FA Cup third round: 10 talking points from the weekend’s football

Not sure why but I’m very very underwhelmed by the idea of Michael Carrick as United’s interim manager. Just meh.

Did nobody at United think they could appoint Solskjaer straight after the Amorim signing instead of wasting two games? Now Solskjaer (or Carrick) have City and Arsenal as their first two. Brilliant planning yet again... #mufc

No evidence here for me that Darren Fletcher can set up a team tactically. United have been OK in moments but structurally they've been awful. #mufc

WOW www.theguardian.com/football/202...

Oh my god.

Macclesfield lead! Paul Dawson, who has been superb in midfield, with a lovely header from a set-piece into the corner. The hosts deserve it too. Great scenes.

Macclesfield v Crystal Palace: FA Cup third round – live

Macclesfield v Crystal Palace in the third round of the FA Cup for me today. Magic.

Some #mufc journalists are oddly cold/sceptical towards Solskjaer – especially considering his very good record. It's very easy to scoff at 'nostalgia', 'vibes' and 'United culture' but they're all real and, atm, very important things.

Latest Substack on why Solskjaer on an interim basis is the obvious answer for Manchester United right now #mufc open.substack.com/pub/nameonth...

Bringing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer back as an interim until the end of the season is a no-brainer for United now. Hold off on the permanent appointment but have options ready to go in the summer. Nobody has 'got' #mufc post SAF like Ole did. Would be an immediate boost.

A story so big (albeit entirely predictable) that we simply had to live blog it. Godspeed @dombooth19.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/football/liv...

Really didn't expect this. Amorim gone. What comes next? I'm on the @sport.theguardian.com live reaction www.theguardian.com/football/liv...

Strange take, TNT.

Where has this version of Joshua Zirkzee been for 18 months? #mufc

I think United edged that. There are obvious issues with Dorgu at RW and Shaw LWB but it's the Ugarte-Casemiro midfield axis of doom that is causing more problems. #mufc

In the buildup to that DCL woodwork chance they checked for a penalty. Obvs no foul from Martinez but the Leeds player was offside. Surely VAR tells he ref he's offside and they give #mufc a freekick rather than a Leeds throw?

United were without the following last night: De Ligt, Maguire, Mazraoui, Mount, Mainoo, Fernandes, Amad and Mbeumo. Imagine if any other team lost two key CBs, their best CM and two key wide attackers plus some of the best stand-ins… It’s not a totally valid excuse for Amorim but worth saying

Feels like Amorim has a lot of explaining to do after that. Even with absences that performance is far from acceptable. #mufc

One of the worst halves of the season? #mufc

Not going to mention that you wanted to stay Rasmus? Or the stinker of a season you had last year? #mufc

Frustrating, but not a time for hysterics. United were the better side, undone by two quality finishes after a defender stood off. Mitigating circumstances too, given the absences.

Dorgu and Dalot starting and THAT bench #mufc

Assessed Steve Evans’ first game in charge of Bristol Rovers for @sport.theguardian.com - they avoided defeat but a long road ahead www.theguardian.com/football/202...

At least Snicko being clueless means we can void the series. #Ashes

Did we actually see four at the back v Bournemouth? And will we see it in the coming weeks? Probably not. Have a listen/join the Patreon ❤️ #mufc

Tonight's Extra for subscribers on any of our platforms (Patreon, Substack, Apple) is about the chatter this week on formations and systems and whether anything will change with AFCON coming up. @dombooth19.bsky.social Substack: buff.ly/j5wAQa7 Apple: buff.ly/UgfYunm Patreon: buff.ly/mZncS03

How on earth can United still be in the dark about Mazraoui, Mbeumo and Amad's availability v Bournemouth? They need to know one way or the other – they're preparing for a game! #mufc

Much more like it in the second half. Ruthless. Yes it’s against a poor side but it’s refreshing to see. #mufc

Something is (still) gravely wrong with the mentality at Manchester United. Switching off and conceding cheap goals at important times... again. *Sigh* #mufc

It's never not embarrassing when owners do this. www.theguardian.com/football/202...

Always find it very weird/suspicious that people choose to focus on Archer with attitude-related criticism. The guy has put his body back together to play Test cricket for England; he made a defiant 38 from No.11 in the first innings and he's been the pick of the England bowlers. #Ashes

Weston-super-Mare in the third round of the FA Cup for the first time in their history. What a story for a club with a very modest history. Went down there a few times in my Mercury days. Great stuff.

There are still some people out there who don't rate Bruno Fernandes. Baffling. #mufc

Good grief that's a crucial win. Mount stood up when needed, as did Bruno and great character shown. Huge result for the confidence levels. #mufc

Feels like a big opportunity for Mason Mount today. With Cunha/Sesko injuries and upcoming Mbeumo/Amad absences due to AFCON, he's got a run in the team if he wants it. That LAM slot should suit him. The work rate and game intelligence is there, just need to see more end product. #mufc

Piece from a chilly Rochdale yesterday. The National League promotion race promises to be fascinating this season. www.theguardian.com/football/202...

At the venue formerly known as Spotland Stadium. Rochdale v Eastleigh. Piece for @sport.theguardian.com on the National League promotion race to come.

United are about to lose Mbeumo, Amad, Mazraoui to AFCON. In this week’s Extra, Dominic and Ed look at the forward line, squad depth, and which kids might get thrown in. @dombooth19.bsky.social Patreon, Apple podcast for subscribers 🅿️ buff.ly/zgm98Fx 🍏 buff.ly/SHNMmCC

Sign up to hear me interrupted by my cat jumping on my lap. #mufc

United obviously way off it tonight, but four minutes added time in that game is completely laughable. #mufc

The TNT coverage is absolutely woeful. Comms slightly ahead of the action, random unexplained graphics and not enough variety in the commentators. #Ashes

*Sighs in away Ashes*

The Championship is wonderfully open right now. Can unfancied Preston continue to defy the odds and stake a claim for promotion? A big Lancashire derby tomorrow night will tell us more. www.theguardian.com/football/202...

What a sport, man. What a fucking sport.

Good lord. #Scotland

I got to speak to Stuart Broad this month and impress him with my cricket skills on a new podcast for Fitzdares with Lola Katz Roberts. Have a listen here. It's called Odds Law (it's about gambling though, so don't listen if you don't like that sort of thing) pod.fo/e/355320

Golden Goal: Jude Bellingham for England v Slovakia (2024)

The last time I wrote a @sport.theguardian.com Golden Goal feature it was about a goal I celebrated wildly aged 11. This is about one I celebrated even more wildly at nearly 31. www.theguardian.com/football/202...