Don’t feel like covering the obvious highlights (08, Sir Alex’s last title etc.) and things I was, unfortunately, too young to appreciate at the time, so I’ll try and go for five more obscure moments that I’ve always found particularly memorable for one reason or another.
United 2-0 West Brom
This is possibly the game that stands out most to me because it was the first I was ever able to attend. Having been a devout fan from the age of 7 I’d spent years begging my mum to let me stay up in Manchester to attend a game. None of my friends were fans but I was quite intent to go myself as I knew the experience would be worth it. For various reasons this never materialised until my 16th Birthday. The tickets had been purchased as soon as they were released and, with the aid of my Manchester-based relatives, my mum and I were able to make a weekend of it.
There was absolutely nothing remarkable about this game. It was a routine 2-0 victory in which Rooney scored both (a nice flicked finish and an uncontroversial penalty) but my God to me it meant everything. I will never forget walking up the steps and looking down onto the Old Trafford pitch for the first time: it felt like a dream come true and I felt like a wee boy again. The day was made that bit better by the news that City had lost late on at Swansea, meaning we’d managed to overtake them in the league table. Unfortunate how things transpired from then on but I, like most I imagine, tend to overlook that!
Blackburn 1-1 United
Contemplated putting in the other 1-1 draw with Blackburn in which a Rooney penalty secured number 19- a result that was obviously more memorable than this one- so my reasoning for mentioning this is that Tevez’s 87th minute equaliser is quite possibly the most relieved I’ve ever felt as a fan. Our team at the time consisted of the likes of Ronaldo and Tevez and throughout the duration of the 07-08 season there had never been a game, regardless of how far we’d been behind at any point, in which I hadn’t believed we’d come out with three points…until this one. We absolutely battered that Blackburn defence that day but Brad Friedel, as always, channelled his inner Lev Yashin and saved, blocked and parried everything we threw at him. Ronaldo, Tevez, Scholes, O’Shea…didn’t matter who took the shot, Friedel or/and his defence would somehow manage to smother it away.
The previous match week had seen us defeat Arsenal 2-1 and essentially take command in the title race so earning a point in this match was important as it ensured we hadn’t undone all our good work. So when Tevez finally (finally) got us a goal from a Scholes flick on at a corner in front of our away fans, the euphoric outburst of sheer relief was just an incredible feeling, one of those rare adrenaline-pumping moments where you can’t control your celebration and end up aggressively cursing and/or punching the air: the type of moment that only football can provide. It was the first time I’d ever experienced something like that- a common theme in these particularly memories- and I guess that’s why it sticks with me so heavily.
feck Tevez though.
United 2-1 Liverpool
Surprised this one isn’t mentioned more often. Aside from cup finals, this is by far the most satisfying victory I’ve experienced as a United fan. From the build-up to the game itself to the aftermath, this had everything a rivalry should have. What is often forgotten is that, aside from the context of the game, United winning was instrumental in our attempts to catch City: a win would briefly put us on top and, with Chelsea at the Bridge to come, it was a huge week in which it was important we re-established our credentials following exits in the Champions League and FA Cup.
But none of that is why this game mattered or is remembered. Obviously, this was Suarez’s first game back from an 8-match suspension for racially abusing our vice-captain. The tension and atmosphere was palpable even though I was resigned to listen to the game on the radio, having no access to streams or television that day. Strangely, this sort of made all the drama that followed all the more engrossing. I can’t remember the exact commentator that day- might have been Allan Green on 5-Live- but he was so caught up in the non-handshake; the Ferdinand tackle; the Suarez-kicking-the-ball-at-the-United-dugout; the pushing in the tunnel; the quickfire Rooney double; the Suarez consolation and the elaborate Evra celebrations when the referee finally blew his whistle, and it was infectious. I couldn’t see what was going on but I could imagine it and that made the events somehow more exciting.
The highlights didn’t even disappoint either. Even now I find it hard not to laugh whenever I see footage of Evra waving his arms in front of jubilant United fans whilst the sullen figure of Suarez skulks by, just before Skyrtel and whatever other clowns played for them that day get themselves involved and things turn deliciously nasty. Seeing such footage serves as a reminder as to why Liverpool will always be the biggest enemy.
Southampton 2-3 United
The most recent game in this list and memorable for the fact that it was the first game I watched in the pub. Having never owned Sky Sports I’d always found it difficult to watch Premier League matches involving United so, at the first opportunity, when all my mates were 18, we hit the pub and this happened to be the game we saw.
It is an undisputed fact that football, and just about anything else, is more fun to watch when you’ve had a drink in you. The alcohol amplifies the emotion and, as inexperienced 18-year-olds, we were well oiled fairly quickly and engrossed in the action. The game itself was brilliant, Lambert had given them the lead, van Persie had equalised in his second start for the club only for a certain Morgan to restore Southampton’s superiority in the second half. I distinctly remember one of my foolish pals advocating that United should sign Schneiderlin at this moment, oh what a fool he was! (okay it was me)
By this point I was getting a slagging, being the only United fan in the pub. The slagging only intensified when van Persie ludicrously attempted a half-arsed chip from the penalty spot which was of course saved and it just didn’t seem to be our day. Of course, van Persie would go on to redeem himself by scoring twice in the last few minutes to give us a 3-2 win. My pals and the punters were gutted. I was jubilant. Arguments followed. I was forced to leave the premises etc.
It had never really registered to me just how hated United are, even well outside of Manchester and England. People who have no right to hate us really do and that makes victories like these all the sweeter. As such, this game was important in that it helped me appreciate every goal, every win and every comeback that wee bit more. It’s a shame we haven’t experienced more games like this since (Palace was a nice reminder), though I think we had enough of those types of wins that season to last a lifetime!
Still haven’t been back to that pub mind.
United 5-2 Spurs
Arguably the most memorable game here and perhaps my favourite ever game involving United that wasn't a win in a final or against a rival. In many ways I hated the 08-09 season. The football wasn’t as exciting; the team seemed to lack a bit of the motivation and creative spark they’d had in seasons prior; Sir Alex kept trying to force Berbatov into the team and Ronaldo wanted to leave...
In this game, all of that was forgotten. Or, rather, in the second half of this game. 2-0 down at halftime with Liverpool breathing down our necks…everyone was tense, I’m sure we all remember that feeling that there was a possibility we might throw it all away…to them.
Then Sir Alex brought Tevez on at half time and everything changed. Berbatov, Rooney, Ronaldo and Tevez were now our front-line and the forty-five minutes that followed was really the only time this star-studded attacking force ever truly clicked, that I was recall anyway. And it was beautiful.
The pressure was relentless. When Webb (god bless you) gave us an unwarranted penalty I knew we would win. But that did not make the fact that we did turn it around any less satisfying. If anything it made it sweeter. The quick, incisive passing in the build-up to the second goal; the little bit of luck in Rooney’s fourth; the narrative of Berbatov’s fifth and passion and arrogance following Ronaldo’s decisive third (seriously, watch Ronaldo’s celebration when he heads in the third, if that doesn’t get the adrenaline going nothing will). Coupled with the drama of the 90 minutes and the occasion of the game…it all seemed to epitomise what Manchester United were about under Sir Alex. We came back from the dead in style and for that reason I will forever cherish it.
Just revisiting these memories and watching the highlights of these games reminds me how lucky I and we are to support such a club. Success is one thing but I always believe it’s the way you win that really matters. Everyone loves a good story and it’s games like the ones mentioned that make every title and trophy that extra bit special. When it comes to memories, I don’t associate our success with the image of Giggs lifting a piece of metal at Wigan, but rather with fans running onto the pitch at Ewood Park to celebrate an equaliser scored from a yard out in a game we didn’t even win.
That, to me, has always been what football’s all about and United’s recent history is full of little moments like this. Indeed, nobody does it better than we do.
