5:20pm
Shifty and Graeme arrive, ravenous, at Harry Ramsden's. Graeme orders himself fish and chips, while Shifty inexplicably orders something other than chips and bread and butter by going for the battered chicken. The global effects of this shock decision are still being felt to this very day- rumour has it that, before Shifty's order was placed, the Nobel Peace Prize was set to be awarded to Ian Huntley.
6:20pm
Full up and raring to go the boys nailed down to the ground. Usual sightseeing faire. Graeme bought a rather fetching hat from the clubshop. Some photos under the Sir Matt Busby statue and enjoying the general atmosphere which was laced with jubilant Scouser bashing. Much to Graeme's dismay there is an alcohol ban at European games, so with an expectant crowd and a cup of tea Shifty and Graeme climbed the steps to take their seats, in the Theatre of Dreams.
7:40pm
Another couple of photos were taken (have a butcher's at Graeme's hat) before the teams emerged to the spine-tingling Handel's Zadok the Priest, better known as the Champions League anthem. And then a young Manchester United side were underway!
8:05pm
Effing Ben Foster! He's 3rd choice for a reason
8:30pm
Half-time. In the absence of the availability of a half-time beer, Shifty and Graeme prefer to chill (quite literally- it was freezing!) in their seats
9:35pm
Full-time. Disappointing result. Shifty and Graeme make a smooth escape from the ground and board the bus back to the hotel room to "freshen up" before a night on the town.
10:45pm
Bus into Piccadilly Gardens (where all them mad huns kicked off ken'). Empty aside from one drunk homeless Scottish guy shouting at a parked car. First pub, nice environment, can't remember the name but had decent pintage and a tpb (tasty Polish barmaid). Every pub needs one.
11.30pm
It's raining cat's dogs and few other animals, the boys go for a dawnder. Much to Shifty's dismay (there's been an awful lot of that on this trip, hasn't there?), the two bloggers are directed to Manchester's gay village. Graeme finds this amusing, and has a great time. Shifty's mood brightens up after a Sex on the Beach.
2:30am
3 gay bars, 6 cocktails and a trip to the casino later, Shifty and Graeme find themselves in a karaoke bar, surrounded by Chinese students singing Girls Just Wanna Have Fun. Both come to the conclusion that this means hometime, and return to the hotel.
7:00am
Shifty wakes up for breakfast, works his way into the bathroom only to discover Graeme fast asleep and up to his neck in lukewarm bathwater. Good Night all round.
9:40am
Shifty and Graeme leave the hotel after a hearty all-you-can-eat breakfast, and make their way to the train station, for the long journey home.
Here are those photos, then:
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