Outclassed

What do you say? What can you say?

United lost to the best squad on the planet and, arguably, the strongest ever. Intellectually you get that.

You also can put a Pollyanna spin on things and say it was a good year and that you’re thankful for it. Intellectually you get this too.

But, now, right now in reality, it hurts. It really hurts.

Crashing expectations from a massive cup match is one thing – how many precious European Championships will you experience in your life? You never know.

But crashing expectations from seeing a gaping hole between yourself and the desired destination is something entirely different and unsettling.

Sublime Barca live light-years in front of the competition and appear to have room for another gear in the box, as we consider that Messi’s only 23 years old, for the love of God. We just sit in awe and watch His Maradonnaesqueness.

For United to reach the Catalan’s heights, it requires one or two world-class players outside of the current roster, I attest. We’re talking a minimum of one more Ronaldo, Messi, or more fittingly, Zizu, not some ordinary transfer or well-cultivated talent: something from another galaxy here. Viva Ronaldo indeed.

Admittedly, the Red Devils possess one master-class talent in Rooney as well as a host of brilliant players from Chicharito all the way through to Vidic.

However, the missing components involve, more precisely, pinnacle-caliber midfielder candidates – one to pull the strings, one to boss matters from box to box and shut down tikka-takka football.

Compounding matters include van der Sar’s certain retirement and the inevitable with Giggs’ and Scholes’ soon to come. In my view, this was a rebuilding year with a bonus EPL title and Champions League run.

Yet, none of that matters now in the haze of disappointment, which hangs and lingers all-too-long.

If you’ve ever read any of my blog posts, you surly anticipate and appreciate the predictable solace that will be found in trusting one Sir Alex Ferguson.

While many will debate whether or not Barca are best-of-all-time, US soccer journalists pondered if Mr. Ferguson was the best sports manager of all time. This conversation involved any sport, including baseball, basketball, hockey and American football.

The verdict?

Lombardi? Nope.

Phil Jackson? No way.

SAF is, without a doubt, the best ever. Simply tally the time and trophies. Best ever, bar none.

So, whom else would you want to be tied to on this new mountain climbing expedition? None other than Sir Alexander Chapman Ferguson, that’s who.

Every single one of us loves and trusts our own favorite Glaswegian, especially when he’s got another target on the perch.

--------

I’ll be back at you sometime this Summer, probably after watching United live in the States and preparing for the 2011-2012 season in earnest. All the best to you during the off-season. Cheers.

Are You Ready for Some Football?

We’re almost inside T-minus 24 hours from The Final, The Dream Matchup. THE question you’ve just gotta ask yourself is are you physically, emotionally, and mentally ready for the match?

As a public service, especially to Red Devils Stateside or the Far East, below you’ll find your pre-match checklist.

Read carefully. Get your pen and paper ready for this all-important assessment. Each yes is worth one point; please note the bonus and extra point deductions in parenthesis.

Are you ready for THE FINAL? Find out…
1. Do you have your lucky United jersey (not washed during since the beginning of the knockout rounds = one extra, bonus point), scarf, and jeans worn during past glory ready?

2. Have you over-analyzed United’s tactics and team selection in the privacy of your own thoughts throughout the past week to the point of feelin’ like a gaffer yourself?

3. Do you already know who and where you’re meeting at least 3 hours before kickoff? (Deduct an extra point if you have no plans at all.)

4. Have you already researched a ridiculous, Cliff Clavenesque amount of stats on both teams, including their history in Europe?

5. Do you find yourself completely distracted, unable to work productively today? (Add a bonus point if you avoided scheduling any client appointments today. If you took the pre-match day off as vacation, then add two bonus points.)

6. Do you find yourself fantasizing about someone putting in a Nobby Stiles-like MOTM performance tomorrow? (If you have to ask “Who is Nobby Stiles?” deduct one point.)

7. Have you worried at least a few times today about the “beautiful” Barca turning to its ugly side, diving and gaming all over the place? (If you haven’t thought about it, deduct one extra point.)

8. Have you re-watched any portion of a United Champions League match this past week in anticipation of THE Final? (Add extra points per match for the ’68, ’99, or ’08 finals. Deduct a point for your own well-being if you watched the ’09 Final.)

9. Have you read something from blogs “The Busby Way”, “The Republik of Mancunia”, “Red Rants”, or “The United Religion” within the past 48 hours? (If you’ve read something from all four, add one additional point. If you don’t know any of the four, deduct a point.)

