Manchester United Club Fans Unite, Engage and Show Support
Sports
Manchester United, in collaboration with other companies, will make sure that fans stay informed about game updates through different channels (e.g., social media, website, apps, etc.) while providing opportunities for social interaction among the fans.
With the increasing number of sports fanatics in the United Kingdom, it has become crucial for them to unite and show their support. In the past, Manchester United Football Club had been instrumental in providing the fans with a space to come together through their own unique culture, which now needs an update. The club’s supporters have long been one of the most beloved groups in English football history; they have provided the best show in town every time they step onto Old Trafford. Nowadays, however, there is a growing trend among sports fans to “go solo,” meaning to only follow one team or player. This, however, will not help Manchester United keep their fans loyal to the sport and its club.
When Ole Gunnar Solskjaer came into power as manager, he made it clear that his team was about much more than playing for trophies and winning games. He wanted to win games for the sake of victory, to do good for the community and to provide the best show possible under his command. With this in mind, he organized a social media campaign for his first match at Manchester United against West Ham.
The campaign had two parts to it. First, a mini-video game where players could get points for making suggestions about what happened on the field and what they would like to see happen next. It encouraged people to watch the game, take part in conversations and interact with other viewers who shared similar interests. However, at times the website also provided a way for football experts to analyse their thoughts. After each goal score, people were invited to share their thoughts in the chat room. Fans could not only discuss the action on the field but the technicalities and strategy behind the game.
The second half of the campaign saw a live stream of the game, which gave fans an additional opportunity to connect with the team and coach. Live streaming allows real-time connections from a large audience with no barriers to participation such as geographical location.
Furthermore, ManUtdTV brought some of the most popular channels from the world of sports. The fans could pick what channels they wanted to watch based on the types of content that appealed to them. Some viewers watched more than one channel because there was a mix of things to choose from. In addition, the Man UTD fan page provided a space for fans to write comments on what they liked or disliked about the match, the new player and manager, as well as the team's performance and their own thoughts.
However, these elements were not enough to keep the fans truly engaged and focused on what they really needed to see for the success of Manchester United Football Club. So, what can be done differently to make sure that the team remains loyal?
To ensure that all fans are properly engaged, ManUtd should invest more resources into creating interconnected platforms where footballers and coaches can interact directly with the fans. This would involve setting up more frequent social media chats and Facebook events with the team, players, managers and coaching staff. These meetings could potentially lead to future sponsorship and partnership agreements.
Fans could also have more autonomy in choosing the channels they wish to watch. For example, ManUtd could create a platform to offer free streaming videos of Premier League and FA Cup matches by partnering with top broadcasters. If they do so, it will not only reach out to existing loyal supporters but also attract new ones.
It is important to understand the importance of building a strong relationship with fans. Without it, club values such as inclusiveness, empathy and respect will become weak. The best way to achieve this is by actively engaging with the players at every level. This involves talking to them during pre-match huddles, interviews after games, and when they are on tour. This is where the fan engagement will happen, the heartbeat of football clubs lies here. When fans feel involved, they feel invested in the success of the team; when they are proud, they show it through their behaviour and in other ways.
Therefore, a key aspect of increasing fan involvement at Manchester United Football Club will be to invest more resources into building a stronger relationship with its loyal supporters. By doing this, the club will be able to encourage its fan base to support them for many years to come.
