Race for the title - 20 years on - Leeds United and Manchester United

BACK in 1991, English football witnessed the start of a spectacular and exciting league campaign. Despite Arsenal and Liverpool having shared the tag of Champions in the four years prior, it was Leeds United and Manchester United that ended up slugging it out for the 1991/1992 title. Refreshingly for the neutral, neither team had the so-called nous and experience to call upon from previous title challenges, and it thus culminated into a fascinating story of bravery, belief and even a calamitous own goal.

Over at Old Trafford, Alex Ferguson was once again conjuring up ideas of ending Manchester United’s 24 year wait without the Division One title. At 49, the fiery Scot had slowly begun to reap the benefits of his hard work at the club since his appointment in January 1986. Yet the United side back in 1991 bared no real resemblance to the youthful sides Ferguson has become so famous for producing over the last 15 years.

Back then, Ferguson’s teams were built of steel, experience and resilience, and didn’t have the abundance of youth players that have since broke through the ranks under Fergie’s tenure. Lee Sharpe was the exception, winning the PFA Young Player of the Year for the 1990/91 season. Sharpe himself however, was bought as a youngster by Ferguson, arriving from Torquay at the tender age of 17. The tall winger was in and out of Fergie’s side until late 1990, when some electrifying performances on the left wing ensured that Sharpe was never again considered for the more conservative left-back position that he had experienced in earlier games for the club.

Mark Robins had been a hero 12 months earlier, after scoring a multitude of vital goals of that helped United not only stay up in Division One, but helped the club win the FA Cup. However he had still failed to displace a strike partnership between Mark Hughes and Brian McClair, which had got back on track in the 90/91 season, with McClair rediscovering his goalscoring form and Hughes winning the PFA Player of the Year for the second time in three seasons.

Still supplying Hughes and McClair from central midfield was Bryan Robson, although injuries to the skipper had cost him almost half a season in the previous campaign. The increasingly-improving Paul Ince was now an ever-present in the United engine room, and Neil Webb, when he wasn’t the target of criticism from some United fans, added a calmness and composure to United’s central areas.

In the summer of 1991 United’s defence was strengthened enormously by the signings of Paul Parker and Peter Schmeichel. Schmeichel’s imperious presence and world-class agility ensured Jim Leighton would never play another game for the club, whilst the popular Les Sealey left for Aston Villa after just one full season at Old Trafford.

Parker had always impressed Ferguson during his QPR days, with his pace and man-marking skills the epitome of an established England international. Indeed, despite his lack of height, Parker’s defensive talents persuaded Ferguson to play him ahead of Gary Pallister, who dropped to the bench in the Reds’ early fixtures. United kept a clean sheet in those games against Notts County, Aston Villa and Everton, though Pallister eventually won his place back at the expense of Clayton Blackmore, with Parker switching to full back.

United’s team had often looked imbalanced in the 1990/91 season. Due to injuries to Danny Wallace, Ferguson often employed Mike Phelan at right-midfield, but a lack pace or real attacking threat seemed to handicap the side. This was particularly noticeable when Sharpe was having such an explosive and effective impact on the opposite flank.

Ferguson’s answer to his problems was the signing of lightning-quick winger Andrei Kanchelskis. The Russian, signed on the back end of the 90/91 season, settled in quickly, and suddenly United had an attacking symmetry that would excite the fans and get the manager believing his side could capture that evasive league title. Even a bout of meningitis to Lee Sharpe couldn’t dampen Ferguson’s optimism, as a young Welsh starlet called Ryan Giggs, formerly Wilson, had emerged from the United youth-system to take Sharpe’s place and be touted as the finest prospect in British football since George Best. High praise indeed, and Giggs went on to win the PFA Young Player of the Year in 1992 in his first full season.

Along with Wallace and Phelan, Ferguson could still call on the likes of Blackmore and Mal Donaghy to provide the squad with the depth that it had lacked over the last 12 months. The quality of Ferguson’s new-look squad was evident as United stormed out of the traps.

They started the season confidently, creating chances, scoring goals, and conceding just four times in their first 12 games. The team remained unbeaten until an October trip to Hillsborough, where the team lost 3-2 to newly-promoted Sheffield Wednesday.

It was Wednesday’s Yorkshire rivals Leeds however, that were emerging as United’s main rivals for the title. With Liverpool still in transition under Graeme Souness, and champions Arsenal failing to repeat their outstanding performances from the season before, it was Howard Wilkinson’s side, spurred on by a vociferous and intimidating Elland Road crowd, which was making opposition teams crumble.

Wilkinson was a tireless worker, with self-belief and a persona that matched his team’s abilities. His disciplinarian approach had worked wonders at Sheffield Wednesday, and in 1990 he had won Leeds promotion from the old Division Two in just his second attempt. It was certainly Wilkinson’s golden era at the time, and despite lacking the grandeur and aura of Don Revie, the Yorkshireman’s effectiveness at simply winning games was a match for most.

With width to match United, and a direct style of play that suited both tall striker Lee Chapman and centre-backs that were more comfortable hitting long balls up field than building slowly from the back, Leeds were more than a handful. Chapman’s aerial threat was a supreme outlet for Leeds, making half-decent crosses for his colleagues look like fantastic crosses. Chapman’s confidence grew as high as his soaring leaps, and his natural eye for goal would be difference come the end of the season.

The skilful new signing Rodney Wallace was a perfect foil for the gangly Chapman, with Carl Shutt competent as a back-up striker. Wallace added pace, goals and trickery to a side that had finished 4^th in 1991 in just their first season back in the top-flight after their eight-year absence. The club now had a winning mentality to match anyone, and despite Ferguson’s United winning the plaudits for their attractive and attacking style of football, Wilkinson’s men were fearless competitors who had more than a passing resemblance to Revie’s

In midfield Gary McAllister and captain Gordon Strachan were as cute and creative as any midfielder in the division. The young, tough-tackling midfielder David Batty was another star of the Leeds side, mopping up whenever McAllister charged forward, and the youthful Welsh midfielder Gary Speed added goals from wide areas as well as supplying the front men. Steve Hodge, twice League-Cup winner with Nottingham Forest, could also chip in with goals when needed.

In defence, Chris Whyte and Chris Fairclough provided an incredibly effective centre-back pairing, whilst England international Tony Dorigo and the veteran Mel Sterland got forward whenever they could from the full-back positions. Goalkeeper John Lukic, whose career would suffer literally at his feet in future seasons when the ‘no pass-back’ law was introduced, provided a vocal and stable presence to command Leeds’ own area.

United and Leeds would encounter each other a mammoth four times over the season. Leeds first travelled to Old Trafford on the last day of August 1991, on a baking-hot Autumn afternoon. A confident home side created numerous chances, but it was Leeds who drew first blood in the first half when Schmeichel severely misjudged a Speed cross to gift Chapman the easiest of headed goals. The visitors looked to have grabbed all three points, but a late equaliser by Robson in front of a rocking Stretford End gave Ferguson’s side a share of the points. It was a moment that inspired United to win their next 6 league games.

By October, both teams were firmly in their stride. Despite their loss at Hillsborough, United would go the rest of the year unbeaten. Goals were flying in from all areas, and a 4-0 home victory over Coventry City in early December would be eclipsed by a 6-3 rout at Oldham Athletic on Boxing Day, with ex-Latics full-back Denis Irwin even managing to grab a brace. A battling victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in front of the live ITV cameras gave the nation a first-hand look at Ferguson’s dynamic United side – one that had become firm favourites to lift the league trophy.

But anything United could do, it seemed Leeds could do likewise. October saw Leeds’ first loss as they went down 1-0 to Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, but Wilkinson’s troops saw out the rest of the year unbeaten. A flying Lee Chapman header in a fine 4-1 win at Villa Park in November was the highlight of a free-scoring period for the team, but as 1991 drew to a close, fate would bring Wilkinson and Ferguson against each other in a titanic set of games.

The reverse league fixture was first up, as the last league game of 1991 saw Ferguson’s United travel up the M62 for the vital fixture. Since Leeds’ promotion to Division One, all three league clashes between the clubs had been draws, but when Webb volleyed in for United just after the break, it appeared that Ferguson’s men were set to break that sequence and take a significant step towards realising their title ambitions.

However, as Leeds pressed for an equaliser, a rash challenge by the otherwise-excellent Pallister gifted Leeds a late penalty, and the tenacious yet excitable Sterland sent Schmeichel the wrong way to equalise. United had failed to hold on to their vital lead, whilst Leeds had fought back from the dead. It was a mental victory for Howard Wilkinson’s side for that reason, despite Leeds missing the chance to beat United on their own turf.

