Sir Alex Ferguson’s men are now within a single point of a 19th domestic title after beating Chelsea 2-1 at Old Trafford on Sunday. It was the fourth occasion the Reds have beaten Carlo Ancelotti’s Londoners this season, if any further proof was needed of the United’s superiority. If Chelsea’s players had talked up their title possibilities ahead of the match, then there was little doubt about the result just 36 seconds into the tie after Javier Hernández’ superb opener. Around two hours later and United had sealed the win that brings the Premier League title to within a draw at Blackburn Rovers next weekend.
Despite Chelsea’s late goal there never seemed any doubt about the result. United was everything Ferguson’s team had been missing against Arsenal last week; dynamic, energetic and inventive. It is if a switch is thrown whenever the Theatre of Dreams is in sight. Old Trafford’s Dr. Jekyll to the road’s Mr Hyde, to bastardise a popular novella.
In a season that threatened mediocrity at its outset United will achieve more than so many pundits – and let’s be honest, supporters – ever expected. Truly now greater than the sum of its parts, United will finish as Premier League champions with a very real chance of beating an, albeit superior, Barcelona side in a one-off showpiece final. It would be a remarkable double.
While the players must take credit for their part the real hero, as history must record, is Ferguson, who has dragged from his limited playing squad results that so few expected.
“Knowing the players they won’t muck it up,” said Ferguson after United’s victory on Sunday.
“They will get a point there’s no doubt about that. It’s fantastic to be the most successful team in the country. The minute we won that first title in 1992 the door opened, and we’ve been involved in the first two all throughout that period – it’s a fantastic achievement.
“For the last 17 or 18 years it’s been Arsenal and Chelsea as our nearest challengers, and the last few years it’s been Chelsea. Arsenal made a great attempt this year but them losing [at Stoke] has finalised it.
“It took time to get foundations of club right and after we got the first title we improved, improved and improved.”
Ferguson is right to crow, although in truth he has commanded far superior teams in his 25 years at Old Trafford. After all, while it is unfair to say the ‘least worst’ team has emerged victorious this season there is some truth to it. With United in transition and Chelsea ageing, Arsenal’s obstinate manager Arsène Wenger will surely look back on an opportunity lost. Money is available at the Emirates and the Frenchman’s decision not to spend it on a goalkeeper, central defender and experienced tough-tackling midfielder has cost his side dearly.
Rivals’ failure is United’s gain and Ferguson believes United is well served for the decade ahead. It promises to be an interesting summer, with fans once again wondering if the United manager will build from a position of strength. Ferguson is again minded to trust in youth.
“Over the last decade, we’ve worked upon bringing young talent into the club, like, Wayne Rooney, ‘Chicharito’, Anderson and Nani, and we’ve brought all these players,” added Ferguson.
“But that doesn’t dismiss the fact that we like to produce our own young players and I think there are several players in the present youth team who are doing really well.
“The likes of Ryan Tunnicliffe and Ravel Morrison, you see some of them doing very, very well, so we’re always going to put an emphasis on young players coming through from the youth team. That will always be the case.
“We’ve got some excellent young players of good ages, you know. Like, for instance, Chicharito, who is 22, Jonny Evans and Darron Gibson, who are 23, and Chris Smalling who’s 21.
“So, yeah, we’ve got a good nucleus of young players in the club which gives you the foundation to be able to protect the future and know it’s going to be alright.”
The temptation is to dismiss Ferguson’s comments as a segue into another summer of investment in players who ‘retain a significant transfer value’; the club’s policy of only buying young players who can be sold at profit in the future. Indeed, this may well be the case although Ferguson will surely want to replace Edwin van der Sar, Owen Hargreaves, Michael Owen and Paul Scholes at a minimum.
However, winning the Premier League vindicates Ferguson’s summer transfer policy whatever happens in the Champions League final. This side has already over-achieved, with Hernández and Chris Smalling particularly successful. Meanwhile, Rafael da Silva has emerged as a genuinely classy right-back, with his brother arguably even more reliable in the position during the final weeks of the season. The less said about Bébé, the better for all concerned.
Ferguson will move on from title win 19 quickly though, looking to the next great challenge. And while United is stocked with some outstanding youngsters history dictates that only a fraction will make it at the club. United’s success, or failure, next season will again be determined by choices made during the summer.
