How to fall in love with the club again?

[Vidyoyo]

The identity of the club has become very commercialised in the past few years and I find it off-putting. Of course it always was to an extent but it was certainly easier feeling a a connection to players who appeared to love playing for the club (anybody from Ronaldo to the Class of 92). There's been a lot of passion missing in the past few years by comparison. Contrary to many, I still felt we had an identity under Moyes; not because of his dreadful managerial nous but because we still had a lot of the same players under him that we had under Fergie.

Arguably the point my feelings shifted came during the LvG era. We were supposed to be building for the future and what happened? We sold Van Persie, Welbeck, Rafael, Nani, Evra and Hernandez and ended up with mercenaries like Di Maria. Falcao too looked oddly out of place. We ended up buying some great players for the future but few of them seem particularly bothered when the chips were down (Shaw, Zaha, Depay, Martial, Darmian).

Right now, I only really see passion from the likes of Fellaini, Mata, Pogba, Rashford, Herrera and Valencia (the last of Fergie's players in a way). Everybody else is a pure professional. It didn't help that the likes of Januzaj floundered either.

Those feelings extend towards the muppetry of this transfer window. We seem to be going full steam ahead trying to get players who aren't all that fussed about playing for us, and if they are then it's because better alternatives don't exist. We're clearly in the business of throwing loads of money at them and it's a far cry from when players saw United as a pinnacle club and saw Fergie as a manager who knew would get the best out of them.

Mourinho. I'm on the fence. For me he's not a great character and while he's still a formidable manager, it's certainly true that he has less pull than ever before. The sourness of his last spell at Chelsea, and perhaps Madrid, altered his perception greatly IMO. We all know full well he'll leave us in the shit in three years time.

And, yeah, we also play boring football and that doesn't help. I'd rather we played in an exciting way and lost rather than grinding out wins, or even draws. I thought out Europa League run was very fun but that's also because we were playing a lot of teams we wouldn't ordinarily play. Perhaps Champions League football will make things better next season.

Right now, I still obviously like the club but I absolutely hate the commercialisation of it. Although perhaps that extends to football in general right now.

And just for the record, I grew up as a United supporter. Used to go to around 7 home games a year in my teens. I've also browsed this forum for about ten years - finally actually started posting this season - so I definitely think things have changed.

 

[MoskvaRed]

I think the main problem is the sheer turnover of players. Inevitability there is not the same depth of emotional investment in a group who, with very few exceptions, fall into one or more of the following categories: have only been here 1-2 seasons, are not good enough or are past their best. If Mourinho steps up next season, building on the Europa League success, then I expect the club to begin forming some recognisable identity again.

 

[SwansonsTache]

Never fell out of love with the club, never will.

Having SAF was special though because then you had the duality of a godlike mastodont of a man and the club you love, things will never feel the same like that, but the love for the club remains.

It felt like watching an army led by some unbeatable general or something when we had SAF tearing shit up on the sidelines.

 

[Vidyoyo]

I think the main problem is the sheer turnover of players. Inevitability there is not the same depth of emotional investment in a group who, with very few exceptions, fall into one or more of the following categories: have only been here 1-2 seasons, are not good enough or are past their best. If Mourinho steps up next season, building on the Europa League success, then I expect the club to begin forming some recognisable identity again.

Yeah this is my hope too. But then again what identity is that? Is it going to be like our old one or more like something Man City and Chelsea have these days? Clubs obsessed with success rather than identity. It's going to be interesting to see what happens.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Yeah this is my hope too. But then again what identity is that? Is it going to be like our old one or more like something Man City and Chelsea have these days? Clubs obsessed with success rather than identity. It's going to be interesting to see what happens.

The Chelsea fans seemed to have a pretty good connection with the likes of Drogba, Lampard and Terry. Here's hoping Mourinho can create something similar at United.

 

[Jim Beam]

I may admit that I'm little more indifferent when we do not win or have a bad result. But I think it's much more about me getting older than United getting worse. Had some problems with some of our transfer policy in which we more chased superstars then building a team but love is always there. Also, I think that we're back in terms of building a proper team.

On the other side, celebrated some of the wins even more than I used too before probably as a result of not having so much success. Went nuts when Martial scored against Everton or Lingard against Palace for the FA Cup. Lost my shit with Ibra winning goal in the League Cup and also lost my night somewhere.

We as a club struggle, no doubt, but there are always some positive in everything. Winning back EPL will be sweet as it could get.

Also, our away support is still bouncing and rocking as they always do. One of the reasons I also love this club so much. Wish I could get to more games than once in a year or two.

 

[TsuWave]

With every post in this "discussion", I began to think it's true indeed.

"United are embedded in me", Christ.

I live 10 minutes walk from Old Trafford mate.....its very much part of my life. I apologise for not being part of your 90%

I did not get on you for "falling out of love" or whatever, didn't even question your loyalty either, just said United is actively part of who i am, it is what it is.

 

[MoskvaRed]

The Chelsea fans seemed to have a pretty good connection with the likes of Drogba, Lampard and Terry. Here's hoping Mourinho can create something similar at United.

Yes. Also, Real Madrid are often viewed as the ultimate in superficial glamour and the pursuit of shiny new toys but even they have maintained a fair bit of stability - Ramos, Modric, Benzema, Ronaldo, Marcelo and (until recently) Pepe have all been mainstays of their success over recent years. It's all about getting the right players, or at least getting more transfers right than wrong.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Yes. Also, Real Madrid are often viewed as the ultimate in superficial glamour and the pursuit of shiny new toys but even they have maintained a fair bit of stability - Ramos, Modric, Benzema, Ronaldo, Marcelo and (until recently) Pepe have all been mainstays of their success over recent years. It's all about getting the right players, or at least getting more transfers right than wrong.

Valencia's a bit too long in the tooth now but would have had the making of a Mourinho stalwart. Herrera's the other obvious fan favourite. If the likes of Pogba, Rashford, Martial, Bailly, Lindelof and Mikhi can start hitting the same heights of quality and consistency as the Chelsea players I've mentioned then we could build a team we can all feel a decent connection with. If we keep buying four or five new players every summer that's very unlikely to happen. Basically, it all hinges on a bit of stability from the top down. If Mourinho gets the sack in the next 12-18 months then it all starts all over again. And we won't get stability without success. The demands of which will tempt managers to buy new players at the first hint of adversity. It's a vicious circle.

 

[McGrathsipan]

Okay, that's something which (has) happened to, I guess, about 90% of us.

Watching United after Ferguson's retirement hasn't been the same and there was a time when you realised that. You didn't feel the magic, you felt that it's not your team.

How to get rid of that feeling? How to fall in love with the club again?

Under Moyes watching United was simply hoping that those guys could still play just like they had done under Ferguson, we all wanted to see the change and to see them getting the results they had got under Sir Alex. It didn't happen. It was pure frustration.

Under van Gaal it was painful, really painful. I just couldn't stand watching United, even though we sometimes got some nice results. Tactics, philosophy and some strange idea for that group of players didn't help.

Mourinho is different, but it was his first season. Obviously, we can't rate him after just one season. He got his results, he gambled with UCL qualification, but he got us three trophies. Watching United is still a bit painful sometimes, but it's not like under LvG. And Mourinho has proved many times that his second seasons are better.

There are many new players, bought by Ferguson's successors, which doesn't help. When I see Pogba and Lingard, I feel as old as Pogue sometimes is when he talks about people nowadays. Is it just me? Do I moan too much? I just can't feel the relationship between me and the players anymore.

I know that I can't expect this club to be exactly the same as it was under Ferguson, but I wanted to ask how you got rid of the feeling that it's not your club and how you fell in love again.

There is much more than Fergusons departure to add to the list of reasons for falling out of love.

The game in general
How it is played?Tactics/cheating
How the game is officiated - cheaters getting away with it and genuine reffing mistakes standing!!
Twat players thinking they are gods
Absolutely Ludicrous Money
Sky Sports twats analysing everthing to absolute death -
Sky Sports lies
Journalism in general when it comes to football - shit and shameful
Shite Bag "fans" -
Football "clubs" = money making machines/Businesses/no soul
Corruption being rife
I could go on

I have lost love for the game in general - there is nothing exciting anymore about it - its gone beyond saving

 

[Fox E Power]

Since my mum is French and I was only getting into football around 1992, I jumped on the united juggernaut shortly after Cantona signed, and was instantly spoiled with over a decade of unmitigated success.

Then came a mini drought from 2003-2006. This was, in my eyes, the first real test of my support as we first had to watch Arsenal and then Chelsea (twice) get their grubby mitts on "our" trophy.

What this period did for me though, was to cement my love for the club. I yearned for us to come back to the top so hard, that when we did, it was my favourite season ever in 06/07. We were a young team and it was clear early on that with Rooney Ronaldo and co. we could kick on and do great things.

Essentially for me, in response to the OP, is that absence truly does make the heart grow fonder, and I find myself more manically interested in United these days, than I have at any time in the last decade when we were winning left right and centre in Fergie's last hurrah.

 

[Zlatattack]

Have you tried "spicing up" you're relationship with the club? Have you considered edible manchester united underwear? Perhaps get someone in on loan to help out in the love department?

 

[MoskvaRed]

Valencia's a bit too long in the tooth now but would have had the making of a Mourinho stalwart. Herrera's the other obvious fan favourite. If the likes of Pogba, Rashford, Martial, Bailly, Lindelof and Mikhi can start hitting the same heights of quality and consistency as the Chelsea players I've mentioned then we could build a team we can all feel a decent connection with. If we keep buying four or five new players every summer that's very unlikely to happen. Basically, it all hinges on a bit of stability from the top down. If Mourinho gets the sack in the next 12-18 months then it all starts all over again. And we won't get stability without success. The demands of which will tempt managers to buy new players at the first hint of adversity. It's a vicious circle.

Aka Liverpool syndrome or, looking at it from the opposite angle, a reminder of how deceptively easy Ferguson made it all look. If the club can bring in the right players this summer, then I believe we have enough of a base from which to challenge next season - defence and midfield looks decent. It's the attack that has the most question marks. Martial, Mkhi and even Rashford need to step up, and even then we need one or even two top class additions.

 

[Lowkey]

how can you fall out of love with the club? you get raised with the club, you have been lucky to have been blessed with many legends and seen a real golden period of dominance with SAF & Co. I just feel that the club will always be with me, almost like a second father figure. Love it or hate it, you were born and raised up with the club, its just a part of you no matter what

 

[Ramshock]

You'll note that I didn't mention success anywhere in my post. I've supported United a long time and there were plenty of seasons in that period of time where we didn't win a single trophy, never mind two. I would have last season down as a reasonably successful one but it still left me a little cold. This is for a number of reasons; from my struggles to warm to our manager, to the uber-defensive way we closed out the season, to the way we saw relatively few opportunities for the kids, to the fact we spent such a stupendous amount of money the previous summer. Not a big deal in the grand scheme of things but definitely enough to take the gloss off our achievements. It's possible that none of this would have mattered to me if we'd won another one or two trophies. I'm not convinced that's true though.

You could be speaking about football and even life as a whole.

 

[Ramshock]

Never fell out of love with the club, never will.

Having SAF was special though because then you had the duality of a godlike mastodont of a man and the club you love, things will never feel the same like that, but the love for the club remains.

It felt like watching an army led by some unbeatable general or something when we had SAF tearing shit up on the sidelines.

Mastodont a negative mammoth Like it

 

[adexkola]

But I admitted in the first post that it's good that we won these trophies and credit to Jose, because football is about winning trophies. Later, I said that we can't say that it was a huge achievement, though, because they're not those serious trophies. Great that we won them, but we should have forgotten about them a few days after the Europa League final...

I enjoy it when we win trophies, but that's such a reductionist view of the sport and game that United play when they step on the field. For the countless amount of supporters out there who's clubs didn't win anything this season, is their support for their teams pointless?

Football for me has been, and will always be about 22 people chasing a leather ball around on a regulation pitch.

 

[Mr.Ridiculous__]

I am about to visit Old Trafford for the first time ever, next week. Even LVG/Moyes couldn't do anything to reduce the sheer excitement in me.

 

[Kag]

You like football and you like it when the best team you happen to support win stuff. When they don't, you don't like them as much. Simples?

 

[Brightonian]

Watch Herrera for five minutes. If you don't 'feel it' then, I'd suggest finding another club.

 

[LuisNaniencia]

Got a lot of love for some of our players, once the goals start coming we will be golden. Herrera, Pogba, Rashford, Valencia are all players I love to watch.

 

[Pat_Mustard]

I feel like what was a mildly humourous few posts has turned into me being told off. I'm reminded of a time in primary school when I was WRONGLY beaten violently on my little palm by a very solid wooden ruler because another kid claimed I ran into him in the playground. I haven't forgetten that slight against me and sir, I will not forget this.

Well played.

 

[Sky1981]

United is a unique club in a sense we were managed by saf for 26 years, and for most of us saf united is the only thing we know (unless you're as old as jonno)

It's a blur line whether we love united, or fergienited.

If it's the later, off course you'll feel out of love, and no one can blame you. But if it's the previous then there's no reason to be out of love with united

 

[Jaybomb]

I never fell out of love with United. Maybe your passion is just gone.

We all preferred United when Ronaldo was there for example but I still fecking love the club. Times change and things move on. You just have to accept it.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

I feel like what was a mildly humourous few posts has turned into me being told off. I'm reminded of a time in primary school when I was WRONGLY beaten violently on my little palm by a very solid wooden ruler because another kid claimed I ran into him in the playground. I haven't forgetten that slight against me and sir, I will not forget this.

Three christmases ago my sister admitted to our parents - for the first time - that she fabricated a story about me spitting on her slice of birthday cake that ended up getting me a belt from a wooden spoon. It happened thirty-five years ago and I'd suppressed the memory completely. Felt weird digging up that burning sense of injustice all over again.

 

[Theonas]

Dunno why OP is getting grief. Results aside, it's not easy to get used to supporting the club through a procession of different managers when you've spent over two decades supporting a club whose identity was so wrapped up in the personality of the man in charge. Favourite players could come and go but Fergie was always there, doing his thing. It's only natural for such a radical change to affect our relationship with the club. I define feel a lot less emotionally engaged than I did when SAF was still in charge.

The relentless turnover of players hasn't helped. It's hard to get used to when you spent so long watching a team where a bunch of first team regulars have come through the ranks and you followed their career since they were kids. Again, it's only natural that this will weaken the connection between the club and the fans.

So yeah, I absolutely feel less passion for the club than I did a few years ago. It would be nice to get that back. Mind you, I'm starting to accept that might never happen. We should appreciate being part of such a unique and special era and start getting used to being "normal" football fans supporting a "normal" club. That's just the way it is now and will be for the forseeable future. Ho hum.

Excellent post. I don't know what the OP means exactly but it is indeed hard to be passionate about the club in the same way when there is less and less recognizable about it. This is not some unrealistic notion of romance. Supporting and loving a football club is a very irrational activity, it is crazy if we are honest and like most irrational things we like, we need something to hold onto. Even Watford fans ffs are complaining about the lack of attachment with the club because of the non stop changes in personnel and management. Football fans usually use things like their idols, home grown players, a specific playing style or whatever as a symbol of attachment. The fact is we have none of that now, we have less and less of our own players, the turnover of managers and players is unprecedented by our standards and there is no playing identity or style to follow or be proud of. Of course that doesn't translate to not loving the club as we've had way too many great memories and heroes for that to fall apart after any time soon but as you put it, I also feel less passion for the club than I did a few years ago and winning has got nothing to do with it.

 

[Vato]

Go and support Real Madrid.

This guy gets it.

 

[Theonas]

I think the main problem is the sheer turnover of players. Inevitability there is not the same depth of emotional investment in a group who, with very few exceptions, fall into one or more of the following categories: have only been here 1-2 seasons, are not good enough or are past their best. If Mourinho steps up next season, building on the Europa League success, then I expect the club to begin forming some recognisable identity again.

This is the big one for me. It's why I can't get excited about the transfer season. I have no idea what we need or don't need but I know the more we buy, the less likely that bond between fans and players that can only come through time is to develop. It's not that I disagree with buying players as we probably very much need that, I just don't get getting excited over it.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Excellent post. I don't know what the OP means exactly but it is indeed hard to be passionate about the club in the same way when there is less and less recognizable about it. This is not some unrealistic notion of romance. Supporting and loving a football club is a very irrational activity, it is crazy if we are honest and like most irrational things we like, we need something to hold onto. Even Watford fans ffs are complaining about the lack of attachment with the club because of the non stop changes in personnel and management. Football fans usually use things like their idols, home grown players, a specific playing style or whatever as a symbol of attachment. The fact is we have none of that now, we have less and less of our own players, the turnover of managers and players is unprecedented by our standards and there is no playing identity or style to follow or be proud of. Of course that doesn't translate to not loving the club as we've had way too many great memories and heroes for that to fall apart after any time soon but as you put it, I also feel less passion for the club than I did a few years ago and winning has got nothing to do with it.

Yeah, it's human nature to be slightly nostalgic and yearn for "the good old days" even when life is pretty good in the here and now. But we're dealing with a situation where life (as football fans) was literally much better, back in the day. So that certainly doesn't help maintain the same kind of passion for the current set of players and the bloke in charge.

 

[DoubleRevv]

Completely agree with the OP. My rationalization is that there is no "story" the current players have created for the fans.

Fans like us wont change our expectation of the club. Win, play with flair. Yes we might be happy we won the Europa league, but we had been favourites from the quarter finals and was a means to an end.

To fall in love with the club requires the players and coach to play to win, it is about seeing academy players get into the first team, and players signed from other teams acquiring the history and mentality the club had its most successful spell with. They have to bring the magic back - high scoring games, comebacks (never giving up).

At the moment I imagine myself and other fans feelings towards the players is that of being in an arranged marriage that is too awkward for sex.

 

[Theonas]

Yeah, it's human nature to be slightly nostalgic and yearn for "the good old days" even when life is pretty good in the here and now. But we're dealing with a situation where life (as football fans) was literally much better, back in the day. So that certainly doesn't help maintain the same kind of passion for the current set of players and the bloke in charge.

The part I don't personally understand is when fans argue that this is too romantic or whatever. It's like we're literally talking about a bunch of sweaty men that we have no connection to and we're cheering for them to put a ball in a net, if it wasn't for the romance, what's the bloody point of this entire ridiculous activity.

 

[Dante]

This guy gets it.

 

[bobglory]

this is crazy , the more she suffers the more i love her.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

The part I don't personally understand is when fans argue that this is too romantic or whatever. It's like we're literally talking about a bunch of sweaty men that we have no connection to and we're cheering for them to put a ball in a net, if it wasn't for the romance, what's the bloody point of this entire ridiculous activity.

Sorry, what?

 

[Theonas]

Sorry, what?

Touché!

 

[bobglory]

By Manchester United standards 7th,4th,5th and 6th is sucking.

only if you watched us from 92 onwards

there are some of us that watched utd for a long time without winning anything for many years .
win loose what ever i will always be here its in my blood and the sadistic side of me is kind of glad that we have gone to shit post fergie.
some of our fans are like spoiled brats and needed a slap on the arse .

 

[Camy89]

Never fell out of love.

Started supporting in 1997 aged 7, and always supported but didn't get massively into them. Even at uni, starting in 2008, I never really went to the pub on the saturday to watch them (maybe too hungover). Started getting into them more towards the end of Uni, 2013. Then SAF left. Then it exploded.

The season we had with Moyes sparked an inner rage in me whenever people criticised us. It was like someone ripping the piss out of your child (or what I imagine it's like), I got incredibly protective of the team and found my support deepened immeasurably. It's been like that since, but my animosity towards haters has thawed considerably and I enjoy the camaraderie, going to games and watching them almost every game (work permitting).

 

[K2K]

only if you watched us from 92 onwards

there are some of us that watched utd for a long time without winning anything for many years .
win loose what ever i will always be here its in my blood and the sadistic side of me is kind of glad that we have gone to shit post fergie.
some of our fans are like spoiled brats and needed a slap on the arse .

What nonsense

 

[Minimalist]

I'm quite confused by the OP going off the opening lines.

He's not 'feeling it' but still watches...

You still love the club then. You're just saying what a lot of us feel. A bit feckin let down at times at the shite that's been served up compared to what we saw before, but every fecking match day, here we are, up for it all over again.

You still love the club.

 

[marukomu]

I've been a United fan since I was 5 (52 now) and have never fallen out of love with them. They may be struggling but it is part and parcel of supporting a team. The bad times make the good times even better.
I have been wanking since I was 13, and it may not be quite as good as it used to be, but I still love it.