The Media Targeting Greenwood

noodlehair

"It's like..."
Joined
Apr 1, 2004
Messages
16,182
Location
Flagg
I don't think the media are entirely to blame to be fair.

Greenwood let himself down with the whole incident with England. I don't like criticism of young players but throwing away your international debut to dick around like a petulant school child is quite concerning behaviour.

Then Southgate being the complete berk he is, instead of managing it properly like the manager of a football team should do, just came out and hung Greenwood and Foden out in front of all the media, who then pretty much had no choice but to focus on it negatively, because, and lets not forget this part because it's important, Southgate is a berk. He's then compounded his stupidity by later having no issue with more experienced players who should know better literally going to a fecking covid party.

The media have just followed the scent really, as they do. No doubting there's plenty of scumbags in the media but they're like vultures. They circle wherever the food is.

Greenwood has to take responsibility for his own behaviour and just keep his head down. Stories based on bollocks will go away pretty quickly as long as they aren't given any fuel. Southgate on the other hand probably just needs to get himself sacked before he ruins an entire generation of talent for whoever the next manager is.
 

90 + 5min

Full Member
Joined
Aug 8, 2019
Messages
5,032
We all know how media works. Be first whatever you write. Don't matter if it's true or false. Clickbite journalism. Try to make drama of everything. Every day, every week, every year.

However, despite media our Greenwood have to start taking some better decisions. He is young but he needs to learn what is like to be at the big club. It is hard to make the top and couple of wrong decision could mean that you are playing in Walsall instead of Manchester United in 2-3 years. Regardless of how talented you are.
 

Tarrou

Full Member
Joined
May 13, 2013
Messages
25,542
Location
Sydney
I don't think the media are entirely to blame to be fair.

Greenwood let himself down with the whole incident with England. I don't like criticism of young players but throwing away your international debut to dick around like a petulant school child is quite concerning behaviour.

Then Southgate being the complete berk he is, instead of managing it properly like the manager of a football team should do, just came out and hung Greenwood and Foden out in front of all the media, who then pretty much had no choice but to focus on it negatively, because, and lets not forget this part because it's important, Southgate is a berk. He's then compounded his stupidity by later having no issue with more experienced players who should know better literally going to a fecking covid party.

The media have just followed the scent really, as they do. No doubting there's plenty of scumbags in the media but they're like vultures. They circle wherever the food is.

Greenwood has to take responsibility for his own behaviour and just keep his head down. Stories based on bollocks will go away pretty quickly as long as they aren't given any fuel. Southgate on the other hand probably just needs to get himself sacked before he ruins an entire generation of talent for whoever the next manager is.
They managed to keep it going for a good few years with Sterling to be fair.
 

united for life

Full Member
Joined
Apr 25, 2014
Messages
2,226
Ole has dealt with this well, I feel. He rightly complained at Southgate for taking him on NT duty after asking him not to (which some on here had a go at?) and any time he has dropped criticism Greenwood’s way, it’s always been with a caveat to the media/fans about his age/how he is dealing with stuff and still doing very well.
yup. Ole is actually quite good at man management and he’s done that with Mason as well here. His recent omission from the team is probably both poor form and to protect him. Let the media forget him.

it’s a shame to see how the media is going at him. Forget that he is a footballer, he is a human being going through a tough time. He is a kid having to go into all this pressure and all because of fake news.

one would understand the pressure that comes with playing for united, but promote fake news is unacceptable! Players need to be protected against this kind of madness!
 

Jazz

Just in case anyone missed it. I don't like Mount.
Joined
Feb 11, 2014
Messages
30,894
yup. Ole is actually quite good at man management and he’s done that with Mason as well here. His recent omission from the team is probably both poor form and to protect him. Let the media forget him.

it’s a shame to see how the media is going at him. Forget that he is a footballer, he is a human being going through a tough time. He is a kid having to go into all this pressure and all because of fake news.

one would understand the pressure that comes with playing for united, but promote fake news is unacceptable! Players need to be protected against this kind of madness!
Agree with you.

I don't read the papers anymore for quite a while (and it's bliss!) so didn't know about all this stuff with Mason. A friend just told me his mate committed suicide. That's not easy to deal with much less at his young age.

And whomever is leaking shit to the media needs to be fired. Honestly.

Hopefully we're helping him as much as we can.
 

tjb

Full Member
Joined
Sep 6, 2013
Messages
3,309
Remember Rio? Do you really think anyone who didn't play at United and didnt look like Rio ( not just race, but the hair changes and all) would have been presented that badly by the media and FA if both factors didn't exist? When players who literally tested positive for restricted drugs were given 2-3 month bans, yet a missed test is given 9 months.

It's not an isolated affair, anything with United's name on it already gets attention. Remember the Rooney and Ronaldo world cup beef where the media tried to get Ronaldo out of England? Or how poorly Becks was treated after 98.
 

Jazz

Just in case anyone missed it. I don't like Mount.
Joined
Feb 11, 2014
Messages
30,894
Remember Rio? Do you really think anyone who didn't play at United and didnt look like Rio ( not just race, but the hair changes and all) would have been presented that badly by the media and FA if both factors didn't exist? When players who literally tested positive for restricted drugs were given 2-3 month bans, yet a missed test is given 9 months.

It's not an isolated affair, anything with United's name on it already gets attention. Remember the Rooney and Ronaldo world cup beef where the media tried to get Ronaldo out of England? Or how poorly Becks was treated after 98.
The English press is absolutely awful, but what disappoints me is some of our fans feeding into that stuff. They should know better.
Best thing players can do is totally ignore all media. They can have a peek during their holidays and that's it. Hard enough playing for United and then have to deal with shit from the media.
 

eire-red

Full Member
Joined
Aug 9, 2018
Messages
2,506
As wrong as it is, this is all part and parcel of fame. And being a 19 year old wonderkid at United, the amount of coverage you are going to get is astronomical. I'm sure Mason knows this, and he'll have been briefed from a very young age the dangers of the media hounds if you make it. All these young players are.

You don't get all the perks and benefits of a pro footballer life without the bad stuff as well, that's the nature of fame. For every one person looking up to you and cheering you on, there are another two waiting to tear you down.

He's made mistakes, and the only reason the scrutiny is on him now is because he's in and out of the team. Foden made the same mistakes as him, but isn't being targeted because he doesn't play for United and is getting more regular game time. Bear in mind he's two years older than Greenwood as well, so it's strange that the younger and less experienced player is the one getting more heat, but that's the nature of being a United player, something Maguire alluded to last weekend.

I'm positive he'll rebound from this, there's no way his talent won't get him as a permanent fixture in our team. Despite all the rumours, he seems to have a good head on his shoulders. He wouldn't have made it this far if he wasn't motivated, driven etc.
 

Inigo Montoya

Leave Wayne Rooney alone!!
Joined
Oct 1, 2008
Messages
38,543
I just wish people would connect the dots, and realise that this goes for every media department - not just the sports section. It's exactly the way they operate when it comes to more important stuff as well. There's always a set narrative, always someone to villify, always a meme for people to incorporate into their psyche. Proper brain washing.

"Saddam has weapons of mass destruction" -> people support the killing of hundreds of thousand Iraqis.

"Assad is gassing his own citizens" -> people support the destruction of Syria.

"Gaddafi is a horrible man" -> people support the bombing of Libya, and subsequent refugee crisis washing over Europe.

The role of the media has always been to push narratives - whether for political or economical gain - and to prepare people to hate someone else (makes us ok with more). And even when there isn't really an underlying agenda, it's just what sells the most papers, and makes more people tune into the TV.
Phew I’m glad you equate the targeting of Greenwood with Saddam, Assad and Gaddafi. Thought it was only me
 

GailSpaceWynand

Yes, I signed up with this name.
Joined
Sep 20, 2016
Messages
1,888
A lot of issues here to be discussed and taken into account.

- Media's (esp English media) insistence to put young black stars under pressure for every small mistake is uncalled for maybe a tad racist (Rio, Sterling, Mason)
- Southgate should defend his youngsters better (yes the Iceland issue was Mason's feck up but young players will make mistakes - they need to be protected)
- also a lot of people are equating this to saying he's been bad. I don't believe that. The games he has played he has been OK and bit inconsistent which shouldn't be surprising tbh.
- the suicide of his close friend also adds another dimension to this debate and if so he should have been protected before (not now after this story comes out) it goes to show there are many youngsters dealing with issues they may not be comfortable speaking about and starting a toxic balme game is not the right way to deal with this.
 
Joined
May 22, 2017
Messages
13,122
Right Ole, time to slaughter all of these assholes and protect Greenwood. fecking twats the lot of em.
and what’s he meant to say about his own fans?

the media are a representation of the type of stories and trash that lots of our ‘fans’ thrive on, lap up, share and love. How do you tackle that?
 

RedSky

Shepherd’s Delight
Scout
Joined
Jul 27, 2006
Messages
74,145
Location
Hereford FC (Soccermanager)
and what’s he meant to say about his own fans?

the media are a representation of the type of stories and trash that lots of our ‘fans’ thrive on, lap up, share and love. How do you tackle that?
You can't do anything about the muppets in our fanbase that love to read and believe Twitter/Daily Mail nonsense. I'd certainly start by warning/banning people who spread that shite on here. He's a 19 year old lad going through a difficult point in his life and some of our 'fans' want to aid that process by shitting on him at every available opportunity. Disgraceful.
 

Inter Yer Nan

Full Member
Joined
Aug 26, 2016
Messages
6,380
Location
Los Angeles, CA (from UK)
Remember Rio? Do you really think anyone who didn't play at United and didnt look like Rio ( not just race, but the hair changes and all) would have been presented that badly by the media and FA if both factors didn't exist? When players who literally tested positive for restricted drugs were given 2-3 month bans, yet a missed test is given 9 months.

It's not an isolated affair, anything with United's name on it already gets attention. Remember the Rooney and Ronaldo world cup beef where the media tried to get Ronaldo out of England? Or how poorly Becks was treated after 98.
I LOVE how both of those played out. Beckham became a better player, had an incredible season and in no time he was NT captain and they were sucking him off whereas Ronaldo proceeded to dominate the league for the next three seasons and was so far ahead as the best PL player (probably still ever).

Hopefully (and I expect) Greenwood is on fire soon enough and makes the media look (even more) foolish.
 

glazed

Eats diamonds to beat thermodynamics
Joined
Sep 30, 2012
Messages
7,526
Once you get that rep you become a target.
 

GailSpaceWynand

Yes, I signed up with this name.
Joined
Sep 20, 2016
Messages
1,888
bingo. It’s what it’s all about, it’s amazing that so many people can’t see that, and then go off ranting in a Man Utd forum.
Is is though? I've always thought most have negative articles posted regarding United because of a higher probability of being read by most people (most clicks) including a sizeable number of oppos who hate us and our own fans who maybe concerned. Mix these both and you see why anything related to United sells.

I don't believe for a second a lot of our fans love and share these posts. A few gullible idiots may.
 
Joined
May 22, 2017
Messages
13,122
You can't do anything about the muppets in our fanbase that love to read and believe Twitter/Daily Mail nonsense. I'd certainly start by warning/banning people who spread that shite on here. He's a 19 year old lad going through a difficult point in his life and some of our 'fans' want to aid that process by shitting on him at every available opportunity. Disgraceful.
I just don’t understand the mentality. These people are just self destructive. I wouldn’t condone it, if it came from other club’s supporters, but I could understand it. When it’s your own fans, it’s horrendous, and it shames me to be associated to them in any way.
 
Joined
May 22, 2017
Messages
13,122
Is is though? I've always thought most have negative articles posted regarding United because of a higher probability of being read by most people (most clicks) including a sizeable number of oppos who hate us and our own fans who maybe concerned. Mix these both and you see why anything related to United sells.

I don't believe for a second a lot of our fans love and share these posts. A few gullible idiots may.
it is a minority, but they are the vocal ones, you see it on here all the time. I stay away from Twitter and the like, but can’t imagine Greenwood is on opposition fans radars.
 

Rolaholic

Full Member
Joined
Aug 1, 2016
Messages
11,147
Truly despise the international breaks, always ends up turning into a field day against the club and it's players.

Disgusting that Greenwood has become the press's new Sterling
 

TrueRed1999

Somehow bleaker than Nostradamus
Joined
May 9, 2019
Messages
291
Location
Manchester
I feel like this needs its own thread. I'd like to implore everyone on this forum to not get drawn into the decided narrative and get behind our player.

He's made mistakes (at 19 who hasn't) and the media have started piling in. This can't be good for his mental health or development at the club. I'm not suggesting he is absolved from any criticism but the media onslaught is way over the top.

