An Open Letter to Manchester United
Dear Manchester United,
Let’s fix this together. There once was a time when a majority of the players that were on the club played first and foremost for the crest and everything that came with it. Going back to the days of Denis Law and Bobby Charlton; guys loved winning and they loved it with Manchester United. And I know that there are a few still there that carry those same feelings, but over the past twelve months, I believe that a majority of the players are there because their wallets are fat. I won’t sugar coat anything; I understand that with the absurd amounts of money and a scouting network that reaches across the globe that the game was always going to evolve toward something that we are familiar with today. Yet, there are a number of players on both Barcelona and Juventus that I believe love lifting their respective league trophies just a little bit more, because they did it with the team that they consider their own.
It doesn’t have to be players that came through the academy. Look at Dani Alves. He spent six seasons at Sevilla before joining the boys in Barcelona. That has nothing to do with the work rate, passion and determination in games that he does for Barcelona. He absolutely loves it there. He re-signed with them for what could be considered less money then he would have received by hitting the open market and signing with a Manchester United or Manchester City. Look at Neymar Jr. The kid definitely enjoys playing for the red and blue stripes. He has raised his game to a level that I didn’t think him capable of, and along with Luis Suarez and Messi was one of the reasons why they were able to win all three trophies that Barcelona were a part of this season. He wouldn’t trade that shirt for any in the world (I’m guessing) and I don’t think he’s playing for Barcelona strictly based on finances (also guessing). Claudio Marchisio, Giorgio Chiellini (Livorno), and Leonardo Bonucci (Inter) are all players that I believe love winning and money with Juventus just a little bit more than anywhere else, including their youth club as well.
United used to have a number of these players. Roy Keane. Edwin Van der Sar. Gary Neville. Peter Schmeichel. Andy Cole. All these players have left and gone during the past two decades, but yet all of them still keep United in their sight and mouths whenever they get a chance for some public speaking. There is no doubt they were all paid handsomely, but they also cared about the well-being of the club. Now, I do think that Louis Van Gaal did a good job with the resources that he was given. 4th in a difficult league is nothing to get upset about. But the way they celebrated 4th really got under my skin as a United supporter. Players that loved United and understood the history should have gotten upset about it. Our beloved United, 4th!? Yet, they handed out the microphone, Van Gaal gave a speech, and everyone applauded and appeared pleased. There's no guarantee in Champions League. (United could be eliminated at the first hurdle). This isn’t the well-being that I was hoping for. Chelsea deserves a microphone, because they won the league. That is it. No one else. The Anaheim Mighty Ducks didn’t hold a parade because they made it to the conference finals. They went home. I understand the financial situation of 4th (Large amounts of cash flow), but to use it as propaganda sickened me. As a United fan, it didn’t feel right.
I guess what I’m looking for are players that came through the club, understand what it means to play for a club of such status, and give a little bit extra because they are a part of that special status. I don’t need the world’s best players; while it was nice to have Cristiano Ronaldo for those six years, and I do believe he realizes what it meant to play for a club like United, he never really felt like a United legend (to me he appears as a Madrid legend). I’ll have more Teddy Sheringham’s and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s. Without naming names, I’m just tired of these players being signed over the past couple of seasons that don’t have anything more than a playing relationship with the club. Yes, it is great to play for a club that has this type of stature, I would agree. I imagine it’s quite the weight being put on someone’s shoulders. But with this small opportunity given, I just wish that they would embrace the United way simply more than is currently being done. Give us your everything for just a few seasons, and then you can glow in all the adulation given to you.
Finally, I would like to address the Ed Woodward situation (Current CEO). While his business sense is remarkable and his marketing strategies have been very lucrative for the club, the way he goes about his transfer dealings have been worse than poor. As a fan, at the end of the day I don’t really care about the financial stature or “big name” signings that can be brought in to sell jerseys. What I do care about is the mindset to continue achieving positive results (3 points!), holding the highest ideals and standards to convince young stars that this is the club to be a part of, and to not embarrass the club when dealing in the transfer market (see Felliani w Everton, Baines w Everton, Herrera w Bilbao, Kroos w Bayern, Cesc with Barcelona, etc). It’s put a big black eye on the club and for a little while I felt like we were the laughing stock of world football. No player could be signed and United kept jumping from target to target with unusual price tags and unintelligent vernacular when discussing them with the media. Just create a strategy plan, fill the positions that need strengthening, and handle your business. Or, if all else fails, study the David Gill plan.
In conclusion, I support this club first among every and any sporting franchise in the world (including the Green Bay Packers). I want nothing but success for the people employed by the club, the players and staff, the fans and myself. While it’s fun to be linked with top talent across world football, all that doesn’t matter if 1. You can’t agree a deal with their club and 2. Those players come for the massive paychecks. Give me Phil Jones over Nicolas Otamendi, Antonio Valencia over Thiago Alcantara or Daley Blind over Toni Kroos. I want the players that love their football, their trophies, and most importantly their club.
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