How Manchester United became the most hated Premier League club – examining the reasons

Always on top of everyone's list...for the wrong reasons

Always on top of everyone's list...for the wrong reasons, Do they deserve all the heat?, Our verdict: Karma's a b..., 11. The fans can be… a lot, Our verdict: Bit more than just 'passion' though innit?, 10. Embarrasing transfer moves, Our verdict: Well it doesn't really affect anybody but United, 9. They got away with it (again and again), Our verdict: We would like to see some data from the 90s..., The Super League farce, Our verdict: Football clubs...being greedy? Well, I never..., 6. The Glazers, Our verdict: Again, more a United problem, 4. The always have the most obnoxious players, Our verdict: Ronaldo has annoyed us in a variety of colours, 2. Fergie Time, Our verdict: The best sides always shine in the high pressure moments, 1. They won. All the time.

Let’s face it: if you don’t support Manchester United, there’s a fair chance you’ve cursed at your telly because of them. Maybe it was watching them win yet another title in the ’90s. Maybe it was “Fergie Time.” Maybe it was a smug teammate in PE class pulling up their socks like Beckham. Whatever the trigger, United have long lived rent-free in the heads of rival fans.

Do they deserve all the heat?

Always on top of everyone's list...for the wrong reasons, Do they deserve all the heat?, Our verdict: Karma's a b..., 11. The fans can be… a lot, Our verdict: Bit more than just 'passion' though innit?, 10. Embarrasing transfer moves, Our verdict: Well it doesn't really affect anybody but United, 9. They got away with it (again and again), Our verdict: We would like to see some data from the 90s..., The Super League farce, Our verdict: Football clubs...being greedy? Well, I never..., 6. The Glazers, Our verdict: Again, more a United problem, 4. The always have the most obnoxious players, Our verdict: Ronaldo has annoyed us in a variety of colours, 2. Fergie Time, Our verdict: The best sides always shine in the high pressure moments, 1. They won. All the time.

Today we're going to examine how one club came to symbolise both glory and grievance in English football. We'll be looking at the argument for each side in the process to see if we can come to a verdict on whether it's justified or not. All stats and figures from Transfermarkt unless otherwise noted.

Our verdict: Karma's a b...

Always on top of everyone's list...for the wrong reasons, Do they deserve all the heat?, Our verdict: Karma's a b..., 11. The fans can be… a lot, Our verdict: Bit more than just 'passion' though innit?, 10. Embarrasing transfer moves, Our verdict: Well it doesn't really affect anybody but United, 9. They got away with it (again and again), Our verdict: We would like to see some data from the 90s..., The Super League farce, Our verdict: Football clubs...being greedy? Well, I never..., 6. The Glazers, Our verdict: Again, more a United problem, 4. The always have the most obnoxious players, Our verdict: Ronaldo has annoyed us in a variety of colours, 2. Fergie Time, Our verdict: The best sides always shine in the high pressure moments, 1. They won. All the time.

Rival's argument: Long-overdue karma for years of arrogance and complacency at board level.

United’s defence: Even at their lowest, United still dominate headlines, proving just how important they are to English football...even if it is laden with schadenfreude.

11. The fans can be… a lot

Always on top of everyone's list...for the wrong reasons, Do they deserve all the heat?, Our verdict: Karma's a b..., 11. The fans can be… a lot, Our verdict: Bit more than just 'passion' though innit?, 10. Embarrasing transfer moves, Our verdict: Well it doesn't really affect anybody but United, 9. They got away with it (again and again), Our verdict: We would like to see some data from the 90s..., The Super League farce, Our verdict: Football clubs...being greedy? Well, I never..., 6. The Glazers, Our verdict: Again, more a United problem, 4. The always have the most obnoxious players, Our verdict: Ronaldo has annoyed us in a variety of colours, 2. Fergie Time, Our verdict: The best sides always shine in the high pressure moments, 1. They won. All the time.

United fans don’t exactly win popularity contests. Online arguments, in delusion about transfers, constant references to “history” – and that's before you get to them on game day.

Our verdict: Bit more than just 'passion' though innit?

Always on top of everyone's list...for the wrong reasons, Do they deserve all the heat?, Our verdict: Karma's a b..., 11. The fans can be… a lot, Our verdict: Bit more than just 'passion' though innit?, 10. Embarrasing transfer moves, Our verdict: Well it doesn't really affect anybody but United, 9. They got away with it (again and again), Our verdict: We would like to see some data from the 90s..., The Super League farce, Our verdict: Football clubs...being greedy? Well, I never..., 6. The Glazers, Our verdict: Again, more a United problem, 4. The always have the most obnoxious players, Our verdict: Ronaldo has annoyed us in a variety of colours, 2. Fergie Time, Our verdict: The best sides always shine in the high pressure moments, 1. They won. All the time.

Rival's argument: You can’t go five minutes on Twitter without a '2008 > 2022' thread.

United’s defence: Passionate fans are everywhere. And the ones who’ve stuck around through post-Fergie misery? Fair play.

10. Embarrasing transfer moves

Always on top of everyone's list...for the wrong reasons, Do they deserve all the heat?, Our verdict: Karma's a b..., 11. The fans can be… a lot, Our verdict: Bit more than just 'passion' though innit?, 10. Embarrasing transfer moves, Our verdict: Well it doesn't really affect anybody but United, 9. They got away with it (again and again), Our verdict: We would like to see some data from the 90s..., The Super League farce, Our verdict: Football clubs...being greedy? Well, I never..., 6. The Glazers, Our verdict: Again, more a United problem, 4. The always have the most obnoxious players, Our verdict: Ronaldo has annoyed us in a variety of colours, 2. Fergie Time, Our verdict: The best sides always shine in the high pressure moments, 1. They won. All the time.

Sancho, Antony, Maguire, Sánchez – United’s transfer market activity post-Ferguson has often been a circus, if not a crime scene.

Our verdict: Well it doesn't really affect anybody but United

Always on top of everyone's list...for the wrong reasons, Do they deserve all the heat?, Our verdict: Karma's a b..., 11. The fans can be… a lot, Our verdict: Bit more than just 'passion' though innit?, 10. Embarrasing transfer moves, Our verdict: Well it doesn't really affect anybody but United, 9. They got away with it (again and again), Our verdict: We would like to see some data from the 90s..., The Super League farce, Our verdict: Football clubs...being greedy? Well, I never..., 6. The Glazers, Our verdict: Again, more a United problem, 4. The always have the most obnoxious players, Our verdict: Ronaldo has annoyed us in a variety of colours, 2. Fergie Time, Our verdict: The best sides always shine in the high pressure moments, 1. They won. All the time.

Rival's argument: How can a club spend a billion and still start Jonny Evans?

United’s defence: Bad transfers happen everywhere. The United stage is just bigger than most.

9. They got away with it (again and again)

Always on top of everyone's list...for the wrong reasons, Do they deserve all the heat?, Our verdict: Karma's a b..., 11. The fans can be… a lot, Our verdict: Bit more than just 'passion' though innit?, 10. Embarrasing transfer moves, Our verdict: Well it doesn't really affect anybody but United, 9. They got away with it (again and again), Our verdict: We would like to see some data from the 90s..., The Super League farce, Our verdict: Football clubs...being greedy? Well, I never..., 6. The Glazers, Our verdict: Again, more a United problem, 4. The always have the most obnoxious players, Our verdict: Ronaldo has annoyed us in a variety of colours, 2. Fergie Time, Our verdict: The best sides always shine in the high pressure moments, 1. They won. All the time.

Keane’s tackle on Haaland. Cantona’s kung-fu kick. Rooney’s elbows. There’s a long history of United players doing bad things… and somehow dodging major punishment.

Our verdict: We would like to see some data from the 90s...

Always on top of everyone's list...for the wrong reasons, Do they deserve all the heat?, Our verdict: Karma's a b..., 11. The fans can be… a lot, Our verdict: Bit more than just 'passion' though innit?, 10. Embarrasing transfer moves, Our verdict: Well it doesn't really affect anybody but United, 9. They got away with it (again and again), Our verdict: We would like to see some data from the 90s..., The Super League farce, Our verdict: Football clubs...being greedy? Well, I never..., 6. The Glazers, Our verdict: Again, more a United problem, 4. The always have the most obnoxious players, Our verdict: Ronaldo has annoyed us in a variety of colours, 2. Fergie Time, Our verdict: The best sides always shine in the high pressure moments, 1. They won. All the time.

Rival's argument: It reeks of double standards and brand protection from the top down.

United’s defence: Except when they did get banned. See: Rio Ferdinand’s eight-month suspension. Also, recent data (by the Daily Mail) also revealed that Liverpool gets away with a lot more fouls per booking (5.3) than United (2.8) who are on the lowest end of the big six.

Our verdict: They're fake fans anyway – you see it with Inter Miami now too

Always on top of everyone's list...for the wrong reasons, Do they deserve all the heat?, Our verdict: Karma's a b..., 11. The fans can be… a lot, Our verdict: Bit more than just 'passion' though innit?, 10. Embarrasing transfer moves, Our verdict: Well it doesn't really affect anybody but United, 9. They got away with it (again and again), Our verdict: We would like to see some data from the 90s..., The Super League farce, Our verdict: Football clubs...being greedy? Well, I never..., 6. The Glazers, Our verdict: Again, more a United problem, 4. The always have the most obnoxious players, Our verdict: Ronaldo has annoyed us in a variety of colours, 2. Fergie Time, Our verdict: The best sides always shine in the high pressure moments, 1. They won. All the time.

Rival's argument: Fans from Torquay to Thailand swore allegiance to United despite never visiting Manchester.

United’s defence: Global appeal is the price of success. It’s hardly their fault your club peaked in 1983.

The Super League farce

Always on top of everyone's list...for the wrong reasons, Do they deserve all the heat?, Our verdict: Karma's a b..., 11. The fans can be… a lot, Our verdict: Bit more than just 'passion' though innit?, 10. Embarrasing transfer moves, Our verdict: Well it doesn't really affect anybody but United, 9. They got away with it (again and again), Our verdict: We would like to see some data from the 90s..., The Super League farce, Our verdict: Football clubs...being greedy? Well, I never..., 6. The Glazers, Our verdict: Again, more a United problem, 4. The always have the most obnoxious players, Our verdict: Ronaldo has annoyed us in a variety of colours, 2. Fergie Time, Our verdict: The best sides always shine in the high pressure moments, 1. They won. All the time.

Of course United were one of the first names on the European Super League sign-up sheet.

Our verdict: Football clubs...being greedy? Well, I never...

Always on top of everyone's list...for the wrong reasons, Do they deserve all the heat?, Our verdict: Karma's a b..., 11. The fans can be… a lot, Our verdict: Bit more than just 'passion' though innit?, 10. Embarrasing transfer moves, Our verdict: Well it doesn't really affect anybody but United, 9. They got away with it (again and again), Our verdict: We would like to see some data from the 90s..., The Super League farce, Our verdict: Football clubs...being greedy? Well, I never..., 6. The Glazers, Our verdict: Again, more a United problem, 4. The always have the most obnoxious players, Our verdict: Ronaldo has annoyed us in a variety of colours, 2. Fergie Time, Our verdict: The best sides always shine in the high pressure moments, 1. They won. All the time.

Rival's argument: It was a tone-deaf, greedy move that showed contempt for tradition and competition.

United’s defence: They weren’t alone – half the big six jumped aboard. United just got more heat for being United.

6. The Glazers

Always on top of everyone's list...for the wrong reasons, Do they deserve all the heat?, Our verdict: Karma's a b..., 11. The fans can be… a lot, Our verdict: Bit more than just 'passion' though innit?, 10. Embarrasing transfer moves, Our verdict: Well it doesn't really affect anybody but United, 9. They got away with it (again and again), Our verdict: We would like to see some data from the 90s..., The Super League farce, Our verdict: Football clubs...being greedy? Well, I never..., 6. The Glazers, Our verdict: Again, more a United problem, 4. The always have the most obnoxious players, Our verdict: Ronaldo has annoyed us in a variety of colours, 2. Fergie Time, Our verdict: The best sides always shine in the high pressure moments, 1. They won. All the time.

In 2005, United became the subject of a leveraged buyout by the Glazers – a moment fans marked with protest, scarves, and the birth of FC United of Manchester.

Our verdict: Again, more a United problem

Always on top of everyone's list...for the wrong reasons, Do they deserve all the heat?, Our verdict: Karma's a b..., 11. The fans can be… a lot, Our verdict: Bit more than just 'passion' though innit?, 10. Embarrasing transfer moves, Our verdict: Well it doesn't really affect anybody but United, 9. They got away with it (again and again), Our verdict: We would like to see some data from the 90s..., The Super League farce, Our verdict: Football clubs...being greedy? Well, I never..., 6. The Glazers, Our verdict: Again, more a United problem, 4. The always have the most obnoxious players, Our verdict: Ronaldo has annoyed us in a variety of colours, 2. Fergie Time, Our verdict: The best sides always shine in the high pressure moments, 1. They won. All the time.

Rival's argument: The club was saddled with debt, and supporters felt ignored and exploited.

United’s defence: Financially, United remained one of the world’s richest clubs and still competed for trophies (for a while, anyway).

Our verdict: Big money clubs giving blank cheques to players has basically ruined top flight football

Always on top of everyone's list...for the wrong reasons, Do they deserve all the heat?, Our verdict: Karma's a b..., 11. The fans can be… a lot, Our verdict: Bit more than just 'passion' though innit?, 10. Embarrasing transfer moves, Our verdict: Well it doesn't really affect anybody but United, 9. They got away with it (again and again), Our verdict: We would like to see some data from the 90s..., The Super League farce, Our verdict: Football clubs...being greedy? Well, I never..., 6. The Glazers, Our verdict: Again, more a United problem, 4. The always have the most obnoxious players, Our verdict: Ronaldo has annoyed us in a variety of colours, 2. Fergie Time, Our verdict: The best sides always shine in the high pressure moments, 1. They won. All the time.

Rival's argument: United are vultures.

United’s defence: It’s not tapping up if the chequebook’s big enough. They weren't exactly taken by force.

4. The always have the most obnoxious players

Always on top of everyone's list...for the wrong reasons, Do they deserve all the heat?, Our verdict: Karma's a b..., 11. The fans can be… a lot, Our verdict: Bit more than just 'passion' though innit?, 10. Embarrasing transfer moves, Our verdict: Well it doesn't really affect anybody but United, 9. They got away with it (again and again), Our verdict: We would like to see some data from the 90s..., The Super League farce, Our verdict: Football clubs...being greedy? Well, I never..., 6. The Glazers, Our verdict: Again, more a United problem, 4. The always have the most obnoxious players, Our verdict: Ronaldo has annoyed us in a variety of colours, 2. Fergie Time, Our verdict: The best sides always shine in the high pressure moments, 1. They won. All the time.

From Keane to Cantona, Beckham to Ronaldo, United’s squads have always featured a player or two you’d absolutely loathe – unless they were on your team.

Our verdict: Ronaldo has annoyed us in a variety of colours

Always on top of everyone's list...for the wrong reasons, Do they deserve all the heat?, Our verdict: Karma's a b..., 11. The fans can be… a lot, Our verdict: Bit more than just 'passion' though innit?, 10. Embarrasing transfer moves, Our verdict: Well it doesn't really affect anybody but United, 9. They got away with it (again and again), Our verdict: We would like to see some data from the 90s..., The Super League farce, Our verdict: Football clubs...being greedy? Well, I never..., 6. The Glazers, Our verdict: Again, more a United problem, 4. The always have the most obnoxious players, Our verdict: Ronaldo has annoyed us in a variety of colours, 2. Fergie Time, Our verdict: The best sides always shine in the high pressure moments, 1. They won. All the time.

Rival's argument: Roy Keane’s horror tackles. Ronaldo’s celebrations. David Beckham's general lairiness.

United’s defence: Those same players were also winners, leaders and icons. You hated them because they were good.

Our verdict: They have recieved the 7th most penalties of any European club this century

Always on top of everyone's list...for the wrong reasons, Do they deserve all the heat?, Our verdict: Karma's a b..., 11. The fans can be… a lot, Our verdict: Bit more than just 'passion' though innit?, 10. Embarrasing transfer moves, Our verdict: Well it doesn't really affect anybody but United, 9. They got away with it (again and again), Our verdict: We would like to see some data from the 90s..., The Super League farce, Our verdict: Football clubs...being greedy? Well, I never..., 6. The Glazers, Our verdict: Again, more a United problem, 4. The always have the most obnoxious players, Our verdict: Ronaldo has annoyed us in a variety of colours, 2. Fergie Time, Our verdict: The best sides always shine in the high pressure moments, 1. They won. All the time.

