Manchester United...champions and rightly so!
Chris O'KeefeI was "taunted", I say taunted it didn't feel too down about it being a Liverpool fan and the progress I've enjoyed in Europe (unless you fell victim to the Champions League ballot this week). However, it has to be said, the best side won!
Throughout the season, United played better football than Chelsea and should have been further clear in the title race before last weekend. Chelsea can bemoan injuries, and the usually take such opportunities to moan, but United's performance, minus Van Nistelrooy and no full time replacement was fantastic at times and it's down to the midfield.
Christiano Ronaldo, the first player to win the PFA's Player and Young Player of the Year awards since some small time commentator called Gray, was exemplary in all aspects except as opposing fans eyes. He scored 17 goals and 14 assists. Ronaldo was unstoppable at times, as opposing defenders will testify. Equally Wayne Rooney, a veteran of the game at 21, 14 goals and 12 assists were no less valuable. Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick were no less important either.
But one man always seems to pull proverbial rabbits out of hats at important times. Sir Alex Ferguson, if remembered for one thing this season it may be the coup of getting Henrik Larsson, a Champions League winner only six months earlier with Barcelona, to turn out at Old Trafford for a few months was a crucial signing. Ferguson has had a knack of pulling good players out of nowhere for relatively little or no transfer fee (although Larsson wages were said to be huge). Think Cantona, Schmeichel and even Roy Keane, once a British transfer record but £4million seems a snip in modern over hyped price tags.
His hunger, his hairdryer, his continued ability to get the best out of his players. I don't like comparing managers to one another. Most compare to Paisley, Shankly or Busby to name just three, all great in their own ways. Perhaps best to say he's a great manager and leave him in his exclusive pantheon rather than desperately search for some new pedestal.
posted by C O'K @ 4:43 pm
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