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Being a Manchester United fan is like being a fan of Metallica. The legacy and the past are enough to last for a lifetime, but there are also those who say that they’re over rated, or that there are better bands, past and present.Also, as a fan, you always know that although not all of their songs from an album might be great, there will always be that one song that will top the charts, garner a new generation of fans and will forever be immortalized in the hearts of those who’re fortunate enough to witness the greatness of the band.Being a Manchester United fan has always had its perks; although you might not win them all, you’re sure of winning at least one of the top titles.
I do not write much about football, although I’m a passionate fan like millions of others from my country. I stick to something that I know only I can do justice to; I also don’t read articles relating to football. I know that with millions of fans come millions of opinions. I’d rather judge for myself than read something and get upset about. Opinions are just that, and when someone talks about how Manchester United will “again” slump, and finally get dethroned as the favorites to win the PL title when every season begins, I shrug them off like I’ve done for many years.This time however, my curiosity got the better of me, and I happened to read an article which was dedicated to our striker, also dearly known to the football fans as “The Flying Dutchman”, Robin Van Persie, or how we United faithful have come to know as “Oh Robin Van Persie!”
When Persie moved to United from Arsenal, I understood why the Gunners were upset about their favorite son jumping ships to their fiercest rivals. They had a legitimate reason; like a caring mother nursing her son every time he got injured, either by being reckless or while trying to write his own swansong, the Arsenal fans were always behind Van Persie. Through thick and thin, through the best and the worst, and through the injuries and ecstatic cheers after a Persie stunner, the Arsenal fans were always behind him. When he moved to United, they felt betrayed. Although Persie had a valid reason, I understood why the Arsenal faithful were disgruntled and felt unappreciated. I understood, till it stopped making sense anymore.
As I breezed through a so – called “Open letter”, my facial expressions changed. I, once again, understood why I don’t read football articles. Although I respect others’ opinions, I fail to understand those opinions when they defy logic. Something which started by mocking my countrymen’s inability to write something beyond a “hurriedly scribbled” examination letter soon transformed into yet another “Et tu, Persie?” monologue. Yes, Van Persie now represents Manchester United. Can we all target legitimate reasons to fire shots at someone now?
The greatest thing about being a Manchester United fan is that you know that no matter how much people say you’re “not that good”, they breathe a sigh of relief when we’re out of contention for something. With every “You won’t win the title this year” mockery that we’re still not used to, comes the “We’re saying it because we were afraid you’d win it again”, which of course is unsaid. You only talk about great teams, and you only tease sleeping giants. Can the fans say the same thing about Arsenal, Liverpool or the Spurs? Let that sink in for a moment before I move on with the “letter”.
Next came something that can only be said after waiting for years. The “You deserve better than being in the 7th position” argument; yes, Persie deserves to be in the top position, like he deserved to win titles while being with Arsenal, going through a drought that never seemed to end. Manchester United deserves to be in the top 4 and New England Patriots deserved to win Super Bowl XLII. Who deserves anything is very subjective, and it is rather pointless to discuss about something of that nature. Manchester United was mocked when our bitter rivals won the league title couple of years ago. Every one wrote us off, but we came back stronger than ever the next season. When you’re United, you just don’t settle to be “good enough”. You strive to be the best.
In the legendary Bill Shankly’s own words, “Some people believe football is a matter of life and death, I am very disappointed with that attitude. I can assure you it is much, much more important than that.” Wayne Rooney is one player that causes the United fans to hold their breath whenever there’s a talk of him leaving. When it happened again this season, I said, “Go ahead, Wayne.” It wasn’t because I didn’t care about our Master Wayne; I’m one of the biggest Rooney’s fans out there. It was because Rooney deserved to be happy, and it is because Manchester United is more than just about one player, no matter how great he is, like the rest of the teams that play football.
This isn’t an article to say, “Hey, wait a minute! You don’t have an opinion about a team you’re not supporting!” Rather, I found the necessity to point out some things that aren’t easy to focus on when you’re not on our side. Manchester United isn’t just about Van Persie or Wayne Rooney. Manchester United isn’t just about winning titles, or becoming champions. In the opinions of the majority, Manchester United is the greatest football club in the history of this extraordinary game. For me, Manchester United is a legend, a story greater than the folklore that is passed down generations. Manchester United, in its glory and defiance, is something that you can never kill, or something that can never die.