Some recent headlines



Mason didn't run onto a Bruno pass in training, there wasn't even a verbal altercation.



Same story about him not running onto a pass but three hours later, this time unashamedly with an added quote/story about Bruno from his old club that makes it look connected.



After the club state that he was ill in training, the media decide Mason is putting in 'lethargic' training sessions.



Apparently we're considering letting one of the hottest prospects in football walk away on a free.

This thread was needed and I am whole heartedly in support of Greenwood after what they did to Sterling
 

VP89

Pogba's biggest fan
Joined
Dec 6, 2015
Messages
31,123
Parking media exaggeration to one side, what is seemingly true is that there is a fair bit of concern around Greenwood and his professionalism. His family have also moved out to Manchester seemingly to guide him back in line. There's an issue with his application in training and the sleep, which impacts immunity.
 

noodlehair

"It's like..."
Joined
Apr 1, 2004
Messages
16,182
Location
Flagg
They managed to keep it going for a good few years with Sterling to be fair.
Sterling didn't exactly keep his head down though. He's actively gone to war with the media. In a way it's good that he's brave and willing enough to call them out on it, but he's doing so as an already established senior footballer.

Greenwood at this point in his career is better off just keeping his head down from it. He's not high profile enough yet for the media to bother keeping on at him. Especially with boring made up drivel...getting yelled at by Fernandes in training...who even cares?

Basically if he does nothing to attract fair criticism they'll soon leave him alone. The route cause of the current situation is that he behaved in a way that would raise fair criticism and concern about his mindset/attitude. The amount of attention it drew was disproportionate because it was while on England duty, and because Southgate instead of trying to mitigate it decided to do the opposite and make Foden and Greenwood out as examples. A decent manager would have played it down and kept the punishment side private. A good manager would have been aware enough of the players they were managing and command enough respect to probably just prevent it happening.
 

Tarrou

Full Member
Joined
May 13, 2013
Messages
25,542
Location
Sydney
Sterling didn't exactly keep his head down though. He's actively gone to war with the media. In a way it's good that he's brave and willing enough to call them out on it, but he's doing so as an already established senior footballer.

Greenwood at this point in his career is better off just keeping his head down from it. He's not high profile enough yet for the media to bother keeping on at him. Especially with boring made up drivel...getting yelled at by Fernandes in training...who even cares?

Basically if he does nothing to attract fair criticism they'll soon leave him alone. The route cause of the current situation is that he behaved in a way that would raise fair criticism and concern about his mindset/attitude. The amount of attention it drew was disproportionate because it was while on England duty, and because Southgate instead of trying to mitigate it decided to do the opposite and make Foden and Greenwood out as examples. A decent manager would have played it down and kept the punishment side private. A good manager would have been aware enough of the players they were managing and command enough respect to probably just prevent it happening.

It does seem as though the press backed off from Sterling after he called them out, to be fair. But I agree with you Greenwood is far better off just getting his head down.

Its boring drivel but it's still harmful if its consistent. It builds a narrative in fans minds and it will impact their opinion on him, we've seen that with Pogba over the years to a degree.

And yeah that was shocking man-management from Southgate, he's helped create this stigma now and unfortunately Greenwood is paying the price a little bit.
 

Rolaholic

Full Member
Joined
Aug 1, 2016
Messages
11,147
I don't envy being a young footballer nowadays honestly, sure there are nice perks but the neverending microscope your professional and private life are under has to be draining.

You might be dealing with seriois stuff internally and all of a sudden the press and social media run rampant with all sorts of wild assumptions and false accusations that can cause lasting damage to you and your family/loved ones.

Just wish more 'supporters' stopped lapping up stuff without evidence and using it to firm their opinions. You'd expect that guilty until proven innocent mindset coming from rival fans who hope for the worst but not from your own fans. Can't be easy...

Glad that that journo at least did the responsible thing and cleared up some the dangerous speculation that was running rampant as it was becoming quite ugly.
 

glazed

Eats diamonds to beat thermodynamics
Joined
Sep 30, 2012
Messages
7,526
For the time being, let’s not discuss that which was being discussed. Thank you
Agreed. It is not relevant to this thread as the player in question has been identified by the police as being in his twenties.