It just dawned on me that the number one reason why this tedious process is getting so much scrutiny left and right is because -- and it matters little if one admits it or not -- we remain as English football's crown jewel until this day despite fecking everything. Sir Matt, the Babes, Edwards, the air disaster, 'Bobby belting the ball and Nobby dancing', Best, '77 Cup Final, Robson, Cantona, Fergie's Fledglings, Premier League domination, Becks, the treble, Rooney, Cristiano... in many ways we define modern English football. There is thus perhaps a feeling in certain quarters, with fans as well as non-fans, that football in its current incarnation and the romance intrinsic in it will be permanently lost should a state-backed takeover of our club is successful.