Ask fans outside Old Trafford if Sir Alex Ferguson is right when he says the media hate Manchester United and Steve from Orpington, Mick from
But ask them if
Like his screen idol John Wayne,
He knows he needs to get United’s disillusioned fans back onside if he is going to stand any chance of riding out the storm which is engulfing Old Trafford.
On one level, his ploy worked and last night the supporters got right behind the players.
But dig a little deeper and it is clear a growing number of fans have serious reservations about him.
The respected fanzine ‘United We Stand’ captured the mood perfectly and their latest edition on sale outside the ground, written before the Benfica debacle, carries a picture of
“Sir Alex is not and should not be immune to constructive criticism,” said its editorial. “He gets lavished with praise when he gets things right, but fans have a right to an opinion when he gets it wrong.
“Can anyone pretend that United is not a club with serious issues on and off the field? The main man has taken us to unimaginable heights and will forever be remembered as a United legend, but is he the right man to take us forward?
“Sir Alex has to take some of the responsibility for the turgid football we’re being served up, for the woeful away form in
“It’s not easy questioning the great, but if we don’t who will? It’s a measure of the man’s standing that the majority of United fans want him to remain in charge, but for how long?”
The same feeling of frustration with