Another Year, Another Title (Probably) (Manchester United F.C.)

Member Name: Padds2

Product:	Manchester United F.C.
Date:	27/08/03 (395 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: New signings for the future, natural goalscorer, strong defense and top manager

Disadvantages: Loss of Beckham, tendacy to rely on Ruud and a habit of blowing it in Europe

Manchester United fans must be used to the feeling of domination by now. The facts speak for itself with a near perfect record of Premiership wins and several cups under the stewardship of Alex Ferguson, sorry Sir Alex Ferguson. So much so even the loss of David Beckham this summer to Real Madrid passed off with hardly any fuss over setbacks to their reign in England. With events at Chelsea and improving Liverpool plus old rivals Arsenal and Newcastle who are always on the edge, this season looks like it could be an interesting one in the Premiership. The big question for Man U is Europe, will their squad be good enough to take home the ultimate crown of the European Cup again plus of course honours at home with the FA Cup and Premiership.

Losing David Beckham was a big blow. Not just for his talents on the pitch, with dead balls and crossing skills but for his financial gains and image. Still Alex Ferguson has been around long enough and has enough comings and goings to stop people questioning his judgement. The ultimate irony would be for a Beckham free kick for Madrid to put United out in Europe, would be something for most football supporters to enjoy, but there would have been reasons for letting him go. At £25 million, even in a deflated transfer market would not appear to have been a good deal for United, shirt sales and Asian sponsorship deals could cover that cost for Madrid. What United do save is a big chunk off the wage bill, plus a chance for some new faces at Old Trafford. Sir Alex would probably not have been so keen for Beckham to leave if he did not feel it would be good for the club. There are a number of youngsters all coming through off a never-ending production line it seems. Kieran Richardson and Fletcher may get their chance in midfield, if one of those or another can become a surprise like O?Shea last year all can be well and good. New signings Bellion and Djemba-Djemba could also get an extended chance, while enough has been said a
bout the new number seven Christian Ronaldo that may leave most people satisfied within Old Trafford. Maybe the Beckham image got too much for Alex Ferguson. However he is too good a manager to let personal stuff come between the team, and he is much better placed than anyone to say if his departure will improve the team. Only time will tell of course, but keep quietly confident.

With the departure of Beckham there have been no real big money or name signings for United. They, like most others have had to look on while Chelsea try and spend their way through Abramovich?s bank account. What signings they have made, have however been a good mixture of promising youth and talent. Ferguson seems happy to pick youth and players to pass on to the next manager. He has cast his professional and rarely wrong eye over some of the best on offer. Tom Howard an American goalkeeper who has Tourette?s syndrome is a promising player, young for a keeper and already big in the USA. Pinching David Bellion from Sunderland is another good pick, surprising he did not feature more in the Black Cats relegation fight where he had the pace and goals that could have saved them. Eric Djemba-Djemba, a combative Cameroonian midfielder could fill in Roy Keane?s boots and has the perfect chance to learn his trade under the master. Brazilian Kleberson may not be Ronaldiniho, but is a good player and like most Brazilians has the flair and talent in his natural game. Finally the big one, Christian Ronaldo. Every so often someone like Cantona, Best or Beckham comes along and is adored to cult status by United fans. There is something special about him, the ball skills mesmerising defences could be a good image for the season. He can hopefully show he is not a one trick pony by scoring goals and putting dangerous crosses in to erase Beckham?s departure. Ferguson will be keen to look after him well, protecting him from the media and his own fame, but there is no one better to do that than him
. He took Giggs and Beckham and made them into what they are without burning them out. If he can do it again, Old Trafford may have found a new hero.

Manchester United must be feeling pretty confident. Only Beckham has gone from what has been proved to be a winning formula. There is no real reason to shift from what has been so successful. Ruud van Nistelrooy has proved himself to be a top goal scorer and poacher, something they needed a few years ago. There is no reason why he will not be up among the top scorers this year again. The defence has been a winning combination since Laurent Blanc left. Rio Ferdinand has looked very strong at the back, and should keep improving. John O?Shea has been a fantastic find, can get forward and defend something most left backs forget to do one of. Silvestre is another fine player, his pace can get him out of most scrapes, though I have never been too much of a fan of either Neville. Tom Howard in goal looks a sound accusation from two games at least. He can provide a fight with Barthez that may have been missing before, and can only help in an area that perhaps did not quite come up when needed before. In midfield Paul Scholes is one of the best midfielders around. He is so well known he can hardly be called underrated, but his contribution to United is sometimes missed. He can scored lots of goals from his role, makes key passes and can tackle. If he plays well Man U play well, easy as that. Roy Keane may not have the legs he used to, but Ferguson has made a shrewd move by having Djemba-Djemba as a good young foil for him. His experience can help the younger kids and a positive influence in general. Giggs, like Scholes when he is on fire is unstoppable and United play well as a result. Such a strong midfield, and Giggs has managed to stay free of injures so far. The new boy Christian Ronaldo made a lot of waves on his debut. So much money was paid for it, plus the tag of the new Beckham has put a lot of pressure, but
if anyone can help protect and nurture him they have the perfect man in Sir Alex. A very tricky winger, his tricks with the ball with confuse many defenders, one for the future but can make an immediate impact. Being greedy another striker may not go amiss to play alongside van Nistelrooy. Scholes in an withdrawn role did not work too well, Forlan has threatened by never proved and Solsjakaer is a useful utility player but not an out and out striker.

In general the squad has a great mix of talent, experience and youth that would make any Premiership manager green with envy. Only Arsenal can really compete with that, and they cannot manage the sheer depth United have. Chelsea seem keen to buy a squad that can compete with the best, but will need patience. Newcastle have just a few years left with Shearer and need to make the most of this. They could be a good dark horses while everyone talks up Chelsea and Arsenal, but the real favourite has to be Manchester United. They have it all with the team and background, plus the money and support. They show no signs of wanting to grow stale and still want to win things. It would be hard to look past them for domestic honours in England. The Carling Cup will probably be discarded, as might the FA Cup if they progress in Europe. Europe must be the only aim for Alex Ferguson, the one area United do not have complete dominance. Winning the European Cup is the big one, and for some the only one. While most would settle for another Premiership Crown, Ferguson wants to end on a high, so is looking for the big prize. It should not be beyond them, they are the team to beat in the Premiership and have the team to succeed in Europe. With the slight changes, plus the new experience and temperament Europe may not be beyond them either.

Summary: