Brian Greenhoff

It's been quite a few weeks at United with the retirements of Sir Alex and Paul Scholes and the coming home of the Premiership title and the under 21s winning the Premiership title in dramatic style but came the sad news of Brian Greenhoff sudden death.

The younger ones will probably not know who he was but Brian came to United in the late 1960s as a trainee and one of the last exports of the Busby Babes production that arrived into the United first team. I started supporting United around 1977 and he was part of that team that won the FA cup against Liverpool and helped prevent them from doing the treble.

My memories of him are still clear he started as a midfielder but ended up playing as a centre half and formed a defensive rock with skipper Martin Buchan and was an old style defender who gave as much as he received. He would always give a 100% when wearing the shirt and even in the relegation season he was awarded the supporters player of the year. For a defender he did score some spectacular goals. Two memories his long range volley at Old Trafford against West Brom in that infamous 5-3 defeat and he also scored a fantastic lob against Liverpool in the 1979 FA Cup semi final at Maine Road. The game ended as a draw but United won the replay and he starred again in a FA Cup final.

He made his debut under Tommy Docherty and his form earned him 18 caps for England. In terms of honours the 1970s was a lean period for United, but he played his part in getting United promoted back to the first division. He also played in the losing 1976 FA Cup final, He won the 1977 FA Cup final and was a sub in the 1979 FA Cup final where he played a small part in the '5 minute final' where United were 2 down with 5 minutes to go, they scored and equalised only to lose with the last kick off the game.

Shortly after that game, Brian was sold to Leeds United for £350,000 and went back to his Yorkshire roots. He played 271 games for United and scored 17 goals.

Rest in peace Brian.

West Bromwich Albion 5 Manchester United 5

Sir Alex last game in charge and Paul Scholes last appearance on the field and a 10 goal thriller to finish off.

Any other occasion and I am sure that the hairdryer may have been used at full time but with the league won it was a time to let the hair down.

United as expected made a few changes with Lindegaard and Buttner starting in the defensive unit and Tony Valencia playing at right back. The changes seemed to work a treat as United raced into a 2 goal lead via Kagawa 6th goal of the season and a own goal by Olsson inside the first 9 minutes and it seemed a routine enough verdict when left back Buttner rifled in via a Cleverley ball past a shell shocked ex-United keeper Ben Foster.

Hernandez missed a good chance then West Brom pulled one back when Buttner lost possession and James Morrison met the ball to give West Brom hope at half time.

The second half saw a crazy 6 goals scored and Chelsea loanee Lukaku come on for West Brom and he instantly made an impact when is speculative shot squirmed through Lindegaard hands and the deficit was only one goal. West Brom joy was shortlived as RVP stabbed home a Valencia cross to restore United 2 goal lead and his 30th goal of the season. Giggs came on for his cameo role and he instantly made an impact when his cross beat Foster and left Hernandez a simple tap in to give United a 5-2 lead and 3 points one assumed!

However, West Brom dug deep and in the 81st minute they managed to score 2 goals through Lukaku dominant run and Mulumbu meeting a cross to reduce the arrears to one goal and 8 minutes still to play. Paul Scholes had come on and on his final game received a yellow card as the pressure was being put on United. 4 minutes to go Lukaku had sent the place crackers when he stabbed home from close range to make the score 5-5.

The last few minutes saw frantic attacking and defending but in the end the score remained 5-5 and what a fitting way for Sir Alex to bow out of football.

In the end United won the league by 11 points and had the same stats as last season 28 wins, 5 draws and 5 defeats but there was no agonising last minute title loss. United deserved the applause of the crowd and Fergie bows out as a champion.

David Beckham - end it like Beckham

It feels like United fans could do with a helpline with all the retirements that have happened this week but the end of Beckham still has a affinity with the United fans.

Like many players that leave United there career usually goes downhill but Beckham showed some resilience and reinvented and his career maintained it's high level with title wins in France, Spain and USA.

His stats for United were impressive:-

United appearances         394
United goals                      85
England appearances       115
England goals                    17

Premiership titles                 6
FA Cup                                2
FA community shield          4
FA Youth cup                      1
UEFA champions league     1
FIFA world club                  1

He also holds some fantastic feats such as first English man to win titles in 4 different countries, first England player to score in 3 different world cup Finals and first British player to get to 100 appearances in the UEFA champions league.

