Why Manchester United Has Failed Its Fans in 2012

Manchester United has been diabolical this year with a disastrous Champions League campaign and failure in the FA and Carling Cups now overshadowed by throwing away the Premier League title to its so-called "noisy neighbors" Manchester City. 

Of course, it is still all to play for, and United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has seen some crazy moments during his time in football. With a little help from former striker and now QPR manager Mark Hughes, the title could still find its way to Old Trafford.

This season has been a failure even if United do the unthinkable and retain the title. It will not hide the disappointment of the team's worldwide fanbase.

The one bright spot for fans this season will most likely be United finally ridding itself of Darron Gibson. Although Gibson has found himself rejuvenated at Everton away from the venom of the Red Devils fans who had been baying for his blood.

It is hard to defend the actions of United's fans at times, but surely even they deserve better than the tepid season Ferguson's team served up this year.    

Manchester United has failed its fans, and there is plenty of blame to go around. 

 

Sir Alex Ferguson

It is difficult to place a lot of blame on United's legendary manager. He cannot, however, be fully exonerated from the team's failure.

Ferguson approached this season with a naivety towards the threat of Manchester City much in the same manner he was dismissive of the threat of Chelsea until the Blues won the title in 2004-05.

The current campaign has seen Ferguson realize City are going to be United's main competition for the foreseeable future.

If the Citizens win the title, Ferguson will have a lot of think about over the summer. He clearly got his tactics wrong in both Manchester derbies.  

Ferguson should not come out of this season exempt from criticism. Some of his moves both on the pitch and in the transfer market have been questionable.

In reality, United's failure this year has more to do with other factors than Ferguson, and he is the only person who can steady the ship once again.

 

The Players

Heartless, pathetic and not worthy of the shirt.

These are just a few of the adjectives used to describe the player's performance during the season. United's squad have failed the fans.

They failed the fans in losses to Blackburn, Wigan, Crystal Palace and Basel. They failed the fans by being dominated by Bilbao over two legs in the UEFA Cup. Then there is that to Manchester City.

Too many times, players thought they could show up and simply bowl over the opposition because they were Manchester United.

United were unable to cope when inferior opposition refused to fold. It was embarrassing for the replica kit-clad fanbase from the Stretford End to Hong Kong to California.

This squad is hardly the most talented one to grace Old Trafford, and injuries did impact the team. Ferguson's side have been on the decline for the past few seasons.

This was the first season, however, the players could not stand up and be counted upon when it mattered most.

The players let the fans down. By failing to collect a single piece of silverware this season, they have failed their fans.

 

The Glazer Family

Dark clouds have ominously been building around Old Trafford since Malcom Glazer took full control of United in 2005.

The club have been winning in spite of ownership. This is arguably Ferguson's weakest team during his tenure at United, and most fans believe that failure is because of their American owner and his sons.

In their defense, the Glazers have been willing to spend but not at the level as some of their rivals. They have now let the power slip away to the blue half of Manchester.

Manchester United has established itself as one of the top clubs in the world over the past 20 years. The Glazer family seemed uninterested in maintaining that.

Their goal is to payoff the massive debt accumulated during the takeover of the club.

This shift in priorities is a failure that will continue to burdened upon United fans until the debt is paid off or the Glazers leave town.

The Glazers have failed the fans the most. They claim they want the club to be one of the most recognizable (that is code for profitable) brands in the world, yet they are only willing to spend enough to make the team competitive.  

Everyone at Old Trafford should apologize to the fans for the torrid season they have had to endure. However, the Glazer family is the primary reason the club has failed its fans this year.

Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1174416-why-manchester-united-has-failed-its-fans-in-2012

Juan Miranda Colin Curtis Kevin Russo Curtis Granderson Nick Johnson Javier Lopez