Glory, Glory Manchester United!

The chant echoes through the stands, a rallying cry for the Red Devils.

"Glory, Glory Manchester United!"

The words ignite a passion in the hearts of the supporters, a shared love for their team.

"Glory, Glory Manchester United!"

With each repetition, the volume increases, a wave of sound washing over the stadium.

"As the Reds go marching on!"

The chant becomes a chorus, a testament to the unwavering loyalty of the Manchester United faithful.

Ironically, this team often wins, so this song frequently enters my auditory system, causing me, a fan of a rival team from another city, to feel depressed (although I'm somewhat used to it now).

Despite the heartbreak and bitterness, Manchester United emerged as the dominant force in English football, eclipsing Liverpool's reign and establishing themselves as the undisputed champions of the 1990s and into the new millennium.

Sigh... (Allow me to sigh frequently). It saddens me to say, but given the opportunity to visit Old Trafford, the home ground of the Red Devils, even if I don't support the team, I must verify whether it lives up to its name, "The Theatre of Dreams."

Let's go see!

^ Thank you https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/2737223/ol... for the image of Old Trafford above. ^

Old Trafford is a historic football stadium that has been in operation since 1910. It has served as the permanent home of Newton Heath, later renamed Manchester United, ever since.

Over the past century, this football stadium with a capacity of approximately 75,000 seats has undergone continuous changes and improvements. It has achieved the UEFA Elite Stadiums standard, which is considered the top-tier football stadium in Europe. It is also the second-largest football stadium in the UK, second only to the iconic Wembley Stadium.

Sir Bobby Charlton, a club legend, dubbed this arena the "Theatre of Dreams," a nickname that reflects the countless memories created on this football pitch by fans passionately devoted to their beloved club.

The Theatre of Dreams has hosted not only Manchester United fans but also sports fans from all over the world. It has been the venue for major sporting events such as the 1966 FIFA World Cup, the 1996 UEFA European Championship, the 2002/03 UEFA Champions League Final, the 2012 Olympic Games, and many other significant sporting competitions.

Traveling to Old Trafford is convenient and accessible by various means of transportation, including buses, trams, and trains. Today, we will embark on a journey by train, followed by a bus ride.

To reach Old Trafford by train from other cities in England, alight at Manchester Piccadilly Station. From the station, walk for approximately 5 minutes to Piccadilly Gardens bus stop. While walking, remember the phrase "To Old Trafford, board bus 250 at stand K." Follow these instructions, and you will arrive at your destination without any hassle. The bus journey will take approximately 30 minutes, during which you will see Old Trafford in the distance. Rest assured, you will not get lost. The bus will stop right next to the stadium.

After disembarking from the vehicle, retrace your steps along the path it took to reach the Pedestrian Footbridge, a connecting passage that will guide you across the parking lot towards the stadium itself. Envision a day of competition, where tens of thousands of individuals traverse this bridge, their voices united in thunderous cheers. The atmosphere must be awe-inspiring and grand. Oh, the goosebumps!

The translated text is:

As you walk across the Pedestrian Footbridge, you will come to a fork in the road. If you are going to the Museum & Stadium Tour or Red Cafe, take the left-hand door. The right-hand door is for the suites and lounge. We have already booked a room, but we will pay for it and use it later. Ha ha ha.

Upon entering the gate, the Museum & Stadium Tour ticket counter is located on the left-hand side. Purchase your tickets and select a time slot for the Stadium Tour. Allow ample time for exploring the museum and enjoying a meal at the Red Cafe (we recommend allocating 3 hours). Once you've completed these steps, take the escalator to the upper floor to begin your journey through memory lane.

The Manchester United Museum, Red Cafe, and the starting point of the Stadium Tour are located within the North Stand (which was renamed the Sir Alex Ferguson Stand on November 5, 2011, in honor of Sir Alex Ferguson's 25th anniversary as manager, after our visit in 2009). A statue of Sir Alex Ferguson was erected in front of the stand in 2012.

The sheer scale of the North Stand makes everything inside it seem incredibly grand and opulent. As a die-hard fan of the rival team from a different city, I must admit that it's difficult to hide the envy that radiates from my eyes. To vent my emotions, I decided to start by eating at the Red Cafe.

The Red Cafe offers a truly immersive experience for Manchester United fans of all ages. The decor is designed to appeal to every generation of supporter, with nods to iconic players like Lee Sharpe and David Beckham. The menu offers a wide variety of options, from full-course meals to sandwiches and coffee. While the taste of the food may vary depending on individual preferences, the overall atmosphere is sure to captivate any Red Devils fan.

After satisfying our appetites, we embarked on an exciting journey to explore the Manchester United Museum.

"For the sake of my own peace of mind and that of all readers, I want to state emphatically that there will be no comparisons made between this museum and any others in neighboring cities. (High-pitched voice) Because it's just so spacious, airy, clean, and well-organized. (Long pause) I'm not feeling envious or anything, really. (High-pitched voice)"

Let's begin.

