And The Winner Is …
AbsolutelyUnited hails the heroes of this 2006-07 title-winning season:
Sir Alex Ferguson: The Scottish legend confirmed his status as the greatest British manager of all-time with a stunning act of leadership that drove a young United team past the finishing post, holding off a formidable challenge from Chelsea.
Ferguson began the season having to defend himself from the fierce criticism that followed his decision to sell centre forward Ruud Van Nistelrooy and the suspicion that the Glazer family had given him the bare minimum to spend on players. The Premiership crown is his vindication, a personal triumph of staggering proportion. Will it be his valedictory?
Carlos Queiroz: The coach has now been retained on a rolling contract similar to Sir Alex and can expect to be the front runner if the manager decides to retire within two years. Queiroz, like Ferguson, has suffered greatly during United’s transitional period but few can doubt his credentials now that United are winners again.
Derided as a boring, conservative coach who produced teams mired in his own dullness and negativity, Queiroz can now look his critics in the eye, laugh and point to the league table which records United’s 83 goals this season. And if that doesn’t quieten the room - the home result against Roma should do the trick!
Cristiano Ronaldo: Incontestably United’s man of the season. The winger had it all to do after the rumpus at the World Cup and did everything that could have been asked of him and more. Ronaldo’s value to United is such that the club refused to consider his sale to Real Madrid when the likely fee on offer was said to be close to £50 million. If there is such a footballer who is said to be ‘priceless,’ he answers to the name Cristiano Ronaldo. The winger insists his future lies in Spain or Italy but for now, his O.T hero status is assured.
Wayne Rooney: A season in which it was said that the forward failed to fire like the Rooney of old, still ended with the player registering 23 goals, the highest in his career to date.
Like several others, most notably Thierry Henry and Gary Neville, Rooney suffered from the after-shock of World Cup competition. The Premiership should take note – Rooney will be better for the rest and recuperation afforded by the summer break, unless of course, Colleen and the planned nuptials use up his energy.
Patric Evra: An astonishing comeback from a player whom most observers thought wouldn’t make it in the Premiership with a top team after his derby debut. Then, the Frenchman looked an awful purchase but the strides Evra has taken this season make the Absolutely United editor look like a know-nothing chump and the £5 million transfer fee a bargain.
The French international isn’t tall and doesn’t have the strong upper body frame of a typical British defender. But he has heart and in a season of personal triumph, made the left back position his own and confirmed his international class credentials. Not Denis Irwin but will do for now.
Nemanja Vidic: A veritable monster this season. The Serbian defender joined Rio Ferdinand to form the best central defensive partnership in Britain. Vidic provided the uncompromising, boot-first defending that United have lacked since the mysterious sale of Jaap Stam. A collarbone break and a ropey match at Anfield and in Milan, may have taken a little shine off his season but Vidic was mostly exemplary during his first full year in Red.
Rio Ferdinand: The defender was at his most authoritative this year and proved to be a class act at the heart of the defence, even finding his way to goal. Rio has had his doubters and always seemed better for England than for United. Not anymore. Alan Hansen said it was Ferdinand that brought the best out of Vidic. Who would argue with that now?
Paul Scholes: The ginger genius returned from eye problems and brought clarity and composure to United’s centre, helping along the education in elite football of newcomer Michael Carrick . Short pass, long pass and shooting – Scholes can do it all. Tackling remains the only tool missing from the box but Scholes, United’s metronome, was the fulcrum of the team, giving it the tempo and experience that brought the title home.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: The Norweigian came back from three years out through injury, played 27 games, most of which he appeared as a substitute and scored 11 goals. If he wasn’t already a legend, he would be now.
Henrik Larsson: All concerned would have been embarassed if this mid-season transfer had not worked out. The Swede’s reputation was on the line as much as that of Fergie and the Glazer family but the 35 year old came through the test with flying colours. Larsson assisted the improvement in form of Wayne Rooney, filled in when Louis Saha broke down and scored important goals. Then, as good as his word, he left.
Alan Smith: Few take issue with the manager and come out a winner but the Yorkshireman can claim to be in such select company. Smith looked well off the pace when United drowned at Roots Hall and a loan deal appeared a face-saver to please everyone. Smith refused, buckled down to hard work in Carrington and bided his time. When the moment came, against Roma in a must-win European match, Smith found his game.
He has since failed to score of have the same impact but at least Smith can say he hit the net on that famous night against Roma.
…
