Finding similarities between Manchester United and Mohun Bagan might seem quite a bold attempt to start with, isn't it? Well if you discount the difference between football standards of the two nations and focus on the fan-following and facts, you'll find, it isn't! Rather, if we look back into the respective history of the two great sporting institutions, one will surely find rationale behind this research of mine.
In fact, what intrigued me to attempt this apparent blasphemy (to the ones who think Indian football is worthless)is a common reaction seen among many of the football fans of this generation. Especially, the ones who support both the clubs in two contrasting scenarios. They say, MU and MB very often share the same or identical scorelines if they play in the same date or close fixtures.The belief gained foothold when Mohun Bagan dominated Indian football in the beginning of the new century and was awarded the “Diadora Club of Asia” by AFC for the best team performance for the month of January. At that time Man Utd was also having a great run and the Indian newspapers promptly coined Mohun Bagan as the "Manchester United of India".
The fact that both the teams have the first letter "M" makes it more sweeter for the fans. Let's look where and how these clubs share the familiarity.
The Crests
Although the current MU crest has more "rival"colors, the presence of the sea vessel perfectly matches the boat of the Mariners'. In fact, MU's first crest had the green and red color in tidy tandem. Both the clubs have replaced their original crests in the course of time.
The Early Years
Both the clubs were established in the late nineteenth century, barely a decade apart. MU was born as Newton Heath LYR F.C in 1878 while MB began as Mohun Bagan Sporting Club in 1889. Both the clubs changed their names soon after. In 1911, Indian football created history through Mohun Bagan, when as the first native team, lifted the prestigious IFA Shield. Interestingly, the year is a very special one for Manchester United as well, as the club won the First Division for the second time in their history.
The Fabulous Fifties and Super Sixties
According to football historians, the 1950-60s was one of the most successful phases that both the clubs enjoyed. MU, under Matt Busby went to became the European champions besides lifting the FA Cup and English League titles. George of that indomitable team emerged as among the "Best"s of the world. MB in that era, was also immensely successful lifting all the major Indian trophies. The ruby of Indian football "Chuni Goswami" became the darling of the green and maroon crowd during this time.
The Sad Seventies
Again a striking resemblance of fate. With Busby's resignation in 1969, MU went under a prolonged bad patch, which even resulted in their relegation in 1974. MB on the other hand, was time and again frustrated in the derbies, and despite winning a few major trophies, remained mostly unsuccessful. The pain point came in 1975 when they lost to the rival East Bengal by 5-0 in the IFA Shield final. This sad saga ended much later in 2009 when they redeemed the result by a 5-3 margin.
The Comeback
No end to the similarities, both the clubs revised their bad times in the year 1977. Mohun Bagan especially, had a huge year lifting the "Trimukut" or the Treble for the first time. The King of Football - Pele visited Kolkata with his club Cosmos in that year to play an exhibition match against Mohun Bagan, one of the most happening occasions ever in Indian football history. Manchester United also came out from the slumber to beat Liverpool and lift the FA Cup. They also won the Community Shield in the same year.
The Change of Times
Both the clubs more or less fared equally good at the advent of new competitive setups. MU has dominated the new FA Premier league since it began in 1992 while Mohun Bagan was the first team to won the new National League thrice, which was started in the later half of 1990s. MU fans had heroes like Eric Cantona, David Beckham while a magical Brazilian, Jose Ramirez Barreto became a legend for the Mariners.
Well, unknowingly continuing with the camaraderie, MU and MB are having worst of their times in recent years. Hope, both make a turnaround as they have done throughout their history. MU fans will say "Glory Glory Man Utd and MB fans will sing "Ämader Surjo Maroon" and they will sail along.
