TBT: Just like old times: The Goal keepers edition

 

 

 

Throwback Thursday: Just like old times

 

 

Throw Back Thursday: A tribute to Beckham's hairstyles

Somewhere in 1980's

Throw Back Thursday: King Eric Cantona Part. 2

For Part One please go here.

King Eric proved to be exactly what United needed at that time. On his first return to his former club, Leeds United Eric spat at a Leeds United fan and was fined £1,000 by the FA which compared to previous punishments was almost not a big deal.

Eric played a big role in securing Manchester United first top flight title after 25 years.

The 1993/1994 was the year that United introduced squad numbers to his players. King Eric was issued Number 7. That season also saw United retaining their Premier League title, added FA Cup and Cantona won PFA Player of the year. He was also the first foreigner to win the award.

The following season was the season of the Kung Fu Cantona. After being sent off, he launched a kung fu kick towards a Crystal Palace fan who according to the King had insulted him.

Throw Back Thursday: King Eric Cantona Part. 1

Welcome to your weekly MUFC History Class.

Kicking things off is the Kung Fu Master, King Eric Cantona.

Born Eric Daniel Pierre Cantona on May 24th 1966 in Marseille, France. In his early years Cantona played as a goal keeper but it was not long until he realized his true calling and marched forward.

His career was always eventful even before he joined United. In 1987 he was fined after punching a team mate, a year later he was suspended for three months after a dangerous tackle towards an opponent. The suspension was reduced to two months as his club Auxerre threatened to make him unavailable for the national team.

MUFC Tanzania: Throw Back Thursday: Red Devils Away Edition 1.3

1. Cristiano 'CR7' Ronaldo

Where do we begin with Cris? A friendly against Sporting Lisbon which left Rio breathless from all the running that he ended up asking SAF to sign the kid. At 18 he signed for the best club in the world and was given the biggest responsibility of all in name the of Number 7. CR7 was born!

From 2003 to 2009, Ronaldo had one mission in his mind, winning. And boy did he win!!  A part from the trophies he won with the club, Cris enjoyed a good number of personal awards and records. Most notably was the 2006/2007 season where he made quite a collection with; PFA Players' Player of the year, PFA Fans' Player of the Year, PFA Young Player of the Year, FWA  Footballer of the Year, Barclays Players of the Year, Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year, Portuguese Footballer of the Year. He simply won almost everything there was to be won.

Cristiano is still in the hearts of Red Devils. Playing against MUFC on February, he was cheered with MUFC fans on the stands and you could see some banners urging the player to come back home. SAF dismissed rumors that MUFC is considering buying back Cris while players, fans and legends and Sir Bobby Charlton and me all publicly expressed our desires to see CR7 in Red, Black and White.

And the feelings (the love part) are mutual. CR7 has declared his love and gratitude for MUFC and especially SAF who he says has been like a father to him. For the coming back home, he said he is happy with his current club. But then, it is football, anything can happen.

CR7 has won 9 club trophies with MUFC which include 3 Premiership, 1 FA, 2 Football League, 1 FA Community Shield, 1 Champions League and 1 FIFA Club World Cup.

Cris is now playing for Real Madrid.

Young CR7 and his hair

At training with DJ Evra

Celebrating a goal with Rooney.

Throw Back Thursday: Red Devils Away Edition 1.2

We have seen the first six, here are number 4, 3 and 2.

4. Mikael Sylvester

Silvestre signed for United when he was only 22 and he was so ready that he made his debut the next day against Liverpool. Silvestre was very loyal that even when the club told him he can leave in 2006 as he was not getting enough starters he chose to stay and fight for his number. Again in 2008, Bordeaux were ready to sign him but he decided to stay and finish his contract with MUFC.

How did we award this loyal Red Soldier after 10years of sevice, 361 appearance and 10 goals? Well, how about 11 winners medals; 5 Premiership, 2 Community shield, 1 FA cup, 1League cup, 1 Champions League cup and 1 Intercontinental cup.

Silvestre is now playing for Portland Timbers.

Training

Celebrating with the team

Mikael Silvestre

3. David Beckham

As far as football is concerned Beckham was raised at MUFC. Starting with the Youth team at 16 and advancing to senior team in 1993. He was mostly famous for his free kicks and those bending corner kicks. But mostly important, he was part, a very important one of the 1998/1999 treble winning team. Before moving to his current club Beckham said that Manchester United is the only EPL club he could play for.

Beckham in a Red, Black and White for MUFC he made 394 appearance with 85 goals and collected a total of 15 trophies (6 Premiership, 4 Community shield, 2 FA cup, 1 Champions League, 1 Intercontinental and 1 FA Youth Cup.)

Beckham is now playing for PSG.

Becks at training with SAF

Becks and Scholes celebrating

Nobody did this better!

2. Pogba

Paul Pogba! When he was signed by MUFC in 2009, his former club La Havre claimed that we 'stole' him from them, and La Havre were also accused by Torcy for stealing him from them too. Lucky for us, a judge from FIFA cleared our name. He made 19 starts and 7 goals on his first season with the Academy. Pogba made 7 appearances for the senior team and did not score.

