Meet The Team:

Ian (@Rimmerstweets): 

Name: Ian Rimmer.
Location: Manchester, UK.
Age: 37
Writes: Academy previews and reports.
Favourite Current Player: Too many to name just one. Rothwell, Pearson, Blackett, Lingard, Carrick, Jones, Smalling
Favourite Ex-Player: Bryan Robson and Roy Keane
Favourite All-Time Player: Zinedine Zidane
Favourite Game Attended: 1984 OT v Barcelona 3-0 (3-2 agg)
Lowest Moment: Missing the Nou Camp 1999.

What do you like to write about: The Academy and the development of young players.

 

Daniele Cancian: @mufc_dan87

Name: Daniele Cancian
Location: London, UK. Born in Italy to an Italian dad and half Mancunian half Irish mum. Lived in England for most of my life.
Age: 24
First MUFC memory: Steve Bruce winning the game (and, in fact, the title) against Sheffield Wednesday in 1993.
First game at OT: United-City 5-0, 10th November 1994. Dad took me to see Cantona and Hughes tear the bitters apart one day after my 7th birthday.
Favourite current player: Ryan Giggs
Favourite ex-player: Eric Cantona. (Just edges out Roy Keane, Peter Schmeichel and Paul Scholes).
Favourite all time player: Eric Cantona.
Favourite game attended: Juventus-United 2-3, 1999 Champions League semifinal,second leg. (I’ll never thank my dad enough for taking me to that game).
Lowest moment: Missing out on the title in 1995 against West Ham, losing the FA Cup final against Arsenal in 2005. (Even more painful because i was there).
Why do I support MUFC? It’s all I’ve ever known. My granddad used to go regularly to games until the 80s so as a kid I grew up listening to his stories and i remember being absolutely consumed by everything United. When my family moved back to England i remember thinking only one thing “I’ll get to watch United every week”, which I’ve done ever since as I’m a season ticket holder. United have tested my heart (more than once, Barcelona ’99 being the obvious choice), my faith (again more than once, although i guess the dry spell around 2005 stands out), my social life (every saturday) but I never experienced as big a buzz as when I watch them. To put it simply, I couldn’t imagine my life without MUFC.
What do you like to write about: Any MUFC topic, from a recap of the games, to fans and their stories. I’m really interested in the Academy as well, and i feel that tomorrow’s generations aren’t getting the attention they deserve.

 

RedDevilEddy: @Eddy93Ram

Name: Edvard Ramstad
Location: Lived in Oslo, Norway, my whole life
Age: 18
Why do you support MUFC: The never-say-die attitude really got to me from a very young age, I’ve always believed in never giving up and always expecting the unexpected. Watching the likes of Cantona, Solskjær and Becks pop up with a goal out of nothing to win the game, or fighting back from 2 or 3 goals down gives me me joy like nothing else.
Your first MUFC memory: I was only 6 at the time, but I still remember watching Giggsy tear Arsenal open during the 1999 FA Cup semi final-replay at Villa Park. My dad screamed his head off, and the hairy image of Giggsy running wild and everyone going balistic will never leave my memory. United at its finest!
Your first game at Old Trafford: West Bromwich Albion in May 2005. The game ended 1-1 with Kuszczack playing as if he was the best goalkeeper in the world, and Giggsy giving us the lead early with a cheeky free kick.
Your favorite MUFC game: Tough call between 7-1 Roma in 2007, and 5-2 against Spurs in 2009.
Favorite current Manchester United player: Hahah, is that even a serious question? Think everybody knows that’s Anderson, with Cleverley not far behind. Biggest reason I actually fell in love with Ando was because he is always jolly, never seen him without a smile on his face! A bit like that myself, and it’s a breath of fresh air.
All-time favorite MUFC player: David Beckham, closely followed by Roy Keane.
All-time favorite player: The one and only Zinedine Zidane, best player to have ever graced the beautiful game.
What do you like to write about: A bit of everything really! I love football, every part of it, and as a young footballer I see myself having quite an understanding of the shaded tactical and mental parts of football. Football is never black and white, there are always more to it than what meets the eye. I hope to include others into this aspect of the game.

