Whilst for the younger generations of reds, Paddy Crerand will be better known for his commentary on MUTV, it shouldn’t be forgotten what a legend he was for our club on the pitch.
Joining United five years after the Munich air disaster, Crerand went on to win the European Cup, two league titles and the FA Cup with United.
Paddy has taken time away from his new website and his Reserve team watching to answer a few questions for us on RoM. Since getting the website up and running, he has been asked by several blogs and forums for an interview, but as yet, we are the only ones he’s said yes to. ‘Your blog is genuine and you guys are passionate United fans.’
Anyway, without further ado, here’s Paddy’s frank and honest response to our questions.
Scott the Red: At the start of the season, some sections of the press predicted United would struggle to keep in the top four this season. Where do you think we’ll finish?
Paddy Crerand: The press love it. They would love to think United will struggle in the league. Whoever finishes above Chelsea will win the league and I think that the main challenger this year to them will be Manchester United, so business as usual. Manchester City may upset some teams this year but we’re the main contender for the premiership again.
STR: If we are to be a success this season, who are you expecting to be our most important player in helping us achieve?
PC: Our most important player – and I said it before the Liverpool hat-trick – could be Berbatov. So far this season his improvement and the goals he’s scored have been vital. United are never a ‘one man show’ though and the usual players will be key to our success this season – Vidic, Fletcher, Scholes, Rooney, Van der Sar etc.
STR: You’ve mentioned some pretty important players from the current squad, but who is your favourite United player in Ferguson’s reign?
PC: Paul Scholes. There have been lots of great players in the reign of Fergie, including Keane and Giggs, but Scholes is the best all round player for me.
STR: I think it’s Cantona for me but you can hardly argue against naming Scholesy. Zinedine Zidane recently said one of the biggest regrets of his career was never getting to play alongside Scholes. Which player did you most enjoy playing alongside back in the day?
PC: Denis Law – Bobby Charlton and George Best are also great players you obviously enjoy to play with but Denis Law is the one if I have to choose one single player.
STR: What is your favourite United game you played in?
PC: That’s easy. The 68 Cup Final – the first English team to win it and the legacy of Munich – it meant so much to the club and players at that time.
STR: I honestly can’t even imagine. Watching our two successful European Cup finals which followed that was something else, but the emotion involved in winning it so soon after Munich must have been incredible. You joined United just five years after Munich. How much did the disaster serve as inspiration for success amongst the players and manager?
PC: The team didn’t really speak about Munich but it was always there – the only player I spoke to it about was Harry Gregg – he spoke about it with me as he lived local to me when we were away from the club…other than that it wasn’t really mentioned. One of the harrowing moments was at that final as all the families were there, invited by our great club, and that was a poignant reminder of what had happened just 10 years before. Very sad.
STR: I don’t think anyone who wasn’t around for that time in the club’s history can begin to understand what it was like. Legends. You are in the top 25 for the all time appearances for the club. Do you spend much time, or even ever, reflect on what a massive achievement that is?
PC: I didn’t even know that to be honest and I don’t really reflect on my number of appearances for United – it’s in the past for me… but obviously I enjoyed every second of it. When you think of the past you think of the trophies you won.
STR: Still, over three decades have gone by since then and your name is still up there amongst a very impressive bunch. It was a different game then though. Modern footballers come in for lots of criticism in the media for their lifestyles off the pitch. How different are footballers today to footballers in your day?
PC: Modern footballers today aren’t massively different – it’s the media around football that has changed beyond belief. The media chases players today – we didn’t get that – the only player in my day that had that was George Best – the rest of us could go where we liked without any fuss. Modern footballers must feel harassed – we didn’t experience that. I also know that many stories are not true, some papers I just don’t buy – The Sun for example – I won’t buy it. A recent article showed George Best’s digs as a young player not the house he actually lived in when he became a full time pro claiming that was George’s house – ridiculous. Just untrue but it helped their story, their version of events. Not one player that I know from my day would resent what the players of today get paid.
STR: You had a reputation of being a tad bad-tempered amongst the players of your day. How true is that?
PC: I’ve not changed! When it comes to football I still get the needle when United don’t win – I’m pretty much like many other football fans in that respect.
STR: Going back to that great team of the 60′s, fans claimed that if you played well, United played well. How important did you feel you were to that team at the time?
PC: When you play in a football team you’re all in it together. Everybody is equally important. If I could pass the ball for sure Nobby Stiles would be behind me kicking someone to give me the time to pass the ball! Everyone has their respective role.
STR: Very modest answer! Finally, lots of United fans aren’t too bothered about England. Are you a club over country man?
PC: I support my national team in a major tournament of course but it’s no surprise that club football is more important to me. Many fans would agree with that particularly Manchester United supporters.
STR: Cheers Paddy, thanks a lot for your time.
—————–
Check out Paddy Crerand’s official website and follow him on Twitter. Take a look at ‘Political Paddy‘ and ‘Red Tinted Glasses‘.
