reverse in succession, but was also notable for David Moyes odd team selection and bizarre substitutions. In midweek United traveled to Ukraine to meet Shaktar Donetsk in the Champions League. David Moyes’ catennacio tactics secured the Reds a creditable 1-1 draw, but at what price? We give away two @RossoBianoNero hats and take in your questions. And finally, we look ahead to United’s Premier League trip to Sunderland at the weekend.