This. We have such a likeable squad and a charismatic manager so I do feel pretty invested. It's only last season when we didn't really have a standout player, didn't play exciting football and didn't really have any great young talents shining through which disappointed me a wee bit. Now I'm really excited to watch the development curves of the likes of Shaw, Depay, Januzaj and Pereira, in addition to the prospect of better football and a potential star in Depay. Mainly the youth part though.
Do you like United as much as you used to?
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This. We have such a likeable squad and a charismatic manager so I do feel pretty invested. It's only last season when we didn't really have a standout player, didn't play exciting football and didn't really have any great young talents shining through which disappointed me a wee bit. Now I'm really excited to watch the development curves of the likes of Shaw, Depay, Januzaj and Pereira, in addition to the prospect of better football and a potential star in Depay. Mainly the youth part though.
I think most people here are just growing up and have other responsibilities outside of football. I haven't followed football religiously since the end of the 10/11 season. Now I just focus my efforts on United. I couldn't tell you who got relegated last season and who got promoted. I've noticed it's not just football where my interest has waned, but also the other sports I follow.
My interest actually picked up during Moyes final few months and then getting LVG in. I'm excited to see LVG leave his mark at the club because I thought we were going stale post the 08/09 season with SAF. There was a much needed revamp to our playing style if we were to reach the highest levels in Europe again and I'm enjoying watching that take shape.
My interest actually picked up during Moyes final few months and then getting LVG in. I'm excited to see LVG leave his mark at the club because I thought we were going stale post the 08/09 season with SAF. There was a much needed revamp to our playing style if we were to reach the highest levels in Europe again and I'm enjoying watching that take shape.
I agree, I have been a fan for so long that Utd is just a part of my identity. Utd is an integral family member, it does not matter how upset I am with current or past events you don't disown your brother just because he pissed you off.
Don't love football anywhere near as much as I used to, but I still feel the same way about United.
Sadly, my passion for United can never match Richard Keys' passion for...Richard Keys:
beIN Sports presenter: "Say there was a fire and you had to save one thing, what would it be?"
Keys: "Myself".
That's a man with a wife, children and pets.
(Source: F365)
beIN Sports presenter: "Say there was a fire and you had to save one thing, what would it be?"
Keys: "Myself".
That's a man with a wife, children and pets.
(Source: F365)
Fergie was a huge part of why I started to get interested in Manchester United. But by now that interest has extended much beyond the big man and I Manchester United is still the club closest to my heart. Naturally with SAF it feels a bit strange but that's how things are, always changing.
Considering the history of our club I would also love to see us having another young manager starting here and staying for the next 20 years building another era of success with a lot of home grown players coming through the ranks and making world class players out of the best young talents in Europe. But I also know that this simply might not be possible anymore especially if we want to compete with Galactico teams like Real and Barca or even Bayern, Chelsea, PSG and City for that matter.
I'm also not the biggest fan of LvG, never have been and never will be and I still think it was wrong to go for a manager that according to his own goals has only 3 years left in this job and is only seeking short term success in those three years trying to win a PL title that is still missing in his collection. I just feel we are losing sight of the bigger picture and fail to build a strong team for the future of this club in exchange for the chance of getting a shot at the title within these three years.
So yeah while a bit of the "magic" that I always connected Manchester United seems to be gone I'm still very much in love with our club.
Considering the history of our club I would also love to see us having another young manager starting here and staying for the next 20 years building another era of success with a lot of home grown players coming through the ranks and making world class players out of the best young talents in Europe. But I also know that this simply might not be possible anymore especially if we want to compete with Galactico teams like Real and Barca or even Bayern, Chelsea, PSG and City for that matter.
I'm also not the biggest fan of LvG, never have been and never will be and I still think it was wrong to go for a manager that according to his own goals has only 3 years left in this job and is only seeking short term success in those three years trying to win a PL title that is still missing in his collection. I just feel we are losing sight of the bigger picture and fail to build a strong team for the future of this club in exchange for the chance of getting a shot at the title within these three years.
So yeah while a bit of the "magic" that I always connected Manchester United seems to be gone I'm still very much in love with our club.
I think this was pretty much my response to a similar thread last year. However, I must admit to feeling less connected to the team this year. As daft as it may sound, I think selling Welbeck started that for me.
We have always had a youth product as a major part of he squad, that came to United as a fan.
Perhaps if Wilson and Blackett establish themselves, I may start feeling a little different, but such are the demands for instant success, it seems we rush for the cheque book too quickly.
Still love the club the same, but the little side stories also play their parts in how that manifests.
