Manchester United: Down but not out

Rishabh

The red half of Manchester may not be going through the best of times. A dismal seventh place last season, an exit from Europe and a miserable start to this season with just two points out of a possible nine. There remains a deep fear among the United faithfuls that even they might end up like their Merseyside rivals - deprived of Premier league glory. Well it would be easy to feel sceptical about the future of the club. But those who really know the Red Devils, the Champions League final of 1999 will always remain fresh in their minds, especially the last three minutes, the minutes which took Manchester United to the pinnacle of club football.

That victory along with many more where United had its back against the wall, almost on the brink of defeat and then against all odds they pulled themselves back and from the verge of becoming history they rather turned into history makers.

The instances when United were written off by most, those were the times when they saw the very best display of grit and valor and United have been doing this year in and year out. It’s like coming back from adversity is a trait woven in the vary fabric of this football club. The man who best exemplifies this spirit of Manchester United is Sir Matt Busby. Even after losing half of his squad in the Munich disaster, the man didn't bow down in front of the plethora of problems and misfortune which had deeply struck the club. Giving up was easy but that is so unlike Manchester United.

Leaving aside capitulation, Sir Matt Busby rebuilt the team and 10 years after that tragic plane crash, made them first English club to win the European Cup and it seems that undying spirit was injected into the veins of this football club. With Sir Alex Ferguson, came the ‘Fergie Time’ which was nothing other than the exhibition of courage taking agony head on.

That night in Nou Camp is by far the most decorated comeback of Manchester United but it’s just one of the many triumphs which the club has completed after almost being on the brink of defeat.

The 5-3 thrashing of Tottenham after going 0-3 down at the end of the first half.

The 97th minute winner against Sheffield Wednesday.

The 4th round game against Liverpool in the 1999 FA Cup.

Tthe semifinal against Juventus just before that final.

The 3-3 against Chelsea are a few chosen from the legion of comebacks which this football club has shown time and time again. Go ask the Robsons, the Solskjaers, the Yorkes, the Owens or even the Machedas and they will tell you that if there is hope somewhere in football, it is here at the Theatre of Dreams.

Needless to say that the difficult times which this great football club is going through are ephemeral. Although drastic changes may happen under Van Gaal, Manchester United may never have a ‘Class of 92’ again, it might become ‘Gaalacticos’ but that ‘never say quit’ attitude, that hunger, that injury time adrenaline rush will always remain in there incessant and unperturbed. So will Manchester United make a comeback? The question is best answered in the commentary of Clive Tyldesley after 90 minutes and 26 seconds of that Champions League final had passed. “Will Manchester United Score? They always score”.

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Edited by Staff Editor