It is a little over four miles from Eastlands to the Granada Studios lot on which Coronation Street is now filmed. Perhaps, though, the time is nigh for those penning ITV’s long-running soap opera to slip into quiet retirement, lay down the quill one last time, and recognise that no Weatherfield ferment can ever match the emotion, melodrama, and sheer intoxication of this season’s Premier League denouement.
No Street plot line has ever been this improbable. Nor heart-rending for those in Red. For 28 tortuous minutes Manchester United, quite inexplicably, grasped a 20th domestic league title as Roberto Mancini’s Blues conspired to fall behind, at home, to 10-man Queens Park Rangers. For near half-an-hour of agony those in Red dreamed of Manchester City’s stunning demise, and a United triumph much against all expectations. It was truly a demi-heure like no other.
This was a drama with a stunning final revelation though. How could it be any other way? No happy ending for the 2,000 travelling Reds in Sunderland, nor the United players whom emerged victorious at the Stadium of Light, or the millions more watching in hope on television. Instead, only the agony, no, disbelief as Sergio Aguero jinked past Taye Taiwo’s lazy tackle and slammed home City’s title-winning goal at 90 minutes plus four.
That United had already departed the Stadium of Light field only enhanced the drama. Sir Alex Ferguson’s players standing, waiting, for what must have been the two longest minutes of many careers after securing a hard-fought victory on Wearside. Cruelly, it was Sunderland’s fans that brought the news that anyone in Red could only anticipate with horror – City’s winning goal at Eastlands.
“I congratulate City on winning the league,” said United manager Sir Alex Ferguson in the aftermath.
“It is a fantastic achievement to win the Premier League, it’s not easy to win, it’s the hardest league in the world and anyone that wins it deserves it. We knew there were five minutes of injury time being played there, one of our assistant referees informed us of that. Our game only had three minutes so for two minutes we didn’t know that was happening. Of course, they got the break and won the game.”
Cruel though the manner of league defeat is for those in Red, it is not the ceding of United’s Premier League title that will hurt the most. Indeed, losses to Wigan Athletic, City and the draw with Everton in the past month all but ensured that conclusion whatever Sunday’s matches brought. After all, United has made mistakes by the legion to help City erode a comfortable Premier League over the course of just six games.
No, the pain will reside in those 28 minutes of hope, when QPR unexpectedly rallied after Joey Barton’s imbecilic dismissal to take a 2-1 lead into injury time, and all too briefly United’s players, staff and supporters believed the club was champions once again.
“It’s cruel, but we’ve experienced many ups and downs in the 25 years I’ve been here – most of them are great moments,” Ferguson added.
“We’ve won the league title three times on the last day and today we nearly did it. Coming into the last game I said, ‘Concentrate on your job, that’s what we have to do’, because you’re going to get certain types of reaction from the crowd and you saw that.”
“At the end of our game our players didn’t actually know the results. Now, they’re really disappointed, I’m glad to say. There’s no other way they should be. They conducted themselves brilliantly today. Their performance level was good. I’m pleased at our performance this season. Eighty-nine points would win most leagues. It wasn’t our turn today.”
As with so many seasons winners and losers are selected in the details; an unlucky break here, a fortunate goal there. United’s players will hold many of those moments close in the coming months – not least the occasions on which points were squandered on the precipice of conceit. Blackburn Rovers’ unlikely victory at Christmas, defeat at Wigan, and a two-goal lead at home to Everton thrown away. Each should long live in the memory.
So too must Ferguson reflect on the cautious approach adopted at Eastlands last month that backfired in such spectacular fashion – a trick United almost repeated on Wearside. While the Scot has boldly lauded Michael Carrick and Paul Scholes in recent days, Ferguson could not trust the pair to win games against City, or again on the final day.
Whether Ferguson will, or can, address United’s issues is a question for the summer, and thoughts will quickly turn from defeat to the future. The new Premier League season is now less than 100 days hence, and United will find claiming back the league trophy from a City side emboldened and educated by glory no easy task.
After all, Mancini’s outfit is unlikely to repeat the mistakes made this season, nor fall victim to the bout of nerves that at one stage seemed set to sweep the tile to Old Trafford by Easter. Instead, City will now build from a position of strength, shedding disruptive influences or under-performing stars, and exploiting the market as only a club built on sovereign wealth can.
