When the Manchester United supporters club's red double decker bus pulled out of Caringbah this afternoon on a "magical mystery" tour of Sydney before tonight's big Man U game against our A League all stars, the Leader hopped on for a ride. Brad Forrest reports.
Only the world's most famous club could take over the Sydney Opera house and get away with it.
Thousands of Man U supporters were rewarded, too, when the team's English Premier League trophy was hoisted above the heads of the fanatical crowd of supporters from all Australian states, New Zealand and England.
Tourists looked mesmerised by the red chanting throng. Was this real?
Our journey started several hours earlier, in the NSW supporters club bus.
It took a decorated British Army Commando, Simon Reynolds, to take on this job. Reynolds started driving a year after he played a dramatic role in the rescue of kidnapped soldiers in Sierra Leone. Today was a mission with a difference - driving the Red Army!
Eardrums were fully-tested as Graham Grover stood on the top deck of the bus and started the chanting and songs; United Til I Die, We love United we do, There's only one United, The wheels of the bus.
Oatley's NSW supporters Club President, Mark O'Connor, took a deep breath between songs.
He and wife Maria's three phones hadn't stopped since the Man U team flew in.
"When the team put our website up we had 500 hits in the first 10 minutes," he said.
The red juggernaut rolled on, through Darlinghurst and the city and all the time the singing echoed out: " Red are here, Reds are there, Reds are f...ing everywhere."
Then onto the Opera House.
Pictures of the supporters taking over the Opera House steps went all around the world.
By the time our red bus left to take us over the bridge to Milson's Point all Man U merchandise in city stores had sold out.
Five hours after leaving Caringbah's Five Sports Complex we rolled into ANZ Stadium with just a song or two.
The bus had lost one of its signs but none of its supporters. "Commando" had done his job. he was given a farewell song...and we joined the 80,000 other supporters gathering for the big game.
It was always going to be difficult for the A League All Stars and so it proved, even with leading striker Robin Van Persie resting on the sideline for three quarters of the game.
United found a new star in Neymar who bagged two goals before Van Persie finally came on to a thunderous roar from United fans.
Soon after Danny Wellbeck scored his second too, and got a well-earned rest.
The dominance of the Reds kept the fans in full voice, especially when Van Persie goaled to cap off a 5-1 victory.
Even not having our bus and driver didn't matter...our sea of red would get home somehow.
Tell us about your Man U adventure or send photos to christiner@fairfaxmedia.com.au
