Manchester United clinched their 19th English league title with a 1-1 draw at Blackburn yesterday.It wasn’t their most impressive performance of the season but a point was enough to confirm the Reds Devils as champions.
Debatable
Manchester United gained the point via a far from clear penalty kick. Striker Javier Hernandez was felled by Blackburn keeper Paul Robinson. The contact was minimal and the Mexican was running away from goal.
England striker Wayne Rooney stepped up and scored the crucial spot-kick. Whether it was or not a penalty is irrelevant, Manchester United over the season have been the best team in the Premier League.
Consistent
Manchester United have proved the most consistent team in the English top flight. This is definitely not rated as the best Manchester United team of all-time but they have the ability to grind out a result, when their rivals have failed to do so.
The likes of Chelsea and Arsenal have gone through really poor spells at times. Chelsea even went on a short spell without winning a game. You simply can’t afford runs of too many games without winning if your going to be champions.
Rivals
Everybody at the club seem delighted to have clinched their record breaking 19th league title, as it means they have now won more titles than their bitter-rivals Liverpool. When United boss Sir Alex Ferguson arrived at the club in 1986 he stated that he wanted to knock Liverpool off their perch.
Well its took him 25 years but the Scot has achieved it. When he arrived United had just nine league titles to their name and since then the former-Aberdeen boss has proved himself to be one of the best managers ever.
Achievement
As I previously mentioned this team are not considered as brilliant as some of the previous United sides. Sir Alex has needed all his managerial metal to manage this team to the Premier League title and to the Champions League final.
If United win the Champions League this season it will be considered Sir Alex Ferguson’s greatest ever achievement, because their Champions League opponents Barcelona are so highly-talented and highly-rated.
Team
This season’s achievements have very much been based on the fantastic team spirit at the club. You could see the camaraderie that the United squad have by the celebrations on the Ewood Park pitch after confirming their title victory.
This attribute has been present in every successful team in the history of the club and United have team spirit in abundance.
Greats
This United side is full of players who will go down as Red Devils greats. The likes of Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes have won everything there is to win in club football. They have played well into their thirties and they are superb role models for every player in the game.
They epitomise why Manchester United have won so Premier League titles in the last twenty years. Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes are Manchester United and they will be so hard to replace when they call it a day.
Future
Sir Alex Ferguson’s side have done well this season. However the Scot knows that this summer he will need to strengthen his squad if they are to retain their title. Just like every season though I wouldn’t back against United winning their 20th league title next season.
