Ah to be a United fan these days. On the one hand, you have all the success and glory to keep you happy. On the other hand, everyone thinks you are a glory-hunting, bandwagon-jumping, fickle fool who is one 70-year-old's retirement away from becoming a Manchester City fan. So before I even begin to address other football related issues, I think it is imperative to recall my history as a United fan.
Growing up in
India, cricket was my #1 sport of choice. In fact, I was only exposed to Manchester United via my older brother, who had a really cool way of saying the name. One of my first memories of using the words 'Manchester United' is rather embarrassing. I was in the sixth grade, and had just started understanding (read: appreciating) the opposite sex. In a rather cruel analysis of how 'un-curvy' a certain, older ninth grader was, I dismissed her as being short and a 'bit of a Man-chest-er United'. I know - incredibly lame.
Fast forward a couple of years, and I had slowly heard about the Beckham phenomenon and had watched some goals on some highlight shows. However, I was still largely obsessed with cricket as far as watching sport was concerned. All that was about to change as ESPN/Star Sports - the prevalent sporting channels during the late 90s - started broadcasting more football games on TV.
I was flicking through the tele on a random evening and happened to change to the sports channels in the hope of catching some Tendulkar highlights. It was a United-Arsenal game. United were leading 4-1. The ball was cleared to Giggsy at the halfway line and he rather non-chalantly chipped the ball and almost scored, only to be rejected by the bar. A certain Mr. Dwight Yorke managed to put the ball past a hapless David Seaman. United went on to win 6-1. A new fan was born. I could not get enough of United's style of play - 4-4-2 with 2 exceptional and diverse wingers in Giggsy and Becks, Scholesy and Keano commanding the midfield, Yorke and Cole banging in goals for fun. It was orgasmic.
This was the year 2000. I would later find out that United had just won the treble the previous year and were at their scintillating best. Over the next season, I watched every single game and followed United as they won the premier league and devastatingly lost in the semi-final to Deportivo la Coruna. Two games stand out for me - the 5-3 win against Tottenham and the 5-2 win against West Ham. I must admit - my passport picture conveys how I had fashioned my hair after a certain Mr. Ruud van Nistelrooy.
As I moved to the United States in 2002 to pursue my higher education, I found that there was basically no coverage of the premier league. To make matters worse, I had to learn the word 'soccer'. During this time, I followed games on ESPN gamecast. I cannot tell you how frustrating it is to have to hit refresh and hope that your team is winning. Especially during those years - when Arsenal were beginning to play their very best and Chelsea was starting to buy the very best. At least I got to watch United in the Champions league - although that was not fruitful either - whether you consider the Ronaldo-mediated destruction by Madrid or the Timmy Howard/Mourinho-inspired elimination by porto.
Those were trying times.
Over time, I learned about the illustrious history of Manchester United. I learned about club legends - from Billy Meredith to Sir Bobby Charlton, from George Best to Eric Cantona, from Paddy Crerand and Bill Foulkes to Gary Neville and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, from Sir Matt Busby to Sir Alex Ferguson. I learned about the tragedy of Munich and the lost brilliance of the flowers of Manchester. I learned that Duncan Edwards is eulogized as the greatest player to have ever graced a football pitch. I learned that United experienced European glory and relegation within a 10 year period. I learned that a united legend, Denis Law, cruelly scored the goal that sent United into the second division. I learned about failed managers who tried to emulate Sir Matt Busby. I learned about rivalries with Liverpool, City, Arsenal and Leeds. I learned the phrases "scouse cunt", "manc twat", "man shitty", "salford rags", etc. I learned and I loved it all.
Luckily, soon enough all sorts of illegal websites were broadcasting games and I could finally watch my beloved United once more! I estimate that since 2007, I have missed about 10 United games total - if someone is filming the game, I find a way to watch it. Anyone who knows me knows that nowadays I plan everything around United games - my social life, my experiments, everything. And someday soon, when I have enough money, I WILL watch a game at the theater of dreams.
So there you have it - a synopsis of my time following United.
I hope you will share how you came to support your own clubs! I'm curious to know how/why we all follow who we do.
Growing up in
Fast forward a couple of years, and I had slowly heard about the Beckham phenomenon and had watched some goals on some highlight shows. However, I was still largely obsessed with cricket as far as watching sport was concerned. All that was about to change as ESPN/Star Sports - the prevalent sporting channels during the late 90s - started broadcasting more football games on TV.
I was flicking through the tele on a random evening and happened to change to the sports channels in the hope of catching some Tendulkar highlights. It was a United-Arsenal game. United were leading 4-1. The ball was cleared to Giggsy at the halfway line and he rather non-chalantly chipped the ball and almost scored, only to be rejected by the bar. A certain Mr. Dwight Yorke managed to put the ball past a hapless David Seaman. United went on to win 6-1. A new fan was born. I could not get enough of United's style of play - 4-4-2 with 2 exceptional and diverse wingers in Giggsy and Becks, Scholesy and Keano commanding the midfield, Yorke and Cole banging in goals for fun. It was orgasmic.
This was the year 2000. I would later find out that United had just won the treble the previous year and were at their scintillating best. Over the next season, I watched every single game and followed United as they won the premier league and devastatingly lost in the semi-final to Deportivo la Coruna. Two games stand out for me - the 5-3 win against Tottenham and the 5-2 win against West Ham. I must admit - my passport picture conveys how I had fashioned my hair after a certain Mr. Ruud van Nistelrooy.
As I moved to the United States in 2002 to pursue my higher education, I found that there was basically no coverage of the premier league. To make matters worse, I had to learn the word 'soccer'. During this time, I followed games on ESPN gamecast. I cannot tell you how frustrating it is to have to hit refresh and hope that your team is winning. Especially during those years - when Arsenal were beginning to play their very best and Chelsea was starting to buy the very best. At least I got to watch United in the Champions league - although that was not fruitful either - whether you consider the Ronaldo-mediated destruction by Madrid or the Timmy Howard/Mourinho-inspired elimination by porto.
Those were trying times.
Over time, I learned about the illustrious history of Manchester United. I learned about club legends - from Billy Meredith to Sir Bobby Charlton, from George Best to Eric Cantona, from Paddy Crerand and Bill Foulkes to Gary Neville and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, from Sir Matt Busby to Sir Alex Ferguson. I learned about the tragedy of Munich and the lost brilliance of the flowers of Manchester. I learned that Duncan Edwards is eulogized as the greatest player to have ever graced a football pitch. I learned that United experienced European glory and relegation within a 10 year period. I learned that a united legend, Denis Law, cruelly scored the goal that sent United into the second division. I learned about failed managers who tried to emulate Sir Matt Busby. I learned about rivalries with Liverpool, City, Arsenal and Leeds. I learned the phrases "scouse cunt", "manc twat", "man shitty", "salford rags", etc. I learned and I loved it all.
Luckily, soon enough all sorts of illegal websites were broadcasting games and I could finally watch my beloved United once more! I estimate that since 2007, I have missed about 10 United games total - if someone is filming the game, I find a way to watch it. Anyone who knows me knows that nowadays I plan everything around United games - my social life, my experiments, everything. And someday soon, when I have enough money, I WILL watch a game at the theater of dreams.
So there you have it - a synopsis of my time following United.
I hope you will share how you came to support your own clubs! I'm curious to know how/why we all follow who we do.
