I don't know how to start this one. Things were looking so good. Manchester United were leading the Premier League and flying in the Champions League. Wayne Rooney was destroying every single team in his way. But, in ten cruel days everything has changed. United are out of the Champions League and toppled by Chelsea in the Premier League. The talisman, Wayne Rooney is injured.
Every single day of the last week, I woke up and thought what if Ribery's free kick didn't take a cruel deflection. What if Vidic's header went in off the crossbar. What if Rafael didn't fall into the Germans' trap. What if Didier Drogba was flagged offside. Nothing can be changed now. Sometimes the Gods want you to win (1999) but sometimes it seems that the whole universe is conspiring against you.
Looking back at the start of the season, I didn't expect much from United. Any team would struggle after losing the best player in the World. But, its a testament to Sir Alex Ferguson's greatness that he raised the fans' expectations without investing much. United's performances this season were better than the mechanical (but efficient) displays of last season.
There were a lot of positives for United in the match against Bayern Munich even though the result was heartbreaking. United gave it their all. The way everyone pressurized the Germans to concede possession in the beginning of the match was great to watch. Young blood was favored over the old guard and they didn't disappoint. Gibson was good, Rafael kept Ribery in his pocket before that unfortunate incident and Nani was fantastic. Incidentally, these players were drafted in for Neville, Scholes and Giggs. The signs are promising.
It is clear that United need to change a few things. The golden oldies will play for one or two seasons only. It would be unrealistic to expect them to play week in and week out. Youngsters like Anderson and Gibson need to stand up and be counted. Others like Nani and Valencia have been absolutely fantastic especially in the second half of the season. With Rooney banging in goals left, right and center all you need is quality service from the midfield. Both Nani and Valencia have provided that. I am particularly impressed by Valencia's contribution this season. Opposition fans mocked him when he was signed to replace Ronaldo. But, I knew right from the beginning that a player like Ronaldo can't be replaced by any other winger in the World. United just changed their style of play to suit Wayne Rooney, with the wingers bombing in crosses and it worked magnificently. Valencia adjusted to United's style of play comfortably unlike a certain Bulgarian. Nani, on the other hand, had a poor start to the season. Fans were calling for his head. But, he came back strongly in the second half of the season. His performances against Arsenal and Bayern Munich were top class and goes to show that he is a big game player. In January it looked like United desperately needed a left winger. But, Nani's resurgence in the second half has wiped off all doubts regarding his potential and United can look to strengthen other areas of the squad.
A goalkeeper is an obvious requirement. Van Der Sar, at 40, is better than most keepers in the World but next season will most probably be his last. Ben Foster royally screwed up his chances this season. So, its seems that United need to dip in the transfer market to get a new keeper. The likes of Neuer, Lloris, Adler and Akinfeev have been linked with United. Sir Alex needs to make sure that post-Schmeichel situation does not arise again.
The biggest disappointments of this season have been Carrick and Berbatov. Carrick looks like a shadow of the player who helped United to win the double a couple of years ago. His performances in some of the biggest matches have been dire. United desperately need creativity in the center of the park. I won't be complaining if United signed one of Gourcuff, Hamsik or David Silva (who can play on the left or behind the striker). Sir Alex will have a tough call to make this summer regarding Carrick's future. Berbatov was expected to step up this season but he failed. He is class player and I have always liked his game. But, he does not fit in United's style of play. Sir Alex preferred limping Rooney over fit Berbatov in crunch Champions League match against Bayern. It goes to show how much the manager trusts his striker. The surprise signing of Mexican striker Javier Hernandez is an indication that Sir Alex wants to strengthen the striking department. But, I am not sure how much impact a young inexperienced striker will make in a foreign league. Then, there are financial constraints as well which explain such a signing.
Off the pitch, the Green and Gold campaign against the Glazers went on in full swing this season. But, it all comes down to Glazers. If they want to keep the club then no protest can stop them. Its really painful to see the owners suck money out the club to repay the debt they took to buy the club. Sadly, that's the way things work in Football these days.
All in all, this was a transitional season for United. There were some memorable moments. Putting the noisy neighbours back in their place, demolition of Arsenal at The Emirates and the destruction of AC Milan stand out as great results. Some players really stepped up. The likes of Valencia, Nani, Fletcher and Rooney were fantastic. Things could have been different if the mid season defensive crisis hadn't occurred. The squad was almost there. A couple of tweaks here and there would make this squad one of the best in Europe again. It is huge summer for Manchester United. A creative midfielder is a must. Goalkeeper and second striker will be needed soon but they are not top priority. The best thing about Football is that there is always a next chance. United fell short this time but this team will rise again. We'll be back stronger and take what belongs to us.
