Carl Anka: The Voice Behind Manchester United Coverage
Carl Anka has steadily established himself as one of the UK’s most compelling sports journalists, blending football insight with cultural commentary and personal storytelling. In this article, we explore the life, work, and persona of Carl Anka—from his early years and education through his writing career, his published works, his public presence, and his personal life.
Early Life and Education
Carl Anka was born in London and spent much of his youth in East London and nearby regions. Though his exact date of birth is not widely published, his career milestones and public mentions suggest he is in his 30s. He has spoken of growing up in an environment where his schooling and identity often occupied different realms, and he has been candid about navigating the complexities of code-switching in British society.
He pursued higher education at Bath Spa University, where he studied Cultural Studies & Creative Writing. While there, he took on roles beyond his studies—serving as Executive Producer and Music Presenter for Spa Life Radio, and contributing to the campus culture as Vice-President of the Hip-Hop Dance Society and Black Student Representative.
Career Trajectory: From Freelance to The Athletic
Early and Freelance Work
Carl’s journalist journey did not begin at a major outlet. He spent several years contributing to a wide array of publications, building his voice and style in parallel with more senior writers. Among his early contributions were to SFX magazine (via Future plc) and VICE, where his topics ranged from gaming and race to identity and pop culture. Over time his byline appeared in more established media such as BBC, The Guardian, NME, GQ, and BuzzFeed.
The Athletic and Manchester United
His most high-profile role today is as a staff writer (reporter) for The Athletic, focusing on Manchester United. His coverage encompasses match analysis, transfers, club developments, and narrative pieces around the team. He previously spent a period covering Southampton FC for the same outlet.
He wrote a public introduction post on Reddit in which he stated:
“My name is Carl Anka and I am Staff Writer at The Athletic, covering Manchester United week to week … I also helped Marcus Rashford write two books: ‘You Are A Champion’ and ‘You Can Do It’.”
His approach is not simply “match of the week” writing. Carl frequently explores football in relation to society, representation, culture, and media.
Podcasting, Editorial Roles, and Multimedia
Beyond standard journalism, he hosts the Talk of the Devils podcast, a platform that reflects his willingness to engage in conversation beyond pure reportage. He also makes guest appearances on shows like The Totally Football Show, sharing his perspective on current events, major matches, and deeper issues.
His editorial, multimedia, and video skills have been leveraged in prior roles too—at The Players’ Tribune, for example, where he worked on video production and mentored editing teams.
Writing Style & Thematic Interests
Carl Anka’s writing is characterised by clarity, passion, and depth. He balances the fan’s voice with a journalist’s rigour. He often writes about:
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Sport and identity: exploring how race, culture, and belonging shape the experience of players and fans.
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Media and representation: critiquing how football is covered in mainstream press, and advocating for more inclusive voices in sports journalism.
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Pop culture intersections: drawing connections between film, music, video games, and sport to illuminate broader trends.
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Personal reflection: weaving in autobiographical or conversational elements to make his writing more intimate and human.
He describes himself as someone who “likes his tea with milk and one sugar,” and admits to being “scared of talking on the phone”—small personal confessions that lend a personal tone to his public persona.
Publications & Books
Carl Anka is not just a journalist; he’s also an author, especially in collaboration with fellow voices in sport and social change.
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You Are a Champion: How to Be the Best You Can Be — co-written with Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford.
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You Can Do It: How to Find Your Voice and Make a Difference — a follow-up book with Rashford, focusing on empowerment and agency.
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There is mention in author directories of another work titled Heroes, though the specifics are less widely publicised.
In interviews, Carl has shared glimpses of his early relationship with reading: he struggled with understanding where fairy tales ended and reality began, but over time developed a love for literature ranging from Nigerian fiction to manga, enriched by the guidance of teachers.
Public & Online Presence
Social Media
Carl maintains active visibility on social platforms:
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On X (Twitter) he uses the handle
@Ankaman616, posting commentary, reactions to matches and news, and interacting with readers. -
On Instagram, under
@carl.anka, he shares glimpses of his personal life—birthday and anniversary posts, reflections, and moments with his partner.
Persona & Branding
His profile tag often reads:
“I once had a friend called Grunwalski …
#AllBlackLivesMatter”
It signals both his humour and commitment to social justice themes. He balances confidence and self-deprecation, a style he says he admires in writing: “Be proud of your work, but self-deprecating. Be bombastic in selling your tale, but personable when telling it.”
He has also done an AMA (ask me anything) on Reddit, introducing himself directly to Manchester United fans and explaining how he became a United supporter, his media interests, and his philosophy of storytelling.
Personal Life & Relationship
Carl Anka’s private life is relatively modest in public records, but social media posts strongly suggest a stable, affectionate relationship with Ophelia Liedje:
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In an Instagram post, Carl celebrated a 3-year anniversary with the caption, “Time flies when you’ve got a cute babes ♥️.”
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In another, he posted: “Happy birthday @ophelia_liedje! I love you!”
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A third post dated from ~178 weeks ago read: “Today is a good day. @ophelia_liedje,” which followers understood to mark an anniversary.
These interactions affirm that Ophelia is more than a friend or collaborator—they appear to share life together in Manchester and celebrate milestones publicly.
Carl is also candid about his upbringing—having attended school in predominantly white settings, and navigating questions of race and identity as a young Black British man. He often reflects on the invisible labour of representation and the balancing act of assimilation and authenticity.
Challenges, Reflections & Aspirations
Carl does not portray journalism as glamorous. He has spoken honestly in interviews about the grind: waiting in cold stadium lots, chasing deadlines, navigating gatekeepers, and the emotional toll of being vigilant about social issues. He uses metaphors like “how sausages are made” to describe the hidden processes behind polished sports narratives.
Yet, he remains driven by the idea that stories—smart, opinionated, confident ones—are the ones worth telling. He aims to break through superficial coverage and bring greater depth, context, and empathy to music, film, identity, gaming, and, of course, football.
He has expressed a desire to mentor new voices in journalism and carve pathways for underrepresented storytellers. The projects he takes on—especially his books with Rashford—reflect the mission to inspire younger generations, especially those from marginalised backgrounds, to find their voice and make a difference.
FAQs
1. What is Carl Anka’s Twitter handle?
Carl Anka’s official Twitter (now X) handle is @Ankaman616. He frequently shares updates, football commentary, and thoughts on culture and social issues with his 100K+ followers.
2. How old is Carl Anka?
Carl Anka’s exact age is not publicly disclosed, but based on his university graduation (2012) and early career timeline, he is believed to be in his early to mid-30s.
3. What does Carl Anka do at The Athletic?
Carl Anka is a staff writer and Manchester United reporter at The Athletic. He covers club news, tactical analyses, transfers, and long-form cultural features related to football.
4. What books has Carl Anka written?
Carl Anka co-authored the bestselling motivational books You Are a Champion and You Can Do It with Manchester United star Marcus Rashford. His writing empowers young readers to build confidence, purpose, and resilience.
5. Who is Carl Anka’s girlfriend?
Carl Anka is in a long-term relationship with Ophelia Liedje, as seen in several affectionate posts on his Instagram. The couple live in Manchester, UK, and often celebrate milestones together.
Conclusion
Carl Anka embodies a modern blend of sports journalism, cultural critique, and personal storytelling. His journey from London to Bath Spa University, his early freelance years, and his ascension to being The Athletic’s Manchester United correspondent speak to talent, perseverance, and vision. His writing is rooted in empathy, reflection, and a drive to connect the personal with the universal.
As he continues expanding his voice—through podcasting, publishing, and public discourse—Carl Anka remains a writer to watch, particularly for those seeking journalism that breaks the frame and holds power to account.
