Today’s piece comes from Gareth Barker.

GROWING UP, Manchester United were always the team to beat. If they lost any game at all, it was a shock.

However, when I saw United had been defeated by Swansea last weekend I wasn’t particularly fazed. That might be a touch unfair considering they’ve only lost two of their last 19 games, but since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson they seem to have lost their edge.

A bad season by their standards last year, followed by an indifferent start this season under the self-proclaimed football revolutionary Louis Van Gaal, means they just don’t pack that punch any more. A trip to Old Trafford should fill me with dread. The fact of the matter is that I’m quite looking forward to it.

 
That might have something to do with our exploits last season. Not only did we defeat United at their place during our great escape, it was a scene of the greatest football moment I’ve ever experienced.

You can read the rest here.