At the start of the season, I like many people, and just not United fans alone, would never have imagined us at the top of the league with a six point lead and four games to go. People still questioned this side's ability to sustain any kind of lead in the league aside from the other cup competitions - without Ronaldo and Tevez and the Keane's, the Nistelrooy's and the Beckhams. I miss their transparent hunger and appetite for success but they've had to move on as well and in respect to the last two legends, age does eventually catch up with you.
Manchester United have done well since 2005 to bring in replacements. Ronaldo for Beckham, nurturing Fletcher into the new Keane and of recent, the acquisition of Javier Hernandez, that final piece of the jigsaw who fills that void vacated by the Nistelrooy almost six years later. In a way, I kind of feel that United are trying to maintain the style we used to play with a few years ago, although the intensity we carry out now on the pitch is somewhat a little less subdued.
Still, some of our performances haven't warranted the luxury of the position we hold at present in the league. You could state 'a transitional phase' with the old heads looking to call their time on United soon and the emergence of young talent. Also, a lot of the English players suffered a loss in form post the World Cup and none of them was more prone to attack from the Press that Wayne Rooney. Contract Negotiations may have put the whole squad on edge early in the season too. But thankfully all the above mentioned factors that were signalling for a wretched season were sorted out. Ronney got his form back, All contracts were successful in retaining our experienced players and the English; well a few of them anyway, are starting to put in strong performances when it matters most.
Manchester United are a club that can rescue themselves from the brink of a loss to draw or even better, win. Similarly, they also defend well towards the end of a game and we have this sort of history and belief to fall back on. We've rescued a few points while losing some sitters as well, but have fought hard and played unattractively at times to register important wins. Although it might not yield to pleasant viewing among the hardcore 'football should be played in style fans', and I'm one for that, the result does matter at the final whistle.
At times this season, like any fan, I was optimistic when Chelsea were leading with six points, had some hope that somewhere down the line, United would get a break. And that's pretty much been the reason for us still holding that cushion of six points. I doubt we'd experience a tragic loss in form and points so late in the season but with four games to, I wouldn't write anyone else off. Anyway, I was saying that United got a lot of lucky breaks this season to be where they are right now.
Chelsea suffered huge defeats in November after losing one of their most influential assistant managers of 37 years of loyalty. That shook the Club quite a bit and they recovered very very late. At a point they were 15 points behind United. Arsenal are the perennial masters of their own undoing. They've got the talent but lack 'the kill' factor in them in a long game. Also, when it matters most, like towards the end of a season, they under perform and look weary when they need to finish other teams off. I know that the season's long but its been the same old story for the last six years. Also, in my opinion, they need to make good buys - players who can inspire, motivate and lead through example. They don't have any of that. Manchester United have made use of all of that an more importantly, bringing a sense of composure and calmness to the team with the experience that the veterans carry with them. It wont last forever, but we live in the present and you nurture the future.
Manchester United owe their current position to the underperforming Arsenals and Chelseas. Yes United haven't been flamboyant, but their challengers have been a wee bit worse off as well. I think its useless in trying to find faults in another teams amour when you realize your own team's position. For me, I've seen a lot of 'United don't deserve to win this league' and 'they aren't the teams of the famous '99 and '08.' Of course, I'd agree with them! Well, partially at least... only until a few months ago until I realized that we've been the best of the worst this season. Yes, squads do undergo a transitional phase. And United are undergoing that at the moment as retirees wait on the sidelines. Arsenal are struggling to find that missing piece that would otherwise be the most beautiful puzzle to be solved in the English Premier League for a few years now. Chelsea I feel look for the quickest answer to solve their woes. Unlike Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool, who invest time instead of lots of money ( United do make the odd expensive purchase ), Chelsea expect results. It'll take them more time than they realize, I feel. Manchester City must be categorized with the West Londoners as well.
But for United, a change in fortune with a mix of mid-season allowances and taking our chances, I feel we are growing in confidence; and not just for this season, but for the next campaign as well. The emergence of Rafael and Fabio Da Silva, a steal in Hernandez and other youth's playing in the reserves, for me that is, are promising signs for the future. We should make use of the advantage of our Champions League position having almost secured a final spot and the League Cup, which is ours to lose. We can take this form with us in to these 'finals' and beyond.
It was unexpected to say the least that we'd find ourselves in these positions and I hope we take our chances and avoid squandering them when we're so close to the finishing line with something to show for it, and a bright bright future to look forward to.
Manchester United have done well since 2005 to bring in replacements. Ronaldo for Beckham, nurturing Fletcher into the new Keane and of recent, the acquisition of Javier Hernandez, that final piece of the jigsaw who fills that void vacated by the Nistelrooy almost six years later. In a way, I kind of feel that United are trying to maintain the style we used to play with a few years ago, although the intensity we carry out now on the pitch is somewhat a little less subdued.
Still, some of our performances haven't warranted the luxury of the position we hold at present in the league. You could state 'a transitional phase' with the old heads looking to call their time on United soon and the emergence of young talent. Also, a lot of the English players suffered a loss in form post the World Cup and none of them was more prone to attack from the Press that Wayne Rooney. Contract Negotiations may have put the whole squad on edge early in the season too. But thankfully all the above mentioned factors that were signalling for a wretched season were sorted out. Ronney got his form back, All contracts were successful in retaining our experienced players and the English; well a few of them anyway, are starting to put in strong performances when it matters most.
Manchester United are a club that can rescue themselves from the brink of a loss to draw or even better, win. Similarly, they also defend well towards the end of a game and we have this sort of history and belief to fall back on. We've rescued a few points while losing some sitters as well, but have fought hard and played unattractively at times to register important wins. Although it might not yield to pleasant viewing among the hardcore 'football should be played in style fans', and I'm one for that, the result does matter at the final whistle.
At times this season, like any fan, I was optimistic when Chelsea were leading with six points, had some hope that somewhere down the line, United would get a break. And that's pretty much been the reason for us still holding that cushion of six points. I doubt we'd experience a tragic loss in form and points so late in the season but with four games to, I wouldn't write anyone else off. Anyway, I was saying that United got a lot of lucky breaks this season to be where they are right now.
Chelsea suffered huge defeats in November after losing one of their most influential assistant managers of 37 years of loyalty. That shook the Club quite a bit and they recovered very very late. At a point they were 15 points behind United. Arsenal are the perennial masters of their own undoing. They've got the talent but lack 'the kill' factor in them in a long game. Also, when it matters most, like towards the end of a season, they under perform and look weary when they need to finish other teams off. I know that the season's long but its been the same old story for the last six years. Also, in my opinion, they need to make good buys - players who can inspire, motivate and lead through example. They don't have any of that. Manchester United have made use of all of that an more importantly, bringing a sense of composure and calmness to the team with the experience that the veterans carry with them. It wont last forever, but we live in the present and you nurture the future.
Manchester United owe their current position to the underperforming Arsenals and Chelseas. Yes United haven't been flamboyant, but their challengers have been a wee bit worse off as well. I think its useless in trying to find faults in another teams amour when you realize your own team's position. For me, I've seen a lot of 'United don't deserve to win this league' and 'they aren't the teams of the famous '99 and '08.' Of course, I'd agree with them! Well, partially at least... only until a few months ago until I realized that we've been the best of the worst this season. Yes, squads do undergo a transitional phase. And United are undergoing that at the moment as retirees wait on the sidelines. Arsenal are struggling to find that missing piece that would otherwise be the most beautiful puzzle to be solved in the English Premier League for a few years now. Chelsea I feel look for the quickest answer to solve their woes. Unlike Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool, who invest time instead of lots of money ( United do make the odd expensive purchase ), Chelsea expect results. It'll take them more time than they realize, I feel. Manchester City must be categorized with the West Londoners as well.
But for United, a change in fortune with a mix of mid-season allowances and taking our chances, I feel we are growing in confidence; and not just for this season, but for the next campaign as well. The emergence of Rafael and Fabio Da Silva, a steal in Hernandez and other youth's playing in the reserves, for me that is, are promising signs for the future. We should make use of the advantage of our Champions League position having almost secured a final spot and the League Cup, which is ours to lose. We can take this form with us in to these 'finals' and beyond.
It was unexpected to say the least that we'd find ourselves in these positions and I hope we take our chances and avoid squandering them when we're so close to the finishing line with something to show for it, and a bright bright future to look forward to.
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