Manchester City Is Making It Hard To Hate Them

Alabama won yet another stupid national championship in college football on Monday. Pretty much everyone outside of Alabama hates the Crimson Tide. It’s a common narrative: Hate the team that always wins — be it the New England Patriots, the New York Yankees or Barcelona/Real Madrid. But Manchester City hatred is hard to come by, in part because they keep doing things like this.

After Bristol City scored a dramatic, late winner to beat Manchester United in the Carabao Cup in December, coach Lee Johnson celebrated by hugging and twirling around ball boy Jaden Neale. The scene of jubilation caught the attention of many in England, including United rival Manchester City. The club rewarded the ball boy by paying for him and his family to come to the Etihad for the first leg of the Carabao Cup semifinal between Bristol City and Manchester City. 

The wonderful gesture saw Jaden, his mom, dad and brother all travel to Manchester to meet coach Pep Guardiola and take a tour of one of the country’s top stadiums and the home to the best team in England, which is destroying just about everyone it faces these days. 

No Manchester United hatred for Jaden Neale, at least while Bristol City was leading. Photo: @BristolSportLK | Twitter

Although Manchester City won the match 2-1 thanks to the brilliance of Kevin De Bruyne and Sergio Aguero, it was no doubt a thrilling experience for the Neale family. 

It wasn’t the only time Manchester City put effort into making fans feel special. In December, the club surprised a fan by the name of Yvonne, who, along with her husband, David, had been a season ticket holder for three decades. David died of cancer in May, so Manchester City decided to lift her spirits with a “Christmas Surprise” and a day at the Etihad, complete with club legends, players past and present. 

C'mon Manchester City, you’re not following the script. When you’re an all-conquering team of badasses, you’re supposed to be easy to despise. 

But there is one reason for everyone to have a little Manchester City hatred in their hearts. In another “Christmas Surprise,” City forced fans to interact with Noel Gallagher. Now that’s just cruel.