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….?
Man Utd News 24/7
Here’s my prediction:
1st United
2nd Chelsea
3rd Arsenal
4th Villa
5th Everton
6th Liverpool
And I don’t get to write for a newspaper for big £££££
united
chelsea
arsenal
everton
liverpool
villa
city
fulham
spurs
west ham
they really do talk tripe. Our squad is by far the strongest, our additions look good and we have the best manager in the world. They forgot to take that into account didn’t they!
I say that in my mind, the chances are 33% for each club right now. But i don’t understand why they would predict that we would finish 3rd, when the other 2 haven’t got stronger. Apparently they didn’t learn their lesson from the 06-07 season.
I agree that the bitters will be nowhere but unfortunately I think Liverpool will run us a bit closer.
United
Chelsea
Liverpool
Arsenal
Villa
Everton
City
i dont usually read all that shite in the papers coz lets be honest none of them have a clue, i dont mind them writing utd off its suits me down to the ground, were are a big threat next season and they all know it, 4 in a row here we go!!!
1.We have more squad depht than every team in Europe.
2.Our players are young and eager to prove themselvef.
3.We have the best manager in the world.
4.We’v got ROONEY.
5.We’v got hystory.
6.We are MAN UNITED, CHAMPIONS OF ENGLAND!!!
It’s going to be closer than ever this year but aren’t we the team under the least pressure ? We seem to have been written off by most sections of the media because of Ronaldo but it seems we are missing Vidic more at this stage. The Guardian have got their predictions wrong for at least the last five years.
Winning the world cup is a great achievement, whatever squad you have. I wouldn’t downplay what Scolari did just because he failed with Chelsea.
1) United
2) Chelsea
3) Citeh (yes shocking…I said it ^_^ but they’ll be horribly off the pace)
4) Everton
5) Aston Villa
6) You’ll Never Walk A Loan
To think these writers actually get paid to write this crap..
Thank God for blogs like this to help us keep our sanity!
united to finish 3rd.thats too high.might as well predicted that shitty and arsenal wud finish above us.or might have even better said united will just save relegation.
why dont they learn from their mistakes.
the ignorant bastard cunts
My prediction:
1. Man Utd
2. Chelsea
3. Liverpool
4. Arsenal
5. Everton
6. A.Villa
7. Man Shitty
8. Tottenham
I love it when the press writes us off. Remember the 5th place prediction when Ruud left? That’s one big LOL! We’ll show them again…
“this is their year” can be heard almost every other season. buying aquilani doenst replace alonso, so does buying johnson doesnt mean they got improved arbeloa. yes we do lost 30-goal a season player in ronaldo, but then just look what happen last night, if not for chelski rugged playing style and stupid referee in foy, we should have buried them long. we will be okay come december and january and then they will be hopeless to catch us. same as last season where they all thought united were finish once we went to japan, but clearly shit kops had cut their own throat by failing to capatalise on united absent from the league. they just have the results in anfield and OT to shore up their disastrous trophyless i should say.
seriously, the only worth contender for the league title this year is chelski. arsenal? they cant even decide whether they still want vieira or not, not to mention surrendering their defender in kolo toure to shitty. and lost adebayor certainly doesnt help as eduardo still finding his feet, and that left arshavin and van persie to get the goals. seriously, united front line is much better than arsenal this season.
with all young players coming up, i do believe we can still challenging on all front this season, with all travelling to japan not included this season, which i found some blessing in disguise. we will be able to challenge all front this year, and hopefully another treble will be on the cabinet come may 2010.
I’ve gotten really used to all this.Somehow i love it when people hate us.They hate us because we’re the best.Seriously, name me a time when the paper’s have actually predicted United to win,or maybe to even write something good about us?
I think we’ve got the best squad.The papers had said that ronaldo provided the extra spark when the team really needed it and we would suffer without him in that aspect.I don’t really think so.Just look at yesterday,Rooney is the spark.That goal,that i don’t think many would have predicted.I just loved his reaction to the goal.And for he record,we shouldn’t have even been trailing.Well,i can only sigh if we play against a bunch of cheats and thugs and a bribed referee.
Really hope that arsenal would end up 2nd.I respect them,a footballing team.
My predictions.
UNITED(1st)
Arsenal(2nd)..hope so
Everton(3rd)..hope so
Parreira won the Turkish league and cup in his first season for Fenerbahce in 95, and is considered by the club and fans as a huge success.
I’m really excited for this year.After watching yesterday’s game,it looks good.Just that we’ll have to maintain our performances throughout the 2 halves.
And we won’t have the japan trip this yr unlike last,so we’ll have to concentrate for our 2 main trophies,the premier league and champions league and it’ll be positive, as we have the squad to do it.
We only talk when them silver pots are handed out in May. Come May they’ll all be eating their words the lot of them. They seem to forget, We’ve got Fergie!!!
im sorry about this off topic but im in need of real help
can anybody help me get hold of 2 tickets for the united game on sunday
will it be hard
can anyone help a little brother from ireland out
It would be brilliant if we managed to win a 4th successive league title. That would easily make Sir Alex the best manager ever (If anyone had any doubts anyway). I think people are writing Arsenal off too easily. If Eduardo and Arshavin stay fit, they will be an awesome attacking force. I think these two are better than say Drogba and Anelka, or Torres and (Kuyt/Babel/N’gog). My wish would be:
Utd
Arsenal
Everton
Chelsea
Villa
Liverpool
Spurs
Fulham
West Ham
I dont think I’ve missed out on any big teams have I? ….
And relegated:
Pompey
Hull
Burnley
this lad says we will win the league.
but carlos tevez buy of the summer,WTF!!!
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11096_5479039,00.html
My unbiased predictions are thus:
1st Man Utd
2nd Chelsea
3rd Arsenal
4th Liverpool
5th Everton
6th Tottenham
7th Aston Villa.
Can you tell me what would happen with Liverpool if Torres and Gerrard get injured….
Last season we had so many injuries unlike Liverpool the had some but not like us….
we had all injuries in the deffence the all in middle the all in the attack…unlike them….
that what gave the EPL some competition alongside with penalties and red card difference between us….
Being honest i think liverpool will be 2nd,
Liverpool V chelsea.
chelsea 3-0 @ half time
liverpool make 3-3
De-ja-vu for carlo lolol
Good morning,all.
I don’t like making predictions but I think United are going to win the league this year.
good morning boogey
your bang on right
once again can anyone help me out with 2 tickets how i could sort it out
good morning boogeyman
none of us likes to make predos but we feel that we are more than capable of winning the league.i think thats mostly due to the strength in the team .plenty of back up options,a wounded tiger in owen and young lads who have played in the league with loads of potential to go on and become great players.
and above all the best manger in history of football SIR ALEX FERGUSON.wat more do we need.
Mornin Y’all . Will comment properly later as busy but United will PISS it this season. Great squad but even better team spirit. Rentboys have thirst? They have fuck all thirst, they are a bunch of primadonna cheating cunts who only worry about their wages! What if Drogshite or Anelka get injured? They are fucked they have no depth. If any team has “thirst and desire” it is our lads, you only had to look yesterday. Never over till the final whistle.
As for the dippers it says it all when they are after someone we released time ago, Ryan fucking Shawcross.
Why has my comment been deleted?
All I said was that Scolari’s achievement with Brazil shouldn’t be underestimated, no matter how poorly he did with Chelsea.
I think I’ve just read the most hilarious article ever written by a “serious” newspaper. Seems like the bitters are about to become the new media darlings.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2009/aug/10/premier-league-preview-manchester-city
If Ben Foster stands in the goal, we will not finish in top3… what a lame goal against Chelsea… gosh.. I just hope that when VDS is injured, Kuszczak will be in the goal for the league matches….
Its amusing to see the chelsea fans getting so excited about winning the community shield on penalties. Times have been hard at stamford bridge i guess.good luck to this season chelsea i hope you do well because if you do not no one will challenge united.liverpool will struggle and Man city only buy forward. Arsenal are over too.
@Rafa
Get behind your team for once, Foster is a good keeper, he lacks confidence.
With Foster, I think the crowd can make him or break him. If they get behind him he’ll come good, if they start getting to him (which I don’t THINK will happen) then he’ll crack under pressure.
PLEASE THERE MUST BE SOMEONE WHO COULD HELP ME WHEN IT COMES TO 2 TICKETS FOR SUNDAYS GAME
WHO TO RING
WHAT TO DO
ghtt
try this link
http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid=%7B23A882F1%2D4E52%2D4C1A%2D816E%2DFB505E82E076%7D&newsid=6635484
U know,its a big deal seeing utd beain the big one of all four to win cups every souls dream to have a hand on.For me its fergie who is the best manager in the world that makes the goin go bad to best,which makes him number one, and to have a team that do love creathing history makes it better.Apart frome loosing CR7 utd will show Y they call us the red demonnnnnns. 1. Man utd 2.Chelsea 3.Arsenal 4.A.Villa 5.Man city 6.Liverpool.
A.I.G.
thank you 2 tickets North Stand Tier 2 Centre
We may well sprint away from the rest earlier than usual. The taste of defeat in last years CL final lingers on and we will only get rid of it by securing victories this year.
We never were a one man team and the squad is strong and determined.
Valencia and Owen will prove worthwhile buys and just wait and see Berba show you what he is all about.
Enjoy the game GHTT! I expect it to be a nerve wracking one though.
Tiny Tears i’ll try sort you out i prob wont know untill tomorrow if i can get them.
ghtt
most welcome.i have never gone to OT and have no knwledge of this ticket thing but i visited the website in mornin and saw some tickets were available.so i just posted that link.glad it was helpful
2 tickets?u and Emily?
anyways enjoy your trip and the game.
costas
i hope that does not happen.birmingham shud be easy pickings despite us being slow starters.should be a comfortable win and we should give a statement of intent that we can win handsomely without ronaldo.
Liverpool had a one off lucky season last year. I will chew my arms down to a pair of stumps if they win the league.
My predictions:
1st United
2nd Chelsea
3rd Liverpool
4th Everton
5th Arsenal
8th Man Shitty
This seasons finishing line :
1. The Mighty Manchester united Football Club
2. Everton
3.Aston Villa
4.Arsenal
5.Chelsea
6.Liverpool
7.Chelsea
8. Tottenham
You may be surprised by this but lets see at the end of the year.
I hope so too AIG. But premieres offer require a lot of patience. The West Brom game in 2002 is a great example. I just hope we get off to a winning start. Haven’t done that in 3 years.
Gonna be a tight race between us and Chelsea. Liverpool and Arsenal are out of the equation for sure. Villa, Everton, and Spurs will battle it out for 4th and 5th. City will do 7th. Sunderland will finish top half. Wolves will stay, Brum and Burnley will drop along with Hull.
@ghtt
Morning mate.
The big games can be like gold dust mate. If you get to the ground a good hour and half before KO you will definitely be able to get 2 from a tout.
You may have to pay 3 – 4 times face though. It may only be Brum but it is the first home game of the season and the kids are still on holiday etc etc.
Good luck mate and if I hear anything at all I will let you know.
@Micky
I am behind my team, but the quad has 3 keepers and if VDS is injured, I prefer Kuszczak to stand in the goal… At least I would give him an equal chance. Of course SAF cannot say that Foster made a huge mistake, this could influence his confidence in the next games, although for the fairness of rivalry Kuszczak should be in 1st team for the opening game against B’ham. Then we (as well as SAF) can all assess their performance in competitive games and not a pre-season. Don’t you agree?
morning chaps,
I reckon united will start by smashing birmingham 4 – 0 and then not come down from the top for the rest of the season! I also genuinely believe spurs will get a result out of the dippers!
Liverpools “good” season was only different last year because they had good results against utd, chelsea and arsenal apart from that they were still dropping stupid points to so called lesser teams. they’ll be found out big time this year, especially without alonso he was their main man last season.
We should relax and enjoy the season guys.
Every year the media does Fergie a favour and write his teamtalk for the rest of the year for him.
All Fergie has to do is paste these ‘predictions’ on the noticeboard and watch his charges tear these so called favourites to shred.
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.