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Normally, a fan would associate his favourite games with a milestone of his team. For someone who has been an ardent follower of the beautiful game and a die hard Red Devil since 1999, some of the greatest games he could think of having witnessed would be United’s Champions’ League final triumph at Barcelona in 1999, or the one in Moscow in 2008 or when they lifted the domestic title for a record 19th time in 2011. However, the sporting contest that will probably be etched in my memory for ever would be the recent Manchester Derby of the ongoing season which United won dramatically, pertaining to one simple reason: vengeance.
May 13, 2012 was one of the darkest days for me as a United fan. It was a pain to see the Blue side of Manchester dance in the isles over last minute drama, which decided the fate of the entire season. A season, which United may not have deserved fully to clinch, but the way in which it was snatched from us from our fiercest rivals was what hurt me the most, so much that I burst into tears, pretty much normal for someone who hates to see his team finish anything but first.
December 9, 2012 was the day for United to redeem its pride. It wasn’t complete revenge, as the wounds of May 13 were deeper than anyone could imagine, but surely enough of an opportunity to make a statement. Manchester United is a different side from the one, which was humiliated on both occasions by City in the last season, owing to the inclusion of one name, Robin van Persie. City’s form has been not up to the standards set by them last season, but it was good enough to wipe away any team that came to the Etihad, as they ran on the back of a staggering home record of 37 unbeaten games, making their own backyard, a fortress.
But when it comes to Manchester Derbies, all the past records, analysis and predictions usually go for a toss, and so they did. The contest was riveting, with twists and turns all throughout the 90 minutes. In a game of contrasting approaches, United were the hungrier of the two. Although, City started brightly, United showed their menace thanks to one moment of magic. Robin van Persie chested a ball neatly allowing Ashley Young to run on the counter and deliver a neat pass to Wayne Rooney who’s scuffed effort on goal helped the ball creep into the bottom corner.
United have traditionally been strong on the wings and that helped them double their lead in the first half. Valencia and Rafael combined brilliantly on the right flank, the latter timed his low cross in the box aptly for Rooney to dash into the box and hit the bottom corner of the net, yet again. 2-0 at half time and I was frenzied! Revenge was in sight, although a feeble voice of fear from the corner of my heart said to me, ‘It isn’t over! It’ll never be over until the last minute. Not at least against City’.
Roberto Mancini chose to start with Balotelli over Tevez, owing to the Italian’s intimidating presence on the field and his impressive performance in the 6-1 mauling of the Red Devils last season. But Mario’s mediocre performance in the first half made his manager bring on the former United striker in his place; that substitution worked wonders! City, like in the first half, looked the better team in the initial phase, but this time they had intent to overcome the two goal deficit. Yaya Toure started the comeback for the home team by slotting in a neat finish from a neat ball by Tevez after a couple of good saves by United keeper, De Gea. By then the noise in the Etihad stadium amplified and the fans started believing that their team can do what United have been doing to every team since long. A
fter that goal, the fear started creeping in. Every time City brought the ball in the United half, there was an eerie chill down my spine. City were growing in confidence. That reflected from their possession and United’s precarious defending. And the moment of truth came on the 86th minute, when Pablo Zabaleta drilled in a powerful shot after he found the ball on the edge of the box following a clearance on a City corner. The crowd in the stadium went berserk and just like mine, the hearts of every United fan watching the game sunk. It was 2-2 with over 4 minutes of normal time left.
But we United fans are just like our team, we never give up. I believed in my team to do what City did to us last season. A last minute upset would have been fitting to complete a mouth watering contest. In the 93rd minute, United got a free kick outside the box. Van Persie stepped in after a brief chat with Rooney as to who would go for it. The Dutchman’s shot took a slight deflection of a cowardly Samir Nasri, who was supposed to be blocking the shot, and the ball flew past Joe Hart into the bottom corner. That winning goal sent me into ecstasy! That feeling of salvation ran through. United did the unthinkable! They beat City in front of their own fans. The game, looked by Hollywood heartthrob, Tom Cruise, who would have thought of the contest no less than one of his own flicks.
RvP: a shrewd piece of business.
The day Robin van Persie was bought by Manchester United, United fans across the globe expressed a feeling of uncertainty and apprehension over the transfer. 24 million pounds for a striker in his late twenties, wasn’t ideally the smartest move at that time. Although, van Persie was continuously making a statement every time he scored prior to the derby, trying to justify his transfer and his fee, I was only convinced of his inclusion in the squad after that very moment when he sent millions of fans into unprecedented joy.
On the other hand, Manchester City would have rued over not choosing to go for the Dutchman, allowing their neighbours to clinch the deal. What might have hurt them more is that he turned out to be the difference between the two teams on the day and that he was influential in ending their home record, making Etihad a fortress no more.
It is still not the end of the season with well over a quarter of the half still to go. United have a 10 point lead as of today (City though have a game in hand) to live with and look the likelier of the two Manchester teams to win the league. However, with United’s European commitments and another leg of the Manchester derby yet to be played, anything is possible. United having squandered an 8 point lead last season would well be in the minds of the sky blues.
The encounter on December 9, 2012 may not be a milestone in anyway, nor would it be significant in United’s chase for a 20th title. But this has been my favourite sporting encounter in the recent years, because this was one fixture I had been looking forward to ever since United lost the title in the last season. That feeling of redemption and revenge was so immense after the win that it surpassed all the other winning moments that I have ever witnessed as a Manchester United fan.
