PREMIER LEAGUE TITLE 2012-13

Premier League Champions 2012-13

by Dr. Michael Calleja

Whilst it may seem like eons ago, the club’s last title win in 2012-2013 will forever be remembered as the final season in charge of the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson. For context’s sake, it is worth mentioning what occurred during the previous campaign - although this will be fleeting and at best ephemeral due to obvious (painful!) reasons.

By April of 2012, the season seemed done and dusted. United, seemingly invincible, were marching towards their 20th title in typical relentless fashion. By the time the Red Devils had travelled to Wigan, Sir Alex’s men were on a winning streak of eight straight victories. Unfortunately, disaster struck as United surprisingly lost 0-1 before the now notorious game vs Everton took place two weeks later, wherein United were held to a fatal 4-4 draw.

These damaging results paved the way for Manchester City to claw themselves back into the race and their credentials were all-but confirmed when they defeated the Red Devils 1-0 thanks to a Vincent Kompany header at the Etihad.

What happened next is still too painful for most United fans so I will spare the details and simply state that some final‑day drama ensured the Premier League trophy ended up being paraded at the Etihad rather than at Old Trafford. It is within this context that Manchester United’s 2012-13 season needs to be analysed…and appreciated. All was set for the gaffer to pull out one final ace before a last hurrah!

Having snapped up Shinji Kagawa from Borussia Dortmund for an undisclosed fee on the 17th of August, it seemed like manna from heaven when against all expectations, Sir Alex (after some careful and shrewd negotiations with Arsene Wenger) managed to secure the signing of the great Dutchman Robin Van

Nonetheless, buoyed by their latest marquee signing, the team seemed strong and with a certain element of panache in it. David De Gea was in goal and was about to take part in his second full season at the club. At the back, Fergie could rely on the tried and tested partnership of Ferdinand and Vidic, with Evans deputising on an ‘ad hoc’ basis. Patrice Evra and Rafael fitted in nicely as full backs.

In the middle of the park, Carrick, Scholes and Cleverley would muster enough pace and energy to keep the midfield engine fluid whilst the ever dependable Ryan Giggs still patrolled the left flank. Nani, Valencia and Young also provided width, speed and guile when necessary. Rooney and Van Persie combined to form a lethal front-line which would power United to a 20th league title.

In typical United fashion, Sir Alex Ferguson’s mantra of ‘always making it hard for ourselves’ would come to ‘haunt’ us fans once again as the Red Devils stumbled to a 0-1 loss on the opening day of the season courtesy of future United midfielder Marouane Fellaini. Despite faltering, United managed to steer the ship and recorded four good wins (Fulham, Southampton, Wigan and Liverpool) before losing once again – this time to a Gareth Baleinspired Tottenham.

On the 28th of October 2012, United managed to beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge – a ground notorious for the Red Devils’ erratic results and less than glamorous performances. However, on this particular day and with ‘Lady Luck’ smiling on United, the Red Devils won 3-2 (courtesy of an own goal, Van Persie’s thunderous shot and a controversial goal by Javier Hernandez). Not the best of games played but the three points would prove to be vital – particularly when fellow Londoners Arsenal were also beaten 2-1 in the following week at Old Trafford. The game will forever be remember for Van Persie’s early strike after a mere three minutes with the enigmatic Dutchman choosing not to celebrate his welltaken goal out of respect for the travelling Arsenal fans.

What ostensibly ensured United’s road to victory was the exceptional run of form the club embarked on from November 2012 all the way up to April of 2013. Having suffered a blip against Norwich City at Carrow Road (0-1 loss), the Red Devils comprehensively won 16 games and drew only twice as their title credentials were realistically never in jeopardy. Manchester City were experiencing a tumultuous season and their campaign would end with the sacking of Roberto Mancini after a surprising 0-1 defeat to Wigan in the FA Cup Final.

However, it goes without saying that United played some absolute crackers along the way. First was a pulsating 4-3 away win vs Reading followed by a last minute goal by Robin Van Persie at the Etihad in a tumultuous Manchester Derby (3-2!). Boxing day of 2012 also served up another classic with a very late Hernandez goal sparking a delirium of ecstasy as United just about edged the encounter 4-3 once again. On the 13th of January 2013, Liverpool were defeated by two goals to one (Van Persie once again and Nemanja Vidic) before wins against Everton (2-0), Norwich City (4-0), Reading (1-0) and Sunderland (1-0) confirmed that no matter what happened in the next encounter vs Manchester City, this would have little, to no effect, on the title. Despite the 1-2 loss at home, United recovered (as they always did under Sir Alex) with a 2-0 win away to Stoke when Van Persie’s celebration almost toppled the manager!

All was set for a crucial encounter at home against Aston Villa. At stake was the Premiership itself with a win needed to secure the title. As was characteristic of the season, Robin Van Persie (who else?) stepped up to score a magnificent hat trick in the first half an hour to ensure United reached the pantheon of world football with an astonishing 20 league titles.

The season would reach a forlorn conclusion when Sir Alex Ferguson announced his retirement from the game. Though the future seemed bright at the time, it’s been eight long seasons since United last won the league with the club nowhere close to mounting a serious challenge to the league title. One can only hope, and pray, that the legacy Sir Alex Ferguson left behind (albeit it being daunting & challenging) may serve as an inspiration to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and United’s current young team – as the Red Devils seek to wrestle the Premier League away from Merseyside and the Blue-half of the city and back to its rightful home at the ‘Theatre of Dreams’.