A Victory to Savour

2006-07 is one of my favorite seasons, second only to 98-99. Manchester United were written off by majority when Ruud Van Nistelrooy left and Chelsea spent big. But, a young United side played some sensational Football that season. Rooney and Ronaldo stepped up big time. It was great to watch. But, one night left me heartbroken.

Manchester United stormed into the Champions League Semifinals by crushing Roma 7-1. Next up were AC Milan. The game at Old Trafford was one of the best I have ever seen. United, playing without three of the four first choice defenders, were up against Milan having Kaka in full form. But, the man who stole the show was Wayne Rooney who hit a thunderous shot in the dying minutes to win the game for United. I couldn't wait for the away leg. But, United were fighting on three fronts while Milan were alive in only one competition. The league game at Goodison Park just before the second leg was another epic battle. United came from 2-0 down to win 4-2 and effectively clinched the title. But, Milan rested their whole first team that weekend. An exhausted United side were battered by AC Milan. They played great Football that night. That night was the biggest disappointment of an amazing season.

The paths of two clubs crossed again this season. I was really happy with the draw but there was a fear that it may all come down crashing again. It certainly looked that way when Ronaldinho scored an early goal for Milan. United were gifting possession to Milan. They could have been out of sight if Milan had taken their chances. The way United started was reminiscent of the way they did three years ago. Young Rafael and Evans seemed to be intimidated by the atmosphere of San Siro just like Rooney and Ronaldo were, three years ago. But, this time luck was on United's side. AC Milan wasted a host of chances in the first half hour and United made them pay. Paul Scholes scored a fortuitous equalizer and it was all United after that. Wayne Rooney proved why he is one of the most feared strikers in Europe at the moment. His movement was fantastic. He headed two goals in quick succession to take the tie seemingly beyond AC Milan.

But, as I have learnt over the years, Man United don't do things the easy way. A late Milan goal brought the game back to life. It seems to be a miracle now that Milan didn't score more. In the end a sensational 3-2 win for United looks satisfying. But, Milan were there for the taking at 3-1 and United let them off the hook.

United will have to retain possession better at Old Trafford. Vidic's return may prove crucial. Also, Giggsy might return just in time for the game. Although, United are firm favorites now but its not over yet. Don't count your chickens before they are hatched, is what a wise man will say. Anyways, its time to revel in glory after the disappointment suffered three years ago. I am loving it.

A Decade of Dominance

As the decade draws to a close, its time to relive the moments that make me think this is why I love Football. The "noughties" was perhaps the most memorable decade in terms of success for Manchester United. Six Premier titles, one Champions League crown, one FA Cup and a couple of League Cup trophies were won as Sir Alex built his legacy at Old Trafford.

The decade started with United in possession of both domestic and European crown. 1998-99 season was stuff of dreams. It was impossible to replicate that kind of success but Man Utd came very close. The most challenging task for Sir Alex Ferguson was to replace Peter Schmeichel after his departure and it took a long time to find a decent replacement. Apart from the great Dane, the core of the 99 squad was intact and they carried on from where they left. United went on to defend the Premier League crown but were knocked out by Raul inspired Real Madrid in the Champions League.

After failed attempts to find a new goalkeeper, United turned to World Cup winner Fabien Barthez. The eccentric Frenchman provided some stability at the back. He had a very good first season as Man Utd went on to complete the hat trick of domestic titles in 2001. European glory eluded the Reds again. It was Bayern Munich's turn to knock United out on their way to glory, burying the demons of 99 in the process.

Sir Alex Ferguson shocked the World by announcing his retirement plans at the end of 2001-02 season. This decision perhaps destabilized the club. The squad itself was chopped and changed during the course of the season. Rock solid Jaap Stam left the club in controversial circumstances and his replacement was veteran Frenchman Laurent Blanc. The arrival of Dutch maestro Ruud Van Nistelrooy signalled the end of the road for highly successful Cole-Yorke partnership. The transfer of Argentine superstar Juan Sebastian Veron was greeted with joy but this deal proved to be one of the rare mistakes by Sir Alex Ferguson in the transfer market. United ended the season trophy less. It was not how Sir Alex wanted to bid farewell. So, he took a U-turn and dismissed the idea of retirement. This decision spurred United on to achieve greater things in future.