As both teams progressed in the Rumbelows Cup, it was almost inevitable that the two sides would meet at some stage in the latter stages of the competition, and Elland Road hosted a Quarter-Final clash in early January. Ferguson’s United bounced back from a 4-1 New Years Day drubbing at home to QPR to defeat Leeds in a thrilling evening clash, with goals by Blackmore, Kanchelskis and Giggs overturning Gary Speed’s early effort.

Just seven wintery days later, the teams took to the field against each other once again in the FA Cup third round, again at Elland Road. Hughes’ first half goal was enough to put United through, as Leeds again failed to make home advantage count. However, Leeds now had a free run in the league till May, with no distractions, and the defeats in both cup competitions turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

Just days before that FA Cup defeat, Leeds produced their best performance of the season by annihilating Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough 6-1. Wednesday would go on to finish 3^rd in 91/92, but Wilkinson’s formidable side showed no mercy as wave after wave of attacks stunned the home side. Another hat-trick by Chapman signified Leeds’ ability to hit goals on the road and not just at Elland Road.

After that FA Cup clash, both United and Leeds stuttered through the next few months. United went unbeaten till mid-March, but there were too many draws against the likes of Notts County and Coventry to call this excellent post-Christmas. More significantly, the goals had started to dry up. From the 1^st of January till the end of March, United only twice managed to hit more than one goal in a game.

United also had problems under their feet. Ferguson wasn’t the only one pointing out the troublesome state of the United pitch, and the boggy pitch certainly didn’t help United’s style of play, but the team was creating enough chances to win games nonetheless. They just weren’t converting them. United’s squad depth was one undoubtedly envied by the whole of the league, but if there were any weaknesses in the squad, it was the lack of cover for Hughes and McClair.

A two-legged Rumbelows Cup semi-final against Middlesbrough drained Ferguson’s men badly. The second leg even went to extra-time as players trudged across the trench-like conditions, and despite United eventually emerging victorious, the excitement of a trip to Wembley was severely dampened by the outcome of the next three league games. Goalless draws with Wimbledon and QPR, followed by a 1-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest, did nothing to aid what was evidently becoming a leggy and luckless United side.

But Leeds didn’t exactly hit brilliant form either in those months. Defeats to Oldham and QPR on the road were somewhat mentally damaging, but the team was scoring enough goals to remain confident of winning games. A home 5-1 victory over Wimbledon, inspired by new signing Eric Cantona, settled down those few frayed nerves that were showing signs of conceding the title to their Mancunian rivals.

Due to United’s Rumbelows Cup exploits, Leeds went into the last two months knowing that United were playing catch-up.  If they didn’t punish teams, then United could overtake them. Even after poor results, Fergusons team was still expected to make their games in hand count.

If Leeds and United stumbled any further towards the finishing line, they could still be caught by George Graham’s Arsenal, who had hit sensational form. From February onwards, the Gunners remained unbeaten for the rest of the reason, winning 10 of their last 17 games. It was ironically two draws against Leeds and United that probably cost them the Gunners a chance of retaining their title. Losing 7 of their first 21 games was never going to help either.

Over at Old Trafford, United looked almost on their last legs. A fixture backlog meant they had to prepare for a mammoth 5 games in 11 days. Their first opponents, Southampton, were struck down by a stunning Kanchelskis volley, but that would be the only high point of a final period that would cost Ferguson the title he craved so much. Two days later a morale-sapping draw at struggling Luton would be United’s last points on the road, and then United’s season fell apart spectacularly.

Nottingham Forest got revenge for defeat to United in the Rumbelows Cup final by grabbing a 2-1 victory at Old Trafford, with a late Scott Gemmill goal clinching the points in front of the Stretford End. The mood at the final whistle was one of exasperation and sadness, with the belief that the title had finally slipped away from Mancunian hands, particularly as Leeds were to beat Coventry City at home that same day.

United would still have to travel to Upton Park to face West Ham with their last game in hand, but a combination of woodwork and missed chances would cost United. Luck was simply not on United’s side, and when a Pallister clearance bounced back off Kenny Brown and flew past Schmeichel, their fate was more or less sealed. If Ferguson’s men lost at arch-rivals Liverpool on the Sunday, then Leeds could win the title by beating Sheffield United at Bramhall Lane earlier that day. 

On a nervous afternoon, both Leeds and United travelled to their regional rivals, knowing a long and tense season could come to its climax in just a few hours.  As the game wore on, and at 2-2, Leeds looked to have dropped two points, but ex-Manchester City player Brian Gayle headed comically into his own net to essentially gift-wrap Howard Wilkinson’s men the league championship.

Over in Liverpool, a boastful Anfield crowd looked forward to crushing the hopes of the United faithful that already knew the final score of the Leeds game. Put simply, if United failed to beat Liverpool, then Leeds would win the title. It would prove to be test too far.

Ian Rush scored his first ever goal against United in the first half, and a late Mark Walters goal confirmed the inevitable. Leeds were the 1991/1992 champions, and worthy winners. In contrast, a season that season promised so much for the Manchester club, who were often the preferred suitor for the neutral supporter, ended in unparalleled disappointment, and in front of the Kop of all places.

Afterwards, a joyous Wilkinson admitted his team had never claimed to be one of the greatest League champions, but they would enjoy it nonetheless. At their worst, Leeds were a scrappy, physical team, but at their best they were a dynamic and irresistible force, tight at the back and capable of hitting goals both home and away.

Just one season later, Ferguson would call on the experience gained in the run-in to help United finally become English champions. Leeds on the other hand, despite losing only one home game all season, would fail to win a single game on their travels, and finished the season just two points above the relegation zone. And we all know the rest.

Life after Ferguson

AS strangely-comical tweets flew between Gary and Philip Neville this morning, it was hard for a Manchester United fan not to get sentimental at days gone by. When players like Mark Hughes, Paul Ince and Andrei Kanchelskis were sold in the summer of 1995, some angry United fans were oh-so close to popping those veins protruding on their foreheads. Hughes in particular was an Old Trafford hero, scoring brilliant goals in big games, and also coming up through the United youth system in the early 1980’s.

Sir Alex Ferguson however, had predicted that his team was coming to the end of its lifespan. In 1991 he witnessed a successful Liverpool team fail to hold off a vicious Arsenal title challenge, and the Division 1 trophy went to Highbury rather than the often customary home of Anfield. It was obvious that Kenny Dalglish’s men had aged slightly too much, and that an overhaul of the Liverpool squad was needed.

Not that this was an easy task. With Dalglish quitting his post at the end of the 90/91 season, former Anfield battler Graeme Souness was soon in line to take over the managerial role. However, despite blooding youngsters such as Mike Marsh and Steve McManaman, the team struggled, and securing signings such as Mark Walters, Dean Saunders and sigh, Torben Piechnik, Souness failed to keep up the high standards that the Kop faithful had been used to. The emergence of Ferguson’s United as a force was hard for Liverpool fans to take, but supporters still believed that they would be back as title contenders sooner rather than later.

Liverpool have come close to winning the league of course since Dalglish left, but promising-looking title-charges in 1997, 2002, and 2009 fell short. A trip down the M62 to Ferguson’s Old Trafford however, sees a very different story to a team rebuilding itself. Since Ferguson’s appointment in 1986, the Scot has shown enormous commitment to bringing through youngsters, and also carefully monitoring the youth system already set up at Old Trafford.

Ferguson initially did this with minor success. ‘Fergie’s Fledglings’, (not the best name in the world) included the likes of Tony Gill, Russell Beardsmore and Mark Robins, whilst promising wingers Guiliano Maiorana and Lee Sharpe were bought from Histon and Torquay respectively. Beardsmore and Gill showed promise in the 1988/89 season, whilst Robins was a revelation in the 1989/90 season, outscoring Brian McClair and scoring numerous important goals - notably the winner in the FA Cup semi-final replay against Oldham.

Lee Martin, a big-nosed young full-back who got the winner in the FA Cup final replay against Crystal Palace, looked set for a bright career in a red shirt, but lost his form the following season, and was most notable for a clumsy own-goal at home to Montpellier in the European Cup Winners Cup. Only the hip-shaking Sharpe managed to be a big part in Ferguson’s future United squads, as United finally won the title in 1993. The club has gone on to win the league a further 10 times, with respect for Ferguson as a manager unrivalled in the modern game.

Despite almost leaving his United post in 2002, Ferguson has sought to remain manager at United as long as his health and enjoyment in the role persists. The end of Ferguson’s managerial career, however, is on the horizon, and when he does finally retire, the Scot is likely to make a surprise announcement in the summer months rather than a mid-season announcement. He did this in the 2001/2002 season, and United ended up without a trophy and in need of careful handling. Ferguson even had to watch rivals Arsenal clinch the title at Old Trafford as Sylvain Wiltord was on target in a 1-0 victory that was hard for United fans to take. The strain on Ferguson's face as almost much as much as Martin Tyler's vocal chords as Arsenal took the title.

