47 Songs: Analysing Manchester United Fans’ Support at the Hawthorns

With their team on a three-match winning streak, Manchester United supporters had plenty of cause for optimism ahead of their trip to the Hawthorns to face West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.

By the end of the game, they had seen their team earn another important win. In addition, the performances both on the pitch and in the stands will surely have strengthened the bond between United’s players and the club’s fans.

With the travelling Red Devils in superb voice, here is the story of what they sang and why. Not-safe-for-work language has been replaced in square brackets to convey the meaning of what was being sung.

A little over half an hour before kick off, the first hint of a chant was heard from the away fans who had gathered in the ground early. A group of three or four, positioned just about behind the goal, began chanting David De Gea’s name as he warmed up.

Our away support is unreal. https://t.co/REbNDGJSUw

— bucko (@8bucks8) December 18, 2016

Full of enthusiasm, they attempted to drown out Tony Pulis’ pre-match press conference, which was being played over the public address system at significant volume.

Their number grew to around 10, congregated in front of a One Love tricolour flag.

Within five minutes, the PA system had paused to read out the teams. Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s song spread to around 40 or so of the gathering Reds.

As the atmosphere in the stadium began to build, a West Brom fan was interviewed on the pitch. The United fans had found their voice in earnest by this point, with their end full with 15 minutes to spare before kick off.

Top day and top away end today 👍🍻🔴 https://t.co/GJXOI69vV4

— Ryan (@ryan10mufc) December 18, 2016

It was a classic selection as “U. N. I. T. E. D” and “The Banks of the Irwell” were followed by an extended rendition of the “United Calypso,” all blasted out over the loud electronica with which the Baggies built up to the match.

A raucous group of Albion fans—accompanied by a drum—took up the other half of the Smethwick End, in which United’s fans were located. Despite that, and in spite of the ever more bombastic pre-match soundtrack, Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s song and another round of Ibrahimovic chants were still audible.

United United United! @br_uk pic.twitter.com/OVJaPhG6nd

— Paul Santacast (@UtdRantcast) December 17, 2016

The final announcement of the teamsheet was met with rapid chants of “United! United! United!”

A traditional rendition of “Hello! Hello! We are the Busby Boys” followed kick-off. This is almost always sung near the beginning of games and is then peppered throughout.

With the unpleasant lyrics, “if you are a [Manchester] City fan, surrender or you’ll die,” it is a holdover from a different age of travelling support but is still used as a statement of intent.

Shortly afterward, West Brom fans began singing “We’re the Albion,” a chant that was greeted with an enthusiastic airing of “Viva Ronaldo” from the away fans given both are set to the same tune.

You kno what, you wouldn’t think going on a bus with 50 blokes to a game of football would mean so much but seriously it’s ace

— Andy Thompson (@andy_thomo) December 18, 2016

A core group of United’s support took up a round of the “United Calypso” during an early period of promising Albion possession.

Perhaps the fact it did not quite take off could be put down to nerves. However, when West Brom supporters again began to sing their version of the omnipresent “we’re the [insert club name here] boys, making all that noise,” of course “Viva Ronaldo” began again. If the West Brom fans were going to use that tune, that was always going to be the response.

Then came a blast of delirium, as Jesse Lingard’s excellent cross was headed in by Ibrahimovic. “United! United! United!” came the cry with synchronised fists pumped in the air. Then, as that settled, Ibrahimovic was treated to yet another rendition of his song.

Class from the players at the end 👏 Something else that away support #Mufc

— Scott Moffatt (@_ScottMoffatt) December 17, 2016

“Who [on Earth] are Man United,” rang out. This less than family friendly version of “Glory, Glory Man United” was co-opted from rival fans’ adaptation of the original lyrics. As United became more and more successful, the notion that anyone would not have heard of them became ever more ridiculous.

The gleeful irony was embraced by United supporters, who stole what was designed to be a taunt for their own and made it a celebration of their notoriety.

Then came first “20 Times,” then “Hello! Hello!” again. The goal inspired an already excitable crowd, and the noise was to be unrelenting for almost the rest of the game.

12 Days of Cantona! @br_uk pic.twitter.com/LAqHELjnfM

— Paul Santacast (@UtdRantcast) December 17, 2016

Of course, this being the Christmas period, it was only a matter of time before the first airing of the “12 Days of Cantona,” with the extended “five Cantonas” as always the highlight.

When West Brom fans made unfavourable comparisons between United and Manchester City, the Red Army responded with the ever-popular “You’ve Only …

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