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Features

EDITORIAL

our man stateside 6-7

Mark Seaton tell’s of

Things at old Trafford don’t seem to be as bad as everyone thinks this season, don’t get me wrong the Wayne Rooney transfer saga was a complete fucking embarrassment he and all involved should be ashamed of themselves, coupled with the protests, boycotts and hate campaigns you may be lead to believe that its all doom and gloom at O.T. at the minute.

However with Sir Alex Ferguson reaching a massive mile stone of 24 years in THE SAME managerial position, which is a colossal achievement in itself,

and a mediocre Manchester United team still unbeaten and top of the league you must start to think , well maybe its not all bad.

As we have seen in seasons past it does take United till February to wake up and smell the trophies, also with the Christmas run up, whilst coming thick and fast you have to admit looks favourable for us.

So whilst we all loosen our belts to get drunk and fat over the festive period lets enjoy the football and fingers crossed we will still be top in Jan.

the usa reds

united rant

8-9

Ed Rant give’s it his usual passion

Fergie’s 24 years at United 29-33 Steph Doehler rev-

eiws the last 24 years

Apocalypse Later 35-36 chris wrathnall on the rooney situation

DANNY DANNY WELBECK: WELBECK: THE FUTURE OF OF UNITED? UNITED? THE FUTURE

By Sufiyan Kala

Over the years United have produced some top class talent from the Academy and Youth System. Who can forget Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Gary & Phil Neville, Nicky Butt, David Beckham? All of them are still going strong for their clubs at a ripe old age. These guys played an integral part in the most successful spell in the clubs history. Led by King Eric, these youngsters couldn’t have had a more inspirational leader. As a result of Eric’s influence, Fergie’s judgement, love, trust and commitment to playing football the Matt Busby way, these youngsters flourished and shoved the famous Alan Hansen quote, “You won’t win anything with kids” right down his shit-filled Scouse throat.

Now fast-forward 15 years or so and here we have it again, the latest batch of promising youngsters; Jonny Evans, Darron Gibson, Kiko Macheda, Fabio & Rafael da Silva, Tom Cleverley and last but not least Danny Welbeck. Remember him? That kid who scored a 25-yard screamer on his

debut at the Stretford End in the 5-0 drubbing of Stoke last season? Yeah well he’s gone on to play for Preston and now for Steve Bruce’s Sunderland. On-loan of course. We wouldn’t want to let such a valued asset gone from the club now would we?

He’s definitely shown us what he can do. He’s just not showed us on a regular basis. It’s not that he couldn’t do it, but he couldn’t do it at the highest level. He was weedy, easily pushed off the ball; he wasn’t commanding enough, he wasn’t the poacher that the fans have become used to seeing over the years. So what does Grand Master Ferguson do?

He sends him on loan. At the back end of last season, Welbeck was sent on-loan to Preston North End to gain some match experience. He settled in really well and scored two goals in eight games, one which was a stupendous chip from the edge of the penalty box, almost Cantona-esque. Again, he showed what he can do when given the opportunity.

I wouldn’t have blamed

him if he thought this was the end of his Manchester United career. Far from it though. Now if you rewind a few years just for a second, David Beckham was also sent to Preston North End to get some more game time. He scored two goals in five appearances and it worked in his favour.

So, Welbeck returned back to United in the summer and was loaned out to Sunderland and if I’m honest with you, I thought that was it for him, it hadn’t worked out for him at United and this love story would have a sad ending. Many other United fans thought the same up until now...

Sunderland played Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in what was expected to be a mere formality for the Rent-Boys but Bruce’s boys sprung a surprise on us all after they smashed them 3-0 and guess who got on the score sheet? Yep, it was Danny Welbeck. Sunderland were 2-0 up and cruising when towards the end of the game, big money man Ashley Cole f**ked up allowing Welbeck to score and seal

a fine win. This forgotten kid was back onto the stage once again, people in the pubs in Manchester were talking about him...again.

Fast-forward again and Sunderland were playing Everton the week after they so gleefully thrashed Chelsea on their own patch.

Everton went 1-0 up but Welbeck equalised with a great finish from six-yards from Zendens cross. He then proceeded to give Sunderland the lead after brilliantly guiding home a header from another former United man Kieran Richardson’s cross. Sunderland conceded to draw 2-2 but that isn’t the point, the point is that Welbeck went from being a forgotten man at United and even Sunderland to their main goal scorer and threat. Not only that, he’s gone from being a skinny teenager, somebody who used to get shoved around by defenders to being the commander in the box. His movement, his pace, his agility, his control, his work-rate and strength, have all been improved somewhat and this is a direct result of him moving away on-loan to learn the tricks and the trades of topflight football.

He never was going to get the chance at United with Rooney, Berbatov, Macheda,

Owen and Chicharito ahead of him but Fergie knew what was right for the boy.

He needed to gain a little bit of experience to mature. To be playing in matches from the start. At United, he’d come on after the game was already won, play a cameo, score a goal or two and that was it; he’d be on the bench

again until United played somebody shitty like Stoke.

It’s all good and well doing that but what would he be learning? What would he do if Fergie sticks him on against Liverpool when we’re 2-1 down with five minutes to go and he needs to get a goal? What would he do if an injury-struck United frontline was relying on him to score goals at the Emirates on the final day of the season? Sending him out on-loan to places like Sunderland and Preston North End, where life isn’t all rosy was definitely the right decision by the trusted General. I’m not saying he’s the best striker in the world after this good run

of matches but at Sunderland he’s matured into a footballer, not just some kid who was given a little run around on the pitch. He’s an important figurehead in their frontline. He’s got responsibility onto him and boy do I love the prospect of him returning back to United with fire in his belly challenging Chicharito, Berbatov, Rooney and Macheda for a place in the starting line-up. What’s more is that he’s only 20, a Manchester lad through and through, a regular in the pubs and clubs in and around Manchester and a big fan of Ian Brown. He’s as regular as most lads of our age but what sets him apart from us is the privilege he’s been given to don the red of Manchester United and with it the history and tradition, he is the epitome of what the clubs foundations are based on, what Sir Matt Busby so firmly believed in and what Fergie’s carrying on. The belief in youth. He is a sign of the future and at the moment, it’s looking quite bright. I have no doubt he’ll be a regular in the team scoring countless last-minute winners and winning trophies. Now wouldn’t that be a story?

The story about the one that nearly got away.

Our Man Stateside E

ncountering some technical issues left me watching Manchester United vs. Liverpool on a television…over Skype but nonetheless, seeing Dimitar Berbatov finish of his hat-trick against the Scousers was extremely satisfying. Although the start to the season has been less than average by United’s standards, I have just appreciated actually getting to watch the games every week. With my new roommate banging on about Baseball and ‘Football’, I needed some relief and it came in the form of a 3-0 win against West Ham. In an effort to offer the Americans an insight into the world’s biggest sport I invited a few along, as did a fellow Englishman, but we ended up watching the game alone… epic fail. What was even more disturbing was the reception I received when I got back when I mentioned the name ‘Wayne Rooney’ which was followed by a blank look followed by a “who?”

I soon realized that maybe my season had also been a tough start. I have to be honest; explaining the offside rule to a 22 year old man was difficult for

Mark Seaton me to take. With all due respect, he has tried to take an interest in the game and United yet the 7.30 start to watch the Everton away game was certainly not happening for him.

The sporting culture in America is very much like I expected. As you see on television, the American football stadium here at the University of Connecticut is as big as Stamford Bridge and the team is better supported than Wigan. I soon found tickets to the College ‘soccer’ game which I jumped on hoping to find some sanity but this experience just made me more disillusioned.

I am not sure if I am missing something but after a goal is scored do the previous two assisters get acknowledged? Every time there is a corner kick, does

the taker have his name called out on the loud speaker? And finally, I am pretty sure the clock does not stop for a foul and extra time is added? Yes, the 10 second countdown to the 90 minutes is a comedy act. What then topped that ridiculous evening off was when I proceeded to walk out the stadium after 90 minutes at 1-1, in a league match to hear the loud speaker announce the extra time. I felt it necessary to check that it was not a cup game with the one English

player on the team who explained to me that “this is what they do here” and on that note, I left with the image of the New York Post stapled to my brain declaring the USA’s 1-1 ‘win’ against England.

With little time on my hands, I have yet to discuss the Glazer family with a major American

football fan nor have I questioned a sports professor about the role of ‘soccer’ in American society, both of which I plan to do. What I have done is seen Americans wearing Manchester United clothing which makes me feel content until they ask me who my second team is! Living with a New York Yankees fan gave me little choice but to follow suit, which also means, hating the Boston Red Sox. Jokingly we talked about Massachusetts being the ‘Liverpool of New England’ and before I knew it, the takeover proposal was announced.

With the rivalry between the Yankees and the Red Sox being very similar to United and Liverpool, it gives me a major reason for disliking them.

To sum up my experience so far, despite arguments about the Monarchy, the best type of bacon and healthcare, I have managed to get them to agree on one thing; that football (soccer) is biggest sport in the world and the amazement of people’s faces when I say “yes” when they ask “have you ever been to a game?” is astounding. I’ll keep working on it.

by Ed rant

Can Berbatov find a new consistency?

Shortly before Dimitar Berbatov scored five against Blackburn Rovers on Saturday a leading media outlet declared that Sir Alex Ferguson had given the Bulgarian striker six months to save his Manchester United career. It’s a claim open to ridicule when a player has scored five but perhaps not that far off the truth either.

After all, Berbatov has rarely found the consistency required of a United player in two and half years at Old Trafford.

The burst on Saturday came after a run of 10 matches without a goal and some frustratingly brittle performances to boot.

Failure of consistency is an accusation that is levelled against both Berbatov’s output and his performances for the club. So brilliant he is often worth the Glazers’ inflated ticket prices one week.

So frustratingly wasteful that neither manager nor fans can trust him the next.

In statistics supporters often find salvation. In 103 appearances for the club, the Bulgarian’s bare output is no embarrassment; 38 goals and 18 assists point to both a creator and finisher.

Much as Ferguson had predicted when signing the player for more than £30 million in August 2008.

Indeed, as Berbatov scored seven goals

in the opening six fixtures this season many observers ate their most critical words. Berbatov finally married consistent goalscoring to his undoubted artistry. Ten games, no goals and an overwhelming sense of frustration later and Berbatov’s opening six weeks seemed an exception to prove a rule.

The 29-year-old striker’s tendency to disappear from games when he is not in prime form came to fore once again in the past two months, just as it had last season. Just 12 goals last term led to Ferguson regularly leaving out his record signing. The Scot did the same last weekend, ignominiously leaving Berbatov out of his matchday 18 against Wigan Athletic.

It leaves supporters wondering whether Berbatov can ever find the consistency expected of a £30 million player.

Indeed, Berbatov expressed relief after the performance against Blackburn, with five goals signaling the end of a ‘worrying’ period for the Bulgarian star.

“In the end I’m pleased with the performance and the goals I scored, personally I was very impressed with myself,” said Berbatov.

“I’ve scored five before but it was a long time ago back home. To do it in the Premier League when only four other

players have done it, to stand next to Shearer and Andy Cole is a great honour.”

“I was a little bit worried. When you are a striker people tend to only look at the goals you score.”

But if goals are the currency, then Berbatov comes up short at the highest level. In matches against other members of the traditional ‘big four’ the Bulgarian has scored just five in 14 games for United. Three of those came against Liverpool this season. The record is little better against other contenders. He has two in seven matches against former club Tottenham Hotspur and none in five games against Manchester City.

In the Champions League the striker has just four in 18 games, these coming against the lesser lights of Aalboug and Celtic. For a creative player, Berbatov is credited with just one assist in those 18 fixtures.

None of which, of course, makes for comfortable reading for the striker, who on that evidence is little more than a flat-track bully, despite topping this season’s Premier League scoring charts with 11.

Sam Allardyce, whose team suffered at Berbatov’s feet on Saturday, moved to defend the 29-year-old striker against his many critics.

“Dimitar has a laid-back style,” Allardyce said.

“You have to understand the intelligence of Berbatov, how he finds spaces in tight areas, how rarely his touch deserts him, how he looks slow but is

actually far quicker.

“It takes time to settle in and play for Manchester United. Just because you cost £30 million it doesn’t mean you are going to be an instant success, you still have to get used to playing for Manchester United and the pressure of playing for one of the biggest clubs in the world.”

That Allardyce should feel the need to speak out on Berbatov’s behalf speaks loudly. Indeed, eight of the striker’s goals this season have come in two games, which is a pointer to the overwhelming frustration with a player whose outstanding ability should bring so much more consistency.

There should be no debate; technically, Berbatov has few limits. His talent deserves all the personal and team accolades possible.

Mentally though, questions remain.

Will the Bulgarian follow Saturday’s quintet with goals in the coming weeks, including matches against Chelsea and Arsenal in December?

History suggests it unlikely and with Rooney now fit, there’s no guarantee Ferguson will even select the Bulgarian for United’s biggest games.

That is Berbatov’s legacy and it is so much less than it could be. There is time though, with the player contracted to United until June 2012 and talks over a new contract still possible before next summer.

Berbatov’s talent could yet bring a 25 goal season though. Supporters, team and most of all Berbatov himself deserve that level of consistency

True or False

By Steph Doehler

I imagine most of you don’t read City’s

King of the Kippax fanzine. I mean, why would you?! Nevertheless I’ve recently read their latest issue which focuses on the derby match. In case you are wondering why I’m taking an interest in the rivals’ fanzine there is a simple explanation.

Some of you may be aware that I’m currently researching the United/City rivalry and therefore it is necessary to look at the City side of things, as much as United.

I feel I must state before I get down to business, that I have found the KOTK coeditor, Dave Wallace, a thoroughly nice guy. He has taken a great interest in my work and I’ve found him most accommodating so I have absolutely no criticism to him whatsoever.

Nonetheless, flicking through the fanzine I came across the Manchester Derby Compendium, or quiz to you and I. Written by Ed Gluepot, he is fundamentally complaining about the Manchester Compendium book released in 2008 which he declares was ‘appalling’ and put together by ‘rag sympathiser’ Ed Glinert (an Arsenal fan). Gluepot has, therefore, decided to put together a quiz of forgotten facts and stories about his more illustrious neighbours. Some of the questions are laughable for example: how many European Cup have United won in normal time? Gluepot claims none – though I don’t seem to recall the 1999 final going into extra time, and if he really wants to cling onto the fact that we won the cup in injury time then okay. Normal time or not, that’s still three more European Cups than City, unless of course you count their 1970 victory in the Cup Win-

ner’s Cup, the European equivalent of the League Cup. However these are the type of questions Gluepot seems to be aiming the quiz towards, though in fact calling his collection of 76 attempted offensive statements an actual quiz is possibly a little kind to him. The ‘questions’ appear to be quite ill-researched and seem to include information that anyone could find out by looking at Wikipedia, without actually searching any deeper. This article will address some of Gluepots’ statements and provide further annotation to what he had already written in his answers.

Whilst there is a good chance he probably wont read this article, like many City fans, I still feel obliged to respond to the quiz is a more mature and methodical approach.

Question 1: Who was the first Manchester Club to incorporate Manchester into their name?

Ardwick FC became Manchester City in 1894, Newton Heath transformed into United in 1902 as Gluepot points out. This ill informed answer is not even remotely accurate, the history books show that the Heathens played both Manchester FC and Manchester Arcadians in the 1880’s, before City had changed names for the third time. Gluepot further states that United were inspired by City, to include ‘Manchester’ in their name. This of course, isn’t true either. When John Davies took control of the club in 1902 he ordered a change of kit and a change of name to highlight the club’s new start.

The story goes that it was in fact teenager, ¬¬¬¬Louis Rocca, who suggested the name Manchester United after Manchester Central and Manchester Celtic were

rejected.

Question 2: True or false: United’s original colours were green and gold?

Gluepot claims it is false and that Newton Heath played in red and white shirts with blue shorts until 1894. His assertion is incorrect once again, the Heathens played in green and gold shirts with white shorts (which later changed to blue shorts), up until 1888 when they changed into the red and white shirts. There is photographic evidence of this.