The importance of Ferguson at the helm cannot be overstated, and to be frank, United may never be the same once he quits the Old Trafford hot-seat in favour of his favourite whisky-stained chair in his Cheshire home. Critics have been quick to point to the weaknesses of the United team this season, despite the club reaching the Champions League final and being within touching distance of yet another Premier League title. Admittedly, despite the squad as a collective being effective enough to take them far, it is clear certain individuals face an uncertain future as United players.

Dimitar Berbatov may be losing his hair, but has enjoyed his most successful season in a red shirt, but thanks to the emergence of Javier Hernandez, and the Bulgarian must now settle for a place on the substitute’s bench. Midfielders Michael Carrick and Anderson are incredibly inconsistent in imposing their authority on the game, whilst Paul Scholes’ increasing tendency to see red rather than a passing opportunity is becoming infuriating.

Thus it is clear that despite players like Nani, Hernandez and Edwin Van der Sar having undeniably brilliant seasons, United’s success has come thanks to their manager’s organisation and motivation. The trust in the red-faced Scot to give them the best possible chance of on-field success is reassuring, and the experience Ferguson has in title run-ins and big European nights is mind-blowing.

But what happens when Ferguson does leave? It’s safe to say the self-labelled ‘Special One’ Jose Mourinho will be a strong favourite to replace him, with many pointing to his Champions League record and similar attributes to Ferguson that makes him an ideal replacement. United fans’ keenness on Mourinho as a future boss often correlates with how Mourinho is currently performing. After winning the Champions League with Inter Milan last season, many called for the Inter boss to come back and manage at Old Trafford once he was finished winding Barcelona up at Real Madrid.

However, his recent antics against Josep Guardiola’s men have not exactly put the Special One in the best of lights. His negative tactics were already a concern for some United supporters, but his attitude and behaviour of late has now given fans food for thought as to whether they want him being the head of their club. Ferguson has been involved in his fair share of controversy of late, but to be fair to United fans, Ferguson is their manager, and Mourinho is not. They are entitled to do a Tammy Wynette and stand by their man.

United however, despite having a hard job to decide who comes in for Ferguson, will most likely play it safe. The decision-makers of the club will go for success and experience, and with Mourinho making no secret of his admiration for Ferguson and the United legacy, the man from Portugal should inevitably be United manager upon Ferguson’s retirement.

His appointment unfortunately would be a black mark on the club. United have the chance to reverse the trend of English clubs appointing non-British managers, and to set a precedent for future clubs to follow. If major foreign clubs like Barcelona can appoint managers with little experience yet still be successful, then so can United. Guardiola had only managed Barcelona B for less than a season when it was announced by the club that he was to manage the senior side. Suddenly, the tough task of managing average players such as Lionel Messi and Xavi has made Guardiola one of the most sought-after managers around.

In fact the Spaniard had replaced Frank Rijjkaard, who, before managing Barcelona, had only managed the Dutch national team in Euro 2000, and then lasted only a season at Sparta Rotterdam, relegating them in the process. Yet four years later he is suddenly managing Barcelona to Champions League success in 2000. Experience? Pedigree? Go figure.

Guardiola was of course a former Barcelona player, and his appointment in 2008 pleased fans who would rather see former heroes manage their club rather than an outsider who has no connection with the club. It is thus amazing how some United fans laugh at the possibility of appointing an ex-player as manager. Appointing club icons like Eric Cantona or Gary Neville would be seen by some as a risk due to their inexperience as a manager, but let’s not forget, not only would these men be assisted by a fantastic and experience coaching team, they would also have a squad at their disposal brimming with world-class players. They would also have the full backing of fans who used to chant their name. If Mourinho struggled after a few months it would be a major shock if the majority of United fans didn’t want him out.

Of course, there are some ex-United players out there who do have substantial amounts of managerial experience. Steve Bruce and Mark Hughes were key players in United’s double-winning side of 1994, and have years of Premier League experience between them. Critics would doubt their credentials due to the lack of silverware they have achieved, but let’s be honest, how often do clubs like Wigan, Sheffield United, Fulham and Blackburn Rovers win league titles? Had Hughes been given time at Manchester City he would have undoubtedly got the club into the Champions League, but he was cruelly removed from the managerial role after just 18 months in charge.

Football in the modern era however, could be the decisive factor in determining what happens at United. Respect is the key. United supporters are proud of their club’s traditions, and point to this as a reason players are happy to play here and give their all. However, make no mistake, this is down to Ferguson, and Ferguson only. Players stay to play for the most successful club manager in England, and the respect given to the man from Govan is unparalleled.

United and Arsenal - A Fork in the Path

A WONDERFULLY open FA Cup quarter-final yesterday between Manchester United and Arsenal gave neutrals a fascinating perspective on two teams at crucial points of the season, and gave both managers food for thought afterwards as the season reaches its climax. It’s definitely squeaky bum time now.

Not that you’d think Arsenal had any chance of finishing this season moderately successful if you listened to the majority of BBC 5 Live fans after the game yesterday, phoning in yet again, saying it was time for Wenger to go.

Apparently, it’s a sad state of affairs when you are dumped out of two competitions within a week by minnows such as Barcelona and Manchester United, and maybe Arsenal fans are right to question the competence of a team just 3 points of the top of the Barclays Premier League, with a game in hand.

For Manchester United, yesterday’s fixture was supposed to be the chance to deliver a crushing psychological blow to Arsene Wenger’s players, but despite the victory, the truth is that both teams still have everything to play for, and yesterday’s result may have helped both teams rather than hindered them.

For Arsenal, the Gunners now can focus their strengths on capturing their first Premier League since 2004’s ‘Invincibles’ season. True, seeing success in three cup competitions is tough to deal with, but very rarely does a team winning the Premier League have it easy in the run-in. Even Wenger’s 2004 side had to deal with a hard-to-take FA Cup exit to United in a semi final at Villa Park.

Winning the League Cup would have given Wenger’s side a lift, but in reality the League Cup for a club like Arsenal is not enough to win on its own. As so often relayed by lazy football pundits, it is the Premier League that is your ‘bread and butter’, or as Wenger’s French would like to put it, your ‘pain et le beurre’.

With Robin Van Persie back to full fitness (apart from possible deafness), Arsenal still have a genuine chance this season of winning the title. They need Theo Walcott back, and a fit Cesc Fabregas is a bonus for any side, but Arsenal’s remaining fixtures aren’t too tough for the experienced Wenger to overcome. A crucial game in hand against rivals Tottenham could help decide their fate, but they also face United at home on May 1, a side that has struggled badly away from home by their standards.

Losing in the manner they did yesterday wouldn’t be too much of a worry for Arsenal. United are always going to create chances at Old Trafford, but Edwin Van der Sar’s man of the match performance said enough about the chances Arsenal had. Arsenal created a hell of a lot more openings at Old Trafford yesterday than they have done in previous years, and those pointing out that United had 7 defenders playing outfield yesterday should ponder whether a team with that many defensive players should be allowing so many opportunities for the opposition to score.

Indeed, it is Arsenal’s defence that now gives Wenger the biggest headache. Despite critics of the Gunners pointing out to a flimsy back line that seems destined to cost them one again, it should be mentioned that before the Champions League exit at the Nou Camp in midweek, Arsenal had kept clean sheets in SEVEN of their last nine league games.

However, Johan Djourou’s injury has dealt Wenger a massive blow. Djourou’s form since the turn of the season has been fantastic, with the 24-year-old Swiss international offering a calmness not seen in Arsenal’s back four since Tony Adams. It is no coincidence that since Djourou made the centre back position his own after the Christmas, Wenger’s men have remained unbeaten in the Premier League.

The dislocated shoulder he suffered yesterday will now keep him out for the rest of the season, and with Thomas Vermaelen injured and Sebastian Squillachi struggling for form, Wenger may struggle to hold together a defence now marshalled by the ever-improving Laurent Koscielny. Gael Clichy’s failure to understand an offside trap isn’t going to help anyone either.

For Manchester United, yesterday’s victory was more significant for themselves psychologically, rather than affecting the mental state of the Gunners. Coming on the back of two morale-sapping defeats away at Chelsea and Liverpool, United found themselves on the brink of collapse. However, a victory with clearly a makeshift set-up gives confidence to those players on the fringes of the United first team that they can have a major say in the rest of United’s season.

Sir Alex Ferguson said he opted for a team that would provide the most energy yesterday, and the likes of Rooney, Hernandez and the Da Silva twins put in a brilliant shift to rattle the Arsenal players. The United manager must now be more confident in the abilities of young talent of Fabio and Rafael as attacking options as well in the full back positions, and you get the feeling he would now trust Chris Smalling in the biggest of games. Smalling has matured quickly this season, and the chance to be the long term replacement for Rio Ferdinand looks increasingly likely.

In a tiring season for United, Javier Hernandez is the refreshing option that Ferguson likes at this stage of the season. The United manager currently seems unsure in what fixtures United would benefit from playing Dimitar Berbatov. Berbatov on his own up front has never really worked due to his less-than-admirable work-rate and his preference to drop deep, and despite Berbatov enjoying his most successful season, it is clear that his manager still feels United operate better without him in the big fixtures.

Hernandez’s ability to play on the shoulder of the last defender is something the United manager feels his team needs at the moment, and with Wayne Rooney filling in wide positions and playing increasingly defensively in the crucial stage of the season, the Mexican gives the team an outlet of relief up front. Indeed Ferguson has always enjoyed a counter-attacking team, which was evident when the Scot showed preference for Louis Saha ahead of Ruud Van Nistelrooy in the last few months of the 2005/2006 season.

United suffered burn-out badly in the 2006/2007 season, losing to AC Milan in the Champions League Semi Finals, and losing an FA Cup final to Chelsea days after the Old Trafford club had secured the Premier League title. Yesterday’s efforts will not have gone unnoticed by Ferguson, and despite a season that they have played below their high standards at times, the United boss may well feel they have enough in the tank to last the pace to pick up at least one trophy.

In another boost for United, Antonio Valencia’s highly impressive run-out yesterday will give the team’s effectiveness in wide positions fresh impetus, an area which was looking increasingly troublesome in recent months, as the team relied heavily on Nani to provide that magic spark.

The season is not over for Arsenal or United by any means. For United, it is somewhat unfortunate that success in multiple competitions means increased tiredness, thus affecting their capacity for each fixture they play. For Arsenal, staff and supporters may well be forlorn about the possibility of yet another season without a trophy, but with just the Premier League to focus on, Wenger’s critics may want to just see how the season turns out before they reach for the red button.

Why Wenger Should Be Praised

Arsene Wenger seems to split opinion even amongst his own fans. When the relatively-unknown Frenchman first joined the Gunners back in 1996, he revolutionised a club that had been in transition ever since George Graham left over 12 months earlier. His replacement Bruce Rioch had only lasted a year at the club since being appointed boss in 1995, as he struggled to impose himself on the London giants.

Rioch signed Chris Kiwomya. Then again he signed Dennis Bergkamp, thus he will always be remembered somewhat-fondly at Arsenal. However, playing with the likes of Ray Parlour and David Hillier was probably not the experience Arsenal Chairman Peter Hill-Wood had sold to him, and Arsenal fans were rightly worried that Bergkamp may not have been happy if things continued.

We all remember the statements from Arsenal players a month or so into Wenger’s reign, as Arsenal improved dramatically. It almost got tiresome. The once rigid and weary-looking back four suddenly turned into sprightly, yoga-loving teenagers, expressing themselves, and each praised Wenger for giving them mental strength and belief.

Nearly fifteen years on and Wenger is still at the helm. He is now Arsenal’s most successful manager ever, despite the club not having won a trophy since 2005. For a Frenchman with no previous knowledge of English football (a fact Sir Alex Ferguson once famously castrated Wenger for when Wenger began to criticise fixture congestion), achieving such success is nothing short of remarkable. As Jonathan Pearce commented on last night’s Match of the Day, Wenger is soon approaching his 17th semi-final when they meet Wigan in the League Cup .

However, Wenger’s insistence on his policy of filling a team with skilful players who love to pass the ball, feel the ball and caress the ball has attracted criticism from people who are unhappy when this style does not get results. It is an old argument now, one that has been going for years, and one that doesn’t look like going away anytime soon if Match of the Day continues to keep the likes of Alan Hansen and the old biddy Mark Lawrenson in jobs.
It is a criticism often forgotten when Wenger’s side are in-form and picking up results, and those who are in Wenger’s camp must often melt in anger at the hypocrisy at times of the British media. How many times have we lazily heard pundits criticise Arsenal for lacking a more direct ‘Plan B’ when attacking, only to hail the magical passing style of the ‘Plan A’ that rips apart a team the week after with no acknowledgment of the prior criticism dished out. You cannot have it both ways Mr Pundit.

The other criticism of his recent sides has been the perceived ‘lack of backbone’ that supposedly leaves a soft centre for aggressive teams to take advantage off. Wenger’s early Arsenal sides had a strong midfield pairing of Emmanuel Petit and Patrick Vieira, but since the two departed, Wenger has chosen to feature neat, technical centre midfielders instead of a more combative type.

The current midfield features a very similar type of player. Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri, Tomas Rosicky, Denilson, and Andrei Arshavin are all skilful, diminutive right-footed players with great technique. The promising left-footed Jack Wilshire appears to be offering simply a Southpaws version of the aforementioned players, rather than offering an alternative. Alex Song and Abou Diaby have a significantly bigger physique than them, but DIaby is deceptive and is a box to box player with a fine touch, and Alex Song would prefer to stay on his feet than slide in like a rampaging Scott Parker.

Wenger’s team does have a major weakness in that their defence is not up to the standards set by his previous Arsenal sides. Laurent Koscielny and Sebastien Squillachi have not yet settled and they have missed Thomas Vermaelen badly. Those who argue that Arsenal’s defence is not protected enough by its midfield should note that that Manchester United’s first choice defensive partnership of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic are consistently excellent despite United not employing a ‘Makalele-type’ midfielder in front of them.

Arsenal’s midfield, according to some will never win anything, with robust Premiership sides like Stoke and Wolves getting ‘stuck in’, ‘winning the battle’ and making the Gunners drop vital points consistently. It is this that apparently leaves some Arsenal fans frustrated with Wenger, and when pundits every week are saying the same thing, mud sticks.

Wenger’s disbelievers consider Wenger of being either ignorant, naïve, or not good enough to instil physical competencies in midfield, but the simple truth is that the manager, as always, sees it differently. Rather than trying to improve on areas with apparent deficiencies, Wenger tries to improve on his teams strengths.

Let us not forget the first half of the first leg between Arsenal and Barcelona in the Champions League last season. Arsenal were destroyed in that half not by a side who were intent on disrupting their play, but by a side that simply wouldn’t let them have the ball (Although admittedly Barcelona did work extremely hard when they didn’t have the ball).

Barcelona are undoubtedly the benchmark for Wenger, and although some clubs are so far away from the standard of the Catalan giants, Wenger knows that his team are close to emulating them. Consequently Wenger tries to maintain a fluent passing style, which we all know has looked ridiculously good at times and has outplayed the very best.

Wenger entered the Premiership with an open mind, a thinker. It is clear he sees the way Arsenal play as the way to success. He doesn’t want to play like anyone else, he doesn’t want to bow to media and fan pressure to buy more physical and experienced players, but he does want to win trophies.

Does every team have to play the same way? With a defensive midfielder in front of a back 4, a big striker up front with aerial presence or a five-man midfield to suffocate the opposition? All are viable tactics but it is up to the manager to see what he feels best. This is Arsenal’s most successful and longest serving manager after all.

Why thus, should anyone try and mould a free-flowing easy-on-the-eye Arsenal side into something that we believe could be more productive if it means we lose the charm and beauty of their style of play? It would be criminal for Arsenal or Wenger to change their principles. Wenger should stick to his Plan A, just as Spain and Barcelona do, and he deserves a lot more respect from what he currently gets.

Let’s not forget, children growing up playing the game look to those they watch every weekend for influence on their own game, copying their stopovers etc. If the future of England international football is to improve, it will do no harm for children to see players passing the ball to each other patiently and skilfully, with an emphasis on technique and possession. Spain and Barcelona have re-written the rule-book as to how to become successful at the very top level, and the youth of today should aspire to play like them and not like a side managed by Sam Allardyce or Mick McCarthy.

With Robin Van Persie essentially having been out of the first team for 12 months, and Cesc Fabregas suffering from injury problems this season, Arsenal have been shy of arguably their two most talented players this term, yet find themselves top of the league at the time of writing. Samir Nasri’s fantastic double yesterday against Fulham proved that other players are stepping up, and with the lack of a decent top Premiership side left in the League Cup it looks likely that Wenger will finally win a first trophy since 2005, a trophy he has not yet won. It may not be the only trophy he picks up this season.

How do you solve a problem like Berbatov?

THERE are fewer frustrating sights on a football field than when a footballer doesn’t appear to be trying. No matter how much you cheer him on from the terraces, or indeed your own sofa, it’s like water off a duck’s back. The player in question has most likely got to where he is by having the exact same ethos throughout his career, right from youth football up to the first time he pulled on a shirt for his country.

