European Super Football

It's time to for another sliding doors moment in football  We travel back to 2004. Manchester United face Porto in the last-16 of the Champions League.  Author - Liam C What actually happened? A ontroversial offside call against Paul Scholes became a pivotal moment in European football history. The disallowed goal cost United a place in the quarter-finals, while Porto, managed by the up and coming manager José Mourinho, went on to win the competition and launch Mourinho into the managerial elite. But what if Scholes hadn’t been ruled offside? How might this alternative scenario have changed the landscape of world and European football? Scholes wasn’t offside: United progress Had the linesman not flagged Scholes for offside, Manchester United would have progressed to the next round of the Champions League. Scholes' goal was legitimate, and had it stood, United would have won the tie on aggregate, knocking out Porto and ending their European dreams. With the Red Devils moving

Manchester United were the first English team to win the European Cup back in 1968.  Let's have a look at some of their greatest ever nights in European competition. Click here to read more news from the often crazy world of Manchester United.    More on the 1968 European Cup final A dream come true for Sir Matt Busby. United had suffered the tragedy of Munich a decade earlier and recovered over the next few years to eventually become champions of Europe for the first time. They won 4-1 after extra time and their legendary team of the 1960's finally won the competition. Watch some highlights from the match in the video below. Barcelona at home in 1984 After Sir Matt Busby retired and before Sir Alex Ferguson took over at United in 1986, they very rarely performed well in Europe. They did have the occasional great night though. The editor of Greater Manchester Football spoke about the match: "Old Trafford has never been louder. The Stretford End was rocking in response to

The first sliding doors moment we are going to explore involves Manchester United and Alan Shearer. Author - Liam C In the summer of 1996, Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson made a huge effort to sign England striker Alan Shearer from Blackburn Rovers.  Shearer was the most prolific goal scorer in English football at the time, having just won the Premier League Golden Boot in both 1995 and 1996.  Ultimately, Shearer chose to join his boyhood club, Newcastle United, for a then-record fee of £15 million. However, an alternative scenario in which Shearer decided to sign for Manchester United could have dramatically affected both the club and the footballing landscape in the Premier League. The Old Trafford club decided to sign a certain unheard-of Norwegian at the time. He didn't do too badly... So, what if Shearer moved to Manchester United in 1996? In this alternate reality, Manchester United sign Shearer and he joins a team fresh off winning the Premier League and FA C

Manchester United are in discussions with Erik ten Hag about a new contract, having decided he will stay on as manager for next season. Following their end-of-season review, United concluded that Ten Hag is the right person to lead them forward under the new regime headed by co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe. Ten Hag, 54, is keen to remain at the club and has had positive discussions with United regarding their review of the season. After winning the FA Cup , he was left in limbo for two-and-a-half weeks as United considered whether to replace him. However, they felt it was important for the new ownership to conduct a thorough assessment. While Ten Hag led United to their lowest-ever Premier League finish, in eighth place, and a group-stage exit from the Champions League, they also considered his achievement of securing two trophies in as many years, including a third-place finish in his debut campaign. Ten Hag attributed last season's struggles, which he described as "horrible,

After his stunning free-kick for Manchester United Legends against Celtic Legends, we thought we'd examine Wayne Rooney's most iconic goals for Manchester United. His time at Old Trafford was marked by spectacular goals that not only highlighted his skill but also often proved crucial in the team's success. Here, we will explore some of his best goals for the club, showcasing the diverse nature of his striking prowess. Post match Rooney back in 2008. Photo credit -  Gordon Flood | Flickr Stoke City (2017) A record-breaking goal. Goal number 250 arrived in front of the watching Sir Bobby Charlton and Sir Alex Ferguson who had brought him to Old Trafford 12-and-a-half years ago. It also gave United a point in a match that they probably deserved to lose.  Manchester City (2011)  He loved a goal against Manchester City. One of his most memorable strikes came in the 2011 Manchester derby. In this almost high-stakes match at Old Trafford, Rooney produced a stunning bicycle k

