Man Utd Review 09/10

When you are the size and standing of Manchester United FC, the most direct way of defining a campaign is success or failure..

There's high expectations & small margins and the inability to capture either pre-set targets cannot be viewed as a success.

United released the league, could not recoup the Champions League and could only retain the Carling Cup. In terms of silverware, this season matches 2005/06 when again the Reds finished second to Chelsea, unlike that pre-World Cup year though, with the colts of Rooney and Ronaldo turning into thoroughbreds, that side had the feel of one on the way up. This side does not.

What will grate most about the relinquishing of the title is the ease with which it was passed over. The loss of two thirds of the treble title winning attacking trio were let go and never replaced and united never recovered. The Reds were not at the level they had been over the past couple of years and that effectively registered itself in terms of points and performances.

United can look back on points dropped against Burnley, Aston Villa, Fulham and Blackburn, but then again, so could every other side jostling for positions. This was not one of those title winning charges that often incorporate near invincibility.

Competition from more teams and a sense of self-harm
from the top teams meant points were dropped.

The issue of whether the Ronaldo money was actually available remains unclear, what is more obvious is that the Reds attacking stocks were never rearmed enough to replace the class of Ronaldo and Tevez. If the money was available then Ferguson’s judgement must seriously come into question. Essentially he was expecting what was already there to raise their game individually and collectively to replace the loss of the quality and class of that pair. Of course, Wayne Rooney accepted the offer but the rest only did in dispatches and that wasn’t enough. Dimitar Berbatov’s shoulders drew increasingly slumped as his form dipped, Antonio  Valencia offered service to Rooney but not enough goal threat, Nani only showed up in the second half of the season and Scholes and Giggs cannot be expected to roll back the years every week of a nine month season. The signing of Michael Owen was no risk, and so it proved, but generally United lacked the firepower and ruthlessness which been so crucial in winning the past three titles.

Times where you could identify a vintage United performance
were few and far between, they lacked that winning feel.

Too often the onus was left with Rooney and invariably he delivered. His importance could not have been highlighted further than the week he was injured against Bayern. A defeat and a draw to Chelsea and Blackburn, sandwiched by elimination from the Champions League was the turning point. Things may have been different had Rooney been fit but should United be so reliant on one man? 

In the end United weren’t too far off from the lead but at no stage did they really convince they were the best team, or were even as good as they were in the past three seasons. For that reason, United, as an on-field force, have reclined, and Ferguson has allowed his side to be weaker. This sets a dangerous precedent, especially if Abramovich feels it’s necessary to turn the screw and Chelsea significantly strengthen. The acquisitions of Chris Smalling and Javier Hernandez have been made early on and Ferguson has suggested there will be little transfer activity past that. That could easily be a bluff but the Scot will need more than smoke and mirrors to pass off another season like this.

However, it’s not all doom and gloom, and despite a poor season at least United can still be thankful they aren’t City. The Red half can take the summer to dwell on three last minute winners against the Blues, ending their long pursuit of any trophy, not having Joleon Lescott and watching them agonisingly miss out on a Champions League finish so close to the line. Alas, gloating over the misery of their nearest and dearest is a pastime reserved for the citizens and a further indication as to the flaws this season contained. Things need to get better.

John Baines for Manchester Gossip Sports