As an outsider (see username: the man's first touch was legitimately atrocious, but he, like, tried really hard. And I loved that. I created a redcafe account because if I ever get enough posts/points/whatever, I can finally go in the Redafe "movie review thread" and tell them how they're some of the most brilliant & funny posters on the internet after lurking for years, that thread is pure gold. So, yes, you're talking to a crazy person- and knowing is half the battle) I'll offer my 2 cents on what "accepting mediocrity" means.
It is not that long ago that I and many others viewed Manchester United as some combination of the Death Star, Darth Vader (with helmet on), Rocky Balboa and the Terminator. Your club might have been down in matches but was never out, you won everything in sight, you could throw out 3 janitors in midfield and a roll of duct tape in defense and win 2-0. Sir Alex was a once in a lifetime manager, sure, but...there was an aura about United that surely extended beyond one man.
It's, what, less than a decade later? And your manager says cups are for the ego and is seen smiling and chortling and offering any excuse under the sun after every manner of defeat. I'm not just reacting to the FA Cup exit; this is something that has gone on for a long time. You've gone from outdated managers who set out to win things but were a bit past it, to a manager who is very happy to be there and be part of it all, who won't take the managers parking spot, a manager whose crowning career achievement was in Norwegian league 8 years ago.
Frankly, I'd much rather be fearful of you lot than watching a procession of plastic clubs and sports washing ventures proceed to dominate the landscape. I almost long for the days of being fearful of you lot. Instead I feel a bit of pity, because it all seems to start and end with your bloodsucking American owners and bullshit businessmen masquerading as football men. I feel that your owners and club hierarchy have been crystal clear with you the supporters on their expectations; Money=good, expectations of winning things=BAD. That's the Glazer reign in a nutshell for me. And I think they've found the perfect foil in Ole Gunnar Smilefactory, a good time fellow who will never, ever, ever rock the boat. He is happy to be there and they seem very happy to have him there.
Sorry to lose the thread; I was trying to summarize "accepting mediocrity". So Sir Alex retired, and you went from reasonably expecting to win the league at the start of every season, to now being locked in internecine wars about what the expectations should be, what anyone else could do with this squad, whether the players are fit for purpose, what kind of elite player in each position will bring out the best out of underperforming signings in that position, and on and on.
Every year United flame out of all cups, and a top 2 push is seen as real progress now, no matter the double digit distance to first. The aura is deader than dead. You're 2nd in the league yes, but with a budget that means you should be up there or thereabouts every year, and as soon as the games *might have mattered* you went on a desperate slide, only to beat City when things started to kinda not matter anymore. Similar to the green and gold scarves thing just sorta fading from sight, it is remarkable to me how many on here are just willing to say "well, who could he have rotated for Bruno" or whatever in lieu of actually asking that your manager manage well, and it's the same shit you'll be saying when Ole manages to crash out of the Europa League. Which I'd stake my nonexistent reputation on happening btw. You see, I watched your Champions League campaign this fall. And the semifinals last year. And the games in the league where the counter-attacking doesn't work. And..... All of this while the powers that be at your club are celebrating, ecstatic with the slide into mediocrity, because the dividends are rolling in nice and steady.
I think that's a bit of what your supporters mean when they talk about accepting mediocrity. Give Ole more time, give him more signings, sign Sancho, whatever, you'll be back here next season, trying to talk yourself into a 3rd place finish as progress because...reasons. Something is rotten in Denmark and it's plain to see; Manchester United has become a club designed to make money, winning things is beside the point. I think the supporters amongst you deserve better than being owned by 'mike ashley, but with a better PR team and far deeper pockets, because there are so so so many of you to milk'. Within 5 years I think the bantz will be something akin to "Lads......it's Manchester United."
And oddly enough, that bums me out.
