Football United Fanzine Issue 9 - Manchester United's premier online magazine

UNITED’S FIRST EXCLUSIVELY ONLINE FANZINE

ISSUE

FOOTBALL UNITED FANZINE

9

Nov 2011

FEATURING ERGIE’S BEST 25 QUOTES

THE LEGACY OF SIR ALEX

FERGIE’S TOP FIVE SIGNINGS MANAGING THE FERGIE WAY

RELIVING NOU CAMP, 1999 1

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NOT OUT

Celebrations as Fergie reaches his 25th anniversary.

ISSUE 9, NOVEMBER 2011

NOVEMBER 2011

In this month’s issue of Football United Fanzine

REGULAR FEATURES 04 EDITORIALS 07 EDITOR’S VIEW 08 BLAST FROM THE PAST

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The executive experience

10MAD MANC’S RANT 12 MICKY OWEN: PI 18 A MONTH IN FOOTBALL 26 BORN AND RED

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40 THE FINAL WORD

SPECIAL FEATURES 15 MANCHESTER UNITED SUPPORTER’S FC News on the United supporters side and how you can join them.

16 FERGIE’S TOP FIVE SIGNINGS See who Jack thinks are Fergie’s best five signings.

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Say what?

Fergie’s top 25 quotes...

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22 MANAGING THE FERGIE WAY An analysis into the notion of the big fish, small pond in relation to new signing, Ashley Young.

30 THE PRAWN SANDWICH BRIGADE Steve revisits the Old Trafford atmosphere.

32 THE LEGACY Despite what we all wish, Sir Alex Ferguson cannot go on forever. So what legacy will he leave at Manchester United and what are the implications for the future?

COMING UP THIS MONTH...

5 NOV:

United vs Sunderland Premier League 3.00pm

19 NOV:

Swansea vs United Premier League 5.30pm

22 NOV:

United vs Benfica Champions League 7.45pm

26 NOV:

United vs Newcastle Premier League 3.00pm

36 A very special Fergie. Part III 3

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Warming the Bench Football United Fanzine W: www.football-united-blogs.com E: editor.fub@live.co.uk EDITORIAL Managing Editor: Steph Doehler Deputy Editor: Rachel Turney Contributors: John Cosgrove, Peter Dyke, Brett Burgers, Alan Monger, Matt Putland, Steve Brady, Jack Harvey, Will Tidey, Andrew Bavington-Barber.

DESIGN Designer: Steph Doehler A SPECIAL THANKS TO Matt Wing, Terry Gibson, Omar Soliman, Mihai Oancea, Darren.

IMAGES Fergie puppets: Carl @CarloUtd FOR ENQUIRES Email: editor.fub@live.co.uk Facebook: FootballUnited Blogs Twitter: @footballUB

Editorials

It’s early in the season but I already have one eye looking ahead to next summer. It’s another big one in football with the European Championships but what makes it unique is of course that the London Olympics will also be taking place.

It’s an event that’s been causing some recent conflict in the football world, with the club versus country battle raging again.

With Stuart Pearce’s recent appointment to manage the British team, Premier League managers have been voicing their opinions on the event and how they feel about their players potentially playing all season, then the Euro Championships, followed by the Olympics before another League campaign starts. Arsene Wenger seems firmly against this idea, stating that the Olympics is not a real football tournament while Fergie feels players wouldn’t get sufficient rest. Andre Villas-Boas however supports the event and is happy for his players to be called up, stating the Olympics are very special. Harry Redknapp agrees saying it would be a great honour and he wouldn’t stop anyone going.

The majority of football fans I suspect won’t really be bothered by the Olympics but it’s not just any Olympics, it’s the London Olympics. I’m a huge fan of the games and my heart wants us to have the best team possible. Obviously I don’t want it to affect United negatively but this is a once in a lifetime opportunity, it‘s the first time since 1960 a male team has been entered. People are always saying that players don’t care about playing for their country but now it seems they may be pressured not to play. The suggestion is that the decision will be the players but they may have to go against their club.

Football is huge in this country and I still believe we have the best League in the world which is why I think we should compete as best as we can on this world stage and try to win gold.

It could also be a rare chance for success on the International front depending on the stance other countries worldwide take.

It seems however it will be an uphill struggle with the Welsh and Scottish FA already opposed to a British team along with many club managers.

All material unless otherwise stated, is copyright to the Football United Fanzine.

The views expressed are not necessarily those of the editors. The Football United Fanzine is completely independent of Manchester United Football Club. The Football United Fanzine accepts no responsibility for services offered by advertisers.

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Whether rightly or wrongly United are always number one in terms of my priority but on this occasion I really hope player power wins out. If the players want to play, let them play.

Rachel - Deputy Editor Follow Rachel on Twitter @Rachel_jj2011

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Editorials

6th November 1986, a date that should be ingrained into United fan’s memories for the rest of their lives.

The date, of course, that Alexander Chapman Ferguson signed on the dotted line to become the new Manchester United manager. Few could, or would have predicted the future of our great football club some 25 years ago, such is the greatness of the

Scot’s achievements.

I was just six months old when Fergie took over from Big Ron, far too young obviously to appreciate the sport itself, let alone the man who would shape my football allegiances for some years to come. There aren't enough superlatives to use about this man that would actually do his achievements any justice. After all, they are just words.

What Fergie has done will never again be achieved in English, or probably any high profile level of football. In a time when managers are often given less than a solitary season to prove themselves, Fergie has shown his worth time and time again.

I hope that today, United fans offer him a fabulous celebration at Old Trafford when we take on Sunderland in his 1,410 th match with the club. I certainly know I’ll be in the crown cheering on our master.

You’ll notice much of this issue is dedicated to the best of Sir Alex Ferguson, a true Manchester United hero. Enjoy.

Steph - Managing Editor Follow Steph on Twitter @StephDoehler

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Time and time again, Fergie shows he is the master of English football.

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ISSUE ISSUE 9, NOVEMBER 2011 8, OCTOBER 2011

EDITOR’S VIEW Racism rows hot up as two players accused Luis Saurez and John Terry both aim to fight their innocence over allegations of racism during recent matches.

The notion of racism in English football isn't something we’ve had to worry too much about in recent times, certainly not in comparison to some countries on the continent and in Russia where racist connotations from fans (and sometimes even players) are the norm. Yet during the last month two high profile incidents reared their heads, putting the FA in quite a predicament. Saurez and Patrice Evra’s spat at Anfield seems to have cooled somewhat on the back pages of the newspapers however our governing body reassuringly tell us they are “investigating

the matter.” However it’s the John Terry/Anton Ferdinand row which has caused most debate. Is it guilty? Isn’t he?

If he is then what should happen to him? Should he be stripped of his England captaincy for a second time? No doubt none of these questions will be answered promptly by the FA and this is perhaps the most shameful thing of all.

With the “Let’s Kick Racism Out Of Football,” campaign still prominent in the game, the FA should have resolved this by now and yet here we are, two weeks on, still waiting on both cases.

Steph

AGREE OR DISAGREE? We want to know what you think about anything you read in the magazine. You can email: editor.fub@live.co.uk or tweet us @footballUB

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CITY GIDDY AFTER DERBY DISPLAY I guess at some point in this issue we have to comment on the recent derby defeat and whilst most of us are still in a state of shock at what happened in the final three minutes at Old Trafford, by now there is a level of perspective on City’s thrashing of United. Irrespective of the score line, any loss against City hurts, add a humiliation into the mix and you’ll understand why we want to keep it on the down-lo this month. But as is always the case with United, we dusted ourselves off and sought to get the season back on track after what has turned out to be a pretty mediocre month. We have faced worse times and still come out on top. Credit to City for their display against us but I would happily take two losses to them every season so long as we still win the league. There’s a long way to go yet.

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BLAST FROM THE PAST Milan, 2005

By John Cosgrove @JohnnyCozza AC Milan vs Manchester United 8th March 2005 Champions League First Knock-Out Round We set off for the trip to Milan already 1-0 down from the 1st leg. Our eight strong group included brothers Horse & Pony, Jan, Neon, a man-flu riddled Hodge, Judson, Jason joining us at Manchester Airport after an early morning flight from Dublin, and my good self. Judson had somehow passed a late fitness-test after breaking his knee a few weeks earlier and would remain 5-10 yards behind us for the majority of the trip on crutches. Despite this, it was Hodge that was the main cause for concern. His condition visibly deteriorating the more we made him ‘drink through it.’

