Manchester United: Right Place, Right Time?
United have won the league. A lot of celebrations will be taking place all around. They deserved to win it, no one can deny that. But the question is, can they sustain this immense form and push for a second consecutive title?
There has been a lot of talk lately of Sir Alex Ferguson’s Third Reich. All the players he has bought have been touted as “for the long term” meaning of course, that United are building for the next five or six seasons. I don’t doubt this, but I am not sure if the current members of the Third Reich are good enough for next season, let alone the next six or seven.
Many of the Reds’ fans might lynch me for this, calling it paranoid and, more vehemently, BS. But I have a vague feeling that next season’s title race is not going to be a two horse one like this season.
Chelsea have a good squad that will last them atleast five to six seasons. They are a formidable force even if they don’t add to their squad over the summer. Anyway, even if changes are needed, I am sure their billionaire Fairy Godfather will dish out enough dough to make them quickly and smoothly enough.
Arsenal are a young team of learners. Fabregas is going to play a key role in their next generation team. They have proven good enough for the top four (though barely) and I am sure that their title challenge beginning september will carry a little more weight than it did this time.
Liverpool, forever tinkering, might pull some rabbits out of the hat and come up with a good attacking tactic, but that could prove far-fetched with Rafa Benitez at the helm. Good as he may be, his defensive mentality cripples the Liverpudlians and leaves them wanting crucial points in grinding mid-season games. The rest of the pack though, notwithstanding Obafemi Martins’ trumpeting, still has a long way to go.
The top four, as I see it, would have made their transitions by next season and would be in a close fight to the finish. Of those, the Gooners are the ones to watch. They have finished their tinkering and Wenger, after coming fourth twice, will want to win something desperately.
This brings me to my original point, which is that United may have pulled off a brilliant victory this season. But can they sustain this newfound momentum with all the other teams showing signs of resurgence? And that with Fergie’s impending retirement?
I don’t quite know the answer. But I certainly wouldn’t put it beyond the wily Scot who had the foresight to put his team in the operating theatre first and fastest to have thought about all this.
And while that may be, I for one am able to smile from ear to ear after a long, long three years.
ye of little faith…this bandwagon has already gone by (the one where United were written off as a fourth place team at the beginning of this season)…this team will only get better…u are crackers!!!
Arsenal might be a strong contender for the premier league next season, but without Henry and v.Persie i just cant see them score so many goals that are needed in this divisjon. They need to buy at least one striker.
As for Chelsea i know they will push us all the way, but they to need a stiker. Sheva has sucked and he will probably be sold.
If Liverpool are going to challange for the Premiership they need to be more consistent. they always start bad but finishes well.
United will defo be there, but I wonder if we can start as well as we did this season. But it looks to be another exiting season ahed of us.
Remember also however one thing SAF is continually saying is that Team Spirit won this title as much as Ronaldo’s and Rooney’s goals etc
Change too many players at once and the spirit changes in some respects dramatically. With young players hopefully coming in plus two or three targets I think the fresh blood will be enough to give us alot more options (especially if two or more of the experienced signings are european focused)
I have a feeling No3 and No4 next year in the League will be alot closer but occupied by the same teams. The winner will get over 95 points on the board.
Interesting times ahead for sure
Young blood. Hmm. Thats a tough one given the fickleness of the glazers at transfers. They are very likely to commit suicide and sell off brilliant youngsters like Johnny Evans. Really puts me off, this whole Glazer mess.
By the way, any idea what Fergie said about retirement plans?
@shotcowboystyle,
I have full faith in fergie to completely overhaul any contenders and make the league his own. Thats besides the point. My point is that, we did what we did this season possibly because of not only our own brilliance but also because of other teams’ slump due to their transition phases. What goes around comes around. Can we do the same when they are back in full force?
I disagree about Arsenal being finished with their tinkering. True, Henry and van Persie have been sorely missed and have hence taken the sting out of their pretty passing, but some of their wingers this season have been dodgy, to say the least. Even the Gooners aren’t happy with certain players, particularly Hleb and Ljungberg, who has been a shadow of his former self. They’d be better off offloading Hleb and Ljungberg and getting established replacements (the likes of Ribery come to mind).
Oh well! What do I care! I can’t wipe the grin out of my face after the title anyway.
Of course we can ‘push’ for a second. Did you happen to catch the last season? You know, the one when we only lost at Trafford ONCE and scored the most goals of any Trophy lifting side. (Anyone taking bets on the Hammers holding us scoreless at OT?)
Could you please direct me to the ‘fickleness’? I have read several articles saying SAF can have whoever he wants. How many articles did you read last pre-season saying we just don’t have enough $ to land any players as the reason we only signed Carrick. It had nothing to do with the Glazers and everything to do with Fergie’s genius. GENIUS. Let’s finally put this Glazer stuff to rest. Admittedly I don’t know too much about the whole scenario, but it seems clear to me. They do business(highest paying shirt sponser/phenomenal TV deal), Fergie wins titles.
“…but I am not sure if the current members of the Third Reich are good enough for next season…” (See first paragraph)
Chealsea- No doubt will want the title back and will need to improve on their transfers to do it. I suggest buying for their own club instead of trying to corner the market on holding mids (Essien, Ballack, Mikel). I don’t know, try some wingers on for size.
Arsenal- Will be off to a better start next season feeling more home at the Emirates. I’m sure Henry will be back to scoring goals as well.
Liverpool- Will need….someone else if they want to win domestic trophies. Maybe Benetiz and Jose can trade for a year and give their owners what they lack…?
We are the ones “resurging” and the title has given Fergie a lift.(too lazy to link to article) His retirement is the dream of rival supporters.
Enough of the future, let’s focus on the moment fellow Reds. Altogether now. Glory, Glory Man. Utd……..
(sorry for the cynicism, I tend to be that way sometimes)
And the reds go marching on!!
@Ranter
I didn’t intend to say that any of the teams’ tinkering was finally over. It never happens. The only trouble is, Arsenal’s tinkering is very close to completion of a good, well balanced team. Anyway, its been a long while since fergie got a spike into Wenger’s hindparts. Itll be good, old fashioned entertainment.
@Rylie
Goalscoring ability is undoubtedly there. I admit that a lot of our changes have come good. It makes me wonder about fergie’s plans though. But thats a different story altogether.
As for the Glazers, I will probably never get over the fact that they got us into this Debt mess. Oh well, prejudice is fun. Especially at the right end of it…
Once again though, Congratulations to all us reds. It’s nice to know that there are others who had faith through the drought. My pals here are all Chelski lovers. Infact, every tom dick and harry who has no clue about the game thinks it’s cool that United lost in the CL. Sigh…
” K9 – ….Can we do the same when they are back in full force?”
I can’t wait to find out…i’m sure we can agree, quality football to look forward to.