Manchester United have confirmed plans for another tifo banner to be showcased at Old Trafford before the second-leg of their Europa League semi-final against Athletic Club this week.
Manchester United unveiled their first-ever tifo banner ahead of their Europa League quarter-final clash with Lyon at Old Trafford. Aimed at boosting the atmosphere for the must-win match, the tifo was revealed just before kick-off after fan consultation and final approval from Bruno Fernandes.
Despite initial doubts, fans were thrilled when the banner rose across the Sir Alex Ferguson Stand, displaying all of United’s European cup triumphs alongside the message: “Never Gonna Stop!”
That spirit was reflected on the pitch, as United scored three goals in the final minutes of extra-time to complete a stunning comeback and secure their spot in the semi-finals.
Now, the Reds are set to return to Old Trafford with a 3-0 lead from the first-leg of their semi-final against Athletic Club and the club have confirmed that there will be another tifo banner for that game.
In an announcement on Tuesday afternoon, United revealed that club captain Fernandes has already approved the proposal, with the details of the design to stay hidden until it is unveiled just before the game on Thursday night.
Potential Old Trafford tifo banner revealed
While the exact details of the tifo have not been revealed, there is a chance that they took inspiration from a popular design shared on social media recently.
The United fan group ‘Stretford End Flags‘ were involved in the design for the pre-Lyon tifo and it is likely that they will be involved once again. They posted on social media asking fans to deliver mock-up designs to show to the club.
One supporter shared a design of Sir Matt Busby and Fernandes holding a United shirt, with some iconic players in the background and an important message above and below – ‘You wear the shirt. You carry the legacy,’ it reads.
Speaking on his own design, the supporter wrote: “It captures the soul of United: pressure, pride, purpose. Sets a tone that connects the current players to the weight of history in one line and It’s got the busy babes, Treble 99 etc etched into the clouds.”
With over 2,000 likes and many positive comments on this reply, it is very likely that the Stretford End Flags group put it forward to the club. You would imagine that changes would be made even if it has been chosen, but the overall message is something that United fans seem to support.
United players appreciate incredible support
With a three-goal lead, United should be looking to kill the semi-final tie early on at Old Trafford and the supporters will certainly be trying to push the team to do exactly that. The atmosphere will be great and another inspirational tifo banner will only help that ahead of the game.
The players are more than aware of the help provided by those in the fanbase, with Casemiro in particular being struck by the incredible support.
“It isn’t normal,” the Brazilian told United media when asked about the matchgoing fans. “It isn’t normal how good they are. I really think we have to talk about this and value this more,”
“Of course, when you do not win, it is difficult to be loyal and support the team. This year, in the European competition, we are a little bit closer but, in the league, we aren’t where we should be, and we aren’t playing well. But the fans are something incredible. It isn’t normal how good they are.
“It isn’t normal how they support us and help us. The other night against Lyon was an unforgettable night in my career and something incredible, an incredible game. They always support us — whether we are playing well or badly. When I get home, I speak with my family or my inner circle about what the fans are like here.
“All I can say, from my heart, is thank you very much. If they didn’t support us like they do, it would be even more difficult, so the thing we have to say to everyone who comes to games here, and to the whole city, is it’s something incredible. So, all I can say is thank you, thank you very much.”
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