United, meanwhile, faces a painful summer in the knowledge that there are many questions to be asked and answered of Ferguson’s squad.
The coming weeks will be replete with talk of a ‘shift in power’, the ‘end of United’s empire’ and City’s looming hegemony. Ferguson, re-invigorated by City’s challenge, will have none of it, even if the pensioner is unlikely to meet City’s challenge in the transfer market this summer. In youth and history Sir Alex trusts, whether by his design or that foisted upon him.
“We have a rich history, better than anyone, and it will take them a century to get to our level of history,” adds the 70-year-old United manager.
“But for us it’s still a challenge and we’re good at challenges. We’ll kick on from here. I think we take credit in the fact we’ve had so many injuries this season and we’ve coped with that very well. Some of the young players have gained some experience and they’ll be around in five, six, seven years time all these young players at Manchester United. Experience is good for them – even if it’s a bad one.”
Yet, United will look back on a season where players and manager needed to raise their game to meet City’s challenge, and ultimately fell flat. Two defeats in five games coming into the final day cost United dearly – a pattern that cannot be explained away by inexperience, nor injury.
It all added, of course, to the most extraordinary league finale since Arsenal beat Liverpool at Anfield in 1989. The Eastlands tumult will rarely, if ever, be bettered for the wave of emotion. That, however, will be of little consolation to Reds tonight.
Blues break United hearts in Fergie time
(92 posts) (13 voices)-
Posted 1 year ago #
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simonthered
Member
Posted by unregistered user: simontheredI can’t help but feel that there is less resentment about citeh winning the title in this manner than if they had won it two weeks ago by six points….. it’s as though we respect a team for winning in injury time… I kinda like that about us, UNITED TILL I DIE!!!!
Posted 1 year ago # -
Alfonso Bedoya
Moderator
Just saw the City highlights on MotD...
City deserved to win... no complaints about the result.
However... I feel a bit sorry for Barton... Tevez, the dirty little cunt, set him up for that sending off... he nibbled at Barton, and then went down wailing when Barton nibbled back...
Lowlife prick... just made my shit list of most loathed players/managers, along with Terry, Suarez, Dalglish, Benitez, Dennis Wise...
"Badges, to god-damned hell with badges! We have no badges. In fact, we don't need badges. I don't have to show you any stinking badges, you god-damned cabrón and ching' tu madre! Come out from that shit-hole of yours. I have to speak to you."Posted 1 year ago # -
19 and Counting
Member Posted by unregistered user: 19 and CountingCity deserved it and we threw it away. But I can’t watch that ugly cunt hold up the trophy after lounging about the golf course for 4 months and treating his own fans with such petulance. I hope they take away his medal and he goes back home – permanently.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Marlon
Member Posted by unregistered user: MarlonI don’t know if it hasn’t sunk in yet, or, having expected this for weeks, I was just well prepared.
Saw some interesting facts on twitter re united injuries this season.
Average no. of separate injuries per 1st team player = 3.14
Rio + Wayne had 6 separate injuries each. Smalling had 8.
Every single utd 1st team squad player has been injured (except scholes). Only Carrick and De Gea haven’t had multiple injuries.
(From @RedMancunia)
There is a point where its bad luck and there is a point when its just negligence. (and obviously there have been lots of reasons other than this for our 2nd place)Posted 1 year ago # -
19 and Counting
Member
Look, to finish level on points with billionaire City after all our injuries and an inferior squad is pretty damn good. But how we just handed the title over to City when they gifted us the title is hard to take. You can look at a lot of factors over the year - DDG's poor form in the first half, Vidic and Fletcher being sidelined, massive injuries etc - but past United sides would not have capitulated like they did. That Everton match summed it up for me - City wanted it more and we didn't.
Posted 1 year ago # -
DamnedUnited
Member Posted by unregistered user: DamnedUnitedPrecisely. The ‘injury crisis’. Ferguson was talking about United’s injuries this season and he said something along the lines of, “… our players get injured because we hold the ball so much and the other teams are trying to get it off us …” which would have been true two years ago when United tried to play possession football. The team has played a counter-attacking style exclusively this season and they almost never dominate possession.