He made his debut for United in 1992 in the league cup against Brighton and signed a professional contract shortly afterwards. He made his league debut in 1995 against Leeds United following a spell on loan at Preston. That summer saw a number of United players exit the club and the new brood of young players were drafted in including Beckham and they started the season in a 3-1 defeat at Villa and prompting Alan Hansen on match of the day to say 'you'll win nothing with kids' that season ended with United completing the double!

He has had some memorable moments at United including the halfway line goal on the opening 96-97 season against Wimbledon. He was a pivotal figure in the treble season in 1999 after returning to England from the world cup as the most hated figure in the country (How fickle fans can be- he was a hero 4 years later dragging England into the world cup!). He set up countless goals for Yorke, Cole, Sheringham and Solksjaer. He scored the crucial goal in the game United had to win to win the league against Tottenham.

In Europe he really excelled with some fantastic goals I remember against Barcelona and Real Madrid and his debut when he scored against Galatasary. He will be fondly thought of at United for his workrate up and down the pitch, not the most skilful player in the world but his ability to cross a ball and his deadball delivery and shots were the benchmark for the likes of Ronaldo and Messi.

He did make an emotional return to Old Trafford with Milan where eventually his team lost 4-0 but the whole crowd cheered his name and even prompted Fergie to Sign him up, it never happened but at least he could say goodbye following his rapid exit from Old Trafford in 2003. 

In all Beckham has played over 800 competitive games and a legend wherever he has played and that is the true mark of the man. Happy retirement Becks.

Paul Scholes AdoRED

In a week of retirements one legend made his final appearance alongside Sir Alex at Old Trafford last Sunday and that was Paul Scholes. It came as no real shock as Scholes had been fighting injury for most of the season but given the fast pace of the premiership then perhaps it was time to call last orders.

This is the second time Scholes has retired, he went immediately after the Champions League defeat to Barcelona in 2011 and some felt that was a bit hasty and it proved right. United did struggle to replace him in the summer and relied on the likes of Anderson, Fletcher and Cleverley but all three of them were to face ravaging injuries which prompted Sir Alex to ask Scholes to come back and he duly did in a vital FA Cup game against Manchester City where he helped United knock out the holders in there own backyard.

He continued to play the rest of the season and United were narrowly pipped to the title on goal difference to Manchester City. He signed a new one year contract and although most of it was blighted by injuries he did manage to help United to that coveted title and reclaim the bragging rights in the City.

A Salford lad he joined United as a 14 year old and turned professional in 1993 and made his debut in the 1994-95 season and his stats for the club are staggering:-

club Appearances 717
club goals 155
England Appearances 66
England goals 14
Premiership Titles 11
FA Cup 3
League Cup 2
FA Community shield 5
UEFA Champions League 2
FIFA World Club titles 2

Paul Scholes was part of the 1992 Academy team that broke through into the first team which featured Gary and Phil Neville, Nicky Butt, David Beckham and Ryan Giggs. He made his debut in the League cup against Port Vale where he scored twice in a 2-1 win and a few days later scored on his premiership debut in a 3-2 defeat to Ipswich at Portman Road.

He would then feature in the team for the next 18 seasons and scoring in each one of them only a record bettered by Ryan Giggs.

There are so many memories of Scholes but the semi final win in Turin when United beat Juventus 3-2 to reach the final during the 1999 treble year. He did get booked and missed the final but that didn't put him and Keane off as they hauled United back into the game and led United to the final.

Also his winning goal against Barcelona in the 2008 Semi Final and his display helped United reach the final.

Another was shooting display at Newcastle on route to the title where he scored 3 goals in a 6-2 win which displayed his very best finishing. He has scored some unbelievable goals such as the Beckham corner which was drifted outside the box at Valley Parade against Bradford where Dwight Yorke had to duck in case his head was taken off or that volley against Aston Villa at Villa Park where he crashed a shot against the underside of the bar and bounced in.

His peers were also impressed with Xavi, Iniesta and Zidane all expressing there admiration for his displays and he did have some weaknesses with his tackling leaving much to be desired with over a 120 yellow cards and 10 red cards but that aside he was a truly gifted player.

