As one of the world’s foremost sports teams, Manchester United and their new head coach remain under a global microscope. The newly-appointed coach Van Gaal has taken the reigns of the club after the recent sacking of former coach David Moyes. Based in northwest England, Manchester United, with its long history as one of Europe’s premiere professional football teams, continues to garner the admiration of sports fans worldwide, including Tunde Folawiyo and millions more.

To appreciate the pride of Manchester United is to understand its humble beginnings. Established as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the team later changed its name to Manchester United in 1902. The famed Manchester United crest was derived from Manchester City Council’s coat of arms. Today, it remains one of the most recognisable logos across Europe and beyond.

Throughout years of wins and losses, Manchester United fans have remained loyal. Forever embedded in the club’s history, the team endured a tremendous loss when their plane crashed upon take-off in Munich en route to England after a European Cup game in February 1958. Twenty-three people perished in the crash, including eight players. After much mourning, the team, its staff and its millions of fans rebuilt.

As one of the most successful teams in sports history, Manchester United has held many honours, including three European Cups, a record 20 League titles, four League Cups, 11 FA Cups and 20 FA Community Shields. The team also won a continental treble in 1998-99, a wonderful accomplishment for an English club.

In 2012 Forbes ranked United first on a list of the top ten most valuable sports team brands in the world, carrying an estimated value of $2.3 billion. Further demonstrating their popularity, Manchester United became the first team in history to carry a value of over $3 billion in 2013. While the club no longer ranks first, it remains among the most successful franchises in sports history. The club’s outstanding success has led to the establishment of the Manchester United Foundation, a charity with goals to educate, inspire and motivate young people. The foundation continues to forge an impact on disadvantaged areas throughout the region.

Manchester United will forever remain one of the most beloved of English football teams. They have been led by many coaches of extraordinary talent, including Matt Busby and Sir Alex Ferguson, who won 28 major honours throughout a career spanning a quarter of a century. He remains one of the most respected coaches in the history of football. Millions of loyal fans including Tunde Folawiyo may regard Van Gaal as a fine choice to follow in the footsteps of the revered coach.

Man United’s transfer plans are once again being revamped, following the appointment of Louis van Gaal as manager. Whilst Moyes was said to have been eager to add Cesc Fabregas to the team, van Gaal has insisted that he has no interest in this player, and has now provided Ed Woodward, the club’s executive vice chairman, with a new transfer list, which includes Kevin Strootman, Indi Martins and Jordy Clasie.

Some United supporters, like Tunde Folawiyo, might be a bit confused by van Gaal’s decision to name Strootman as a potential addition to the team, as the midfielder suffered quite a severe knee injury recently, which has left him unable to participate in the World Cup. However, the manager’s other choices should come as no surprise; both Martins and Clasie have been with Holland for the past two years, and are believed to have played a key role in the club’s securing of their World Cup qualification. As such, it makes sense that the Dutch manager is now hoping to bring these two on board at Old Trafford.

Bastian Schweinsteiger, who currently plays for Bayern Munich, is said to be at the top of the manager’s wish list. He has performed well in the past, but since Pep Guardiola was appointed as the club’s new manager, the midfielder has spent much of the last season on the bench. Schweinsteiger is rumoured to be frustrated with his lack of playing time, and so might very well be open to the idea of moving to another club.

Whilst most of United’s transfer negotiations have not yet led to any concrete decisions, one deal has already been struck. Federico Macheda will be moving from United to Cardiff this summer, and will remain with his new club for at least three years. The 22 year old described it as a fantastic opportunity, and thanked Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for signing him.

As a fan of United, Tunde Folawiyo might recall that Macheda started out strong when he joined the Red Devils in 2009, scoring winning goals for his team against both Sunderland and Aston Villa. However, as time went on, he began to spend more and more time on loan, and although he did well during his spell with Birmingham, it seems that the management at United are quite content to part with him.

Amid heightened speculation, it’s been announced that Southampton player Luke Shaw is headed for Manchester United. Securing capture of Shaw for £25million, the teenager is set to earn approximately £75,000-a-week throughout the five year deal. Devoted fans of Manchester United such as Tunde Folawiyo and millions of others may be overjoyed at the prospect of this young super talent joining the ranks of the most successful football team in the world.

Shaw’s outstanding talents are undisputed. Born in 1995, he began playing for Southhampton’s youth systems before his first-team debut in January of 2012. His first professional football contract was signed in May of the same year before he became a regular for Southampton. His senior international debut came on 5 March 2014 with a 1-0 win against Denmark.