After a brief refreshment break in Dusseldorf to catch our connection, we were finally en route to Milano with growing confidence about tomorrow’s game. On arrival we tucked Hodge in at the hotel and discussing where we could find a priest to read our crumbling friend the last writes, went in search of further alcoholic

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lubrication. The first bar we found provided us with a collection of complimentary savoury snacks to go with our Peroni. This provided what some are to this day labelling the moment of the tour. A bowl of nuts, that included, wait for it … a spoon. Genius, practical, hygienic, the future some said. They don’t half do things with a bit of class on the Continent!

Personally unimpressed, we ventured into a respectable restaurant where we were joined by none other than Leonardo, former Rossoneri hero, later to be manager of both Milan clubs. A thoroughly nice bloke. Probably too nice as he ended up spending more time being mithered by us than he did eating tea with his other half. Even questioning him about his elbow in the ‘94 World Cup that saw him fracture a USA player’s skull didn’t rattle him enough to get us removed. Last orders came and went and before long we’d staggered back to sleep it off,

not before putting a mirror under Hodges’ nose to check he was still breathing.

Match day began with the role reversal of our ailing patient being in far better condition than the folks who abandoned him the night prior. We weren’t in great shape heading into the centre where we perched ourselves in the Piazza del Duomo, the main square in front of the Cathedral. Knowing his audience, a local ice cream man had binned the 99’s and was selling cases of beer out of his van to the Mancunian masses. The weather leant itself nicely to a bit of alfresco boozing and with the square decorated with such banners as ‘MUFC – We’re too sexy for Milan’ the atmosphere was building.

We set off for the San Siro in good time and joined the compulsory kick around outside the ground. The mood in the camp went a bit dark however

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when Horse realised just before going into the ground that he’d been pick-pocketed. Cash, match ticket, the lot. Luckily, due to Judson’s broken limb he’d been kindly sent a pair of complimentary tickets for the disabled section by Milan, so we had two spares in our end, and after a whip round for Horse we were back on track.

The stadium is incredible both inside and out, made all the more impressive when the Milan Ultra’s released their ‘I’ve Got A Devil In Me’ banner from the top tier. The atmosphere was electric, sadly our performance was not. We were done by a Crespo header in the 2nd half which we all knew we would never come back from. All that was left was to collect the Euro’s on the floor lobbed at us throughout the game, make a safe getaway from the overly

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Polizia, and find somewhere for an end of tour beer and a bit of a moan about the game.

I woke with the now familiar pounding head to a fully dressed Hodge shouting we’d overslept and were going to miss the flight. Unawares to me he had kept this piece of highly important information between the two of us and failed to check on the other three rooms. Embarrassingly out of all eight grown-ups in our platoon not one had taken responsibility for the alarm call. Four of us piled into the first taxi and racing through the airport like the family in Home Alone we made check-

in with seconds to spare.

This was not the case for the unfortunate four left waiting on the second taxi however.

As the plane took off the relief that it could have been us stuck in Milan far outweighed the guilt of breaking ranks and leaving them behind. We arrived back in Manchester early afternoon still unaware of the other lad’s location. Turns out they had made it as far as Switzerland and were £500 a man lighter. The fine margins of waiting on a taxi!

For me, the Passport was already back in the drawer for another season…

ISSUE 9, NOVEMBER 2011

MAD MANC’S RANT

BY PETER DYKE

The days of players loving their clubs are long gone.

United > Kids > Wife. We’ve all seen the banners and heard people talk about it. For some people, the love for their football team is literally so passionate that they rank it up there with their family. Not that I believe that statement for a minute, but that’s not the point. Its not just United fans either, as I’m sure that there are fans of every other club in the world that feels that way about their club. Personally, there aren’t many things in life I love more than my football club, but my wife and daughter are in a different league. However it’s feelings like this that can sometimes distort our views on certain events, one of

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such being when certain players kiss your clubs badge.

We have witnessed two players do this for United in October, within the space of a few days. The first, Patrice Evra, who kissed the badge when he was being taunted by Liverpool fans in front of the Kop. Brave man. The second, and seemingly more controversial, was Wayne Rooney. Rooney kissed the badge after scoring a penalty in the 2-0 win over Galati in the Champions League. Two players, both senior United players, both kissing the United badge, but both receiving very different reactions indeed. Evra was

hallowed by United fans as if he was the second coming of Jesus, where as Rooney was lambasted by a section of fans for daring to let the badge touch his dirty scouse lips. So why did they receive such different reactions?

Well for a start, there are still a rather prominent section of United fans who have yet to forgive Wazza for his actions this time last year. And you can’t really blame them, as they feel betrayed by someone who they had welcomed into their club with open arms.

Maybe Evra got a better reaction because he has been captain on a number of occasions this season? Or maybe, after his World Cup debacle, and how he was hung out to dry by

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the French FA, we have rallied around him similar to how we rallied around Beckham and Ronaldo. Whatever the reason, these players took our badge, placed it on their lips and received opposite reactions. But for me, the real question should be why do people care?

Firstly, the days of players loving their clubs are long gone. They are distant memory that evaporated when money took over the game. Yes you get your odd player like your Neville or Terry who legitimately seem to love their football club, but on a whole, it’s a rare thing. So whatever a player says or does in relation to the club they play for is because they want to make their time there as easy as possible.

What Rooney did was terrible, and not a pleasant thing to go through as a United fan, but players at other clubs do the same thing every single season. Despite the fact he is a Scouse scally, Rooney gives 100% for us when he pulls that shirt on and I’d call anyone who disagrees with that a liar.

He did what he did for money, nothing more, nothing less. So when he kisses our badge, why care? It’s an act of passion, done in the heat of the moment, kind of like swearing on national TV after scoring a goal maybe?

Secondly, Patrice Evra was linked with a move away from the club not so long ago, and made some comments in an interview that didn’t do much to disparage those claims. So if he would have pressed those a

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bit further, then kissed the badge on a rainy Wednesday night at, lets say, the DW Stadium, would he still have received the same reaction? I have no doubt in my mind that Evra would move abroad if he got the right package thrown at him, but that doesn’t mean I don’t think he gives his all for United. Because that’s what he gets paid to do, and Fergie would accept nothing less.

Finally, no-one REALLY knows what these guys are like behind the scenes. How do we know that Evra, Park and the Da Silva’s don’t spend their free time throwing darts at our badge? How do we know that Michael Carrick hasn’t got a tattoo of Old Trafford on his bollocks? We don’t know these guys from Adam, and to presume we know someone just because of their actions on a football pitch or on some TV programme is ridiculous. The only thing we know for sure is that our clubs pay these players humongous amounts of cash to play football for us, and that it’s down to the manager to get them to play to the maximum of their potential. The rest, is pure speculation, so when the next player kisses the club badge, don’t think he’s the next Gary Neville or the Devil reincarnate, just think he’s a guy who got carried away, and nothing more.

You can read Peter’s further ramblings at The Faithful MUFC or follow him on Twitter @MadManc78

Tweets From The Terrace Does it mean anything to you when United players kiss the badge? @office_monkey: As the song goes “Steve Gerrard, Gerrard he kisses the badge on his chest, then puts in a transfer request Steve Gerrard, Gerrard,” we mercilessly sing this at Steven Gerrard both when we play Liverpool which is cringe worthy enough and when we aren’t playing our loathed rivals. Wayne Rooney kissed the badge after scoring away at Basle last week and caused a furore on twitter. Rooney has kissed the badge before of course but for me his actions last October still leave a bitter taste in my mouth and I didn’t like him kissing the badge. Of course he’s not the first to do it and won’t be the last but badge kissing for me doesn’t mean anything, it’s not the player showing loyalty or love for the club, just an action after scoring a goal.

@Cartwright1984: Badge kissing means nothing, it's cheap. Staying at the club and making your mark is proving your loyalty, Giggs, Charlton etc.

@Mase_18: Kissing the badge, I feel as though they truly have the same affinity as I do for the club. To each their own though.

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MICKY OWEN: PI At Manchester United, without having regular football as a distraction, Micky Owen was allowed to develop his detective skills. “YEAH, YEAH, WHATEVER! LISTEN MICKY THIS IS SAF!!! I’M TAKIN OVER INVESTIGATIONS FER THIS MONTH, ALRIGHT PAL?!YER CAN FORGET YER TWO PART SPECIAL WITH THAT FLOPPY HAIRED HAS BEEN TWO FACED WEE BASTARD HARGREAVES OKAY!?! I’LL SHOW YER HOW TEE GET A RUDDY CASE SOLVED YER WEE WET BLANKET YER!!!"

