Gabby George has been reliving her memories of Champions League nights while growing up as a Manchester United matchgoing supporter.
The lifelong Red will be part of the squad that takes to the Old Trafford pitch next Wednesday, for the clash with Paris Saint-Germain.
Tickets for the match are available now, with a 25 per cent student discount also in the offing*.
To preview the Anglo-Gallic meet-up, we invited Gabby to the Theatre of Dreams and took her on a trip down memory lane…
ROONEY’S WAYWARD SHOT
“When we were at the Centre of Excellence, we used to get to be the flag bearers in the middle. We got to go as a team and watch the boys. Usually we used to do well, so it was nice! They used to take turns in the age groups. I do actually have a story from one of the games. I was stood behind the net, we were getting ready to go on the pitch and they were warming up. Wayne Rooney blasted a ball over, but he missed [what he was aiming for] and whacked me in the head! I didn’t get concussion though…”
A TEAM OF LEGENDS
“When I was younger, I was actually a forward player. There’s lots of favourites, but I used to love Rooney. I just loved his attitude and his desire, his resilience. He just didn’t care about anything other than playing football, and you could see that in his performances. I used to love Rio and Vidic. I used to love their partnership. Vidic was a no-nonsense defender and Ferdinand was the ball-player. Then obviously we had like Rooney and Ronaldo, they were the goalscorers, but also the machines in the middle like Michael Carrick, Paul Scholes, Giggs. We had an unbelievable team and it’s a great one to remember.”
DREAMING OF A PHOTO WITH SIR ALEX
“As a Manchester United fan you always knew about ‘Fergie Time’, with them coming back to score late on in games. I’d like to think that’s something that we can do if we need to. It’s about digging deep and showing that Manchester United mentality. That’s what it’s all about. I never got to meet him when I was younger, but I’ve met him a couple of times now. He’s been to some of our games when I was injured. He was sat in front of us and I always regretted not getting a photo with him. Growing up, he’s an icon, isn’t he? He’s someone who has been massive in the history of Manchester United. As a fan he’s pivotal to that, so I’m gutted I’ve never got a photo.”
EMULATING THE 2008 TEAM
“Paul Scholes has scored some great goals over the years, this [v Barcelona] is one of them. We had a lot of top players who could be counted on when we needed them. That was a great finish. I don’t think there’s a word that would describe that feeling [of reaching the final in 2008]. Growing up and being a fan, living through these moments, I think it would be amazing for us to go and do it. We’ve got a long road ahead of us but I think the mentality that we show as a team, every game we want to try and win – nothing changes, whether it’s Champions League or the league. It would be an amazing moment, not just for us but the club in general. We would be the first Manchester United women’s team to do it, but like I said we take one game at a time and see where it takes us.”
PRIDE IN COUSIN LINGARD
“As a family, we were proud of Jesse, being Manchester United fans and growing up watching them. For him to have moments where he was breaking through with players like Rooney, Giggs was amazing and a massive achievement to him. It’s not a small club, it’s a massive club, so to get into the first team, you’ve got to be a player. It wasn’t just his ability, it was his mindset and his work rate and everything else with it. As a family, we were really proud and for me it was nice to have someone to look up to.”
A HISTORIC NIGHT
“It's going to be amazing and very special for the history of the club. We’re not here just here to make up the numbers and have these special days out. We’re here to compete at the highest level and that’s what we want to do on the day. My family always come. I live in Manchester, so it’s easy for my family to get down so they’ll be here for our first game at Old Trafford. The Champions League – saying it gives you goosebumps. We worked so hard last season to get in this position so it’s about looking at how far we’ve come, enjoying that but also showcasing what we can do and showing we’re not just here to make up the numbers.”
*Simply use the code PSG-STUDENT-25 at checkout to activate your discount, and present a valid student ID on entry and at kiosks for discounted food and drink. T&Cs apply. Valid student ID required. One use per customer. Offer valid for Manchester United Women v Paris Saint-Germain at Old Trafford on 12 November.