A Special One
This was a special one for me. I mentioned in previous blogs that I was moving to UAE Dubai for job opportunities. This was my last game for some time, at least. While I was in Manchester, I was lucky enough to work with Manchester United. I was also at Old Trafford every matchday watching the game. Around that time, we were doing really well. I remember it was when Rashford was in the form of his life. Ten Hag was winning left, right, and centre.
Then I moved to London for further opportunities and internships. Attending every United game wasn’t very feasible anymore. However, I still went for a few games here and there. And now, as I was leaving for Dubai, this was one of the last games I’d be witnessing for a while. Playing well and hopefully winning against a poor Spurs side was really important to me. Bit selfish, I know, but I wanted it to be a memorable send-off.
The Stretford End, Finally
For this special occasion, I reached out to a local friend from Manny. I asked him if he could arrange a ticket for me at the Stretford End. All these years I’d been going to games, I had experienced different sections and stands. However, the Stretford End was missing from my CV.
For those who don’t know what the Stretford End is it is the most loyal stand at Old Trafford. The oldest season ticket holders and the most energetic crowd usually cheer United from there. Non-stop chants, boos, and whistles for the opponents usually start from that stand. The Stretford End is like an orchestrator; it tells other fans in different stands when to sing, what to sing. So yeah, it was a very emotional request, and somehow my friend was able to arrange it. I was buzzing.
Munich. Always Munich.
This match also carried extra weight because it fell on 7th February a day after the Munich Air Disaster anniversary. The Munich Air Disaster was the 1958 plane crash that killed 23 people, including eight Manchester United players, as the team returned from a European Cup match. For me, it is one of the most painful moments in the club’s history. It is a reminder of the lives and the talent we lost.
Being there the day after the 68th anniversary was something very emotional for me as a long-time United fan. Knowing it would be talked about and remembered by the whole stadium makes me proud. I could be there, in that moment. I was remembering these legends who tragically passed away.
The Journey Up
I had to wake up at 5. I needed to leave home by 6:30. I had to catch a train from London to Manchester with one change at Crewe. First a tube to London Euston, then the journey began. I could already spot a few Man United fans in the coach. They were talking about the game and predicting the starting lineups. Just hearing that was something really refreshing. Football unites people, and it just makes you feel comfortable.
We reached Crewe and had to wait 30–40 minutes for the train to Manchester Piccadilly. I went to a coffee shop at the station and got myself a hot cappuccino. The whole station was filled with United and Spurs fans heading to the ground. Eventually we boarded, and there were United fans singing chants it felt like a proper warm-up before the game.
Reached Manchester Piccadilly it was bittersweet knowing this would be one of the last times for a while. Booked a Bolt, reached Old Trafford. What a sight it always is. I went to the Munich Plaque. I walked through the Munich Tunnel during this very emotional period. There were many fans putting flowers in memory of the Busby Babes. It hit different.
“Is That For YouTube?”
After that I made my way to W12, the Stretford End entrance. While standing in the queue, I was buzzing with excitement. I felt proud and so emotional that I was finally going to stand in the Stretford End. I wanted to capture the moment, so I took a short video while United fans were chanting around me.
Once I was done, someone behind me aged 50-something said “is that for YouTube?” with a sarcastic smile. Basically hinting that I was a tourist, without saying it directly. That thing slightly offended me, but I sort of get him. It was a weird feeling, because he doesn’t know how loyal I am to this great institution called Manchester United. A club that is more than anything to me. The club I support religiously. The club for which I chose to study in Manchester. The club for which I messed up my sleep for so many years. I would stay awake until 2–3am even if I had early school or college the next day.
These guys just don’t get it. Hinting someone as a tourist. Of course, I’m a tourist, because I won’t be able to watch this game every week. I’m not a local. But does that mean I wouldn’t go to every game if I was? Most loyal supporters abroad follow this club religiously. They would go to every single game if they were blessed enough to be born in Manchester. Of course I don’t know every not-so-famous United chant. I’m here to learn these chants and ingrain them in my memory.
