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Episode 178 - Burnley Preview (H)
18 Plays6 days ago
Kieran and Tom jump on today’s episode to preview the Burnley game upcoming at Old Trafford. Grimsby never happened, it’s okay.
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Transcript
Episode Introduction and Match Preview
00:00:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello everyone and welcome back to the Daily Manchester United. We've slept on it, we still feel about the same. My name's Kieran, on today's episode I'm joined by Tom and we're here to, you know, that didn't happen.
00:00:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
We're looking ahead now to the game against a Burnley and yeah, surely it's it can only get better from here, right? Right? Hmm, let's see. Tom, let's dive into it. I mean, a lot was said on yesterday's episode.
00:00:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't think a lot more could be said to to explain or even revisit what happened. I think we've just sort of laid laid that stone to rest.
00:00:56
Tom Cairns
Well, yes, I would say that United fans have stomachs more than enough after what happened last night. you know, Grimsby fans had a night to remember. I mean, there's even former colleagues of mine that went the game that had a night to remember as Grimsby supporters.
Manchester United's Progress Questioned
00:01:11
Tom Cairns
So, you know, we've just got to put it behind us now and just focus on the last game before the first international break of the season, and that is against Burnley Old Trafford. Doesn't fill me with a lot of hope, though.
00:01:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah seem to yeah I seem to remember this time last season where we were begging for the first international break. The more things change, the more they stay the same, it seems.
00:01:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
So how much progress have we actually made in a year? Because we started off last season with a win.
00:01:44
Tom Cairns
We still last season, we'll win, and then we lost the next two.
00:01:49
Tom Cairns
I'm trying to think what the fourth game was, if it comes back to me. But know we played, what was it, home, away, and then home again. So I thought it be an away game after that one.
00:02:02
Tom Cairns
I'll have to re-job my memory, Kieran, on that one.
00:02:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:02:05
Tom Cairns
But yeah, we don't tend to start well these in in
Concerns Over Burnley and Management
00:02:09
Tom Cairns
campaigns, do we? you But then we somehow find a way to somehow get over the line with last season obviously being an exception to it
00:02:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, huge exception.
00:02:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, Burnley actually have a win this season when we host them on Saturday. And they have an Anthony that scored last time out. They have an Anthony who can do the business, it seems.
00:02:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
So good for them. You know what? Good for them. No. No. Well, they've got their win. They've picked up a win. They're currently 11th in the table. Take what you will for that for two games gone because United are 16th.
00:02:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
But Tom, what needs to change? yeah i mean, you could sum up by saying a lot, but what specifically needs to change when we head to Old Trafford again, or at least back to Old Trafford?
00:02:57
Tom Cairns
Well, not underestimating the opposition, because Burnley, who don't tend to play the most attractive football by any means, but they've got a manager that one knows the league well. He's got them promoted from the championship like he did with Fulham and with Bournemouth.
00:03:13
Tom Cairns
So United
Threats from Burnley Players
00:03:15
Tom Cairns
better watch out. i mean, there's going to be players in that team like Kyle Walker who will be fancying his chances in um in that particular season. match too. um And just looking at the other players in that squad, I mean, obviously Martin Dubravka, who had a brief loan spell at United, he's in there.
00:03:29
Tom Cairns
You've got, I think, Hannibal Medjbri, who I think is also at Burnley, isn't he?
00:03:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes, he is, yeah.
00:03:35
Tom Cairns
i um Yeah, so he's going to be back at Old Trafford as well as Hannibal. If he does score, it'll probably be better celebration the one he did that consolation goal against Brighton a couple of years back.
00:03:49
Tom Cairns
Do you remember that one?
00:03:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Well, you say if, Tom. It's going to be when. It's going to be when. And you know it's going to be when.
00:03:57
Tom Cairns
Yeah, you're quite right.
00:03:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because they managed to slip in. They managed to slip in that little line of commentary, the second goal. Oh, it's a Manchester United Academy graduate. Of course it is. the The fact that that gets raised so many times is just, you know, how good's the academy? Well, supplying quite a bit of football with with players coming through.
00:04:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
But yeah, Hannibal coming through, Hannibal coming back to Old Trafford. I mean, in his time away from Old Trafford, he had a ah brief loan spell at Sevilla in early 2024. Now he's transferred to Burnley in all competitions. think it's all competitions. It's 41 appearances and one goal.
00:04:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Not... overly great for an attacking midfielder but if he's an attacking midfielder who's mainly focused on getting others to score then i mean yeah he's he's contributing I did think he was a ah good talent we'll probably miss him and we'll probably miss how he gets a hat trick now that I've said he's only got one goal in 41 at Burnley he'll now get a hat trick that's normally how this stuff works
00:05:00
Tom Cairns
And who knows?
Goalkeeper Criticism and Management Doubts
00:05:01
Tom Cairns
i mean, if Onana's in that again with his butter gloves, then I'd imagine that, yeah, that's when Burnley will pounce.
00:05:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:05:09
Tom Cairns
But I keep seeing clips on social media of the worst mistakes that Onana has made. If Burnley get a corner, that's usually a very, very good sight for them and a very bleak sight for Man Utd because we know we can't defend from set pieces.
00:05:24
Tom Cairns
It's abundantly clear. and Burnley will do what they can to make sure they get all the set pieces they want to make it as difficult as possible for Inanna or Bayon Deer, or even Tom Heaton, who, if he does get the chance to be in between the sticks, he'll be against his former side.
00:05:40
Tom Cairns
Surely he can't be much worse than Bayon Deer and Inanna.
00:05:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, I don't think so. Why not start Tom Heaton at this point? Both the keepers, Unana and Bindir, have not proved that they are capable of of being the United number one.
00:05:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
And Unana's first game back, I said before the Grimsby game, that this would be his last season, you know the the chances that he would have last season.
00:06:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
But if Amorim picks Unana again, you know There's only so many times you can lead the horse to water. How long will it be before the message s sinks in that something needs to change? And I think the message needs to be to Anana and Bayandir is, well, if you two aren't going to keep out the goals, if you two are too weak in the corners and really indecisive, then we're going to put Tom Heaton in. in And who doesn't love to see a youth graduate take a chance?
00:06:35
Tom Cairns
Well, how old is Tom Heaton now? He's run about...
00:06:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mid-30s?
00:06:39
Tom Cairns
Is he 38?
00:06:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
we could We could be.
00:06:41
Tom Cairns
No, late 30s. I even remember him hearing when he was in Manchester United's first team in a friendly against Europe 11 back in 2007. So...
00:06:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
a heck of a memory you've got, because I don't remember that day.
00:06:55
Tom Cairns
so
00:06:58
Tom Cairns
Now, I remember it live on the BBC at the time.
00:06:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
39.
00:07:01
Tom Cairns
ah He is 39. Yeah.
00:07:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
thirty nine
00:07:04
Tom Cairns
yeah
00:07:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'd stick him in goal. Why not? He's only two centimetres shorter than me. He'll do the job. He'll do the job. But in all seriousness, why why not?
00:07:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
At this point, what else have we got to lose?
00:07:22
Tom Cairns
Well, we haven't got a lot. I mean, i just want this new Belgian goalkeeper to get over the line by the time deadline day comes around. Because if we get to deadline day and we've not signed any more players, we're basically doomed for the next four months at least.
00:07:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, when you put it like that, it's not good, is it?
00:07:42
Tom Cairns
No. No. There just needs to be some morale being put back into that team, Kieran, and it's a matter of time before it comes, comes but it's got to come very, very soon for Amirim.
Amorim's Future in Question
00:07:53
Tom Cairns
I said in that WhatsApp group that if we get to the October international break, and we've not won a game by that point, does Amirim stay in the job?
00:08:07
Tom Cairns
i want him to I want him to stay in the job, and I think he should, but
00:08:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
There's been...
