“The Damned United” has a far better chance of turning American blokes onto soccer, errr, football than David Beckham’s frosted tips.

The bio-epic of sorts follows prolific soccer manager Brian Clough, a smug, self-absorbed Type A who somehow retains an ounce of likeability. My fellow Americans, imagine Michael Scott meets Bobby Knight.

The outspoken manager and former star footballer for the British national team had a knack for turning around small clubs used to losing in the ‘70s through the ‘90s, like Derby County and Nottingham Forest. He turned both squads from anonymous bottom dwellers tino ticker-tape-clad champions

Despite Clough’s storied successes, “The Damned United” focuses on what was Clough’s football follies reel: a 44-day stint in 1974 with the mighty Leeds United, a championship-caliber, deep-pocketed club. Leeds was Clough’s former rival, and the coach he replaced – Don Revie – was his public enemy No.1. So when Clough fumbled, floundered, crashed and burned at Leeds, it was the biggest story within the U.K.’s biggest sport. Big enough to become a little movie.

Michael Sheen, who shined as Tony Blair in “The Queen” and David Frost in “Frost/Nixon,” turns in another spot-on performance as Clough. Apparently, channeling contemporary British dudes struggling in the spotlight is Sheen’s bag. The talented cast also includes Colm Meaney as bitter rival Revie and Timothy Spall, who plays Clough’s long-time assistant Peter Taylor.

“The Damned United” scores when it explores the friction between Clough, and both his best friend and worst enemy. The soft-spoken Taylor is the real genius in the trenches with the teams, running drills, scouting talent and never craving the limelight. He hardly speaks up unless he sees his boss’ brash ambition about to do them in again – and when he does, the interpersonal sparks are beautiful. Meanwhile, when Clough is sacked by Leeds United management after an abysmal losing streak, he’s hoodwinked into a TV interview with former coach Revie. Wildly entertaining awkwardness ensues.

“The Damned United” accomplishes the rare feat of giving us a sports flick in which sweat and adrenaline fuel the frenzy – and aren’t the featured players. And Sheen’s playboy turn as Clough has him on the short list for Oscar glory.

Americans may not be ready to trade their hotdogs and hamburgs for banger and mash. But until they can find a way to successfully channel their big game into a big screen success, there is no shame in being a closet soccer fans inside a dark theater for 90 minutes.

"The Damned United," rated R for language, has a running time of 98 minutes and is now playing at Movieland. Mike gives the movie 3.5/4 stars.

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