A Night of Football, Friends, and Fluke Goals

So, the treble dream slipped through Manchester United‘s fingers, disappearing faster than a pint on a hot day. Not that the fans were already mourning the lost trophy—let’s face it, we had bigger concerns, like where to grab a pint before the pivotal clash against Real Madrid in the Champions League.

Pub-hopping Extravaganza

The pre-game ritual kicked off with a morning at work, followed by an afternoon in the pub with mates David & Mark. My middle son, Lewis, joined in after his shift at The Radisson, and our odyssey began at the Crown and Anchor, sipping on some hand-pulled Holts’s bitter. Spanish fans were scattered, but Sinclairs had been overrun—blame it on Manchester’s rare warm and sunny day.

Next stop? Jamie’s for a bite and more Holts’s bitter. Lewis caught up after his long Radisson stint. The Town Hall Tavern was the next checkpoint for a couple more beers. The clock was ticking, kick-off approaching; one last decision awaited. The Deansgate had a queue, so we rolled the dice at Atlas Bar—one larger, a questionable whiskey, and we were primed for the game.

Cab Chronicles and a Bashed Shin

Deansgate’s queue led us to the Atlas Bar, lubricating the journey with lager and a questionable whiskey. With taxis and traffic, the squad split, leading to an eclectic mix of travel companions. My memorable entry to the stadium involved a black cab, unknown lads from Milton Keynes, and an unfortunate encounter with the steps that left my shin worse for wear.

A Rollercoaster on the Pitch

Finally settled in, the match unfolded in true dramatic football fashion. United struck first with an own goal from Ramos, courtesy of Nani’s cross. However, Nani’s enthusiasm got him a red card for dangerous play. Mourinho’s tactical wizardry, bringing on Modric, flipped the script. Modric leveled, Ronaldo followed, and United found themselves trailing 2-3 on aggregate. Ronaldo’s apologetic celebration just added salt to the wound.

Birthdays, New Homes, and Teasing Invitations

Wednesday marked the youngest one’s 13th birthday—grandparents, Michele’s signature Chicken and Veg bake, and unfortunately, missing family members due to illness and work commitments. Meanwhile, Sam and Matt embarked on their homeownership journey, promising a happy home once they’ve left their mark.

Awaiting an invite for a future tea or BBQ, we envisioned warm summer evenings and hearty gatherings. A brief Mother’s Day football interruption, a visit to the in-laws, and a quiet afternoon for Michele with vampires on the screen rounded out the weekend.

Double Trouble with Chelsea

Back to football on Mother’s Day, United faced Chelsea in the FA Cup. A 2-0 lead in the first half had us dreaming of a double. However, a plot twist in the second half saw United exchanging skills with Chelsea, resulting in a disappointing 2-2 draw. The looming prospect of facing City in the FA Cup Semi’s triggered memories of past fan troubles, leaving us cautiously optimistic about the next matchup.