 

Kelvin Wellington: @Kelv_ne

Name: Kelvin Wellington
Location: Accra, Ghana
Age: 20
Why you support MUFC: I fell in love with the club the first day I watched them play. The history, late comebacks, trophies and legends this club has produced makes me proud to be identified with it.
Your first MUFC memory: The FA Cup final versus Newcastle in the 1999 treble winning season.  Goals from Sheringham and Scholesy.
Your first game at OT: It’s been my dream to sit at the Stretford End of Old Trafford one day cheering the team on.  I’m not far from achieving that dream though.
Your favourite MUFC game: Tough, tough one but I’d say my favourite MUFC match is the 2009 Manchester derby (That adrenalin rush after Owen’s late winner!).  The 7-1 thrashing of Roma and the 5-2 victory over Spurs are also up there. I watched the ’99 final, but was still too young to understand I’s implications.
Favourite current MUFC player: Wayne Rooney….and I’m already falling in love with Cleverley.
All-time favourite MUFC player: Paul Scholes
All-time favourite player:  Zinedine Zidane. THE GREATEST EVER!
What do you like to write about: I love writing anything MUFC related. I strive to make sure that my love for the club is always reflected in whatever I write.  Analysis of performances, player-related articles, and all other topics of interest to our club. Follow me on twitter (@Kelv_ne)

 

Shaun Lim:

Name: Shaun Lim
Age: 28
Location: Los Angeles
Why you support MUFC: Because they’re the first football team I was exposed to and was particularly enthralled by the play of Andrei Kanchelskis. Him? Really? Yes, strangely enough.
Your first MUFC memory: Kanchelskis tormenting opposing leftbacks with his direct running and pace. Must be a reason why I’m such a big fan of Valencia as well.
Your first game at OT: Unfortunately, I have not had the privilege of attending a game there. Anyone wanna hook me up with a ticket? I’ll pay for my flight over there !
Your favourite MUFC game: 1999 CL final vs Bayern. Especially when we hear the saying “Can we score? We always score”. I rewatched the highlights recently on Youtube and it still gives me chills.
Favourite current MUFC player: Wayne Rooney. His selfishness and money grabbing antics aside, I’ve always admired his determination on the pitch and more recently, his ability to channel his frustration/anger during a game to playing with greater intent and energy. Chicharito may slowly be overtaking him in my books.
All-time favourite MUFC player: Probably Kanchelskis since he was the reason I really started watching United. Other than that, Giggsy would probably be next on the list since he’s just a bloody genius.
What you like to write about: The current squad, a recap of their games and other random things about the team that happen to pop into my head.

 

Van Wilson (Grognard): @Grog_Red_Rants

Name: Van (Grognard) Wilson
Age:  52
Location & Birthplace:  Vancouver British Columbia, Canada
Why you support MUFC:  Because I have impeccable good taste
Your first MUFC memory:  1977 2-1 FA Cup final victory over Liverpool
Your first game at OT:  I wish . One day I hope to make the pilgrimage to my Mecca.
Your favourite MUFC game By far, watching the epic 1999 FA Cup Semi-Final Replay victory over Arsenal
Favourite current MUFC player:  Nemanja Vidic
All-time favourite MUFC player:  The King, Eric Cantona
All-time favourite player:  (tie)  Gerd Muller and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge
What you like to write about:  I love writing about football in general and enjoy the history of the game.  I also like to pose the important questions as well as risk controversy by asking the questions nobody wants to ask of my favorite team.  I hate corruption, greed, dishonesty, lies and the influence of Italian football on the game.   I write about players I love and hate with equal passion.  I also love to write about strategy and tactics and how they are an evolving entity which if not understood and controlled, could take over the game and ruin the game’s entertainment value.  I’m known as being very negative but the truth is I am a realist and I do not hide behind my loyalty when I see something wrong with my club or the game in general.  United and football are a major part of my life so when I write about it, right or wrong, I care.

 

Jonathan Nashe

Name: Jonathan (Jay wire) Nashe
Age: child of the 80s
Location: Africa
Why I support MUFC: I love the character(strength and perseverence), mentality(win, win, win) and identity(Theatre of Dreams).
My first MUFC memory: Ryan Giggs lifting the ball over some clueless defender and meeting with it on the other side(I’m sure it was vs Norwich). It was not my first, but that’s the most distinct. I can never forget that moment because it was a pivotal moment in making me a real student of the game. I can’t explain it.
Favorite MUFC game: Unfortunately, I’ve never had the privilege to watch United live. I’m working on it. But my favorite game would be a 1999 tie. In terms of pure entertainment I’d go for vs Barcelona away leg Champions League. It ended 3 all. In terms of all United characteristics manifesting, I’d go for vs Juventus again away in CL. It ended 2-3
Favorite current MUFC player: Dimitar Berbatov
All time favorite MUFC player: Paul Scholes
All time favorite player: Diego Maradona
What I like to write about: I’m a big fan of the game really. Not just the club. So I love writing about the history, dynamics, developments, progress and nature of the game at large, as well as United. Tactics, analysis,players, technical legends and their philosophies, management and even administration of the game.

 

Iain Ferns (@Jesters_Shoes)

Name: Iain Ferns
Location: Manchester
Age: 27
Why do you support MUFC: Always have, always will. The entertainment, the excitement, the passion, the pain, it’s incredibly enthralling and addictive.
Your first MUFC memory: I can remember watching Giggs and Kanchelskis tearing up the wings during a cup game against Leeds in the 91/92 season. Skinning players, scoring goals, it’s what I wished I could do when I played in the park.
Your first game at Old Trafford: It was a pre-season friendly against Inter Milan, United lost but it was still a good game. I remember it being a great atmosphere as well considering it was just a friendly.
Your favorite MUFC game: Champions league final 1999, even though I wasn’t there this has to be one the greatest games ever. So memorable and the last few minutes were the most intense of any other game.
Favorite current Manchester United player: Since he’s now back I can pick Scholes again. Genius player with such a sound football brain.
All-time favorite MUFC player: Sir Bobby Charlton. This was a hard decision, how can I pick a player that is essentially before my time? I never witnessed him actually play in person competitively. Well I would’ve gone for Scholes, but Charlton has already achieved all that Scholes has and more! Proper legend.
All-time favorite player: A common choice but Zinedine Zidane for me is the very best. Wish he would have made the move to United so I could have seen him more.
What do you like to write about: Primarily football but I’m a bit of a gamer as well. I have been writing for some time about several subjects and always enjoy the enthusiasm of the readers.

