As the clock ticked inexorably into injury time I finally
allowed myself to believe. We were going to do it. Somehow despite all the
odds, we were going to do it. This team, Fergie’s worst in twenty years©, were
about to secure United’s twentieth title and in the process break the hearts of
those noisy neighbours from the council house.
Minutes later I sat agog, bereft. What had just happened?
The answer was we had been given a taste of our medicine. For Bayern ’99,
Sheffield Wednesday ’93 and Tottenham ’01 now add city ’12 to the list. Except
this time we were on the receiving end, and boy did it hurt. How did our
players react to such a cruel blow? I have no idea, currently in the middle of
a prolonged media blackout I may never know how they felt as the pint-sized
Argentine consigned us to a summer of sorrow and lament. But I know how I feel
about them. I may not have been able to watch them slump to the turf as nine
months hard graft slid agonisingly away but I’d watched them right up until
that terrible last act. I’d watched them enough to form an opinion on how
they’d performed. So here it is.
KEEPERS
David De Gea
“God he’s a bit thin isn’t he”? “Definitely too thin to be a
keeper, especially in England”! “What will happen when we play at Stoke”? And
so began DDGs career in England. Just 20 years of age and with no experience of
English football he was always going to face scepticism from the
traditionalists. We had gone from having a dependable elder statesman to having
a doe-eyed tyro in the space of a few months. This was going to take some
getting used to.
His start certainly didn’t help. Rudimentary errors against
city and West Brom in his first two games were fortunately wiped out by match
winning performances but already the knives were out. We backed our young
Spaniard to the hilt but who among us didn’t harbour our own doubts? A period
of relative consistency settled both ours, and De Gea’s nerves, and it seemed
all was well. Wrong. Bullied by Blackburn and demoralised at Anfield it looked
like Dave was heading the same way as the many that had tried, and failed, to
fill Schmeichel’s gloves. Dave’s stock was at rock bottom. Time to take him out
they said, bring in the dependable Lindegaard. But an injury to the Dane meant
we were stuck with the browbeaten Spaniard. And that was that.
Faced with the option of either sinking or swimming, Dave
swam. He swam his little heart out and the young, tormented custodian of the
winter months blossomed into a confident, almost cocky, goalkeeper. There was
still the occasional error, but that’s just part of a keeper’s life. Dave had
come good. He had walked through the valley of death and lived to tell the
tale. He is ever so thin though.
Rating: 7
Highlight:
Announcing to the world that he and his girlfriend ‘enjoy’ his beard. I enjoy
it too.
Lowlight: Feebly
grasping the Mancunian air for a ball that was never his as Blackburn scored
their third, and ultimately the winning, goal at Old Trafford on New Year’s
Eve.
Anders Lindegaard
For a time last season Lindegaard benefited from simply not
being David De Gea. As the young Spaniard lurched from one disaster to the next
there was a groundswell of support for the Dane to become our number one
keeper. This was despite many Reds having barely seen him in action. True he
had performed admirably in Lisbon as United gained a valuable away point but
his other appearances had been in largely uneventful one-sided United
victories. As fate would have it Lindegaard picked up an injury just as his big
chance looked to have arrived. And from that point forwards we saw the
blossoming of the previously nervy De Gea. Lindegaard will remain our number
two but he is arguably the best back up keeper United have ever had.
DEFENDERS
Rio Ferdinand
Rio played 29 league games this season, the most he’s
managed since 2007/08 which ended with United winning the League and Champions
League double. My question is this: why did he have wait until Vidic got
injured to figure out his injury problems? Does he secretly dislike the Serb?
Thus explaining why he’s featured so rarely in recent years. Whatever the
reasons it was good to have the wobbly gobbed one back in the fray albeit
without our club captain at his side.
At the time of writing Ferdinand has just been omitted from
the England squad for the European Championships surely bringing an end to his
international career. He’s thirty three now so although he might be unhappy to
miss out on England’s progression to the quarter finals before being knocked
out on penalties it’s probably for the best really. He’s unlikely to have the
longevity of Giggs or Scholes but another couple of years in United’s back four
is the least we can expect.
Rating: 7
Highlight: Going
up for a corner against Bolton in January. You are allowed to enter the
opposition box occasionally Rio.
Lowlight: The
defensive mix-up which allowed Jelavic to score Everton’s third goal in the
game which effectively cost us the title.
