Devoted Chinese Fans Facing Challenges in Remaining Loyal to Manchester United

Manchester United's Chinese fanbase, once boasting over 100 million followers, finds itself facing a trial of loyalty amidst the team's slumping performances. The Red Devils' dismal season in the Premier League, culminating in a 15th-place finish and no trophies, has led to a noticeable wane in fan enthusiasm.

As evidence of the team's deteriorating popularity in China and beyond, tickets for Friday's friendly at Hong Kong Stadium against the city's representative team remained unsold on Thursday afternoon. Tickets were also observed on resale websites with their prices slashed by half.

United suffered a 1-0 defeat at the hands of a Southeast Asian XI in Malaysia on Wednesday, further dampening spirits as spectators booed the team off the field. This dismal outcome marked yet another low point in Ruben Amorim's turbulent tenure.

"Every season offers the same predictable outcome with no prospect of recovery," lamented Yan, a supporter for 23 years and organizer of a United fans' association in Shenzhen, situated just across the border from Hong Kong.

United's dismal display in Asia came shortly after wrapping up a grueling and dispiriting campaign that ranked them 15th in the league and left them trophyless. The club jetted off to Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong for friendlies, with management citing additional revenue generated from the matches as a means to bolster the club economically.

The Asia trip is expected to earn United around $10 million (£7.8m), BBC reported. China, with its second-largest economy and population, is a crucial market for the club. However, United's finances are under scrutiny following co-owner Jim Ratcliffe's introduction of steep cost-cutting measures since acquiring a minority stake over a year ago. The club recently announced plans for an additional 200 redundancies, following the dismissal of 250 employees last year.

"Tour fixtures drive substantial additional revenue that support the club and enable investments in future success on the pitch," explained Omar Berrada, Chief Executive.

While Manchester United's fanbase in China endures turmoil, members of fan clubs struggle to attract new supporters. Yan claimed that the United fans' association in Shenzhen counts about 2,000 members, a number that has remained stagnant for years. Older fans make up the majority of members due to a lack of star players or successful records to draw in younger fans.

He Zhiyi, a United supporter for over a decade, plans to travel to Hong Kong from Chengdu. She expressed disappointment at the team's failure to parade the Europa League trophy after losing to Tottenham in the final, a loss that also dashed hopes of sneaking into the Champions League and its associated benefits.

"The team is haphazardly assembled; players, coaches, and management lack alignment," observed He, a 32-year-old football content creator and author. "The team's tumultuous state is eroding fan enthusiasm, making the romance of supporting the club feel unsustainable."

According to Zhang Chongqian, another fan from Chengdu, United has lost its essence and traditions. "In recent years, our fans (in China) have gradually abandoned their allegiance to Manchester United, or even to football," stated the 38-year-old lifelong supporter.

Despite the challenges faced, many fans remain steadfast in their loyalty to the troubled club. "Manchester United are enduring a trough," acknowledged Zhang. "But their devotees are numerous and resolute, refusing to desert the team during this difficult period."

Even though Manchester United faced a 1-0 defeat in Malaysia against a Southeast Asian XI, they are still scheduled to play a friendly against Hong Kong's representative team, hoping to generate around $10 million in revenue to bolster their finances.
Despite the dismal season and the lack of Champions League participation, He Zhiyi, a United supporter from Chengdu, plans to travel to Hong Kong for the friendly match, expressing disappointment at the team's failure to parade the Europa League trophy after losing to Tottenham in the final.
While United's fanbase in China endures turmoil, the club's management cites friendly fixtures as a means to generate additional revenue that supports the club and enables investments in future success on the pitch.