England's reply to the El Classico!

This surely has to be England's reply to the El Classico! No doubts about it. Okay, its not exactly a "derby", but the football on display when these two teams go head to head, is levels above anywhere else!

Manchester United vs. Arsenal, the rivalry that once was.

Till a few weeks back, I thought that the rivalry between these 2 clubs was just because of the trophies. And its a safe bet that this was the opinion widely accepted, since they have been the 2 most successful teams in England for the past 2 decades.

However, while doing some research for this note, I stumbled upon the truth.

It all started with a penalty!

It was at Highbury, in an FA Cup tie, in April 1987. United were awarded a penalty, which Arsenal thought was unfair. Brain "Choccy" McClair sent the penalty in orbit, and the Arsenal team celebrated wildly. The rivalry had begun. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isj77IJNZ2g )

I grew up hating Arsenal. And I never thought it would change. I started watching football at a time when the United-Arsenal rivalry was at its peak. Since I fell in love with United at the very first sight, it was pretty much a given that it was hatred at first sight towards Arsenal for me!

So the rivalry started in 1987 with the penalty that McClair missed. The tension between these two teams grew exponentially every time they met. It probably reached an early peak when in 1990 at Old Trafford, all the 22 players on the pitch were involved in a brawl. It was ugly. The FA had not seen anything like this before. From fans, maybe. But these were 22 paid professional football players!

Arsenal were docked 2 points in the league and charged for failing to control their players. United were docked 1 point too.

Arsenal then appointed a promising French guy, by the name of Arsene Wenger as their manager, and the story between these two teams was about to take a whole new turn.

When asked about Arsenal's new manager, Ferguson said, "They say he's very intelligent, right? Speaks 5 languages! Well I have a 15 year old boy from Ivory Coast who can speak 5 languages!" Welcome to England, Mr Wenger.

Over the next few years, United and Arsenal became the main forces in England to reckon with, with Arsenal playing an important role, and helping United along, in breaking Liverpool's dominance over the league.

United and Arsenal shared the trophies, as the two managers worked year after year to undo each other's work, and mount a challenge which the other couldn't beat.

But the major blow to United perhaps came in 1998, when Arsenal did the league and FA Cup double. Sir Alex Ferguson couldn't stand this. Major changes were called for. As always, speculations about arrivals and departures at Old Trafford was rife. But inside Ferguson's mind, a storm was brewing. He made some astute signings, which others were unable to understand, and questioned Sir Alex's moves in the transfer market.

The likes of Dwight Yorke, Jesper Blomqiust, and Jaap Stam were brought in. Ferguson was going to do something, which Wenger would be unable to answer. Basking in the glory of his Double, and his small victory over his rivals, Wenger perhaps forgot the Ferguson was no normal man who would accept defeat. He didn't see it coming, what Ferguson was about to do.

In 1999, Manchester United did, what no other team had ever done. The whole world was stunned by the sheer brilliance of United. They were left speechless by our achievements.

In '99, United won the Treble. The English Premier League, The FA Cup, and the big one, The Euopean Champions League, which Wenger has failed to deliver till date.

The Promised Land was reached. Dreams were realised. The team was so overcome with emotions that when asked about how special it felt, Sir Alex wasn't able to come up with anything but, "Football, BLOODY HELL!"

United were named the team of the century. Mr. Wenger, please suck that.

And it was more special as United had defeated Arsenal in the semi-finals of the FA Cup that year, as they went on to win the lot. And it was in that semi-final that a certain player named Ryan Giggs score what is still widely regarded as the best goal ever scored. ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quI_LkMj4HI )

You would perhaps expect a complimentary call of "congratulations" or atleast a "well done" from your rivals on your special feat. But no, Wenger once again proved that he was as bad a loser, as the world would ever see.

"Arsene Wenger disappoints me when he is reluctant to give Manchester United credit for what we have achieved. When Arsenal captured the Double in 1998 I held my hands up and praised them unreservedly... I suppose I will just have to accept that, between Old Trafford and Highbury, appreciation is pretty much a one-way street." - Ferguson later revealed in his autobiography.

Wenger wasn't winning any friends in England for sure. Even when Liverpool won the Champions League in 2005, even though they are our fierce rivals, Sir Alex was one of the first people to call up Rafa Benitez to congratulate him.

Time flew by, other managers came and went, what remained constant was the rivalry between the two teams, Arsene Wenger, and Sir Alex Ferguson.

It was in this period of time, that I really enjoyed the rivalry between the two sides, and perhaps it was this rivlary, that made me fall in love with football more that I would ever imagine. Players ready to rip off each other's head at first sight, thirsty for their opponent's blood.

2003/04 was arguably Wenger's favorite time in all his stay in England.

If United could achieve the Treble, Wenger replied with an unbeaten season. In 2003, Arsenal went the entire 38 league games without losing a single one. But what's funny is that even after being unbeaten, they failed to win the FA Cup, knocked out by United, and also were unable to win the Champions League.

But credit where its due. Well done Arsenal. They were named The Invincibles team.

It was a Ruud van Nistelrooy missed penalty in the last few minutes of the game between the 2 teams, which stopped United from defeating Arsenal, and allowed them to go on unbeaten. Arsenal celebrated like wild animals. 6 of their players were charged for improper conduct. Arsenal were fined for failing to control their players, once again.

Its a well known saying, "Hell hath no fury as a woman scorned!" Well, maybe they hadn't seen me during a United vs. Arsenal game. Pure venom, was what came out my mouth when I saw those 11 players in Arsenal kits.

The Captains of the two teams, Patrick Vieira, and Roy Keane, may have shared the same sentiments for each other!

Roll on next season, and any of the teams were still unable to unlock Arsenal. It was perhaps fitting that it would be United who would do that!

Arsenal visited United at Old Trafford for what would've been their 50th games unbeaten in the league. Their players seemed to get a bit over-cocky and had worn t-shirts saying "50 not-out" underneath their jerseys, planning that the entire team would reveal them infront of the crowd at Old Trafford.

I've said it before, I'll say it again. Even God loves irony.

United were dominating the game, and by half-time, they were causing Arsenal a lot of problems. I had a feeling that this would be the game. I just didnt want to look naive, or else I would have phoned up all my fellow United-supporting friends.

Sir Alex later revealed in an interview, "In the tunnel Wenger was criticising my players, calling them cheats, so I told him to leave them alone and behave himself. He ran at me with hands raised saying 'what do you want to do about it?' It's a disgrace, but I don't expect Wenger to ever apologise, he's that type of person."

In the 2nd half, guess what? It was a Ruud van Nistelrooy penalty that put United in front. Words cannot describe how elated I felt at that moment. It was sweet revenge for Ruud, who had been subject to abuse from the Arsenal players in the corresponding fixture last season when he missed a penalty.

He celebrated the goal by running down towards the Stretford End, overcome with emotions. The celebration till date is my all time favorite goal celebration, well known among United fans as Ruud's Revenge Celebration!

Wayne Rooney sealed the game late into the 2nd half. 2-0 it was. Arsenal's invincible era had come to an end. ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05ttK_ThHXc&feature=related )

I still remember clearly, the next day when I went to school, I saw my mate Birju in the ground, we both had just entered the school-ground on our cycles. I shouted at him in joy from far, "2-0! 2-0! We won 2-0! Arsenal lost! We beat Arsenal!" And he yelled back at me, "I know! We won!!" Amazing feeling.

That was perhaps the last time when the tension between the two teams was so high.

Both the captains, Vieira and Keane, left at different times, for different clubs. Vieira off to Italy, Keano to Celtic, to spend the last few months of his career.

When asked about how they felt for each other, both told they missed the rivalry.

Vieira confessed that Paul Scholes and Roy Keane were the only two people in football he was actually afraid of. Keano took a jibe at Vieira when he said that he was just a hard guy on the pitch, while pretty much a sissy off it!

But when these two came face to face, it was war!