In a week of players going he does represent the old style player who never sought the limelight and just loved playing football. He will be missed and he will be one hell off a pair of boots to replace.

My last day with Sir Alex

Normally as a rule I don't do much filming of football occasions as prefer to live by memories and also more likely to cock up the filming or forget!

Sunday was a bit different and having stood on the Stretford End for many years I decided I could not let this occasion go by without filming and something personally to remember.

Obviously It was Sir Alex final game at Old Trafford as well as Paul Scholes and the whole day was a fantastic occasion and one Sir Alex deserved for his 26 years of devotion at United. When he first arrived the club was a sleeping giant which was a tag that stuck for many years. We had some of the best players such as Bryan Robson and Norman Whiteside, we had the best ground, we had the best support yet we couldn't even stay on the coat tails of Liverpool, Everton and Arsenal.

It is fair to say his first 4 years were not great and the longer any trophy eluded us the closer he got to the sack. However, the club kept faith and 7 years after his arrival the first of thirteen titles finally arrived and thankfully another United legend Sir Matt Busby witnessed the event.

I arrived at the ground fairly early to find all the programme kiosks closed but the atmosphere was fantastic and all the flags on the seats to wave off Sir Alex and United  was a great touch.

Sir Alex was given a guard of honour and he turned to the Stretford End with his fist clenched for the last time. The atmosphere was electric and the flag waving and banners ensured it was continuous roar and although the match was not the greatest it ended with a win and a glorious way to end his Old Trafford tenure.

Everyone stayed behind to see Sir Alex make his farewell speech which I did record and although not as good coverage as Sky Sports mine did capture the mood of the Stretford End. It was the perfect rallying call from the Boss to get behind Moyes and the loudest United chant I have heard in many a year.

Finally, the trophy was lifted and the pitch celebration was fantastic with all family on the sideline to make sure all the player did at least one lap of honour to the crowd. Special thanks to Swansea fans who stayed behind to acknowledge the events and they and there team equally played there part.

That was it, I left the stadium around 6.30 and thinking about the glorious period Sir Alex contributed. He was a one off which will never be repeated but I am sure David Moyes will carry on the great work and legacy left behind.
  

Manchester United 2 Swansea City 1

Sir Alex final game at Old Trafford and his 1499th game in charge of Manchester United ultimately ended in a victory and his 895th as a United Manager but it came with a struggle.

Sir Alex walked out to a guard of honour and the whole ground swathed in red flags to give the Legend a royal send off and typical responded with his trademark fist punch to get the crowd going.

In between the Sir Alex exit and the impending departure of Rooney, a certain Mr Scholes was making his last appearance at Old Trafford but otherwise a strong United Line up with Hernandez partnering RVP up front. It was Hernandez who nearly broke the deadlock on 5 minutes when a ball through by RVP saw his shot cannon off the bar.

It was a difficult day for Swansea but they stood firm with Williams and Flores standing tall at the back and snuffing most threats. Scholes had a brief look at goal following good work by Kagawa but the shot was weak, Tremmel in the Swansea goal made a good save via Evra. Hernandez was United chief threat and he had a lash at goal but no success but moments later a free kick whipped in saw it deflect of Williams and Hernandez needed no second invitation and he blasted in to give United the Lead.

RVP had a chance to double the lead but hi vicious shot was blocked by Tremmel and United went into the break a goal up. The second half saw Swansea start brightly and there reward saw an early equaliser. Michu met a cross and just beat Phil Jones head to flick the ball past De Gea to silence the crowd.

Routledge had a chance to give the Swans the lead when he outpaced Ferdinand but Rio persistence managed to put him off and the ball was poked wide. The hour mark saw 3 close chances with Hernandez going very close for United and then we saw Scholes depart the field for the last time at Old Trafford after a solid 60 minutes. His replacement Anderson went close but his shot just brushed the post.

As time was going by many on the stands were hoping for a goal in Fergie time but a late goal duly arrived. Fergies first game at Old Trafford was a 1-0 win over QPR scored by a defender Sivebaek and it was fitting a defender scored the winner at the Stretford End when Rio Ferdinand rifled the ball from a corner to cue wild celebrations and his first goal in 5 years.