Jony Ball (@JonyB007

Name: Jonathan ‘Jony’ Ball [ @JonyB007 ]
Location: Leek, England. Born In Walsall and surrounded by a plethora of Midland clubs. I resisted and I’ve been gradually working my way up north ever since. Now work in Macclesfield so getting closer to the Promised Land!!
Age: 43
Why you support MUFC: I fell in love with Stevie Coppell in fact. Or should I say that was my first man crush before the term was ever coined!!! From there it was a simple step to supporting United and watching him terrorize defenders on his wing.
Your first MUFC memory: The 1977 FA Cup final against a double chasing dominant Liverpool side. The build up to the final was such a massive part of the occasion. I was only 8 and had just seen Steve Coppell playing for England that year.
Your first game at OT: December 1978, my W.B.A. supporting father took me to see his team destroy United 5-3 through the wonderful talents of Robson, Cunningham and Regis. But by then my heart had already been stolen by Stevie Coppell and United. For a long time I had to content myself trawling around midland ground terraces to watch my beloved United. I finally realized my dream of returning to Old Trafford in the 90’s and now go whenever my job and ticket availability allow.
Your favourite MUFC game: Very tough. FA Cup Semi Final replays have a big resonance with me. The Brilliant 1979 win against Liverpool and the 1999 game that had everything against Arsenal. In reality it comes down to a game that is etched on my soul and that’s the 1999 Nou Camp Dream with the immortal commentary; “Will they Score. They always score!”
Your favourite MUFC goal: The 1979 Division 1 Derby win at Maine Road saw Coppell’s best goal; A beautiful half-volley loft over the gigantic Corrigan. Rooney’s overhead kick was dramatic and incredible. Giggsy tearing Arsenal apart scoring the greatest FA Cup goal ever, Eric Cantona’s 2 screamers against Arsenal and beautifully crafted goal against Sunderland and THAT Beckham goal are all up there. But for me it will always be Dennis Irwin’s goal against Wimbledon after a wonderful 26 pass move and his exquisite finish was sublime and simply magnifique.
Lowest moments: Losing 6-0 to Ipswich in 1980, losing those finals to Barcelona or Losing 5-1 and 6-1 to Man City was bad but the 1979 Final against Arsenal was the worse. It taught me about the incredible emotions of football; the soaring joy of pulling back a 2-0 deficit to the devastating loss when Alan Sunderland headed that last minute winner (the first time I cried because of football; Damn You Gary Bailey!!).
Favourite current MUFC player: Phil Jones
Favourite current reserve/youth MUFC player: Davide Petrucci
All-time favourite MUFC player: Bryan Robson (carried United for years!) with a revered mention to the incomparable Duncan Edwards (if only I could have seen him play just once!)
All-time favourite player: Eric Cantona became the New king of OT, Michele Platini for Juventus was wonderful and Lionel Messi is VERY Special, but it has to be George Best; REALLY THE GREATEST EVER! If he’s good enough for Pelé he’s good enough for me.
What do you like to write about: All things football and United with a smattering of healthy skepticism and criticism, a pinch of reminiscence and recollection, as well as a large helping of glorification through rosé tinted glasses!!

 

 

 

Joe Schurhammer (@RangeRooney)

Name: Joe Schurhammer (@RangeRooney)
Location: La Crosse, Wisconsin, USA
Age: 31
Why do you support MUFC: I started with Manchester United because I like Sir Alex Ferguson and what he stands for. A manager who stays with one team for many years, and is devoted most of his life to the club. A manager who seems to place an importance on creating your own youth talent, rather then chasing the next big thing like Chelsea or Manchester City do now, or some of the big Italian teams did when I first got into football. I support United because of the history this great club has had, with Matt Busby, Duncan Edwards, Sir Bobby Charlton, Sir Alex Ferguson, and Eric Cantona. They haven’t always been a great club, but they’ve always had great supporters.
Your first MUFC memory: I really got into watching football (soccer for us backward Americans) in the middle of the 1997/1998 season. The first club football game that I watched was in the FA Cup, between Manchester United and Barnsley. This was after they had drawn the first meeting and were now playing the replay away. I really wasn’t a fan of any team at this point, but I started watching the game with United down 2-0. With a soft spot for the underdog, I found myself cheering for United as Sheringham clawed back a goal just after halftime. While United lost the game 3-2, I admired that United never quit and fought until the final whistle, something which you don’t always see in a lot of American sports.
Your first game at Old Trafford: I’m sad to say that I’ve nev made a journey to the Theater of Dreams. I’m planning a trip for the fall of 2012 to go to a couple games. I have attended 3 United games during their summer tours of the US, including the game in DC between United and Barcalona in the summer of 2011
Your favorite MUFC game: My favorite Manchester United game may seem like a meaningless friendly, but it was the friendly between Manchester United and Barcalona. It is one of only 3 United games I’ve gotten to attend, and I went with a couple of friends and we were seated by a group of 6 drunken Brits who almost picked a fist fight with an idiot who decided to wear a Liverpool jersey to the game. It may seem weird, but it was the most fun I’ve ever had watching any United game.
Favorite current Manchester United player: We’ll,I have to say that my current favorite player is Tom Cleverley, with Wayne Rooney and Nemanja Vidic. I’m a big fan of Cleverley for the work and effort he has put into the club. Some players would have complained or given up by how long it took him to get a regular first team slot. But Tom never did that. He did everything the club has asked of him, and put in the hard work needed that now puts him on the cusp of becoming a regular starter for United and a callup for England.
All-time favorite MUFC player: Eric Cantona. How can you not like a player who will kick an opposing fan?
All-time favorite player: Probably still Eric Cantona
What do you like to write about: I like to write review of games, with an interest in the tactics and formations used by both sides in the game. I also like to write about the changes and shifts that happen over time that cause the team to change their formations, tactics and strategies. I’m a fairly serious fan of the Reserve and the Academy team, and I like to talk about up and coming players in the clubs youth system or even elsewhere that the club might be looking to acquire. I will even write the occasional article on the problems and joys of following United while living in a smallish city in the United States, and the lengths people will go to support the club.

 

Pranav Arya (@pranav_manc)

Name: Pranav Arya
Location: New Delhi, India
Age: 17
Favourite Current Player: First Team: Paul Scholes and Tom Cleverley, Reserves: Sam Johnstone, U-18s: Jack Barmby
Favourite Ex-Player: Roy Keane, Cristiano Ronaldo
Favourite All-Time Player: Paul Scholes, Miroslav Klose, Iker Casillas
Lowest Moment: Probably Edwin Van Der Sar retiring. Either that, or Keano leaving.
What do you like to write about : The Reserves, transfer talk, player performances, and anything else I can think of!

Why do you support MUFC: Well, I started watching football when I was 8, and the first game I saw was the 0-0 draw against Arsenal at OT. I didn’t like Arsenal at all and only knew two other teams at the time(Us and Newcastle). I started watching all United and Newcastle matches that season and really loved the way we played our football. That’s when I started supporting this great club.

Your favorite MUFC game?: Moscow 2008. Definitely.

 

Faheem Patel (@Faheem_23)

Name: Faheem Patel

Location: London, UK.

Age: 19, I think.

Favourite Current Player: David De Gea

Favourite Ex-Player: Eric Cantona

Favourite All-Time Player: George Best

Favourite MUFC Game: City (4-3)

Lowest Moment: I don’t want to talk about it.

What do you like to write about: Simple, Manchester United FC.

 

Ollie Phelan

Name: Ollie Phelan
Age:17
Location: Salford
Why do you support mufc?: I’ve had united ingrained into me from an early age. My dad is a fanatic and, living in Salford, it’s hard to avoid the Reds, even if I tried! The adrenaline and passion of winning and the graciousness we show when we lose make me constantly proud and elated to be a United fan.
First united memory: I don’t remember much from before I was 10, but in 2004, I remember Wolves beating us 1-0, with Kenny Miller getting the only goal. On a more positive note, my first ever match was the FA Cup final against Millwall in Cardiff, when Ruud scored twice to secure us the Cup, in May 2004.
First Game at OT: Exeter City in the FA Cup in 2005. I remember going to the game feeling sorry for the Exeter fans who were obviously going to leave OT disappointed. In the end, it was the other way round.
Favourite MUFC Game: The 4-3 against City stands out, just for sheer drama, tension and then THAT Owen goal.
Lowest Moment: Turning over from United winning at Sunderland, to immediately see Aguero win the league for City.
Current favourite MUFC player: I have always had a love/hate relationship with Park, and I love Michael Carrick but Valencia takes the biscuit. He’s a tank.
Favourite Ex-MUFC player: Cristiano Ronaldo. I was privileged to see him every week at OT. What a player.
All time favourite MUFC player: It’s got to be Paul Scholes. He’s the model professional, world class talent, and was born in Hope Hospital, down the road from me. One surreal experience was when, two years ago, I was busy doing a practical in a Chemistry class, when I looked up and saw that the ginger magician himself had just walked into the room! Suffice to say, no other chemistry class has come close to rival that excitement.
All time favourite player: I like Kaka, and was in awe of him when he tore us apart at OT for Milan back in 2007. However, he has faded a lot recently so Andres Iniesta ranks above him in my eyes. Like Scholes, he is precociously talented and down to earth at the same time. In his holidays, he still goes back to his home village to play cards with the locals. If only he’d been born in Salford.
What do you like to write about?: I like to comment and give my opinion on recent United news and issues