Season Preview

Oh, the sweet anticipation.

Tomorrow's Community Shield officially starts United's campaign against the primary title-challenger, Chelsea. The World Cup, as marvelous as it is, will never substitute for United. No way, no how.

It's been almost 3 months since the season ended, with several intriguing story lines that lead us into the 2010-2011 campaign, including:
- Rooney and Rio's forgettable World Cups
- A successful North American Tour
- Javier Hernandez' and Tom Cleverly's emergence
- Chris Smalling needing more seasoning
- Diouf and Wellbeck headed out on loan
- A substantial injury list (Rio, Anderson, Hargreaves, Carrick, Obertan & Da Silvas)
- Growing Green and Gold discontent

The lack of high-priced talent acquisitions adds to an already volatile mix of angst among the Red Devil supporters. There's been growing discontent with United's lack of spending on transfer targets. I wonder if Javier Hernandez cost £30M, would people trust that Fergie does have a transfer kitty? Ah, but I digress.

United return every key player from last year's campaign, with the addition of Chicharito and Smalling as well as Cleverly pushing himself into consideration to stay with the first team this term. You can easily argue that this squad is stronger than last year's edition. True, the club needs to pick and choose Neville's, Giggs' and Scholes' moments, but there appears to be plenty of cover across the team.

Only Sir Alex knows if the youth and veterans within the club merit only two off-season pick-ups. United barely missed the title on the last day of the season, largely without Rio and Vidic playing together, which is an accomplishment. Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades, as my old shop teacher used to say.

What I feel, personally, that people miss is that Nani's, Park's, and Valencia's performances improved markedly during the course of the season, enough to merit the gaffer's confidence this year. If this threesome were individual stocks, they're solid “hold” recommendations for your portfolio. None, with the exception of Park's industry perhaps, have demonstrated a consistent, world-class form, but you can see the development, the progress. Add the Da Silvas’ development into the mix, along with Evra's stellar play, and width shouldn't be a problem this term. Hardly.

Where United have the largest question marks are in the center of the park, with the health of the backline, van der Sar's age, and creative, linking play from someone not named Giggs and Scholes, as possible issues. Otherwise, I like the goal-scoring options in Berba, Chicharito, Owen, and Kiko to accompany Rooney. If Wazza goes down for any length of time, all bets are off, obviously, as he remains the one irreplaceable member of this squad.

Last year at this time, everyone doubted United in the post-Ronaldo era: “Where would the goals come from?!” And United proceeded to score more goals that the previous two years with Ronnie, as Rooney flourished in the spotlight.

This year, why should anyone doubt Sir Alex Ferguson's squad?! Personally, I don't get it. I see the potential pitfalls – center of the park, the debt – yet place 110%-trust in SAF's judgement.

As Daniel Taylor put it, Fergie's “job is to make 2010-11 more memorable for what happens in red and white rather than green and gold.” (http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2010/aug/07/alex-ferguson-manchester-united)

Here's to the red and white's nineteenth title.
Here's to Sir Alex's ultimate “mission accomplished.”

Oh, the sweet anticipation.