Feb 28
Forget the Treble, United have already regained their identity
In the ebullient cauldron that welcomed United in their first leg of the round of 16 of the Champions League two weeks ago, one flag stood out from the many that adorned the away end. It read “All the scenes I saw, left me wanting more”, expressing the thoughts of different generations of Reds, from the older heads to the younger fans who are old enough to remember the Treble.
As ever when it comes to Manchester United, moderation is a luxury fans can’t afford, don’t want to afford and aren’t afforded, as the team this season has gone from being the worst United squad ever (for the third year running, I believe) to the point where is now touted to be in a position to emulate the side of ’99.
As I’ve written before on this blog, talking about the Treble now is cheap, non-sensical and, considering the ordeal we put ourselves through last season, just plain daft. I, for one, would be more than happy to trade the Champions League for the Premier League title, for domestic domination has to be the priority this season, a timely medicine to prevent the blue virus to spread any further.
With Chelsea (and hopefully Rafa) due at Old Trafford in the FA Cup, you’d fancy United to progress, particularly as the team is desperate to win the trophy for the first time in almost a decade and while Tuesday’s clash will be glamorous and crucial, there’s still the small matter of other two rounds to negotiate before reaching the final.
Snapping away from these dreams (which, by the way, I believe to be extremely counterproductive), and regardless of how many pieces of silverware Fergie will have got his hands on by the end of May, there are enough reasons to consider this season as the one that is likely to shape our club’s future for the next decade.
The squad is far from being the finished article, a couple of quality signings would undoubtedly improve the overall stature of the team but, for the first time since the Ronaldo years, United have regained an identity of their own, just as they had done between 2006 and 2009.
With Ronaldo and Rooney reaching their peak, Sir Alex Ferguson ditched a system that had delivered unprecedented success but that had grown stale due to a lack of quality in key areas of the pitch.
United didn’t have a Roy Keane in midfield, but nobody cared as the sharp counter-attacking that Sir Alex had decided to use didn’t require a midfield general. In fact, it didn’t require a traditional striker either.
This season, for the first time since Ronaldo’s departure, and despite the success achieved since, United seem to have successfully matured an identity of their own, despite their league position and progress in other competitions drawing inevitable comparisons with the ’99 and ’08 sides.
United don’t have a midfield enforcer or flying wingers, nor do they have a superhuman like Ronaldo, and nor they should have, for this club’s greatest success has always been the ability to evolve over the years.
The signing of Robin Van Persie has provided them with the most technically-gifted player Old Trafford has seen since the Portuguese departed, Rafael has morphed into the best right-back in the country, Tom Cleverley and Michael Carrick have developed an excellent understanding, one that offers rosy prospectives, and in Shinji Kagawa United have a great talent on their hands.
Jonny Evans can now be considered on the same level as Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, while Phil Jones and Chris Smalling have continued their development with excellent results.
Javier Hernandez and Danny Welbeck have added goals and options up-front, David De Gea has shown his many critics that he’s as good as JoeHartEngland’sNumberOne and after a slow start Wayne Rooney has proved to be his usual crucial self.
United might win the league this season, they might even win the Treble (in which case, good luck to you all with the following hangover) but whatever the outcome, this season will go a long way to shape our success over the next decade.
Dan (@mufc_dan87)
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Tags: Opinion Piece
The_Philosopher (402)
Redrich (217)
Opti (207)
Moscow (147)
Stephen (146)
I don’t remember anyone seriously talking about the Treble in 99 until we’d beaten Arsenal in the FA Cup semi-final. It’s still February, let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
The main thing for me is winning the league title back from City. But it would be great to knock Madrid out of the European Cup as well. That would send a message, show that we are back as a top European side.
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@ChrisW: Remember though, in 99 we had never won a treble before so its not something that was at the front of peoples minds.
In subsequent years we have often, as United fans, spoken about the treble. “When will we get ANOTHER treble?” “Will Ferguson retire with ANOTHER treble?”
Once we crossed the line once getting a treble became something normal and achievable.
Looking at where we stand now it is totally conceivable that we could repeat the achievements of 99. . .
And thats the difference. We’re not treble virgins this time round.
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Great article! i remember a couple of seasons ago, Pompy beat us in the FA cup semi final. Fancied us to win the treble that year. Thing with treble is you need an incredible amount of luck as well. Here we are about to play the second left of champions league second round against a superior Real Madrid side, Chelsea (who are no pushovers) in the FA cup and 12 games left in the league and the Media, fans even Manchester United are talking treble. I feel its ridiculous talk, setting us up for disappointment .
What the hell though, lets enjoy the ride. Its typical Manchester United.
