In a week where they have almost sealed the Premier League, and in a great position to beat Real Madrid and go through to the quarter-finals, Manchester United have still not been praised enough. In fact, the suspicion lingers amongst everyone that this United team is not even close to special (Not to mention they are through to the FA Cup quarter-finals too).
So what is it with everyone who are saying that Manchester United are nowhere close to their vintage form? After their draw with Real Madrid at the Bernabeu, they were labeled ‘lucky’, ‘resilient’, ‘dogged’ and individual performers – Jones, De Gea, and Evans were praised for their solid display that ‘kept Manchester United in the match’. Well, this is nothing new as it has been going on since the start of the season. Their defense is shaky. They have a dodgy goalkeeper between the posts. The midfield lacks the spark of Roy Keane’s era. They have been getting away with wins luckily, and it will come to an end soon. Has it now? Not only has the run not stopped, they have been beating opponents for fun. Okay. Let me tell you why this side is all the more special.
Everyone is amazed that how a side that has leaked 31 league goals at an average of 1.19 per game is sitting 15 points clear at the top of the table right now. This is only second worst to any English champions – the first being Ipswich who conceded 67 goals in 42 games in 1961-62. But here’s the truth of the total points tally. When you compare this side to the past champions, it is only second best to Mourinho’s Chelsea and Dalglish’s Liverpool of 1987-88. Both had 66 points after 26 games. And United – 65. Going on with the points tally, it is 14 points better than Ferguson’s treble winning side in 1999. It is more than any other United side under Sir Alex Ferguson. The points tally is also better than Arsenal’s Invincibles of 2003-04 – they had 64 points after 26 games.
So what is it with this United side? Are they much better than what they have been credited for up till now? Or has the Premier League become too uncompetitive?
Manchester City are in a post-title win meltdown phase. They are struggling to put consistent results together. Chelsea seem stuck and stagnant as the old guard of Frank Lampard and co. remains. Arsenal are like a cute little bird with its wings cut off. Tottenham – well, they are not quite there yet.
People would argue that United’s play hasn’t been quite as magical, and frequently point out their ‘over-reliance’ on Robin Van Persie. Yes, without Robin Van Persie’s goals, United would have been mid-table. But all the players in the team have chipped in at crucial times and proven their worth. Chicharito has been brilliant all season even without a consistent run in the side. Rooney has been as selfless as ever, emulating the form and the role he had in the side when Cristiano Ronaldo was in the side. Rafael has been by far the best right-back in England this season, and his confidence is ever-growing. Evra has rediscovered his old-self and has been churning out shifts at left-back. Carrick has arguably had his best season in the past 4 years. Cleverly has been a breath of fresh air all season with his pace and movement in the midfield. Phil Jones, there is nothing to say for this man, after his amazing performances against Real Madrid and Everton successfully negating the impact of Cristiano Ronaldo and throwing Marouane Fellaini completely out of the game at Old Trafford. The United defence has improved enormously since December, and so has David De Gea. The lad has been terrific in the past few months and bashing his critics. Surprisingly, when Vidic got injured again at the start of the season after a few games, people believed that United would fall behind the title race. But then stepped up Jonny Evans. He has been having his best season so far in a United shirt.
They say titles are won by the defence – and I have supported this notion too since the time I have been followed football, but not anymore. With such an attacking line-up, players ready to step up every time they are called for, and not knowing when they’ve lost the match, this United side is close to unbeatable. After last season’s horror finish for United, they have been all the more determined to not let it happen again. And it shows in every game they play. The focus is there – the will to win every game is ever-present, whether the game be against Real Madrid or QPR. Sir Alex’s motivation to his players has been top drawer this season, and so has the reaction of the players. Past United teams have won title because of their tight defence and fluid attacks. But this season has been more about the grit and determination to succeed. They have been patchy at times in the first half of the season with the uncertainty in defence and their goalkeeper, but it is all in the past now. The players and the staff alike are focused to win every game they play and keep their confidence going. It is as if they don’t care how many they concede. It feels like that just have one aim this season – to snatch back the title from Manchester City in style.
Sir Alex Ferguson stated earlier that this United team has been driven by last season’s failure. Also that it is better than the treble winning 1999 team. Manchester United players have backed those words up with their results and determination. Sir Alex is not going to take things easy as the season enters its crucial period. And come May, the title surely seems to be United’s.
