Texting times for Jose as fans vote with their feet
THE sold out signs have been a regular feature at Old Trafford for Champions League games, but not last night.
Manchester United took the unusual step of texting fans yesterday to inform them they could pay on the gate.
This is almost unheard of at United where a seat at Old Trafford for a Champions League match is normally as sought after as one of Willy Wonka’s golden tickets.
There was still a healthy crowd, which included old favourites David Beckham (above) and Ryan Giggs in the directors’ box, with the empty seats mainly in the upper tiers.
But these are changing times at United and last night was maybe the first sign that some fans are beginning to vote with their feet as they cast their verdict on manager Jose Mourinho. The atmosphere was subdued, perhaps no surprise given what the fans have had to endure recently.
Mourinho made a big play of applauding the Old Trafford supporters after the 3-0 defeat to Tottenham in August, the Portuguese claiming they could see the progress he was making despite that setback.
While they might have gone along with him then, some are starting to lose patience with him now.
It is easy to see why and results and performances have nosedived this term.
The football is hard to watch for fans brought up on Sir Alex Ferguson’s swashbuckling style.
This is worrying for Mourinho and keeping the fans onside will be critical as he attempts to turn around United and keep himself in a job.