End of Year “Awards”
Posted by 5jr24 on July 13, 2009
I’ve been travelling for almost two months since the Champion’s League final in Rome, but I must admit that is not the real reason for my lack of review/wrap up of the season. In truth, it was the embarrassing performance of United that left me with no words. Summing up that game is pointless, as it was forgettable, and I have spent the last few months trying to do just that, forget it. So moving on!
It’s time for the season wrap up and awards.
The Pleasant Surprise: Darren Fletcher. Admittedly, I have never been the biggest Fletcher fan for the past few years. I found him unwarrantedly given a place in the starting 11 a few too many times, but this year, I became a huge fan. He was one of the stalwarts in the United midfield, and always justified his selection. His suspension for the Champion’s League final was a travesty to the game, and no doubt he would have made a difference in the outcome. If not changing the score, he would have at least saved me from watching Ji-Sung Park run around aimlessly.
The Big Hope: Kiko Macheda. Funny Story. I was in Salzburg when “The Goal” was scored. I had emailed my mother a list of games to text me the score of right when they ended to ensure I would keep up with the season if I didn’t have internet connection. Luckily, the hostel I was at had internet, so I paid to stream the game online. 80 minutes of cursing the Red Devils led to Ronaldo thankfully tying the game, setting up Macheda for the ultimate introduction to the first team. Facing a third consecutive winless game, the 17 year-old Italian steps up in the 94th minute of a pivotal match in the season to curl home one of the nicest goals I had seen all year. