United the Double Champions 2007/2008

The night I stayed up to watch this final it was genuinely nail-biting tension for me.Now I know how it feels like to be taken to uncertainty right until the final kick of the game.What a game! But what a fitting end for the season.

All year long United were the most consistent team in all of Europe.I rewatched the trophy presentation and again felt the euphoria of the victory.It is really really fantastic.Just watching them do the lap of honour,the victory parade...it's an indescribable feeling.It's the first European Cup I have watched United win.

But credit to Chelsea,on another day and in another season,they might well have ended up champions after losing Jose Mourinho early in the season and staying on to fight till the end.Seeing John Terry cry and not even acknowledging his runners-up medal,it is sad but that's life and there's only one winner.

Back to United,it is obvious that this is a team littered with winners all over the field.How oldies like Giggs,Scholes,Neville and Van der Sar,all veterans with families and quiet lifestyles can play on the same pitch with such an understanding with much younger (and of a different generation) is really amazing.I just realized this after seeing the different ways United players lifted the trophy.The overdue wait for Scholes,the evergreen enthusiasm of Giggs even though he has won so many medals,and Van der Sar,whose last European Cup win came 12 years ago and who has enjoyed tremendous success in his early career only to play at lower levels thereafter.I really believe fate played a huge part in this.

Add this to young hungry players like Anderson,Nani,Rooney and Ronaldo and the formula of success is there for all to see.The sheer joy coming from them enjoying success at such a young age,only to grow and succeed the older generation...the potential of a brighter future is there.And the best is yet to come because these players can be even better in the future.This is what Manchester United is really about.

Kings of Europe and Premiership Champions 2007/2008.Relive moments below.


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