It's time to look at another football icon.  This time it's Nemanja Vidic.   A quick summary of his club career  After establishing himself at Red Star Belgrade during the early 2000s, Vidić moved to Spartak Moscow in the summer of 2004. His form for club and country prompted a £7 million transfer to Manchester United in January 2006.  The video below contains some of his early career moments. Footage from DelijeTube on YouTube Vidić established a prominent defensive partnership with Rio Ferdinand the following season, and was eventually selected as the new team captain of Manchester United at the start of the 2010–11 season. His captaincy ran over the course of four seasons, until his departure in July 2014. He played his last home match for Manchester United on 6 May against Hull City, in which he received three standing ovations: one during a pre-match presentation for him by Sir Bobby Charlton, the second when he came on as a substitute for Phil Jones, and the thir

Manchester United 0 - 6 Chelsea Chelsea clinched their sensational fifth consecutive Women's Super League title in style, with a resounding victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford in Emma Hayes' final match as manager. The Blues, who started the level on points with Manchester City but ahead on goal difference, knew they might need a substantial win to secure the title on the final day. With so much at stake, Chelsea's players rose to the occasion, displaying a ruthless efficiency that United couldn't match. British record signing Mayra Ramirez delivered an outstanding performance, scoring twice and setting up the other two goals, as Hayes' team went into half-time with a 4-0 lead. Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, Sjoeke Nusken, Melanie Leupolz, and Fran Kirby each added a goal to Ramirez's brilliant brace, sealing a commanding victory for Chelsea. It was the perfect send-off for Hayes , who was visibly emotional on this remarkable afternoon in Manchester, m

The recent news that the Glazer family are selling Manchester United has created a lot of rehashed discussion, enhancing a lot of debates created back when the American family first bought the club.  Twitter user @Heathen1878 explores this and the current state of affairs regarding Manchester United. Warning and disclaimer - The views here are of the writer, not us. He's more than happy to discuss points made on his Twitter.  It was around September 2021 when I arrived back in Manchester for the first time since March 2020. I landed on the morning of Man United's Premier League game against Newcastle. It was also Cristiano Ronaldo's return to the club. I stopped going to Old Trafford in 2005 and have only been back once. I stopped going due to the Glazer takeover and general sadness with the way modern football is going.  It was at this point that I really realised how much United's support had changed over recent times and also wondered what this might mean for t

Does there need to be a change in tactics? Do they need a new manager? What's next for the Old Trafford club? Despite last season's FA Cup win, United fans views on the future of Ten Hag were split. After finishing eighth in the Premier League last season, many fans wondered if he was the right man to lead the club back to its former glories.  Some supporters also argued that his tactical approach was too rigid, and there was additional growing concerns about his ability to adapt to the demands of the English game.  Debate about Ten Hag's future again Once again, the Dutchman's position at the helm of one of football's giants has shifted from persistent uncertainty to genuine crisis following a 3-0 defeat against Tottenham. For United's hierarchy, the choice to stick with the ex-Ajax manager is proving to be one that may cast a shadow over the early phase of his reign at Old Trafford. But the question now is whether they should double down on their decision

How has the world of football translated onto the small screen? We have picked some excellent documentaries and TV series that are worth a watch. Dream Team Dream Team was a drama that aired on Sky One from 1997 to 2007. It chronicled the on-field and off-field affairs of the fictional Harchester United Football Club. It was more dramatic than many of the Netflix and Amazon Prime series based on real-life football teams.  Renford Rejects A series that examines and explores the grassroots side of football. The centre of this show is a five-a-side school football team, made up of aspiring players who had been turned down by their school team. They were named Renford Rejects when a rival player sabotaged their league entry form. They ultimately decided to stick with the name as it suited the outcast nature.  Welcome to Wrexham An American sports documentary series that premiered in August 2022. It documents the events of Wrexham A.F.C. It was told by the club's owners Rob McElhenn

