Red Army issue 6

FOR THE FANS BY THE FANS

BritAIn’s biggest Manchester United magazine MAY 2012

ROONEY’S THE REAL DEAL!

Could our Wayne surpass the great Sir Bobby Charlton as United’s greatest-ever goalscorer?

DERBY D-DAY!

We profile the most important Manchester derby for decades, and dispel a few tired old blue myths in the process!

LUCKY 13!

Living legend Ryan Giggs on why scooping his 13th Premier League medal in 2012, would eclipse winning the previous 12!

SUPER DAVE! A look at De Gea’s dramatic and rapid transformation between the sticks.

VILLAINS TURNED HEROES! We sing the praises of two of United’s most unsung heroes in 2011/12.

PLUS RYAN GIGGS CLAYTON BLACKMORE DUNCAN EDWARDS GARY NEVILLE PAUL SCHOLES

FREE

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welcome

With the destination of the title still unknown it is hard to reflect fully on Manchester United’s achievements this season. However what we do know is that no matter how much money Manchester City have spent on players, Sir Alex Ferguson’s men have always been able to compete on the same level as our noisy neighbours; and with our youthful squad there is evidence to suggest that nothing is going to change in the next few seasons.

With some old faces leaving us at the start of the season and the likes of Cleverley, Welbeck, Jones, Smalling, Hernandez and the Da Silva twins becoming established members of Manchester United’s squad, it is clear by all intents and purposes that this season has been a year of transition and a team of less experience.

With this in mind, the level of football that Manchester United have been playing and the position that they have found themselves in at this present time in the Premier league has to go down as an unbelievable achievement.

In an era where teams can spend multi-million pounds on transfers with cash from their rich owners it is a remarkable feat that Manchester United have stuck to their philosophy of playing products of the youth system with a style of football designed to not only win trophies, but also to entertain.

There have been many highs and many lows this season. Manchester United’s swift exit from a relatively average Champions League group, followed by a humbling in the Europa League by Athletic Bilbao were major disappointments this term.

The defeat to Crystal Palace in the League Cup was a night to forget and the 6-1 defeat to City made Manchester an unbearable place to live for several weeks.

However considering all this, together with our horrendous injury list which saw United have 15 first team players out injured at Christmas, the early loss of our captain Nemanja Vidic and the millions spent by Manchester City, Liverpool, Tottenham and Chelsea; what Manchester United have achieved this season in terms of league results has been nothing short of a miracle.

Let us bear this in mind as we cheer our team on down the home-straight, in what could be a memorable year where our beloved team in red won their 20th league title against all the odds.

Despite this being our second season, Red Army Fanzine is still in its infancy.

However, with the help of YOU the fans, Red Army has already become the world’s largest distributed football fanzine and an established part of Manchester United’s worldwide fan base. With new and exciting partners on board, Red Army is about to take its media empire to the next level and every single fan is going to be a part of it.

Next season there will be an issue of Red Army released every month and the best part about it is that is the only magazine for Manchester United fans that is absolutely free!

The Editor would like to take this opportunity to thank all the fans who were involved in Red Army this season, a warm welcome to all the new readers of our magazine and a special thank you to all our sponsors in this month’s edition who have helped us to make this latest issue of Red Army possible.

Many Thanks

Darren Lamb

@redarmyfanzine

Red Army Magazine Editor in Chief

Darren Lamb

Chief Sub Editor

Sean McGuire

Sub Editors

Lierre Matthews

Louis Lamb

Lee Matthews

Design Manager

Mike Diver

Deputy Art Manager

Omar Thompson

Photography

Natalie Lamb

Lydia McKay

Contributions

Adam Mills

Jon Breward

Adam Ward

Tom Rowland

Richard Laverty

Paul Liptrot

Special thanks to: Clayton Blackmore Director Email:

Jason Brown jasonbrown@redarmy.co.uk

Website Manager

Jason Pickston

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News - Interviews - Columists - Features

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Chester RoadOld OldTrafford Trafford M16 M16 0GU 0GU 660660 Chester Road 8 | Red Army | Issue 5

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WhenPaulGascoigne startedtoshedatear, irealisedthatfootball wasmorethaneleven menverseseleven menonafootball field.

P6

P8+9

P14+15

P24+25

P12+13

P16 At this stage of the season it appears that united’s front men will be more likely to make the breakthrough as Rooney, Valencia, Young, scholes, Nani and Welbeck still look sharp in attack, whereas Manchester City’s frontmen look have faded as the season has gone on.

The other major factor is experience. united have players that have been there and done it all before and this could prove vital in this season’s finale.

P18+19 The Reds know that Giggs, scholes, Ferdinand, Carrick, Rooney and evra have all the experience needed to take them over the finish line and the younger players will feed of their composure.

This is why i am tipping Manchester united to get a result at the etihad stadium on April 30th and ultimately i am confident that sir Alex Ferguson can lead Manchester united to their 20th league title.

P38+39

P32+33

DERBY STATS

As of 8 January 2012, there have been 162 competitive meetings between the teams. united have won 68 and City 44, the remaining 50 games finishing as draws.

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united players have won the european Player of the Year four times (sir Bobby Charlton, Denis Law, George Best and Cristiano Ronaldo). City players have won it zero times. issue 6 RedArmy 24

P6 THE FUTURE FOR RED-NEV!

P14/15 VILLAINS TURNED HEROES!

Gary Neville has swapped the United dressingroom for the Sky TV studios and done so with his typical blend of self-belief, wit and fair-mindedness. But what if one day in the not too distant future, he returned to Old Trafford to assist and eventually succeed Sir Alex? We examine his credentials for the role and argue why he’d be the perfect fit for the club he loves so dearly.

We sing the praises of two of United’s most unsung heroes in 2011/12 - Northern Ireland international Jonny Evans and midfield stalwart Michael Carrick. Whilst they’re not - and indeed probably will never be the darlings of the Stretford End - their collective performances since the New Year have been manful and done much to help us stand on the threshold of a 20th league title.

P8/9 DERBY D-DAY!

P16 SUPER DAVE!

The most important Manchester derby for decades comes under the Red Army spotlight here, and we also put paid to a few tired old blue-tinted myths concerning attendances, local geography and so on.

David De Gea’s recent goalkeeping performances have been nothing short of sensational. Here, we review the young Spaniard’s dramatic and rapid transformation between the sticks for United since his unbelievable injury-time save in the 3.3 draw at Stamford Bridge, and ask what was all the fuss about his performances in the first place.

P12/13 ROONEY’S THE REAL DEAL!

Could Wayne Rooney surpass the great Sir Bobby Charlton as United’s leading all-time goalscorer?

Given his age and current form in front of goal, it would appear it’s only a matter of time before our Wayne surpass the great Sir Bobby as Old Trafford’s undisputed goal-king.

contents

P24/25 DON’T MESS WITH THE MASTER!

In the field of end-of-season mind games and wind-ups, Sir Alex is the undisputed master - just ask Kevin Keegan or Rafa Benitez! Here, we look back at some of the gaffer’s classic late-season ripostes and toast his continued impact on the fortunes of our great club.

P32/33 NOT SUCH A VINTAGE YEAR!

Dave Sexton’s scientific approach to football did little to endear him to the Old Trafford faithful in 1977/78. And, with faltering fortunes in the league, an early exit from the League Cup, the sale of fans’ favourite Gordon Hill and the infamous crowd trouble against St. Etienne, the late seventies were indeed a far cry from the current glory days at the Theatre of Dreams.

P38/39 DUNCAN EDWARDS

P18/19 LUCKY 13!

Living legend Ryan Giggs on why scooping his 13th Premier League medal in 2012, would eclipse winning the previous 12 with the club he supported as a boy growing up in Salford, and continues to represent so imperiously today.

SIR Matt Busby described Duncan Edwards as the most ‘complete footballer in Britain possibly the world’. The greatest tragedy is that his death aged just 21 from injuries sustained in the Munich air crash meant his full potential was never realised.

issue 6 RedArmy

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Gary Neville

BY Adam Mills

Picture it: it’s 2016/17. Man United have just won their third consecutive league title, with a team made up of a core of English players, and world-class stars.

The newly-renovated 85,000-seat Old Trafford watch club veteran Wayne Rooney and new manager Gary Neville left the Premier League aloft. His tactical genius and mix of grit, finesse and hunger has seen his new team become the new breed of international footballers.

S

ounds good, doesn’t it? Alas, Gary chose a different path. If I had said to you at the start of the season that former United captain Gary Neville would become a perfect fit for Sky Sports, you’d have laughed in my face. But his down-to-earth, honest and comprehensive take on the game has made him a fundamental part of the success this season of Sky’s coverage.

Neville retired during last season, and duly decided upon a career within the media, as opposed to jumping on the coaching bandwagon. The vast majority of football fans saw this as a poor move from Sky, but the raw potential they saw in the opinionated Mancunian has since been fulfilled, and he is integral to the Sky football punditry set-up.

But how different would it have been had he decided to stay within football, rather than join the media?

Well, probably something similar to how I started. Gary has the desire to do whatever he wants, as proven throughout his career. The rules didn’t matter to the United captain - if he believed it, he’d do it. One moment that prominently sticks out in my mind was his celebration in front of the Liverpool fans in early 2006, after Rio’s 90th-minute winner. He didn’t care what anyone thought, but the club meant so much to him, that running to the other side of the stadium, before pounding the crest and his chest in front of our bitter rivals seemed the natural thing to do. Only Gary Neville, eh?

It is this emotion that is shown in his media coverage, which has been half the reason he’s been such a success. He has a clear passion

6 RedArmy issue 6

for the game, and has managed to channel that into his analysis, in an unbiased (the majority of the time...) and fair manner. His following on Twitter share similar stories, too. His wit and humour seem to endear him to even the most bitter of fans - including those of Liverpool.

I was asked last week what I thought of G. Nev. He’s a club legend, but would I like to see him return to the club in more of a coaching capacity? Absolutely. The experience he has is an invaluable asset to any team, let alone a team of potential stars. The return of Paul Scholes reinvigorated the whole squad, and the links between Giggs and Scholes have been a joy to behold this season. The wealth of knowledge they bring the dressing room is priceless, and putting Neville into that mix too would only add strength and desire.

I can genuinely see Gary Neville in the technical area representing the club he’s always been with. He has the expertise to follow Sir Alex, and continue the ethos of the club he has belonged to for so long. Whether or not he can replicate his form on screen on the field too is another question, but the coaching set-up under Sir Alex will always have a vacancy for a certain Mr. Neville.

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DeRBY

DAY

_________

MON 30th L I _ R _ _ P _ _ A _ _ _ _

editor - sean McGuire

With Derby day approaching fast, while the tension will be building up across Manchester, behind the scenes the planning ahead will have already started in what is being dubbed as the biggest Manchester Derby of all time. in the three meetings between the red and blue sides of Manchester so far this season there has been a staggering 17 goals scored in total. united have been victorious 3-2 on two occasions and then there was the forgettable 6-1 defeat at Old Trafford. if these games are anything to go by then this end of season title showdown could be a spectacular event.

