James Roberson

As someone on Spirit of Shankly pointed out, this is just the original concept for the Premier League being delivered. The vision was to move football up a couple of social classes, which to me means price out the less wealthy and encourage a "better" class of clientele with more disposable income. They focused only on the vast riches the PL would bring and they were right. However that model only works long term with regeneration of new fans. It works if you are never gonna get relegated because the group of die hards whose loyalty and love for the club could not be quantified on a balance sheet, have already left and they are now doing something else with their match days. Most of them likely realise that it's quite useful getting the time back and similar to when you break up with an ex, there is rarely any going back. Without the diehards, who indoctrinated the next generation into being obsessed with the team, where does the next generation of fans come from? Good luck convincing a young person to spend what little they have left after paying their rent and other increasing costs, to allocate a big chunk of what's left for an overpriced season ticket. Not happening, football is not high on the importance scale when you can watch every game on telly. As for the "better" clientele they attracted, they will abandon ship as quickly as they arrived come any form of hard times. What the clubs are doing right now with ticket price rises is simply ensuring that they have no loyal die hard fanbase left in 10-15 years. These changes will be forever. No more capacity crowds for just playing in the PL, owners will be forced to try and actually win stuff. If they don't, goodbye fans. If they do, those fans will demand they do it again. I'm from an era that did not place expectation on clubs, we just handed over our money and went to football, because that is the way it was. I'm still clinging on but with next year being my 50th watching West Ham and having been banned this season for breaching health and safety, I'm pretty sure it will be my last one. Unless the owners who fucked my club up completely, finally get the message and fuck off back to their mansions. The people who own clubs know the square root of fuck all about the generations of fans who helped build that club to be the thing it was before they demolished everything they inherited. They do not comprehend love or loyalty because in their world, those things are cash transactions. Football as we knew it is on life support, but the owners won't realise until one day they look around that vast stadium and see a handful of fans watching the latest pile of average they decided to serve up. #BSOUT

Strip out the club specific language and this can be applied to any Club, including - and especially - Manchester United. We've been banging this drum for years, many fans appear to either not care or prefer to have their heads firmly in the sand. Its brilliantly articulated here. 👏

@dipsMUFC Big concern that Carrick only made 2 subs which were like for like whilst only having 10 men and 3 players on a yellow.

Anyway. Let’s be honest - we were dreadful. Fortunate not to be 4-0 down at the break. Red card was a joke but we were shocking regardless. Switched on far too late. Must put it right Saturday #MUFC

@RyanMatthew91 @Cantona_Collars Mbeumo and Amad definitely suited to Amorim more than Carrick system wise

@Cantona_Collars Hate to say it but think some of that squad suited a 3 at the back system better

Michael Carrick has done a lot of things right so far as our caretaker manager. His lack of bravery last night really disappointed me.

@Cantona_Collars Should have gone Mbeumo through the middle Lacey on the right for the last 20. More pace!!!

@Mohqoshin Absolute 🤡!!! That’ll be you not Ugarte

Great effort @TraMufc #StretfordEnd

@simon3677 So many walking round the ground before kick off with one of these on. Don't get it at all

I’ve never understood this, especially against that mob tonight, you just can’t be a real United fan to to adorn one of these (kids under 10 excluded as they’re young enough to knock some sense into) 🔴⚪️🌑

@BPete1970 @simon3677 Shame Pete as nice to hear a few songs before kick off but the start on the pitch killed the Atmosphere pretty quickly. A decent effort at times in the 2nd half to get behind the shirts but not sustained.

@simon3677 Agree with all this Simon

Long drive back after a poor result & it pains me to say it but Leeds deserved the win & could have been 3-0 at HT. thought the red card was a soft one, however United really didn’t get playing until they went down to 10 men. Atmosphere like the team was also pretty flat.🔴⚪️🌑

@PeteMolyneux2 Good to see you back in here Pete. Cracking effort by the Stretford End last night. Shame the start on the pitch killled the atmosphere in the 1st half.

And we’re back 🥳❤️🤍🖤 #MUFC

@simon3677 Loads of half and half scarves being sold before the game. Crossed paths with Leeds after the game as they headed back to the coaches. Wouldn’t have happened like that years ago but police everywhere filming has put paid to anything happening. Wasn’t May 1998 that’s for sure

I’m not for all out violence however when you see Leeds fans strolling about outside Old Trafford you do have to question the hostility where away teams used to fear trips to here has gone, football is too sanitised these days and the tribal element is fast being eroded..🔴⚪️🌑

@ManUtdMatchday @KobiiBanks Moving loyal supporters from their seats for hospitality, great work that 🙄

We are excited to introduce a series of improvements at Old Trafford ahead of the 2026/27 season. The changes we’re making are designed to deliver: ➖ Faster food and beverage service ➖ More choice for fans ➖ An improved experience for every supporter Read more: ow.ly/N3cM50YFAe3

The biggest protest over the Glazers still going despite being told it wouldn’t last till Xmas 2005

It’s already been decided Chelsea won’t play Man City in the FA CUP semi finals @FA

Anyone who thinks England have a chance of winning the WC is some kind of crazy

@RedArmyPaul99 @real_DefendWest Absolutely, It’s that city who does the overlap fan zone. Few years ago this was, some were mistaken to think it was last week.

@real_DefendWest Fucking cowards.

Group of cowards gang up on a lone lad on the train. Some people clearly prefer unfair odds, don't they?

@RedArmyPaul99 @mufcytp @SeanJHayes @MikeKeegan_DM 😂😂 turn that £331m into £200m if we’re very very lucky and you maybe close

@mufcytp @SeanJHayes @MikeKeegan_DM Love these prices 😂. There’s optimism and then there’s optimism 😁

Outgoings will play a big part in this summer’s plans. Manchester United are in a good position under the new financial rules. [@MikeKeegan_DM] Ideal outgoings for United: Ugarte – £55m Zirkzee – £40m Rashford – £26m Dalot – £70m Mount – £60m Højlund – £40m Onana - £40m That’s £331m from sales alone! 🔥

@fouldsy147 Utilita arena Birmingham (formerly the National Indoor arena)

During the 1 or 2 year redevelopment of the Crucible after the 2028 World Championships where should the event temporarily be held?

@Cantona_Collars Absolutely top class player, pace to burn, scored a goal and was a joy to watch. "Andrei must stay" sung from the kippax vs Oldham 94 semi replay. Loved by the fans. Shame it went the way it did for him.

31 years ago today – Andrei Kanchelskis played his last game for Manchester United. He bowed out with a goal against Arsenal. How highly did you rate the speedy Russian?

@BPete1970 Even a little rendition of “From the banks of the river Irwell” (The proper one)

Seen some of our fans criticising our away fans at Bournemouth last night. Apart from singing that Crystal Palace copy, & unnecessary clapping on most songs I thought they were very good. Great to hear “Man Utd, we’ll support you evermore” get such a great airing 👍😉👏