Just as people were getting into the grove of a sensible debate about Fergie, future signings .. Another post comes along. As long as people are still commenting, and the last article still has life in it. Other posts should be delayed . i mean earlier on in the week, there were three posts in a day! ** Just saying, I mean no offence**
* TAKE A LOOK AT THE FORUM, SEE IF IT WORKS PLEASE *
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I get this mate, I’m trying to find a happy medium with a forum page, hope this helps. Unfortunately the site needs regular content to pay the bills hence the posts. Thankfully though, and I hope you agree, the current standard of article (most) are all decent and provoking some decent enjoyable discussion. Everyone who’s been here a while knows that’s always been the aim along with improving the community atmosphere and we’re getting there I think.
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@One United:
Champions League: 1 win away from QF (Bayern, Juve, Milan, Madrid, Barca, Dortmund still in it)
FA Cup: 2 wins away from Final (City, Everton still in it)
Premier League: 7 wins away from title.
We can hold the Treble horses in the barn (for now). BUT if we beat Chelsea in FA Cup and get around Madrid + Barca go out… then there is light at the end of the tunnel… and I may just release those Treble horses… it’s crunch time!
Glory glory Man United!!!!!
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@Opti: ian, I am trying to set up in the forum… but no one is joining me. As much as I like intelligent conversations, I find it socially restraining to be the only one in there
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Give it a chance mate, it might take a while to catch on but stick with it. I’ll try to get in there often and One United has also been in there so let’s see how it goes. Thanks and spread the word on the posts
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@One United: But its more fun this way. Every win just makes us more excited.
If we beat Norwich I will be so excited because it means one less game for City to pull a miracle out of the bag.
If we beat Real Madrid (and all it will take is just that one game on Tuesday) then we start believing even more.
Some fans will lose their minds because if Barca go out, then Real would have been our toughest battle.
Just that one game catapults us into the next chapter of the season. A victory against Madrid will be a turning point and a vital catalyst to take on Chelsea and the treble chase in ernest.
And the same goes for Chelsea. Beat them in the FA Cup (after downing Real Madrid) and then we will be unstoppable. Who would bet against us then? Our momentum would be colossal. That alone would give us an incredible edge in the remainder of our games.
I fantasise about us just devouring teams and points and anything else that stood in our way there after.
Although the flip side of all that is that it will also take just one key defeat to be the spanner in the works that sends the United treble machine staggering and wobbling to a grinding holt.
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Great article. Sums up for me why this season has been such an enjoyable one. I still don’t believe we’ve got a side good enough to win the Champions League – I hope they prove me wrong, but you’re right that the important thing this season was to get the Premiership back in its rightful place. The FA Cup would be a fantastic bonus. I’m not even thinking about the treble – what’s important is we’re building a side that looks equipped to challenge in Europe in the near future.
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Nice article Dan.
The idea of winning the treble is an ideal and not really a pipe dream. It would be the benchmark for success, super success, and a speck to aim at when considering your goals and ambitions. We did it already, and not too long ago, and so the thought of doing it again, this year, is a validation and not a fantasy.
I mean, if we were to pull off the improbable, I wouldn’t feel as giddy as I did in ’99, but I would be in awe of this club with it’s achievements – and the number of them. In short, it would take my breath away.
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Has the tone on this blog changed? Are we suddenly allowing ourselves to be filled with optimism and hope? Have we shed our doom-and-gloom fears and is this beginning of the new beginning? Has United’s time come (again)? Is this our finest moment?
A Treble in 2013? Three champions leagues for Giggs, Fergie, Scholes? League title #20 with RvP20? Are the stars aligning?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjzhM-V3WPY
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Opt, It doesn’t seem like yesterday when people on here were saying “sack Fergie” “we are useless” ect. Intelligent supporters realised that we lost the league on goal difference on the last day of the season to a side with an unlimited budget. In truth we did extremely will to get that far, we were in transition and this is the genius of the manger, who can still compete while this is progress.
The talk of the treble for me is still a bridge too far. Europe will be our issue, getting past Real will be very tough and if we do, there is still a long, long way to go. I would love an FA Cup final, ideally against City this would be immense for the City. To beat them at Wembley would be the ultimate revenge for last season.
The signing of Van Persie has made all the difference, but the form of Rafael, Evans and Carrick have been vital lets not forget.
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@Stephen: you forget de Gea as well
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De Gea for most of the season has been very erratic, he is a great shot stopper but still needs to work on crosses, he certainly isn’t in the bracket of the others.
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Well written Dan.
Timely medicine to prevent the spread of the blue virus of City you say.
I look at the melt-down that City are currently experiencing and I can’t help but think that being English champions is a bridge too far them.
This year they’re being tested and have been found wanting. The title victory last term papered over a lot of problems which were revealed this season.
Their championship pedigree is not yet established and if they lose the title this year they may well prove to be one hit wonders.
And yes a couple quality signings would seal our supremacy. A Gareth Bale style left wing and a midfield general would do it.
This season is great. But I’m actually itching to see Nick Powell in full flow.
My constant dream for next season is an emerging Nick Powell mentored by an experienced Frank Lampard. . . (poof) Oh yeah it was just a dream.
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