Best Supported Club in Europe in 2015: Manchester United and their fans have been disappointed from past two years on the field. After winning the 20th league title at Old Trafford, under Sir Alex Ferguson’s last season, similar performance and winnings were expected under David Moyes, the successor of Ferguson. However, things did not go as planned. Manchester United finished 7th in the league in the year 2013-14. This led end to the Moyes season in 10 months of his six-year contract.
David Moyes
Although, the club returned to the Champion’s League last year when they finished fourth in the Premiere League table last year. This was under Louis van Gaal’s season. He was brought to fill the vacancy of Moyes, where United started playing a different style of football.
Louis van Gaal
Irrespective of the result and transition at United, the Old Trafford remained loyal and supported the club always. These Red devils were named as the best-supported football club in Europe and ranked 3rd behind Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund respectively. Nine years ago, there was major development at Old Trafford when two quadrants completed and lifted the capacity above 75,000.
Because the Manchester to Liverpool railway runs behind Manchester, United would have difficulty in extending to the south stand. However, if it mirrored the north stand, the capacity would have risen to 94,000.
It isn’t surprising that Arsenal and Manchester feature highest amongst top 10 best-supported clubs in Europe. Both of them are large international giants with huge and extensive stadiums. Besides, both of them constantly compete at the top in the Premier League table. Interestingly, this is the recipe for popularity.
Best clubs in European football
- Borussia Dortmund - total fans 1.367m Average: 80,463
- Barcelona - total fans 1.475m Average 77,632
- Manchester United - total fans 1.431m Average: 75,335
- Real Madrid - total fans 1.388m Average: 73.081
- Bayern Munich - total fans 1.239m Average: 72,882
- Schalke 04 - total fans 1.046m Average: 61,578
- Arsenal total fans 1.079m Average: 59,992
- Hamburg total fans 905,278 Average: 53,252
- Marseille total fans: 1.005m Average 52,917
- Newcastle total fans: 956,823 Average 50,359
In comparing these various teams of such a happening game, we forget to consider many important factors that make them great individually. The history, the present and the coming future are all significantly crucial in differentiating these clubs and eventually establishing a perception of which club stand above other and are considered as amongst the best clubs in Europe now.
