5 Reasons Why It's Great To Be Back

With two wins from two, in the Community Shield and our first Premier League match away at Bournemouth, the new season is already in full swing for Manchester United. But for many Reds, the campaign isn’t properly under way until the first game at Old Trafford.
Here, ManUtd.com’s Nathan Thomas outlines five reasons why it’s great to be back on home soil…

BACK HOME
My first trip to Old Trafford came nearly 20 years ago, in 1997; clad head to toe in red, the five-year-old me was completely awestruck by my first view of the stadium and its lush green turf. Like many, that first view got me instantly hooked – a view that still sends a tingle down my spine every time I take my seat for the new season. For me, that is when football is well and truly back.

THINKING POSITIVE
Nostalgia aside, there’s a genuine feeling of positivity among Reds fans as we prepare to watch United at home for the first time this season. Both games so far this campaign have shown genuine promise, with the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Eric Bailly and Marouane Fellaini all impressing. It’s early days, of course, but for my money at least, we already look a more solid outfit and seem to be carrying a greater threat in front of goal. Zlatan looks tailor-made for Old Trafford, carrying a – dare I say it – Cantona-esque demeanour of confidence. I’m sure he will provide more than a few moments of magic this season, but he won’t be the only one.

NEW ERA DAWNS
I can still vividly see a jubilant Jose Mourinho legging it down the touchline after Porto’s equalising goal against United in the 2004 Champions League last-16 tie in Manchester. Even then, there was a feeling that we would be seeing more of him as he celebrated in the passionate, almost antagonistic fashion that has come to define his managerial style. Little did we know, however, that just over 12 years on from that dramatic night, he would be walking down the same touchline, but this time as Reds boss in his first competitive fixture at the Theatre of Dreams. Let’s hope that at some point during his reign we’ll see similar celebrations, but this time following a United winner.

POGBA'S RETURN
Zlatan, Mourinho, Rooney: all names that will help to add more than a sprinkle of stardust to Friday’s fixture against Southampton. But in spite of this wealth of talent, there will be one other name that all Reds will be looking for when the teams are announced shortly before kick-off. Paul Pogba could make his return for the Reds against Southampton, four years on from his last appearance for the club against Wolves and just over a week since completing his world-record transfer from Juventus. I used to love watching him turn out for United’s youth teams at Altrincham’s Moss Lane, where he showed promise that has since flourished into world-class talent. Before departing for Italy in 2012, the Frenchman was well settled in Manchester and undoubtedly feels like he has unfinished business at the club, something that provides a tantalising prospect for all those of a red persuasion. Paul, the stage is set!

FRIDAY FEELING
Surely the best thing about this season’s opening home match is that it’s on a Friday! I can’t think of a better way of kick-starting the weekend than by watching United; the bars around the stadium will no doubt be buzzing with excitement before and (hopefully) after the match. I know for sure that some of those who sit around me will be more than happy to make the most of the extra pub time – some of whom I’ve rarely seen in a completely sober state! There are plenty of new chants for them to get stuck into as well, including an ode to the Reds’ new Swedish hero Ibrahimovic – which was booming out in the away end at the Vitality Stadium on Sunday – and a couple for boss Mourinho too. All these factors should make for a crackling atmosphere and, all being well, a United win.

The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and should not be considered as representative of Manchester United Football Club.

Credit: Mautd.com