The title race looks all wrapped up, but before you close this window because that is what you've heard of all week, be assured this blog is not going to be talking about it, just using it as a landmark for reference. This article just asks one clear cut question, and please comment.
Is this season been all that successful? We know that it is a unproductive activity to cry over spilt milk, but is alright to ignore it totally by pretending water is a lovely substitute? It's hardly been an ideal season and being knocked out European competitions twice, and loosing to a lower division team in the League Cup has not exactly been United's thing the past decade. (Notable exception- 2005 European campaign).
For starters, the European form has been nothing short of dreadful. There have been just three victories in 8+4 matches, and two of them against Romanian first timers, Oetul Galti, whose name no one seems sure how to pronounce. The other one was a 2-0 win against a young Ajax side, and in all fairness to the Erikssen inspired Dutchmen, they won the return leg at Old Trafford 2-1 but failed to go through on aggregate. That brings us to another huge blip in Europe, they have won only once at home, yeah, against Galati. They lost to Basel, Ajax, Bilbao while drawing against Benfica, twice. Their defence was shambolic and their two ties against Bilbao exposed them to the fullest. Rafael strong in the counter attack, was often rendered helpless at the back. (Case in point- he stood and watched a loose ball, that had rebounded from a fantastic De Gea save, and continued watching as the lurking Munian slotted it high.). Jones got his first goal in Europe, but against United. His lack of maturity showed in his positioning, and showed that comparisons to the OT legend, Duncan Edwards were highly overrated, , but as United just as yet. Ferdinand was dreadful in the Champions League but was in Europe's second tier, he was a little better. (He got a goal against as well.). De Gea was still learning in the the Champions League, and a string of exceptional performances by the Spaniard were not enough to keep United in.
The cup runs weren't all that glorious as the Reds lost 2-1 to a Crystal Palace side that won through an extra time header. Late goals are United's style not Palace's. The performance was so dreadful and that was certified by the fact that Sir Alex apologised publicly, and when Fergie apologises, all is not well in the United camp.
Macheda was particularly poor, misplacing passes and at one point trying to control a routine ball only to knock it out for a throw-in. He was not alone, however. There was the embarrassing sight of Mame Biram Diouf being penalised for a foul throw. Fábio da Silva picked up a yellow card, could have given away a penalty and limped off injured. Rafael da Silva was also forced off, a sort of deja vu for those who have followed the Brazilians' careers. Dimitar Berbatov will be sent for scans after leaving Old Trafford with a protective cast on a foot.
So even if United go on to win their 20th title, their 37th senior trophy under Sir Alex, is the season as pretty as it is made out to been. In all fairness to the Reds, they are a team in transition. To add to that, they missed their captain Vidic for an entire season, had a shadow of the old Evra in the left wing, had Anderson injured. The Old Trafford faithful know patience as before the Ferguson era they had to wait 26 long years for a title, but Sir Alex came and changed all that, and that even a United team in transition is challenging arguably the best City team in the Premier League era stands testimony. United have survived departures of key players and seasons without key men, walking out of them with their heads held high. Winning has become part of their DNA, and that is what this season should be remembered for. A 3-3 comeback win against Chelsea, a last gasp Giggs goal against Norwich, and even though not every one woyld agree, the pure attacking urge in the 6-1 loss to Man City.
So this season may be one for the record books. Ryan Giggs becoming the player with most appearances, Giggs scoring every season of the premier league and Champions League, United winning their 20th title, Sir Alex becoming the longest serving manager, but the only thing that a football season ever signifies is with United there are always second chances, there is always next season.
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