With Manchester City and Chelsea set to throw cash at the problem, Wenger more recalcitrant than ever about his own transfer policy and Liverpool resurgent, title 20 will be harder than ever to achieve.
But that question is for another day. For now, Ferguson can rightly bask in the glory of his achievements.
After his performance in some crucial games lately, id say your pretty embarrassed about your articles slagging Park. What’s the use of Park-winning us the league and getting us to the final of the champions league is use enough i think. and im sure hel have a huge role to play against barca
Philly – I’d be embarrassed about my grammar if I was you. Which articles did I write that “slagged off Park”?
ok so it wasnt you that wrote the article but it was still on this website, “whats the point of park” was the article, October 2010 I think
If he didn’t write it then get over yourself Philly
Philly – our writers are all allowed to have their own views, I don’t dictate the editorial line. Which basically makes you look a little bit silly doesn’t it?
Oh no, you don’t get off the hook so easily. As Editor you can’t say “But I didn’t write it”, you still must take responsibility. I also was guilty of seriously underestinating the man, and read the article Philly is referring to and at the time felt very much in agreement with what the writer (i.e. you guys at Rant) were saying.
I really like this piece you have written here (Title 19 withing Touching Distance…). Presuming we have the 19th title already in the bag, and presuming either we win against Barca or lose in one of the most glorious CL finals ever, the classico of classicos, then with youth coming through and a chance to build a new team, is it not possible next season for us (Fergie) to work on developing an attacking style of play, rather than defensive or counter-attacking? Solid defence, yes, but not relying on a defensive mindset? Just a thought.
Damian – I’m sorry but I can’t agree with you. I don’t need to “take responsibility” for anything. The article on Park is not a crime, its an opinion. One that the writer of the Park article held (holds?) and articulated well. This is a site and a forum where lots of different opinions are aired. Are you suggesting I only publish articles that I agree with? It’s probably the first time a reader has advocated greater censorship.
Perhaps I should take that a step further and moderate comments so they’re only ones I agree with too? I mean, if you’re right, I should “take responsibility” for all the opinion on here… articles, comments, forum threads… and should be deleting your comment. After all I don’t agree with it, so perhaps I should “take responsibility” and delete it?
No, obviously not that you only publish stuff that you agree with. But that if a blogger like Philly expresses surprise to read an article that expresses a different point of view from one he read earlier, you should not be too surprised to hear him do this, because it is natural to expect that the article is by and large consistent with what the Ed and his team also feel. You are quite welcome to feel differently and you are quite welcome to change your minds, as I am beginning to on a number of players, because I did not — I confess it — believe we were strong enough to take the league, and that we wee showing signs against Arsenal and even earlier of being likely to implode. So other United fans can criticise me for not having faith when it mattered (as some of my friends have). What I don’t think you can do to a blogger expressing surprise at a chnage that he has picked up, is to tell him: well that wasn’t me! By being “responsible” I don’t mean that you are “culpable” or any stuff in a legal sense — but that it is natural to expect that an article which sugegsts that Park’s time is up (which you must admit is a pretty strong position to take) is one that would seem to carry Rant’s approval to some readers, and that when a very different article is posted, a shift and the reason for the shift in position should be expressed — so that bloggers don’t get surprised, and we don’t start to think that teh ground shifts too much depending on a couple of results. I have been reading the Guardian football columns and the amount of shifts that have taken place in some of these journalists’ columns is too huge to be believed (on a number of teams, but with regard to us: that we are lacking key players whioch changed to that we are the new invincibles (about to have season like Arsenal’s undefeated season) which changed to that we have an `iron-will’ to succedd, and then came the wobble and they were predicting a Chelsea victory in teh home game, and then now we are 1 point away, back to the idea that we were destined to win it this year). This is not what I think good journalism should be — it sensationalizes based on a sudden change, and the journalists have caught flak for it from Guardian bloggers.
What I am saying in a nutshell is — no censorship, but let’s try for a little consistency (and acknowledge where we individually, or the site as a whole have changed our viewpoint) . I am also a bit surprised that you have made this a big issue: because I never intended it as such — and I’m sure we are all absolutely delighted that Park has discovered such great form and hope he can take it through to the CL final.
There would be so many more fun things to chat about on this site: such as the hilarious development at Eastlands with their new guide for new City fans jumping on the bandwagon in the light of their recent relative success. (check the Guardian for this) Nothing like a shared laugh to resolve thinsg!
