The Unthinkable
Manchester United, should they fail to win in Portugal tonight, will bow out of the Champions League in the group stages for the first time. Up to 12 months ago, this would haave been unthinkable, but as a wise man once said "things have changed".
The Manchester United of 2005 are distinctly lacking the polish of previous incarnations. Key players have not been replaced (Roy Keane, Jaap Stam, David Beckham, Denis Irwin) whilst others have been allowed play too far beyond their 'sell by' date (Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs) out of a mellowing sense of loyalty by a manager who, on the surface, would seem to have 'lost the plot'.
How else can you reconcile recent decisions. The sacking of his club captain and driving force behind the team. The stubborn refusal to revert to 4-4-2. The failure to secure the services of Michael Ballack in January. The plot is well and truly lost.
However, one of the problems of fandom is the optimistic demeanour that accompanies each new foray onto the pitch and tonight I'm seeing as a turning point in the fortunes of the new United. I'm predicting a convincing win with a performance to match the occasion. I think Wayne Rooney will, well and truly, arrive in Europe tonight. And furthermore, I think we'll win the competition.
Be sure to check back on these pages tomorrow to see me cleverly backtack from these schoolboy comments.
The Manchester United of 2005 are distinctly lacking the polish of previous incarnations. Key players have not been replaced (Roy Keane, Jaap Stam, David Beckham, Denis Irwin) whilst others have been allowed play too far beyond their 'sell by' date (Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs) out of a mellowing sense of loyalty by a manager who, on the surface, would seem to have 'lost the plot'.
How else can you reconcile recent decisions. The sacking of his club captain and driving force behind the team. The stubborn refusal to revert to 4-4-2. The failure to secure the services of Michael Ballack in January. The plot is well and truly lost.
However, one of the problems of fandom is the optimistic demeanour that accompanies each new foray onto the pitch and tonight I'm seeing as a turning point in the fortunes of the new United. I'm predicting a convincing win with a performance to match the occasion. I think Wayne Rooney will, well and truly, arrive in Europe tonight. And furthermore, I think we'll win the competition.
Be sure to check back on these pages tomorrow to see me cleverly backtack from these schoolboy comments.
posted by Derek Keogh | 4:45 PM
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