England's Goalkeeping Manuel
Nice to hear Arsene's convinced his team can turn it around against United. He might just be the only one. The Gunners were very fortunate to have an inspired keeper on Wednesday night. Almunia was top-notch. Give that man a flippin' passport.
There was a time when Manuel seemed to resemble his Fawlty Towers namesake (around the same time that Lehmann was wandering around like a bewildered Dave Beasant) but clearly those days are long gone.
He needed to be tip-top first half, though. I don't mind admitting that I was a Gooner for the night, and it was bloomin' frustrating. It was one of them pretty triangles days for Wenger's men. Sometimes you think Pythagoras must be on the backroom staff.
And Adebayor had one of them useless shambling performances where he looked about as threatening as a rag doll. You know Arsenal are struggling when Nicklas 'I should be starting every game' Bendtner comes on. (He does start every game - on the bench. Quite right too.) Sure enough it wasn't long before the Grate Dane Bendtner-ed a header into the stands.
United on the other hand were dead good. My mood wasn't helped by the sudden and miraculous influx of United supporters into a boozer that has barely seen one of them in years. Unsurprisingly a fair few of them were a bit la-di-da (pinstripes and go-faster specs 'n' that) - they've clearly decided which team to support by looking at the league table and saying 'I think I'll support the chaps at the top! Rah-rah!'
They also seemed to think that the major prerequisite of being a footy fan is to utter foul oaths and curses throughout the game. Now, granted, it helps me get through a Boro fixture - in fact this season it's been flaming obligatory, but when the f-word comes out of the mouth of a toff it just sounds, well, a bit forced.
Their blue-eyed boys did them proud, mind, but for some less than sharp finishing. After United's goal, me mate Tony Thompson said he didn't realise there were two O'Sheas on the pitch. John O'Shea and Ricochet. I didn't want to pass that on but he insisted.
The biggest cheer in the Bell was reserved for the early departure of Rio. Fergie's already talking up his team B and we are delighted he's so keen to give them a day out in the smog.
Hopefully the Tumbler will be wrapped in cotton wool somewhere safe and warm too. I did wonder just how popular young Cristiano would be were it not for the fact that he comes across as a bit theatrical. There was a particularly noteworthy hissy fit on Wednesday which even had the United groupies chuckling into their continental lagers. There should be a way to censor that sort of nonsense.
Me, I'd put a little wendy house halfway up a terrace and send any little stroppy-pants up there and make them sit looking out of the window for two minutes. At the end of that period the ref can return to the wendy house, open the door, ask them if they're going to play nicely and if they're still going off on one then they stay there. (Plus, chances are that Fergie will already be in there so that's a good encouragement to get out and get playing again!)
Tizzies aside, if you can just watch the bloke play it really is a thing to behold. He's as good as I've seen.
The prospect of a United-Chelsea final looms again, though. I'm not looking forward to that. JT'll be screwing his extra long studs in as we speak.
I've tipped Chelsea to bag the whole shebang. If that happens, you can imagine that Guus Hiddink will not be able to sleep for the constant arrival of pleading telegrams, bunches of flowers, and the keys to luxurious yachts and cars and private aircraft. I hope the man sticks to his word and leaves. What an utter triumph that'd be!
Terry Venables' brief stint as England manager was almost as glorious and had he not come back as Smiley's number two and brolly carrier, we'd still be thinking fondly of him today. The position of Chelsea boss doesn't strike me as the most comfortable seat in the world, and how could Guus beat a Champs League title anyway?
These two-legged affairs are not for the impatient, are they? I'd prefer one-offs in a neutral venue, but where's the shedload of cash in that, eh?
Funny how my tolerance is infinite when it comes to the snooker, mind you. I'm the best theoretical snooker player in the world, bar Willie Thorne. They say it's a sign of a misspent youth and it's true to say that I skipped a hell of a lot of lessons so I could watch it on the telly.
Higgins continues to scrape through in fantastic matches, which is all the more remarkable when he looks so much like Stan Laurel. I half expect him to drop the rest on the pack of reds and leave a great rent in the baize every time he gets to the table.
If he meets Murphy in the final, I advise the big lad to wear a little tache and we'd have comedy heaven. Is it me or has Murphy got an enormous bonce but a face that only seems to occupy the bottom tenth of it?
The tigerish little colour-blind fella Allen's a good watch too, having abandoned the joke hair colourings of last year. But I think the winner will be the Aussie with a sheepskin rug on his head. That's a hell of a lot of effort to go to make yourself look a right mess, son.
I'm Derek Robson. People call me Robbo. Legend has it I was raised in the furnace and smog of Teesside. Some might say I took the hard road. I like to tell folk I had trials for Middlesbrough, for Hartlepool and for burglary (not guilty). I've always loved sport. My job is to say it as I see it - whether it's in the bar of the Blue Bell or on this blog. You won't find me calling a spade a soil-redistribution implement.
© MMIX~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~12~RS~)
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jury is still out
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Interesting that you picked up the comment about the foul mouthed Man U fans. I watched the game in the pub and although pretty much a neutral I was hoping Arsenal won this game.
It was interesting to see though, that whilst the Arsenal fans mainly sighed or held the head in their hands as Adebayor flushed another chance, there were a couple of Man U fans behind me constantly shouting and swearing at the ref for any perceived instance of not giving a decision their way.
The other thing I noticed is when the Man U fans clap. Those in the pub with us seemed to clap if the ball got anywhere near the Arsenal box (which was most of the game) but seemed incapable of working out what was a well worked chance and what was a hopelessly optimistic pass that was never going to result in anything. I can only assume that the fans who had a clue were either in a different pub or at the game.
That said Man U were all over Arsenal and deserved their win. A second consecutive Man U Chelsea final may be on the cards.
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Good read as usual. 'pinstripes and go-faster specs 'n' that' i will be using that 1
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my usually empty pub was full of 2002/2003 united shirt wearings toffs as well.....i swear one was suprised when they were wearing a different shirt to him
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Another hopeless attempt at a humourous article Robbo. Please keep your colloquialisms off the BBC.
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Very funny Robbo, good read.
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My 1st post on your blog! I always enjoy reading your blogs and always like to read about someone "saying it as it is!"
I'm a Man Utd fan and I do agree with donprestoni about some Man Utd fans shouting and swearing at time when it isn't really necessary, but at the same time I think most football fans who go to the pub to watch their team on TV do fall into the same trap of shouting and swearing at that screen even though they just can't hear you from there! (this includes me, doh!)
I was disappointed that Man Utd didn't win by more than 1 goal and I do feel we will need to score in the 2nd leg to ease the pressure on ourself, but if a one goal advantage means we draw a scrappy 0-0 in the 2nd leg and get to the final in Rome than about 99.9999999% of Utd fans won't complain.
Robbo - (He does start every game - on the bench. Quite right too.) Sure enough it wasn't long before the Grate Dane Bendtner-ed a header into the stands.
He doesn't seem to be wearing this PINK boots anymore does he!?!?!?!
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It's amazing how a player can quickly become flavour of the month. Most Arsenal fans would agree that Almunia has been, with the exception of a couple of games back in October, fairly good since taking over at the beginning of last season.
As for Bendtner, he is 21 and improving all the time. His attitude is good (certainly better than Adebayor), and his link up play is superb. Sure his finishing might not be great, but I believe he can become a top player at the club. As for your dig at him regarding comments made to the press in Denmark, you really should do more research. Us gooners proved that the media in this country had deliberately mistranslated his comments to create a story.
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Decent blog Robbo and, yeah, we should sign up Almunia considering the dearth of talent in the actually English net wardens (though Paul Robinosn played a blinder for Fat Sam's Boreburn last week and should be back at Spurs where he belongs). Using foreigners is a noble English tradition - Pieterson, Lamb, Rusedski (actually forget the last one.)
My only criticism of the blog is mentioning snooker. I'm not entirely sure what you said as that pastime is sporting chloroform and I think I just greyed out for a second...
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I think you and the Telegraph should get your facts right. Almunia can no longer play for England as part of a gentleman's agree between all the home nations that naturalised foreigners won't be selected. So Cudicini, Arteta and Almunia won't be able to play for England and Nacho Novo can't play for Scotland. Here it's even on the BBC website! http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/7702704.stm
I enjoy reading your blogs but that's just sloppy
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@doyles_left_foot
And precisely how legally binding is this gentleman's agreement? They're all sticking to it at the moment, but give it a year or two...
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Good and pretty funny read, but give Bendtner a little more credit, the only time you could fault his workrate was a dreadful performance in the carling cup against Burnley when we went out. As for Adebayor he manages to not put much effort in, in a champions league semi-final. I mean i love the bloke but if you can't motive yourself to put a decent performance in the semi-finals of the biggest competition in the world (well, Togo aren't exactly going to make a World Cup semi-final) then you might as well give up and go to Italy playing in a sub-standard division, with tax free wages and defences so sublime that Bernard Corradi is rated as a good quality striker...
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As always Robbo, great fun. The late comer Manu fans must be universal. They appeared in our pub well into the match. I think they must wait for an email to say they have a chance/scored/whatever. Do you Smoggies also notice that more of the replica wearing 'fans' appear the following day -after they've won. Funny how their shirts must all be in the wash when they lose/draw!!
Re the match - thought the ref had a fantastic game. Delighted to see how many times the gelled one did his penguin impression when decisions went against him. We were poor - and lucky, especially first half. Thought young Gibbs showed great promise. Return - Eduardo to start, please and Diaby and Ade to warm their botties on the bench. TGGA [The Great God Arsene] obviously had been to Specsavers and changed his dark glasses for rose tinted ones. Still as the saying goes -'funny ol' game'.
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You're right- Ronaldo is an exceptional footballer. Most United supporters inwardly groan and cringe when he throws his toys out the pram. I wonder whether Sir Alex, a man from the old school, also inwardly groans and cringes when the theatrics start but, like the rest of us, accept the tantrums in exchange for the quality he obviously brings to the team- in much the same way that Chelsea massage Drogba's ego.
Whe he sees the replays, (I bet he watches them all!), doesn't he see that he comes across as an absolute plum!
United will go through, they have become very good team away from home in Europe. As for Saturday? 1-2 to United with the "Tumbler" scoring an injury time penalty.
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Robbo - I'm a Gooner but I thoguth that was one of your best this season.
Really funny. Love the last line about Robertson's hair.
And don't write us off - we were 2 minutes from beating them by 2 clear goals in November at the Emirates - We can beat anyone by any scoreline at home. United are favourites but we are still VERY much in this tie.
And Manuel has been better than Cech and VDS this season - but he won't get the credit because people still remember those horrible mistakes from 4 years ago and can't shift their opinion of him.
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Robbo your blogs are getting funnier again (bonce, Rah Rah)- what an achievement.
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Good blog as usual.
Was hoping you would mention the young lad Gibbs. Clichy and Cole take notice. He did not let his team down. Keeping up with Ronaldo is no mean feat.
Cesc mimicking Gerrard while Nasri acting holding mid was all wrong.
I think it is about Adebayor that Edgar Alan Pope said, "Object there was none. Passion there was none."
p.s: England could do worse (and they do) than having Manuel in the goal.
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Robbo can I ask a serious question.
I understand why loads of people in their teens and twenties hate United so much. We have been winning and people get jealous.
But as you are of an older vintage like myself why is it that you and people of your age hate United so much?
I was born in the 70's so by the time I started walking and talking (sometime around 1982) I was supporting United and at that time we were winning nowt but people still hated us with a passion. Why is that?
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Robbo,
Another great blog.
Love the Higgins/Stan Laurel combination. I was watching the Man U - Arsenal game the other night with 7 Man United fans no less and the language aimed at the ref and generally at any player when a mistake was made was ridiculous.
Don't get me wrong, many times at the Loft I curse more than a drunken sailor but there seems to be a theme among the (un) genuine Man U fans to shout and swear at the top of their voice.
Come on boys, they won't hear you at Old Trafford all the way from Surrey!!
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your hatred of united is laughable...no wonder you got a kournalist job at the bbc
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great read as usual...i'm an arsenal fan but it is easy to admit after that game that arsenal only had 2 good players out on the pitch almunia and the young gibbs who after a shakey start did really well against rooney and ronaldo 2 of the greatest footballers in the world at the moment....diaby was aweful almost every touch he had he lost the ball he should have been where nasri was... just because nasri plyed well in the centre against boro does not mean he will be as good as against Man U
arsenal whilst passing in neat triangles seemed to only move the ball backwards and they lacked any fight... i think arsenal really needed an away goal to go through but the task is not beyound us yet thanks to a miricle display from the new england NO.1 almunia
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Oh and on the triangles!
Sometimes I feel, for Arsenal, playing a football game is akin to taking the dog out for a walk, where the dog is the ball (or the ball is the dog, take your pick).
And of course you wont shoot that what you take out for a walk.
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barca man u in the final chelsea cant defend as well as they did at the nou camp and attack so it maybe away goals but i reckon barca will score the same for man u they will score and i cant see arsenal getting 3
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Ricochet! I'm nicking that.
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You know Arsenal are struggling when Nicklas 'I should be starting every game' Bendtner comes on. (He does start every game - on the bench. Quite right too.)
That sentence is absolute quality!!! Especially the bits in the brackets. He is like a white Shola Ameobi! He couldn't hit a barn door if his nose was pressed against it! Although he did score against my team, NUFC earlier this season, but so has every man and his team in their time :/
Keep up the glod blogging mate, can't wait for the next one.
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Wonder how many more women from Christian chat rooms Murphy will marry when he wins a world title ? Hope he does not succeed this year, Hardy tache wearing or not, as he is about as dynamic as Geoffrey Howe on mogadon and hardly does anything to enhance the reputation of the game.
