What do you think?
Rate this book
Inshallah United: A story of faith and football
Manchester. Birthplace of industry, the Stone Roses, the Class of 92 and, in 1979, a small brown man called Noz. This is the story of how, and why, he came to be a strictly halal Stretford Ender. Nooruddean Choudry was born in 1979 ― the year Margaret Thatcher became Prime Minister, Sid Vicious died of a heroin overdose, Ayatollah Khomeini overthrew the last Shah of Iran, and Tim Martin opened his first Wetherspoons. Also that year, a local football club lost the Cup Final to Arsenal courtesy of a man named Sunderland. That club would become an all-consuming obsession for young Nooruddean, who would one day become a small brown man and, vitally, also a Red. Inshallah United is the story of the first British-born son of a Pakistani family living in England’s second city. And geography is important, because if it wasn't for his mum and dad settling in Manchester rather than anywhere else in the world, so much of what makes up Nooruddean's identity could have been so different. As it was, he grew up as a Muslim, Manchester United supporting, Morrissey-loving, Maggie-hating, working-class Manc. Inshallah United is about growing up as a strictly halal Stretford Ender; a devout Muslim and diehard Red. It’s about praying five times a day that United would sign Alan Shearer and knock the Scousers off their perch. And it’s a deeply personal account of life as a Muslim Asian Mancunian kid in the late 80s and 90s, bookmarked by the most successful period in Manchester United's history.
- GenresAudiobookNonfiction
320 pages, Hardcover
Published August 8, 2023
25 people are currently reading
254 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
March 31, 2023
I don’t think I was quite expecting this to be quite so emotional but BOY can The King of Twitter write…… Man United, faith + family. What’s not to love?!
October 22, 2023
Who’d have thought I’d have anything in common with this guy but his descriptions of how he thought in certain instances as a child had me in stitches & brought back memories of my own! Ch 10 very informative - how I loathed Tebbit! The music bits didn’t really do anything for me - different era, but interesting reading on United & I know someone who’ll really enjoy it!!
May 5, 2025
i really loved this...some great gems in here and there were parts oddly that i felt a little seen. can't remember the last time i read a book that was written by a muslim that was nice and normal and real
July 29, 2023
I want to preface my remarks by saying that this is an extremely well written book and is a wonderful story about growing up in an immigrant family in Manchester. The author’s vulnerability, awareness and ability to communicate these things are to be commended.
The author says that the three most important things in his life are faith, football, and family. While he speaks of all three, I expected there to be more conversation about faith, particularly given the title. This is why I gave the text three out of five stars. Where there are deep dives into the importance of family and Manchester United, there is not the same emphasis placed on the Muslim faith. Would strongly recommend if looking for a book on growing up as a second generation immigrant, but not if looking for a deep dive into the correlation of football and faith.
The author says that the three most important things in his life are faith, football, and family. While he speaks of all three, I expected there to be more conversation about faith, particularly given the title. This is why I gave the text three out of five stars. Where there are deep dives into the importance of family and Manchester United, there is not the same emphasis placed on the Muslim faith. Would strongly recommend if looking for a book on growing up as a second generation immigrant, but not if looking for a deep dive into the correlation of football and faith.
May 22, 2023
It's not often I have to put a book down because it's stirred or awakened emotions and memories that have settled like silt at the bottom of my brain. This is one of them. At first, I was super annoyed that this guy had lived my life and wrote about it (yes, I know I could've/would've/should've, but I'm the World's Greatest Procrastinator). However, the more I read, the more I fell in love. A Beautiful memoir, heartfelt, funny as fuck and it had tears rolling down my cheeks as I read the final few pages in bed this morning. Also, there was a huge sliding doors feeling for me as I worked in Cheetham Hill in the 90s and even though I'm probably around 10 years older than the author, his face looks wery familiar so I'm convinced we crossed paths at some point. That's my claim to fame anyway! PS Lindy fucking Lou!!!
May 14, 2023
‘Walking together, arriving together, believing together. Fundamentally, I think we all want to belong to something bigger than ourselves. To have an identity that resonates with others and makes us whole.’