10. Have you dreamt about United since Saturday?

If you score a Spinal Tab eleven or higher, congratulations, as you deserve tickets to the final and to have your “United, wife, kids – in that order” or “Not Arrogant. Just Better” banner autographed by Sir Alex himself!

If you totaled eight or more points, then you’re definitely ready. Your preparation is its own reward here, as everything is lining up for your BIG day. Cheers to you!

If you scored in the range between five and seven, get a hold of yourself man – you’ve got some catching up to do.

If you scored less than five, are you a City fan in disguise?

Here’s to total victory tomorrow. Oh the sweet anticipation. Cheers.

-----------------
Back at you well after the match.

Everything and Nothing

What a contrast in fortunes playing out at Old Trafford today: Blackpool with everything on the line, while United with nothing outside of professional pride involved here.

Certainly the Red Devils want to keep their unbeaten home record in tact, with a goal for Berba to win the golden boot and an important run-out for Evra, Park, and Fletcher.

All party results aside, surly many a United supporter wouldn’t be overly disappointed with a draw against the Ian Holloway’s men, if it kept the Tangerine dream up for another season.

The Seasiders punched well above their weight to get this far, why not keep them up for another season, or so the reasoning goes, as they’ve shocked the pundits that had them on 10 points for the season.

Which leads me to the strange alchemy of emotions today.

Yes, you want United to win, Berba to score, and even VDS to keep a clean sheet in his final Old Trafford match.

But…

You want Blackpool up, Holloway to entertain next year, and even Charlie Adam to possibly stay in tangerine versus second-fiddle red on Merseyside.

In my heart-of-hearts, no result would make me entirely happy today, nor was I THAT invested in any result, really, which feels surreal given the tension felt by the bottom six or seven clubs headed into this final day.

Contrast the relaxed mode within the Red Devil camp with the tension we’ll all feel straightaway at kickoff next Saturday: we’re truly in the eye of the pre-Champions League Final storm immediately after the final whistle.

Adding a Dadaesque quality today, in Minneapolis, I lost 3-5 minutes of the match due to heavy thunderstorms blocking out the satellite feed right when United scored the equalizer. Our weather matched the tension felt by some an ocean away.

Strange days indeed. Most peculiar momma.

All Lennon quotes aside; tension and excitement are building already, and oh, how much would another Champions League trophy mean?

Four closing in on the Scouse five; VDS exiting stage left at the highest of heights; Sir Alex gaining another European Championship that he so richly deserves, especially after all that hath transpired this year, a rebuilding season spent on top of the league with the opportunity for the most memorable of doubles.

Yet, on this day, when the EPL trophy wears red, white, and black yet again, there’s a subdued quality to the celebrations after a marvelous side fell just short of an epic achievement.

A very, very special side went down today, and this United blogger salutes you, your panache and your industry this season, a Premiership-version of a classic Greek tragedy.

Never did we expect you to come so far. Never did we expect we’d feel the loss when you went down.

Cheers to you, Seasiders.

May your journeys be filled with much wonder and successful EPL aspirations. Spend your parachute payment money wisely. We’d welcome you back in the Premiership any year.

-----

Back at you possibly just before and certainly well after the Champions League Final. Oh, the anticipation… Cheers.

Top of the Perch

So, how’s the view treating you?

In the immortal words of Billy Crystal as his Saturday Night Life character Fernando Lamas: “You look marvelous”

Indeed, N-n-n-n-n-n-n-n19 is maarrrrrvelous, daarrrrling.

The inevitable hath come to fruition, but it wasn’t easy and nor should it have been, given the tumult in the EPL this term.

United absolutely followed the season’s narrative with a late, away, and controversial draw in front of the jubilant Red Devil supporters holding up a plethora of 19- and perch-oriented signs.

This year’s title winners will now have the lowest points total in many a year, while teams with 39 points head into the final weekend with relegation still a possibility. As I’ve been writing all year: crazy stuff.

Top-tier English football’s bandwidth hath narrowed noticeably, adding a surreal quality to the to soap opera known as the Premier League.

How fitting then, this of all years, that there’s a FA Cup Final played BETWEEN EPL matches. What on God’s green earth is the FA doing?

Not that a United fan would mind, as the Red Devils’ No 19 takes attention and shine off of City’s accomplishments in London this afternoon.

Yet, even as a Red Devil myself, it’s distasteful and diminishes the FA Cup.

Yes, even as an American, I know about the Champions League Final being at Wembley and that the stadium needs to be cleared the two weeks prior to the event. I got it.

