Manchester United. Looong post, be warned.
Inevitable I guess, me writing about this. Those who follow football will wonder about the timing however. Why am I writing about United when they have lost their title to the worst possible opposition, in the most painful manner? Well, those who TRULY follow football will know why. United is one of the most successful clubs in world football. Yet that isn’t what’s special about this club. United inspire awe, wonder and even hate for one trait, to which I shall come back later. Or maybe not.
I started following football during the 2006 WC. I randomly started supporting England, having heard of Rooney and Beckham before. Yes, as much as we would like to pretend, for most of us over here in India, that is how the football mania begins. In essence, we are all cricketiyas J For me, football seemed all the more attractive as a sport. I was tired of always being the one who dropped catches while fielding, who bowled more wides than proper ones and who almost always went last to bat. Football wasn’t about ‘one mistake and you’re out’. In football, you could suck all through the game and no one would notice. I know, good reason right? Anyway, I liked football. And the firangis played it better. So, I started watching.
I saw the Ronaldo-Rooney bust up and got curious about the team for which these two played normally. So, I started watching the EPL that season. I have an uncle who supports Arsenal, and I’d watched the Arsenal vs Barcelona Champions League final with him once (or was it after 2006?). That was all the background I had till then. But I immediately fell in love with the team. United had this sense of speed and forcefulness I didn’t see in any other EPL team at that time. Arsenal were in a kind of recession, and were playing their own version of tiki-taka without any results (and they continue to do so, which is a shame really). Liverpool were under Rafael Benitez. Enough said. Chelsea were the kings at that time. Tyrants, led by the special one. Jose Mourinho was indeed a brilliant manager, and had established what one of the most effective teams as far as winning a league goes. And it was left to United to do something about it.
Inevitable I guess, me writing about this. Those who follow football will wonder about the timing however. Why am I writing about United when they have lost their title to the worst possible opposition, in the most painful manner? Well, those who TRULY follow football will know why. United is one of the most successful clubs in world football. Yet that isn’t what’s special about this club. United inspire awe, wonder and even hate for one trait, to which I shall come back later. Or maybe not.
I started following football during the 2006 WC. I randomly started supporting England, having heard of Rooney and Beckham before. Yes, as much as we would like to pretend, for most of us over here in India, that is how the football mania begins. In essence, we are all cricketiyas J For me, football seemed all the more attractive as a sport. I was tired of always being the one who dropped catches while fielding, who bowled more wides than proper ones and who almost always went last to bat. Football wasn’t about ‘one mistake and you’re out’. In football, you could suck all through the game and no one would notice. I know, good reason right? Anyway, I liked football. And the firangis played it better. So, I started watching.
I saw the Ronaldo-Rooney bust up and got curious about the team for which these two played normally. So, I started watching the EPL that season. I have an uncle who supports Arsenal, and I’d watched the Arsenal vs Barcelona Champions League final with him once (or was it after 2006?). That was all the background I had till then. But I immediately fell in love with the team. United had this sense of speed and forcefulness I didn’t see in any other EPL team at that time. Arsenal were in a kind of recession, and were playing their own version of tiki-taka without any results (and they continue to do so, which is a shame really). Liverpool were under Rafael Benitez. Enough said. Chelsea were the kings at that time. Tyrants, led by the special one. Jose Mourinho was indeed a brilliant manager, and had established what one of the most effective teams as far as winning a league goes. And it was left to United to do something about it.
It was during that season that I saw the greatest midfielder
of his generation, Paul Scholes. I mean, this guy’s passes were brilliant.
Quick and incisive short passes, and lobs from another world. And he had the
perfect target to aim for. Wayne Rooney. Temperamental, passionate,
foul-mouthed and now United’s heartbeat, this guy could pluck those long passes
out of the air as though the ball was a magnet and his boots were iron. Or vice
versa. Ryan Giggs, the EPL version of Tendulkar. This guy had been playing for
what 15 or more years by then, and he was still ripping teams apart from the
wing. Give Ryan Giggs an inclined board in front of goal and 1 second on the
wing, and you have a goal. Cristiano Ronaldo with his stepovers, speed, killer
free kicks and unsurpassed cockiness chipped in with almost as many goals as
the strikers. I remember Saha used to play for us back then. The other two players I really admired were
Nemanja Vidic, our brilliant CB whose absence cost us the league this time and
Edwin van der Sar. VDS was a brilliant keeper, perhaps United’s second greatest
after Schmeichel. But more than that, it was like having an extra outfield
player. VDS’s ball distribution was simply superb, comparable to Pepe Reina’s. Anyway,
that first season I saw United destroy Roma in the CL semi-final 7-1. That game
defined United for me. Counter attacking at its best. United didn’t pass the
ball all the time or have insane dribblers. Or not that many atleast. But just
the sight of those red shirts running at full pelt, scaring the shit out of the
opposition, it was amazing.
