My National Pride

Money. It's all about the money. Or is it? There are 2 stories today that show up this contrast. First off we have this look at our pre-season tour in The Guardian. Out there somewhere there's probably an interesting article waiting to be written (maybe already written...) about Premier League teams touring abroad. This article isn't it It isn't too bad, Tim Rich is out on tour with us, so he can obviously be forgiven for focusing on us, but it's still one of those articles that single us out as a money making machine. He even compares us to the beloved Arsenal:

There is no sound footballing reason why United were there. The one-time England wicket-keeper, Jack Russell, prepared for an England tour of the West Indies by going into a sauna fully kitted out in cricket gear but United's attempt to become the first club to win four successive league titles will be decided by how they endure an English winter. And nowhere, not even at Portsmouth in August, will they find a combination of 80% humidity and 35 degree temperatures.

Logically, Manchester United should be with Arsenal in the Alps. The Malaysian side they overcame in two sweat-streaked matches in Kuala Lumpur might have been better than the bunch of Viennese amateurs, SC Columbia, that Arsenal thrashed 7-1 but not by much. And certainly not by enough to justify the 36 hours of flying the team will endure on this tour.

So yeah, we're there for money, to spread the word. So what? If Arsenal could, they presumably would. And if they don't want to, well, sound footballing reasons or not, they haven't won anything for 4 (?) seasons. We have. It ain't doing too much harm is it...
The article is good on pointing out the difference between the brand and the people behind the brand:

Ferguson has remarked that Manchester United are considerably less glamorous when seen from the inside, saying they are like a small family business. Here, you see his point. Ken Ramsden, the club secretary, has been with them since he was a boy – his mother polished the coffins when the dead from the Munich air crash were laid out in the Old Trafford gymnasium. Old heroes such as Paddy Crerand and Bryan Robson are taken along. Their media officer, Diana Law, is the daughter of Manchester United's greatest striker Denis. David Gill, their chief executive, in contrast to his counterparts at City and Chelsea, has the air of a family solicitor.

And so onto the other story. On the one hand we are this money making machine, on the other hand we are a team. A team which knows what is important:

"The manager has a significant amount of money to invest if he wants to," said Tehsin Nayani, the spokesman for the Glazer family, whose ownership of Manchester United is in its fourth year. "The delay has been because the manager has not been able to locate the players he believes fit the Manchester United mindset – players who are motivated to play for United. You don't want mercenaries and you don't want to pay over the odds for players not willing to give their all for the club."

And there you have it in a nutshell. That this thing above money - the idea of the club, of the team - is what continues the success which drives the money making machine. It may be disappointing to see us not get the biggest names in this summer, but I'd rather that than have the likes of Adebayor (and it's so tempting to add Tevez's name here, but I'll leave it..) wear the shirt.
Elsewhere, Berba has a quote (which I either missed yesterday, or which is a new one mixed in with some old ones) about the crowds on tour:

“This is my first ­pre-season with the team and I’ve never been on a tour like this with my previous clubs.

“It is crazy, it is like being in the Beatles! Everybody’s screaming and chanting Manchester United names.

“I’m very happy to be part of it and it makes you feel good that so many people want to come and see you.

“It doesn’t matter where we go, we are always welcomed like we’re the biggest club in the world.”

The Telegraph have a few quotes on Ji-sung Park's future:

Speaking in Seoul this morning, Gill said: "Those discussions will take place. We are looking to extend the contract, but there is no timing on it.

"Sir Alex (Ferguson) and his coaches very happy with him and we are looking to extend the deal, but there is no news at the moment.

"When there is something to announce, we will do so."

United enjoy huge popularity in South Korea and Gill admits that Park's presence only boosts their standing amongst the locals.

He said: "Ji was bought for football reasons obviously, but his presence has helped our commercial situation in the country without doubt.

"We have built a relationship with Kumho Tires, who are sponsoring the game, and Seoul Metropolitan Government and those commercial partners are very important to us."

And the same article has some words on Park from Sir Alex:

"A decision will be taken on Friday about Ji-sung Park, but I'm sure he will be able to play some minutes.

"He hasn't been with us and done the same preparation as most of players, but he will be involved at some point and I'm sure that will give the supporters here a really big lift.

"He was injured and didn't play last time we were here, but I think he still won the man of the match award!

"When a local lad like JSP has left country to play and excel for Man U, at the very highest, the adulation he receives in own country is obvious.

"He has also been star of national team for few years. It is a football nation too, so when he comes back, the reaction is understandable."

The Mail has a piece on Ben Foster very similar to the one in The Guardian I linked to yesterday, but with some, I think, new quotes from Foster on the goal he conceded in the first tour game:

"Coming on in a game is always a bit more difficult for goalkeepers than starting but that was particularly disappointing," said Foster, who had replaced Edwin van der Sar at the interval. "I got a bit of stick from the lads that's for sure.

"It was just one of those things. I wasn't paying enough attention and took my eye off the ball. I have to make sure that kind of thing doesn't happen again."