SAF, Dave and Those Other Guys

I know it has been ages since I posted anything and blah blah blah blah..... With that out of the way, I want to talk about something we have all seen happening. That is, for the those who would consider themselves MANCHESTER UNITED SUPPORTERS (staunch). I have so much to rant and rave about (pun very much intended) but before I get to that, there is something I have to do.

May 8th, 2013 saw the end of an era. Sir Alexander Chapman Ferguson, CBE retired as Man United manager after more than 26+ years in charge. We all knew this day would come but that doesn't mean it did not hit hard. Personally I was in denial for a little over 6 months till reality finally started to sink in. It is still unbelievable. Whenever I'm watching our games, I half expect to see him walking out of the tunnel or running across the touchline when a decision goes against us. He has been a most faithful servant not only to United but to football in general. Aside from being arguably the best manager in modern football, he has been one of the greatest ambassadors of the sport. So this is my tribute to him. It may not be fitting of his achievements but I shall forever be indebted to him for making me love football and most importantly, making me believe. As he touchingly said at his farewell, "You have been the most fantastic experience of my life. Thank you."

Exit Fergie and in comes David William Moyes. Now Moyes did very well with Everton. They might not have been swimming in trophies but they had respectable runs. Plus Goodison Park was always a tough place to visit for most Premier League teams. To be very honest though, Dave inherited a somewhat mediocre squad from Fergie. Actually before I proceed I would like to touch on something I have seen doing rounds on social media.

I have seen some people say that it is Sir Alex's fault we are having such a terrible season. How? He left the team in a bad place, choosing personal glory over the future of the team. I don't see it this way. Ferguson may have left the team in not so good a place but his reasons were far from selfish. Aside from health issues, it was for his family. For Cathy. I cannot begin to imagine how patient she was with him over the years to enable him to achieve what he did for you ungrateful bunch of twats fans. She and the rest of his family deserve their time with this great man. We had him for more than a quarter of a century. It was time to let go.

Anyway, I digress. As I was saying, this squad does not exactly have the quality past United sides have been know for. And it is maybe for this reason that I do not fault Dave.... Entirely. I'm not saying Moyes is blame free but in my opinion, his part in our dismal season is not even half of the problem. He has looked overwhelmed at times or even clueless, so to speak, but I can say he is genuinely trying. He could try harder but I think he is somewhat on the right path. Taking over a team like United from a manager like Ferguson was never going to be easy. Not even for the likes of Pep or Mou. This said, he should still be able to motivate his players and instil in them the fighting spirit that SAF so diligently cultivated in his crop of players. My problem with what is fast becoming our most horrible season in modern day football is with the Glazers and the players.

When Moyes came in, these colossal fuck ups guys that are our owners should have done the most sensible thing. Open up the damn kitty and let him build a team of his own. Picking up left overs is not the best way to start a legacy of your own. What did they do instead? Gave him pocket change then expect him to win (the World Cup probably). Utter nonsense. They are such misers, using the available money to pay their debts instead of strengthening our squad. They need to release money to enable world class signings (which might yet prove a daunting task given our recent run of poor results). The Glazers need to treat their investment in United more as a sport than a business.

Moving on to the players, I don't think I have seen a more disoriented bunch of body masses people in a United shirt. There is an almost complete lack of passion and hunger to win, two things that have ALWAYS characterised United sides. The way they go about their business on the pitch is a little more than just pedestrian. The lack of ambition and desire to be on top (without putting in the work) is appalling, at best. It is something not witnessed in United sides before. Part of it may be losing what most of them had come to consider a father figure and his replacement with a new face. Even so, they need to get their shit together pick themselves up and do what is required. We would all like to mourn and sulk but life has to go on, ay? The have absolutely no clue what it means to wear the United shirt, more so at the Theatre of Dreams. Sir Alex said, "You know how good you are, you know the jersey you're wearing. You know what it means to everyone here." They need to put things into perspective and show the resilience, dedication and love the likes of Keane, Scholes, Becks, Cantona and Vidic have displayed over the years.

I can go on and on but I think I'll leave it at that. To cut a long story short, most of my pent up hostility is towards (in particular order) the players, those American chaps then Moyes. All three can do so much better. So so so much better. All said and done, I still love my club. And for some reason, I still BELIEVE. I know most of us are becoming infuriated by the sudden turn of events but that should not distract us from the issue at hand. We need to support our team. Commend, criticise, whatever floats your boat, but BE THERE. I shall leave you guys, with some of SAF's final words of immense wisdom: "I'd also like to remind you that we've had bad times here. The club stood by me. All my staff stood by me. The players stood by me. So your job now is to stand by our new manager. That is important."

GLORY GLORY MAN UNITED.