This time last year The Guardian writers predicted that after winning the Premiership and European Cup double, Manchester United would give up their title to Chelsea. The reasons were obvious, apparently, but I disagreed with every single one.
First they argued that if Chelsea came within a few points of us that season, with a World Cup winning manager in charge they were certain to improve. Why? Who knows. Can you name any South American World Cup winning manager (and there are lots of them!) who have a success of their managerial career in Europe. No? Yeh, me neither. That’s because one of these managers doesn’t exist.
I looked at all the South American World Cup winning managers who went on to have careers managing in Europe, something Paolo Bandini clearly didn’t bother to do when writing his prediction for The Guardian. Carlos Bilardo, César Luis Menotti and Carlos Alberto Parreira all won the World Cup with South American countries yet amounted to nothing when managing the likes of Barcelona, Sevilla, Sampdoria and Fenerbahce.
Bandini wasn’t the only journalist with egg on his face when The World Cup Winning Manager was sacked seven months later with Chelsea lying in fourth place in the league though. Following his redundancy there seemed to be this united moment of realisation over what Scolari had achieved with Brazil. This was a team that included Ronaldo (the real one) during the year he was named the best player in Europe and the World. It also included Roberto Carlos, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho, who were some of the best players in the entire tournament that year. Then there was Cafu, who had already won the World Cup and later went on to win the European Cup, as well as Arsenal’s Gilberto, and Edmilson, who won league titles in France and Spain, as well as the European Cup. Of course Scolari won the bloody World Cup, my sodding nan could have lead them to glory that year!
Then they argued the back four were “formidable”. This was true. Chelsea went on to be one of two teams with the fewest goals conceded. Sadly for them, United’s defence proved to be as “formidable” and broke record after record, including one of Chelsea’s, for length of time without conceding a goal.
Finally it was simply stated “Chelsea have a more talented squad” than United. Wrong.
Barnay Ronay then looked at the reasons why United would fail to retain their title and essentially said it was down to Carlos Queiroz leaving and “the absence of an orthodox central striker, which seemed like an oddity or even a tactical innovation last season, could be a real problem this time around.” Why? Who knows. We sold Ruud in the summer of 2006 and then went on to win the title the following year without replacing him. We then introduced Carlos Tevez, who certainly wasn’t an “orthodox central striker” and won the league again. Why would this absence suddenly become such an issue in our third season without one? Who knows. It didn’t.
The Guardian don’t learn from their mistakes though and this season have gone as far as predicting a third place finish for the team that won the league before even the final match was played. Oh dear.
Guardian writers’ prediction: Liverpool 1st
“Nineteen years have passed without league title No19 and still the prediction is that this could be Liverpool’s year.” Bizarre. Let’s make reference to the fact that pretty much every year of the past nineteen has been dubbed as ‘their year’ by somebody or other. Now the Guardian writer Andy Hunter is getting in on the action.
“It is strange that the Liverpool squad has not been bolstered when it was lack of strength in depth.” Indeed. The writer acknowledges that Xabi Alonso, Alvaro Arbeloa and Sami Hyypia have all gone, and still “quality support for Torres and Steven Gerrard up front has not arrived seven months after Robbie Keane’s return to White Hart Lane,” and that Glen Johnson and Alberto Aquilani don’t even replace all the leaving players, let alone improve the squad.
So, what then do we have to base Liverpool’s title credentials? Not a lot can be needed, surely? “Aquilani overcoming his injury problems and settling instantly” as well as signing David Silva and Sylvain Distin. Simple, right?
“It is United, not Liverpool, who have lost more to the continued lure of Real Madrid.” Really? If I recall correctly, United have gained £80m from Real Madrid, £50m more than Liverpool. Whilst United players claim we will get along just fine in the absence of Ronaldo, given that we’ve gone on to win league titles following the departure of other great players, like Bryan Robson, Eric Cantona, Peter Schmeichel, David Beckham, Roy Keane, Ruud van Nistelrooy etc., Liverpool players can’t be so sure, given they haven’t won a league title in nineteen years, let alone after the sale of one of their best players. Fernando Torres was desperate for the club to cling on to Alonso, stating: “It would be a bad piece of work if Xabi left. I’d love it if he stays. It would be a serious loss for Liverpool if he left this summer.”