But, all EPL games could have been played tomorrow or a special dispensation could have been granted by EUFA to allow the FA Cup Final on Sunday. (Oh wait, then again there’s that little spat between the FA and EUFA/FIFA – now I get it, I guess.)

With so many strange twists and turns this year, it’s somehow fitting that the blue and red halves of Manchester win silverware on the same day. Not desired, but appropriate to the 2010/2011 Barclays Premier League, surly. (Closed circuit to the Streford End: the new banner should read 43 years – that’s my vote.)

Ah, but who are we to complain. Let’s return to THE tale of the day: The Red Devils’ beloved 19th top-flight title.

This one will be housed right next to the Cantona-delivered title of 1992-1993 in the hearts of the United faithful, each with it’s own special, affectionate charm – one a cathartic release from years of wanting, the other an impressive culmination of Sir Alex’s body of work.

However, there’s way too much conversation about this United squad lacking the trademark dominance and flair, given this is, arguably, Sir Alex Ferguson’s deepest side ever.

Need proof?

Just look at the goal scoring relay race this season, with Berba on fire early, Chicharito netting consistently as a sub, then as a starter, and of course, our very own White Pele finding form after the longest of spells in the football wilderness.

Just look at the revolving door across the backline much of the seasons, as we must not forget how central Chris Smalling, John O’Shea and even Wes Brown were to the squad in specific moments of this year.

What stands out about 2010/2011 are the stark contrasts and strident confidence displayed by our boys in red.

United scored more goals, won more games than anyone else thus far, yet won only half of the away victories compared to last term, where we finished second.

United carried an unbeaten streak deep into this season, yet drew away matches at an alarming rate and you never felt this was a dominant side.

United were on top of the table all year, with a brief exception of a matter of days when City took the lead having played three more games, and again, you never felt it was done and dusted.

Even today’s match provided plenty of contrasts, with the Red Devils maintaining 76% possession, creating plenty of early chances early yet somehow falling behind 1-0, and Tomasz Kuszczak’s nerves never allowing the United faithful a moment of calm, until both sides signed a peace treaty in the waning moments, as keep-ball by either side fulfilled mutual ambitions in the level 1-1 score line.

All drama and contrasts aside, confidence and consistency won Sir Alex’s men the trophy this year.

Self-belief simply drips off a Ferguson-managed side. Each year, they take late points, whether it’s an escape-draw at Villa Park or stunning come-backs at Bloomfield Road or Boleyn Ground, there’s a certain cool assurance about the side. Everyone expects it inside and outside United.

The Guardian’s Paul Wilson summed it up quoting former United keeper Ben Foster.

"United have a winning ethos all of their own," he said.

"That is what they carry on to the pitch and you've got to admire them for it. When they were 2-0 down at Blackpool, I knew for a fact they would come back and win. They have that toughness. It's expected. The manager doesn't tend to sign players if he doesn't see it in them. You don't get that anywhere else, not even at Chelsea.”

Of course you don’t get that anywhere else, silly bird. While the players change, there’s been only one constant at United: Sir Alex Ferguson. The one-off genius has done it again - absolutely amazing, that man.

So, what do you do immediately after winning the 19th top-flight trophy?

No, Disney isn’t an option. You focus the lads attention on the next ambition: Champions League glory.

Here, with three down and three to go, would you ever bet against SAF?

Appropriately, United announced that the Premier League victory parade will be at lunchtime on May 30, conveniently a couple of days after the Champions League Final.

You just gotta love the view from this perch.

Can you imagine the view from Number Six?

------

Back at you well after the Blackpool party. Cheers.

Take a Bow, Sir Alex

So many things running through my mind… Four out of the last five… Completely ON for the Double… AND, the beautiful number nineteen… utterly brilliant, brilliant, and brilliant!

Today’s fully deserved 2-1 victory makes it virtually impossible for Chelsea’s rent boys to over take United. One point from the final two matches, that’s all that’s required now, with Sir Alex doing a Wayne’s Worldesque bow to the Stretford End after the match.

Surly the Red Devils will claim the title before anyone kicks off next weekend, with a crazy-early start for supporters in the States.

Cancel the golf or the fishing opener. Rearrange priorities with your families. Next weekend comes the historic 19th title, and with it, a day’s worth of celebrating for every United fan.

And clinching the title next weekend also does wonders for Sir Alex’s men in preparations for the Champions League Final, with ample time and opportunity to reset emotions and focus on the task at hand on May 28th.

Oh, how much we’d all love for VDS to walk-off stage left into retirement with another CL winner’s medal and MOTM performance. He will be critical to any effort against Barcelona, assuredly.

