Can United Win A Double Treble? …
Talk of glory on three fronts increases with every United victory. The destiny of the Premiership title is in the club’s hands courtesy of a six point lead over Chelsea. Only Lille and Reading stand between Sir Alex and a quarter final berth in the Champions League and FA Cup respectively.But can the current side really pull off the Double Treble and emulate the heroes of ’99? AbsolutelyUNITED compares the players of both teams …
Goalkeeper
Peter SCHMEICHEL: Fully deserving of his status as an all-time United legend, the big Dane was a huge and reassuring presence between the sticks and a key component in the Treble winning side. Dubbed a ‘poser’ by Roy Keane, Schmeichel was nevertheless a nerveless hero whose career will be garlanded forever, if only for an unforgettable penalty save in the FA Cup semi-final at Villa Park against Arsenal.
Edwin VAN DER SAR: Shares Schmeichel’s unquestioned authority and the respect of team mates but lacks the Viking’s charisma and presence. Perhaps EVDS joined United too late in his career to really compare with the legendary keeper of ’99. After Taibi, Bosnich, Barthez and Carroll, Sir Alex needed an ‘unshowy,’ safe pair of hands. He got this and much more when the unassuming Dutchman signed on at Old Trafford.
Leftback
Denis IRWIN: Mr Reliable offered goals and consistent excellence from his left back position. Irwin came to public attention when cruelly missing out on a FA Cup Final place after some pedantic refereeing but was happiest as a quietly effective equal in a team of top talents. Widely acclaimed for his all-round competence, Irwin was a manager’s dream.
Patrice EVRA: But for Ronaldo and Vidic, Evra’s position as United’s most improved player of the year would be unassailable. The Frenchman offers pace, crossing ability and a willingness to get forward that only Ashley Cole perhaps can match in the domestic game. Evra’s astonishing recovery after a shambolic first six months at United speaks volumes for his character too. A revelation since crushing the hopes of Gabriel Heinze in the battle to be recognised as first-choice left-back, Evra’s form may yet prove to be the single biggest reason why the Argentine departs next summer. Evra has grown in confidence as a defender too and more and more, his performances reveal the class of which he was always suspected
Centre Halves
Jaap STAM: The Dutchman was the intimidating cornerstone of United’s rearguard on the path to the titles of 1999. Stam was not blessed with blistering pace but his positioning and appetite for combat meant he was rarely embarrassed. Bizarrely sold in a fit of pique by Sir Alex, Stam was a major loss to United for years.
Nemanja VIDIC: Could the big Serb be the new Jaap Stam? The signs are encouraging indeed with the bonus that Vidic scores goals too. A bullet header at Spurs grabbed headlines recently but Vidic’s sterling, no-nonsense defending style has won plaudits all season long. A veritable steal by Sir Alex at less than £8 million.
Ronny JOHNSEN: A skilful defender in the Kolo Toure mould, who emerged as an excellent foil for the imposing Jaap Stam during the season of glory. The Norwegian offered the team reliability and unflappability when it mattered most. But for injuries, Johnsen would have had a better career at Old Trafford.
Rio FERDINAND: According to the manager, Ferdinand appears finally to be justifying his massive £30 m transfer fee, offering greater concentration and goal threat this term. The player has always been extravagantly talented but seemed to reserve his better performances for international appearances. No wonder. Ferdinand performs best with ‘old school defenders.’ In Vidic, he has finally found such a player and has blossomed domestically as a result.
Rightback
Gary NEVILLE: Eight years ago, Neville was a diligent fullback, prone to the odd lapse in concentration but blessed with a natural fighting spirit and a willingness to improve. These traits have served him well and carried him far. This season, Neville, now United’s captain, has offered regular master classes in the arts required of the modern full-back. Neville can defend. He gets forward regularly and crosses with increasing precision. If only he could score, he would command the respect that is his due.
Right Midfield
David BECKHAM: Following a World Cup in which he became a national pariah, Beckham returned and was devastating as United surged towards their Treble destiny. The 1998-1999 season was arguably the peak of his career, during which time Beckham advertised himself as a player worthy of world fame. Industrious, deadly accurate at free-kicks, the best crosser in European football and highly capable with the goal in sight, Beckham’s gifts soon turned jeers to cheers. It was the story of the year and the greatest of personal triumphs.
Cristriano RONALDO: Following a World Cup in which he became a national pariah, Ronaldo returned returned and was devastating as United surged. The similarities with Beckham do not stop there. Both are highly marketable talents. Both have the character of born champions. Both make football look easy. Speed, goals and a more refined technique give Ronaldo the edge however. Greatness beckons.
Central Midfield
Roy KEANE: the Lion of Turin embellished his reputation with a Herculean performance against Juventus as United defied the odds to go through to the Champions League final. It was yet another display from possibly the most complete midfield player of his generation. Keane exuded authority and power, whilst his influence on United was all pervasive. Put simply, United didn’t lose when Keane was at his best.
Michael CARRICK: Quietly coming into his own after an uneasy transition from Spurs, Carrick is the quiet man of the current United first team. He has still to win over a section of fans who wonder what Carrick does that makes him worth £18 million in the manager’s eye. Carrick is not blessed with extraordinary pace, nor is he prone to bone-crunching tackles. Economy would appear to be Carrick’s motto, abetting a natural understanding of the position play needed at the highest level. With him, United have soared. Without him, Spurs have sunk.
Paul SCHOLES: Who would have thought this survivor from ‘99 would still be pulling the strings at the heart of United’s midfield after a serious eye complaint and a loss of form had fans and commentators clamouring for new blood. Thank goodness the midfielder recovered with a renewed zest for the midfield arts. Scholes can play long and short passes with similar precision and is regularly the lynchpin between defence, midfield and attack. He scores goals too, though not as many as before and still packs thunder in his boots. Scholes’ continued good form will define United’s season.
Left Midfield
Ryan GIGGS: The evergreen Welshman may have gone off the boil in recent months but he is still the most potent performer on United’s left flank after 16 years in the first team. Distinguished himself forever with that goal in the FA semi final against Arsenal. Giggs’ contribution no longer relies solely on searing pace. He remains a clever player, indispensable to any hopes of glory this term.
Attack
Dwight YORKE: Eyebrows were raised when Sir Alex splashed a little under £13 m on Aston Villa’s toothy Tobagonian striker. Would his nerve hold on the biggest of stages? Yorke proved his mettle and his detractors wrong, smiling all the while as he became a supreme scorer and creator of outstanding goals. A lion-hearted performance at the Nou Camp still lives in the memory.
Wayne ROONEY: World class at 18 years of age and fêted as one of the all-time greats, Rooney has lost some of his sheen this term because of his slow return to form after injury and suspension. His class, vision, technique and appetite for football are undoubted even though this has not been a vintage season from the young starlet. Then again, the season isn’t over yet!
Andy COLE: The cold-eyed predator was undermined by former England manager Glenn Hoddle’s comment that he needed five chances to score one goal. Such withering criticism added to the lingering suspicion that the United goal machine came up short at the highest level. However, Cole and his manager knew better. Released by Dwight Yorke in a way he had never been alongside Eric Cantona, Cole came into his own and played a full role in the evolution of Europe’s most deadly strike duo.
Henrik LARSSON: The loan-star Swede has displaced returning crock Louis Saha in recent weeks at the point of United’s attack thanks to an ageless professionalism, technique and sheer ability. Larsson, under no little pressure at United, has been hailed by the manager for “the greater fluency” he brings to United’s front line. His first month at Old Trafford has been highly successful.
The Manager
Sir Alex FERGUSON: In 1999, Ferguson was in his pomp, a manager who picked his best side and encouraged it to play adventurously in the best United tradition. The 3-3 draw with Barcelona at the Nou Camp and the semi-final triumph announced United as being among the bravest of teams. If the opposition scored three, United would try to score four. Mostly, they succeeded.
Nearly a decade later, Sir Alex shows no sign of losing his appetite for success. However, his complete faith in his charges has waned, replaced by a sometimes implausible belief in safety-first tactics, particularly on European nights and some unnnecessary tinkering at home and abroad.
In fairness, Ferguson is no longer blessed with a team containing players at or near their peaks and must rely on a motley crew of classy veterans, seasoned professionals, a sprinkling of young world beaters and one or two players still looking to make their reputations at the highest level.
Nevertheless, Sir Alex has whipped his squad into a formidable unit which has surpassed all expectations to challenge seriously for the highest awards. The manager has been acclaimed for United’s success so far. He will deserve so much more should United finish this season on a title high. AU
© Copyright: Absolutely United 2007