So far, I’m at a loss as to how Liverpool are going to win the league this season. So far it’s pinning on hopes that Benitez spends his money well. Given that he’s spent £249,230,000 since 2004, I’m too sure why The Guardian is so certain that this season he will get it right…?
They cite Liverpool’s good record against the top last season but since when has that meant anything? United were poor against other top four teams last season, with just one win in the six fixtures played against them. They reckon Johnson will be a great support to Dirk Kuyt down the right. They reckon the weight of responsibility will fall on Ryan Babel’s shoulders, which should be a worry, given he wouldn’t get close to the United or Chelsea first XI. But where’s the argument that makes you think United will surrender their title and Liverpool will be the ones to claim it? Like Sir Alex said this week, Liverpool have just enjoyed their best season in twenty years and still finished four points behind.
Disappointingly though, The Guardian gives me no meaty argument to counter. It really is as simple as claiming if Benitez spends wisely with the money brought in from Alonso, they can win the league. If Sir Alex can’t spend the £80m from Ronaldo’s sale wisely, then it really does puzzle me why they believe Rafa can.
The closing line: “The title may rest on Benítez’s next moves in the transfer market.” Wow. Compelling.
Guardian writers’ prediction: Chelsea 2nd
Despite claiming “a year on and nothing has really changed at Stamford Bridge”, Dominic Fifield reckons the seven point difference between United and Chelsea will vanish, with the London club moving to second. We’re not off to a good start here.
So, City are now the Premiership’s big-spenders, so that should “ease some of the more unrealistic expectations.” Like what? Finishing above United? It’s always good to have the pressure taken off, but is that worth seven plus points?
A fully-fit Essien is noted as a boost, and this we can’t deny, but his role is more to sure up the defence than aid the attack. Given that Chelsea had the joint best defensive record in the league last season, surely their problem is their lack of goals? The amount of games they drew instead of won. That is a problem in itself when you consider they had the Premier League’s top scorer in their squad last season. Will Anelka equal that feat this season? It’s unlikely to say the least. Will Drogba, who turns 32-years-old this season, shake off the injuries which ravaged his 08-09 season and make a name for himself as a prolific goalscorer again? It doesn’t matter anyway, they have that giant up and coming 20-year-old to help bulk up the attack… oh, they’ve loaned him out? So who else is there to help out the strike duo who are both in their 30s? Kalou (shit), Shevchenko (more shit) and Pizarro (even more shit). And Sturridge, who was fucked off by City to make way for Tevez, Adebayor and Santa Cruz, (who scored a total of 19 league goals between them last season).
The fact that Terry eventually decided, after “sleepless nights”, that he would stay with the club he ‘loves’ instead of joining City for the money, is seen as a positive thing. The new, more-lucrative deals signed by several Chelsea players is also a good thing. Is it worth seven plus points?
Maybe the closing argument will convince us that the Londoners are capable of making up the difference: “Chelsea may be an ageing squad, but they retain their quality and their thirst to regain the Premier League title and secure their first European Cup. Ancelotti must hope he is the man to deliver them.” If United and Liverpool didn’t have the quality and thirst to win the league, then fair enough, but clearly they do, so….?
im going to see spurs dippers on saturday
because of the fact that im in london this weekend because i had tickets for micheal jackson on the monday
Guys why worry so much about where this team or that team will finish.. just enjoy the ride and see where it takes us. That’s how I’ve always viewed it..
ghtt,
spurs dippers is on sunday after our game.
with who are you going?
@keano99 i may take you up on that
@A.I.G. your right when i contacted that guy backhe told me the game was on saturday so im not trusting the guy
the manutd.com link you have to be a member
@keano99 if you wanna get in contact with me you could do it true emily video
ghtt
you must be a member,right?
does anyone know when the draw for champions league group stage takes place?
@Rafa
I’m an admirer of Kusz and actually thought he’d start in the Community Shield thanks to that wonder save he made v. Valencia.
Every player makes mistakes, it’s just that goalkeepers make the costly ones unfortunately.
I personally would play Foster in the next game to give him a chance to redeem himself, and then play Tomas in the next game regardless.
