Terrace Talk

May 21st - another unforgettable day in my life. It was the day I’ve finished my exams and my mood couldn’t have been better when I came home: CL final in a couple of hours, a couple of hours that seemed an eternity. I could have sworn the time was slowing down. I was very excited and couldn’t find my place. Manchester United playing in the final! I turned on my computer and made a playlist with all of my Untied chants and songs.

Because I don’t like the commentators from our National Television I decided to watch the match over the internet. I regretted this decision later though - ESPN. I found a stream and began watching. The pre-match was rather boring and useless for an United fan, with most pundits talking about Chelsea and how great they were.

ANDREW YATES/AFP/Getty Images

Read the rest of this entry »

Another week and another United legend faces his old team, trying to deny them the points that would seal their destiny as champions of England. This time Steve Bruce had the limelight placed on him to honestly motivate his team, with the media having their doubts. Little would they know that what would unfold, would be a hard fought battle between two clubs from the northwest.

PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images

Read the rest of this entry »

Now that we’re on the brink of another Champions’ League final after an 8-year long wait, what are your recollections of that fantastic night?

Me: I was visiting my parents on Long Island at the time. I called around that previous weekend to find out who would be showing the FA Cup Final versus Newcastle, and I settled on an Irish pub called Lily Flanagan’s in Islip. The place was packed to the rafters that Saturday with a primarily pro-United crowd, and it was a great atmosphere.
Read the rest of this entry »

Without a win in over two years against West Ham, Manchester United cannot afford to falter once more against the Hammers. A myriad of actors have come to perform on the grandest of stages, with Carlos Tevez being the spoiler in last year’s Premiership celebrations. In this year’s fixture it will be United who will be playing for their lives, with the Premiership in the balance. Level on points with Chelsea, and with a dominant goal difference, winning on Saturday brings United half-way to repeating last year’s fantastic success.
Read the rest of this entry »

PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images

There are thousands of factors that decide a Champion and while it is still the middle of April and there are plenty of games still to play, Sir Alex Ferguson will be counting on experience above all else, to reach United’s goals. Whether this week brings tears or accolades, will be strictly decided by experience over step-overs, and intelligence over brute force.

Barstool pundits from Lisbon to Moscow have focused on the sparkle of United’s talents in their predictive hypothesizing that Manchester United will be triumphant domestically as well as in Europe. Few have decided to take stock, and question how well United have played relative to the 2007 campaign and by it’s very virtue, how much more impressive United’s 1999 season was.
Read the rest of this entry »

On Saturday afternoon, Manchester United made the trip to Ewood Park to take on United legend Mark Hughes’ ever-improving Rovers. With Chelsea collecting all three points from their game in hand at Goodison Park, a win for Fergie’s latest crop of players became increasingly important. Blackburn of course were still pushing for a European place, and Sparky wouldn’t stand to have his men lie down quietly in light of this.

Having dispatched Arsenal last week after going a goal behind to Adebayor’s best impression of ‘La mano de Dios’, United exhumed that air of invincibility they so often possess during ’squeaky-bum time’. Surely it would be a difficult but fairly routine win. Step forward Brad Friedel.
Read the rest of this entry »

On April 6th, 1998, Manchester United went into the away match of the season against Roy Hodgson’s inform Blackburn Rovers needing a win to keep pace to retain their title. Having been thrashed earlier in the season, the story was all about the ensuing revenge that the Rovers were looking to get on their neighboring rivals. It was a high paced, intense contest. The battle laid in the midfield and United were second best in the first half. A Chris Sutton penalty may have been the only difference at half-time, but there was no doubt who the better team was.

Read the rest of this entry »

When the lineups were announced, my initial reaction was to scratch my head and wonder what on earth Sir Alex was thinking. Rooney and Ronaldo relegated to the subs bench. Only one forward starting. Ferdinand declared fit to play in what was surely a big risk. Evra nowhere to be seen. Silvestre starting.

Read the rest of this entry »

It’s been a year since the historic 7-1 victory against Roma in the same stage of the same competition. Many of us hope that United will find the strength to get another stunning result, but most of us will be pleased with a quick victory so that United can be ready to face Arsenal on Sunday and get the 3 points to extend United’s lead to 6 points.

Read the rest of this entry »

Last time United played Middlesbrough, the put on a masterclass performance from Ronaldo, Nani, Carlos Tevez and Wayne Rooney. The prototype of the constant interchanging football team, full of spirit and audaciously creative in their passing worked to perfection at Old Trafford. In their current form it is difficult to see how United will not repeat history.

Read the rest of this entry »