Manchester United are not a 'project'

Disclaimer : Before you go on and type these things in the comment section after reading the article, let me save some time for you. Yes. I’m a grieve struck Manchester United fan who cannot digest the fact that the noisy neighbors won the League. I’m a jealous Manchester United fan who hates the fact that Man City and Chelsea have ‘oil rich’ owners. I’m all the things that you claim me to be.

But, I’m a football fan.

Football is much more than money, Man Utd too are!

A recent survey suggests that there are over 659 Million Manchester United fans in this world. If that survey is in fact true, then it means that almost 10% of the World’s population support Sir Alex and his team. Yes, some of these fans are still commenting ‘CR 7 rocks dude’ on forums and websites, but that doesn’t take away the universal appeal that this club has.

Manchester United might be the most hated club in England, they might be the most arrogant club in England, they might even put their finances ahead of morbid ambition, but Manchester United are in no way a ‘project’.

Eden Hazard, after signing for Chelsea quoted “I’ve always said I wanted to play in England. There was a struggle between Chelsea and United, but according to me Chelsea has the best project,”

Roberto Mancini and Sheikh Mansour were often quoted saying that it was their project to build the best football team in the world. Yes, the oil industry is possibly the only thing that is getting unflappable profit in this inflated world. Mr. Mansour can with ease, inject two or three billion dollars into Manchester City. But are these teams making a profit? You would highly doubt that given the fact, that the world is in midst of the greatest recession since the Great Depression.

Football is a hooligan’s game, but it is a beautiful game. Once you take the fun out of it, once you make it a business, the sole meaning of the game will be lost.

I’m not saying that Manchester United don’t spend. They have always spent lavishly ever since the Premier League Era, but they have spent it wisely.  Mr. Hazard is 21-years old, he will cost around £38 million in transfer and his wages will be around £182,000 per week amounting to £ 78 Million for his five years. Is this a wise investment? We can only tell when Hazard plays and proves but even then, is he worth this much?

Football is not like MLB or NBA where the GM runs the team. But is Chelsea being run by Di Matteo? No, Mr. Abramovich runs the club and that is why we have to be afraid. Football is becoming a business, a project. So, what happens when the project fails? What if the Project gets cancelled due to poor business? Not long ago, Leeds United were playing in the Champions League people, but their project failed. Now nobody knows where their playing, although I’m certain it might be League One.

Manchester United will never become a project. The passion, the history and the number of followers at stake will make sure that this beautiful football club never becomes one. I would rather wish for my club to end up getting relegated rather than to compromise the integrity of this game.

- From a Man Utd fan boy.