UTD Unscripted: My flight of fancy

That was just part of the atmosphere we worked in during our time at United. I think, if you look at the Treble Reunion game we had against Bayern Munich’s Legends last summer, you can see everything you need to know about that era at Old Trafford. 

It was 20 years after we won the Treble but, if you look at the game, how we played, how the players were, it’s still the same. The same clique. The same group. We’re just 20 years older. When we all came back, everyone had a big smile on their face. You’re talking about things that happened in the past, and all the stories come out that are so good, so nice to relive. You can see that everybody really appreciated that we were all together, that it was a really special occasion, and everybody made the effort to be there. I’ve played quite a few Legends games in the past, but at this one, even David Beckham was there. I had a feeling that David enjoyed it as well! He was looking for a goal, searching for it, fighting for it, and he was so happy when he finally got it.

Every part of that game – playing, spending time with the boys and the staff, interacting with the fans – was just amazing. I loved being a part of it. It took me right back to the season that was probably the highlight of my six years at United; a period which was one of the best times of my life. 

Manchester United is a very special club, and that extends to the staff working around the club too. A few years back, Marita and I came along to a game, but even though we didn’t have a car park pass, the steward on the car park recognised me, said

“welcome home”

and showed me to a space. Little things like that make a big difference, and I feel so lucky to have played even a small part in the club’s story and to be associated with United even now.

Life is funny, and of course sometimes you get to thinking about what if this happened, or what if that happened. But whenever I think back to 24 years ago, when I was getting on that plane, with no idea at all of which English club I was going to talk to, I just smile to myself.

I could never have imagined what I was going to become a part of.