Question 3: City were the first Manc team to win a trophy, the FA Cup in 1904.

United were trophyless until a few years later, was this achieved by: A) Developing players from their youth team. B) Dubiously poaching players from City?

Dependant on how you look at things City weren’t the first of the clubs to win a trophy, the Heathens won the Senior Cup in 1887. Furthermore saying that United poached City’s players is a little misleading. Their 1904 FA Cup win aroused suspicions with the authorities.

It was found that City had breached strict rules on the maximum wage for players, in fact, they had secretly handed out as high as £7 per player for the cup win.

All board members in question were banned from football for 5 seasons. In a bid to save what little assets they had left City organised an auction for their top players, inviting representative from all the Football League teams. United signed four players, not due to poaching, but due

to City’s total abandonment of the rules.

Something Gluepot conveniently forgets when he discusses how United and Liverpool were reprimanded for fixing a match in 1915. People in glass houses…

Question 11: Who was it that dropped the bomb on Old Trafford in the war? A) Adolf Hitler. B) Enola Gay. C) Bert Trautmann. D) Uwe Rösler’s granddad.

City fans seem to like the idea that it was a relative of Rösler, so much so that they created an ‘Uwe’s granddad bombed Old Trafford’ t-shirt following is 22 goal season in 1994-95. As one might imagine this was more a case of deluded imagination rather than fact, however Gluepot failed to recognise this. In fact, he even awards a point to anyone who answered D. Whenever asked about this Rösler is confused, none of his family, he said, had been in Luftwaffe (the air force that wrecked Old Trafford), let alone discharged bombs over the stadium.

Question 13: United won the Cup in 1948, how long had they gone without a trophy?

The answer is 37 years, a record City appear to be trying to break.

Question 17: Was the Munich air crash the first to involve a football team?

No it wasn’t. Tragically the Superga air disaster occurred in 1949, killing all 31 people aboard, including 18 Torino players, many of whom were Italian internationals. Quite what Gluepot was getting at with this question only he knows. To my knowledge United have never claimed to be the only club involved in an air disaster. Naturally such an event involving an English team is always going to illicit more emotion with English football fans.

Question 30: In 1974 Denis Law’s backheeled goal put United down into the Second Division.

Gluepot claims this is true. However with other results going against them United would have been relegated even if they had won that match.

Question 33: Glory Glory Man United is originally a rag terrace song?

As Gluepot points out, this is also a Spurs song. Just like You’ll Never Walk Alone is sang by Liverpool, Celtic, Feyenoord and Borussia Dortmund amongst others.

Ironically City’s own anthem Blue Moon, was known to be originally sung by Crewe Alexandra.

Question 68: When Fergie transferred King Carlos to City, and signed Owen on a free, the shite talking punters reckoned Tevez couldn’t score for toffee and would do nothing for City whilst Owen would prove the better buy and far outshine the Argentinean. In fact did A) Carols prove a masterbuy for City and was B) Owen virtually injured all season for United?

Tevez certainly did have an impressive first season with City – he is a fantastic player. Sadly for City fans he doesn’t actually want to be there. Additionally, even if Owen never plays in a United shirt again he did two fantastic things for us. He equalised in the League Cup final, which we went on to win after knocking City out in the semi. And he scored a 97th minute winning goal against some other team, can’t recall who though?! Owen is worth every penny of his wages just for those two incidents.

Question 75: In the 2009 O/T derby how much time did the ref add on, was it A) Four minutes, B) Six Minutes or C) As many minutes as it took to enable United the win?

Something that City fans just won’t let go. They seem not to have read an article which appeared in a national newspaper the following day. Four minutes were

originally added. Bellamy then scored, danced around like a twat and then the game restarted, add another couple of minutes. Then a substitution which added further time. The upshot is that the article highlighted that with all the stoppages in added time the goal actually came just one second over the allotted time.

So no, the ref didn’t add three minutes so United could score, he added three minutes because City thought they could whittle down the time right up to the final whistle. Sadly for them, United never stop playing until the end.

Question 76: In the 2010 Carling Cup semi-final at O/T with the score at 0-0 and City winning 2-1 on aggregate, how was the game turned on its head?

Gluepot claims that it was the United supporters who prevented a City corner being taken properly and thus United went downfield and scored. Maybe so, I don’t recall this. Of course this only made the match 2-2 on aggregate, which in turn would have led to extra time. Furthermore, City fans seem to have a short memory considering that the in the first leg their team were awarded a penalty

by Mike Dean, for a foul that was clearly committed outside of the box and scored the winner from a corner that should have been a goal kick.

So there you have it. I could have contested the vast majority of the questions Gluepot posed, but here is just a snapshot.

Maybe if United win the derby in February, City will just graciously concede that we were, in fact, the better team. But where’s the fun in that?!

www.football-united-blogs.net www.twitter.com/stephdoehler

RED JOKES what do you call a Liverpool fan with a bottle of Champagne? A waiter’

Ah, Liverpool. The only city in the world where JD Sports has an evening-wear department.

NEW TV SHOW starting 1st week in january It’s called I’m a City player GET ME OUT OF HERE !!!!!

Santa said to one of the elves “im fed up of this.

Puttin on this silly red outfit every year. Doin all the work myself and then ending up with nothing”. The elve replied “now ya know how stephen gerrard feels”. :D

Madonna’s house is starting to look like the Arsenal dressing room: eleven young kids, most of whom are foreign signings. they did a survey in liverpool, asking would they b happy to change the currency to the euro, 98% said no, they were happy with the GIRO.

A fan’s-eye view of a year that has changed United supporters’ trust.....

by Ian Patterson.

This time last year saw the Q1 results in United’s finances and the start of a very uncertain period in United’s history. On the pitch United were doing the business as we have come to know year on year but off it a storm was slowly brewing for the fans that still worried about United’s financial situation from the dark days of 2005 when the Glazers got hold of something that will never be theirs.

January and February saw the facts and the bare truth of how bad United finances were due to the Glazers and a surge in numbers joined the Green and Gold campaign and Manchester United Supporters Trust (MUST). An explosion of United fans changed MUST overnight into the biggest supporters trust in the world, going from 30 thousand to over 100 thousand in the space of 24 hours.

Back then I myself had been a full member of MUST for 5/6 years and decided to volunteer my free time to helping those at MUST cope with the mass of orders for Green and Gold scarves from every corner of the world. It meant more to be part of something that can change the history of United forever, but to do it with people that are United fans like every other United fan on the planet is something else. The passion and community amongst those that run MUST as volunteers is amazing.

Each one of the people I’ve met all have the same goal of safeguarding United’s future for years to come by

changing the ownership of the club and bringing the fans of United into the boardroom to give every United fan who goes through the turnstiles a say on what happens at the club we all love.

There are of course the sceptics and critics of MUST but I feel many of them over look what MUST do. Forget the Green & Gold movement and the campaign against the Glazers for a minute. MUST before the events of last year happened was building a community of United fans and putting on social events, match screenings, gala dinners in memory of ex players and even joining Bristol City’s Supporters’ Trust in a charity match to replay the 1909 FA Cup Final 100 years on. You really have to scrape past the surface to see what goes on to bring back the community amongst our faithful. Those who could not make it to Rome in 2009 were given the choice of 7 city centre venues plus one in London and one in Dublin to watch the final of the Champions League in reds only venues at cheaper ticket prices and drinks than anywhere else in the city that night.

With great atmospheres and no interruption from bitters or scousers they were the places to be to watch that game that night. Unfortunately, it wasn’t our night on the pitch but it brought together thousands of United fans to watch a game together which was organised by fans for fans.

These events haven’t stopped be-

cause of the Green and Gold campaign but in fact have added opportunities to do more. During the back end of last season MUST released a shirt to give an alternative to wearing the Glazer/Nike corporate version. As a not-for-profit organisation the money made from the shirt was donated to the British Heart Foundation. 5,000 shirts were sold giving a donation £25,000 to the Foundation, showing that the power people have as a community can bring about great results.

Today that same power is being applied to a second shirt MUST have produced. This time sponsored by Sharp with the profits going to the Prostate Cancer Charity, the shirt, inspired by the 1992 kit, is the only Sharp kit you can’t buy in the Megastore and is very unique in that way.

