~With Manchester United through to the knock out round of the Champions League, they are set to play a highly anticipated tie vs Real Madrid next month. It is with great expectation, trepedation and excitement that this match is met- it has been too long since the sides last met. A time ago, I wrote up a piece that looked at the background of how United really got started on the European scene. As well as the important role they and their forward thinking manager, Sir Matt Busby played in opening the door of continental, club football. This changed the face of football in England and opened up new challenges, adventures and experiences for fans and players alike. I very much enjoy learning about the history of the club, particularly through an author and Manchester United fan named Tom Clare who has seen, first hand a huge portion of the clubs history. His most recent publication (The Men Who Were The Busby Babes) was released just last year and is a magnificent read- very insightful and he writes so well.~
