Talk of the Devils: The Athletic FC's Manchester United show Can Man United bounce back at Palace?
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Nov 27, 2025 Join football experts Carl Anka, Andy Mitten, and Mark Critchley as they dissect Manchester United's recent downturn after a shocking loss to Everton. The trio debates the fairness of criticism directed at manager Ruben Amorim, while laying out the team's current standing and realistic expectations for the season. They play a humorous 'would you rather' game before gearing up for the challenge against a reinvigorated Crystal Palace. In a tactical breakdown, they also consider lineup options and the impact of midweek fatigue on performances.
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One Result Can Reset Expectations
- The Everton defeat exposed a lack of ideas and tactical flexibility from Manchester United under Rúben Amorim.
- That single result dampened optimism built from recent positive results and reset realistic expectations for the season.
Record Suggests Mid-Table Ceiling
- Over a year Amorim's Premier League record suggests a mid-table ceiling rather than clear progress to elite status.
- The panel sees European qualification as the tangible pass/fail metric for this season's project.
Set A Clear Season Benchmark
- Give the manager time but set minimum season expectations like European qualification.
- If United finish outside Europe then the project should be judged a failure and trigger change.