I don't know whether or not this is brought up at all, but I've grown a little concerned over the club's marketing, and the players' involvement with publicity. Like a lot of us on here, I don't live in Manchester, or even Great Britain for that matter... So I understand the appeal of being able to give a "behind the scenes" look into what goes on within the club, and even enjoy how social media allows a global fan base to obtain a certain amount of unity through the internet, which is why I love this subreddit (even if this is my first post, i've been lurking for years now). However, I also feel like it puts a burden on the players, which I find troubling, because at the end of the day, I want the players to be enjoying not only their football, but their extended lives as well.

Playing for United means representing a brand. This brand to me seems disjointed. On the one hand, you have the club and it's history, the Mancunian identity and culture, the ideal of developing youth, the the fighting mentality, and the success. On the other hand you have Manchester United the global corporation.

I know the idea that the club is losing it's identity has been hit upon in the subreddit before, and that's not really why I'm writing this. I'm writing this because I just feel as if the players, despite their lucrative contracts, are suffering as a result of the endless promotions, photoshoots, and all this bullshit that has nothing to do with the sport. I feel as if the joy has been robbed from some of the squad. I've stopped reading Juan's blog because it just seems like he's saying the same things week in week out. There is a lack of individuality to it when I read it now. Every post-game interview seems like it's scripted word for word, win, lose or draw.

Maybe I'm just reading too much into all of this. Maybe the players are professionals, and this is just part of their job now and it's the same thing at City, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, so it shouldn't make a difference. Maybe I'm just trying to make excuses for the players who I had hoped would do a better job this season. I suppose I'd just like to remind you all, that while we're talking about Man United players, we're also talking about real people, who might even read what some douchebag writes about them on the internet.

Feel free to shit on this, challenge my viewpoint, etc. Thanks for letting me rant a bit /r/reddevils. Champions league or Europa League, Mourinho or van Gaal or Giggsy, hope we can smash Bournemouth.