I started consciously supporting Man United in 2001 when I turned eight, as it was the first birthday that I was given the gift of a football shirt. Despite being made of polyester it became my life, wearing it all weekend and sleeping in it at night. My parents have always said that I was sporty from an early age but it was Man United's Premier League win in 2000-01 that really sparked my intense interest in football, and I have never looked back since. One thing that stands out from that birthday for me was when I looked on the back of the shirt and there being no name. I instantly questioned this and my Grandma took it upon herself to cut and sow the name of my favourite player onto the shirt; name was Ryan Giggs. It wasn't perfect by any means but it signified a new era in my life, something my family hadn't come across before - the football supporter, player and most importantly, reviewer.
Sir Alex is the mercurial leader that every manager, and even player, aspired to be. He combined being a gentleman off the pitch, along with aggressive competitiveness and ruthless determination on it. Perhaps his most infamous mark on the game is that of 'Fergie Time', the phrase in fact that gives this blog it's name. 'Fergie Time' has on occasion given United enough time to draw or even win the most important games of the season, giving forth accusations that Ferguson was bribing the officials, all of which is untrue. Most famously is the derby match with Manchester City, which ended in a 4-3 victory for United after Michael Owen's 96th minute winner.
For 12 years I had never known anything other than a Sir Alex Ferguson led Man United, so when he declared his retirement on 8th May 2013 my heart sank. 1st June 2013 signalled a new era for Manchester United with the acquisition of former Everton manager, David Moyes. Most Red Devil fans would have been pleased with this appointment because as was pointed out by the press on many occasions, Moyes is cut from the same cloth as Ferguson; he's Scottish and, having spent 10 years at Everton, looks to be a good long term investment for United. All we can hope is that not winning a trophy in his first season doesn't spell the end, afterall Ferguson didn't win anything in his first 5 seasons. It may be hard for some United fans to face but it may take some time for everything to gel back to the unity that was the Ferguson dressing room, and what with Moyes replacing all the backroom staff, we really are starting with a clean slate.
No comments:
Post a Comment