Take Me Home, United Road

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The Tuesday of my trip to England, I had the opportunity to do something I've dreamt of doing for a while now: visit Old Trafford, home of the worlds greatest football club Manchester United. United are my team. I follow the team and its players daily and try to watch as many games as I possibly can. I know some more staunch or traditional football fans will criticize me for supporting United, saying I'm a bandwagon and that I didn't "grow up" with them as my team. Well that's just wrong, ever since I've followed European football, United has been my team. I owe that to my brother Rory as he definitely had the most influence in my fandom. Having been a United supporter himself since childhood, his interest in the sport and team introduced me to the culture that I ultimately fell in love with. Much like how a son is groomed to follow their fathers team, Rory led me to support United. Thanks bro.

As long as I've been a fan, it's been a dream to see United play live at Old Trafford. Although I did not get to see a game, being able to visit the home stadium was still a monumental moment for me. Far better, than getting to see a half reserve squad play a pre-season friendly in the U.S. 

Tuesday morning I took a train up to Manchester, having booked a ticket for a stadium tour that afternoon. On the way, I got my one chance to see Wembley, the English national stadium and knew it was a fitting premonition for the day.

Wembley, Wembley

I had some time before and after the tour to explore a bit of Manchester. Walking around the city center, it was clear to see that Manchester is a former industrial city, which is still a major part of its identity. It's not the most beautiful place, but it had its share of architectural style and a buzzing atmosphere. There is a giant Ferris wheel situated in a main square of the city. It was a beautiful day and people were out and enjoying themselves. Despite a brief episode where I got lost in a shopping mall after using the bathroom, I spent my time just walking and soaking up as much as I could.

Finally it was time, I boarded a tram that headed just a couple stops west. My heart rate started to increase as the tram pulled into the old Trafford stop. When you exit the team, the first thing you see is Old Trafford. Well, a Old Trafford. Not the one I care about. A cricket stadium right next to the tram stop shares the same name as United Stadium's and although it appeared to be a nice facility, it wasn't what I was there to see. I saw the sign for Old Trafford Football ground, and began the walk that tens of thousands of fans do every match day. It's a straight shot from the station to the stadium, and as you get closer you begin to pass the United themed food stations and supporters pubs:

Finally, the stadium comes into view. It looks small at first, but as you get closer, it begins to grow and grow until you find yourself right below the East stand:

Outside the east stand stands, Sir Matt Busby, the man responsible for Establishing United among the elite of European football. Across from him is the holy trinity of United stars from the 60s and 70's: Denis Law, George Best and of course Sir Bobby Charlton.

Along the side of the east stand are two memorials for the Munich Air Disaster. In 1958, United was returning home following A European cup tie against Red Star Belgrade, when their plane sputtered off the runway and crashed. 23 People were killed including 8 United Players and 3 United staff members as well as the pilots and several journalists and other passengers. Many more were injured, and several players were unable to play again as a result. It is by far the darkest moment in the clubs history. The United team of that time was one of the best in Europe, led by a group of successful young players known as the Busby Babes. The star of the Busby babes, Duncan Edwards was believed to be the best young player in the world and his potential was limitless. Edwards would die in the hospital from wounds suffered in the crash 15 days later.

The manager, Matt Busby was hospitalized for months with injuries suffered in the crash, teetering with death. He would go on to recover, return to his position and eventually lead the team to victory in the European cup final just 10 years later.

With my tour about to start, I made my way to the starting point within the former north stand, now know as the Sir Alex Ferguson stand, named after without a doubt the greatest football manager to ever live.

Ferguson brought United from a renowned team to the greatest football club in the world. His accomplishments are unparalleled, having won 13 Premier league titles, 5 FA Cups, 2 Champions league finals including the unprecedented treble winning 98-99 season where United won the league, FA Cup and Champions League. I was lucky enough to support United during his time as manager before his retirement in 2013. His effect in the team and club is near indescribable. It's not easy to manage the personalities, tactics and style of a massive football club. Just look at David Moyes disastrous run as United's manager last season. Ferguson just had a way that no one else has. Sorry Jose Mourinho.

Meeting for the tour inside the stadium, the anticipation was palpable. Finally the tour began and I was able to walk out of the stands and see the inside of Old Trafford for the first time with my own eyes. I'll never forget that first glimpse:

Our tour guides, two local lads, led us around various parts of the stadium, explaining in detail the history and functions of several areas. We stopped by the handicapped seating area in the southeast corner. One, because the area, provides one of the best photo ops inside the stadium:

Two, because United has one of the leading services for handicapped supporters in the world, offering over 200 free tickets to handicapped supporters for every game in great seating locations. Go United!

The next stop was the stadium press room, where game day interviews of management are held and also where United used to announce any major signings or news as well. 

