United Fan View | Lee Francis discusses the state of Man United media coverage

As a blog, we want to amplify the voices of genuine Reds and not get involved in sheer negativity for the sake of it...

This blog is from a genuine lad (Lee Francis) with 50 years of matchgoing experience under his belt. 

Don't expect polished writing but the passion of an honest guy. For the love not the likes.

Football analysis used to be so simple. You read a newspaper in the build-up to a match, from the 90s onwards, you'd buy a fanzine and chat nonsense with your mates in the pub before and after. 

You'd then go home and maybe watch Match of the Day. Within 24 hours, it was almost largely forgotten about. 

Now, every misplaced pass is spoken about for days. A blip becomes a crisis within a few days. Hyperbole everywhere.

Media amplification of criticism and the role of our former players

When Gary Neville criticises us, it carries plenty of weight.

Back in January, with Ruben Amorim under growing pressure after a run of poor results, the Portuguese head coach said that "if people cannot handle the Gary Nevilles and the criticisms of everything, we need to change the club".

Amorim was dismissed the following day.

There has always seemed to be a strong media influence from players associated with the dominant team of a previous era.

Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, former Liverpool players such as Alan Hansen, Mark Lawrenson and Phil Thompson featured heavily in the football conversation.

It stands to reason that members of United's all-conquering teams would now have a major role in the media. That's not necessarily the big issue.

It's the fact that they seem to almost enjoy our downfall on the pitch. It gives them extra content. 

I prefer to now celebrate the Gary Neville who appeared anyway to be "one of us."

My biggest issue, where was Gary Neville and this criticism for the first 15 years of the Glazer takeover? Like many, he was silent in 2005. In fact, where was the criticism in 2011 after he retired from playing. 

Why was he silent on the Glazers? It's all well and good calling things out from the safety of the commentary box but when his voice perhaps carried some weight around Carrington and Old Trafford... This was a man who nearly went on strike from England after Ferdinand's drugs ban.

Even now, he picks and chooses which areas of the club to criticise. He is supportive of the disgraceful plan to move us from Old Trafford and hasn't even acknowledged the treatment of our matchgoing fans.