Skippy Robertson really ought to go to the same hairdresser as Michaela Tabb to get that mop under control - he probably goes to the same place to get his make up done before matches anyway !
Poor young Mark Allen as well - totally whipped by the Wizard of Wishaw. Maybe Mark is a relative of the lesser talented sorcerer branch of the Potter family !
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I hope it's a Man Utd/Chelsea final, it goes to penos and Terry steps up and scores the winner. Not a Chelsea fan, but a big fan of Terry's, and I think he deserves it.
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Another Rory Delapless blog however did anyone see the Premierships best passing launch the ball into the United box at the end with a long throw - Well I say long, nothing compared to Rory's!
I also saw the Superstars of Chelsea go to Barcelona and park there bus in front of their goal and hit more long balls than Stoke and Bolton combined, it worked for them so good on them but why do the media lavishly praise these dogged performance but are quick to hammer Stoke when we did it away at Liverpool earlier in the season?
I think these big teams are taking note of the mighty potters style and appreciate its greatness (even though were not safe yet!)
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You can defend him all you want, but Bendtner is clearly the worst regularly playing striker in the top 4, possibly even the top 6. I reckon if he doesn't make some sharp improvements to his game over the next couple of seasons then he'll be off to a mid-table team. And there's especially no excuse for it when you're playing in a team with the truly incredible passing abilities and creative forces that Arsenal have.
I reckon we're getting a Man Utd/Barca final though. Chelsea can't afford to play the same game at home, and if they try to take it to Barca they'll get hit. And even if they do try t play it defensively, you can bet Barca will have analysed every minute of the last game to find weaknesses in Chelsea's game.
Anyway. Let's hope Boro can get a result against Newcastle in a few weeks and send them down!
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Boro r going down!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Robbo , you used to be my hero back in the 80's.....Please can you stop using colloquialisms in your articles and write something clear and intelligent like other BBC writers? You do put me and many other readers off,,
Thanks.
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GazUtd,
People hate United because we are the best team in the world, the biggest oney-making machine in football and we always have incredible (yet irritating) star players:
Mark Hughes - Fantastic player, best volley-er of the ball ever but hated by other fans for his aggressive attitude;
Peter Schmeichal - Great goalkeeper but an absolute t*t of a man, an arrogant numpty, but what a player!
Eric Cantona - Sublime player (Berbatov take note on what a flair player is meant to do) but a bit of a loose cannon!!
Pual Ince - Fantastic player but again an arrogant arsh-avin a laugh telling the other players he was the guv'nor;
Roy Keane - Legend, Icon, but absolute animal at times;
Wayne Rooney - Amazing player - like if Cantona and Keane had a baby, but he can be a real nuisance at times and such a temper. But the greatest player I have ever seen in person;
Cr7 - Incredible player, up there with Messi but a cry-baby and believe me United fans don't just cry on the inside when he unleashes the hystrionics.
United have always had these amazing players that United fans idolise but other fans hate. Ah well.
Oh, and they all hate Sir Alex because he wants them to and they bite on the bait and give him the 'us against the world' attitude that has done so much good for our trophy haul over the years!!
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"me mate Tony Thompson said he didn't realise there were two O'Sheas on the pitch. John O'Shea and Ricochet"
Me and my mate also made that humourous observation. Great minds eh??
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I know that the rules state that a player can become eligble for the country he plays in after 5 years, and that this rule has been used by other nations, but the 4 UK Associations have yet to agree this between themselves. I don't think a lot of England fans would be keen on Almunia representing England. There is an Idea on the table that if you had 5 years Schooling in the country then that would allow you to become eligble. My team has a player called Andy Dorman, who was born in Chester but went to School in Wales, he represented Wales at Schoolby level but after this he became ineligble. He considers himself Welsh and lived there for 11 years but at this stage he is not allowed to be considered for selection. Surely he has a better case than Almunia, who lets face it is in the UK only to earn more money.
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We DO like the concept of 'go-faster specs'. One wonders if there were any dodgy 'diffuser undercrackers' to compliment them? It's a constant source of amazement to me how seemingly ordinary citizens dissolve into mindless rabble and shout at tellies. Like, they're gonna answer back, huh? Pubs are for buying beer in, not rehearsing Tribal Chant.
Know Your Enemy. They're big mates with The Sun.
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Robbo no - please say it isn't so - "Almunia was top notch, give that man a flippin passport".
I'm sure we all wish Messi was English as well but he isn't and we have to make the best of what we got. It isn't like club football where you can buy anyone from anywhere around the world to play for the team. Don't you realise it would be a bit like cheating to say none of our keepers are good enough so lets nick someone from another country. You gotta be English to play for England and we have got to put up with what we have.
Unfortunately despite Capello clearly being better than most if not all England managers about - the rule still stands. If we are going to ever win anything nationally lets do it with English players rather than a big chequebook, relaxed selection policy or big Jack's geanealogy experts.
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Re 32: (and GazUtd)
As a non-ManU fan, I am going to break the silence and let you in on the secret why we love to hate MANU even though for most part they have been playing great football and been part of football's amazing history.
Its you lot. The Manchester United Fans!
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Higgins and Murphy as Laurel and Hardy is inspired!
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Ah Robbo, this blog is still funny - unlike most other sports blogs
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To my fellow reds..who cares why they hate us?
Here's the truth...Man United (not Man U ...PLEASE) are more than a football club...they are biggest and the best and world renowed so the hatred is probably in proportion to the vast support and passion generated across the world ..we may be loved or hated but we are never ignored...makes you proud doesnt it ?
The reasons for the hate are often urban myths with a small grain of truth No 1 We are glory hunters (see robbos article about that posh lot) Fact: Any successful team has these (stand up Arsenal, the scousers etc)but it is less true at United than anywhere because of our history -in 1974- 75 we were in the then second division and had the HIGHEST crowds in England ..look at any attendence records and you will see we have been at the top since the 60s not 1993. No 2 They don't come from Manchester..Ha,ha..go figure..one of the greatest ever myths/lies and repaeted ad nauseum by ABUs and media luvvies everywhere...heres the truth... WE HAVE THE MOST FANS IN MANCHESTER AND BECAUSE OF OUR HISTORY WE HAVE THEM EVERYWHERE ELSE TOO... I was born and bred 5 miles from OT and I sit in the Stretford End and I would say its 70% Manc /North west...truth is having fans all over the world was seen as a strength and something to be proud of when I started going in the 70s ,it is only since we began winning things in the 90s that it has been used against us.
No 3 There is no atmosphere at Old T ...ha ha..it was ROCKING
against Arsenal (see Phil McNuktys blog)...yes the seats mean it is more difficult to get singing going than with the terraces..every club has suffered from this and any who says they havent (stand up scousers again) are lying,but you know what,Man United have the largest variety of songs known to man and a the bigger games it getting better all the time.
Oh ...and yes ...Almunia played very well..but the truth is it should have been 4....
So
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Like the referal to Ronaldo as 'The Tumbler'...
Like to add Drogba to this title and now we have the 'Tumbler Tiwns'
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37 - Touche old bean. Here's a newsflash - The majority of United fans can't stand those fans who are clearly there for the glory, who are there just to say they support United, but know nothing of the history of the club, know nothing of the traditions of the club, know nothing about football really.
These United fans are not versed in the passing, flowing footballing tradition that was instilled by Sir Matt Busby and resurrected by Fergie. They think United's (albeit faltering as of late) style and grace of play was invented by Ronaldo or maybe Giggs and Cantona for those slightly older hangers-on.
These United fans were not told tales of Duncan Edwards, Bobby Charlton, Nobby Styles, Lou Macari, Denis Law, Bill Foulkes and Remi Moses. They were not given an education into why the club was so special (admitedly this has been lost slightly since the over-commercialisation of the game). They don't know about OT getting destroyed in the War and the club being rebuilt rising from the flames and becoming a force.
They probably don't even know about the Munich air Crash and the victory in the European Cup just a decade later. They probably don't know about Denis Law scoring the goal that relegated the club he LOVED with a cheeky backheel then being an emotional wreck.
They probably don't even know about the brilliance of the likes of Robson, Whiteside and Danny Wallace in the 1980s when United were absolutely terrible but still the history and the love of the club were enough.
Most United fans are embarrassed by these fans, most wish they would just go away and leave the real fans to it. I am not an old man by any means. I was just educated in football by stories from my old man and my granda whereas the majority of people just a few years younger than me (Im 27) were given their footballing knowledge by watching the bright lights and razamataz of the Premier League on the monsterous Sky Sports.
United fans hate those United fans too. But why hate the club? Why make snide comments about every penalty we get? Every trophy we win? Every player we sign? Worry about your own team.
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Thought the bit on having a wendy house was a great idea,very funny. Looking at Ronaldo spit his dummy out was pathetic,he's a grown MAN,playing football for a living and he acts like that. Please,please,please Madrid take him away so i don't have to watch the big baby anymore.
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This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
People hate Utd because the club and fans are so blinkered when it comes to football, i had a red mate of mine(amazingly from Manchester) complaining about the media not giving them a fair deal and always highlighting contentious decisons in there matches. I nearly fell off my fence!!
The media are always with utd, you just need to read (ok may not read more like look at the pictures) any red top paper in the country and anyone can see that.
Lets hope they lose the lot
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Top notch blog as always and on a number of subjects. Seem to have missed the highlight of the week though - The Curious Case of Drogba and the Smelling Salts.
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@31, you DO know the difference between a blog and an article, right? Robbo is not presenting this as any sort of statement of fact. As stated in the "About this blog" section at the top of the page, it is his opinion and nothing more. It always makes me laugh when people respond to a blog, ranting about journalistic style, grammar, etc. Why not just admit that you don't agree with the points raised, explain why, and then go about your day?
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MonkeyNutz133,
I was not answering the question I was offering an opinion. And a fool I am certainly not. I was hardly gloating by listing the faults in some of our best players in recent years! Find me a Liverpool fan who will admit that Stevie G is a diver and used to be more intersted in kicking the crud out of opposition players? Can you find me a Chelsea fan that would admit that Terry has total commitment to the cause but very little else? Or that Drogba's a disgrace with the diving and gurning and yapping? Can you find me an Arsenal fan who would admit that Wenger is losing them after years of loyalty?
Enjoy the rest of your season whoever you support.
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Good blog Robbo. In relation to your comment on Shaun Murphy, here is a picture of his sister
http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/gallery/s1_02gallery/1024/cassandra.jpg
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Thank-you for the entertainment, as always, Robbo but I sense an air of nervous trepidation.
With my swollen knees and negative attitude, I donned my pin-striped boxers and watched the second half from the tread mill - I can only manage a half these days (plus up to 4 minutes added time). I was kicking every ball and nearly fell off about 8 times, I'm sure someone was whacking me and ducking back into the wardrobe. The only difference between me and Cristiano is that I don't look from camera to camera as I do my moaning and I haven't quite perfected an expression that screams "supreme victim". It should have been 3 or 4 really but it's wide open.
The missus now refers to me as the 'swelled grumbler'. Still 49 minutes of that probably did more good than 6 pints and a bag o' crisps.
Good luck in getting through the next 36 hours, whatever they may bring.
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@48, I think you will find that MOST Chelsea fans admit that Drogba has a diving problem. He got booed for it quite extensively at a certain game at Man City. We will not, however, admit to Terry having only total commitment to the team as an asset. While certainly not as dominant as previous years, he is still a very good defender, and one that a number of other teams still covet.
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To Ormrodblue
This media that loves United ...would that be Hansen, Lawrensen, Thompson, Houghton, Redknapp or Collymore? Obviously we have lost a big friend now Alan Shearer has gone...Liverpool have the broadcasting media sown up....
Open your blue eyes...United get the most coverage ...coverage does not equate with bias...they know anything about United will sell and they all make a good living off United while slagging us off...
And blinkered ? Says somebody repeating the childish 'dont come from Manchester' myth yet again...go to Salford and tell them how blue they are...
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V good Robbo.Going back to the snooker its fortunate for Willie Thorne that Foo and King didnt make the final.
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Great blog Robbo!
#40. Couldn't help but read that cos I totally agree. We get the same stick as Liverpool fans and hense the worldwide support of the club. We just love to hate eachother and that, I why I love football! I have to add though that MY reason for hating Man United fans, is cos most of the ones I know are plastic fans whereas I've been to Anfield plenty of times; just winds me up! If you're such a fan, go to a game or two.
As for the Toff's - quality bit of banter and totally agree! They're the kind that when you ask them what team they support, they give you the name in full, which just tickles me :)
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I still don't get it.
Thanks to Mangore etc but Spitfire was right, you didn't answer the question (even though the question was put to Robbo).
I know why people hate United now but I can't figure out why they have always hated us. For instance I know a Derby fan who is in his early 40s. He detests United, always has done. Why is that? I mean its not like we were in competition with them in the early 80s or that we are close neighbours.
When I asked him he said it was something to do with United having fans from everywhere and not just Manchester but when I pushed it he admitted he didn't really know, he just hated us. Go figure.
And I've never really got this argument about fans from outside Manchester. ALL teams have fans that aren't from their locality. Every time I get a plane from Ireland to a match there are supporters from all sorts of teams on it.
The biggest idiot I have ever heard giving that arguement as a reason is a Liverpool fan..... from Egypt!! He actually said that United fans were plastic because they didn't come from Manchester.
And I don't buy the "It's your fans" argument either because if that was the case Liverpool would be detested throughout the world.
Is it just a case of "we hate United because we do"?
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GazUtd: You know why you hate Liverpool?
Thats why everyone hates Utd, be they young or old...
jealousy, over exposure and SOME really annoying fans = Hatred... Simple
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#10-
If you read the whole article...
"Now, at some stage in the future, one or more of us may change our opinion on that - we may get together and change our decision and go for the full Fifa regulation - but, at the moment, we're all sticking to our agreement."