Funny, sad, hopeful and charming to say the least. You don’t need to love football to indulge in the heartwarming passion that Choudry has for football, his faith and his family. Absolutely beautiful book.
Funny, sad, hopeful and charming to say the least. You don’t need to love football to indulge in the heartwarming passion that Choudry has for football, his faith and his family. Absolutely beautiful book.
August 9, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. As a Mancunian of a similar vintage to the author, many of the pop culture references rang true and took me on an entertaining trip down memory lane. However, being from a much less diverse side of town, it was the differences in our upbringings that I found most interesting; but nonetheless entertaining and funny.
I first came across Nooruddean Choudry on Twitter where most of what he tweets hits the right mark. I have waited ages to read this book and it absolutely lived up to my expectations. He comes across as such a warm, funny, interesting and generally sound bloke. Highly recommended!
I first came across Nooruddean Choudry on Twitter where most of what he tweets hits the right mark. I have waited ages to read this book and it absolutely lived up to my expectations. He comes across as such a warm, funny, interesting and generally sound bloke. Highly recommended!
Read
October 17, 2024En bog om at vokse op i Manchester, og hvordan fodbold, familie og tro udfolder sig i engelsk-pakistanske Nooruddeans liv. Jeg elskede hans skrivestil og humor, blev rørt af hans refleksioner om familie, og jeg blev hevet ind af hans billedlige paralleller mellem tro og fodboldfans. Der var dog steder, hvor den blev meget intern eller handlede lidt for meget om popkulturelle sidespor.
August 17, 2023
Really loved this; so funny and uplifting but also surprisingly poignant and emotional in places. You don’t have to be a kid brought up in the 90s or a United fan to enjoy the stories and the passion.
August 10, 2025
So fitting to read this straight after I finished High Fidelity with the ‘top 5 lists’ running throughout
March 19, 2023
Wonderfully honest and beautiful book. Loved it all
April 20, 2024
Great memoir which unsurprisingly resonated with my United-obsessed youth and reminded me to text my Dad. Lovely stuff
Read
May 9, 2023Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3.5 stars)
9-May
So I marched on to finish this. It was very heartwarming later on when the author put a large spotlight back on his life, friends and family and how connected he was with football at this time. Those were ostensibly my favourite aspects of the book. I appreciated how unabashedly and openly he spoke of the religion. I also adored his relationship with his sister.
Craft-wise, I liked how, throughout the memoir, he spoke a lot of his siblings and friends while the dad was only interspersed yet the final chapter was dedicated to his father. The chapter and his ruminations were saddening and I think I even had tears in my eyes. The moment when his father, who at that point I don't think we had much insight of, got angry at his son for adoring Matt Busby was such a revelation of his character even to the reader. I genuinely think there's a lot to appreciate and learn from the narrative the author built of his dad in this memoir. And the parallelism between his dad's formal self to Fergie's initial façade as well as what Fergie turned into and felt like a full-circle and was a wonderful end to the book.
Anyway, again, it could have done without the swearing.
***
6-May
Legit 2-3 minutes later, I've rebought this audiobook with my credit. I did read a nice review on how the ending made them want to rekindle their relationship with their dad. Perhaps, this one's worth it till the end.
***
6-May
DNF @ 55%.
Format: Audible
I was quite enjoying it in the beginning. Even if I don't support Manchester United, it's always interesting to hear takes on football or somebody prattle on their love for the game. Very relatable. I only wish such literature increased on German football, what I'm more familiar with.
However, with time, the memoir felt more like arbitrary vignettes of his life and interests, instead of the initial love of football spoken in tandem with his growing up. For instance, in the beginning, he spoke of how he began supporting Man United whilst talking about his childhood and friends and the time he flew to Pakistan with his sister. Yet later on, the author draws up random lists of his favourites, none of which corresponds to his life timeline, and information about himself felt miscellaneous as opposed to a narrative on his growing up.
Also, the swearing was increasing a bit afterwards.
