Fan Highlights is a way for United Beyond Manchester to highlight the great fans of our beloved club. Every supporter is important, and we want to allow each one to have a voice and share their special moments as a fan. All we do is ask the questions, and the highlighted fans share answers in their own words.

This week’s Fan Highlight is (Maliq) Bin Huzairu (@iamBinHuzairu on Twitter). Bin Huzairu is from Morocco and has been a United fan for years now. Read about his experiences and more below!

Questions:

How did you become a Manchester United fan?

“Till 2015, I used to play FIFA on my computer a lot. I did not support any team but knew everything about any of the big teams from the Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, Ligue 1, and Serie A. Then I moved to a new city. There, I met a guy who crazily followed Liverpool. He used to watch all of Liverpool’s matches like a crazy fan. I was impressed by his love for the club. Sometimes, I also used to sit with him and watch matches, and I started developing a love for watching football matches live.

Then, one day, he asked me which club I supported. I remember at that time, Chelsea had won the Premier League 2015, and all of my friends on Facebook were talking a lot about Chelsea. I was about to say Chelsea, and seriously, I don’t know why, but I said, ‘I support Manchester United.’ He said ‘cool.’

From that moment, I realized there was something about United. I used to play with United a lot on FIFA because of CR7 and Rooney. So, from that moment until now, I have been following United like a crazy fan. I have watched all their friendlies and pre-season games, followed every news and transfer rumour, etc. It’s been just nine years for me, and I am so sad that I did not follow it earlier like I do now. Glory, Glory Man United!”

What is your earliest Manchester United memory?

“Juan Mata’s volley at Anfield, Well, United’s 2-1 victory at Anfield back in March was probably the most important of Louis Van Gaal’s first season in charge at Old Trafford. Because of it, United took control of their pursuit for a top-four finish while halting Liverpool’s charge to overtake them. And while there was something decidedly silky about Juan Mata’s first goal, which saw him expertly finish across Simon Mignolet with his weaker foot following a precise Ander Herrera through ball, the Spaniard’s acrobatic volley for the second is the strike that will live longest in my memory.”

What is your favorite Manchester United memory, and why?

“I would say my favorite memory was when we won the Europa League trophy. It had been over seven years without winning any European trophy, and this victory felt like we were on track to return to where we belonged.”

Who is your favorite current Manchester United player, and why?

“Obviously, Marcus Rashford. Rashford has been using his platform to campaign against racism, homelessness, and child hunger in the United Kingdom. Since I have actually faced some of what he’s campaigning against, I felt he was the favorite figure to fall for. And I can’t forget how he helped us secure a comeback at Parc the Princess in Paris against PSG in the Champions League.”

If you could bring one former player to the current team, who would it be and why?

“I would bring back the freshly signed Cristiano Ronaldo from Sporting. He was a very hungry, young, talented lad with almost everything you could ask for from a player. Real Madrid robbed us of more memories of him because had he stayed in Manchester, it’d be a different story now. Who knows, we could be talking about 6-8 Champions League trophies.”

If you could sign one player for the club this summer, who would it be and why?

“I wouldn’t sign but rather take back Mason Greenwood to Old Trafford. He is one of the best talents to graduate from United’s academy, and I admire his play a lot. From what I have seen, he is capable of dribbling past players from wings, great finishes, and good free kicks (which is vital for United’s first team).

He also has blazing pace, and I feel he is fearless and ready to take on any defense. He is just lacking the important Premier League experience he could have gained in the past 2-3 seasons. So, to conclude, he is a solid addition to the first team.”

Where is your favorite place to watch matches? Who do you enjoy watching matches with the most?

“Old Trafford if I could because the atmosphere truly is unbeatable. If not, then usually at home or a friend’s home or occasionally at a viewing centre, though those centers tend to get really crowded for big games. My next choice would be home or a friend’s home because of comfort.”

What else would you like fans to know about you or your love for the club?

“Yes, we have struggled throughout the whole season with injuries, poor displays, and players getting criticized, but somehow, we managed to win the FA Cup. My love for this club is ultimately unmatched.

So, for Manchester United to return to where we belong, having new managers after every campaign is not the solution. My humble request would be for the people on top to trust Erik Ten Hag. He’ll undoubtedly take us back.”

“WE ARE THE FAMOUS MANCHESTER UNITED!!”

Follow @iambinhuzairu on Twitter!

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