Bus is just the ticket for Manchester United fans

A PHOENIX bus driver has turned his bus into a rolling tribute to Manchester United, the English team that this week won its 20th Premier League title.

Every corner of this 60seater MAN Diesel bus contains pictures of players who have donned the famous Red Devil shirt and other Manchester United paraphenalia.

Imraan Khan, 40, created the shrine inside the bus to honour the players of the club he has supported for two decades.

The fanatical United supported has lavished countless hours and a not inconsiderable amount of money conjuring up his very own theatre of dreams – an unambiguous salute to all things Old Trafford.

The eye-catching red banner across the bottom of his front wraparound windscreen with the name of the club is a mere introduction to what is inside the purple Enrique’s Coaches bus.

Stepping up into the bus passengers are greeted by the club’s monogram emblazoned on the engine bonnet cover.

A glance at the ceiling finds an eye-catching display of at least 20 pictures of players celebrating after scoring a goal or holding up a trophy.

Seat head rest covers in yellow bear the team monogram sprayed in red.

And on the interior of the front windscreen – and just about everywhere in the bus – there are picturesque displays, including scarves and three Manchester United soccer balls in the driver’s compartment

“I source most of the pic- tures from the internet. I print and laminate them at a local shop. Some of the bus passengers, soccer fans or people living in the area contribute pictures,” Khan said.

“They don’t have the opportunity or work space to do what I did. I tend to work on a budget. If not I would be left penniless trying to fill the entire bus interior and exterior,” he said.

His biggest once-off expense was buying and cutting masonite boards for the roof interior. He used a stencil to cut out the club’s name from the masonite. He screwed the boards on and painted it in United’s famous red and yellow colours. The club’s name can be read from the front to the back of the bus.

“This set me back R1 000. This would not stop me though. I intend tinting the outside windows of the bus with the pictures of the players. I spend most of my time between loads attending to the bus,” Khan said.

And it’s not only Khan’s waking, or should that be working, moments that are dedicated to United. He also has a complete United bed set – and other home accessories – so that even in sleep he can show his true colours.

A keen footballer himself, who turns out for Lenham Sporting club’s over 35 division, Khan counts evergreen Ryan Giggs as his all-time favourite player.

He said he was grateful to his boss Nelson Naicker for giving him the freedom to put up the pictures on the bus.

So what does Khan do when he sees a passenger who is not a Man United supporter?

“I just smile and say ‘look up and enjoy the ride’,” chuckled Khan.