England’s reliance on United bigger than ever, despite friction between fans

There has always been controversy between United and the England national set-up Many United fans show their dislike for the England set-up though the ‘United > England’ mantra, of which they have many reasons to dislike the England national team. Most of these come through the FA, in charge of the national team, and their mistreatment of our club and players over recent years; Rio Ferdinand has been embarrassingly messed around over the England captaincy in recent years, the FA continue to make an example out of our club with situations such as the Rooney swear gate, and whenever we send players to play for England they often end up as the scapegoat. For others the problem simply lies in the fact that football is a tribal game, and the idea of 40 year-old men cheering on our players in an England when just weeks before they were singing songs about Munich is rightly sickening in many people’s eyes.

Rio Ferdinand’s role with the national team has generally stirred up a controversy

Both long-term and short-term there have been many reasons for friction between United and England/the FA – I’ve only scratched the surface – but regardless of the view of the fans and the fact our players are often heavily lamented by England’s ‘support’ there’s no doubting the importance of United within the development and future of English football at a national team level. With England facing Poland in a World Cup Qualifier tonight, United recruits are once again expected to lead the way for the national team, similarly to the way that United contributed four of the five goals for England against San Marino on Friday night. The heart of England’s team was made up of United players with Wayne Rooney and Danny Welbeck upfront, and Tom Cleverley and Michael Carrick behind. Without the annoyance of injuries England would probably have more United players in the squad; Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Ashley Young are all currently out injured and have become England regulars of late.

At United, we have always been praised for our development of young and English talent, but our current representation within the England team is even more significant than usual. Not only have we got players in the squad, but these players play such a key role and our vital to the England set-up Wayne Rooney captained the side on Friday night, and has remained one of the most consistently used England players over the last 8 or so years. Danny Welbeck has well and truly burst onto the scenes and was one of England’s major threats at the recently passed European championships.While Michael Carrick’s chances have been woefully rare, Hodgson has recalled him and if he performs as consistently well as he does for United then he’ll certainly stay in the team. Ashley Young has become an impressive and regular starter for England, one of the reasons that encouraged Sir Alex to buy him – while the likes of Tom Cleverley, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling our just beginning their international careers.

Personally I’m one of the United fans that find it hard to support England. I’ll watch the matches if they’re on but I won’t make any arrangements around it, but even when I do watch the games it’s about focussing on the United lads and seeing how they get on. This isn’t though any hatred of the national team, although I do despair and despise the FA at times, it’s simply down to the way it just is. National football highlights severe hypocrisy within the game of football, the naivety of the way England play makes it painful to watch, and to top if all off the England Supporters Band highlights just how dire modern football atmospheres have become. United’s role in England’s national team is as prominent and significant as ever, and United fans alike who dislike we just have to accept that playing for England is still a big thing for players. With more promising youngsters in our ranks, it’s only going to become an even more regular occurrence.