DISABLED SUPPORTERS ASSOCIATION

Disabled Supporters Association

THE OFFICIAL MUDSA MAGAZINE VOLUME 20, ISSUE 2, SPRING 2017 DISABLED SUPPORTERS ASSOCIATION is on Facebook! Join the group by visiting: facebook.com/groups/rollinreds Meet and chat with other MUDSA members. Share your matchday stories EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW and photos for the magazine and even submit your questions for the player interviews! Sergio Romero PLUS: 10 THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT Henrikh Mkhitaryan

COMPETITION TIME WIN a pair of Loopwheels 2 CONTENTS CONTENTS 3

Stoked: Wayne Rooney scores his 250th Manchester United from a free kick to earn a 1-1 draw away at Stoke. The landmark breaks Sir Bobby Charlton’s Club record of 249 goals which has stood since 1973.

Inside this edition… 4 Secretary Says: with Chas Banks 6 MUDSA News: from The Committee 7 Have Your Say: Your Letters The official MUDSA magazine 8 Photos: MUDSA visit to Aon Training Centre Volume 20, Issue 2, Spring 2017 12 Things You Didn’t Know: Henrikh Mkhitaryan This magazine is issued free of charge to MUDSA 14 What do YOU think: OT accessibility increase members. You can also view Rollin’ Reds and Your MUDSA Committee… 16 Competition: Win a pair of Loopwheels download it in PDF format from our website: CHAS BANKS JAMIE LEEMING www.mudsa.org 17 NEW: Pull-out colouring in section SECRETARY ROLLIN’ REDS EDITOR 22 Exclusive Interview: Sergio Romero T: 07757 092 204 T: 07590 406 669 Photography: John and Matthew Peters 26 John Gets Shirty E: [email protected] E: [email protected] Design/production: leemingdesign.co.uk Feature: Thanks this issue: Richard Trenchard 28 Photos: MUDSA Christmas party ANN-MARIE LEWIS SUE ROCCA 34 Fan Focus MUDSA EVENTS TREASURER John Allen Home and Away: T: 01352 715 794 T: 0161 861 9454 36 Souvenirs: MUDSA Merchandise E: [email protected] E: [email protected]

DES TURNER JOHN SIMISTER Rollin’ Reds on Facebook: ROLLIN’ REDS PRODUCTION VI REPRESENTITIVE facebook.com/groups/rollinreds Keep yourself up to date with the T: 01978 810 528 T: 07471 195 930 MUDSA on Facebook: latest news by visiting E: [email protected] E: [email protected] facebook.com/MUDSA.official www.mudsa.org 4 SECRETARY SAYS SECRETARY SAYS 5 United and MUDSA have always been front runners and the planned changes will ensure that continues

