Competition - 'The United way'

Words: ACFC Media

Thursday 13 May 2021

Picture: Madman Entertainment

AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Auckland City FC and Madman Entertainment are giving away four double passes to the new football documentary 'The United Way'.

Manchester-born midfielder Adam Thurston signed for Auckland City FC recently and is a self-confessed United fanatic.

"I grew up a Manchester United fan so grew up watching Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney and all the top players from around the world.

"I still get up early in the morning to watch games and admire how Bruno Fernandes changes games, creates chances, creates goals and plays with passion, its something I base my game on that," he said.

Thurston played for the Manchester United Academy as a youngster.

"I have some unbelievable memories of Manchester United myself. I remember going to Carrington and seeing all the players and I remember one training session when I was just eight years old when Ruud van Nistelrooy and Diego Forlan came down and joined in our training session.

"I was injured one Saturday morning and the first team played on a Sunday, and we went to use the first team gym and I opened the door the players were all doing yoga and I made eye contact with Rio Ferdinand, Paul Scholes, Anderson and Ronaldo were there.

"I was star struck, seeing all my favourite players all in one room, and to this day it remains a very cool memory for me," Thurston told www.aucklandcityfc.com.

'The United Way' opens on May 13.

NEW ARRIVAL! Adam Thurston raring to go with Navy Blues

Midfielder Adam Thurston is raring to go after getting close to the Auckland City FC first team action on Saturday.

#NavyBlues

| @PhototekNZ

https://t.co/f8fnVPecHu pic.twitter.com/9rnoZa4Mef
— Auckland City FC (@AucklandCity_FC) May 9, 2021

Synopsis:

"Manchester United are one of the most iconic sports teams in the world. Yet their story transcends the sporting field. It is a story of tragedy and triumph, of despair and hope, of romance and fantasy. It is the story of our times.

United are a dynasty, an undulating empire. From the ruins of the Munich disaster in 1958, a team was reborn. They captured the hearts and imaginations of the world, generating hundreds of millions of fans.

They have also absorbed and reflected the ever-changing landscape and fabric of the society and city that gave birth to them – its music, its style, its swagger, its innate sense of rebellion.

Featuring personal contributions from a galaxy of United stars and stalwarts – including David Beckham, Ryan Giggs and Bryan Robson – The United Way recounts this epic ascent.

In a unique twist, United’s ultimate cult hero, the legendary Eric Cantona, is our guide throughout the film, providing a dramatic spine with his own insights and observations and threading the different narrative layers together in his inimitable style.

Set to the stirring score of Oscar-nominated composer George Fenton, exclusive interviews and stunning archive interweave Eric’s story with that of the club. For one provides the key to understanding the significance and legacy of the other.

This is a journey to discover the soul of a football club, of a city, of a people. This is The United Way."

Competition:

To win a double pass to see the documentary all you have to do is visit the Auckland City FC Facebook page and leave your name in the comments below.

Winners will be selected at a random and informed via our media team.

Five quick questions about Manchester United with Adam Thurston:

Q: What is your favourite Manchester United moment of all time?

AT: "It has to be the UEFA Champions League final in 2008 in Moscow when it went to penalties. I watched at home with family and friends. John Terry slipped and hit the post and I could hardly watch it. When van der Sar saved Anelka's penalty it was just carnage. Rooney's overhead kick to win the derby was another - I watched that live, I was there - it was an unbelievable moment.

Q: What is your worst Manchester United moment of all time?

AT: "Fergie retiring. He did so much for the club, he was an absolute legend. I was unsure what would happen after that. It went downhill after that and it took years to get the structure back, get the fans enjoying the football again and playing the right way. Fergie was a massive loss.

Q: Sir Alex Ferguson or Sir Matt Busby?

AT: "Fergie for me. It's got to be Fergie. I've been very lucky to support United while Fergie was in charge to see how passionate he was and how much he loved the club. How he brought young kids to United and gave them a chance. He played attractive, positive, football.

Q: If you could choose to have dinner with two Manchester United personalities from Bryan Robson, Denis Law, Cristiano Ronaldo, Sir Matt Busby or Sir Alex Ferguson, who would you choose and why?

AT: "I would choose Bryan Robson and Fergie and chat about the differences between then and now. Bryan Robson was an unbeliavble player, an absolute warrior, back when it was more physically challenging. Fergie saw that and I would ask him about his thoughts between the two periods. It would be cool to chat with them both."