Manchester United fans are bringing back their infamous banner, the one that’s always mocked Manchester City’s trophy drought. This isn’t just for old times’ sake either, folks. It’s a direct response to their rivals being found guilty of over 100 breaches of Premier League rules.
The Return of a Classic Statement
This wasn’t some spur-of-the-moment jab, you know? That ticker-style display has been a fixture at Old Trafford since way back in 2000. Fans used to update it every single year, a constant reminder of City’s long dry spell. It only came down after Manchester City snagged the FA Cup in 2011, which was their first trophy since the 1976 League Cup. Talk about a drought! But guess what? The Red Army (TRA) group just bought a new banner, and we’re expecting to see it unfurled before Manchester United plays Tottenham on Saturday.
What Sparked This Legendary Comeback?
So, why now? That 2011 FA Cup win, the one that made the original banner come down, actually happened two years *into* the period investigated by a Premier League independent commission. This commission found Manchester City had repeatedly broken financial rules between 2009 and 2018. We’re talking more than 100 breaches here! Roberto Mancini, who became Man City manager shortly after the Abu Dhabi United Group took over, even mentioned “the manner” of things when he first arrived in the city. And get this: some of his own players actually unveiled a “00 YEARS” banner on the Wembley pitch after that FA Cup success 15 years ago, flipping the script back then. Now, it looks like the original script is back with a vengeance.
Manchester City, of course, isn’t just taking this lying down. They’ve appealed the verdict, insisting they’ve got “irrefutable evidence” to prove their innocence. But with United hosting Tottenham this Saturday, you can bet all eyes will be on Old Trafford to see that new banner and what message it sends. This isn’t just about a football game; it’s about history, rivalry, and a whole lot of drama unfolding right on the pitch.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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