The only possible and sincere way in which a man and a women can be friends is after the long relationship was ended, and they have a deep sense of respect toward one another.
Guys that are scared to project there intention on the girl they like, often befriend them hoping that someday they'll finally have the courage to show them. It always ends up badly cause the girl feels betrayed by the creep who was pretended to be her friend for so long so he could get into her pants, and the guy feels like his done a lot for that girl and now gets nothing for his "investment". It doesn't come down on having a partner, but spending time together with no hidden agenda, and the only force that drives men to hang out with women in the beginning is sexual force.