Why do you love Man United?

[ToLo]

This is Tobias Xavier Lopez, a sports writer with the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, one of the United States' Top-10 sports sections.
I'm working on a Manchester United story as the U.S. tour begins and want serious replies to the question; Why do you love Manchester United?
Thanks in advance and be aware that any post could be reprinted.
Thank you,
TXL

[655321]

This is for real, folks. As much as I don't like ManU, this guy writes alot about the sport. If I remember correctly, he's quite respectful, as well.

[Motterman]

Originally posted by ToLo
This is Tobias Xavier Lopez, a sports writer with the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, one of the United States' Top-10 sports sections.
I'm working on a Manchester United story as the U.S. tour begins and want serious replies to the question; Why do you love Manchester United?
Thanks in advance and be aware that any post could be reprinted.
Thank you,
TXL

Why do I love Manchester United?

May 26, 1999

90th minute. United are down 0-1 to Bayern Munich. United win a corner. Schmeichel, United's Great Danish goalkeeping legend, is up at the top of Bayern's penalty area. Beckham's corner finds Yorke at the far post, Yorke can't control the ball, it's half cleared by the Bayern defence. Giggs scuffs a shot toward the goal, but Sheringham is there to knock the ball into the corner. GOAL!

3rd minute of stoppage time. All tied at 1-1. Blow the whistle referee so we can regroup for the extra period! But, unbelievabley, United win another corner. It couldn't happen, could it? Another Beckham corner swings in (a beauty!), flick header by Sheringham (gasp?) and Solksjaer stabs the ball into the roof of the net. BEDLAM!!!

http://red11.org/mufc/sound/99/ole.mpeg

The Bayern Munich players are littering the ground in despair. They can't believe it.

Singing, chantings, partying, streaking, you name it. What a night! Glory Glory Man United, Glory Glory Man United.....

It all began for me when I was about 9 years old. A player was coming to play for the old NASL Earthquakes. His name was: George Best. I had no idea who he was. My parents had no idea who he was. He was supposed to be good. However; a friend on my youth soccer team's family were from Scotland, and they were ecstatic: Georgie Best was coming to play?!?!? Well, he finally arrived and we saw him play his first game for us. Bad knees, maybe sober, for the 1st game at least, but still the class of the pitch. Idol worshipping began for me. He could do no wrong. And rarely he did no wrong. After a time I learned more about him in his heyday. When he was known as "El Beatle". Probably the most famous soccer player of his generation back then. Elected as European Footballer of the Year -1968 when he led Manchester United in their historic win over Portugal's Benfica in the European Cup Final. Bestie's story is a bit tragic, the curse of being the first Superstar took it's toll as his alcohol problems contributed to his early retirement from the game, and it's a battle he's still fighting today. He's still regarded as probably Manchester United's greatest ever player, only being seriously compared to Eric Cantona for that title.

Manchester United, although the most successful English team over the last 20 years, is still not the most successful English team of all time. That honour still belongs to 655321's dear Liverpool. And though we are still chasing their records of league titles (in which we are closing in on almost every year now) and European Cups (we're still knocking on the door for one or two more with the current squad), our main league rivals recently have been London's Arsenal Football Club. Even though Arsenal pose our biggest current threat, it's Liverpool (the Scouser's as we call them) are still reserved as our most HATED rivals.

Current Manager of Manchester United - Sir Alex Ferguson in 2002: "My greatest challenge is not what's happening at the moment, my greatest challenge was knocking Liverpool right off their ********ing perch. And you can print that." - Sir Alex Ferguson

You see why we love him as well? :D

The history of Manchester United is filled with glory (ie. the FA Cup semi-final replay against Arsenal in '99) and tragedy (ie. Munich air crash in 1958), and it all adds to the mystique of the club. From dominating performances, to last gasp wins, the experience of supporting a club like Manchester United is a breathtaking experience for the true supporter. I drive an hour each way to catch the games on satellite with like minded fans, just for the atmosphere of being with friends and a sort of family. It's easy for fans like myself to tell who knows their football and who just bought a Beckham jersey last winter. It's better when a rival supporter tries to lump you in with the rest of the "glory hunters" and you can put them in their place, especially when you can tell them things about their club that they probably didn't know. Hehe...