I do wonder if there's a generational (or perhaps cultural?) difference regarding the factors that influence how much we care about the club we support. This idea that I will care more when we're great to watch and less when we're playing badly is completely alien to me. I grew up in a footballing culture/generation where you threw your lot in with a particular club and that was a commitment for life. Good times and the bad.
For me, it's been the different stages in my own life that has had a far bigger effect on how much time and energy I devote to United than what's happening on the pitch. I probably cared about the club least passionately, during arguably the spell when we combined entertainment and trophies more succesfully than at any time in the last 50 years. In the late 90s/early 00s, I was spending a lot of time going out, messing around and generally doing stuff that wasn't compatible with wasting hours talking about football online, watching every game or getting my shit together to travel to Manchester and actually watch a game in the flesh. I vividly remember watching a replay (didn't watch it live) of David Beckham scoring from his own half and thinking "that's nice but who the feck is he anyway?"
As I got older and more boring, I freed up more time to re-ignite my MUFC obsession and it's been onwards and upwards (backwards and downwards?) from there. That's life, though. Football is a cruel mistress after all.
For me, it's been the different stages in my own life that has had a far bigger effect on how much time and energy I devote to United than what's happening on the pitch. I probably cared about the club least passionately, during arguably the spell when we combined entertainment and trophies more succesfully than at any time in the last 50 years. In the late 90s/early 00s, I was spending a lot of time going out, messing around and generally doing stuff that wasn't compatible with wasting hours talking about football online, watching every game or getting my shit together to travel to Manchester and actually watch a game in the flesh. I vividly remember watching a replay (didn't watch it live) of David Beckham scoring from his own half and thinking "that's nice but who the feck is he anyway?"
As I got older and more boring, I freed up more time to re-ignite my MUFC obsession and it's been onwards and upwards (backwards and downwards?) from there. That's life, though. Football is a cruel mistress after all.
Can I just add... There seems to be a few people here jumping on the bandwagon and criticising those that say they don't love the club like they used to. I've read one post that says those people should go over to city? But I've not really read anyone who's said that they don't really like the club anymore etc.
People will support teams for a variety of reasons. I'll always be a united fan because my grandfather is and when I was growing up it was all about him. And now I've got a team I'll stick by that team.
Ultimately though money is ruining the game we love. And despite it being such a huge money spinner its still in the dark ages in terms of how it's presented to us.
Anderson Cat said about the NFL game pass idea... That would work in football no doubt. Times have changed and why should 3pm kick offs not be allowed to be shown? Give back to the fans who've invested so much time and money. Plus in an ironic way it would generate even more cash.
Footballers these days are money grabbers who don't care so much about the clubs they play for. Gone are the Giggs and Scholes days. Even Gerrard hopped aboard a flight for one big final pay day.
People will support teams for a variety of reasons. I'll always be a united fan because my grandfather is and when I was growing up it was all about him. And now I've got a team I'll stick by that team.
Ultimately though money is ruining the game we love. And despite it being such a huge money spinner its still in the dark ages in terms of how it's presented to us.
Anderson Cat said about the NFL game pass idea... That would work in football no doubt. Times have changed and why should 3pm kick offs not be allowed to be shown? Give back to the fans who've invested so much time and money. Plus in an ironic way it would generate even more cash.
Footballers these days are money grabbers who don't care so much about the clubs they play for. Gone are the Giggs and Scholes days. Even Gerrard hopped aboard a flight for one big final pay day.
I find I'm liking a lot of the fans a lot less recently, but my love for the club is still the same and always will be.
Absolutely, I like United more now after actually living in Manchester.
My love for the club is as big as ever but I've never hated a United player in the past (not even Ralph Milne or Garry Birtles) - I do now
One thing's for sure, when we get that title back i'm going to celebrate harder than i ever celebrated one under SAF.
Who? Also why?
Not so much any more. Age, distance from Old Trafford, and modern football in general have combined to diminish my feelings.
I actually watch more games than before. I watch every game and I'm totally nervous while watching it, switching channels, turning the sound off, checking the result on text and doing other silly things.
Thing is with the situation in and around Dinamo, my local club, which has been destroyed by its owner or boss (cause he doesnt legally own the club) and completely alienated from the fans and with all the shit in Croatian football causing my love for NT vaning a bit I became even more attached and crazy about United. It has come to the point I spend too much time here although I have other, more important things in my life, being a fater of a little baby girl primarily and of course trying to be a good husband and all.
Of course it was different when Fergie was around, we weren't like other clubs, we had our core of Giggs, Scholes and co., we had Fergie, one and only, no other manager will be like him, we didnt buy for the sake of it, bought young players or just very good players which complemented the team.
As the time went we got left behind a bit and now we're trying to get back to the top and I'm ok with that.
This is a new kind of United, new kind of club, different times.
