There are two small stories about the red devils that I would love to share:
1. Attack is the best way of defense:
I don’t really remember exactly how I fell in love the Red Devils. But like other youngsters, I & my bro were fascinated & attracted to Manchester United during one of their peak periods in the late 90’s. Together with the facts that English football was very popular in Vietnam back then and they got some of the most talented & handsome guys like Ryan Giggs and David Beckham in their team, United attracted us by the way they played their football, extremely beautiful & sexy. Attack, Attack & Attack. It seemed like everytime they played, not matter where they did or who their opponents were, we would always get something interesting to watch. There were some amazing & thrilling moments that I still remember till now like the dramatic late 2-extra-minutes comeback to champion over Bayer Munich or the heavenly 5-3 comeback over Tottenham after being led 0-3.
I can’t forget a famous speech of one of their legends – Ryan Giggs, which summarized all their philosophy, before a returned away match versus the giant Real Madrid that basically says “Although we’ve got the advantage, we’re gonna still attack because we know attack is the best way of defense“. Oh what a thought! The saying still impresses me untill now.
…
Their philosophy is now changed. They are now willing to play passively & unbeautifully as long as they get results. Because of 3 points, they are willing to play down times. They hardly dare to play their traditional 4-4-2 formation in Champion League away matches. I know there are always ups & downs. Now they’re no longer the one and only one English giant. The emergences of Chelsea and recently Man City, who are all backed by their mega wealthy owners from Russia &the Middle East respectively, have threatened their opportunities much more than ever before. Heavily in debt, they now couldn’t afford to buy the top and most expensive players. Some of their best players even left them for bigger challenges. Although Sir Alex Ferguson has been working miracle in order to lengthen their glory days while they’re deeply in crisis; although, in fact, they went to the 3 over 4 Champion Leaguge finals before the disappointed elimination in the Group Stage this year, they’ve got to change and rejuvenate themselves faster and more thoroughly so as to prove again their manager’s famous saying: “Form is temporary, Class is permanent!”
2. Thrilling
First of all, with my favorite team losing the champion with 30 seconds remaining, I have to say, f*ck you, Manchester City! But… what a game!
1-0 City led at the very first minutes, a little wonder. But whoever could imagine that QPR could equalise, keep the score and even lead 1-2 until the last couple of minutes?
It was the minutes of excitement and fascination – yah, City, who are you? You’re nothing but an inexperience competitor.
But then something happened. An equalized goal at 90′ – no problem, when the ball was kicked off again, it would be gone already. But no.. a stupid kick-off between two QPR players… the last attack.. Oh… GOAL! Miracle really occured!
Watching their fans and players celebrating, I feel really touched. It reminds me of the reasons why I love football in general and United in particular. 90+ minutes of ups and down, of happiness and sadness. All of them mixed together created a very-hard-to-describe feeling. Although I still shake my head in disbelief, I have to admit that was what football is all about and it was indeed one of the best moments I have ever seen. If the 2-extra-minute winning back the champion of United created history, this 4-extra-minute coming back from hell of City deserves the same praise!
After an excellent fight to equalise the 8 points difference, there is really no better way to win the titlte. What a match! What a season! Manchester City, you totally deserved it. Congratulation!