This time though, with the stakes being so high, there could be a touch of tension in the two teams play as a defeat could mean the end of this years Premier League title hopes.

sir Alex Ferguson believes that concentration is the key to overcome games at this stage of the season as one mistake could prove to be very costly. This is what what both sets of teams will have in mind as winning the game looks like coming down to either a mistake or a flash of genius.

United have had a higher average attendance than City every single season since 1947.

DERBY STATS City have gone 35 years without a trophy. united once went 37 years without a trophy‌ but for 11 of those years no football was played because of World War 1 and World War 2.

23 RedArmy issue 6issue 6 8 RedArmy

ernest Mangnall is the only man to have managed both clubs. He oversaw united’s first national trophy wins, gaining two league titles and one FA Cup.

redarmy.co.uk redarmy.co.uk

WhenPaulGascoigne startedtoshedatear, irealisedthatfootball wasmorethaneleven menverseseleven menonafootball field.

At this stage of the season it appears that united’s front men will be more likely to make the breakthrough as Rooney, Valencia, Young, scholes, Nani and Welbeck still look sharp in attack, whereas Manchester City’s frontmen look have faded as the season has gone on.

The other major factor is experience. united have players that have been there and done it all before and this could prove vital in this season’s finale.

DERBY STATS As of 8 January 2012, there have been 162 competitive meetings between the teams. united have won 68 and City 44, the remaining 50 games finishing as draws.

The Reds know that Giggs, scholes, Ferdinand, Carrick, Rooney and evra have all the experience needed to take them over the finish line and the younger players will feed of their composure.

This is why i am tipping Manchester united to get a result at the etihad stadium on April 30th and ultimately i am confident that sir Alex Ferguson can lead Manchester united to their 20th league title.

united players have won the european Player of the Year four times (sir Bobby Charlton, Denis Law, George Best and Cristiano Ronaldo). City players have won it zero times. issue 6issue RedArmy 6 RedArmy 24 9

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Round-up Goal of the Month Paul Scholes v QPR

There have been many great strikes this month including Valencia and Young’s goals at Blackburn. However purely because it capped a brilliant display by United’s ginger prince, this months goal of the month award has to go Paul Scholes for his blockbuster against QPR at Old Trafford.

Player of The Month Antonio Valencia

The Ecuadorian has been a revelation for United this season since his return from injury and some outstanding performances on the right-wing in recent weeks have earned him the right to be Red Army’s player of the month.

Results 26/03/12 Manchester United 1-0 Fulham (Rooney 42’) 02/04/12 Blackburn 0-2 Manchester United (Valencia 81’, Young 85’) 08/04/12 Manchester United 2-0 QPR (Rooney 15’, Scholes 68’) 11/04/12 Wigan 0-1 Manchester United 15/04/12 Manchester United 4-0 Aston Villa (Rooney (pen) 7′, 73′ Welbeck 43′ Nani 90) 10 RedArmy issue 6

The Manager

‘The fans have been important over the years at this time of the season, said Ferguson. The surge they can give us, particularly at Old Trafford, in the last 15 minutes or so almost helps to suck the ball into the net.”

Fixture Dates Manchester United v Everton Sunday 22nd April Manchester City v Manchester United Monday 30th April Manchester United v Swansea City Sunday 6th May Sunderland v Manchester United Sunday 13th May

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Rooney to become greatest goalscorer in United’s history?

BY Michael Ramsay.

10. WAYNE ROONEY Birthdate: Birthplace:

24 Oct 1985 Croxteth, Liverpool

Position:

Striker

Appearances

361

Goals Scored

178

Joined United:

31 Aug 2004

United Debut: 28 Sept 2004 v Fenerbahce (H) International:

England

1, Sir Bobby Charlton

249

2, Dennis Law

237

3, Jack Rowley

211

4, George Best

179

5, Dennis Viollet

179

6, Wayne Rooney

178

7, Joe Spence

168

8, Mark Hughes

163

9, Ryan Giggs

163

10, Paul Scholes

153

12 RedArmy issue 6

R

ooney threatens to surpass Bobby Charlton’s goalscoring record.

He dashes onto the through ball, before expertly smashing the ball past the hapless Turk. Within minutes, he had bagged his second, taking a touch before burying an exquisite strike into the far corner of the net.

Within ten minutes of the re-start, the dream debut had been completed, as the young Scouser buried a 25 yard free-kick. September 28 2004. A star was well and truly born.

Since that fateful night in Manchester, when Wayne Rooney made the perfect start to his Mancunian career in ravishing fashion, the boy has gone from strength to strength, and is now regarded as one of the best footballers on the planet.

At just 26, Rooney has found the net a further 173 times for the club, since taking apart that Fenerbahce back line.

Only five players have scored more goals in the colours of this great club than him, including football icons George Best, Denis Law and Bobby Charlton, who sits atop with 249 goals.

It is testimony to Rooney’s lightning speed progress that he can claim to have scored more goals than the likes of Mark Hughes, Cristiano Ronaldo and Ruud van Nistelrooy.

While we often hear the same banal line from proven goalscorer’s about valuing medals over their own personal tallies, the lad from Liverpool must surely be salivating at the thought of overtaking the great Bobby as Man United’s top goalscorer of all time.

For Real Madrid, Raul can claim that honour with 323 strikes. At Barcelona, Lionel Messi has recently had that crown bestowed upon him.

For Juventus, Alessandro del Piero sits atop with 285 strikes.

Within two or three years, Rooney might be able to join their club of being crowned top goalscorer ever for one of the greatest clubs to ever exist.

The 25 yard thunderbolt against Newcastle in the spring of 2005. That last-minute cracker against the Milanese in the 07 Champions League semi-finals. The sumptuous hat-trick against the Gunners in August of last year.

Wayne Rooney has lit up the Premier League with his incredible goalscoring form over the years. While it is true that he has had his droughts, including a prolonged dry spell in 2006, and most notoriously the autumn of 2010, the statistics speak for themselves.

Little did we know in September 04, that we were quite possibly witnessing the birth of Manchester United’s greatest goalscorer of all time.

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issue 6 RedArmy 13

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Villains turned Heroes?

BY Adam Ward

T

his season has seen us run out of superlatives for Antonio Valencia’s performances (which have even attracted praise from Pep Guardiola) and we have seen Wayne Rooney on one of his greatest goalscoring runs in a red shirt. There has also been the small matter of a certain ginger prince’s return or Ryan Giggs continuing to roll back the years and break record after record. However two players have very much gone under the radar... and both have been pivotal to our current league position. Jonny Evans and Michael Carrick have been often maligned by United fans. Both have made mistakes in the past and had poor runs of form (something I’m sure the players themselves would admit to) but this season both have knuckled down and churned out performances of the highest quality week after week.

Jonny Evans was made the scapegoat for our dismal display in the derby at Old Trafford for a split second decision to haul down Balotelli and prevent a certain goal scoring opportunity. After that game I read posts on message boards and heard my friends saying how he should never play again and how he isn’t United quality. At the time I tried to reason with people to no avail... asking them how many times Vidic has got himself sent off for a rash decision in high profile matches? Does that make him any less of a player? Ultimately this fell on deaf ears.. and the perception remained that Jonny had cost us the game and wasn’t fit to play for United. I for one am really glad that Jonny has pulled through and stepped up at a crucial time when we needed him most. After his breakthrough in the 2008-09 season I had Jonny earmarked as a potential future captain for his country and as far as I’m concerned he’s back on track. A lot of armchair fans fail to appreciate just how hard it is for a young central defender to develop as a player without a constant run in the team against top

14 RedArmy issue 6

class opposition. I don’t think that it’s coincidence that given his longest run in the team Jonny has flourished, his performances have been vastly improved and his confidence levels have soared. I also see him as among best in the league from the centre-back position at distributing the ball and picking the right pass. I was delighted to see him get his first goal for United against Wolves... but perhaps even more importantly in the 1-0 win at home to Fulham when an awkward ball fell to him at the back post he had the presence of mind to sweep it into the path of the unmarked Rooney when 9 out of 10 players would have probably tried to just smash it towards the goal. I’m glad my defence of Jonny hasn’t been in vain, and I maintain that we are extremely lucky to have a centreback of his quality to call upon in times of need. In Vida’s absence this season Jonny has really stood up and been counted.

Michael Carrick’s great run of form has perhaps gone unnoticed due to Scholesy’s shock return to the fray in the middle of the pitch. Michael missed the start of the season due to injury, and didn’t actually make his first start for us until the away trip to Swansea on the 19th of November.

People were of the opinion that Carrick was out of favour due to a couple of seasons of inconsistent performances but his return was timely at a time when our injury plight in midfield was almost absurd. It is often forgotten that in his first seasons at United Michael was pivotal in us wrestling the title back from Mourinho and Chelsea, and then going on to retain our title and achieve Champions League success in Moscow the following year with him featuring in a whopping 101 games in all competitions in those two seasons.

Before the Champions League final in 2009 I remember Xavi of Barcelona earmarking Carrick as one of the players most integral to United’s style of play, I have also read various articles from Xavi Alonso saying that Carrick should have been the one to partner Gerrard in the England midfield and also praising his positional awareness and distribution. When you look at the interception and pass completion statistics at the end of the each term Michael is always up there with the best in the league.

Unfortunately all the good work Michael has ever done in the red shirt since his arrival seems to have been undone by two stray passes.... one to Iniesta in Rome in 2009 and one to Yaya Toure at Wembley last season. Many people were convinced Michael would have left last summer and we’re genuinely shocked when Sir Alex handed him a new deal towards the end of last season. I saw this as shrude by the gaffer, and soon after we saw two of Carrick’s best performances for the club in the Champions League semi-finals against Chelsea. Two games where he seemed back to his best and genuinely bossed the midfield. This season Michael has steadied the ship at a time when we desperately needed it, undoubtedly Michael has been aided by the return of Scholes with the two working seamlessly in tandem spraying passes in all directions. I will be amazed if Michael isn’t part of the England setup for the upcoming European Championships... and I think if Harry Redknapp is instated as England boss he will certainly be part of the squad. If Michael can keep up his current level of performances his reading of the game and intelligent passing will be crucial to our attempts to defend our Premier League Crown.

Both Evans and Carrick have turned the corner as far as I am concerned and have been our unsung heroes in what has been a very tough campaign.

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Super Dave!

BY Richard Laverty

I

I think it’s fair to say, David De Gea had his fair share of bad press when he signed for United in the summer of 2011.

As I said to another United fanzine a few months ago, it was inevitable that it would happen. Ever since Peter Schmeichel retired, the media have felt the need to scrutinize every single United goalkeeper since.

Mark Bosnich had it, as did Fabien Barthez, Roy Carroll, Tim Howard, Edwin Van Der Sar, Tomasz Kuszczak and Ben Foster. What did a lot of them have in common? They all started well but most faded away because of lost confidence due to constant pressure. Tim Howard looked like he could have been a star with United after his first season, Tomasz Kuszczak looked like a top stopper at West Brom, whilst Ben Foster started off very well for United.

