Manning is obviously a canuting canut. However, I do believe there are many professional athletes like him. There are players who think of the fans and what results mean to them and I think maybe more so in Europe (though I don't have facts to back that up). Players like Gerrard, Giggs and Doyley (yes I mentioned him with the other two - why shouldn't I mention Gerrard with doyley and Giggs?) who are one-club players know but other players also. In the football league I'm sure it is even more the norm than most other places.
There is a response to Chris Jones' article here: http://aprettygoodstart.tumblr.com/post/11620099195/fans-using-we-in-sports-a-response
