I had arranged for a lot of stats to share for this match. But for a change, I won't do a preview this time around.
The Manchester Derby was on at an awkward time this saturday. 6:10pm would have been good on a sunday, but I had loads of work on saturday, which meant I was destined to miss at least the first half of the game. But around 42' in the game, I got a call from my Dad, who loves football too (runs in the family!), informing me that Nani had scored to make it 1-0. That was it, I was heading to my room.
I raced through the crowded NH37 and reached home in time for the half time analysis and saw the goal he scored. A somewhat difficult ball from Giggs (so uncharacteristic!), Nani latched on to it with a brilliant first touch and then another second touch and coolly placed it beyond Hart in City's goal. Even though it was just a replay, I felt shivers down my spine, like I always do when United scores.
Second half started and I got comfortable with a cup of coffee. Then in came Dzeko for City and after a lot of hype, scored a fortunate goal (I actually think it should go to Silva, who knew nothing of it). Damn, I thought, that ruins a special evening. But it didn't.
The way I raced home, the passion I have for Manchester United, accounts to nothing when you think of what it means to the players who are actually playing for United. Berbatov came on for Anderson and immediately you could see someone holding on to the ball in the final third, defying City's bulky defenders. And then it happened.
Nani has been brilliant all season, and it was him again, for what was probably his 13th assist this season (no confirmatory stats, this is from the heart!). A cross which seemed to deflect off Zabalata. Which made it more difficult for the finisher, who is known as Wayne Rooney.
Wayne Rooney. So many people doubted his talents for all the seasons. Ronaldo was the match winner, not Rooney, they'd tell me. And we were talking about someone who scored 4 goals in his champions league debut, who we many a times find as a centerback during a rival counter attack, someone whose dedication to the game was never in doubt for the true Red Devils. And what he did today was unimaginable, out of the world, divine, out of the world. Reminds me of that Ronaldo goal in the champions league, from almost 40 yards out. Out of the blue.
Nani's cross takes a deflection off Zabalata, puts everyone in the backfoot, even Rooney in the box. But Wayne Rooney adjusts his footing and then executed the perfect bicycle kick you'll see in your life. Just HEAVENLY. And You are thinking, am I dreaming? How can life be so sweet? And you realise when you support Manchester United, dreams turn to reality.
Once it was 2-1, you knew we were going through. We were that good. And so the match ends and ecstacy begins.
As I end this passionate post, I remember the Giggs and Scholes from the past, when they were in their prime. And I just smile and wonder what makes them go on. What makes Giggs still go on those surging runs, splitting the defence with his diagonal thrusts, making the City defence seems like boy scouts. What makes Scholes make those inch perfect pass, those driving runs. Today, for the second match in a row, I saw Ryan Giggs take a yellow card for the team. That's who he is. That's what He means to Manchester Untied. Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes are United Legends, they are part of my growing up to love United.
As the night ends, I shall party until the midweek Champions League clash with Marsaille.
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