Take Manchester United’s Dimitar Berbatov for example. The Bulgarian is often seen pacing somewhat leisurely around a football pitch, waiting for precision balls to his feet for him to conjure up a moment of magic, ignoring the responsibility of tracking back to help his team-mates. The mercurial Eric Cantona was not too dissimilar throughout his United career, though the Frenchman was a warrior in leadership and spirit, if not in physical graft. Cantona set the example for a breed of younger players like David Beckham and Paul Scholes, inspiring them to put extra hours in on the training ground in which to hone their skills, and attempt to fulfil the premise of ‘practice makes perfect.’ Even a poor last showing in the 1996/1997 season couldn’t put a black mark on what had been a fabulous career at United, with the Frenchman still conjuring up the ability to score arguably his most iconic United goal – that chip against Sunderland.

This season’s hat-trick against arch-rivals Liverpool looked to have helped Berbatov gain the hearts of United supporters that had criticised his attitude and end-product for a club that had spent £30m on him early in the 2008/09 season. However, just as the saying ‘form is temporary/class is permanent’ goes, Berbatov looks unlikely to change his ways. The lethargic swagger around the pitch which Berbatov exhibits is simply his style, and United fans wishing to see moments of brilliance will also have to put up with the more incredulous times.

The hat-trick appeared to have helped Berbatov also win over his critics. A week earlier he had swept in a fantastic goal against Everton, and the striker appeared to brimming with confidence as he led a forward line that appeared to be coping admirably without Wayne Rooney. Since then however, Berbatov appears to have fell into the same inconsistent form as we have seen from him since he joined the club in 2008, and it is well publicised that he is not managed a single goal since the Liverpool game.

Yesterday’s omission from the starting line-up against Wigan saw Sir Alex Ferguson confessed that he had chosen to simply leave Berbatov out, and there was not even a place on the bench for him. The United boss admitted: "I just left him out - picking my subs today I just thought I had to give a different type of variety.”
This is not the first time the Bulgarian has been left out of match-day squad completely this season. Berbatov did not feature in United’s previous home fixture against Wolves, a game in which United were poor in and needed a last-minute goal by Ji Sung Park to secure three points. Earlier in the season, Ferguson admitted to making a mistake by not including Berbatov in the squad for the Champions League fixture against Glasgow Rangers, a match that saw both teams draw blank.

Ferguson has always defended Berbatov openly in the press, and was particularly in high praise for the striker after the Liverpool game. Ferguson said: "There's been a lot of criticism of him, which happens at this club when we sign someone for big money and he isn't scoring a hat-trick every week. But there has never been any question about his ability.

"Lots of questions were asked about him last season and he was made something of a whipping boy, to the point where he must have wondered whether he had a future at Old Trafford. We could have avoided the worst of the aggravation if people had only asked themselves two questions. Firstly they should have queried whether the man had real ability, and the answer for me was undoubtedly yes. Next they should have looked to see if he was a Manchester United kind of player and, again, I think there was no doubt about him. I concede that at times he seemed to struggle but if you are satisfied about a player's credentials you must persevere and trust your judgment."

However, Ferguson is astute enough to know when a player is in poor form, and is brave enough to take action. Defenders Johnny Evans and John O’Shea were seen as culpable for the poor defensive showings of United earlier in the season, and the United manager has given few minutes on the pitch to the two ever since. Alarmingly for Evans, the Northern Ireland international has not played a single minute since the 2-2 draw at Bolton. Rio Ferdinand’s return has of course hampered Evans’ chances of game-time, and Evans’ lack of versatility compared to O’Shea does not aid him, but Ferguson has clearly sent a message to the defender. Berbatov himself will be given no differential treatment.

Indeed it was the 2-2 draw at Aston Villa last weekend which prompted Ferguson’s surprising line-up yesterday against Wigan. United were poor in most areas at Villa Park, but the decision to replace both Berbatov and striker Javier Hernandez early in the second half was a sign that Ferguson had become ultimately frustrated with the output of United’s forward line. Berbatov may well have complained about a lack of service from a stagnant midfield, but one needs to only look at Sunderland’s Darren Bent to see that a striker can still score and lead the line effectively without world-class support. Hernandez, in his first season with the club, looks a fantastic prospect and has plenty more to offer, but Berbatov’s lacklustre performance must have given Ferguson some serious grievances about a player that cost the club £30m.

Berbatov started his career at United in a decent fashion. In the league, he reached double-figures in assists, and with a similar amount of goals to his own name he looked to have a bright future at Old Trafford. Indeed a couple of scrappy goals at home to Celtic in the Champions League gave a suggestion that Berbatov might well be the classy poacher that United have lacked since Ruud Van Nistelrooy’s departure in 2006.

For all the class that Berbatov possessed, the languid style of his football slowly frustrated the United fans that wanted him to become a legend. United fans the season previously had seen a fabulous front-three of Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez bring home the Champions League as well as retain the Premiership title. That front-line had skill, power, pace and goals. Ronaldo won the FIFA World Player of the Year in 2008, and Rooney and Tevez proved that having hard-working strikers blessed with an abundance of talent really is the best attributes a manager could want.

It was somewhat strange then that Ferguson chose to spend such money on an area that was arguably the best in Europe at the time, although the United manager may have already foreseen that Carlos Tevez would not have a long-term future with the club. The injury-prone Louis Saha would have also given Ferguson concerns about strength-in-depth, and the Frenchman was shipped off to Everton around the same time Berbatov was signed.
If Ferguson is looking to sell Berbatov this summer, United’s strength in depth is something he will have to consider, and it may well seal Berbatov’s fate.

Wayne Rooney will be looking to hit the same form he reached last season now he is back from injury, and few doubts remain that he will, once he wins over the United fans again. Hernandez is a fantastic talent with pace, goals, heading ability and technique, and it will be him and Rooney that will spearhead United’s title challenge. Young Federico Macheda still has his doubters amongst the Old Trafford faithful, but United’s backroom staff have undoubted faith in the Italian’s ability to improve. His terrific strike against Villa last week would have done him a world of good. Danny Welbeck has also shown signs of improvement during his loan spell at Sunderland, and Ferguson would have been delighted to see his young forward destroy Chelsea in last Sunday’s 3-0 victory at Stamford Bridge.

Such young talent however, does lack the experience Ferguson craves, particularly when competing in Europe. Indeed, it was Berbatov’s experience, technique and patience that was expected to help United fare better, particularly as United (up till the 2007/2008 season), were struggling away from home. Unfortunately for Berbatov, Rooney’s improvement in operating as a main striker last year restricted his appearances. Such success with Rooney as the front man in a 4-5-1/4-3-3 formation inspired Ferguson to implement tactics in league games as well as in Europe.

Berbatov’s ability to bring others into the game is unrivalled at United, and this unselfishness hampered his own goal-scoring record. He had scored 15 league goals in his final season at Tottenham and thus looked to be a complete package when United finally showed serious interest in signing him. However, goals at United have generally been shared around throughout Ferguson’s reign, and this has been very much the case since Berbatov’s arrival.

The Bulgarian is often derived for being in deeper positions than United fans would like, despite these positions often being determined by the tactics of Ferguson himself. Berbatov would also have found it frustrating how he wasn’t picked for the ‘big’ fixtures last season, only thrust into the action against inferior opposition. Thus when he does get a chance he is often so starved of confidence by the manager that he is unlikely to get on the score-sheet, particularly as he is expected to threaten the goal from non-threatening, deep-lying positions.

It is becoming more and more apparent that Berbatov will most likely be playing his football elsewhere this time next year, despite Ferguson’s praise of the striker earlier this season. Loved more by football purists than fans and critics, the striker still has a good few years in him to leave his mark on the game, and will undoubtedly still have an important part to play this season for United. Neutrals would love to see Berbatov continue to play regularly in the Premiership, and players returning to Spurs and Harry Redknapp are not uncommon, but one hopes that his United career hasn’t damaged the confidence in which he used to use to enormous effectiveness.

Refreshingly Direct?

The never-say-die attitude of the Premiership again came to the fore yesterday, this time at the Stadium of Light, as Darren Bent’s late, late goal denied Arsenal of what would have been an excellent three points against Sunderland. Arsene Wenger was perhaps justified in his complaints about how much stoppage time was played, but he must be cursing the slack defending that again cost his side a valuable win. As Bent punished yet another sloppy clearance by Gael Clichy, Wenger must have had flashbacks to St Andrews two seasons ago, when Clichy gave a ball away in his own area then proceeded to concede a penalty against Birmingham. The penalty, duly converted by James McFadden, was a dagger in what was a realistic Arsenal title challenge back in 2009. It also prompted a hilariously childish rage by William Gallas, who showed such apparent passion for the Gunners as an Arsenal captain that day, that he now plays for rivals Tottenham.

