Manchester United have claimed the Premier League trophy again. They are the Champions of English Football, for the 19th time. Finally overhauling Liverpool with their record of 18. Under Sir Alex, United have methodically set about climbing the mountain and being the top dog. And slowly but surely they have chipped away at Liverpool. Claiming more FA Cups than anyone else. Thats OK, Liverpool have more league titles. Now, United have claimed sole ownership of THAT crown. Still leaves Liverpool claiming more European titles, at 5 to Uniteds 3. Still, next weekend, if United can do for Barcelona, that will put United to 4, one off Liverpool, and we have all seen what happens when Sir Alex sets his sights on a goal...
Was this a classic United team? No. Far from it. For long periods, it was mis-firing. Uniteds away record was ordinary at best. However, one thing this United has that other squads may not have had, grit. It may not have been a classic team, but they have worked together as a team harder than other squads, and dug out points when it looked like they had given them up.
However, what really helped United was that this squad of players battled to turn Old Trafford into a true fortress. The only team to leave with points was West Brom, on the back of a draw. EVERY other game has resulted in victory. This has allowed United to dominate the league. By simply claiming more points in each home-away matchup through a win at Old Trafford, then a win or draw away. At least, United split the points. No one got more out of each matchup than United.
So, what about the team? Well, all round brilliant. No one player stood out and led the team over the line like they have had in the past, with the likes of Cantona with his imperious performances, and Ronaldo with his goals, but this year, United have been a true team. Berbatov has delivered goals, Hernandez has been a revelation, Uniteds mid-field has worked away and generated points from all angles, and Uniteds defence, even when it was creaking, it did not break totally. Nearly gave way a few times, popped a few leaks, but it did not give way totally at any time.
Has it been a top quality season? Well, the quality may not have been there, but it has been a far more exciting league than others in the past. It has seen competitions all the way through. United taking on Chelsea and Arsenal for the title, then throw in Chelsea and Arsenal mixing it up with City for the Champions League, but City also had to watch over their shoulder at Tottenham for long periods for 4th, and Tottenham got into a fight with Liverpool for the last Euro spot...
And at the other end of the table relegation was not fixed until the final day, with 5 teams all able to join West Ham in relegation, and only 1 point separating them. Not only that, but the teams in the bottom three swapped round pretty much every 5 minutes!
Not only that, but the teams above that where never totally safe. Indeed, Aston Villa, in 9th, where only 9 points clear in the end. Newcastle in 12th, by only being 6 points clear could easily have been dragged back into the mire at the pointy end of the season!
It all made for a very exciting season!
So, goodbye West Ham. No idea what happened there. Goodbye and welcome to European football Birmingham (odd one, that) and thanks so much to Blackpool for just having a go. For thumbing your nose, and going back in a blaze of glory. I am sure we will see you up in the Premier League again.
As it is, United won. May not be the best United team ever, but it was a well screwed together squad, they scored more, and beat more people than everyone else. Therefore, deserving champions.
