My Dream, My Life, My Soul, My All – My Manchester United

How It Really Began

 

It was roughly 8 to 9 years ago, a lazy afternoon when I was in college and thoroughly enjoying my vacations. One day after my lunch, I was half asleep and was surfing TV channels (PS: At that point of time I did not even know how many players comprise a football team and CRICKET was a religion. I was no bloody different to it). Well when I got tired to look out for something interesting and was about to shut down my TV, there came a moment of brilliance which made my eye lid wide open.  I saw this guy having a typical Hollywood look scoring a screamer from the half way line, it was something out of the world to me and I am sure it would have been the same feeling for any ardent footie freak. He was none other than DAVID BECKHAM. For the next 48 hours I tried to know as much I can about him. Another goal of his which made me much more inclined towards him was his outrageous free kick against Greece in the stoppage time during the World Cup Qualifiers.  It was indeed the goal which shook the world. Journey from villain to hero. Before the free kick the commentator had just said “Beckham could just raise the roof at Old Trafford with a goal” and the rest is history. He belonged to none other than Manchester United; the club which I never knew would be of utmost importance to me. To be honest at the beginning, I never knew that a club named Manchester United ever existed on the planet. Gradually I started to follow MANCHESTER UNITED just because of David Beckham.

 

The Never Ending Journey

 

I feel so blessed and lucky enough that I ardently follow arguably one of the greatest clubs in the world if not the greatest (PS: According to some cunts). I don’t care what people have to say of my love to United. I agree there are many plastic supporters who just follow Manchester United because they have won so many titles but they don’t know what it takes to win those titles and it really pisses me. I never knew before supporting Manchester United that how many trophies they have won. I just support them because I have faith in my club. A true supporter really knows what it takes to keep the faith in your club and which I proudly say I really do. My faith in Manchester United really got cemented when I got to know about the Munich air disaster which destroyed the team of the future which was rightly called ‘Busby Babes’. Eight astounding players whose names could have easily been written in golden words in the history of the club as well as English football lost their lives. I am 100 per cent sure and I say this very categorically that any football club, be it the really best one could have lost all the hopes in the world and gone into a shell which would have taken them years to come out of it and Manchester United was no bloody exception. As we are rightly referred to “We are famous Manchester United, we do what we want” and indeed we did it. It was Jimmy Murphy whose vision did the impossible. He truly said “How we are in the future will be based on how we behave today”. He built a new team from nowhere and the rest we all know is history. This belief makes Manchester United different from other teams and I am sure no one EVER will have such kind of self belief. 

 

To further imbibe this BELIEF came none other than Sir Alex Ferguson, the man with a hardcore Scottish accent. I really don’t know what to talk about this legend. I am short of adjectives. The man had fire inside him and no wonder he has ingrained the same in the players he has managed so far. In today’s world if you don’t get along with your manager you can easily start the blame game but you just cannot do the same with Sir Alex Ferguson. If you do he will rip you apart. He is the real showman behind Manchester United’s success and it is just because of the belief he had in the club and in his players. How can anyone forget the 1999 Champions League final against Bayern Munich. Two goals in the injury time and we became the Champions of Europe. We did it which we always do. No wonder from then the injury time is called FERGIE time. The word BELIEF sounds really simple but to preach the same for about 27 odd years is really amazing and out of the world. Who the hell does not want to support the club with such legacy and such a fantastic manager. 

 

The Players 

 

There are numerous players who have played under his regime but I would certainly like to pick up certain players from the 1990’s and 2000’s who have played for the most romantic club in the world. The likes of Peter Schmeichel, Eric Cantona, Roy Keane, David Beckham, Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Edwin Van Der Sar, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville, Ole Gunnar Solskjær, Dwight Yorke, Andy Cole,  Cristiano Ronaldo, and last but not the least my man Wayne Rooney. I would have loved to see the likes of Duncan Edwards, Sir Bobby Charlton, and George Best play live. There are number of high profile players who have played for the Red Devils but “No player is bigger than the club” this has been the core theme of Sir Alex Ferguson’s management. The manager has always demanded respect for the club. The club is placed at the top most priority and he makes sure that the dignity is always maintained no matter what. Several players have been the victim of Fergie’s wrath. The famous ‘Hair Dryer’ treatment which we know. Players like Roy Keane, David Beckham, Gabriel Heinze, Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Jaap Stam have all been shown the door by the great man. Every time when a great player had to leave Old Trafford people used to say NOW WHATT!!!!! and bloody every single time we have proved them wrong. Transformations have been an integral part of Manchester United’s history but it is the faith which has never derailed the process. Now tell me who does not want to support this beautiful club who always puts club ahead of its players. Who does not want to support this club who has never bowed down to failure. It is the sheer grit and perseverance that has made this club the most successful one in English history and one of the most successful clubs in the world. We believe in making players rather than buying players. The club teaches them never ever give up no matter what the situation is. I can so much co-relate that I personally have entrenched NEVER GIVE UP attitude. Failure is something which you cannot stay away from but how to convert the failures into success is what only Manchester United very well knows.

 

The Rivalries

 

Rivalries have always been a part of our history. The rivalry with Leeds United (a.k.a Roses Rivalry), Liverpool FC, Arsenal FC, Chelsea FC, and the latest one Manchester City. For me the most famous one is definitely when we knocked Liverpool off the perch. It was indeed the happiest day in my life. With all due respect, all the aforementioned clubs are successful apart from Manchester City: p. To be successful is a different thing and to continue the same process for years is a different ball game altogether. It requires commitment, dedication, and sacrifice which are inherited in Manchester United. There have been worst days too and for me it has to be the 1-6 battering against the noisy neighbours and the last day dramatic turnaround at the Etihad. Trust me I have seen Manchester United win many titles but the wait for the 20^th title is right up there, in the top drawer. 

 

The Ultimate Wish

 

Manchester United means everything to me. It means the world to me. I am elated when we win and my heart cries when we lose. My life starts at weekend and ends with it. I have become an ardent devotee. I know it sounds stupid but I can even postpone my marriage date if it clashes with Manchester United’s match. I have skipped my classes many times and I never regret it. I have even skipped many happy moments in my life just to watch Manchester United play. I am so lucky to be single because I am so bloody sure that I would have never devoted the same amount of time for my girl friend as much as I do for Manchester United. At least half of my office timing is devoted in surfing any news related to Manchester United and watching Manchester United videos. Every morning I utter these famous lyrics.

 

Take Me Home, United Road
To The Place I Belong
To Old Trafford
To See United
Take Me Home, United Road

 

 Before I die I want to visit Old Trafford one day and cry like a baby. I can never ever think of any other club except MANCHESTER UNITED.

 

Yours truly

 

RED DEVIL

By Darshan