Yuzvendra Chahal backs Manchester United to turn their Premier League season around after the international break, praising the team’s fighting spirit, unpredictability and attacking energy while recalling his emotional experience watching the Manchester Derby live at Old Trafford.
India cricketer and lifelong Manchester United supporter Yuzvendra Chahal has backed the English giants to improve their Premier League campaign after the international break, saying the team still has the fighting spirit and unpredictability needed to surprise their critics.
Chahal, a passionate United supporter since childhood, recently watched the Manchester Derby live at Old Trafford as Manchester United faced local rivals Manchester City. The experience gave the cricketer an opportunity to witness one of English football’s biggest fixtures from inside the iconic stadium.
Speaking to JioStar, Chahal highlighted the fighting mentality of the current Manchester United side and said he continues to believe the team can produce better results in the remaining part of the campaign.
“What I really like about this United team is the fight and the unpredictability. Matheus Cunha is someone I really admire, the way he plays with such energy, takes on defenders and keeps pushing the players around him. I genuinely believe this team can still surprise people,” Chahal said.
The Indian leg-spinner also underlined his longstanding connection with Manchester United, explaining that his support for the club began during childhood. For Chahal, following the Premier League has remained a major source of entertainment away from his cricket commitments.
“As a United fan since childhood, I’ll always believe in the team and keep backing them. That’s what being a football fan is all about,” he said.
Chahal said some of his favourite football memories involve watching Manchester United matches with friends. He described the Premier League as a competition he genuinely enjoys following whenever his cricket schedule allows him the time.
“Manchester United has been a childhood love for me, so the Premier League is something I genuinely enjoy following whenever I get the time. One of my favourite things is getting my friends together, sitting with them and watching a big United game, there is always so much emotion and banter!” he added.
His recent visit to Old Trafford made that connection even more special. Watching the Manchester Derby from the stands allowed Chahal to experience the intensity and atmosphere of the fixture first-hand.
The match also provided plenty of drama for the United supporter. Chahal felt Manchester United had a strong opportunity to take control after Manchester City were reduced to 10 players. However, the match eventually turned into a frustrating experience for the home supporters.
“When City went down to ten men, I really felt United would find a way to get the result, and there were moments when it looked like we could take the game,” Chahal recalled.
The disappointment increased when Erling Haaland found the net, followed by a lengthy VAR review that added to the tension surrounding the moment.
“To then see Haaland score and the goal go through that whole VAR drama was painful as a United fan! But that’s football, sometimes you get the result you want and sometimes you don’t,” Chahal said.
Despite the disappointment, Chahal remains optimistic about Manchester United’s prospects. With the Premier League set to resume following the international break, he believes the team has another opportunity to change the direction of its campaign.
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His comments underline the continued support United receive from fans across different sporting backgrounds, with Chahal’s long association with the club reflecting the global reach of the Premier League. For the Indian cricketer, the belief in Manchester United remains strong, even during difficult periods.
Chahal’s message is clear: despite the challenges, he expects the club’s fighting spirit and unpredictability to give Manchester United a chance to surprise people when the Premier League action resumes.
