Manchester United - end-of-season report
Monday, 02 Jun 2008 19:08
Manchester United - fan's 2007/08 end-of-season report
Good, bad or just the same old, same old? What the fans made of the 2007/08 season.
One word describes Manchester United's 2007/08 season - sensational.
Before the campaign even kicked off expectations were high that United would defend their Premier League title and bring Sir Alex Ferguson his tenth league triumph.
And Fergie's activity in last summer's transfer market proved undoubtedly decisive in the outcome of the season. The surprise signing of young stars Nani and Anderson set United's rivals on the back foot from the start and the long-awaited transfers of Owen Hargreaves and Carlos Tevez signalled Ferguson's attacking intent.
However, the start of the 2007/08 campaign dramatically failed to live up to expectations. United did not record a win in their first three games, with the defeat at rivals Manchester City a particular low.
But once Cristiano Ronaldo returned from suspension, Wayne Rooney overcame injury and Tevez began to find his feet at Old Trafford, the defending champions' front line began to click to devastating effect.
Arsenal, for half of the season, appeared to be running away with the league but a series of crucial 1-0 victories for United and the Gunners' later collapse allowed Ferguson's men to move to the top of the table.
Whilst Chelsea made a valiant attempt to catch and overtake United, the Premier League title was always there for the taking once Arsenal fell away and the defending champions crucially managed to avoid any disastrous slip-ups.
In Europe, fans were hoping that the team could go one better than last year, when a promising run came to an end at the hands of AC Milan in the semi-finals. And boy did they deliver.
Undefeated throughout the entire Champions League competition; Ronaldo the top scorer in the tournament; and the small matter of a dramatic penalty shootout in Moscow - Man Utd reigned supreme in Europe once more.
Ferguson has long bemoaned the lack of success United have had in Europe. But on a rainy night in the Luzhniki Stadium his and all United fans' prayers were answered, topping a glorious season and cementing Ferguson's place in Manchester United folklore.
Grade: A+
High Point
The Champions League final.
Victory at Wigan ten days earlier had secured United the Premier League title for the second year in a row and propelled the players into the Moscow final on a wave on optimism.
With no notable injuries or suspensions, unlike in 1999, Ferguson was able to pick his first choice line-up.
United utterly dominated the first half with a brilliant headed goal from Ronaldo and should have been two or three up but for Tevez's wayward finishing.
The second half was a cagier affair with Chelsea admittedly coming close on a number of occasions. Record-breaker Ryan Giggs should have won it in extra time but in the end it was irrelevant.
The best player in the world, Ronaldo, was even able to miss a penalty in the shootout as John Terry and then Nicolas Anelka failed to deliver for Chelsea, handing United the European title.
Low Point
The start of the season was less than ideal with United dramatically off the pace of their main rivals Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool.
Losing to Man City twice, first away and then at home on the anniversary of the Munich air disaster, was sickening and difficult to stomach.
The ridiculous loss to Portsmouth in the FA Cup was also hard to take, with United utterly dominating and doing everything but put the ball in the net.
The manager
Sir Alex Ferguson has firmly established himself as a Manchester United legend.
His tenth league title was a fantastic achievement in itself but it is the Champions League triumph that will live long in the memory of fans.
Back in 2005, after United crashed out of the Champions League in the group stages and failed to even qualify for the Uefa Cup, the Scottish maestro set about rebuilding yet another victorious team.
The manager must take full credit for the current crop of players he has under his control and United owe all of their success, all of it, to Sir Alex.
Fan's Player of the Year
- Cristiano Ronaldo -
The Portuguese winger had a simply sensational season.
Scoring 42 goals in a single campaign; that free kick against Portsmouth in the league; that header in the European final; the twice-taken penalty against Arsenal; Ronaldo had an unbelievable campaign this year. Many had him pegged as a big-game bottler but his display in Moscow put that to bed for good. Undoubtedly the greatest player in the world.
Praise must also be given to Ryan Giggs, who had an unforgettable end to the season by beating Sir Bobby Charlton's appearance record for United and scoring the goal that won the league - as well as putting away what turned out to be the winning penalty in the Champions League final.
The Welsh wizard picked up his tenth league title this year along with Sir Alex and must now be rated as the greatest player of his generation.
Needs for Next Season
At the press conference straight after the final in Moscow, Ferguson said he was already thinking about next season, such is the hunger and drive of the 66-year-old.
From a fans point of view getting Ben Foster back to full fitness and playing regularly is a must because, although he was the hero in Moscow, Edwin van der Saar can surely only have a season, at best, left in him.
An out-and-out striker would also be hugely beneficial also. United have missed the predatory poaching skills of Ruud van Nistelrooy and another top-class forward would make United's attacking line-up even more formidable.
Another midfield player and a right-back would also be handy as Giggs, Paul Scholes and Gary Neville continue their slow procession to the periphery of Ferguson's squad.
Richard James