After previously getting Tim Burgess of The Charlatans to give a few minutes to talk about United, proper red Terry Christian has spoken to Republik of Mancunia about several United related topics.
Christian, Old Trafford born and bred, got his first gig at local BBC Radio stations, with his ‘Barbed Wireless’ programme winning Sony Awards in the specialist music category in 1985 and again in 1986. He was very much involved in the Madchester scene, becoming a DJ on Key 103 as well as writing ‘The Word’ for the Evening News, educating the city on the music scene. In the 90s, Terry’s column was made in to a TV show on Channel 4.
The Times, The Guardian, The Observer and The Daily Express are amongst the papers he has written for, as well as bringing out a book, Reds in the Hood, about growing up in a huge Irish community in Old Trafford and following United.
He then presented ‘The Final Whistle’ on Talk Sport radio on Saturday afternoons, giving his opinion and talking to callers after the weekend matches, which is a great listen for the journey home, win, lose or draw. Christian talks publicly with red tinted specs about all the issues you want publicised. This ABU nation we live in, the envy of United, and generally, just how fantastic United are, acknowledging that his opinions are like a “red rag to a bull” where non-United fans are concerned.
Terry has had a season ticket at Old Trafford for over 20 years and is better qualified than most to speak about our marvellous club.
Terry was happy with the point we picked up at Stamford Bridge last weekend, offering up praise to Darren Fletcher, Owen Hargreaves and Wayne Rooney.
“I thought United did well,” he said. “I’ve been impressed by Fletcher this season. Hargreaves did well and I thought Rooney was looking good. Berbatov still looks a bit like early Sheringham at United as opposed to prime Cantona , but it’s early days. A good result really.”
He believes we’ll see a repeat of last season’s success, claiming we’ll win the League and European Cup again, although is more unsure of which group of players are deserving of a first team place every week.
“Now there’s a question,” he pondered. “Get all Premier League managers over it. Probably Ben Foster, Wes Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic and Evra, midfield Scholes, Carrick. Hargreaves on the right, Ronaldo on the left, with Rooney and Tevez up front. But then I love Anderson and I think Berbatov might be great, and Park has been fantastic. What can you do?”
Whilst Cristiano Ronaldo collected all the praise last season, Terry reckons Rio Ferdinand will be our most important player, although still believes Ronnie is “young and supremely talented.”
In United’s 3-1 victory over Middlesbrough in the week, we saw the impressive Rafael Da Silva fill in at right back, with Gary Neville and Wes Brown battling it out for that position in the league. Whilst there have been some fears that Neville won’t be able to come back from his injuries which kept him out of the team for over a year, Terry has faith he can do it.
“I think it’ll [Neville winning his place back] happen by Christmas and Wes will be covering for a Vidic or Ferdinand injury at centre half.”
Rodrigo Possebon, Jonny Evans, Ben Amos and Danny Welbeck all featured alongside Rafael in that Boro match, but Terry admits he’s not as clued up as he used to be on our youth players, and is unsure of who has the potential to make the big step to the first team.
“I’ve not actually seen enough of any of them,” he said. “In the olden days of the reserves playing on a Saturday afternoon at Old Trafford and the special token games, I’d always know exactly who was who and who could do what in the reserves and youth team.”
After Carlos Queiroz’s departure to Portugal, United fans were expecting, or at least hoping for, a high profile replacement. Mike Phelan certainly wasn’t the first choice for many of us, and I certainly wasn’t impressed.
Phelan joined the club as a player from Norwich at the end of the 1988-1989 season, after being called up to the England squad and since became a part of our coaching staff.
Terry has his doubts, but looks on the bright side, putting his faith in Sir Alex Ferguson for making the right call.
“Always wondered why we bought Mickey for £750,000 when we could have got [Andy]Townsend for £500,000,” he said. “I haven’t got a clue, he’s been there long enough and he was a grafter and I’m sure he’s knowledgable otherwise Fergie wouldn’t have him there.”
With Queiroz’s replacement decided, our minds turn to who will take over from Ferguson when he retires. Whilst many reds were disappointed to see Mark Hughes take up the job with the bitters, Terry reckons he could still be the man for the job at United.
“I don’t even want to think about it,” he responded, when asked who should replace Fergie. “If Mark Hughes does really well at City, then he’d be ideal. He’d be leaving the richest club in the world for the greatest club in the universe…even though it’s massively in debt. Come on, buy Tevez for God’s sake!”
And finally, this year, like every year, belongs to Liverpool, right? “Wrong, as you’ll see come Christmas!”
Cheers Terry!
Man Utd News 24/7
class article, scott. every day more reasons to log on here and read your latest. cheers!