United are now best known for their attacking style of football. When we are playing our best, our football is exciting to watch. Crisp one touch passing and dazzling movement around the pitch are some of our greatest current strengths, as well as our will to win - personified by our current Captain - Roy Keane. Roy epitomizes Manchester United's "Never Say Die" attitude, and is the driving force of the past 6-7 years behind the club's success - even if it was Beckham's picture in all the papers. The team will miss David Beckham, no doubt, as he was a great part of our recent successes and he greatly influenced the way United went about breaking down opposing defences. We are still hopeful of a replacement for him on the wing, although Solksjaer did well in some really big games last year when Beckham was out injured (and also when he was "rested" for some big games late in the season as well). But, Manchester United has always had stars and superstars, but no player is bigger than the club.

For me, United is a Religion. United is my life.

These are just some of the reasons I love Manchester United.

COME ON YOU REDS!!!

[MLSNHTOWN]

I really don't love Manchester United very much. They are the NY Yankees of English Soccer (and hence the association between the Yankees and the Red Devils). However, they just purchased the contract to Tim Howard. So until his playing career at United comes to an end, I am a Red Devil fan.

[Lancashire Lad]

I love Manchester United because…

They play fantastic attacking football. When other teams would defender United would attack. The team can play it simple or complicated, but they are at their best when they play it simple, stringing passes together 5, 10,15, 20 or 25 and then the ball goes in the back of the net.

When United play because they are so attack minded games could end up being played from penalty box to penalty box. It can be a constant seesaw of action.

They had one of the most talented teams every assembled in Europe, which in 1958 was tragically destroyed in the Munich air disaster, when eight United players were killed. The team was rebuilt and ten years later won the European Cup, the first English team to win the trophy.

United can be unpredictable and put you through agony. In 1999 in European Cup final in extra time they scored two goals within some two minutes, after being one nil down in normal time to win the European Cup. The 1999 final is remembered as perhaps the most dramatic final ever.

United had players of the calibre of Duncan Edwards, Bobby Charlton, Denis Law, George Best, Bryan Robson, Eric Cantona and David Beckham playing for them.

When I was growing up all my friends supported Liverpool, the most successful team of the period. I supported United and took great delight when they beat Liverpool.

Manchester United are located in the North West of England. Lancashire the County from which the team hails was once a powerhouse of the industrial revolution, and has sadly declined. The team are an example of how we can be great and are a source of pride. Lancashire has won more premiership and the old first division league titles than any other County or area of England.

And most of all because I can.

[johno]

Originally posted by MLSNHTOWN
I really don't love Manchester United very much. They are the NY Yankees of English Soccer (and hence the association between the Yankees and the Red Devils). However, they just purchased the contract to Tim Howard. So until his playing career at United comes to an end, I am a Red Devil fan.

You are an absolute nutter buddy the yankees have no conscience they buy players just so other teams wont get them... also... they dont have a spending limit or boundaries on what they wont do..

Manchester are so different, the club is loyal, they wont make a move that will not help the club, they also are intent on making a profit every season, and if not the next season (if they buy a marquee player)

If there is a Yankees of Soccer its Real Madrid... anyone can see that, but i like them so dont knock them anyway.

Oh... instead of asking why we love manu, i have a better question to all the haters, why dont YOU love manchester united... the names, the prestige, the success year in year out, the triumph against odds...

[Finnegan]

Originally posted by mtkillamanjohno
Oh... instead of asking why we love manu, i have a better question to all the haters, why dont YOU love manchester united... the names, the prestige, the success year in year out, the triumph against odds...

I was going to refrain but since you asked! :)

Why DON'T I love ManU?