Although Arsenal ended the game with 10 men, and thus can point to utter misfortune that they conceded the goal when they did, they never really seemed comfortable with what was being thrown at them. Steve Bruce favours directness in his tactics, with two strikers being supplied by two wide men. Indeed, it is perhaps this attacking set-up which explains Sunderland’s success in home fixtures, whilst their success on their travels is sporadic at best. When the Stadium of Light is at full-volume, the directness of Bruce’s tactics seem to work in tandem with a crowd that try to suck the ball into the opposition’s goal, encouraged by their side’s eagerness to move forward. You do get the feeling however, that some Sunderland fans are just relieved to see the ball as far away from the bumbling defensive partnership of Titus Bramble and Anton Ferdinand as possible.

Such is the fashion in the modern game to set up with a five-man midfield and build play slowly through possession, it was somewhat refreshing to see a team achieve success in direct play, turning defence into attack quickly and efficiently. However, this set up has attracted criticism from football purists, especially when clubs like Arsenal, Manchester United and Barcelona have proved you can play pretty football and be successful.

Thus it is rare when tactics that are completely the opposite are employed in the Premier League. Whereas clubs like Wigan and Blackpool have attempted to try and play a passing style, other clubs have adopted a hugely contrasting approach. Stoke City in particular play a style reminiscent of many team in the 1980’s, a decade which saw teams like Wimbledon punt long balls up to their centre forwards. Even Arsenal, a team who easily play the best football in the Premiership in the modern era, were advocates of the long ball approach under George Graham way back in the late 80’s and early 90’s.

Such a strategy was hated by fans and critics alike, but it gave particular problems to centre-backs, who had to deal with aerially-dominant forwards like Mick Harford, John Fashanu and Andy Gray. Everton in their defence played some great football and were highly successful in the 80’s, but then again Fashanu and long-ball merchants Wimbledon were also successful, beating ‘Pass and Move’ Liverpool in the 1988 FA Cup final. Only Gary Mabbutt would be one to not praise Fashanu’s footballing career, as the former Spurs defender was on the end of a nasty elbow by the former Gladiators presenter in the early 90’s.

In the modern game you could almost compare Stoke’s success at avoiding relegation to the feats of ‘The Crazy Gang’, such is the power and finance of the Premier League’s top clubs. Of course, there are other clubs that have done well to stay up over recent seasons, but none have achieved the success with such an extreme direct style of play. The simple art of dealing with a long ball into the area was natural to the defenders of 30 years ago, but foreign defenders used to playing against neat and tidy opposition, who keep the ball on the floor, are not used to deep, high deliveries coming into their penalty area. One couldn’t imagine the youth coaches of Real Madrid and Barcelona spending hours on the training ground instructing young defenders to head balls away from inside their six-yard box.

Premiership audiences have seen football evolve into a more technical game since the league re-launched itself in 1992. Thus when Stoke, (or anyone who La Liga-bound Sam Allardyce manages) do launch long balls into the oppostion's penalty area, from positions where most clubs would take a quick, short free-kick, the result is refreshingly enthralling. Clubs who find success with this tactic may develop this strategy further if they remain open to inventiveness. Why not increase the height of a long free-kick pumped into the penalty area, making it drop down into the danger area like an atom bomb? Attacking centre-backs will be then be competing against the centre backs from the defence – an equal tussle that could easily result in the type of confusion already seen at the Britannia Stadium most Saturday afternoons thanks to deliveries from Matthew Etherington and ridiculously long throw-in's by Rory Delap. There’s no doubt utilising the unique qualities of Delap have been relatively successful since Stoke were promoted, thus if team’s don’t have a Cesc Fabregas or a Mikel Arteta, why not bypass the midfield and instead launch long balls into a set of giant 6 ft 7 strikers? Deal with that Wenger.

Critics of course may point to the successful clubs of recent years playing with totally different tactics. The likes of Arsenal and Manchester United have played some scintillating football and won many, many games. Tony Pulis however, not only realises that he doesn’t have the cash at Stoke to buy players like Fabregas, but is innovative enough to know that there can be another way to play and compete against Premiership opposition. Allardyce was the first to show signs of complete innovation when rules regarding off-sides were amended five years or so ago. He consequently positioned two players standing way off-side during free kicks, who were allowed to remain onside as long as they didn’t touch the first ball played into the box. Indeed see here for such a goal that caused so much bedlam, that it caused Ian Walker to score a calamitous own goal.

You only have to look at Chris Samba’s goal for Blackburn yesterday against Fulham to see a goalkeeper and defence struggle against an unusual tactic, in this case Paul Robinson’s giant punt. Of course, many referees would have seen the blatant foul by El Hadji Diouf, but it’s not the fault of Diouf or the much-maligned Allardyce that the goal was allowed to stand.

In open play, the danger of the long ball is that you run the risk of losing possession quickly and consistently, and if you are up against top quality opposition you may not see the ball again for 2 to 3 minutes. However, in set piece situations, even a harmless-looking free kick 80-90 yards from goal, there is no reason not to send up the big men, as you would a corner kick. It might not be pretty, and fans may have something to say when they are forking out 50 quid for a match ticket, but if winning is all-important, then as long as it stays within the legalities of the game, then surely any tactic to win is as justifiable as the next tactic. Create the chaos, anything could happen.

Champions League - Let Battle Commence

FANS of European football are now only days away from the first round of group fixtures for this season’s Champions League, and although English clubs failed miserably last season to even make the semi-finals, Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham and Arsenal will aim to make this season’s final, enticingly staged at Wembley next May. Tuesday and Wednesday nights will never be the same again. Expect another over-polished Sky Sports production featuring pointless questions by Richard Keys, and the continued presence of the ever-shortening trousers of Jamie Redknapp. Over on ITV, viewers will look to see who the replacement is for Robbie Earle, a pundit nobody openly liked until the nation felt sorry for him after this summer’s World Cup tickets fiasco.

Of course, we as a footballing nation turn into expert pundits ourselves over the course of the season, but not all fans will want to see English clubs do well in European competitions. The argument here being that it’s hard, for example, to hate Chelsea every week, then suddenly be expected to support them on a Wednesday night against a Spanish club, with only marginally more foreign players themselves.

The much-heralded English clubs had dominated in the competition until recently, with every final since 2005 featuring one of the Premiership big boys. Thus it was refreshing last season to see Bayern Munich, Inter Milan and Lyon fight it out with the not-so-refreshing Barcelona for the coveted trophy.

Not that English clubs had embarrassed themselves last season. Manchester United went out unluckily on away goals to a Bayern Munich side that seemed somewhat destined to reach the final. Chelsea were ousted over two tight games by eventual champions Inter Milan, and Arsenal were the unlucky opponents to face Lionel Messi’s Barcelona. Only Liverpool failed to impress, though such was the inner turmoil at Anfield last season, it wasn’t surprising to see them fail to qualify from their group.

Manchester United did manage to win the now-defunct Cup Winners Cup in1991, but then suffered some awful Champions League campaigns until 1997 when they reached the semi-finals. Arsenal and Chelsea also managed to win the same trophy in 1994 and 1997 respectively, but the big trophy, the European Cup, continued to elude the English elite until United’s success in 1999.

The days of naïve English clubs taking to Europe in the early to mid-1990’s are sadly missed. Attacking 4-4-2 formations away from home were hilariously torn apart by experienced compact European outfits, and the limit on foreign players (including Welsh, Irish, Scottish players) made for some dubious line-ups. In 1994 English goalkeeper and porn-star lookalike Gary Walsh was chosen to replace the ‘Great Dane’ Peter Schmiechel as Manchester United took on Barcelona at the Nou Camp. How Ferguson must have rued his decision as Walsh played more like Bradley Walsh, and United were hammered 4-0. The best players in the world were certainly not playing in England at that time.

Indeed, when Manchester United finally won the European Cup in 1999, they beat a marvellous Juventus side along the way, a side that had reached the three previous finals. Marcello Lippi’s Juventus sides of that era were undeniably magnificent, featuring players like Zidane, Del Piero, Deschamps, Davids, Di Livio, Peruzzi, Conte, Vieri, Boksic, Jugovic, Ravanelli, Sousa and Vialli. They were equal to the superb AC Milan side of the early 1990’s, although Milan admittedly won more European Cups.

The success of clubs like Juventus, Milan and Ajax in the 1990’s, combined with the superior talent of the players at their disposal, gave the Champions League a real mystique. It gave English football a target to reach, a level of football that has now been met, and indeed sometimes surpassed in recent years. Beating a side like AC Milan away from home would have been unthinkable 15 years ago, but as Wayne Rooney and Manchester United disposed of the Italian giants with ease last season, it was sad to see a Milan side that lacked the quality and the aura usually associated with the club. It was in stark contrast to the team they share their stadium with - Inter, who saw manager Jose Mourinho successfully impose his superb tactical acumen on a side that lacked direction and organisation in previous European campaigns.