Terry christian is a legend in manchester and manchester utd circles. Followed his career thru the 80′s upto now…and seriouly he is one of the true utd die hards. Absolutely love him..all his programmes/deates/banter etc…top draw
That wit and street cred he had in the late 80′s still hasnt left him 2 decades on. Love the fella….and like true utd fans..what a final comment
” hughes…he’d be leaving the richest club in the world…FOR THE GREATEST CLUB IN THE UNIVERSE”
CLASSIC TERRY
Enjoyable read but wish Terry christian wouldn’t go on about liverpool so much. He does it everytime he’s interviewed and everytime I’ve heard him on the radio. He’s a bit of an embarrassing fool and wish he didn’t have a platform to chat his simplistic and predictable windups. It’s smalltime but sadly indicative of a large part of our support who prefer to sing songs about the scousers instead of just getting behind our team. We’ve probs got the best range of songs so can we just stick to being original and enjoy the fact we’re about to become the most successful team in the country rather than doing liverpool the honour of singing about them when we’re playing against the best teams in Europe.
classy fella
Darren Fletcher is quickly becoming my most hated united player
but for all the right reasons
i put too much rant time and energy saying how he is not good enough for united
now i just hate been so wrong
and i blame Darren Fletcher again
a man i love seen in the big games
you shouldn’t feel bad about that – fletcher used to be shit, a liability. but he’s improved and we’re all happy that’s so.
same can’t be said for o’shea who’s still as poor as he ever was.
My sentments exactly, Fletcher has stepped up to the plate so far this season, but shouldn’t be a first team regular, O’Sheas is poor no doubts, but has Fergie ruined him to a degree as a player? He is a jack of all trades and master of of none, he probably really is a cenre back, but never plays there, he is a player in need of a move, similar to P Nev, who’s career has benefitted from the move away from OT.
“THE WORD” ‘avin it large with Terry Christian… i used to love watching that…
Plus the bonus… Dani Behr was a good 10 to midnight wank every weekend lol
With regards to Fletcher… ive been one of his critics… but he has defo improved…mind you… i think hes known he has had to..
If you could get 7 or 8 mill for O’shea.. then id take it… and go buy another good keeper to challenge Foster (when he is fit.)..
VDS is getting old now.. been a world class keeper and Kush is a liability… good stopper but thats all..
Red dawn: Your a moron.
I think your getting over excited. Liverpool finally beat United at Anfield in the league for the first time in 7 MASSIVE years and now your world beaters. United were awfull that day, and we created our own downfall on the day rather than Liverpool actually playing well. Liverpool will be finishing 4th again, I would bet my house on that.
You gave me a laugh when you said “Win the title thats the biggest joke so far” you gave me a giggle there! Well lets point out some facts, in the last 16 years United have won 10 titles, 4 Fa cups, 2 European cups, 1 League cup, 2 domestic doubles, a European and Premiership double, and the treble, in the same time Liverpool have simply sat back and watched, and have drifted into background becoming a cup team, who cant challenge for the league.
Why is Terry Christian not on talk sport anymore? He made that slot his own on a Saturday night, its shite without him.
Basoon – he can only answer what he’s asked. I asked him about Liverpool. I enjoy taking the piss out of the dippers. Each to their own.
I miss him on Talksport, they are so many dippers in the media, Rednapp, Souness, Beglin, Hanson, Lawrenson, McManaman and Alan Green, Alvin Martin and Micky Quinn are all fans oh sorry I forgot Andy Gray!
TRUE TRUE TRUE STEPHEN…WHETHER ITS RADIO..SKYSPORTS OR MOTD….YOU ALWAYS JUST HAVE DIPPER PUNDITS. I mean even when utd play live on sky…we have redknapp, wilkins, souness and gullit analysing us. Flmain dips and rboys. Where are all the ex utd players/pundits
Get paddy crerand in from mutv.
Failsworth……..true mate…the days when danni behr used to date giggsy and then les ferdinand…she looked hot in those days..lol 10-12? spot on
I was more of a Hufty man myself!
Well lets point out some facts, in the last 16 years United have won 10 titles, 4 Fa cups, 2 European cups, 1 League cup, 2 domestic doubles, a European and Premiership double, and the treble, in the same time Liverpool have simply sat back and watched, and have drifted into background becoming a cup team, who cant challenge for the league.
And what did united win the 26 years previous to that?
What a load of crap – Come Christmas this come Christmas that – ha ha get real! ManU always aspiring to be as great as Liverpool – Ha.
Yeh. I wish we hadn’t won the title for 18 years and were out of the race by Christmas every season. Owwww, if only we could be like Liverpool.
ha ha walk on walk on with hope in your hearts and you’ll never walk alone best club anthem in the world and best supporters on the planet. thats lfc
As for the title you don’t stand a cat in hells chance wanker
Terry Christian, have my children?
Oh and RedDawn, have fun living in the past you fucking hippie.
We would have won more European titles by now if it wasnt for the scally dippers getting us booted out of Europe…
Scally Twats… wanna by some wheels… top notch… off a 1983 vauxhall nova… with go fast benefit books as spoilers..
Sign on Sign on, with a pen in ya hand, coz you’lllllll never get a job.. your mam looks like oddjob.. (soz just had to change that last bit).
You Scoooooooouse Bastads.. lol…
United biggest club in the world..
United most famous club in the world..
Scally scanky scousers do one and go visit your favourite website.. http://www.dwp/claimformilkvouchers.com
Hey Suhayl… hows tricks mate… good win the other nite… Rafael looked dapper..
And as for Dani Behr…. she was a little minter…
Red dawn: Who are you trying to convince that we cant win the title, us? or yourself? Take your bitterness somewhere else because you sound a bit obsessed with United, they have taken over your life it seems. You have a massive inferiority complex by the looks of it. If you seriously think the back to back champions England (and reigning champions of Europe) dont have a chance of retaining the league title, then it shows what little football knowledge you actually have.
Enjoy finishing 4th again, your consistent I’ll give ya that!