Every single day of the last week, I woke up and thought what if Ribery's free kick didn't take a cruel deflection. What if Vidic's header went in off the crossbar. What if Rafael didn't fall into the Germans' trap. What if Didier Drogba was flagged offside. Nothing can be changed now. Sometimes the Gods want you to win (1999) but sometimes it seems that the whole universe is conspiring against you.
Looking back at the start of the season, I didn't expect much from United. Any team would struggle after losing the best player in the World. But, its a testament to Sir Alex Ferguson's greatness that he raised the fans' expectations without investing much. United's performances this season were better than the mechanical (but efficient) displays of last season.
There were a lot of positives for United in the match against Bayern Munich even though the result was heartbreaking. United gave it their all. The way everyone pressurized the Germans to concede possession in the beginning of the match was great to watch. Young blood was favored over the old guard and they didn't disappoint. Gibson was good, Rafael kept Ribery in his pocket before that unfortunate incident and Nani was fantastic. Incidentally, these players were drafted in for Neville, Scholes and Giggs. The signs are promising.
It is clear that United need to change a few things. The golden oldies will play for one or two seasons only. It would be unrealistic to expect them to play week in and week out. Youngsters like Anderson and Gibson need to stand up and be counted. Others like Nani and Valencia have been absolutely fantastic especially in the second half of the season. With Rooney banging in goals left, right and center all you need is quality service from the midfield. Both Nani and Valencia have provided that. I am particularly impressed by Valencia's contribution this season. Opposition fans mocked him when he was signed to replace Ronaldo. But, I knew right from the beginning that a player like Ronaldo can't be replaced by any other winger in the World. United just changed their style of play to suit Wayne Rooney, with the wingers bombing in crosses and it worked magnificently. Valencia adjusted to United's style of play comfortably unlike a certain Bulgarian. Nani, on the other hand, had a poor start to the season. Fans were calling for his head. But, he came back strongly in the second half of the season. His performances against Arsenal and Bayern Munich were top class and goes to show that he is a big game player. In January it looked like United desperately needed a left winger. But, Nani's resurgence in the second half has wiped off all doubts regarding his potential and United can look to strengthen other areas of the squad.
A goalkeeper is an obvious requirement. Van Der Sar, at 40, is better than most keepers in the World but next season will most probably be his last. Ben Foster royally screwed up his chances this season. So, its seems that United need to dip in the transfer market to get a new keeper. The likes of Neuer, Lloris, Adler and Akinfeev have been linked with United. Sir Alex needs to make sure that post-Schmeichel situation does not arise again.
The biggest disappointments of this season have been Carrick and Berbatov. Carrick looks like a shadow of the player who helped United to win the double a couple of years ago. His performances in some of the biggest matches have been dire. United desperately need creativity in the center of the park. I won't be complaining if United signed one of Gourcuff, Hamsik or David Silva (who can play on the left or behind the striker). Sir Alex will have a tough call to make this summer regarding Carrick's future. Berbatov was expected to step up this season but he failed. He is class player and I have always liked his game. But, he does not fit in United's style of play. Sir Alex preferred limping Rooney over fit Berbatov in crunch Champions League match against Bayern. It goes to show how much the manager trusts his striker. The surprise signing of Mexican striker Javier Hernandez is an indication that Sir Alex wants to strengthen the striking department. But, I am not sure how much impact a young inexperienced striker will make in a foreign league. Then, there are financial constraints as well which explain such a signing.
Off the pitch, the Green and Gold campaign against the Glazers went on in full swing this season. But, it all comes down to Glazers. If they want to keep the club then no protest can stop them. Its really painful to see the owners suck money out the club to repay the debt they took to buy the club. Sadly, that's the way things work in Football these days.
All in all, this was a transitional season for United. There were some memorable moments. Putting the noisy neighbours back in their place, demolition of Arsenal at The Emirates and the destruction of AC Milan stand out as great results. Some players really stepped up. The likes of Valencia, Nani, Fletcher and Rooney were fantastic. Things could have been different if the mid season defensive crisis hadn't occurred. The squad was almost there. A couple of tweaks here and there would make this squad one of the best in Europe again. It is huge summer for Manchester United. A creative midfielder is a must. Goalkeeper and second striker will be needed soon but they are not top priority. The best thing about Football is that there is always a next chance. United fell short this time but this team will rise again. We'll be back stronger and take what belongs to us.