 It's time to explore another football icon. This time it's Patrice Evra A brief summary He is a French football coach and former professional player. Originally a forward, he mainly played as a left-back.Evra served as captain for both Manchester United and the France national team. His former manager Sir Alex Ferguson praised Evra for his leadership, also describing him as one of the best left-backs in Europe. <Click here to read about more icons> The start of Evra's career Evra was born in Senegal and arrived in Europe when he was a year old. Evra started his career with the Italian club Marsala. The following season, he joined Monza but returned to France a year later to play for Nice where he was converted into a full-back. In 2002, he joined Monaco and was part of the team that reached the 2004 UEFA Champions League Final.  Becoming a Manchester United legend Evra's performances for Monaco culminated in a move to English club Manchester United in January

How has the world of football translated onto the small screen? We have picked some excellent documentaries and TV series that are worth a watch. Dream Team Dream Team was a drama that aired on Sky One from 1997 to 2007; it chronicled the on-field and off-field affairs of the fictional Harchester United Football Club. It was certainly more dramatic than many of the Netflix and Amazon Prime series that are based on real-life football teams.  Sunderland ‘Till I Die Sunderland ‘Till I Die is a documentary series focusing on Sunderland A.F.C. The first series showcases their year in the Championship and a second successive relegation. During the second series, fortunes start to improve for the Tyne and Wear side, but it ultimately ends in heartbreak as they lose in the League One Play-Off Final. All or Nothing: Tottenham Hotspur This is a documentary series focusing on the 2019–20 season of Tottenham Hotspur. It showcases a difficult season for the club, beginning with the sacking

 Let's explore the history of the rivalry between Liverpool and Manchester United.  It is considered to be one of the biggest rivalries in world football along with the Old Firm derby in Scotland and the Superclásico in Argentina. Gary Neville is a player that often symbolised the rivalry between the two clubs. This means more! Fans and players of both clubs have often argued that this rivalry means more than each local rivalry. People have often said hat the rivalry has been fuelled by the proximity of the two major cities that they represent, their historic economic and industrial rivalry, significant periods of domestic footballing dominance and European success, and their popularity at home and abroad, as two of the biggest-earning and widely supported football clubs in the world. Each club can also claim a level of historical supremacy. They are the most successful English teams in domestic, European and worldwide competitions. Between them they have won 39 league titles,

Before Sir Alex Ferguson took over at Manchester United in 1986, they very rarely performed well in Europe. They did have the occasional great night though. Context:  United lost the first leg of the 1984 Cup Winners Cup Quarter Final 2-0. A Barcelona side, featuring the late Diego Maradona, were expected to comfortably hold out on the night. Watch: 2 minute highlights What do people say about the game? In 2014, Arthur Albiston told the Guardian: "The atmosphere inside Old Trafford that night as the most intense he has ever experienced."  Read More  One United fan was asked on Twitter about his favourite United, he replied: "A bit obvious but United versus Barca 1984, cried like a good one !!" This interesting article from the Manchester Evening News  explores the match in a different way. It contains more quotes from players involved in the game. Goalkeeper Bailey said to the local news organisation: "Graeme Hogg came in because we were missing both centre bac

Ahead of the upcoming Premier League match between Manchester United and Liverpool, we take a look back at some dramatic encounters between the two sides The game has featured some truly memorable moments over the years. United 2 - 1 Liverpool - January 1999 In January 1999, Manchester United pulled off the perfect smash-and-grab with two goals in the last two minutes to secure a famous FA Cup victory over their arch rivals. Ole provides fascinating insight into his famous FA Cup winner v Liverpool in 1999... Click below to watch the full feature 👇 — Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 24, 2019 United, who at the time had not been beaten by the Anfield side in the competition since 1922, looked to be heading out after being caught napping by Michael Owen's second minute header. The impression at the time was that United were not going to score no matter what they did and that was reinforced after 79 minutes when Keane's shot beat James, hit the post and bounced to safety.