United broke the bank to sign Rio Ferdinand to help the ailing defense at the start of 02-03 season. Ruud Van Nistelrooy enjoyed a sensational season to help United reclaim Premier League glory in dramatic fashion. The season was dominated by headlines of deteriorating relationship between Sir Alex and superstar David Beckham. Beckham inspired United to a sensational 4-3 win over Real Madrid in a game where Brazilian legend Ronaldo scored a hat trick. It was one of the best displays ever by a visiting player at Old Trafford. Despite losing, Real Madrid went through on aggregate and United were left to rebuild the squad again.

High profile players Barthez, Veron and Beckham left Old Trafford in the summer of 2003. In came Portuguese teenager Cristiano Ronaldo who would inspire United to great success in the future. But, he was too inexperienced at that stage. 2003-04 was Arsenal's invincibles' season. This was also the season when Roman Abramovich arrived at Chelsea and turned them into a superpower. United were in the middle of a rebuilding phase and they finished the season in third place. Jose Mourinho announced his arrival on the scene with his Porto side that knocked United out of the Champions League. But, the season ended on a high for United as they beat Millwall to claim the FA Cup.

United spent the next two seasons in the shadow of Jose Mourinho's Chelsea. They saw Chelsea's rise to prominence. It was time to rebuild. Teenage sensation Wayne Rooney joined United in the summer of 04. He scored a hat trick on his debut. The signs were positive but United were not ready to challenge Chelsea at the summit of the League. A trophy less 2004-05 season was followed by a disappointing 05-06 season. United finished at the bottom of their Champions League group. Chelsea proved to be too strong in the Premier League again. But, consolation came in the form of League Cup triumph.

There were some major changes in the squad during the course of the 2005-06 season. Dutch veteran Edwin Van Der Sar joined the Red Devils. He'd go on and become a worthy successor to the Great Dane six years after his departure. In January 06, United swooped for defenders Patrice Evra and Nemanja Vidic. They were bargain buys of the decade. But, all was not well within the club. Skipper Roy Keane was unceremoniously shown the Old Trafford exit door in the middle of the season. Top scorer Van Nistelrooy had a training ground bust up with Ronaldo. Off the pitch, a takeover by American businessman Malcolm Glazor saddled the club with debt and left the supports skeptical about the future of the club. All these factors combined to make United look like a club in the decline.

The summer of 2006 heaped further misery on the club. The young stars of the club, Rooney and Ronaldo, had a spat during the World Cup which saw Rooney sent off. England were knocked out by Portugal and Ronaldo bore the brunt of criticism for his involvement in the sending off. Ronaldo, fearing for his safety, looked set to move on but Sir Alex knew his potential. He convinced the Portuguese to stay at the club. Rooney and Ronaldo moved on from the World Cup incident. But, striker Ruud Van Nistelrooy, who had an incredible scoring record for United, left the club. So, the press was not convinced of United's strength and goalscoring prowess. They were the underdog as Chelsea spent big in the summer again. But, as an old saying goes, write Manchester United off at your own peril.

2006-07 was a sensational season, my favorite after 98-99. Man Utd played some fantastic Football that season. Rooney and Ronaldo were at their best. They were duly supported by ever present Giggs, Scholes and Neville. Ferdinand and Vidic formed a formidable partnership at the back. It was great to see Man Utd beat the odds again under Sir Alex Ferguson. The Premier League trophy came back to Old Trafford. An injury crisis at crunch time of the season left United too weak for an experienced AC Milan team. United were knocked out at the semi final stage. It proved to be a very important experience for the young side and they came back stronger the next season.

2007-08 was all about Cristiano Ronaldo. What a season he had. He scored goals left, right and center to help United retain the Premier League crown and go one better in the Champions League. Everything fell in place at the right time. United became the Champions of England, Champions of Europe and Champions of the World. Ronaldo won all the individual accolades that were there to be won and he deserved it.

Ronaldo spent the summer of 08 flirting with his dream club, Real Madrid but stayed at United in the end. United didn't perform as well as the last two seasons but a watertight defense that broke a long standing clean sheets record, helped United to complete the second League title hat-trick. The youngsters at the club showed their mettle as they claimed League Cup glory. But, United missed out on the Champions league crown by a whisker. They were beaten in the Final by a fantastic Barcelona side.

The summer of 09 started with Ronaldo getting his dream move. He became World's most expensive player ever when Real Madrid paid £80m for his services. Sir Alex was back to the drawing board again. After building so many successful sides in the past, who'd bet against him to pull it off again. This season has been a bit up and down. United have been inconsistent but are only two points away from the summit. Teams like Man City, Tottenham and Aston Villa are looking strong making this season very exciting. This season's Champions League will witness Old Trafford favorite David Beckham's return with AC Milan.