It was a typical day. I’d just demolished a crate of Irn Bru and polished off some wee kittens on toast. The only way to start the day right, right!?! The morning meeting with Phelan was due to start but I just couldnee be arsed to let him oot of his kennel.

“Hey Eric!?! Instead a poppin yer head oot the ruddy clouds and sharing some nonsense aboot shite like yer always do in this ruddy abomination of a ruddy irreverent pile of unmentionables. Why don’t me ‘n’ you crack open a couple a bottles from the wine cellar and reminisce on the good ol days? Eh?!”

“That sounds beautiful” Eric replied.

Three hours later we were in bits. “...and then you lifted up yer wee collar and yer go, ‘Aurevoir’!?! Aurev-ruddy-oir! Those were the days, hey Eric?!”

“Haven’t we got some investigating to do boss?” Eric asked.

“Are yer effin kiddin on there wee man?!...Now everyone knows I’m runnin this detective lark, they’re all investin in pampers, pal!” We looked at each other and fell aboot the office floor laughing in to the wee hours.

“You have just reminded me though. There is one thing I wouldn’t mind a bit of help with Eric, If yer can spare me a few hours in yer busy acting schedule, hey?!”

“Errmm, I’m sure I can diarise some time, let

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your people speak with my people,” Eric replied.

“I’ll just stop you there pal...I wasn’t asking...NOOO GET YER COAT ON AND COME WITH ME AFORE I STITCH ONE ON YER!” Somethin’ was gonna be done and fast!

Unlike Cheese and Owen, we arrived at our destination in no time. I didnee need any pseudo-quasi references to old school communications or ruddy flamin all terrain clap trap. I got in the SAF mobile put the directions in to the SAF-NAV and here we were...Rafa Effin Bollocks fer brains hoose.

“Looks like he’s got company boss?!” said Eric as we pulled up outside.

“Are yoo effin kiddin on again pal? Rafa?

With mates?! I don’t think so!” I replied.

“Well look there’s some kind of party going on.” said Eric, pointing towards the front window.

“Ha ha, you fell for it...have yer seen the film ‘Home Alone’?”

“Yeah” Eric replied.

“Well that’s how Rafa spends his time. He’s got a right ruddy set up in there. Cardboard cut oots of Steven Gerrard on toy trains. Cut oots of Carragher attached to ropes...Trust me he’s all alone! COME ON”!

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We approached the hoose and gave the door an almighty boot. A quiet voice mumbled from inside, “I’m sorry, but my parents are enjoying the party and I’m not supposed to open the door to strangers.”

“Och! Come on Rafa! It’s your old pal Fergie.

We know you’re parents aren’t there and you’re all alone”. I shouted back.

“No, No, No, I only talk in facts. And the fact is my parents are really here”.

“Rafa?!!” I replied.

“Just the facts, Mr Ferguson,” he retorted.

“RAFA!” I bellowed. Withoot further ado Eric propped open the letterbox while I ramped up the hairdryer to 11 and well we don’t want to bore you with the ‘facts’ of how he wet his breeches and cried like wee bairn, now that would only embarrass the obnoxious wee twerp. Needless to say all’s well that ends

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well. Me and Eric headed back to HQ to polish off another couple a bottles of the good stuff.

Cheers!

Micky will no doubt be back next month...I might even give him a new sidekick...Berba’s got a lot of spare time on his hands these days, mind you it’ll take him a ruddy lifetime pull his finger oot his backside. Keep ‘em Peeled and all that usual wet nonsense!

By Brett Burgers As a young 'un Brett fell in love with football, Robbo and United all at the same time. He grew up in awe of Eric and Scholesy. Brett is also one half of www.bifurcated.co.uk

@HoldAndGive

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Manchester United Supporter’s FC It was the summer of '96 (not quite Brian Adams) and as the country geared up for Euro '96, the FA encouraged supporters to embrace the friendliness of the tournament. A fans tournament was set up in Middlesbrough and from that the Manchester United Supporters team was born.

The Manchester United Supporters team gives the fans of Manchester United the opportunity to pull on the famous red shirt and to represent United supporters against other fans teams. We play in a full Manchester United kit.

The team plays once or twice a month against fans of other clubs on Saturday mornings before the team’s main afternoon games. The team competes in the IFA British supporter’s league as well as through various league cups.

As well as the supporters league, the team invites European supporters to play games on the afternoon of United’s Champions League games. In 2008, prior to the European Cup Final in Moscow, the Manchester United Supporters team travelled to Moscow to play Spartak Moscow supporters in front of a 500 strong crowd at the Spartak Stadium. The supporters team has also been joined by ex-United players David May, Clayton Blackmore and Andy Ritchie, who have played games for the team and Paddy Crerand took over as guest manager before last year’s game in Glasgow with Rangers supporters at their Murray Park training ground.

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The supporter team has entered the annual Worldnet tournament in Leeds for every year since 1996 and for the past 2 years have also entered a veteran’s team (over 33's) alongside the normal supporter’s team.

The Supporters team is always on the lookout for players.

Home games are played at Partington Sports Village and we often compete at away venues in the vicinity of the afternoon’s main Manchester United match. Interested players should be over the age of 18 and of a decent Sunday league standard. You can get in touch with the team via mufcsfc@googlemail.com or visit the team website at www.clubwebsite.co.uk/ manchesterunitedsupportersfc/

Prior to the Rangers vs United supporters match, November 2010.

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FERGIE’S TOP FIVE SIGNINGS

By Jack Harvey There might have been the odd Eric Djemba-Djemba and David Bellion along the way, but Sir Alex Ferguson’s 25-year anniversary is the perfect time to pay tribute to some of the Scot’s finest signings during his time at United. It was, as you can imagine, incredibly difficult to single out the best five, but the ones I have chosen were based on the transfer fee (relative to the era of the transfer), how long they stayed at the club, how successful they were and more importantly, how much they contributed to that success.

Denis Irwin (1990-2002)

Peter Schmeichel (1991-1999)

Ferguson had been at United for just four years when he decided to sign Denis Irwin from Oldham Athletic for a fee of £625,000. Equally adept at right or left back, the Irishman would go on to win seven Premier League titles, three FA Cups and one European Cup, among other trophies for United. Alan Hansen, a stickler for defending, once said, “In any team of the decade, the full-back slots are already nailed down. Denis Irwin at right-back and Denis Irwin at left-back.” Consistency is such a valuable attribute in a footballer and I can think of noone more consistent than Denis Irwin - he was a guaranteed 7 out of 10 performer and was also Mr. Dependable from setpieces, scoring many penalties and free-kicks in his time.

Peter Schmeichel was signed in 1991 for £530,000. His last game couldn’t have been dreamt any better, captaining the side to European glory in Barcelona and sealing a treble in the process. He made 398 appearances, placing him 24th in United’s all-time appearances list, and he even managed to score one goal himself.

One of his finest moments came in 1996, when the Red Devils were battling Newcastle for the Premier League title. United travelled to St. James Park in March, four points behind the Magpies, and the title would have been beyond United after that game, had it not been for the brilliance of Peter Schmeichel.

Speaking in 2000, Sir Alex described the Dane as “the bargain of the century.”

Eric Cantona (1992-1997) The story goes that Leeds United chairman Bill Fotherby had phoned his United counterpart, Martin Edwards to enquire about Irwin. Edwards was in a meeting with Ferguson at the time and the Scot instructed Edwards to ask about the availability of Eric Cantona. The deal was done swiftly at £1.2M and Cantona went on to play a huge role in United’s dominance of the ‘90s. Controversy often followed the Frenchman but his genius on the pitch more than made up for that. He netted 80 goals in his five seasons at the club, but his contribution stretched far wider than just goals. He was more creative than instinctive, and his influence around the dressing room grew as the likes of Bryan Robson and Paul Ince left the club to make way for ‘Fergie’s Fledglings’. It is telling that in Cantona’s five-year spell at Old Trafford, the only year United failed to win the league was 1994-95, when the Frenchman had been suspended for the infamous kung-fu kick on a Crystal Palace supporter.

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Cristiano Ronaldo (2003-2009) Many wondered how Ferguson would manage to replace David Beckham, the home-grown right-sided midfielder who he had just sold to Real Madrid. The answer was Cristiano Ronaldo - who would go on to be at one point, before Lionel Messi reached incomprehensible heights, the best player in the world. The signing of Ronaldo was somewhat fortuitous, with United playing Sporting Lisbon in a pre-season friendly. The winger gave United’s defence a torrid time and Ferguson told Peter Kenyon not to leave the stadium without buying the teen sensation. Ronaldo was a completely different player to Beckham - his crosses weren’t up to much but he was quick, direct, skilful and after a few years of getting used to English football, powerful. Manchester United looked to be on a downward spiral in 2005, with players such as DjembaDjemba, Kleberson, Diego Forlan, David Bellion and Keiran Richardson. But Ferguson knew he had Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo, along with the likes of Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Rio Ferdinand. It was a case of waiting for them to develop, and a couple of years later, now with Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra at the club, there was talk of yet another great United side being built. Ronaldo was the star though - capable of winning a game on his own, good with both feet, lightening quick. He scored 118 goals in 292 appearances for United, with his best tally of 42 goals coming in 2007-08. He scored many great goals during his time here, but my favourite wasn’t one of his swerving free kicks or stunning solo efforts. It was in fact a header, at the Stadio Olimpico against Roma. A chipped cross from Paul Scholes seemed to be aimed at nobody, when suddenly Ronaldo came out of nowhere, rose majestically and his bullet header found the corner. He left in 2009 for a record-breaking £80M, meaning a profit of £68M.

Roy Keane (1993-2005) Imagine if Roy Keane had signed for Blackburn Rovers upon leaving Nottingham Forest. Take a few seconds and then join me in thanking the lord that Sir Alex managed to hijack the deal at the last minute. Kenny Dalglish thought he had signed the Irish midfielder but after agreeing terms on the Friday, they had to wait until the following Monday to sign the relevant paperwork. Over the weekend, it took Fergie one phone call and one face-to-face meeting with Keane to change his mind. With Bryan Robson nearing the end of his career, United needed a midfield general and they got what turned out to be the best in the business. Keane formed part of possibly the best four-man midfield in football history, with Paul Scholes, David Beckham and Ryan Giggs. The others might have been a little better technically, but Keane was the driving force, the leader who everyone else followed. He was made captain in 1997 and his influence can perhaps best be appreciated by rewatching Manchester United’s 3-2 win against Juventus in Turin, the night that sealed United’s place in the 1999 Champions League final. He eventually left in 2005 following an interview with MUTV in which he criticised many of his team-mates, most notably Rio Ferdinand. His relationship with Fergie had deteriorated and he soon left for Celtic where he finished his playing career.

Honourable Mentions Edwin Van Der Sar Rio Ferdinand Nemanja Vidic Steve Bruce Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Wayne Rooney Andy Cole Ruud Van Nistelrooy

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A catastrophic derby day A first win in Europe for the new campaign Progression to the Carling Cup quarter-final Matt Putland gives his thoughts on October @MattPutland

A MONTH IN FOOTBALL “...even when it went to 1-0 they still had a go and opened up their game, and it became a very good game in the last 20 minutes,” Fergie.

Manchester United 2 Norwich City 0 1st October, Premier League Seat within the ground: Home in the Stretford End. Atmosphere: With everyone basking in the sunshine (in October!) it was a little quiet.

Song of the day: The Norwich fans singing “We’re back for our scarves” amused me.

Funny incidents: See above.

Moment of the day: Danny Welbeck finally sealing the three points near the end of a nervy second half.

Matchday experience out of 10: The right results and not a bad game of football, Norwich certainly played their part. 7/10.

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“I’d say I’m happy with a point in the end,” Rio Ferdinand.

Liverpool 1 Manchester United 1 15th October, Premier League Seat within the ground: To the far side of the away section near the Liverpool fans in the main stand.

Atmosphere: Anfield seemed very quiet on the day. Not sure if it was the early kick off that caused it.

The 1,900 or so United fans sang through the majority of the game though with our lack of numbers how audible we were I’m not sure.

Song of the day: The various songs about our 19th title wound the Scousers up nicely.

Funny incidents: Nothing I can remember.

Moment of the day: Hernandez scoring the equaliser was a fantastic moment but De Gea’s save a couple of minutes later from Kuyt was outstanding.

Matchday experience out of 10: Given a starting lineup nobody would have forecast getting a draw was a creditable result.

I’ve only ever seen us win at Anfield once so a win would have been nice but I think in the circumstances I was happy to accept a draw 6/10.

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“They made it very difficult for us but we have possession figures to show we were in control of the game,” Fergie.

Otelul Gelati 0 Manchester United 2 18th October, Champions League Seat within the ground: The National Arena in Bucharest is a magnificent new stadium, the official travelling United fans were in the lower tier behind the goal we scored in during the 2nd half. However there were hundreds of other reds dotted around the ground.

Atmosphere: Strange, it almost felt like a pre-season game.

The stadium was far from full and there were hundreds of reds all over the place in the ground including a very vocal section from Bulgaria. The few thousand that had travelled from Galati did their best to make themselves heard.

Song of the day: Was fairly quiet with the derby around the corner. The songs in the last ten minutes were mainly in anticipation of that game.

Funny incidents: Nothing.

Moment of the day: Was again not a vintage performance so it was nice to seal victory late on with Rooney’s penalty.

Matchday experience out of 10: One of the better European away trips in a while. Fantastic new stadium, a relaxed atmosphere between the two sets of fans which in turn led to a relaxed policing policy by the police and three points. 8/10.

“It's the worst result in my history. The impact will come from the embarrassment of the defeat,” Fergie.

Manchester United 1 Manchester City 6 23rd October, Premier League Seat within the ground: West Stand Tier 2, as always.

Atmosphere: As you’d expect on Derby day during the first half the atmosphere was very good, unfortunately as we all know everything fell flat in the 2nd half.

Song of the day: As we entered injury time we were singing “31 and you’ve won f*** all” during which time they scored a 4th, so we sang “4-1 and you’ve won f*** all”, shortly after they scored their 5th and you can guess the pattern.

Funny incidents: Nothing was remotely funny about the day. A horrible day to experience Moment of the day: Nothing whatsoever.

Matchday experience out of 10: A day to forget, 0/10.

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“If you look at that tonight, we had 11 fresh players from Sunday and that tells you how strong the squad is,” Fergie Aldershot 0 Manchester United 3 25th October, Carling Cup Seat within the ground: Tucked in compactly in the corner behind the goal we were attacking in the first half with view obstructing pillars galore. This was a nice throwback to football grounds of old and a new ground for me to tick off at the same time.

Atmosphere: The Aldershot fans were vocal throughout which was a credit to them, there were only around 1,100 or so United fans there but I think we made ourselves heard.

Song of the day: “Where are you when we’re not here?”

Funny incidents: Nothing to report.

Moment of the day: The first goal was a beautiful team goal, however Antonio Valencia’s strike in the 2nd half was something special.

Matchday experience out of 10: Always nice to get to a new ground and overall it was a good day out with the team putting in a professional performance 7/10.

“"It was a hard game and we expected that because every time you come to Everton the crowd get behind them and show great enthusiasm,” Fergie.

Everton 0 Manchester United 1 29th October, Premier League Seat within the ground: In the Paddock towards the front of the Lower Bullens stand, the view is seldom good at Everton.

Atmosphere: I’ve never heard Goodison Park so quiet, I’m not a fan of these 12pm kick offs. They do impact upon atmosphere and are generally an inconvenience for fans. Even the United section was fairly quiet.

Song of the day: Nothing stands out.

Funny incidents: Hearing them announce on the tannoy that “the time of the first goal was scored at 18:19” was quite a nice moment on Merseyside.

Moment of the day: A very poor game of football lightened only by our goal. A nice team move, an excellent cross from Evra and Hernandez with the easiest of finishes at the back post.

Matchday experience out of 10: Not a vintage match or atmosphere but 3 points all important. 6/10.

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ISSUE 9, NOVEMBER 2011

Quarter of a Century If you're a Manchester United fan of an age when literally all you can remember is Sir Alex Ferguson as manager of our great club, then I hope you count yourself as being very lucky. If you haven't really thought about it before, start thinking now.

Think about how ONE man can have managed the biggest club in English football, possibly in world football, for 25 years. Yes, a quarter of a century!

It almost beggars belief really that in an age when, for the big clubs particularly, success is demanded almost yesterday, let alone today or tomorrow, one man can have stayed at the pinnacle of his profession for so long.

One only needs to look at how many managers have passed through the revolving doors of some of our rivals in the corresponding period to start to appreciate the magnitude of the feat by Sir Alex.

Since November 1986, Arsenal have had six managers, Chelsea eight, Liverpool nine, City, wait for it..... 18 and Spurs, would you believe it.........an incredible 21!