Then again, I’m not SAF!
no i have muvt from sky so i dont have a membership set up with the .com
@keane99 is that alright
@GHTT No you don’t mate. You can buy tickets as a non-member! Trust me! Look underneath the bit where it says member and click Adult Non-member. Tickets range from £35 to £50 I think.
Man City will win everything
ghtt
in case you want to go anytime use this link
http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid=%7B23A882F1%2D4E52%2D4C1A%2D816E%2DFB505E82E076%7D&newsid=203857
Our very own, good ol’ Giles Oakley once said ‘Never ever make predictions’, but one thing’s for sure WE will finish top.
They always seem to forget that the seasons we start where we don’t look so good ‘on paper’ are the seasons where we really end up kicking ass and taking names.
I truly believe that if we forget the idea about wanting Berbatov to put away 265 goals for us this season or placing him in positions to that effect and just let him do his thing, he honestly could be as mercurial and blindingly brilliant in distribution and leadership as Cantona was with his out-of-this world vision.
He is about as sharp on the volley as Eric was and he’s also got that magic third eye to find people with his back turned to them. What he has to do I think is step up and take charge a little more and lead by example and just plain bravado.
The main difference is that Cantona didn’t have target men the calibre of Owen and Wazza to get on the receiving end of those sublime moments of magic and still we wiped the floor with the opposition by simply outclassing them.
He has everything to prove this year with the team also proving they can be just as exciting when they’re not the Ronaldo show.
I think we’re in for one hell of a memorable season.
GHTT
1. Click that link.
2. On the left hand menu, click ‘Tickets – Buy or Apply’
3. Beside the game you want tickets for, click ‘Buy Tickets’
4. Then click ‘Adult Non-Member’ and choose your seats.
You may be out of luck with seats, but I just tried to get 1 ticket in the £38 price band and it worked.
do not forget that Chelsea strentghend their squad attacking wise.
you have to fill in a gap as big as dinosaurs steps.
everyone at United says: we have players to step up and fill the void of Tevez and C-Ron, but yet they still have to do that.
Yesterday one could see that on the counter-attack United was way slower as before.
For Wayne R., he still is laying way to deep in midfield and doesn´t really look like the target man you ´ve been waiting for.
Berbatov was lazy as ever, expect for a few moments you can number with on hand…
Of course, Nani looks like a New Ronny,
but you shouldn´t underestimate signins like Zhirkov and Sturridge.
Magic 3rd eye?!?Both of them have/had like six eyes extra,all of which were magic.They could see stuff that no one else on the pitch could see.To add to that,they have the ability to pull off passes and moves to those areas.
PS:I know I’ve been saying this a lot lately,and I don’t know why,but I LOVE MAN UNITED!!!
I’ve got an awesome feeling about the season!
blur – How have the rentboys improved in the striker department? Rooney was having the game of his life yesterday and looked as though he was loving the free role. How the fuck can you say Berba was lazy? The man was class. Did you watch it? You said we were slower on the counter. Again I disagree. First half we tore the cunts to shreds.
Sorry I thought you were a United fan. Take it you are a rentboy?
As for Sturridge, looks a decent player but what sort of a cunt DEMANDS fifty or sixty grand a week fro their club after playing a couple of games? Apart from Ballack, Mikel, Cashley etc
Actually think its 50:50 between united and chelsea this year.
The way chelsea played in the shield, I was shocked by the number of times drogba and anelka got the ball. Against top defences, they might not cause a lot of problems but they will eat up the small teams and in the end that is what it eventually comes down to. Conversion of draws into wins.
Liverpool no chance! agree with fergie. They will have to do something amazing to win the league this year. Teams will read them better. Torres will start to get kicked(I hope he gets every one that Ron got till last year)!!!!
Hail United!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
alright, to make it clear, i am a chelsea-supporter.
well, if rooney is been given a free role – alright, i thought United played a 4-4-2 with rooney and berbatov upfront, but i think it didn´t looked like it..more like the two boys played very deep.
just my opinion.
berbatov for being a striker that banged 20 +x goals in for Spurs just doesn´t look like doing so at United.
I rated him very highly and i thought he would give United the bit extra they were lacking upfront. big tall guy with a good finishing ability.
but i just cannot remember anything except for the clear cut chance that went begging.
oh yeah, there were little flicks and back-heels.
still i think United are favourites together with Chelsea for the titel this year, but they really have to improve if you ask me.
i need to cool myself down.my blood’s boiling after hearing the post match comments from the scums.
i did block evra and i’m happy the ref didn’t see it
scums play to the whistle.
URGH.
seriously,it was won on penalties,depends on luck(though i admit that evra penalty was erm..horrendous)but i’m still feeling irritated.
i hate chelscums.the sight irks me.
MAN UNITED FOR THE WORLD!
I’m in agreement with Drabik @ 11:27 – TheArse (and, in particular, Arshavin/Eduardo) aren’t getting any respect. TheWhinger has a very impressive array of attacking talent – and I think that Bendtner will do big things this year, too – their problem is that they will be worse defensively.
About UTD – there are several real uncertainties:
First, can Ronaldo’s goals be “replaced” by team play ?
Second, will Fletcherinho continue to develop into a monster box-to-box midfielder ?
Third, will VDS lose out to Foster between the sticks ? And, will Ben Foster prove that SAF’s faith has not been misplaced ?
Fourth, will injuries in crunch time undermine the season ?
A lot of commentary has centered on CR7’s departure and its implications but I think IF the defence can maintain its solidity then the goals will just come from elsewhere. I’d be more confident about this IF Rooney/Berbatov didn’t play in advanced midfield positions rather than staying up-front and getting behind the opposition’s back line. That’s why I think IF LittleMikey can stay healthy then he might just edge Dimmy to the sidelines over the course of the season.
Assuming that the two central defenders don’t go down with ill-timed injuries then I would expect to see Ben Foster slowly – mark that, “slowly – grow into his anointed role as TheNextOne in goal. He’s more acrobatic and a better long kicker than VDS but, OhMyGawd, his on-the-ball skills are nerve-wracking and his distribution leaves a lot to be desired.
Nani’s injury is very unfortunate since it means that ThreeLungPark is going to start more often. Park is a trier of the first order but he seems to lack the killer instinct in front of goal. Both Nani and Valencia seem better suited to be real wingers and the team would perform better if these two can play regularly – or if Anderson gets the job as the left-wing lock rather than being a central midfielder. I am optimistic that Owen Hargreaves can be back in the new year and completely up-to-speed by March, when the real squeaky-bum time happens. His return would give the team six options in central midfield – Carrick, Fletcherinho, Hargreaves, Gibson, Giggs, and Scholes in that order of “value”. I also think that Ritchie De Laet might be an outstanding holding midfielder but that’s another story, innit ?
Overall, the, UTD seem to be somewhat less powerful than previous years since the loss of Ronaldo opens up other issues. I think that SAF can deal with them. He has in the past. Also, don’t overlook the ease-of-schedule for the first weeks of the new campaign. UTD “should” be able to hit the ground running but who would have known that in the last two years they would have drawn with Reading and Newcastle in the first game of the new season and that both of those clubs would subsequently be relegated. Who knew, indeed.
What about the RentBoyz ? They’re big, strong, experienced, and have quality depth everywhere except in goal. But they aren’t getting any younger, are they ? They’re very dependent upon Drogba remaining healthy since he’s a fantastic “bulldozer”. Can Ancellotti succeed when Scolari manifestly failed to control the rampant egos in their dressing room ? Will Hiddink again listen to HisMaster’sVoice and be brought back to save a sinking ship ?
LiverPoo peaked last year. As Scott wrote earlier, they won’t get to play against ten men so often this year.
TheArse are really dark horses in this equation. Can TheWhinger sort out their defensive issues ? If so, then they’re in with a good shot. If not, then they’ll be battling the pretenders for fourth.
Everton ? Villa ? Shitty ? Spurs ? don’t make me laugh !
Manchester United blogs and forums are the only places where there’ll be the other fans.
I don’t think the vice versa is that common.
I love it how people feel so insecure about us.
Its going to be very close between us and chelsea, im hoping/thinking it will finish like this..
1st: United
2nd: chelsea
3rd:liverpool
4th: Arsenal (even though sadly im not convinced)
5th: Villa
6th: Everton (if they keep hold of lescott)
7th: city (MASSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSIIIIIIIIIIVEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE)
Just like to mention I hope Burnley do well, just not against us
To win the title 4 times in a row is something extremely hard to do, not because we’ve lost ronaldo just because its hard to keep the motivation going but if anyone can do it its Sir Alex and United. We still have one of/the strongest squads in the league, tevez isnt a huge loss, losing Ronaldo is the only major change but it wont effect us to the point where it becomes the reason of us not winning the league, because we still have a fantastic chance even with him gone.
united
chelsea
arsenal
liverpool
spurs
citeh
everton
west ham
sunderland
fulham
thats my top ten.
1) united
united uhh i’m tired
2) united reserves
3) united academy
4) united girls
5) united grand parents
6) united ghosts
7) united ghostbusters
20) liverpool
Does not really mattered who is first,i just want that champions league.. WE must avenge that BAD memories…Nothing will be satisfied untill we put that night in ROME to bed….
PS:spot on denton davey…
nani is fine and fit to play. valencia gets nervous when he starts so he needs to overcome his fears.
anderson needs to attack more.
hopefully berbatov plays up the field.
goalkeeping is definitely a problem because yesterday the team competed and created against chelsea and still lost.
This is a very well written article. It was so interesting (and valid) that it took me barely a couple of minutes to read. Agree with you 100%. Well-balanced and opinionated. You haven’t fallen prey to bias.
Great analysis, Scott, again. I’m glad you didn’t make a prediction. I just don’t believe in them, they are pointless, as the person who predicted United would win the Community Shield 2-0 on this site will now maybe agree. I’d have a total ban on predictions, except to quote the great Ferenc Puskas: ‘The ball is round, who knows which way it will roll?’
I think Arsenal will run us closest, but NEVER rule out Chelsea, Liverpool or even City
denton – great post but don’t agree that Chelsea have great depth. Certainly not in the striker department.
A random quote from a rentboy on this site 1 year ago. Oh Dear!
“Chris Said,
August 12th, 2008 @16:55
Maybe the best at getting lucky, limited injuries, lucky in penalties, lucky their main rivals were in transition. Carry on being happy with what you had and you’ll stand still (well Ronney gets worse year on year) . Chelsea and the rest are getting better.”
4.15 pm saturday afternoon. tottenham 1 man utd 0. spurs outplaying us in midfield and pressing hard in midfield.
How do we turn it around? valencia pressing hard with the aid of rafael on the right. nani trying to check and check. rooney drifting to the left leaving berba or owen isolated.
no i think we need someone in midfield to recuperate max of balls(fletcher or hargo) and someone else to drive thru midfield (anderson).
my point is we will struggle unless fletcher anderson dominate the midfield. these 3 are vital :fletcher, anderson and hargreaves. then only can carrick, valencia , berbatov ,nani and rooney win us games be it in premier league or champions league.
make no mistake if fletcher anderson and hargreaves turn up man utd will take some stopping.
I really cannot see Liverpool doing it and really don’t want to see that. I have to say that this year if it isn’t us it’ll be Chelsea.
I have a feeling Chelsea will do it simply because 4 years running is unheard of and not easy, I will take it shall it happen but I think it may be a year too many. Think of us and Arsenal in the 90’s… every two years we’d have it then loan it out here and there just to not look greedy.
Same may happen now?
I still can’t see Chelsea winning it though… as the games go on I will become more and more blind to the league table and assume, where ever we may be, that we’ll do something magical to win the league again!
We are record breakers after all.
Well done. Always love it when rational people stick it to the silly newspapers. Cheers from Arsenal.
Those idiots of a journalist kept making retarded prediction every season after another. Hell, I’m not one of them but I’ll take my chance to see that when the season ended, who make better prediction. Me or those who writes United off.
Those who will be playing in Europe next season are…
1st : One love, Manchester United.
2nd: Chelsea – the Italian tactical prowess helps fought off competitors to the 2nd spot… but only just.
3rd: Arsenal – after a few struggling campaigns, the kids gain some experience and left Liverpool eating rats… i mean dirts.
4th: Manchester City – Yes! Hahaha, the big spender have enough quality to edge Liverpool off Champions League spot. Liverpool were close to missing out so many time. But this season it will finally happen!
5th: Liverpool – sorry Liverpool safely secured a ticket for a European competition… Europa League that is!
6th: battling out between Spurs, Villa and usual suspect Everton.