2012/2013 Season
Review:
United
started this season by making two high profile signings: Shinji Kagawa from
Borussia Dortmund, and Robin van Persie from Arsenal. Both would play a key
role in the months to come. Having lost the title the previous year in the most
traumatic way possible, especially having it snatched from their grasp by their
closest geographical rivals, United began with rhetoric of strength and stability,
and a determination never to let it happen again. Unfortunately, they started
their attempt to reclaim the title in the worst possible way. A 1-0 defeat away
at Everton put them immediately on the back foot against their rivals.
Subsequent 3-2 victories against Fulham and Southampton did little to raise
expectations, as in both United could consider themselves fortunate to come
away with all three points. Four successive victories followed, putting United
back on track for European and domestic success.
September
ended in the worst possible way, with United relinquishing their usually
impenetrable home record to a Gareth Bale inspired Tottenham. Further evidence
that United were not yet at top gear, which gave hope to their title rivals.
After the disappointment of this result, United rebounded in the best possible
way, winning their next five games, including an away win at Stamford Bridge.
It also ensured that there would be no repeat of the early elimination from the
Champions League, as United cruised through their first three group games,
caliming their place at the top of Group H. October, like September, ended on a
sour note for the Red Devils. An incredible topsy-turvy game at Stamford Bridge
in the Capital One Cup ended with a 5-4 scoreline, forcing United into an early
exit.
Despite
this setback, United once again rebounded. Robin van Persie had started his
United career in fantastic goalscoring form, with a goal on his home debut and
a hat-trick against Southampton, almost single-handedly handing United the
points. He showed no mercy with the visit of his former employers, Arsenal. A
goal inside of 3 minutes set United on their way to a 2-1 success over the
Gunners, and set van Persie well on the way to winning the Golden Boot for the
second year in succession. United would only suffer one further setback during
November, a shock 1-0 defeat at Carrow Road to Chris Hughton’s in form Norwich
side. Whilst United quickly recovered, it brought the chasing pack very much
into view once again.
After
the Norwich defeat, United went on a quite amazing unbeaten run, stretching 18
games. It was this run, coupled with the failing of Manchester City to be
consistent, that ensured the title would be moving across the city once more.
Notable games within this run include a defensive nightmare from both sides in
an incredible first half at Reading, where the sides went into the break at 3-4
in United’s favour. A last minute, euphoric derby day victory at their great
rivals City, simultaneously breaking the near 2 year unbeaten record of the
reigning champions, which sparked ugly scenes in which Rio Ferdinand was hit
with a missile from the crowd. The away game at Swansea was equally eventful,
as after Robin van Persie was struck by a ball on the head from close range
after play had been stopped, Sir Alex Ferguson proclaimed that ‘the ball could
have killed him’. Widely satirised, the quote remains one of my favourites from
the season.
After
easing through a relatively straight forward Champions League group, United had
a less than favourable Last 16 draw, with Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid being
drawn as their opponents. A hard fought 1-1 draw in the Bernabeu gave United
fans hope of progression, with David de Gea and Danny Welbeck particularly
impressing in Spain. The hotly anticipated return leg was stoked up further by
Mourinho’s claims pre-match that ‘the world will be watching’. The game itself
turned out to be a mostly scrappy affair, which turned on one decision. United,
having taken the lead through a Sergio Ramos own goal, looked to be cruising to
victory until an inexplicable decision from the referee saw the Red Devils
reduced to ten men. A challenge between United’s Nani and Madrid’s Arbeloa saw
the United man catch his opponent slightly late. A definite yellow card. Both
Nani and his manager looked utterly bewildered when they noticed the card
matched the colour of the winger’s shirt, and he had to make the long walk off.
After that, Madrid sauntered to a 2-1 victory, with the added irony of Cristiano
Ronaldo returning to score the winner. After the game, neither Sir Alex, nor
any member of his side, fulfilled their press obligations out of protest, an
action that subsequently saw him fined.
After
the heartbreak of the Champions League exit, United then suffered a second
blow, being knocked out of the FA Cup by the holders Chelsea. After snatching a
replay from a 2-0 deficit at Old Trafford, Chelsea won the replay courtesy of
an acrobatic Demba Ba strike, ensuring that it was the Blues who went to Wembley.
Fortunately for United, the league was still relatively safe, and even though
they lost the subsequent derby at Old Trafford, the Red Devils strolled to the
league title, wrapping it up courtesy of a Robin van Persie hat-trick against
Aston Villa, that also guaranteed the striker the Golden Boot.
The
final few weeks of the campaign were concentrated over the news that Sir Alex
Ferguson, United manager for the past 26 years, would be retiring at the end of
the season. For more detail on my thoughts about that event, please check my
earlier blog post. Certainly, he has left the game on a high, and one that I
believe his successor, David Moyes, will find it incredibly difficult to
replicate in the short term. Overall, whilst United were disappointed in Europe,
they reclaimed what they believed was rightfully theirs.
Player of the Season:
Robin van Persie – The former Arsenal man has made the switch between
London and the North West look seamless, picking up where he left off at the
Gunners, and putting to shame players that claim ‘it takes time to bed in’.
Winner of the Golden Boot and the Premier League, it is not difficult to see
why he wanted to join the Red Devils in the summer.
Game of the Season: West
Bromwich Albion 5-5 Manchester United – Sir Alex Ferguson’s 1500th
and last game as United manager is certainly my pick for game of the season.
Whilst Ferguson would have wanted a simple 3-0 away win, he failed to get his
wish, and football fans were treated to a feast of goals and a host of
entertainment. Whilst I fully expected injury time to continue until United
scored a sixth, a final, sympathetic, ‘Fergie time’, it was not to be, but it
was a hell of a game!
Summer Transfer
Targets (What I Think They Need): With the introduction of David Moyes, it
is very difficult to accurately predict what style of play he will attempt to
implement. With Ferguson in an ‘overwatch’ position, I suspect not much will
change. If this is the case, not many need bringing in. Perhaps another
defender wouldn’t go amiss, with Leighton Baines a possible, but the champions
seem to have a well-knit group already.
Transfer Gossip
Links:
In:
Robert Lewandowski (Borussia Dortmund, ST), Claudio
Marchisio (Juventus, CM), Radamel Falcao (Atletico Madrid, ST), Angelo Ogbonna
(Torino, CB), Ilkay Gundogan (Borussia Dortmund, CDM), Wilfried Zaha (Crystal
Palace, LW, £15million), David Moyes (Everton, Manager), Marouane Fellaini
(Everton, CAM), Leighton Baines (Everton, LB), Nicolas Gaitan (Benfica, RM)
Out:
Sir Alex Ferguson (Retirement, Manager), Anderson (???, CM),
Nani (???, LW), Wayne Rooney (PSG, ST)
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