Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs has decided to take on and explain Old Trafford’s so called atmosphere problem that’s been discussed recently in the media.
The club’s stadium has been under fire recently after comments were made by manager Jose Mourinho on how it was quiet during the club’s 2-0 win over Huddersfield.
United consistently fill out their stadium in just about every game of the season but it appears that home supporters haven’t been vocal.
This wasn’t the first time Mourinho took aim at the Red Devils home fan base and it’s no surprise to hear reports that the board wish to discuss with fans what can be done to resolve the issue.
Giggs though believes that there’s a reason for what’s been going on and that it’s not as complicated perhaps as most people deem.
Writing on Sky Sports Super 6 Class of ’92 Diary, Ryan said: “I think first of all, United have the best away fans. Obviously at home you get 75,000 so a lot of the fans maybe aren’t regulars and maybe want to be entertained before they support the team.
“The away fans aren’t like that, they support the team with different songs throughout every game. Also, when you’re at home you’re often coming up against 11 men behind the ball and you’ve got to be patient as a team and as the crowd.
“It has always been the case in home games when United are struggling to break sides down that you start to get groans when the ball goes backwards. What I’d say is it hasn’t changed at Old Trafford, even when we were at our very best.
“The fans will be well up for it when the teams needs them against Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal, Man City and Tottenham, but in games like Huddersfield, the players just have to do what is expected and get the job done.”
Jose has previously also acknowledged the club’s away fans, praising them for their support and often insisting his players applaud them after matches.
There have been many different suggested causes to the problems that seem to be occurring at Old Trafford with one of them being that the stadium has become a tourist location.
Whilst there may be some truth to the situation, it obviously can’t be the sole cause, particularly since the hierarchy at the club previously attempted to help the atmosphere by installing a ‘singing section’.
Perhaps the issue has been over contemplated but of course fans always wish their stadium to be the noisiest and most hostile to opponents in order to become the club’s true ’12th man’.