Jonny Evans
Why is there no ‘H’ in your name Jonny? The only other
person I know with an H-less Jonny is Jonny Wilkinson and he seems to be a
right twat. Sort it out Johnny. See what I did there? Bit of a breakthrough
season for the young (he’s actually 24 now) Northern Irishman though. His
sending off in the home game against city was the final straw for many fans.
And when Vidic got injured we all wondered who would be the one to partner Rio.
Smalling? Jones? William Prunier? Nope none of them. Up stepped Jonny and like
De Gea he flourished with the knowledge that his place in the team was safe and
he wasn’t going to be dropped at the first sign of nerves.
How good is Evans though? At one point during a particularly
decent spell of form Fergie was moved to call him “the best defender in the
country”. Whoa steady on there Sir Alex! Titus Bramble is still playing these
days didn’t you know? Evans is an excellent centre back. Quick in the tackle,
confident on the ball and an excellent reader of the game he has all the
attributes to be one of the game’s best. But whether he can ever live up to the
grandiose claims of his manager is another matter entirely.
Rating: 6
Highlight: His
first goal in professional football at Wolves.
Lowlight: The
aforementioned sending off in the derby game at Old Trafford with the score at
1-0. I’m not blaming Jonny for what happened though..........
Phil Jones
At one point during the game at Loftus Road against Queens
Park Rangers I began to believe that Phil Jones might very well be the greatest
footballer I had ever seen. One rampaging run after another had left the
opposition bedraggled and wearied as they struggled to cope with the
indefatigable young centre back turned midfielder. He was literally unstoppable
(he may actually have been stoppable but if Jamie Redknapp can use that word
out of context well so can I). Bobby Charlton had compared him to Duncan
Edwards and right there and then I was willing to liken him to not only our
tragic hero from the 50s but the Greek Gods into the bargain.
But then his form dipped. Only slightly at first. But then
noticeably. He went from being a boisterous buffalo running riot on the plains
of the Premier League to a meek little mouse unable to clear the first man with
his crosses. He even got injured. You’re supposed to break bones Phil but not
your own. By the end of the season he looked like someone who couldn’t wait for
the season to be over. But sadly, unlike his defensive ally Rio Ferdinand, Phil
Jones will be travelling to Polkraine this summer to watch England stumble and
stutter for everyone’s amusement. I’d imagine Fergie is already planning an
extended break for the clearly jaded Lancastrian.
Rating: 6
Highlight: An
assured midfield display in the League game at Anfield which enabled us to end
our losing streak there.
Lowlight: Getting
bullied by Ba at St. James in a rare outing at centre half.
Chris Smalling
Bit of a truncated season this one for Chris. He’s
officially the best Chris to ever play for United did you know that? Tell me a
better one? Go on. Smalling is one of the few players in the current United
squad that I buzz off when watching him play. I love the fact that he was
plucked from relative obscurity into the harsh realities of Premier League
football and barely batted an eyelid. When Fergie forked out £10 million for
him there was many who wondered what he saw in the raw Maurice Moss lookalike
but he fitted seamlessly into the United side whenever he played.
He showed his capability at full back this season as well
but to my mind he is the long term successor to Rio when he finally calls it a
day.
Rating: 6
Highlight: That
cool little headscarf thing he wore against Bilbao which made him look a
prisoner from a gritty Louis Theroux documentary.
Lowlight: Where’s
Kompany gone? Oh there he is. Oh shit.
Rafael
You can say what you like about the little barmpot but I
love him. He just doesn’t give two fucks. Up against the speediest winger in
the League? Not a problem. “I’ll just dive in and try and nick the ball
away............oops.......not to worry I’ll chase back now and get it off
him...........there you go, told you I could do it............now I’ll set off
on the attack and most likely score a goal”. He’s mental the little Brazilian
and has all the footballing brains of Rene Higuita..... on crack. His
positional sense is diabolical and I’m convinced he has no idea what the
offside rule is all about but he’s still one of the most entertaining players
in the United squad.
Rating: 6
Highlight: Finally
convincing Fergie to send his idiot brother out on loan so he can get some
peace and quiet while preparing for matches.
Lowlight: Unfairly
blamed for the 4-4 draw against Everton the little Brazilian didn’t feature
again.
Patrice Evra
It says a lot about the irascible Frenchman that his most
notable moment of the season came after the final whistle had blown in the game
against Liverpool at Old Trafford. His full time histrionics in front of the
Stretford End, and more notably Luis Suarez, were fully justified given the
amount of injustice Paddy had to endure. And what United fan didn’t rejoice in
the sight of our left back giving it welly?
