Talk of the Devils: The Athletic FC's Manchester United show

The Premier League returns after the extended international break and it's a chance for Michael Carrick to reset and get the campaign off on a better footing. If league form is anything to go by, Tottenham Hotspur SHOULD be a useful opposition in that regard, but before last season this fixture hadn't been kind.
There are several questions over fitness and availability going into Saturday's game. Will Carlos Baleba make his much awaited debut, what should we make of the various withdrawals from international commitments, and what can we expect from some of United's longer term absentees?
And, there have been several news stories away from the pitch as well, big, small, and huge. We update on those, of course, but the main thing is to see an uptick in league form; hopefully a massive international break is as good as a change for Carrick and co.
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It's the final countdown... the top five greatest Manchester United players of all time (according to Andy Mitten). If our previous episode was contentious, the decisions here are more straightforward, albeit the choice between two great midfielders is the one that wracked Andy's conscience more than any...
That aside the theme of influence, whether it be through leadership, longevity, strength in adversity, or even just powerful charisma, runs through this discussion. As with many of the top 25, there are controversial elements, too.
Whatever you think about the final list, there can be little argument about the vast contribution these five men have made to Manchester United. Knowing about Prefab Sprout, not compulsory.

Read more about Andy's choices:

Bobby Charlton
Ryan Giggs
George Best
Bryan Robson
Roy Keane
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After a brief aside (!) we return to our discussion of Manchester United's greatest ever players, as adjudicated by Andy Mitten. If you thought the countdown from 25-11 was tough enough, we're into the top ten and it is not getting any easier.
This episode will see us count from 10 to 6 and, on footballing talent alone, it wouldn't be far off a top five. Fascinating characters who created some incredible moments, both on and off the pitch, and a mix of local talent with charismatic imports... causing arguments; it's what Manchester United is all about.
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It's taken eight years to arrive, but the verdict of the Premier League's independent commission has sent shockwaves through football, finding Manchester City guilty on almost all charges of financial misstatements and failure to cooperate with their investigation.
The Athletic's David Ornstein broke the story late last week, with statements following from the Premier League and its Chairman Richard Masters. City also made a statement denying their culpability and making clear their intention to appeal.
There are now so many questions; what will happen next? What is an appropriate punishment? Might the history books have to be rewritten? (of course, some things simply can't be retrospectively altered) Importantly for us, what will Manchester United's reaction be, and how will it affect football in its aftermath?
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Who are the greatest players in the history of Manchester United Football Club? And where would you even start if someone asked you to try and figure it out!?
Well, that's what happened to Andy Mitten when he decided not to go to the World Cup last summer. Luckily for us, he made a mighty fist of this titanic task with a series of articles for The Athletic.
In this first episode of a three-part special podcast series we'll talk about Andy's process, discuss the reaction (both from those chosen and those who missed out), and we'll begin the countdown with numbers 25 to 11.
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