Club Sale | It’s done!

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Solius

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It's very strange to me, considering a HUGE part of the United brand is built on that romance. The narrative of Man United IS the narrative of it's self sufficiency. It's winning European Cups with different teams built out of it's academy, or from young players it bought and developed. It's recovering from setbacks & tragedy with it's own players, it's own graft, it's own mythology....United are not remotely the most successful team in football. We never have been. We're not even the most successful English club in Europe. The reason we're so beloved (and so supported) is in huge part thanks to this romantic image of the club... The irony that a lot of the supporters who support us because of this image, are more than happy to tear it down for the (vague) promise of unlimited success is so utterly depressing to me. City's treble was entirely without romance, without narrative, and yet people still looked at it and went "yeah, I wanna sell our soul for that! Gimmie gimme! And what's more I'm gonna celebrate it, and laugh in the face of anyone put off by it, because I get what I want!"

I will remain a United fan, but I will simply care less, in much the same way I care less now than I did as an obsessed 14 year old who used to cut the heads of top players Panini stickers and stick them onto duplicates of our players. Football will remain a part of my life, just a slightly less joyful part. A part I take less pleasure and certainly less pride in, as that will simply ebb away a bit into other things.... It's not a massive deal, but it's sad nonetheless. And the kind of people who consider that something to crow over, I will simply never understand.
Well put, as always.
 

croadyman

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The Al Watan editor had info he wanted to share, but he needed deniability to avoid legal repercussions, so he retweeted that obscure, dodgy Cardiff account as cover. It's brilliant, although it also makes him look like an idiot.
He oughta to be sacked for that
 

moses

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I have no idea either, yet.
You are spot on there mate. However, sometimes it is just best to ignore certain posts and posters.

He's not spot on, he's totally wrong. There are tipping points in all things. And people can decide their own.

I have protested against wars. Are they not legitimate protests because I haven't protested against other wars?

Everyone's relationship with things is unique, so what you see as parallels maybe don't to others.

Argue against the matter in hand or admit defeat and accept it graciously. Because that's what whataboutery is, the lack of an argument. And it makes tedious reading.
 

Gurtej

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My genuine reaction:

1) If Qatar wins: Thought of debt free club, upgraded Old Trafford and infrastructure are key reasons I will be satisfied. We generate enough cash to compete with most of the clubs out there so not really worried there. Completely understand some people skepticism about it being a state big or not, also understand why some people don't want Qatar. I would genuinely like to see them to stop supporting the club and find one that aligns to their moral values, it happened when we were overtaken by Glazers (FC United of Manchester) so please don't tell me there is no way, let your actions follow your words.

2) If Sir Jim wins: Still will be satisfied as getting Glazers out is the most important outcome. Contrary to few other pro Qatar posters, I think he will be a good owner so have my full support regardless of lack of some details around his vision.
 

united_99

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I just don’t get it. Why is it ok in one aspect of your life but not the other? Are you down at Whitehall every day protesting our own Govts actions?

Are people expecting Qatari ownership to come in and ban LGBTQ+ from the Stadium? Or have migrant workers from Pakistan build the new ground under unsafe conditions? Of course they aren’t.

Supporting Man Utd doesn’t become support for Qatari laws. Just as having the Glazers own is isn’t support of gun rights in the States.
Bloody hell. On another level if someone takes the train instead of his car, avoids plastic bags and other plastic, etc. but takes a plane to fly then he may as well not bother doing the other stuff because it wouldn’t count or something?
Similarly there’s a huge difference between stealing a chocolate bar from a shop and a bank robbery with hostage. Both are not good but are still on completely different levels.
Incredible what people come up with in support of Qatar.
 

westmeath

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It's very strange to me, considering a HUGE part of the United brand is built on that romance. The narrative of Man United IS the narrative of it's self sufficiency. It's winning European Cups with different teams built out of it's academy, or from young players it bought and developed. It's recovering from setbacks & tragedy with it's own players, it's own graft, it's own mythology....United are not remotely the most successful team in football. We never have been. We're not even the most successful English club in Europe. The reason we're so beloved (and so supported) is in huge part thanks to this romantic image of the club... The irony that a lot of the supporters who support us because of this image, are more than happy to tear it down for the (vague) promise of unlimited success is so utterly depressing to me. City's treble was entirely without romance, without narrative, and yet people still looked at it and went "yeah, I wanna sell our soul for that! Gimmie gimme! And what's more I'm gonna celebrate it, and laugh in the face of anyone put off by it, because I get what I want!"

I will remain a United fan, but I will simply care less, in much the same way I care less now than I did as an obsessed 14 year old who used to cut the heads of top players Panini stickers and stick them onto duplicates of our players. Football will remain a part of my life, just a slightly less joyful part. A part I take less pleasure and certainly less pride in, as that will simply ebb away a bit into other things.... It's not a massive deal, but it's sad nonetheless. And the kind of people who consider that something to crow over, I will simply never understand.
Great post. This is also me. I will become a half arsed fan and eventually not even a fan. Football is in big trouble, who knows what the landscape will look like in five years.
 

BerryBerryShrew

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I just don’t get it. Why is it ok in one aspect of your life but not the other? Are you down at Whitehall every day protesting our own Govts actions?

Are people expecting Qatari ownership to come in and ban LGBTQ+ from the Stadium? Or have migrant workers from Pakistan build the new ground under unsafe conditions? Of course they aren’t.

Supporting Man Utd doesn’t become support for Qatari laws. Just as having the Glazers own is isn’t support of gun rights in the States.
But you have to understand that there are different levels of wrongdoing. A guy who eats a grape in a supermarket without paying for it isn't as bad as a guy who embezzles millions from a charity.

Also, most people have a problem with something they love (their club) being used as a plaything for a nefarious regime rather than the regime itself. I openly admit that I don't give much thought to the human rights abuses of the Qatari hierarchy on a day to day basis, but when they use something I deeply care about to justify/help normalise their wrongdoing, that fecks me off.
 

kafta

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It's very strange to me, considering a HUGE part of the United brand is built on that romance. The narrative of Man United IS the narrative of it's self sufficiency. It's winning European Cups with different teams built out of it's academy, or from young players it bought and developed. It's recovering from setbacks & tragedy with it's own players, it's own graft, it's own mythology....United are not remotely the most successful team in football. We never have been. We're not even the most successful English club in Europe. The reason we're so beloved (and so supported) is in huge part thanks to this romantic image of the club... The irony that a lot of the supporters who support us because of this image, are more than happy to tear it down for the (vague) promise of unlimited success is so utterly depressing to me. City's treble was entirely without romance, without narrative, and yet people still looked at it and went "yeah, I wanna sell our soul for that! Gimmie gimme! And what's more I'm gonna celebrate it, and laugh in the face of anyone put off by it, because I get what I want!"

I will remain a United fan, but I will simply care less, in much the same way I care less now than I did as an obsessed 14 year old who used to cut the heads of top players Panini stickers and stick them onto duplicates of our players. Football will remain a part of my life, just a slightly less joyful part. A part I take less pleasure and certainly less pride in, as that will simply ebb away a bit into other things.... It's not a massive deal, but it's sad nonetheless. And the kind of people who consider that something to crow over, I will simply never understand.
Honestly, i love the sentiment of it, but can you explain how you would keep all that and be successful considering where we are now?

If the two options you are faced with are either being privately owned by owners who suck the life out of the club, or owners who will pump money into the club (or at the very least let it operate without leaching off it), which would you pick?

I just think we have to accept that the romance of the football club being a community based entity is dead. Especially for clubs trying to compete for top honors.

I agree it is sad, but i am genuinely asking what the alternative would be for a club in 2023 wanting a fair chance at winning.
 

bazza3727

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Fully respect that line.

Personally, don't have the time and will to commit myself to question that line.
I have zero knowledge about the Qataris and the human rights violations, nor do i wish to inspect it thoroughly.

You could label it whataboutism, or sticking ones head in the sand, but i simply choose to live without that knowledge.

Redcafe is probably the biggest online place that opens my views on different topics.
Whenever i'm in doubt about something i choose the CAF as a reference point.
There is a huge amount of knowledgable posters about vastly different topics, and i feel the quality of serious posts is remarkable.


