Manchester United. Every time I hear those words I swell up with passion, with pride. But let me tell you, for me, they are not mere words. They are much more. Faith. Religion.This is a passion that has lasted for ten years and still grows on inside me.
Now, football for me has always had two names: England and Manchester United.My interest in football began with the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France.I was 11 and i took immediate like to England's team. They got into the knock-out rounds, and faced Argentina in one of the most historic games in modern footballing history.
The game included Michael Owen's wonder goal, arguably one of the best goals ever. However 
this game gained notoriety for David Beckham's red card. Diego Simeone fouled Beckham and while picking himself up from the ground, he pinned the English player onto the ground with his hands. Beckham, in an instinctive reaction, flicked his leg at Simeone's. Simeone over-reacted and theatrically fell to the ground( and later admitted to do so) in order to get Beckham sent off. He was. England went on to lose the game on penalties.
this game gained notoriety for David Beckham's red card. Diego Simeone fouled Beckham and while picking himself up from the ground, he pinned the English player onto the ground with his hands. Beckham, in an instinctive reaction, flicked his leg at Simeone's. Simeone over-reacted and theatrically fell to the ground( and later admitted to do so) in order to get Beckham sent off. He was. England went on to lose the game on penalties.It was sad. However since I wasn't a die-hard football fan then, I forgot all about it in a day or two.After that, well, a world cup failure(as in 2002 and 2006.) would result in me ruing over our mistakes for the next 4 years. Last year I even cried a wee bit. There I said it.
This cup was important for me as it was the seed behind my interest in Manchester United.Beckham, Scholes, Sheringham,Neville were some of the players I'd liked in the cup, were in the squad and when I started to watch the EPL, I naturally took a liking to Manchester United.
Here's a brief history of my journey with Manchester United-
1998-99It seemed like a Midas touch.Yes I took the credit for the most successful season in English Club history. A perfect season.
It was the final day of the premiership season. Arsenal had just lost to Leeds. We needed a win against Tottenham to snatch the title from Highbury's hands which were almost touching it. United came from a goal down to win 2-1. The premiership was ours!
United then beat Newcastle 2-0 in the FA cup final at Wembley. One more cup to go.
At Nou Camp,in the final of the UEFA Champion's League, Manchester United squared off with
a European powerhouse, Bayern Munich. 90 minutes. We were again trailing 0-1.Tears. Then, as I lost all hope, came the greatest comeback in footballing history. Two stoppage time goals from Sheringham and Solskjaer brought home the mother of all trophies, the European Cup.Tears. Tears of joy.
a European powerhouse, Bayern Munich. 90 minutes. We were again trailing 0-1.Tears. Then, as I lost all hope, came the greatest comeback in footballing history. Two stoppage time goals from Sheringham and Solskjaer brought home the mother of all trophies, the European Cup.Tears. Tears of joy.The next two years we repeated our Premiership success making it three premiere league titles in a row, but couldn't do the same in Europe. Ruud Van Nistelrooy,Juan Sebastian Veron and Fabien Barthez came to Old Trafford during this time.
The 2001-02 season was a disappointment. No cup wins, nothing. Jaap Stam was unceremoniously transferred, Steve Irwin left. The record transfer of Rio Ferdinand raised many questions.
The 2001-02 season was a disappointment. No cup wins, nothing. Jaap Stam was unceremoniously transferred, Steve Irwin left. The record transfer of Rio Ferdinand raised many questions.
In 2002-03 United once again won the Premier League. But Rio Ferdinand was banned for 8 months after failing a drug test.'03-04 was again not much to talk about with only the FA cup. 
Cristiano Ronaldo bedazzled the United team when they lost to Sporting Lisbon.
Cristiano Ronaldo bedazzled the United team when they lost to Sporting Lisbon.The next year saw Cristiano wearing a red jersey.
But this was one of the most difficult stages in recent United history. There was a storm over the transfer of David Beckham, arguably one of United's best midfielders ever, to Real Madrid. I hated Sir Alex Ferguson for this, and my anger increased with the team's dismal form in Europe and the league . It was painful to watch United go down on penalties to Arsenal, leaving us empty handed. A gleam of hope was seen in the signing of Wayne Rooney.
But the failure was repeated in the next season as well,but we managed to win the FA cup after defeating Milwall 3-0 in the final. Skipper Roy Keane had left after a huge row at the beginning of the season and soon this loss was followed by Nistelrooy's departure to Real Madrid. There was a huge mess after the Glazer's took over United, sparing the team with minimal money for transfers.
The last season had been a revolution of sorts.We returned to the 'United' style of attacking football of the 'golden era' in the 1990's. The Premiereship has finally come back to Old Trafford, according to me, where it belongs.
But we were outplayed by AC Milan in the Champion's League and were knocked out after a 0-3 drubbing at the San Siro Stadium. We failes to make it doubles after extra time loss against Chelsea. Damn Drogba.
But this season I am looking forward a Treble.
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But we were outplayed by AC Milan in the Champion's League and were knocked out after a 0-3 drubbing at the San Siro Stadium. We failes to make it doubles after extra time loss against Chelsea. Damn Drogba.
But this season I am looking forward a Treble.
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It's been a long, exciting journey, tears of sadness, of happiness.
I missed the age of George Best, of Dennis Law, of Bobby Charlton. I missed watching Eric Cantona score some of the most stunning goals in history. I regret that.
But then,I belong to a different era of Manchester United. And I'm proud of it.
When Ole Gunnar Solksjaer poked the ball past Oliver Kahn at Nou Camp in 1999, I was there.
When United overturned a 3 goal deficit at half time to win 5-3 at Tottenham in 2001, I was there.
When United obliterated Newcastle 6-2 in 2003, I was there.
When Wayne Rooney scored a hat-trick on debut versus Fenerbahce in 2004, I was there.
When United destroyed AS Roma 7-1 in 2007, damn right I was there.
When Wayne Rooney scored a hat-trick on debut versus Fenerbahce in 2004, I was there.
When United destroyed AS Roma 7-1 in 2007, damn right I was there.
When United lifted the Premier League title last season, I was there, and when United strangled Newcastle last week 6-0, I was still there.
Once a Red, always a Red. Manchester United for life.
In the 2004 movie, The Day After Tomorrow ,besides all the crazy destruction, I remember one scene vividly.3 Researchers are stuck in a terrible storm, with their generator about to fail. The doomed scientists pull out a bottle of 12 year old scotch.They raise their final toasts-
Simon: Gentlemen[toasting].To England!
Terry Rapson: To mankind!
Dennis: To Manchester United!
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Oh it's a grand old team to play for,
Oh it's a grand old team to see,
And if, you know, your history,
It's enough to make your heart go woh, oh, oh,oh...
We don't care what the City fans say,
What, the fuck do we care,
For we only know, that there's gonna be a show,
And the famous Man United will be there.
Glory Manchester United!
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