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MUTV cancel post-match analysis show of humiliating Brentford defeat

Harry Maguire of Manchester United reacts after a goal during the Premier League match between Brentford FC and Manchester United at Brentford Community Stadium on August 13, 2022 in Brentford, England.
Harry Maguire of Manchester United reacts after a goal during the Premier League match between Brentford FC and Manchester United at Brentford Community Stadium on August 13, 2022 in Brentford, England.

Manchester United’s in-house television channel cancelled a programme intended to analyse the club’s humiliating 4-0 defeat to Brentford.

The weekly programme, called 'The Debate' features two former players and two media figures and looks back on the team’s weekend fixture.

But MUTV cancelled this week’s programme on Monday morning, claiming a shortage of staff had forced the decision, a move that was greeted with scepticism given the nature of Saturday’s loss.

The news follows an embarrassing episode for MUTV last week, featuring legendary former player and regular pundit Lou Macari.

He raised concerns about United’s lack of success in the current transfer window, particularly their latest pursuit of Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot.

“Clubs spend millions of pounds to put scouts out there all around Europe to keep an eye on players,” said Macari. “No one has made a move for this fella. Why? I've got a bad feeling about the guy.”

'The Debate' has become one of the cornerstones of the MUTV schedule, featuring a half-hour of recorded chat between the four guests, with David May and Ben Thornley frequently representing the former players.

But, with the show due to air at 6pm on Monday, filming was cancelled in the morning due, according to the club, to staff being in France, filming the pre-season preparations of the women’s squad - although that event will have been scheduled some time ago.

In keeping with most in-house channels, MUTV tries to steer away from controversy, with reporters not even asking manager Erik ten Hag about Cristiano Ronaldo after the striker returned for his first pre-season game.

But with conversations often covering general issues beyond the previous game, there may have been concerns that criticisms would have been aimed at the club’s owners, the Glazers.

MUTV’s most explosive moment came in 2005, from an interview that was also dropped, when then captain Roy Keane was critical of his team mates after a defeat at Middlesbrough - the interview eventually leading to the Irishman being axed from Old Trafford by Sir Alex Ferguson.

Meanwhile, United players were given Monday off, a day after ten Hag brought them in for an extra, gruelling training session on Sunday in the wake of the defeat.