Old Trafford is a magical place – the air, the atmosphere, the people, and its association with Manchester United – everything makes it epic.
With this season going excellent, we all had a lot of hopes. Despite losing the first match of the season to Everton, we did well everywhere. Champions League, BPL, FA Cup – everything was just going perfect. Then came the interesting part: Manchester United to face Real Madrid.
To be honest, it did not scare me. I trust my team more than anything and facing Real Madrid was nothing to be scared of.
Match day and it all begins. We play the first half and we do great. Everyone is super excited, and despite being miles away in Estadio
Santiago Bernabeu, the energy was there in all of us irrespective of our locations. 1-1. Welbeck scores, Ronnie equalises: everything remains under control. The final whistle is blown and we return home happily.
Then, it’s their turn to come to Old Trafford – the ‘Theater of Dreams’, or more like the theater of our dreams. I spend the entire day dreaming of glory, and singing chants. After all, it was to be the match of the decade.
It kicked off and as the crowd roared, there was nothing I wanted more than to be at Old Trafford. The first half goes well, and I become sure by then that the ‘Godfather’ has figured out all of the ‘Special One’s’ tactics. The second half begins and it becomes apparent that this season will be a tremendous one because the passion of the players, the fans and the manager is absolutely unbelievable.
Second half, Nani’s cross, deflects off Sergio Ramos and he scores an own goal. YESSS! Indeed a special year, I tell myself.
Then happens the worst: Luis Nani gets red carded for something that is worth a yellow card – and that too if I assume myself to be a strict referee. Martin Tyler reminds us that the last time it happened, we lost 6-1 to our noisy neighbours.
But they always say Man United will never die and the players continue to fight.
Luka Modric equalises. I feel bad but I tell myself that this was it – both the teams will not score more goals now.
Cristiano Ronaldo scores. 2-1 to them. He does not celebrate and my friend tweets ‘game over’. How could he give up so easily, I ask myself. But this was a mere thought and tears roll down my cheeks. It is my club and they do not deserve what they are going through.
I try to stay calm but my mind goes insane and my heartbeat goes wild. I felt my heart ache. I believe in Allah and His miracles and I leave the match, get up and offer two nafals.
The match goes on and the Reds go insane on attack but unluckily we fail to score.
85th minute: the score is still the same.
90th minute: 2-1. Oh God! My eyes become so wet that I fail to see.
5 minutes added time. Fergie time. Bring on Ole someone, I secretly wish.
The final whistle blows. See you next year, Champions League.
I am depressed, upset and broken because my team did not deserve what it went through but I am sure that we will bounce back because Man United will never die. I will stay strong and such defeats do not mean that we forget every glorious event that we have witnessed because of Manchester United.
United yesterday, United today and United tomorrow!
Cheers!
Written by Rida Mehtab.
Rida is a United fan who believes that her team is beyond everything else.
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