AN EXCITING derby clash beckons tomorrow.

Manchester United face Manchester City at Eastlands and this will be especially important to United after suffering a defeat in February on the day the Munich disaster was remembered.

Few other derbies in the Premiership come close to the rivalry experienced at this level - two stadiums, situated within 15 minutes of each other and with supporters who can barely stand the sight of each other's jerseys.

My memory brings me back to 9 Dec 2006 when United won 3-1 at Old Trafford.

I had received a highly-prized match ticket from a friend, and was determined to catch my second Premiership game, and my first-ever derby.

Having flown in from Japan through a convoluted trip in time to make it for the early 12.45pm kick-off, I was exhausted but excited.

There was an air of anticipation as I arrived at Manchester's airport donning my jersey.

Sneers and stares

As I walked through the arrival hall, a few sneers and stares followed - must be City supporters, I thought (rumour has it that a large number of Manchester residents are City fans, as opposed to United supporters).

When I got to Old Trafford, the terraces were filled with a sea of red and blue. I met up with a friend, who was attending the match with her boyfriend.

Regretfully (and he would be by the end of the match), he was a City supporter, and so he sat in the away section with his blue-jerseyed friends.

United scored the first goal through Wayne Rooney and Louis Saha netted the second to give United a 2-0 lead at half-time.

My friend's text messages to her male companion were not returned throughout the match and I remember thinking that this might be a long ride home.

After witnessing this, I made a secret wish: Never marry a Man City or Liverpool supporter.

I salute the couples who are dating or married to rival fans. As much as I can't control fate, I hope that does not happen.

Evelyn Tay
AP Communications Manager