So he could play for England. Not that he will, but still, they could change their mind, nothing is set in stone.
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37. At 1:30pm on 01 May 2009, The Spitfire wrote:
Re 32: (and GazUtd)
As a non-ManU fan, I am going to break the silence and let you in on the secret why we love to hate MANU even though for most part they have been playing great football and been part of football's amazing history.
Its you lot. The Manchester United Fans!
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Plus the fact that most of these fans have an 'us against the world' superiority complex, never give any other teams credit for winning anything, and if (on the relatively rare occasions) they lose then its only because they've been robbed, or cheated or had more injuries than anyone else.
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I still believe it's Arsenal and Barcelona snatching their place in Rome, further god knows!
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Robbo, are you the same Derek "Robbo" Robson who wrote a poem about the Otter pub in Otterbourne, Hampshire? Just wondering, because i've just been in there and seen it on the wall!
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Plus the fact that most of these fans have an 'us against the world' superiority complex, never give any other teams credit for winning anything, and if (on the relatively rare occasions) they lose then its only because they've been robbed, or cheated or had more injuries than anyone else.
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That describes every fan I know, not just United ones.
And RedBlueArmy92...
Yes I know why I hate Liverpool and Liverpool hates United and that is ok, there is a history there.
What I can't figure out is why someone like Robbo who is a Boro fan, and thousands of others like him, doesn't like United. (He will probably say he doesn't hate us but Robbo it's ok that you do, I just can't figure out why)
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I am a Stoke fan living in Manchester and until recently had adopted United as my second team.
I liked getting excited about Champions League football, I enjoyed actually caring who won in a big 4 clash and I very much appreciate the way they actually use their youth academy to bring quality players through.
Then I saw them play Stoke on Boxing day, one vicious elbow from Rooney and a petulant kick-out from Ronaldo later (both of which went unpunished) and my back was turned... I can put up with a poorly timed challenge or a kick-out borne from passion they are just dirty!
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It's no big secret, United are hated because they're successful. People always tend to side with the underdogs. A couple of years ago, Mourinho's Chelsea were the most hated team in the country. It's the same everywhere. Real Madrid are the most despised club in Spain, Bayern Munich are hated in Germany and so on.
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oh, and I can tell you why I hate man utd, though i can't speak for everyone. Part of it is jealousy, I admit that. growing up in the 90's with Man u winning everything wasn't fun!
But more than that, it's :
1) Utter arrogance of your manager
2) Having players like Ronaldo, Cantona, Keane (more arrogance and general horribleness (can't think of a better word!!)
3) never giving other teams credit if they beat you
4) Blaming any loss on ridiculous things (grey kit, anyone?!)
5) Players like Rooney having a hissy fit any time a decision goes against him
6) Perceived bias of referees towards your team
7) Forking out £30m on players willy nilly when other teams just cant afford to do it (again this is a bit related to jealousy!)
It's things like this, rather than your success, which makes other fans generally dislike your team. For example, when Arsenal were winning the league and were awesome, I NEVER hated them. I don't really like them now because they're a bunch of moaning minnies, but that's besides the point!
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Man Utd vs Chelsea final. I can't see Barca beating Chelsea at SB, and obviously I'm hoping we get a result at the Emirates...
A polite message to any United fans who may not realise what they are doing when they say 'Man U', please don't use this term as it is considered an insult to the club. Use 'Man Utd', it doesn't take much to tag the 'td' on the end, and you wont offend any of your fellow reds! ;-)
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Listen - on this occasion I wanted the Arsenal to win cos it's nice to see the gongs shared out a bit, even if it is between the big 4. I'm not particularly anti-Man U any more than I'm anti any team that might beat my own team. Totally agree with #63, but "hate" is putting it way too strong. AS for the Jasper-come-lately fans in my boozer, I didn't like them cos they clearly had no connection with football beyond a Sky subscription and I'm sure regular United fans would have not wanted much to do with them either.
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I agree StevieG.
I've never had a problem with Man Ewe-nited's success. Its the people there, starting with Fregie adn etending to players like Keane and Cantona as well as several of the current lot, notably Cristiano Whine-aldo and Shrek (admit it, he's got the personality as well as the looks!).
I never had a problem with Chelsea and actually quite liked them while Ranieri was manager. Its only since Abramovich came along and insisted on taking the short cut to glory that I've taken a dislike to them. Also, a lot of their players seem to have developed "Man U Syndrome" i.e. overinflated egos.
Come on Arsenal - sort those Mancs out at the Emirates. They've already won the league, so we can't have 'em getting their mitts on the on the Champions-and-Runners-Up League pot as well.
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In fairness Gaz, i have given your question deep thought, and i dont know why EVERYONE hates Utd... i know i hate Utd and i know i hate liverpool and for the same reasons... It could be that when i was at school Aldershot went down the pan and were no longer a club, i was lost (until 92)... meanwhile many of my class mates were on top of the world and very smug, and because a football club hundreds of miles away ('pool or utd) were doing very well... But this is my story of hatred, i'd be keen to hear others? What is yours Robbo?
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Ugh. My typing and spelling have gone to pot, this afternoon!
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It confuses me that a player like Bendtner can feature in the semi-final of the European Cup, the guy's horrific. Next time you watch Arsenal, watch him closely and you'll see he fits into that team in a similar sort of way that Franny Jeffers did, he's not good enough to try and play the fast, pass-and-move game Arsenal try to play.
Also, do any English people actually think that Almunia should be their keeper? You've got a number of keepers behind David James that are capable of competing at the highest level. Robinson's performance last Sunday proves he's still a worthy candidate and Foster, Green and Kirkland would surely be reliable enough. Almunia is no Schmichael or Kahn, he's decent but surely people aren't wanting him to be England's number 1......
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Funny how the most hated fans just happen to be the fans of the most sucessful club. There are 2 reasons:
1) The most sucessful team attracts the most fair weather supporters who don't really know or care anything about the club.
2) The most succesful team are the team who all the other fans have most reason to be jealous of.
Not rocket science.
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The whole Manchester / Liverpool spat started a long time ago. Liverpool was the biggest port in the world.
Manchester was just a small town.
Then the industrial revolution arrived.
At Liverpool all the imported cotton was offloaded to be then shipped by canal to Manchester where a whole industry was growing in the textile mills.
Manchester grew rapidly and overtook Liverpool in size and economic development.
This is the beginning of the spat that has continued ever since and isn't just a football thing.
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Being a Man United fan it pleasures me to read your half hearted attempt at writing. You remind me of the class idiot that was one notch off being humorous. I think every man united fan will agree with me when i say that the hate only adds to the pleasure of winning. Enjoy the champoinship!
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18. At 12:24pm on 01 May 2009, GazUtd wrote:
Robbo can I ask a serious question.
I understand why loads of people in their teens and twenties hate United so much. We have been winning and people get jealous.
But as you are of an older vintage like myself why is it that you and people of your age hate United so much?
I was born in the 70's so by the time I started walking and talking (sometime around 1982) I was supporting United and at that time we were winning nowt but people still hated us with a passion. Why is that?
I'm not Robbo's age, but I started watching footie in the late 70's and Nottingham Forest and Liverpool were the best teams in Europe, never mind England, yet there was this mid-table tripe who kept saying they were the 'biggest club in the world'. I've disliked them since then, but it is true that the biggest clubs have the biggest t**ts for fans. Most people on benefits support Man U. Probably.
I heard from someone older than me however, that Man U fans were the worst for hooliganism in the 60s, and that is why people don't like them. We associate Millwall and Leeds with that sort of thing but apparently Utd were the original and worst, and many of the worst yobs were cockneys, just as many of their fans now are.
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Also funny how Keane, Cantona and Ronaldo are picked out as United's most hateful players. Clearly nothing whatsoever to do with them being successful.
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Very interesting question from GazUtd, don't think it can be answered in a blog, more of a thesis as there are so many things to take into consideration.
When I was growing up in the 50's my first contact with a United supporter was an arrogant kid from Retford. Not a good start.
Also, real supporters don't switch their allegiance, but so-called supporters started switch to United after Munich, and more so-called supporters switched when they started to win things in the 60's.
They have a large number of people now who only follow them because they win. I have a sister-in-law and her 2 daughters who 'support' United, they know nothing about football and when they talk about United as 'we' it just makes me cringe.
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70. - I have nothing against Almunia, I think he is a very good keeper but we should not have to have nationalised players in the England team or squad. I know other nations do it, particularly smaller ones and others not so(ie. Eduardo for Croatia, Germany with Klose, Podolski) but England should not have to given the depth of resources here.
This is not in any way Xenophobia on my part, but I believe that probably the only thing International football has left going for it is the fact that the players are (supposed to be)from their own countries, not pulled in from all corners of the world at huge expense as is the case with most of the successful european club teams.
But I suppose if thats the way things are going......
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Whats to discuss really?
We are the biggest club in the world so the hate grows alongside the love and passion especially in a world of 24 hour media where it is a news story if Fergie sneezes.
Not sure the Busby Babes were hated,not sure the Best law Charlton team were hated (except by Leeds fans),in fact the story of rising from the loss of an outstanding young team to become the first English club to win the European Cup was the stuff of dreams and I am told, helped create the clubs mythical status that it holds today.
When I started following United in the 70s and 80S the Red Army roamed the country and we were accused of arrogance because we had the biggest support and claimed to be the biggest in the world while things were going belly up on the pitch. This particularly rankled with Liverpool fans who were winning trophies but had lower crowds.
Now we are arrogant because we keep winning...the current mansger and players that lots of people are claiming as their reason to hate have one thing in common...they are winners.
Gaz - its us against the world mate...brilliant feeling innit ?
Keep on hating,we'll keep on winning....
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73. At 3:04pm on 01 May 2009, stevetheposer wrote:
Being a Man United fan it pleasures me to read your half hearted attempt at writing. You remind me of the class idiot that was one notch off being humorous. I think every man united fan will agree with me when i say that the hate only adds to the pleasure of winning. Enjoy the champoinship!
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Now no offence stevtheposer... but your post is why people feel the way they do, so many man utd fans seem to find pleasure in the downfall of others despite the good fortunes they have? its all a bit Nah nah na nah nah!
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I heard from someone older than me however, that Man U fans were the worst for hooliganism in the 60s, and that is why people don't like them. We associate Millwall and Leeds with that sort of thing but apparently Utd were the original and worst, and many of the worst yobs were cockneys, just as many of their fans now are.
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Don't forget terrorism, swine flu, the kennedy assasination and global warming. All caused by United. And the credit cruch was actually caused by the Glazers takeover. Although the Glazers are actually a family of United supporting stockbrokers from Guildford prentending to be americans...
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Re 64.
Benitez isn't arrogant? Come on! Plus with regards to Fergie, it isn't arrogance if you can back yourself up. He can.
The idea that we don't give other teams credit if they beat us is utter nonsense. Ferguson gave Everton a lot of credit, as he did Fulham.
Re players having hissy fits - why does Carragher complain about EVERY single decision going against him, even if it's blatant? And with regards to expenditure:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7956396.stm
We've spent a whole £3million more than Liverpool in 5 years.
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Keep on hating,we'll keep on winning....
Again, things like that first68andbest99, undoubtedly the hate comes from jealousy, in part... But why be so arrogant? Try and and do it with class, you have a great team why let them down with churlishness, try and be the Mohammed Ali of football, win big, talk BIG.... but do it with style and grace.
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It's ok Robbo you can say hate. Go on, it will be catarthic for you. Get it off your chest.
Hate in football terms does not mean the same as it does in everyday life. For instance I hate Liverpool and I hate terrorists also, it doesn't mean the same thing.
You love your wife and you probably love your mother too but the word love there doesn't have the same meaning. Well at least I hope it doesn't, being from Middlesborough and all :)
To be honest I think it is great that everyone hates us and as someone said earlier Fergie has used this to good effect. Long may it continue. The only think I don't like is journalists who don't admit it and try to say they are not biased.
I am not talking about you Robbo (I know how you hate to be called a journo) but a certain Mr Green comes to mind.
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Post 63 is spot on. The way in which Madrid are despised in Spain tops any anti United sentiment expressed in these shores. Successful teams are always going to be subject to this type of negative sentiment, but, just like Madrid, the big clubs channel this into something positive, the so called siege mentality. That's why it shouldn't bother the United fans- I believe it actually helps bring success to United.
As for the "plastic fans"? They are just a biproduct of success and unavoidable- you can't have one without the other. I remember the surge in support of Newcastle in the 90's when they had a good team and the same is true of Chelsea a couple of years ago- all of a sudden there were blue shirts everywhere. I'm guilty of it too, I have a Brazil shirt that I bought because they were simply amazing and were the best international team.
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#83
Try and not forget the very badly disguised neutrals like a certain Mr Tyldsley, who I could swear has appeared on several Man Utd records " Come on you Reds, Come on you reds.....", has endevoured to be assigned to every United game for commentary even if it's not the biggest European tie on that night and has Ryan Giggs bedsheets that can be ssen in his back garden hanging out to dry.
The man actually sounds more excitable than your average fan when he gets his favourite commentary gig at his beloved theatre of dreams
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1) Utter arrogance of your manager
2) Having players like Ronaldo, Cantona, Keane (more arrogance and general horribleness (can't think of a better word!!)
3) never giving other teams credit if they beat you
4) Blaming any loss on ridiculous things (grey kit, anyone?!)
5) Players like Rooney having a hissy fit any time a decision goes against him
6) Perceived bias of referees towards your team
7) Forking out ?30m on players willy nilly when other teams just cant afford to do it (again this is a bit related to jealousy!)
1) This from a Liverpool fan - Rafa anyone?
2) Other teams have "horrible" players too, you know.
