Mid-season Premiership Review …
Mid-way through a season which promises so much, United’s most significant achievement so far, is to have erased any doubt about the seriousness of their title credentials. Sir Alex deserves great credit for improving United beyond recognition, his own personal renaissance all the more astonishing because of the boldness of his decision to part with his leading scorer Ruud Van Nistelrooy. Fortunately, in Crisitiano Ronaldo, his totemic winger, the manager has the Premiership’s outstanding player, who could propel United all the way to the championship glory.
Such a scenario hardly seemed possible as United entered the season with Michael Carrick as the club’s one major purchase. The scorn that accompanied a summer of seemingly missed opportunities was soon muted by the thrilling football on view in the convincing five goal rout of Fulham on the opening day. United, who normally get their Premiership campaign going in January, showed from the start that Chelsea would not be allowed to coast to league honours this term.
More victories followed against the division’s fellow travellers until United came up against Arsenal. The Londoners’ experiment with youthful but erratic brilliance had ensured a sluggish start but they came to United determined to show up well and succeeded. It was the first blemish on United’s perfect record but Sir Alex was magnanimous in defeat. “We have had some good chances, first half particularly, but not enough to win the match ,” he said. “In the last 25 minutes, Arsenal were much stronger.” The manager’s determination to reinforce his side with midfield steel probably hardened after 90 minutes watching a midfield of Ronaldo, Scholes, Fletcher and O’Shea fail to find solutions to the chaos weaved by the visitors.
Redemption was soon at hand with easy wins over some of the Premiership lightweights. However, the discipline of the victories over Blackburn and Liverpool and the passing, movement and enterprise in evidence during the dismantling of Newcastle, Bolton and Sheffield United, suggest a capable team and players who have at last learnt to play together.
In Scholes and the effervescent Giggs, Sir Alex has been able to call upon two old stagers with the ability to roll back time and summon their best form for years. Other notable performers include Van Der Sar and Ferdinand, both solid and composed at the back and Neville, the division’s supreme attacking fullback. Evra rediscovered the consistency that had made his reputation whilst Louis Saha was another Frenchman to spectacularly put behind him doubts about his pedigree. His goal against Chelsea will live in the memory.
Cristiano Ronaldo, who many predicted would struggle after his tumultuous World Cup, showed a singular Beckhamesque determination to prove wrong his detractors and emerged as United’s key performer this season. “I think it is his most productive season so far,” said goal keeper Edwin van Der Sar. “He is scoring more goals and delivering more crosses. He has been excellent for us.”
Only just behind Ronaldo in the United rankings so far is the immense Nemanja Vidic, who had more problems adapting to milky tea than the Premiership’s finest attackers. ‘Drago’ has ensured that United now have a defence upon which title dreams can be built which also scores goals.
An impressive collective strike rate has allowed Sir Alex to return in kind the insults he received for selling RVN. The Dutch master has hardly been missed as United - faster, more precise and more appealing to the eye - have scored more and conceded less than their rivals. There is a natural consistency to the team selection, brought on possibly by the lack of alternatives but nevertheless, a welcome return to the common sense practice of choosing round pegs for round holes.
The team’s current success allows Ferguson to dance lightly around any criticism that might be directed towards him concerning the impact and value for money of Michael Carrick. The midfielder deserves the benefit of the doubt for this year at least but will attract suspicion until he dominates a match and demonstrates that he truly is a £14 million United player.
United’s injury curse means that Ji Sung Park remains unproven in United’s colours. Alan Smith’s fast then slow recovery from his ankle and leg wounds have also prevented him from contributing to United’s league campaign. The remorselessness of top class football has now put Smith’s United future in grave doubt. However, if the Yorkshireman is need of solace, he should look no further than Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s return after an absence of more than three years. The United legend has hit six goals so far from thirteen starts, eight of which came as substitute. Miracles do happen.
United are now 19 games from glory. For more than a year, Sir Alex has spoken confidently that his maturing team would soon climb the winner’s podium like his finest team’s of old. United are close now and will be emboldened by the impending arrivals of Henrik Larsson and perhaps Owen Hargreaves. If these players do not upset the team’s balance and United’s injury curse can be exorcised, then Sir Alex might just be the Premiership’s king again next May. AU
© Copyright: Absolutely United 2006