Speaking of the CL, today’s match, I contend, was won last Tuesday when Fergie showed the balls to rotate the squad en mass against Schalke. Everyone who sat looked fresh, including Chicharito, Rooney, Park, and the backline, as United took a serious edge straight from kickoff.

We all remember last year when the Red Devils lost to Chelsea straight after being knocked out against Bayern Munich. No such problem this year with a rested squad. The football Gods are shining on us, you sense.

You knew this season the title wouldn’t come easy, as the rest of the EPL has improved measurably over past seasons with everyone near the top four dropping points throughout the season.

You knew this game wouldn’t be easy, as United dominated much of the match, except for select spells in the second half while playing compact, counter attacking footy.

I worried that the old cliché that a 2-0 is the most dangerous lead in all of football had some merit, as conceding Chelsea possession could help them find their rhythm and outmuscle the back line for a goal or two.

Somehow I sensed that the numerous chances that fell to Chicharito and Rooney wouldn’t go in, as if it HAD to go until the final whistle this year with this team and on this ground.

Think back for a moment – back to when Rooney put in his transfer request. Did you ever see this coming?

The most fitting image was the two architects, Rooney and Chicharito, arm-in-arm beaming in front of the Stetford End with the Double very much on after a job well done.

Every single one of us loves Sir Alex Ferguson. Credit the Gov for keeping the team’s energy and emotions intact for this decisive victory, as he told Sky Sports afterwards.

"It's fantastic to be the most successful team in the country. The minute we won that first title in 1992 the door opened, and we've been involved in the first two all throughout that period - it's a fantastic achievement.

For the last 17 or 18 years it's been Arsenal and Chelsea as our nearest challengers, and the last few years it's been Chelsea. Arsenal made a great attempt this year but them losing today has finalized it.

We deserve the title and hopefully we'll get that point now.”

Indeed we will. After all, we’re Man United and we take what we want.

And, that includes the number nineteen special, than you very much.

---

Back at you some time after next Saturday’s clash at Blackburn. Cheers.

Sucker-Punch Missed

Could it go any other way this season?

With the eventual title-holders earning the honor, whomever that may be, with the fewest points in the past decade, the neutral observer knew it’d go down to the final weekend, even if that meant officials would gift-wrap victory yesterday for the Blues at White Hart Lane. Not one, mind you, but two non-goals allowed were required to keep Chelsea in the race…grrrrr…..

At kickoff, you knew United would frustrate Arsenal by playing compact, counter-attacking football which hath served the Red Devils so well on this ground the past two years. Play tight, force the Gunners wide, and defend – let Wenger’s men become frustrated around goal and lose composure. Surely Sir Alex’s eleven would get their chances against a mentally frail side.

Another good omen involved the appointment of Chris Foy to this match, as United have an unbeaten string running with the Merseyside-born referee going back something like seventeen matches.

And, Foy certainly played his part in evening out the refereeing controversy against the Blues by missing Vidic’s handball-penalty and getting in the way of three Arsenal passes all in the first half. Well done, Mr. Foy. You’ve single handedly sparked even more angst with the conspiracy theorists among the Gunner faithful regardless of the result.

By halftime, Arsenal had the majority of the possession and an additional chance or two created. However, the score line played right into Ferguson’s strategy, with the chance for the decisive goal and opportunity to win the beloved nineteenth title at home against Chelsea.

But, did you really think it would come that easy this year?

This is the United side that, any other year, would be on the outside looking in on the title race, as either Arsenal or Chelsea would be running away with it by now. Historically speaking, we’d be focused only on Champions League Final prospects.

This is the Jekyll-and-Hyde side that wins at home and drops points away. Such a disparity in form confounds football analysts and fans alike.

But did you really think the refs would play such a heavy hand in keeping Chelsea’s hopes alive? Not in your wildest dreams, which could be seen as foreboding omen for United.

The invisible hand of the football Gods, if you believed in them, seems to demand the most soap opera-like of finishes this of all years. Seemingly United’s nineteenth title mustn’t resemble the majority of the other EPL championships won thus far, instead it must come down to the penultimate date of May 22nd.

So, as we prepare for Champions League action on Wednesday and Chelsea’s visit to Old Trafford next weekend, consider this match a sucker-punch missed, one that has connected so many times in the past few years, it’s bound to miss occasionally.

It seems destined to last until the very last moment, with United and Chelsea tied on goal differential.

Besides, how could it go any other way this year?

---

Back at you well after the Champions League clash on Wednesday. Cheers.