IT was a heartbreaking season for Manchester United fans when the Red Devils finished 15th in the Premier League just three days ago — their worst performance since the 1973–74 relegation season.

To rub salt into their wounds, arch-rivals Liverpool ended the season in style by lifting the Premier League trophy, bringing their tally to 20 league titles, now tied with Manchester United for the most in English top-flight history.

While some may have lost faith, many loyal fans continue to support United through thick and thin.

One such unwavering supporter is Abdul Halim Varesah Mohd, who runs Restoran MU Tunas in Paya Terubong, Penang. A self-proclaimed die-hard fan, Halim has vowed to stand by his team no matter the circumstances.

“I’m not just a United fan. I’m a die-hard, hardcore United fan. Whether they are up or down, United is my favourite team,” said Halim, 62, in an interview with Buletin Mutiara.

It’s no surprise then that his restaurant is adorned with Manchester United memorabilia and newspaper clippings. The outlet has become a local hub for United supporters who gather to watch matches on a large TV screen outside the restaurant.

Affectionately known as Halim MU, he has been to Old Trafford, the “Theatre of Dreams”, twice, in 1993 and 2023, and dreams of going again with his entire family: wife Jamilah Nasir, 62; and children Abdul Hafiz, 40; Anis Jasmin, 37; Ahmad Helmi, 35; and Ahmad Hafnizan, 34.

“My ambition is to visit Old Trafford again to feel the atmosphere, meet the players, and be at the real stadium. It’s like the Holy Grail to me. That’s the ultimate satisfaction for me, after years of watching United on television and reading about them in magazines,” he said.

Recalling his first visit in 1993, Halim shared how he was one of 17 lucky supporters selected to travel and meet the players. That match was against Tottenham Hotspur, and it left a lasting impression, not least because he pulled out a tuft of grass from the hallowed ground.

“Those days, we were allowed onto the pitch. While sitting for a group photo with the Selangor-based MU Supporters Club, I plucked some grass and kept it in my pocket. I brought it home and preserved it in plastic. I even had a photo, but I’ve lost the grass, maybe while moving house,” he said with a grin.

During that visit, United beat Spurs 2–1. The group also toured the Manchester United Museum, visited The Cliff (then the club’s main training ground), and met legends such as Steve Bruce, Eric Cantona, Brian McClair, Mark Hughes, Lee Martin, and Bryan Robson.

In 2023, Halim returned to Old Trafford with his eldest son, Hafiz, and 12 other supporters from Kuala Lumpur and the United Kingdom. On that trip, they witnessed United beat Chelsea 2–1 in a Premier League clash but later saw them fall 0–1 to Bayern Munich in a Champions League group stage match.

Of all the Manchester United legends, Halim reserves the top spot for one man — Eric Cantona.

“The Frenchman was a magician, the final jigsaw piece of Manchester United. When he joined the team, everything fell into place,” said Halim.

“Apart from his hot temper, he was a consummate footballer. What I admired most was his mental attitude, and the desire to win. He was a fighter, just like Ronaldo.”

Halim also fondly remembers Cantona’s charismatic presence on the field, especially his iconic goal celebrations.

“He had so many different goal celebrations, always with his trademark upturned collar. He was so talented that his ball artistry usually led to something brilliant.”

In 2016, Halim had the rare chance to meet Cantona in person during the Frenchman’s visit to Penang’s Queensbay Mall.

“He’s a man of few words,” Halim recalled, proudly noting he even has a poster of Cantona executing his infamous ‘kung-fu’ kick at a fan on display in his restaurant.

Under the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson, Cantona led United to four Premier League titles in five years (1993, 1994, 1996, 1997) and two FA Cups, completing the domestic double in 1994 and 1996.

When asked about his most cherished memory in nearly five decades as a United fan, Halim didn’t hesitate.

“It has to be United’s Champions League win against Bayern Munich at the Nou Camp in 1999,” he said.

“Bayern were leading 1–0 with just three minutes of injury time left. Miraculously, United scored two goals to win 2–1. My family and I went wild watching it live on TV. Some of us cried tears of joy. Even now, I get goosebumps talking about that comeback.”

Halim’s love for Manchester United began when he was just 10 years old, after watching RTM’s live telecast of the 1977 FA Cup Final, in which United defeated Liverpool 2–1.

He further nurtured his passion through daily doses of English football news in the now-defunct Straits Echo newspaper. During his teenage years, he played local football with Muslim Recreation Club and Baharol Alam FC.

In 1981, when Manchester United played against a Selangor Selection in Kuala Lumpur, a then 17-year-old Halim made his way to the capital for his first live experience.

“My father gave me RM200 and I took a taxi to KL. I was just 17 and went alone because I was really crazy about United. I didn’t even know how to get home,” he said with a laugh.

“After the match, I asked around and was told to go to the Utusan Malaysia office. From there, I hopped onto a lorry delivering newspapers to Butterworth!”

Now 62, Halim has just made another trip to Kuala Lumpur, this time with a group of fellow United fans, to catch the Red Devils on their Asian Tour.

United are scheduled to play an ASEAN All-Stars team at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium tonight, before flying off to face Hong Kong’s national side on May 30.

Joining Halim on the trip to Kuala Lumpur is his eldest son, Abdul Hafiz, who has just returned from Europe after witnessing Manchester United’s heart-breaking 1-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur in the UEFA Europa League final in Bilbao, Spain, on May 22. The defeat means no European football next season for Ruben Amorim’s side.

While in Europe, Hafiz also took the opportunity to catch Real Madrid’s final La Liga match of the season against Real Sociedad at the Santiago Bernabeu on May 25, before flying home to attend tonight’s Manchester United vs ASEAN All-Stars game at Bukit Jalil National Stadium.

Like his father, Hafiz is also in the F&B industry, operating two restaurants – Masin Manis in Batu Maung and Garam Gula in Balik Pulau.

Halim expects a challenging match tonight, especially with United having played a gruelling 60 matches this season across all competitions.

“My sincere hope is for Manchester United to bounce back. For the past three years, they’ve kept chopping and changing managers and players. I don’t mind if new owners come in and elevate the club to a higher level next season,” Halim said.

“I know loyal fans across the world are frustrated. We’ve grown up seeing United lift trophies year after year, now we’re in a drought.”

Despite the setbacks, Halim remains optimistic about the future under new manager Amorim.

“We will be back. It’s about time. I believe under Amorim, MU will return to where we truly belong. But we must give him at least three years, and most importantly, don’t interfere. Let him build the team and sign quality players who want to play for the badge.”

Halim dreams of the day Manchester United lift their 21st league title — and he already has plans in place for the celebration.

“When that day comes, I’ll paint the town red — with a cake, a nasi kandar treat for fellow fans, and a 21-car convoy through the city. Just like I did in 2011 and 2013. United will be back. We’re just waiting for the right moment to rise again,” Halim smiled.

Story by K.H. Ong

Pix by Law Suun Ting and courtesy of Abdul Halim