Any way, thanks for all the good work done in regard to keeping the site going. Have you thought about how you are going to celebrate the Double, should it happen?
A bit harsh all this talk of a limited squad. Defensively, Vidic and Van der Sar have been as good as anyone else in their positions in the world. Rio, when fit, and Evra are still superb defenders. Rooney struggled for form earlier in the season but is undoubtedly world-class. Meanwhile Giggs, Nani, Valencia, Berbatov and Hernandez have all put in some outstanding performances. Yes, we do lack an absolutely top-drawer central midfielder but besides that, I think this team compares pretty well to other title-winning squads.
You miss the Da Silvas and Smalling from that list!
Other key factors in us winning the title this year:
1. Having the Rio and Vidic partnership at the back in the big games.
2. Chelsea’s sacking of Ray Wilkins was clearly a mistake and disrupted dressing room harmony.
3. The purchase of Hernandez
I want us to smash Blackburn and Blackpool so we finish the season with 82 points – 3 points off last seasons total and 4 off Chelsea’s
I think 80+ points and we can put to bed the notion that we have only won the league because the other teams are shite
Yep, I think you have been extremely harsh, Ed.
Team-wise, Chelsea, Arsenal, Spurs, the Scousers & that other lot are amongst the top ten teams in Europe; that’s ten tough matches. We have also competed on three fronts, which is not easy. The results in the CL have been, by any standards & any past history, outstanding.
Player-wise, VDS, Rio, Vida, Evra,Rooney, Valencia, Nani & (amazingly) Giggs have been top drawer; that’s eight players. I am tempted to include Hernandez and Smalling. The twins are immensely promising. Carrick,(in recent months), Park, (he’s improved this season), Anderson, Berbatov & Fletcher have all got quality.
We all know that SAF has usually preferred box-to-box midfielders & that Keane & Robson were extraordinary players. We have no Makelele type -I have said that Smalling could be a candidate- & we have no Iniesta or Xavi. Let’s pray that the old bugger buys a really top class creative mid-fielder (& GK) & then perhaps we might not be a million miles behind Barca & at least as good as anybody else in Europe.
I remember the article in question, Philly.
And while much of the criticism – at the time – was probably valid, what has happened is that JiSung Park has responded in astounding fashion. I barely recognise the lad – he has been utterly sensational. The quality of his touch is in a different league, his running is more direct when he has the ball and the quality of his final ball has gone up another notch. He is back to his absolute best which is brilliant.
Ontopic, I think this has been a stonking achievement for the team, and assuming we wrap up the League, reaching the Champions League final as well is monumental. No doubt a small amount of additional quality would be lovely over summer, but the *team* – and in the truest sense of that word – has been quality at time this season, and none finer than against Chelsea on Sunday.
The article was spot on… Park is an average footballer with an extraordinary engine… puts in the effort of two… and that is to be admired… very useful… but don’t try to make him seem more skillful than he is…
The problem with players like Park and Fletcher, is when they have off days physically, they don’t have anything else to offer… and when their legs go… and they will… they won’t even be good enough for a midtable team.
“Badges, to god-damned hell with badges! We have no badges. In fact, we don’t need badges. I don’t have to show you any stinking badges, you god-damned cabrón and ching’ tu madre! Come out from that shit-hole of yours. I have to speak to you.”
ffs…..philly???…..philly???
ffs, its the name of a bender
ffs…..philly???…..philly???
ffs, its the name of a bender
I say old bean, Philly needs a spanking from Nanny, What, What?
This blog is quite strange place; Is this place for Liverpool or Chelsea fan site?
Some Utd fans still do not realize league title become very difficult to win because money pour into premiership and basically at least six quite strong teams exist so difficult match file up quickly.
I think Next season will be another frenetic battle like this season and people keep saying same stuff Utd is shite etc.
No matter how much Udt will spent in summer, next season will be more difficult and same determination, grinding out result, workman like performance will require if team want to win the league.
and this Utd squad will be remember as the greatest one; 5 league title in trot ( I think referee rob of last title),3 Champions league finals are achieved by basically same set of players.
Park is also the most intelligent footballer in our 11. Excellent at quick passes and movement, he’s more skilled than some people here think. He can defend and attack well. He’s not world class, but there are very few wingers better than this guy and they aren’t as good at versatility, energy and defensive ability.
