Crossword Genius

Doughty United supporter backing attack (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

unafraid

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'doughty' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are adjectives. Maybe you can see a link between them that I don't see?

'united supporter backing attack' is the wordplay.
'united' becomes 'U' (abbreviation as in Man U for Manchester United).
'supporter' becomes 'fan' (fan is a kind of supporter).
'backing' says the letters should be written backwards.
'attack' becomes 'raid' (raid is a kind of attack).
'fan' written backwards gives 'naf'.
'u'+'naf'+'raid'='UNAFRAID'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for unafraid that I've seen before include "not daunted" , "Feeling no fear" , "Not intimidated or fearful" , "Not scared or intimidated" , "Courageous" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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