Believe

It was just another Saturday night. Nothing to do. But, an important Football game to look forward to. The squeaky bum time has arrived. Every game is like a cup final. Every win, every loss changes the whole picture dramatically. Manchester United were cruising towards yet another Premier League title in March with ten points advantage over Liverpool. But, I have learned over the years that Man United love to do things the hard way. This season is no different. Two consecutive losses meant that the lead was slashed to one point with a game in hand. Everyone had one question in mind: Will Manchester United make a come back?

The answer is - Yes. A sensational win against Aston Villa was followed by victories over Sunderland and Portsmouth. Liverpool's dramatic draw against Arsenal gave United some breathing space. As United prepared to entertain a rejuvenated Tottenham side, the news of Liverpool's win over Hull City filtered through Old Trafford. The onus was on United to wrest the top spot back from Liverpool's grasp.

The match started slowly. Both teams were playing safe, trying to settle down. Pacy Aaron Lennon has always troubled Patrice Evra so it was a surprise to me that Sir Alex opted for Nani instead of Park who is better defensively. Lennon was having another great game against Evra. It was his move that drew first blood. A seemingly harmless cross fell right between Vidic and Ferdinand and Darren Bent out muscled Ferdinand to stab the ball home. Unexpectedly, the advantage was doubled when United couldn't deal with another cross from the same side and Luka Modric bundled the ball in.

Here I was, sitting at my 'lucky' seat, shell shocked. The 'lucky' seat has won me many games but it seemed that the luck finally ran out. To add salt to the wounds, everyone around me was enjoying the proceedings. I have a strange feeling. Whenever my team is in a precarious position, people around me seem to enjoy every bit of it. I had the same feeling during last year's IPL and Saturday's match further strengthened my belief.

Then, I remembered last season. A huge mosaic showing 'BELIEVE' used to appear at Old Trafford during Champions League matches. It really fired me up every time I saw it. I had only seven letters in my mind now: Believe.

The second half began. Carlos Tevez came out in place of Nani. It marked a rare occasion when United's 'Fab Four' were out on the pitch. Slowly things started to fall back in place. The passing improved. The hunger to win the game was clearly visible in United's game. But, Tottenham's defense was stubborn. It required a lucky break to get the first goal. Carrick was brought down in the box by Tottenham's goalkeeper Gomes and Howard Webb pointed straight to the spot. Replay showed that keeper got the ball too as he took out Carrick but the referee had given his verdict.

Cristiano Ronaldo stepped up to take the penalty. I closed my eyes. Even Ronaldo, knowing the importance of the penalty, closed his eyes for a moment and then calmly slotted the ball past Gomes. The great escape had begun. Wayne Rooney, who had been a live wire on the pitch, beat Gomes at his near post to equalize. Then, he delivered a great cross which was duly headed home by Ronaldo. In ten freaking minutes the tables had turned. Tottenham couldn't believe what was happening. Their misery was compounded when Rooney and Berbatov added to the scoreline. I loved the look on the face of all who were enjoying 15 minutes ago. They left the room even before the match ended.

United's display reminded me again of the meaning of the word believe. You may be down and out. The World may be laughing at you. Don't bother one bit. Just believe in your abilities. You will always find a way out.

A Star is Born

It was simply magical. A seventeen year old boy, virtually unknown outside Old Trafford, roared his way into Premier League football with a sensational goal in perhaps the most important game of the season for Manchester United. Federico Macheda: If you don't know this name, make a note of it now because you'll hear a lot about him in the future.

The build up to the game wasn't ideal. Manchester United had lost the last two games in demoralizing fashion. The impregnable defense suddenly started to look vulnerable. To add to the woes Vidic, Scholes and Rooney were suspended for this game because of their recent sending offs. When I thought, it can't get worse for Manchester United, it did. Rio Ferdinand picked up an injury on International duty while Dimitar Berbatov failed to recover from his ankle injury. This left United desperately short in numbers at the back and up front. Skipper Gary Neville made a come back after a three months lay off. He was joined at the back by young Jonny Evans. Carlos Tevez was the only recognized striker left (until Kiko Macheda came on) but he had travelled from high altitude of Bolivia and was clearly fatigued. To add salt to the wounds, Liverpool scored a last gasp winner at Craven Cottage on Saturday to pull clear at the top of the table although United had two games in hand.

Aston Villa had problems of their own. After leading Arsenal for most of the season, they went through a slump which left them trailing the Gunners by three points. But, unlike United, they had all their big guns fit for this game. The likes of Carew, Agbonlahor and Young were up against a patched up defense. It looked like a mismatch on paper.

The game didn't start too well for Manchester United. Aston Villa enjoyed possession in the early stages of the match. Carew's header was cleared off the line by Fletcher. United needed some luck to break Villa's defense and they got their chance when a mix up between James Milner and Brad Freidel resulted in Freidel handling a back pass. This gave United a free kick inside the penalty area. Cristiano Ronaldo stepped up and blasted the free kick past a crowd of Aston Villa players into the back of the net. But, even the opening goal failed to spur United. Aston Villa kept on pressing and soon got their equalizer through John Carew who easily out-jumped Neville to head past Edwin Van Der Sar. Half time arrived with the score 1-1.

Same pattern was followed in the second half. Aston Villa were playing some impressive football. They got their reward when Agbonlahor got ahead of the defense to give Aston Villa the lead. With time running out, the hopes of rescuing something from this game started to diminish. Then, Sir Alex made an interesting move. On came Italian starlet Federico Macheda in place of unimpressive Nani. I had heard a lot about him after his goals for the Reserves but this was the first time I was watching him play live.

As United had to play catch up, Aston Villa went defensive to hold on to their lead. Wave after wave of United attack was met by a wall of Villa defenders. United badly needed some inspiration from one of the few experienced heads left on the field. Cristiano Ronaldo, the World Player of the Year, rose to the occasion. His left foot shot from just outside the penalty area found the narrowest of gaps left by the huge frame of Brad Freidel in Aston Villa's goal. United suddenly got the belief to go on and they stamped their authority over the game. Sir Alex threw another teenager Danny Welbeck on the pitch in search of a winning goal. He was denied by Freidel's heroics in dying moments of the game. Five minutes were added on for injuries and stoppages. The announcement was met by a huge roar from Old Trafford crowd. Then came the big moment for the young man. He received a pass from Ryan Giggs inside the box. He had Luke Young for company but a wonderful first touch meant that Young could only watch as Macheda curled a magnificent shot past diving Brad Freidel. It was a moment of magic from the young Italian. It doesn't happen often when Ronaldo's fantastic efforts are overshadowed by a teenager's goal but last night was something special.

The win means that United moved back to the top of the table with a game in hand. Most importantly, United won the game from a position of no hope. The manner of victory will give the squad a massive lift for the upcoming fixtures. It was fascinating to see Macheda and Welbeck lead the line for United in such a massive game. It is heartening to see youngsters like Macheda, Welbeck, Evans, Rafael etc come through the ranks. They certainly are at the right club under the right manager who is not afraid to give them their big break. It is a tradition at Manchester United to groom young players and make them superstars. After seeing last night's performance, I am sure that the tradition will continue.

It is because of games like this, I love Football. It is because of games like this, I love Manchester United.