Rant Cast

The fun, such as it was, couldn’t last. Manchester United’s run of four wins in five Premier League games was always a mirage, containing as it did a series of narrow victories and largely unimpressive performances. It came home to roost as Louis van Gaal’s side was thrashed at Tottenham Hotspur. The Dutchman claimed, ridiculously, that his side was “an equal” of Spurs – an equal in all but good football and scoring goals. Ed & Paul look back on United’s humiliation in north London, which started when the team bus turned up two hours late. It is a result that places Champions League qualification in serious doubt and Louis van Gaal’s job under the microscope. There is a look ahead to United’s FA Cup quarter-final replay with West Ham United at Upton Park on Wednesday night, and the Reds home fixture with the hapless Aston Villa. Surely even Van Gaal cannot muck this one up?

Is this a run of form we see before us? Four wins in the past five Premier League games keeps Louis van Gaal’s Manchester United in touch with Champions League qualification – and the Dutchman, potentially, in a job. After victory over Everton at Old Trafford, can United now make the top four? Ed & Paul review United’s victory over the Toffees, in another underwhelming display, but one that brought three valuable points. There’s your questions, a discussion about Van Gaal’s future, and a look ahead to United’s fixture with Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend.

Victory! Over Manchester City! At the Etihad! Who’d have thunk it? Expectations coming into the 171st derby were low, perhaps as low as they have been at any time in the past 40 years, but in winning 1-0 at City’s home United surpassed those expectations and some. It begs the question – exactly where did that performance come from, and why can’t Louis van Gaal’s team find a greater level of consistency? Ed & Paul analyse United’s victory over City and look back on a more disappointing outcome – aggregate defeat to Liverpool in the Europa League. There’s a discussion about Jose Mourinho, who may or may not have signed a contract with United this week, your questions and a look ahead to the International break.

Just where does Manchester United’s defeat at Liverpool in the Europa League ranks in terms of ‘really bad days at the office’? Right up there, say Ed & Paul. True, there have been worse performances under Louis van Gaal, including this season, but have there been any more damning of the manager, more embarrassing to the team, or more acutely speaking to the need to change course? Very, very few. And if Van Gaal is under more pressure because of defeat on Merseyside, then it is hardly eased by United’s limp draw with West Ham at Old Trafford in the FA Cup. Finally, there are previews of United’s return fixture with Liverpool in Europe and the trip to Manchester City in the Premier League, together with all your questions answered (well some, anyway).  

Miserable and predictable, Manchester United’s away form meant it was little surprise that a jammy win over Watford was followed by a disheartening defeat at the Hawthorns. Ed & Paul discuss both games, though they failed to mention that the Hawthorns is the stadium highest above sea level in the country. Louis van Gaal gets hammered, as—for some reason—does Wayne Rooney. Juan Mata’s ridiculousness is cursed, but hypocritically, ridiculousness is thoroughly embraced when Ed & Paul answer your questions. There are previews of the Liverpool and West Ham games to come, though they mostly involve the sound of nails being frantically bitten as the season threatens to come totally off the rails.

Horny you say? Check out Manchester United’s new-found sexy football for guaranteed satisfaction. Three victories, 11 goals scored, progress in two cup competitions, and three vital Premier League points earned: it has been a very good week for Louis van Gaal. The Reds’ 3-2 win over Arsenal at Old Trafford heralded the rise of Marcus Rashford. Is he United’s new star striker in the making? It is now four goals in two games for the Manchester-born teenager. Add wins over Shrewsbury Town and Midtjylland to that against Arsenal and there is much to be positive about this week. The big question: will it last when injuries abate and Van Gaal can turn to some familiar faces? Ed & Paul answer your questions and look forward to games against Watford and West Bromwich Albion in the coming week.

Another week, another disappointing result after United lost to a low quality Sunderland outfit at the Stadium of Light. Low quality you say? A phrase that aptly describes the team that Louis van Gaal has built. With the Champions League now seemingly out of reach Ed & Paul ask – why has the Dutchman still got a job and just how toxic is his legacy at the club? In addition to looking back on United’s trip to Sunderland there’s a look forward to United’s match with number-crunchers Midtjylland in Denmark. And while we’re talking numbers there’s a quick discussion about United’s Q3 results and a look forward to the Reds’ defeat at Shrewsbury in the FA Cup.  