Ole is no longer at the wheel Manchester United have sacked manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer following their 4-1 defeat at Watford. Michael Carrick has been placed in temporary charge while United reportedly seek an interim manager to the end of the current campaign. The club released a statement: "His place in the club's history will always be secure, not just for his story as a player, but as a great man and a manager who gave us many great moments. "He will forever be welcome back at Old Trafford as part of the Manchester United family." See the below for some reaction from that awful performance away at Watford. Solskjaer replaced Jose Mourinho on an interim basis back in December 2018. He was then given the job full-time in March 2019 on a three-year contract and, in July, signed a new deal with the club until 2024. Solskjaer was the club's fourth permanent manager since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013. He had lasted longer than more experienced predecessors

Manchester United 5 - 2 Leicester City  Ruud van Nistelrooy began his tenure as Manchester United’s interim manager on a high, with his team cruising past Leicester to secure a spot in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals. Author - Olivia T Just two days after stepping in following Erik ten Hag's dismissal , Van Nistelrooy’s call for an exciting performance was more than delivered by his players. Casemiro got the party started with a stunning long-range strike and went on to score again before half-time. After an initial header rattled off both posts, the Brazilian reacted quickly to slot the ball in from eight yards out. Alejandro Garnacho contributed his fifth goal of the season , and captain Bruno Fernandes had a bit of luck with his free-kick, which deflected off Leicester’s James Justin and into the net. Defensively, United weren’t flawless. Some familiar issues allowed Bilal El Khannouss and Conor Coady to pull goals back for Leicester before the break. Coady’s finish, a firs

It's time to explore another football icon. This time it's Bryan Robson.  A former player and manager that is held in high regard by so many in English and world football. The start of a fantastic career Bryan Robson started his career with West Bromwich Albion in 1972, making over 200 appearances and serving as club captain. During his time at West Brom, he scored 46 goals in 245 appearances. In 1981, he moved to Manchester United. This is where he made a name for himself.  Becoming a Manchester United legend He very quickly became the club's longest-serving captain. During his time there, he won two Premier League titles, three FA Cups, one Football League Cup, two FA Charity Shields, and a European Cup Winners' Cup . Known as "Captain Marvel," Robson was voted the greatest-ever Manchester United player in a 2011 poll of former players, conducted for a book celebrating the club's 19th league title. One of his finest performances for the club came in 1

A cult hero is defined by the Oxford Dictionary as... a writer, musician, artist, or other public figure who is greatly admired by a relatively small audience or is influential despite limited commercial success. Diego Forlan is definitely a cult hero in the football world.  Forlan signs for Manchester United Forlán was signed for Manchester United by Sir Alex Ferguson for just under seven million pounds back in January 2002. He made his debut on 29 January as a 76th-minute substitute for Ole Gunnar Solskjær in a 4–0 away win at Bolton Wanderers.  He made his first start in 4–0 home victory over Tottenham Hotspur on 6 March. Forlán made 13 Premier League and five UEFA Champions League appearances in the 2001–02 season but did not score. Becoming a cult hero During a two month period in the 2002/2003 season, Forlan became a legend in the eyes of many Manchester United fans. On 1 December, he scored his first brace for the club with goals in the 64th and 67th minute of an away 2–1 Prem

A Manchester United tells us of his emotional connection to the club and why he is so frustrated with the current situation. This is the first article of our Fans Voice series. If you want to get involved, please message us on Twitter and we'll respond as soon as possible. My first United game was the last watched by the old Stretford End. We beat Tottenham 3-1 and was mesmerised by the sights and sounds. In the previous weeks, we had thrown away a lead at the top of old First Division and lost the title to Leeds United. My dad knew this would be my first game and thought it would be a title party, sadly he was mistaken. We only had to wait another year to finally clinch the title and we were both there as we celebrated winning the first-ever Premier League. I was slightly older so was able to appreciate things a bit more. Little did my and my dad know though but football was about to change forever. Domination but at what cost? Over the next six years, United would win everyth