Re the Japanese, they don’t even go to the games and certainly don’t appear to be investing any cash to speak of (though maybe I’m being harsh and it’s they who are paying for Marin and Mpenza). The word is that once the J-League is over in January, then we may be seeing some Japanese players make their way over, but essentially the deal seems to be about – spit – “opening the brand to new markets and lucrative new revenue streams”. Sigh.

What makes you a United fan? What made you choose them over all the other teams in the world you could have chosen? And why follow United from the comfort of your living room when you could go and watch your local team in the flesh?

Just because you like a team and watch them on the telly, just because you stick by them even in the (very few) barren years with no trophy, that doesn’t make you a fan. Being a fan is about *going to the game*, contributing to the atmosphere, contributing to the club financially and through your physical presence. I dont know where in Africa you are from, but surely there is a local team who could really do with your support – much more so than the bloated corporate slugs at MU. And you’d have the added bonus of being able to see football in the flesh – much more satisfying!