Glory Glory Man Utd... but only on home turf!

OUR athletes have at times been accused of being jaguh kampung – we beat the living daylights out of local opposition but when we venture out anywhere requiring our passports, we then learn what is it like to be on the receiving end, at times; of a thrashing. That of course was in those days when we did not have performers on the world stage of the caliber of squash star Nicol David and badminton’s Lee Chong Wei.

We are not alone. Manchester United, already crowned the 2012-2013 Barclays Premier League champions faces similar burdens of expectations too.

It has made a habit of amassing trophies ad nauseam, the feel-good atmosphere is tempered somewhat by the reality that it is in Europe that the likes of Real Madrid, Bacelona, Bayern Munich and now, what used to be some nondescript town called Dortmund are lording it over the continent’s top trophy. Its all well and good to steamroll the opposition from the Midlands to South coast of England but apparently if the team of famous stars assembled by Sir Alex Ferguson leaves home soil to travel a bit further east of Paris, then the results do not flatter.

It riles United’s supporters no end then when its erstwhile rival from Merseyside, Liverpool, still is able to claim bragging rights over its five titles in Europe’s premier championship compared to United’s tiny three. (Before any United supporters get goaded – yes, your team is top on home turf but until the five-figure haul is matched, then that other team will continue to hold bragging rights.)

Leaving aside United’s Euro flop, no one can detract the fact that the English league is the most popular in the whole wide world, attracts the best players in the entire galaxy and has the largest following far into the nether reaches of the imaginable universe.

The argument here is not about amassing (local) trophies – its about whether their venerable manager is actually, up to it. But, even raising the question can constitute football heresy since no one is more venerated in the English game than Sir Alex. In the UK, there is no managerial personality so respected and feared than that of the 72-year-old former Scottish shipyard welder from Govan.

So thick is his Scottish accent that even some players in his own team do not think he speaks English! Count Wayne Rooney of that ilk as he has been heard by his teammates to say so behind his boss’ back.

Have Faith, Will Win.

In the annals of British football, United is held with grudging respect by other teams in the faith shown by the club management in their manager. Fergie, was not immediately successful when he took over United at a time when Liverpool was lording it all over England in the mid-1980s. That was the time I took an interest in what was then the English First Division through the pages of Shoot magazine. My elder brother had the prescience to subscribe to the magazine through a mamak outlet in Jalan Sultan in KL and being sent by sea freight, took at least three weeks to reach KL. Being someone who always takes pity on the underdogs, I decided that United deserved my long range support. Of course I was also attracted by the legend of George Best whose exploits on – and at times off the field, appealed to the rebellious streak somewhere within me.

United could have sacked Ferguson when he failed to bring about instant success. Instead, they persevered, gave him time and stuck with him – a whole three years before the club struck the rich seam of lucre after winning the FA Cup in 1989.

The rest they say, is English football history. United stands proud as the singular team to have scooped up the Premier League title when it was first introduced in the 1992-1993 season, a title it has won 12 times more for a total haul of 13 – more than any other team.

This latest victory came after its noisy blue half of a neighbour – Manchester City reaped the rewards of largesse shown by its Arab owners to buy “instant success”. Waving an open cheque book, the team so used to be in the shadow of the serial trophy winner went on a shopping spree for top performers from all the other rival leagues. It has many players on its books who earn over 100,000 pound sterling (1 sterling pound = RM4.50) a WEEK. Just imagine, your bank account gets credited with half-a-million ringgit every seven days!

In response, United prised Persie – Dutch striker Robin Van Persie – from a dithering Arsenal for the 2012-2013 season and how Van the Man delivered. His 30 goals this season included the memorable hattrick scored against Aston Villa at Old Trafford that sealed the 20th title for Man U, four games before the season was over.

Lost Liverpool Luster

United may be trounced in Europe but that is nothing compared to the lost luster of Liverpool. By all accounts, it may finish the league well below its deadly local rivals – Everton!

The Merseysiders have a battler who could serve them well in the neighbourhood pound. Their best striker – Uruguayan Luis Suarez – happens to be a serial biter! No, make that Hannibal Lecter. Twice already in his football travels, the Uruguayan used his teeth as a fifth appendage to suppress his opponents.

If there is everyone’s favourite bulls-eyes target today, it has to be the Liverpool number 7. The English FA has imposed a 10 match ban for the offence which some of his supporters (apologists?) say is excessive.

Compare the reverence with which Sir Alex is held with the odium managers in Malaysia are heaped in their thankless task of managing the Malaysian national football team. B Rajagobal would no doubt like the unequivocal support for him by the Man U board rather than the dilly-dallying and pussyfooting of his bosses.

The manager was left to stew when controversy first loomed over his innocent reply about the link between the proliferation of foreign strikers in our league and the resulting stifling of opportunities for budding Mokhtar Daharis.

Our football authorities appeared mired in a morass of their own making. Its constitution includes a section that gags anyone save for the top trio from making any statement that attacks the credibility of the FAM.

Thankfully Rajagobal has been cleared but it is doubtful whether he will be treated with as much respect and given even more time that Sir Alex in bringing success for the Malaysian football team.