The Guru: Scholes Names Five Premier League Fanbases That Shape Matches — And One Unexpected Outsider

Paul Scholes, never one for soft opinions, has stirred the pot by naming his five Premier League clubs with the best fans, and his shortlist mixes history with modern bite. As a Manchester United legend his words carry weight, but he was careful to judge passion over pedigree — a distinction many pundits forget.

At the top sit the usual suspects: Manchester United and Liverpool, where Old Trafford and Anfield remain theatres of pressure and praise. Scholes praised the knowledge and expectation that haunts both grounds — fans who demand excellence and, crucially, supply it through relentless support.

He then turned to Newcastle United and West Ham United, crediting St James' Park's seismic roar since the club's revival and the Hammers' East London identity that refuses to soften. The surprise pick was Brentford, singled out for a tight-knit, unapologetically vocal community whose unity punches well above its size.

The Guru's verdict is simple: fans are an extra tactical player — they tilt momentum and sharpen squads. Expect Newcastle and Brentford to use that edge ruthlessly next season; managers who ignore the crowd do so at their peril. My recommendation: respect the noise, coach for it, and build teams that feed off it — that is where championships and upsets are born.