Dear Manchester United supporters,
I always thought of starting this thread a long time ago, but tended to change my mind every time since I feared people will start slating me. However, I couldn't take it any more so I wanted to write this message to all you fellow supporters, and hope that it actually means something.
Now the main topic about this thread is about ex-united players. I don't specifically mean anyone, but it could be any player. Okay so first question. When is the decision for a player leaving the club ever justified? Think about that. In other words, in what case it it okay and acceptable for a player to ask for a transfer request?
Some United supporters (notice I used the word "some") think it is never justified in any way. It is assumed that any player who asks to leave is an idiot and a disgraceful and disloyal person. Okay I might agree with the idiot part since as a die-hard united fan, in my eyes i can't see why a player would want to leave anyway, but I know i'm being biased. People should start realizing that not everyone thinks that way.
The moment a speculation starts about a player interested in another club, we get people starting to say "I KNEW THEY WERN'T HAPPY HERE!" Now seriously, wtf? How do you know that?
In some cases it might be true, but not all the time. People should realize that foreign players in particular might not see Manchester United the same way we do. For a non-united foreign player, I don't think he would see United any different from clubs like Milan, Barca, Juventus, Inter, Bayern, or Madrid. Sure they'll know it is a massive club, but there is no reason to choose it above any other.
Now there are a number of players in our history who were brought in by SAF who turned out succesful, and like I said, they might not have been necessarily interested in United until they were wanted. Not until playing in a United shirt and sharing some of our success is when the club would enter their hearts, but again it doesn't necessarily mean they suddenly lost interest or hate the other clubs.
I don't think I'm explaining myself clearly, so I'll put it in another way.
Now imagine yourself as a young teenager who desperately wants to be a footballer. You are a die-hard United fan and always dreamt to play for the red devils but know you're not good enough yet so you start off in a small club. After some good performances, you get an offer from a big European club (not United). You immediately accept it as it is the opportunity to make you a world class player. You slowly develop into an amazing player and enjoy incredible success with that club. The fans love you, you love them and respect the club for making you the player you became. In return, you always give your 100% to the club. Suddenly, you get an offer from United. Now how many of you would actually turn that down?
Maybe some of you immediately thought about Ronaldo with this example, but I don't necessarily mean him. But yes he is a good example. Since I mentioned it, I've recently seen his documentary on TV that was released right after the 2006/2007 season, and it is actually mentioned in that documentary that before his father's death, he had told Ronaldo that he believes one day his son would be playing for the "Best team in the world" (in his personal point of view) - Real Madrid. His father's words came before Ronaldo played for United. (If you don't believe me, take a look at the doc yourself). So if you really think about it, Ronaldo's decision wasn't that strange and not because he was not happy here.
What I'm trying to say here is people shouldn't start slating players who leave the club. It could be for various reasons, and not because they do not like United.
I'm tired of hearing poeple who love hating and booing. As long as a player contributed to United they should be respected even after they leave. HOWEVER, if they choose to disrespect the club after leaving, that is a totally different story and I won't even go into it.
This thread is aimed to only a portion of the United fans and not all of them. It is aimed at those who tend to hate more than they love. Keep in mind that not everyone is a Manchester United supporter.
I'm just being realistic here. There's no point in arrogance. I know it's usually downhill after United, but everyone is entitled to their own opinion.
And by the way, this is simply my opinion. If anyone disagrees, feel free to argue but in a reasonable manner.
Thanks for your time,
UNITED WE STAND, UNITED WE ARE.
MUFC forever.