On the social side of things MUST now has its own match day marquee selling cheap beer and creating a reds only atmosphere for those going to the game or those joining the viewing of the game at a nearby pub and a good choice for all those that gave up their season tickets in protest at

the Glazers.

As recent as the last 2 weeks a Manchester band, First of a Kind (F.O.A.K), decided that they were going to give 100% of the profits from their debut single “Welcome to my city” to MUST as donation to the Green and Gold campaign. So when I look back a year, I think anyone involved with MUST could only have dreamt about what has happened. As a member I’m now looking forward to an exciting future. The fans that volunteer hours and hours bringing together and running what is now the biggest supporters trust in the world are giving the rest of United’s great faithful the chance to be a part, not only of a great organisation and community but, potentially to bring a change in United’s history. Everyone who shares our goal of bringing OUR CLUB into OUR HANDS can join fans from all parts of the globe and change sporting history and lay down a bench mark for the English game.

What was once a dream by a few fans over 10 years ago can now be a reality for thousands of Manchester United fans.

DUNCAN EDWARDS A MAN WHO WOULD BE KING

Written by Paul O’Brien beautiful than the one he left begreat players plying their craft in the hind. Duncan Edwards was born in world today, some extremely talent- Dudley on 1st October, 1936. A boy ed individuals who we are privileged who was born to be great; born to be special. A man who would be king. to watch. We have our own Wayne Duncan was born to play for ManRooney, Barcelona’s Lionel Messi chester United. and former Red Devil and current

There are, without doubt some

Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo. All exciting, attacking players that fill the opposition with dread.

Knowing any of these world-beaters are in the opponent’s starting XI has defenders trembling in their F50’s or their Mercurials. Imagine giving any of these players a bit of defensive authority and you could argue they’d be the complete player.

There was an Englishman with the best features of all three who was also the best defensive midfielder the country has ever produced who was years ahead of his peers and had he lived through the tragedy of Munich air disaster on the 6th of February 1958, would have gone on to create a legacy more

I’m not old enough to have seen Duncan play but I wish I was. I’ve made do with grainy black and white footage and his qualities were there for all the world to see.

The boy had the strength of a bull, the grace of swan almost floating across the baize.

He was powerful in the air with a commanding technique and had skill which would take him past the opposition as though they simply were not there using his surging runs and unbelievable close control. Importantly, Duncan Edwards was blessed with a striking ability with both feet and was equally comfortable to shoot with either and was a natural born

leader who made those around work harder than they normally would. Modern players are often noted for their athletic ability and levels of endurance; Duncan was the prototype.

He could run all day and all night, seven days a week.

A player of his talent was always destined for great things and had fate not taken him earlier than any young man should ever go, he’d have surely been the man who would’ve lifted the World Cup instead of the great, late Bobby Moore. I’m certain that he’d have gone on to become the greatest player of all-time and would’ve been mentioned above Pele, Maradona and Cruyff; he was that good.

Edwards was an integral part of Sir Matt Busby’s team that came so close to winning the club’s first European crown and also contributed hugely to winning the club two league titles during his playing career. Obviously, we can never be sure of what would have happened had he and the other Babes lived but I believe it’s fair to say that we would not only have

triumphed in 1958 but gone on to retain the trophy in 1959 and started a domination of honours that would never have been rivaled. Real Madrid won numerous European titles in the 1950s and had we had Duncan and the Babes alive and healthy, those successes would have belonged to Manchester United and Sir Matt.

England surely would’ve triumphed more having Big Duncan available but all of those thoughts and predictions and ideas never blossomed.

England’s greatest ever player never lifted the trophies he was born to win. A player of Duncan’s calibre deserved the European Cup and he deserved the World Cup, too. 1958 should have signaled the arrival of Duncan on the biggest stage but all we have are memories and dreams unfulfilled. Any true football fan will know that dreams don’t always come true but I believe those that had the honour of witnessing Edwards light up Old Trafford were the ones that were blessed.

The shy lad from the Midlands would’ve been 73 years old this year and I’m sure he’d look at the current crop and admire them but can any of the players of today hold a torch to him? I doubt it. God rest your soul, Duncan. God rest your soul.

Over Seas Supporters One United USA: We Are United In The States By: David Hammons / The United Religion Back in the 1970s, a life-long Red transplanted to New York from England, and nearly 20 years after landing in America, he finally took the onus to establish the Manchester United Supporters Club USA (MUSCUSA).

With no professional league in the United States since 1984, America was starving for some sort of connection to football, so Peter Holland took the initiative to complete all of the necessary groundwork to establish this as the official branch in 1991, and it has been growing the Manchester United fan-base here ever since.

With the involvement of David Herman as the Prime Minister of Public Relations, MUSCUSA has been since re-branded “One United USA: Manchester United Membership and Supporters Club of America” in 2007 to reflect with the club renaming its official membership package, One United.

Without the vision, expertise and connections that both Mr Herman and Mr Holland possess, the fan-base of Manchester United would not be what it is today in the States, because of the tightfisted, unmethodical behavior of Americans.

What started out with just an army of one in the 1990s, has now grown into a strong Red Army of 5,000 supporters across the United States, and because of the vastness of America, we have individual branches in various cities as well.

For some American fans, the first real glimpse of the magnitude that Manchester United possesses was during the 1999 UEFA Champions League Final against Bayern Munich, and to see them overcome the adversity not only made the hair on their arms stick up, but it struck a chord in their heart that they will never forget.

Yes, the successful branding of Manchester United, coupled with the growing popularity of the Barclays Premier League has definitely helped grow the image of the club, but people who live in States want something tangible to hold onto when the Reds back home at Old Trafford - which is exactly what the club offers. <b>Tours</b> The football fans here in the United States might be a bit fickle, but they have always turned out in droves to watch Manchester United play The Beautiful Game during three successful tours to America in the last decade.

Prior to United’s ChampionsWorld Series summer tour in 2003, United has only appeared on American soil eight times and had not been back here since May 1982.

During that tour, Manchester United drew a record crowd of 66,772 to Qwest Field in Seattle, and then opened up Lincoln Financial Field in front of 68,396 to face, FC Barcelona - and those amazing

numbers still serve as the record attendance for both of those American football stadiums today.

Most recently, United came over on the Tour 2010, which allowed our members to get up close and personal with our insider access to see the Reds training sessions at all of the stops on the tour. <b>About</b> “A vast ocean lies between the United States and Old Trafford. We built the bridge,” is our catchy, but very fitting slogan for our supporters group, because what we offer our members.

One United USA extends to its members a truly unique opportunity for Americanbased Red Devil supporters to voyage across the Atlantic Ocean to see the world’s most celebrated football team by conducting at least four different tours per season.

Due to our established relationship with the Club, we are afforded access to Tours of Old Trafford with Legends, United Soccer Schools as well as visits to Carrington.

On top of those exclusive tours, which normally are to some of the most-anticipated matches of the season - Liverpool, Arsenal or Chelsea - a member of the supporters club also has the inside track to match tickets as well.

Our supplemented membership package includes an Official USA Membership Card, an One United USA emblem badge, a one-of-a-kind USA Supporters Branch Scarf, the club’s official 2009/2010 Season Review DVD and access to Members Only Promotions, Special Offers and

eNewsletters.

The introduction of the internet and social media sites, such as facebook and twitter, have immensely helped getting awareness of our supporters club.

One United USA also has a Red Views section, which allows our authors to express their varying opinions about everything United.

by Barbara McNarry George was born in East Belfast on 22nd May 1946. Even from a young age our Mum and Dad, Dickie and Anne, recognised George’s love for football.

Mum, reflecting on her son’s early life, passed the comment “with George it was always the ball!” Dad, well he just said “George instinctively knew what to do with a ball, no matter what shape or size.”

He played for the local boys club in Cregagh. Even though his frame was small it didn’t get in the way of displaying his enormous talent. What did temporarily get in the way was George’s education. At 11 years of age he won a scholarship to the local grammar school Grosvenor High where, unfortunately for George, rugby was the only sport on the curriculum. George was lost without his beloved football and began to skip school. Inevitably he was caught out, with the result that both his parents and the school decided that George would be better off going to Lisnasharragh Secondary. Back with his old friends from primary school and a ball once again at his feet George settled into his new school straight away.

