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PERTH // The Manchester United fan club in Perth is the real deal. The fourth largest city in Australia is home to a large number of Mancunian expatriates. United has not played in Perth, the largest, most isolated city in the world since 1975. In addition to watching all of United's games on television, even though most are at dawn, the Perth Reds attended the games where the team played. been nearby. In 2016, "nearby" meant Shanghai, just eight hours away. In 2013, they traveled to Sydney after David Moyes took the reins. After the two matches of their city against the A-League Perth Glory and Leeds United, many Perth Reds will follow their journey to Singapore, "only" at five and a half flying hours, for the third pre-season game , against Inter Milan.
United fans have not considered a new season in such a pessimistic mood for years. They were champions the last time they played in Australia in 2013, and although nervous about life after Alex Ferguson, the fans did not know how things would unfold under his successor. During their previous visit in 1999, United had arrived as champion of England and Europe and was about to become world champion. Ferguson was so relaxed on his side that he stayed home – which did not bother players who took full advantage of Australian hospitality. Dwight Yorke is actually asleep in the middle of a field training session at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
There will be more now. Still, the Perth Reds wish to enjoy their moment in the sun. More than 12,000 people attended United's training at Waca Cricket Ground on Thursday night, with proceeds going to a charity. The games organized in the new superb Optus Stadium at three levels and with a capacity of 55 000 seats, which also hosts cricket matches, should be about to sell. Manchester United fan clubs have staged protests for seven consecutive days and they are full of enthusiasm. But the broader vision around United is darker.
The team finished sixth in the Premier League last season and was in the top four after only one game out of 38. That's not nearly enough for England's biggest and most successful national club. but that's what happens next, which matters the most.
Optimistically, United's fast-paced British rookies, winger Daniel James and defender Aaron Wan Bissaka, could have the same success as Steve Coppell, Jim Holton, Gerry Daly or Gordon Hill, who had been involved in more clubs. little before United's last match in Perth. United was second division champion on his last visit to this city. Even the biggest clubs can fall much lower than sixth place in the top tier.
Current players, including hard-to-redistribute players, will undoubtedly find their form that collapsed towards the end of the 2018/19 season, with United having only won two of its last 12 games. They could look like the winners they were when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took office last December. In the best case, the situation of Paul Pogba – he wants to leave – will be resolved, David de Gea will sign a new contract, Alexis Sanchez will play as he did for the Chile Cup, Marcus Rashford will score goals, Anthony Martial's defense will find some consistency, Jesse Lingard will learn to use social media and the mood will be caught off guard. Eric Bailly could become the player that he has the potential, Marcus Rojo could stay a month without getting hurt, 18-year-old striker Mason Greenwood could have a similar impact to Rashford when he's out there. is introduced in the first team in 2016, defender Axel Tuanzebe, 22, who has been captain at all levels except the first team, will become a competent defender of the first team. Brazilian midfielder Fred, a flop in his first season, could be as effective in his second season as Victor Lindelof. United fans are hoping there will be more book signings.
And the improved fitness that players, including Scott McTominay, have talked enthusiastically this week should be obvious. Solskjaer said her team was out of breath on the last quarter at home because she was not up to the way he wanted.
It is unlikely that all of this would happen, but no one could imagine eight immediate victories when the Norwegian took office, including victories for Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea – who played in the first game of the season at Old Trafford. August 11 – and Paris Saint-Germain. Attitudes can change quickly. Those Barcelona supporters who are pushing the president out of power two years after Neymar's summer sales have been silenced after seven consecutive victories.
This is not Barcelona but the concern, which is not unfounded given the crisis at the end of last season, is that the decline of United continues. After so many failures and changes of direction, the fans have little confidence in the club's ability to recruit good players or to create an attractive football style, in keeping with the team's best traditions. The concern is that, against rising and affluent rivals like the Wolves, who have beaten United twice and tied once last season, sixth place could become seventh or eighth in the following season. Everton, another threat, destroyed United 4-0 in April. Everton has already been considered part of the "Big Five" English shows that the established order of football is not permanent.
Solskjaer is not on firm ground and his boss, Ed Woodward, is not on the pitch either – at least among the fans. Solskjaer is a legend of the club of his time and he deserves it, but his limited management work raises doubts when things are not going well. He needs the support of Woodward and others, otherwise he will be the last leader to fail at Old Trafford. At least the two signatures so far are the ones he personally encouraged.
The supporters of the match United are patient and supportive, even with their rivals Manchester City and Liverpool so strong. They know that success can not last forever, but a poor 2019/20 start to the season would see things deteriorate quickly, not just online, where fans protested against the American owners of the club, the Glazer family.
Disorder in the locker room could be in the form of mediocre and unpopular performance. The players would turn against each other and their positive words would count for little if the results are not good enough.
Friendlies are just that and United's pre-season strategy has a commercial and sporting edge, but fans are desperate to see some positive signs. Although they were not obvious a year ago, at the totally forgettable matches against Club America, San Jose, AC Milan and Liverpool in the United States, plus Bayern Munich away.
The level of expectation is high at Manchester United and can only be satisfied by a considerable improvement this quarter.
Last Updated: July 12, 2019 10:35
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