They say he is a legend. No, not Wayne Rooney’s acting, nor the booze the Manchester United striker was shilling, but manager-in-waiting-if-we-believe-the-tabloids José Mourinho. The former Chelsea manager’s representatives have reportedly held talks with United in recent weeks. On the pitch incumbent manager Louis van Gaal steered his side to a draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, but could the Reds have taken more from the game. Ed & Paul take your questions, discuss the transfer window, and ponder Gary Neville’s faltering time as manager of Valencia. Also on the pod this week Ed & Paul discuss United’s 3-3 draw with Newcastle at St. James’ Park – a match that already feels like an aberration of entertainment in an otherwise unbroken commitment by Louis van Gaal to dullness. And you questions. Lots of ’em!

Victory! Over Liverpool! At Anfield! Look past the mind-numingly dull football, searingly negative approach, and predictably conservative tactics for a moment and remember that United emerged victorious, over Liverpool, at Anfield! Also on the pod this week Ed & Paul discuss United’s 3-3 draw with Newcastle at St. James’ Park – a match that already feels like an aberration of entertainment in an otherwise unbroken commitment by Louis van Gaal to dullness. And you questions. Lots of ’em!  

Ed and Paul cover one of the most boring games to have been played during the show’s run, United’s 1-0 win over Sheffield United in the FA Cup third round. There are questions from the listeners, and one from Louis van Gaal, whose future is discussed at some length. Your intrepid hosts update last week’s preview of the forthcoming trip to St James’ Park, and stare confidently into the future with talk of a triumphant forthcoming win at Anfield.

New Year, new Manchester United. Well, not quite, but Louis van Gaal’s team did at least secure victory for the first time since November as the Reds beat Swansea City at Old Trafford. The win keeps United in the hunt for a Champions League place after a disastrous December. Also on this week’s pod Ed & Paul look back on the Christmas programme, with United losing – in humiliating fashion – at Stoke City on Boxing Day, and then securing a spirited draw with Chelsea at Old Trafford. There’s a brief discussion about transfers as the January window opens, and a look forward to United’s upcoming matches against Sheffield United in the FA Cup and Newcastle United in the Premier League.

After a two-week break, the show this week catches up on Manchester United’s three defeats over the past fortnight. Those losses – to Wolfsburg, Bournemouth and Norwich City – leave Louis van Gaal close to dismissal, with supporters, players and perhaps the board having finally turned. Ed & Paul discuss a calamitous period for United and Van Gaal, with José Mourinho’s sacking at Chelsea opening the door to the Portuguese manager at Old Trafford. On the last episode of the year the pod also covers United’s busy Christmas period, which includes a trip to Stoke City, a home game against Chelsea, and a match with Swansea City at Old Trafford. Could Mourinho’s first game in charge of United really be against his former club?Thanks for listening this year. Your support and comments are always welcome. Happy winter festival of your choosing and here’s to a successful 2016!  

In this week’s show Ed & Paul look back on United’s draw with West Ham United at Old Trafford, asking why the team failed to score despite recording 21 shots on goal. While United’s draw with the east London side offered more positive signs than the previous week’s stalemate against Leicester City, the pod asks whether Louis van Gaal is truly making progress at Old Trafford? Also on the show – a look forward to United’s Champions League exit against Wolfsburg in Germany and the (more than likely) bore draw with Bournemouth on the south coast.  

It couldn’t last – the entertainment that is. And so it passed, with Manchester United completing two bore-draws inside a week. Plus ça change. First, against PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League, with the Reds’ scoreless draw leaving United’s ongoing participation in the competition hanging in the balance. Then, at the weekend, where Louis van Gaal’s team drew at Leiester City in another thoroughly uninspiring performance. Indeed, so boring has the Dutchman’s team become that regular presenters Ed & Paul are bored talking about the boredom. It’s that boring. But for the good of the show and listeners they plough on, reviewing two uneventful games, discussing Van Gaal’s future, and pondering a potential summer move for Pep Guardiola. Also on the show this week: your questions answered and a look ahead to United’s weekend draw against West Ham United at Old Trafford.

Victory for Manchester United at Watford; one that momentarily took Louis van Gaal’s side top of the Premier League table once again. More than a 2-1 win at the newly promoted side, Van Gaal’s men actually looked vibrant in attack once again. It has been a long time coming. It was a side shorn of the sick Wayne Rooney and the injured Anthony Martial – and yet, with a new-look front three of Jesse Lingard, Juan Mata and Memphis Depay, it was a performance of far more vigour than in recent weeks. The interchangeable front-three, together with a solid midfield base offered a hint of what is possible in a balanced side – one without an ailing club captain. Also on this week’s show: Ed & Paul preview next weekend’s top-of-the-table clash against Leicester City, and first a midweek Champions League fixture with PSV Eindhoven at Old Trafford.