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  • The Northern Casual 18:22 on May 30, 2011 Permalink | Reply  

    MUFC Away Days Special: First Hand Heartbreak From Inside Wembley Stadium 

    “You’ve got to learn to survive a defeat. That’s when you develop character.”

    Upon reflecting on the 2010-11 season I don’t think any United fan could be disappointed.  Winning the league and with it becoming the most successful domestic side in England.  At the start of the season claiming that 19th title would undoubtedly been at the forefront of the minds of United fans and certainly topping their wish list for the season.  So coming into the Champions League final for the last game of this historic season had the feel of a bonus, albeit a massive, huge bonus!  Claiming a fourth Champions League would have been the perfect end to the season at the ground where Sir Matt made history in 1968.  Sadly it wasn’t to be.

    We set out for Wembley early on the Saturday taking the train down to London then hopping on various tube routes to get to Wembley.  London was awash with both United and Barca fans.  The Catalan supporters providing a contrast in colours and noise.  Once we’d got down around Wembley the noise got greater as shouts of “Red Army” signalled the continuing arrival of the travelling reds into the tube station.  Barca fans were also around and in full voice with plenty of good hearted banter and songs being exchanged.  Rather than try and get into any of the bars around the area (as this was practically impossible!) we settled on the same embankment as we had occupied for the FA Cup Semi final.  The weather was certainly not as bright as that day but the intermittent bouts of rain did little to dampen the spirits of the MUFC Faithful nor the Barca contingent…probably used to seeing warmer days in May than what greeted them in London!

    United were facing arguably the greatest club side in recent memory with a team that despite it’s accomplishments this season had been rubbished in the media more than a few times.  There was a strange feeling amongst our group.  Could we win this game?  It’s just ninety minutes after all.  The discussion went on, the positives and negatives, and potential line up’s discussed over a few drinks and some handily supplied chips.  We made our way up Wembley Way and into the ground once the confusion and chaos at the turnstiles was safely navigated.  I can’t say I’m a great fan or lover of Wembley Stadium and its set up, it’s a little too clinical for me and doesn’t have the feeling of many of the older club stadiums that echo with tradition.  Once we’re into the stands the nerves start to set in as the enormity of the game finally sets in…. (More …)

     

    • jack 19:23 on May 30, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      Theres no reason for disappointment guys. After all you got 19. Thats 19 touches of the ball on saturday.

    • Dereck 19:26 on May 30, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      You didnt mention that you got totally out played and were made to look like a pub team, why?

    • Paul 19:57 on May 30, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      Firstly, cheers for reading fellas. Always glad to get a bit of feedback. As for why I didn’t mention the performance etc its because these Awaydays articles aren’t a match review. Their aim is to give an insight to what it’s like as a United fan at an away game, after all, not everyone is fortunate to be in the position to get to these games.

      Oh and I think you’ll find you’re wrong about touching the ball 19 times…
      It was 21 to be exact haha!

  • The Northern Casual 20:48 on May 15, 2011 Permalink | Reply  

    MUFC Away Days Title Special – From Despair to Where? United at Blackburn 

    I have vivid memories of last season’s game at Blackburn.  A glorious, sunny Sunday for a lunchtime game where a win would see United have one hand on the Premier League trophy and that illustrious mark of nineteen titles, and thereby becomng the most successful domestic club in the country.  Then it all unravelled in a tense and insipid 0-0 draw and the walk back after the game felt like something of a funeral procession for United’s title hopes as Chelsea went on to win the league.  It was an awful day, a depressing day, and one that I didn’t want to repeat this time around.

    A season on and the only similarity this time around was the result.  Pre game nerves had got a serious hold on me as we made the early morning trip to Blackburn, even a few beers in Blackburn couldn’t stop the gut wrenching feeling I had.  Not even the advice of a mate to relax, enjoy the day and that we had the Blackpool game as a safety net could do anything to relieve the tension I was in full on nervous wreck mode!  I couldn’t think about the Blackpool game, I wanted the league wrapped up there and then in Blackburn. (More …)

     

  • The Northern Casual 12:09 on March 27, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , FC United of Manchester, Green & Gold, , LUHG, , ,   

    TF Chronicles: Divided we stand, United we fall 

    There can be no doubt that the Glazer family’s reign at Old Trafford has been one of the most controversial in football history. Never has the subject of club ownership come under such intense scrutiny and attention as the Glazer’s residency at the worlds biggest football club. I’m going to avoid quoting various financial facts and figures as you could find dozens of other websites that you can research the debt and financial misgivings for yourself. Instead I want to focus on the effect that the Glazer ownership and the actions of the club and those connected with it has had on United fans.
    (More …)

     

    • Sarah 12:22 on March 27, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      For me as much as I loved seeing Becks adorn the G&G scarf I wish he hadn’t. Sure the picture was everywhere and it was seen to have a big message but did it?
      Nothing changed did it?
      I think the campaign died a bit when people realised even a G&G scarf worn by a former red didn’t even make the Glazers buckle…

      Also have you seen how much stuff in the Megastore now is in G&G colours, The Glazers are cashing in on their own campaign. Quite clever really…

      Still want them out though obviously. Or at least for them to talk to the fans. We deserve better, much better.

    • Paul 12:26 on March 27, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      I agree Sarah. The G&G campaign reached a crescendo with Becks but it seemingly didn’t cause a ripple. It remains to be seen where we go from here, but I agree that the fans need something back from United. We’re not treated as fans but as sources of income, I don’t think that this is just a problem at United but at least with other clubs they have some sort of way of giving back to their fans. Even City have loyalty programs in place.

    • Busby Boys DxB 19:54 on March 27, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      great post mate. just a small question, didnt we play AC Milan in the round of 16 last year? the germans came in the quarters

      I mentioned reiginiting the Green and Gold campaign in my post today. have a quick read.

      cheers and Come on United

    • Paul 20:11 on March 27, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      Yeah we did, I’ll hold my hands up with that one, should have known better I went to both games! Thanks for reading though. I read your blog, Dubai reds in effect eh?!?

    • cartelmike 11:43 on March 28, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      a good read.

      although i think the perceived lack of transfer investment isnt wholly accurate.

      my issue with the Glazers is that i’ll go nowhere near the ground/merchandise when i know its paying off their personal debts. I simply cant live with that thought, but that’s just me personally. I’m happy to take the potshots from people saying why lining Martin Edwards’ pockets was any different.
      I think year on year, Ronaldo money apart, theyve bankrolled us really well. Fergie has always had money, and even the Bebe/Hernandez/Smalling/Lindegaard money adds up from the last 12 months. To be honest (and again this is a personal thing) i’d rather we continue to pursue youth and build our own stars, rather than join in the ludicrous Citeh/Chelsea/Liverpool spending sprees. We do NOT want to be a club that does a £35m untried kid (Carroll) or a shot £50m striker.

    • Andreas 13:15 on March 28, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      i know its tiring to see people with megastore bag or wearing the new kit ( with green and gold scarf on! ). i saw many on the telly every home matches.

      we did many campaign about the LUHG here in Indonesia and the result weren’t that good. i tried so hard to tell them what we can do as worldwide fans are stop buying the new kit, stop buying any club’s merchandises, stop going to the Man Utd Bar and Restaurant. and i even quit on buying Inside United, the only magazine here that capable to give me the whole club news.
      We produced our own G&G scarves and sell it to our members.

      but what happened: people still buying the new kit, scarves are out of stock everytime i checked into the Nike stores, i found only me that quitting the Inside United.

      Many of our fans didnt get what the campaign is all about.

    • Rob B 14:21 on March 28, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      Firstly, ,The G&G campaign was never supposed to oust the Glazers. It was about showing our visual disdain of their ownership. MUST took the mantle on after the initial idea and the truth is they made a bit of a hash of it, which was/is disappointing. The Glazers were never going to shift because of fan reaction, but that doesnt mean we shouldnt have done it.
      Secondly, I agree with Mike..i think theyve bankrolled the manager in the correct fashion…but this is also out of necessity because of their investment and brand value. I too am not interested in United spending Torres like money on one individual player when you can get 5 Chicharitos in exchange.
      Personally, I dont think the Glazers are in it for the long haul now. Too much is going on behind the scenes. If the Qatar consortium come up with the right price then they will sell…because cash is now king, not long term investments and bonds..as has been previous financial prudence. We will all dance a jig the day it happens, but sometimes its better the devil you know than the devil you dont…..but one thing is for sure and that is that MUFC must get rid of this debt. As fans we will have to accept any owner that can relieve us of that. I will continue to go to matches…but i will not buy the kit, the programmes, the food, the megastore tat, etc. This is my own way of dealing with the fact that I cant fully give United and my ticket up. Ive always believed that every little counts towards the cause.

    • Paul 15:57 on March 28, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      Andreas, good to see that your keeping the fight going in Indonesia. Don’t lose hope.

      Rob, I agree with you there mate. I don’t want to give up my ticket as first and foremost I love going to see United. The investment is an issue though, for every Hernandez we’ve a Bebe, Obertan and Diouf. The team needs 5 or 6 players and although relying on youth would be great to conquer Europe again we need players of proven quality and high calibre.

  • The Northern Casual 14:36 on March 21, 2011 Permalink | Reply  

    Conversations From The MUFC Terraces: How Realistic Is The Treble? 

    It’s safe to say that we are now truly immersed in the business end of the season.  United sit at the top of the Premier League, in the Quarter Finals of the Champions League, and in the Semi Finals of the FA Cup.  A quite unimaginable and unexpected treble is still on the cards.  In each of these competitions we hold the fate of not only ourselves this season but three of our nearest and dearest rivals.  In the league it’s Arsenal.  In the Champions League it’s Chelsea.  And in the FA Cup it’s City.  Wins in the upcoming games against these teams would end the season for them all and leave them with the final jostle for places in next season’s Champions League.  I thought I’d take the opportunity to have a look at these three rivals and sum up their chances. (More …)

     

    • joe o'riordan 15:25 on March 21, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      Chelsea won 2 european competitions before roman came and had been a top 5 side for the previous 6 years so your assertion is false…..

    • Paul 15:48 on March 21, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      True, but before Roman came along Chelsea were far from the team/club that they are today. The Russian bankrolled them to a title they would never have won without him. That and Mourinho.

    • king gooner 16:53 on March 21, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      ***g bunch of arrogant glory hunting b’sds- stick your comments to your own jammy side-the treble would def be on if you had your epl mates in black helping you out -but alas the ref who stiched the arsenal up has also got the cl final,should you make it-where barca will tear you a new one once again!

    • janmetcalf 17:24 on March 21, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      king gooner, I’m not entirely sure but are you by any chance a tiny bit bitter about your season imploding and failure to win anything for 6 years? Please clarify your position. Cheers.

  • The Northern Casual 10:55 on March 4, 2011 Permalink | Reply  

    Conversations From The MUFC Terraces: Just Enough Education To Perform? 

    It’s fair to say that recent results have highlighted in the media, and the public forum, what many United fan has secretly known for a number of months now: that United have been, at best, average. There maybe a few Reds who now jump to the defence of the team, and in no way is this a negative view on them…more a reality check.

    The results against Crawley, in Marseille, and at Chelsea underlined that we’ve become somewhat an outfit of function long shorn of great attacking talent, in the case of Ronaldo, and dare I say it, Tevez. We’ve laboured more than blown away, won games without stepping into second gear nevermind fourth or fifth.

    The Rooney saga has undoubtedly had an effect, on the player, the team and the fans. A player who looked seemingly unstoppable last season has often looked off the pace and his mind anywhere but where it should be. There have certainly been high points in the season. Beating City, Liverpool and Arsenal at OT and of course the hammerings dished out to Blackburn and Birmingham. But even in those games we didn’t look 100% convincing. Take those against low points at Everton, Fulham, Villa, and Wolves, and at OT against West Brom. The Everton game in particular was a disappointment. As well as Everton did to get a result in that situation, no team looking at winning the league should be 3-1 up in stoppage time and not hold out for the win.

    If we win the record breaking 19th title I’ve no doubt there’ll be unreserved celebrations…especially surpassing the long stood record that the scousers were so proud of. But could this United team be the most avaerage team to win the league? The best of a bad bunch? Certainly the general consensus amongst most reds I’ve spoken to on the terraces, both home and away, seems to be that we can’t quite believe we’re top. And with points to spare. And went unbeaten for so long. To think that we’re in contention for a Treble sends shudders down the spine of every United fan.

    I hope that the Chelsea game doesn’t turn out to be our “Bayern Away” of last season. The game when everything suddenly seemed to crumble. We go into a massive game against the scousers without Vidic (who in my opinion has been immense this season), a game Liverpool will no doubt raise themselves for as beating United on Sunday would probably be the highlight of their season, and one that United can ill afford not to win. The stakes couldn’t be higher.

    Whatever happens this season, there are some positives to be taken from this season. Berbatov finally showing the class we knew he had. The emergence of Hernandez. The progress of some of your younger players (Rafael, Fabio and Smalling). But we must look to strengthen the team in the summer and try and recapture the style that swept us to 18 titles and one glorious night in Moscow. United need to keep themselves at the top. Liverpool will recover, Spurs will continue to improve, Chelsea will spend when required, and City will at some point eventually get their act together.

    United can’t afford to rest on their laurels.

     

  • The Northern Casual 12:48 on February 28, 2011 Permalink | Reply  

    MUFC Away Days: Four Goals of Flattery. United at Wigan 

    It’s a bit odd having an away trip that’s easier to get to than a United home game. Being able to walk to the game, and home afterwards has me hoping that the Latics avoid relegation this season…that and the fact that I know quite a few decent Latics fans.