Nonetheless, it isn't a badly written memoir. It was just down to what I'd have preferred reading about; a coming-of-age story of sorts + football
9-May
So I marched on to finish this. It was very heartwarming later on when the author put a large spotlight back on his life, friends and family and how connected he was with football at this time. Those were ostensibly my favourite aspects of the book. I appreciated how unabashedly and openly he spoke of the religion. I also adored his relationship with his sister.
Craft-wise, I liked how, throughout the memoir, he spoke a lot of his siblings and friends while the dad was only interspersed yet the final chapter was dedicated to his father. The chapter and his ruminations were saddening and I think I even had tears in my eyes. The moment when his father, who at that point I don't think we had much insight of, got angry at his son for adoring Matt Busby was such a revelation of his character even to the reader. I genuinely think there's a lot to appreciate and learn from the narrative the author built of his dad in this memoir. And the parallelism between his dad's formal self to Fergie's initial façade as well as what Fergie turned into and felt like a full-circle and was a wonderful end to the book.
Anyway, again, it could have done without the swearing.
***
6-May
Legit 2-3 minutes later, I've rebought this audiobook with my credit. I did read a nice review on how the ending made them want to rekindle their relationship with their dad. Perhaps, this one's worth it till the end.
***
6-May
DNF @ 55%.
Format: Audible
I was quite enjoying it in the beginning. Even if I don't support Manchester United, it's always interesting to hear takes on football or somebody prattle on their love for the game. Very relatable. I only wish such literature increased on German football, what I'm more familiar with.
However, with time, the memoir felt more like arbitrary vignettes of his life and interests, instead of the initial love of football spoken in tandem with his growing up. For instance, in the beginning, he spoke of how he began supporting Man United whilst talking about his childhood and friends and the time he flew to Pakistan with his sister. Yet later on, the author draws up random lists of his favourites, none of which corresponds to his life timeline, and information about himself felt miscellaneous as opposed to a narrative on his growing up.
Also, the swearing was increasing a bit afterwards.
Nonetheless, it isn't a badly written memoir. It was just down to what I'd have preferred reading about; a coming-of-age story of sorts + football
January 17, 2025
I always find the school days of an autobiography subject to be the dullest part of the book so it’s a shame the story doesn’t really progress past that period. However, it was interesting to get the perspective of an Asian football fan of around the same age as myself.
January 12, 2024
I'm not into soccer (football), am very unaware of the cultural impact/importance of Manchester United (beyond knowing the name), and had never heard of the author. Still, the title made me smile. I do enjoy stories, anecdotes, etc, that blend together what seem like things that do not have anything to do with each other. Islam and soccer/football? You might not think there is any connection or even think about how a young Muslim working class man who hates Margaret Thatcher but loves Morrissey and prays for his team to win, but this is much of that story.
Choudry talks about his life and upbringing in 1980's Britain: a very particular time and will likely really resonate with certain audiences. He watches games, grows up, talks about what it is like to be Muslim (as well as a Manchester United fan, etc.), and overall it is a fun story of his life.
I do agree that lots of the book is a bit "eh." While we learn much of his fandom for his team and his family (including the eventual death of his father), I had expected more about the intertwining of Islam and football, of being Muslim and a Manchester United fan, etc. That is certainly there, but given the title I thought it would be more of a focus and it would be a little less of a general memoir of the author.
All the same, as I said this is definitely a book that will most certainly appeal to a certain fan. If you're a Manchester United fan or are someone who is around the author's age and grew up in the UK, I would suspect that this would really resonate. As someone who was looking more for the religion side and has zero interest in the sport, this was not for me, although again, there were parts I liked a lot, even if I could not relate at all or even had absolutely no idea what Choudry was writing about.
I borrowed this from the library and that was best for me. I strongly considered buying it because of the title alone, but ultimately I am glad I (Yankee and non-soccer person) found a copy through my local library. Someone else will absolutely love this, though.
