Just listened to the latest Talk of the Devils. I questioned after Mitten got that Ratcliffe interview whether he’d become a JR mouthpiece - essentially he was only granted it if he said positive things in the aftermath. Feels very much like that. I thought Anka offered an excellent contrary POV. - ThreadSky

thistimesurely.bsky.social • 2 days ago

Just listened to the latest Talk of the Devils. I questioned after Mitten got that Ratcliffe interview whether he’d become a JR mouthpiece - essentially he was only granted it if he said positive things in the aftermath. Feels very much like that. I thought Anka offered an excellent contrary POV.

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adamlevitt.bsky.social•2 days ago

Link?

thistimesurely.bsky.social•2 days ago

The INEOS stuff is about half hour in.
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/talk-of-the-devils-the-athletic-fcs-manchester-united-show/id1495072403?i=1000694461311

adamlevitt.bsky.social•2 days ago

Cheers, mate.

wozzatron.bsky.social•2 days ago

Anka is ALWAYS the voice of reason on that podcast. Not partisan. Not twerking for TRA. Not playing the listener for a fool because that information I never shared is now public knowledge, and surely it was obvious.

kevintlev.bsky.social•2 days ago

Really like Carl. Always have. Some folks never forgave him for perceived Ole criticism (that was actually criticism of United's transfer strategy), but for me he's as sound a voice on United as you'll find.

manunitedyouth.bsky.social•2 days ago

He’s one that I’m really disappointed hasn’t made the move over here yet

thistimesurely.bsky.social•2 days ago

I like him. But he’s (possibly surprisingly) one of a very select number that have blocked me on social media. Him and Owen Jones I think. 😁

thistimesurely.bsky.social•2 days ago

(That I know of, of course. Might be hundreds).

thistimesurely.bsky.social•2 days ago

I think he talks a lot of sense. He blocked me on X because I suggested he didn’t need to refer to Mainoo as ‘Kobbie like Robbie’ everytime he mentioned him. That was the only time I conversed with him. And he blocked me for it. 😂

wozzatron.bsky.social•2 days ago

😩

I’ll tell him you still love him.

wozzatron.bsky.social•2 days ago

Two thumbs up from me.

chipsinabap.bsky.social•2 days ago

Yeah Anka is good on lots of stuff. And he’s got better over time too. Though he sees something in Mason Mount that I am yet to see with my old eyes! I don’t agree with everything Mitten says but he’s definitely a match going fan and his views are skewed that way. Happy he’s partisan.

thistimesurely.bsky.social•2 days ago

Oh I absolutely agree. I like Mitten, and much of what he says. But since that interview with Ratcliffe, he’s been noticeably pro-INEOS, which for a ‘legacy fan’ is odd. Because they are making decisions that are making things very difficult for match-going supporters.

chipsinabap.bsky.social•2 days ago

Yeah if I was Omar and SJR I’d do the same. Funders insist on seeing cost cutting and price rises, even if they’re only small ‘wins’ in the scheme of things. The core issue is that the Glazers have taken £2bn out of United. While Abu Dhabi and Abromovich have put IN £3bn and £4bn.

thistimesurely.bsky.social•2 days ago

I appreciate what the core issue is. And I know tough decisions have to be made. But his lack of empathy about redundancies or ticket price rises is grim. He’s punishing those that can least afford it. The lifeblood of the club. It’s just a business to him. There is no emotion to any of it.

chipsinabap.bsky.social•2 days ago

Yeah high-capitalism. It’s just immoral, fucking wrong. Wrong and wrong. I’d fully support special purpose legislation to allow fans to buy their clubs. Or even just United! But the lords of media would cry “communism” and way too many normal people would agree with those lords.

chipsinabap.bsky.social•2 days ago

I don’t think he’s anyone’s mouthpiece tbf. I think he’s spot-on FWIW. A billionaire like SJR doesn’t need United. Extremely wealthy men of his years act on their legacy and emotion far more than you’d think - I’ve seen it personally. Good old Marlow and that hierarchy!

thistimesurely.bsky.social•2 days ago

It’s an ego trip. I was delighted he won the race (if there even was one), but the more he does, the more worried I get. I know it’s a tough job, but he’s money obsessed. Can’t afford to sign players, but he wants to build a new ground. It’s not sensible. It’s self-interest.

chipsinabap.bsky.social•2 days ago

I don’t think United should build a new ground at all. I think we should improve what we have, even if it’s “just” building over the railway in the South stand. But I fear the only way the club will be able to pay off the Glazers debt is by selling the land around it. And that’ll need a new ground.

thistimesurely.bsky.social•2 days ago

This is where I get cynical. Ratcliffe clearly wants to build new - not refurbish. There’s no emotion to any of this. And because he wants to go in that route, the information being leaked suggests it’s the only course of action. I just don’t trust him. He’s a Tory and he makes it very obvious.

chipsinabap.bsky.social•2 days ago

Yeah I agree. I think he’s always had his eye on a big Etihad / Wembley campus style re-dev. United own so much land there. But I think there’s some element of the guy wanting to turn United around for the right reasons too. Think that’s Mitten’s point and i want to believe it!

thistimesurely.bsky.social•2 days ago

I hope he proves you right! I felt like that when he took over but I’ve seen nothing from him since then that has enabled me to keep the faith.

chipsinabap.bsky.social•2 days ago

Yeah he’s at the top of the triangle. I think he’s about the best we can get (unless you want Saudi money and I absolutely do not, ever). The numbers I heard on TOTD were worse than i expected. Almost too depressing to think about.

jontranslates.bsky.social•2 days ago

Glad I’m not the only one who’s picked up on his tone shift.

thistimesurely.bsky.social•2 days ago

Prides himself on being the voice of the fans, and always being able to gauge the mood…

mufcadam.bsky.social•2 days ago

Yeah far from it. They always let you down in the end J 😔

jontranslates.bsky.social•2 days ago

I’m relatively ambivalent about this because I do think some of the “worse than the glazers 😡😡😡” stuff has been mental but yeah it hasn’t exactly been subtle has it?

thistimesurely.bsky.social•2 days ago

Oh for sure. Anyone with a brain know what’s caused the problems. I’m just struggled to understand his plans to solve rise problems. He’s hitting down. Which is a very Tory thing to do.

jontranslates.bsky.social•2 days ago

Yeah I get it, it is absolutely shit and seems pretty callous at times. Arch capitalists gonna arch capitalist

mufcadam.bsky.social•2 days ago

yeah it's a high wire act defending someone for being slightly less of a scumbag.

I can't believe how many whoppers have stopped blaming the Glazers & fallen for this wholesale.

It's obvious he's their lightning rod but you end up sounding like you're ok with the greenwashing Brexit bastard.

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