How Manchester United Proves Barcelona is the Greatest Club in the World (Even While Broke)

I need to say something that might sound counterintuitive. As a Barcelona supporter, I owe a debt of gratitude to Manchester United.

Not because of any friendly rivalry or mutual respect between European giants. No. I am grateful because the catastrophic decline of Manchester United serves as the perfect control group in the grand experiment of modern football. They are the living, breathing proof that money cannot buy greatness.

While Barcelona was drowning in a billion euros of debt, losing the greatest player in history, and selling off pieces of its own future just to keep the lights on, Manchester United was spending. And spending. And spending some more. The result? We are back competing for La Liga titles and scaring teams in the Champions League. They are fighting for fourth place in England and praying Europa League qualification counts as progress.