00:08:13
Tom Cairns
We're not the ones making the decision about his job situation. It's the Glazers at the end of the day.
00:08:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Very true. Very true. There have been some murmurs that no matter what happens in the game against Burnley, he walks away. Now, how... and that They're murmurs for that reason, just rumours. But if you look at Amarim's post-match press conference after the Grimsby game, the players have basically told what they want.
00:08:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
i mean, that's a damning indictment of of the current situation. What must have gone on in that dressing room is much more than pressing throw water bottle on your football manager, Dave. Something else must have happened in there for Amarim to say that I mean, it all fairness, you lose to a League Two side, three divisions between you.
00:08:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
There are going to be some choice words to be said. You can't really defend the team. But if the team can't take a bit of criticism, I don't know what to say.
00:09:08
Tom Cairns
If I understand correctly from Statsman Dave on Twitter, basically saying it's the first time Man United have been knocked out from side that are in the fourth tier of English football.
00:09:24
Tom Cairns
I think I stand correct with that one. that is um That is just unreal. But Gormats is saying about Amrim's comments in the press conference.
00:09:35
Tom Cairns
It's not quite Antonio Conte at Tottenham. And it's not quite in other press conferences with managers. I think Mourinho had a little bit of a not a tantrum, but he had a bit of a go at journalists sometimes when they can come out with all sorts of questions or particular facts about Man United or so they thought.
00:09:58
Tom Cairns
I think Mourinho just needs to just keep calm, be pragmatic and get on with the job because at the end of the day everyone's listening to you. you know Whether they're watching it on record or listening to you live, it's going out there all over the world.
Managerial Challenges at Big Clubs
00:10:17
Tom Cairns
And when when he when he turns round and say ah when he turns around says that players have told me what it is that they want, that confirms to me that he has not got control over his team.
00:10:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
And it's
00:10:34
Tom Cairns
It feels to me like he is if he hasn't already lost the dressing room... He's beginning to. And that's a very, very worrying sight for a big club. I mean, rival fans will look at it where, well, it's a familiar sight when you look at ah you know big clubs like Chelsea, the way Mourinho lost the dressing room, the way Conte had lost the dressing room when he was there.
00:10:57
Tom Cairns
Maurizio Sarri, when he lost the dressing room for a bit ah before he won the Europa League with them and left. Frenet Lampard as well, Thomas Tuchel.
00:11:08
Tom Cairns
All sorts of managers have lost the dressing rooms at big clubs before they eventually get shown the door. I really fear for Amber in right now. And I feel sorry for him in a way because he's walked into an abandoned ship that doesn't know what it is.
00:11:27
Tom Cairns
And I don't mean the Mariners. I mean our own ship.
Structural Issues at Manchester United
00:11:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:11:32
Tom Cairns
I'm going to keep bringing that up at from some time to time, aren't I?
00:11:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah You are. You are. You're going to live that pun. And rightfully so. Yeah. It's a bit like the ship on the the club badge. doesn't Doesn't mean anything, does it?
00:11:45
Tom Cairns
Well, it's it looks like a ship that's already hit the iceberg.
00:11:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
And maybe... Yeah.
00:11:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. yeah Oh, it's not great, is it? it's It's not great viewing. I mean, we've had all the results, really. i mean, two losses at a draw for the three first three games of the season.
00:12:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
And you the the the only one you could really say where maybe we deserved a bit more was the Arsenal game, which you look at the fixture list. How is that even possible?
00:12:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Of all the teams that I thought maybe we were going to struggle the most against, it would have been Arsenal. because of what they showed once they went 1-0 up. They were rigid. They're just so resilient. They're so difficult to break down.
00:12:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
And they're very organised in that defence. And their set pieces, well, they sure know how to attack them. They sure know how to defend them as well. Then again, Manchester United with set pieces is pretty much on the other side of the of the scale on that sense.
00:12:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
But... a full Of all the fixtures, this this should have been a win. We should have been putting that game to bed and saying, we're through to the third round, you know solid job, did what we needed to do, let's move on.
00:12:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
But no, we're we're going to be looking back at this and thinking, is this the turning point? Amrind, when he first came into the job, um in theory, this should have been Amrind's third game in charge. And what sort of impact would that have had that early on in his tenure?
00:13:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
But the point was, he he he had to take the job. It was now or never, the United board said. And I think now he'd go back in time and just choose never. He was undefeated. I think he won all 11 games to start the last season with Sporting, didn't he?
00:13:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
In the league, at least.
00:13:30
Tom Cairns
i'll have a look I'll have a look at that, Kieran. But yeah, he yeah he came with a brilliant CV from what he had over at Sporting Lisbon. But they should have allowed Eriksen Haag the rest of the season, even though when things aren't exactly going as well as they have needed to have done.
00:13:52
Tom Cairns
You know, you just finish it out and you line up your replacements. once you know that the season is effectively up for United, said even in the Europa League, go and get your replacement in.
00:14:03
Tom Cairns
Finish the season and do we need to. Or even, they should have just got an interim, like they were did when they got rid of Solskjaer and Ralph Runyuk came in. Can imagine if Runyuk came in last year, finished off the season in an interim role, and then Ruben Amarin arrived in?
00:14:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I think we burnt the bridges with Ralph there a couple of years ago. don't think he's coming back. don't think anyone's coming back in an interim role. Maybe Gus Hiddink. That went down well for Chelsea, didn't it?
00:14:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
and never got I never got that. he He did quite well for Chelsea, yet he was just... Hated? Oh, well. There'll be some reasons behind it. I can't remember. But anyway, Tom and I said we won't spend too long about that and we've currently spent most of the episode. But sorry about that. Look, let's move on.
00:14:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Let's move ahead and think about the game against Burnley. We'll be back with some, maybe some team predictions and the dreaded score predictions, as we'll call them, four games into the season. We'll be back after this.
00:16:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, let's jump straight into team predictions. We have no Senna Lamans just yet from Antwerp, so we can't lament about that. What we have is what we
Team Selection Preferences
00:16:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
have.
00:16:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
So let's start between the sticks. I think I've made my point pretty clear, Tom. Is there a method in the madness for goalkeeper choice?
00:16:28
Tom Cairns
Well, we know who should be him, but it's what Amarin will go for.
00:16:34
Tom Cairns
I'd want to see Tom Eaton in there, but think going end up going for Bindia, you know.
00:16:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Do you know what? I think he's going to go with Inanna. I think he's going to shoot himself in the foot. I'll be honest with you. um I agree. i would love to see Tom Heaton and I think Tom Heaton should start.
00:16:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Madness in this. But he should.
00:16:56
Tom Cairns
You laughed at me when I said Tom Heaton would be the man in between the sticks before the season started, didn't you?
00:16:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
But you're right.
00:17:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Did i laugh?
00:17:02
Tom Cairns
I think it was either you or Sam.
00:17:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Did I laugh?
00:17:03
Tom Cairns
think it was either you, Sam or Niall. It was one of you three when I came out and suggested that Tom Heaton would be in goal for Manchester United against Arsenal. And I got laughed at by whoever it was in the team.
00:17:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
and That sound like a me thing to do. Yeah, you're right. You're probably to have to go back and check. But anyways, if if if that was, I'm eating humble pie now, four games into the season. Yeah, get Tom Heaton in there. That's it. Job done.
00:17:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Let's see what he can do. um Okay, let's have a look at the back three then, the centre-backs. Who were you thinking we'll take to the start then?
00:17:39
Tom Cairns
I think he's going to put back in the three that were at the weekend. Yoro, Maguire and DeLitte.
00:17:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
the Okay. i I forgot that the cup match was midweek. I was about say, what? oh What's going on with it No, you're right.
00:17:53
Tom Cairns
Weekend, I said.
00:17:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:17:54
Tom Cairns
Yeah.
