Theatre of Dreams. Jamie Andrews

From India to Old

For some people, supporting a team is as simple as being born in a certain area and developing an affinity for the local side. For fans across the globe it is rarely so simple. Rohit Rebelo tells JAMIE ANDREWS about supporting Manchester United from across the globe and how he came to have a view of Old Trafford from his apartment every morning

‘Keep your dream up and you will get

You’ve spent 21 years being a united supporter, what made you choose to follow them?

My first memory was watching David Beckham getting sent off at the World Cup in 1998 and then I saw him play wearing a red shirt and scoring a great freekick.

I watched United a few times that season and noticed they kept fighting back and it never seemed over.

The romance of the last-minute goal and the constant drive of Sir Alex Ferguson in the dugout probably were my biggest reasons for supporting Man United in my early days as a Red.

After living on different continents, you’ve finally moved to Manchester and got yourself a season ticket at Old Trafford. How does that make you feel?

It’s been a lifelong dream of mine to absorb the Old Trafford atmosphere weekly. I feel thankful for this opportunity because I know how lucky I am.

Nobody realises that United fans all over the world, in Asia, for example, need to stay up till 3am to watch games. I worked my socks off to get to where

Trafford And everywhere in between...

ABOVE: Rio Ferdinand scoring against Swansea in the final game of Sir Alex Ferguson’s reign at Old Trafford

RIGHT: David Beckham working as a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF. Credit UN/Amanda Voisard

your chance to visit one day. I waited 19 years...’

I am today. Now I wake up to a view of Old Trafford every morning.

What is your favourite ever moment as a United supporter?

The treble. I still remember the night. I had missed the World Cup final the year before because I overslept so I was even more determined not to miss it. I dozed a bit for the first goal, but once Sheringham scored I felt a win was coming.

It had to come – all the stars were aligning and then Ole Gunnar Solskjaer put that ball into the back of the net. History was made. I still play the ‘Class of 92’ video and walk around the Old Trafford these days and visualise the parade. I never saw the parade till the documentary came out. That was a massive show of love for United.

The next greatest moment would be Rio Ferdinand scoring against Swansea at the final game of Sir Alex’s reign at Old Trafford.

The cherry on the icing on the top of the cake – a clinical late winner – a fitting tribute to the greatest manager ever.

like yourself who support United from another country?

Your support from a distance is not any less important that those who are in the stadium. True fans are passionate, and passion exists in the heart, not just the stadium.

Don’t be bogged down by people who say: “You haven’t even been to Manchester”. The fact that you love United, even if you haven’t been there, tells you how special the club is.

Keep your dream up and you will get your chance to visit one day. I waited 19 years for my first visit.