A Monumental Occasion (FA Charity Shield)

Member Name: dan_da_man

Product:	FA Charity Shield
Date:	10/08/01 (144 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Battle of Pride, Alex Ferguson's last Charity Shield game

Disadvantages: Can't think of any

Well, here it is. It is that time of year again. It's time for the Charity Shield and on previous occasions, I have always looked forward to the matches but this year I can't say I am excited at all. Maybe it's because Liverpool beat us twice last season or maybe it is because we keep losing. But whatever I think this match is going to be a typical affair. I think Manchester United will lose this match. I don't know why but every time they lose they have a great season and win the premiership. The statistics show it. Why this happens I don't know.

In the 1998-1999 season we met with Arsenal. Unfortunately we lost 3-0. Goals from Marc Overmars, Christopher Wreh and Nicholas Anelka secured the victory and made sure that we had a bad start to the season. Some Man Utd fans thought the season was over already, and I have to admit I did too with Arsenal claiming the double the season before. I thought it was going to be another season like the previous one. Of course it wasn't. Manchester United probably had the greatest season in history. Claiming the treble which was made up of the Premier League, FA Cup and European Champions League. What a season that was and it will always remain in my mind along with the winning moment in Barcelona.

After that glorious season, anticipation was high. Everyone expected to repeat last season's heroics and what better way to start that the Charity Shield. And who did we face? It was Arsenal once again. Of course, no matter what the situation is, it is always nice to beat Arsenal, so I can wind up my friends. Again, Arsenal won the affair. 2-1 with goals from Kanu and Parlour which cancelled out David Beckham's goal which gave Man Utd the early lead. Again, we thought the same. A great start for Arsenal, A bad one for United. Again we were deceived. Man Utd had a great season in the league, they strolled home winning by 18 points. Arsenal finished runners up. Of course, it was a bad seaso
n off the pitch, with protesting against Man Utd entering the FIFA World Club Championship and neglecting the FA Cup. Many people thought this was the end for Utd in the FA Cup. Fortunately, it wasn't. The world club championships was a huge flop though. Crashing out in the group stages. But overall another good season.

On to last years Charity Shield battle. No Arsenal this time but instead, Chelsea. They were on good form winning the FA Cup. I Expected us to win though but again, for some reason, The Charity Shield Curse took it's cause and e lost again, 2-0. Goals from Hasselbaink and Melchiot crippled us. Doubts were casted over my mind again, but somehow, the season goes great again. What is it with losing the charity shield and then going on to have a good season. We won the league by 10 points. The margin smaller than the year before but still a good performance with Arsenal runners up again showing how consistent they are. With Liverpool wining the treble, it stole the limelight of Man United winning the league for the seventh time. It was Liverpool's season and rightly so. They also beat us on both meetings which made me very bitter towards their success. It was though Liverpool's treble was more significant that United's in 1999 which I though was ridiculous. Anyway, their FA Cup win and our league win ensured a real battle in the 2001 Charity Shield. And that brings us back to the present day.

After the previous years I really do think Manchester United will lose again. Whether they do this on purpose for a physiological reason I don't know but what I do know is Gerrad Houllier has a good head on him and I think he will be ready for Alex Ferguson's mind games. I have mixed emotions on the game itself. One part wants United to win and another does not. I feel if we win our season is going to be poor and Liverpool are going to go on to win the title. On the other hand, I think if we lose we will have a good se
ason. It sounds silly but it is true.

Man United have not had a very successful warm up so to speak. We lost to Celtic 4-3 which saw the return of Eric Cantona which was a great bonus and the only consolation for that match. We drew with Wrexham but we did beat Bury and a handful of other teams so it hasn't really been that bad.

Liverpool's warm up has been good so my friends say. I don't usually keep up to date with the pre-season friendlies ut I did mange to see their 5-0 rout last night against FC Hacka (I think that's what their name was). They looked pretty good and they looked prepared for the battle against Utd.

I am looking very forward to seeing Juan-Sebastian Veron and Ruud Van Nistelrooy in action. Although I have saw them before I think this is the match where they need to show their worth and prove to everyone why they were double figures in cash. Ruud has been playing excellent lately and he has been getting the goals in on countless occasions. I was a little worried about signing him after he damaged his ligaments but so far he has impressed me. So has Veron. He gets into the tackles well, he covers lots of ground, his work rate has been excellent and he is more versatile that a Swiss army knife. I really am happy with the the two men and no regrets have come into my mind. I think the two will have a great affect on the game and I think the Liverpool defense, which is very strong will be very intimidated by these two men and rightly so.

I don't know if the Steve McClaren departure will have any affect on the United players. He was a really good coach and it was a sad moment to see him leave. I hope it doesn't have much of an affect. Brian Kidd's departure clearly didn't upset United as they went on to win the treble. I hope the same happens this year and if somehow Steve McClaren is on his kids PC and on dooyoo reading this. Stop Thieving our youngsters. Brian Kidd done it and now you
. My respect for you has gone and I hope you get fired and Middlesbrough go down along with your reputations a quality coach.

It's also Alex Ferguson's last season in charge. He is going to give it his all obviously. He probably wants to win everything he can and the players also want to make him proud which also could be a deciding factor in this match. The European Final is in Scotland this year, at Hampden Park and how great would it be if Man Utd were in the final. That would be a great moment for Alex Ferguson. I think this season will be all about United. I have a gut feeling destiny will guide us to another treble and a final send of for Alex Ferguson

My prediction for this game is slightly unbalanced. It is just one of those games you do not know what the result will be. My mind says that Liverpool will win but my hear tell me that a 2-1 victory for United is on the Horizon. Although this match does not excite me I think it will be a game to remember and with Alex Ferguson's last Charity Shield I am sure he will want to win it more than anyone

Well that was my opinion, I hope you liked it as much as I enjoyed writing it. This match is going to be great and I advise all football fans to tune in. I am sure it will be a monumental occasion.

Cheers

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