On the pitch however things have changed. The player who at
one point was our most consistently brilliant performer has now lapsed into a
different kind of consistency. These days Evra is consistently average. He’s
rarely awful but long gone are the driving, surging forwards runs of old. No
more is Evra the nimble, athletic patroller of the left side of United’s
defence. He is now just another left back. Another run of the mill defender in
a league full of them. Yes there are occasional moments of brilliance which
remind us of the Evra of old but no longer is he the mainstay he once was and
it could be argued that only his captaining of the side is keeping him in the
team. A challenger to his position is needed and fast.
Rating: 6
Highlight: His
merry jig in front of the Stretty which so angered the Liverpool players.
Diddums.
Lowlight: An
insipid performance in the Old Trafford derby which was later explained by the
recent loss of one of his brothers.
Nemanja Vidic
It was bad enough losing Vidic for the majority of last
season, now the fear is that he may never be the same player again. Time will
tell how he recovers from his ruptured cruciate ligament injury. But having
never been blessed with the greatest pace or mobility and now the wrong side of
thirty there has to be some question marks over the future of our club captain.
Fabio
Did he even play last season? Apparently he started ten
games but I’m fucked if I can even remember one minute he spent on the pitch
last season. Also does anyone think he’s starting to look less and less like
his brother with every passing year? I can easily tell them apart now. And no
not just by seeing which one is playing and which one isn’t! Should be even
easier to tell them apart from next season as Fergie is shipping the
non-playing da Silva brother out on loan.
MIDFIELDERS
Michael Carrick
My United player of the season for 2011/2012. Yep the
perennial scapegoat for all that is wrong with Manchester United Football Club
had, what was for me, his finest season in a red shirt and deserves a little
bit more recognition than he’s got. From the time of his recall to the side in
early December right through to the end of the season Carrick was our most
consistent performer. Snuffing out attacks with a minimum of fuss, diligent use
of the ball, contributing in both attack and defence without ever affecting the
balance of the team, Carrick was a model of excellence throughout.
But because he doesn’t go charging into tackles in the
manner of more agricultural players or leave his post to go on fruitless
sorties in search of a goal he’s derided as a player who offers little. Carrick
offers everything you can expect of a modern day central midfielder. His only
crime is not being English enough in a league full of foreigners. Because make
no mistake if he were called Michele Cariccione he would be one of the most
feted players in English football.
Rating: 8
Highlight:
Becoming even more unassuming that I previously thought. If he weren’t a
footballer Michael Carrick would clearly be one of the most forgettable people
on the face of this planet.
Lowlight: Being
overlooked for England duty at the Euros. Although he’s probably better off in
truth.
Anderson
Oh Ando how many more chances? Like a wife-beating husband
we forgive and forgive the porcine Brazilian, always believing that this will
be the time. This will be the time when the pain of the past will be forgotten
and he finally comes good. And for a while it seems like our faith was
justified. He zips up and down the pitch with his beautiful lardy arse poking
out and we love him. We laugh as he scowls and smirks his way through games and
we congratulate ourselves for having such patience.
Then the old problems rear their ugly heads. It starts with
a hamstring injury and the promise that he’ll return in a few weeks. A few
weeks pass, where’s Ando? Nobody knows. Chances are he has locked himself in
the Old Trafford toilets with a year’s supply of KFC and isn’t coming out
anytime soon. This particular wife has felt too much pain, got her hopes up far
too often. Sling your hook Ando and make sure the door doesn’t hit your fat
arse on the way out.
Rating: 5
Highlight: A
sublime goal against Spurs in the first game of the season, capping a man of
the match display.
Lowlight: Attempting
to eat his own weight in Kit Kat Chunkys and failing by a mere two bars.
Tom Cleverley
Did you know Tom Cleverley has his own website entitled TC23? On there you can read about and I
quote “My Game”, “My Life”, “TC Community” and the rather intriguing sounding
“TC23 Collection”. Fuck me. How many games has he played for United? Imagine
what he’ll be like if ever becomes an established player? TC23. It sounds like
a cream for haemorrhoids! “Ere luv get me the TC23 wilya me fookin arse is
killin me”!!
