The Athletic FC Podcast: How far can Haaland’s goals take Man City?
Episode Date: September 15, 2025
Host: Ayo Akemolere
Guests: David Ornstein, Adam Crafton, (brief appearance by Tim Spears)
Episode Overview
This episode explores Manchester City’s prospects after a convincing derby win over Manchester United, centering on Erling Haaland’s extraordinary impact, City’s evolving approach under Pep Guardiola, the state of Manchester United under Ruben Amorim, and the club’s remade squad — with emphasis also given to the Premier League’s “arms race.” The panel evaluates whether Haaland alone can keep City at the summit and unpacks tactical, squad-building, and psychological storylines around both Manchester giants, while briefly touching on goalkeepers, transfers, and scenes from around the league.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Emotional Derby Day & Ricky Hatton’s Passing [(03:30)]
- David Ornstein describes the somber mood at the Etihad following beloved City fan and boxer Ricky Hatton’s death.
- Quote: “There was a real somber atmosphere... It was raining too, which felt quite apt... shock and disbelief... such a sharp and poignant feeling given it was somebody so close to City, so ingrained in the region, the area, the club itself.” (03:30)
- Ornstein reflects on Hatton’s legacy and the moving applause, including from United fans:
- Quote: “A true Mancunian... that transcends.” (04:38)
- Sets the emotional stage for City’s emphatic win.
2. Manchester City: Where Does the Derby Win Leave Them? [(05:38)]
- City’s season started unevenly, but the derby (and recent recruitment) hints at renewed focus.
- Quote (Ornstein): “City are a far superior side of far greater pedigree in recent history. It’s been a disappointing year... clunky, complicated. They’ve tried to usher in a new era... the churn... is pretty extraordinary.” (05:57)
- City's recurring ability to “click” when needed, though the win’s long-term significance is still unclear.
3. City's Strengths & Weaknesses — and the Haaland Factor [(07:45), (18:29)]
- Adam Crafton less convinced by City’s control of games compared to past iterations:
- Quote: “I don’t see City as having the same level of control... They don’t really pin teams in... But that might not matter so much if you’ve got Haaland running in behind from the halfway line.” (08:02)
- Haaland’s “X-factor” — City can win despite not dominating as comprehensively, shifting their playing style.
4. Manchester United: Tactical Headaches & Lack of Progress [(09:23)]
- Crafton dissects United's recurring struggles:
- Out-of-position players (especially Bruno Fernandes), system failures, and square pegs in round holes.
- Quote: “It’s really hard to be a centre forward in this system... So much of it relies on good deliveries from wide, but they don’t produce any...” (09:42)
- Amarim’s subs often make United worse.
- United lack “momentum,” and a challenging fixture list looms.
- Memorable moment: “Groundhog Day comes to mind.” (11:40)
5. United’s Psychological Fragility & Recruitment Missteps [(11:55)]
- Ornstein highlights injuries (Kunya), poor recruitment (missed central midfield), and the pressure-cooker environment.
- The squad lacks resilience when conceding or going ahead.
- Quote: “They don’t seem to either have the weapons or the ideas or the game model or the structure or the character to respond...” (12:54)
- Young signings (e.g., Benjamin Sesko) are struggling to adapt; United fans expect more spark and tenacity.
6. Spotlight on Erling Haaland: The Premier League's Most Valuable Weapon [(18:29), (19:01)]
- Discussion pivots to Haaland’s extraordinary scoring exploits:
- 90 goals in 101 Premier League games
- Five goals in four games to start the season
- Ornstein: “He’s a phenomenon... They want him for as long as possible... When he’s fit, basically, he is going to be more than a handful for any opposition.” (19:01)
- City still developing connections post-De Bruyne — new playmakers must step up.
- Adam Crafton: “He doesn’t really get that many injuries... A bad season for Erling Haaland is a season that gets another forward a 100 million pound move... He’s by far the best centre forward in the world.” (20:55)
- Praises Foden and Doku for their performances; notes England and Belgium should be excited.
- Haaland’s “brutality and subtlety,” both on display in his Derby Day double [(21:40)].
7. Pep Guardiola at a Crossroads [(23:37), (25:59), (26:18)]
- City’s circumstances have changed: their rivals now match them for spending and ambition.
- Ornstein: “You’ve got a sort of arms race in the transfer market... they’re not having it all their own way.” (23:57)
- Cites missed targets (e.g., Florian Wirtz).