However the room is just too small, only holding enough space for roughly 200 press credentials, so that bit of business is done at the clubs training complex now in a much bigger press room. 

The next stop was the players locker rooms. In comparison to what you see at American football or basketball stadiums and arenas, the locker rooms in Old Trafford may seem tame as they are nowhere near as extravagant. This is more typical in European football. 

The home locker room  does have its amenities with television, extra cooling baths and a music dock (Wayne Rooney is in charge of the pre match playlist). The players do not have peronsalized cubbies or anything but Rather sit in numerical order along the bench according to the match day roster. This makes sense as with the constant squad rotation in football. Players go in and out of the squad regularly and the locker room is quite small so those not playing players are not usually in there at the time, which is definitely different from American sports. That said I still got to sit in the seats of some of my favorite United stars like David De Gea:

The man himself, Wayne Rooney:

"Hey, you kinda look like Rooney" - Asian man taking this photo, said in broken English

And of course the Belgian hero himself, my boy Fellaini:

The visiting locker room is not as nice as the home one, with much more irritating lighting and a bit more cramped. Although their bathroom is a bit bigger:

We were then led through the entrance tunnel, which brings the players out onto the old Trafford pitch. Inside the tunnel were the boards which players stand in front on when giving immediate post match interviews. 

Although extremely corny, the tour had us line up as players, on the left side, closest to the Stretford End, and walk out of the tunnel to entrance music. Although silly, I'm not going to lie it felt cool.

The first thing you notice at field level is the pitch:

Which I learned is actually 4% rubber as rubber roots are planted along with the grass so that the grass roots have something to hold on to and are a lot stronger as a result. Boom grass knowledge coming at you. This pitch was planted 4 years ago and should last the club about 10 years. It cost about 1 million pounds, which is a puny investment in comparison to say Angel Di Maria.

We then made our way to the team dugouts where I had the opportunity to sit in Louis Van Gaal's chair:

And Formerly! David Moyes'

And survey the pitch from that perspective:

In front of the dugouts is a time capsule buried for Old Trafford's 100th anniversary and will be unearthed at the stadium's 200th.

We exited through the old players tunnel, which runs between the team dugouts. The tunnel has some various historical pictures of Old Trafford, including this picture of the goalkeeper during the first match ever played at the stadium:

The tour concluded with a cheesy little video featuring the great Ryan Giggs, before leading us directly into the United Megastore. I decided to pick up a new Fellaini kit and some other small knick knacks to celebrate the occasion.

In addition to the tour, I also had the opportunity to visit the Club museum. Before you walk into the museum, you are greeted with this lovely portrait of Sir Alex: 

Take a closer look, and you'll see that the portrait is actually compiled of written names, names of every player to play a match for United's first team under Sir Alex. Very Cool.

The exhibition has an interesting set up, starting with a profile of George Best and his role as football's first celebrity.

This is what he looked like before he was famous

From there, you see the clubs trophy room, which houses many of the lesser recognized trophies won by United, but which there are many of:

This is what a trophy cabinet looks like City.

There is a section devoted to the Manchester United Kit throughout the ages, from its simple start as a workshirt, development of the red and white color scheme, introduction of sponsors, some obscure design choices, transition between suppliers and up to the current iteration.

There are plenty of game worn kits, including the one worn by Rooney in his debut.

There is also a series of International shirts worn by United players, which even included this US kit from the famous US victory over England in the 1950 World Cup, although it wasn't worn by a United player but exchanged with one.

There is also a plethora of player memorabilia as well as a hall dedicated to legendary United players.

It included Peter Schmeichel's gloves and shinguards:

Ruud Van Nistelrooy's epic goal scoring boots from 2004:

And this collection of Eric Cantona memorabilia: 

Other exhibits include a profile of United's history from beginnings to modern day, a focus on United and the roles of its players during the 1st and 2nd World Wars, and a room based on United's international status which also includes this hilarious picture of Anderson:

The grand exhibition of the museum is the section devoted to United's treble winning season. The exhibit takes you through a tunnel giving a monthly as well as game by game breakdown of the season before culminating in that seasons kits:

And of course the trophies won:

The museum was a terrific experience for a United fan like myself and a nice complement to the tour. I really could not have picked a better time to visit Old Trafford with the sun shining, everyone buzzing about the teams recent performances and the final preparations being made towards the upcoming Manchester derby which would be hosted that weekend. (Which now having happened, I can say that United won and dominated City, so yip yip). I realize that this experience won't resonate with everyone reading this, but I can't say enough just how much it meant to me. Even if you're not a United fan or a soccer fan, Old Trafford is still a wonderful venue with tons of history and a great atmosphere, even when there's no one there or playing. Till next time. cheers.