Is Manchester United Cursed?

Manchester United beat Brentford 3-1 and with that we became the first-ever Premier League club to win 300 away matches in the league. But I am not breaking my long draught of not writing about Manchester United to write about the game. I don’t even know where to start and what to say about Manchester United anymore.

Is Manchester United cursed? Did someone put a curse on Manchester United Football Club? It sounds ridiculous but it does feel like it now. Did Sir Alex Ferguson have a magic formula with him and brought it with him? So many pundits are trying to put a finger on what is the issue at the club but honestly can only speculate. Ex-players can only talk about the past and past glory. Sometimes, I feel these former players should just turn up for the training sessions at Carrington unannounced to watch the training sessions, study the body language of the players and the rapport the players have.

There have been so many reports and rumours of unhappiness and negativity around the club – players that want to leave the club, manager that is not happy with the players. How much truth is there in it? Are the number of players that are unhappy exaggerated? I really don’t know what the truth is. I am sure there are unhappy players at United; unhappy at the lack of playing time and players unhappy at the team’s position in the league table and form. I am sure the manager is unhappy with some players too because this is a squad that he has inherited and not built on his own. I do feel there is some exaggeration though on the number of players that are claimed to be unhappy.

There was a time when players came to United, improved themselves and left. Nowadays players at United play better for their nations or when they have left the club. It’s like the moment they step into Carrington, they got Space Jamed. Paul Pogba, World Cup winner, won a lot for Juventus and looked like the best midfielder in the world but for United, we have not seen that consistently. Harry Maguire, Fred, now two of the most heavily criticized players at United were courted by Manchester City before they chose United. I can imagine them to be world-beaters if they had joined City or some other club. Marcus Rashford looks like his development is going backwards. Mason Greenwood is not developing as well as we want him to although he has still got time on his side. Across town, we see someone of the same age group, Phil Foden doing so well for his club and country. Jadon Sancho, courted for over two seasons, did so well at Borussia Dortmund is struggling so badly at United.

There are so many examples of players that have joined the club in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era and left to greater success elsewhere. Managers have come and gone but this has remained constant. This is why I feel we are cursed. It’s a hopeless situation. The football we are watching is hardly inspiring or exciting. It’s odd because it appears that ANY team that plays against us, plays better than us and is more cohesive. It makes me feel like we are the worst side in the Premier League, facing relegation but the facts read, 1 defeat in 11 matches and still within touching distance of the Champions League spot. A new manager is in town but still, McFred is in favour. Why? I can’t get it. I thought it was only Ole Gunnar Solskjaer that was crazy over them but Ralf Rangnick too? What is wrong with Donny Van De Beek that he still hardly plays? McFred has its merits but it's evident that they have quite a lot of demerits too. Why oh why do they still play? When one of them is injured, still Van De Beek doesn’t play. Perplexing.

As a United fan, this is the toughest and most painful season I have experienced but what choice do I have but to endure it.