The game of football usually comes with its ecstatic feeling especially when the team you support is on the winning side. I have always supported Manchester United right from my university days. What actually endeared me to the club was a management textbook that I accidentally stumbled on during one of my sojourn at the university of Lagos library. In the textbook, the management philosophy of the then manager of the club, Sir Alex Ferguson was highlighted and that endeared me to the club from that day. In my mind, what was this man doing right that he deserves a place in a whole management textbook. I subsequently read more about the club and my love for the club grew from leaps and bound till this day.
The UEFA Europa League is an annual football club competition organised since 1971 by the Union of European Football Associations for eligible European football clubs. It is the second-tier competition of European club football, ranking below the UEFA Champions League and above the UEFA Europa Conference League. So I was happy when Manchester United Football club qualified for the league at the end of last season. I actually looked forward to an exciting season and so far, I have not been disappointed.
The group stage competition started for my club on the 8th September, 2022 with a tie at home (old Trafford) against Real Sociedad of Spain. Sadly, the game ended one zero in favour of the visitor. I was so sad that we started the competition on a wrong footing and my colleagues did not really help matter as they quickly wrote off my club. But as a true supporter I knew that it is not over until it is over. The second game was away against Sheriff football club of Moldova on the 15th September, 2022. The game ended 2 – 0 in favour of Manchester United. I was so happy about the game and I looked forward to the next game. On the 6th October, 2022, Manchester United played against Omonoia United Football club away in Cyprus and United thrashed them 3 – 2.
Then came the reverse fixtures, the first game was against Omonoia at old Trafford on 13th October, 2022. The game ended with a slim margin of 1 – 0 in favour of United. At this point, I was convinced within me that United will do well in this season tournament. The second reverse fixtures was against Sheriff at old Trafford and that game ended convincingly at 3 – 0 in favour of United on 27th October, 2022. The final group stage match was against Real Sociedad on 3rd November 2022 with United winning 1 – 0 in Spain. By this, my team actually topped the group table.
The second-round stage was where United was paired against Barcelona Football club. The first match was played at Camp Nou in Spain where the game ended 2 – 2 of 16th February, 2023 and when the return leg was played on the 23rd February, 2023, United won the match by 2 -1 leading to an aggregate of 4 -3 in favour of United. Our next opponent was another Spanish team Real Betis and United conveniently saw them off with a 4 -1 margin at Old Trafford on the 9th of March, 2023 and when the reverse fixtures was held, United also won by 1 – 0 on the 16th March, 2023 leading to a 5 – 1 aggregate. By this, United has seen off three Spanish club out of the competition.
The quarter final fixtures have been made and United has been paired against Sevilla, another Spanish team. I have so much confidence that this will also be a walk in the park and I promise to keep you all informed of the result. But I still have strong believe that this season’s Europa tournament is for Manchester United taking PERIOD!!!
SGD
ELECTION AND YOU