As a young teenager George’s exceptional talent came to the notice of Glentoran - the local football team in East Belfast. But concerned about his small frame they passed him by. Bob Bishop, the Manchester United Scout in Belfast, did not. On seeing George play he knew he had discovered something special and immediately sent a telegram to Manchester United’s manager Matt Busby. The telegram simply read; “I think I’ve found you a genius.” Prophetic words indeed. George Best was to become one of, if not the greatest footballers of all time.

George’s initial trip to Old Trafford was very short lived as he and Eric McMordie who was also trialing for the club were desperately homesick and stayed in Manchester for less than forty eight hours!! However, George quickly decided that he wanted to return to Manchester United. The rest is history.

Sir Matt Busby was known to have said “Leave him alone. Don’t coach him the boy is special.”

George had a glittering career and he was known for his genius on the pitch. Sadly, he was also known for his

exploits off it and in particular those related to his alcohol consumption.

Despite, his flaws, the fans remained loyal to him. Perhaps it was those flaws and his humanity which made us all love him more. Despite his long battle with the bottle, and a liver transplant in 2002, George was unable to beat alcoholism. He once said “Alcohol is the only opponent which I haven’t been able to beat.” On the 25th November 2005, the family and it seems the rest of the world mourned the death of George. On 3rd December, he was afforded one of the most beautiful funerals, Northern Ireland has ever seen and on a wet dismal day, tens of thousands of fans, line the streets to say farewell to the Belfast Boy. Such was the outpouring of grief, that Norman and I felt that we had to turn that into something positive and on 26th April 2006, the George Best Foundation was born. The aims of the charity are twofold. Firstly, to raise funds for research into illnesses associated with alcohol misuse. Secondly and very close to my heart is to promote a healthy lifestyle by encouraging football in particular, but sport in general amongst young people. Part of our vitally important work includes health education on nutrition, alcohol and drug awareness.

To date we have invested one hundred thousand pounds into medical research and almost one hundred and fifty thousand into various sport based initiatives, in the UK, Ireland and Africa. A lot of our projects focus on young people from disadvantaged or socially deprived

back grounds. It is hard work at times, but to hear a young man say “Being part of this George Best Foundation project has changed my life” is very special.

In his last ever interview with Talksport in September 2005, George was asked how he would like the fans to remember him. His response was as follows.

“Well, I know what they will think.

They’ll forget all the rubbish when I’m gone and they’ll remember the football.

It’s as simple as that. As long as they remember the football and if only one person thinks I was the BEST player in the world that will do for me. That’s what it’s about as far as I’m concerned”

Looking back, looking forward.. 2010 in review S

tretford-End.com takes a look back at 2010. It would be easy to spend all our time patting ourselves on the back after a fantastic year for the site but we have never been ones to stand still. In this piece we’ll have a slight moment of reflection to acknowledge all that we achieved in the last 12 months, and our look back at the best of 2010, before having a look at our pre-season predictions and how we’re faring up and concluding with a look at what’s to come in 2011.

2010, what a year Where to start? StretfordEnd.com grew to the point where it is by far the most pro-active, collaborative, forward thinking and innovative United website – in fact, we even reached the point where the BBC described us a Supporters Group in the wake of Rooney-gate. It would be wrong of us to take the credit for that; everything we write has the same value, it is a bunch of black words typed onto a white background. You as the reader create the community so it’s not with delusion that I constantly talk about making a difference. Thank you for thinking we have opinions worth championing, and thank you for making your agreement heard.

So, how did we become the most “pro active, col-

laborative, forward thinking and innovative United website”? We broke news – club exclusives – before anywhere else in the world. Stories that appeared here and then days later appeared in the press of different countries. Some of our stories are obviously still in the air as we await confirmation; some, like our new Shirt exclusive in April and our Ozil exclusive in August, have already confirmed our authenticity.

It was never our intention to become a gossip website nor is that our intention for the future; we merely passed on information we believed to be huge.

We have opinions – big opinions, and we’re not afraid to voice them. When we say we’re asking a question, you can rest assured that we’re asking the question. When we said we wrote an open letter to Wayne Rooney, you better believe that it was sent to the club via Old Trafford/ Carrington and email. When we appealed to the club to buy Nobby Stile’s medals at auction, we did so directly to the club again. When we launched our own, individual support for the Green and Gold campaign – appealing that the club do not release a green and gold shirt while the Glazers are in charge – we did so to United and to Nike, and we intend to send them our

petitions.

To try and become the most comprehensive fan run website we added two amazing guys to our staff; Kyle, and Doron. To ensure that we were embracing technology, and to ensure we were giving you, the reader, the best chance to have this information at your convenience, we became the first Premier League fan website to launch an iPhone application.

Not wanting to stand still, we took a bold step and launched an official “Vodcast” on our YouTube channel. We even managed to get ex-United player David May to voice his opinion on the big games for us!

Forward thinking? When supporters and fan websites may have called for signings that didn’t even make sense, we concentrated on what was needed. The opinion constantly peddled by myself and Doron using Twitter and this blog about Anderson came in for a lot of stick but is (tentatively) being proven right. I will elaborate more in the next segment but the Wayne Rooney letter was surprisingly well received – this, however, was only the aftermath of an eerie feeling I had, firstly prior to the season and then the day before the Rooney bombshell hit.

What you get from

Stretford-End.com is an informed opinion and a reliable gut instinct that correlates with the heart and soul of the club; you will get more of the same in 2011.

Predicitons – How are we doing?

Obviously difficult to pigeonhole just how we are doing success wise; my hopes of a hat-trick of Carling Cup successes were extinguished in December, but even with our collective concerns about injuries, I doubt any of us at Stretford-End.com expected us to be unbeaten in every other competition at the turn of the year. On top with games in hand, United are in pole position, and while we all backed us – naturally – only Kyle did it with the conviction of calling us favourites.

We identified Chelsea as the main contenders for the championship; no-one could have predicted how quickly the double winners seem to have regressed, while the wary prediction that City would come good given the right chemistry still seems unclear.

A collective prediction that Rooney would shine has spectacularly backfired for the first half of the season; we’re hoping for an equally spectacular turnaround in the second half. Doron’s slightly hedged bet of Nani and Anderson in there is probably the closest; but

Kyle’s choices perhaps seemed to be using the finger of doom, as Darren Fletcher has struggled to re-capture the form of last season.

Kyle was a little luckier with his predictions for breakout star – both Anderson and Berbatov have lived up to his words, while my own hope that Rafael would finally stamp his mark on the right back role has come to fruition. Anderson was a collective, unspoken choice, so in plumping for another name, Kiko Macheda was mentioned – though, one rescue act at Villa Park aside, there has been little to write home about in terms of opportunity for the Italian.

Outside of the club, our predictions of “best player” generally wearing the blue of Chelsea have been off the mark; but Kyle was bang on the money predicting a huge rise for Gareth Bale. Unsurprisingly we all woefully underestimated Blackpool though Wolves and Fulham were correctly tipped to struggle. In our general predictions, most accurate to this stage were my own of a “bombshell to rock Old Trafford” that happened in October with Rooney-gate, and Doron’s wonderful prediction that Liverpool would not even make the European spots looks like it might just come true.

Looking forward…

No-one can predict what the future will bring, especially in the world of blogging as sometimes popularity is just as reliant on the news as it is on the reliability of our opinions.

What we can do is share a couple of things in the pipeline; the vodcasts will eventually become podcasts (but remain vodcasts, too!), and, in January, we plan to once again lead the way when we launch the first ever “Webzine” from a Manchester United blog.

The webzine will be a PDF file and will be available for free download and email.

It will feature exclusive content; interviews with ex-players, features, unique content regarding match previews and editorials and also interaction from you, the reader. It will also include the best of StretfordEnd.com from the previous month, including all our match reports.

A blog for the webzine is coming shortly so stick around to see how you can be in our first issue.

by Ed Rant

: ns o ebt i t d s PIK que sense, it does not make. d ere Where is the money coming from? w s n

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The Glazer family is to pay off £243.7

million Payment in Kind (PIK) debt, which is owed by Manchester United’s parent company Red Football Joint Venture (RFJV). The move, which will reportedly involved “money from outside the club”, will eliminate the PIK debt that carries a punitive interest rate of 16.25 per cent annually.

However, the repayment poses almost more questions than answers, with the family’s record on financial transparency shody to say the least. Here’s 10 that Rant wants answers to…

Why pay down the PIKs now?

The high interest rate on the notes made redemption necessary, with the debt rolling up to more than £600 million by maturity in 2017. Redemption removes RFJV’s risk of default on the PIKs and will – presumably – lessen the interest rate burden on the company. The Glazers previously refinanced United’s senior bank debt with a £500 million bond in January, which offered greater flexibility for the family to withdraw United’s cash reserves. But why wait so long to pay the PIKs down if, as blogger Andy Green suggests, no restrictions on redemption have been in place since 2008? Business

Although Bloomberg yesterday reported that the money for PIK repayment will not come from club sources no further details have emerged about how the family intends to afford the £243.7 million redemption costs. Today a Glazer family spokesperson told the BBC that the family has not sold any equity in the club to repay the debt, leaving refinancing by far the most likely option given the perilous state of the Americans’ US business empire.

If this involves refinancing, how much debt is now owed by RFJV? Assuming that the Glazer family has sought additional funding from the credit markets, how much has been taken and against what assets is it secured?

If the family has refinanced the 85 per cent of the PIK notes it did not already own, RFJV will be indebted to the tune of more than £200 million. Moreover, the PIK notes are secured against RFJV’s

shares in United; presumably this will also be the case with any new financing the Glazers have taken out.

How will debt that be repaid?

If the PIK debt is refinanced how will any new credit facility and the associated interest be repaid? The PIK notes represented some of the most expensive finance in commercial credit but the Glazer family continued to roll up interest into the ongoing debt. As a minimum, any new creditor will seek repayment of annual interest, if not the capital sum, which may mature at a later date. Will the Glazer family repay this from their own pockets or use dividends from United to finance the facility?

Will the Glazer family still take dividends?

The terms of the January bond enable the Glazer family to remove £70 million immediately and a further 50 per cent of EBITDA after bond interest payments – around £25 million – each financial year. Although the family has reportedly been spooked by supporter unrest into changing its strategy the facility is still available. After all, somebody will have to repay the new credit facility.

How much money has the Glazer family personally made from this?

The Glazer family bought around 15 per cent of the PIK notes back in 2008 at a heavily discounted rate. Reports suggest the family paid around £12 million for the stake. This came not longer after it borrowed £10 million from United – a sum that is yet to be repaid. However, the Glazers stake, at today’s redemption rate, is worth about £36 million, leaving

suggestions that the family has personally profited from the PIK redemption.

What of United’s assets?

Old Trafford could still be sold and and United’s training base at Carrington transfered to a Glazer holding company

under the terms of the January bond.

Sale- and lease-back arrangements could net the family more than £400 million but forever burden the club with punitive rental costs. Nothing in today’s PIK refinancing suggests an asset-lock is – or ever will be – in place.

What about the Bond debt?

The £500 million bond issued in January, which is costing the club £45 million per season in interest payments, matures in 2017. What will the Glazer family do:repay the debt or refinance yet again? As yet the family has shown no inclination to de-leverage the club, leaving a £500 million bill in six years time.

The bond actually increased interest payable on the bulk of United’s debt but increased the flexibility the Glazer fam-

ily has over United’s finances. But if the specific intention was to enable greater dividend streams to flow the family’s way, why did they not take them? It seems that supporter anger and poor season-ticket sales may have had an effect on the Glazer family’s strategy.

What about the Glazers’ other business interests?

Green previously demonstrated the dire state of the family’s property empire, which has not expanded in four years and seen a number of malls default on their mortgages. Analysis done by Green, the Guardian and BBC Panorama in February predicted that further foreclosures are likely within the Glazer property business portfolio, which made just $9 million pre-tax profits last year.

The Glazer family has also sold personal property and other business interests as the recession bit hard into their fortune.

Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Bucaneer’s franchise has lost a third of its value according to Forbes magazine, with the Florida based club also heavily indebted and rapidly losing supporters.

Will United now spend in the transfer market?

Today’s quarterly Red Football Ltd accounts showed £151.7 million burning a hole in United’s bank account but will a previously parsimonious regime allow Sir Alex Ferguson to spend next summer? With up to four players due to retire and two others out of contract, the Old Trafford exit door could be busy. Shortly after Wayne Rooney signed a new contract in October a rash of media stories suggested Ferguson will have substantial funds to spend next summer. Indeed, the Glazer family once promised £25 million net spend per season. During their regime it is substantially less. Will they finally loosen the purse strings?

THE HEADLINES CITY LINKED TO GERMAN STRIKER Rumours that Manchester city tried this week to sign up kuntz can now be confirmed. We at Red Army Fanzine can reveal that the player rejected the move due to city already having 11 kuntz on the team.

We have reports that Arsen Wenger is very angry that he did not manage to get the minners

.

Fergie’s 24 years at United

by Steph Doehler

Most would argue that it was the 6th November 1986 which changed Manchester United’s recent history – the day that Alex Ferguson walked into Old Trafford as manager for the first time. However I’d like to say it was in fact a dreary autumn day in 1985 when United’s recent history was shaped. Ferguson had just been offered the opportunity to manage Spurs, an offer he swiftly rejected. Some could say had he taken the job United would not have got their man who turned out to be the most successful manager in illustrious United’s history. Sir Alex recently celebrated his 24th year in charge of Manchester’s premier club and his position in English football history has firmly been cemented. Of course it hadn’t always been this way.

Ferguson’s first challenge at United was to rid the club of the drinking culture that took over during his predecessor, Ron Atkinson’s, time in charge. Player’s discipline improved as did United’s league position; lying 21st in the league when Ferguson took the reigns, they finished in 11th. A modest, yet progressive, first season in charge. The following season they finished 2nd behind champions, Liverpoool. The fans started to believe that United could challenge for the title they had not won since 1967.

However the management of the club soon turned sour and after 7 defeats in 9 matches (included a 5-1 loss to rivals, City) a banner was erected at Old Trafford that stated ‘3 years of excuses – ta ra Fergie.’ Never before has the saying ‘spoke to soon,’ been more relevant.

It was during the Premier League’s maiden

season in 1992 when Ferguson made possibly his boldest steps from turning United into a dominant force, with the £1.2m acquisition of Eric Cantona from Leeds. United’s future finally looked bright and this was compounded by winning the league title in the same season – ending a 26 year wait.

The rest, as they say, is history. In the last twenty four years Ferguson has won 11 Premier League titles, 5 FA Cups, 4 League Cups, 9 Community Shields, 2 Champion’s Leagues, 1 Cup Winner’s Cup, 1 Super Cup, 1 Intercontinental Cup and 1 Club World Cup. Not bad for a manager whose head was on the block after just a couple of seasons in charge.

I don’t want to dwell too heavily on retelling the tale of Fergie’s time in charge, instead I will focus on some of his most special matches at the helm of United. No doubt people will read this and say ‘Why hasn’t that game been included?’ The answer is simple – if I were to include every one of Ferguson’s top moments this article would take up the entire magazine, therefore 24 matches will be revisited.

1.

Manchester United vs QPR, 1986.

Following defeat to Oxford United and a draw with Norwich City, Ferguson’s first win as United manager came in a 1-0 victory against QPR. It’s hard to imagine back to the time when Ferguson first took charge (mainly because I was only six months old!), but England has recently been knocked out of the World Cup as a result of the ‘hand of God,’ Berlin’s Take My Breath Away was number 1 in

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the charts, and Sir Alex Ferguson’s record breaking reign in charge of United was just underway.

2.

Manchester United vs Crystal Palace, 1990.

Ferguson’s first trophy as United manager, beating Palace 1-0 in the FA Cup final. Back in the day when the world’s oldest cup competition still really mattered to clubs, Mark Robbins’ headed winner is widely said to have kept Fergie in a job.

3.

Manchester United vs Barcelona, 1991.