I actually like Cleverley as a player though. A bit like
Carrick he does the simple things well. Gets up and down the pitch and links
the play quite cleverly (fuck I really thought I could manage it but I
couldn’t). But like his early season central midfield partner, Anderson, he
appears to be made out of balsa and he never really recovered from the injury
inflicted upon him by the great, lumbering oaf that is Kevin Davies. Or KD14 as
he probably calls him. But let’s just see if you’re the real deal before you go
adding to that website of yours eh Clevz?
Rating: 6
Highlight:
Bagging a Page 3 stunnah for himself. I have no idea how long he’s been going
out with her but fair played to the lad, excellent exploitation of his status
as TC23.
Lowlight: Filling
the role of ‘injured midfielder who could really improve the team’ vacated by
the departed Owen Hargreaves.
Paul Scholes
Why are you coming back Scholesy? Why risk ruining your
legacy? It can only end badly you know? Just some of the questions that ran
through my mind on the morning of the cup game at the council house which saw
the return of the ginger ninja. It seemed like a step backwards for both club
and player. The only plus point I could foresee was the subsequent end to the
Manchester United career of Darron ‘Potshot’ Gibson. Scholes had retired for a
reason and it seemed like a wise decision at the time. So why come back?
How happy I was to be proved wrong. After a jittery couple of
games Scholes settled into the old routine. Invigorated by the break he was
even better than we remembered. He even started getting forward again, popping
up unexpectedly in the box like the 2000 vintage edition. He’s now decided to
stay on for another year. I still kinda wish he hadn’t to be honest. This
glorious swansong could have been the perfect finale to one of the all-time
great United careers. But then what do I know.
Rating: 8
Highlight: All of
it. Every single moment. From the dinked five yard passes to the long distance Scholesly
specials.
Lowlight: A less
than stellar second debut in the cup game at city.
Darren Fletcher
Never the healthiest looking individual we finally
discovered the cause of Fletcher’s less than rosy complexion. Ulcerative
colitis threatens to end the career of one of my favourite United players of
recent years and its saddening to see such an honest, hard-working individual
battle this illness while others at the club steal a living. I’m still allowed
a joke or two at his expense though right? C’mon?!! Okay then I won’t mention
anything about Fergie not allowing Dazza anywhere near the dressing room during
squeaky bum time or anything like that, I promise.
Nani
Why is that with Nani that you always feel he is on the cusp
of something? On the cusp of being a world-class player. On the cusp of having
a truly outstanding season. On the cusp of finally fulfilling his potential. On
the cusp of bringing a halt to his mesmerising footwork and eventually crossing
the ball. About to enter his sixth season at the club Nani has never quite
developed into the player we thought he would become. The childish impudence
which marks his game has never quite left him. He’s still a fabulous footballer
and one of United’s biggest assets but there will always be question marks
surrounding the Portuguese.
You only have to look at his goals and assists over the past
couple of seasons to recognise his growing importance to this current United
side. After Wayne Rooney he is our most effective attacker but you could argue
that that is a sad reflection on the quality of our frontline rather than anything
else. Despite missing a large chunk of the season through injury he still
managed to average a goal every three games in the league which is an excellent
strike rate for a winger. But still the doubts remain.
Rating: 7
Highlight: His
two goals in the Community Shield against city way back in August.
Lowlight: The
mid-season injury which curtailed his involvement at a crucial period.
Antonio Valencia
What can you say about Valencia? Is he
really a Replicant? I certainly think so. When was the last time you saw him
sweat or even look remotely tired? This season has undoubtedly been his best in
a United shirt. And that is despite becoming more one-dimensional than ever
before, his play is now so predictable that it is only half a dimension. But
just because defenders know what he is going to do does that mean they can stop
him? I’m afraid not. Once Tony gets the ball out on the right-hand side he will
stop at nothing to ensure he gets in his cross. He draws the line at using his
left foot though.
The arrival of Ashley Young looked set to consign the
Ecuadorian to the bench as he and the mercurial Nani manned the flanks at the
season’s outset. But Replicants aren’t prone to panic, or any emotion for that
manner, and Antonio simply bided his time and waited his turn. And once he
regained his place there was simply no stopping him. If possible he appeared
even more implacable, even more indestructible, than before. But we know nothing about Valencia really.
Yes Wikipedia may tell us some arbitrary facts about his career but do you
really believe any of that? Someone, somewhere has the answers but for now Tony
shall remain shrouded in mystery. Just the way he likes it.
Rating: 8
Highlight: The
malfunction which lead to him shooting, scoring and celebrating at Blackburn.
Lowlight:
Suppressing a giggle at one of Anderson’s wayward shots during training.