- New sporting director, Hugo Viana, faces pressure to build a third-generation squad worthy of Pep.
- Guardiola’s tenure:
- Crafton: “I’d be really surprised if he’s here more than 18 months from now... maybe this is just a two or three year thing.” (26:18)
- City vulnerable if denied control; upcoming fixtures (esp. Arsenal) are crucial.
- “Not much margin for error left.” (28:10)
8. Keeper Conundrum: Donnarumma’s Arrival & Traffford’s Future [(31:24)]
- Donnarumma impresses on debut with standout saves.
- Ornstein: “My goodness, you only needed to be at that Champions League semi final... He pretty much single handedly stopped Arsenal reaching the Champions League final... The opportunity to get somebody like that, I mean, that’s what clearly changed this situation.” (31:50)
- Cutthroat for James Trafford, who was told he’d be No. 1, now learning behind Donnarumma.
- Donnarumma’s mentality and presence lauded; “Old school goalkeepers are coming back into football.” (34:46)
Ex-Manchester Keepers’ New Lives [(35:07)]
- Tim Spears reports from Turkey:
- Ederson wins with Fenerbahce, little action needed.
- Onana (ex-United) shines for Trabzonspor despite defeat; “rest of the match was essentially Fenerbahce vs Onana.” (35:28)
- Adam Crafton notes United “exes” thriving elsewhere, while their replacements don’t inspire confidence.
- Donnarumma vs. Trafford dynamic underlines City’s new ruthlessness.
9. Q&A Briefs & Squad Building [(39:49)]
- Listeners' questions cover right back recruitment at City; Tino Livramento is admired, but “nothing materialized” (40:21).
- Nunes playing out of position; fullback remains a target.
10. "Final Whistle" — Adam Crafton's Minute on Leeds United [(43:50)]
- Leeds spent over €100 million but forgot to buy an attack; “not scored a goal from open play.”
- Defensive and midfield signings praised, but doubts over creativity and scoring capacity.
- “Very strange... owners want to be a stable Premier League team, but may struggle.” (44:50)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “A true Mancunian... that transcends.” (David Ornstein on Ricky Hatton, 04:38)
- “A bad season for Erling Haaland is a season that gets another forward a 100 million pound move.” (Adam Crafton, 20:55)
- “I don’t see City as having the same level of control... That might not matter so much if you’ve got Haaland running in behind.” (Adam Crafton, 08:02)
- “It’s really hard to be a centre forward in this system... relies on good deliveries from wide, but they don’t produce any...” (Adam Crafton, 09:42)
- “Old school goalkeepers are coming back into football.” (David Ornstein, 34:46)
- “I’d be really surprised if [Guardiola]’s here more than 18 months from now.” (Adam Crafton, 26:18)
- “Not much margin for error left.” (Adam Crafton, 28:10)
Key Timestamps
- 03:30 — Ricky Hatton tribute and the Etihad’s atmosphere
- 05:38 — City’s derby win and what it means for their season
- 07:45 — The City "iteration," control issues, Haaland's impact
- 09:23 — United’s ongoing tactical woes and personnel confusion
- 11:55 — United’s pressure, injuries, transfer regrets, emotional weakness
- 18:29–20:55 — Haaland’s impact dissected; his two goals, fitness, and dominance
- 23:37 — Transfer arms race; City’s changed place in the market
- 25:59–28:10 — Guardiola’s future, squad churn, vulnerability in tough fixtures
- 31:24 — Donnarumma’s arrival, goalkeeper talk
- 35:07 — Ex-United and City keepers in Turkey (Ederson, Onana)
- 39:49 — Listener Q&A: City’s right-back search
- 43:50 — Final Whistle: Adam on Leeds’ lack of attacking signings
Takeaways for Listeners
- City’s identity is changing: finesse and squad control may be ebbing, but dynamic threats (Haaland, Doku, Foden) offer new ways to win.
- Haaland is the difference-maker: City’s ceiling this season depends, more than ever, on his fitness and form.
- United remain in confusion: tactical muddle, unhappy signings, and a fragile mentality mean expectations must be managed.
- Pep’s challenge is unprecedented: both in terms of an internal rebuild and the external pressure from competing superclubs.
- Keeper upgrades signal ruthlessness: Donnarumma’s instant impact underlines City’s win-now focus.
- Final Whistle: Even well-funded clubs like Leeds risk big misses if recruitment lacks attacking edge.
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