Choudry talks about his life and upbringing in 1980's Britain: a very particular time and will likely really resonate with certain audiences. He watches games, grows up, talks about what it is like to be Muslim (as well as a Manchester United fan, etc.), and overall it is a fun story of his life.
I do agree that lots of the book is a bit "eh." While we learn much of his fandom for his team and his family (including the eventual death of his father), I had expected more about the intertwining of Islam and football, of being Muslim and a Manchester United fan, etc. That is certainly there, but given the title I thought it would be more of a focus and it would be a little less of a general memoir of the author.
All the same, as I said this is definitely a book that will most certainly appeal to a certain fan. If you're a Manchester United fan or are someone who is around the author's age and grew up in the UK, I would suspect that this would really resonate. As someone who was looking more for the religion side and has zero interest in the sport, this was not for me, although again, there were parts I liked a lot, even if I could not relate at all or even had absolutely no idea what Choudry was writing about.
I borrowed this from the library and that was best for me. I strongly considered buying it because of the title alone, but ultimately I am glad I (Yankee and non-soccer person) found a copy through my local library. Someone else will absolutely love this, though.
February 22, 2024
I don’t know where to begin, all I can say is wow. I wasn’t expecting much from this, I randomly picked it up, but it blew me away. It touched my heart, maybe because it felt so close to home. I’m not a football fan, but I liked the football references (even if I had no clue at times!) I liked the football match and mosque comparison, people together believing in something and being held there by something bigger. I thought the juxtaposition between religion and football that was weaved into the book at times was very good.
Nooruddean’s thoughts on the notion of a moderate Muslim were new - I’ve never had much thought on his phrase but I can now see why it’s problematic. The phrase is used as though it’s virtue, as if trying to say that the ‘normal’ brand of Muslim needs to be tamed of their dangerous thoughts and instincts. Like the all too common - “I hate your sort, but you’re okay!” Nooruddean talked about Eric Cantana pointing out how wrong the phrase was.
I also really enjoyed the section on Prince Naseem Hameed. I don’t know much about him other than that he was a boxer. He was a bit before my time. But the way he was described as being confident and self-assured, the British public had never seen someone from a minority behave this way. People from immigrant and minority backgrounds were generally over compliant, over polite and lacked confidence. He was an anomaly and he made some people feel uncomfortable.
**Self assurance and confidence are a by-product of having the feeling that you belong.
Thank you Nooruddean for beautifully articulating your story, with humour, emotion and historical context.
Nooruddean’s thoughts on the notion of a moderate Muslim were new - I’ve never had much thought on his phrase but I can now see why it’s problematic. The phrase is used as though it’s virtue, as if trying to say that the ‘normal’ brand of Muslim needs to be tamed of their dangerous thoughts and instincts. Like the all too common - “I hate your sort, but you’re okay!” Nooruddean talked about Eric Cantana pointing out how wrong the phrase was.
I also really enjoyed the section on Prince Naseem Hameed. I don’t know much about him other than that he was a boxer. He was a bit before my time. But the way he was described as being confident and self-assured, the British public had never seen someone from a minority behave this way. People from immigrant and minority backgrounds were generally over compliant, over polite and lacked confidence. He was an anomaly and he made some people feel uncomfortable.
**Self assurance and confidence are a by-product of having the feeling that you belong.
Thank you Nooruddean for beautifully articulating your story, with humour, emotion and historical context.
January 7, 2024
starting 2024 off with a memoir and this did not disappoint!!!
a beautiful, touching memoir simply about what it says on the tin - growing up as a working-class pakistani mancunian in the 80s and 90s. wonderfully written and well worth reading for anyone even remotely interested in football or late c20 british, particularly northern, culture. despite not being around (or alive??) for most of the era which choudry writes about, the nostalgia for a footballing past leapt off the pages and had me wishing i was - despite not being a (manchester) united fan.
i wasn't hugely into the segments on music, but that's more down to personal taste and interests rather than his writing!
choudry perfectly encapsulates the heart of being a football fan... ''walking together, arriving together, beliefving together. fundamentally, i think we all want to belong to something bigger than ourselves. to have an identity tthat resonates with others and makes us whole. thank allah, i do.' man i need to get myself back to st. james' park.