Rival's argument: There were a lot of questionable calls in their favour, especially at Old Trafford.

United’s defence: It’s confirmation bias. Big teams get big decisions – just ask Liverpool.

2. Fergie Time

Always on top of everyone's list...for the wrong reasons, Do they deserve all the heat?, Our verdict: Karma's a b..., 11. The fans can be… a lot, Our verdict: Bit more than just 'passion' though innit?, 10. Embarrasing transfer moves, Our verdict: Well it doesn't really affect anybody but United, 9. They got away with it (again and again), Our verdict: We would like to see some data from the 90s..., The Super League farce, Our verdict: Football clubs...being greedy? Well, I never..., 6. The Glazers, Our verdict: Again, more a United problem, 4. The always have the most obnoxious players, Our verdict: Ronaldo has annoyed us in a variety of colours, 2. Fergie Time, Our verdict: The best sides always shine in the high pressure moments, 1. They won. All the time.

“Four minutes added on… and five goals later, United win.” Ferguson’s sides had a knack for nicking results in added time, so much so that “Fergie Time” entered the football lexicon. Was it down to grit and belief, or a subtle handshake with the fourth official?

Our verdict: The best sides always shine in the high pressure moments

Always on top of everyone's list...for the wrong reasons, Do they deserve all the heat?, Our verdict: Karma's a b..., 11. The fans can be… a lot, Our verdict: Bit more than just 'passion' though innit?, 10. Embarrasing transfer moves, Our verdict: Well it doesn't really affect anybody but United, 9. They got away with it (again and again), Our verdict: We would like to see some data from the 90s..., The Super League farce, Our verdict: Football clubs...being greedy? Well, I never..., 6. The Glazers, Our verdict: Again, more a United problem, 4. The always have the most obnoxious players, Our verdict: Ronaldo has annoyed us in a variety of colours, 2. Fergie Time, Our verdict: The best sides always shine in the high pressure moments, 1. They won. All the time.

Rival's argument: It's systematic bias. United games always seemed to go just long enough to score.

United’s defence: United simply never gave up. When you’ve got Solskjaer and Sheringham waiting on the bench, you don’t need conspiracy theories.

1. They won. All the time.

Always on top of everyone's list...for the wrong reasons, Do they deserve all the heat?, Our verdict: Karma's a b..., 11. The fans can be… a lot, Our verdict: Bit more than just 'passion' though innit?, 10. Embarrasing transfer moves, Our verdict: Well it doesn't really affect anybody but United, 9. They got away with it (again and again), Our verdict: We would like to see some data from the 90s..., The Super League farce, Our verdict: Football clubs...being greedy? Well, I never..., 6. The Glazers, Our verdict: Again, more a United problem, 4. The always have the most obnoxious players, Our verdict: Ronaldo has annoyed us in a variety of colours, 2. Fergie Time, Our verdict: The best sides always shine in the high pressure moments, 1. They won. All the time.

You know what people really hate? A team that never stops winning. From the early ’90s to the mid-2000s, United were always lifting something. League titles, FA Cups, the odd Champions League – it was relentless. Sir Alex Ferguson built an empire that crushed dreams across the country.

Our verdict: It did get old, but you have to respect a dynasty

Always on top of everyone's list...for the wrong reasons, Do they deserve all the heat?, Our verdict: Karma's a b..., 11. The fans can be… a lot, Our verdict: Bit more than just 'passion' though innit?, 10. Embarrasing transfer moves, Our verdict: Well it doesn't really affect anybody but United, 9. They got away with it (again and again), Our verdict: We would like to see some data from the 90s..., The Super League farce, Our verdict: Football clubs...being greedy? Well, I never..., 6. The Glazers, Our verdict: Again, more a United problem, 4. The always have the most obnoxious players, Our verdict: Ronaldo has annoyed us in a variety of colours, 2. Fergie Time, Our verdict: The best sides always shine in the high pressure moments, 1. They won. All the time.

Rival's argument: It got old. Fast. Success breeds envy, and United became the poster boys for glory-hunting and bandwagon-jumping.

United’s defence: Is it their fault everyone else was rubbish?

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