Only people close to me know what this club means to me. And for a local Manchester supporter, I might always be a “tourist.” But I couldn’t be arsed about it, in all honesty. I know what this club means to me and I know how important this day was. That comment bothered me for a second. As soon as I saw the pitch and the stand filled with United fans, I forgot it entirely.
Before Kick-Off – The Busby Babes Tifo
Before the match started, the Stretford End got a chance to honour the Busby Babes by spreading and expanding their tifo across the stand. It was a powerful, spine-tingling moment the kind that reminds you exactly why this club means so much to so many people. Once that was done, it was time for football.
We were on a three-game winning run: win after win after win, something Amorim hadn’t been able to do. An unchanged lineup, ready to face a Spurs side ravaged by injuries and fighting for survival. Maybe I’m being dramatic, but it’s closer than some people think.
The Match; 2-0, Job Done
The first half was quite exciting. We had a few shots: Cunha, Mbeumo, Casemiro, Bruno all taking efforts from tough angles or long range but unable to convert. We had one big chance, but what was more influential came at the 29th minute.
Romero. Yeah, you know what I’m about to say. A very dumb, nonsensical tackle on Casemiro happened right in front of the referee. It was feet high on the shin/ankle area. He didn’t get the ball and didn’t argue the decision much. That tells you everything about how fair the red card was. Ten men at 29 minutes, at home you knew we had to get the result now.
Once United fans saw Casemiro was fit and up, the Casemiro chant started ringing around the Stretford End. It was brilliant to be part of it. Then, about ten minutes later, Bruno tried a shot from outside the box. The ball deflected off Micky van de Ven and went out for a corner. Bruno stepped up, and instead of whipping it in, he played a cheeky low ball to the front post. Mainoo ran towards it. He cleverly laid it off to Mbeumo, who was at the centre of the D. Mbeumo struck it with his left foot. He didn’t catch it perfectly, but got the position just right. Bottom right corner. 1-0. A well-orchestrated corner and a lovely goal.
Even after that, United had a good chance with Mbeumo putting in a good cross for Casemiro, who headed it on target saved by Vicario. The stats backed up what the eye was telling you: United had 65% possession, 23 total shots to Spurs’ 7, and an xG of 1.78 vs 0.49. We were dominant throughout.
The second half we had loads of the ball – for obvious reasons, but we didn’t do enough with it, and at some point it made fans frustrated. A man up and still only one goal ahead, which felt risky as ever in this league. Then at the 81st minute, Dalot put in a good cross towards the box. Sesko jumped but couldn’t reach it thankfully our captain fantastico Bruno was there to shin it in and make it 2-0. At that point I was finally confident we were seeing the three points.
United started toying with Spurs after that, stringing passes together almost for fun. The last big chance was set up perfectly. A lovely cross by Bruno went towards Sesko, who was completely free with no defender near him. He headed it straight at the goalkeeper. A big miss, but it didn’t matter. Bruno finished the game with another assist. This adds to his tally, now at 12 for the season. He is still chasing the record set by Henry and shared by De Bruyne. That header would’ve brought it even closer, but we move.
2-0. Man United win. Bruno Fernandes: Player of the Match. Job done.
Farewell, Old Trafford
I bid farewell to Old Trafford after the final whistle. My card was blocked by the Bee Network so I couldn’t hop on the tram or buses. It started raining heavily. I couldn’t book a cab either. So, I had to walk to Manchester Piccadilly in the pouring rain. Not ideal. But honestly, a small price to pay for a day like that.
My train back to London got delayed. I waited two hours. Then I hopped on a train that was painfully slow. It was slow due to track faults further down the line. I got home after 14–15 hours, but I wouldn’t change a single thing. This will always remain a good memory: an emotional, exhausting, unforgettable day. Farewell for now, Old Trafford. I’ll be back.
Till next time YANITED, YANITED, YANITED.
UNITED SCRIPTED. 
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