a beautiful, touching memoir simply about what it says on the tin - growing up as a working-class pakistani mancunian in the 80s and 90s. wonderfully written and well worth reading for anyone even remotely interested in football or late c20 british, particularly northern, culture. despite not being around (or alive??) for most of the era which choudry writes about, the nostalgia for a footballing past leapt off the pages and had me wishing i was - despite not being a (manchester) united fan.
i wasn't hugely into the segments on music, but that's more down to personal taste and interests rather than his writing!
choudry perfectly encapsulates the heart of being a football fan... ''walking together, arriving together, beliefving together. fundamentally, i think we all want to belong to something bigger than ourselves. to have an identity tthat resonates with others and makes us whole. thank allah, i do.' man i need to get myself back to st. james' park.
December 7, 2025
A warm, witty memoir that felt like it was written by someone I knew well. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. There were moments that genuinely stirred something in me...scenes where I felt unexpectedly seen. So much of Noz's story felt familiar, whether it was navigating a predominantly white school after passing the 11-plus, or growing up as the child of immigrants and trying to make sense of two worlds at once.
What I loved most was how effortlessly he blends humour with heart. One minute I'm laughing, and the next had me nodding, Yep… been there. It’s rare to find a memoir where I can genuinely map my own experiences onto the author’s, and that made the read extra special.
A heartfelt, relatable, and brilliantly written memoir, with a dose of comedy. Highly recommend to anyone who wants their non-fiction both meaningful and fun.
What I loved most was how effortlessly he blends humour with heart. One minute I'm laughing, and the next had me nodding, Yep… been there. It’s rare to find a memoir where I can genuinely map my own experiences onto the author’s, and that made the read extra special.
A heartfelt, relatable, and brilliantly written memoir, with a dose of comedy. Highly recommend to anyone who wants their non-fiction both meaningful and fun.
July 31, 2025
I LOVED THIS. Nooruddean Choudry is a similar age to me and grew up in similar circumstances - me in South Manchester and he in North Manchester. BOTH of us are United fans and BOTH have a soft spot for Andrei Kanchelskis.
"Inshallah United" is a heartfelt, witty, and deeply personal memoir exploring family, faith, and football. Choudry weaves his love for Manchester United with his experiences as a British-Pakistani Muslim, offering sharp insights into race, family, belonging, and modern masculinity.
So much here resonated with me. A powerful, engaging read that’s funny, thought-provoking, warm and entertaining.
"Inshallah United" is a heartfelt, witty, and deeply personal memoir exploring family, faith, and football. Choudry weaves his love for Manchester United with his experiences as a British-Pakistani Muslim, offering sharp insights into race, family, belonging, and modern masculinity.
So much here resonated with me. A powerful, engaging read that’s funny, thought-provoking, warm and entertaining.
December 13, 2023
This book resonated with me in so many ways as a British Muslim. It's London and Arsenal for me rather than Manchester and United, but I also listened to the radio (Bould putting Adams through to smash a left foot volley in), and watched ceefax 302 to keep up with the score's as we couldn't afford Sky. Nooruddean had me hooked from the Prologue by painting a picture with words describing the communal nature of going to a game, the importance of representation and rubbishing the Tebbit test! Thanks for putting into words what many of us feel.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 4, 2024
2/5
I don’t like to be critical knowing how much of the author’s soul went into this book but it just wasn’t for me, Clive.
There were some really interesting moments, like the sink-or-swim trip to Pakistan as a child. But these were few and far between and by the time they decided to list their 15 favourite albums of the 1990s, I’d given up. It was just a bit dull.
I accidentally left my bag, with the book, on a train heading from Yorkshire over the Pennines moments after finishing it (on my way home from a non-league football match). That felt like an appropriate send off.
I don’t like to be critical knowing how much of the author’s soul went into this book but it just wasn’t for me, Clive.
