They tried to lure Klopp before he went to Liverpool, and he was turned off by their pitch. Something about United being like Disneyland where your dreams come true... Different people running things now, but as they were smart enough to not buy all of the club while being in line to take the flack if things go badly, you have to wonder about their acumen too.
As a MUFC fan of 40 years standing who is actually from Stretford, the hyperbole around the club whenever we lose a few games never ceases to amaze me.
that’s fair - piece is obvs meant to be a bit hyperbolic! Interested to know what you think the problem has been post-Fergie (or if it’s all a bit overblown), as think it’s true about players and managers stagnating (or do you not think that at all!)
I think as usual the truth is somewhere in the middle. It’s clearly been badly run for years. The fact that the new lot have brought in a load of football-focussed people in Ashworth, Berrada etc has to be a good thing in the long run.
Ten Hag looks out of his depth and will probably get sacked. Most of the squad is decent, but confidence is at an all-time low.
The ‘why do people go there?’ point that you make? Presumably for the same reason you’ve written this article. The club has a standing and a lure. Plus they pay top money.
And yet despite all this the last two years we’ve won as many trophies as Spurs, Arsenal, Brighton etc etc. Like I say, the hyperbole is pretty hilarious. I guess it makes for clicks tho.
Personally I find the frenetic, nuance-free, cliche-ridden 606-ification of football one of the worst developments in recent years. But that’s just me 🤷♀️
Delusions of grandeur from a team and supporters who think Manchester United are the greatest football club in the world. From the 1950’s onwards they are a side said to have been full of promise, Busby’s Babes not helping by giving the club that aura of brilliance lost by the deaths in the Munich Air disaster when really there was no proof they would have won ( then not even becoming the first British Club to win the European Cup) then the struggles and lows until Alex Ferguson came along, 1986 to 2013 being the glory years for the club. Alex Ferguson proved as he did with Aberdeen that he could take an average team ( winning three league champoinships, four Scottish Cups and both the UEFA cup and the UEFA Super Cup with Aberdeen) and make them better than the sum of their parts.
Alex Ferguson made Manchester United the powerhouse they are now and until they get rid of his influence, the club will languish and fall back into the mediocrity they rose from.
They've got the same big, fundamental issue that hits any club going through a rough patch: no culture, no identity. Everyone, from on high down to the players on the pitch, is pulling against rather than working together. Brexit Jim is tried to dictate his will rather than organically foster an environment. The classic "I was good in business elsewhere so do this" and it never works.
My fear as a Brentford supporter is that they come after Thomas Frank again. He talks repeatedly about how important the culture at work is to him - he'll feel naff all hygge if he does jump into their sweaty embrace - but it's still a 'big' job and they could make him an incredible offer.
They tried to lure Klopp before he went to Liverpool, and he was turned off by their pitch. Something about United being like Disneyland where your dreams come true... Different people running things now, but as they were smart enough to not buy all of the club while being in line to take the flack if things go badly, you have to wonder about their acumen too.
As a MUFC fan of 40 years standing who is actually from Stretford, the hyperbole around the club whenever we lose a few games never ceases to amaze me.
that’s fair - piece is obvs meant to be a bit hyperbolic! Interested to know what you think the problem has been post-Fergie (or if it’s all a bit overblown), as think it’s true about players and managers stagnating (or do you not think that at all!)
I think as usual the truth is somewhere in the middle. It’s clearly been badly run for years. The fact that the new lot have brought in a load of football-focussed people in Ashworth, Berrada etc has to be a good thing in the long run.
Ten Hag looks out of his depth and will probably get sacked. Most of the squad is decent, but confidence is at an all-time low.
The ‘why do people go there?’ point that you make? Presumably for the same reason you’ve written this article. The club has a standing and a lure. Plus they pay top money.
And yet despite all this the last two years we’ve won as many trophies as Spurs, Arsenal, Brighton etc etc. Like I say, the hyperbole is pretty hilarious. I guess it makes for clicks tho.
Personally I find the frenetic, nuance-free, cliche-ridden 606-ification of football one of the worst developments in recent years. But that’s just me 🤷♀️
🤷
Hi Harry, I've only just seen this and it's a very good read. Keep up the great work.
Cheers Russ!
Delusions of grandeur from a team and supporters who think Manchester United are the greatest football club in the world. From the 1950’s onwards they are a side said to have been full of promise, Busby’s Babes not helping by giving the club that aura of brilliance lost by the deaths in the Munich Air disaster when really there was no proof they would have won ( then not even becoming the first British Club to win the European Cup) then the struggles and lows until Alex Ferguson came along, 1986 to 2013 being the glory years for the club. Alex Ferguson proved as he did with Aberdeen that he could take an average team ( winning three league champoinships, four Scottish Cups and both the UEFA cup and the UEFA Super Cup with Aberdeen) and make them better than the sum of their parts.
Alex Ferguson made Manchester United the powerhouse they are now and until they get rid of his influence, the club will languish and fall back into the mediocrity they rose from.
They've got the same big, fundamental issue that hits any club going through a rough patch: no culture, no identity. Everyone, from on high down to the players on the pitch, is pulling against rather than working together. Brexit Jim is tried to dictate his will rather than organically foster an environment. The classic "I was good in business elsewhere so do this" and it never works.
My fear as a Brentford supporter is that they come after Thomas Frank again. He talks repeatedly about how important the culture at work is to him - he'll feel naff all hygge if he does jump into their sweaty embrace - but it's still a 'big' job and they could make him an incredible offer.
I feel like/like to think that TF is too smart for that! But you never know
I would really hope so but he wouldn't be the first to make a move like that.