Republik of mancunia

Republik of Mancunia is a phrase used by Manchester United fans as a way of expressing Mancunian (person from Manchester) pride. It also is used by some to show their apathy towards the England National Football Team.
Following Manchester United's victory in the Champions League final in 2008, Rio Ferdinand was seen carrying a "Republik of Mancunia" flag.
A "Republik of Mancunia" banner written in faux Cyrillic can be seen at Old Trafford, at the Stretford End, the most vocal area in the stadium. This is used because one of Manchester United fans' nicknames is The "Red Army" and their "firm" is also known by this name, as well as it being the name of the army of the Soviet Union.
The "Republik of Mancunia" attitude developed for several reasons. Firstly, the idea of Mancunian pride, which can be seen in other areas of culture associated with Manchester, not just football. Also, because Manchester United fans feel as though the players and fans of their club are treated unfairly by the English press, the FA and English football fans, now, and in the past. To call themselves Mancunian, and claim they are from the "Republik of Mancunia", and not English, is showing this displeasure with what they regard unfair treatment.
Also, "Republik of Mancunia" can refer to a "nation" of Manchester United-focused people. A Republik is also associated with ideas on anti-monarchy. Therefore, the Republik of Mancunia is a separation between these people, and England.
It is well documented that 'Stand up if you hate Man U' used to be sung at Wembley, when the likes of David Beckham, Gary Neville, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt were all on the field.
Several chants have arisen from this movement. A popular chant is "We all agree United are better than England." Another chant is in reference to the treatment David Beckham received after returning from the 1998 World Cup. Effigies of our player were burnt in the capital whilst United fans offered him unwavering support. When Beckham later scored a last minute winner against Greece to give England entry to the next World Cup, the chant "Did you cheer when Beckham scored?" was born and sung to opposition fans during league matches.
Manchester United midfielder, Paul Scholes is an apparent follower of this thinking. Despite being one of the most naturally gifted midfielders to ever play for England, he retired from the national side aged 30, since which he has been asked repeatedly to rethink his decision. "I decided to call it a day with England because it just wasn't any fun any more. I don't know why it became like that, I'd just stopped enjoying it," explained Scholes. "I like being at home as well there was an awful lot of time away from home and my family and for me there's nowhere better than Manchester."
United captain, Gary Neville, has echoed the same sentiments when talking about returning from injury. “Getting back into the England squad is not something that I think about,” he said. “Playing for United has always been the most important thing for me and remains so. If England recognition comes, that’s a bonus - but it’s not something that I think about too much. I’ve always considered it an extension to playing for United.”
Neville has also showed understanding to this stance of many United fans.
"I can understand why some United fans think like they do," said Neville. "Over the last six or seven years, there have been some bad experiences for United players. The fans see what happened to David Beckham in 1998, my brother in 2000 and Rio Ferdinand last year and feel they have either been let down or not looked after. That is where it comes from. But that is the way it is at Manchester United. There is nothing you can do about it and deep down, I am sure the vast majority want England to win even if, like I used to be when I was a kid, they don't go out of their way to actually support them by being at the games."

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