The Football Blog

That's right, another band from Manchester...

Since their debut single Cavorting was named as NME's single of the week last year, Manchester's latest musical offering, The Courteeners, have barely stopped. They've just completed a sell-out tour of the UK and drummer Michael Campbell took some time out to have a natter about their beloved Reds...

So are you all United fans?

Three of us are United fans and there's one Oldham fan. He’s the eccentric in the band so he's got to have a daft, well not daft, I don't want to say daft football team! But he was the one that, because everyone supported United, said "I'll support Oldham".

Have you been to many games?

Last season I didn't really get to many, we do whenever we can because we've got friends who've got season tickets and stuff so if they can’t make it they'll give us a ring.

Have you not tried to blag any yet then?

No we've not! Yeah we should get on to that to be honest, we've not even tried! Because our tracks have been played at half time and full time, I always get texts from my friends who are there at the time!

Are you confident about this season?

I'm usually quite coy about it and I don't usually say anything. I was like that last season and I was glad I was, because I had a sneaking suspicion last year that we'd do it in the League, though I wasn't sure about Europe. But this year I'm going to say again that I'm quietly confident. I was kind of surprised that he didn't add more to the squad, apart from Berbatov on the last day of the season. But I think the squad's all there and players like Nani, Anderson, Rooney and Tevez are all getting a year older and they've had that year of winning the Premier League and the European Cup, so I think we're in good stead. Though I don't want to jinx anything!

Who will be the main challenge for the title?

I think it's Chelsea. They're just strong all over, they're powerful and have two players in every position, Wayne Bridge sits in the stands most weeks yet is an England international in every squad. Liverpool always have the look of a good squad and you always hear them say "this is our year" and it never materializes. But you can never underestimate them because they've got match winners in there.

How good is Berbatov?

I was a bit worried about his character but Ferguson had clearly seen enough and heard enough reports; it was just the way he got out of Tottenham. But he's a proven Premier League goalscorer, having played in two seasons and scored over 20 goals in both. The different attacking options we’ve got now means he can play his five-man midfield with his two advanced players, whether that be Ronaldo and Giggs, or Ronaldo and Nani or whatever, with a Berbatov, who's more able to hold the line than Tevez, who is a really good hard worker.

How long will it take City to properly compete?

It's going to be a couple of years, they beat us twice last year in the League and I'm still a bit annoyed about that, especially the Old Trafford game! But the Manchester derbies, they've got a bit dour recently, apart from last season obviously, and I think if they've got a better team and a better squad then it adds a bit more life into it I suppose. I keep getting texts from my friends about how City are the new biggest clubs in the world, all that kind of stuff, and it's re-invigorated the rivalry with City.

So who is United's biggest rival then, Liverpool or City?

I read something in the paper about this, and I was wondering, whenever I pick up the paper when the fixture list comes out I look for Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea because they're our main rivals, and that's only because it's the top four. Obviously there's an extra bit of added spice with Liverpool. But then the next one I'm looking for is City because it's the derby. So purely for a game that I enjoy to watch, and it's purely because of the geographical closeness, then the game with City matters more. In terms of bragging rights. But in terms of the race for the title, then definitely the game against Liverpool. I know I’m being a bit diplomatic!

Well which team does it hurt more to lose against?

In the early part of the decade when we kept getting beat by Danny Murphy free kicks at Old Trafford, they did really hurt! But then when City leathered us 4-1 at City that hurt as well, so I suppose it's pretty equal!

How long will Fergie hang around for?

I heard something that he'd stay on for another two, but that was before we'd won the Champions League, so I don't know if that's changed his outlook or not. I'd like to see him carry on for another two or three more years, and then get Hughes in from City!

Will getting the City job not ruin his chances?

No not at all, I'm sure he just saw it as a stepping stone.

We’re sure the City fans are pleased to hear that...

Yeah! Hughes is an absolute legend, and if it was right for him and right for the board and he does a good job at City where he's able to deal with the big time players that he's got at City, then I’m sure he'd do a good job at United.

Do you get to play much at all?

We did one of those celebrity Soccer Six things, it was good. We did it in Reading, we breezed through from our group. There were the four lads from the band, four of our mates who came along, and then we had this guy from Newsround in net for us! What's the all about? So we were playing really good football and thrashing everyone, and we came up against reality TV of 2008, and it was like Shipwrecked and Big Brother and stuff and we ended up getting beat. We weren't very silent in defeat, we were hacking everyone! I think we got two sent off.

That's a pretty undignified way to go out...

Yeah it was. We were like "how are we losing to these?” There were some awful tackles going in. We were temperamental, typical bad losers.

So which team in history do you most play like?

Vintage Brazil 1970.

We're not sure they'd lose to a bunch of reality TV stars mind...

Fair point. Well, who's feisty? Wimbledon I guess. We're not bad, but if it doesn't start going our way we'll get upset.

The Courteeners single That Kiss is out to buy now.