English clubs should return to dominant ways in this season’s Champions League, but if they fail it will at least add weight to the argument that the competition is still anyone’s to win, not just the rich Premier League elite. Indeed over in Spain, as Real Madrid have found out to their cost in recent seasons, money cannot guarantee you a European Cup, though this year, in Mourinho, they may well have the right man in charge finally.

Finally, for the nostalgic amongst you (and for Inter Milan fans), here's a link to a clip of a goal scored at the San Siro that I hadn't seen for ages. Enjoy.

Signing Of The Summer

Despite the new Premier League season coming on the back of what was certainly an interesting World Cup, the talent that was showcased has certainly not been snapped up as quickly as the tabloids suggested. Wesley Sneijder, who won practically everything last season, was linked with Manchester United, but nobody really thought that would happen did they? Indeed, United’s most famous worldwide signing was Juan Sebastian Veron, at his peak when bought in 2001, but even then the move was helped by Veron being at the time embroiled in a passport investigation. One imagines a more settled Veron would have stayed in a Serie A competition that was better than any league in the world at that time.

David Villa was joint top scorer in the World Cup, yet his recent move to Barcelona was not only expected but was wrapped up before the World Cup. His Spain and Valencia team-mate David Silva joined Manchester City during the World Cup also, thus despite the pair being two of the world’s greatest players, the transfers were not subject to the kind of sensationalism such moves normally attract.

Silva is likely to be the signing that will garner most attention when the new Premiership starts in August. Fortunately for the Spaniard, City gaffer Roberto Mancini has brought in other expensive signings Yaya Toure, Aleksander Kolarov and Jerome Boateng, who although aren't likely to be involved in glorious attacking football and headline-grabbing individual displays, have cost enough to take some of the pressure of Silva.

One wonders what players would currently be arriving at Eastlands if Mark Hughes was still in charge. Hughes, dismissed from Eastlands last December, was clearly taking City forward, but not at the rate desired from the club’s new owners. Harsh treatment for a manager who is used to success, and who would clearly have achieved it had he been given another few years to mould the team into his own. Hughes needn’t have worried that being British would have failed to attract some world ‘superstars’. Mancini certainly had success at club level as a player, but he is still yet to become a legendary veteran of European club management himself. Indeed this shows how much of a factor money and a promise of a new ‘revolution’ is in attracting players like Silva and Boateng.

At the time of writing, Hughes is set to become boss at Fulham, who saw their own manager depart Roy Hodgson depart for ‘crisis-club’ Liverpool, a club so in ‘crisis’ they are in the Europa Cup and have players like Pepe Reina, Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres at their disposal. How Hodgson must regret the day he turned his back on Chris Baird, Paul Konchesky and Dickson Etuhu, in favour of pastures new.

It is thus Hughes who is responsible for taking control of Fulham’s fortunes. A club that reached the Europa Cup final last season and yet still continued to impress in the league, particularly at Craven Cottage. Fulham may just have made the signing of the season in appointing Mark Hughes as their manager. What makes the signing so impressive is that Fulham paid no transfer fee for the unemployed Hughes.

Hughes is a stubborn sort. Brought up within the super-manly arms of Ron Atkinson, and witness to Alex Ferguson’s hairdryer treatment, Hughes certainly knows how to get what he wants. In the five years he spent as manager of Wales, Hughes revolutionised the national set-up, developing an almost unhealthy obsession with everything that affected the first team, from the training facilities, to the Welsh youth-set-up, right up to Robbie Savage’s deodorant choice. His demands on his players and indeed loyalty to them are such that most players end up loving him. Indeed Hughes’s teams are often known for a never-say-die attitude, combined with a modest quality that can surprise the best.

Fulham are a club that have apparently over-reached in recent years, despite having an excellent chairman, a fine coaching and playing staff, and a London location that would attract most footballers. The size of their ground is obviously something people point to when considering the size and worth of Fulham Football Club, but if truth be told, Fulham have that to their advantage. The claustrophobic environment of Craven Cottage helped the club dispose of so-called giants Juventus and Roma last season, and also helped the team gain maximum points in home fixtures against Liverpool and Manchester United.

Hughes is the perfect choice for Fulham, and they have every right to set their sights on qualifying for Europe again this season. They have an excellent defence in players like Aaron Hughes and Brede Hangeland, and even if Mark Schwarzer does leave, there will be no shortage of top-class keepers elsewhere that will be eyeing up the vacant goalkeeper's jersey. Danny Murphy and Zoltan Gera add craft to their play, whilst Bobby Zamora and the brilliant Clint Dempsey will always score goals. Hughes will be working hard to improve a good team, indeed his favourite son Craig Bellamy is bound to join him sooner rather than later. Fulham fans pondering whether Hodgson’s departure will signal the end of what has been a brilliant period should fear not. Mark Hughes was a great signing as a player for many clubs, and he continues to have such an effect as a manager.

A Big Season For Nani?

Former Arsenal midfielder Gilberto Silva once claimed Manchester United’s Nani had a ‘big head’, after an FA Cup 4th round tie in 2008. The young Portuguese winger, whose head size had never before been questioned but whose face is certainly annoying, had terrorised Arsenal all game, scoring once and assisting in two goals. It showed promise for a player bought only a few months earlier, suggesting Nani could evolve into the type of top-class winger Manchester United have had a knack of producing over the years. Trickier than Steve Coppell, more of a threat from long-distance than Ryan Giggs, and young enough for his manager Alex Ferguson to mould as he sees fit, Nani looked to be at the right stage of his career, and at the right club too.

That same season however, Nani was overshadowed by a magnificent season by his Portuguese compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo, who hit over 40 goals in all competitions, including a Champions League final goal against Chelsea. If Nani wanted to realise the level he needed to reach to be a Manchester United star, Ronaldo had shown him the way.

Fast forward a year to the end of the 2008/2009 campaign, and Nani had played only half the games he had in his first season, scoring only league goal. The potential Nani had shown in his debut season had not been reached. Manchester United supporters were left frustrated by Nani around this time. They saw a player with undoubted skill, good pace and a rocket of a shot. Nani’s tendency to overplay and not supply good enough service to United’s strikers was becoming a bad habit that he, and Ferguson, needed to address.

Tricky, skilful wingers are often associated with having a poor end product by fans and pundits, though this is often a lazy criticism. There is a more accurate correlation between the speed of the player and his crossing quality. A moving ball is harder to hit accurately than a standing ball, as it requires greater timing. If the player crossing the ball is running at full pace, then the quality of the cross delivered is at even greater risk of losing accuracy. Note the quality of crosses from Ryan Giggs as his career has progressed. The lightning speed and trickery of the Welshman was never in question in his early United career, but his final ball was often inconsistent. Giggs no longer has anything like the pace he once had, yet his crossing accuracy is now second to none. Indeed Giggs is always likely to be able to produce these crosses of brilliance. Indeed, at 37 years old, it is unlikely Giggs would still feature for United if he couldn’t bring qualities like this into Ferguson’s team.

The England international team have had an abundance of speedy, diminutive wingers in recent years. Aaron Lennon, Shaun Wright Phillips and Theo Walcott were all battling for the right-wing spot in South Africa, and all three have been criticised for their final ball throughout their career. It is their lightning pace however, which hinders their ability to cross accurately. (One imagines the un-predatory instincts of Emile Heskey also didn’t help wingers when they were deciding where to deliver a cross)

In regards to Nani, he has shown the ability to be an excellent crosser, and also has showed signs of being very quick on occasions. However, he tends to cross when he is in full control of the ball. He has the ability to cross with two feet also. Thus it is the question of when Nani will put the ball into the box that must frustrate strikers like Wayne Rooney. Rooney openly raved about the service from the more direct Antonio Valencia last season, a player who tended to cross the ball earlier. These crosses were often delivered back into an area just in front of the opposition defence, where Rooney would drop off into, and more often than not convert. Indeed, when United played away to AC Milan in last years Champions League, it was a cross from the substitute Valencia, on for Nani, that led to Rooney putting United in front.

Nani, although still young, still remains a frustrating player to this day, though his form improved dramatically in the second half of last season, single-handedly tearing apart Arsenal and a shockingly-under par Gael Clichy at the Emirates Stadium in January. ‘Maturity’ is often a buzz-word thrown around young players like Nani when they begin to show improvement, but he showed a level of performance at times that gives every United fan hope that next season will be Nani’s best season yet. Whether his final-third link-up play with Rooney will improve is another matter, but one imagines that if the two form an-on field relationship like Rooney and Ronaldo did, then United could be in with a great shout of bringing the Premiership trophy back to Old Trafford.

