M.E.N. Sport's Stuart Mathieson cannot see anyone surpassing the magical powers of Sir Alex Ferguson in this season's top-flight battle. Here he argues why:
MANAGER/TACTICS
Sir Alex Ferguson 12, Premier League bosses 4! That’s the emphatic title scoreline the Reds boss has racked up against his counterparts contesting the top flight this season.
Arsene Wenger makes up three-quarters of that tally but the Frenchman is now in disarray at Arsenal.
Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish has a 1995 Premier League crown on his CV but his Anfield title wins as a manager were over two decades ago in 1986, 88 and 1990. No mean achievements but they were pre-EPL.
City’s Roberto Mancini has three Serie A triumphs to call on and that cannot be dismissed but it’s not the cut and thrust of the battle for England’s crown.
The rest of Fergie’s managerial opponents can offer little except a smattering of triumphs, like Roy Hodgson’s Danish Super League with Copenhagen a decade ago and Swedish titles with Malmo in the 80s.
So, from August to May, there is no boss with a fatter wad of detailed notes to call on to tackle the marathon campaign. Whereas everyone else’s wells of knowledge are shallow, Fergie’s is bottomless.
Even the most ardent United fan concedes that turning last season’s squad into champions was a remarkable feat and, if Fergie can engineer success in that kind of campaign, then he can do it in any.
It might not have been vintage but the United manager called on all his experience to squeeze success out of a pool of players who were at one time being dubbed the worst he had assembled and even had Wayne Rooney doubting the future!
Could anyone else have survived a traumatic campaign like that when your number one asset wanted away and the Reds could barely buy a win away from old Trafford?
Only Fergie could have done that and it injected a syringe full of belief into the club. Tactically Ferguson knows how to play the Premier League. He knows when to freshen up his team and when to stick with it. He knows when rivals need to experience a touch of mind games and when to leave it alone.
SQUAD STRENGTH
The numbers don’t really add up. How can you lose six players, import three and promote two and yet still appear to be stronger?
When the final whistle sounded at Wembley in the Champions League final, it officially called time on Paul Scholes and Edwin van der Sar’s careers. Gary Neville was up in the Sky TV studio, three months into his new career.
John O’Shea and Wes Brown didn’t make the 17 against Barcelona. They didn’t know it at the time but their United career figures had already halted. Owen Hargreaves had already emptied his Carrington locker before the final.
The loss of that kind of experience was immeasurable.
Even though more than £50m was spent on David de Gea, Ashley Young and Phil Jones, many critics, and let’s be honest United fans, were sceptical that the half-dozen departures had adequately been replaced.
Danny Welbeck and Tom Cleverley’s elevation to senior status made the numbers look better but were the champions stronger?
Somehow, Penn and Teller-style – or Paul Daniels, if you prefer – Ferguson has managed to make it appear so.
Freshness and youthful exuberance has replaced aged know-how and United’s bench against Arsenal, with five starters from the Champions League final, contained £70m of talent and players who’d won 25 League titles between them.
If the new young blood hits the wall sometime in autumn, Darren Fletcher, Michael Carrick, Ryan Giggs, Dimitar Berbatov, Antonio Valencia,
Ji-sung Park and Michael Owen will be gagging to take over.
Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic too will be around to step in.
That’s virtually a whole side who’ve only had two starts between them this term. Looks pretty strong to me.
KEY PLAYERS
The emphasis will be how the newcomers will cope with the demands of the marathon title battle. They have a spring in their steps now but once the dark nights come and the inevitable blips occur, how will they cope?
New goalkeeper David de Gea’s penalty-saving and shot-stopping against Arsenal has comforted Reds fans after the Spaniard’s heart-in-mouth start in the community Shield and at West Brom.
After six years of the security of having Edwin van der Sar, the 20-year-old’s settling-in period has to be minimal. United cannot afford the trauma of the post-Peter Schmeichel era.
But his performance against the Gunners will surely wipe the haunted look off his face.
Phil Jones may have to take a breather and make way for Ferdinand or Vidic at some point but the 19-year-old has the body language of a player who will not be thrown off kilter by anything that is hurled at him.
Ashley Young has arguably been the unsung hero of United’s opening.
For those fans looking for Modric, Nasri or Sneijder this summer, the arrival of the 26-year-old from Aston Villa didn’t exactly set the pulse racing. Yes, the winger was exciting but Fergie’s title winners were quite well stocked in that department with Nani and Valencia.
Nonetheless, he has added a freshness and goal threat to United’s width and has struck up a rapport with Rooney that looks lively and dangerous.
And so to Mr Rooney. Twelve months ago it was all mystery, doom, gloom and droughts before the storm broke and the root of his unhappiness was revealed.
There were even questions as the whether the England striker’s career had peaked.
Clearly not. He’s back insatiable and inspiring.
PEDIGREE
Losing the medal haul of United’s retirees and sales during the summer has blown a huge hole in the champions’ know-how.
Those who left took with them a stunning 33 Premier League title mementoes.
But Brown, Neville and Hargreaves didn’t really contribute to the record 19th title. O’Shea had two months out and, by his own admission, Scholes wasn’t the influence he had been. So the bulk who brought home the record title win are still at the club.
Even allowing for the departures, no other side can boast such a deep well of knowledge.
What do you think? Have your say.
20th Manchester United title? Just take it as Red
August 30, 2011
Comments
Login or Register to comment
We have signed only three players, and they are all unproven to playing at the highest level previously, and yet people much like sports writers like Mr.Mathieson seem to say that our squad is stronger this season compared to the last one...
We we were never weaker or poor last season and losing a one-off game to Barcelona where we gave them too much respect, hardly gives that statement any conviction...
We were the strongest squad in Europe last season and this season have gotten even stronger...
Credit goes to where credit is due...
The Title is ours. We are simply better.
Stuart Mathieson can talk the reds up as much as he wants, sadly he's wasting his time. Man City will be Too strong... Too Big.... Too aggressive & Too good for Utd this year. Admittedly Utd have had a good start, with 2 wins away & 1 at home ... Whereas City on the other hand have won 2 away & 1 at home. Both teams winning emphatically against Arsenal & Spurs... Although I would argue that the City result was more special as it was away from home against a much stronger Spurs team than Arsenals.
So all this taken into consideration, I predict city will be 3/4 points clear of Utd once the next 3 games below have been played.
City Fixtures - Wigan (H), Fulham (A) & Everton (H)
Utd Fixtures - Bolton (A), Chelsea (H) & Stoke (A)
The Blue Moon Risen and is staying putt.... I'd except it and respect it as we have done watching Utd dominate over the past 20 years... Theres a tipping point to success and demise, although Utd WONT fall as low as Arsenal, I feel City will surpass Utd this year comfortably.
Danny - what a prediction almost putt(sic) as accurately as you spewllling (Sorry spelling)
20th title is in the bag.
This team can be best of all SAF's.
Can't see city getting a look in for 5 years with these boys
Good start for us but it has to be said both Spurs and Arsenal were decimated and it was a great time to meet them and we struggled against West Brom which reminde me so much of last season, I thought both Carrick and Gibson would go and Sneijder and a replacement defensive midfielder would come in, this would have really convinced me the league would be won again and we might yet but it will be tough for sure as for CL I have been watching Barca and Madrid recently and both are streets ahead of us, so CL semi final would be a good achievement for this squad IMO,one group who must be very happy is the Glazers with potentially 10 players leaving others out on loan and 3 in and 3 back from loans which all means huge savings to cover the interest payments and whatever else they spend it on
Mr Matheison has rose-tinted glasses I believe.
United have so much strength in depth it's scary for the rest , look at the bench and you think hell fire if that lot come on then they might be even stronger , Danny don't talk rubbish yes Ciddy had a good win at Spurs but you still look vulnerable at the back and did for the first 20 mins and last 20 mins a better team would have beaten you , it will be to much for Ciddy going into the C/L as well they are not used to it and with half your squad wanting away it will prove your downfall in the EPL , United for number 20 .
"Even the most ardent United fan concedes that turning last season’s squad into champions was a remarkable feat and, if Fergie can engineer success in that kind of campaign, then he can do it in any.
It might not have been vintage but the United manager called on all his experience to squeeze success out of a pool of players who were at one time being dubbed the worst he had assembled and even had Wayne Rooney doubting the future!"
Well that seems to have been the media standpoint. But it doesn't really bear much scrutiny though. It just means journos are rank at assessing the talent of the players we had.
Great article!!
I'd be interested in hearing how close Pogba and Morrison are in the equation. I'm assuming a top mid fielder was not added due to the Anderson Cleverley start but also to give Pogba and Morrison a run in other than the Carling cup.
I must admit it will be a miracle if City win the league. Yes, City have a better team but with so much corporate interest still in United there will be plenty of pressure still on the FA, ref's and UEFA to maintain the status quo.
It was only at Wembley for the semi final, where I was given a ticket in the posh seats, that I realised the power United have. The hundreds of rich foreign fans spending like n tomorrow. Even City's first CL appearance is not being scheduled for ITV. No, its United, due to the foreign audience figures.
This will change. As City grow the glory brigade will switch, the money will follow, then the glory. But at the moment the glory boys still hope they will see more United wins in their green and yellow scarves.
Jesus this is ridiculous! Last season were saying not to panic when we are all at sea in November - now MEN is crowning us after 3 games!!!
Nothing won in August. Great start, but testing few weeks to come. Remember Chelsea this time last year?
I take it you are betting a huge amount of money on a Manchester United title or are you not willing to put your money where your mouth is Stuart?
Good evening Stuart Mathieson i would suggest you have you not seen Manchester City PLAY FOOTBALL this season!
If not i think you need to have a look (thing is your write up has told me you have seen city)
There is a lot of talk in your red media that there is something coming over the hill and its got CLASS STYLE and TEETH and its called Manchester city.
Not heard of these players’ knowledge and pedigree what position on the field do these play?
The sarcasm is because over the years you have won everything on the football pitch with wonderful players not with words and history as they do not mean a jot this year will prove it.
You need luck and lots of it.
I think your next game will be a test for the reds i hope you prove me wrong because you are a pundit and I’m a little old Manchester City supporter.
CITY55 years supporting city and still here!
CTID
Please post this MuEN in the interest of balance.
Decent article for a change, Really believe the EPL has become a fairer playing ground over the last couple of seasons, its making the league more interesting and some clubs such as Liverpool, Arsenal, are no longer destined for a top 4 spot.
Spurs and City have improved and will challenge the top 4 but as winning the league its still Chelsea or United for me. City will challenge and push the top 2 all the way but can they really balance the new added pressure of CL football and the pressure of going toe to toe with the 2 seasoned pros.
United go into every season knowing whats expected of them its part of there DNA from the manager to the players to everyone involved in the club, Chelsea also have the mentallity to a certain degree but its the player power that can take center stage and can a young manager handle the big egos at the club.
I have noticed over the last few years the EPL has lost some real quality players to the top Spanish sides,Ronaldo, Henry, were world class players for both there sides, Liverpool sold Alonso and Mascherano although they are not World class they were quality players.Fabregas has now departed and has left a huge gap in the Arsenal Team.
These players can make a difference between a top 4 side and a side which will finish anywhere outside the CL places. As it has been proven with Liverpool if you dont replace your top players the teams below you will pass you by, it will be interesting to if see Wenger will spend even with a fully fit squad they will struggle to hold onto a CL spot,
United evolve with change look how comfortable Young has taken to life at the club, what Hernandez did last season, what a bargain Jones looks, Smalling has stepped up to the plate, This is down to what has been the differnce between United and the rest over the last 20 years the Manager, He and him alone is the difference between us and the rest.
He has seen off the Wenger challenge, The Abramovich Revolution and still sits top of the pile and there is no reason why Citys spending is any cause for major concern. It is inevitable that City will eventually win a league but i cant see it happening while SAF is at the helm. The Squad we have assembled is young focused and will win leagues for years to come. While City have been very wasteful with there spending the fact they are willing to write off nearly 100 million worth of players through loan deals and ripping up players contracts is nonsense.
Not going to pay much attention to all this Tosh from Mathieson.
Come winter and heavy pitches none of these so called great signings and up and coming youngsters will be in the team, they will be injured or knackered, Fergie and the rest of the coaching staff are running them into the ground, Wellbecks hamstring is just the start, you just cannot run and run like headless chickens match after match, it will catch up with you, the more running you plan to do then the more warm up your body needs.
You need to warm up before a match and warm down after, but you cant teach the body to take that kind of battering week after week, even with a warm up, you are asking for trouble, and it will arrive, you have to be super fit to start with, to be able to take that kind of intensity
When you watch the City team, they are more controlled and dont burn up too much energy, so they are saving energy for the future if you want to look at it that way.
So united like Chelsea last year will burn out sooner rather than later.
Sorry for this doom and gloom, but United training staff Beware you are doing harm to these youngsters, and other players for that matter.
If you measure the levels that Uniteds players are reaching in used energy per game against other teams, you will find out what i am getting at.
Nuff said, simples!!!!!!!!!!!
Bloody hell, 3 games in and United already won the Prem in August. Are sales of M(U)EN down hence this ridiculous and bias article. There are 35 games to May. Yes, you beat Spuds & Gooners, but to be crowed Champs at this stage, well....Mr. Mathieson is spreading false hope.
"""""""""" RED KIDS RISING """"" ( RKR )
I don't understand this writer Stuart Mathieson. You must be bored or nothing to report Its transfer season period, can you do more research on Wesley Sneidjer deadline move and see if we might get him instead of 20th title which is not on till May. I mean its just 3 games. I like the positive attitude but I like to be humble for now. I do trust my red devils making happen. but when I log in to M.E.N, I want better reports especially in this transfer period. Maybe we forgot how chelsea started last season. Did he (Stuart Mathieson) think about possible injuries, lifestyle of players. Long season bring this up maybe January not now
the league is not won in august, fergie know that...still many twist n turn.... anyway feel really more xcited by new mu player ...where fergie turn young player became men .. and i really not interested in buying/seeing stars like wesley or modric in the team etc...
TRUST....is the key. Tell me please, when has SAF let us down?
danny WIMSLOW everything ok?? we're all worried about you pal? You have not posted for a while?
WOW, This almost sounds reasonable and I kinda of agrer with it.
r7
Im not one to pour cold water onto things, but lets see where we are in 4 months time. So far we have played 3 games. We started off well against the Albion, but they came back into it. We beat Spurs over the last 20 minutes of the game. We thrashed a very weak Arsenal side. I reserve judgement until we have done the same after playing the next 12-13 teams in the Premiership. With young players its hard to judge if they can keep going at it like they have in the last 3 games, all season. We will know where we stand as we approach New Year, and have another dozen or more games under our belt.
I think its fair to say that whoever finishes above United will win the league. Despite losing established players they still have a very very strong side. I think it may be a season early for City to topple them, but here's hoping. I suspect the Top 4 will be as it is this mornining and in that order.