So what makes David De Gea different, well he has time on his side for one, and seen as though he’s the most expensive United goalkeeper to date, Fergie wasn’t ever going to

16 RedArmy issue 6

give up on him easily. Personally I felt he was harshly done by in his first few games, but the media couldn’t wait to jump on his performance after the Community Shield, in which he did nothing catastrophic, and made several decent saves.

Ok, his attempt at saving Shane Long’s goal against West Brom wasn’t what you pay your £18m for, but he responded well against Arsenal & Spurs, he dealt with everything well, particularly in the Arsenal game. From there, De Gea went from strength to strength, making stunning saves against Stoke, Basel at home and Liverpool in the remaining minutes at Anfield. Just as it seemed De Gea was going to settle in to his No.1 shirt at Old Trafford, the media were on him again after the Blackburn game on New Year’s Eve. Anders Lindegaard stepped in, and two things probably conspired to help David regain the No.1 spot. Lindegaard had nervy games against both Newcastle and Manchester City in the cup,

and after picking up an injury which threatened the rest of this season, the Spanish U21 man was almost guaranteed a run between the sticks. Since then, De Gea has gone on to win point after point for United with a string of performances which more than justify the price tag that was paid for him.

It all started with a 93rd minute free-kick save from Juan Mata against Chelsea, it was a free-kick that looked destined for the top corner, but somehow De Gea flew through the air to tip the ball around the post. From there, great performances at home against Ajax & Athletic Bilbao in the Europa League kept United in both ties, and his performances recently away to Norwich and Blackburn allowed United to walk away with three points in both games.

It’s funny how the mainstream media have now gone quiet regarding De Gea, after all, you can’t write about the good these days…

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20th title would be lucky 13 for Giggs

R

yan Giggs has claimed it will be “a massive achievement” if Manchester United go on to wrap up a record 20th league title.

An action-packed 2-0 win over QPR at Old Trafford, followed immediately by Manchester City’s defeat at Arsenal, meant that Sir Alex’s and the boys had an 8-point advantage at the top of the Premier League, before this was again whittled down to 5 after Wednesday night’s horror show at the DW, followed by City’s 4-0 stroll against West Bromwich Albion. Still, it is hard to imagine United throwing a 5-point lead away in the remaining 5 fixtures.

The added potential of winning the league when United play City at the Etihad on April 30th could make this campaign one of the sweetestever for Giggs, especially as United were roundly written off following their 6-1 home battering

by City in October. “It would be huge,” he told United Review. “When you look at the spending power Manchester City have, the injuries we’ve had, the experience we’ve lost – Scholesy for half the season, Edwin van der Sar, John O’Shea, Wes Brown. Then the challenge we faced

18 RedArmy issue 6

bringing in a new goalkeeper – David de Gea came in for a lot of criticism early on but he’s worked hard and he’s showing terrific form at a key time – and the young talent we’ve blooded in, it would be a massive achievement.”

The impact Scholes has had since his return from retirement in January should not be underplayed. Patrick Vieira, City’s Football Development Executive, may see Scholes’ comeback as an act of desperation by a debt-ridden club. However, unlike Carlos Tevez’s return at City thus far, following his five-month, fully-paid sabbatical in his native Argentina, his public condemnation of Manchester as a city and the unjust treatment he feels he received from the comedy club, following him throwing his toys out of the pram big-style against Bayern Munich, the decision to bring back Scholes has proved to be a masterstroke.

Evidently, the 37-year-old has lost none of his ability and totally dictated United’s rhythm and passing during the QPR game. He has also rediscovered his eye for goal, belting home his third of the season, to secure the latest triumph in an eight-match winning streak which has

propelled United clear in the league. “Paul has had a massive impact,” says Michael Carrick.

“We all know how good he is and what he brings to the team, on and off the pitch. To come back and play, straight away like he has, is amazing really. He has a lot of games left in him yet.”

Although there has been no official announcement, it seems certain that Scholes will extend his career by another season, by which time it would be staggering if he had failed to collect an 11th championship medal.

It is a number exceeded only by Giggs, who is heading for his 13th, and whose injury-time winner at Norwich City in February might be viewed as one of the key moments in the entire campaign.

“You need those moments in a season if you’re going to go on and win the league,” he said. “Moments like that provide belief and confidence. Just look at what Federico Macheda’s goal against Aston Villa did for us a few years ago. Who knows? That game at Norwich may turn out to be one of those days we look back on at the end of the season as being pivotal.”

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issue 6 RedArmy 19

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‘You come at the king, you best not miss’

BY Paul Liptrot

I

t’s been an eventful season so far, as we reach the climax of the 2011/12 season with United standing on the edge of a historic twentieth league title with our destiny firmly in our own hands. On the European front our form has bordered on the disastrous, with the ultimate indignity of “Thursday Nights, Channel Five” being rammed firmly back down our throats before we exited Europe’s second tier competition with little more than a whimper.

Twin this with abject performances in the domestic cups and it leaves us with an all or nothing pursuit of number twenty.

But amongst the downfalls in Europe and the domestic cup competitions, one thing that I have come to appreciate more and more this season is our manager. We have all at times scratched our heads in disbelief or amazement at Sir Alex’s team selections, his formations or tactics, his forays into the transfer markets, and so on. But more often than not he comes out on top clutching another trophy to add to the haul he has already amassed in his 25 years at United. This, you may say, is nothing new.

But this season Fergie has stood head and shoulders above his peers, and at a time when the pressure is on Managers at both ends of the table he excels even more. The fist pumping at Blackburn in recognition of the Red Army’s vociferous support showing the fire still burns deep with this man.

To emphasise my point I intend to draw comparisons between Sir Alex and our closest rivals. First point of call Kenny Dalglish,

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the man who has single-handedly dragged his football club back into the 1980’s but without the league titles to gloat over. From his handling of the Suarez-Evra incident to his nonsensical claims that a new kit deal is more important than trophies, the scouse proclaimed ‘King’ has looked more like the village idiot with every passing incoherent and abrupt interview that he gives. Dalglish’s handling of the Suarez situation showed that there were aspects of modern football that he just did not understand.

That coupled with Liverpool’s limp displays that followed their drawing their way to the Carling Cup (the new World Cup) and his grossly over inflated purchases of sub standard players highlighted that perhaps Kenny left his football mind back in Blackburn in the mid nineties. His interviews becoming more and more like seeing Prince Philip on the TV after a few sherries but with the casually racist remarks yet to leave his lips.

Where Fergie conducted himself with dignity throughout the Suarez saga, letting only his anger surface following the self-perceived victim’s refusal to shake Patrice’s hand, Dalglish saw nothing wrong with the way he and his club had conducted themselves. Could you ever see Sir Alex appearing on TV in a cheaply made t-shirt displaying his support for a racially aggravated incident? Fergie has had to move with the times as the game of football evolved. He learnt to adapt his team and tactics in Europe. He was an integral figure in Ronaldo’s ascent to the best player in the

world. His hunger and desire to win rub off on every player that plays for him. He says he looks every player in the eye to see if they still have that will to win before the season starts and if they’re not with him they’re out. And that’s what makes him as successful as he is.

How many big name players have left United, much to our bemusement and anger only for Sir Alex’s judgment to be proved correct? So to put Kenny out of his misery (in word only) I’ll draw one last comparison, Fergie goes on to the pitch to celebrate winning...Kenny gets shooed off by Gerrard, like a drunken tramp begging for money.

‘If you talk about desperation, they played a player the other night who refused to go on the pitch’ Then there is Manchester City. A team lavished with mind boggling amounts of money but yet still contrived to become a soap opera worthy of Channel 5 itself. I gave Roberto Mancini a bit of credit for the way he cast out Carlos Tevez after the player’s refusal to take to the field in a Champions League game. Then, five months later he is welcomed back with open arms as City started to lose their bottle in the title race

redarmy.co.uk and turn in desperation to the little Argentinian mercenary who had whored himself all over Europe throughout January to get away from City. Could you see Fergie welcoming him back to the side after his sabbatical in Argentina?

When Tevez was at United whether we choose to admit it or not, he contributed a lot in his two seasons - especially in the capture of the league and European Cup in 2008. Chants of ‘Sign Him Up’ rang out at every game he played and again we scratched our heads in confusion as to why United had seemingly not offered a contract the player appeared to be crying out for. Now we look back and realise we did not know everything in demanding the signing of Carlos, and Fergie must have sat with a wry smile on his face every time he read one of the many headline grabbing Tevez sagas. Granted, Tevez would not have got away with the behaviour he has displayed across at the Etihad but who knows what kind of destabilising effect he would have had if he had stayed at United.

It’s Roberto Mancini’s first tilt at the title race in England and at the start of the season his side were like a juggernaut as they rolled over all in their way to climb to the top of the league.

But what he and his side have not managed is the one thing that Fergie’s United are well known for – winning when it matters. Where City and Mancini faltered, United and Fergie

have been relentless in their charge to the top.

At a time when the United squad spirit is at its strongest, City’s players are squabbling, falling out and speaking out in interviews. As the title challenge appears to be crumbling in Mancini’s hands, Fergie is relishing the final fight towards number twenty.

‘We’re all going to play our hand that way. There will be plenty of ammunition for that.’

And then there was Patrick Vieira. He saw fit that whatever executive title City had bestowed on him, following his eighteen month stint towards becoming a City ‘legend’, meant he could comment on Paul Scholes’ comeback amongst other things. Now, had it been Mancini firing the first shot in the mind games battle I would have almost understood it. But a non-playing staff member? What next, their in-house plumber having a go? You would have thought that after all of the bruising encounters Vieira had experienced at the hands of United,

and in particular Roy Keane, that he might have thought better of going toe to toe with us again.

Both interviews he gave reeked of desperation, of pointing fingers to blame anyone but City for losing their bottle at the most crucial stage of the season. It was just unnecessary. But how Sir Alex must have rubbed his hands with glee as he eyed up another victim in the mind games war. He’s turned experienced managers into jibbering, fact quoting wrecks who’d ‘love it’ if they beat us. These times of the season must be Fergie’s favourite…well, second to the end of seasons when he lifts another trophy!

He is the added ingredient that gets United over the line. When the pressure is on the players he distracts and deflects it away from them to allow them to concentrate on the games. His will to win burning strong and driving the players and the club forwards. No matter how many setbacks he has or how many times he is written off he comes back and shows everyone that he is the master.

Oh, every single one of us, Loves Alex Ferguson…

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SOLSKJAER They broke the molde when they made him!

O

ften dubbed “the baby-faced assassin,” Ole played 366 times for the Red Devils and scored 126 goals during a very successful period for the club. He was recognised as a “super sub” for his knack of coming off the bench to score late goals. Solskjær’s defining moment in football came in injury time of the 1999 UEFA Champions League Final where he scored the winning last-minute goalagainst Bayern Munich, completing a remarkable comeback and winning The Treble for United.

Before he moved to England, Solskjær completed a year’s national service in the Norwegian Army, and played part time for Third Division Norwegian outfit Clausenengen FK, later moving to Norwegian Premier League Molde FK in 1994. He joined United in 1996, for a transfer fee of £1.5 million.

In 2007, Solskjær announced his retirement from football after failing to recover from a serious knee injury. However, Solskjær remained at Old Trafford in a coaching role, as well as in an ambassadorial capacity. In 2008, Solskjær became Manchester United’s first full-time reserve team manager since 2006, taking over from Brian McClair and Jimmy Ryan, who had filled the role in a caretaker capacity. In 2010, it was announced that Solskjær would return to his native country to manage his former club, Molde FK, whom he led to their first ever league trophy in 2011. He also supervises a training academy for young footballers in his home town of Kristiansund.

The early years Solskjær first played for Clausenengen and impressed in the Otta Cup as a 17-year-old with seventeen goals in six matches. He then joined Molde in 1995 and scored twenty goals in his first season in theNorwegian Premier League.

Early Manchester United years Solskjær scored 31 goals in 38 matches for Molde in the Norwegian Premier League, leading

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to interest from Hamburger SV of Germany and Italian club Cagliari, and his then-manager Åge Hareide made Solskjær available to both Everton and his old club Manchester City for £1.2 million. However, neither Everton nor City were willing to take a risk on Solskjær, and the interest from Hamburg and Cagliari fell through after Manchester United submitted a bid of £1.5 million during Euro 1996.

He joined United on 29 July 1996, and was something of a surprise acquisition as he was almost unknown outside his homeland and at the time United were still in the hunt for Blackburn Rovers and Englandstriker Alan Shearer, who then joined Newcastle United for a world record £15 million. As the only striker to arrive at Old Trafford that year, it was widely expected that his first season would be spent as a backup to Eric Cantona and Andy Cole with only occasional first team opportunities.

But within weeks of his arrival it was clear that he would be a key part of the first team sooner than had been anticipated, and would also prove himself to be one of the biggest Premier League bargains of the season.

He was issued with the number 20 shirt, a squad number he would retain for the rest of his Manchester United career. He scored six minutes into his debut as a substitute against Blackburn Rovers. Solskjær scored 18 Premier League goals for United in his first season, helping United win the title in the last weeks of the season. The British media nicknamed him the “Baby-Faced Assassin” because of his youthful looks and his deadly finishing. He will perhaps be best remembered as a “super-sub”, having earned wide acclaim for a remarkable habit of coming into matches late on as a substitute and scoring goals. Alex Ferguson remarked that Solskjær has a knack of sitting on the bench and studying the game without taking his eye off the action. One of his most impressive feats was coming off the bench to score four goals in the last 12 minutes of United’s 8–1 thrashing

of Nottingham Forest. He scored another four goals in a match a season later against Everton in a 5–1 victory.

Solskjær stayed at Old Trafford even though other clubs showed interest in the player in 1998. He even refused an offer from Tottenham Hotspur, after Manchester United had accepted a bid for him. The Norwegian went on to score the winning goal in the 1999 UEFA Champions League Final, helping the team secure the Treble and cementing his own place in the United folklore. Another defining moment in his career, was in the end of the league match against Newcastle in 1998. The match was tied at 1–1, and Manchester United needed at least a draw to keep up with Arsenal in the race for the league title. Near the end of the game, Newcastle’s Robert Lee had a clear goalscoring opportunity, running unopposed towards United’s goal, but Solskjær had run across the entire field to commit a professional foul against him, thus denying Newcastle a winning goal.

Solskjær did this knowing he would be sent off, and suspended for the coming matches.

Supporters regarded this as a perfect example of how Solskjær put the club above purely personal interest.

These feats made him a favourite among the United supporters, inspiring songs such as “Who Put the Ball in the Germans’ Net?” and “You Are My Solskjær”. Even when he had been absent on the pitch for a long time due to injury, United fans would still fill matches with chants sung in Solskjær’s honour.

After a few years of coming on as the super-sub, Solskjær got a chance as a starter in the 2001–02 season, paired up with Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy. He took the opportunity with characteristic incisiveness, forcing Andrew Cole and Dwight Yorke onto the bench. By 2002–03, after both Andrew Cole and Dwight Yorke had left Old Trafford, Solskjær had only Diego Forlán and Van Nistelrooy to compete with for a place in the starting line-up. Still, Ferguson’s persistence in playing Van Nistelrooy up front with Paul Scholes, or as a lone striker, meant that opportunities were limited.

Solskjær was subsequently given his time again when David Beckham picked up an injury and Ferguson played the Norwegian on the right wing. While proving himself to be an able crosser of the ball, Solskjær also popped up with goals, scoring a total of 16 goals in the season. He was selected to play on the right in important matches, such as in the league game against Arsenal and the Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid, while Beckham was left on the bench. He also captained the team in a number of matches.

Injury-plagued seasons At the start of 2003–04, Solskjær found himself as United’s first-choice right winger. However, a knee injury suffered against Panathinaikos on 16 September 2003 put Solskjær out of action until February 2004. Solskjær returned from the injury for the season run-in and was man of the match in the FA Cup Semi Final victory over Arsenal.

He also played in the 2004 FA Cup final, which the club won. Solskjær was forced to undergo intensive knee surgery in August 2004 and had to miss the 2004–05 season entirely. While he eventually recovered his fitness, it was difficult for the 32-year-old to carve his niche again among the heavy-weight attack of Manchester United. The Old Trafford faithful, however, displayed almost fanatical loyalty in their desire to see Solskjær in action again.

To show their continuing support, fans added a banner to the collection that lines the Stretford End reading “20 LEGEND”. Solskjær further solidified his status amongst United fans when he became a patron of the supporters action group, Manchester United Supporters Trust (MUST), previously Shareholders United.

Back from injury Solskjær made his long-awaited return to action on 5 December 2005, playing for United’s reserves against Liverpool. Spectators numbering 2,738 showed up to witness the comeback of the popular Norwegian – an above-average turn-out for a reserve team match. He made his first-team return as a substitute in the match against Birmingham City on 28 December. He then finally made his first start more than a year later in the FA Cup match against Burton Albion, before playing a full game as a captain in the replay. His return to full fitness slowly continued with regular appearances in the reserves, until on 8 March 2006 when, during a game against Middlesbrough, he was accidentally caught

by Ugo Ehiogu, breaking his cheekbone. While facing the possibility of missing the rest of the season, he nevertheless appeared as a substitute against Sunderland on Good Friday.

Solskjær had a very successful pre season tour in the summer of 2006 gaining Ferguson’s praise who also said he would reconsider his plan to buy a new striker. He returned to Premier League action on 23 August 2006 when he scored in an away match against Charlton Athletic, his first Premier League goal since April 2003. Ferguson commented after the match that “it was a great moment for Ole, United fans everywhere, the players and the staff” and that “Ole has been through a torrid time with injuries for the last two years, but he’s persevered and never lost faith and has got his repayment tonight. Everyone is over the moon for him.” He continued his come-back by putting in the winning goal in the Champions League clash with Celtic on 13 September, fulfilling his post-injury ambition to score another goal at Old Trafford. Solskjær’s first Premier League goal at Old Trafford since his return came on 1 October when he netted both goals in the 2–0 win against Newcastle United. His goalscoring form continued with when he started the away match against Wigan Athletic and struck a sublime finish to round off a 3–1 victory, and again against Crewe Alexandra on 25 October 2006, scoring the first of a 2–1 victory. After a further injury sustained in Copenhagen, Solskjær again returned on form scoring the third goal in the 3–1 win over Wigan on Boxing Day. Solskjær continued his form by scoring United’s opening goal in their 3–2 win over Reading on the 30 December. Additionally, he came on as a

substitute to score an injury-time winner in the 2–1 victory over Aston Villa in the 3rd Round of the FA Cup on 7 January 2007.

After a match against Reading, Solskjær had further surgery on his knee. However, it was not as serious as his previous operations, and he was put out of action for only a month. He was predicted to be available for the 31 March game against Blackburn Rovers. United boss Alex Ferguson said: “It was good timing with the international break coming up. It gave us the opportunity to get the thing done.” Solskjær did make his comeback from injury against Blackburn Rovers as a late substitute, and even scored in the 89th minute to seal Manchester United’s 4–1 win. His last match was the FA Cup Final against Chelsea which did not provide him with a fairy tale ending as an extra-time goal from Didier Drogba gave Chelsea the victory.

On 5 June 2007, it was announced that Solskjær had undergone minor surgery after he reported discomfort in his knee while training with Norway. The surgery was a success, but Solskjær failed to fully recover and announced his retirement from professional football on 27 August 2007. Finally, on 4 September at the home game against Sunderland, his retirement was officially announced over the Old Trafford tannoy, with Solskjær walking onto the pitch to a standing ovation. As of his retirement, Solskjær holds the record for the most goals scored for Manchester United as a substitute, scoring 28 goals off the bench.

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The Mind-Game Master August It seems to me that the Premier League will be tighter than ever this season.

This group have such fantastic ability, it forces me to play them really, Danny is still only 20 years of age and the lad has a great future.

Chelsea’s involvement has created a lot of the problem in terms of trophies to win because they and ourselves have been dominating the Premier League now Manchester City have come on the scene.

October

t “Tom is one of the brightes e, for a prospects in the English gam footballing good a has he boy, ng you with brain which, when coupled es for a his energy and ability, mak ahead of player with a fine future encourage him. It’s the United way to .” ers.. play ng our you history, It’s the worst result in my impact It’s a terrible result but the ssment will come from the embarra a be will re The at. defe the of on United’s response.” Fergie reflects City 6-1 defeat to Manchester last so long, It is a bit of a fairytale to l for me. it has been a fantastic spel ent agem man in rs yea 25 On his

September “As far as I am concerned my medical staff is one of the main reaso ns why we have been so su ccessful over th e last few years.” Fe rgie responds to Owen Hargreaves cla ims that Unite d treated him like a ‘guine a pig’.

It was only a pa rt-time team, and the players we re on about £5 a week.

The one comm on denominato r is that you want to be successfu l. Sir Alex Ferguson recalls his first job in management.

In many ways it was a welco me to European foot ball for them, they were very lax for most parts of the game I though t. The boss refl ects on a disappointing 3-3 draw with Basel

November I believe in young people, you need a foundation at a football club and that is vital. You can build a first team, but you really do need the back-up and the foundation to make it a football club.

I’m more surprised by Gus Poyet’s remarks, I think that’s inappropriate at the time when people throughout the world are condemning racism and I think he’s chosen the wrong time. In response to Gus Poyet’s defence of Luiz Suarez “The class of 1992 wasn’t a one-off. It will happen again. A club like Manchester United will always keep chasing the dream that we’ll get another bunch of lads like that again.Typically, Sir Alex is still looking into the long-term future.”

To not get the three points from that is just a travesty, It was everyone’s view, including the referee. He thought Rio won the ball and gave a corner. He has let the linesman overrule him. Fergie fumes after Newcastle were awarded a dodgy penalty at Old Trafford.