In 2011/2012 season SAF promoted him to senior team stating that "If we hold him back he'll leave." Well, he left after just that one season. SAF says that he refused to sign a new contract because he signed for Juventus 'a long time ago'.

Pogba has always blamed SAF for his MUFC departure. Saying he was not treated well, did not get enough chances and apparently when SAF called Scholes from retirement Pogba took that as an insult to him!
 
Pogba won a Youth Cup title with MUFC.

Paul training withMUFC

Celebrating with fellow Academy team mates

Pogba playing for the senior team

Number 1 coming soon....

Throw Back Thursday: Red Devils Away Edition 1.1

By: @MUFCTanzania

We have seen Gerard Pique, Michael Owen and Louis Saha. Let us now see our Number 7, 6 and 5.

7. Ben Foster

Ben is one of Sir Alex's personal picks. SAF saw Ben when he went to watch his son play. For £1M he signed for MUFC and was sent on two seasons long very successful  loan to Watford. An impressed SAF called him back in 2007 where he served for the Red Army until his honorary discharge in 2010.

Ben left with two League Cup winners' medals to remind him of his 23 appearances and 10 clean sheets for Manchester United.

Ben is now playing for West Bromwich Albion.

Foster serving MUFC.

Foster celebrating with MUFC team mates.

 

No caption needed for this one.

6. Carlos Tevez

 From his signing to his departure, Carlos Tevez's stay at MUFC was an eventful one! Signed in 2007 and choose Number 32. His first goal for MUFC was against Chelsea and went on celebrate 33 more while playing 99 games. If fans had the power to keep a player, Tevez would definitely not leave in 2009.

Carlos has two Premier League, One FA cup community shield, one Champions League and One FIFA Club world cup to prove that his two seasons with MUFC were truly eventful.

Tevez is now playing for Manchester City.

Tevez 'training' with Rooney.

Tevez celebrating with fans

Carlos Tevez.

5. Dimitar Berbatov

Dimitar Berbatov, or as we would come to nick name him Berbatrick. Berbatov scored four hat tricks (or better) in his four years at Old Trafford. Manchester City were also rumored to have wanted the striker but he was quoted saying; " I would not even think of Manchester City." Berbatov was a loyal soldier to MUFC, probably one of the 'loyalest'we have had lately.

As he was leaving MUFC, we are sure he did not regret choosing us in 2008. Seriously, who would have given him two Premier League, Two FA Community Shield, One League Cup and One FIFA Club world cup in just four seasons?

Dimitar is now playing for Fulham.

Berbatov training with MUFC

Berbatrick celebrating a goal with Valencia

Berbatrick

Coming soon: Edition 1.2

UPDATE:

Apparently I missed a memo that running a blog is a serious business! Sorry, could not finish the list yesterday. Next Thursday we will have from Number 4 to 1.... Don't miss... Stay United Red Soldiers

Throw Back Thursday: Red Devils Away Edition

By:@MUFCTanzania

In this edition we will see some of the great players who once proudly wore the Red, Black and White kits for the best football club in the world but are now serving somewhere else.

10. Gerard Pique 

At 17 Gerard Pique arrived at Old Trafford in 2004.  He played most of his games for the reserve team  before going to Real Zaragoza on loan in 2006/2007 season. Came back in 2007 and was featured in first team this time. 

Pique made 30 appearances for Manchester United, scoring two goals which were both in UEFA Champions League and that's why his send off gift in 2008 included the UEFA champions league, league cup and community shield winners medals.

Pique is now a world class stopper playing for Barcelona. Left too soon?

At training with Anderson

Celebrating a goal with Nani.

A Red Devil.

9. Michael Owen

When he signed for Manchester United in 2009, Owen did not need any introduction. As many other great players, Owen scored on his debut and went on to score many important goals which made sense since he was wearing a very important Number 7. We all remember the winner he scored against Manchester City in 2009. 

Three years later after 52 appearances and 17 goals Michael Owen left for Stoke City but as usual, we never send them away empty handed. Premier League, League Cup and FA Community shield winners medal he won with MUFC will definitely give him some good memories especially since he is retiring end of this season.

Training with Rio. I mean, they trained after that rest!

Celebrating a goal with Tom Cleverley.

Proud Red Devil.

 

8. Louis Saha 

On 8/8/1978 Louis Laurent Saha was born in Paris, France. His football career with Manchester was officiated in 2004. Saha, scored on his debut and went on to score twice on his second ever Manchester United match. With seven goals in his first 10 starting appearances for Manchester United, this number 9 was definitely worth the £12.4M fee.

With 124 appearances for Manchester United and 42 goals, the striker walked away in 2008 with two English Premier League titles, One League Cup winners medal and a prestigious Champions League gold medal.

Saha is now playing for Lazio.

Saha celebrating a goal with Wayne Rooney.

Saha at training with Sir Alex Ferguson. Well, they trained after that laugh!!

Louis Saha

Keep refreshing for Number 8 - 1

Keep it United Red Soldier