After Manchester United set down a huge marker against Arsenal in their recent 8-2 victory, questions are being asked whether this new generation at Old Trafford now has the ability to go on and conquer Europe and win the Champions League?
There is little doubt that this is an impressive set of young players who have a bright future ahead of them and they certainly have the ability to claim United’s 20th league title this season, although their City rivals may have something to say on the matter.
What has impressed me most so far this season is this the strength of the squad Ferguson has built. In their recent trashing of Arsenal the side were missing the main defensive partnership of Ferdinand and Vidic, there was no place for Carrick, Fletcher, Giggs, Park or Valencia in the midfield and upfront, the superb Hernandez and last season’s top scorer Berbatov were left on the bench. With an average age of just 23 it is obvious that Ferguson has done a marvelous job putting together a new team but are they ready to challenge Barcelona for the Champions League this year?
This new crop of young footballers mixed with experienced players should help United progress to the final stages of the Champions League once again, but I just cannot see the current side getting past Barcelona unless Ferguson finds a way of competing against them.
Ferguson’s new generation at Old Trafford is made up of recent young signings and players brought through their impressive youth system who have gained experience on loan at other Premier League clubs.
This youth mixed with experience has worked well for Ferguson in the past and he is obviously hoping that this team will be just as successful.
Why can’t United win the Champions League then? Well the same reason they didn’t last year, standing in their way are one of the greatest clubs sides ever to have existed in Barcelona. The bad news for United is that the Catalan side look an even better outfit this year after the summer arrivals of Fabregas, Sanchez and the emergence of Thiago adding to an already powerful team.
In the final last year United were the better team for the first 20 minutes, hassling and chasing everything and making it difficult for Barca to play their game but then the Spanish champions took hold of the game and I think United lacked a midfielder who could break up their play and it was really disappointing to see a relatively inexperienced Barcelona defence untested, one shot on target all game says a lot. Unless Ferguson can find someone who can break up Barca’s majestic play it is unlikely they will be able to beat them again this year.
The Champions League looks a tougher prospect this year for all the teams involved as along with the usual challengers I think Manchester City will be a force in this season’s competition with the undoubted class they possess in their squad and it will be interesting to see how they get on in their debut campaign.
I believe that United will once again challenge for the top European honours this season but I think they will come up short as it will be difficult to topple such a strong Barcelona side that has only been improved this summer. The future may look very bright at Old Trafford but it could be one without the top European trophy with the Juggernaut that is Barcelona standing in their way.
Written by Aidan McCartney for FootballFancast.com.
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Man United’s youth can suck my dick
I 8 2 tell you this pal, but these lads aint suckin nobodys dick.
To say that one team in invisible is not real. Barcelona is a great team but not unbeatable. Fact of life, no one can stay top forever.
Actually Barcelona does not improve fundamentally. Their strength stays the same with midfield powerhouse. Fabregas is an improvement but that does not take them to higher level.
MU and othet teams will find ways to get through them this season. Trust me.
as much as everybody’s take on man utd 8-2 victory over arsenal..i must point out that they played against a very depleted arsenal squad…more than half the arsenal’s actual team was missing…even if there was a full strength arsenal team the results would have gone man utd’s way, the score line would’ve been, may be 3-1 for utd…that’s just normal old trafford game…any team would have put 5 or 6 at the back of the net against arsenal at that time..going by this one game u can’t really tell the team has completely “clicked” as such..i mean they really have to go and put up a game against man city or in cl league to really know the potential. i’m not particularly convinced that we’ve got it all.
Their young players did tear city to pieces last month actually. Im pretty conviced by man utd to be honest.
Depleted arsenal team? Man utd were without;
ferdinand
vidic
rafael
fabio
carrick
fletcher
valencia
berbatov.
Giggs hernandez and park were only subs.
I think man utd have the best mix of players in the country, they are stronger than city’s superstars because they play for the badge rather than their pay cheques.
That maybe hard for city fans to take, but its the truth im afraid.
i agree with whats been said,i too think although utd have a great mixture of young and old i still think they would have been wise to buy a midfeilder/playmaker,i also think that as the season goes on, both prem and europe will take it’s toll on the youngsters and UTD will fall short,hope not but thats my prediction………….love utd love ub40