United were written off by experts all over Europe before the season began as the void created by Ronaldo's departure looked too huge to fill. But, as the old saying goes, write United off at your own peril. When a young manager named Alex Ferguson arrived at Old Trafford 23 years ago, he promised to knock Liverpool off their fucking perch. No one believed him. Last year he drew level with Liverpool's record of 18 league crowns. He loves to beat the odds and like him his team are most dangerous when their backs are against the wall. With Sir Alex Ferguson at the helm, I wouldn't bet against this United side achieve even bigger things in the next decade.

Roll on the Footie

Summers are so boring without Football. Two and a half months of torturous wait has finally come to an end. Barclays Premier League has kicked off. The teams have changed quite a lot in the transfer window. The "Big Four" were relatively quiet in the transfer market as compared to the top Spanish clubs. Will the balance of power shift too? Time will tell.

Here are my predictions for the new season-

1. Wolverhampton Wanderers: Wolves won the Championship last term and played attractive Football. They are a club with rich history. So, its great to have them back in the Premiership. Their key player is Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, a former Manchester United youth player. He was Championship's top scorer in the last couple of seasons. Wolves will bank on him to carry his wonderful form to the Premiership.

2. Birmingham City: Birmingham earned promotion by playing organized Football. They weren't pretty but were effective. Expect them to park the bus in front of goal to grind out results.

3. Burnley: Burnley's story has been a fairytale. They had an amazing Carling Cup run last term. They proved to be a nemesis for London's Premier League clubs. They knocked out Fulham, Chelsea and Arsenal on their way to the Semi finals where they nearly knocked out Tottenham. Their performance in the League was superb as well which got them to 5th spot in the table. They knocked out Reading and Sheffield United in the Playoffs to book a Premier League berth. I expect Turf Moor to host many memorable clashes this season. This is one team I'll be following with a lot of interest.

4. Hull City: Hull had a dream start to their debut Premier League season but it ended in a nightmare. They won only one of their last 22 league games. The points accumulated at the start of the season saved them from relegation. Things don't look too bright for them this term either. Phil Brown has been unable to convince many of his transfer targets to join him at the KC Stadium. The likes of Michael Owen, Fraizer Campbell and Bobby Zamora have snubbed them. A shock deal for Real Madrid starlet Alvaro Negredo may well be in the pipeline. Even if the deal materializes, Hull City will remain a top relegation candidate.

5. Portsmouth: Those days seem decades away when Pompey were winning the FA Cup and had top quality players like Defoe, Crouch and Johnson in their ranks. Throw in, lack of transfer activity, ownership issues and lack of discipline among players, in the mix and you have a top contender for relegation. Harry Redknapp left the club last season and his successor Tony Adams was sacked. Paul Hart then guided the club to safety and the club has stuck with him. But, he faces a mammoth task to keep the club in the Premiership. They look particularly light weight up front after selling Peter Crouch. Top players like David James and Niko Kranjcar will have to play a massive role to keep the club in the Premiership.

6. Stoke City: Football purists criticized Tony Pulis' approach last season. They were physical in their approach and Rory Delap's long throws were not the prettiest route to goal. But, it has to be said that it was effective. In the end, Stoke got a respectable mid table position. They haven't done much in the transfer market but they have kept majority of their squad together. They will employ the same approach this season: physical, well organized and hard to beat. Add to that, the wonderful atmosphere at Britannia Stadium and I think they'll stay up again.

7. Wigan Athletic: Wigan have undergone a lot of changes over the last seven months. Steve Bruce, who did a magnificent job with them, left the club to join Sunderland. Wigan lost two influential players in January: Wilson Palacios and Emile Heskey. Luis Valencia left the club in July to join Manchester United. Amr Zaki's loan wasn't extended due to disciplinary issues. Now, Wigan have a new look to their line-up. Their new manager, Roberto Martinez, has no experience of managing a Premier League club although he is widely regarded as one of the brightest young managers. He had a wonderful spell at Swansea and Wigan fans will be hoping for the same when he picks up the reins at the DW Stadium.

I expect the above 7 clubs to be trapped in relegation dogfight. The likes of Hull City, Portsmouth and the newly promoted sides are looking highly vulnerable.

8. Sunderland: The English Football's yoyo club is finally enjoying an extended run in the Premier League. Sunderland have money and they have appointed a good manager, Steve Bruce. Sunderland opted not to sign Djibril Cisse after his loan spell expired. But, they have brought in Darren Bent and Fraizer Campbell. Although Bent has been criticized a lot but he scores goals. Then, Bruce may pull a rabbit out of the hat by using his contacts in South America to unearth some promising young players as he did with Wigan. Combining all factors, a mid table place seems to be a safe bet as far as Sunderland are concerned.

9. Bolton Wanderers: Bolton's decent showing last season was largely due to excellent performances by Kevin Davies and Matt Taylor. Bolton won't change their style of play. It may not be pleasing to the eye but it has served them well. The hoof ball merchants should secure a mid table berth again.

10. Fulham: When Roy Hodgson arrived at Fulham in 2007-08, they were in shambles. They were a top contender for relegation. But, Hodgson miraculously guided them to safety. His hard work reaped benefits last term when a well organised Fulham side booked a place in the UEFA Europa League. The key to their performance was their defense and in particular Brede Hangeland. If Fulham hold onto him then they have a wonderful chance of securing a respectable position in the table. A big concern for Hodgson must be the lack of goals. The likes of Andy Johnson and Bobby Zamora need to step up. I think it'll be very difficult for them to repeat last season's heroics simply because their squad isn't big enough to cope up with the pressure of playing in multiple competitions. It happened with Portsmouth last season and it may happen with Fulham this time.

11. Blackburn Rovers: Last season, Blackburn appointed inexperienced Paul Ince as their manager. But, he failed and Blackburn were left fighting relegation. Experienced campaigner Sam Allardyce arrived and guided the club to safety. Although Big Sam's teams play physical and dull Football but his methods have been very effective. He guided a mediocre Bolton side to UEFA Cup qualification a few years ago. I expect more of the same at Blackburn. Blackburn have lost their best striker, Roque Santa Cruz, to Man City. But, his last season was blighted by injuries. Blackburn coped well in his absence. They have brought in promising Chelsea youngster Franco Di Santo on loan and are linked with Real Madrid's Alvaro Negredo. It'll be a massive coup if Blackburn pull off the deal. I'd expect them to finish near 10th spot in the table.

12. West Ham United: Gianfranco Zola and Steve Clarke did a wonderful job at West Ham last season after starting off in a shaky manner. West Ham have a lot of good players in their side like Robert Green, Matthew Upson, Carlton Cole, Scott Parker and Dean Ashton (if fit). They have kept the core of their squad together this summer. If these players play to their potential then West Ham have a wonderful chance of qualifying for the Europa League.

13. Aston Villa: Aston Villa had a golden opportunity to break the Big Four monopoly last season but they blew it when it mattered. Martin O'Neill took a gamble to rest his big guns for a UEFA Cup clash. It backfired and Villa got knocked out of the competition. After that Villa's season got worse after each and every game. Wins became hard to come by and Villa eventually surrendered the fourth spot to Arsenal. Villa's rock in defense Martin Laursen had to retire this summer because of injury problems while Gareth Barry raised a few eyebrows by moving to Man City instead of Liverpool. Villa's attack looks great though with the likes of Carew, Agbonlahor, Young, Heskey, Milner and new signing Stewart Downing, in their ranks. Still, I feel that last season was their best chance to get to the Champions League and they may not get another chance as Man City and Tottenham are looking stronger.

14. Everton: I am amazed to see the progress Everton have made under David Moyes. He has a small budget to operate under while his competitors splash the cash around. Even under tight financial constraints, Moyes achieved 5th spot in the table and took his team to the FA Cup final last season. Those feats will be difficult to achieve this season as their rivals Man City and Tottenham are looking stronger. Everton have been badly hit by injuries as well. Key players Arteta, Jagielka and Yakubu are out. But this is not the end of Everton's problems. Their best defender Joleon Lescott is being pursued by Man City and it seems that the cash rich club will get their man in the end. So, responsibility falls on the shoulders of Tim Cahill and Marouane Fellaini to guide the team through this difficult period. It won't be easy for Everton to defy the odds this time but they have done it before and they can do it again.