The only injury I saw this season which involved someone trying to desperately get the ball off us was Cleverly’s injury when the Bolton idiot tackled him.
I’m astounded at the individual injury stats though.
Posted 1 year ago # -
marlon
Member
As close as we've come this season, we can't expect City to let us claw back such a big gap again, or for the other teams to all be so shit. We've had a good season (in the PL), but other teams have made it look better than it was.
I really missed having a CL run this year. This was almost certainly why our (and city's) points total reached 89 points. Despite only challenging for one cup our squad never seemed deep, even with injuries factored in. Most of our young players will be a year better, but injuries have disrupted some of their seasons (rafael, cleverley etc.) to the point where it was a wasted year in their development. Not enough of our young players have taken a step forward and our older players are continually taking steps backward (or 'adapting' their game).
Squad needs to be strengthened somehow. I don't want to see us embarrassed by Europa league teams again.
Posted 1 year ago # -
marlon
Member 19 and Counting said:
That Everton match summed it up for me - City wanted it more and we didn't.Of course City wanted it more. I don't need to explain why. Despite that, I don't believe we lost on a lack of desire. I'm not sure I can remember a season when the team has blocked so many shots diving in at the last second. (Although sometimes it looks like there are 11 Berbatovs on the pitch, doesn't mean they don't care). I agree some of the old teams would have held their nerve. Its not like we've not lost titles before. Not like this though. Everyone at the club, top to bottom will learn from this. The younger guys will learn from this. If they are in the same position next season, they'll be able to look back at this run-in and it will galvanise them. I'm sure the way they let this title go, only to almost win it but for a few minutes of injury time will haunt them and they'll be better players for it. They will want it more. For their entire lifetime, United have won titles to the point where it is expected rather than earned. They will not take it for granted again.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Gabagool
Member Posted by unregistered user: GabagoolI perversely enjoyed all the drama, deep down I just always knew citeh would scrape through, even with 2 goals needed in 5 mins, so I wasn’t as devastated as I would be if we’d blown it at Sunderland.
Hopefully there’ll be a silver lining to this season, it may give fergus a kick in the arse for one more challenge, and force some spending to be done.
The downside is that city have proved to themselves that they can be mentally strong, and won’t be relied upon to crumble anymore.
We’ve seen off all challengers for the last 20 years, confident we can do it again.Posted 1 year ago # -
19 and Counting
Member marlon said:
When Fergie took over, the carrot was liverpool's perch. (Fergie was obviously the stick). We need a new carrot. (Same stick will do). Guess it'll be city but I wish it was Europe. Best team always wins the league, but CL is on another level.Yeah and the CL will be even stronger next year with Juventus back, Dortmund stronger, and teams like PSG with money to spend. I really worry for us next season both in the EPL and CL because the big teams will continue to strengthen - but not sure if we'll actually be stronger next year. I can see City bringing in Hazard and Llorente or Falcao - hell, they may even bid for CR or Messi!
No, SAF is already making excuses and saying our squad only needs tweaking so don't expect much - Kagawa and 1 or 2 youngsters might be it (although I hope I'm wrong). Is that really going to help us regain the EPL title and go farther in the CL? I don't know guys, I'm worried.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Damian Garside
Member Posted by unregistered user: Damian GarsideThe good news is that our future rivalry with City will be based on respect (no more ‘liddle Ciddy’ crap). I think they won for three reasons: 1. Aguero (a truly great player, a match-winner in a class of his own) 2. they wanted it and needed it more than we did (`eye of the tiger, Rocky’, you used to have that once’). If they had lost the pain would have been too much for the Universe to handle. Their joy at winning will de-zombify them; make them human again 3.I’m clairvoyant and had a dream two months into the season in which I was told City would be champions. The manner in which they became champions is devastating proof of my clairvoyancy — and therfore of the truth that time is not linear (a quantum universe).
If we had won — it would have been such a mickey mouse victory for us: like the tortoise’s victory over Achilles. Next season we need a team that plays with verve and panache — and go to the Etihad and beat then 4-3 or 5-2 instead of parking a bus that is more like a sieve.
Posted 1 year ago # -
19 and Counting
Member Commenter said:
The good news is that our future rivalry with City will be based on respect (no more ‘liddle Ciddy’ crap). I think they won for three reasons: 1. Aguero (a truly great player, a match-winner in a class of his own) 2. they wanted it and needed it more than we did (`eye of the tiger, Rocky’, you used to have that once’). If they had lost the pain would have been too much for the Universe to handle. Their joy at winning will de-zombify them; make them human again 3.I’m clairvoyant and had a dream two months into the season in which I was told City would be champions. The manner in which they became champions is devastating proof of my clairvoyancy — and therfore of the truth that time is not linear (a quantum universe).If we had won — it would have been such a mickey mouse victory for us: like the tortoise’s victory over Achilles. Next season we need a team that plays with verve and panache — and go to the Etihad and beat then 4-3 or 5-2 instead of parking a bus that is more like a sieve.
There will be no verve or panache as it will be much of the same next season I reckon. I hate to say it but we may be turning into a selling club and may have to sacrifice Nani if we are to spend on a quality central MF. But SAF seems content with our MF - amazing as it sounds - so I doubt much will happen. I do miss the UNited teams of old who would run riot over opposition especially at OT.
My question is would all of you be willing to sacrifice Nani IF SAF bought a quality central MF like Hazard?
Posted 1 year ago # -
shuddertothink – good job we both got 89 points in that case.
Posted 1 year ago # -
shuddertothink – I hate to get all factual on you, since you seem like a nice chap. But these are calculations taken from accounts or those reported:
City v QPR
Hart £1,500,000
Kompany £6,700,000
Zabaleta £6,500,000
Lescott £22,000,000
Clichy £7,000,000
Barry £12,000,000
Nasri £22,000,000
Silva £25,000,000
Y Toure £24,000,000
Aguero £38,000,000
Tevez £25,500,000*= £190,200,000
* The Times has insisted for two years that the true cost of Tevez’ transfer is £47,000,000United v Sunderland
De Gea £18,900,000
Evra £5,500,000
Jones £16,500,000
Ferdinand £27,550,000
Evans £0
Giggs £0
Carrick £18,600,000
Scholes £0
Young £17,000,000
Valencia £16,000,000
Rooney £27,000,000= £119,500,000
Posted 1 year ago # -
Daniel
Member Posted by unregistered user: DanielYes, mate. It would better the team in the long run. Hazard can play as a CAM in a 4-2-3-1, thus enabling a formation of Young, Hazard, Valencia and Rooney. This is the kind of attacking formation that you take to the Etihad, my friend. But if we sell Nani, we’ll need another winger for the rotation. You’ll have 3 strikers (Rooney, Welbz and Chicha) with Rooney able to play as a CF as well. And you’ll have 3 wingers, 1 winger + CAM (Hazard) and Cleverley who is more of a CAM than a CM.
Posted 1 year ago # -
madmax said:
I blame everything on not having the 'What if we end up Potless' thread this season. I remember seeing that thread crop up every year except this year, when we've actually ended up potless.I agree completely - I say we bring it back for next year! Cap?
I'd rather City had won 10-0 yesterday, it would've avoided the half an hour of false hope that I enjoyed, quickly followed by one almighty disappointment. At least we now know how Bayern fans felt (although, to be fair, they probably felt worse as they were at least the better team for the majority of the final, unlike us being the inferior team for most of the season). As gutted as I am, I think we may need something like this, just so that we're not papering over the cracks again and making ourselves look better than we actually are (some of our football this season has been shocking), as we have done the past few seasons (although only just losing out on goal difference will no doubt give them a good excuse for pointing out how close we are...I wonder if Fergie still thinks we're not that far behind Barca?). This should also give the young'uns a good dose of reality and show them what's actually needed to win the title and give them the desire to go out there and win it again.
