The Promised Land | A Manchester United Podcast

Manchester City have been found guilty of serious breaches of the Premier League's financial rules — so what should happen to them now?

Harry Symeou from the Chronicles of a Gooner joins the show to break down the Premier League's extraordinary statement and the findings of the independent commission, including the numbers behind City's "sham" sponsorship arrangements and the scale of the financial advantage the Commission says they obtained.

There's also discussion of whether expulsion from the Premier League now has to be seriously considered, whether City should even be allowed to continue competing while sanctions and an appeal remain outstanding, and what their spending since the period covered by the charges tells us — if anything.

Attention also turns to reports that City learned of the Commission's findings in July, the reaction from City supporters, Ferran Soriano's response and Manchester City's continued insistence that they are innocent and will ultimately be vindicated.

Plus: were football's financial rules fundamentally unfair in the first place, how differently could José Mourinho's career have been viewed without City's rise, and just how severe could the consequences now become?

City say the Commission's decision contains material errors of law, principle and fact and have confirmed their intention to appeal. But they find themselves in a mess that could drag on for years and have the most serious consequences we've ever seen.

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Manchester City have been found guilty on 114 Premier League charges — so it's time for a slightly different State of Play.

Adam Joseph joins to assess where City stand following the verdict, what it means for the club's future and whether the way their achievements are viewed has now changed permanently...as if they weren't already under question.

Attention also turns to the potential punishment if City's appeal fails. What would actually constitute a proportionate sporting sanction? Is relegation enough? Should titles be stripped? And what could compensation claims from United and other clubs ultimately look like?

But this is about more than punishment. What does the verdict mean for Pep Guardiola's legacy, City's players, recruitment and future? How much responsibility should fall on the Premier League for allowing the situation to drag on for so long? And could this case fundamentally change the way English football is governed?

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Manchester City have, per David Ornstein's report, been found guilty of the vast majority of the Premier League charges against them — a landmark moment in a case that has hung over English football for years.

This episode looks at what City have been found guilty of, what the findings actually mean and why the outcome feels like vindication after years of questioning the legitimacy and significance of their success.

There's also a personal reflection on why City's dominance has always felt hollow, why this case is about far more than simply disliking a rival, and how the verdict could permanently change the way this era of English football is remembered.

Attention then turns to punishment if the findings survive City's appeal. Would a fine or conventional points deduction come close to being sufficient? Should relegation be the minimum consequence — or does wrongdoing on this scale warrant expulsion and sporting sanctions lasting multiple seasons?

Finally, what could all of this mean for Manchester United and other affected clubs? Should City's trophies be stripped or reallocated? Could clubs pursue compensation for lost prize money and opportunities? And can football ever truly repair the consequences of rules being broken over such a long period?

The appeal process means the story is not over. But after years of allegations, investigations and arguments, English football has reached a defining moment.

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Michael Carrick's Manchester United have five points from their opening five Premier League games and performances have fallen below expectations — so how much responsibility should fall on the coach considering all the other factors hanging over the club?

Adam Joseph joins for this episode and the guys take a closer look at Carrick's start to the season - focusing on the areas where United simply haven't delivered: in both boxes, in their defensive structure, intensity, game management and more.

There's discussion on how much this falls on the coaches, how much is on the players, and how long everyone has to turn this around and how they can do it before serious decisions are made on another coach in the United hot seat.

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Manchester United's start to the season has fallen well below expectations — so where does that leave Michael Carrick and his team?

Adam Joseph joins for the latest Man Utd State of Play to take stock after the draw at Fulham and assess whether pre-season expectations for this team were too high or remain realistic despite performances and results.

There's a wider look at United's performances and playing style, what Carrick is trying to build, what the biggest issues on pitch are and which problems should genuinely concern supporters.

Has the start changed the view of United's summer transfer business or made the doubters completely right? How much patience will remain if things stay the same?

Subscribe to the podcast on all major platforms:

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Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0hS1UG1wGf52m2hcQcEZbH

And follow Scott & the show on social media:

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