Somebody a lot wiser than me once said ‘the season, 2017/18, there will be a 75% discount, 50% only thing constant is change’, and how right discount in 2018/19, 25% discount in and 2019/20 they were. I first went to in 1957 and no discount — full price from 2020/21 onwards. — just a year before the Munich disaster which There will be changes to MUDSA as well. You can forced the biggest changes in the Club’s history. read elsewhere in this issue about the five-point plan Since then I’ve seen managers and players come for the future. However the essence of MUDSA will and go before having my own disaster in 1997 which not change. Indeed, with the growing membership meant I’d be going to games in a wheelchair. I was we hope it will become even more important. invited to a game by Sir Alex, and after spending a To me, the thing I love about being part of MUDSA long time in the quiet of a hospital rehab environment is that in the main, people don’t talk about their it was an overwhelming experience, especially as disability. We’re too busy cheering on the players United were playing Wimbledon and we won 1-0. when they do something good or giving them a hard Before that day I didn’t even know where the time when they have an off day or even just shouting wheelchair section was and it was incredibly at the referee. impressive to see for the first time. My own personal It’s not that our disabilities are a taboo subject, it’s journey of change started that evening and has just that we’re usually together to escape from all brought me to where I am today as Secretary of that and watch the game or doing our best to get a MUDSA — the position I’ve held since October. bowling ball to knock the pins over at a social occasion Wonderful like the bowling days that Ann Marie organises. It’s that social dimension that makes the difference for 4 It has always been a great privilege to serve on the many of MUDSA’s members. MUDSA Committee and I’m proud to have had the Community opportunity to make my mark on the organisation over the last 20 years. When almost 100 people turn up for the bowling During that time, I’ve seen the original platform days and 550+ come to the annual dinner, we know extended twice, the facilities at the back of the we’re part of a community which doesn’t even exist quadrants installed, the wonderful Ability Suite built at most clubs. In fact, until recently, clubs like Arsenal, and more recently, the Friends and Family seating as Liverpool and Chelsea didn’t even have DSAs so it well as a Changing Places facility added. makes you realise just how far in front of the other However, I can’t remember a time with as many clubs United and MUDSA are. changes as have recently been announced along with line with the law. The Club have engaged in long MUDSA was able to negotiate a phased withdrawal When I’m sitting in the Ability suite after a game, the further changes that lie ahead of us this summer discussions with the Equality and Human Rights over three years. We understand that there are getting warm again, having a drink and watching the and over the next three years. Commission (EHRC) and other stakeholders and they people who are unhappy about the Rota going but goals on the TVs, I often think about that journey and I think most people will be aware of the reasons for are determined to become compliant with current equally, there are many who are happy to see it go. what a positive effect it has had on my life. this mini revolution but for those who are still unsure, disability legislation. This is why so many changes are Likewise, many people are thrilled that Season All the members of the Committee are determined I will attempt to explain… being made to so many policies, as well as increasing Tickets for disabled fans are being introduced but that in spite of all the changes, MUDSA will continue The expansion of accessible facilities to a level the accessible capacity. some people are against the idea. Many people have to provide that social dimension for its Members that that complies with the Accessible Stadia guide is The consequences of not making these changes already made their applications and because it’s very lots of you value very highly. Not only that, we are an agreement that was made by all are unthinkable for a club of Manchester United’s likely that there won’t be enough to satisfy demand, always happy to help and we are very approachable, clubs including Manchester United. That part of the standing. If policies were left unchanged, the the Committee have persuaded the Club to apply an so please don’t hesitate to ask for help or advice or planned changes is about numbers and at the end of Commission has statutory powers to investigate and element of loyalty to the parameters, rather than a even just pull us up for a chat about the match. the process, the club will have 277 wheelchair spaces take enforcement action against an organisation to random ballot. I’m proud to have been a part of MUDSA and what plus carer seats and 278 amenity seats which is more ensure compliance with equality legislation. Charging for tickets and car parking are other has been achieved since its formation, as the first than double what is currently available. The Rota system has to go because accessible issues that were not negotiable — they will have to ever DSA all those years ago and I look forward to The changes to the ticketing policies for disabled ticketing has to be brought inline with able-bodied be introduced. However, again we have managed to achieving more in the future. supporters are being made to bring the Club in to ticketing and no able-bodied Rota exists. However, negotiate a phased introduction to this issue so next Chas Banks, MUDSA Secretary. 6 SECRETARY SAYS HAVE YOUR SAY 7

MUDSA: A Vision For The Future

To listen to, and look after the interests of disabled Your letters… 1 REPRESENT supporters – providing representation at regular Club meetings such as the Fans’ Forum