At the end of the day, City should've run away with the league but they faltered for various reasons and that's the only reason we were able to keep up - Fergie coming out with the old line of our points total being enough to win in previous seasons is just another one of his tactics to protect the players, etc., and doesn't mean anything in reality - it's all about being enough in whatever season you're in, not previous ones. City could've and should've racked up more points than they did this season. They won't make the same mistakes again next year and will have the added experience of actually winning the trophy. I also think Chelsea are going to spend big this summer - whilst they may not have as many rubles as City have dirhams, they can still buy big and they won't be happy with their final league placing, regardless of whether they win the CL this year. We'll have two big spenders against our modest outlay next season and it'll make things even harder for us than this year. I genuinely think we're in for a tricky couple of years (at least).
Posted 1 year ago # -
Gopher Brown
Member Posted by unregistered user: Gopher BrownThank god Aguero scored that goal eh, because the amount of guff that has been written of late about how we threw it all away and are no where near good enough would have made a great number of people look properly foolish.
How about in future we save the negativity until it’s mathematically impossible?
Posted 1 year ago # -
marlon
Member Saw this on Goal.com describing Fergie's management in the Glazer years:
"Like a balding man arranging his remaining hair to cover the growing gaps, his deployment of resources has created the illusion of a thick thatch, and you can only shudder at how well the club might have done were it allowed to spend what it makes. "
Posted 1 year ago # -
shauno
Member Posted by unregistered user: shaunoMost of the grief I got yesterday was from Arsenal fans which seems odd as they are in a precarious position given the influx of money from city’s owners. It seems that everybody is ignoring the elephant in the room. The impact of billionaire ownership presents a few problems for me. Firstly, even if we are self sufficient and the Glazers are gone it’s only going to take one more billionaire oligarch and the top 3 automatic champions league spots are bought/sewn up. We along with Arsenal, Liverpool etc could effectively kiss goodbye to UCL football irrespective of UCL FFP (which I don’t believe will work). Breaking into the top 4 has been arguably a closed shop over the years but not just because of money, but in part due to good investment, good youth academies and good management. Chelsea, PSG and city have replaced all this with cash.
Secondly, what’s in it for the billionaire? I struggle with this aspect and how long it can continue. Can city ever truly look to break even/turn a profit and become self sufficient? Do they have the numbers? Will it ever grow as a business quick enough before the apron strings are cut? I don’t understand the motive particularly in city’s case. Why bestow all this money on this club in this part of a country that they have no affinity with whatsoever? Billions! All the regeneration work proposed to benefit who and why and for how long?
Now I’ll be honest here I’m not from Manchester. I’m originally from St Helens and now live in Cornwall and my family are from Urmston/Cheetham Hill, my Grandad played for United, we have season tickets and I go and watch as much as I can. I practically grew up in Manchester City Centre, the people, the music, the football everything. Manchester is and will always be my spiritual home. I love its socialist history, I enjoy reading about its impact on the industrial landscape, the worker bees in the crest, the Outcasts FC all these things that were battled for against the will of the ruling classes demonstrating how hard work, co-operation and determination in most cases can win through and improve lives.
So I have to raise an eyebrow and look at the city owners with a sceptical eye and ask what are your motives? I do not see how this type of ownership is beneficial long term for either the community, city, region, country or the sport of football. Manchester City’s fans serve no purpose for that club in the short to medium term other than atmosphere. The owners don’t need the fans money hence they are practically giving away season tickets, they don’t need the city. They don’t fit the historical ethos of Manchester. Nothing epitomises the juxtaposition of the city of Manchester and the intrusion of this Human Rights abusing family more than that frustrating banner “Manchester thanks you King Julian”. Does it really?
It’s a strange time and even without the Glazers I doubt we would be competitive in the face of the sovereign wealth on offer at eastlands and the desire to be better than United. It all needs reigning in. People are washing over the issue of sustainability in football with the “how exciting was it yesterday” mantra. If that’s what people want then adopt a spending cap and strict financial rules and prioritise youth football then you will have exciting all the way through the season. Will billionaire owners make the top 4 more competitive? Maybe. Will it address the issues in football we have encountered over the last 10 years? Not a chance in fact it will only exacerbate it and we will lose more clubs, more jobs and more money in years to come unless something sensible is done.
Posted 1 year ago # -
shuddertothink – luck, because it wasn’t a good model. But in any case, well done on getting so close
Posted 1 year ago #
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