3) I actually think United do give credit if team's beat us fairly and squarely. SAF is usually the first to praise another team's good performance against us.
4) The grey kit was years ago. Can you provide a more recent example of something like this?
5) This happens with players from all teams, it's just that Rooney gets more exposure. I don't excuse it, but to think it's a United problem is very simplistic.
6)Perceived is correct, but it's not borne out by the reality. Just band-wagon jumping from opposing fans trying to discredit United's triumphs - i.e. jealousy.
7) Can you provide me with a comparison of United's spending in recent year compared to the other top clubs, like, say, Liverpool? You'll be surprised.
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RedBlueArmy82
'do it with style and grace'
Get off your high horse mate..I know you want to appear a football intellectual by analysing hatred for United but you are on blog not about your team just so you can have a go....
My point was that if we win like the last 10 years we are considered arrogant and when we werent in the 70s and 80s we got accused of it then...Heres the truth ...football is tribal and despite all the micro management at grounds nowadys when we lose that we have a big problem.
Champions of England, Champions of Europe ...most loved and most hated...I love this game....
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It's an interesting question and certainly not all about success. It dates way back.
You can look at the behaviour of their fans across domestic and foreign terraces through the 70s, the way the media fawned over them despite winning nothing, the years of Captain Marvel & Fat Ron, when fortunes were spent and nothing was won and the media still loved them and their fans still thought they were the biggest team in the World.
Then the Ferguson came along, won next to nothing for 7 years and was but a game from the sack so many United fans wanted.
Then it changed and they became successful. The produced some great players and some great football but were always hard to love. Ferguson has got worse and worse through the years, mealy-mouthed in praise of opponents, constantly whinging both pre, during and post match about officials, opposition managers, players, clubs - beyond the pale, he is now ;o)
Cantona, arrogance personified, attacking a supporter of another team defended by his manager. Keane, abusive, violent, tried to maim a fellow professional, defended by his manager. Beckham's nasty petulance, Neville's ugly vitriol, Rooney's foul mouth and anger management problems, Ronaldo's blatant cheating. Ferdinand missing a drugs test. Taking Haranguing of officials to new depths. The sight of Andy D'urso being chased across the pitch at Old Trafford for having the temerity to award a penalty to the opposition. They act and have acted like they're bigger, better and beyond the laws of the game and recrimination for their actions.
Then they became a plc, removing the 'Football club' from their badge. Lording it over everyone with the 'richest club in the world' stuff year on year. That's really only scratching the surface, the list goes on and on. That's all before you get to them being successful and their modern day following.
A read of a blog or two here and the manner of their supporters tells you most of what you need to know. Graceless in defeat, unbearable in
victory, mostly clueless and myopic in the extreme.
The question shouldn't be why are they hated. It should be if you don't hate them, why not?
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37 - Touche old bean. Here's a newsflash - The majority of United fans can't stand those fans who are clearly there for the glory, who are there just to say they support United, but know nothing of the history of the club, know nothing of the traditions of the club, know nothing about football really.
These United fans are not versed in the passing, flowing footballing tradition that was instilled by Sir Matt Busby and resurrected by Fergie. They think United's (albeit faltering as of late) style and grace of play was invented by Ronaldo or maybe Giggs and Cantona for those slightly older hangers-on.
These United fans were not told tales of Duncan Edwards, Bobby Charlton, Nobby Styles, Lou Macari, Denis Law, Bill Foulkes and Remi Moses. They were not given an education into why the club was so special (admitedly this has been lost slightly since the over-commercialisation of the game). They don't know about OT getting destroyed in the War and the club being rebuilt rising from the flames and becoming a force.
They probably don't even know about the Munich air Crash and the victory in the European Cup just a decade later. They probably don't know about Denis Law scoring the goal that relegated the club he LOVED with a cheeky backheel then being an emotional wreck.
They probably don't even know about the brilliance of the likes of Robson, Whiteside and Danny Wallace in the 1980s when United were absolutely terrible but still the history and the love of the club were enough.
Most United fans are embarrassed by these fans, most wish they would just go away and leave the real fans to it. I am not an old man by any means. I was just educated in football by stories from my old man and my granda whereas the majority of people just a few years younger than me (Im 27) were given their footballing knowledge by watching the bright lights and razamataz of the Premier League on the monsterous Sky Sports.
United fans hate those United fans too. But why hate the club? Why make snide comments about every penalty we get? Every trophy we win? Every player we sign? Worry about your own team.
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I'm afraid all the big clubs will always have these fans, in Utd,s case even more as they have abused on the marketing worldwide, particulary in the Far East.
The sad thing is not about the fans, trouble is i really doubt some of UTD players will recognize these names, how much do you reckon Ronaldo will know of Utd,s history after 6 years in the club?
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#88 Highly selective history of United since the 70s. What you forget to mention is the way United play football. From the wingers of the 70s/80s to the attacking play under SAF, United have always sought to entertain, and largely succeeded. That's why "if you don't hate them, why not?".
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86. At 3:37pm on 01 May 2009, Give Me A Break! wrote:
SAF is usually the first to praise another team's good performance against us
except when he gets thumped 4-1 by Liverpool and hides in the dressing room, refusing to speak to the media blaming the TV company for putting on the match at a nasty hour of the day?
come off it.
He's a terrible loser. No doubt in part what drives him to success.
You can add an inability of United fans to see what's right in front of their face to the list
;o)
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There are so many reasons to hate ManU it would take me too long to list them. But in answer to the question about why fans of all clubs and all ages despise them I think that has something to do with the unjustified media coverage they received even when they were wallowing in lower divisions.
Also, ManU fans talk about supporting the biggest club in the world. Is that based on revenue or their importance in the stock market, or perhaps the number of foreign supporters? Because Liverpool are the most successful English team in the world and therefore the biggest in terms of footballing success (which is what really matters surely).
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GazUtd,
you seem like a reasnoble sort of chap. Unfortunately, Decent United fans like yourself are not noticed by the rest of us. We do, however, tend to notice clowns like MangoreUnited and as a result the present state of affairs stands.
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Aldershot fan... High Horse... OK, think on son...
And as for football being tribal, you know if people supported thier LOCAL club, thier town, rather than a franchise lower leagues wouldn't have the financial problems they do... WE HAVE A BIG PROBLEM.
Sorry to offend though... i'll reseve my thoughts for the numerous ATFC blogs the BBC provide...
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Tommy Onion, congratulations.
A point brilliantly made with nothing but truthful analysis of modern day Manchester United.
This is the best post I have ever read on any BBC blog.
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#88 TommyOnion.
Great post mate. Spot on.
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64. At 2:47pm on 01 May 2009, StevieGRocksmyworld wrote:
oh, and I can tell you why I hate man utd, though i can't speak for everyone. Part of it is jealousy, I admit that. growing up in the 90's with Man u winning everything wasn't fun!
But more than that, it's :
1) Utter arrogance of your manager
2) Having players like Ronaldo, Cantona, Keane (more arrogance and general horribleness (can't think of a better word!!)
3) never giving other teams credit if they beat you
4) Blaming any loss on ridiculous things (grey kit, anyone?!)
5) Players like Rooney having a hissy fit any time a decision goes against him
6) Perceived bias of referees towards your team
7) Forking out 30m on players willy nilly when other teams just cant afford to do it (again this is a bit related to jealousy!)
It's things like this, rather than your success, which makes other fans generally dislike your team. For example, when Arsenal were winning the league and were awesome, I NEVER hated them. I don't really like them now because they're a bunch of moaning minnies, but that's besides the point!
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How wonderfully put by StevieG (with the exception of your last sentence of course) :)
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Top quality blog robbo, i feel bad sometimes with the amount of copyright infringement I am responsible for in the pub using your comments as my own.
but as always the funniest is the poor boys whose comments show that your sense of humour goes over their prawn shaped heads
even the 2 man u supporters looking over my shoulder 'instead of at least pretending to work' have now been converted to the church of robbology after reading this one
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There are reasons to dislike all clubs if you are that way inclined. We can all remember when the actions of hooligans got English teams banned from European competitions- not to mention the people who perished.
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SAF is usually the first to praise another team's good performance against us
except when he gets thumped 4-1 by Liverpool and hides in the dressing room, refusing to speak to the media blaming the TV company for putting on the match at a nasty hour of the day?
come off it.
Well, of course, there is always one exception - and losing to Liverpool will always be that one. Just like the reverse really. My point is still valid for other teams though. It just pains you to realise the truth. And it hurts, doesn't it?
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Thanks Gunn3r. I'm sorry for my last sentence, I still much prefer you to the Mancs or Chelsea, BUT even Arsenal supporters must be a little bit tired on Wengers whinging by now??
Agree with everything tommyonion said, excellent post
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You do know that Bendtner didn't say that? Or do you believe any old bullS^it that you read in the papers?
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Tommy Onion
All hail ! Looks like you are the King of the ABUs and shall be known by the number of your followers.And you will be given the task of recording every perceived injustice ever committed by Manchester United Football Club for historical posterity...
God you are all so sad...if it wasnt for United what would you talk about ?
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Oh, and a more recent example of blaming defeats on ridiculous things? That away dressing room at Fulham really is beyond the pale dont you think? LMAO!
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#88 Maybe you should have stated the small fact that you were Pool fan before you started that almighty rant.
I also don't understand why real fans slag off these so called plastic fans. We're not in the 80's anymore, when every British club was British and had British players. What's so English about the likes of United, Pool, Chelsea & Arsenal? Foreign owned, none of them have English coaches and only a handful of English players in all of them. So I don't see what the big deal is, when a Korean cheers Man Utd because Ji-Sung Park wears their shirt and plays for them.
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first68andbest99: God you are all so sad...if it wasnt for United what would you talk about ?
Fottball mate... football
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to Number #31
Robbo , you used to be my hero back in the 80's.....Please can you stop using colloquialisms in your articles and write something clear and intelligent like other BBC writers? You do put me and many other readers off,,
Thanks.
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As dear old Windsor Davies used to say "Oh Dear How Sad, Never mind!"
I would say go and read something else then. Robbo's is the best blog bar none, if you want Queen's English pop on over to Mihir Bozzzzzze and his dull efforts. Robbo is entertainment nothing else. I have difficulty understanding why the hard of thinking spend so much time reading just to slag something off. I can't stand Bozzzze so I don't read his blog, Ditto Nick "Red 'til I'm dead" Robertson. Even Alexander the Meerkat knows it is "Simples". Don't like it, don't read it.
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Robbo, Robbo, Robbo... I fully agree with all comments about my team, the Arsenal. I think they need to mature, but it will not happen unless they have some senior players to take the youngsters under their wings and mentor them. Arsene needs to pay for wisdom as it will bring the team along faster.
But now what really makes my heart sad... what about the boro? They have to stay up because they are an integral part of your column. I am almost at the point of wishing they nick 3 points from Arsenal this weekend. That is how tortured I am.
Up the Boro'.
BTW, I am sooooooooooooooo happy Newcastle are about to go down!!!!!!
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RedBlueArmy82 et al
You don't offend me mate ...bring it on...all United fans love it (copyright Kevin Keegan)
As for local clubs can we nail this urban myth once and for all...I was born and bred 5 miles from Old Trafford being going since the 70s and have a season ticket in the Stretford End and the seats around me are full of northeners...we have the most fans in Manchester and because of our size fans everywhere else too...anything else is a myth started by City fans and grabbed enthusastically by Utd haters and the media to give them something over us
Cheerio
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GazUtd,
you seem like a reasnoble sort of chap.
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That's the first time I've ever been called that on Robbos blog!
Now as for TommyOnions post earlier - Tommy can I just ask you this...
You said Cantona was backed up by his manager for attacking a fan. Is the "fan" he attacked not the type of person we no longer want to see at a football match. I am not condoning what Cantona did but you simply see it as all one-sided and your hatred of United blinkers you to some things.
Put it this way if you were going about your job, which is after all what a footballer does, and someone sprinted towards you waving his arms, spitting and shouting vitriolic abuse about your family would you not have reacted? Honestly now.
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StevieG
Agreed, there are occasions when the Arsenal camp would be better off staying tight-lipped but that will not deter my ever faithful support for my beloved Arsenal.
By the way Robbo ... I read your blogs often and today this one had me laughing out loud ... particularly good today ... bravo!
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well gunn3r, i think there's been plenty of occasions when all of our clubs would have been best advised to shut up!
Anyway, hope you do the mancs in the 2nd leg and if not then pleeeease beat them in the league instead! :-)
Happy bank holiday to everyone, bye!
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Desperately, desperately hoping for an Arsenal 2-0 or >3-1, and Barcelona to just stick more past Chelsea than they stick past them.
Not United Chelsea, not again. Pretty sure any neutrals will be thinking the same.
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Gaz Utd
If i was a professional footballer I would never think it acceptable to jump into the crowd and start leathering a fan regardless of what he was saying.
It wouldn't have been acceptable if Lampard/Terry did it last week at West Ham.
It wouldn't be acceptable if Gerrard did it every time Everton fans starting sing stuff about his wife/child.
In short, players attacking fans is not acceptable. OK?
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;0) Fair play then mush... Your thoughts on the fair weather hampshire/surrey man utd fans (and thier are thousands) who you wouldnt see in "the theatre of dreams" (thats also a BIG reason people dislike you)as they only watch in the pub or in thier living rooms, i would be keen to hear...
Oh and as for your players being the reason, absolutely not, Cantona is the greatest ever player in the prem, not to mention the dozens of other GREATS, and you play good football... And you wind up liverpool... all commendable...
To summise. We love to hate you and you love to be hated... Its a system that works... long may it stand...
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@ tommyonion
What about Throwing coins into the crowd a la Drogba or Carragher....???