15. Manchester City: Cash fuelled Manchester City have invested heavily in the transfer market. They, along with Real Madrid, have contributed to the inflation in the transfer market. Man City became the richest club in the World last year when Abu Dhabi United Group purchased the club. They had little time to do something in the transfer market but pulled off a stunning coup by signing Robinho from Real Madrid. This year they had full transfer window to invest and they have invested heavily. Roque Santa Cruz, Carlos Tevez, Emmanuel Adebayor, Gareth Barry and Kolo Toure have all arrived while some want-away players have left. All the new arrivals are proven Premier League players. Add Robinho and Stephen Ireland to the likes of Adebayor, Tevez and Santa Cruz and you have, perhaps, the best attacking unit in the Premier League, on paper. But, the big question is, will these players gel quickly enough to allow City to break into the top four? I don't think so. Football is a funny game. You may have 11 best players out on the pitch but they need to play as a team. I think City may break into the top four after one or two seasons but this time they'll be left fighting for a UEFA Europa League spot. A major reason is the lack of defensive options at Hughes' disposal. City leaked in goals last season and need to strengthen the back four. This is exactly why Hughes was so desperate to get Terry. He failed to lure the England captain and has turned his attentions to Everton's Joleon Lescott. Another problem that confronts Mark Hughes is that there are too many strikers at the club. He'll have to keep everyone happy which is easier said than done. There is huge pressure on Mark Hughes to succeed otherwise he may find himself searching for a new job. Having said that, it is possible that their big guns click at the right time to gatecrash the Big Four party. Manchester City will provide a totally new dimension to this season. Can money buy success? This question will be answered soon.

16. Tottenham Hotspur: No transfer window is complete without frantic transfer activity at White Hart Lane. This window has been a bit different though. Although Spurs were linked with the likes of Huntelaar and Vieira but they couldn't bring them in. Still, Spurs are a formidable team on paper. Their defense doesn't look too bad with Woodgate, King, Corluka and new boy Bassong in the squad. They have a good midfield. The pace of Lennon, the strength of Palacios and the vision of Modric complement each other perfectly. Add four top class strikers, Defoe, Keane, Pavlyuchenko and new signing Peter Crouch, to the mix and you get a squad that can go the distance in the Premier League. Spurs had a good squad on paper for many years and they spent heavily too but couldn't force their way into the top four. Defensive errors, managerial instability, inconsistency etc have been the reasons for their downfall in the past. But now they have an experienced manager, Harry Redknapp, who almost took them to Europe from bottom place in the table last season. They have a settled squad too and lack of transfers may prove to be a boon for them. I think Spurs will be the one of the main contenders for that elusive fourth spot in the table.

17. Arsenal: Arsenal is a big club but they have had four consecutive trophyless years. Their fans are getting impatient. Last year, Arsenal were out of the title race by Christmas. They reached the latter stages of cup competitions but couldn't force the issue when they came up against the top sides. Arsene Wenger's decision to sell Toure and Adebayor to rivals Man City hasn't helped the situation. It seems that all is not well in the Arsenal boardroom. It is quite clear that Wenger doesn't have the money to buy big players. I think he is doing a fantastic job with his current players. He has brought in Thomas Vermaelen to toughen up the defense which has been Arsenal's biggest weakness for the last 3-4 years. Arsenal's squad looks so thin that a couple of injuries to key players might end their title dreams but if they keep themselves injury free then they have one of the best attacking units. Van Persie, Arshavin, Fabregas, Walcott and Nasri are names that any manager would love to have in his squad. The return of Eduardo and Rosicky is like a couple of new signings. Many people have tipped Arsenal to crash out of the top four but I think that they can even challenge for the title if key players remain fit.

18. Liverpool: The way Liverpool ended their last season was simply phenomenal. Not only Gerrard and Torres but the likes of Alonso, Kuyt and Benayoun were magnificent. It has given Liverpool fans the belief that they can bring the Premier League trophy to Anfield. But, Liverpool have lost a key player, Xabi Alonso, to Real Madrid. He was the creative force in the midfield last season and allowed Gerrard the freedom to attack. The likes of Lucas and Mascherano lack Alonso's qualities. Liverpool have brought in Alberto Aquilani from Roma to compensate for Alonso's loss. Although he is a talented lad but he is unproven and has a poor fitness record. It'll be interesting to see how he performs in a more physical league. Another new signing is Glen Johnson who is a promising right back. To make way for him, Alvaro Arbeloa has been shipped to Real Madrid. I think Liverpool lack a decent backup for Torres. Voronin hasn't set the World alight with his performances and N'Gog is unproven. The fitness of Gerrard and Torres will be a key to Liverpool's chances of winning the Premier League. But, I think last season was Liverpool's best chance to win the league and they may not get another chance this time because their squad is not big enough to go the distance.

19. Chelsea: Chelsea are the only Big Four club who haven't lost key players in the transfer window which makes them people's favourite to lift the title. Zhirkov and Sturridge are welcome additions to the squad. Although, the personnel on the pitch will be the same but Abramovich's revolving door policy has meant that Carlo Ancelotti will be Chelsea's 5th manager in three years. It'll be interesting to see how quickly Ancelotti adapts to the Premier League and how quickly Chelsea adapt to his diamond formation. Pre-season signs have been positive. The usual suspects, Lampard, Terry and Drogba will be pivotal for Chelsea's chances this season. Chelsea's biggest problem is their ageing squad. Most of their key players are on the wrong side of thirty. It'll be interesting to see if these players have the legs to grind out results week in and week out. I think they'll be United's biggest challengers for the Premier League crown.

20. Manchester United: The Champions, Manchester United usually enter a competition as favorites. But, it's different this time. The best player in the World, Cristiano Ronaldo, has been transferred to Real Madrid. Another important player Carlos Tevez has switched to the blue half of Manchester. That makes United the underdogs for a change but it will be a big mistake to write United off. After all, we are talking about a club that has won three back to back Premier League titles, a club that appeared in two consecutive Champions League finals, a club that is managed by arguably the best manager of all time. Ronaldo's transfer left United with 80m to spend which Sir Alex chose not to. It is an inflated market and the wise man thought that he won't get value for money this time. He brought in young and promising players like Antonio Valencia and Gabriel Obertan along with free agent Michael Owen. The shock capture of Owen may prove to be a masterstroke by Fergie as the England striker is a proven goal scorer. The other new boy, Antonio Valencia, is a proven Premier League player. He will be looked upon as Ronaldo's replacement. But, I think it is impossible for one player to replace Ronaldo. The whole team will have to step up to replace Ronaldo. Wayne Rooney will be the focal point of United's attacks while Dimitar Berbatov needs justify his price tag. Then, there are young strikers like Macheda and Welbeck who were wonderful last season and can only improve. It'll be interesting to see how much time youngsters like Gibson, Tosic, Obertan, Petrucci and January arrivals Ljajic and Diouf get on the pitch. These players can only benefit from the presence of Giggs, Scholes and Neville on the training ground. It is a big season for Ben Foster as well who may finally get an extended run in the first team. The strongest aspect of United's game last season was defense. If the likes of Vidic, Ferdinand, Van Der Sar and Evra remain fit at crucial times this season then United can expect more silverware. I think United have the experience and a big enough squad to finally knock Liverpool off their perch. It'll be an unbelievable achievement for the legendary manager who is, perhaps, building his last squad at Manchester United.

Predicted league table
1. Manchester United
2. Chelsea
3. Liverpool
4. Arsenal
5. Tottenham Hotspur
6. Manchester City
7. Everton
8. Aston Villa
9. West Ham
10. Blackburn Rovers
11. Fulham
12. Sunderland
13. Bolton Wanderers
14. Stoke City
15. Wigan Athletic
16. Birmingham City
17. Hull City
18. Wolverhampton Wanderers
19. Portsmouth
20. Burnley

Shades of '95

As the news of Cristiano Ronaldo's imminent departure sunk in, Carlos Tevez refused to tie his future to the Champions of England. United couldn't have had a worse start to the transfer window. Two of the most crucial players have left the Theater of Dreams creating a huge void for Sir Alex to fill. It is a situation United have been familiar with.

In the summer of 95, United let Mark Hughes, Paul Ince and Andrei Kanchelskis leave Old Trafford much to the dismay of the fans. These were three very important members of the squad. But, Sir Alex knew that time had come to look to the future. He didn't spend big which again agitated the fans. Instead, he used this situation as an opportunity to give academy players their big break. Alan Hansen famously said, "You'll never win anything with kids". But, the players rewarded their Manager's faith by proving everyone wrong. Gary Neville, Phil Neville, Nicky Butt, Paul Scholes and David Beckham went on to become Old Trafford legends and won everything with United.

