Another year has passed. 2008 was memorable and will stay in the heart of every Red Devil forever. It was one of those years when nothing could stop Manchester United juggernaut.
The expectations were high when 2008 started. United and Arsenal were neck and neck in the Premier League title race. In Europe, United had drawn Olympique Lyonnais, the French Champions, in the Round of 16. New year kicked off with a nervy and controversial 1-0 win over Birmingham City but there was no looking back after that. Ronaldo enjoyed the new year with an explosive display against Newcastle claiming his first hat trick for the club. February marked the 50th anniversary of the Munich Air Disaster but United, perhaps overwhelmed by the occasion, lost against arch rivals Manchester City on the weekend following 6th of Feb. This result, coupled with a last gasp draw at White Hart Lane on the previous weekend left United 5 points adrift of league leaders Arsenal. Then came the turning point of the season. Arsenal came to Old Trafford for the FA Cup 5th Round match. They were outclassed by a young United side and it certainly dented Arsenal's spirit. In the very next game, Eduardo Da Silva suffered a horrific injury against Birmingham which ended 2-2. Arsenal's players were hurt psychologically. They desperately needed a leader to inspire them but they had no one to look upto. United took full advantage of unrest at Arsenal and put together a winning run.
In the midst of all this, Champions League resumed. Another last gasp Tevez goal gave United a precious draw in Lyon. The tie was put to bed at Old Trafford by Cristiano Ronaldo. Back in England United had won four in a row while Arsenal were struggling to get points on board. United were controversially knocked out of the FA Cup at the hands of Portsmouth. But the league form improved as the season reached it climax. Finally on Grand Slam Sunday United regained the top spot destroying Liverpool 3-0 as Arsenal lost to Chelsea. Arsenal's poor form meant that Chelsea had become United's closest competitor.
In Europe, United had drawn familier foe AS Roma. in the Quarter Final. An emphatic display in Rome was followed by a comfortable victory at Old Trafford as United wrapped up the tie 3-0 on aggregate. In England, United came from behind to beat Arsenal and ended their hopes of winning the title. Draws against Middlesbrough and Blackburn meant that United had 3 points advantage over Chelsea prior to the game at Stamford Bridge. This game was sandwiched between high profile Champions League Semi Final ties against Barcelona. Big games were certainly coming thick and fast. At Nou Camp, the scene of United's Treble win, Cristiano Ronaldo missed a crucial penalty proving that he is mortal after all. A nervy night ended in a 0-0 scoreline. United lost 2-1 at Stamford Bridge in the following game but still remained at the top of the table thanks to an impressive goal difference. In the home tie against Barcelona, Paul Scholes rolled back the years as he scored a trademark screamer to hand United the victory. It was an emphatic display at the back as well to deny the likes of Messi, Eto'o, Xavi, Henry etc a glimpse of goal.
Ryan Giggs equaled Sir Bobby Charlton's record of most appearances for United in the last league game of the season at Wigan. He scored a goal as well to celebrate the occasion and most importantly hand yet another Premier league trophy to Manchester United. Then came the most awaited night: Champions League Final against Chelsea. Ronaldo scored his 42nd goal of the season but Chelsea equalized through Frank Lampard. Cech made an amazing double save to deny United while Chelsea hit the post on the other end twice. Heroic defending by John Terry in extra time took the game to penalties. It was certainly the most nervous 10 minutes of my life but the joy at the end of it just can't be described. Manchester United won the biggest prize in football to end the season as English and European Champions.
It isn't the end of it all because the challenge of defending these titles is even bigger. After an eventful summer United signed Dimitar Berbatov from Tottenham and crucially persuaded Ronaldo to stay at the club when Real Madrid came calling. United haven't been at their best this season but the rivals have faltered as well. A couple of nights ago United annihilated Chelsea to spark new life into the bid for the title. Last night Cristaino Ronaldo won the FIFA World Player of the Year award. This gives United the much needed morale booster as the season approaches its business end. The success of 2008 can't be emulated easily but with the squad and belief that United have, it is certainly not impossible. I hope that the big guns start firing all cylinders when it matters most. I hope that the Promised Land is revisited again and again.