The game ended and the party just started, United won the game and the title and Sir Alex signed off in true grand style.

Thank you Sir Alex

It was the dreaded news that every United feared would happen one day, Fergie Leaves United!

Tuesday night was a hive of activity on the social media sites as one of my mates texted me to say Sir Alex maybe leaving. I thought it was a bit of media frenzy trying to make a small innuendo turn into a huge story but as Wednesday morning dawned and the announcement at 9.20am confirmed the worse, Sir Alex was leaving United post.

Going back to his last attempted retirement which was aborted This was more genuine. It was very similar to Cantona exit when he decided to go, he went and the summer was full of speculation on who was to replace him, how would we cope? but United did and 2 years later we did the treble!

Sir Alex exit is probably the best time, right at the end of the season and thus giving the new man a chance to work over the summer with his new charges.

Most United fans have grown up with Sir Alex at the helm but I have followed United since the late 1970s where United league pedigree was non existent. Prior to Sir Alex appointment I could only enjoy 3 FA cup wins in 1977, 1983 and 1985. The League I think we got a runners up behind Liverpool in 1980, not great but we didn't complain. Sir Alex arrived and although it took a while to get his first trophy (1990 FA Cup) it wasn't until 1993 we finally won the league. The year before we collapsed whilst in pole only for Leeds to overtake and when we finally clinched it in 1993 I could have died a happy man!

What most fans didn't realise that was only the start and eventually we would take over Liverpool as the top dogs of English Football. He has bowed out at the top as the most successful manager in English football and along those years he has royally entertained me and the Old Trafford crowd over the years. He has bought some top players, bought through youth, won doubles and trebles and European cups. He got that siege mentality that it was United against the world, we could take on anyone and we did.

Thinking of individual moments is a tough one but the Champions League semi final in Turin where United overturned a 2-0 deficit to win, the 99 champions league final where 2 goals in injury time led to him saying 'football, bloody hell' that summed it up. We had fergie time where a winning goal in injury time was the norm. One moment summed it when 10 minutes remaining we were 2-1 down at home to Aston Villa with Liverpool poised to take over the lead, he sent on a 17 year old youth player Macheda and his late goal earned United a 3-2 win and a title followed. He had great faith in young players and was not afraid to put them in.

But one door shuts and another opens, United will carry on and the Sir Alex legacy will continue.

Manchester United 0 Chelsea 1

In the end the game was not the best and only livened up in the last 5 minutes courtesy of Juan Mata deflected shot and villain of the peace David Luis. United have not been at there fluent best in the last few weeks and only 2 league wins in the last 6 has seen signs of players looking forward to the summer break.

They have deserved that but the performance on Sunday was well under the par. It was the first time since late 2009 have United failed to score at Old Trafford in a league game when Aston Villa earned a famous 1-0 win.

United made several changes with Lindegaard, Cleverley and Anderson all making rare starts. The first half really offered very little but Chelsea started brightly when Demba Ba went close but United nearly scored following good work by RVP but Cleverley blazed the ball over the bar. Oscar perhaps the brightest on the pitch had a shot tipped onto the post by Lindegaard.

Chelsea had restricted United whilst Luis went close with a long range effort but towards the end of the half United had two close chances when RVP wriggled his way through the centre halves and his shot went narrowly wide and moments later Giggs met a cross but his shot went wide.

The second half was pretty dreadful with both cancelling each other out but the last 10 minutes saw plenty of action when Rafael ran onto a deflected ball in the box and ready to square the ball to RVP in front of goal Ivanovic cleared the danger. It started to niggle when Jones was booked for body checking Ramires and Luis booked for dissent plus RVP and Torres had a verbal exchange. The 87th minute saw Juan Mata dink inside the box and his shot deflected of Phil Jones and the deadlock was broken. Cue mayhem in the last minute when Rafael retaliated at Luis and lashed out, he got a red card whilst Luis fell to the floor with the grace of a swan! Luis did himself no favours but Rafael did deserve to go as retaliation is not accepted.

The match ended and it was hard to pick a man of the match for United but Jonny Evans stood out in the wave of attacks Chelsea did produce. Next up is Swansea at home and the presentation of number 20.