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Why was the manner of Michael Carrick’s sacking severely lacking in class? How difficult will it be for Mauricio Pochettino to come in and turn things around at Manchester United, when the club is ultimately “a bit rotten”? Is Pochettino the right fit for the squad they currently have? Gary, Alan and Micah are joined by Rob Jones to react to the news of Michael Carrick losing his job after Man United’s worst start to a season for 40 years and England setting up a winner takes all clash against Spain this weekend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Where does Cristiano rank among the greatest footballers of all time? What was his biggest, single strength as a player? Has he tarnished his legacy in any way with how drawn out and messy his international retirement has been? Gary and Micah reflect on a stunning international career for Cristiano Ronaldo. Micah reveals what it was actually like to play against him, and why he’d often beaten you before you even stepped on the pitch. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Arsenal move five points clear at the top of the Premier League as Manchester City suffer their third consecutive defeat. With City struggling and the shadow of the 115 charges still looming over them, is there anyone capable of stopping the Gunners from lifting the trophy at the end of the season? Could Brighton be Arsenal’s closest challengers? The Seagulls comfortably brushed Brentford aside at the Amex, recording yet another clean sheet. Can they maintain this form and genuinely mount a title challenge? Gary, Alan and Micah also discuss the bonkers action at Old Trafford, where Manchester United produced their second remarkable comeback of the week to snatch a point against Aston Villa. United still find themselves in the relegation places, but could this be a turning point in the season for Michael Carrick? 10 for £100. Stay 10 nights, get £100 back in Hotels.com Cash. UK Customers Only Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Manchester United produce a miraculous second-half comeback, scoring three goals to beat Roma at Old Trafford. Have Michael Carrick’s players finally stepped up when it matters most to save his job?  Meanwhile, the emergence of Rio Ngumoha and Trey Nyoni has given Iraola a selection headache when it comes to picking his strongest starting XI. With Florian Wirtz and several other Liverpool stars arriving for huge transfer fees, can he really afford to leave his big-money signings out? Plus, Gary, Alan and Micah are full of praise for the brilliant Jude Bellingham, whose outstanding performances on the pitch have helped transform him into a global superstar. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this special episode, we recently asked for your questions on Reddit and had Alan answer some of the best ones. Alan spoke about covering fitness in retirement, the Kane goal record, penalty mind games, Newcastle/Sunderland, Palace rumours, management, PGMOL, and the all-important wig and chicken nuggets questions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Arsenal deliver a defensive masterclass to beat Liverpool at Anfield for the first time in 14 years, in yet another 1-0 victory. Where does this Arsenal defence rank among the greats of the Premier League era? After a promising first half, it all goes wrong again for Michael Carrick and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge. United fans are calling for Lisandro Martinez never to play for the club again after his red card. Do they have a point, or is it a massive overreaction? Gary, Alan and Micah also predict a Champions League spot for Brighton, but could they go one better and challenge for the title? 10 for £100. Stay 10 nights, get £100 back in Hotels.com Cash. UK Customers Only. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do Arsenal need to bring in reinforcements up top in January? With both firing, should Man City start Foden or Cherki in the No 10 role? Is Rio Ngumoha now a must in Liverpool’s starting XI? Gary, Alan and Micah also discuss whether Max Dowman has been harshly treated after his red card and celebrate the brilliant Harry Kane after he won the Ballon d'Or. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Harry Kane becomes the fifth Englishman to win the Ballon d’Or and the first since Michael Owen in 2001. After scoring 73 goals for Bayern Munich and winning the domestic double, Kane beat Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal to claim the prestigious award. But can he go back-to-back? Will Mbappé ever get his hands on the trophy, and how many Ballon d’Ors could Yamal win over the course of his career? Gary and Julien Laurens also look back at El Clásico, where Real Madrid overcame Barcelona at the Camp Nou. Plus, Julien reveals how the rest of Europe views the situation at Manchester United and discusses who could be the club’s next manager. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Manchester United plunge deeper into crisis as Bournemouth humiliate them 3-0 at Old Trafford. Gary, Micah and Alan dissect a miserable afternoon for Michael Carrick's side, who now sit 16th in the table and are winless in eight. They debate whether United are in a genuine relegation battle, why Bruno Fernandes was left on the bench, and whether Carrick is running out of time to save his job. Gary, Alan and Micah turn their attention to Aston Villa, where Nicolas Jackson’s double ended Manchester City’s 100% start to the season. Are cracks finally starting to show in City’s defence? And at Stamford Bridge, Spurs pull off a rare win against 10-man Chelsea, as a debutant keeper’s howler and a Cole Palmer red card give Xabi Alonso a night to forget. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s been a disastrous week for Manchester United as they suffer a heavy defeat to Cesc Fàbregas’s impressive Como side. To add fuel to the fire, Bruno Fernandes appears to have fallen out with Michael Carrick following his explosive post-match comments. Can it get any worse for United? Harry Kane delivered another stellar performance as Bayern Munich drew with Arsenal. He impressed with his passing range and creativity, as well as converting a well-taken penalty. Is the Ballon d’Or heading back to Munich with him? Gary, Alan & Micah also pick their Champions League winners. Are PSG the frontrunners once again after another brilliant victory over Barcelona, who many consider to be among the favourites? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Independent Football Regulator has released its State of the Game report and the findings are eye-opening as the perilous financial situation much of the pyramid faces is laid bare. Gary Lineker and Alastair Campbell speak to the chair of the IFR David Kogan and find out what powers he has to improve the landscape in English football. We also look at what it would take for him to intervene and force an owner to sell a club, and how he could possibly get involved in the Manchester City case once the appeal is heard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Brighton are brilliant again, but are the Seagulls genuine title-race outsiders or is a Champions League push the more realistic target? Arsenal struggle to break through in the first half yet again before another substitute rides to the rescue. Is the bench becoming their most important weapon, or a warning sign? Gary, Micah and Alan also turn their attention to Manchester City’s new-look midfield and their continued unbeaten run despite a cloud looming over them. Liverpool get back to winning ways despite still looking like they can be got at. And with Newcastle’s defensive struggles showing no sign of easing, how deep do their problems run? 10 for £100. Stay 10 nights, get £100 back in Hotels.com Cash. UK Customers Only. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Luis Enrique and PSG keep up their impressive record against English clubs as they beat Manchester City in one of the games of the season so far, are they favourites to get that third consecutive Champions League title? Michael Carrick comes under increasing pressure as his side fall to an in-form Atlético Madrid. There were signs of improvement, but with a trip to bitter rivals Leeds coming up this weekend, is it already a must-win game for Carrick? Plus, Gary, Alan and Micah wax lyrical about Lamine Yamal. Could his sensational start to the season put him on course to win the Ballon d’Or? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Following the worst start to a Premier League season in their history, is Michael Carrick the right man to turn Manchester United around? Do United still belong among football’s elite, or has the club lost its status as one of the game’s true giants? And are the Glazers solely to blame for the decline of one of British sport’s greatest dynasties? Gary is joined by Laurie Whitwell, The Athletic’s Manchester United correspondent and co-host of the Talk of the Devils podcast, to dissect the problems plaguing Old Trafford. From ownership, management and recruitment they explore why Manchester United have struggled to recapture their former glory since Ferguson’s departure, and what it will take to restore the club to the top of English and European football. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Manchester City thump Liverpool at Anfield after a controversial red card to maintain their perfect start to the Premier League season. But with the 115 charges hanging over the club and the case still unresolved, is City's dominance becoming a bad look for the Premier League? What does it mean for the competition when City sit top of the pile while the legal battle continues? Gary, Micah and Alan also turn their attention to two clubs in crisis, Manchester United and Spurs. With results and performances falling short, how much longer can Michael Carrick and Roberto De Zerbi afford to struggle before the pressure really starts to mount? 10 for £100. Stay 10 nights, get £100 back in Hotels.com Cash. UK Customers Only. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices