The destruction of Ashley Young is partially because of you

The United players need support, not blackballed..

Fandom has taken over from actually supporting a football club. This is partly down to the clubs themselves, who wish to be super brands that generate cash like the Bank of England. However, the fan is also responsible. With their insatiable need to be connected to the brand and their desire too vent their opinions in a ‘freedom of speech’ world.

Unfortunately, many mask their vitriol as opinion – the two things are simply not the same.

I have seen so many say they would like Ozil more than Young – Who wouldn’t? But with our owners? When we just paid £70m out in interest payments alone, just for the privilege of Glazer ownership? – but some of you need to get real.

Players like Young are in the squad and will be used, whether you like it or not. Sure, criticise him when he deserves it, when he dives like a muppet, or has a bad game. But don’t kill him 24/7. Why do I say this? Because as fans we are supposed to back the team and our players. Not with blind faith, but with a siege mentality that one great Scotsman drilled into us. This is the United I know. This is the United, that at 4-0 yesterday, out-sung the City home support with ’20 Times Manchester United’.

Anger is not anything new in football. Once upon a time, an angry supporter might have glassed you in a pub, circa 1985. Today, an angry fan tweets until his toxic fingers can tweet no more (yes I tweet a lot as well!). But, at the same time, I do think that anger needs to be channelled.

I personally can’t stand Antonio Valencia (and this is not something I talk about in public much). I think he is a poor footballer, a player who can’t cross a ball, which is a problem for a winger.

But he was definitely the right choice yesterday (even after some dreadful tracking for their first goal), and when he is in our shirt I will scream my lungs out for him, not against him. Why? Because I support the team first. It is a simple concept. Fellaini, a player all but two-and-a-half games into his United career, already has sections of the fanbase sharpening their knives for him. Seriously, why would anyone want to join us when fans do that?

This could be a really long season, but I am up for it. The post-Fergie years are new, and it is a chance to move forward. However, one thing is for sure: if the fanbase do not support our players, whether they are the Harry Styles of the team or not, then we have not got a prayer. Think about that. Think about what your support actually means. The club has many more trying issues than Ashley Young, so channel your aggression in that direction, and sing your hearts out for the lads.