We bowed out of the CL to AC Milan, who at the time were
still giants. They still are actually. With the departure of great but highly
paid stars, they’re sure gonna be able attract some real good talent next
season. AC Milan, the team I like most in the Serie A. Ok, so we were out of
the CL. Anyway, that was ok. That first season, I saw United lift the Premier
League title again. I didn’t know much about them yet, but I saw what it meant
to United. The Premier League was everything to United. United had ended
Chelsea’s reign. And thats when it started.
The next few years were glorious. Ronaldo was the main driving force. He scored goals like crazy despite being a winger, and Rooney played the perfect partner. We had Nani coming in, Carrick was there. Anderson, the da Silva twins and many more. The 2007-08 season we wrapped up the League title with ease. But there was more. I watched my second CL final, this time with a team to support. Cristiano had scored a brilliant opener with a header. But United didn’t finish things off early and Chelsea got back into it with a typical helter skelter goal from the overhyped Lampard, who celebrates his fluke goals as though he meant every little deflection. I seriously don’t like him Gerrard is better. Anyway, the game went to penalties after a very heated last few minutes. And who better to miss the penalty than our man, Cristiano. Of all the people, he missed as he had done in the SF against Barcelona (oh yes, people can defeat Barcelona by playing football). John Terry stepped up to take the winner. And he slipped. I hate being negative, but that moment is one which I shall savor for ever. And then, VDS saved Anelka’s penalty. Manchester United were kings of Europe again J
The next few years were glorious. Ronaldo was the main driving force. He scored goals like crazy despite being a winger, and Rooney played the perfect partner. We had Nani coming in, Carrick was there. Anderson, the da Silva twins and many more. The 2007-08 season we wrapped up the League title with ease. But there was more. I watched my second CL final, this time with a team to support. Cristiano had scored a brilliant opener with a header. But United didn’t finish things off early and Chelsea got back into it with a typical helter skelter goal from the overhyped Lampard, who celebrates his fluke goals as though he meant every little deflection. I seriously don’t like him Gerrard is better. Anyway, the game went to penalties after a very heated last few minutes. And who better to miss the penalty than our man, Cristiano. Of all the people, he missed as he had done in the SF against Barcelona (oh yes, people can defeat Barcelona by playing football). John Terry stepped up to take the winner. And he slipped. I hate being negative, but that moment is one which I shall savor for ever. And then, VDS saved Anelka’s penalty. Manchester United were kings of Europe again J
I grew even more crazy about United. Ronaldo was at the height
of his powers and was scoring goals for fun. Berbatov was there, scoring insane
goals at leisure. And we had the engine of Rooney, Scholes, Carrick, Fletcher,
Giggs, Vidic, Rio and the others. We won the title again. And a few teacups
along the way. Chelsea regained the title once, but we had won it thrice by
then. United were back, and I was hooked on to United for life.
I didn’t realise how crazy I was about United till the end of the 20080-09 season. One of the greatest comebacks at the Old Trafford happened that night (night in India). We defeated Spurs in a season defining game. But what was more special, even ominous for me, was what loomed the next day. Not something I write about where my mum can see it anyway :P
I didn’t realise how crazy I was about United till the end of the 20080-09 season. One of the greatest comebacks at the Old Trafford happened that night (night in India). We defeated Spurs in a season defining game. But what was more special, even ominous for me, was what loomed the next day. Not something I write about where my mum can see it anyway :P
Why are United so successful? Do United have no problems at all? Well, read about the Glazers. I'd rather not get angry and start using the beautiful words. United have a history, a proud history. we have overcome adversity time and time again. Not just on the pitch, but elsewhere too. If you've time, read this.
But if you want to read something really awesome, read this. This man is Manchester United, as far as our generation goes. I know, how lazy can I be right, with all the links? Well, if you want, you can stop reading now. Its ok. Just check out the previous link before leaving though.
Some other moments I cherish are the title wins, the Macheda goal against Aston Villa, the Scholes screamer against Barca with Messi looking on, the CL knockout win against Arsenal, seeing the 1999 CL final for the first time, the 8-2 over Arsenal this season, the Rooney bicycle kick against City last season and the way we lost to Bayern in the CL QFs.
I’ll tell you why all these matter, even the loss. It’s because they are
example of the thing I love most about United. United thrive on adversity. We
just never give up. Love them or hate them, a United team in full flow is one
of the most electrifying sights in football.
United set the standard in England. Atleast as far as the PL
era goes, United have been the one constant in England. Even now, when our
noisy neighbours splashed their money around and other teams whimpered, we
stepped up to the plate and gave City hell. We are still at the pinnacle of English
football. United can only improve. I’d have said we’ll be back. But seriously,
have we gone anywhere?
United, for life J
United, for life J
P.S. You shall not refer to United as ManU and call yourself a fan. It is a derogatory term used by our rivals in connection with a tragic incident. Thank you :)
