Forever United

I recently got myself a Manchester United logo tattooed on my arm. The torture lasted 4 and a half hours (relatively quick according to the artist). And by the time it was done, I was a happy man. Now, I don’t expect many people to share my joy, or even understand it. Precisely the reason why I got it in a not-so-visible area. I am tired of explaining to non-believers what football and especially United mean to me. This is probably the last time.

I fell in love with Manchester United the day I saw them take on the table toppers Aston Villa in the winter of 1998. I was a novice among premiership watchers that day. I was unaware of the Busby Babes. I did not know that this was one of the most famous teams in the world. I did not know that Fergie was a Scot. My choice was based on instinct. One to support the underdogs. And the reds did not disappoint me one bit. The remainder of the season saw Manchester United fight their way up, in their now-famous post-christmas surge, and won an unprecedented treble.

More than a decade has gone by since that cold and fateful winter afternoon. Since my journey with Manchester United began. My faith in them has not moved an inch – very much in tune with one of the club songs that go, “We shall not be moved.” They have won many a wonderful game. And they have lost many a painful one. But through tears of joy and sorrow, I swore by the Ferguson’s red army.

And today, my friends ask me why, of all things, I got myself the tattoo of a football club. One look at the climbing debt and you will know that Manchester United’s future is not the brightest. Chances are, in a few years from now, they will have to sell their best assets to address their mammoth debts. And one day, the worst nightmare of every United fan will come true, and Ferguson will step down from the helm. And United may turn into a club that plays boring football. “What then?” ask my mates. And I have no answer. It could be my way of showing gratitude to them for giving me something to believe in year after year. It could be my way of appreciating the most beautiful football they showcased time and again. It could be my way of saying ‘thank you’ for giving a rebel his cause. At least for a while.

Football, bloody hell - part 4

Usain Bolt dumps Manchester United for new favourites Real Madrid. He is as fast with changing his loyalties as he is on the track.

Peter Crouch was selected to be part of the England squad that played Croatia. Capello sure is taking England to a ‘higher’ level.

Wenger hails Balotelli as one of the finest prospects in football. Can someone please tell him that the transfer window has shut.

Gael Clichy believes that harmony is back at Arsenal. Now probably harmony will play center forward to fill the hole left by Adebayor.

Butt key to Owen winning Manchester United move. I knew it was definitely not his form.

Arsenal go for Atletico Madrid whiz Keko. A couple of Gunners’ scouts were spotted waiting at the gates of his kindergarten.

Inter Milan boss Mourinho quietly seething over Balotelli red. Quiet? I thought it would take nothing less than death to get the Special One’s mouth shut.

Ince thinks that Sol Campbell left Notts County in hot soup. I hope it wasn’t as hot as the one Incey left Blackburn in.

Fabio Capello admits he has always dreamt of the England team. Now that should put a lock on the dressing room shower door.

Football, bloody hell! - 3

Chelsea are unimpressed by UEFA’s punishment for Drogba. What next, Drogba for Pope?

Lee Bowyer looks for assurances at Birmingham City before signing. Let us begin with an anticipatory bail.

Tevez is joining Manchester City ahead of Liverpool as a sign of respect to United! Is Maradona sharing more than just his playing expertise with Carlos?

Cristiano Ronaldo has admitted he made up his mind to leave Manchester United last summer. The members of Secoya tribe in Ecuador should be surprised.

Michael Owen has published a brochure to sell himself in the transfer market. And each of his games for his future clubs would be a 2-sided leaflet.

Ronaldinho fears lack of minutes would ruin his World Cup chances. Considering his form, he has a better chance to make it by his actions in the stands than on the pitch.

Turkish federation has ousted a referee on the grounds of homosexuality. Handling the ball is of course a bookable offence in football.

Football, bloody hell! - 2

Uli Hoeness wants 87 million for Ribery. Is a stand at the Allianz Arena also part of the deal??

Javier Mascherano’s wife wants him to walk out on Liverpool for better weather. Two words for you Javier – “David Beckham.”

Phillip Senderos wants to make his loan deal to Milan a permanent one. A welcome boost for Arsenal’s ailing defence.

Barcelona must find £45M for Liverpool's Mascherano. All they have to do is sell their youth team striker to Manchester City.

If firing six past Andorra makes England favourites in South Africa, Australia should be given the FIFA trophy to keep for at least 16 years for their 34-0 rout of American Samoa.

Alex Ferguson has lined up Ashley Young to replace Cristiano Ronaldo. That should address the problems in the wing… for the opposition that is.

Man City is willing to commit £320,000-a-week on Eto'o wages. Now he can fulfill his childhood dream and buy the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Bacary Sagna wants to join Real Madrid. A small task of turning Sergio Ramos into stone remains.

Football, bloody hell! - 1

Alan Smith is moving to Stoke City. Not as if they needed more thugs. Maybe, the next one in is Joey Barton.

Newcastle United have been put up on eBay for sale according to believable reports. Now Mike Ashley will receive eggs in his inbox.

There are also rumours that the Stoke Management are in discussions with Hulk Hogan and Jack the Ripper.

Manchester City want Carlos Tevez. So what? I want Gisele Bundchen.

Matthew Upson wants to play in Europe to better his options with the National Side. He could probably move to Bulgaria and make himself useful to CSKA Sofia.

Kaka claims to have left Milan in order to help the Italian club during the time of the credit crunch. Maybe he should have just stayed and taken a cut on his multi-million pound wages.

Ancellotti’s temper is worse than Ferguson’s and hence he is a better manager, claims a Chelsea insider. If that was the criterion, should they not have appointed Dennis Wise?

Stoke City are apparently chasing the Manchester City ‘Hitman’ Ched Evans. I hope they did not take the term ‘Hitman’ too literally.

Barcelona FC goes around by the motto – ‘more than a club’. But by the number of names on Florentino’s shopping list, the motto would suit Real Madrid better.

When in Rome, do as the Catalans do - The match review

There are very few teams that beat Manchester United at their own game. And even fewer managers who get the better of Sir Alex when it comes to mind games. Last night in Rome, FC Barcelona and Josep Guardiola achieved both.

It was a night when Manchester United were outplayed, outclassed and outthought. They started better than a Barcelona side that looked nervous during the initial exchanges. It wouldn’t be too much to say that Barcelona never saw the ball during this short phase as Ronaldo probed around the Barca goal, unleashing a few venomous strikes. All the omens suggested it. A Manchester United goal. A second European Trophy in a row. Yet another feather in Sir Alex Ferguson’s illustrious cap. Everything looked like a script written for the Red Devils. But then again, as Sir Alex famously said at Nou Camp in 1999, “football, bloody Hell.”

And when the goal came, it came against the run of play. And it wasn’t from a man in white. It was a neat goal, the kind the fans and the viewers have witnessed all season. A small tussle in the midfield and emerges ‘you know who’ Iniesta with the ball. He runs through the midfield as a chainsaw through butter and threads an inch-perfect through ball to Samuel Etoo. The Cameroonian, turned Vidic as if he were Senderos, poked the ball viciously past a desperate Van Der Sar and it is 1-0 to Barcelona. Silence in Manchester. Ecstasy in Catalunia. Game over.

An early goal does not always decide the fate of European Finals. But it did in this case. Manchester United lost their usual composure over the ball with Barcelona dominating possession. A second goal looked inevitable. And when it came, it came from the best player in the world. And I am not even talking about Iniesta, Xavi, Henry, etc.

Much was made of a Ronaldo vs. Messi battle on the pitch. Of who would be the best player. And in Rome, Messi was the best player on the pitch by a distance. And even a couple of feet above the pitch as he showed with a sweet header from a clinical Xavi-cross. They say that the only weakness in his game is his prowess in the air. I guess they should start hunting for a new one after that looping header. The diminutive man was enormous on the biggest of stages. The ball just would not leave his feet. It was as if it had fallen in love with him. He had tamed it. The true master he is. Such was his ball control that at times, it felt as if the ball was glued to little Argentine. There were times when he even stopped, strolled with the ball, as if it was a training session. He made a mockery of the World Champions.

