Old Trafford: The Theatre of Dreams (nicknamed by Sir Bobby Charlton) is the home ground of Manchester United, the most successful club in all of England. Founded in 1878 as Newton Heath before transforming into Manchester United in 1902, the club has 20 League titles, 11 FA Cups, 3 European titles, 1 Club World Cup among a plethora of many other trophies. They are the only club in England to ever win the Premier League-FA Cup-UEFA Champions League treble in 1999 under the guidance of Sir Alex Ferguson.
Featured here is the North Stand, now known as the Sir Alex Ferguson Stand. Following the retirement of Sir Alex, United slumped to 7th in the 2013-14 season, our worst ever finish in the Premier League. Enter the Van Gaal and Giggs era! 4 months in, things are still wobbly but we always BELIEVE.
We'll keep the Red flags flying high, cos Man United never die!
Enter the Stadium! Standing at the Sir Alex Ferguson Stand, looking across to the South Stand, which used to be our main stand. On either sides of the stand are the studios that MUTV (east) and other broadcasters (BBC/BT/Sky etc.) use on match days.
The tunnel seen below is the only part of the original stadium (built in 1910) that still stands.
Welcome to Old Trafford, The Theatre of Dreams! All kitted out! When the great Sir Bobby Charlton names it "Theatre of Dreams", you jolly well keep the name!
Even my little sister is well-kitted out!
My little sister at the East Stand.
There is a section here reserved specially for the disabled. More about the East Stand when we headed out...
Seen in the background are the North and West Stands, better known today as the Sir Alex Ferguson Stand and the Stretford End, as seen emblazoned across the roof.
The Stretford End is where the loudest and most hardcore United fans are. It's so intense that in some games, the Stretford End literally sucked the ball into the goal for United to go on to win the game!
What's missing here are the famous series of Stretford End banners which are on display during matches. The legendary Denis Law also has a statue on the upper concourse of the stand. He's not called the King of the Stretford End for no reason!
With just the Sir Alex Ferguson Stand now. It is Old Trafford's main stand and was renamed on 5th November 2011, in honour of Sir Alex's amazing 25 years as United manager.
The Impossible Dream, Made Possible by Sir Alex Ferguson! (Cue Andy Williams "The Impossible Dream")
Thank you, Sir Alex!
Back outside the stadium at the East Stand. In my opinion, it's the most important stand of Old Trafford because it is dedicated to the memory of the victims of the Munich disaster in 1958. A plaque with the names of the 11 Manchester United staff and players along with the last photo of the Busby Babes can be seen here as well.
Contrary to the belief that the clock permanently displays 3.04pm, this clock is a working clock.
The Munich Air Disaster is ingrained into the history of Manchester United more than anything. While it's been more than 5 decades since it happened, it is never forgotten. All true red United fans will know this and will always remember the 6th of February 1958.
There were 12 others who didn't make it after the crash and their names can be found in the Munich Tunnel.
With the help of Jimmy Murphy, Matt Busby rebuilt United from scratch and won the European Cup a decade on. (Real Madrid had offered to give the trophy they won in 1958 to United but UEFA being who they are didn't allow for it) 50 years on, Edwin van der Sar produced the crucial penalty save that won United our 3rd European crown at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Russia.
In the press room, where new signings' and UEFA press conferences are carried out.
Apparently, it's not often that you'll get to take a photo in here if you're not the manager of Manchester United. It was certainly a privilege to have a photo in the press room with my little sister!
The Premium seats and the best seats in Old Trafford! Seen here are some that are reserved for Sir Bobby Charlton and our former Chief Executive, David Gill. There are also seats reserved for United's greatest ever manager as well: Sir Alex Ferguson.
Before entering the dressing room. The first one to greet you is Britain's most decorated football player and the current assistant manager. Granted, his off the pitch business is terrible, but on the football field, he was an absolute legend. Tearing you apart since 1991: Ryan Giggs!
Enter the dressing room...
David De Gea was United's standout performer in a season to forget in 13/14 and he has been up to mark so far. When you make superhuman saves on a weekly basis to spare the defence's blushes, you know you're a top keeper! Good boy David!
Also seen here is David's backup, Anders Lindegaard along with Rafael da Silva, who has yet to fully take over Gary Neville's right-back role. Hope you return from injury soon during the busy festive period.