Medal Of Honour

ONLY a day after the signing of Joe Cole, Liverpool fans can now continue to smile after Steven Gerrard spoke out to assure everyone at Anfield that he is committed to the club. Despite the midfielder signing a contract only last summer that would have seen him play at Anfield till 2013, Gerrard has surprisingly made the news with this statement of intent. Nobody really expected him to move did they? He didn’t exactly light up the World Cup, and at 30 years old his list of potential suitors would have been far fewer than say, five years ago.

Gerrard was only loosely linked with a move away from Anfield this summer, with Rafa Benitez’s Inter Milan looking the most likely destination should the Merseysider leave. Indeed it was Benitez’s predecessor Jose Mourinho who almost took him to Chelsea in 2005, after Liverpool saw off AC Milan in Istanbul to win the Champions League. Gerrard in the end stayed, and since has been Liverpool’s catalyst in their success ever since, though Chelsea have gone on to win the Premiership twice since he chose not to move. A league title has unfortunately continued to elude him ever since.

This isn’t the first time a talented player has chosen to stay loyal to their club in the Premier League, but only rarely has such a player failed to go and win the league at some stage. Ian Wright had to wait over five years till Arsenal won the Premiership, and even Cristiano Ronaldo went four years without winning the title. Gerrard however, made his league debut over ten years ago and is still waiting for a Chanpionship medal. He may well retire without one, in belief that it just wasn’t meant to be. He isn’t alone though.

There were some footballers with a grand reputation who, despite playing in the Premiership, never really contributed enough to warrant a trophy in the first place. For example, George Weah’s short stint at Manchester City and Chelsea at the turn of the last decade wasn’t entirely a worthless experience, but he did manage less than 20 games. Jurgen Klinsmann proved a surprise hit with a nation not exactly fond of Germans in 1994 when he moved to Spurs, but his one season ended in disappointment as they lost to Everton in the FA Cup Semi Final at Elland Road. Klinsmann would however return in 1998 to help Spurs battle successfully against relegation.

There are a hatful of players that moved to clubs just after their peak, where a Premiership trophy would have been well received, but not a necessity. Stand up Chris Waddle, Laurent Blanc, Jay Jay Okocha, Youri Djorkaeff, Gianluca Vialli and Ruud Gullit. Sit back down William Prunier.

Vialli and Gullit in particular were part of a Chelsea club that were going in the right direction, but Chelsea would only finally be crowned champions after the two had left. Unfortunately this was the case for two other stars of that Chelsea team in the late nineties - Gianfranco Zola and Marcel Desailly. Although these two still had undoubted class, in particular Zola, and contributed enormously to the improvement of Chelsea in that era, they both joined the club at 30 years of age, and had both already won domestic titles in Italy. They wouldn’t have lost too much sleep since leaving the land of the Premier League. Desailly has since starred as a popular ITV pundit during the South Africa World Cup, thankfully distracting viewers away from some of Gareth Southgate’s shirt choices.

One man who played in the Premier League but never showed a particular interest in even winning the Premiership was the hugely talented Matthew Le Tissier of Southampton. Gifted with unbelievable natural talent and a deadly right foot, Le Tissier could have bargained for a move elsewhere, and Southampton could have cashed in also, but he never really showed the desire to challenge himself at a bigger club. Le Tissier was often described as a luxury player - perhaps not disciplined enough in his work-rate to succeed at a more demanding level, and not ambitious enough to change such traits.

He is forgiven by almost all though, as Le Tissier ended his career a one-club player. He was the scorer of many a spectacular goal, indeed there really isn’t a finer thing on YouTube than THIS compilation of his greatest moments. What struck you most about Le Tissier was the consistency with which he achieved these feats, and you can only imagine what magical moments he may have conjured up if he had been involved in cup finals, last-day title deciders and European football. Sky Sports viewers have over recent years been subject to ex-England manager Glenn Hoddle preaching about the lack of flair in the England team, with Hoddle stating how our country does not allow for more expressive players to be part of our international side. Why then Glenn, did you omit both Le Tissier and Paul Gascoigne, England's two greatest creative players of the 1990's, from the 1998 World Cup Squad?

Le Tissier’s ex-teammate Alan Shearer is another player that could have achieved more medal-wise. Rejecting the chance to join Manchester United in 1992, in favour of Blackburn Rovers, Shearer could only stand and watch as Alex Ferguson’s players won back-to-back titles. It wasn’t till 1995 that Shearer finally won the medal he longed for and deserved, as Blackburn snatched the trophy away from United.

Shearer of course later rejected United again in 1996, in favour of joining his boy-hood club Newcastle United. Such honourable actions would be classed as ultra-rare in today’s modern game, though Newcastle were hardly struggling for relegation, and in fact had only lost out on the 1996 title on the last day. However, with United going on to dominate domestically ever since, and having achieved success in Europe, Shearer can only speculate on the trophies and medals he could have won at Old Trafford.

Gerrard isn’t alone in wanting to end his career as a one-club player. He certainly won’t end his career without medals. During his time at Liverpool, Gerrard has won two FA Cups, two League Cups, the UEFA Cup, two UEFA Super Cups, and also the Champions League, to which he very almost won twice. It seems that Gerrard is fortunate to be at a club that holds success in European competitions as much value as success domestically, indeed Liverpool have still won the European Cup more than any other single English side. Perhaps though, Gerrard would have benefited more from a club more intent on winning a domestic title, giving him that Premiership medal he craves.

Why Manchester City Will Win The League

FIFTEEN years ago, FA Premier League fans all over the world awaited the start of a new season. Unlike the present day, where millions watched the South African World Cup, football fans in 1995 had to deal with a football-free summer. What is that match that Sky Sports teases us all with, a week before the start of the new season, masquerading as a ‘classic’ to kick off a ‘new showcase season’? Ah yes, that awful Charity Shield... The 1995 Charity Shield was even more lacklustre than normal. The only notable point was that it was the only Charity Shield since the Premiership began that didn’t feature one of Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool or Chelsea. Why? Answer: The 1994/95 season saw Blackburn Rovers crowned champions...

Blackburn had finally pipped Manchester United to the title in 1995, and although they would go on to lose that subsequent Charity Shield match against Everton, they still set an important benchmark that year – that money could buy you the title. In just a few years, Kenny Dalglish used Jack Walker’s millions to buy the best around (at the time). Shearer, Flowers, Sutton, Ripley, Sherwood, Le Saux et al, and yes even David ‘pass it sideways’ Batty. In fact David Batty already had a league winner’s medal after winning the title with Leeds in 1992.

As we approach the end of summer 2010, it is now the turn of Manchester City to try and pose a new threat to the established elite. Despite losing out on qualification for the Champions League, City have crucially still managed to attract the calibre of player they needed to improve. Jerome Boateng and Aleksandar Kolarov (should he sign) will bolster a defence that often bottled it at crucial times last season. More significantly, any City fans concerned about David Silva’s lack of involvement in South Africa need not worry. Silva is the real deal. Even Barcelona-bound Cesc Fabregas isn’t first choice for Spain...

City are improving at a steadyrate, though United and Chelsea seem to have, squad-wise at least, stalled. Chelsea have released smug German international Michael Ballack, and more surprisingly Joe Cole, and have failed to build on an ageing squad. United still lack a world-class central midfielder, and also the firepower to aid Wayne Rooney. The defences of the top two, in particular, are unstable, whether through injuries or personal issues. In fact, John Terry now seems to resemble an ageing house-cat, lumbering about with misplaced arrogance, relying on others to help to clean up after him.

It is the quality and depth of squad that City has this season which is their main advantage. When it comes down to it, week after week, quality counts. Silva and Andrew Johnson will be fluid and dangerous on the wings. Nigel De Jong and Yaya Toure will prove as tough as anyone to get past in midfield. Shay Given and Joe Hart are outstanding keepers on their day. Joleon Lescott and Kolo Toure are experienced defenders hungry for success, and even Micah Richards may yet prove he has a degree of footballing ability an. Tevez and Adebayor have plenty of class up front, and more importantly goals. Indeed it’s hard to watch a game in which Carlos Tevez plays in, and for you to not expect the Argentinean to emerge victorious. He’s just that stubborn. Those that argue that Craig Bellamy will be a huge miss for City should he go should just bear in mind that Craig Bellamy has been playing Premiership football for 10 years, never attracted a top club, and only has a Charity Shield winners medal to show for his time in English football. And you know how I feel about the Charity Shield...

I just can’t see the current top two being on their game enough this season to stop the momentum of City. I don’t expect a revolution of such in future years, but Chelsea and United need to be better than they currently are, if they are to thwart City’s chances. City have been knocking on the door, and although sceptics will say that City lack the experience to win the league, experience will only get you so far. In fact Chelsea won the title in 2005 without any serious title-challenges in the years leading up to their first Premiership trophy. So it’s City for me this year. Of course, I’ve actually wagered 25 quid on City to win the league, via Betfair, so chances are that City will finish 7th...