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December

today because that My apologies are to the fans ed performance.” After Unit ter ches Man a not was Carling Cup to Crystal United crashed out of the Palace. made the right “The medical people have en’s health as the Darr rded rega y The . sion deci as a club agree we and e issu nt more importa discusses Darren Alex Sir .” completely with that from football.”

Fletcher’s enforced break perfectly when he “Matt Busby summed it up e money at a club like chas to d nee ’t said you don it will eventually find said He Manchester United. ugh player. You become you if you are a good eno United.” Sir Alex rich playing for Manchester a new contract. sign to ba Pog l Pau es encourag doubting these players.

I don’t understand people ugh the press, It is nice of them to do it thro they would come to ght thou have ld wou you I do not see why there Manchester United first. nothing to say about have I But it. is any need for actions during the l’s rpoo it. In response to Live Suarez/Evra trial.

February After the Arsenal gam e, one of the London papers said we were the worst Uni ted team they had see n, and I noticed Alan Hansen was at it again, saying we had not played well for one-an d-a-half years.

“It’s not easy to come back like that from thr ee goals down, we are a far bet ter team than what you saw today but it’s still a ma ssive effort from our players. You have to admire the cou rage and the character of our team because those are the qualities that wil l definitely give us a fantastic cha nce in this league. At 3-0 down you say to yourself: ‘Da mage limitation, let’s go home and start again.’ But no. They never gave in, kept going and deserved everyt hing they got.” After the 3-3 draw with Chelsea I don’t know if any oth er goalkeeper in the cou ntry would have saved tha t shot from (Juan) Mat a.

For a club with their history, I’d get rid of him , I really would, he is a disgrace to Liverpool Football Club.

April

January “Everyone knows he’s one of the greatest play ers in Manchester United’s history.” On Paul Sch oles “He’s a fantastic footba ller and there’s no loss to his real fitness which is importa nt. He’s sometimes mis sed three or four months with inju ries, so it’s more more or less the same kind of scenario.”

Wayne Rooney is a hea dline maker, he has to realise that the press have another Gas coigne.”

“Players who are ava ilable, and who we like , we can’t get, So what do you do? Take a second-rate player?

Of course you don’t. I’d rather stick with the ones I have got, rather than bringing someone in who ends up not getting a game because they’re not good enough .

One or two people hav e been negative and ma king out it’s been a ‘regressive step ’, how can it be regres sive? You’re getting a player for not hing who’s been part of the club for 20-odd years.

He’s back, he popped up to score when he sho uld have been controlling things in the centre of midfield, but he’s always had that instinct for goa l, he’s had it since he was a kid.

March

a ss all season, we have had There has been that slackne pe.

Euro in r bad yea stays fit, Antonio is such Now he’s back, we hope he er. You get two sides play g an honest, hard-workin to work really hard. He ared prep is He nio.

Anto to can beat a man. He’s got can tackle, he can run. He so hard for the team. ks wor He ly. everything real back the best midfielder in If it’s desperation bringing pt rs then I think we can acce yea 20 last the for ain Brit rammed for that. prog was ira] [Vie he k that. I thin en and we have deserved We accept we were well beat way in Europe this our e the criticism that has com that role of the influential on n take has He on. seas er . It’s not easy but the long person in the dressing room spreads to them ence influ the er bett the they stay here the older players as they and they can take over from the situation, he did not let disappear. He got a grip of now he is playing with the mistakes get to him and or for any goalkeeper. fact t grea a is ch whi confidence knew it was a challenge. he n; atio situ He stood up to the different ways of the the to It took him time to adjust English game.

y about players when they You always see a maturit the g with their ability comes alon , reach their mid-20s of yellow lack ’s ney Roo On ng. thought patterns and timi cards.

can give us, particularly at at this time of the season, the surge they They have been important over the years into the net. In praise of United’s away ball the suck to helps almost so or s Old Trafford, in the last 15 minute fans at Ewood Park bound to have an impact could be even more important this year, it’s Derby games are always important, and it a nice healthy lead. with it into going we’re that albeit r, on the eventual winne

issue 6 RedArmy 25

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THE UNDISPUTED COMEBACK KINGS! M anchester United’s 3-3 draw at Chelsea, having trailed 3-0 with nearly an hour gone, was yet another stunning comeback from the Red Devils.

Some may call it luck, but it isn’t exactly the first time United have performed miracles on the pitch. Has any other club revived their fortunes from so many seemingly helpless positions?

To jog your memory, here are 10 of the best Manchester United comebacks…

1. MANCHESTER UNITED 3 BARCELONA 0 (3-2 ON AGGREGATE), 1984 EUROPEAN CUP WINNERS’ CUP QUARTER-FINAL Fergie’s not the only manager to have inspired memorable Man United comebacks. In the first leg of this European tie, Ron Atkinson’s Red Devils lost 2-0 at the Nou Camp and few gave them any chance against a Barcelona team containing Diego Maradona. A diving header from Bryan Robson on 22 minutes brought a packed Old Trafford to life in the second leg and Captain Marvel did the business again to level things after 50 minutes. Frank Stapleton popped up with the winner two minutes later to complete a remarkable comeback.

after 86 minutes when Steve Bruce popped up to equalise. Desperately needing a win, Bruce produced a winner as seven minutes of injury time were played and a vital three points helped Fergie clinch United’s first title in 26 years.

3. MANCHESTER CITY 2 MANCHESTER UNITED 3, 1993/94 PREMIER LEAGUE Niall Quinn put Man City two up by half-time of this derby at Maine Road in November 1993, before a goal from Eric Cantona gave the visitors hope after 52 minutes. As the minutes ticked away, it looked as though it would be nothing more than a consolation, until Cantona grabbed the equaliser 13 minutes from time. Summer signing Roy Keane clinched a dramatic winner after 86 minutes to shatter City and United were on their way to a double-winning season.

4. MANCHESTER UNITED 2 LIVERPOOL 1, 1999 FA CUP FOURTH ROUND Five months before the injury time comeback against Bayern clinched the treble, Manchester United laid the foundations for a remarkable season with a dramatic late victory over their arch rivals. Michael Owen gave Liverpool the lead after just two minutes of this FA Cup fourth round tie at Old Trafford and, with just two minutes remaining, the Reds were on the brink of knocking out United. Dwight Yorke grabbed the equaliser on 88 minutes, before Ole Gunnar Solskjaer stunned Liverpool with a last gasp winner. Bayern Munich really should have watched this game before the Champions League final.

5. JUVENTUS 2 MANCHESTER UNITED 3, 1999 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SEMI-FINAL

2. MANCHESTER UNITED 2 SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY 1, 1992/93 PREMIER LEAGUE The comeback that launched an era of Fergie title domination and questionable time keeping at Old Trafford. A year earlier, Man United had blown the title with three defeats over Easter and they were in danger of throwing it away again in 1993. Neck and neck with Aston Villa in the league, United trailed Sheffield Wednesday

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This Champions League semi-final win was arguably a greater comeback than the final itself. Juventus had appeared in the previous

redarmy.co.uk three finals and comprehensively outplayed Man United in the first leg, as Fergie’s team scrambled a last minute equaliser to grab a draw. With 11 minutes gone in Turin, Juventus were 2-0 up and cruising, but United kept going and a goal from Roy Keane after 24 minutes turned the tie on its head. By half-time United were level and after 84 minutes Andy Cole grabbed a deserved winner. Against all the odds, Manchester United were through to the final…

Spurs totally outplayed defending champions Man United in the first half, going in at the break 3-0 to the good. In the second half, however, Fergie’s United were simply sensational, scoring within a minute of the restart courtesy of Andy Cole. By the 76th minute Juan Sebastian Veron had made it 4-3, with David Beckham completing a stunning comeback three minutes from time.

8. EVERTON 2 MANCHESTER UNITED 4, 2006/07 PREMIER LEAGUE

6. BAYERN MUNICH 1 MANCHESTER UNITED 2, 1999 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL

Do we really need to tell you what happened in this final? Ok, Bayern were 1-0 up after six minutes and only the crossbar saved United from going 2-0 down in a match largely dominated by the German side. Two goals from injury time set pieces sealed the most incredible finale to a cup final in football history. Football, bloody hell!

7. TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 3 MANCHESTER UNITED 5, 2001/02 PREMIER LEAGUE

10. WEST HAM UNITED 2 MANCHESTER UNITED 4, 2010/11 PREMIER LEAGUE Incredible as it may seem now, after 64 minutes of this match Man United were seemingly going to be just one point clear of second-placed Arsenal as the season entered April, with the Gunners playing their game in hand at home against struggling Blackburn later the same day.

Fergie’s team were 2-0 down to the relegationthreatened Hammers and were lucky not to be reduced to ten-men, when Nemanja Vidic brought down Demba Ba as he beared down on goal just before half-time. Javier Hernandez came off the bench at the break, but it was Wayne Rooney who scored a 14-minute hat-trick to turn the game and the title race around, controversially swearing into a TV camera in celebration. Hernandez put the seal on an incredible win with six minutes remaining and this vital three points deflated the chasing pack, none of which could catch United.

Without a title in four years – and that is a disastrous drought for Fergie – Man United were battling defending champions Chelsea for the Premier League. With three games to play and three points clear of the Blues, United travelled to Goodison Park and found themselves trailing 2-0 after 50 minutes. An own goal from Old Trafford old boy Phil Neville put them level with 20 minutes to go and a Chris Eagles goal on 90 minutes sealed a 4-2 win. With Chelsea only managing a point on the same day, the title was well and truly on its way back to Old Trafford.

9. MANCHESTER UNITED 5 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 2, 2008/09 PREMIER LEAGUE Another five goal comeback against Spurs, this time at home and ‘only’ trailing 2-0 at half-time, but a win that sent Manchester United top and shattered title-chasing hopefuls Liverpool.

A dodgy penalty got United back in the game after 57 minutes, three goals in four minutes from Rooney and Ronaldo put them 4-2 up after 71 minutes, before Dimitar Berbatov capped a crucial win that gave Fergie’s side an unstoppable title-winning momentum.

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HAS POGBA SACKED HIS ITALIAN JOB?

P

erhaps the Paul Pogba saga has become tiresome to you and if that’s the case, no one could fault you.

However, this undoubtedly talented youngster is a player that many Manchester United supporters are highly interested in so he merits a discussion, according to this contributor, particularly since he made a sparkling second-half substitute appearance against West Bromwich Albion, in March.

This occurred, as you will no doubt recall, just days after reports had emerged that Pogba would be heading to Serie A’s faded-giants Juventus, in a deal thought to be worth around £20,000 a week. That would be a sizable raise from the United contract that he is currently on - one that expires this Summer.