A sounding board for the Club with respect to been fairly stressful and hence, my opportunities 2 GUIDANCE developments, policies & procedures that may to attend have diminished. However, my daughter & ADVICE Hi Ann-Marie impact disabled supporters A massive thanks for a fantastic afternoon at the changed my One Utd membership to take account MUDSA Christmas Party. What a pleasure to be part of my mobility problems, and the chance to attend MUDSA to be a focal point; creating & maintaining an of such a day and see everyone enjoying themselves. games once again was a dream come true. 3 COMMUNITY & engaging community & social hub helping to enhance Lovely and unexpexted surprise to be part of I was extremely grateful to receive the call to say SOCIAL HUB the overall experience of disabled supporters presenting the MUDSA Player award as well — what that there had been some ticket returns and having Pricing Policy “Level Playing Field’s view is that we want an opportunity! Hope you have a fantastic Christmas unsuccessfully applied for tickets for the derby over and New Year. Will keep apppying for games next many years the excitement of attending as you might FREE toAdministration move away from of complimentary the concession ticket or allowance ‘free’ for year and fingers crossed for a Carrington experience. imagine was overwhelming. 4 TICKET ticketdisabled scenario supporters if we, as(e.g. disabled for charitable people, requests, ’ trips & experiences) Following a wide ranging consultation programme with manyGOVERNANCE want equality…‘once in a lifetime Please also see this from my coaching friend Tom, All in all we had a great time and have already stakeholders, the consensus view is that the club should align who kindly drove me there: entered the ballot for more games. ticket prices for all disabled supporters with that of non-disabled …any reduced price offering should therefore not be based supporters, as long as the quality of service and experience is equal. purely on being a disabled person but instead the quality and Let me start by saying a massive thank you for the Please can you also pass on my sincere thanks to choice ofSetting provision- upshould and be running taken into community account together outreach with COMMUNITY last 24 hours mate, I’ve now been home and showed all the stewards and staff who were so friendly and However, the club is committing to increased levels of financial5 otherprogrammes, concessions on offer using eg. age-related the brand (such to helpas retirement engage with support to MUDSA and the Manchester United Foundation thatOUTREACH will age, youth,and empower etc)” more disabled individuals & groups my mum the memorabilia, and I’ve just left my dad’s nothing seemed to be too much trouble for them. be far greater than any new ticketing revenues generated from these Source: Level Playing Field’s ‘Ticketing & Pricing Policy for Disabled Supporters and Visitors’ after showing him aswell, I’ve had the best day of Roman Maczkiewicz, a very happy Utd fan. policy changes. my life today, cannot begin to tell you how much I We understand that this will be a big change for wheelchair users appreciate your generous offer to come with you! Dear MUDSA, and blind/partially sighted supporters currently benefiting from It’s been a real pleasure going up with you and I want to let you know that I support the complaint complimentary tickets. The club will therefore be phasing the price WORKING TOGETHER: THE CLUB, MUDSA, spending today with you meeting my absolute idols sent to the Club following the St Etienne game. increaseA for these vision supporters to help with forthis change: the AND THE MANCHESTER UNITED FOUNDATION and I’ve nobody to thank but yourself, thank you, My son, aged 12, was fortunate to receive tickets 6 Whilst the club will introduce ticket pricing changes for thank you, thank you! for this game after applying, and had been looking some disabled supporters (in line with the results from the future, ready to forward to attending all half term. consultation programme), the Manchester United Foundation Regards, Lee Season Price (as a percentage of full price) will benefit from increased ticket allocations for charitable Our seat allocation was number 16 and on 2017/18 25% purposes. walking out onto the upper platform he (a powered be2018/19 delivered50% Hi Mudsa Additionally, the club continues to significantly increase its Yesterday I was at Old Trafford for the first time as wheelchair user) felt immediately intimidated by the 2019/20 75% level of assistance and financial support to MUDSA and the Last2020/21 July, onwards the MUDSA Committee100% was shown a Foundation to help set up and run community outreach a disabled supporter. My accident, which put me in situation. He was concerned that a St Etienne fan document put together by the Club which loosely programmes, using the brand to help engage with and wheelchair was only two-an-a-half-years ago and I would fall on him and his concern heightened as the Please see pages 12-13 for confirmed 2017/18 ticket prices. empower more disabled individuals and groups. This increased outlined a ‘Vision for the Future of MUDSA’. level of financial support will be far greater than any new have only been out and about for six months. kick off approached as the fans became more unruly. Some of it detailed tasks that the Committee have ticketing revenues generated from these policy changes. I was so impressed with the facilities and for the I encouraged him to stay in his position pointing always carried out and will always continue to, but first time I actually felt like a valued member ofa out the number of stewards that were present. 10 points 4 and 5 require input and a commitment from Hopefully you will have noticed that in the11 football club, and felt like my disability didn’t matter. However as the players came out and the flares the Club in order for them to be delivered. information document posted out to Members a Your lady with blue and yellow hi-vis jacket (Sue started I removed him to the ability suite as he was on With accessible ticketing now handled by the couple of weeks ago, on page 10 (above), the Club I think) was fantastic and made us very welcome, as the verge of tears and shaken up. We unfortunately Club and new Disability Liaison Officer Emma James clearly state that they intend to significantly increase did other stewards, but she went out of her way and did not see a ball kicked but watched the first half on appointed, MUDSA has been waiting for confirmation their level of assistance and financial support to deserves extra praise. There was also a steward in the TV in the ability suite. that the new post created at the MU Foundation to MUDSA and the MU Foundation to help set up and front section of wheelchair area with white hair he I took him home as could not persuade him to go help deliver items 4 and 5 has been filled. run a community outreach programme — items 4 and also was very attentive and spent time with us. back out onto the platform — although I could not At the last Fans’ Forum, John Shiels (the chief 5 of the ‘Vision’ document, above. Many thanks, Gary Hudson. blame him! I did not want his memory of Man Utd of executive of the Foundation) confirmed that the MUDSA will engage and co-operate with the MU him being scared. recruitment is complete and we are ready to move Foundation, both financially and practically, to help Dear Emma, On the way out Richard Williams and his colleague on, and so the Committee will be meeting with John make the Vision become a reality. I just wanted to send you and your team a very big were fantastic reassuring him that he was safe. early next month to go through the nuts and bolts of As we move forward, we hope to have more news thank you for making my visit to Old Trafford for the All our other experiences with Manchester Utd how the ‘Vision’ will be delivered. for you all on how the project is progressing. It won’t derby so memorable despite the result! have been fantastic but we wanted you to be aware Essentially, the Committee will be delivering Items happen overnight, but it will happen and for many Having attended matches over the years, due to of our experiences last Thursday. 1, 2 and 3 as they always have and items 4 and 5 will currently disadvantaged disabled people it will be a my mobility issues the match day experience has Best wishes. be delivered from within the MU Foundation offices. hugely empowering and enjoyable experience. 8 MUDSA ATC VISIT MUDSA ATC VISIT 9

8 Lucky MUDSA Members meet heroes and watch training at AON Training Complex

ne of the most popular events on the was the last one out — he just seemed to want stay MUDSA event calendar is the visit to and chat — probably because it was so cold outside. Othe Club’s Aon Training Centre. We were allowed out on the balcony for 15/20 For reasons beyond the Committee’s control, it mins to watch them train. After this we all made our hasn’t been organised since Sir Alex was in charge way back to Old Trafford where Emma James had and so when Chas became MUDSA secratery back in gone before us to meet everyone there. October, he made it a priority to get it reinstated and We were all given vouchers to have a drink and now the Club have agreed to two visits per season — a snack in the Red Café where tables had been the first of which happened on February 4th. reserved for us, before we all met in the reception Fifteen MUDSA members and their carers arrived area and went on the tour of Old Trafford. at around 11am and we made our way to the Jimmy After the tour members went back to look around Murphy Centre where there were drinks and a lovely the club museum and also they even let us have a buffet waiting for us. Then Micky Thomas and Albert photo taken with the FA cup and Community Shield Morgan (Sir Alex’s former kit man) went around the free of charge (normally £10). room chatting to everyone until Mark from MUTV I’d like to thank Clare at The Aon Training came along and did a 15-minute question and answer Complex and Emma for all their help in arranging a with Mickey and Albert. fantastic day and also Mickey, Mark and Albert and Then all of a sudden Wayne and Bastian appeared the catering team, and of course all our lovely players followed by the rest of the first team. They were and the staff and Manchester United who made us all lovely and had photographs taken, chatted and feel so welcome, everyone left with memories to signed souvenirs for everyone, then they made their treasure forever. way down the steps to the training pitches. Zlatan Ann-Marie Lewis — MUDSA Events Co-ordinator 10 MUDSA ATC VISIT MUDSA ATC VISIT 11

10 12 THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW 13 Henrikh Mkhitaryan things you probably didn’t know about WARNING: 10Manchester United’s Armenian Ace One of these facts might be made up!

Henrikh’s father, Hamlet Mkhitaryan, who played as a striker for FC 1Ararat during the 1980s, died of a brain tumor at age 33 when Henrikh was seven years old. Henrikh always wanted to become a football player to follow in his father’s footsteps.

Had he not been a football player, Mkhitaryan 2states that he would have like to have been a sprinter.

Mickie is ’s all-time top goalscorer, 3with 19 goals in 61 international matches since his debut in January 2007, including scoring the country’s first ever hat-trick.

Henrikh has been chosen as Armenian Footballer 4of the Year six times (every year since 2009, except 2010)

FACT FILE… Mkhitaryan is a polyglot — he is fluent in six Micki’s favourite song is Wind of Change by The Full Name: Henrikh Mkhitaryan languages: Armenian, Russian, English, German, Scorpions, his favourite film is The Scorpion King, DOB: 21 January 1989 5 8 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) French, Portuguese and some Italian. his favourite way to score is with a scorpion kick Height (above), but he is terrified of real scorpions. Nationality: Armenian Henrikh has visited Nagorno-Karabakh three Full Int. Caps: 61 Pyunik (Armenia) Premier 6times on charity visits. In December 2011, He’s very ambitious and says that after finishes Honours (club): Mkhitaryan visited , capital of the 9playing football, Henrikh wants to become a League: 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, Cup: 2009, : disputed territory, and donated gifts to the families lawyer. 2007, 2008. Shakhtar (Ukrain): Premier League: of fallen soldiers. He was subsequently awarded the 2011, 2012, 2013, Cup: 2011, 2012, 2013, Super Cup: 2012. NKR Prime Minister’s medal. 0When he was manager of , Borussia Dortmund: DFL-Supercup: 2014. Man United: 1Jurgen Klopp said: “Mkhitaryan fits us like an arse FA Community Shield: 2016 15 including Henrikh is from a football family… His mother on a bucket. What he offers is exactly what we need”. Honours (individual): 7Marina is head of the national teams department He went on to become Players’ Player of Bundesliga Players’ Player of the Season and Assist at the Armenia Football Federation, while his sister the Season 2015/16. Monica works for UEFA. 14 ACCESSIBILITY EXPANSION PLANS ACCESSIBILITY EXPANSION PLANS 15 What do YOU think?

Since Manchester United announced plans for the expansion of accessible seating at Old Trafford, debate has raged about charging for tickets, the phased abolition of the rota system and paying to park. We asked members of the Rollin’ Reds Facebook group for their thoughts.

Join the debate! Rollin’ Reds has its own Facebook page where MUDSA Members can meet, chat, make friends and discuss all kinds of topics. If you’d like to get involved, you can use the Facebook app on your smartphone or tablet and search for facebook.com/groups/rollinreds/ ‘Rollin’ Reds’ or using a web browser on your desktop computer, just visit: www.facebook.com/groups/rollinreds 16 COMPETITION CHANCEYOUR TO A PAIRWIN OF LOOPWHEELS

Pull-out colouring in section!