Vieira used aim at the United players who weren't physically dominating in nature. In 2004 in an FA Cup encounter at half-time, he ganged up on Gary Neville, cornering him in the tunnel. Keano being Captain Fantastic, dragged Vieira away physically. Vieira fled for his life. Keane chased him and the referees has to intervene. "I'll see you out there! I'll see you out there!" Keane shouted at Vieira. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKj8msoEKEo&feature=related )

See him out there he did. Keane completely owned Vieira on the pitch, United went on to win 4-2.

Whatever the reasons may have been, the relationship between these two teams is far from even a shadow of what it used to be. May be its because the emergence of Chelsea, funded by Abramovich's mega-bucks, and the charismatic Jose Mourinho, who provided a common target for Wenger and Sir Alex.

In 2005 and 2006, Chelsea won back to back league titles, and since then Arsenal have been nowhere near to winning it. It was United who responded to Chelsea's dominance, and became the only team to have a hattrick of EPL titles 2 times. We had responded just as true champions do!

Along with the rivalry between the clubs and the managers, my hatred for Arsenal has mellowed down too.

During the game when we ended their unbeaten run, Arsenal players had once again shown what a classless bunch of idiots they were. After the game, a pizza was hurled on Sir Alex, as he made his way into the tunnel. Total fucking disgrace. Its the greatest manager to have ever graced the Earth, we are talking about!

It was later revealed that the two players behind the classless act were Cesc Fabregas, who would later go on to be their captain, and that classless cunt Ashley Cole.

It was Cole who had convinced Fabregas to hurl the pizza.

Pure hatred emerged in my heart for them, all over again.

But as I grew up, I tried to observe from a logical point of view. Fabregas was just 16 back then, imbecile. Cole was a bonafide dickhead.

I tried to forgive Fabregas, but never will be able to forgive Cole.

And the fact that Fabregas personally called up Sir Alex to congatulate him when we won out record 18th league title, helped me to forgive him a bit more. And since then Fabregas has had only good things to say about our gaffer.

And perhaps dissapointingly, we have never seen the old, blood-thirsty form of rivalry between them ever since.

When we beat them 3-1 at the Emirates last year in the CL semis 2nd leg, Patrice Evra went on to say that it was a case of "men against boys."

I prayed, please God, let this be the point that ignites the old hatred. Only to be dissapointed. Somehow, for reasons I don't know, I miss it!

May be Sir Alex explains the reason for this when he said, "Back in the days we used to have players who were dripping with masculinity from every inch of their bodies. Players like Cantona, Irwin, Keane and Sparky, who would kill to defend thier team-mates! We dont have those sort of players now. Today we see players who pay thousands to go to saloons to keep their bodies shiny!"

Leave the rivalry, the relationship between the two managers has been surprisingly cordial of late!

Wenger revealed that when the 2 meet outside a footaball pitch, they don't fight, and the meetings are sometimes even funny!

Sir Alex personally asked the fans to put an end to the disgusting paedophile chant aimed at Wenger by a small section of our fans.

Good Lord, am I dreaming? Is this really possible? Sir Alex and Arsene Wenger not going for each other's throats?

Whatever the matters off the pitch may be, it has been United who have got the better off Arsenal on the last few occasions.

With United winning trophy after trophy, Arsenal seem to be a long way off from catching our fantastic record.

And infact its only Arsenal who I can imagine to have some sort of respect for, out of the other teams in the so called Big Four.

This is a story of two teams which has greatly influenced my life, and perhaps the lives of many other United fans.

Another thing which most of us may not know, is that the last game the Busby Babes played on English soil before making that fateful trip to Munich, was at Highbury.

Positive or negative, Arsenal will surley have a special place in every United fan's life.

This was my side of the United and Arsenal, the rivalry that once was.

(If you were in any way dissapointed with the note, please kindly forgive me, as I had so many things to write, it was difficult to place them properly, and limit the content to prevent it from getting too long. Cheers!)

P.S. I've included some videos for those who would like to relive those special moments, and also for those who haven't seem them before.

Manchester is RED.

It was the 155th Manchester derby. Garry Cook, the CEO of Manchester City, had claimed that it wasn't a question of "if", but "when" City would beat United again, and go on to lift the silverware.

Give it a rest for some more time, Mr. Cook. Here, if you want , I'll help you get out of your fucking dreamland!