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Another can of worms opened up, I see. I think someone has already said it. If there's hatred for Man U it's cos (a) they're successful and (b) they're pretty unbearable when they're not. Having said that, I really enjoyed watching them play footy last season. It was a joy, truly.
I can understand Utd fans being one-eyed about Fergie but to pass on this dribble about him being a good loser is just hokum. He's a terrible loser (as is Wenger, Benitez, and hundreds of others). Southgate comes across as a good loser. God help us.Tommy Onions presents a pretty good analysis of what we don't like about United.
Fact is there's been Giggs, Scholes, Schmeichel, Irwin, Pally, Yorke, Teddy, Ole... all good old boys who were good value and not part of the roll-call of dishonour you quoted.
See? I'm all for a bit of balance sometimes.
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I can understand Utd fans being one-eyed about Fergie but to pass on this dribble about him being a good loser is just hokum
I might have more respect for you Robbo if you used the correct word. It's "drivel" not "dribble", and you're wrong, but that's not unusual.
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116. At 4:28pm on 01 May 2009, stretfordendred wrote:
What about Throwing coins into the crowd a la Drogba or Carragher....???
nope, rightfully banned
Diouf's spitting at the celtic fans was despicable too
any others?
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Oh and what Cantona did was unforgiveable. As I recall someone recorded it as the first ever real life case of a s*** hitting the fan. On a purely dispassionate note, I wasn't sorry to see the 'fan' in question get kung fu-ed. Just shouldn't have been Eric doing it.
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Edd990 is exactly right re Almunia.
A gentlemens agreement is not worth anything - it is certainly not legally binding.
I dont want to see a Spaniard keep goal for England, but there is nothing anyone can do to stop it if Capello picks him and the English FA agree..............
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#118. No I meant to use the word 'dribble' - as in slavving from the corner of the mouth and not as in Giggsy jinking.
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Have you ever read a Robbo blog? That "dribble/drivel" thing is the least of your worries if you want to set about correcting the bloke (which I wouldn't bother with; Boro' fan, blogs reading like they're shouted from a deep sleep onto screen) - he's a lost cause. ;)
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117. At 4:28pm on 01 May 2009, Robbo Robson wrote:
Fact is there's been Giggs, Scholes, Schmeichel, Irwin, Pally, Yorke, Teddy, Ole... all good old boys who were good value and not part of the roll-call of dishonour you quoted.
Exactly. Don't hate any of them. Not particularly a fan of Yorke but that relates to his off the pitch behaviour.
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Re: Almunia's England credentials... if he's good he'll be English, if he's a total crock of Carson, he'll be Spanish all right.
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Oh and Almunia should be nowhere near the England team. We have enough average keepers as it is.
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115. At 4:27pm on 01 May 2009, RedBlueArmy92 wrote:
To summise. We love to hate you and you love to be hated... Its a system that works... long may it stand...
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Agree completely. Its the hatred and rivalry that give football so many talking points each and every week. How boring would it be if we all just got along with each other?? As long as United are in existence, we will be hated by most fans of other English clubs, and that's ok, because we don't much like you either. It is a measure of just how successful Utd have been...
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It's when the hatred can't be put aside for respect and admiration. A lot of people hate Ronaldo - I live with an avid Chelsea fan, who doesn't like Ronaldo one bit, but appreciates what a good footballer he is, and was astounded by the shot he rattled the bar with on Wednesday. Hatred is normal in football, but not at all costs. When you lose sight of appreciating the ability of footballers regardless of their team, you're no longer a fan of the game.
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Robbo - how old are you mate? Ricochet - if that wasn't straight out of a Jimmy Tarbuck jokebook I don't know what is. Given that gooners aren't the most vocal fans at the best of time (unless they're booing their own) its hardly surprising you never heard them. Plus most United fans are as embarrassed by the hangers on as other fans are. Its a necessary cross for a successful club - we can live with it. And its kind of boring to hear the same old carp.
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#118. No I meant to use the word 'dribble' - as in slavving from the corner of the mouth and not as in Giggsy jinking.
Nice try. Don't believe you.
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Tommy I didn't say it was ok what Cantona did, in fact I said I didn't condone it. And I didn't ask what you would do if you were a footballer, I asked what you would do if it happened in your job now?
I don't condone it but I do understand it, and to the best of my knowledge that is what Fergie said (or words to that effect) at the time.
Now seeing as Robbo says your post was a good analysis of why United are hated I thought I would analyze your post. So here goes....
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You can look at the behaviour of their fans across domestic and foreign terraces through the 70s
I wasn't around to see this but I would doubt whether United fans were any worse than many others. There have been several films made and books written about hooliganism and to the best of my knowledge they pretty much all revolve around London teams. So even if United fans misbehaved, which I have no doubt they did, others did just as much so why are they not as hated as United?
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the way the media fawned over them despite winning nothing
Firstly I don't agree with this, I think the media fawned over other teams, Spurs and particularly Liverpool. But lets leave that aside for the moment. Even if the media did fawn over United as you say what is the harm in that, the media only ever does anything to get a bigger audience so why would you hate United for what the media does?
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the years of Captain Marvel & Fat Ron, when fortunes were spent and nothing was won and the media still loved them and their fans still thought they were the biggest team in the World.
Fans thinking this is just good support. AND United had bigger crowds consistently during this period than anyone else. And we did win the odd FA Cup. In fact you could pretty much compare Liverpool of the last 20 years to everything you list here so again I ask why United?
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Then it changed and they became successful. The produced some great players and some great football but were always hard to love. Ferguson has got worse and worse through the years, mealy-mouthed in praise of opponents, constantly whinging both pre, during and post match about officials, opposition managers, players, clubs - beyond the pale, he is now ;o)
Be totally honest and tell me what manager does not do this? Rafa's rant, Arsene's pizzagate and refusal to speak to Fergie, Jose being the most conceited man alive. They all do it so why again just pick on United?
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Cantona, arrogance personified, attacking a supporter of another team defended by his manager. Keane, abusive, violent, tried to maim a fellow professional, defended by his manager. Beckham's nasty petulance, Neville's ugly vitriol, Rooney's foul mouth and anger management problems, Ronaldo's blatant cheating. Ferdinand missing a drugs test. Taking Haranguing of officials to new depths. The sight of Andy D'urso being chased across the pitch at Old Trafford
We've discussed Cantona alread. Now as for Keane, yes Roy did have a go at Haaland but I think maim is a bit strong. Now again honestly tell me how many other players have never went in to 'do' another player, the only difference between Roy and the rest was that Roy admitted it.
As for Beckham he was turfed out because he thought he was so special so shouldn't you be loving United for that?
Neville I won't argue with you about because I hate him as much as the next man.
As for Ronaldo I have yet to find a United fan who does not complain when he dives. But he is not the only one. Drogba is the biggest cheat to have ever set foot on a pitch but why not pick on him. Gerrard dives with the best of them, then denies it, then calls other players names for doing it and still Liverpool fans don't admit that he does. So why pick on United for this?
Ferdinand missed his test and was banned for the longest period yet while at the same time a City player tested positive and got nothing in comparison, so why don't you hate City for that?
And as for the Andy D'Urso thing players and manager apologised afterwards, admitted it was wrong and it hasn't happened since.
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Then they became a plc, removing the 'Football club' from their badge. Lording it over everyone with the 'richest club in the world' stuff year on year.
Like it or not but EVERY club today is a business. Why pick on United for this? And who is Lording it over you? I don't hear it being mentioned day in day out, in fact all I ever hear about United's finances is how we are going bust because the Glazers have no money left.
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Graceless in defeat, unbearable in
victory, mostly clueless and myopic in the extreme.
Now tell me what other group of fans this doesn't describe?
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So there you have it, as good as an analysis as I can do, if only I did as much with my essays for college this year. Well the stupid lecturers should make more about football then shouldn't they! (Yes I am old but I went back to college)
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Nice one GazUtd - now get back to your books;-)
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Robbo, that wendy house idea is an absolute corker!!!! That's all I have to say really. Utd have it sewn up, boro's down with Hull, newcastle to escape. Sorry, but that's the way it'll happen.
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The thing with the Tommy Onions comment is that you'd think he supported the church 5-a-side team. All of his criticisms also apply to Liverpool, they're just not as successful.
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Superb rebuttal, GazUtd. Onions, good post? Pahh. Such "dribble".
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GazUtd - Spot on mate.
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"On a purely dispassionate note, I wasn't sorry to see the 'fan' in question get kung fu-ed. Just shouldn't have been Eric doing it."
As a matter of interest, Robbo, who do you think should have done it? Think before you type, please.
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Robbo - you sure you aren't a City fan - you're sounding just a little bitter.
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I've neither the time nor inclination to write an essay in reply but i will say this...
a question was asked, i've given a reply, every point i've made relates to United. Not every point you've replied to relates to one single club and in pretty much every point where there are other guilty clubs/personal United are still the worst offenders. (Drogba, like Ronaldo is an appalling cheat - i'll give you that)
The fact is United are loathed up and down the country and were loathed long before they starting regularly winning major trophies in the early 90s.
The fact you (and i bet no doubt other United fans are queuing up to praise your post) want to dismiss the points made and give it the 'Why Us ?' line is part and parcel of it. You don't see it, you don't want to see it.
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Onion, can you find it heart to praise the most successful club of the last 15 years for anything? You assume every point you make about United is true, when clearly only some are, or you have exaggerated the point. I don't for a moment think United have always behaved impeccably, but I do know that all other top clubs can have similar points raised against them. Your anti-United bias only goes to prove just how jealous you are of the success. Get over it.
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The fact you (and i bet no doubt other United fans are queuing up to praise your post) want to dismiss the points made and give it the 'Why Us ?' line is part and parcel of it. You don't see it, you don't want to see it
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But Tommy - THAT IS THE POINT!
I want to know why it is us and no one else. I do see that everyone hates us, that's why asked the question originally. I understand it when you are a Liverpool or City fan but I don't understand it when you are a Boro (just an example) fan, that's why I asked. And I simply used your post to show how all the things you said could be applied to other teams so therefore why does a Boro fan (again just an example) hate United more than anyone else?
I understand this might be difficult for you Tommy because you do hate United but that's ok, there's nothing wrong with hating us, in fact we probably even enjoy it in some sick sort of fashion. All I wanted to know was why United.
Personally I think there are many many people like my Derby friend I mentioned earlier. They hate United with a passion but when they look at it in detail they aren't really sure why.
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140. At 5:11pm on 01 May 2009, Give Me A Break! wrote:
Onion, can you find it heart to praise the most successful club of the last 15 years for anything?
Not when i'm answering a point about why you're the most hated club in the country and have been for 30 odd years. That would be off topic.
and Gaz, it's like you're answering your own questions you just don't realise it. Maybe you're part of the problem?
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Give Me A Break!
(Blimey that nom de plume is getting more and more appropriate with every contribution, mate!)
I would opt for Jackie Chan to conduct said martial art on Palace WUM - no messing about. As far as I can remember there were quite a few Palace fans who were pleased with le Grand Fromage after the attack too.
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#142 Such intransigence, Tommy. I think you need to sleep on this and come back tomorrow with more reasoned rationale, because what Gaz is saying is true. There is no logical reason why so many people hate United. Mind you, I know quite a few non-United fans who have a soft spot for United (when they're not playing their team), so maybe it works both ways.
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143. At 5:24pm on 01 May 2009, Robbo Robson wrote:
Give Me A Break!
(Blimey that nom de plume is getting more and more appropriate with every contribution, mate!)
I would opt for Jackie Chan to conduct said martial art on Palace WUM - no messing about. As far as I can remember there were quite a few Palace fans who were pleased with le Grand Fromage after the attack too.
So you DO condone violence. I thought you were joking.
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People, he's commented on his dislike for Manchester United as the question was posed on this forum "Why do people dislike Manchester United?"
He has singled this particular club out as this is the club that is relevant to what everyone on here is talking about. The guy has given a detailed and well argued account as to exactly why people dislike United, because you were posing the question. And now you're hammering on about other clubs being just as bad and asking why he's singled out United.
Now I'm sure Tommy Onions has dislike and opinions about other football clubs and teams but what would be the point of mentioning those opinions on a forum where the argument is about people liking/disliking Man United?
I might just mention that although Derek Riordan is a quick, nimble and dangerous attacker, sometimes his off-field antics do nothing for his overall reputation. He may yet be one of the countire's next big things.
Good post by Onions, it shall not be bettered....
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I've given you the reasoned rationale. You wont accept it. Everyone else is just as bad apparently.
Except they're not. You refuse to see that. That being the case you'll never get a satisfactory answer to the question.
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and Gaz, it's like you're answering your own questions you just don't realise it. Maybe you're part of the problem?
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Yes Tommy to a certain extent I suppose I am, but that's because it was a bit of a rhetorical question. Like I said I think a lot of people hate United just because they do. I just wanted other people's views on it and to see if there was any logical reason for it that I have missed. And to be honest so far I can't see one.
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"And now you're hammering on about other clubs being just as bad and asking why he's singled out United."
But that's the point Clint. How can you talk about united being the most hated club without referring to the context - in this case other teams.
Oh, and it's been bettered by miles.
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InterestingClint
You are missing the point. The reason I was asking is why does everyone hate United and not other teams. All of Tommy's points are valid in his dislike of United but they are also equally valid with many other teams so why does he not hate these teams and only United?
That is the point.
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in responce to MangoreUnited
Mark Hughes - Fantastic player, best volley-er of the ball ever but hated by other fans for his aggressive attitude;
Peter Schmeichal - Great goalkeeper but an absolute t*t of a man, an arrogant numpty, but what a player!
Eric Cantona - Sublime player (Berbatov take note on what a flair player is meant to do) but a bit of a loose cannon!!
Pual Ince - Fantastic player but again an arrogant arsh-avin a laugh telling the other players he was the guv'nor;
Roy Keane - Legend, Icon, but absolute animal at times;
Wayne Rooney - Amazing player - like if Cantona and Keane had a baby, but he can be a real nuisance at times and such a temper. But the greatest player I have ever seen in person;
Cr7 - Incredible player, up there with Messi but a cry-baby and believe me United fans don't just cry on the inside when he unleashes the hystrionics.
United have always had these amazing players that United fans idolise but other fans hate. Ah well.
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You have failed to mention any "amazing players" which played before 1990 (Mark Hughes aside)and i will remind you of 3 trully great utd players that people actually admire:
George Best - Ronald0.8, 0.7, 0.8, 0.8, 0.9, 0.7, isn't fit to fall over on the same wing!!!!!!!!!
Denis Law - Possibly one of the most natural goalscorers to ply his trade on these shores
Bobby Charlton - A living Legend!!!! one of the most highly respected footballers the world over
But...........
..........and it is a big BUT!!!!
Can you name me one amazing player who represented utd between 1974 and 1982????????????
The simple answer is NO!!!!
you will find that most of these players during this period were collecting trophies and respect for Liverpool! In the same way that Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres, Xabi Alonso, Jamie Carragher et al are starting to go about their business.
Only time will tell, but it seems to me that the balance is starting to turn.
Ronaldo and Tevez will be off in the summer and as good as Rooney is, he cannot play alone whilst having to carry Berbatov!!! Ferdinand is starting to enjoy more time with Gary Neville in the physio room!!! Van Der Sar is nearly as old as Ferguson!!! And I am absolutely sure that i saw Scholes and Giggs on Last Of The Summer Wine!!!!!!!
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I've given you the reasoned rationale. You wont accept it. Everyone else is just as bad apparently.
Except they're not. You refuse to see that. That being the case you'll never get a satisfactory answer to the question.
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I do accept the fact that you dislike United and the reasons you do.
But many other teams (not everyone) is just as bad, you refuse to see that, even though it has been pointed out to you. As far as I can see you haven't pointed out how United are any worse than anyone else.
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Pythagoras is a member of the arsenal backroom team, he is in charge of teaching the players 'virgin football' - very pretty on the eye, but no penetration!
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Captain Fabtastic - Is Arsene's new recruiting motto going to be "Come to The Arsenal, we have virgins" then?
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you will find that most of these players during this period were collecting trophies and respect for Liverpool! In the same way that Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres, Xabi Alonso, Jamie Carragher et al are starting to go about their business
That's a bit of a non-sequitor isn't it? Going about their business doing what? Collecting runners-up medals?
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151. At 5:36pm on 01 May 2009, carlm77 wrote:
Can you name me one amazing player who represented utd between 1974 and 1982????????????
The simple answer is NO!!!!
Behave, ffs!
152. At 5:37pm on 01 May 2009, GazUtd wrote:
"But many other teams (not everyone) is just as bad, you refuse to see that, "
except they aren't! I'm not just giving you the reasons why i dislike United i'm telling you why everyone else does too. It's why it seems all but non-Utd fans have agreed with my original post - and you still wont see it !!!!!! 'There are none so blind as those who will not see', springs to mind.
Ferguson has been the worst at intimidating/criticising officials, being a terrible loser, mealy-mouthed toward opponents.
No club has a list of odious players like the one i gave you.
No club has a list of players who act/have acted as badly as the list i gave you.
No club has gone out of it's way to commercialise their football club the way 'United plc' did/do.
On top of all that United, of course, have been the most successful team of the last decade, which is never going to be universally popular but it goes far deeper and wider than jealousy of success.
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151. At 5:36pm on 01 May 2009, carlm77 wrote:
Can you name me one amazing player who represented utd between 1974 and 1982????????????
The simple answer is NO!!!!
Behave, ffs!
apologies - i don't know why i wrote that !
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"Ferguson has been the worst at intimidating/criticising officials, being a terrible loser, mealy-mouthed toward opponents."
Here we go again! The same unsubstantiated BS about Fergie intimidating, when others don't of course. I think you're running with the blinkers on.
"No club has a list of players who act/have acted as badly as the list i gave you."
What you really mean is - no club has had the publicity of players who have acted badly that United have had.
"No club has a list of odious players like the one i gave you."
I can personally think of at least 3 teams that have. My personal opinion of course, but then so is yours.
"No club has gone out of it's way to commercialise their football club the way 'United plc' did/do."
Real Madrid, Chelsea to name but 2.
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#107
"Even Alexander the Meerkat knows it is "Simples"".
My esteemed employer, Mr.Orlov, has name of Aleksandr.
And he tell lies about worms.
See new ad with new superstar.
http://www.comparethemeerkat.com/my-movies
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Why do people hate United? The same reason Americans hate the Patriots, Spaniards hate Real, South Americans hate Argentina, blokes hate Johnny Depp, and I hate the guy that's banging my ex.
Jealousy, nothing more.
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Give Me A Break!
That's a bit of a non-sequitor isn't it? Going about their business doing what? Collecting runners-up medals?
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I think you misread as i clearly stated "starting to go about there business" and "only time will tell"
And you miss the point that Liverpool are clearly improving year on year while Ferguson, Scholes, Van Der Sar, Giggs, Neville, Ferdinand, Ronaldo and Tevez will all be gone within a couple of years.
You also chose to miss the other point i made which was...
Can you name me one amazing player who represented utd between 1974 and 1982????????????
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except they aren't! I'm not just giving you the reasons why i dislike United i'm telling you why everyone else does too. It's why it seems all but non-Utd fans have agreed with my original post - and you still wont see it !!!!!! 'There are none so blind as those who will not see', springs to mind.
Ferguson has been the worst at intimidating/criticising officials, being a terrible loser, mealy-mouthed toward opponents.
No club has a list of odious players like the one i gave you.
No club has a list of players who act/have acted as badly as the list i gave you.
No club has gone out of it's way to commercialise their football club the way 'United plc' did/do.
On top of all that United, of course, have been the most successful team of the last decade, which is never going to be universally popular but it goes far deeper and wider than jealousy of success.
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But Tommy I have already pointed out to you that this is simply not true, maybe it is you who won't see this.
Ok, I will try again.
Your Ferguson argument - There have been plenty of other managers who are just as bad. Granted none have been around as long so maybe he looks worse but Rafa, Wenger and Mourhino have all behaved in the same way as Fergie and all done the same things you have accused him of. This is not being blinkered, it is simply the truth, can you not accept that?
As for the list of odiuos players, you must be joking. You gave Cantona, Keane, Beckham, Ferdinand, Rooney and Ronaldo. Firstly can you honestly say you would not have ALL of these players in your team at the drop of a hat? They are all winners, proven winners.
And as for other teams odious players, don't get me started. Look at Chelsea (and just Chelsea at the minute for a start) - Ashley Cole (who actually does like him, even Cherly is pushed sometimes), Drogba (as you admitted the biggest cheat in the game, Mikel and Ballack (simply mercenaries). What about Gerrard at Liverpool, can do no wrong in Pool fans eyes (much like the United players you pointed out in United fans eyes) but is as guilty of bringing the game into disrepute as any of the United players you chose.
Also what of the Bartons, the Bellamys, the Collymores? There's plenty more of them and none of them ever played for United.
And clearly Chelsea have gone to the lengths that United have done in the commercialisation theory. No in fact almost everyone has done that, its just no one has been as successful as United have.
So Tommy please please can you not see what I am talking about?
And one other thing Tommy, who do you support?
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ReasonedDebate - I hate the guy that's banging my ex.
Learn to appreciate it, no more spending money on stupid clothing items that will be worn once, no more arguments over going to the pub to watch the match, no more in-laws!
There's a silver lining to everything!
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~~~~~~~~
John O'Shea and Ricochet. I didn't want to pass that on but he insisted.
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That was actually not bad! My *groan* was barely audible this time.
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Gaz, actually that last one was simply for comedy effect. As it happens I'm good friends with the guy who's banging (and will soon be marrying) my ex. Petty jealousy was never my bag.
My point stands though. All football teams have at some point behaved badly, been arrogant, done something objectionable, had a twonk playing for them, benefitted from a dodgy decision, or had an idiot fan or two. People who are jealous of United can use this to pick out the relevant incidents involving United, and use them to justify their hatred. From this moment on, any positives are ignored completely, whilst negatives are elaborated upon and exaggerated. The myths grows. It's called the confirmation bias (see Wason, 1960; or if you're not into journals, there's a very good chapter in it in one of Derren Brown's books). Sadly, this deeply ingrained human trait means that Mr Onion will never change his mind. On the plus side, Ferguson has used it to make his team the success it is today, encouraging a "siege mentality".
How's that for a silver lining?
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Of course I meant "mythos", and "on it".
I despise typos.
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This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
On the United point, I can add my name to the list of people who were absolutely astonished to witness the painful ignorance of pub-going United fans. The thing that struck my most was that they seemed to get genuinely angry every time Arsenal had the ball, even if they were passing it around in their own half. This led me to the conclusion that they simply have no idea about football at all.
In answer to the question posed above about hatred of United - for many people... that's one of the big reasons. It can NOT be denied that the majority of United fans are glory hunters, and that of them, a fair percentage haven't got a CLUE.
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Yeah I just read about the confirmation bias in a new book called Risk. I guess this is what I was trying to point out all along, there are all these myths about United that just perpetuate and no one reasons why.
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I've read this Blog all the way down and having seen some of the excuses for why people (teams) hate Man United I'm still not convinced anything is wrong with someone saying that the mere fact that a person was born during the time a team was playing attractive football that they liked means they shouldn't support because that automatically means they are labelled a "Glory Hunter".
Now i support Man Utd because i was born in 1990 and as a young boy (around 6 or 7) i had the great privelage of meeting Ryan Giggs at the then BTCellnet in Slough. From that point on i acknowledged a really great and inspiring guy and made the decision to support the team he was playing for and to follow his career with Zest. Now i would like another opposition supporter say that they supported a team because they played terrible football and they didnt like any of the players. Its a pointless Argument.
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Crikey. Well done lads for turning a little wrinkle in me blog into a full-scale heated debate. For the record, I don't hate United. It's a bit too much of a wasted effort. They do amuse and irritate me from time to time, particularly in the brattish behaviour of some of their more celebrated players. And they play good footy too, rather too often. Any road, I'm sure they'll have an off Saturday tomorrow. They're due.
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I'm just surprised it went on this long without any blows!! :)
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Bye Bye Boro....enjoy Plymouth, Donny Rovers and MK Dons next season.
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For the record I did not refer Tommy's last post to the moderators, I hadn't even finished reading it :(
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Great blog as ever Robbo, I can not believe that some people can not take the banter in the spirit with which it is intended.
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Robbo, methinks you'll like Manchester United even less after Saturday.
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Can't resist posting to say that I absolutely love the wendy house idea! And if Fergie isn't in it, they should make one out of plastic and stick that in instead, with an animatronic hair-drier as an optional extra!
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For all the United fans who cannot understand WHY fans of other clubs hate us, don't worry about it, just do your job and support the team (maybe not the club, but certainly the team). You're not going to change them. I hate Brussels Sprouts, but if the ones in my kitchen started wearing red, white and black scarves and were grown in a garden in Ordsall, Salford, I'd still hate them.
Me? I hate Liverpool, because they're our biggest rivals (sorry City Fans) and won everything in the 70's and 80's, playing perhaps the most boring type of football ever (maybe it was easier in those days with the back-pass law, but the player who touched the ball most in many of the games was Ray Clemence). And as for United having vicious players? Greame Souness anybody?? Kenny Dalglish was one of the biggest moaners ever and did any away team at Anfield ever get a penalty in front of The Kop? If they did, please let me know.
I believe the most vocal opponents of United's global commercialisation have been the REAL United fans themselves. The PLC was never popular, the Glazier Family even less and there is an on-going campaign from Real United fans for the "Football Club" to be re-added to the club badge.
And as for United fans NOT coming from Manchester, correct, I'm from Salford and could see Old Trafford from both my child-hood homes. But one of my most abiding memories recently was the first every Derby game at The Council House. City won and the fans were obviously in fine voice, giving the United fans a rendition of "Why Don't You Support Your Local Team?" The Sky Camera's panned through the crowd and settled on three guys (sorry Blokes) in full cry, stood behind a Leeds Blues Flag!!!! All together now, give us "It's time to play the music.........
And of course, United fans do not acknowlege fine performances by opposition teams/players. I remember watching on TV (yes, I know, but I DO live in France) a United game when a player was substituted and he received a standing ovation, coupled with the chant of "Fergie, Fergie sign him up" Ronaldo anybody?? Played for Real Madrid?? The original of course not the gelled-tumbler, after he had put in a stunning performence at Old Trafford. I think even Ferguson said he was special.
Voila Quoi my thoughts.
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Oh and by the way Almunia should NOT be allowed to play for England, regardless of the rules. Why?? He is NOT English. I have lived in France for 15 years and still insist that the French Cycling Authorities put Grande Bretagne on my racing licence as country and not France. Not that I would ever be good enough to represent either Country of course, but there are principles at stake!!!!
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It's no big secret. Of course football "hatred" is based on envy. It's cyclical too - it's just that Manchester Utd have been winning trophies for so long now that it seems permanent. And wall-to-wall media exposure makes it even harder to stomach!
When I first started watching Derby in the late 60s (and they were in the old Division 2), I don't remember any Manchester Utd hatred. Maybe it doesn't matter if you're in a different league? In the early 70s, when Derby were amongst the top teams in the country, and despite Manchester Utd fans indeed causing more trouble between the Baseball Ground and the station than any other fans, it was Leeds that were the target of most of the invective ("We all hate Leeds and Leeds and..."). Because they were the most successful side of that era. But who gives a toss now that they're where they are - and harmless? There was also "Lucky Arsenal", but the hatred came and went.
I think there's also some resentment that glory-hunting fans who adopted a successful and maybe geographically distant team in their childhood because it was the cool thing to do and enabled them to gloat at school on a Monday morning don't have to go through as much pain and grief as those who choose to follow their local teams through thick and thin (and don't we know it at Derby!). There were some poor sods at my school who even supported Notts County (before they were a Division 1 outfit)! Can you imagine what sort of life they led? I met a great couple the other week who followed Burscough the length and breadth of the country. They seemed happy with their lot, but you can imagine they must get pig-sick of mixing with fans of teams that win things (games, even!) more often than once in a blue moon? And that resentment is transferred from the remote fans to the team itself?
Dunno really. I'm not the Derby fan mentioned earlier who hates Manchester Utd but doesn't know why. But I understand the concept. I actually still watch out for Leeds results and have a chuckle when they lose!
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people hate man u and their fans because many are thick and not likeable but thats what you get when so many people support a team.
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As I understand it, if Almunia takes UK citizenship, he theoretically becomes eligible for any of the home nations. So if England don't want him, I'd happily see him between the sticks at Hampden.
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Arsene Wenger makes me si*k to the bone with his Almunia playing for England suggestion. He truly has lost it. Merely one English player in his team.. ONE. One English player and all those Arsenal supporters love him, for what? For raping English talent in favour of who? French, mainly. Now he suggests a Spaniard play for England. Sorry, but AW has truly lost the plot, once and for all. The biggest insult to the English national game will be cheered by every Arsenal supporter as they look to further destroy their national team and their chances as a national team to win any major tournament alive.
Sorry, but where does the loyalty lie?
Great to see three Englishmen, a Welshman, a Scot and a Welshman - more than half the team - taking Arsenal apart the other night.
AW = travesty beyond belief.
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Im an Arsenal Fan and a big Manuel Almunia fan and really think he should be praised more for his work this season but like Harry Redknapp said it would defeat the whole object of internationals if he plays for England... but saying that I wouldn't mind with keepers we've got!
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your hatred and jealousy of Man United makes me laugh Robbo.
The point you make about there being more fans in the pub than usual is a very silly, what do you expect, its the Champions league semi-final, of course every man u fan that hasn't got sky is going to go to the pub. Also, have you noticed how many more Liverpool fans have cropped up this season now that they have improved and have made a decent challenge.
But once again i must mention your disliking of Man United, it boils down to your jealousy, and it makes me happier every time I hear you, and many others being like this, because it simply comes down to Man United's dominance and shows how good they are.
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GrattanMC:
Since when did a Scotsman and a Welshman become English?
Have a look at the the other so called top four English clubs and I think you'll find the teams are spiced up with a bit more than just English mustard.
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The fact that England consider Almunia as a possible goalkeeper just shows what a laughing stock the National team is. Spain are superior in every department and England must go crawling to them for the scraps. Classic!
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well guess what jwn007 spain themselves won the 2008 european championship with a brazilian as one of their stars, marcos senna.
i also dont want almunia to play for england, but all the european teams do it like italy with vieri comoronesi perotta, france with zidane trezeguet, germany with podolski kuryani klose.
but i think the difference is that most or all of those players were born in the country they representing or they have been living there for much longer than almunia has in england.
with the case of hargreaves i think atleast his father was english (or was it his mother?) and also he was also qualified to play for germany but he chose england so that shows his commitment to his country.
to be honest there is no way in the world almunia is gona get picked ahead of cassilas reina or even valdes, i dont want a rejected player from another country, lets give keepers like hart green and foster a chance, we not gona find anyone until we give these keepers a chance
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Very good blog Robbo!
Its a pity, that a few fans from one club has turned a humurous blog on the Champions league semi-final analysis and review of who will qualify for the Rome finals, into focusing on how one team is hated.
I think Robbo is sport on that ManU outplayed Arsenal and as almost anyone would agree that it could have been worse for Arsenal. At the Emirates, i think both teams will score, with a draw most likely. ManU holds an advantage and i bet on them qualifying from this tie.
Even though some people have criticised Chelsea for the approach at camp Nou, I think they did a great job. Chelsea didnt have LB Ashley cole and their defensive preferred CB Ricardo Calvallo, as a result except for Drogba, Terry & Cech the rest of the team played out of position - with the aim of not leaking goals. With Puyol and Rafael out, it will be very difficult for Barca because Hinddik may employ a 4-3-3 with Anelka Drogba & Maluada in attack. Defensively Chelsea should be fine with Essien also helping the defenders from midfield. Of course the fire power of Messi - Etoo - Henry can not be overlooked. So in this game there will be goals too, but i think Chelsea will score more.
Its true that ManU is hated more than other clubs, and i think the main reason is ARROGANCE fom two sections:
1. Their fans.
Even though other fans can be arrogant too, ManU are worse! An example is GazUtd, who just refuses to accept all explanations and views given by others answering his questions. I think its safe to safe that most ManU fans show little respect for(smaller)clubs since their notion is that they are the best club in the world - which is another debate on how they arrived at that.
2. The Manager (SAF)
I think SAF is more arrogant than most managers in the league. Before Rafa Benitez talked about the "Facts" SAF was exactly as Rafa put it. Arrogant and complaining about referees and not giving credit to other teams when he loses. After the Rafa "rant" as the media called it, SAF has tried to be a good boy - even though he couldn't help it after losing to liverpool, and he will surely get back to his arrogant self sooner than later.
Most people dont like arrogance so in my opinion that's the main reason ManU is hated. Their team (players) generally are good to watch, and wish them well because they are doing great and should be in champions league final.
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Thank you all for the banter. Some of comments here did prove my point.
So my last contribution to the topic as to why most non-ManU(td with a heavy heart) fan seem to hate em.
FANS DON'T WIN ANYTHING! They support a team in varying degrees. The players win it and the players loose it. All they get in return is some bragging rights, some primeval sense of belonging and in some cases sadistic pleasure in supporting a loosing cause.
Last May I found myself wishing United will win the CL coz I would hate for Chelsea to be the first club out of London to do so. This season I would Love for United to win nothing more than the League. I would hate for Liverpool to win the League because of the arrogance on the part of their manager, team and FANS when they were ahead with months and games to play. I bet I am no the only one.
I am an avid football fan and watch not only games involving my team, but other interesting games as well.
I only hate FANS of any club who simply refuse to acknowledge their own failure or foreign success. This "We lost so they must have cheated, We won coz we were brilliant and at the same time they were awful" attitude is the most despicable. I am friends with some decent blokes who support United but then there seems to be an overwhelming majority of them out there you wouldn't like to be around. I do hope its temporary and will fade away as will eventually this period of dominance. You are fortunate or opportune to support a club that has got a great team at the moment. Celebrate with grace and if occasionally the do suffer a loss don't moan, but applaud or keep quiet.
I love this game. God knows I have tried, but I could never make any grade but I have a lot of fun trying. This lack of ability on my part makes me appreciate the skill, the style, the charisma and the absolute madness of it all even more.
So for this weekend, Up the Boro!
For this Teusday, C'mon Arsenal.
And for 24th of May, UNITED! UNITED!
Apologies to Robo for hijacking his rather fine blog.
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So I suppose that means our (West Ham's) Robert Green considers himself England's number seven keeper now? (He had "England's number six keeper" written on his gloves when he couldn't even get Capello to glance in his direction, it has been reported.)
Fleeing a Wendy House with Fergie already in it a Robbo Classic!
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I was under the impression that a naturalised citizen cannot play for any British team because they would be eligible for all 4 nations, which is why we use family ties to each nation, even though there is no legal distinction
Loving the wendy house idea, Robbo
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I watched the game from my work in Laos. I set the alarm for 1.45 AM. The 1st half was a great performance from Man UTD and worth getting up for in the middle of the night, but hats off to the spaniard, he kept a tie alive that should be as dead as boro's premiership hopes!
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post 20 et al. Arsenal supporter here. I have no problem with Man U the team or the fans. What is irritating are the Johhny come latelys who only support Man U because they are winning. Chelsea have the same problem, I live in the south east and the number of tubby middle aged skinheads in Chelsea shirts that have appeared since the money showed up is astonishing. Liverpool used to have the same problem, until they stopped winning. So, real fans good, glory hunters bad; I'll let you decide which category you fall in.
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As always I find Robbos blog very entertaining mainly for the comments that come after Robbos usually excellent effort.
I grew up supporting my own small town club (not far from Robbos beloved Boro) my team was anchored permanently at the foot of Division 4, so it was common to have a second successful club to follow in my case Liverpool. Glory hunting the phrase hadnt been invented then, but yes certainly!
As time has moved on I find myself less and less interested in the fortunes of Liverpool, or indeed any of the Prem clubs. The advent of the Premiership, pay-per view, obscene players salaries, too many foreign players, coaches and owners all have contributed and that process is accelerating every season.
These clubs are nothing but huge corporations now nothing to do with the fans any more.
So it never fails to be amaze me how tenacious, obsessive and plain delusional some of the more prolific contributors are (usually Man Utd or Liverpool fans).
What really gets me is when one of the big club fans refers to the object of his (or her) particular obsession as we or us so you phone up Fergie before the game to discuss tactics do you?, have a post game pint with Gerrard? no? Thought not!
When I fly BA, I dont refer to the airline as us Im a customer, (and yes a stakeholder) but nothing more just like you guys.
Its particularly ironic that Man Utd fans harp on about being the biggest club in the world all that means is that despite living 5 minutes from OT, the history, the romance etc, your influence is negligible, and your opinion is virtually worthless. My apologies if you guys are major shareholders but I seriously doubt it.
These clubs have left you behind even as a season ticket holder you are no more valuable than the kid in KL or Jakarta who buys the shirt and signs up for the ESPN package. Probably less so actually, as the market in Asia is huge and growing, the market in the UK is saturated.
Topically I just read a quote from Ferguson when you shake hands with the Devil you pay the price complaining (what else is new) about the early kick off due to Sky coverage.
I wonder what that price will eventually be? breakaway Euro League? Old Firm in the Prem? club franchises sold to the highest bidder and relocated accordingly? so you dont like it loyal fan tough luck.
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beijingren:
Topically I just read a quote from Ferguson when you shake hands with the Devil you pay the price complaining (what else is new) about the early kick off due to Sky coverage.
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Well spotted and thought through, excellent!
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I love your blogs robbo, but to be honest this just smacks of being anti-united. Having a dig at their 'toff' fans and suggesting we know nothing about the beautiful game. Come on, I've lived in Stretford for nigh on 30 years, since I was a wee baby anyway and United is the club I love. Give the rest of us some respect.
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What a whinging moaning sore loser this girly boy really is, taking after his adopted father or is it mother in law..Wenger. He still can't get over how slow he was and the fact that Chelsea beat them at WEMBLEY, I PUT IN BIG LETTERS AS WE'VE BECOME USED TO BEATING UNITED AND ARSENAL HERE IN RECENT YEARS. I think the Chelsea fans were singing Almunia almunia bet you wish you'd got there sooner yeah. Alminia Almunia bet you wish you'd got there sooner yeah. Didier Drogba has accounted for Arsenal on so many occassions I bet they have banned his name from being mentioned in The Emershites stadium. Who let the Drogs out! Almunia did because he was too slow to close the gate! Hahahahahahaha.
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Good write. yes, anti-Utd - but why not? They don't do anything to endear themselves - a team full of highly paid prima-donnas who haven't got a clue that their weekly wage is ten years wage for average joe; and a board of Americans who seem determined to make as much money out of anyone they can as possible (including their 'own' supporters). And then the supporters - well, just ask most of them, they haven't even been to Manchester! (let alone to OT).
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I think the reason Man Utd fans are hated is because half of them aren't even Mancunians. I respect the ones from Manchester because they are supporting their local team.
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With the recent lose of the family nucleus in this country and the ever dwindling influence of the church, people have lost something to believe in and the feeling of belonging. It has been said that football is the new religion. I can't help but agree as it provides both of the ingredients that have been lost - family and of belonging, however disillusioned it is.
If you look back through history, religion has been at the centre of all wars and conflict. The reason? Nothing more that the support of your faith.
So, if you're looking to make sense of why fans hate other clubs, some more than others, well, don't try too hard as you'll not find a logical answer.
Gooner till I die. Amen!
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#40
"To my fellow reds..who cares why they hate us? "
'reds' are Liverpool fans, and you are a Man U fan. Which shows exactly why people hate you, and is the reason I stopped reading.
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I don't hate Liverpool, They've become part of our European fixture list!
I think West London and Liverpool should be twinned. Wouldn't it be nice for you guys to have posh friends! I like Liverpool because they aren't sore losers unlike United and Arsenal whose managers are constantly blaming someone when it goes wrong. Almunia for England, I don't think so!
Give a lad born in England the position.....Is their no national pride.Wenger is guilty of not respecting National pride and he obviously has no respect for English supporters.
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To be honest, all the managers whine and b*tch a little too much for my liking, including Wenger sometimes. But it's a symptom of being at the top of their game and staying there. Look at the pressures current managers are under to win everything despite only have a few trophies to go around (Please insert Chelsea as an example here).
Benitez is no better with his banter with SAF.
Isn't this a reflection of the fans themselves. Read the posts and you'll find we're no better than they are. Pot calling the kettle black, etc.
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I am a United fan from Zimbabwe. I find that whole "you are not from Manchester" argument very silly. I have been to Old Trafford several times but I have only watched 3 matches. Considering it costs me more than the price of a season ticket to come and watch the game it must show some form of affinity.
