On here and no doubt many other football forums, fans loyal to their 'home town' team refer to 'plastic' fans of clubs such as Liverpool, Man Utd, Arsenal, Chelsea, Man City etc

Other than my team being Cardiff (until I die), I always want Man Utd to do well, unless of course they are playing Cardiff. This dates back to the 1st match I saw on tele in black & white ... United v Benfica (European Cup final).

I don't actually 'support' them because I don't go to watch them, subscribe to MUTV or buy their merchandise.

I watched the Leicester v United game yesterday and thought the support given to the team and their manager by the Man Utd fans was great. Are those fans 'plastics'? I suspect that supporting United either at home or especially away is difficult for anyone who does not have a season ticket.

The same could be said about the other so called big teams.


An AI response on Quora:

Do Manchester United have many plastic fans?

The term "plastic fans" typically refers to supporters of a sports team who are perceived to be bandwagon fans or those who lack a genuine connection to the team, often following it due to its popularity or success rather than a deep-rooted loyalty.

Manchester United, being one of the most successful and widely supported football clubs in the world, naturally has a large and diverse fan base. This includes a significant number of fans who have followed the club for many years, as well as newer fans who might have come on board during periods of success or due to the club's global marketing efforts.

The presence of "plastic fans" in any large club is often a topic of debate among supporters. Some long-time fans might express frustration with newer fans who they feel lack the same level of commitment or knowledge about the club's history. However, it's important to recognize that fan identities can be complex, and many newer fans can develop a genuine passion for the club over time.

In summary, while Manchester United does have a considerable number of fans who might be labeled as "plastic" due to the club's global appeal, the majority of supporters are likely to have varying degrees of loyalty and connection to the team.