Decline?

"So, is it possible that United fans can stop using this term as if it is the held belief of the majority?"

That's not why it is used. It is used because every time United don't win the title, this gets dished out. There was a moment where we went a few seasons without the PL and were considered in decline. So its more a reminder of what people thought and wished rather than a belief (excluding media pundits and the odd ball end).

"It is clearly not, never has been, and is imo a myth that is similar to the Liverpool myth that they 'will win it next year'! Which is also something that I have never heard from scousers in the last ten years or so, and is also widely believed to be the held view of the majority, when in fact, it is not!"

I have heard scousers say the famous word (not like for like all the time but sometimes its different words putting acorss the same point). I do think that the Yanks pretty much killed that off for them in Rafa's last year. Now they pretty much know they are long way off the top and just trying to reach 4th.

I should point that it was a held belief by some that United were in decline (and considering when it was used, you could argue United were). But to say it never was isn't true at all. You should ammend that part of your post OP.

I haven't heard many people use the phrase "in decline" but the belief that we will finish fifth after winning the title or coming close the previous season is were the decline label comes from.

buceandpally

The 'belief'?

Can you add to this? Can you provide examples?

Yeah, a couple of people might of said it, but it clearly is not the majority! My point is that this idea that United are in decline has no substance and thus can only be accredited to a few bitter supposed abu's!

Can you show me where or when the idea that United are in decline came to be? I mean with actual facts?

There are none to be honest, and that is why I say that the myth is perpetuated by United fans, can you show me anything that can dispute/disprove my statement?

Poppin' my collar like Cantona! (U11181)

United have been favourites to win the PL, every season, except one, in the last 9 years!

That is because they have had the best, or one of the best squads!

I also believe that United were tipped to win in all of those seasons!

Your idea that the 'decline' tag gets dished out is wrong! And if it has been, then I have not been aware of it, and neither has the great British public, except maybe a few abu's!

No pundit or 'expert' that I have seen or heard in the last ten years has ever said that about United, in fact, I am not sure anyone has ever said that United would fall out of the top four, something that you alluded to earlier!

Obviously I am speaking from little experience of knowing you, but I guess you are the typical United fan who perpetuates these myths!

I mean, you stated that, "the belief that we will finish fifth after winning the title or coming close the previous season is were the decline label comes from."

Which is so wrong and so, how can I say, erm...wrong"!

I'm not saying that we are/have been in decline but fans of other clubs certainly have, the "myth" came about because people have tried to predict the downfall of the club from the summer of '95 to the Glazers to Roman's rubles to the oil money at City.

But if it's proof you want take a look at these links from Journalists, bloggers,forums and internet message boards and you'll see that people have uttered the phrase numerous times, i could have added more as well, it took literally 2 minutes to find the "examples" and "facts" that you were after



http://thekop.liverpoolfc.com/_The-Decline-of-Manchester-United/blog/4797858/173471.html

http://footballspeak.com/post/2012/11/05/Manchester-United-in-decline.aspx

http://backpagefootball.com/are-manchester-united-in-terminal-decline/15632/

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2010/jan/05/sir-alex-ferguson-manchester-united

http://community.manutd.com/forums/p/237022/2077195.aspx

http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20120501130309AAEfEbl

http://www.itv.com/sport/football/article/2012-10-02/the-inevitable-decline-of-manchester-united/

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/columnists/alan-green/alan-green-manchester-united-in-decline-while-blue-moon-keeps-rising-28746678.html

http://www.dnaindia.com/sport/comment_manchester-united-are-in-decline-and-must-invest-in-the-market_1685081

http://www.itsroundanditswhite.co.uk/2012/05/06/man-united-incline-or-decline/

http://blogs.bettor.com/English-Premier-League-Manchester-United-A-team-in-decline-a31828

http://taichisealcharts.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/manchester-united-decline.html

http://www.independent.ie/opinion/comment/ian-herbert-five-ways-alex-ferguson-can-arrest-manchester-uniteds-decline-and-halt-the-march-of-their-noisy-neighbours-26849249.html

http://www.futaa.com/blog/ronaldo-loss-the-key-to-man-uniteds-decline

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/3062235.stm

Oh my god!

I appreciate your efforts, however, the point still remains....

Do the majority of people think that United are a club in decline?

Let's answer a simple question? are they?

Do you think they are in decline? You see, I don't, so let's see how you think?

bruceandbpally (U8201) did a great job with the links.

Do the majority of people think that United are a club in decline?
Obvously not now as we are on top of the league. But you'll see people mention that our competitors have been woeful and so this 'poor' United side are running away with it not because they are strong but because everyone else has been kak this season.

Do the majority of people think that United are a club in decline?
I don't know. I would assume they don't with a few amongst them who thing our decline is around the corner or when SAF retires.

Do you think they are in decline?
No. But I am a United fan.

I love man utd standards. If decline is probably winning the double this season and being unjustly beaten by real madrid over 2 legs then I will take it.

Welcome back. Doubt you'll last long.

comment by Joe Bliff (U17537)
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You are being a bit pedantic here imo. There have been MORE than enough people saying United are in decline for United fans to feel this is worth responding to. It will be a point raised by a rival fan at least once per week.

You seem to be suggesting that this is only a valid topic of conversation if the majority hold this view. Why? Since when is that the rule of debate?

And how is anyone supposed to "prove" whether the view is held by the majority? Are we all supposed to conduct surveys before posting comments?