f you’re a wheelchair user there will be times in your life when you wish you had suspension on Iyour chair. Going over cobbles, up and down kerbs or just trundling down a rough pathway can leave you feeling shaken to the bones. But now with the latest technology from Loopwheels you can glide along and let your chair make bumpy journeys smoother as the wheels reduce vibrations with shock-absorbing springs.​ Loopwheels are designed to help you push over uneven streets, cobbles, grass, rough tracks and gravel paths, with less effort. The composite springs give you extra power to get up or down kerbs. Loopwheels are more comfortable HOW TO ENTER than standard wheels: they absorb tiring vibration, as well as bumps and shocks. They’re extremely durable, Just visit www.mudsa.org/loopwheels, fill in with standard quick release axles and come in two your details and answer the following question: ​ sizes (24” and 25”) to fit most manual wheelchairs. Who​ is Manchester United’s Loopwheels come in a wide range of colours all-time leading goal scorer? including black, red, orange, green, blue, purple, and The competition is open to everyone and the white or you can mix the spring colours. For more winner can choose which colour wheels they’d information, visit: www.loopwheels.com like. The closing date is March 30, 2017.

20

Manchester United Foundation

We use the power of football to engage and inspire young people to build a better life for themselves and unite the communities in which they live.

Ability Counts, August 2016

mufoundation.org facebook.com/manchesterunitedfoundation @MU_Foundation 22 EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: SERGIO ROMERO EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: SERGIO ROMERO 23

I’ve been ’s keeper for eight years — since gave me my first chance

Not many football clubs are lucky enough to have a super-star goalkeeper — but Manchester United have two! Sergio Romero’s 22 won the league in Holland, has an Olympic gold medal and came very close to winning the 2014 World Cup with Argentina. We caught up with the 6’ 3” stopper, nicknamed ‘Tiny’, for a chat…

RR: We know that goalkeepers can play on until the return leg against St Etienne and we’ve got a big nine, and he was a goalkeeper. I remember we would Sometimes we would have 40,000 fans inside the they are around 40 years old. Tell us about the advantage there. We hope to come home, qualified play on our driveway and I’d be in goal stopping stadium and 30,000 waiting outside for us. It was a difference in training that you guys do, as opposed for the next round of the Europa League. his shots. When Diego was ten, he started to play dream for us to play there. the outfield players… RR: Blackburn scored a great goal against us in the basketball, and went on to play for the national RR: Did the passion of the United fans in England Yes, there’s a very big difference in the way we train. FA Cup, but how do you evaluate that. Do you say, Argentina team when he was 16. At that moment, I surprise you? Did you expect that? I’d say mainly we don’t do running, but it’s all about OK that was a great goal, or do you blame yourself? also said that I wanted to play for the national team, Yes, they’re great. In fact, when I was on the team bus reaction and concentration. You might, for example, Yeah, I think as a goalkeeper you always ask but as a football goalkeeper. It’s been a little bit like against Blackburn, I asked how many play a game and you might not need to make a save why. There is always a reason why a goal went in. following my brother in his tracks. My brother is fans he expected to be there. He said there would in 85 minutes, but if you don’t get it right when you Afterwards you can analyse things, looking at the extremely tall, about 6ft 9ins, and he knew that he be about 7,000 and that we’d have taken up the full are needed, the ball ends up in the back of the net. So, replays and so on. So, you can work out whether you couldn’t be a goalkeeper any more. I am also tall, 6’ 3” allocation for that match. It was great, because in the if you want to play up until you are 40, you have to could have closed the space down a little bit more. but they call me ‘Chiquito’ which means ‘tiny’. first half they were behind me and I could hear them prepare right, because you spend a lot of time on the I’ve looked at that now, and I thought when Danny RR: So, now you are the Argentina national singing. It’s almost contagious the way that they sing floor, and receive a few blows when you are playing. Graham went through that he was going to hit the goalkeeper. That’s a massive thing! What were the and shout. It’s a great thing and it motivates you, and You have to be bright to play until 40. ball low down, so perhaps I was prepared to save the fans like in Brazil during the 2014 World Cup? our fans are always there for us in away games. RR: United are winning games and still in four ball on the ground. When he hit it higher, it literally Yes, it’s always a very proud moment to play for my RR: We sometimes ask strikers what’s the best goal competitions. What’s the atmosphere with the went in the only place he could have scored. national team and I was able to achieve a dream that they’ve scored, do goalkeepers have a best save? players like at the moment? RR: What made you want to become a goalkeeper? I had as a kid. I think having the World Cup in Brazil Yes. I think obviously as goalkeepers, it’s like a goal to Yeah, we are in good shape at the moment. We’re Was it an ambition, or was it perhaps that you were was really important for Argentinians because we us. We treat it the same. It’s an opportunity we have playing well and, thank God, most of the players are tall as a kid so you were made to go in goal? always want to beat them! We really wanted to to help our team. But yes, I do remember some great 100% per cent fit, perhaps apart from Phil Jones. A Basically, I wanted to be a keeper from when I was win that World Cup, and we got very close. I think saves, from when I was in Brazil in the World Cup, like few have got some knocks, but we’re ready to play four years old. At that time, my brother Diego was it was amazing also that we had so many fans there. against , and also in the few games 24 EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: SERGIO ROMERO EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: SERGIO ROMERO 25