Granted some of the above 'appointments' have been very brief caretaker manager roles but still, for the 25 year period in question those figures are representative of managerial stints. And SAF, throughout all of that time has been the solitary manager of United. If football management was a game of last man standing, then he undoubtedly would have won hands down!

Obviously within all of the different appointments alluded to above, some stand out when it comes to their respective relationships with SAF, and all for rather different reasons. For example when SAF arrived in November 1986, the manager of our

MANAGING THE FERGIE WAY

By Alan Monger 22

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Best of enemies? biggest rivals at the time was a certain Kenny Dalglish. Yes, back then Liverpool were our main rivals, and whilst that has changed, certainly in terms of title winning achievement, it's amazing to think that the personnel atop the respective trees are the same some 25 years later. To recap, Liverpool had won their 16th League title the season before SAF arrived, and under Dalglish were to win two more in the first four years of his tenure.

Such was SAFs determination to rectify this, culminating with the quote several years later that "....my greatest challenge was knocking Liverpool right off their f****** perch” that some of the verbal jousting between the two in the early years, (and again later when Dalglish managed Blackburn), was brilliant to behold.

Fergie and Jose, a mutual respect between rivals.

For example, Dalglish's famous "you'd be better off talking to my baby.... she's only six weeks old but you'd get more sense from her than from him,"as he walked past an apoplectic SAF being interviewed for radio after a fractious Anfield encounter clearly showed that he wasn't afraid of SAF, and that he wasn't one to be psyched out by any of the mind games that SAF has subsequently become famous for. You know, those 'mind games' that prompted Kevin Keegan to lose it so spectacularly on live TV; that prompted Rafa Benitez to come out with his ridiculous 'fact' rant; and that on occasion even got under the skin of the normally cool and calm Arsene Wenger.

Talking of Wenger, anyone noticed that things have been so much better and more respectful between the two of them in the past, um, let's think, six years or so? I wonder why could that be? No, I lie. I don't wonder at all. It's because with every passing year, and I mean that literally, that Arsenal haven't won anything, so SAF has apparently recognised that he no longer needs to try and get under the skin of Wenger. Enough people from different quarters are doing that already, criticising Arsenals lack of success etc, despite their lovely attractive football, so why should SAF waste his breath? And hey yes, there's also the element that deep down, actually not very deep down at all, they fully respect each other. And why not? After all, SAF of all people knows exactly how much of an achievement remaining at the helm of a top level club for at least 15 years is.

Fergie & Rafa, a hostile relationship following the “fact” rant.

So hang on, with the above in mind, how come no mention of fallouts, mind games etc by SAF with Chelsea managers? After all, in the past seven years, on the three occasions we have not won it, has it not been Chelsea who have been Champions? Maybe it's something to do with the fact that SAF has got on well with both Mourinho and Ancelotti? And that they, unlike say Rafa 'The Spanish Waiter' Benitez, have been respectful towards him? Taking Mourinho for example, for all his brashness and cockiness when coming to England, he at least had the sense to straight away get on the right side of SAF, acknowledging his achievements, recognising his stature. A wise move, partly inspired by

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The Godfather perhaps having one eye on a future vacancy at Old Trafford maybe? Mmm, one to ponder. Also, Mourinho I think showed enough to SAF straight away to suggest that any attempts at mind games would fail. Like him or loathe him, Mourinho IS extremely good at what he does, something that SAF recognised and something that easily enabled a healthy relationship.

Ok, enough of SAFs relationships with managers of teams contending for the same prizes as United.

What about his relationship with other managers, be they Premier League or lower league managers etc. How is he viewed, and how does he relate to them?

Right, give me a bit of artistic licence here. Remember the scene from The Godfather when Don Corleone 'welcomes' some of his contacts/distant family/murdering henchmen into his study, listens to their grievances/requests etc, and then decides on appropriate action to take? Yes? Right, ok then, imagine SAF as The Don. And that Steve Bruce is with him, asking for 'assistance' in his job of keeping Sunderland in the top flight. SAF thinks a while, then says 'I know what, I'll lend you Danny Welbeck' .. 'Oh thank you, thank you!!' says Bruce, on his knees kissing SAFs shoes. 'But..' says SAF, 'only on condition that you play him regularly and return him to us a more developed, more rounded player, better equipped for the rigours of the Premier League'. To which suggestion Bruce obviously quickly replies 'Yes Boss'.....

Ok, maybe got carried away a little bit there, but you get the point. Yes? Basically, over the years many has been the manager who, having plucked up the courage to ring the great man, has then benefitted greatly from either words of advice, or, as above, being given the green light to 'borrow' emerging United talent, talent that in the vast majority of cases has benefitted equally as much from going as the receiving club has benefitted from having them. Beckham, Cleverley and Welbeck to name but three, are high profile examples providing evidence of this mutually beneficial arrangement. Numerous others exist. And it's not just other managers ringing SAF; also commonly retold are tales of SAF himself picking up the phone and offering encouragement to either struggling or unemployed managers. Simple but so effective 'management'. And I daresay so appreciated.

Earlier I drew attention to the fact that on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of SAFs appointment, so by a strange quirk of coincidence the manager of Liverpool will be Kenny Dalglish, as was the case 25 years ago. Whilst uninformed perception may be that the two men have a frosty relationship, largely it must be said based on short stress-related post match interviews, it's nice to report that actually they share a good friendship, and have done for many years. Post Hillsborough in 1989 for example, SAF sent a message to Dalglish saying "Anything you need Kenny, I'm here for you."Dalglish acknowledges this in his most recent autobiography, saying "As long as I live, I'll never forget Fergie's exceptional gesture... It didn't surprise me though, because Fergie is absolutely magnificent in any crisis" A nice quote to end with, illustrating that for all of the success achieved on the field, and for all of the time spent in respect of looking after his own team, there is another side to the Genius that is Sir Alex Ferguson that maybe a wider audience should be either reminded of if they know, or informed of if they don't. Thanks for everything Sir Alex.

Follow Al on Twitter @almanuman 24

ISSUE 9, NOVEMBER 2011

www.football-united-blogs.com

Up to date NEWS...

With the best UNITED VIEWS...

@footballUB MANCHESTER UNITED OPINION, DEBATE AND FUN ALL IN ONE PLACE.

• Regular articles • Interviews • Weekly columns • Podcasts • Manchester United’s first exclusively online fanzine • And new for the 2011/12 season, all United’s first team stats

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ISSUE 9, NOVEMBER 2011

BORN A This month we have put website, Ifran Atcha into the Born & Red hotseat as he discussed a love Ryan Giggs, disliking Carlos Tevez and in what capacity he would like to see Eric and Ole back at United.

Name: Irfan Atcha. Nickname: Giggs or Iffy) Age: 25 Occupation: Employment Law and Health & Safety.

Where do you reside?

Bolton.

How did you become a United fan?

Passed on from my dad.

one and only Ryan Giggs.

Favourite current player?

After Giggs I can't really choose...I’ll probably say "The lazy Bulgarian."

Signing you were most excited by?

It had to be Rooney - just the impact he made on the footballing stage at a young age.

Least liked United player?

Carlos Tevez.

First match you attended?

1994 Coca Cola Cup game vs Portsmouth. We drew 2-2..Eric scored.

Are you an away match goer?

If Wembley and Champions League finals count. I always seem to get offered an away ticket at the wrong times!

Preferential seating area at Old Trafford?

Stretford End.

Best away ground?

Stadia Olympico I guess. It’s better than Wembley!

Favourite ever United player?

Not too hard to choose. The

Best away experience?

Not a good result but the trip to Rome. The whole experience

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was good, the company, the atmosphere and appearing on Sky Sports News.

Are you a shouter or a thinker at matches?

Bit of both, depends on the game I guess.

Best and worst things about the club?

Best, the club, just everything about it. There isn’t one particular thing. The worst? The ownership situation.

Who do you want as the next United manager?

My heart is saying a combo of Ole and Eric. My head is saying Pep. Any experiences with players to share?

Don't really meet players out and about often. Except I did meet Vidic on transfer deadline day at the Armani store in Spinningfields. I was a bit starstuck really but got a

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AND RED picture with him. The next day against Villa he scored a beauty - I took credit for it!

Best match you've ever attended?

There's a few. Roma 7-1, Milan 3-2 in 2007, Arsenal 2-1 (with the Hargreaves freekick) but I think City 4-3 just tops it.

Favourite piece of United memorabilia?

A picture of my dad and Cantona. He went to the Cliff to see them train and Eric came over and took a photo with him.

Biggest rivals and why?

Liverpool. Most of the people I've grown up with are either United or Liverpool fans and you know what the banter is like if they win.

Best moment as a United fan?

The Treble.

Schmeichel, G Neville, Rio, Vidic, Irwin, Ronaldo, Keane, Scholes, Giggs, Cantona and Rooney. _________________________ Quick fire round: Ronaldo or Messi?

Ronaldo Evening or weekend fixtures?

Evening the atmosphere are better.

Champions League or Premier League?

Premier League first all the time.

Old Wembley or New Wembley?

New as I’ve never been to the old one.

Worst moment as fan?

Has to be the weekend gone (United’s loss to City).

Giggs or Scholes?

Giggs but the only player to even come close for me to Giggs is Scholes.

Biggest prick in football?

Carlos Tevez.

Home or away?

Home

Sum up United's last season in ten words or less.

Got what we wanted and nearly more. Number 19!

And finally...Oasis or Stone Roses.

This is the oneeee!

“Next United manager? My heart is saying a combo of Ole and Eric.”

Would you like to share your United related views to the wider Red community?

If you’re interested in contributing to either the Football United Fanzine or the Football United Blogs then give Steph a shout at: editor.fub@live.co.uk We’re always on the look out for new and exciting writes to join the team.

Our best United XI?

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ISSUE 9, NOVEMBER 2011

THE EXECUTIVE EXPERIENCE

By Andrew Bavington-Barber

There are many ways to watch Manchester United, but none beat watching the club live. 76,000 people experience United each time they play at Old Trafford. The views range from being in the middle of the Stretford End, behind Sir Alex or high up in one of the quadrants. Wherever you are your heart races, seeing Evra passing to Giggs, Giggs crossing to Rooney and Rooney slotting home. The whole stadium roars, and being there always beats watching it on the TV or online. However this season I decided to purchase an executive box, through my company buymatchtickets.com, to watch Manchester United with full hospitality. The box is in the North Stand, at the back of the second tier, and comes fully equipped with a private balcony. I will talk about the experience of being in an executive box using my day there for the Arsenal game at the beginning of the season.

I arrived with my son at Old Trafford four hours before

kick-off, the reason it was so early was because we are allowed to enter the box three hours the start. My colleague had already arrived using the complimentary parking space that came with our box. Arriving so early though enabled us to park at one of United’s official car parks with no problem. After a little wander around Old Trafford and a visit to the Megastore (although no

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made) we entered the executive box area via the VIP entrance. The security at the entrance to the boxes is fairly rigorous, no stewards in yellow jackets. The security checks are thorough and the security personnel are both smart and somewhat large!

We were welcomed by a polite attendant and taken to our box along a very swish corridor already abuzz with fans arriving to their boxes.

Each box has full waiter/waitress service. I have already got to know our waiter, Ryan as he is in attendance to our box for most games. This really adds a personal service to the box and he is ever attentive. Immediately on entering Ryan is offering us beer, wine and soft drinks. It’s three hours to kickoff but the time doesn’t seem long enough. Each place setting has the match programme and other literature including betting facilities.

The box has its own private balcony and Buymatchtickets.com’s box overlooks the eighteen yard line. It’s a fantastic view. When we first heard the box was available I was a little unsure what the view would be like on the second tier, but it is awesome. Old Trafford is empty of fans at first but being at the stadium so early is great!

There is lots of activity as ground staff and

ISSUE 9, NOVEMBER 2011

stewards prepare for the oncoming onslaught of 70,000+ fans.

Time to choose the food. I can’t speak for the other areas of hospitality at Old Trafford but the chefs for the private boxes are top class. There is a four course a la carte meal provided. The first two courses each have a vegetarian option and the main course is a selection of meat, fish and vegetarian. I barely looked at the menu as I was chatting so much! I quickly chose the fish course.

I rarely eat fish but I did not regret it as I had a selection of lobster tail, king prawn, mackerel and cod on a bed of something I can’t remember (pictures are on my Facebook page - Hospitality Tickets at Manchester United).

Enter the magician! We had a magician come in, he was not as good as the one at the Tottenham game but he did get a huge rock to appear out of his shoe, nice take on got a pebble in my shoe.

Standing on the balcony watching the stadium filling is great. The Manchester City game was on live on the TV, which is in the box and on the balcony, so it was galling watching them win 5-1.

We watched both teams warm up and it appears the away team always warms up our end as the Arsenal fans were in the opposite quadrant to us.

The game started and I just managed to put a £2 bet on Rooney to score a hat-trick and entered a free draw to win a signed match ball, open to box clients only. I picked a ridiculous score of 6-1 to United!

Oh the game! What a match, I can’t add much too what has been said about it but when Arsenal got a penalty I thought it looked like it was going to be a tight match. How wrong could one be! I

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have never watched a match like it and could hardly speak afterwards because of all the cheering. The atmosphere was fantastic, no less than for being in a box, just more comfortable.

When the game ended we were able to stay in the box for an hour after the game. Jimmy Greenhoff came in chatted to us afterwards and shared about his time playing for United. He signed shirts, magazines and we all had photos taken with him.

Ryan was still taking care of us right to the end.

We left the box totally blown away with what we had just seen United do on the pitch and I was once again impressed with old Trafford’s hospitality.

Watching from an executive box is a fantastic way to watch Manchester United. I can honestly say that if you could do it just the once in your lifetime you will have a day out that you will never forget. Through my website I given fans the opportunity to achieve this dream as you can buy up to eight tickets! The resellers agreement we have with United means you can be confident the tickets are coming direct from us and not through several hands. I go to the games most weeks and that is brilliant for me but it’s great to be able offer available tickets to regular committed fans and not just to the corporate client. With every purchase we offer a four course a la carte meal and unlimited beer, wine and soft drinks.

Prices start from £150pp.

I would recommend that all readers sign up to our website for a chance to win an official signed Manchester United shirt. The shirt comes in a 3D frame and is signed by the full 2011/2012 squad!

You can view more information about this prize draw by clicking here.

ISSUE 9, NOVEMBER 2011

The Prawn Sandwich Brigade

The 6th November marks the 25th anniversary of Sir Alex Fergusons appointment as manager of Manchester United. During those 25 years United grew once again into the powerhouse of English Football, collecting 12 Premier League titles, five FA Cups, four League Cups, two European Champions League titles and around a dozen more little baubles along the way.

Sir Alex himself has collected ten Premier League Manager of the Year awards, 26 manager of the month awards, three LMA manager of the year awards and other such accolades.

It’s more than fair to say that it has been a successful quarter of a century at Old Trafford for manager and team alike, bringing joy to between 75 million (Deloitte International) and 340 Million fans worldwide.

As is the way of the world, success breeds recognition and fame (also contempt, but let’s not go down that road) and over those years

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Manchester United have grown off the pitch commercially.

As is the way of the world, success breeds recognition and fame (also contempt, but let’s not go down that road) and over those years Manchester United have grown off the pitch commercially.

Just this year United have announced a new sponsorship deal with DHL which sees the red and yellow logo emblazoned across their training jersey’s, this goes on top of their official principle sponsors AON, the Nike jersey sponsorship, their official betting partners BetFair, their official Airline Partners Turkish Airlines, and numerous other sponsorship deals (for wine, beer, office equipment and Savoury Snacks... Mmm I want me some Mister Potato).

It’s not just Manchester United’s reputation that has grown, Old Trafford has grown by around 20,000 seats since 1985, the average attendance now sitting at approximately

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75,000 fans. The sport itself hasn’t sat back either, Sky Sports have pushed football into the homes of millions of people worldwide, covering matches from the Premier League the world over.

it, Fergie himself had his own say back in2006: ‘Wednesday games seem to attract the real supporters, who want to come and see us every week and get right behind the team, as I am sure it will be on Sunday.On Saturdays, we have fans coming in from other parts of the world to admire the stadium.

There are some on weekend packages and others on corporate hospitality. Sometimes, a sunny day at Old Trafford can be quite laid back.”

Players have gotten fitter, stronger and faster, signing multi-million pound sponsorship deals of their own, some of them getting their own television series’, ranges of football boots, hair products…

In the first year of the Premier League (when football was invented in 1992) the average wage of a professional footballer in England’s top league was £75,000 pound a year which rose to £1.1 million as of the season ending in 2009.

In order to fill a 75,000 seat stadium weekly, even the most champagne of football wouldn’t be enough. Sure if every week you had Liverpool or Barcelona arrive for an FA Cup or Champions League final you could Couple that fill the place with wage with without offering “One argument I’ve fans expensive away so much as a breadday trips in the stick and a cup of heard over time is Champions filtered rain water, that Manchester League, the cost but when Birmingof 19 home ham or Bolton arrive United fans are so league matches, a wet Saturday used to winning that on numerous cup afternoon it’s the and European it’s hard to get excit- experience that home fixtures That’s when ed by what has now counts. (catering for the you really need your abovebecome the norm.” four-course five-star mentioned dinners, your cham75,000 supportpagne cocktails and ers), agents fees and employing your prawn sandwiches to get feet hundreds of people from Stewards to through gates and bums on plastic. physios, tea ladies to scouts, kitchen porters and kit-men and you’ve got Roy Keane famously commented one hefty figure in the expenses on the atmosphere inside Old column of your balance sheet.

Trafford: “Some people come to Old Trafford and I don’t think they The club pays for all this, not merely can spell football, never mind through prize money and TV deals, understand it. At the end of the day though the latter is a substantial sum they need to get behind the team. in and of itself, but by putting bums As I said away from home our fans on seats week in – week out. They are fantastic, I’d call the hardcore sell hot dogs, pies and warm beer in fans, but at home they’d have their a plastic cup to those of us in the few drinks and probably their cheap seats (cheap?) and Prawn prawn sandwiches and the they sandwiches to the big-spenders in don’t realise what’s going on out the boxes… on the pitch and it’s out of order.”

And he’s not the only one to notice

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It can also be quite noticeable when watching a game on television, the away fans provide the background noise more often than not.

One argument I’ve heard over time is that Manchester United fans are so used to winning that it’s hard to get excited by what has now become the norm; ‘an audience bloated and lazy from years of success’ [Bury_Red, Redcafe.net, March 2003]. An argument backed up, in my opinion, on Derby Day 23rd October 2011 when the camera’s cut to hordes of ‘fans’ making for the exits after the 3rd breaching of the United defence.

Before I finish I do have to point out that there are thousands upon thousands of regular match-goers who sing and scream and try to push the team over the line, and as a non-regular match goer I know my opinion won’t be taken too seriously amongst the more defensive of the seat-fillers, but I would insist if you’re spending more time perusing the menu than looking at the pitch, you’re doing it wrong.

Steve is a United fan from Dublin.

His all time favourite player is Roy Keane, although now has a self-confessed man crush on Tom Cleverley.

@SteveBrady666

ISSUE 9, NOVEMBER 2011

THE LEGACY Sir Alex Ferguson has given United 25 years and counting, during which time he has revolutionised the club. One day, however, he will retire and the club will begin the horrendous task of replacing him. But what then? Rachel looks at the legacy he will leave United...

There is probably nothing new that anyone can say about the wonder that is Sir Alex Ferguson. To me he is the definition of a legend. There are just not enough superlatives to describe the man. It’s hard to believe that he was going to quit United nine years ago and now he is saying he has no plans to retire despite turning 70 later this year. Music to my ears and the rest of the United faithful.

This month he will of course celebrate 25 years in charge of the greatest football club in the world. In those nine extra

years alone he has won five more league titles, one FA cup, three League cups and the Champions League. I, therefore, believe that the day he decided to stay on was just as important as the day he decided to become United’s manager. We are blessed with every extra day he stays.

He epitomises what Manchester United are all about. The manager has a never say die attitude which mirrors that of the club. Both strive for greatness and he sees it as his responsibility to make sure every player who comes to the club understands what Manchester United is about. If you don’t embrace and reflect this, you will be gone because no one man is bigger than this football club.

It has been said that he was the first manager to embrace the presence of Sir Matt Busby and his ways rather than fear

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them. Sir Matt played a huge part in making United such a special club and Sir Alex has taken on this philosophy and run with it in ways nobody could really have dreamed of.

Any future manager of Manchester United couldn’t have two better men to aspire to.

Whoever he is he would struggle to find more success for our club if he didn’t carry on with the Manchester United way that the two managers have established.

Sir Alex‘s, in my opinion, unrivalled success is part of what amazes me about modern football and its managers. You give somebody time to build a dynasty and you will reap the rewards. It won’t happen overnight and it’s not a one-time process, it’s something that must be done over and over again. Sir Alex has perfected this like no other manager,

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creating brilliant team after brilliant team with a perfect blend of experience and youth.

He is a massive part of the club as a whole, not just the manager. Sir Bobby Charlton said recently "He is the epitome of everything that is good about Manchester United and the ethos of this club. He knows the game inside out. The reason everybody performs to their best is that he is in control, not just of his staff and the first team, but the whole of the club, and as a result it operates in unison.”

I’m not saying any manager given enough time will come good but the average time a manager now spends at a club before getting the chop is ridiculous. This is the reason why I don’t think we will ever see anything like Alex Ferguson has achieved again in football.

It still makes me laugh when people question him, even today. I do it myself

Two United legends, both with their own legacies.

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FERGIE’S UNITED CAREER IN NUMBERS… Matches in charge:

1409

Matches won: 836 Matches drawn: 326 Matches lost: 247 Goals for: 2576 Goals against: 1262

sometimes when I see a line up, including recently in our match at Anfield. Then I remember exactly who I’m questioning. Of course he has made the odd mistake, he is human after all, but it’s a rarity. People have questioned if it is time for him to leave on multiple occasions but he always shows them why it isn’t. Who better to trust than a man like him who is nearly always right, to know when it’s the right time to move aside. Sir Alex is the blueprint of how to be a successful manager. He has adapted to the changes within the game impeccably, better than anyone. He will be forever in the memory of all football fans and players regardless of if they are linked to United or not, no matter what else he does or doesn’t achieve. He has laid down a huge challenge to future managers having shown just how much one man can achieve with hard work and dedication. When he took over nobody really believed that he could help United surpass Liverpool’s success on

the domestic front, except maybe the man himself, but here we are today ahead of them. Nobody can question how much of that is down to the Sir Alex. He has re-written the history books and done it in style. Let’s not forget that United hadn’t won the league for 19 years when Fergie took over and were 11 titles behind their bitter rivals.

To me he is what every manager should aspire to be. Whoever eventually takes over from him will have a hell of a job on their hands. In many ways it will be the best job available and the worst all at the same time. If we get anyone half as good as Fergie I’ll be happy. But thankfully it’s not over yet, I for one can’t wait to see what else he can win because I don’t think he is finished.

@Rachel_jj2011

ISSUE 9, NOVEMBER 2011

SAY WHAT? 25 OF THE BEST FROM FERGIE

by Sufiyan Kala @Sufiyan_Kala During the quarter of a century that Fergie has been in charge of the club he can never be accused of sitting on the fence when it comes to facing the media and voicing his opinions – be it on our rivalry with City & Liverpool, referees and their decisions, The FA or even the Old Trafford faithful – he will always say what’s on his mind and say it how it is. Not only that but his spontaneous words of golden wisdom said in pre/post-match interviews and press conferences have all got a place in our memories. Some of them for the right reasons and some for the wrong ones.

Nevertheless, they are memories. Here are 25 of my favourite Fergie quotes: “My greatest challenge is not what's happening at the moment, my greatest challenge was knocking Liverpool right off their fucking perch. And you can print that.” - On Alan Hansen questioning his future as Manchester United manager in 2002.

“It's getting tickly now, squeaky-bum time I call it.” On the 2002/03 end of season title race.

“I used to have a saying that when a player is at his peak, he feels as though he can climb Everest in his slippers.

That’s what he was like.” – On Paul Ince.

“I remember the first time I saw him. He was 13 and just floated over the ground like a cocker spaniel chasing a piece of silver paper in the wind.” - On Ryan Giggs.

“The crowd were dead. It was like a funeral out there.” - On United fans after a poor vocal performance against Birmingham at Old Trafford in 2007.

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"It's City isn't it? They're a small club with a small mentality. All they can talk about is Manchester United; they can't get away from it," - On Manchester City after their signing on Carlos Tevez and the unveiling of the infamous “Welcome to Manchester” banner.

“I think he was an angry man. He must have been disturbed for some reason. I think you have got to cut through the venom of it and hopefully he'll reflect and understand what he said was absolutely ridiculous.” - On Rafael Benitez and his 'facts': “If he was an inch taller he'd be the best centre half in Britain. His father is 6ft 2in I'd check the milkman.”- On Gary Neville.

“It would have been Sir Matt Busby’s 90th birthday today, but I think he was up there doing a lot of kicking.” – After winning the European Cup in 1999.