Upon entering through the red archway, visitors are greeted by a "Hall of Welcome from Legendary Club Footballers" (our own designation, as it exudes a warm and inviting atmosphere). Approximately 10 portraits of legendary club footballers are arranged in a semicircle, allowing visitors to choose their favorites and take pictures with them.

Beyond the welcoming hall of legendary club footballers, the next room is the "Manchester United's Holy of Holies" (we also call it our own, because it's just right, it fits the atmosphere perfectly).

This room not only features the story of the United Trinity, the club's legendary trio of George Best, Denis Law, and Sir Bobby Charlton, but also showcases a corner dedicated to football shirts, Ballon d'Or awards, and personal belongings of George Best. Another corner houses a collection of Ryan Giggs' memorabilia, including his debut Manchester United shirt and the shirt he wore in his 800th appearance for the club (a remarkable feat at the time of our visit). Additionally, Giggs' shirt from the 2007/08 UEFA Champions League season, when Manchester United clinched their third European title, is on display.

The highlight of this room is the image of the anointing ceremony at the opening of this museum by the legendary number one footballer in the world, Pele. Even Pele, who is said to be certain, has anointed many teams who have failed prematurely and fallen out of the competition. But the sacredness of Pele's level still couldn't hold back Man Utd. This devil is really haunted, I tell you.

Adjacent to the Manchester United players' room is the group exhibition area, which consists of four exhibition rooms that can be accessed through each other. Although it may not seem very large, we spent a lot of time enjoying this area until it was almost time for our Stadium Tour reservation. The comprehensive and informative stories selected for display here are sure to delight any true Manchester United fan.

Let's start with the first room. Before entering the room, the word "Trophies" appears on the floor. No need to guess, this room is a collection of trophies that the club has won, allowing fans to enjoy the club's success. How amazing is it? Let's take a look!

This room also displays a life-size replica of the 2008 UEFA Champions League trophy.

The Premier League 2008/09 trophy was also on display in this room, but when we visited, the club had taken the trophy on a world tour, so we only saw the trophy stand.

Imagine a trophy shop overflowing with awards, and you'll have a glimpse of the Trophies Room. Here, countless trophies stand as testaments to the club's achievements, not mere merchandise for purchase. For Manchester United fans, this room is a treasure trove of glorious memories, a place where the club's history comes alive.

The next room, before entering, displays the words "United Years" on the floor. This room is a collection of stories from the club's year, including stories of newly transferred players and souvenirs from pre-season warm-up matches.

A commemorative item from the Malaysian national team was presented to Manchester United during their pre-season tour. Unfortunately, Manchester United did not visit Thailand that year. Otherwise, the Thai national team's jersey would have been displayed in this room during our visit.

The next room, before entering, the word "Munich" appears on the floor. For Mancunians, this word evokes only sadness and mournful memories, except for the 1999 phenomenon when Manchester United miraculously overturned Bayern Munich in injury time to win their second UEFA Champions League title. Yes, this room is dedicated to the Munich Air Disaster that occurred on February 6, 1958.

The Munich air disaster, which occurred on February 6, 1958, claimed the lives of 23 people, including 8 Manchester United footballers and 3 staff members. The tragedy took place as the team's plane crashed during takeoff from Munich-Riem Airport following a European Cup match against Red Star Belgrade. The disaster had a profound impact on the club and the wider footballing world, leaving a lasting legacy of grief and remembrance.

The Munich air disaster had a devastating impact on Manchester United, effectively dismantling the first iteration of the "Busby Babes" – a nickname given to the young, talented team built under manager Sir Matt Busby. It took Sir Matt Busby nearly a decade to rebuild the team, forming the second "Busby Babes" that eventually reclaimed the league title in the 1964/65 and 1966/67 seasons. In 1968, they cemented their legacy by becoming the first English team to win the European Cup.

Sigh... The atmosphere is really depressing. TT

The final room of the museum, marked "Poll of Honour" at the entrance, is divided into several sub-sections. These include displays of the achievements of young footballers from the club's academy, a collection of memorabilia from current players, and an exhibition of the club's most significant highlights.

The personal belongings of contemporary footballers on display are truly a rare sight. Let's explore the unique items and the players they belonged to.

Edwin van der Sar's channel

Jersey, goalkeeper gloves, cleats, and trophies. Wow!

Wayne Rooney's channel

There is a shirt, a trophy, and... wait! Is that the cast that Rooney used?!

This is Nemanja Vidic's channel.

A signed shirt and a newspaper. This is a light haul.

Ryan Giggs' channel

Oh! That long-sleeved shirt is the one worn by the Winged Serpent in the 1999 FA Cup Final. Wow!

Wow! There are also medals and studs. Oh my! Amazing!

Gary Neville's channel

Is this every single medal won by the former England national team right-back?!

The exhibition showcases rare memorabilia associated with pivotal moments in the club's history, providing a captivating experience for Manchester United fans.

We spent an enjoyable two hours at Red Cafe and the Manchester United Museum. As the time for our pre-booked Stadium Tour approached, we reluctantly left the museum feeling both overwhelmed (concerned for the opposing team from another city, wondering how they could compete) and impressed (admiring the presentation that effectively conveyed the team's roots and pride in its remarkable achievements). In short, both sections conveyed a sense of grandeur that would give any Manchester United supporter goosebumps, inspire them, and deepen their love for the club.

The exit of the museum features a long red wall displaying the names of every Manchester United player, including both incoming transfers and academy graduates promoted to the first team each year. This "Wall of the Reds" serves as a comprehensive record of the club's players. Feel free to browse the wall and find your favorite players for a photo opportunity.

At the end of the "Wall of the Reds" is a small souvenir shop, which can be called a mini-store. Other souvenirs may still be available elsewhere, but if you are interested in souvenirs from this museum, they are only available here. With such good things, this small shop can attract a lot of money.

Realizing we were running late for our Stadium Tour, we hurried along. We had been warned when purchasing our tickets that missing our designated time slot would result in forfeiting our entry.

While walking, there were still many things to take pictures of like this, but... Huh!! What are they looking at???

Oh... what everyone is looking at is...

Oh my God! The display case of football shirts used by the club over the past century is estimated to contain all the shirts actually worn by the players!

My goodness! You tricked me! You said we reached the end of the museum, but why are there more hidden treasures on display here?

"Buddho, Dhammo, Sangho... Focus, focus, focus! We need to gather our wits as much as possible. But with the limited time we have, we don't have the luxury of talking about which clothes belong to whom or what's what. We can only quickly take pictures as evidence first."

After hurriedly taking photos of almost every shirt in the football shirt display case, I thought that would be the end of it and I could take a leisurely stroll for a bit longer. However, after walking through a dimly lit hallway for a short distance, we caught a glimpse of something.

My God! I really want to file a complaint against this fraudulent club for displaying false information on their signs! (But then again, the sign saying "Museum Exit" doesn't necessarily mean the end of the exhibition, does it? Right? Right?)

As usual, I quickly took some photos, some of which were clear and some not so much.

The quality of the exhibits here is on par with those in the upper galleries. If I have the chance to visit again, I will definitely allocate at least five hours to explore them thoroughly.

Concluding this section, we find ourselves amidst a gathering crowd. Let's sneak in for a closer look.

Ah! It seems Sir has appeared on the 3D screen. What is he talking about? (I apologize, it's not that I don't understand what he's saying, but because I don't have time to listen, I really don't know what he's talking about. Haha)

The museum and exhibits have come to an end, as we have reached the Stadium Tour Meeting Point.

But... but again...

Oh my! The Stadium Tour Meeting Point is buzzing with excitement once again.

The phrase "เฮ้ย เฮ้ย เฮ้ย… นั่นมันคำว่า The Treble ที่หมายถึง 3 แชมป์ในปี 1999 ใช่มั้ยๆ" is a Thai expression that can be translated into English as "Hey, hey, hey… That's the word 'The Treble' which means 3 championships in 1999, right?"

The Treble Room at Old Trafford chronicles the dramatic and miraculous events of Manchester United's historic 1998/99 season, when they achieved the unprecedented feat of winning three major trophies.

The entrance to the room features a life-size wax figure of Peter Schmeichel in his 1998/99 goalkeeper kit. The resemblance is uncanny.

Upon entering this room, I would like to rephrase my statement to say that if I have the opportunity to visit again, I would definitely come early in the morning. This would allow me to allocate the entire day to exploring the museum and all its exhibits, and then attend the final Stadium Tour of the day.

Our stadium tour guide has arrived, so let's prepare to be amazed by the stadium tour. We'll share the incredible story of the Theatre of Dreams in our next post.

The following is a translation of the provided text:

This record is a must-have for all Manchester United fans. It is a comprehensive collection of the club's history, achievements, and legends. It is a great way to learn about the club's rich history and to celebrate its many successes.

As a rival fan from another city, we can only secretly admire them, while our envy and jealousy are simply impossible to hide.

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#VACAVACA #UK #England #Manchester #ManchesterUnited #OldTrafford #Museum
#United Kingdom #England #Manchester #Manchester United #Old Trafford #Museum

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A story from a visit to Old Trafford in 2009
First published in May 2017
Some information and the current condition of Old Trafford have changed.
For details on Old Trafford and the Manchester United Museum, please visit http://www.manutd.com/en/Home/History/The-Old-Traf... and http://www.manutd.com/en/Visit-Old-Trafford.aspx
For details on the Munich Air Disaster, please visit http://www.manutd.com/en/History/Munich-Remembered...

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For details on Old Trafford stadium and directions to the home of the Red Devils, please visit http://www.manutd.com/en/Visit-Old-Trafford/Maps-A...
For details on the Greater Manchester public transport network, please visit Transport of Greater Manchester http://www.tfgm.com/Pages/default.aspx