In the following seasons, sparring with Wenger and Mourinho occurred, players such as Evra, Van Der Sar, Vidic and Rooney arriving – not to mention the emergence of one of the best players in the game Cristiano Ronaldo. United saw off the challenges from both domestic rivals and European ones, winning a second European Cup in Moscow after John Terry and Anelka missed penalties. It was a triumph for a manager who many thought had reached the peaked of his powers years before but United were coming back to dominance and the world knew it.
In the seasons that followed, United were the ones to beat domestically, yet in 2009 were well beaten by one of the best club sides the world has ever seen in Barcelona so for a third time in his managerial career at United, Fergie began rebuilding the team to establish European success once more.
Several key players from the last few seasons retired, veteran Van Der Sar, the irreplaceable Scholes and Garry Neville all hung up their boots, and Fergie has once again placed faith in the club’s younger generation. Inexperienced lads like Chicharito, Cleverley, Jones and Welbeck have both been brought in or back from loan and crucially given the chance to perform. In both pre-season and the opening rounds of the Premier league we have has reaped the rewards as faith in players such as Danny Welbeck has borne fruit with brilliant performances and vital goals.
Fergie has a history of keeping faith with young players who have had a difficult start and his backing, both publically and in private, of keeper David De Gea will have helped the Spaniard no end – Fergie is one of the best in the world at bringing young players through, and although infamously he will use the hairdryer when things are not going to plan, he also has the ability to listen and put an arm around the players who need it.
The Community Shield win and the mauling of Arsenal, not to mention the fact that United’s ‘injury crisis’ has gone relatively unnoticed due to the strength and depth of the squad mean that this side look like having great things to give, and with the most valuable asset United have – Fergie himself – at the helm, who would bet against them?
Written by Rebecca Knight for thebusbyway.com
ThisisFutbol.com are seeking new writers to join the team! If you’re passionate about football, drop us a line at “thisisfutbol.com@snack-media.com” to learn more.
For an opportunity to win tickets to see Bolton take on Manchester United, click here!
Or have a look at the ten strikers that we think will lead the race for the Golden Boot next season
SAF is definitely MU’s greatest asset. Great players can come and go. MU had many world class players during SAF’s time, and yet he survived them all. Because of the short term nature of a footballer career at the peak, it is inevitable that teams go up and down. This can’t be blamed on any manager. Credit must go to MU’s top mgt for sticking with SAF. This must be MU’s second greatest asset – prudent top management.