Have I got news for Man U!

Whisper it, but they might be getting popular

A preposterous notion? Maybe. Worth debating? Undoubtedly. Although plenty may well disagree with the strapline, there seems to be a change in the air, however slight, that would suggest the red side of Manchester is no longer as loathed as it once was. Whether or not that’s to do with the fact that the noisy neighbours are attracting their fair share of haters these days, who knows? But the times seem to be a-changin’.

‘Fergie time’ and the decision not to enter the FA Cup back in 1999, were just the tip of the iceberg when it came to reasons for a strong dislike of the Red Devils. Back in the day there was also a TV ad that claimed 98% of Man United fans had never been to Old Trafford. All of this meant that to some they were detestable – unrelatable at best – and we haven’t even mentioned Pizzagate.

But that was back in the glory days, which unofficially came to an end in the 2012/13 season with the final league title of the Alex Ferguson era. That’s very nearly an entire decade ago, and since then United have been through eight managers with just four trophies to show for it. In that time, the haters, the knockers and anyone who gets a general kick out of the mighty falling have had many many moments to savour.

Now, however, the fun could be over. In Eric Ten Haag it seems as if they may have finally found a worthy successor to Ferguson. Ironically, the recent 7-0 drubbling at the hands of Liverpool could have been classed as the lowest ebb of the last ten years. Yet somehow it hasn’t turned out to be the tragedy it seemed on the surface: why?

A barnstorming European performance to follow helped out, but there hasn’t been as much optimism at Old Trafford for a long time. A loss to their bitter rivals is never good, and in previous seasons all hell would have broken loose. Only now there’s Ten Haag, a manager who pretty much put his neck on the line over the whole Cristiano Ronaldo affair. In Eric they trust because if the thrashing by Liverpool had happened, say, three seasons ago, United would have been a laughing stock.

That’s not to say it wasn’t a complete horror show, but the rejoicing in their misery wasn’t quite so loud and proud. Some would even argue that perhaps it’s because there’s been growing sympathy for them in recent years, but that would be seen as worse than naked dislike. After all, who wants the sympathy vote, especially if you’re trying to get back among Europe’s elite. Now, with all these seasons of trying to do just that, the critics have turned elsewhere to vent their fury.

We’ve already touched upon Man City, who have been well-documented for their sins of late, but there’s a new kid putting its head on the block: Newcastle. When United themselves ensured the Toon’s long wait for a trophy would endure a little longer, did anyone shed a tear? No, apart from the partisan inhabitants of Anfield and Elland Road, as there’s a fair few out there who believe their new-found wealth is of the more dishonest variety rather than pure and hard-earned. For all their perceived ills of years gone by, Man United were never short-sighted enough for that.

The last time they were actually popular was in the days of Best, Law and Charlton, a time when Liverpool was only famous for rock n’ roll. On that note (pun intended), it could well be a generational thing, with 21st-century attitudes coming into play; perceived sins of the past forgotten. Whatever the reason, United could be building a whole new fanbase.

What do you think? Is there a weakness in your heart for Ten Haag’s troops? Are we just imagining it? Whether you’re crazy for Man U or not, leave your thoughts in the comments below.