The expectations were high when 2008 started. United and Arsenal were neck and neck in the Premier League title race. In Europe, United had drawn Olympique Lyonnais, the French Champions, in the Round of 16. New year kicked off with a nervy and controversial 1-0 win over Birmingham City but there was no looking back after that. Ronaldo enjoyed the new year with an explosive display against Newcastle claiming his first hat trick for the club. February marked the 50th anniversary of the Munich Air Disaster but United, perhaps overwhelmed by the occasion, lost against arch rivals Manchester City on the weekend following 6th of Feb. This result, coupled with a last gasp draw at White Hart Lane on the previous weekend left United 5 points adrift of league leaders Arsenal. Then came the turning point of the season. Arsenal came to Old Trafford for the FA Cup 5th Round match. They were outclassed by a young United side and it certainly dented Arsenal's spirit. In the very next game, Eduardo Da Silva suffered a horrific injury against Birmingham which ended 2-2. Arsenal's players were hurt psychologically. They desperately needed a leader to inspire them but they had no one to look upto. United took full advantage of unrest at Arsenal and put together a winning run.
In the midst of all this, Champions League resumed. Another last gasp Tevez goal gave United a precious draw in Lyon. The tie was put to bed at Old Trafford by Cristiano Ronaldo. Back in England United had won four in a row while Arsenal were struggling to get points on board. United were controversially knocked out of the FA Cup at the hands of Portsmouth. But the league form improved as the season reached it climax. Finally on Grand Slam Sunday United regained the top spot destroying Liverpool 3-0 as Arsenal lost to Chelsea. Arsenal's poor form meant that Chelsea had become United's closest competitor.
In Europe, United had drawn familier foe AS Roma. in the Quarter Final. An emphatic display in Rome was followed by a comfortable victory at Old Trafford as United wrapped up the tie 3-0 on aggregate. In England, United came from behind to beat Arsenal and ended their hopes of winning the title. Draws against Middlesbrough and Blackburn meant that United had 3 points advantage over Chelsea prior to the game at Stamford Bridge. This game was sandwiched between high profile Champions League Semi Final ties against Barcelona. Big games were certainly coming thick and fast. At Nou Camp, the scene of United's Treble win, Cristiano Ronaldo missed a crucial penalty proving that he is mortal after all. A nervy night ended in a 0-0 scoreline. United lost 2-1 at Stamford Bridge in the following game but still remained at the top of the table thanks to an impressive goal difference. In the home tie against Barcelona, Paul Scholes rolled back the years as he scored a trademark screamer to hand United the victory. It was an emphatic display at the back as well to deny the likes of Messi, Eto'o, Xavi, Henry etc a glimpse of goal.
Ryan Giggs equaled Sir Bobby Charlton's record of most appearances for United in the last league game of the season at Wigan. He scored a goal as well to celebrate the occasion and most importantly hand yet another Premier league trophy to Manchester United. Then came the most awaited night: Champions League Final against Chelsea. Ronaldo scored his 42nd goal of the season but Chelsea equalized through Frank Lampard. Cech made an amazing double save to deny United while Chelsea hit the post on the other end twice. Heroic defending by John Terry in extra time took the game to penalties. It was certainly the most nervous 10 minutes of my life but the joy at the end of it just can't be described. Manchester United won the biggest prize in football to end the season as English and European Champions.
It isn't the end of it all because the challenge of defending these titles is even bigger. After an eventful summer United signed Dimitar Berbatov from Tottenham and crucially persuaded Ronaldo to stay at the club when Real Madrid came calling. United haven't been at their best this season but the rivals have faltered as well. A couple of nights ago United annihilated Chelsea to spark new life into the bid for the title. Last night Cristaino Ronaldo won the FIFA World Player of the Year award. This gives United the much needed morale booster as the season approaches its business end. The success of 2008 can't be emulated easily but with the squad and belief that United have, it is certainly not impossible. I hope that the big guns start firing all cylinders when it matters most. I hope that the Promised Land is revisited again and again.
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