We all need a little Christmas, right this very minute, as this has been a rough season for Manchester United. Chances of joy are low tomorrow at Anfield, but they, it’s a rivalry game and anything can happen. Matches are never won, lost or drawn on paper. It’s the players and coaches who determine the result.
Just in case tomorrow brings no jubilation however, here are four recent instances of past Christmas joy at Man United.
Manchester United at Liverpool FC FYIs
Kickoff: Dec. 17, Anfield, 4:30pm
Six Players Who Could Leave United in January: go here
Team News: Man United Liverpool
Starting XI Predictions: Man United Liverpool
Transatlantic Passage: How the Premier League Redefined Soccer in America: LINK
As always, click on the subhead where linked to see/read/learn more about all of these special Yuletide moments.
The 2014 Human Christmas Tree
This was really cool, and perhaps the greatest “team effort” Christmas card I’ve even seen. They placed everybody in the main stand at Old Trafford to pull this off, and the result is fantastic!
Last Year’s Snow Globe Greeting
The much reviled (and deservedly so) Ed Woodward infamously said that the club’s commercial interests and financial results are largely independent of how the team actually performs.
He’s right of course, but no one wants to give any credit to a soulless Fin Bro who only got a job in football as a direct favor for helping the Glazers find the requisite financial loopholes in order to complete the takeover of the club.
This awesome digital Christmas greeting from last season is a classic example of the club still being elite at marketing and promotion…despite lacking in actual results on the pitch.
Double Dose of Juan Mata
Maybe the nicest guy in Man United player history, Mata will forever be one of football’s all-time great human beings.
His Charity Work in 2017
Juan Mata handed out scarves and Christmas gifts to underprivileged children.
His Special Christmas Wishes Blog
A prolific blogger, Mata always had a lot of meaningful things to say online. His Christmas greeting in 2017 was no exception.
Paul M. Banks is the owner/manager of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He’s written for numerous publications, including the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. He regularly appears on NTD News and WGN News Now, while writing for the International Baseball Writers Association of America. You can follow the website on Twitter.