Banter FC:
Red Devils In Hell

Twb Article 3 min read

There has never been a more emotionally taxing time to be a Manchester United supporter in the modern era. No one wants to be “Banter FC” but the truth is, that is exactly who United is right now.

Author

S'bo Gyre

Published

April , 2022

Following Saturday’s loss at Everton, failure to qualify for the Champions League looks like a real possibility for the once-mighty Red Devils. Football is a game of extremes but not even the biggest of United supporters could have predicted such a sharp post-Ferguson decline. But if history is to go by, United fans should be optimistic that a phase as "Banter FC" is as fleeting as their form this season.

Many vividly recall the days when Liverpool was reliant on headed set-piece goals from Kyrgiakos and flashing moments of brilliance from Maxi Rodriguez. Less than a decade later, the Reds have won that elusive nineteenth league title and a sixth European cup. 

But for every Liverpool, there is a Leeds. Though never in relegation form, their fall from the pinnacle of the game surely feels like a relegation of sorts. A 7th placed finish would confirm this as it would see them qualify for the much-ridiculed UEFA Conference League.

To the diehard fans of the cursed “Banter FC," their teams' plight is no laughing matter. For opposition fans, their online meltdowns are pure comedy and Mark Goldbridge is a comedic goldmine. So many iconic football gifs and memes have come from his infamous rants.  When it isn't the meltdowns and bad results, it’s comical defending from Aaron Wan-Bissaka. When all the chips are down, sometimes the best way to deal with it all is to laugh at yourself. Even the most downtrodden of United fans can admit to the hilarity of the fail compilation videos doing the rounds. The Banter FC era is a self-generating gag per minute.

Not even their well-renowned caretaker manager, Ralph Rangnick has been exempt from the ridicule. As unfair as it might be considering he took over a sinking ship, football fans are merciless. Just ask the £80 million defenders, Harry Maguire. Maguire's season-best encapsulates the horror show that is Manchester United.

The Banter FC era is often characterized by one bad decision after the other and United's recruitment policy has been questionable since Sir Alex retired- to put it lightly. Ironically, resigning Cristiano Ronaldo has only made things worse at Old Trafford. Ronaldo's large presence has been disrupting the team dynamics. He has admitted himself that the club is a shadow of what it was during his first stint.

It is as if United is run by a 12-year-old playing football manager. Keeping Ole Gunnar Solkjaer as long as they did was as incompetent as it was comical. No wonder the relationship between the fan base and owners, the Glazer family, gets rockier by the day. To compound the issue, the sea of former United players come pundits are not helping the situation. It is hard to trust their punditry when they were the same people fuelling the broken down bus which had #OleOnTheWheel. As learned football people, they ought to have known better, especially when everyone else did.

Unfortunately, banter can often lead to abuse. Some fans consciously choose to cross the line at the expense of the players. More players feel the need to remind fans that they are human too. Marcus Rashford’s retaliation to some choice words from a supporter is understandable. There is a very clear line between banter, criticism, and abuse. Fans should do more to hold each other accountable.

Banter is what makes football fan culture that much more exciting. Football is a game of ups and downs and    Manchester United is down  in the  dumps  

Luckily for them, their eternal rivals, Manchester City still have a long way to go to match their trophy cabinet. This solace however best exemplifies the club's decline but when you are Banter FC, you take anything that comes your way.

Written by 

S'bo Gyre (@FootballFemmes)
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