Okay, let me think back to that day, the end of August 2011. I remember it pretty clearly because I was trying to get this old desktop PC running again for my nephew. It was one of those projects you start thinking will be easy, you know? Just wipe it, install a fresh OS, basic stuff.
So, I had the machine opened up on the dining table. Dust everywhere. The TV was on in the living room, making some noise. I could hear the football commentary starting up – Man United versus Arsenal. It’s usually a big match, draws you in a bit even if you’re busy.
First half, I wasn’t really paying full attention. Head down, trying to figure out why this old hard drive was making funny clicking sounds. But you can’t help but notice when the crowd cheers, right? Heard a goal go in for United. Then another pretty quick. Okay, interesting. Then a third. I remember thinking, “Arsenal are having a rough start here.”
Took a break, made a coffee, and actually sat down to watch the start of the second half while the computer was doing a slow format. And that’s when it just got weird. United were just scoring for fun. Four, five, six… it felt relentless. Every time Arsenal tried to do something, United would just go down the other end and score again. It stopped being about the competition and just became this strange spectacle.
You’re watching, thinking, surely it stops now? But no. Seven. Then eight.
Honestly, by the end, when the whistle went for 8-2, it was just bizarre. You didn’t even feel happy for United or sad for Arsenal, just kind of stunned by the scoreline. It was like watching a glitch in the system.
Funny thing, that old PC? The hard drive completely died not long after the match finished. Just gave up. Maybe it couldn’t handle the shock of the score either.
What I Did Next
Ended up having to scrap the whole repair idea for the PC. Told my nephew the old beast was officially retired. Went out the next weekend and helped him pick out parts for a new build instead. Probably cost me more in the end, but definitely less frustrating than listening to that clicking hard drive while an 8-2 drubbing was happening in the background.
Still, whenever that fixture comes around, Man U vs Arsenal, you can’t help but remember that crazy 8-2 game. One of those days you just don’t forget, even if you were just trying to fix an old computer at the time.
