Manchester United's complicated relationship with the 'Class of 92' is a topic that has been brewing for years. The group, which includes players like Ryan Giggs, David Beckham, and Gary Neville, formed the backbone of Sir Alex Ferguson's dominant teams in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
While some, like Collette Roche, the club's chief operating officer, say that the relationship between United and its former stars is "fine," others are less optimistic. A recent exchange on social media between Lisandro Martinez, a defender who has been subject to criticism from some of the Class of 92, and two of his teammates - Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes - highlighted the tension.
Butt and Scholes had made light of Martinez's frustration with their comments about him in an interview, but when he responded on social media, it became clear that there was more to the issue than just a lighthearted exchange. The two players seemed to be trying to downplay the situation, with Butt saying "fair play" to Martinez and Scholes saying they had lost all respect for him.
Despite their attempts to put the past behind them, however, it's clear that there is still a lot of animosity between United and its former stars. The club has tried to establish itself as a hub for young players through its academy, with Butt, who was once the head of academy operations, having his season tickets cancelled due to disagreements over the direction of the program.
Meanwhile, Gary Neville, another member of the Class of 92, has expressed support for Martinez and suggested that United's relationship with its former stars is not as complicated as it seems. However, others may disagree, and the situation highlights the complex web of relationships that exists between a club and its alumni.
As the debate rages on, one thing is certain: Manchester United's connection to its past is a defining part of its identity, and any tension or conflict with its former stars will have far-reaching implications for the club.
While some, like Collette Roche, the club's chief operating officer, say that the relationship between United and its former stars is "fine," others are less optimistic. A recent exchange on social media between Lisandro Martinez, a defender who has been subject to criticism from some of the Class of 92, and two of his teammates - Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes - highlighted the tension.
Butt and Scholes had made light of Martinez's frustration with their comments about him in an interview, but when he responded on social media, it became clear that there was more to the issue than just a lighthearted exchange. The two players seemed to be trying to downplay the situation, with Butt saying "fair play" to Martinez and Scholes saying they had lost all respect for him.
Despite their attempts to put the past behind them, however, it's clear that there is still a lot of animosity between United and its former stars. The club has tried to establish itself as a hub for young players through its academy, with Butt, who was once the head of academy operations, having his season tickets cancelled due to disagreements over the direction of the program.
Meanwhile, Gary Neville, another member of the Class of 92, has expressed support for Martinez and suggested that United's relationship with its former stars is not as complicated as it seems. However, others may disagree, and the situation highlights the complex web of relationships that exists between a club and its alumni.
As the debate rages on, one thing is certain: Manchester United's connection to its past is a defining part of its identity, and any tension or conflict with its former stars will have far-reaching implications for the club.