You have to say, even God loves irony! When United paid for the construction for City's old stadium at Maine Road, little did they know, that City would one day go on to be the world's richest club, and forget all favours, so coldly!

In our eyes, we were just being good neighbors, by helping them out so that they can have a place to play their football.

The rivalry in those days didn't quite touch the levels of today, with United not a major force, and sometimes threatened by relegation fears, after the heartbreaking Munich air disaster. City enjoyed a few good years, and won a few trophies, if not consistantly.

Roll forward 34 years, and the fortunes have been reversed more than one can imagine.

Its City who have been relegated and come back. United, meanwhile, through the vision and principles of the great Sir Matt Busby, the architecture of Ron Atkinson, and the sheer brilliance of Sir Alex Ferguson, have rised from the ashes, like a Red phoenix, and gone ahead to collect a mindblowing haul of more that 30 major titles.

In 2008, City were bought by an Arab billionnaire, Khaldoon Al Mubarak. They announced their arrival on the world stage with the marquee signing of Brazilian superstar Robinho, for a record fee of $50 million, from Spanish giants Real Madrid.

Mr. Cook claimed that 10 billion people saw the transfer happening. Although thats 3.5 billion more than the number of people that actually exist on the Earth! Ah, only if money could buy you brains!

The then manager, Mark Hughes, a former United player, was promised all the time and money in the world he needed, and assured that the real expectations would be set only from the next season, with a 7th place finish to be deemed satisfactory.

City went on to finish 10th that season, while United proudly collected a record 18th league title. Business as usual.

Money can corrupt even the most stable of minds, so who are City?

After coming to terms with the real world, that $150 million couldnt buy them Kaka, nor $250 million get them Messi, and let us all hope that them offering a blank cheque for Ruud van Nistelrooy was just a joke. I hope so!

They came out of their fantasy, and bought some established players. One of the most controversial, being Carlos Tevez, from Manchester United.

The yip-yapping of their big mouth had already begun, with City going to any extents to wind up United and their supporters.

Sir Alex went on to brand them a small club, with a small mentality. He said, "Sometimes, when you get a noisy neighbour, all you can do is turn your own volume up a level."

Amen.

Mark Hughes was sacked, 5 months into the new season, stabbed in the back, after just 2 defeats in the league. City showed their class yet again. Just when you thought they would learn something from Chelsea!

He was replaced by the Italian Roberto Mancini, who became the 16th manager at City, while Sir Alex was at United, for 23 years.

Sir Alex had once said about Italians, "When an Italian says its pasta, I check under the sauce to make it sure. They are the innovators of the smokescreen!"

Jump on to the 155th derby, which was incidently on the 15th anniversary of Cantona's kung-fu kick to the Crystal Palace hooligan.

The club captain Gary Neville, is a player you can totally picture, taking the daily bus from his house in Salford, to the Carrington training complex, and Old Trafford on matchdays, along with thousands of United supporters, just like one of them.

He is a man who refused to shake hands with even a club legend like Peter Schmeichel, when he left the Red side of Manchester.

He is a fan first, then a United player, and to top it all, the Club captain. Every true Manc's dream!

For this very reason, I was surprised when Neville didn't absolutely rip into, when the Times asked him about Tevez. Instead, he gave an absolutely calm answer, and defended the Gaffer, along with showing respect to Tevez, at the same time. Especially when Tevez had bad-mouthed the club and the manager on numerous previous occassions!

Although Tevez, who still cant read English after nearly 5 years in England, behaved like a girl who had been used and abandoned by her boyfriend.

He showed what a twat he is, on and off the field.

City were knocked out of the competiton by a typical last-minute United sucker-punch. We strike when you're not expecting us to, we strike when you think its over. Yes, thats United for you! Write us off at your own peril!

City wouldn't understand it the easy way, so we taught them the hard way.

Money can't buy you history. Money can't buy you class. Money can't buy you character. Money can't buy you the vision, the priciples, the sheer determination and hunger for success, reqiured to biuld a team that can sustain success year after year.

United are in a seemingly endless debt, and City's riches are seemingly bottomless, and yet we showed them who the bosses are.

