Red Pill or Blue Pill?
An Open Letter to Erik ten Hag
Dear Erik,
I became a Manchester United supporter in third grade, during the 2009-10 season. That spring, my dad traveled to London on business and decided to buy me a soccer jersey; or what I would now refer to as a football kit. He entered a sporting goods store – probably a Sports Direct – and held up two kits, deciding which to purchase. Like in The Matrix (1999), one was red, and the other was blue. And like Neo, he selected the red pill. At that moment, I entered my own Manchester United wonderland and learned how deep the rabbit hole would go.
While I loosely became a United fan in 2010, my true fandom didn’t begin until a few years later. During the 2013-14 season, NBC Sports began broadcasting Premier League matches; I began watching more regularly. As the most successful club in the history of English football, I felt confident United would bring me joy and trophies aplenty. Little did I know that the Premier League title United won during the 2012-13 season – the last full season before I began watching – would be United’s last title for a decade. Yep, it’s been 10 years since United won the English Premier League. I became a Red Devil at the worst possible time. Am I bad luck for Man United? Seems a bit far-fetched. Either way, I’ve been by United’s side since then.
In my 10 years as a United fan, I’ve grown to both love and hate the club. I love the storied history, the Busby Babes of the 1950s, the unprecedented treble, the Theatre of Dreams, and the iconic names that have graced Old Trafford: Sir Alex Ferguson, Best, Charlton, Rooney, Cantona, Law, Robson, Ronaldo, Giggs, Scholes, Beckham, the list goes on. But I hate the pre-season expectations, the overhyped nature of the squad, and the disappointment that always seems to follow.
During these past few seasons, I’ve grown weary. Weary of this cycle of excitement turned to disappointment. Still, I usually enter the new season with rejuvenated optimism, no matter how painful the prior season was. And slowly, throughout the season, that optimism dissipates. However, this season was different. In August, I had no faith. While I had long-term faith in your managerial abilities, this current squad was falling apart. My suspicions were confirmed by season-opening losses to Brighton and Brentford. Then, the tide began to shift. United started playing better and winning matches, slowly but surely.
It is said that the night is darkest just before the dawn. And let me say, the dawn is here. United is now firmly in the Premier League title race. Will we win it? Probably not. But United has once again become the most consistent happiness in my life. Is that a bit dramatic? Probably. Still, United is now fun to watch. Rashford is scoring for fun while Licha hacks down defenders at the back. The media claimed that Casemiro came for the money, but he plays for the badge. I love it, and I love this club. It’s only been nine months since your appointment, but you’ve revolutionized the football club. And for that, I am eternally grateful. Thank you for taking the red pill with me.
Sincerely,
Riley Lachance