He’s got a great attitude too. Attitude matters, but not in FIFA 11.
Edit to add Valencia as well. This man is world class. Fergie’s got one thing right when it comes to the more recent buys. They all have a great attitude towards the game. Anderson although seems like an exception.
Fantastic end to the season, can’t wait for saturday, 3 points and then watch stoke win the FA cup!!!!
After all that, don’t forget to rip into all the anti united numptys on talksport, especially fat boy scouser Quinn, yes there is a football god, and he’s a red !!!
Random observation by the way. If United beat Barcelona in the Champions League Final we will have beaten every team we’ve faced at least once this season. That’s gotta be a record, surely?
Don’t confuse intelligence with discipline… he does what he’s told, and sticks to his task… again, very useful… but that’s got fuck all to do with intelligence.
Rooney, Carrick, Giggs… these are intelligent footballers… Scholes is a genius… they have to ability to read the pitch, and spot an opening, a pass, a run before it’s been made… constantly thinking just ahead of theother players in the game… it’s one of the things scouts look for in a young player… it can’t be taught, but players that have it can be very special if they develop the skills and technique to go with it.
Park doesn’t have that kind of intelligence… what Park is good at, is running his arse off, man marking, zonal marking, defending his position… these are very important duties, and few players have the discipline to do them well… Nani is useless at it… Ferguson loves Park because he can set him a task, and be fairly sure he’ll get exactly what he asked for.
But when the game requires real intelligence… a bit of magic… a scalpel… it needs a player like Scholes or Rooney.
By comparison, Park is a hammer.
“Badges, to god-damned hell with badges! We have no badges. In fact, we don’t need badges. I don’t have to show you any stinking badges, you god-damned cabrón and ching’ tu madre! Come out from that shit-hole of yours. I have to speak to you.””Badges, to god-damned hell with badges! We have no badges. In fact, we don’t need badges. I don’t have to show you any stinking badges, you god-damned cabrón and ching’ tu madre! Come out from that shit-hole of yours. I have to speak to you.”
Don’t confuse intelligence with discipline… he does what he’s told, and sticks to his task… again, very useful… but that’s got fuck all to do with intelligence.
Rooney, Giggs, Berbatov… these are intelligent footballers… Scholes is a genius… they have the ability to read the game, and spot an opening, a pass, a run, before it’s been made… constantly thinking just ahead of the other players in the game… it’s one of the things scouts look for in a young player… it can’t be taught, but players that have it can be very special if they develop the skills and technique to go with it.
Park doesn’t have that kind of intelligence… what Park is good at, is running his arse off, man marking, zonal marking, defending his position… these are very important duties, and few players have the discipline to do them well… Nani is useless at it… Ferguson loves Park because he can set him a task, and be fairly sure he’ll get exactly what he asked for.
But when the game requires real intelligence… a bit of magic… a scalpel… it needs a player like Scholes or Rooney.
By comparison, Park is a hammer.
“Badges, to god-damned hell with badges! We have no badges. In fact, we don’t need badges. I don’t have to show you any stinking badges, you god-damned cabrón and ching’ tu madre! Come out from that shit-hole of yours. I have to speak to you.”
quality posts all season who ever writes these its good to hear views that are not written with red tinted glasses . regarding park and his ability i use doubt he could carry his form like he has been playing of late through a whole season but with him not turning out for south korea anymore and all that travelling that goes with it he could suprise us all as it seems international football retirement gives a few players new leases of life
Thats the reason Park does not play every game. SAF plays him in crucial games to do a specific job and he gets the job done. At 30, he is good for at least two more years or more! As for O’Shea, Evans and Gibson, we will have to wait and see. I believe Michael Owen will move on and although their are questions over Berbatov’s future, I believe in the end, he will sign his new contract and stay at Old Trafford.
This is a tricky one because their are so many stories linking Berbatov to a move away from Old Trafford.
Are you Andy Townsend in disguise?
What a load of nonsense.
This is a very open minded forum, where you’re free to argue all manner of opinion… which is what attracts most proper Ranters… if you want rose tinted, nicey-nicey… there are other forums, like Red Cafe… feel free to go there… but if you’ve got something a little different to offer… this is the place… just be prepared to be called a thick, ignorant cunt if you’re going to talk shit.
You misunderstood me — but, hey why am I surprised? I’m not arguing that people should not be open-minded and free to express themselves here or naywhere, just that if it is a respected principle of journalism that if your are the editor of something and someone writes an article under your editorship that you cannot suddenly distance yourself from the sentiments expressed there and say it wasn’t me. It may not have been you, but as Ed you are responsible. I don’t mean that people should now cart you away or turn all Gestapo on you, but that if an article here says Park is not up to it, then it is difficult for Rant to argue that it is not Rant’s view on the matter.
It’s not that I have 3 Ph Ds or anything and want to appear all smart — I was just gently point that out to our Ed since this is a practice within journalism.
And anyway, you are the one saying who should be allowed to write here and who not . You sound pretty fascist for someone who claims to want an open Rant.
Where is Danni?? Ed, go and search the man out please.
I really hope it is true that berbatov is leaving and taking Scholes and Owen with him.
Alfonso I think that you are well wide of the mark as far as Park goes. That he has a very good engine & does what the manager asks him to do is one thing. That he used to have the habit of falling over at random intervals is another; very frustrating. Football intelligence, it seems to me, is about having a ‘big picture’ of the field & the players & knowing instictively where they are & where they are going. Cantona & Keane had super-football intelligence; they knew what they were going to do …before … the ball arrived to them. I have always thought that Park had a fantastic ability to find space, in any situation. In itself that does not make him a good player, but (& it has taken a long time) he is now much better at being on the same wavelength as his colleagues & making the right pass at the right time. It seems to be a matter of confidence -his sizzling shot in the first half against Chelsea is one example- & now he looks like both making & scoring goals, both in break-aways & in tight situations. In other words -he might not have the skill of Nani or the speed of Valencia- he is a bloody good player.
Berba. I just mentioned ‘being on the same wavelength’; I think that is our problem with Berba. He is an intelligent footballer, with great technique & a lot of strength to hold the ball up but I don’t think he is on the same wavelenth as SAF in terms of how UNITED should play football. That is being compact in defence & playing at a high tempo -find space, receive the ball & pass it onto a runner. Berba finds space -no problem- but almost always slows things down & the manager thinks he is not the best option as a goalscorer in a big match. I suspect that SAF saw him as Cantona or Teddie figure -he is not. If he stays the manager will dither & play him; probably better to sell & possibly buy someone like Benzema & play Wazza in midfield.
What a convoluted load, of contradictory shit.
AGREED!!
AGREED!!
Pfft…
hurumph
That is just what I’m saying. Fergie gives Park a special job to do and most of the time he gets the job done. But Captainhormone has a good point. Park has improved and as he put it, turning out to be a bloody good player. A manager is proud of a player when he gives a player certain instructions and he carries out those instructions 100%. In the manager’s eyes he is a good player but to us the fans, we may think the player is crap! But not to worry, United have put in bids for some good quality players, the team will be an even stronger force next season. Keep the faith.
I didn’t misunderstand anything… and you’re still talking shit… and like I said, you’re free to talk as much shit as you like… and I’m free to tell you that you’re talking shit… how is that fascist?
Whatever… this is a stupid argument… “free your mind and your ass will follow”… George Clinton.
Hey Ed…
We need a “banging head against the wall” smiley.
Something like this, Alf?
United Rant’s original returning eternal optimist!
I personally would like to see SAF clear out most of the current midfielders including Park and bring in a total quality world class midfield. That is my personal opinion.
The midfield is our weakness. But this will never happen so we have to go with what we’ve got and support them 100%.
While we are at it Herbie, lets take a look at the ratings of the guatemala under 21s, because I am damned sure one of them will turn into a 5 star premier league midfielder!
Do you live in an alternate reality where stripping out an entire midfield from a team will make no possible impact, both from a leadership and personality perspective but from a balance perspective as well.
There are improvements to be made, no doubt, but really, stop spouting utter nonsense. You can’t just rip out the heart of a team and replace it and expect it to perform at the very top level.
That’s the one.
Ask and you shall receive
Good stuff, I nicked that from another forum I’m on.
Cheers Lads…
Ok…
@Damian Garside…
…
ffs…
OH
MY
GOD!!
ffs… is what I do if Ed dont sort out the spammers with their Home Loans and Free shite giveaway topics.
LKHF
MUFC: THE RELIGION