As the final whistle blew, I had a smile across my face. A unique expression considering the fact the United had been beaten. Or maybe it was smile of submission. Or maybe one of realization that it is not always a sign of disloyalty to admire your neighbour’s wife; in this case, the beautiful, the enchanting and mesmerizing Barcelona. On an unforgettable night in Rome, the best team won. And it wasn’t my beloved United.

But as they say about form and greatness, the former is temporary and the latter permanent. And I shall not be moved amidst the fickle and faint hearted roars and taunts. My heart shall still beat for United and my blood shall remain red. See you in Madrid in a year’s time. United we stand.

Manchester United vs FC Barcelona - A Tale of Two Cities and a Few Million People.

If nothing goes wrong, Rome shall tonight witness the greatest sporting spectacle since Abebe Bikele’s barefooted marathon miracle in the summer of 1960. Because, as the two most entertaining teams in Europe lock horns in the world’s favourite sport, it is almost impossible to expect anything less.

Manchester United, the defending champions of Europe, are also the English champions for a third year in row. Sir Alex Ferguson’s side reached this remarkable milestone in a league considered by many, as the best in the world. Known for their cavalier style of football that has been an integral part of the United teams since the Busby era, they have also been impenetrable in defence under Sir Alex. It has been 22 years now since Fergie walked into the Old Trafford dressing room from Aberdeen. 11 premiership titles and 2 champions league trophies later, the flame at the most popular football club in the world is still burning bright.

Barcelona on the other hand are back from a disappointing season under Rijkaard. It was not until former Barca great Josep Guardiola’s appointment as coach that the Catalans showed the kind of form that made them a favourite among supporters and neutrals alike. Barca has amassed a plethora of goals, more than any other side in Europe by a mile, during this extraordinary season. They were firm favourites to be in Rome for the finals, and have more than a chance to grab the trophy. But if there is one side in the world that can stop them, it is the team across the corridor at the Stadio Olimpico.

Lot has been made of this match being the most practical of finals. Yet it is also, the most romantic one, played by two team that play the finest football. With all its artistry, elegance, and love. These two clubs boast a fan base across the globe than any other team across sports. At the same time, neutrals would be less disappointed at the two finalists. The two best players in the world, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, line up with United and Barca respectively. Though these two are likely to play crucial roles in deciding the fate of the tournament, this match goes way beyond just individual talents.

It will be a tough battle and even the experts would find it hard to predict a winner. With a heart as red as the Stretford End on a derby day, I shall cheer for Manchester United, a club I have supported for over a decade. I would love to see them win. But I would not be disappointed, if they were to be outplayed by a Barcelona side who more than deserve their share of glory this season – if not for anything else, for the wonderful display of attacking football they have played under Guardiola.

History beckons both the sides. United would be the first side since Arrigo Saachi’s Milan to clinch back to back titles in Europe making Sir Alex Ferguson the greatest manager alongside the likes of Paisley, and well… Paisley. As for Guardiola, it is a treble that awaits him. After the liga and the league cup in the bag, it would be a great achievement for the 38-year rookie. Whatever is the outcome, a feast of fantasy football awaits the fans. As for the writers, the pages of the history books are fluttering. Tomorrow, they will have their legend.

KICK OFF

This one has been long due. And I am quite surprised why I did not start this blog along with my other blogs. Well, better late than never.

I am an absolute fanatic when it comes to football. As in, I remember one of friends writing me a testimonial on orkut saying that I'd leave my girl in the middle of an orgasm to watch a match. Not quite the truth, yeah but close. :).

This blog would feature match reports, primarily of Manchester United, previews, predictions, player study, analysis, scrutiny, gossip, opinions, and everything good, bad and ugly about the game. So here it is, to something I follow, worship, believe and keep the faith in. For the love of the game.