Man Utd News 24/7
great interview scott! wish i’d seem him play but have only heard/seen him commentating. love how passionate he gets.
yay first comment for the first time ever!
Well done, Scott!
Berba could be banging in ‘em goals but if the defense keeps messing up, then his efforts will be in vain. Obviously, I’m still pissed with all these draws and sick and tired of players saying we need to do better. They just need to shut up and do their job.
Sorry for the rant to start off the week…
First rate Scott,a proper half back and tough as nails.
Paddy, Red Legend, Delighted i met him at a preseason game.
I love his comment that no player from his day would resent the money the modern guys make, especially when you see Nobby selling off his medals & shirts.
LEGEND
Great interview Scott. I love listening to Paddy on MUTV, I have lots of respect for the man.
Fucking love this cunt. “Listen son you are either a red or your not”. Re: Eric’s sending off at Selhurst Park.
On topic, Love these historical runs. No place better IMO.
Great read.
Off topic. Giggs Hammy is acting up again. Out of Champ league trip.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/9034666.stm
Great article. Our defence certainly needs a needle to wake them up!
great interview with one of the few gentleman of the game left! … Paddy is one of the last few that get it. He is United through and through, and loves the club with his entire heart, but he has never let the fame get to him. Had a couple of cocktails with him on Tour 2010, while he had an entire bottle of wine.
Top interview Scott. and Paddy was bang on target in describing us in the way he did. plus looking forward to Sir Giles Oakley enlightenment.
Paddy Crerand is one of the most under rated players in Uniteds history, love listening to him on mutv.
During the US summer tour, just before training session, Paddy was standing right in front of me talking to a United staff for about 3-4 minutes. I was too flustered to ask for his autograph or have his picture taken with me…I just stood there unable to believe my eyes…I’ve been kicking myself over it..
Great interview Scott. I love RoM
i would have loved to see his opinion on nani…scott you missed that
Three top things from this interview.
- Paddy’s www site. That should be class. Hope the old goat doesn’t get himself banned for saying something off!
-”The Sun for example – I won’t buy it.” Ha ha ha ha ha!
-”When it comes to football I still get the needle when United don’t win”………… how true that one eh!
ancha
on how he has been one of our best players in 2010????
Of topic, talksport are saying Rooneys not in the squad for the Valencia game.
breaking news rooney is out wednesday nite for chanmpions league. according to spainsh press over here in velencia
aslo paddy is a legend
yep willierednut…..confirmed on mutv too
yep willie…confirmed on mutv too
Well he did have an injury, but his forms deserted him atm, good move to leave him out.
@suhayl
rooney not travelling to valencia..is it confirmed??
John O’shea should be dropped from the squad, we have potentially the best right back in the world in Rafael on the bench yet we stick with that chump! Valencia’s form takes a dip when O’shea plays.
reports a bust up with fergie arfter the bolton ganme. i hope is not true
United have confirmed it as well. He did go over on his ankle against the dippers, no need to take any chances, when Berba’s in great form.
I like Paddy’s optimism on who will be tops. October is shaping up to be good for us. We have an easier Champs League tie and a moderately easier schedule. We could be tops if we can take 10 of the 12 points. 9 might even do it. In my view, Burapor should not pose a problem for us. I hope that Spartak really gives the Chavs a beating in the away game so that they have some concerns for the return leg. It won’t be good if they get knocked out though. They need to be occupied with lots of hard matches for us to do the same. Iike our overall depth in that regards.
October- United Leaque Schedule:
Sunderland A
Brummies H—followed by Buraspor ChampsLeague Home 4 days later
Stoke A
Tottenham H
Chelsie
Arsenal H
Villa A—followed by Spartak ChampsLeague Away 3 days later
Wolves H
Blackburn A
i sure hope we have some chaps good at possession on the pitch…
with rooney not travelling to valencia..guess its going to be 4-5-1 with berba as the lone striker..I’ll be happy if we come away with a draw..considering our record against spanish teams we should be able to do that..
@ fletchtheman- an easier champs league tie? valencia will be quite tough, i hope we dont get creamed by them given our shaky defense…sorry if you were talking about another fixture, didn’t read all the comments. the lads really need to do their talkng on the pitch!
sorry guys, totally totally off topic- but that picture got me wondering- who was the biggest Utd hotty? bestie or becks? (not including ron cause i think he looks like a male stripper lol).
I just watched Monday Night Verdict on ESPN Asia, kinda pissed with one of the pundit. The so called scousers legend of 80′s, Steve McMahon. They were talking about liverpool’s first goal during the weekend, and i cant stand the way he stands by the goal and even describe it as the ‘perfect goal’. It was so fucking obvious he’s a prick. He even take a hit on Brucey saying that Sunderland deserves it due to last season beach ball incident. What a twat. I just cant stand him being a football pundit, thank god i didnt have the chance to watch him play. He needs to fuck off back to the merseyside.
I went to a dinner with the 1968 Team,Apart from some fallen members. Brian Bitter Kidd was one of the rudest people ive ever met but it didnt matter because everyone else was so approachable. To the amazing credit of the explayers they were so amazing with everyone after the dinner. I met talked and had my questions answered by everyone . But Pat Crerand was a different class. I went up to him to get my jersey signed(id a scarf to that we got at the 50 munich anniverys game against city) asked him to sign it – talked and asked him a question like i did with everyone from john fitzpatrick to Sir Bobby but apoun walking away from Mr Crerand called me back after seeing my scarf and asked me if I was at the City game. we then talked for about 15 minutes about that game Manchester united memories and everything in between. It was like talking to my brother about united in a pub. The man is the single most down to earth “celebrity” i have ever or could ever imagine meeting
@Jellybean, Actually I was talking about our league position and our chances in October.
Think we have a fair change of picking up. 4 points on the Chavs in October.
Completely agree that Valencia is a dicey test. Really sloppy for of us when we had them at OT. Bit nevrous about our trip to Spain. Common you Reds!
Crerand is a top bloke. Truly a great man. Great Interview Scott.
@GHTT Great post mate. Thanks for sharing. Funny about Brian. Probably loosing it and a bit stressed on that occasion! But really enjoyed the perspective on Paddy a man very comfortable, and rightly proud, of his life: past, present and future.
My dad did have the privilege of seeing Paddy play.
Apparently, Stretfordenders always said at the time that if Paddy played well United played well. He had a lucky shirt and at half-time used to change into it – a faded red shirt – if United needed to get going.
Great days before all the logos and constant rip-off shirt replicas and names on the back so wanker commentators actually know who’s who – like Alan fucking Green who legend has it was once threatened by Paddy if he ever criticised Keano again.
And believe you me – nobody ever took a threat from Paddy lightly. 100% United, 100% Red.
@Schmucks. Steve McHoundaman for the love of god, must have been dropped on his head as a babe. City, ‘Pool, and Madrid. About as ABU as you can get. I turn him off and head for the lav. Find it a better use of time. Honestly, he is only there to make the other pundits look smart. Wonder how many hours he spent in therapy learning to call us Man United. It always seems to cause him gut wrenching intestinal turmoil to do it. Like Paddy’s comment about the Sun, StevMcMu, – I won’t buy it.” Ha ha ha ha ha!
BRILLIANT SCOTT!!! PADDY L.E.G.E.N.D!!! The one about Munich really touch me…
Paddy is a True United Legend!!!
Bebe isnt playing for the reserves tonight. maybe he will be used in case of an emergency in Spain after the injury to Giggs
The way Valencia are playing if we dont sort things out we could be in for a long night, In fact valencia are looking better off without Villa and Silva
Fletch the man – Hello mate. Isn’t it Steve MacMahon the lad was on about and not Macmanaman?
‘Your blog is genuine and you guys are passionate United fans.’
So do you reckon Pat does actually read this blog? Gonna have to have a look at his site!
espn asia football pundits are so crap. their brilliant analysis today led them to the conclusion “Man Utd are conceding goals because they are frail at the back”. wow what a startling revelation! none of us would have ever guessed that!
@ghtt
Agree mate the man has got time for everyone. Had the pleasure of meeting him at OT after Chelsea game last season. Had a great chat with him absolute legend
What an absolute legend Paddy is. While Besty is my all time hero, Paddy and the Lawman are close to my heart as well, that’s because i’m old enough to remember them playing! Very good player and hard as nails.
Paddy, what a fucking legend. I love his commentary on MUTV, he never fails to crack me up. Love how he calls Evra ‘Paddy’, haha. He was a brilliant player back in the days too, as older fans recall.
Love Paddy. And how he often says “Thank you very much” after a goals scored!
@Scott: Fantastic interview mate……you really do keep on your toes to keep this blog the best…
well done mate
@King Eric :at the end of the day, you’re either a red or you’re not’ How true…what passion that man still has burning inside him…fantastic…thanks for that anecdote mate…
Red Devil – Hello mate, you well?
Yeah it was a response to a so called United fan who called a phone in and started to say that Eric should be kicked out etc!!!
@ King Eric
I’m doing ok mate….thanks for asking..
Hope you’re in good health…
That fan must have got some serious shit from ‘real’ United fans….kick out Cantona indeed!
At least the guy had balls to suggest something like at a United phone-in, gotta give him some credit
It’s always good interview with someone from the inside, whether it’s the past or present.
Love the post.
Great interview Scott. I love Paddy, he’s a legend. He’s so unashamedly biased towards United and I love that, it’s refreshing for a United fan with all the ABU press there is. Never had the pleasure of meeting the guy, but I’ve read his book and he comes accross as the type of bloke you’d meet in the pub and talk about football with.