Alan Brazil has received heavy criticism for comments made on talkSPORT during a discussion about Manchester United and their plans for the women’s team.
The Red Devils’ current women’s side was only formed in 2018, putting them behind a lot of their major rivals, and with the game growing so much in recent times, it’s not surprising to see that developing this aspect of the club is one of their key ambitions.
Brazil hit out at this, however, even though his colleague Shebahn Aherne was merely reporting on what Man Utd were saying, rather than expressing a view herself.
Watch below as Brazil comes across really badly with his comments and tone towards his co-host…
Alan Brazil's behaviour highlights exactly what women have been fighting for years, to have their voices heard.
Dismissing the growth of the women's game is just blatant ignorance from someone who has the voice and platform to drive change. Do better.
— Tom Bowen (@TomBowenJourno) February 6, 2025
“I’m sorry, people around them are not bothered. It is true. They’re not [bothered]. Within the bigger picture, they’re not,” Brazil said.
“No, the bigger picture is fans want to see Manchester United in the Premier League challenging. That’s the bigger picture. It’s not that important compared to the bigger picture. I’m not going to sit here and lie because it’s not.”
Respect to @shebahn for standing up to a dinosaur live on the radio. Anyone ignorant enough to still think "no one cares" about #MUwomen ought to see their fans waiting at 6am in the Old Trafford car park to embark on 10-hour round coach trips for away games. True football fans.
— Tom Garry (@TomJGarry) February 6, 2025
Journalists Tom Bowen and Tom Garry were among those to criticise Brazil, while this Man United fan and podcaster also called him out as a “dinosaur”…
Alan Brazil showing himself to be dinosaur he truly is and TalkSport openly allowing this to be his behaviour.
The man has a grand daughter and that’s his opinion on the women’s game. Football is for everyone. Not just men.
Shame on him. pic.twitter.com/2gLL7ns9As
— Callum (@_callumstone) February 6, 2025
Alan Brazil has got away with comments like this in the past
As reported by the Daily Mirror over ten years ago, Brazil has previously attracted controversy for similar comments, having singled out female commentators for getting things wrong, as though the numerous men working in football media haven’t ever done the same.
It’s a shame to see Brazil continuing to treat the women’s game this way when it’s grown so much in recent times, with no one forcing him to sit down and watch every game.
Quite why mention of United’s ambitions with women’s football offends him so much is not clear, but it will be interesting to see if he comes forward with an explanation or an apology.