    Being able to show a few travelling Reds around town, avoiding taking them to the packed places that the rest of the United fans had been herded to was also a bit of a bonus of the shortest football trip I’ll probably ever take. It’s a good though to not have the worry of being in a strange town and not knowing where you’re going as with other aways. Actually it’s not, that’s one of the good things about following United away, turning up to a town you’ve never been to and trying to find your way.

    We have a brief walk down the canal to get to the DW stadium and into the away end. There’s a decent atmosphere in the North stand (Wigan being one of the teams that give us a decent away allocation – save for the issues this season) and the United fans are in full voice. (More …)

     

  • The Northern Casual 11:20 on February 25, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , Marseille,   

    MUFC Away Days: Hospitality in the South of France. United at Marseille 

    Walking through town at 5:30am in the dark and cold I could be forgiven for thinking “what the hell am I doing?” more than a couple of times. But each pause for reflection was dispersed with the anticipation of taking another trip into Europe to see United.

    We set about our journey the day before the game, turning away from easier methods of getting to Marseille and instead opting to take trains all the way, from Wigan – London – Paris – Marseille, over the course of nine or so hours.

    The things you do for your team eh?

    The day of the game and more and more reds are milling around the streets…most people following the same suit of getting a pint for six euros, baulking at the price, and then choosing to spend the rest of the day on the streets with cheaper, shop bought drink. There are also a few groups of Marseille fans walking around but everything seemed lighthearted, and the few home fans we encountered were welcoming enough.

    A heavy riot police presence had been evident all day, but what happened when we reached the Stade Velodrome was inexplicable. (More …)

     

    • Written Offside 12:29 on February 25, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      Interesting post. Shows dedication of author to make such a journey and then experience that appalling treatment. Lets make sure we put them out in the home tie.

      • Paul 12:49 on February 25, 2011 Permalink | Reply

        Hi,
        Thanks for reading, glad you found it interesting. On the back of this I’ve registered complaints with the Football Supporters Federation, and United, over what happened.

    • manutdot 18:42 on February 25, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      Bloody disgraceful behaviour from the French Police. Reputation or not, there is no excuse for the way that many United fans were treated. Thanks for sharing your experience.

    • Paul 18:58 on February 25, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      Hi,
      Yeah it was out of order and total provocation from the French police. For any Untied fans there who witnessed/experienced what happened please contact the Football Supporters Federation to report your account.

      • Mango 08:13 on February 26, 2011 Permalink | Reply

        Thanks for sharing your story. I guess most of weren’t aware of what happened backstage of the arena. Good decision in contacting the FSF and United and hopefully you won’t be part of anything similar in the future.

        Regards.

        Mango

  • The Northern Casual 13:07 on January 2, 2011 Permalink | Reply  

    MUFC Away Days – New Year New Starts? United at West Brom 


    I’m not sure who’s great idea it was having the United game kick off at 12:45 on New Years Day but I’m sure there’s a few people who wouldn’t thank the person responsible…given the collection of bleary eyes populating the coach.

    On the face of the game I’m not sure who was out drinking more last night:

    The fans or the team! (More …)

     

  • The Northern Casual 14:52 on December 29, 2010 Permalink | Reply  

    MUFC Away Days: Saint Nick Not At St Andrews! Utd v Birmingham 

    A Tuesday night.

    Between Christmas and New Year.

    Down in Birmingham.

    You could have forgiven United’s Away Days Faithful for not being in full voice for this one. But that wasn’t the case. Not even close!

    There was an anticipation in the air that everyone going was looking forward to this game. From the lads singing on the coach, to the packed out concourse at St Andrews just before the game that was literally bouncing with energy and song. Have no doubts, we were in full voice. (More …)

     

  • The Northern Casual 13:00 on December 1, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags:   

    MUFC Away Days: Meltdown in the Snow – United at West Ham 

    Where to begin?

    Our unbeaten run (29 matches) coming to an embarrassing end? Disappointing to say the least.

    The first time I’ve seen United lose away? Gutted. Truly gutted.

    I can’t offer any excuses as to what happened in the East End snow, we deserved what we got. United put out a team that were simply out thought and out fought by a West Ham team that seemingly wanted it more. I’m not going to suggest that I don’t care about the League Cup, far from it. I was hoping for another trip to Wembley, but my real disappointment was seeing United lose on the road for the first time…and in such a fashion. (More …)

     

    • JasDunham 16:11 on December 1, 2010 Permalink | Reply

      Good post.

    • Paul 16:56 on December 1, 2010 Permalink | Reply

      Cheers for the comments, glad you liked it. Was quite strange writing following a defeat, not something I’m used to nor I want to experience again!

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