Much like 2020, nobody knows what is next with Manchester United. You can be watching a match in despair, and then before you can even wonder how we could possibly turn it around, it happens.
It’s almost as if we have come so far, yet still have some way to go. Both are valid points and if we allow each other an outlet, we can appreciate both sides of the coin.
On the matter of differences of opinion, is there another manager who is thrust so forcefully into the spotlight in such a negative light after a poor result or potentially has their job saved after a win other than Ole Gunnar Solskjaer? Possibly not. I am not a fan of managers. I support my club. So, whilst Ole has my backing so long as he is at the helm, he is not exempt from criticism, least of all mine. I don’t agree with his every decision. I do wonder sometimes if he is the right man for the long term role as opposed to the present man who is doing the dirty work and putting his heart and soul into it also.
What I am trying to say is I’m not Ole out. But I don’t metaphorically wave my pom poms for him just because of his significance within the club or for the fond memories we share. No. I didn’t fall in love with a single person at the club. I fell in love with Manchester United as a whole. And I will always want the best for it. Ultimately, only time will tell us the whole picture of the Ole era and what that means for us. But while he is the manager, he has my backing and honest critique too.
So, I don’t fanboy managers. And I definitely don’t fanboy players. My generation and those before me have loved and lost some of the biggest names in football. And we remained one of the biggest football clubs in the world regardless of that. In the most respectful way possible, I don’t care if you’re a world cup winner or not, if United isn’t for you then you aren’t for United.
Of course the name on my lips and everyone else’s (again) is Paul Pogba. When he’s good, he’s sublime. That goal scored against West Ham needs no description. It was gloriously beautiful. I was elated for him. From the bottom of my heart, I love nothing more than one of our own silencing the critics who mercilessly pick at our players until there is nothing left to decipher.
I have defended Paul many times and said, for example his haircuts and private life are none of my business. He has had far too much unnecessary criticism at times and no matter my opinion on him right now, the truth is the truth and I will not go back on me wanting the very best out of someone who we expected so much from since ‘Pogback’. All I care about is his workrate, his professionalism and his true feelings about playing for United.
I say this because I never hide from controversy or the words on people’s lips. I want to address the elephant in the room and make it clear that Pogba’s race has no bearing whatsoever on how I feel about him. I was brought up to see everyone as one race; human. I was brought up to choose love over hate and to always stand up for what is right and to call out the vileness of racism if ever I unfortunately seen it. I’m mixed race and open hearted, so if you know me at all you will know I speak only as a United and football fan and that alone. And if you think otherwise, then you don’t know me at all.
The truth is, as an eternal romantic (and a big massive girl at times), I wanted the happy ending. I wanted the union of Pogba and Manchester United to overcome the noise, the agent, the past and the headlines. Don’t get me wrong. Paul has delivered moments of magic and I will always give praise where it is due and criticism only when I feel it is absolutely necessary. But being nothing but brutally honest, and of course in my opinion and that alone, Bruno Fernandes has done far more for United in a short time then Paul Pogba has done in much longer. A big statement but one that I feel is warranted.
Bruno invigorated the team, he pushed them to do the unimaginable at one point and finish above all our expectations. He is a born leader, a breath of fresh air, the best thing to have happened to our midfield in years and possibly one of the reasons we all started believing in United (perhaps naively) again. Perhaps most importantly of all, he quickly shot down reported rumours of a rift and made it clear how much he loved the club whilst doing so.
He too has faced adversity. Been spoken of as if he produces penalties and nothing else. Yes, admittedly, he puts them home. But it’s an insult to insinuate that is all he does and you must have your eyes wide shut or your mask too high (keeping it current) to not see the effect he has had on the players around him.
As if we are reading the same chapter again, the timing of this particular debacle was ridiculous and an insult to everyone at the club and fans alike. To give the benefit of the doubt, this time Paul didn’t utter the words himself. The source is Mino Raiola who boldly stated the midfielder’s Old Trafford career is ‘over!’ Whilst adding that his client was unhappy. Well, with words that strong, unless the man in question seriously condemns them at his earliest convenience, then he might aswell have said them himself.
Sorry but thats’s how i feel. We may not be riding the highs of yesterday. But the Manchester United name still deserves respect and to be treated as more than a burden on a player.
Ultimately, I want the best for my club. We all do. We disagree but that’s the shared goal (missed my puns I have).
What Ole does next and how we handles this situation will speak volumes for his leadership and perhaps surprise a few. Or not. As for Pogba, I genuinely don’t have it in me this year to bear a grudge. We are all fighting battles nobody else knows about. He may well be too. So, I will never resort to person insults and I disagree completely with anyone who stoops to that level. Come what may, I wish him the best, I know his capabilities are endless and what he has already achieved is nothing short of sheer excellence. I celebrate him for that and his contribution to United.
With all that being said, as I write these words, de ja vu creeps up on me. No player is bigger than the club. No player has ever been bigger than the club. No player will ever be bigger than the club! It’s as simple (and as brutal) as that.
I am always willing to be proved wrong and nothing will shock me this year. However, I won’t hold my breath for anything other than goodbye as it seems some things you just can’t go back on.
If Paul thinks he has to leave, then I agree with him.
I long for the day that we can all safely return to stadiums again, get cosy in the cinemas once more and can’t wait for the night we can dance again until the early hours all cooped up together without a care in the world. But one thing I don’t miss and have no time for is a circus.
unitedshestands 