Ashley Young
Upon signing Young many United fans breathed a sigh of
relief. Finally that problematic left winger position would be filled
adequately. I , like many others, just automatically presumed that Young was as
comfortable on his left side as his right. I presumed that he would skip round
the outside of full backs and ping in crosses for our grateful strikers to get
on the end of. I was wrong. Young uses his left foot only marginally more than
Tony Valencia. So why is he a left winger then? I’m still not sure to be
honest.
Being so right footed and playing on the left wing means
that Young tends to cut inside a lot. He goes down the outside, beats his man
and comes back onto his right foot. Then maybe for good measure he’ll do it all
over again. Once he actually bumped into himself on the way back from checking inside.
Young is far more dangerous from central positions and the quality of the goals
he scored this season point to a player with the ability to strike and score
from range almost at will. Already we have seen him play in a withdrawn striker
role for England and you can’t help but wonder how he would fare in a similar position
for United. Don’t ask me who we’ll play on the left though.
Rating: 6
Highlight: An
outstanding two goal performance against Arsenal in the early stages of the
season.
Lowlight: That
dive against QPR. Wasn’t half dramatic enough for my liking.
Ryan Giggs
Is it sacrilege to say I think Giggsy’s time is up? It’s got
to the stage now where you can’t comment on his performance without bringing
his age into the equation. His ability to even play at this level of football
is remarkable for a man of his years (see I just did it there), but no way should he be starting games such as
April’s Manchester derby. If he is to remain then his appearances in the side
should come in the form of an occasional cameo and no longer should we have to
inwardly groan at the sight of his name on the team sheet for a crucial game.
He made his 900th appearance for United at Carrow
Road this season and wouldn’t you just know it he popped up with the winner in
injury time. He is still capable of quality deliveries from his old haunt on
the left wing, but like a boxer who has lost everything but his knockout punch
that is one of the few things Giggs can still do effectively. He may prove me
wrong, after all he’s been doing it for years, but I think this glorious autumn
period of his career is in danger of becoming a harsh, unforgiving winter. And
no-one connected with Manchester United wants to see that.
Rating: 5
Highlight: Scoring
at Fulham to keep up his record of netting in every season of the Premier
League.
Lowlight: Missing
out on the trip to Amsterdam. He would have loved the scenery.
Park Ji-Sung
As the hours ticked by and every United fan waited nervously
for kick off at the Etihad there was many a rumour about the nature of our
starting line up. Most were summarily dismissed for the wums that they were. Then
the official teamsheet was announced and we wondered whether this was the
sickest joke of them all. But no, there he was in all his inept glory: Park Ji
Sung. Rarely can three words have been the cause of such acrimony among United
fans. Some laud him for his work-rate and ability to find pockets of space but
most see him as nothing more than an excuse to sell tickets in the Far East.
His performance in that fateful derby came as no surprise. Hopelessly
off the pace he may have been but having not featured in the first team for
over three months what else was to be expected? Over the years Park has forged
a reputation as a player for the big occasion but some degree of match fitness
is required to have a say in any game, big or otherwise. His future at United
looks unclear, as at the wrong side of thirty he can no longer rely on an
endless supply of stamina to prove his worth.
Rating: 5
Highlight: His
customary goal against Arsenal in the 8-2 mauling.
Lowlight: The realisation
that his time at United may be up.
STRIKERS
Wayne Rooney
If the opportunity arises then I think Wayne Rooney should
leave United this summer. With Barcelona clearly in need of a central striker
there may be a once in a career chance for Rooney to join the Catalans and be
surrounded by the kind of players his talents deserve. Obviously I hope this
doesn’t happen, he is after all our best player. But you can’t help but feel
like Rooney’s peak years are in danger of being wasted at a club unable to
match his ambitions. United and Fergie may make all the right noises but should
another summer pass without some serious additions to the squad then Rooney has
every right to question the club.
In the season just gone Rooney scored 34 goals. But at no
point did you feel like he was the potent force of previous years. How often
did he look to be enjoying his football? Surely he must look around at some of his
team-mates and wonder would he be better served playing elsewhere. He has gone
from being flanked by Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez to having raw rookie,
Danny Welbeck, and the bumbling Mexican, Javier Hernandez, as his main accomplices. While the club was
still successful this wasn’t a major issue. But now that city have formed a
title-winning side how do United respond? More bargain bin buys courtesy of the
Glazers simply won’t cut it. Fail to respond in a sufficient manner and we
could see the departure of one of the finest players to wear the shirt.