I’ve played for United I’ve made a few good stops. But me in his first squad and then I knew I had to work more important than that is keeping a clean sheet, hard and wait for my opportunity. I think it was because if you keep a clean sheet you know you’ve November 9, 2009, that I played against Paraguay helped the side. in my first game. We lost 1-0, but he was happy RR: A couple of questions next… What made your with my performance and I went on to play more FACT FILE… mind up to come to United, as you came almost as for the national team. Obviously in future squads, Full Name: Sergio German Romero the second keeper? Are you friends or rivals others picked me for the team and I’ve been DOB: 22 February 1987 (age 30) with first choice keeper David de the national goalkeeper for eight years, Height 6ft-3in) Gea, or both? but I am in no doubt that it was a very Nationality: Argentinian When a team like Manchester When a important moment when Maradona Stats/honours AZ (Holland): United comes knocking, you team like picked me in the early days. He just : 2008/09 can’t really say no. I think any told me to enjoy being goalkeeper Johan Cruijff Schaal: 2009 Manchester Manchester Utd: player, or keeper would say FA Cup: 2015/16 yes to them. Even coming in the United comes FA Community Shield: 2016 Argentina U20: circumstances I might be involved knocking, you FIFA U-20 World Cup: 2007 in as a sub, you just have to take Argentina U23: Olympic Gold Medal: 2008 can’t really Argentina: your chance and your opportunity say no FIFA World Cup: Runner-up 2014, when it comes along. I knew it wasn’t Copa America: Runner-up 2015, 2016 going to be easy and that I wasn’t going to play too many games in the Premier League, but I am really happy with the work that I’m doing at the up, because it’s often said that a game can be won or moment. My relationship with David is a good one, lost by a goalkeeper in a split second. Always work 24 we’re good friends and we have a mutual respect for and get better. Once, someone told me that a keeper each other. The way we push each other in training is not a keeper until he is 30, and at 22 I was playing for increases the level of our performances. Argentina. So, it’s always about growing and getting RR: When you played in Holland, you managed 950 better and better. Here at Manchester United, I minutes keeping a clean sheet. Was that a record? have two colleagues – Joel Castro Pereira and Dean It was the second best – just by half a game. Henderson, who are, I think, 21 and 19 years old. I see RR: We read that it ended after you made a in those two keepers the same as I saw in me when I mistake. What happened? was younger. They just want to grow and learn from Ha, I’m not sure if that information is correct, but I me. Sometimes after training they will ask me if they could have done more in that game. It was a match in and fortunately every Argentina manager has picked can practice hitting some volleys with me. Obviously, the KMBV Cup in Holland, and at the end of the match me since then. that’s great and I’m very happy to help them. I’m 30 I punched a goalpost, and then a wall, and I broke my RR: We’ve noticed tends to kick a lot. now and I can show them how to improve. hand! I was then out for 45 days and managed to play Certainly against Blackburn, you tended to favour RR: Finally, a lot of players come to England and are the last four games and we won the league. throwing the ball, and almost had an assist for the shocked by the competitiveness of teams in lower RR: When you read stories about David de Gea goal. Do you prefer to distribute, divisions. For example, Lincoln beat Burnley in the going to Real Madrid, what do you think? Do you going from defence to attack, by throwing? FA Cup. How did you find that yourself? think, “This is my chance!”? It’s not something I prefer to do more, no. I prefer to I’m not shocked at all. Maybe the smaller teams might No, I don’t, and I tell you why for one reason. I read kick the ball, but it totally depends on the situation. lack quality, but they have more heart, and that makes recently that I wanted to leave Manchester United, To give you an example, for Rashford’s goal against them give more than the Premier League teams they and that’s just not true. You can never believe the Blackburn I saw Henrikh Mkhitaryan in the centre play against. I’ll give you an example. Argentina and news 100 per cent because they have to invent and rolled it out to him as it was a sure way of Brazil always thought they were better than other stories sometimes to fill those column inches. To give maintaining possession. On the following move, I South American national teams, better than Ecuador, you an example, instead of watching the news last again threw the ball out to , who better than Bolivia, better than Peru. But recently we night, I just watched some NBA on TV. put the ball through to Mkhitaryan, who couldn’t have lost to some of these teams. It’s not just about RR: Diego Maradona gave you your first quite finish. It’s just about analysing the situation and the team that is on the pitch. It’s about the other international call-up. How did that feel? working out the surest way of keeping possession. players on the bench who want to be part of the team. My great relationship with Diego goes back to 2008, RR: One of our reader’s sons has just signed as You don’t want to win football matches by simply when we were preparing for a final against Nigeria Burnley’s under-16 keeper. What advice would showing your badge. It’s about much more than that. in Beijing. He was training me as a goalkeeper. Then you give him? The hunger and the heart. Look at the way Blackburn when he took charge of the senior team he picked I think my first piece of advice would be to never give played against us the other night. 26 FAN FEATURE FAN FEATURE 27 JOHN GETS SHIRTY! hen showing support for your football team there is no better way than wearing NATHANIEL’S DAD HAS Wthe club shirt and I have plenty to choose 83 MAN UNITED TOPS! from as I’ve been collecting them since 2002. In my youth I couldn’t afford to buy the shirts so I’m 1 making up for it now… My name is John Yates and I’ve been coming to Old Trafford with my son Nathaniel who’s been a MUDSA member for 14 seasons. In the United Museum they have the old shirts 2 made from heavy wool/cotton and they’re so much different to the state of art modern-day ones. Not only that, nowadays they release a new home and away shirt every year plus a third shirt every two years, oh and goalkeeper’s kit as well — there are so many to choose from but let me show you some of my favourites and stir a few memories… Let start with a seventies shirt. This one spans 1 1975 to 1980. Players like Buchan, Macari and 26 the Greenhoffs wore this shirt. Next is the European Cup Winners Cup shirt from 2 the 2-1 win over Barcelona in Rotterdam worn by Hughesy, Phelan and Irwin. 5 is the shirt from 1992 to 1994 when United 3 beat Blackburn to win the first Premier 3 League in 1993 and the double the year after. The next shirt is a must, the commemorative 4 4 1999 treble shirt. “…and Solskjaer has won it!” This one is Nathaniel’s pride and joy the 2003/04 5 signed by the squad at Carrington. United wore this kit to beat Liverpool 2-1 at Anfield and Arsenal 1-0 in the FA Cup. This is from the 1990 to 1992 seasons when we 6 beat Arsenal 6-2 in the Rumbelows Cup. is the famous grey one that was only worn 7 till half time at Southampton in 1996. 6 United were losing 3-0 and Sir Alex made the team get changed as the colour caused problem with visibility. United never won a game in this shirt. One to forget! The last shirt is a copy but sums United up. It’s 8 the 1958 FA Cup shirt with the phoenix-rising- from-the-flames badge which celebrates the club’s miraculous rebirth from the Munich Air Crash 7 only three months earlier. I wore this one to the which marked 50 years on from Munich. I’m not normally an emotional man but when the fans starting singing the Busby Babes song I had a 8 lump in my throat. 28 CHRISTMAS PARTY CHRISTMAS PARTY 29

Christmas party a big hit as usual Juan is MUDSA ld Trafford’s Manchester Suite was buzzing on Tuesday, December 20th Oas it played host to the most exciting day in the Manchester United Disabled Supporters Association (MUDSA) calendar — Player of the Year the Christmas Party! As you will see from the gallery, a fantastic time was had by all and as usual, all the first team players came along to meet members and their guests, have their photos taken and sign everybody’s goodies! MUDSA members voted for as their Player of the Year because of his outstanding goals and consistent performances that have helped to transform our midfield this season. We would like to thank all the players who attended the Christmas party, a tradition which is now in its 27th year and is the most popular event in the MUDSA calendar. 30 CHRISTMAS PARTY CHRISTMAS PARTY 31 32 CHRISTMAS PARTY CHRISTMAS PARTY 33 34 HOME AND AWAY HOME AND AWAY 35

NAME: Morag Stone DISABLED WHAT WILL THE SCORE BE, TODAY? 3-1 to SUPPORTERS United! NUMBER OF YEARS SUPPORTING UNITED: ASSOCIATION About 30. Ever since Sir Alex went to United. Home and Away Obviously because I’m Scottish I took a great interest around that time. EARLIEST MEMORY OF UNITED: Apart from Sir Alex The Theatre of Dreams welcomed Wigan NAME: David Lee going there when I was about nine, the thing that stands Athletic at the end of January in the fourth WHAT WILL THE SCORE BE, TODAY? United usually out is Eric Cantona signing for United from Leeds in ‘92. round of the FA Cup, and Rollin’ Reds caught up beat us four or five-nil but today I think it’ll be 1-0 to with a couple of home and away fans for a chat BEST UNITED MEMORY: I’m going to steer away from Wigan. before Unted went on to win 4-0… the obvious ones like Champions League victories and NUMBER OF YEARS SUPPORTING WIGAN: 34 instead, I’m going to say the game when Cantona came EARLIEST MEMORY OF WIGAN: My earliest back from his ban and scored a penalty against Liverpool memory of them is the reason I started supporting to draw the game 2-2. to go very often but when I moved back to Scotland I started to go a lot more. them. Way back in 1983 I chose my team to support FAVOURITE ALL-TIME UNITED PLAYER: Cantona. For by pulling them out of hat and I’ve supported them so many reasons. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THEDISABLED ever since. DISABLED FACILITIES HERE AT OLD FAVOURITE CURRENT PLAYER: Zlatan Ibrahimovic. TRAFFORD? I’ve only beenSUPPORTERS disabled for BEST WIGAN MEMORY: It was beating Not just for the goals but for the influence he’s having three years so it’s only recently I’ve been Manchester City 1-0 in the FA Cup Final in 2013. over the younger players that obviously look up to him. using the accessible facilities. I ASSOCIATIONphoned for They’d been handing out winner’s badges before come up for, and I didn’t WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE SUMMER SIGNINGS tickets for the Fenerbahçe game earlier the game had even started and we made them fancy that one. I’m also a Leicester Tigers rugby fan so eat their words. The thing that made it extra AND WHO IS YOUR FAVOURITE? Henrikh Mkhitaryan. in the season and the operator told I do a lot of travelling to watch them in Europe as well. special was that I’d been in hospital with Although he hasn’t had the best start, he seems to have me about the accessible seating a broken hip that year and Wigan WHAT’S HAPPENING WITH WIGAN IN THE been patient and watching him play now, he’s the one because I had concerns about Athletic gave me semi-final and LEAGUE? Warren Joyce has had a tough start but who’s really making the team gel together. being in the crowd. I think it’s final tickets and really looked we’ve just won three league games on the run so wonderful. WHO DO YOU THINK WILL WIN THE LEAGUE? after me. hopefully we can get some more momentum together WHAT DO YOU and get out of the bottom three in the Championship. Chelsea. They’re too far ahead and they’re just too FAVOURITE ALL-TIME THINK OF THE consistent to be caught. WIGAN PLAYER: Paul WHAT ARE THE DISABLED FACILITIES LIKE AT THE NEW PLANS JUST WHERE DO YOU THINK UNITED WILL FINISH IN Scharner DW STADIUM? Very good actually. They have lots ANNOUNCED? I’ve THE LEAGUE of wheelchair spaces — raised platforms a bit like Old ? 