United’s amazing fans deserve appreciation

A LAP of appreciation should not be sniffed at I know a lot of other people around the country will have had their say on a lap of appreciation at the end or the team photo being taken in the dressing room afterwards. Some might even say: ‘Where’s the cup?’ But for me, it was something I always made sure I did anyway as a player at the end of games – win, lose or draw. As a player, I was a great believer in showing respect to the fans even the odd time when we lost during the Entertainers era.

Football is an emotional game and fans can get frustrated.

So it was always my thought process to show my appreciation and understanding what they go through in terms of hard work, going out and doing their jobs to get the money to fund their football.

In today’s football world it is even more expensive to go to watch your team home and away. You have to understand that as a player.

Sure, there was probably a sense of relief for the players after the Burnley game but it is the appreciation of the players and management of the turnaround and the support that has been given since the new ownership came in that stands out.

The support has actually gone to a new level.

There are no distractions for fans now; they can just back their team as they don’t have to fight the owner to be competitive.

That’s all gone now – the fans can just support the team now.

Players and managers are appreciating the support and the fans appreciate the effort of the players who are giving their everything.

That’s never been in doubt. We can only rise as a football club from here.

It will be a huge factor in whether the club stays in the Premier League at the end of the day.