A message to Manchester United fans

Dear Manchester United fans,

It’s been an incredibly tough season. Thankfully, it ended on a wonderful high with the FA Cup final, but we’re all incredibly frustrated. After how 2022/23 went, we expected better.

A lot of the frustration has been vocalised, and it’s led to a few issues here and there. The media and some online outlets feed off this and use it to spread toxicity for clicks. Not something we ever want to do at UtdDistrict.

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In the lead-up to the cup final, our manager Erik ten Hag and club captain Bruno Fernandes sent messages to us. They told us we’re the best fans in the world, and it wasn’t empty words. They both love it here and feed off the energy our supporters give, both in the good times, like Saturday afternoon, but also at the lows, like Crystal Palace (A).

The departing Frenchmen Anthony Martial and Raphaël Varane backed this up as they said emotional farewells, speaking with great pride about the love they hold for this club and us supporters. following Saturday’s win, we received social media statements from Luke Shaw and Marcus Rashford, two players who went through difficult seasons.

Shaw, United’s longest-serving senior player, spoke of his immense frustration at this season, which he has missed the majority of due to injuries. He recognised the fans’ frustration at his absence but spoke of how desperately he has worked to get fit.

Rashford, too, faced many challenges, which have sometimes made his relationship with the fanbase difficult. The Englishman was in tears on the pitch after the Derby win and made clear to fans his commitment to the club.

He then said he plans to take a social media break to reset mentally and get ready for next season—he will not be part of the England squad at the European Championships. He thanked the fans who stuck by him and reminded those who didn’t that at United, we always stick together.

That is the key message: the need to be together. The other key message is that while we, as fans, have been through a difficult time, it has been difficult for the players and coaching staff, too.

When they call us the best fans in the world, they don’t mean it as empty words. They truly do believe that we’re the best, and now is the time to show it. Understand the difficulties the coaches and players have been through and get behind them.

There is a lot of talk surrounding Ten Hag’s job situation right now, particularly. If INEOS decides to part ways, they will have their fair reasons for doing so. The same applies if they choose to stick with him, even if the reasons may be less clear to fans with this decision. We have to remember the discussions they have and the things they see that we don’t have knowledge of.

Whoever is in charge, I encourage the fans to get behind the team. It may seem hard to believe, but we’re in a good position to build for the future now. We’re the greatest fans in the world, and now is the time to show that.