Today Manchester United find themselves in a similar situation. Two of the most influential members of the squad have left. Fans are demanding fresh faces. Renowned superstars like David Villa, Karim Benzema, Franck Ribery, David Silva and Sergio Aguero have been linked with a move to Old Trafford. But, Manchester United haven't bought anyone. The money generated from Ronaldo's departure may be used to wipe off a significant amount of debt that United have been operating under. It seems that Luis Valencia will join the Red Devils in the next few days. He is a good winger who'll create a lot of chances for the strikers. It'll be up to Rooney and Berbatov to step up and take those chances. Then there are youngsters like Welbeck, Macheda, Tosic, Fabio, Possebon and Petrucci who have developed really well under the watchful eyes of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Evans and Rafael got a lot of chances with the first team last season and they were absolutely magnificent. Another youngster Adem Ljajic will join United in January. I have heard a lot of positive things about him. So, its not as bad as it looks. Sir Alex may have lost two of his superstars but he has a whole bunch of future stars waiting in the wings. This is the beginning of a new era at Old Trafford and this time too United won't buy superstars, they'll make them.

Viva Ronaldo

In the summer of 2003, United's superstar David Beckham joined Real Madrid. Sir Alex bought an unknown 18 year old as his replacement and gave him the famous no 7 jersey. This kid had talent but sometimes frustrated his own team mates by trying win the game on his own. Passing was not on top of his priority list. Then he had a bust up with his striking partner at 2006 FIFA World Cup. He was made the scapegoat of England's demise in yet another World Cup. He feared for his safety in England but Sir Alex convinced him to continue his career at Old Trafford. The fans welcomed him back but he was targeted in the away fixtures. The booing and whistling made him stronger and more determined to prove his critics wrong. He scored 23 goals in a campaign which brought back the Premier League title to Old Trafford. He followed it up with an unbelievable return of 42 goals in his next season. United retained the Premier League crown and went on to win the Champions League. He won all the personal accolades for his majestic performances. The kid had matured now. He couldn't follow the dream season with similar success partly because of an injury and partly beacuse of the immense weight of expectations. But, he still ended up as United's top scorer with 26 goals and was instrumental in United equalling Liverpool's record of 18 League titles. United reached another Champions League Final but fell at the last hurdle. This lad looked like the only player who was trying to win the game for United. He finally decided to move to his dream club after 6 years of unbelievable success at Old Trafford.

Many fans say that he is not loyal to the club that made him what he is today. But, I believe that his contribution towards United's recent success evens everything out. United were there for him in his darkest hours and he rewarded United with a bag full of trophies. He had 6 wonderful years at the Theater of Dreams. He was one of the best players ever to have donned the Red shirt. I won't wish him luck simply because I hate the club he is moving to but I'd thank him for what he has done for Manchester United in the last six years. I say it one last time:
Viva Ronaldo,
Viva Ronaldo,
Running Down the Wing,
Hear United Sing,
Viva Ronaldo.

Quotes of the Season

Finally, Manchester United equalled Liverpool's long standing record of 18 League titles. It was an incredible campaign. Lets look back at some memorable quotes from some special people (courtesy manutd.com):

“The gaffer insists on good defending, but sometimes there's not much defending to do."
Jonny Evans shows his stargazing powers following the 3-0 win over Celtic in October. The Reds would soon embark on a British league-record 1,311-minute shutout

“It’s scary. You spend all week discussing tactics, but when a team is that good, you can’t do anything about it.”
Blackburn boss Paul Ince reflects on losing 2-0 at home to United in October

“Berbatov's play for the second goal was absolutely magnificent. You'd pay double the money to watch that."
Sir Alex marvels at the Bulgarian’s stupendous touchline wizardry against West Ham in October

“Once the prayer mats have been left in the dressing-room, it’ll be a case of defending in numbers, stubbornness, organisation, discipline and a lot of luck.”
Stoke’s Ricardo Fuller gives us the lowdown on Stoke City’s prep in November. United won 5-0

“I’ve been doodling on my pad, trying to see how I can fit all these players in. People ask me what I consider to be my best side, and the short answer is that I don’t have one.”
Sir Alex's oft-experienced selection headache ruins Christmas

“When you're in the tunnel and you hear on the speakers: ‘Please welcome the champions of England, the champions of Europe and the champions of the world...’ you believe that you're going to crush anybody that's in your way. I get goose bumps every time I walk out at Old Trafford.”
Dimitar Berbatov gets the sweetest chill in January

“He has a wonderful velvet touch; the ball goes stone dead when he gets it. In the midst of all the mayhem it's wonder to see."
Sir Alex lauds Paul Scholes on his 600th appearance for the Reds in April

