As a huge Manchester United fan, I have been fortunate enough to have experienced one of the most remarkable runs of success by a single club in modern footballing history. Although Old Trafford without Sir Alex Ferguson is a truly bizarre place, the club’s growth and development remains utterly engrossing.
I am a keen writer and have penned articles about football for a variety of publications, including Dream Team Fantasy Football. I also run my own music website, Music Factory Number One. I’m on Twitter @piersbarber18.
First kit: The 3rd kit from the 2000/01 season, a dark blue and dark red affair which was hardly ever used. Still one of my most prized possessions.
Favourite kit: The 1992/93 home shirt. Reminds me of grainy VHS footage of Ryan Giggs runs, which remain some of the most startling bits of skill I’ve ever seen in football.
Favourite player: Paul Scholes, each and every time. Honourable mentions to Fabien Barthez, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Shinji Kagawa.
Favourite non-United player: Andrea Pirlo
Favourite United match: The 5-3 against Tottenham in September 2001, when five different goalscorers, including the mercurial Juan Sebastian Veron, helped United complete an incredible second half comeback from 3-0 down.
Favourite goal: Paul Scholes’ goal against Panathaniokos in November 2000, when he launched an exquisite chip over keeper Antonis Nikopolidis to finish a suave and sophisticated 32-pass move. Roy Keane’s header against Juventus in the 1999 Champions League semi comes a close second.
Best ever United XI: Van der Sar, Neville, Ferdinand, Vidic, Irwin, Beckham, Scholes, Keane, Giggs, Ronaldo, Cantona (Picked from those I’ve seen play)