Confusing Collective Nouns!

Why do our professionals - journalists and even English Language proponents continually being 'tripped' by the Law of Grammar? I am amazed, annoyed and sometimes simply confused when the most unlikely people make the amateur mistakes of not 'agreeing' their nouns and verbs.

So, which is correct? "United FC are about to set a new record in the League Football history as they record their 10th consecutive win" OR "United FC is about to set a new record in the League Football history as it records its 10th consecutive win"

Perhaps it is time we have a full and open discussion of this and save our English Grammar from this onslaught. Comments please!