Also I think in this current team there are players with who fans can connect and who are very happy to be at United, and that's a thing which were important in the past and which we loved. We wanted players who want to play for us, not players who come just for the money.
Thing is with the situation in and around Dinamo, my local club, which has been destroyed by its owner or boss (cause he doesnt legally own the club) and completely alienated from the fans and with all the shit in Croatian football causing my love for NT vaning a bit I became even more attached and crazy about United. It has come to the point I spend too much time here although I have other, more important things in my life, being a fater of a little baby girl primarily and of course trying to be a good husband and all.
Of course it was different when Fergie was around, we weren't like other clubs, we had our core of Giggs, Scholes and co., we had Fergie, one and only, no other manager will be like him, we didnt buy for the sake of it, bought young players or just very good players which complemented the team.
As the time went we got left behind a bit and now we're trying to get back to the top and I'm ok with that.
This is a new kind of United, new kind of club, different times.
Also I think in this current team there are players with who fans can connect and who are very happy to be at United, and that's a thing which were important in the past and which we loved. We wanted players who want to play for us, not players who come just for the money.
Not right now. I am still football mad and obsessed over United but there are no players I think of as our own. Not just the Scholes, Giggs, Nevilles of the 90s, 20s, but the Vidic, Evra, Park, Rooney, Ronaldo etc. all felt like proper United players. Maybe it is because we have a whole new team, but I don't have any affection for our players at the moment.
Of course I do, I'm not a plastic supporter that's why.
I am however incredibly frustrated by our complete failure so far in this transfer window, and the fact Rooney is undroppable regardless of performances.
I am however incredibly frustrated by our complete failure so far in this transfer window, and the fact Rooney is undroppable regardless of performances.
Personally there is nothing I look forward to more than waking up on a Saturday, start drinking early and going to sing some songs outside Old Trafford.
Going on Saturday against Castle (thanks @NextSeason ). Giddy about it already.
Going on Saturday against Castle (thanks @NextSeason ). Giddy about it already.
You didn't hate Keane or Ferdinand then?
Complete failure? Hm.
But I guess that's for another thread.
You're vastly exaggerating things here. The reality is, we had to replace several club legends, something we hadn't taken care of in Fergie's last years, which was also due to the Glazers restricting us, so the two summers we've had in the past couple of season where inevitable. Since we've also had an unexpected and quick coaching change, it ended up being two summers of overhauling the squad to the new coach's and the team's needs. I highly doubt next summer will be as wild. SAF had a great foundation he could count on every year, a foundation of stars that were loyal to the club.
You can bet your ass that if we had any homegrown players that were capable of filling a constant role on our team, we'd fit them in. Januzaj, Pereira, Blackett, McNair, Wilson, I mean what the feck else do you want? Rooney, Young, Valencia, Carrick, Smalling, Jones, they've all been here for a while. Again, what else do you want?!?
I love that because we've had two summers of excessive spending, we're thrown into the same pot as the likes of City in terms of losing our identity and all that non-sense.
This strikes a chord with me. I used to be almost depressed if we lost a match (The CL finals against Barca were fun). But now, I just get disappointed.
Haha. It's United, end of. No matter who plays for us, how we play, or whatever, I can't think of ever thinking 'oh that's a shit team, I don't care if they win or lose'. I don't even bother with non United games apart from the 4-5 big ones every season, my interest in football generally has gone down but it would never change for United and I'm always still as excited minutes before a kick off.
Some of our fanbase are a bit spoilt though, it has to be said.
Some of our fanbase are a bit spoilt though, it has to be said.
Perhaps to some people football is an unconditional love, and they can't understand how anyone who expresses an allegiance for a team can place so many caveats on continuing to support that institution?
For me, initially, it was a question of geography, as I'm from Manchester, but as the years have rolled by I find myself even more connected to the club, particularly when things have started to turn sour as it brings to the fore the need to show even more solidarity when it comes to the promotion of the club.
There are many things in the "game" that I deeply dislike, but I fully accept that the sport is fluid, and that change is inevitable, and so when players, managers, and models of ownership change, I don't get too over sentimental, when it comes to placing conditions on loyalty.
Sorry if this sounds a bit preachy, it certainly wasn't intended to, but I guess I find it difficult to understand how, over time, people's perspectives, or passions, can change or dissipate so dramatically.
This. I dont watch as nearly as much football as before. I'm not remotely interested in PL, watch a game every now and then but I get bored quickly. I watch only United and sometimes Roma games.
I think that also happens as my interest waxes and wanes. When I'm really into football I'll watch loads of non-United games. As my interest lessens, I might end up watching only United games.
You're welcome and I agree with the rest of your post.
