The Journey Of Mixed Emotions Of A Man United Supporter

It has taken me a few days to compose myself and collect my thoughts after the events of this weekend.

Two of the great journeys in my life concluded in a fitting manner. Not only did Manchester United secure their record 19th league title, but after four years of hard work and borderline alcoholism I successfully graduated from university. As you may expect, this weekend was one of the most intense emotional roller coasters of my life. From Blackburn taking the lead to Wayne Rooney’s title-clinching penalty, from my college commencement to saying goodbye to my closest friends, this past weekend was full of ups and downs. However, although there are many epic tales that I could share from those four years, this is not the story of my now gone college days. I’m writing this now to share a nine-year journey that is far more relevant to those reading this.

This journey begins all the way back in 2002, the same year my love for Manchester United first came to life. That summer I traveled with my family to England to visit my aunt. At the time I was a simple boy from the United States with no interest in soccer, but all of that would change in my two weeks abroad. It is crazy what being in a country full of dedicated soccer fans can do to an outsider. The first time I saw a match, I fell in love with the game and the course of my soccer future was ultimately decided when England played Argentina. Despite it not being my national team, when you’re in a room full of Englishmen watching David Beckham slot home the winning goal from the penalty spot, the excitement is contagious. And so a hero was born, and my parents were forced to go and buy is jersey. A few weeks later the big question arose – how do I continue my interest in soccer beyond the World Cup? My aunt had the answer, directing me to the place I could continue to watch my new hero on a weekly basis – Manchester United.

Becoming a fan in 2002 meant a lot of things. The big one for me was that it was Beckham’s final season at the club; although by the time he departed I had grown to love the club more than the player, and my interests did not join him on his journey to Real Madrid. That was also the same year that Sir Alex Ferguson uttered the words, “My greatest challenge is not what’s happening at the moment, my greatest challenge was knocking Liverpool right off their f*****g perch. And you can print that.” At the time I was still a new fan; I won’t lie and claim that I knew the history of the club, so the quote left me a bit baffled, but it wasn’t long before I understood the significance. At the end of that season, I was provided with the perfect introduction to fandom when United took a step closer to Liverpool’s 18 titles, winning the league for the 15th time. I think having one of my first big Sir Alex moments be that quote made this journey all the more meaningful in my eyes. It was one of my first tastes as a United fan and my brain locked on to those words.
Sadly the next three seasons made the goal seem slightly more distant as Arsenal took the Premier League the following season and then Chelsea twice after that. The dream soon took on a new shape though following another World Cup as England’s public enemy number one became Manchester United’s knight in shining armor. Cristiano Ronaldo rose to become the world’s best as the club entered another period of dominance. Three more Premier League titles and we were sitting right on top of Liverpool’s perch. What a beautiful sight that was, and in the wee hours of the morning here in Illinois I’m sure my neighbors loved the cheers that echoed from my apartment and the loud popping of a champagne bottle. I know my now ex-girlfriend certainly “appreciated” my excitement as she desperately tried to sleep. I couldn’t care less though, because my seven year wait was at an end. There are fans that had been waiting far longer than I had, and I’m not sure how they managed to wait so long, but I commend each and every one of them for the dedication to the club and their patience. Seven years had been long enough.

One little point stopped United from history last season, and I was disappointed of course, but that’s all behind us now. As the final whistle blew at Ewood Park and the champagne started flowing, there was an uncontrollable wave of emotions that overcame me. I have no shame in admitting that the tears flowed along with the champagne, all with a smile on my face the entire time. What that day means for United fans truly can never be put into words. I’ve tried to do so over the past few days while considering what I would write, but every time I come up with something I just don’t think my words can do this accomplishment justice. It is just that big and that special of a moment that it seems to transcend everything else, including, for me, my commencement from university.

And so two of my life’s greatest journeys ended almost simultaneously, but as one chapter ends another one begins. As I move forth into the real world and put university behind me, Manchester United moves forward with new goals and new ambitions. It does not end here. United are only one title above Liverpool, and there is no reason they shouldn’t widen that gap. Now holding the records for both the Premier League and the FA Cup, there is one left to conquer. United’s next great challenge is against Barcelona, and I think it’s about time we started closing the gap on Real Madrid in that particular contest. But for now, let the celebrations continue and the champagne flow. Here’s to Manchester United – Champions of England!