The Athletic FC Podcast

Ahead of the Manchester derby, this week on What If... we're talking about Wayne Rooney and the hypothetical around whether he could have possibly made the switch across Manchester from United to City back in 2010.

Emma Paton is joined by The Athletic's Jack Pitt-Brooke and Dan Kilpatrick, as well as Andy Mitten from Talk of the Devils to delve into Rooney's at times strained relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson

Our alternative timeline ponders whether the move to City could have taken place, as well as whether Rooney could have moved to Jose Mourinho's Chelsea in 2013 as well as the impact any move could possibly have had on his own - or Sir Alex Ferguson's - Manchester United legacy.

Host: Emma Paton
With: Jack Pitt-Brooke, Dan Kilpatrick and Andy Mitten

Executive Producer: Guy Clarke
Producers: Mike Stavrou, Grayson Moody
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the Tactical Preview we're looking ahead to the first Manchester derby of the season, as Manchester United welcome Man City to Old Trafford.

Kate Mason is joined by Rob Green and The Athletic's Thom Harris to analyse City's midfield having been reconstructed during the summer transfer window with the arrival of Elliot Anderson, Ayyoub Bouaddi and Enzo Fernandez.

The Athletic's Man City correspondent Sam Lee also drops by to explain how the new unit is coming together, while the panel assess whether playing on the counter may suit Michael Carrick's side

There's also a look ahead to Fulham's trip to Anfield, having seen plenty of midfield chaos from Alvaro Arbeloa's side, while Aston Villa will be hoping to score their first Premier League goal of the season against Nottingham Forest and Hull head to Chelsea, yet to so far concede.

Meanwhile in the breakdown, the panel look at the under the radar data signings made this summer that may be worth keeping an eye on!

Host: Kate Mason
With: Rob Green and Thom Harris
Featuring: Sam Lee

Executive Producer: Guy Clarke
Producer: Xavi Bird
Videographer: Liam Warburton
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the Champions League returns, a number of big match-ups have played out including Real Madrid taking on Inter Milan and Liverpool facing Atletico Madrid, but where is the jeopardy?

Kate Mason is joined by Adam Crafton, Matt Slater and Rob Green to analyse the growth and investment within the Champions League and discuss whether the change to the league phase format has led to a closed-shop for the clubs capable of winning the tournament.

Plus, ahead of Sunday's Manchester derby, former Man City CEO Garry Cook joins the podcast to discuss the role the two clubs have played in raising the global profile of the city.

From a sporting, economical and political sense he reflects on his involvement with the Abu Dhabi investment into Man City back in 2008 and the ambitions of the project as well as the opportunity to be part of the growth of the city.

Host: Kate Mason
With: Adam Crafton, Matt Slater and Rob Green
Featuring: Garry Cook

Executive Producer: Guy Clarke
Producer: Jay Beale
Videographer: Lara Sinclair
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Real Madrid’s 2-1 victory over Inter in their opening Champions League fixture was far from convincing.

Emma Paton is joined by The Athletic's Liam Twomey and Tomas Hill Lopez-Menchero to get into Jose Mourinho’s return to the Spanish capital, the panel discuss whether he’s the man to bring silverware back to the Bernabeu amid familiar problems to last season.

Plus, with the shortlist for the Ballon d'Or revealed, could Harry Kane become just the fourth Englishman to win the award?

Host: Emma Paton
Co-hosts: Liam Twomey, Tomas Hill Lopez-Menchero
Featuring: Guillermo Rai

Exec Producer: Guy Clarke
Producers: Jay Beale
Videographer: Liam Warburton
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After seeing a late move for Folarin Balogun collapsed Everton have been left with 18 senior first team players, something manager David Moyes seems less than pleased by.

Emma Paton is with David Ornstein and James Horncastle to analyse Everton's transfer dealings, discuss why things played out in the manner they did - including looking likely to strike a deal to sell Harrison Armstrong to Nottingham Forest.

The Friedkin Group are also exploring investment opportunities in the club, so the panel assess the relationship the owners have with the club having only taken control in December 2024.

Plus there's the latest Ask Ornstein and The Athletic's Barcelona correspondent Pol Ballus also joins us to talk about Marcus Rashford's reintegration at Manchester United, following his loan spell at the Camp Nou last season.

Host: Emma Paton
With: David Ornstein and James Horncastle
Featuring: Pol Ballus

Executive Producer: Guy Clarke
Producer: Jay Beale
Videographer: Grayson Moody
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.