When Pogba made his exciting cameo substitute appearance against the Baggies, his entrance was greeted by a few boos from the Old Trafford faithful. However, those negative tones were subtle and they were soon drowned out by cheers. Quite honestly, I’m not sure what to make of all of this, and I just prefer to hear concrete news rather than attempt to dissect the events of this saga. What I do know is that the 18-year-old is an immensely talented player, and he plays a position that many consider to be United’s biggest weakness. The current crop of first-choice creative midfielders - Michael Carrick, Paul Scholes, and Ryan Giggs - are all in their in 30s (late 30’s in the case of the last two) so the opportunity seems to be there for Pogba to kick the doors open in the first eleven, if he so desires. His agent, Mino Raiola, however, is by all accounts proving to be a very tricky customer, and it’s widely suspected it is he that’s creating all the obstacles for United, during the current round of contract negotiations, in order to gain his own huge cut of any eventual transfer deal.

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So, where are we at then with Pogba?

I don’t really know to be honest.

There were rumblings on Twitter prior to last month’s West Brom game that Pogba was at the team hotel and would be involved at some point that afternoon. This came as quite a surprise as many of us had assumed that a deal with Juve was essentially done and dusted. The team hotel sightings were obviously accurate, as the prodigiously talented midfielder participated in the match. More than a month on, however, a new contract has still to been signed.

Perhaps this is a negotiation tactic to call Pogba a ‘first-team player’ at United or perhaps the lad’s agent has done well to use the Juve link as leverage to get his client into the first-team.

Either way, I don’t care. I just want Fergie to sign Pogba up. Let’s just hope this situation turns out better than the rather irksome Ravel Morrison situation did. It just sounds like the youngster’s notorious agent is the sticking point in this situation. Because of need, because of the scouting reports, and because of the limited exposure I’ve had to Pogba, I desperately hope he signs with us soon.

redarmy.co.uk

1977/1978

BY Sean McGuire

E

ach month Red Army Fanzine looks back to a different year to see how life as a Manchester United fan used to be and what was happening around the world during the seasons of years gone by. Success, controversy, magic moments and moments of despair have never been far from Old Trafford over the years, so let’s go back in time…..

Britain the late 70’s was time for change in both popular culture and politics. We saw the birth of Punk Rock music, as the youth culture embraced an anarchical stance on society and Margaret Thatcher’s Conservative party were emerging into prominence. There were also radical changes at Manchester United as the year 1978 proved to be one of the most controversial in The Red Devil’s history, even by their standards.

The drama started early in the 1977/78 season with the sacking of manager Tommy Docherty.

The Doc had sent shockwaves across the club by announcing that he was leaving his wife to live with the wife of the club’s physio. These unwelcome headlines did not sit well with the board at Old Trafford and his dismissal opened the door to Dave Sexton, who became United’s new manager.

With Abba’s Take A Chance On Me ringing out in the charts, United’s new boss Sexton decided

he would take no chances himself as the Red’s adopted a new cautious style of football.

United started the season with a 0-0 draw in the Charity Shield, where the Reds shared the trophy with Bob Paisley’s Liverpool. Despite complaints about Sexton’s defensive approach to football, there were no signs of this as yet as the Red’s thumped Birmingham 4-1 at St Andrews on the opening day of the season, with Lou Macari bagging a hat-trick.

The United Kingdom suffered its worst droughts in history during the late 70’s and as the sweltering summer of 1977 came to a close, it was Manchester United’s goals that started to dry up as well. After the Reds were dumped out of the League Cup by Arsenal at the end of August, United only managed to score four goals in their next five games. The fan’s suspicions about Dave Sexton’s cautious approach looked like coming into fruition, but it was during this run that United’s controversial season began to take another twist.

The release of the film Star Wars in 1977 was a box office smash. There was also a war involving Manchester and UEFA that year as the Red’s opening match in the European Cup Winners’ Cup against St Etienne resulted in scenes of violence between both sets of fans. Riot police

were called in to intervene when a fight started to erupt inside the ground. The game finished 1-1 however UEFA decided to punish Manchester United for not controlling their fans.

Europe’s governing body initially decided to throw United out of the competition, however this punishment was reduced on appeal and so a new penalty was bestowed on the Reds, which ordered them to play the second leg at least 300 kilometres away from Old Trafford. The return leg was eventually played at Plymouth Argyle’s Home Park, where United won 2-0 with goals from Coppell and Pearson.

United were eliminated in the next round after losing 6-5 on aggregate to Porto. The Reds lost the first leg 4-0 in Portugal and won a pulsating home tie 5-2.

As Sexton started to ring the changes in the United team and make his own mark on the club, the Red’s league form started to falter.

From their next ten games before the New Year they won just four. One of these was a 6-2 mauling of Everton on Boxing Day but Sexton decided that things had to change.

The destiny of Manchester United’s 1977/78 season was still one of uncertainty; however what we did see that season was a hand dealt full of Queens. Dancing Queen by Abba was the number one hit of 1977. The Queens Silver Jubilee celebrations had started to fade out just as Queen released Bicycle Race and Don’t Stop Me Now into the charts. The Sex Pistols ended their last ever concert in March 1978 with God Save the Queen in Winterland,

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San Francisco but more importantly for Manchester United, Dave Sexton showed his ambitious intent by splashing out a record transfer fee of £450,000 for Gordon McQueen. The big Scotsman was joined by fellow Leeds team mate Joe Jordan in an attempt to strengthen United’s waning side.

A quick exit from the F.A. Cup to West Brom was followed by eight games without a win for Sexton and soon questions were starting to be asked about his managerial style. His measured, tactical approach to football did not sit well with United fans, who were used

to flair players and open, attacking football.

Scientific breakthroughs were happening across the Globe in 1978 and one of the most notable was the birth of the first IVF baby Louise Brown. This year was also starting to be an era of re-birth at Old Trafford. A new dawn was on the horizon for Manchester United and not only did the sale of Gordon Hill to Derby signal the beginning of the end of the Doc’s previous era, the last remaining member of United’s 1968 European Cup winning side Alex Stepney announced his retirement at the end of the season.

Manchester United’s 1978 campaign ended positively with four wins out of five which gave hope for the future; however Dave Sexton had introduced a brand of football that was not compatible with the fans and the history of the club. As the seventies were nearing an end it now became a question of how long Manchester United fans would tolerate this unfamiliar approach from the new manager, with a general feeling that only winning trophies would compensate for this, if Sexton was to have a long managerial reign at Old Trafford.

issue 6 RedArmy 33

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Ginger Spice - A Hero Returns

Our newest signing!

To many eager onlookers before January’s big FA Cup 3rd Round tie at Eastlands, Scholes’ return from a well-earned retirement was the biggest shock yet in a topsy-turvy season for the club that had been punctuated by freakish scorelines, an early Champions’ League exit and mostly insipid, toothless performances at home, including two ridiculous defeats that will rankle with matchgoers, like me, for years to come.

To this contributor, however, Scholes’ return to the fray came as little

34 RedArmy issue 6

surprise. Paul is the best midfielder of his generation. His matchless vision, unparalleled range of passing, instinctive awareness of players around him, peerless shooting ability and all-round reading of the game continue to make him a unique talent that’s still being gloriously fulfilled.

It’s only the fact that he’s a well-grounded Salford lad - and his commendable shirking of publicity and the predictable trappings of fame and fortune - that has prevented him from gaining an even higher profile in the world game. Remember, Paul Scholes didn’t do toe-curling TV ads for Brylcreem, marry publicity-hungry pop stars

or, most crucially, hold the club he’d grown up idolising to ransom with ludicrous contract demands... and that is to the man’s eternal credit!

The fact is that, however well Scholes is playing at the moment (and he’s doing brilliantly by the way) we should have replaced him at least three years ago but, as we’ve all been made acutely aware by Sir Alex and David Gill, “there’s no value in the market”. Mind you, if Gill told me it was raining, I’d feel compelled to go outside and check on the veracity of his statement for myself! We’re all aware of the damage the Glazers have done, and

redarmy.co.uk are still doing, to this great club of “ours”, and the money for quality signings when they’re needed the most, just isn’t there anymore.

Thanks, squarely, to the Glazers’ artfulness and unabashed greed.

However, our continued fall from grace isn’t all the Glazers fault, in truth. Sir Alex is the greatest manager of all time... we all know that, but he is prone to the odd transfer slip-up here and there (Kleberson anyone?). For me though, his main gaffe came this season when he splurged over £50 million (or so we’re told) on a winger, a centre-half and a rookie goalkeeper.

Look, I’m not having a go at any one of these three signings... De Gea’s obviously a great keeper and he’s rapidly maturing and turning in some fantastic performances. Young’s a top winger who has, by and large, enjoyed a tremendous debut season, despite an unfortunate spate of niggling injuries that temporarily halted his devastating pace, pinpoint crossing ability and touch.

Surely, we don’t even need to praise Phil Jones for his manful efforts this season. For me, he’ll mature into one of Ferguson’s best-ever signings... maybe even THE best-ever. But, armed with undoubtedly the last war-chest of his (and probably any future United manager’s) career, why did Sir Alex fail to commit the majority of it to securing a world-class creative midfielder to replace the Ginger Genius (and, by that I don’t mean Wesley Sneijder) and a holding player in the mould of Claude Makelele or, indeed Turncoat Hargreaves before his “career-ending” injury? Why?

Davis “tackle” at the Reebok. Even so, too much responsibility and unfair expectation has been thrust upon him at too early a stage in his career. He should be eased into the set-up alongside world-class players and after Rooney, Giggs, Vidic and Nani (just joking), I don’t see too many of those at United these days.

Is this the man to replace the Ginger Genius?

Sir Alex Ferguson must assess whether Christian Eriksen can replace Paul Scholes, who will surely retire for a second time at the end of the season.

Eriksen is currently enjoying his third season in the Dutch Eredivisie, scoring five goals so far this term. The attacking midfielder made his international debut in March 2010, at the age of eighteen against Austria. Since then, he has won another nineteen caps, including several appearances at the 2010 World Cup. Not bad for a twenty-year old. 2011 is where Eriksen really came into his own, picking up his first league title with Ajax. He also achieved great individual success, winning Dutch Football Talent Of The Year and Danish Footballer Of The Year.

Eriksen is the best player to come out of Denmark since Michael Laudrup, a true footballing genius. If Eriksen can go on to achieve even half of what Laudrup did, he has a wonderful career ahead of him.

Based on what I’ve seen so far, we wouldn’t bet against it. Sir Alex must be thinking about bringing in the Dane to shore up his ‘problematic’ central midfield area.

Answer: Too much faith in non-United players.

Anderson doesn’t look like the player we all hoped he’d be; Carrick (his performances have been admittedly good over the last two or three months, but when it really comes down to it), he’s not good enough.

Fletcher’s a great holding midfielder for me, but ulcerative colitis isn’t an easy disease to overcome so, as usual, we’ll all have to just hope for the best there. As for Cleverley, the lad’s absolute mustard, but his breakthrough season’s been tainted by that shocking Kevin

issue 6 RedArmy 35

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Clayton Blackmore interview

D

uring his time at United, he helped the club win the FA Cup in 1990 as well as the 1992 League Cup and the 1991 European Cup Winners’ Cup and made 14 League appearances, enough to win a medal, in United’s 1992–93 F.A. Premier League title success.

In your time as Manchester United player, you played in every outfield position, which one was your favourite and why?

The centre of midfield. You’re always involved in the game like a quarterback, and I also think it’s the toughest position which makes it more of a challenge.

You were renowned for your spectacular goals and free kicks. What was your favourite goal for Manchester United?

Today we ask Clayton a few questions.....

My favourite goal for Manchester United was a 35 yard freekick against Leeds 1990. I told Neil Webb what I was going to do with it, so it took some convincing because he wanted to take it himself!

When did you first get spotted by Manchester United?

You won 39 caps for the national team. What are your best memories of playing for Wales?

It was when I was playing for my local team Afan Nedd, I was spotted by United scout Walter Robins and he asked me to come along to Manchester United. I didn’t have to think twice!

What are your memories of playing under Ron Atkinson?

It was a mixture of good times and bad times.

It was good because I made my debut for United, but I didn’t get as many games as I would have liked because I was a kid, even though I was playing well.

How did you feel about the arrival of Sir Alex Ferguson in 1986?

Gordon Strachan told us what to expect and he wasn’t wrong! Looking back the gaffer was way ahead of everybody else when he arrived and he stuck to his beliefs. It took time, but he turned the club around and made it what it is today.

People should never forget we have the best manager in the world.

Did you ever receive the famous hairdryer treatment from the manager?

Yes! It just reflects his passion for the game – and it works.

Where did your nickname ‘sunbed’ come from?

It actually first appeared in a Manchester United Fanzine!, then it just stuck.

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Every time I played for Wales was a good memory. Hearing the national anthem of my country playing before every game was special and a proud moment for myself.

As a fellow Welshman to Ryan Giggs, how do you sum up his achievements in football?

He is an absolute legend, his achievements are out of this world and they will never be matched in football.

What is your most memorable game as a footballer?

My most memorable game as a footballer has to be the 1991 European Cup Winners Cup final against Barcelona in 1991.

Who was your roommate at Old Trafford?

I had a few over the years but my main room mate was a fellow welshman Sparky.

After spending 12 years at Manchester United, did you find it hard to leave when you joined Middlesbrough in 1994?

It was heart-wrenching. I had been out for 6-7 months with injury so I thought it was time to go. Looking back I was wrong and in hindsight I should have stayed, got myself fit and as usual fight for a place in the team.

Having worn every outfield number on the back of your shirt for Manchester United, which number was your favourite?

I liked a few positions, so I will give you my top three. My favourite number was number 8, but I also liked having the number 10 and number 7 on the back of my shirt for obvious reasons!

In 1992/1993 you made 14 appearances for United in the Premier League. What are your memories of winning the league that year?

I remember sitting at home watching Oldham beat Aston Villa to hand us the title. There was just a feeling of relief all round because we had waited such a long time to bring the League back to Old Trafford.

Who is the best player you have ever played with?

That’s an easy one – Ryan Giggs.

What are you doing now that you have retired from playing football?

I’m currently coaching the under 15’s at Manchester United.

Because you played in so many positions, do you think that gives you an advantage as a coach?

I’m getting there. It is an advantage knowing what every player is thinking and going through on the pitch. I should have some helping words for them; I’ve been there and done it and the experience is invaluable.

How do you sum up your time at Manchester United overall?

My time at Manchester United was the best days of my life next to Lulah-Beau and Corey, my daughter and son, being born.

And finally...your thoughts on holding City off to win title #20?

The longer Mancini keeps Tevez on bench the more he is helping us. Hopefully the gaffer and the lads can do it again, I think a lot of fans take it for granted, so we need more noise in the stands to get behind the team like the away fans do! Raising the noise level at Old Trafford would make our fans proud and would create a great atmosphere. Manchester United fans are the BEST.

Interviewed by Sean McGuire

Full name Clayton Graham Blackmore Date of birth 23 September 1964 (age 47) Place of birth Neath, Wales Height 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) Playing position Midfielder/Full Back

redarmy.co.uk

DUNCAN EDWARDS “I have just seen a boy of 11 who will one day play for England”.

M

nice to be cheered, but you can’t live forever on cheers.

It’s what you have in the bank when you have finished the game that cheers a footballer most of all. People forget very easily and I don’t want to become like some of the old-timers wearing tattered caps and cadging free tickets outside the grounds.”

Armed with boundless stamina, an all-encompassing range of passing and a truly ferocious shot, Edwards was a player who could control any game he played in. His extraordinary ability had been noted across the country when he was just an 11 year-old playing for Dudley schoolboys, and he was coveted across the West Midlands by Wolverhampton Wanderers, Aston Villa, West Bromwich Albion and Birmingham City. By that point his school master had already commented: “I have just seen a boy of 11 who will one day play for England”.

This probably prompted him to become one of the first players to make the most out of his status, sponsoring energy drinks and other products. He also wrote a book, just before his death, called ‘Tackle Soccer This Way.’

legend

att Busby described Duncan Edwards as the most ‘complete footballer in Britain - possibly the world’. The greatest tragedy is that his death aged just 21 from injuries sustained in the Munich air crash meant his full potential was never realised.

Despite the clamour to keep him tied to the Midlands – Wolves were the top dogs back then – Duncan signed as an amateur for United following a personal visit from Matt Busby on 31 May 1952. Although Busby recalled that he hardly had to sell the club, as Edwards said: “Manchester United is the greatest team in the world. I’d give anything to play for you.”

A hulking physical presence for one so young earned Edwards the nickname of ‘manboy’, and he made his Football League debut aged just 16 years and 185 days old on 4 April 1953, against Cardiff City. Edwards signed as a professional eight months later, on his 17th birthday, becoming a regular member of the team in the 1953/54 season. Although primarily a left-back, he could give an accomplished performance anywhere on the field.

38 RedArmy issue 6

As a player, Duncan Edwards never gave less than 100 per cent. His attitude on the football pitch was paralleled with a determination to succeed in life. When talking of his life after football he realistically said: “It’s

On the football field his success was spectacular. By 21 he had won three Youth Cup winners’ medals, two league championships and appeared in an FA Cup final.

When he made his international debut he became the youngest player to be capped for England in the 20th century at the age of 18 years and 183 days. This record stood for more than 40 years until Liverpool striker Michael Owen was capped in February 1998.

Duncan died on February 21, 1958 from injuries sustained in the Munich air disaster, despite fighting bravely for over a fortnight. After Edwards’ death, England manager Walter Winterbottom said: “It was in the character and spirit of Duncan Edwards that I saw the true revival of British football.”

When his body was brought home, over 5,000 people lined the streets in Dudley, as a tribute. He was buried at Queens Cross cemetery, Dudley, West Midlands.

The name of Duncan Edwards continues to invoke a sense of injustice that one with such a gift was halted before reaching his prime. Those who were lucky enough to see him play invariably regard him as the best player they saw, without ever seeing what he could truly become. And for the modern reader wondering what the closest thing in the game is to him now, the name of Wayne Rooney is regularly mentioned as the closest fit.

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“He was a shy and modest man with a bit of sense of humour. He was a ‘Gentle Giant’. I rarely saw him lose his temper. Duncan had everything. I’ll describe him as the complete all-rounder because when he had the ball, he was our best attacker. He could hit long passes, short passes, he could dribble. He was very nippy on his feet. He was also tremendous in the air. When the ball used to come in with speed he used to control it with his chest and when it dropped to his feet, he made things happen for Manchester United at all levels. Where he was better than the other players was, when the team lost the ball. He was the first to get it back. I haven’t seen anyone giving Duncan a chase.

Nobody went past him. Everything stopped at Duncan Edwards.” – Wilf McGuinness (Former Manchester United player and manager).

“the greatest ever united player ” Sir Bobby Charlton

DUNCAN EDWARDS Born :

01 Oct 1936

Signed :

01 Jun 1952

Debut :

04 April 1953 v Cardiff

Goals total :

21

Appearances total : 177 Position: :

Half-back issue 6 RedArmy 39

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Wizard Wingers of the past David Beckham 394 appearances 85 goals Arguably the most famous footballer on the planet, Becks lived the dream at Old Trafford signing on as a schoolboy and famously working his way up to the first team and helping the Reds scoop the Treble and a host of other honours.

George Best 470 appearances 179 goals Dubbed “the greatest player in the world” by Pele, Best had it all - speed, balance, vision and superb close control, as well as the ability to create chances and score from seemingly impossible situations.

He was a scorer in the 1968 European Cup final as the Reds made history at Wembley.

Steve Coppell 396 appearances 70 goals The Liverpool-born winger wasn’t just a quick and skilful player, he was also a highly intelligent performer who formed a thrilling partnership with Gordon Hill during his first two full seasons with the Reds. Sadly, a knee injury, sustained on international duty for England, brought an exciting career to a premature end.

Andrei Kanchelskis 123 appearances 28 goals Kanchelskis was United’s leading goalscorer in the 1994–95 season with 19 goals in 32 games. Kanchelskis had played 145 times for United and scored 48 goals in the space of four years, but he had fallen out with manager Alex Ferguson earlier in the season and failed to patch up his differences with the manager.

40 RedArmy issue 6

He was promptly put on the transfer list in early July, and on his departure, he was eventually replaced on the right-hand side of United’s midfield

by David Beckham. His highlight of the 1994–95 season came on 10 November 1994, when he scored a hat-trick for United in their 5–0 home win over neighbours City in the Manchester derby.

Lee Sharpe 193 appearances 21 goals Sharpe is well remembered for his memorable goal against Barcelona during the 2–2 draw in the 1994–1995 Champions League season’s group stage, when he spectacularly back-heeled a cross from Roy Keane into the corner of the net. He also got an assist in this game, crossing for Mark Hughes’ opening header

Cristiano Ronaldo 292 appearances 118 goals The Portuguese international arrived at Old Trafford as a virtual unknown in the summer of 2003. By the time he left in a record-breaking £80million deal to Real Madrid six years later, he was officially the best footballer on the planet, having scooped almost every team and personal honour going.

the master

redarmy.co.uk

O

ver the past year the Middle East has dominated news headlines.

More intimate to United though, is the birth of the Manchester United Supporters Club Bahrain. The small kingdom of Bahrain, situated in the Gulf, is proud to name itself the first Middle Eastern supporters club of United.

Just recently they gained enough members to establish their status that has been certified

by Manchester United. The main people that have made this happen are; Hisham AlKooheji chairman, Talal Mahmood vice-chairman, Bader Radhi treasurer and Mohammed AlKooheji

Manchester United Supporters Club

Bahrain

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secretary. They are a group of friends that have supported United all their lives. It was a regular occurrence getting together to watch United, for the love of the club and the game. So, it was a natural development by the four of them to then take it to the next level. They got more and more people together to watch and support United. In the end they turned it into an official supporters club. They increased the awareness of the club across Bahrain to get all United fans together to watch the games and to make it a social event.