I never really related the romance behind the club with the owners.

I don't know who the owners were at the time of the Munich disaster. I didn't know who the owners were in the 90's when i started rooting for the club....
Didn't know about the owners right about the time when the Glazers took over.

I don't even know anything about the Glazers, outside of the knowledgable posts about their wrongdoings while at the helm of the club in the last decade.

Even now, i have zero knowledge about Sir Jim or Jassim.
Couldn't care less.
They might buy the club and call themselves "owners", but i certainly won't associate the club with them.

Manchester United is way beyond that.
That's my line in the sand.
Does human rights matter to you in other aspects of your day to day life? Do you refuse to buy anything made at Foxconn? Do you refuse to wear your Nike trainers? Will you be protesting the British governments attempts to back out of the human rights act?
Question - Did all the vegans and vegetarians fall out of love with the club when Louis Edwards invested in the club after Munich?
 

BerryBerryShrew

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Great post. This is also me. I will become a half arsed fan and eventually not even a fan. Football is in big trouble, who knows what the landscape will look like in five years.
Judging from your username, you're blessed with the same nationality as myself. Do you think you might start taking more of an interest in a LOI team if Qatar takes over at United?
 

Massive Spanner

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Honestly, i love the sentiment of it, but can you explain how you would keep all that and be successful considering where we are now?

If the two options you are faced with are either being privately owned by owners who suck the life out of the club, or owners who will pump money into the club (or at the very least let it operate without leaching off it), which would you pick?

I just think we have to accept that the romance of the football club being a community based entity is dead. Especially for clubs trying to compete for top honors.

I agree it is sad, but i am genuinely asking what the alternative would be for a club in 2023 wanting a fair chance at winning.
This isn't a Man City or a Newcastle we're talking about. This is the 2nd biggest club in the world and the club that generates the most revenue in the world. A club that already drawfs most in spending and wages despite our current owners. The only problem we have is terrible mismanagement. An owner who knows how to manage the club properly is far more important than a sugar daddy, and Qatar have shown in the past (via PSG) that they are certainly no Abu Dhabi when it comes to managing a football club, so it's naive to assume they'll bring anything like the success the UAE have brought City. I'm not saying SJR is either, but this is far from as black and white as Owners with unlimited money = unparalleled success
 

Ronaldo's Love Child

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Honestly, i love the sentiment of it, but can you explain how you would keep all that and be successful considering where we are now?

If the two options you are faced with are either being privately owned by owners who suck the life out of the club, or owners who will pump money into the club (or at the very least let it operate without leaching off it), which would you pick?

I just think we have to accept that the romance of the football club being a community based entity is dead. Especially for clubs trying to compete for top honors.

I agree it is sad, but i am genuinely asking what the alternative would be for a club in 2023 wanting a fair chance at winning.
I agree with your sentiment as it has echoes of when SAF was saying there is "no value in the market" whilst our competitors snapped up some of the best talent in Europe at "inflated" prices.

There perhaps comes a point where you have to adapt to the current landscape.
 

BerryBerryShrew

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I agree it is sad, but i am genuinely asking what the alternative would be for a club in 2023 wanting a fair chance at winning.
But why is winning so important as a fan? Most fans support clubs that have no chance of winning, and I wouldn't see it as a pointless endeavour. Just enjoy the club, enjoy the matches, enjoy the wins, bemoan the losses, and feel like you are part of something.
 

Fts 74

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It's very strange to me, considering a HUGE part of the United brand is built on that romance. The narrative of Man United IS the narrative of it's self sufficiency. It's winning European Cups with different teams built out of it's academy, or from young players it bought and developed. It's recovering from setbacks & tragedy with it's own players, it's own graft, it's own mythology....United are not remotely the most successful team in football. We never have been. We're not even the most successful English club in Europe. The reason we're so beloved (and so supported) is in huge part thanks to this romantic image of the club... The irony that a lot of the supporters who support us because of this image, are more than happy to tear it down for the (vague) promise of unlimited success is so utterly depressing to me. City's treble was entirely without romance, without narrative, and yet people still looked at it and went "yeah, I wanna sell our soul for that! Gimmie gimme! And what's more I'm gonna celebrate it, and laugh in the face of anyone put off by it, because I get what I want!"

I will remain a United fan, but I will simply care less, in much the same way I care less now than I did as an obsessed 14 year old who used to cut the heads of top players Panini stickers and stick them onto duplicates of our players. Football will remain a part of my life, just a slightly less joyful part. A part I take less pleasure and certainly less pride in, as that will simply ebb away a bit into other things.... It's not a massive deal, but it's sad nonetheless. And the kind of people who consider that something to crow over, I will simply never understand.
Couldn't put it better myself.Well said.
 

bosnian_red

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Honestly, i love the sentiment of it, but can you explain how you would keep all that and be successful considering where we are now?

If the two options you are faced with are either being privately owned by owners who suck the life out of the club, or owners who will pump money into the club (or at the very least let it operate without leaching off it), which would you pick?

I just think we have to accept that the romance of the football club being a community based entity is dead. Especially for clubs trying to compete for top honors.

I agree it is sad, but i am genuinely asking what the alternative would be for a club in 2023 wanting a fair chance at winning.
There are normal owners who don't leach off the club and don't buy success. My impression of Ratcliffe is he wouldn't try to buy success, but he'd just try to make the club more sustainable and he wouldn't leach off the club either. That's fine with me. No idea if he'll get the hirings right, just want someone who wants to bring in the right people and keeps trying to get a good structure in. Let the club build itself normally. Get it back in a healthy spot financially. We can still compete at the very top like that.
 

weizxx

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It's very strange to me, considering a HUGE part of the United brand is built on that romance. The narrative of Man United IS the narrative of it's self sufficiency. It's winning European Cups with different teams built out of it's academy, or from young players it bought and developed. It's recovering from setbacks & tragedy with it's own players, it's own graft, it's own mythology....United are not remotely the most successful team in football. We never have been. We're not even the most successful English club in Europe. The reason we're so beloved (and so supported) is in huge part thanks to this romantic image of the club... The irony that a lot of the supporters who support us because of this image, are more than happy to tear it down for the (vague) promise of unlimited success is so utterly depressing to me. City's treble was entirely without romance, without narrative, and yet people still looked at it and went "yeah, I wanna sell our soul for that! Gimmie gimme! And what's more I'm gonna celebrate it, and laugh in the face of anyone put off by it, because I get what I want!"

I will remain a United fan, but I will simply care less, in much the same way I care less now than I did as an obsessed 14 year old who used to cut the heads of top players Panini stickers and stick them onto duplicates of our players. Football will remain a part of my life, just a slightly less joyful part. A part I take less pleasure and certainly less pride in, as that will simply ebb away a bit into other things.... It's not a massive deal, but it's sad nonetheless. And the kind of people who consider that something to crow over, I will simply never understand.
Same feelings.
 

BarstoolProphet

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It’s not valid. it’s idiotic. It’s actually so dumb it boggles the mind that people are still doing it. It’s trying to turn a complex problem into a binary “either I’m ok with Qatar or I need to change my entire lifestyle and boycott absolutely every little thing wrong with the world”. It’s so dumb. How is it still a thing?
I think you misunderstand. Being against Qatar due to human rights issues is perfectly valid. But when saying to someone that either you agree with me in this specific situation or you are lacking morals, then that most likely will be received negatively - especially if it's coming from someone that most likely don't have their backs clean in other situations. This argument is misplaced when aimed at the first group, but not the latter.
 

MTF

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Honestly, i love the sentiment of it, but can you explain how you would keep all that and be successful considering where we are now?

If the two options you are faced with are either being privately owned by owners who suck the life out of the club, or owners who will pump money into the club (or at the very least let it operate without leaching off it), which would you pick?

I just think we have to accept that the romance of the football club being a community based entity is dead. Especially for clubs trying to compete for top honors.

I agree it is sad, but i am genuinely asking what the alternative would be for a club in 2023 wanting a fair chance at winning.
We don't have to be successful, not at any cost.
 

DickDastardly

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It's very strange to me, considering a HUGE part of the United brand is built on that romance. The narrative of Man United IS the narrative of it's self sufficiency. It's winning European Cups with different teams built out of it's academy, or from young players it bought and developed. It's recovering from setbacks & tragedy with it's own players, it's own graft, it's own mythology....United are not remotely the most successful team in football. We never have been. We're not even the most successful English club in Europe. The reason we're so beloved (and so supported) is in huge part thanks to this romantic image of the club... The irony that a lot of the supporters who support us because of this image, are more than happy to tear it down for the (vague) promise of unlimited success is so utterly depressing to me.
A very nice post.

Still, what does it have to do with ownership?

The matter of fact is - the club is being sold.
By dodgy owners who no one likes.
And there's nothing we can do about it.

Again, the club is for sale.
It's still our club, no matter who owns it.

The romance is still there if you wanna see it.
The new manager could be our romance?
Plenty of players from the academy?
The support is still massive.
 

Massive Spanner

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I think you misunderstand. Being against Qatar due to human rights issues is perfectly valid. But when saying to someone that either you agree with me in this specific situation or you are lacking morals, then that most likely will be received negatively - especially if it's coming from someone that most likely don't have their backs clean in other situations. This argument is misplaced when aimed at the first group, but not the latter.
I think you're the one misunderstanding here because I never said anything remotely along those lines. I simply said that whataboutism is a ridiculous argument that's generally used by dictators and twats like Trump because they have no proper argument. I never mentioned morals in my posts.
 

sparx99

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But you have to understand that there are different levels of wrongdoing. A guy who eats a grape in a supermarket without paying for it isn't as bad as a guy who embezzles millions from a charity.

Also, most people have a problem with something they love (their club) being used as a plaything for a nefarious regime rather than the regime itself. I openly admit that I don't give much thought to the human rights abuses of the Qatari hierarchy on a day to day basis, but when they use something I deeply care about to justify/help normalise their wrongdoing, that fecks me off.
Of course there are different levels of wrongdoing. Supporting a football club irrespective of ownership seems pretty far down the list though.

I’ve said before I just don’t really buy into Sportswashing. Buying Man Utd to sell holidays in Qatar doesn’t seem like a very good ROI. All it seems to have done is wake up a lot of people to issues in Qatar.
 

Chief123

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If we get taken over by Qatar, then surely Newcastle's cnuts are bigger than our cnuts?
Tbh, at that point it most likely wouldn’t matter who has more money. Because all clubs would be limited in their spending due to FFP. However, both clubs could exercise their financial muscle stronger than other clubs not in the same financial bracket.

It’s like a millionaire and a billionaire going into a shop and everything is £10 each. However you’re not allowed to spend more than £1000 each. Your net worth at that point is not a major differential.
 

Massive Spanner

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Of course there are different levels of wrongdoing. Supporting a football club irrespective of ownership seems pretty far down the list though.

I’ve said before I just don’t really buy into Sportswashing. Buying Man Utd to sell holidays in Qatar doesn’t seem like a very good ROI. All it seems to have done is wake up a lot of people to issues in Qatar.
He says as him and half the Caf beg for Qatar to rescue the club from the evil Englishman.
 

westmeath

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Judging from your username, you're blessed with the same nationality as myself. Do you think you might start taking more of an interest in a LOI team if Qatar takes over at United?
Long suffering Bohs fan, don’t have a season ticket but go whenever I can. Love the LOI, pity the FAI doesn’t feel the same way.
 

BarstoolProphet

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Having principles is not acting anything. And if you have any principles you have to be Jesus or some paragon of virtue to legitimise them?

Grow up.
Come on, don't be obtuse. If you are going to tell strangers that you are morally superior based on one single isolated stance, then expect to be questioned on other situations. Nothing to do with highlighting human rights issues as the reason to be against Qatar - which is perfectly valid.
 

stevoc

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This thread moves from: gloating from Pro qatari --> virtue signaling --> rumors squashed --> gloating from SJR fans.

(I may have missed some steps)

All due to fecking glaziers.
Oh my, well whatever works for you mate.

Do you keep smashing windows to get them round?
 

glasgow 21

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Enough already , so if, and its still only an, if Qatar buys its not yours or my fault. Its on the Glazers and the state of Global Business. Whilst we all crave the 1950 Bill in the tools shop life, its gone . It's on the internet and cheap as chips from china on amazon. The idyllic world you all crave and want, a team full of academy players built on graft who work down the mines is in the past it is gone . The new world doesn't have time for us or ideals. It is those with the biggest pockets win. You do have a choice thou but that is down to individual. We lost it when players got more money than sense and to sustain it the owners had to more wealthy each time till we arrive where we are. ~The ~Glazers though have achieved another goal and shitshow. They have turned fans on each other.
 

MarkoDolohov

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Sky Sports News pouring cold water on last nights AlWatan story. Pretty mental. Kaveh Solhekol says if their is to be developments, it is likely to be later on in the day and things havent changed much on the ownership front which is the lifeline SJR/INEOS camp want to hear. Pretty mental twelve hours eh.
 

Mockney

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Honestly, i love the sentiment of it, but can you explain how you would keep all that and be successful considering where we are now?

If the two options you are faced with are either being privately owned by owners who suck the life out of the club, or owners who will pump money into the club (or at the very least let it operate without leaching off it), which would you pick?

I just think we have to accept that the romance of the football club being a community based entity is dead. Especially for clubs trying to compete for top honors.

I agree it is sad, but i am genuinely asking what the alternative would be for a club in 2023 wanting a fair chance at winning.
I mean, Liverpool did it? Madrid have done it? Why Manchester United of all clubs would NEED state ownership to compete is beyond me. We just need to be run properly. It might take a little bit more time than people are willing to wait, but I guarantee it'd mean more. Just as all the titles that have meant more have been the ones we really had to fight for, rather than the ones we won at a canter.

But even so, my post was less about the sad resignation that this is simply the state of football these days and we can do nothing about it (I'm aware of that) as it was how alien and depressing the reaction of some fans in this thread is to it. It's one thing to be resigned, and another to be an active giddy cheerleader for this kind of stuff...and yet more still to take pleasure in goading other fans of your club with it, because they committed the heinous crime of making you feel a little bit bad about it.

People treating this like a transfer saga doing nothing to dissuade from the assumption this is all just an extension of the FIFA/transfer muppet mentality.
 

Robbie Boy

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A huge issue with this thread is: the constant virtue signalling by some, diminishes the well thought out points, by better, more articulated posters.
 

bosnian_red

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It's very strange to me, considering a HUGE part of the United brand is built on that romance. The narrative of Man United IS the narrative of it's self sufficiency. It's winning European Cups with different teams built out of it's academy, or from young players it bought and developed. It's recovering from setbacks & tragedy with it's own players, it's own graft, it's own mythology....United are not remotely the most successful team in football. We never have been. We're not even the most successful English club in Europe. The reason we're so beloved (and so supported) is in huge part thanks to this romantic image of the club... The irony that a lot of the supporters who support us because of this image, are more than happy to tear it down for the (vague) promise of unlimited success is so utterly depressing to me. City's treble was entirely without romance, without narrative, and yet people still looked at it and went "yeah, I wanna sell our soul for that! Gimmie gimme! And what's more I'm gonna celebrate it, and laugh in the face of anyone put off by it, because I get what I want!"

I will remain a United fan, but I will simply care less, in much the same way I care less now than I did as an obsessed 14 year old who used to cut the heads of top players Panini stickers and stick them onto duplicates of our players. Football will remain a part of my life, just a slightly less joyful part. A part I take less pleasure and certainly less pride in, as that will simply ebb away a bit into other things.... It's not a massive deal, but it's sad nonetheless. And the kind of people who consider that something to crow over, I will simply never understand.
It's something that is entirely missed by so many in this (and other) threads. United isn't a club that replaces every player with a 100m galactico player to be the best, they build younger players into stars to be the best. Yes occasionally you make a big signing, but it's something that is more than doable with just a standard sustainable owner. We just need to be run smartly, we don't need a sugar daddy and obviously having leeching owners like the Glazers is a negative too. There is a huge world in between those 2 of what owners are like, and any of that will do as long as they just stay true to what United is. An example of that is Rashford. So many on here would replace him for Raphael Leao or Kvara or whoever else is the flavor of the month. United has never been about replacing guys like that, and those that think like that totally miss the point of what United has always been.
 
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