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The
memories of nervy moments in the Manchester derby, the feeling of
disbelief that Middlesborough had managed to leave Old Trafford with a
point seem a long time ago now, but ultimately it was this year's chase
from Chelsea, and the satisfaction in seeing off the challenge from the
most expensive team in Premiership history against all odds, that made
the season just gone by the sweetest of victories in recent years.
2006/07 will, after the Treble and the 93 title win, go down as
Ferguson's greatest achievement. Last summer, after three title-less
seasons, few talked seriously as United being genuine contenders. It was
Chelsea's title for the taking, we were told, Liverpool were looking
strong...(some journalists never tire of feeding us this line every
July...yawn..yawn). United had sold Van Nistelrooy, the biggest
departure in a summer exodus, and Michael Carrick was the only major
signing to arrive, but the projected major transfer outlay never became
reality. Yet Ferguson managed to create a settled side which was
producing consistently from August onwards. The expected blip around
October never came, and, despite the injuries which hampered the second
half of the season, and in particular Louis Saha's inability to stay fit
for longer than fifteen minutes from a Wednesday to a Saturday, Ferguson
proved the doubters (and let's face it, I am referring here to a number
of United fans themselves who were beginning to question decisions,
myself included) wrong once again.
Van
Nistelrooy was not missed as much as had been expected, as goals flowed
from other areas of the pitch, most notably the midfield. Saha and
Rooney's partnership before Christmas was excellent, and Scholes
flourished again in the absence of Roy Keane beside him. Cristiano
Ronaldo blossomed into the player we all knew he was capable of becoming
when we first saw him destroy United in a pre-season friendly four years
ago, and there were few objections to the Portuguese being deservedly
crowned Player of the Year. Even in the other areas of the pitch which
had posed more of a problem in recent years, such as the defence, Vidic
and Van Der Sar made sure little was going to be leaked at that end.
Even
the disappointment of Cup Final defeat could not dampen the sense of
achievement this year. Chelsea knew who the better team was over the
course of the season, and we all know which trophy Ferguson would rather
have taken at the start of the season.
Europe was a surprise story this season; much like the League, few
believed there was the quality there to go far in Europe, particularly
after the debacle of losing to both Celtic and Copenhagen, defeats which
threatened our very progression to the knockout stages, coupled with the
failure to put a poor Lille side away until late on in the second leg.
Roma and Milan at home blew those doubts away in spectacular fashion,
and for a few weeks in April, success in Europe was not a pipe dream but
a realistic objective. The manner of the defeat in Milan was the most
disappointing aspect of the whole European campaign, the lack of hunger
when 90 minutes away from a European final sent management and fans
alike crashing down to earth with more than just a bump.
Yet
the confidence garnered from becoming Premiership champions, and the
recent summer signings, signifies that another Champions' League success
is what Ferguson craves more than ever. He has proved himself beyond
doubt domestically, but on the European stage, Ferguson still feels a
lingering doubt that to be truly vindicated as one of the all-time
greats, he needs to prove that success in 99' was not simply a flash in
the pan.
United's recent outlay of nearly 50 million for the trio of Nani,
Emerson and Hargreaves is the early proof that Ferguson is building a
side to gradually take over the reins from the last remnants of the
Treble winning side. Hargreaves is the closest player to Keane in terms
of his precise role in the side, but whether he can get to even 50% of
Roy’s level in his heyday remains to be seen. There is a lot of pressure
resting on his shoulders to produce after a huge transfer fee, with
United paying over the odds for a player who was available at a fraction
of the price before last summer’s World Cup.
What
is known of Hargreaves however is positive and his performances and
attitude last summer seem to have cast away initial doubts in the minds
of fans as to whether he was a ‘big’ enough signing for United.
Much
less is known in these parts about the duo of Emerson and Nani, but as a
attacking midfielder and a left winger they will be brought in under the
auspices of cover for Scholes and Giggs, with an eye eventually to
replacing both. Scholes has been outstanding this season though and
Anderson would need to have a similar impact to Cristiano Ronaldo to
really pose a threat to the ginger genius’ place in the side.
Nani
meanwhile will be welcome competition for Giggs, who whilst having had a
great season, was disappointing, bordering on sloppy, with some of his
distribution and decisions in games last season. That said, here’s
hoping that the arrival of new faces motivates players and all that,
whatever way the cliché goes....