3rd. The teams just above us have some never been part of FAVOURITE CURRENT Trafford but higher up. But me and my friends prefer tricky games coming up but ours look a bit easier. If we the rota so I don’t PLAYER: Will Grigg — he has to be down by the side of the pitch to get closer to the can put a run together now, maybe we can carry that understand all that the best song ever! action. I don’t mind when it rains — I’m used to it. over to into our tougher games. but disabled people IF YOU COULD OFFER ANY want equality as far as HAVE YOU BEEN TO OLD TRAFFORD BEFORE? IF YOU COULD OFFER ANY ADVICE TO ANY PLAYER ADVICE TO ANY PLAYER it can be achieved and so putting in more seats Lots of times — about 15, I think. - WHO WOULD IT BE AND WHAT WOULD YOU SAY? - WHO WOULD IT BE AND for us means more can watch our favourite . I feel like something’s holding him back — WHAT WOULD YOU SAY? WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE DISABLED team. That can only be a good thing. In terms of possibly the injury he suffered in 2015 when he broke I’d say ‘stop diving’ and I’d say FACILITIES HERE AT OLD TRAFFORD? Absolutely charging — I use ambulant seating so I already his leg playing against PSV Eindhoven. I would tell him it to . brilliant. I love Old Trafford and the Ability Suite — it’s to have faith in his abilities and look to the support of pay, but where else can you watch top-level team mates and Jose who can help him become as entertainment for free? PLAYER WOULD MOST LIKE my favourite ground followed by the Emirates, the Etihad and the Brighton good or better than he was before. AT WIGAN: I’ll give you a clue… He HOW DO THE FACILITIES Hove Albion. The crazy thing about plays for United and he’s getting on a PLAYER WOULD MOST LIKE AT AT OTHER GROUNDS it is that United don’t even charge bit… Zlatan Ibrahimovic. I went to the UNITED: Sergio Busquets from COMPARE TO HERE? wheelchair users but even if they did Community Shield between United and Barcelona. I think that he’d be a I’ve not been to I’d still say it’s the best. Leicester and when he scored that header perfect replacement for Michael many other grounds you just knew he was going to be a big hit in HOW DO THE FACILITIES AT Carrick who’s not getting any although I did go to the Premier League. OTHER GROUNDS COMPARE TO younger. He’s got the experience Everton earlier this HERE? I’ve been disabled all my life and the quality and he’s only 28. season. I ended up WIGAN BEAT FORREST IN THE LAST and I’ve been to pretty much every watching from the ROUND OF THE FA CUP — DID YOU GO? HAVE YOU BEEN TO OLD ground in the country so I’ve seen a pitch-side seats and Well, I have a Wigan season ticket but I live TRAFFORD BEFORE? I’ve been lot and some are truly awful. going since about 2002. I lived in I absolutely loved it. in Leicester so I pick and choose the games I Ireland back then so I didn’t get On Fire: Will Grigg MUDSAMUDSA MerchandiseMerchandise e are committed to offering our BADGES members fairly priced products with Wall the profits going to MUDSA. Merchandise is available on match days from our VI rep John Simister in the Ability Suite and also from the Club Museum on non-match days.

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