“I don’t think I could have a higher opinion of any footballer than I already had of the Irishman, but he rose even further in my estimation at the Stadio Delle Alpi.

The minute he was booked and out of the final he seemed to redouble his efforts to get the team there.

It was the most emphatic display of selflessness I have seen on a football field.

Pounding over every blade of grass, competing if he would rather die of exhaustion than lose he inspired all around him. I felt it was an honour to be associated with such a player.” - On Roy Keane’s performance after the 1999 European Cup semi-final in 1999.

ISSUE 9, NOVEMBER 2011

“At the end of this game, the European Cup will be only six feet away from you and you’ll not even able to touch it if we lose. And for many of you that will be the closest you will ever get. Don’t you dare come back in here without giving your all.” – Half-time team talk during the European Cup final in 1999.

"We have people coming here to admire the scenery and enjoy their crisps." – Explaining why the atmosphere at Old Trafford has deteriorated.

“You must be joking. Do I look as if I'm a masochist ready to cut myself? How does relegation sound instead?” - On whether Liverpool could end almost 20year wait for top flight glory in 2007.

“I can't believe it. I can't believe it. Football. Bloody hell.” - On winning the Champions League in 1999.

“I’m privileged to have followed Sir Matt because all you have to do is to try and maintain the standards that he set so many years ago.” – On equaling Sir Matt Busby’s record of league titles.

“When an Italian tells me its pasta on the plate I check under the sauce to make sure. They are the inventors of the smokescreen.” - Before the European Cup quarter-final against Inter Milan in 1999.

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“It was a freakish incident. If I tried it 100 or a million times it couldn’t happen again. If I could I would have carried on playing!” – On the infamous incident when he kicked a boot that just so happened to hit David Beckham in the head causing him to have stitches.

“I am such a bloody talented guy. I might go into painting or something like that.” – On life after retiring as manager of United.

“Whether dribbling or sprinting, Ryan can leave the best defenders with twisted blood.” – On the supreme talent of Ryan Giggs.

“Wayne is truly blessed. He doesn’t just have ability, he has a fire inside him” – On the talent of Wayne Rooney.

"They say he's an intelligent man, right? Speaks five languages! I've got a 15-year -old boy from the Ivory Coast who speaks five languages!" – On the intelligence (or lack of) of Arsene Wenger.

“I just don't think about retirement any more. We've got a good young team and a lot of youth at the club as well as some tremendous staff. The future is good.” – On why he doesn’t plan on retiring just yet.

“Sometimes you look in a field and you see a cow and you think it's a better cow than the one you've got in your own field. It's a fact.

Right? And it never really works out that way.” – On City’s attempt at being remotely as big as United.

“I thought the first 45 minutes were the best of my time as a manager.” - After United had come back from 2-0 down to beat Juventus 3 -2 in Turin, Italy in what was late regarded as one of the greatest comebacks in sporting history.

AND FINALLY...

Whatever he does, and maybe he’s upset a few people, he will always do what he thinks is best for the club. - Roy Keane on Sir Alex. (Despite this not being a direct quote from Fergie, it is special nonetheless and epitomises one trait of Fergie)

ISSUE 9, NOVEMBER 2011

A very special Fergie Part III

As he reaches his 25th anniversary at United, Will Tidey has been serialising some of Fergie’s most iconic matches. And where better in our celebration issue than retelling the story of perhaps Fergie’s most successful two minutes...

Will Tidey @willtidey

Manchester United 2 Bayern Munich 1 26th May 1999 As the morning sun warmed the runway at Girona Airport, United fans in their hundreds emerged from chartered planes like startled moles, with beer already coursing through our veins. From there we boarded coaches, and 90 minutes later arrived at the scene of what promised to be the greatest night of our footballing lives.

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I’m not sure what the police had done with the people of Barcelona’s suburbs that day, but we barely passed a soul on our walk towards the stadium. As for Bayern Munich fans, I was beginning to wonder if any had bothered to make the trip.

All you could see was straggling groups in red, some already swaying, and all of us in desperate need of nourishment to prepare for the demanding afternoon and evening of revelry ahead.

It came in the form of a well -stocked tapas bar, which appeared likean oasis in a sea of concrete nothingness, and promised everything we could possibly need. We

didn’t need to look for it; just follow our ears. “Jip Jaap Stam’s a big Dutch man,” they sang upon tables. And with that it was time to get to the bar and get the drinks in.

By now it was midafternoon and the nerves were seriously taking hold.

A season of improbable drama would culminate in the majestic Camp Nou, and with it came the chance to end United’s 31-year wait for a second European crown. Had United been at full strength you wouldn’t have doubted it for a second, but with Roy Keane and Paul Scholes both suspended, we’d be without our driving

ISSUE 9, NOVEMBER 2011

clear-cut opening. With time running out, Alex Ferguson introduced Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and we prayed for a moment of inspiration.

force and most influential creative talent.

United would opt for David Beckham in central midfield.

Almost a year on from his sending off at the 1998 World Cup, Beckham arrived in Barcelona rehabilitated from a barnstorming season that had demonstrated immense strength of character. That said, he’d done it all on the right of United’s midfield.

Now he’d be at their hub.

Beckham’s move inside had implications elsewhere too.

Ryan Giggs, to whom the left flank was a more natural home than the one he lived in, would be operating on the right wing to make room for Jesper Blomqvist. It wasn’t ideal, but it wasn’t going to stop us winning the Treble. Long before the chant came into being, we carried the sentiment. We’re Man United…

At around 6.30pm we left the bar, and were quickly surrounded by police on

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horseback on the approach to the stadium. The holiday was over; it was time for torture by major tournament final. In the distance the chants of Bayern fans already inside the stadium rang out, prompting predictable jokes of Germans and beach towels. But this was no time for laughter.

Into the Camp Nou we went, to the very highest tier overlooking the corner flag United would attack in the second half. Opposite us the massed ranks of Bayern fans filled every seat in their section, and just six minutes in they were up on their feet in hysterical celebration. Mario Basler’s soft free-kick had eased into the corner, and just like that United were a goal behind.

The next 84 minutes were played in fast-forward. Memhet Scholl’s chip over Peter Schmeichel came back off the post; Carsten Jancker hit the crossbar with an overhead kick. Meanwhile, United barely managed to create a single

Hope was surely lost. The clock read 90 minutes, and as the moon hung high above the Camp Nou I picked up my bag and beckoned my Dad to leave.

“I don’t want to watch them lift the trophy,” I told him. But he wasn’t about to entertain my defeatist principles. “There’s still time,” he said. And with that Beckham’s corner found its way back to Giggs, whose scuffed shot was guided home

by Sheringham. We were still celebrating when Solskjaer won it, stabbing home instinctively at the far post, to deliver the most dramatic victory ever seen in a major European final.

“Forever and a day Manchester United fans will ask "Where did you watch the 1999 European Cup Final?" said Clive Tyldesley on the ITV commentary. Those of us who were there can count ourselves eternally grateful.

For Ferguson, it was the evening he elevated to greatness. As we look towards his 25th anniversary at Old Trafford, that night in Barcelona remains the defining moment of a simply remarkable quarter of century.

Will is a football writer for ESPN Soccernet, Bleacher Report and Eurosport-Yahoo!, amongst others. His first book. 'Life with Sir Alex: A Fan's Story of Ferguson's 25 Years at United', is out now.

ISSUE 9, NOVEMBER 2011

@HoldAndGive

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ISSUE 9, NOVEMBER 2011

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THIS IS YOUR LAST CHANCE TO PURCHASE THE LIMITED EDITION BATTLE OF MANCHESTER MAGAZINE!!!

Released in February 2011 prior to the Manchester derby, this magazine was written by both United and City fans. Only 500 copies were printed and a small handful are still available for purchase. Including features with Andy Mitten, Pete Boyle and David May amongst others. The magazine would make a perfect addition if you are a United collector.

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ISSUE 9, NOVEMBER 2011

THE FINAL WORD Putting into context just what Sir Alex Ferguson has done for this club is nigh on impossible. All we can do it sit back and appreciate all his achievements as we have rode this rollercoaster with him. What is perhaps most scary of all is that he isn't done yet. This hasn't been an issue of eulogies, it’s a celebration of what has been a fantastic journey so far. Perhaps in five years time we will all be applauding three decades with the club, you wouldn't put it past him would you? Thank you Sir Alex, for every lasting memory. We aren’t done yet and here’s to many more successes.

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ISSUE NOVEMBER 2011 Issue 10 is out on Monday 5th9,December 2011