After all, we have the Capo de tutti Capi, the Boss of all the Bosses, Sir Alex Ferguson at the helm.

Before coming to Old Trafford for the return leg, Mancini had roared that he would tear down the "34 YEARS" banner at the Stretford End. Well guess what Roberto, you don't have enough manhood in you to even touch that banner.

So sleep, noisy neighbors, sleep in our shadow for some more time. Come back when you've won 18! We're not arrogant, we're just better than you.

Manchester remains RED.

When someone asked me why I love Manchester United so much! :)

January 2010, it was Saturday eve, the college fest was going on, perhaps the last one of my college life here at VIT, my feet were moving as fast as they could carry me.

But, not towards the stage where Shaan was performing, but to a completely opposite direction. Manchester United vs. Arsenal was showing on the TV. The college fests is perhaps once in a lifetime thing, the EPL is every weekend, Man United v Arsenal twice a year, but it simply just aint enough!

As I got far from the college, my feet quickened, and behind it were a number of reasons propelling them further.

I didn’t want to miss a single second of watching my heroes in action, and I loved the feeling when they stepped out on the arena, ready to conquer. Manchester United devoured Arsenal that fateful night at the Emirates, Nani and Rooney combining wonderfully for the 3rd goal, as Arsenal were rendered helpless in just 9.7 seconds. And I updated my Facebook status, "no woman can ever be as beautiful as counter-attacking football."

May 26th, 1999. I was randomly surfing channels on my TV, searching for something interesting to watch, and settled upon a football match going on thousands of miles away in Barcelona. I knew nothing about the teams, but the score card read Bayern Munich 1-0 Man United. And I watched on as the guys in red, Man United tried with all their might to break down a resolute German defense, and somewhat took a liking at their sheer cold-blooded refusal to accept defeat. Last 3 minutes of the match, and even though I knew nothing about them, I was praying to God for a player in a Red shirt to be able to rattle the back of the net.

2 goals in 3 minutes, and they had deceived defeat to join hands with victory. Love at first sight. Its one of those things you just can’t explain. And every time I see a video of that night at the Nou Camp, I fall in love all over again! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kicQkb5kXB0

Over the next few years, I started following United with a keen interest, watching their matches, checking out the interviews of the players and the manager, looking into their history. And with time, my love for United has grown beyond limits. I love Manchester United like a small kid loves his new toy. Pure, unconditional love.

To say that I just love them is an understatement. I won’t be exaggerating if I state that Man United, and in particular the manager Sir Alex Ferguson, as a person, has played a major role in making me the person I am.

In 1958, Manchester United, managed by the late Sir Matt Busby, had assembled a youthful team, but a team of players all masters of their trade. A team built through sheer hard work, endorsing an attractive brand of football never seen before, was widely tipped to win the biggest trophy European football had to offer, the European Cup, or as known now, the UEFA Champions League. And disaster struck. We lost 8 main team players in the air crash in Munich. The manager himself has been hospitalized for days, escaping death. Words couldn’t express the grief in Manchester. It was all doom and gloom.

But Sir Matt Busby, without backing down from the calamity of the mammoth scale, rebuilt the whole team, and after 10 years of sweating blood, Manchester United rose from the ashes like a Red Phoenix, and in 1968, won the prize that the late warriors had so nearly missed out on.

This, and numerous other occasions, even though small ones like just a match, have proved one thing. Mannchester United never accept defeat. There have been thousands of instances, when the opposition, assured of victory, have been stung by vicious late Man United sucker punches. The sheer, cold-blooded refusal to accept defeat is intimately integrated in the DNA of Man United, and with time, into mine too. There may be long barren periods when people think our time is up, but count on us to bounce back, with vengeance. A successful team beats one with heart, and that’s what we’re all about. The club’s mantra is “BELIEVE.” We BELIEVE in ourselves. We believe that we can come out of any situation and emerge victorious. BELIEF drives us on.