On another note, how many TR points do you score these days for hating Rooney?
These caveats have become important in life. An individual when young can gulp up 10 pints of beer and be ok the next day and carry on drinking. However as you grow older, you start getting hangovers and you carefully plan your drink parties. You love you wife more than anything, but sometimes you are too busy at work to spend time with her. Similarly, the over payed prima donnas, clubs like city, Chelsea, Fergie retiring, crap football, other important life priorities come in and it becomes difficult to give in the same amount of dedication and energy you gave when you were young.
For me it has certainly has come to the point where United are not on top of the pyramid as they were earlier. That doesn't mean i go and support other teams or that my love for United has reduced. It means i do not dwell on defeats like i used to earlier. I came to London last year on official duty only because i could then make a trip to Old Trafford watch United play Everton at Old Trafford (thanks to Sultan). One of my biggest dreams ever. The smile never went off my face that day. Some things never change. The love for United never changes. Just the time afforded to invest in United has changed.
Aye, I think that's a healthy development! I mean, I'm just as invested during the match and I still enjoy the build up (the studios/Redcafe etc) as much as before but if we drop points or lose I'll carry on with my day instead of sulking.
Watching City play the kind of football I used to take for granted has been humbling.
I love the club as I always did.
But my love for football is dwindling. I can't say I actually enjoy watching many games in the league. Not just United games.
I only nowadays like watching the champions league games.
But my love for football is dwindling. I can't say I actually enjoy watching many games in the league. Not just United games.
I only nowadays like watching the champions league games.
It didn't sound preachy and I can completely understand where you are coming from. I just think some people support teams for various reasons and ultimately changes can affect that. For example I knew someone who considered themselves to be a united fan but actually they are a David Beckham fan and jumped over to Real as soon as he left.
United will always be my football team. I'll always try to catch the occasional game and follow what the club are up to. That's partly why I am on here. But my fascination with them has faded.
A great point and you've expressed what I was trying to get at. Priorities in life so change. For example when we played spurs I was away for the weekend with my girlfriend. In years gone by I'd have asked to find a pub to watch the match but my priority is now her.
Just to add... I was once told how much you like someone can vary but if you truly love them that won't change. Kind of deep for a football forum but think it has some relevance here. Maybe some years we like united more than others. Sometimes they wow us and we can relate to the manager or players more. Some years maybe we don't like the manager in charge. What shouldn't change is your love for the club.
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More than ever.
I welcome the increased competition at the top of the league, and the competition for transfers. Seeing the challenges and struggles makes it more rewarding and real.
The club is well-positioned long term and I expect a rise to European dominance in the coming years that will be even sweeter for having suffered through David Moyes and Falcao falling over and Di Maria turning out to be a little bitch.
I welcome the increased competition at the top of the league, and the competition for transfers. Seeing the challenges and struggles makes it more rewarding and real.
The club is well-positioned long term and I expect a rise to European dominance in the coming years that will be even sweeter for having suffered through David Moyes and Falcao falling over and Di Maria turning out to be a little bitch.
I agree totally.
What brought me to love United was the values SAF instilled in the club, and especially to me what was amazing to see, was SAF desire to win , and having to be the best all the way till the age of 72
I mean when people get success and alot of it, you tend to lose that motivation you once had, but Fergie, just kept on going, plus the ability to get 110% out of inferior players never ceased to amaze me,
And SAF refusal to lose reflected on the pitch on the players, and if we were a goal down, you always felt ok, theres a goal coming.When SAF was there he felt like a father figure to the players, one giant family, In his autobiography, it said he used to know the names of all staff in old trafford, and acted the same with everyone
Since hes left, very few players play or care for the shirt, its all about the money these days, plus since SAF retired we've been playing some horrendous football to watch
I still watch every match, but the satisfaction of watching united has gone, hopefully that can come back in years to come
I mean when people get success and alot of it, you tend to lose that motivation you once had, but Fergie, just kept on going, plus the ability to get 110% out of inferior players never ceased to amaze me,
And SAF refusal to lose reflected on the pitch on the players, and if we were a goal down, you always felt ok, theres a goal coming.When SAF was there he felt like a father figure to the players, one giant family, In his autobiography, it said he used to know the names of all staff in old trafford, and acted the same with everyone
Since hes left, very few players play or care for the shirt, its all about the money these days, plus since SAF retired we've been playing some horrendous football to watch
I still watch every match, but the satisfaction of watching united has gone, hopefully that can come back in years to come
I generally Care less about football and I have less affection for LVG's United than I had for SAF's. It truly was something special to have the same manager and same core of players for so long, now we're just like all the rest.
So basically you've stopped enjoying United now we aren't winning trophies? Not much of a fan then are you?