No trip to India is complete without visiting that traditional Indian tourist destination - the Manchester United store.
A devout Red, I had never before been inside a store solely dedicated to my favourite team. My pulse used to quicken just considering the possibility of such a place.
That I should come across one in India - hardly a football metropolis - was unexpected. I had seen only one United shirt during my five weeks in the country, compared to the approximately 167 United bumper stickers I saw during two days in Thailand in 2010.
But I was fortunate enough to find one just down the street at 1MG, a posh, relatively new mall at the end of MG Road.
It was just as I imagined - staff decked out in team kit, framed player shirts on the wall and classic tracks like 'Glory, glory Man United' running on loop over the stereo. (Even I would have problems with that soundtrack. It might actually be worse than working all day to Christmas songs.)
Managing to escape with a Rs 500 (NZ$11.30) keyring as the only damage took some restraint, and it's probably a good idea I keep to a minimum my encounters with such stores.
As it happens, that particular shop is one of six - SIX! - official Manchester United outlets in the country.
I should be less surprised, given there are an estimated 100 million football fans in India. It's a fanbase that remains much more untapped than most parts of Asia, but one clubs such as Manchester United are beginning to embrace.
Former player and current club ambassador Bryan Robson was in Bangalore a few weeks ago (sadly, just days before I arrived in the city) for a sponsorship event, and Captain Marvel hinted at United playing exhibition matches in the country in years to come.
If it's good enough for the Wellington Phoenix, who recently completed a successful four-match preseason tour, it's good enough for the biggest club on the planet.
Unfortunately for Indian supporters, local football in most of the country is of no match for the Phoenix, let alone United.
India, the world's second-most populous nation, are currently placed 169th in Fifa's rankings. By comparison, China, the only country with more potential players to call on, are not much better at No 78.
China, however, were never ruled by the country known as the home of football. But while Britain's other great sporting passion caught on, and India are now one of the premier cricketing nations, football languished behind.
So, with the two games sharing in a similar tradition and grassroots enthusiasm, why did India become cricketing powers but continue to struggle with the round ball?
The answer is a discussion best saved for another time and place. In brief, though, the state of football is essentially a result of favour for leather and willow.
With funds poured into cricket, the beautiful game was neglected and suffered from a lack of investment and competence at the governing level. That was no more exemplified than by the 1950 World Cup, for which India qualified - albeit by default - but opted against attending after the national body failed to understand the importance of the event.
That was the closest India have been to the World Cup and, judging by the quality of players and teams currently being produced, it will remain their only association with the tournament for some years.
But enough on that for now. Manchester United vs Liverpool, one of five or six English Premier League matches screened live every weekend, kicks off in 10 minutes.
Come on, United.
A devout Red, I had never before been inside a store solely dedicated to my favourite team. My pulse used to quicken just considering the possibility of such a place.
That I should come across one in India - hardly a football metropolis - was unexpected. I had seen only one United shirt during my five weeks in the country, compared to the approximately 167 United bumper stickers I saw during two days in Thailand in 2010.
But I was fortunate enough to find one just down the street at 1MG, a posh, relatively new mall at the end of MG Road.
It was just as I imagined - staff decked out in team kit, framed player shirts on the wall and classic tracks like 'Glory, glory Man United' running on loop over the stereo. (Even I would have problems with that soundtrack. It might actually be worse than working all day to Christmas songs.)
Managing to escape with a Rs 500 (NZ$11.30) keyring as the only damage took some restraint, and it's probably a good idea I keep to a minimum my encounters with such stores.
As it happens, that particular shop is one of six - SIX! - official Manchester United outlets in the country.
I should be less surprised, given there are an estimated 100 million football fans in India. It's a fanbase that remains much more untapped than most parts of Asia, but one clubs such as Manchester United are beginning to embrace.
Former player and current club ambassador Bryan Robson was in Bangalore a few weeks ago (sadly, just days before I arrived in the city) for a sponsorship event, and Captain Marvel hinted at United playing exhibition matches in the country in years to come.
If it's good enough for the Wellington Phoenix, who recently completed a successful four-match preseason tour, it's good enough for the biggest club on the planet.
Unfortunately for Indian supporters, local football in most of the country is of no match for the Phoenix, let alone United.
India, the world's second-most populous nation, are currently placed 169th in Fifa's rankings. By comparison, China, the only country with more potential players to call on, are not much better at No 78.
China, however, were never ruled by the country known as the home of football. But while Britain's other great sporting passion caught on, and India are now one of the premier cricketing nations, football languished behind.
So, with the two games sharing in a similar tradition and grassroots enthusiasm, why did India become cricketing powers but continue to struggle with the round ball?
The answer is a discussion best saved for another time and place. In brief, though, the state of football is essentially a result of favour for leather and willow.
With funds poured into cricket, the beautiful game was neglected and suffered from a lack of investment and competence at the governing level. That was no more exemplified than by the 1950 World Cup, for which India qualified - albeit by default - but opted against attending after the national body failed to understand the importance of the event.
That was the closest India have been to the World Cup and, judging by the quality of players and teams currently being produced, it will remain their only association with the tournament for some years.
But enough on that for now. Manchester United vs Liverpool, one of five or six English Premier League matches screened live every weekend, kicks off in 10 minutes.
Come on, United.
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