The venue they use is the Sherlock Holmes pub at the Gulf Hotel. This is where they congregate for matches and events. Here in Britain going to the pub is a cultural activity; however in the Middle East this is all very new to them. But people have welcomed to the idea and the popularity has increased. This had led to many friendships being built creating a friendly, united atmosphere. All this hard work and organisation is in no small part down to the help of the management team at the Gulf Hotel. Being of assistance to the supporters club has helped massively to showcase the events. By having a regular venue has meant the atmosphere is

ever improving with singing and chanting becoming a common occurrence. This has been a tough challenge though.

Bahrain is a melting pot of differing ideologies and religions. But the supporters club is open to all people young and old, foreign or Bahraini.

Their aim is for everyone to come together in their love and support of United without being prejudiced to anyone. Personal preferences and opinions are all left at the door

redarmy.co.uk

Bahrain Supporters Club at the Sherlock Holmes pub for the Premier League trophy tour. and United indeed unites one and all for the love of the beautiful game. As the saying goes, football is a global language.

Currently they have regular fans that originate from Bahrain, India, Jordan, Egypt, Pakistan, the UK and more. As much as it is a social gathering for those people that live and work in Bahrain, the supporters club transcends throughout the world. Due to them establishing full status as a supporters club, they were picked as one of the venues as part of the Manchester United 2012 Premier League World Tour. So, the Premier League trophy stopped off in the Gulf Kingdom on the weekend of March 3rd.

The trophy was accompanied by Andrew Cole and was open to all supporters’ club members and then the public. The event was a big success and saw a big turnout as people got their chance to hold the Premier League trophy and have their photo taken with it. As for events, several have already been lined up such as barbeque nights, football tournaments, and group trips to Old Trafford.

Furthermore, is that they help out many people with purchasing tickets and information on dates and times of United matches or events.

The supporters club now looks to go from strength to strength, continuing to establish themselves that will lead to a successful future. With current members building a stable structure and new ones always welcome, the club will set up a vital social gathering for all to attend. That will increase the support for United in Bahrain whilst football also will continue to grow and grow. It highlights just how powerful Manchester United is on and off the field.

Moreover, United is officially recognised in the Middle East. A story that portrays the region in a brighter light to recent events, that all connected with the supporters club can be proud of. It really is a great achievement.

Now the excitement grows for everyone involved as they continue to expand the club by uniting all nationalities and people, especially in Bahrain, together for their love of United.

That should entice any United fan around the world to become a part of this supporters club.

It is a journey that is only just starting out.

We look forward to seeing you at Old Trafford soon. To find out more information on the Bahrain Supporters Club then check out their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ManutdBahrain

by Tom Rowland

issue 6 RedArmy 43

redarmy.co.uk

Giggsy’s Top 10 10

Full debut V Manchester City 1991

legend

After impressing with a substitute appearance against Everton Sir Alex Ferguson decided to give 17 year old Ryan Giggs his full league debut in the Manchester Derby at Old Trafford in 1991. Giggs was considered to be the hottest property in British football at the time, and the best young talent at Old Trafford for years. The Welshman lived up to his name with an enthusiastic display which saw him dubiously credited with his first league goal and Sir Alex Ferguson described United’s number eleven at this time as a ‘cocker spaniel chasing a piece of silver paper in the wind’. His special talent was there for all to see but little did we know that he would go onto to be the most decorated footballer in English football and become one of the all-time greats.

9

100th goal V Derby Premier League 2008

In a season of Landmarks for United’s number eleven Ryan Giggs was on the verge of chalking off another footballing milestone when he was poised on 99 Premier League goals against Derby County at Old Trafford. Such as the longevity of the United legend, he had already netted 100 top flight league goals, but several of them were scored in the old first division before the Premier League had even started. Ryan Giggs joined the 100 club in the first half against Derby with a trademark left foot goal just before halftime. As for the season ahead, there was plenty more history to be made by Ryan Giggs.

8

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Goal V Spurs Premier League 1992

Giggsy’s early talent and blistering pace was epitomised in a league match against Spurs in 1992.

When the winger intercepted a ball on half way, he proceeded to nutmeg the last defender before rounding the oncoming keeper at lightning speed and scoring from an acute angle. This was when the comparisons started to be made between him and the great George Best. Ryan Giggs has now become a legend in own right, but the potential to be one of the greats was there for all to see even as a teenager.

7

Goal V Juventus Champions League 1999

6

Goal V Norwich Premier League 2012

5

Goal V QPR Premier League 1994

4

Goal V Wigan Premier League 2008

Manchester United’s treble season was entering the final stages and late goals proved to be a key feature in this period of Manchester United’s history.

United were drawn against favourites Juventus in the semi-final of the Champion’s League that year; and when Conte put the visitors in front the dream of reaching their first final in 31 years started to look beyond them. However, deep into injury time Ryan Giggs pounced on a loose ball in the box and smashed it into the roof of the net to equalise on the night. This gave United a lifeline for the second leg which they had to win; and as history prevailed, they did win in one of the greatest comebacks of all time.

On the Welsh wizard’s 900 appearance Manchester United had the tough task of overturning Norwich City at Carrow Road to keep the pressure on Manchester City at the top of the league. After the Red’s had lost their lead with seven minutes to go it looked like United would lose vital ground on the league leaders, however the man who had been there, done it and seen it all before somehow carried his 38 year old legs to the back post in the 92nd minute of the game, wave his magic wand of left foot and snatch all three points for the champions. Wild celebrations ensued with Giggs encapsulating Manchester United’s team spirit and showing a level of emotion that had not been matched by him since his dramatic goal against Arsenal in 1999. This time the shirt stayed on, and United stayed hot on the heels of the noisy neighbours.

In 1994 Ryan Giggs was starting to turn his potential into virtuoso match winning displays. In a 3-1 win back in United’s second title winning campaign United’s number 11 scored one of the goals of the season. After turning the QPR back four inside out the then 19 year old Ryan Giggs swept the ball past a helpless keeper. A baggy shirted and floppy haired Ryan Giggs looked more like a kid having a kick-about in the local park, and he has never lost that youthful enthusiasm even to this day.

In the game where Giggsy equalled Sir Bobby Charlton’s appearance record by coming on as a

redarmy.co.uk second half substitute, United’s Premier League trophy ambitions were still in the balance.

Manchester United needed a win to guarantee them the Premier League title and Ryan Giggs was in search of his tenth winner’s medal. With the game standing precariously at 1-0 after Ronaldo’s first-half penalty United could ill-afford to concede an equaliser. With ten minutes to go Ryan Giggs broke free to score United’s second goal and ensure that the Reds secured their seventeenth league title and the first leg of what they hoped would be a historic double.

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Goal V Juventus (Champions League 2003)

After recent substandard performances by Manchester United, some sections of the fans inexplicably put the blame firmly at the feet of the Welsh Wizard, particularly after he missed an open net in United’s 2-0 defeat to Arsenal in the F.A. Cup days earlier. Giggs was relegated to the bench for this big Champions League group match. However after 6 minutes, Diego Forlan limped off injured and Giggsy was introduced to the action earlier than expected. His impact was immediate as he put United in the lead almost

straight away. Then just before half time he doubled the lead when he latched onto a sloppy pass from the Juve midfield on half-way; and after he ran and jinked his way into the penalty area, he scored his second goal with a tidy right foot finish that reminded us how mesmerising the great man can be.

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Champions League Final 2008

Manchester United’s European Cup final successes have always had an element of fate attached. In 2008 the Red’s Champions League final game on a rainy night at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow was the arena where Ryan Giggs would break Bobby Charlton’s appearance record. After replacing Paul Scholes as a second half substitute he racked up 748 appearances for United, but the history making was not going to end there. After a dramatic shoot-out entered sudden death thanks to a John Terry slip, Ryan Giggs scored the Red Devils seventh spot-kick.

The next penalty was saved by Edwin Van Der Sar which meant that Giggs’ penalty turned out to be the winning goal, and the Manchester United legend went on to lift the Champions League trophy with captain Rio Ferdinand.

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Goal V Arsenal F.A. Cup semi-final 1999

In the one of the greatest games ever witnessed, Ryan Giggs produced his career defining moment. After losing a first-half lead and losing skipper Roy Keane to a red card, United then had to survive a penalty, which Schmeichel duly saved. Soon United were hanging on for a penalty shoot-out but a sloppy pass by Vieira gave the ball to Ryan Giggs in his own half. With running down the clock being the order of the day, the Welsh Wizard looked ahead at what was in front of him; it was the best defence in Europe who just did not concede goals. They were the gate-keepers to United’s chance of a treble and the best hope that Ryan Giggs had was to run the ball down to the corner flag.

Giggsy had a different plan though, a plan so unbelievable that it would bring football history to its knees. He turned each member of Arsenals back four inside out then smashed the ball past the England number one to give United the most unlikeliest of leads, score the greatest FA Cup goal of all-time and put the Reds one step closer towards their historic treble.

BY Sean McGuire

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A CLASSIC TWOHORSE RACE S

ir Alex Ferguson could perhaps be forgiven for rubbing his hands and thinking half the job is done, when it comes to United achieving their 20th Premier League title. He’d be silly to do so, however, despite United’s favourable fixture list... a point that was all too acutely underlined by last Wednesday’s shock(ing) defeat by Wigan Athletic.

Yes Wigan Athletic. A team, you will no doubt recall that, prior to United’s insipid and toothless display at the DW Stadium, had amassed a grand total of ‘0’ points against us in 14 previous fixtures, home and away.

United now have two home games from which they should be targeting maximum points, before the big clash with City on April 30th.

After the DW decable on Wednesday and City’s simultaneous stroll against West Brom, the reds lead at the top of the table is down to five points, and that could (and probably will) be further reduced to two by Saturday evening, after the Massives’ away game at Norwich.

The club has lifted itself for the big games in recent weeks, and has admittedly gone on a great run to overhaul the noisy neighbours, and seemingly put them out of sight. Our embarassing Champions League and subsequent Europa League campaigns however, serve as a painful reminder of how easy it is to slip up.

Supporters and the players assumed they could simply turn up and win. Basel and Benfica put us very firmly in our places, before we received a sobering lesson in possession, precision and pace from the mighty Athletic Bilbao - currently 8th in La Liga.

If United are not careful in the remaining five games, this approach could yet derail the title procession. It already has dealt them a blow, at home to Blackburn on New Year’s Eve, when Ferguson left out Wayne Rooney and played

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Rafael in central midfield. It was a real blunder and smacked of disrespect to Blackburn, and you would hope United have learned from their mistakes. The omission of the brilliant Paul Scholes at Wigan was also, you feel, a bit of a selection faux-pas from the great man!

Lifting your game for the crunch matches against your rivals is one thing, but it is the games against smaller opposition - Villa, Everton and Swansea (all at home) which can make or break you. Each week Ferguson and Rooney

are speaking to the press about how their experience will guide them through the title charge. That sounds like complacency, not just confidence. They need to go out there and win the games before speaking. United need to be ruthless like they were against Tottenham.

If they turn up expecting to win like they did against the Latics last Wednesday, then they could still blow their title chances!

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