00:17:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I know. Yeah, yeah. That's fine. It didn't click for me for a second there. No, that's fair enough. think that's it. It's a good good combination. You know, Euro... I think a little bit of an off day at Fulham, but we know what he can do.
00:18:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's a very talented player and he's got a bundle of potential underneath him. So, yeah, it it makes sense. It just makes sense. We've probably pointed out as well that Martinez is still not back.
00:18:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, yeah Niles mentioned that he's the butcher of the side, but I do think we do play better with him in the team and we are missing that sort of integral part of the defence. I think we'll be a better team when he comes back. How much better? I'm not too sure, but he's out for now. De Ligt in there as well.
00:18:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I mean, he's been solid. He's been probably our best player of the season so far. And at the moment, he's the first first name on the team shoot for me, De Ligt.
Defensive Lineup Analysis
00:18:51
Tom Cairns
Cool. And I think Delitz has been fine so far. I mean, question marks over that goal at Fulham that Emil Smith-Rowe had put in. Delitz allowed that to happen.
00:19:04
Tom Cairns
and But it was Delo who we me and Niall felt was most responsible for for that. But yeah, I think Delitz has been one of our better players out of the lot so far, but we're only a few games in before you can really judge it all.
00:19:17
Tom Cairns
ah
00:19:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:19:17
Tom Cairns
Right, wing backs, who are going for?
00:19:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Ooh, see, I prefer, weirdly, I prefer Ahmad at the right wing back role. Now, will he play there? I'm not so sure because he didn't have a great game. You know, we've we've been talking over the past few episodes, past few months, how Ahmad is one of those players who, well, one of our best last season, got that injury over the winter and it sort of stunted any momentum we had in that winter period and made it a very dreary, festive period by all accounts.
00:19:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
And to put so much pressure on the youngster, I mean, youngster 22-23 now is Ahmad. He should be stepping up in those games and he was getting frustrated at Grimsby.
00:20:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
So ah does he sit out this one? Maybe. ah just don't think Dallow did a very good job at all. Neither one of those starters down the right-hand side really inspired any confidence.
00:20:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
And with no Masraoui, he's still pretty much a doubt for the side. I think he'll probably put Ahmad at right wing back. I see it happening because it would then allow us to attack Burnley from the off, at least hopefully from the off.
00:20:28
Tom Cairns
Yeah, I'll go with Ahmed, and don't think there's a debate who's going to be on the left wing back, is there?
00:20:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, I think Dorgi's been great. He has. he's He's, you know, hitting the crossbar against Arsenal. You know, I felt sorry for him there because that that deserved a goal from the strike alone.
00:20:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
But he's been great.
00:20:45
Tom Cairns
Yeah.
00:20:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's been a real threat down that left.
00:20:48
Tom Cairns
Just to correct myself from a little bit earlier, it was Shaw that started against Fulham, wasn't it? Who was it?
00:20:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes.
00:20:54
Tom Cairns
It was Maguire who came on. so it was Shaw.
00:20:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:20:57
Tom Cairns
i mean, to be fair, you could go for any of those four to put in the back three, couldn't you?
00:21:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Oh, yeah. So I think Luke Shaw will start on that left but out left-hand side. I think Amarim sees something in Luke Shaw as more of a ah centre-back who's able to drift a little bit wider rather than a left wing-back because we know, obviously, the injury troubles that Luke Shaw has had It makes sense to drop him into that wider centre-back role so that at least he has some freedom of movement there, but we're not relying on and on him outright to provide the width down the left-hand side. Dorg is doing a fantastic job of that already.
00:21:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
We'll move on to the holding midfield then. What's it going to look like? I have a feeling it's probably going to be Casemiro and Fernandes in that holding midfield.
00:21:44
Tom Cairns
Yeah, I would go with that.
00:21:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Is that something you'd agree Hmm.
00:21:46
Tom Cairns
Yeah, I would go with that. Ugarte's been abysmal this season so far. e He was just inept playing in the and in the middle of the park at Grinsby and he just got totally bullied out by the midfielders from the Grinsby side.
00:22:03
Tom Cairns
So I wouldn't want to start Ugarte at all. I think Casemiro and Fernandes are probably your best two. but so But again, I still don't see Casemiro finishing the game Itself, he'll probably get subbed off and Yagarte coming on or maybe Mason Mount could drop into a box-to-box midfield role.
00:22:22
Tom Cairns
Maybe as ah as an option.
00:22:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
did He put in a shift as a makeshift wing-back, didn't he? Got an assist.
00:22:31
Tom Cairns
Yeah, he did.
00:22:32
Tom Cairns
He didn't do what badly at all, did he
00:22:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
So,
00:22:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
no. I mean, the only thing he hasn't tried yet is goalkeeper, isn't it? And I still think he'd smash it. and Actually, centre-back. I don't think he'd do as well as centre-back. But as a utility player, he's playing up top. He's playing in the attacking midfield. He's played as a wing-back now.
00:22:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah you get You see more and more why Amarib is just such a fan of Mason Mount, and he's a hard worker right now.
Attacking Strategy Discussion
00:22:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
And you know all he's missing really is is a goal for himself, and he deserves it.
00:23:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
So that calls into question, he'll probably... Will he start? See, we get to the front three now, and I think...
00:23:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
See, what's happened in the first game against Arsenal worked quite well. You had Cunha, Umbermo, and you had Mason Mount. as sort of that It was kind of a rotating triangle.
00:23:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
No one was a sole striker. But I think what good that did when we were attacking and it was rotating and it was kind of slightly unpredictable, what it lacked was that all-important finisher. No one who's in the box there...
00:23:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
I call back to the Arsenal game because of Dorgou sending in a ball into the box and there's nobody there. I think that that triangle could work, but you can't rely on balls into the box because there's there's going to be nobody there to try and get the ball in the back of the net from that position.
00:23:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
So it's almost like creatively, yes, it's great, but then they've got no one to actually have that killer instinct in front of goal.
00:24:05
Tom Cairns
So who are we putting our ah as our attacking midfielders behind the number nine, who we know is going to be?
00:24:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think it is going to be Umbermo and Kunia. ah They've had strong starts.
00:24:17
Tom Cairns
Yeah.
00:24:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, Umbermo's been great. um I did worry when he had the high price tag, you know, the mid 60 millions. He's been good so far. What he needs is a Premier League goal.
00:24:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's got the goal against Grimsby, and that the shining light of that game. And I think Umbermo is one of those players I see. he He'll put the penalty miss behind him.
00:24:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think he's a bes a professional, so we'll see how he gets on. And what he needs to do is just hit that ground running against Birdley, get a goal early on, put Grimsby behind him and press on.
00:24:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think he can do it.
00:24:53
Tom Cairns
Yep, I'm going to go with Mboma and Cunha in the second mids. And the striker, think it's going to be Sesko, isn't it?
00:25:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, it might be Cesco, but it might also be Mount because he tried that against Arsenal when it had potential.
00:25:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
But would he go for it? See, what would I go for? I'd probably put Cesco up top. What would Hamerim go for? Sometimes it's a bit trickier to to decide what he's going to do.
00:25:24
Tom Cairns
I was wondering what's happening with Mainou because he's clearly not very happy at the club at the moment. But could this be the game where he makes the difference that could convince him to remain at Manchester United?
00:25:42
Tom Cairns
Does he feature in the game at all as a sub?
00:25:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think so. I think so. I hope so as well. Maybe maybe and that's why I'm so you know biased about getting him onto the bench. I think he could.
00:25:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
And if there is a time to crown yourself a hero, it needs to be soon. So we'll see. To answer the question, now I think Sesko will start up top.
00:26:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think Manu will be on the bench. And hopefully they can all make an impact and about the game then. A score prediction then, please, Mr Cairns.
Score Predictions for Burnley Match
00:26:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
What do you reckon?
00:26:19
Tom Cairns
i I think it'll be a 1-1. I
00:26:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, that's quite boring because I was thinking the same. might even Might even be a loss.
00:26:26
Tom Cairns
ah don't honestly feel that I can be that optimistic right now. Not on the back of what we've been through in the last week or so. This time last week, we were the most optimistic people out of all clubs in the league.
00:26:40
Tom Cairns
Now it feels like we're at rock bottom. I'm going to go for a 1-1 draw against Burnley.
00:26:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, that's fair. Yeah, you're right. You know, so full of optimism, but three or four days ago where I said, oh yeah, we'll have a 5-1 win at Grimsby. Yeah, yeah, that was very, that's aged like milk that has that prediction.
00:27:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm going to go with you. I think, I think 1-1, but I think it's going to be one of those horrible games to watch where it just, it just doesn't click. I don't know what, you know, maybe going into it with a pessimistic mindset and oh, woo three points. that What a surprise.
00:27:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I don't know. It's going to be... It's certainly being described by many as on this Saturday, the the upcoming game. Three o'clock. So you can't watch it.
00:27:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
but so as Or if you go to the stadium, you can, obviously. But you can't watch it, you know, by legal means, obviously. You can't watch on Sky Sports otherwise. So... I guess we'll just ah see what happens. But yeah, two one-all draws here.
00:27:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
We're going to also try a little bit of a segment here, recommended by our social media guys, where we pick out a couple of tweets. We're going to go with one tweet that pretty much is some summarized and, well, put together what has been a dreadful week, Tom.
00:27:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's, of course...
00:27:56
Tom Cairns
Well, I've got one now.
00:27:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, he's got old Tom's got one. all right, I'll leave you. Okay, go for it, Tom.
00:28:02
Tom Cairns
I'll start off. This is from at Corey SA. i don't know if i can show you um the footage of it for copyright reasons, but it's basically where Ruben Amarin is brushing the the United Strands' hair.
Social Media Reactions and Humor
00:28:16
Tom Cairns
know, the one that is on the bench.
00:28:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh yeah.
00:28:18
Tom Cairns
You know, when he's doing that billboard thing.
00:28:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:28:21
Tom Cairns
Oh, yeah, he's got seek god a hairbrush in his hand. He's brushing the United States' hair.
00:28:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, that there that's that' that has been a goldmine of Copium, hasn't it? you know I've seen him play Subutio, as we said. Battleship's your one.
00:28:40
Tom Cairns
Yeah.
00:28:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I've also seen, I think I've seen Operation.
00:28:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
I've seen Snakes and Ladders. I've seen all sorts. He's been playing on the other the sidelines there. That's been the gift that keeps on giving that one.
00:28:46
Tom Cairns
Yeah.
00:28:48
Tom Cairns
Did you mention Guessay one there?
00:28:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
My one's a little...
00:28:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think it might have been, actually.
00:28:51
Tom Cairns
I think it was Guess Who.
00:28:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah, you're right. I did think, yeah, guess who was on there for sure. My tweet, though, is by a Leverkusen's one. I suspect Ten Hag's probably been at this tweet as well, which obviously they had their Champions League draw, to which they tweeted, just hoping we don't get Grimsby.
00:29:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Let me tell you, by a Leverkusen, it's a tough fixture if you're away at Grimsby. Learn from us.
00:29:16
Tom Cairns
Maybe when you go for a pre-season friendly, you'll realise how tough that they actually are. imagine Bayer Leverkusen going to Blundell Park? To be fair, I have seen stranger things happen. Like, when Cristiano Ronaldo made his Real Madrid debut in 2009, they played Shamrock Rovers in a pre-season friendly.
00:29:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's right. Yes, it is. That's right. Yeah, that was a bizarre one.
00:29:39
Tom Cairns
And he didn't even play very well in that either.
00:29:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
I tell you what,
00:29:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
because he had the number nine on, that's why.
00:29:45
Tom Cairns
Yeah, Maybe.
00:29:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
One season at number nine, he thought, i get the seven on me. Get the seven on me. Well, Leverkusen, put your money where your mouth is. Grimsby away, pre-season friendly. Show us how it's done.
00:29:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
we We're calling to challenge teams now for pre-season friendlies. yeah How far are we forming?
00:30:02
Tom Cairns
Well, that's that's an interesting point. Considering that Erickson Haag is Bayer Leverkusen's manager, do you think if he was in the dugout instead of Ruben Amrum, do you think he would have got the job done?
00:30:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
See, this is interesting because I just, i
00:30:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
With the system he's playing, because he more plays that 4-2-3-1. Well, he did it in Manchester United anyway. But it was clear that, as you mentioned before on previous episodes, Tom, that he had favoured players and Anthony was one of them. And he put so much faith into Anthony. And half of that, I think, is to do with the price tag because you can't have 80-odd million player on the bench, essentially.
00:30:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think it you know it was slightly forced at hand that he kind of had to play him and hope that something would happen. But I just think it ah no is my answer.
00:30:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't think he could have got the job done with the players that he has.
00:30:57
Tom Cairns
Thank you.
00:30:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because what we are learning and what we should have learned over the years is it's looking more and more likely that it's not the manager.
00:31:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's more the players and it's more the club structure. No matter who we've brought in. The best of the best. Mourinho was able to give us Europa League title. Louis van Gaal got us an FA Cup. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has given us some great memories along the line. Second in the league as well, which you know was a bit of a kick in the teeth at the time. But now you look back at that and think, wow, he did a great job there. you know There have been warning signs that perhaps you know going through managers...
00:31:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
like they're you know you've milk left out on the side in the in the baking sun is probably not a good idea but here we are hmm
00:31:52
Tom Cairns
Here we are indeed. And I wonder how they will be feeling, understanding how tough of a job it was to manage Manchester United. And fans had always slated the manager.
00:32:06
Tom Cairns
Now they're looking themselves thinking, I did such a tremendous job. Do you remember, i think it was the 2017-18 season when Jose Mourinho was the manager? finished second in the league with 81 points with the squad that was there.
00:32:20
Tom Cairns
And he classed that as his best achievement in football management.
00:32:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
He did. He did. Respect. Respect. Well, anyway, on a side note, Bayer Leverkusen lost their home, first home game of the season, their opening game of the season to Hoffenheim, which was a tough fixture anyway.
00:32:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
But hey, ah see what let's see what Ten Hagel can do. No, honestly, ah do wish Ten Hagel the best. ah And let's see what he can do do at Leverkusen this season. They've... they've Obviously won the league so that if they they don't they know what they're doing as a club.
00:32:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
They know what they're doing. Will we know what we're doing? Well, we'll have to find out.
Episode Conclusion and Listener Engagement
00:33:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Make sure though, if you've enjoyed today's episode, you do give us that little bit of a follow on Spotify and Apple so you don't get you don't miss another episode. And why would you want to miss an episode in these trying times? hey You'll get the push notification straight to your phone or to your device.
00:33:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
that you know you can start listening in as and when. If you fancy watching us as well as listening to us, you can find us on YouTube as well. It's at GSPN Daily Man United Podcast. It's such a long name, so you have to remember it.
00:33:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
If you want to find us on all the social medias and start an argument with us, promise you we'll we'll do our best to come back to you. It's at GSPN Man United. We're on X and Twitter. We're on Instagram. We're on TikTok and we're on Facebook. So go and start a conversation with us. Love to hear from you going into this weekend.
00:33:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
And obviously... It's coming up then. The home game against Burnley. We've got the two pessimists here who predict a 1-1 draw. But to be honest, can you blame us? How wrong will we be?
00:33:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
And will Seshko finally get a goal, having gone 10th in the penalty spot? Only time will tell. We'll find out on Saturday. In the meantime, try and enjoy your weekend. And we'll chat to you after the game on Saturday.
00:34:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Till then, take care of yourselves. We'll talk to you soon.