“I probably wouldn’t have believed them if they’d said I’d play one game for United or score one goal. Numbers don’t really matter. I’ve just been lucky to play for a great club that happens to be my local club.”
Typical understatement from Scholes himself in April

“I don’t know about playing as well as I have done, that’s for other people to judge.”
And the jury was in favour. Ryan Giggs, shortly before being named PFA Player of the Year, for the first time, February

“Everyone thinks the money will make the job easier for Mark Hughes, but I don't."
Paddy Crerand looks into his crystal ball as the curtain opens on the new campaign

“At United, you learn from the best."
Kiko Macheda in November. His first examination at senior level was passed with flying colours five months down the line as his red arrow pierced Villa hearts.

“Scoring in front of the Stretford End is a dream for every boy from Manchester.”
Danny Welbeck reflects on his first United goal against Stoke in November

“Yes, we take terrible risks, but there's always a chance we'll win the match."
Sir Alex sums up the essence of Manchester United after the 3-2 win over Villa in April

“I did not think I would reach this level so quickly. But I always believed in my talent.”
The last word from Cristiano Ronaldo on his FIFA World Player of the Year award, November.

Believe

It was just another Saturday night. Nothing to do. But, an important Football game to look forward to. The squeaky bum time has arrived. Every game is like a cup final. Every win, every loss changes the whole picture dramatically. Manchester United were cruising towards yet another Premier League title in March with ten points advantage over Liverpool. But, I have learned over the years that Man United love to do things the hard way. This season is no different. Two consecutive losses meant that the lead was slashed to one point with a game in hand. Everyone had one question in mind: Will Manchester United make a come back?

The answer is - Yes. A sensational win against Aston Villa was followed by victories over Sunderland and Portsmouth. Liverpool's dramatic draw against Arsenal gave United some breathing space. As United prepared to entertain a rejuvenated Tottenham side, the news of Liverpool's win over Hull City filtered through Old Trafford. The onus was on United to wrest the top spot back from Liverpool's grasp.

The match started slowly. Both teams were playing safe, trying to settle down. Pacy Aaron Lennon has always troubled Patrice Evra so it was a surprise to me that Sir Alex opted for Nani instead of Park who is better defensively. Lennon was having another great game against Evra. It was his move that drew first blood. A seemingly harmless cross fell right between Vidic and Ferdinand and Darren Bent out muscled Ferdinand to stab the ball home. Unexpectedly, the advantage was doubled when United couldn't deal with another cross from the same side and Luka Modric bundled the ball in.

Here I was, sitting at my 'lucky' seat, shell shocked. The 'lucky' seat has won me many games but it seemed that the luck finally ran out. To add salt to the wounds, everyone around me was enjoying the proceedings. I have a strange feeling. Whenever my team is in a precarious position, people around me seem to enjoy every bit of it. I had the same feeling during last year's IPL and Saturday's match further strengthened my belief.

Then, I remembered last season. A huge mosaic showing 'BELIEVE' used to appear at Old Trafford during Champions League matches. It really fired me up every time I saw it. I had only seven letters in my mind now: Believe.

The second half began. Carlos Tevez came out in place of Nani. It marked a rare occasion when United's 'Fab Four' were out on the pitch. Slowly things started to fall back in place. The passing improved. The hunger to win the game was clearly visible in United's game. But, Tottenham's defense was stubborn. It required a lucky break to get the first goal. Carrick was brought down in the box by Tottenham's goalkeeper Gomes and Howard Webb pointed straight to the spot. Replay showed that keeper got the ball too as he took out Carrick but the referee had given his verdict.

Cristiano Ronaldo stepped up to take the penalty. I closed my eyes. Even Ronaldo, knowing the importance of the penalty, closed his eyes for a moment and then calmly slotted the ball past Gomes. The great escape had begun. Wayne Rooney, who had been a live wire on the pitch, beat Gomes at his near post to equalize. Then, he delivered a great cross which was duly headed home by Ronaldo. In ten freaking minutes the tables had turned. Tottenham couldn't believe what was happening. Their misery was compounded when Rooney and Berbatov added to the scoreline. I loved the look on the face of all who were enjoying 15 minutes ago. They left the room even before the match ended.

United's display reminded me again of the meaning of the word believe. You may be down and out. The World may be laughing at you. Don't bother one bit. Just believe in your abilities. You will always find a way out.