Rating: 7
Highlight: His
new hair. It really is a thing of wonder. Not sure if I like his attempts to
grow out at the end of the season though. Stick to what you know Waz.
Lowlight: Being
forced into a midfield role during the winter months as our lack of options in
that area was painfully exposed.
Danny Welbeck
Remember when you were a kid and you loved every single
player on the team? You knew their date of birth, place of birth and favourite
colour. They were idols to a man. Then as you got older you began to realise
that very few of those players cared about the club in the same way you did. They
talked of loving the club ,and in fairness they played like men who felt that
way, but you knew they could never feel how you did. But every now and then a
player comes along who truly seems to care. Eric was the obvious example. Young Danny is another.
There is nothing quite as satisfying as seeing a young
player make the grade. If he also happens to be a local lad well then you can
triple that level of satisfaction. Upon returning from Sunderland this was to
be Welbeck’s breakthrough season. And after a stuttering start that is exactly
what it turned out to be. Strong as an ox, deceptively quick and the possessor
of a great footballing brain Welbeck had an exceptional year. Perhaps not a
natural finisher he does need to become sharper in front of goal but all that
will come. Time is on his side and more importantly, the fans are on his side.
Rating: 7
Highlight: A
vital match winning goal at the Emirates, celebrated in the manner of someone
who really cared.
Lowlight: A
barren run of eleven games without a goal before Christmas.
Javier Hernandez
We worried about it all summer. Would the Mexican take the
necessary precautions or would he fall foul of that most terrible of illnesses.
A summer spent playing for his national team did nothing to alleviate our
fears. He returned a little later than the rest but once he got back playing
everything seemed fine. Maybe he hadn’t contracted the virus after all. But
then as the season wore on our worst fears were confirmed. Yes that’s right,
the little pea had developed one of the most feared ailments for any
footballer. The dreaded Second Season Syndrome.
If you were to judge Hernandez purely on his goals to games
ratio then he didn’t do too badly. 12 goals in 36 appearances is hardly the
worst case of SSS we have ever seen. But it was how his season ended which
sticks in the mind. By the time the crucial title run in rolled round Hernandez
was a mere shell of the player who took the League by storm in his debut
season. He could barely control the ball and some wondered whether his flurry
of goals the previous year had simply been the result of a less than assured
first touch. I’m sure The Pea will return to form next season, after all there
is no such thing as Third Season Syndrome. But a good rest is needed if we are
to see sales of sombreros pick up again round Sir Matt Busby way.
Rating: 5
Highlight: The
winner at Everton in the first game since the 6-1.
Lowlight: A
particularly hapless performance at Ewood Park which was almost painful to
watch.
Dimitar Berbatov
So the beguiling Bulgar is off then? Sadly there won’t be
too many United fans shedding a tear at the departure of our record signing. It
just never worked out for Dimi at United. Right from the off something seemed
amiss. Outrageously talented he may be but Berbatov and United just didn’t go
together. Fans will point to his goalscoring record as proof of his success but
those stats hide the truth. He never did it when it counted. He never grabbed a
game by the scruff of its neck and said “Don’t worry lads, I got this”.
To his eternal credit he maintained his silence when he was
inexplicably frozen out of the team by a manager who had clearly lost all faith
in him. Others would have ran to the press with sob stories and caused all manner
of problems but Berbatov kept his counsel. But maybe that was his problem.
Maybe he just didn’t care enough. All the best Dimi, it wasn’t the love affair
we had hoped for but it had its moments.
Rating: 5
Highlight: A
fruitful Christmas period which saw him bag six goals in three games.
Lowlight: Being consigned
to the sidelines as his United career drew to an ignominious conclusion.
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So that’s then. There were others who played a part this
season but most aren’t worth mentioning. Michael Owen has finally slung his
hook and vacated the number seven shirt he should never have been given in the
first place. Darron Gibson’s departure was long overdue and of great relief to
all. Ravel Morrison made his long awaited debut before being kicked out of the
club for misbehaving one too many times. Paul Pogba? Who knows.
But what of next season? Fergie has said there may be two, perhaps
three, arrivals. A midfielder, a proper one that actually plays there, must
surely arrive this summer. A striker too. But with those penny pinching parasites
still running the club it is impossible to predict the nature of the club’s business
this summer. Just as well there’s no value in the market then eh?
