The Athletic FC Podcast – Episode Summary

Episode Title: Is Carrick more than a short-term fix for Man United?
Date: January 19, 2026
Host: Ayo Akinwolere
Guests: Carl Anker, Oli Kay, Sam Lee

Overview

This episode centers on Michael Carrick's impressive start as Manchester United's interim manager after a statement win in the Manchester Derby. The panel discusses whether Carrick is more than just a short-term solution, the club’s ongoing struggle with nostalgia, and broader implications for both Manchester clubs. The debate spans United's DNA, the pitfalls and promise of retreading former players as managers, tactical evolutions, and Manchester City's issues, including defensive fragility and new signings. The dramatic AFCON final also receives an enthusiastic recap.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Manchester United’s Derby Win & Carrick’s Impact

(02:37–08:31, 12:41–15:09, 16:52–27:55)

• Front-Foot, Structured Performance:

  • United delivered a dominant attacking performance against City, creating 2.27 xG to City’s 0.45—the lowest City have produced in a derby since October 2015.
    • "That was Man United best foot forward playing with structure, clarity and a purpose that we just haven't seen from United in the last 20 months." – Carl Anker (03:21)

• Nostalgia & Retrotopia:

  • The club’s tendency to bring back ex-players as managers is examined.
    • “Their love and their inability to let go of the past... sometimes when they turn to Ryan Giggs or Van Nistelrooy or Carrick or Solskjaer, that has been a reflex, but it hasn’t been the shape of the way they’ve acted. They’ve not behaved like Manchester United and had a clear Manchester United vision, identity, DNA.” – Oli Kay (04:41)
  • There is value in reconnecting to tradition—if it’s about “transmitting fire rather than venerating ashes.”
    • "Tradition should be the transmission of fire rather than a veneration of ashes." – Carl Anker (06:53)

• Style of Play: Old School, Modernized

  • United’s win—a low-possession, high-transition, incisive attacking display—is likened to their “old school” strengths, but with structure and not simply a “smash and grab.”
    • “It was wave after wave of counterattacks... it was a really, really, really good Manchester United performance and the number of times I’ve said that over the past decade is incred.” – Oli Kay (14:37)
  • The challenge for Carrick or any United manager remains: “What happens when you have to play against a team that lets you have the ball?”

• Cautions Against Overreaction:

  • Parallels to Solskjaer’s successful interim run are drawn; United must avoid repeating the cycle of short-term buzz and long-term stagnation.
    • “Does Michael Carrick look the sort of man who rushes into decisions?” – Carl Anker (21:21)

2. The Dangers and Promise of Club Nostalgia

(04:41–08:06, 21:42–24:28, 24:28–27:33)

• Solskjaer Analogy:

  • Discussion highlights the risk in letting a feel-good run dictate managerial appointments.
    • “By the end of Solskjaer they were almost back to square one because there was another clear out, another detoxification needed because it stayed too long and it unraveled.” – Oli Kay (21:42)

• Arteta Comparison:

  • Arteta’s success is scrutinized; the need for “a plan and a vision” is deemed a threshold for success, not just emotional resonance with fans or the board.

• Managerial turnover:

  • Modern football’s volatility and the short leash for managers are discussed, with the wry:
    • “Everyone’s got a plan until you get punched in the mouth.” – Carl Anker (paraphrasing Mike Tyson, 27:33)

3. Manchester United’s Squad & Tactical Prospects

(17:25–21:21)

• Bruno Fernandes as lynchpin:

  • “Bruno Fernandes wants to play fast. Bruno Fernandes, to nick a line from my good friend Musa Okwonga, he plays football like he’s running downhill.” – Carl Anker (18:38)
  • The return of Maguire, good Casemiro form, and wide options like Ahmad and Bryan Mbeumo offer hope for continued attacking threat and set-piece strength.

• Expectation Management:

  • Caution is urged: Carrick may benefit from the “new manager bounce,” but deeper, longer-term problems persist.

4. Manchester City's Troubles & Mark Gahey’s Arrival

(39:08–44:28)

• Defensive Woes:

  • City’s patched-up defense was exposed by United; Mark Gahey’s imminent arrival is seen as key for both immediate cover and long-term squad strength.
    • “Short term, he’s obviously going to make a big difference… Long term, it just makes their options really strong…” – Sam Lee (39:21)

• Squad Transition and Title Defense:

  • Injuries and squad turnover explain some dip in form; whether City can challenge Arsenal depends more on the leaders faltering than City’s resurgence.
    • “I see Arsenal as being the most resilient team, the least likely to throw away silly points… Arsenal are the best team in the League this season…” – Oli Kay (41:33)

• Haaland’s Form:

  • Haaland’s goal drought and reduced service are attributed to squad churn and fatigue.

5. AFCON Final – Chaos, Drama, and Spectacle

(27:55–36:20)

• Dramatic, Controversial Final:

  • Both Carl and Ayo—having covered the tournament—call it one of the most exciting finals in years: open, dramatic, rife with officiating controversy, impassioned fans, and raw emotion.
    • “Afcon always has two or three moments a game where you go, you are watching people in real time try and problem solve and win a football game.” – Carl Anker (33:12)
    • “It was such drama and such kind of… chaos.” – Oli Kay (32:40)

• Atmosphere and Narrative:

  • The hosts Morocco’s charged atmosphere, a chalked-off Senegalese goal, a controversial penalty, a failed Panenka in the dying moments—all were discussed with palpable enthusiasm.
    • “If you are someone that just switched on for the final 10 minutes… that was a thrilling game of football.” – Carl Anker (28:16)

• Football as a Social Mirror:

  • “Football, whichever country it's played, is often a reflection of its society… if people feel aggrieved, they will do something about it and stand up and speak about it in that respect.” – Ayo Akinwolere (35:39)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On United’s performance:

  • “This was Man United best foot forward playing with structure, clarity and a purpose that we just haven't seen from United in the last 20 months.” – Carl Anker (03:21)

• On nostalgia at United:

  • “There is definitely a positive to that sort of, what do you call it, retrotopia… There has to be real kind of ideas and energy and sophistication behind it in order to modernize.” – Oli Kay (05:18)

• On the Solskjaer precedent:

  • "By the end of Solskjaer they were almost back to square one because there was another clear out, another detoxification needed because it stayed too long and it unraveled.” – Oli Kay (21:42)

• On patterns in United’s signings:

  • “Manchester United signing Alexis Sanchez is one of the top five worst signings they've made of the 21st century.” – Carl Anker (11:13)

• On AFCON’s uniqueness:

  • “Afcon shows you what football is at its heart, a children's game… sometimes weird stuff happens, and sometimes what is necessary is not always nice. And I liked how AFCON showed me that on Sunday.” – Carl Anker (34:29)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:37] – Main panel introduction and Carrick’s derby victory recap
• [03:21] – Carl Anker on United’s tactical dominance
• [04:41] – Oli Kay on United’s nostalgia, “retrotopia,” and identity
• [06:53] – Carl’s quote on the right kind of tradition
• [14:37] – Comparing this win with previous counterattacking United performances
• [16:52] – Carrick’s suitability as more than a short-term fix
• [21:42] – Lessons from the Solskjaer era
• [24:28] – Arteta vs. United’s managers; managerial planning and chaos
• [27:55] – Recap and analysis of the wild AFCON final
• [33:12] – Carl on AFCON’s unpolished, authentic drama
• [39:21] – Sam Lee on Mark Gahey’s arrival at Man City
• [41:33] – Oli Kay’s skepticism about City’s title prospects
• [44:28] – Episode close

Conclusion

The episode delivers a nuanced exploration of the “new manager bounce”—and its limits—through United’s win under Carrick. The panel provides valuable skepticism about falling for nostalgia and stresses the need for clear vision and modernizing tradition. Manchester City’s issues are analyzed in tactical and structural depth, and a passionate sidebar dives into the drama and significance of the AFCON final. The discussion combines sharp tactical analysis, club history, and entertaining football storytelling—a must-listen for Premier League and global football fans.