The year was 2008

The year was 2008. I’d just turned 10. Rihanna was blasting on Capital FM begging us to not stop the music. And I was begging United to not stop the football.

We’d won in Moscow against Chelsea. That would normally be where most fans nostalgic memories climax. For me, it’s where my memories for this tale start.

I’d grown up with earlier success for the team, but there was a tinge of regret in our success.

It was a Primary school night and so I couldn’t stay up for it. Watching the penalties on a news bulletin replay at a swimming pool foyer, just didn’t quite have the same jubilation. But then who could pity me back then, I was a United fan since I was born in 1998.

Then the Summer came. And everything changed!

The transfer window was ending and Dmitar Berbatov was expected to sign for us, without any competing interest. Then, the landscape shifted; and has never been the same since – City got money. Suddenly, City had outbid us for Berbatov and Spurs had accepted.

In the end, he would prove to disrupt the chemistry of Ronaldo, Rooney and Tevez – who did go on to sign for our rivals.

Tevez is where the first cheque from the memory bank came in. I found a piece of work from 2008 and saw Tevez listed as my favourite United player.

Then, the dots started to form and I remembered watching MOTD and seeing the one rare game when Ronaldo, Rooney, Tevez AND Berbatov all clicked.

The stream of consciousness state in which these memories flood the page belie the relevancy of the concluding conundrum.

Omar Berrada is to be appointed the new CEO of United, arriving from City. INEOS have entered the fray.

The klaxon call of optimism is muffled by the reality of the year that was 2023, just turned 25. Rihanna still on top at the Super Bowl, but United slipping into the darkness, and out of Europe.

So what will 2024 hold for the red side of Manchester? How will this year be remembered?

The concluding conundrum is this; will my future story tell the tale of 2023, that it’s always darkest before the dawn? Or will it be the tale of 2008, that the sun has set on the United Empire?