#902 | Ed, Dharnish and Daniel pull apart United’s performance against Arsenal. The shape out of possession looked cleaner, United broke the first press often enough, but box occupation and decision making let them down. United's build-up worked far better, yet the final action and consistent presence in the area still lagged behind the approach play. Much better overall.
What’s inside
Pressing shape – where it worked, where it fell apart, and how the front line triggered the press.
Breaking the press – patterns that beat Arsenal’s first line and why United needed more third-man runs.
Box presence – too few bodies attacking space, poor timing on cut-backs, and wasteful shot selection.
Midfield roles – Cunha between lines, Mount as connector, and the knock-on effects for the rest defence.
Wide areas and full backs – when the overlap helped, when it clogged lanes, and how to create better threats.
Buildup problems – clean exits from the first phase that fizzled before the final pass.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
01:40 Baiting the Press
13:03 How the system hel up
15:44 Season expectations and on-pitch IQ
17:35 Build-up bottlenecks
18:36 Full backs and box occupation
18:58 Midfield dynamics and roles
22:55 Bruno Fernandes’ positioning
26:29 Development priorities for key players
29:16 Final thoughts
Takeaway
Progress in structure, not yet in punch. United can reach good zones against strong pressure. The next step is simple to say and hard to do – arrive in the box with numbers, improve the last touch, and turn control into goals.
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34:14
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34:14
Altay's Groundhog Day
#901 | Ed and Daniel talk about United's defeat to Arsenal at Old Trafford. It was largely settled by a single goalkeeping error. The performance was markedly better: heavy possession, more than twice Arsenal’s shots and real influence from new signings Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, who were standouts. They break down what worked, what didn’t and why the result flatters the visitors. The discussion turns to recruitment: can United address the ‘keeper situation before the 1 September deadline, and is midfield business still on the cards? Decisions in the next couple of weeks will shape the season.
00:00 Introduction
01:38 The Goal
04:23 Team Selection
07:26 Tactical Analysis
15:34 Defensive Performance
34:39 Transfer Window
40:13 VAR Discussion
46:19 Looking Ahead
If you are interested in supporting the show and accessing a weekly exclusive bonus episode, check out our Patreon page or subscribe on Apple Podcasts. Supporter funded episodes are ad-free.
NQAT is available on all podcast apps and in video on YouTube. Hit that subscribe button, leave a rating and write a review on Apple or Spotify.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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56:34
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56:34
Season Preview
#900 | Ed and Daniel discuss the upcoming season and all of Manchester United's hopes and fears. The discussion covers the preseason, players' preparation, and the transfer market. There's a chat about squad quality, key players and the impact of the new acquisitions.
We end with some predictions for the season and the role of the academy and club identity at the start of another campaign.
00:00 Introduction
00:27 Pre-Season Review & Transfer Market
23:48 Team Identity & Quality Discussion
48:19 Squad Analysis
59:00 Season Predictions & Final Thoughts
If you are interested in supporting the show and accessing a weekly exclusive bonus episode, check out our Patreon page or subscribe on Apple Podcasts. Supporter funded episodes are ad-free.
NQAT is available on all podcast apps and in video on YouTube. Hit that subscribe button, leave a rating and write a review on Apple or Spotify.
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1:15:55
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1:15:55
The Tactics Show: Season Preview
#899 | Ed, Daniel and Danish tee up the new season through a tactical lens: what Ruben Amorim wants, what’s actually changed, and what still needs work. Pre-season hints at the same framework with sharper edges, plus what the new signings add. We get into movement and pressing, set-piece tweaks, and how the wing-backs role has changed, midfield balance, defensive structure - and, yes, the goalkeeping question. The plan and the pitfalls, are all on the table.
00:00 Tactics Show: Pre-Season Preview
00:46 Introduction
01:25 Season Preview Overview
03:04 Tactical Changes
04:29 Defensive Structure
09:59 Analysis of Midfield
13:39 Carlos Baleba Analysis
17:27 Bruno Fernandes Discussion
23:49 Big Spaces, Small Spaces
28:09 Set Piece Analysis
34:07 Goalkeeper Situation
41:09 Closing Thoughts and Season Outlook
If you are interested in supporting the show and accessing a weekly exclusive bonus episode, check out our Patreon page or subscribe on Apple Podcasts. Supporter funded episodes are ad-free.
NQAT is available on all podcast apps and in video on YouTube. Hit that subscribe button, leave a rating and write a review on Apple or Spotify.
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48:18
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48:18
United Inc: United's Calculated Financial Gamble
#898 | Ed and Jamie breakdown the finances of United's transfer market, including the recent signing of Benjamin Sesko. How can the club afford it when Sir Jim Ratcliffe said Untied were running out of money just months ago? The conversation touches on the impact of club's cost-saving measures, the strategic structuring of deals, and the dynamics of player sales. There's also plenty of chat about how United may sell some of the 'bomb squad' in the coming weeks.
00:00 Introduction
00:28 Benjamin Sesko Deal Analysis
01:25 Financial Restructuring and Clever Deal Structuring
03:04 Wage and Transfer Fee Breakdown
04:35 Funding Gaps and Credit Facilities
06:37 Market Dynamics and Player Sales
16:43 Chelsea's Strategic Moves
28:26 Ownership and Future Prospects
35:50 Conclusion and Farewell
If you are interested in supporting the show and accessing a weekly exclusive bonus episode, check out our Patreon page or subscribe on Apple Podcasts. Supporter funded episodes are ad-free.
NQAT is available on all podcast apps and in video on YouTube. Hit that subscribe button, leave a rating and write a review on Apple or Spotify.
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About No Question About That - a Manchester United podcast
No Question About That is the original independent fan-published podcast covering Manchester United. Hosted by Ed, with contributions from Dan, Tom, Wayne, Dharnish, Adam, Jamie, Dominic and Isabel. NQAT covers the latest games, news, business, politics and fan culture at the world’s best supported club. There are two main shows each week, a tactics show, and a football finance pod.
If you are interested in supporting the show and accessing the weekly exclusive bonus episode, check out our Patreon page or subscribe on Apple Podcasts. Supporter funded episodes are AD-FREE. NQAT is also available in video on YouTube. Hit that subscribe button, leave a rating and write a review on Apple or Spotify.
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