The
forward positions are still causing a slight headache with confusing
signals coming out of Old Trafford about our existing strikers. Is Alan
Smith staying or going? Is a new striker coming in? On the issue of
Smith, the player himself is keen to stay and fight for his place,
whilst Ferguson, according to reports, is willing to sell him for £3.5m
to the first bidder. Smith’s effort has been second to none since
joining the club under some controversy three years ago, but he has
battled back and showed what United had missed back in April with a
classic gritty display against Roma, chasing, tackling, all capped off
with a well taken goal. How Ferguson has failed to be impressed by his
commitment and performances since coming back is beyond most people, all
the while keeping faith with Saha, who somehow managed to go from
playing a quarter of an hour against Milan in the second leg to not
being in the ‘‘correct frame of mind’’ for the Manchester derby three
days later. Enough said.
A
new striker, if available, is a must, all the more so if Smith does
indeed leave. Saha cannot stay fit for a whole season and that would
once again leave Wayne shouldering the burden on his own.
With
the arrival of Henry at Barcelona, perhaps the Catalans will be more
favourable to engaging in negotiations around the likes of Eto’o or
Gudjohnsen, whilst Fernando Torres is again linked with United amongst
other Premiership outfits. Is the money for such a purchase there
though? United hardly spent last year, with the money on Carrick nearly
recouped from the sale of Van Nistelrooy and others, whilst the new
ticket price rises will surely ease the burden of the £50m outlay this
summer. The truth over whether it is the player or the cash holding up
the transfer process is hard to decipher in an era when most clubs’ PR
can put whatever spin they want on things.
Likewise, this year’s Premiership title was won in spite of the Glazers,
not because of them. The players, fans and above all Ferguson combined
to make this season what it was. This type of spending has been long
overdue from the Glazers; it is surely not unreasonable, with the
extension of the stadium capacity and the ticket prices rises/cup
scheme, to expect them to not be found wanting with the chequebook if a
potential striker is identified.
Ferguson is building for the future, and whilst his decisions and
transfers (or lack of them) may be debated and criticised, we should
know by now that United is in safe enough hands for a while yet. This
coming season promises to be an exciting one (sounds a bit too much like
the PR machine’s justification for the price rise, I know, but I can’t
think of anything more imaginative at this point in time), so enjoy it,
but before it begins, here’s a few reminders of the season gone by...
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Carrick in/ Van Nistelrooy out
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4-0 up in twenty minutes against Fulham on the opening day of the
season. The mark of champions and all that...
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Arsenal gain their first win of the season at Old Trafford in September.
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Liverpool at Old Trafford, October. Can anyone remember a worse
Liverpool display than this?
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Rio, yes, Rio, controls and smashes in the second goal in the 2-0 win in
the same game.
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Extra time against Crewe in the League Cup....
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Tough away game against Bolton, mid-October, Rooney off-form...Outcome?
Rooney hat-trick in a embarassingly easy 4-0 win.
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Southend put us out of the League Cup....
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Celtic away in the Champions League, Saha misses a penalty....
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Chelsea at home, November 26th, gap three points. What a goal by Saha,
what a first half performance...pity about the second...advantage still
with United though after draw
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Benfica at home 3-1...nobody was really worried about a repeat of last
year, were they?
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Big expectations for West Ham on Curbishley’s debut a week before
Christmas....United don’t want to spoil the party with 1-0 defeat. Title
race wide open again after Chelsea’s win at Everton
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Nine points in Christmas week, compared to Chelsea’s three...this is
more like it
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Larsson’s debut at home to Villa in the Cup. Brilliant
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Henry’s last minute winner, January 21st. Chelsea still in the race
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Ronaldo, what a run, what a goal, three points at Fulham to keep Chelsea
at bay
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John O’Shea’s winner at the Kop. This is our year, this is our year...12
point lead
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Blackburn, March 31st. The fightback from a goal down to win 4-1
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Portsmouth away, Easter Saturday...write it off at your peril
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Roma....destruction
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Middlesbrough...Gareth Southgate doesn’t throw a spanner in the works,
he threatens to wreck the whole machinery
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Milan, Old Trafford...Ecstasy
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Everton, April 28th...Football, eh? Bloody hell
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Milan, San Siro...Agony
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Manchester derby....Thatcher’s stamp, Vassell’s missed penalty,
Ronaldo’s vital goal.. almost there
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Chelsea and Arsenal draw....we’ve got our trophy back
- FA
Cup Final....just a step too far....still the kings of England though
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Nani, Emerson, Hargreaves...the future looks bright...the future looks
red
Enjoy the summer,
Keep
the red flag flying high,
John |