I think a big difference in kind of foreign fans come from club/city image and values.
Don't know if it's true in other countries, but in France you'll find a lot of Liverpool fans in regions where working class still means something. In (ex-) industrial or mines region, the support for Liverpool is often several generations old, with fans also being supporters of local clubs whose model is Liverpool (in northern France, RC Lens and Lille are probably the clubs having the most supporters being also Liverpool fans, in the east Sochaux and St.Etienne, in the west Nantes, all sharing the same "clubs of the people" values coming from an industrial past).
United, is some kind of a complete opposite perceived as the club of the establishment, and here seem more supported in rich cities, dominated by political right and also having prestigious expensive teams. When I was student in Bordeaux I was the only Liverpool fan for 10 or so Mancs supporters I knew. And according to people I see in forums most french Manc fans are also supporting teams like Lyon or Paris SG, prestigious rich clubs built because local elites wanted one more than the result of a working class football tradition.
It's not necessarily fair, but I think what explains, more than success, Liverpool foreign popularity, is how this club is identified with the popular origins of football more than any other. While many other clubs share the same origins it seems only Liverpool succeeded to keep this culture alive despite becoming a rich established club.
« Last Edit: Jan 12, 2011 01:25:34 pm by TonioLerouge »
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