Born in Kingston upon Thames, Shaw attended school in Hersham, Surrey. A Chelsea supporter, he played at Chelsea’s Guildford development center at the age of eight, but failed to secure an offer for academy place. Later that year, Shaw joined Southampton Academy, becoming a regular for the under-18 team. His first association with first team came during September 2011 when he appeared as an unused sub in a League Cup game versus Preston North End.

During a transfer window in January 2012, reports stated that Premier League teams such as Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City showed interest in the young 16-year-old Shaw, though Southampton responded with a statement from manager Nigel Adkins stating that there were no plans for a transfer of Shaw or any other young players.

Shaw’s first appearance for Southampton first team came during the FA Cup on 28 January. Aged 16, Shaw replaced winger Jason Puncheon, playing the last 13 minutes of a 1-1 third round draw with Millwall. Upon Southampton’s promotion to top flight during May 2012, Shaw become one of a group of four youth players to be presented with a professional contract for a Premiere League return. Football fans like Tunde Folawiyo may recognize this young talent as one of the most promising in recent years.

With his career with Manchester United quickly approaching, Shaw has spoken of his appreciation for the support and guidance he’s been shown by older players within the famed squad. Steven Gerrard, Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard are amongst those who have offered words of wisdom to the young player, encouraging him to soak in the experience. Dedicated fans of Manchester United such as Tunde Folawiyo and millions of others throughout the globe may continue to admire Shaw’s outstanding skill.

As the world of football awaits Van Gaal’s official appointment to Manchester United, rumors of the seasoned coach’s methods continue to swirl, leaving fans and players eager to learn more of the man from the Netherlands. The Dutchman is soon expected to take the reins at the Old Trafford upon leading the Holland team to the World Cup. Though fans of United, including Tunde Folawiyo and millions throughout the world, may be find his coaching methods unconventional, former players under Van Gaal’s leadership have divulged the positive impact of his ways.

As a coach, it’s said that Van Gaal demands loyalty and honesty from his players, employing unusual methods to get the scoop on his players lives both on and off the field.

United players have been warned that once the 62-year-old coach accepts command of the team, they will have a bit of explaining to do. One-on-one meetings with players have long been a valuable coaching tool of Van Gaal. He is expected to grill players about personal matters, including the names of their wives and children and how they spend their off-time. This then leads to discussions of the players’ preferences on the field. Upon conclusion of these talks, Van Gaal will deliver his personal opinion of a player before giving each a four-page manifesto that will outline the strict rules he has set forth for the team, including instructions regarding behaviour and discipline, as well as limits on promotional work and media guidelines. One such rule states that players are banned from using headphones on bus trips as he prefers to communicate openly with his players. Whilst many head coaches are known for their tough exteriors, Van Gaal is far from the norm. Having endured many tragedies throughout his life, including a troubled relationship with his father and his wife Fernanda’s death to cancer at the age of 39, Van Gaal has admitted to an open personality, never hesitating to show emotion in public.

Many of Van Gaal’s coaching traits are reminiscent of Sir Alex Ferguson, including their policies for keeping team talks and dressing room speeches private, away from the prying eye of the media. In addition to this, the coach also employs a variety of technologies to improve his technique. He often uses Google Glass and other innovations to take players through a virtual world to better map out plans of attack. As these methods and others begin to come to light, Tunde Folawiyo and millions of other fans throughout the UK and beyond may invest new hope in the coaching capabilities of a highly-esteemed Van Gaal.

As Manchester United fans throughout the globe anxiously await newly appointed Coach Louis van Gaal’s first game at Old Trafford, rumors surrounding his impending coaching strategies have slowly come to light. It’s been reported that the 62-year-old coach is steadfast to keep famed United player Ryan Giggs on board as a member of his coaching staff. Millions of loyal Manchester United fans such as Tunde Folawiyo and others throughout the UK may be comforted by the long-held experience of Van Gaal and the tremendously talented Giggs.

Filling in as United’s player-manager since David Moyes’ April sacking, Giggs has proven himself to be a useful entity in the club’s continued quest toward victory. In a statement to FIFA’s website last December, Van Gaal revealed his preference for keeping one coach from existing staff upon entrance to a new club.

Soon, Old Trafford will welcome a new captain upon Nemanja Vidic’s impending summer move to Inter. According to speculation, player Robin van Persie is a suitable candidate, given his already established rapport with Van Gaal. The coach has spoken openly about the spot, refusing to make captain decisions based on age.

Throughout his extensive career, Van Gaal has managed several teams with Barcelona, Ajax, AZ and Bayern Munich amongst them. Prior to his coaching career, he played midfielder for Telstar, Royal Antwerp, AZ and Sparta Rotterdam. Upon his brief time as coach of AZ, Van Gaal served as Leo Beenhakker’s assistant at Ajax before eventually claiming the head coach title in 1991. With his leadership, the team triumphed over three Eredivisie titles, the Champions League and the UEFA Cup. After a move to Barcelona in 1997, he led the club to dual Spanish league titles and a Copa Del Rey.

Once departed from Barcelona, van Gaal accepted the role of coach for the Netherlands national team, though he later returned to Barcelona after the Netherlands failed to qualify for the World Cup in 2002. After brief stints with Barcelona and AZ, he was acquired by Bayern Munich during 2009.During his first season as coach, he led the team to a Bundesliga title, a DFB-Pokal win and a spot in the Champions League final round before returning to the Netherlands. With these revered accomplishments under his belt, Van Gaal is ready to take command of United. Manchester United fans such as Tunde Folawiyo may find the seasoned coach to be a fine successor to the outstanding legacy left behind by Sir Alex Ferguson upon his retirement.

The news of David Moyes’ departure from Man United undoubtedly left many fans, including Tunde Folawiyo, reeling. The former manager made a statement to the press several days after it was announced that he had been fired, explaining that he understood how frustrating this season has been for players and supporters alike.

However, he also implied that the reason for their many defeats was down to the need for a major overhaul. He stated that he and the team had been committed to achieving this overhaul, and that it was the transitory nature of this period which had resulted in their all too frequent failures on the pitch.

Where Moyes intends to go next is still uncertain; however, it has been confirmed by the League Managers Association that he is to receive a settlement package following the club’s decision to fire him. Roberto Martinez, who currently serves as the manager of Everton – a position which Moyes held for over a decade – commented on the news, stating that he was confident Moyes would find another job in the near future. He finished by saying that he and the team would always be grateful for the work the Scotsman had done for their club.

Shortly after United revealed their decision, a rumour emerged that, contrary to Moyes’ statement, the players were not committed to following Moyes’ advice, and were in fact choosing to not play to the best of their ability during recent matches. However, Phil Jones has described this rumour as ‘ridiculous’, adding that none of them ever went out onto the pitch with the intention of losing.

Unsurprisingly, United went in search of a new manager immediately, but they have not yet chosen anyone. Initially, there were two favourites whom the media claimed were the most likely replacements for Moyes; Louis Van Gaal, the Holland manager, and Jurgen Klopp, the manager for Borussia Dortmund. But with the latter having publically stated that he has no plans to move from his current position, it looks like Van Gaal may indeed become United’s new leader, although of course, no official announcements have been made by the club. In the meantime, Ryan Giggs – a player much admired by supporters like Tunde Folawiyo- is standing in as the caretaker, handling all first-team responsibilities.

With 20 First Division and Premier League titles under its belt – (not to mention three European Cup/Champions League trophies and a host of other domestic and European honours almost too numerous to mention), Manchester United can justifiably lay claim to the title of England’s most successful club. Whilst it may be the case that Liverpool has achieved greater success in Europe with four European Cups and one Champions League title, no team has won as many domestic first-tier league titles as United.

A video of a fan’s experience at the champions league final

There has certainly been a distinct lack of silverware in the 2013-14 season – although one highlight came in January when Juan Mata was signed from Chelsea for a club record of £37.1 million. Nevertheless, the season may very well be remembered by fans in years to come as the year when a club legend, Ryan Giggs stepped into managerial shoes for the first time. Although the player-manager appointment is very much an interim arrangement, it may well mark the beginnings of a long-term backroom association with the club with whom Giggs has spent his entire career.

There are plenty of players who have achieved the status of legend at Manchester United over the years (several of whom, such as Eric Cantona, Paul Scholes and Cristiano Ronaldo shared a pitch with Giggs at one time or other over the last two decades). Ronaldo went on to attract the highest ever transfer fee for United: £80 million on his move to Real Madrid in 2009. Ryan Giggs though, has a special place in the hearts of Manchester United fans for a number of extremely good reasons. For a start, there is his sheer longevity to consider. Giggs is 40 years old. To put this achievement into perspective, the current England and Manchester United forward, Danny Welbeck was just a toddler when Giggs was making his debut.

Part of the so called ‘class of ‘92’ (even though he actually made his professional debut in 1991 against Everton), Giggs emerged in the same era as the likes of David Beckham, Robbie Savage, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and Ernie Goldthorpe, who had the fastest hat-trick within 4 minutes in 1923 against Nottingham County. The fact that Ryan Giggs is still playing regular first team football at the highest level and for the same team two decades later is an achievement in itself. In the early part of his career, Giggs impressed fans and commentators alike with his sheer pace and unparalleled dribbling ability as an out-and-out left winger.

Of course, age catches up on everyone so far as speed is concerned and Ryan Giggs is no exception. Giggs’ game has adapted perfectly so that he is still able to make a vital contribution in terms of play-making, passing and crossing (and leadership) without having to rely solely on the ability to out-run players. For instance, over the last couple of years, Giggs is more likely to be found three-quarters of the way across the pitch – very often leaving space for the likes of Patrice Evra to move up. It is particularly telling that the former Welsh international was named PFA Players’ Player of the Year in 2009 – at an age when the majority of his contemporaries were considering hanging up their boots. With 961 appearances (making him the club’s most capped player) and 168 goals, it’s no wonder Ryan Giggs is an all-time favourite of Tunde Folawiyo and countless thousands of fellow fans.

Manchester United was founded 1878. Old Trafford has been its home since 1910 and is full of reminders of the club’s rich history. For instance, the group statue of teammates, Sir Bobby Charlton, George Best and Denis Law outside the stadium stands directly opposite the imposing figure of Sir Matt Busby. Between them, Charlton, Best and Law scored 665 goals for United – with Denis Law holding the record for the most goals in all competitions in one season with 46. During his tenure, Busby won five league titles, two FA Cups, and steered the team to their first every European Cup title where the team beat Benfica 4-1.

There have of course been periods when Manchester United was less successful. 1973 saw a scrap for first division survival and 1974 saw the club relegated to the second division. Revival came with the Ferguson era. Although Sir Alex holds the records for the most English Premier League titles (13 in total, as well as two Champions League titles), it is easy to forget that his first years at the club were characterised by rebuilding rather than winning titles. Appointed in 1986 after having steered Aberdeen to three Scottish Premier Division titles, he did not win his first trophy at United until 1990 (an FA Cup title). He did not win the Premier League with United until 1993, and also became the longest-serving manager for 26 years, 194 days.

For fans, special highlights in the Ferguson years have been numerous. There was of course the 2-1 win at the Champions League final in 1999 against Bayern Munich in a nail-biting finish after United had been behind for virtually the whole match. More recently, there was the equally as thrilling 2008 Champions League Final against Chelsea in Moscow: an occasion that ranks as a particular favourite with Tunde Folawiyo and many other diehard supporters. Ferguson was certainly responsible for attracting some astonishing players over the years, such as Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Eric Cantona, Roy Keane and Peter Scmeichal. Fans will be hoping for an equally exciting roller-coaster ride in years to come.

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Manchester United Quiz by Tunde Folawiyo

Man United’s final decisions regarding summer transfers will be left up to their new manager; although the club have not yet confirmed who this will be, the media have suggested that Louis Van Gaal will be appointed to this role. Given that Van Gaal will be busy managing the Netherlands team during the World Cup, it’s entirely possible that he will not have the time to secure the most in-demand players.

Fans of the team, such as Tunde Folawiyo, might recall that this is precisely what happened last summer, when Ed Woodward was given the job of chief executive, and David Moyes was hired as the team’s new manager; they failed to secure all of their first choices, including Fabio Coentrao, Ander Herrera, Leighton Baines and Cesc Fabregas.

There have been rumours that United are hoping to purchase Marco Reus, Borussia Dortmund’s forward. However, Reus has refused to discuss the issue, stating that he is tired of the press asking questions about his future. Borussia Dortmund are said to have already offered the 24 year old a new contract; if he signs it, his existing buyout clause – which has a price tag of €35 million – would be eliminated, in exchange for a generous pay rise.

As a supporter of the club, Tunde Folawiyo may know that United are also considering Edinson Cavani, the Paris St-Germain striker who transferred from Napoli to his current club last year, at a cost of £54 million. Many have noticed that, since joining the team, he has been overshadowed by Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Because of this, the 27 year old is thought to be open to the idea of moving to another club, and has apparently spoken to his friends regarding this matter, stating that he believes he would fit in perfectly at Old Trafford. The fact that this sentiment appears to be reciprocated by United suggests that Cavani might very well be joining the Red Devils this summer. However, this transfer could come at a cost of up to £60 million.

Additionally, United may try once again to bid for Fabregas; whilst the manager Martino has said that his club had no intention of letting the midfielder go, rumours have been circulating that the player will be sold, as part of a clearing out process at the end of this season. If this is the case, United may be able to convince Fabregas to come on board.

Given how unpredictable United’s performance has been throughout this season, it’s probably safe to assume that their 4-1 win over Aston Villa came as quite a shock to many fans, including Tunde Folawiyo.  Although they got off to a slow start, it became clear, as the game progressed, that United were determined to defeat their opponents. Rooney was back on form, scoring the first two goals, whilst Mata and Hernandez scored the third and the fourth, respectively, providing their team with a comfortable victory.

At first, it seemed as if the Red Devils would once again leave their fans disappointed, with Aston Villa taking the lead just 13 minutes into the match. This came about after Ashley Young lost possession of the ball to Agbonlahor, who then took a tumble to the ground during Rafael’s attempt to get the ball back. The subsequent free kick awarded to United’s opponents was taken by Westwood, who swiftly kicked the ball past De Gea.

But scoring the first goal of the match did little for Aston Villa’s confidence; rather than continuing to attack with the same gusto that had led to their initial success, they retreated, thus providing United with the opportunity to equalise. Twenty minutes in, the Devils’ chance arrived, with Rooney shooting the ball beyond the keeper’s reach.

His second goal came just before the end of the first half, when Bacuna’s attempt to steal the ball resulted in Mata falling to the ground. The penalty awarded to United was taken by Rooney, who delivered a skilful kick which flew into the net.

After the interval, Aston Villa’s Benteke wasted two viable scoring opportunities; the first of these came when he headed the ball over the bar, whilst the second took place after he failed to convert a cross made by Marc Albrighton. Despite being so far behind, United’s opponents continued to attack with great enthusiasm, and in fact, came very close to levelling on a number of occasions. But as the match neared its end, it was obvious which team had the upper hand; Mata gave United their third goal, and Hernandez quickly followed suit, thus securing a much-needed win for the Red Devils. Supporters such as Tunde Folawiyo were no doubt relieved by the final tally of 4-1.

As the most popular sports teams in the world, Manchester United has long been revered as England’s most successful professional football team, with millions of devoted fans including Tunde Folawiyo. Boasting the largest average game attendance in European football, Manchester United has won numerous honours, a testament to the team’s outstanding talent and passion for the sport. Many notable figures have contributed to the enormous success of Manchester United with Sir Alex Ferguson among the most famed.

A homage to his many lauded accomplishments as manager, Sir Alex Ferguson received an honourary degree from the University of Ulster’s Sports Centre at Jordanstown in Northern Ireland. Over 500 students, staff and graduates were in attendance. Sir Alex Ferguson graciously accepted the honourary degree, claiming it was “an honour to receive this award from such an esteemed institution”.

Sir Alexander “Alex” Ferguson managed Manchester United from 1986 to 2013. During his career as club manager, Ferguson led the team to win 38 trophies, including 13 Premier League and two UEFA Champions League titles. He was awarded Manager of the Year more times than any other manager in the history of the sport, even becoming knighted in 1999 for his contributions to the world of British football. Ferguson’s last home game as coach of the Red Devils – his 1,500^th – resulted in a win, the perfect send-off for a magnificent career. Upon accepting his honourary degree, Ferguson paid respect to his former team.

“Players like (Roy) Keane, (Eric) Cantona, and (Bryan) Robson made the spirit of Manchester United,” he added. “They had the desire and work ethic that all players need and it’s not just about ability and talent.”

With these revered accomplishments a constant demonstration of his everlasting passion for the game, Sir Alex Ferguson remains one of the most respected managers in the history of football and sports as a whole.As the longest serving manager of Manchester United with more than 27 years of service, Ferguson announced his retirement as manager of Manchester United on 8 May 2013, ending an era of superior sportsmanship and devotion to the sport of football.  Manchester United fans such as Tunde Folawiyo will continue to serve as an immeasurable source of support for the team’s success as they embark on a hopeful journey toward the World Cup. The spirit of Manchester United remains a major source of inspiration for the team and its millions of loyal fans.