There were some really interesting moments, like the sink-or-swim trip to Pakistan as a child. But these were few and far between and by the time they decided to list their 15 favourite albums of the 1990s, I’d given up. It was just a bit dull.
I accidentally left my bag, with the book, on a train heading from Yorkshire over the Pennines moments after finishing it (on my way home from a non-league football match). That felt like an appropriate send off.
March 4, 2025
Really really fun book!!! A must read for any Muslim football fans who lived through the 90s!! None Muslims should also give it a read as it reveals the type of Muslims not featured on Fox news and CNN. It attempts to break stereotypes and expresses pride about it muslim identity unapologetically.
It has so many nostalgic references ( many British ones I didn't get).
The book tells the story of a Pakistani boy growing up in Manchester as a fan of Manchester United. He tells about his humble upbringing, family, struggles with fiting in, poor team performance, racism and school life.
It has so many nostalgic references ( many British ones I didn't get).
The book tells the story of a Pakistani boy growing up in Manchester as a fan of Manchester United. He tells about his humble upbringing, family, struggles with fiting in, poor team performance, racism and school life.
April 27, 2024
really surprised at how much i liked this. didn't think i would have been as engrossed but i'm really glad i picked it up!
the way nooruddean described his love for football and how he felt about it/how others felt about his love for it reminded me so much of my love for high school musical at that age lol. plus mixing that with the weird parental judgement, family relationships, self doubt - it comes across as a very heartwarming, funny and insightful memoir.
the way nooruddean described his love for football and how he felt about it/how others felt about his love for it reminded me so much of my love for high school musical at that age lol. plus mixing that with the weird parental judgement, family relationships, self doubt - it comes across as a very heartwarming, funny and insightful memoir.
August 14, 2024
Truly delightful read, even if we're not aligned with the same football affiliation. It provides interesting insights into the life of a 2nd gen migrant in the UK, and the journey of how he became fully immersed in the country's football culture. Heartwarming, at times heartbreaking, more often than not genuinely funny. Really didnt appreciate the book's cheap shot on Liverpool squad's allegedly having higher than average number of asthmatic players though. Wild rumour and never proven.
November 8, 2024
This was a nice palate cleanser from the world at the moment. Choudry has always been a good Twitter follow, despite being a United fan, and I really enjoyed his memoir of a first generation immigrant child of Pakistani descent, as he reflected on his life growing up in Manchester. His thoughts on faith and family were particularly appreciated.
October 15, 2025
Brilliantly funny!! As a currently suffering Manchester United fan, any chance to relive past glory is always welcome. Nooruddean is a great storyteller. He tells such an interesting overlap of his faith and football. I would have loved to hear more about his mom beyond house chores and corralling him and his siblings though.
October 11, 2023
This story is the epitome of “there’s more that unites us than divides us”. I’m older than Noz, white, Scouse but equally football obsessed nerd (now lapsed) with regrets over my relationship with my Dad.
Thoughtful, funny and evocative of childhood and adolescence - I loved this.
Thoughtful, funny and evocative of childhood and adolescence - I loved this.
February 18, 2024
Really enjoyed this. I've always followed @beardedgenius on twitter and this book is a really well written and funny memoir about his unique experiences growing up. I deeply resonated with his experiences as a British Asian at a posh grammar school and his descriptions of his relationship with his father are heart-wrenching. I finished this in 2 days. This is perfect for anyone who grew up in the 80s/90s with a passing interest in football, but most people should read it just to better understand Islam.
June 24, 2024
Really enjoyed this book but would have loved more football ( especially May 1999).
I enjoyed the parts where the author wrote about his faith and aspects of the Asian community. ( I live and work in an Asian community and it raised many smiles.
I enjoyed the parts where the author wrote about his faith and aspects of the Asian community. ( I live and work in an Asian community and it raised many smiles.
November 7, 2024
Good read. Lulled after the middle towards the end when Nooruddean was in primary school and the focus came away from United and his faith.
Still a good read and I would read more of his work about the current state of United.
Still a good read and I would read more of his work about the current state of United.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews