A
AceRimmer
Guest
Well guys, it's that time of year again. Another season has sped past like a thousand leaping gazelles, and its now time to take stock and look at what happens next year. I thought id start a thread to allow people to post their opinions on what has happened, the highs and lows, and a bit of banter (ie we all laugh at Liverpool!). Oh, and just before anyone tries to get a dig in, I AM a manc 
DT_Xtremez_14:
Manchester United
For me, its been a season of disappointments. Yes we won the Carling Cup, yes we came second in the league, but to be perfectly honest i would have traded it all in for some better football along the way. We lost Ronaldo and Tevez last year, and the goals that those two have scored would have been invaluable for our quest for glory. Ronaldo has proved that despite joining the most expensively assembled squad on the planet, it doesn't automatically equal success (with one game to go). Tevez for me got his just deserts, as I feel he played the United fans and Fergie to get some more cash for himself. Great player, but i cannot help but dislike the man.
Despite our relatively trophyless season (and im not one of those people who thinks we have a right to win everything, i just want to see good football played), we have had some small successes. Most notably a Mr Rooney finally stepping up and showing the world he is a class performer, both for the team and in front of goal.
Highs
Antonio Valencia came in and was widely derided for being, well, crap. I read such comments as "I wouldn't pay 16 kit kats for him never mind 16 million" etc etc repeat ad nauseum. However, he has gone from strength to strength during the season, despite his lack of tricks his pace and power have been excellent, as well as his work tracking back to help out his back 4. A sweet right foot has more than contributed to the number of headed and own goals we have scored this season.
Nani had a slow start to the season, broke ranks in the months before christmas and criticised Fergie, we all wrote him off. What a difference a rollicking makes! After coming back into the side he produced some stunning performances, taunting and teasing defenders, as well as showing he can cross a ball with the best of them. occasionally makes the wrong choice, however his vision has improved dramatically. His true moment of renown came when he made two Arsenal defenders look like statues before dinking in a cross which Almunia turned into his own net.
Darren Fletcher has been immense this season, improved his control and passing immeasurably, and when backed up by that engine he is a cracking midfield player. Versatility also helps.
Wayne Rooney, i need say no more!
Finally, Mr consistent. Patrice Evra was the only United player to play in every league game, and has been absolutely out of this world. What a left back, in my honest opinion the best in the world in his position. Even as an Englishman, i have to accept that he ****es all over Ash Cole, so strong at the back and going forward, and not afraid to get stuck in at any point. Brave, Strong, and not one to take a dive he has been a godsend for a defence which was beset by injuries.
Lows
Michael Carrick. Carrick started his career at OT brightly, but has faded dramatically. Its become so bad that even my missus has started to pick up on how lightweight he is, his lack of covering in crucial areas, and his inability to find that killer pass. Bought for his passing ability and to add a bit of steel in the midfield area, he has instead found an amazing, almost crab like ability to pass only sideways or backwards. Offers nothing at the moment, and has been replaced by a 400 year old Paul Scholes.
Dimi Berbatov. I was one of those who counselled we give Dimi a pre season, and a good crack of the whip in the absence of Tevez and Ronaldo. Boy, did he make me look a d1ck. Useless in front of goal, his good games have been so sporadic that you sometimes you wonder if he is even on the pitch. Im not a person who measures ability by the amount someone sweats, but he certainly isnt the player we thought we were getting when we signed him.
The defence not staying fit. That has been a major issue for us this season, with pretty much every defender bar Evra being injured either regularly or permanently. Not good when you have to use Carrick and Fletcher as centre backs.
Finally, not pulling down Bayerns trousers and spanking them all across Europe. I blame Carrick in both games, the useless git!
Ins & Outs
I think United will trim some players this summer, the most notable ones being Carrick, Berbatov and Anderson. All 3 have failed to make the grade, and all 3 should bring in some much-needed cash. Assuming that Hargo gets a good pre season under his belt, we really could do with picking up a good midfielder. We have seen players like Hamsik mentioned, i think someone who is all round rather than a specific creative type. With Gibson in there as backup, it could work well.
A striker will deffo be on the cards, everyone is looking at Benzema, although he has been shocking at Real i think perhaps Fergie will look for some more experience rather than youth again.
A keeper is also to be expected if Foster leaves.
Conclusion
Not a bad season, in many ways it was so close but yet so far. We failed to play our best football all season, some of it was truly dreadful faire that was served up. However, i believe things are looking up next season, both the reserves and academy performed excellently this season, and there are players who look very good coming through. I think the squad does need a good freshen up, and i expect Fergie to sort it out with the minimum of fuss early into the transfer window, most of our business should be done before the world cup I hope.
Maybe next year we can pick up our football and play a hell of a lot better. If we can get anything more than a tuft of pubic hair and some lice for Carrick, id say we rip their hands off! I don't mind if we fail to win anything next year, as long as the football is better and we don't have to rely on the old guard, having them as a luxury impact player is far better.
Your turn then guys, how do you think your season went? And how do you think it can change next year?
DT_Xtremez_14:Manchester United
For me, its been a season of disappointments. Yes we won the Carling Cup, yes we came second in the league, but to be perfectly honest i would have traded it all in for some better football along the way. We lost Ronaldo and Tevez last year, and the goals that those two have scored would have been invaluable for our quest for glory. Ronaldo has proved that despite joining the most expensively assembled squad on the planet, it doesn't automatically equal success (with one game to go). Tevez for me got his just deserts, as I feel he played the United fans and Fergie to get some more cash for himself. Great player, but i cannot help but dislike the man.
Despite our relatively trophyless season (and im not one of those people who thinks we have a right to win everything, i just want to see good football played), we have had some small successes. Most notably a Mr Rooney finally stepping up and showing the world he is a class performer, both for the team and in front of goal.
Highs
Antonio Valencia came in and was widely derided for being, well, crap. I read such comments as "I wouldn't pay 16 kit kats for him never mind 16 million" etc etc repeat ad nauseum. However, he has gone from strength to strength during the season, despite his lack of tricks his pace and power have been excellent, as well as his work tracking back to help out his back 4. A sweet right foot has more than contributed to the number of headed and own goals we have scored this season.
Nani had a slow start to the season, broke ranks in the months before christmas and criticised Fergie, we all wrote him off. What a difference a rollicking makes! After coming back into the side he produced some stunning performances, taunting and teasing defenders, as well as showing he can cross a ball with the best of them. occasionally makes the wrong choice, however his vision has improved dramatically. His true moment of renown came when he made two Arsenal defenders look like statues before dinking in a cross which Almunia turned into his own net.
Darren Fletcher has been immense this season, improved his control and passing immeasurably, and when backed up by that engine he is a cracking midfield player. Versatility also helps.
Wayne Rooney, i need say no more!
Finally, Mr consistent. Patrice Evra was the only United player to play in every league game, and has been absolutely out of this world. What a left back, in my honest opinion the best in the world in his position. Even as an Englishman, i have to accept that he ****es all over Ash Cole, so strong at the back and going forward, and not afraid to get stuck in at any point. Brave, Strong, and not one to take a dive he has been a godsend for a defence which was beset by injuries.
Lows
Michael Carrick. Carrick started his career at OT brightly, but has faded dramatically. Its become so bad that even my missus has started to pick up on how lightweight he is, his lack of covering in crucial areas, and his inability to find that killer pass. Bought for his passing ability and to add a bit of steel in the midfield area, he has instead found an amazing, almost crab like ability to pass only sideways or backwards. Offers nothing at the moment, and has been replaced by a 400 year old Paul Scholes.
Dimi Berbatov. I was one of those who counselled we give Dimi a pre season, and a good crack of the whip in the absence of Tevez and Ronaldo. Boy, did he make me look a d1ck. Useless in front of goal, his good games have been so sporadic that you sometimes you wonder if he is even on the pitch. Im not a person who measures ability by the amount someone sweats, but he certainly isnt the player we thought we were getting when we signed him.
The defence not staying fit. That has been a major issue for us this season, with pretty much every defender bar Evra being injured either regularly or permanently. Not good when you have to use Carrick and Fletcher as centre backs.
Finally, not pulling down Bayerns trousers and spanking them all across Europe. I blame Carrick in both games, the useless git!
Ins & Outs
I think United will trim some players this summer, the most notable ones being Carrick, Berbatov and Anderson. All 3 have failed to make the grade, and all 3 should bring in some much-needed cash. Assuming that Hargo gets a good pre season under his belt, we really could do with picking up a good midfielder. We have seen players like Hamsik mentioned, i think someone who is all round rather than a specific creative type. With Gibson in there as backup, it could work well.
A striker will deffo be on the cards, everyone is looking at Benzema, although he has been shocking at Real i think perhaps Fergie will look for some more experience rather than youth again.
A keeper is also to be expected if Foster leaves.
Conclusion
Not a bad season, in many ways it was so close but yet so far. We failed to play our best football all season, some of it was truly dreadful faire that was served up. However, i believe things are looking up next season, both the reserves and academy performed excellently this season, and there are players who look very good coming through. I think the squad does need a good freshen up, and i expect Fergie to sort it out with the minimum of fuss early into the transfer window, most of our business should be done before the world cup I hope.
Maybe next year we can pick up our football and play a hell of a lot better. If we can get anything more than a tuft of pubic hair and some lice for Carrick, id say we rip their hands off! I don't mind if we fail to win anything next year, as long as the football is better and we don't have to rely on the old guard, having them as a luxury impact player is far better.
Your turn then guys, how do you think your season went? And how do you think it can change next year?
