6 minute read
EDITORIAL ENGLISH
Editorial
Like practically all United fans, I was confounded when a seemingly ‘winnable’ final left us with nothing but bitter feelings and disappointment. Seeing David De Gea’s spot kick saved not only confirmed another season without any silverware whatsoever – but prolonged the agony of having to wait for practically another twelve months to possibly raise a meaningful trophy.
Considering that Sir Alex Ferguson once stated that our performances in Europe ‘should have been better’, I have always viewed any European Cup final as a major opportunity to further cement ourselves as one of the leading clubs on the continent. There is no reason to believe that we cannot one day be up there with the likes of Bayern Munich, AC Milan or even AFC Ajax for that matter – but that normally takes time and the club needs to rack up a number of trophies along the way. So spurning what ostensibly seemed like another guaranteed trophy to our cabinet filled me with remorse and abject disappointment.
Depending on your point of view, some fans might interpret last season’s second-place finish as ‘improvement’ or ‘progress’. I, for one, feel that winning the Europa League trophy might have significantly propelled the club towards a new crescendo – as a taste of victory might have reinvigorated not just the players but the fans. Unfortunately, the wait goes on…
The EURO 2020 tournament brought much needed joy and passion for many a lover of the beautiful game. Presuming that whoever reads this article is probably an England supporter – losing on penalties has once again come back to haunt the national team. However, the performances of Luke Shaw and Harry Maguire in particular stood out.
Maguire was imperious and implacable against Germany and Shaw demonstrated that his regalvanised form could also be replicated on the international stage. Scoring in the final of a major tournament (coincidentally his first time for the National Team) will do him a world of good and he certainly deserved all heaps of praise that were doled onto him by pundits and fans alike. One final consideration is that, holistically speaking, the England national team has mightily improved (gone are the long ball crosses or sole emphasis on physicality hearkening back to the 90s) – practically unrecognisable from days gone by. This certainly reflects the very good work and roadmap being implemented at St. George’s Park. Going forward, this can certainly benefit Manchester United. If the nation’s philosophy can be altered and an emphasis on producing technically gifted and tactically astute players emphasized at youth team level – youngsters playing for the Academy (whilst being simultaneously exposed to a National Curriculum) can only become better players overall.
Apart from the customary launch of a new kit (and this year’s is pleasantly plain yet easy on the eye) signings naturally dominate ‘the talk of the town’. The manager managed to cajole Edinson Cavani into signing a fresh one-year contract – considering last year’s performances – undoubtedly a major coup. The Uruguayan’s experience coupled with his lethal finishing will certainly serve United in good stead – may he reach even greater heights during this campaign.
The longest protracted saga in living memory was also successfully concluded. Fans all over the world were used to constantly refreshing their news feeds only to find more links/ rumours regarding Jadon Sancho’s ‘impending move’ to Manchester United. The fact that this transfer saga is completed and the player finally seen parading in a United shirt is quite frankly a massive relief. The manager was certainly purring with delight when asked about Sancho - unequivocally stating that ‘We’ve got one of the best forwards in England for the next 10, 12 years. He’s a forward with creativity, flair and individual skills. He’s got years ahead of him and it shows the fans we mean business.’
Though not a huge lover of German football, I do recall one performance by Sancho that convinced me that this guy can actually cause defenders some major headaches. Back in December of 2018, I watched the ‘Der Klassiker’ between Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich. Sancho literally ripped open the Bayern defense on more than one occasion. Inspired by certainly one of Sancho’s greatest performances in a Dortmund shirt, his team edged out a tense match 3-2. From that moment on, any club that could get its hands on Jadon Sancho would be obtaining one of the best players in Europe. Thankfully, Sancho will shortly be donning the red of Manchester.
At the time of writing, even though the future of Paul Pogba remains shrouded in mystery, another major coup is the signing of World Cup Winner Raphael Varane. Unlike the ‘Sancho Saga’ – this transfer deal certainly caught most people unawares due to its sudden progression and eventual confirmation. The Manager, sensing a perennial weakness and frailty at the back opted for the safe and sensible option of bringing some muchneeded experience to the back four. Varane’s capture signalled to the footballing world that United means business. A proven winner and tenacious centre-back with Real Madrid, the Frenchman will certainly bring some muchneeded continental experience and one would certainly hope (and pray!) that he will be able to foster a strong and no-nonsense bond with club captain Harry Maguire.
All things considered, this will certainly be a ‘make or break’ season for Ole. With new signings come added pressure & expectation. To satisfy the club’s (and the fan’s) insatiable high standards, nothing short of a trophy will suffice – especially since the squad already looks significantly stronger than the two previous campaigns. Roping in another world class player would be a major achievement – although keeping Pogba at the club might be the most sensible (and pragmatic) option.
There is no reason to think that the club cannot mount a serious assault for silverware on all fronts. However, getting over the finishing line and winning is another matter entirely. This season will not only be a test of endurance, fitness and squad rotation – but a mental challenge – one that I sincerely hope we may finally manage to overcome. Enjoy the read!
(https://www.facebook.com/Cristiano) @cristiano
Everyone who knows me, knows about
my never ending love for Manchester United. The years I spent in this club where absolutely amazing and the path we’ve made together is written in gold letters in the history of this great and amazing institution. I can’t even start to explain my feelings right now, as I see my return to Old Trafford announced worldwide. It’s like a dream come true, after all the times that I went back to play against Man. United, and even as an opponent, to have always felt such love and respect from the supporters in the stands. This is absolutely 100% the stuff that dreams are made of! My first domestic League, my first Cup, my first call to the Portuguese National team, my first Champions League, my first Golden Boot and my first Ballon d’Or, they were all born from this special connection between me and the Red Devils. History has been written in the past and history will be written once again! You have my word! I’m right here! I’m back where I belong! Let’s make it happen once again!
