DISABLED SUPPORTERS ASSOCIATION Disabled Supporters Association THE OFFICIAL MUDSA MAGAZINE VOLUME 18, ISSUE 2, WINTER 2015 DISABLED SUPPORTERS ASSOCIATION EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH Wayne Rooney PLUS: 10 THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT Marcos Rojo 2 CONTENTS Vol 18 | Issue 2 | | CONTENTS Vol 18 | Issue 2 3 Panic over... Robin van Persie celebrates with Wayne Rooney after ending his goal drought against Hull in November PHIL DOWNS, MBE SUE ROCCA SECRETARY/DLO TREASURER Inside this edition… C/O Ticketing & Membership Services, 113 Darley Avenue, Manchester United, Sir Matt Busby Way, Manchester, M21 7QR 4 The Platform with Jamie Old Trafford, Manchester, M16 0RA T: 0161 861 9454 5 Team Talk with Chas T: 0845 230 1989 E: [email protected] E: [email protected] 6 Ups ‘n’ Downs with Phil JOHN SIMISTER 8 Editor’s Notes with Jamie JAMIE LEEMING VI REPRESENTITIVE EDITOR C/O Ticketing & Membership Services, The official MUDSA magazine 10 Things You Didn’t Know Marcos Rojo 1 Althorpe Drive, Southport, PR8 6HS Manchester United, Sir Matt Busby Way, Volume 18, Issue 2, Winter 2015 12 MUDSA Christmas Party T: 07590 406669 Old Trafford, Manchester, M16 0RA E: [email protected] T: 07521 863737 This magazine is issued free of charge to 14 Exclusive RR Interview Wayne Rooney E: [email protected] MUDSA members. You can also view Rollin’ 20 MUDSA Annual Dinner CHAS BANKS Reds and download it in PDF format from our 22 Have Your Say Your Letters SOCIAL & DEPUTY EDITOR ANN-MARIE LEWIS website: www.mudsa.org C/O Ticketing & Membership Services, FAMILY EVENTS 24 The Kids Are Alright with Kevin Christie Photography: John and Matthew Peters Manchester United, Sir Matt Busby Way, 17 Bala Avenue, Holywell, CH8 7HD 26 MUDSA Official Merchandise Old Trafford, Manchester, M16 0RA T: 01352 715794 Production: leemingdesign.co.uk T: 0161 610 8200 E: [email protected] 27 My MUFC Ruth Eagle E: [email protected] Thanks this issue: Richard Trenchard LIZ EdwArds Kevin Christie DES TURNER QUADRANT REP/MERCHANDISE John Allen ROLLIn’ REDS PRODUCTION 37 Ashburn Way, Mill Gardens, 2, Cae Bryn, Garth, Wrexham, LL13 0YY Llangollen, LL20 7DQ T: 01978 264822 T: 01978 810528 E: [email protected] Keep yourself up to date with the E: [email protected] Follow MUDSA on Facebook: latest news by visiting www.facebook.com/MUDSA.official www.mudsa.org 4 THE PLATFORM With Jamie | | TEAM TALK With Chas 5 Time flies when Lou’s United squad you’re having fun is starting to click ith the pace at which some of us Phil Downs is next with an overview of what it n spite of a somewhat mediocre start to Persie and a fit again Di Maria, our attack will surely live our lives it’s hard to believe takes to run an organisation like MUDSA. the season (especially with what seemed be good enough to cement that Champions Whow time flies sometimes. On pages 8 and 9 you will find my inane Ilike a kind fixture list), most United fans League spot for next season. I’ve been involved with MUDSA for about four ramblings about the season so far and a few felt quietly confident that things would Michael Carrick did a superb job against years now — starting off as a contributor to Rollin’ other matters which I think are of note, including work out under the new manager. Liverpool playing in the centre of a back three, Reds and moving on to become editor and I can some of the more interesting transfer rumours Now, riding on the wave of an 11-game but what a waste of a player who is possibly our tell you the time has flown by. which have been doing the rounds in the national unbeaten run (though with too many away draws), best midfielder at the moment. I can’t even begin to imagine how Phil Downs newspapers. sitting in a comfortable third place and in the hat It’s surely not a coincidence that since he feels as he has recently seen the organisation Next we have a few interesting facts about for the 4th round of the FA cup, that mark its 25th anniversary one of United’s summer confidence seems well placed. at the Christmas party signings, Marcos Rojo. In the main, the team have not been back in December. You December saw the playing brilliant football (although can read more about the 25th MUDSA Christmas against Hull we were outstanding) but celebrations elsewhere in Party and pages 12 and points on the board ae what count. this edition but I’d like to 13 are dedicated to that What United have done, is become take this opportunity to offer event which was expertly more resilient and rediscovered the my own congratulations organised by Ann-Marie. It fighting spirit that seemed so badly and thanks to Phil for the has been commemorated absent last season when Liverpool effort he’s personally put with a special badge which were beating us on our own pitch. in over the years to Make is pictured below and can This season the situations are MUDSA what it is today. be bought in the Ability neatly reversed, including the score With disability, Phil faces Suite on match days. line and it’s Brendon Rogers who is challenges just like the Chas and I were lucky being taunted with songs about being rest of us and so I think it’s enough to secure an “sacked in the morning”, not David fair to say that we’re lucky interview with club captain Moyes. to have this super-human Wayne Rooney and you can Louis van Gaal has definitely turned Bringing in quality players like Di Maria and Falcao has elevated United figure running the show. read what he had to say to things around, spreading confidence And every disabled sports us on pages 14 to 19. through the club from the top to the bottom. returned from injury we’ve gone unbeaten in 11 fan who’s ever attended an Another major event late His press conferences cheer me up no end! games. event at Old Trafford and last year was the MUDSA Even Fellaini has moved on from last season to We know now we’ve got the best keeper in the enjoyed the facilities over the years, Annual Dinner we have a write-up become a cult hero! country and as long as we can keep him out of whether it be a Manchester United about that on pages 20 and 21. Everyone knows there is a long way to go. You Real Madrid’s clutches, it’s probable that his best match or any other event the stadium Last, but by no means least, we have don’t win the league by your goalkeeper being years are yet to come. All we need is to get the has hosted, owes Phil a pat on the back. the usual suspects including a packed player of the month three months running. four in front of him sorted out and we’ll be flying. Moving on to the this edition of Rollin’ Reds, letters page, a review of some of United’s However, the injuries we have suffered during I can foresee a scenario where we could start I must offer my apologies for the delay as this younger players with Kevin Christie and a Q&A the last few months have been beyond anything to climb the table like Liverpool did in the second should have been in your hands a month ago, but with MUDSA member, Ruth Eagle. I’ve ever known in 50 years of watching United. half of last season. Like us now, they had no I hope it’s been worth the wait as the team has All that’s left for me to say is a big thanks to all You have to believe that when we come out the European commitments and that extra rest and put together an action-packed read for you. the team who help to produce this magazine and other side of this blight, which surely must end preparation time gave them an edge. As usual, we start with Team Talk on the also to Fred the Red who I managed to corner for soon, we’ll look like a formidable team again. I’m officially excited about the rest of the opposite page — the thoughts of our own pundit, the photo above which was one of my favourites Once we have a defence that works (a couple season now and we haven’t even seen Falcao at Chas Banks whose views are always worth from 2014 — happy new year, everybody! of fully fit full backs would be a good start!) then his best yet! Happy New Year and bring on 2015! listening to. Jamie Leeming — Editor with an in form Rooney, a resurgent Robin van Chas Banks — Deputy Editor 6 UPS ‘n’ DOWNS With Phil | | UPS ‘n’ DOWNS With Phil 7 MUDSA is 25 years young! UDSA recently switched offices from Ann-Marie presents the MU Foundation building to the David de Gea with Ticketing and Membership Services the MUDSA Player M of the Year award building, i.e., the Ticket Office, a significant for 2014 with the help of other MUDSA move and perhaps an indicator of how far members and guests MUDSA has come in its 25 year history! Yes, the 2014 Christmas Party was our 25th anniversary. When we originally sprung to life we were thrilled by the best technology available… a fax machine and an Amstrad computer… it’s much more sophisticated and complex now! Our recent move allows us to streamline some procedures and benefit from shorter lines of communication with the people we work closely with producing improved outcomes for our members.