It was party time at Old Trafford as Manchester United, winners of 6 Premier League titles, 2 League Cups, an FA Cup, a European Cup, and a World Club Cup in the last 10 years, saw out the decade in style by reproducing their five goal haul at the DW Stadium against the same opponents.
How would you like to win a copy of the excellent Glory, Glory: Man Utd in the 90s by Andy Mitten? If so all you have to do is answer five simple questions and fill in your email address – that is it! Twenty seconds of your time could get you a free book for your troubles! If interested read on….
Six Premier Leagues, two League Cups, one FA Cup, a World Club Cup, a European Cup not to mention getting to four Cup Finals we didn’t win and the 3 Charity/Community Shields.
A decade in which we have seen three “different” United sides with two of those being the most successful in the clubs history, a decade which saw the rising stars of the 90′s consolidate their place in the clubs’ and football history as some of the best ever to play the game as well as a new crop of world beaters.
We Manchester United fans have been truly spoiled over the last generation, making a review of the last ten years something of a double edged sword. Too many fantastic moments to mention; and plenty of controversy to get your teeth stuck into.
As we pass the first decade of the new century, Stretford-End.com casts a fond eye over a golden period for the club and asks you to help pick winners from various categories.
In this blog we’ll concentrate on what we feel were the best games; if you feel we’ve missed one out, please feel free to add your suggestions.
Although at the Stretty Rant we concentrate on issues involving United – we do like to engage in debates over other aspects of the beautiful game. I got a royal ROASTING in the ‘Ferguson criticism blog‘ the other week. Some justified, some total bullshit – but it got people talking about the tactics Ferguson adopted against Fulham. I for one would never promote a three man defense – although I do adhere to a 4-3-3 shifting to a 3-4-3 if you have the players when attacking. So what do you make of the decline of the 3-5-2? Or is the 3-5-2 alive and kicking as it was back in 1986 when Carlos Bilardo (pictured above) shocked the footballing world with the removal of two wingers?
There has been a lot of talk over the last few days that Luis Nani has been included within a transfer deal to Benfica for the purchase of the talented winger Angel Di Maria and I for one would welcome the transfer of the young Argentinian. Nani has continued to frustrate since he signed from Sporting Lisbon two and a half years ago, whilst his comments suggesting that he was ‘mis-managed’ by Sir Alex Ferguson surely can’t have gone down well with the manager. I think Nani’s time is up at Old Trafford and I would welcome the winger who Maradona described as ‘the next Argentinian superstar’ to Manchester.
Manchester United bounced back from a 3-0 hammering at Fulham by beating relegation threatened Hull City 3-1 at the KC Stadium. Goals from Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov either side of an Andy Dawson own goal, sealed the win as United keep in the hunt for a fourth successive title. United welcomed back Wes Brown, Rafael Da Silva and Nemanja Vidic from injury as United lined up with a more recognisable backline.
In the wake of a 3-0 hammering away to a good, but unfancied, Fulham side – there is always going to be scapegoat, excuses and ridiculous claims by fickle fans. Yesterday was a bad day for United, as was the 1-0 defeat to Chelsea and as was the recent 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa at home. However, in that time Ferguson’s tactics have been blamed, the performances of certain players have been questioned and our quest for a fourth successful title seem to be slipping away. I’m here to tell you know that the position we find ourselves in now isn’t Ferguson’s fault – not in the slightest.
It is a perfect illustration of the crisis Manchester United find themselves in when it is no surprise to say that Fulham unsurprisingly mercilessly battered the Premier League Champions – and while Roy Hodgson’s side and supporters should no doubt bask in the glory of a comprehensive 3-0 victory, the damning criticism of United that will be coming from the direction of the media will not reflect the reality of the situation.
Manchester United have been drawn against AC Milan in the last 16 of the Champions League, who are currently sitting in second place in Serie A. United haven’t had the best record against AC Milan over the years in the European Cup – winning three out of the eight games played and losing the remaining five. United and Milan have history in the competition and the first clash occured post Munich in the spring of 1958. United beat the Rossoneri 2-1 at Old Trafford but were outclassed in the San Siro in the second leg, losing 4-0 in the process. The game will also see the potential return of former United midfielder David Beckham – who left the club for Real Madrid back in 2003.
I wrote yesterday regarding Derek McGovern of the Daily Mirror and how he is the worst journalist in the UK.
Today he cemented the position in his latest column by declaring in all seriousness that both Tottenham and Wolves have better teams than Manchester United. That’s Premier League Champions Manchester United, League Cup holders, Champions League finalists and (for the moment at least) World Champions.
Naturally, something had to be said because presumably whoever is in charge of editing at the Mirror is either missing McGovern’s rabid scribes or is being slipped a crafty tenner. So, we emailed them.