1) Glory Hunting Fans - I talk to so many people who say they are Man U fans but have no idea why. Perhaps they think Beckham is hot, maybe they have been innudated with replica shirt sales, whatever the reason Man U has the largest following of any club in the world and have the most fickle, uneducated fans out there. Yesteday I was out at Nike to watch them practice and there were about 10,000 prats flouncing about with Man U replica shirts on and few, if any, could name more than 1 or 2 players practicing on the pitch. I am a diehard Arsenal fan and know every single one of those guys. I heard more than a few times - "Where's that David Beckham guy?".

2) $$$- They are the Yankees of world football. They can buy and do buy whomever they want and traditionally can spend the most dollars to pick up new aquisitions (Ronaldniho being the recent exception).

3) Sir Alex - what a world class jerk. Maybe that is what makes him a great manager (see! I admitted that!) but I just really don't like the way he carries himself, treats his own players and especially treats opposing teams.

4) David Beckham - now that he is gone I dislike ManU a little less but just a little. Beckham stood for all things I hated about Man U and will always be a red devil in my eyes.

5) Roy Keane - a first class nutter who tries to intentionally end other players careers. Any team who not only takes a player like that back but makes him their captain deserves scorn and loathing.

So there you have it, there are many other reasons why I hate them but this should be good for a start.

Cheers!

P.S. I do like Solskjaer and I will be cheering for our boy Howard to do well during his time there.

[Beakmon FC]

Originally posted by Finnegan
I was going to refrain but since you asked! :)

Why DON'T I love ManU?

1) Glory Hunting Fans - I talk to so many people who say they are Man U fans but have no idea why. Perhaps they think Beckham is hot, maybe they have been innudated with replica shirt sales, whatever the reason Man U has the largest following of any club in the world and have the most fickle, uneducated fans out there. Yesteday I was out at Nike to watch them practice and there were about 10,000 prats flouncing about with Man U replica shirts on and few, if any, could name more than 1 or 2 players practicing on the pitch. I am a diehard Arsenal fan and know every single one of those guys. I heard more than a few times - "Where's that David Beckham guy?".

2) $$$- They are the Yankees of world football. They can buy and do buy whomever they want and traditionally can spend the most dollars to pick up new aquisitions (Ronaldniho being the recent exception).

3) Sir Alex - what a world class jerk. Maybe that is what makes him a great manager (see! I admitted that!) but I just really don't like the way he carries himself, treats his own players and especially treats opposing teams.

4) David Beckham - now that he is gone I dislike ManU a little less but just a little. Beckham stood for all things I hated about Man U and will always be a red devil in my eyes.

5) Roy Keane - a first class nutter who tries to intentionally end other players careers. Any team who not only takes a player like that back but makes him their captain deserves scorn and loathing.

So there you have it, there are many other reasons why I hate them but this should be good for a start.

Cheers!

P.S. I do like Solskjaer and I will be cheering for our boy Howard to do well during his time there.

I concur 100%. Up the Arse!!!!!

[655321]

Originally posted by Beakmon FC
Up the Arse!!!!!

Indeed...

[johno]

I can understand not liking a team, but hating them? lol, sounds like your collective squads have gotten one too many thrashings by ManU... and Real Madrid spent for Figo, Zidane, Beckham, but i dont hate them for it... in fact i dont even hate them because they have topped ManU in the past... i think of it as a rivalry, if some teams were not good like Arsenal, Liverpool, RM then winning every year or every other year would not be fun... and Real Spend more than Manu do!!! and you cant compare Manu to the yanks because the yanks spend more than the rest of the league by a long long long way... every year, its not the same with manu... barca, real, ac milan, juventus, arsenal, and others all spend similar amounts of money... you can hate because we are richer than you but not because we spend more than your teams do because its not that much of a differece... not true? compare Barca's wages to ManU's wages anyway everyone can root for their own team and i understand rivalries so if you hate manu i think its weird that you take it to the level of hate but that is an important part of football so i understand it... I personally enjoy matches against top teams... its just more fun to watch... the goals although sometimes scrappy are more important and tend to stick with you more... i got nothing but love for the football world though

[sch2383]

One of the many reasons is that they win. I live in Washington and all of the teams around here seem to be trapped in some sort of Purgatory, being good enough to be interesting, but always bad enough not to do anything in the playoffs.

I love this team because of Roy Keane. He fights to the end, his sole desire is to win. One trophy isn't enough, nor is two or three, even if they come in the same year. He has to have them all. He is the guy who you hate if he is on the other team, but love if he is on your team. Is it any coincidence that this team played its best ball last season after Keano came back?

[flounderchop]

I Love Man Utd because of their style of play. They can play back and move up the pitch slowly, then boom, several quick passes later, the ball is in the back of the net.

The character they showed this previous season cemented my love for the team. Early on during the season, it looked as though they were in trouble. As we all know, they did not lose a league game in 2003 and won the Premiership.

I just enjoy watching them play and try to never a miss a game.

[Motterman]

Originally posted by ToLo
This is Tobias Xavier Lopez, a sports writer with the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, one of the United States' Top-10 sports sections.
I'm working on a Manchester United story as the U.S. tour begins and want serious replies to the question; Why do you love Manchester United?
Thanks in advance and be aware that any post could be reprinted.
Thank you,
TXL

I'm sure the Forum would appreciate a link to any story you eventually ended up writing as well.

Cheers!

[Father Ted]

I became a fan of Manchester United in the mid 70's because it was my dad's favorite team. He was a big fan of Bobby Charlton and George Best. My brothers both supported Liverpool and during their great days in the 70's and 80's it was tough to take being a United fan despite winning a few FA Cups.
However what I would call a "lucky" transfer changed everything. Eric Cantona joined United in late 1993 and the rest is history.
I would have to disagree with the Anti-United people who go on about United just buying their players. In fact they produce more "home grown" players than any of the other top English teams and probably more than the likes of Real Madrid and Barcalona. Players like Giggs, Beckham, Scholes, O'Shea, Brown, Butt, the Nevilles all join United in their teens and came up through the ranks.

[rudeboy]

I fell in love with Man Utd because of how they build their team. As much as possible they look to the youth system to build up their team. This not only provides a great base for team unity, opportunity and friendship, but it builds the local community, gives the fans a local connection more so then just living in the same town where the team is based, but it also adds the the bottom line which in times where the youth system isn't producing what it should they can go out and buy tallent to pull them though. This is why I hate Real Madrid. They fscking buy all their players, we grow most of ours. Simply a better way to play.

[nicephoras]

Originally posted by Father Ted
I would have to disagree with the Anti-United people who go on about United just buying their players. In fact they produce more "home grown" players than any of the other top English teams and probably more than the likes of Real Madrid and Barcalona. Players like Giggs, Beckham, Scholes, O'Shea, Brown, Butt, the Nevilles all join United in their teens and came up through the ranks.

The Yankees and ManUtd. are perfect parallels. Both have enormous fan bases that understand little of their mystique (although its not their fault, but rather the impressive achievement of their marketing departments), both clubs have long and prestigious histories, and both clubs are run by iconic, successful and somewhat controversial figures. (Steinbrenner - Ferguson)

It was also true that at the beginning of the current Yankee run, and the current ManUtd run they both won with home grown players. However, as time has gone on, this has become less and less true, and now both have switched to the tactics of buying big. Since the youth movement of almost 10 years ago, no one save O'Shea has really established himself as first choice in Utd.'s lineup. (Brown still really hasn't.) That's a long time. That's why so many Utd detractors believe they buy the premiership. Look at the last 3 years - Veron, Van Nistelrooy, Barthez, Rio, all of whom are the most expensive players at their position in England. With the loss of Beckham, this brings the number of home grown players starting to: Neville, O'Shea, Giggs and Scholes. 4. Still a considerable number, but not exactly "all home grown talent."

I don't hate ManUtd - they often play attractive football and feature exciting players. But their myth of winning on home grown talent has taken a severe hit with their recent Real Madrid like splurging on expensive players. With such incredibly expensive signings, and their ability to pay their stars more than anyone else, is it a wonder that many hate Utd? The claims of "buying the premiership" are quite valid, imho. Not that there's a problem with that - I'd do it to. But that is what Man Utd. has done recently. They haven't been a side of mostly home grown talent for some time.

[johno]

Originally posted by nicephoras
The Yankees and ManUtd. are perfect parallels. Both have enormous fan bases that understand little of their mystique (although its not their fault, but rather the impressive achievement of their marketing departments), both clubs have long and prestigious histories, and both clubs are run by iconic, successful and somewhat controversial figures. (Steinbrenner - Ferguson)


Very good, logical point, no argument there but... there are many sports franchises that have the same qualities... not many take that back, a few.

[i]
It was also true that at the beginning of the current Yankee run, and the current ManUtd run they both won with home grown players. However, as time has gone on, this has become less and less true, and now both have switched to the tactics of buying big. Since the youth movement of almost 10 years ago, no one save O'Shea has really established himself as first choice in Utd.'s lineup. (Brown still really hasn't.) That's a long time. That's why so many Utd detractors believe they buy the premiership. Look at the last 3 years - Veron, Van Nistelrooy, Barthez, Rio, all of whom are the most expensive players at their position in England. With the loss of Beckham, this brings the number of home grown players starting to: Neville, O'Shea, Giggs and Scholes. 4. Still a considerable number, but not exactly "all home grown talent."
[/B]

Oh my God... Manchester bought 4 big name players in 3 years... oh my god... look at the freaking serie a, nobody hates on Juventus and AC Milan... Rivaldo on the damn bench on the bench... back to Manu... If you dont have good players what do you do? they just did not have the young talent... its not like they have great youngsters on the bench... Rio and Veron were the only buys you can argue with... they were splurges...

Van Nistelrooy was necessary, do you think Dwight Yorke and andy cole who cant add up to 25 goals together should still be striker for a club that can afford better, its logical thats how it is done, the only time you can criticize a team for being yankee like is when they pick up pieces they never need and spend way more than everyone else...
Are you gonna say Manchester did not need a GK??? you cant, maybe he was the wrong choice but manu stuck by him just as they stuck by Veron who has not produced

Real Madrid splurged majorly when they bought beckham... they already had one of the best midfields in the world and they got another midfielder, Veron's move to Manu... look at their midfielders, Scholes, Giggs, Butt, Beckham, Quinton Fortune, Luke Chadwick and Skipper Keane... only four of those players could start anywhere with a chance at a title... at the time Veron looked like a good buy... but it was surplus
[i]

But their myth of winning on home grown talent has taken a severe hit with their recent Real Madrid like splurging on expensive players. With such incredibly expensive signings, and their ability to pay their stars more than anyone else, is it a wonder that many hate Utd? The claims of "buying the premiership" are quite valid, imho. Not that there's a problem with that - I'd do it to. But that is what Man Utd. has done recently. They haven't been a side of mostly home grown talent for some time. [/B]

Dont blame manu for expensive transfers, we both know that teams pump up their asking price when manu comes calling look at Ronnie... he was rated at about half of what he eventually went for... why because manu was bidding teams know that they have the money so they pump up the price.. if thats what it takes to get good players onto your team you need to do it...
Guess what...How home grown is Liverpool.. or Blackburn, or Chelsea or Arsenal... answer= not very... thats 5 of the top six... i cant speak for newcastle because i refuse to watch allan shithead, the only athlete greedier than KOBE

[bolas]

Originally posted by ToLo
This is Tobias Xavier Lopez, a sports writer with the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, one of the United States' Top-10 sports sections.
I'm working on a Manchester United story as the U.S. tour begins and want serious replies to the question; Why do you love Manchester United?
Thanks in advance and be aware that any post could be reprinted.
Thank you,
TXL

I do not love ManYoo, I hate them and their arrogant coach who thinks he is the King of the world.

[JBlazini24]

Originally posted by bolas
I do not love ManYoo, I hate them and their arrogant coach who thinks he is the King of the world.

Nobody asked you. Go away.

[655321]

Originally posted by bolas
I do not love ManYoo, I hate them and their arrogant coach who thinks he is the King of the world.

thanks for your good arguments and valid points...