I think that Drogba, Diouf and Ronaldo are unfairly targeted as divers. Ronaldo and Diouf are the two most fouled players in the league by some distance and have to go down to avoid long term injuries. Drogba is also very much a fouled player but noone cares because he is "a big man". I think Steven Gerrard is the big diver but I suppose because he is English and from Liverpool, noone seems to want to see it. I beleive that if an English player dives then the focus is on how the ref was conned but if a foreign player dives then the focus is on how they cheat and how rotten their culture is
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On the subject of Almunia becoming the next England goalkeeper. I have no qualms about it.
England is a mongrel nation in the best possible sense. You don't have to go too far back with anyone's family before you come across a generation of immigrants. French Huguenots, Dutch protestants, WWII Polish, Inidians, Afro-Carribeans, the list goes on. Ironically, the true English blood can be found in the celtic parts of the UK (Wales, Scotland and Cornwall for you uninitiated). If you look at the spread of the British Empire at it's most influential, you'll understand this. The Commonwealth is all that remains of this but it illustrates the picture well.
So, the question is, how far back down the family tree do you go before you are accepted as being truly British?
If Almunia is prepared to keep his family here and pledge his allegiance to the Queen, who are we to begrudge him. Surely this shows his commitment to a country that has welcomed him with open arms, which should be applauded.
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"1) Utter arrogance of your manager". Give you a few examples. "I am a Special One". Rafa and his FAKTS.
2) "Having players like Ronaldo, Cantona, Keane (more arrogance and general horribleness (can't think of a better word!!)". I'll give you a few more Lampard " the league table doesn't lie, except this year when we were the better team and didn't win the league. Arsenal have had the most red cards and yellows in a game twice. Thats nastiness. Remember the game when Ruud Van Nistelrooy was surrounded by players. Also remember the Arsenal United games in late 90s.
3) "never giving other teams credit if they beat you.". I think the Fulham and Everton games are the last we have lost and we have given credit to winning team unlike Rafa and Wenger for example. Rafa and his FAKTS and complaints about why he isn't leading in the league. Wenger has often been told he should see an opometrist.
4) "Blaming any loss on ridiculous things (grey kit, anyone?!)". Ref pt 3
5) "Players like Rooney having a hissy fit any time a decision goes against him" Ashley Cole, Jamie Carragher and John Terry anyone
6) "Perceived bias of referees towards your team" Ref point 5
7) "Forking out 30m on players willy nilly when other teams just cant afford to do it (again this is a bit related to jealousy!)". Mourinho spending more on players who don't even play like Sheva and Rafa spending 20 million on a player and selling him at a discount six months later. How do you expect them to have the money when they throw it away.
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Just playing devils advocate here, but for those of you who laugh at Wenger's policy of buying cheap and young players in order to keep the financial sheets in the black.
How do you feel the other clubs will cope if the FA starts dishing out penalties to those that over spend and cannot control their debts? A few points deducted could have some serious implications on the current top places. Not to mention the spending power to buy the best talent and keep them on those wages.
Sounds like a repeat of the current housing market to me.
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I think to summarise why ABUs hate United. Jealousy and envy. I think if you look at the boards from when Chelsea were winning the league I think you will find that the same criticisms and justifications were given against Chelsea. They bought the league, Their players and fans were obnoxious and couldn't accept decisions going against them(esp Terry and Cole), their manager was arrogant and the majority of the fans were plastic glory seekers. That in a nutshell tells you why fans now hate United. If two years of success could do that for Chelsea then what will 15 years of success do for United
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202
'reds are liverpool fans'
Ha,ha trust me son if you come to Manchester you will find Liverpool fans are called something very different...
We are the reds ...you are the scouse...usually followed by another word
You should have read on...you might learn something for a start we are not Man U ...we are Man United ...Champions of England and Champions of Europe..you have a nice summer...
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'Onion' [noun] a base vegetable having a pungent taste and smell. An odious bulbous growth flourishing in manured conditions.
Disgusted,
Nottingham
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210. At 7:36pm on 02 May 2009, first68andbest99 wrote:
202
'reds are liverpool fans'
Ha,ha trust me son if you come to Manchester you will find Liverpool fans are called something very different...
We are the reds ...you are the scouse...usually followed by another word
You should have read on...you might learn something for a start we are not Man U ...we are Man United ...Champions of England and Champions of Europe..you have a nice summer...
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And some people wonder why nobody likes a glory supporter?
You know Robbo, I'm surprised that the Blue Bell allows the glory hunters in. The places me and my mates go to watch the footy turn all glory supporters away at the door and tell them to stop wasting their time and others.
Definately one of your better blogs to date there Robbo, keep it up mate!
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@ 40 and 42: Spot on Mates
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210. At 7:36pm on 02 May 2009, first68andbest99 wrote:
202
'reds are liverpool fans'
Ha,ha trust me son if you come to Manchester you will find Liverpool fans are called something very different...
We are the reds ...you are the scouse...usually followed by another word
You should have read on...you might learn something for a start we are not Man U ...we are Man United ...Champions of England and Champions of Europe..you have a nice summer...
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I thought Man U were the Red Devils..?
We've won it five times. Fin.
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I find all these comments about 'plastic' or 'fair weather' fans slightly amusing.
All I can say is get used to it.
Where are the big boys heading off to after the long arduous season - home with the family, a nearby beach? Nope mainly to Asia.
Why? To prepare for the heat & humidity of the EPL opener?
Or could it be to sell more shirts?
Why will these consumers be buying Man Utd or anyone elses shirts? Because the teams are successful. They want to back the winners.
Not much different to how it works in the UK I suppose.
So if you want to lose the "plastic" fans start losing matches..
Some other team will be more than happy to fill the void.
By the by I bet there are more red shirts worn in Bangkok on a Saturday night than in Manchester/Liverpool combined.
So get used to the Big 4 attracting more such fans.
After all it is a business isn't it? They look beyond the half mile from the ground catchment area
Finally overall I enjoy the blog. I even used to enjoy a pint down the Bluebell from time to time
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214 'thought united were the red devils'
We were talking about the fans not the team...in Manchester ,United fans are reds or the red army (especially when winning in Moscow...)...of course the team are known as the red devils you must have seen that banner and what the devil is doing to the liver bird with his fork....
'we won it 5 times. Fin'..ah but its not fin is it...its a snapshot in time like when we won it first or played in it first when you were nowt...come back in another 5 years and your record will be long gone...remember that league titles record ?
212 'wonder why nobody likes a glory hunter'
Not really sure what thats got to do with the price of fish so lets just remember one thing ...every big club has them but in Man Uniteds case we have definite proof that the club remaind huge whether successful or not...top crowds since the 60s icluding 1974-75...when we were in the second divison..says it all really...Cheerio ..enjoy the 'business end of the season'(yuck)
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lots of little englandersim here about Almunia. If he had a British passport he could also play for Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.
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almunia is just inconsistent ... you guys want him for england just because he stopped man united scoring more goals in one match, that's all :)
and, it's the social pressure, guys! if you support man united you get labeled as 'glory hunter', or 'don't know anything about football or being a football fan' ... you don't want that, do you? ... funny thing is, man united have been playing best football in england for years ... how can you not like them? these people just don't get it. i wonder how this 'meme' spread like disease in the uk
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...no wonder you got a kournalist job at the bbc
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Which with spelling like that is more than you'll get!!
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Yep United are champions, might be again and boro are finding their level :-).
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Being a Leeds fan i know all about hating Man utd for reasons i can never describe, simply something from deep down inside me evokes feelings of pure hatred and anger for everything Man utd stand for..from the arrogant manager to the "fans" who know nothing about the game, and like i say..being a leeds fan means its basically the law to hate your rivals regardless. and who cares if its jelousy? As for tuesday...come on you gooners!
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I totally agree with whoever it was that said people don't hate Manchester United the football club, it's Manchester United fans. Every now and again you meet one, with integrity and dignity, with passion for their club and the ability to not only lose well but to laugh when Christiano has one of his little tantrums.
HOWEVER - everyone here knows that (perhaps because they are the most vocal) the majority you meet are the type that talk s**t, have no idea about football and when they're not writing on blogs are saying 'innit' at the end of every sentence. As in "WE'RE the best team in the world innit"....notice the emphasis on 'we' that they're so proud of.
You interaction with them goes like this:
"We're the best team in the world innit"
To which you reply "Er...by what means?...do you mean that by winning the meaningless Intercontinental Cup that English teams actually used to boycott because of it's utter pointlessness and the fact that until fairly recently it was played on sand and not grass?"
"Yeah innit man"
"So...between 2001 and 2005 there wasn't a best team in the world? All teams were equal? Luton were joint best team in the world?..."
"Er whatever...man...we're the best in the world...most successful club in the world innit...you hate us because we're successful"
"Er...not really mate...firstly I don't hate you because YOU'RE successful because YOU have made absolutely no contribution to Man U's success. I dislike YOU because you are a tw*t. Secondly if I was going to hate a team because they were successful then I'd hate one of the six clubs that have been so-called world champions more than you such as Madrid, Boca Juniors, Nacional, Penarol, Sao Paulo or Milan...in reality you are at best, joint 7th in the world along with Porto, Santos, Bayern, Inter, Ajax, Juve and Independiente."
"What man innit?"..."We're the best man innit...European Champions more times than anyone else..."
"Well not really mate...you're behind Madrid, Milan, Liverpool, Bayern and Ajax...you were one dodgy slip in a penalty shootout from still being level with Notts Forest"
"Biggest and best innit...WE'VE won the league the most times ever, most successful British club ever....innit"
"Er...no...er actually...you know what? Yeah you have mate. Football started in 1993 with the Premier League. Well done."
"Yeah I knew it man innit...and we're the biggest club innit"
"Yes Man Utd have got more money than anyone else...such a great thing to be most proud of..."
Every non-Man United fan has had one of these conversations before. You can only assume when they're not watching football they're saying things like: "Yeah...in that war I supported America man...I knew WE'D win..."
Personally I don't hate Man Utd fans, I think they're f*cking hillarious and I wouldn't change them for the world. I once referred on a blog to ' recent archetypal' Man Utd fans...and all hell broke loose. The point being that...if you were a genuine non-archetypal fan...you wouldn't have been offended! Brilliant. Fair play to all those genuine Man Utd who follow their team with passion and knowledge. Keep laughing at the others.
Innit.
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People hate United because we are the best team in the world, the biggest money-making machine in football
so the 'best' team in the world lost 4-1 to lpool and the richest club has huge debts, funny that
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#31 danyengland10. I don't really appreciate you speaking on my behalf. Robbo does not put me off!
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Brilliant blog Robbo, Bendtner really is a donkey! As for the why fans hate Man U, the fact that they have won nearly everything in the past 15 years makes a lot of the underachievers jealous. I don't agree with the comments that they're hated because Ronaldo is a 'tumbler', players such as Drogba dive just as much as Ronaldo (if not more), but Ronaldo is such a world-class player, probably only currently bettered by Messi, that he doesn't need to do this! Maybe english fans still remember his involvement in the Rooney sending-off and some will always dislike him for that.
The main reason people dislike Man U is because of Ferguson though, yes he is a top quality manager, no-one can deny that after numerous trophies, but he is such a bitter person. He does find it extremely hard to praise other teams when beaten and concentrates far too much on 'excuses' for losing. He also intimidates officials, there is no other manager that abuses the 4th official so viciously and consistantly when things are going badly. (Admittadly there hasn't been too much need this season!) That is not to say other managers don't do it, that would be naive, but Ferguson is definately the worst culprit. The only time I have ever had respect for him was when he attended the funeral of Billy Bremner, the day after his team had played away in Europe, yet the then Leeds United manager Geogre Graham didn't attend the funeral of Leeds' best EVER player, so I guess it's just a lack of respect for Graham that I really have.
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What about Man Utd fans accusing Chelsea of 'buying' the title in one breath, followed by praising AF for spending £60m on Nani/Anderson in the same week (might not have been those players, I don't care that much)
I'm a Swindon fan so it's not like I'm a direct rival, or have a long standing rivalry.
The MU players are petulant, Rooney is a thug in a red shit. Agreed he can sometimes be an amazing footballer, but when things are going his way he turns against his own team, swears constantly at the ref and throws his weight around. He's not the only player that does this, they all do, but because the media highlights Utd so much, they're the ones in the focus. Ronaldo is the worst diver in the league (not far off is Drogba), they're single handedly making football unwatchable. I'm sure it used to be a contact sport for men.
When Ronaldo doesn't get the foul he wants (and replays show the ref got it right) he moans, writhes and winges. AF is no better on the sidelines, flapping his arms and getting all red-faced at the 4th official. It's infuriating to watch, especially when sports like rugby have few discipline problems because of respect for the ref.
Perhaps football needs a sin bin approach now, chat back to the ref, not accept his decisions = 5 minutes in sin bin.
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I don't think I made it clear, I don't hate Utd fans per se, the glory hunting gloaters who have never actually been to OT (I've been once at least, more than most 'fans' this far south) couldn't list 15 of the squad and still think Utd are the best thing ever. The ones that are so biased and blinkered in their views that they make watching a game in the pub unbearable because every ref in the country is rubbish because 'that was never a foul' or 'that was a penalty ref', 'never, it came off the defenders leg' etc.
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Dont get me wrong, but Wendy Stroppy Pants (best nickname for Ronnie I have ever heard) needs to get of the prancing horse and get serious. Because of some of his anticques he no longer gets even the genuine fouls. I support Manchester United all the way, but he is getting on my nerves.
Great article and definitely hit with a straight bat where he could leave no wiggle room. Good job Robbo.
Oh by the way, Tony Thompson - Ricochet, seriously is that the best you could think of.
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re 198 ...
I don't recall Didier Drogba accounting for Arsenal when they beat you at Stamford Bridge in the league this season.
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