The first of two matches against Barcelona featured in this article. United’s 2-1 victory over Barcelona in the Cup Winners’ Cup final gave United fans the belief that their club were once again ready to compete against the top teams. Two Mark Hughes goals, followed by a Ronald Koeman consolation, were enough to see United victorious in the European competition for the first time since 1968.

4.

Manchester United vs Sheffield Wednesday, 1993.

The match that first brought about the notion of ‘Fergie time.’ With Villa and Norwich battling United for the league title, the Yorkshire club visited Old Trafford. Wednesday were 1-0 up with time running out but two Steve Bruce headers won a game that had appeared irretrievable. The victory gave United the required momentum to win their first league title under Fergie.

This far from the last occasion that time added on would become a controversial talking point in an important match.

5.

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Oldham vs Manchester United, 1994.

The FA semi-final was into extra time when Oldham struck first. Almost inevitable Mark Hughes equalised with a stunning volley to rescue United. We went on to win the replay comfortably before a 4-0 victory over Chelsea in the final and for the first time in the club’s history, they enjoyed a league and cup double.

6.

Crystal Palace vs Manchester United, 1995.

Another mention for Palace, not a team you’d expect would feature twice, nevertheless this match was chosen more for events off the pitch than on it. The match was hardly a classic, concluding in a 1-1 draw. It was what happened to star striker, Eric Cantona, that made the match special. Cantona was walking towards the touchline having just been sent off. In footage we’ve all seen numerous times Cantona amazingly leaped towards Palace fan, Matthew Simmons, with both feet in what became dubbed the ‘kung-fu kick.’ The

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Frenchman was banned for eight months, United relinquished both the league and cup, yet it was Fergie’s loyalty to Cantona following the incident which must be commended. Cantona had allegedly requested a transfer out of England which the management flatly rejected. On his return Cantona set up a goal and scored a penalty against Liverpool. The king was back.

7.

Manchester United vs Ipswich Town, 1995.

Although the teams were at the opposite ends of the table and nothing more than a United victory was expected few would have bet on the final result. Andy Cole’s five goals helped United to a 9-0 win, which remains the largest victory in Premier League history.

8.

Newcastle United vs Manchester United, 1996.

The most important clash of the season, both clubs were the front runners in the title race. The Magpies, who had enjoyed a 12 point lead at one point of the season, went into the match just 4 points ahead. Earlier in the season Keegan famously ranted “I will love it if we beat them! Love it!” A single goal from Cantona was enough to cut the gap at the top of the table to a single point. Newcastle capitulated and United ended up winning the league by four points.

9.

Manchester United vs Liverpool, 1996.

The FA Cup final – a completely forgettable match was deemed one of the worst finals in the last 20 years. Yet United once again prevailed late on as a poor Beckham corner was punched away by keeper David James. The ball fell to Cantona on the edge of the box who magnificently smashed

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it home. On the opening day of the season, Liverpool legend Alan Hansen famously said, ‘you’ll never win anything with kids,’ now a squad that included Beckham, Giggs, Butt, Scholes and the Nevilles had secured United’s second double in three seasons.

10.

Arsenal vs Manchester United, 1999.

Some games will be instilled in fans’ memories for the rest of their lives. The next three fall into that category. The first FA Cup semi-final had ended in a 0-0 draw so the clubs reconvened at Villa Park later in the week, with United determined to win after a perfectly good Keane goal was disallowed in the first match. The more exciting replay saw a beautiful Beckham goal, an equaliser, a sending off (Keane), an Arsenal disallowed goal, a last minute penalty save and then probably the best ever FA Cup goal as Ryan Giggs took possession of the ball in his own half, ran through the Arsenal defence and smash the ball into the roof of the net. Fans mobbed the United players at the final whistle as Beckham was carried off the pitch on their shoulders.

11.

Juventus vs Manchester United, 1999.

Possibly the most important match of the season, afterall had we not won, we’d never have reached the final.

Semi-final of the Champion’s League and a 1-1 home draw in the first leg meant United had much to do in Italy. As we’ve often seen from United, they made things hard for themselves, going 2-0 down in the first 12 minutes. Few expected United to progress.

However Keane, who had earlier been booked and therefore suspended for the prospective final, showed a skipper’s masterclass as he drove the team on, scoring their first. Yorke headed United’s equaliser,

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as commentator Clive Tyldesley has put it, United has seen Juve’s away goal, and they had raised it. Andy Cole slid in a third and it was full speed ahead Barcelona.

12.

Bayern Munich vs Manchester United, 1999.

In the ten days that had preceded the 1999 Champion’s League final United had secured the Premier League title and beaten Newcastle in the FA Cup final. A historic treble was on the cards but yet again United had to come from behind after a deflected Mario Basler freekick saw Bayern take the lead. The Germans dominated for much of the match, hitting the woodwork on two occasions… then injury time hit and we all know the rest. Goals from Sheringham and Solskjear won us our second European Cup on, what would have been, Sir Matt Busby’s 90th birthday. Manchester United had reached the promise land we were told by our television sets – Tyldesley couldn’t have been more accurate.

13.

Leeds United vs Manchester United, 2000.

As the new millennium was counted down Leeds were sitting at the top of the Premier League, with the clash at Elland Road ever important in United’s title quest.

An Andy Cole goal was enough to secure victory and by the end of the season Leeds finished in third place, 22 points adrift of the champions.

14.

Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester United, 2001.

This match really is the epitome of Manchester United and further emphasises their spirit described in the above two matches – never say die. United went in at half time 3-0 down but something Fergie said at the interval woke them up as goals from Cole,

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Blanc, Van Nistelrooy, Veron and Beckham compounded the most amazing and unexpected turnaround. Ferguson has since said in interviews that this has been his favourite United match.

15.

Manchester United vs Arsenal, 2001.

Rarely do you see in a match between the two main title contenders, one team dominate so heavily over another.

Having already lost 1-0 at Highbury earlier in the season, United were seeking redemption. Yorke with three goals in the first 22 minutes says it all, as United romped to a 6-1 victory over their nearest rivals.

16.

Manchester United vs Real Madrid, 2003.

Despite being ultimately knocked out of the Champion’s League this match was a true great.

Having been beaten 3-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu United fans knew their chances of progressing were, if we’re honest, slim.

The biggest surprise of the night was David Beckham’s exclusion. Demoted to the bench, rumours that Beckham would be leaving in the summer were rife. A Ronaldo hatrick (accompanied by a standing ovation from the United fans when he was substituted) was not enough for Real to win on the night. Beckham came off the bench to score two late goals as United won 4-3, his final Champion’s League match in a United shirt.

17.

Manchester United vs Fenerbache, 2004.

Any 6-2 victory in the Champion’s League is special. But what made this win even more illuminating is the hatrick scored by 18 year old debutant Wayne Rooney. Some questioned the £30m price tag for the teenager before this match, few did afterwards.

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18.

Everton vs Manchester United, 2007.

The league title hadn’t been ours for three seasons as Arsenal and then Chelsea dominated the Premier League.

The Abramovich/Mourinho partnership didn’t look like loosening its grip on English football by the 2006-07 season either.

Nevertheless United had been at the top of the table for a few months but the fear of a slip up still took its toll on fans’ minds. Chelsea were ahead of Bolton as United took to the pitch against Everton, and at 2-0 down things didn’t look good.

Naturally United quickly hit back before Rooney and Chris Eagles scored to make it 4-2. As news that Chelsea has drawn against Bolton came through, United fans started to let themselves believe that they were to be champions once again.

19.

Manchester United vs Roma, 2007.

Yet another special European night at Old Trafford. United, turning over a 2-1 deficit from Rome, secured one of their finest wins in the Champion’s League with a 7-1 victory over Roma in the quarter-final.

United tore the Italians apart with a scintillating display that culminated in their biggest European victory since beating Irish side, Waterford, in 1968.

20.

Manchester United vs Arsenal, 2008.

Certainly the most appealing of the fifth round FA Cup draw, United and Arsenal were also competing at the top of the league table, with Arsenal ahead. United’s performance in the cup was exemplary, pummelling their rivals 4-0. Following this match Arsenal sur-

2 - 4

7 - 1

4 - 0

render their position at the top of the table and many saw this victory as United’s platform for their rush of good form.

21.

Manchester United vs Barcelona, 2008.

The first leg of the Champion’s League semi-final at the Nou Camp was a dull 0-0 draw, after Ronaldo had missed an early penalty. The return leg at Old Trafford was anything but dull. Fergie said this was the best atmosphere he’d ever experienced as manager as United fans spelt out ‘BELIEVE’ in a mosaic prior to kick off. Scholes fired home early on from distance. Every player and fan knew that whilst United were in the driving seat, a Barcelona equaliser would see them face Chelsea in the final. As the final whistle blew joyous scenes, partly of relief, were seen all around the ground.

22.

Manchester United vs Chelsea, 2008.

One night in Moscow – not only Chelsea’s first appearance in a European Cup final but the only ever all English final. United put themselves ahead after a Ronaldo (who else?) header but Lampard equalised just before half time. The rest of the match was almost forgettable. Chelsea were, maybe, the better team but as extra time drew to a close penalties were looming. Ronaldo was the first to miss and as all the other scored theirs, John Terry, Mr. Chelsea himself, stepped up to win the match. The rained had been pouring all night and on Terry’s run up he slipped on the surface, with the ball flying over the bar and the rest is history. Just like the 1999 victory, there were sentiments here too, 50 years on from the Munich aircrash, United has won their third European crown.

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1 - 1

23.

Manchester United vs Aston Villa, 2009.

Unitedâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2008/09 campaign experienced a stuttering spell during spring and Liverpool were catching up with the champions. The visitors went 2-1 up before Ronaldo equalised. Then late on in the game Federico Macheda, making his first appearance for the club, took control of the ball on the edge of the Villa box, turned and majestically struck the ball into the net. Delirious scenes at Old Trafford as United moved ever close to their 18th league title, moving them level with Liverpool.

24.

Manchester United vs Manchester City, 2009.

Really I could have chosen any of the three

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4 - 3

winning derby matches last season but Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve decided on the 4-3 victory. The media had built the match up before kick off, as it was felt that Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fortunes were finally turning. Having come from behind on three occasions in the match one could argue that City were hard done by. Seven minutes into added time Michael Owen scored the winner to send United players, fans and coaching staff into raptures. Not the last time in the season that City would be undone by a late United winner.

Apocalypse Later Sometimes in life things need to get really bad before they can start to get better. Say for example you have a drinking problem, but you can’t admit it to yourself. The longer you spend drinking vodka at home in your pyjamas at 11am, not believing you really have a problem because it’s just to “straighten you out”, the worse you’ll be affected long-term. The best thing for you, in the long run, is to go completely and utterly off the rails: to take your trousers off at a family gathering, before texting your boss to say he stinks of turnips, then being sick on your gran’s head, before driving to Aberdeen up the wrong side of the motorway on a moped. Things have got so bad that it’s time to reassess and change your life, and you may reconsider the next morning vodka.

Liverpool threw up on their gran’s head about a month ago; some American with a lot of money and a great personality and his extremely photogenic wife intervened and are now in there removing all traces of alcohol from the cupboards. Just weeks later, Manchester United got that salivating sensation when stood over their gran’s head, before running off to the toilet to be sick just in the nick of time. Sick down the toilet, not on the gran’s head. No big crisis, no life-threatening trip to Aberdeen, so hair-of-the-dog vodkas all-round the next morning. And on it

chris wrathnall

goes.

The gran in this case obviously relates to Wayne Rooney – that’s not the first time you’ve ever heard that, is it? Had Rooney left, the road to freeing United of its parasitic owners would have greatly shortened. This is representative of the strange life of a United supporter these days. Every success perpetuates the idea that everything’s alright with the club, despite the Glazers’ damaging contribution.

Every failure and we’re closer to the light at the end of the tunnel and the house of cards crashing down. A United without Rooney and things would likely get worse on the pitch, then off it, before positive changes came into motion. It’s confusing, let me tell you. But he wanted to join City. Wanting your best player to join Chelsea is officially the signal that times are strange.

We’ve long been overly reliant on Rooney, and his absolutely correct statement that the squad was going backwards could and should have been one of the most significant blows for the Glazers’ ownership.

People can talk all they like about money and wages and all the rest of it, and I’m sure it’s absolutely a very important consideration for Rooney and his agent. But pinning it mainly on that suggests Rooney would leave, for argument’s sake, £100k p/w at United with us winning the league every year to go and play for City in

League Two for £500k p/w. I don’t think he would. The fact is, Rooney wanted to join City because they’re going forward while we’re going backward. And if things don’t change soon, they’ll be able to wave

at us on their way past. Had Rooney left, the team really would continue on a downward spiral, and with enough cash to perhaps bring in John Hartson to partner Michael Owen up front – the Glazers knew this, and that’s why they swiftly offered more cash and “guarantees” (pah!) that money will be spent.

The reactions to Rooney’s possible defection pre-about-turn weren’t too surprising. The majority of Reds were apparently absolutely flabbergasted by the Scouse Everton fan wanting to leave United for City, where they’d pay him more and have more money to buy top class players.

Alex Ferguson was, well, Alex

Ferguson: playing the part of the downtrodden manager of the little club who was having his prized asset snatched away thanks to meddling agents and the superior clout of a richer club – Ferguson doesn’t do irony. Supporters of clubs like Spurs and Everton were no doubt loving every minute of it, and so they should.

And the underlying, sad truth in all of this is that Manchester United would’ve benefited more in the long term had Rooney left, and that in holding on to him the club lurches along, papering over cracks while other teams leave us behind.

As for Rooney’s return to the squad on Saturday? With a bit of time and a few goals he’ll no doubt be hero worshipped again, and then there’ll be roars once more when he leaves, probably to City but for a larger transfer fee. Me? I’m waiting for the big intervention – I want the club to be sick on its gran’s head, insult the boss, moped to Aberdeen, and sooner rather than later. Wanting the lads in red to win every match is nonnegotiable, it’s something I couldn’t switch off even if I wanted to; understanding things need to get worse so that they can get better is the bizarre by-product of this unfortunate situation. As for individuals like Rooney?

He doesn’t care about me, so what do I care about him? Wake me up if Paul Scholes says he wants to sign for City.

Otherwise, I don’t really care.

RYAN RYAN GIGGS GIGGS

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two great players Player name: Ryan Giggs Date of birth: 29 Nov 1973 Nationality: Welsh Position: Midfielder Height: 1.8m Number: 11 Ferguson said:

“there's not a team in the world that can handle Giggs' speed and penetration.” united games: 848 united goals:

156

Ryan Giggs has played for United for his entire professional career. A true red blooded player Giggs at 37 continues to impress every time he plays.Giggs holds a host of football records, including that of being the most decorated player in English football history.

“Ryan makes you believe there is a football God - Ron Atkinson I was almost in tears watching him perform” - Alan Smith,Greater Manchester Schools Manager “I think Ryan Giggs must be the best player in England. He is outstanding. Any team in the world would love to have him” - John Jensen “All of us at Juventus agreed Manchester United were the best side we met in the Champions League. They have so many talented young players and can only get better and better. Giggs is truly world class” - Zinedine Zidane “Like Best*, there is a special fantasia about him” - Fabio Capello * George Best

"It was a very simple team talk. All I used to say was 'Whenever possible, give the ball to George'" united games: 361 united goals:

167

GEORGE BEST BEST GEORGE

Player name: George Best Date of birth: 22 May 1946 Nationality: Northern Irish Position: winger/Midfielder Height: 1.75m Number: 7 Busby said:

George Best is manchester united. One of the best known players in the world ever, George never failed to blow the crowd away every time he played at ot. no one could ever question that Best without a doubt will never be forgoten at united.

“We had our problems with the wee feller, but I prefer to remember his genius” - Sir Matt Busby “I spent a lot of money on booze, birds and fast cars. The rest I just squandered”.-George best “Best I used to go missing a lot... Miss Canada, Miss United Kingdom, Miss World”.-George Best

statistics

one great team

loads of “doh!”

Liverpool fc’s brand new board game

Can you work out who killed the scouce’s chances of winning anything?

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