To enlist the great many merits and hallmarks of Manchester United is an onerous, time-consuming affair. The world’s most valuable football brand is not only one of the highest-earning football clubs in the world but also one of the most widely and passionately supported ones.
The Red Devils have won a record 20 league titles, a joint-record 12 FA Cups, four League Cups and a record 20 FA Community Shields, apart from three European Cups, one UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup, one UEFA Super Cup, one Intercontinental Cup and one Fifa Club World Cup. Understandably, United’s fans can’t get enough of their team’s success and fighting spirit.
In Doha, the Manchester United Supporters Club Qatar (MUSC Qatar) has been doing a stellar job of flying the flag of one of soccer’s most illustrious clubs by bringing Man United enthusiasts together for three years now. Arguably the most active and dynamic football fan club in Qatar, MUSC Qatar has around 60 official members – they also have more than 300 Facebook page members – and are looking to expand in style over this season.
Ahead of the big-ticket FA Community Shield game versus Leicester City on August 7, Community caught up with Derek Lyon and Richard Edge, Chairman and Vice-Chairman respectively, of MUSC Qatar, for a chat.


Tell us about the origins of MUSC Qatar. How and when did it come to be formed here in Doha? 
MUSC Qatar was formed in 2013 when Derek Lyon and Andrew Pascoe met for the first time and looked at ways to bring Man United fans in Qatar closer together. Through social media, mainly Facebook and Twitter, a group was formed to try and see how much interest there was in Manchester United in Qatar. Very quickly it was easy to see that United had a big following and forming an official supporters club was a real goal that we could set ourselves. In April 2015, we finally received official status from Old Trafford and MUSC Qatar is one of a number of official supporters clubs across the Mena region.  Earlier this year we had our first voted board elected which confirmed Derek Lyon as Chairman, supported by Richard Edge as Vice-Chairman, and we have lots of exciting plans afoot for the 2016/2017 season.
 
Apart from catching up on Manchester United games together, what occasions or activities do MUSC Qatar members participate in?
Our primary concern is to bring fans together to watch games. We have had many great times watching the ups and downs of the last few seasons together, but on top of that, we have also been active in a local football league giving members of the supporters club the opportunity to play at Doha College. We have also received sponsorship from Jaidah Motors and we try to go to a few of their events throughout the year too. Being sponsored by Chevrolet here in Qatar is very prestigious and we are delighted to have their support.
 
What sort of emotions do you think unites the Manchester United fans of Qatar?
I think it’s fair to say that over the last three years, since the supporters club was formed, emotions have been running high. Since Sir Alex Ferguson retired, United have struggled and we have seen the best and worst from fans. One thing that does unite the fans is that we all want the team to get back to the top of the league and challenge year on year for the top spot. 
 
What, to your minds, sets Manchester United apart from others?
No other club in the world has history like Manchester United. It’s box office from start to the present day. In 1958, when the Munich Air Disaster decimated the team, to 10 years later when they became the first English club to win the European Cup; appointing Sir Alex Ferguson in 1986 and the formation of the Premiership in 1992 and United’s dominance of this since then. Manchester United has believed in giving youth an opportunity from the early days of the Busby Babes to Fergies Fledglings. The Theatre of Dreams is an arena in which the greatest players to grace English soil have been able to show their talents. George Best, Bobby Charlton, Bryan Robson, Eric Cantona, Roy Keane, David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Cristiano Ronaldo to name but a few. Manchester United have made football more than a game but it’s like a show that no one knows the end of, and with each game we are looking for the next great thing. 
 
How do you think can MUSC Qatar help in generating passion and interest among football enthusiasts and beyond, in the run-up to World Cup 2022 here in Qatar?
Manchester United is one of the biggest clubs in the world and having an official club here raises the profile of football in general. We are fighting hard against supporters of other English clubs and two Spanish clubs to increase the awareness about United in Qatar. The World Cup in 2022 has everyone in the country buzzing for football. With beIN Sports being based in Qatar and the number of world stars who are in the country week on week will all help raise the profile here in Qatar. We are still in the early stages of setting out exactly what direction we want to take MUSC Qatar but hope that as many people in Qatar as possible know about our club and can come and join in our events, watching matches together.
 
What are some of the exciting upcoming events hosted by MUSC Qatar?
Everyone is so excited about the new season. Jose Mourinho has signed three excellent players and we are hoping the fourth will be happening very soon. The group is meeting to watch the Community Shield on August 7, which will see the FA Cup and Premiership Champions come together in the season’s curtain-raiser. We will be working with Jaidah again to hopefully have a screening at one of their showrooms, which have proved to be very positive events. 
If people would like to see what’s happening, they should check out our Facebook page @MUSCQatar to see exactly what’s going on and what’s coming up next. We always love to hear from our members about what future events they would like to see and we always strive to meet their needs.