Its about to begin

The new EPL season is about to begin. Soccer crazy fans all around the world just can’t wait for kick off! For us out here in Mumbai and at the Manchester United Fan Club of Mumbai, Sunday just couldn't come sooner. It was a dream end to last season, 2 trophies for all the hard work.



The new season had a good curtain raiser in the form of the traditional Community Shield game. United played Portsmouth, the team that knocked them out of the FA Cup, and won the game on penalties (déjà vu anyone...) A win is a win and a trophy would please a United fan on any given day, and that to coming at the start of what could be a grueling season.

Chelsea, runners up (to United) in the EPL and UEFA Champions League have bolstered their team. Avram Grant has given way to Scolari (Brazils World Cup winning Team Coach, last coached Portugal in the EURO Championship 2008).

Liverpool, hopefully will standup and be counted and not just flatter to deceive in the EPL, they somehow seem to play on a different plateau altogether when it comes to the Champions League though.

Arsenal, surprisingly have let many of their star performers leave, will Arsene Wenger go the United way and put youth to the fore??Guess we will have to wait and watch.

Tottenham, Blackburn, Aston Villa, Portsmouth, Manchester City (with Ex-United player, Mark Hughes at the helm) will be a handful. One of these teams will surely give the top four a run for their money. Though as it has been seen over the years, it’s at the final leg – post January the many of these teams lose focus and the Top Four stay as they are. Will this season be any different…

Manchester United haven’t bought any one in yet. SAF knows his team and a swoop for an imposing striker up front should come through very soon. You will not find many Star players, but you will be sure to notice hardworking Team-players who give their sweat and blood to ensure the Color of Champions is “Manchester Red”.

The season is going to have its share of thrills and spills, of sheer ecstasy and heart-break, of ups and downs, of Red cards and Yellow Cards, of super saves and jaw-dropping goals. All in all it promises to be a joy-ride for which we wish we all had season passes!! Nonetheless MUFCM has its own special way of bringing out the vociferous you to the fore in all its screenings (come watch it in a sea of red, where all that you will hear is GLORY GLORY MAN UNITED).

United take on Newcastle in the season opener, it will not be an easy game. The record books say that it will either be a draw or win for the home team. Well for us hard core Man United fans, a win will see us all go home smiling.


Julien Menezes