When Sir Alex Ferguson took over the club in 1986, he inherited a dejected group of players, addicted to alcohol, and lost in their ways. Sometimes through careful and good-natured explaining, and sometimes using his fiery nature, the Scott drilled in the non-tolerance stance into the players’ minds. When you have to perform, you have to be disciplined, and there is no place for alcohol to influence your mind in the slightest way. Another lesson I’ve learnt from the larger than life club. Even today, 24 years into the Ferguson era, no Man United player is allowed to smoke or booze.

Sir Alex brought along revolutionary changes with him, which would make sure the club stays at its pinnacle for decades to come. Investing in the youth and utilizing the resources of the club was always given preference over spending large sums of cash. Youngsters who understood the value of playing for the club were brought in. Fergie has always chosen a player for the right attitude, and then his ability. A principle still put into use, and priceless in our day to day lives. The trend is followed even today, where there have been many cases when a fantastic player has been let go by the club just because he couldn’t display the characters of a Manchester United player.

Players like Gary Neville, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes stand witness to the fact that Fergie has always instilled the values of loyalty and commitment. These three stand as the epitome of loyalty, any kid’s idols, having played for around 2 decades for the club, never even thinking about leaving for greener pastures. The recognition and praise heaped upon them from all the corners of the world isn't enough for the trinity.

Fergie has always looked out for strong characters, himself being one. Even at the age of 68, after winning every prize football has on offer, his hunger for success remains the same as when he was a player plying his trade at various clubs. He still celebrates every goal like a litlle child. This rubs off on his players too, and if you're satisfied with winning just once, you don't belong at Manchester United.

Strong characters have always been present in the United dressing room too. The prime example being Eric Cantona, the fiery Frenchman, fondly known by the fans as Le Roi, The King. Eric inspired confidence. When the chips were down, everybody looked up to the King. Best described by Roy Keane, "chest puffed out, collars turned up, he stepped onto the pitch like he owned the fuckin' arena!" Even today, 13 years after his retirement, and even though I've never seen him play live, I always look up to Eric Cantona to inspire confidence.

There have been times when Man United were the most hated team in England. People couldn't stand our success, branded us as arrogant. Our players got a lot of stick. But this just inspired us to do better, shut their mouths and embarrass them. If your love makes us STRONG, your hate makes us UNSTOPPABLE. Another mentality gifted from Sir Alex. Love the guy.

God loves irony. Even though being named by Forbes as the most valuable brand in the sports world, Man United is currently in bottomless debt, rounding up to £700 million, thanks to our owners. But we soldier on. And being the biggest club in the world, we fulfill our responsibilities by carrying out charity work in whatever way possible, all over the globe.

Another thing I’ve learnt from Sir Alex, is to appreciate those who care for you, no matter how irrelevant they are to you. Being the manager of the largest club in the world, Sir Alex still remembered to wish a Man United fan, Florence Evans, who was celebrating her 100th birthday. A handwritten card and a bunch of flowers.

           ''It is with great delight that I am writing to you today on behalf of everyone here at Manchester United football club to wish you a very happy 100th birthday - a grand old age. I am sure that all of your family and friends will be gathering for the celebrations and no doubt there will be many wonderful memories that you will recall for your have certainly lived through some interesting times. And must have many a good tale to tell. Florence I hope you have a wonderful day and trust they will all help you blow out all those candles! Take care and a god bless.''

300 million fans all over the world. It’s just one large family. I believe that God exists on Earth. He’s a grey haired man, with gold-framed specs, a chewing in his mouth, and goes by the name of Fergie!

There have been many a days, when I’ve been feeling down in the dumps, tired and fed up of life. Only for weekend to come and Man United to score a last minute goal to secure a win over their fierce rivals. Gets me up and running again. Gives me a reason to get out of bed next morning. It’s what football does to us. It’s what Man United does to me. Playing with my emotions like nobody else can.

And I imagine every United fan having the same feelings for the team as I do, because even when we lose, the support is always in full volume cheering the team on, sometimes even making fun of the opposition. Compare this to a bunch of other teams, who get booed off the field by their fans when they lose. I am proud to say, the family is really United!

And when I’m lost, do not know what to do, I think to myself, “what would Fergie do?”

I conclude with a quote from King Eric. “Till the very last minute of my life, I’ll have this club in my heart.”

Manchester United isn’t just a football club, it’s a way of life.