Darren Fletcher deserves a lot of respect, for battling his debilitating illness and coming back into the team. Got his reward by being named vice-captain too. But with less games to rotate the squad, he hasn't got much playing time yet. With the hectic December period on now, his experience is needed.
Never forget your looping headed goal against Chelsea that silenced your strongest critics!
Alongside him are Jonny Evans and Phil Jones, who Sir Alex regarded as the next generation of United's mainstay centre-halves. Maybe once they've proven their fitness, Louis van Gaal will get them to that level!
Becoming United and England captain has given him a host of new responsibilities. But aside from a moment of rashness, he's improved his game, not got rattled as easily as before and played like a mature captain against Arsenal. Good on you, Wayne.
Juan Mata, probably the nicest football player you'll meet. Never one to provoke or be provoked, he's a real classy No.10 too. It's a pity he's been in and out of the team because of the regular formation changes because of injuries. The need for fresh players during a hectic December will surely do him some good.
Since Sir Alex retired, Van Persie hasn't been the same goalscorer he'd been when he first arrived in 2012. It's like he's aged 5 years. Still, class is permanent and I'm sure a classy Van Persie will score goals when the team has settled after the injury nightmare goes away.
He's beginning to look like he's back again with a match-winning performance at the St Mary's.
Ohh! Robin van Persie!
Near the dugout area where the teams are on matchdays, with the Sir Alex Ferguson Stand in the background!
The Home Team dugout, where United's greatest players would often come off the bench to win the game in Fergie Time.
"Signing for United is the proudest moment of my life"
Looking across to the Stretford End.
Aside from Denis Law, the only other player who has attained "King of the Stretford End" status is the one and only King, Eric Cantona.
It's the Christmas season, don't you hear "The Twelve Days of Cantonas" being belted out right now? Any true United fan would!
Back in from the old Players' Tunnel and that was it for the stadium tour.
Special thanks to Ethan, a Stretford End faithful, who guided us through in stadium interior. I don't think I'm as hardcore as the Stretford End faithful but Ethan says I'm pretty close and I take that as a compliment!
Heading out to see the United Trinity! George Best, Denis Law and Bobby Charlton. The statue was unveiled, directly opposite Sir Matt's on the 29th May 2008, 40 years on from the day United first won the European Cup in 1968. It was 8 days after United defeated Chelsea at the Luzhniki Stadium in Russia to becomes Kings of Europe for the 3rd time.
The Lengendary Sir Matt Busby's success and longevity is surpassed only by Sir Alex Ferguson. Sir Matt won us 5 First Division titles, 2 FA Cups, 5 Charity Shields and 1 European Cup in the 25 years at helm.
The similarities between him and Sir Alex are plenty, not just in terms of long-term success but even in name. They both share the name Alexander...
The exterior of the Sir Alex Ferguson Stand where his statue is flanked by 2 giant posters of him. The one on the left is him lifting his 12th and penultimate Premier League trophy and on the right is him lifting the Club World Cup trophy.
The stand was renamed on 5th November 2012, on the eve of Sir Alex's 25 years at the club. He went on to manage another year and a half before retiring on a high with his 13th and United's 20th title!
The 9-foot high statue of Sir Alex was sculpted by Phillip Jackson, who was also commissioned to sculpt the statues of Sir Matt and the United Trinity.
The bronze statue was unveiled on the 23rd November 2012 by Sir Alex's greatest supporter, his wife, Lady Catherine Ferguson.
Inside the Manchester United museum sitting with the great Jolly Green Giant, Edwin van der Sar, the one and only Cristiano Ronaldo... and er... Nani. That's the Club World Cup that we won in 2008!
Here with the Class of 92 who proved the Scouse rat, Alan Hansen wrong!
As said by Paul Scholes, the midfield maestro who is highly regarded as the best midfielder of his generation, ""We were the lucky ones… and what we did will never happen again."
The Treble, consisting of the domestic double (Premier League and FA Cup) and the Champions League/European Cup, won in 1999. No other English team has managed to achieve this in the Premier League era.
I can't remember when I began supporting United but all I know is that from a young age, I was already in a United shirt even though no one in my extended family was a football fan (meaning no one would have tried to influence me). Coming to Old Trafford is a dream come true and the next step to expanding my dream would be to be inside on a magical European night soon!
This Old Trafford photo storybook marks the end of 2014, at least from a work perspective. With work for the rest of the year done and dusted. It's time to travel again!
(Posted on 10th December 2014)
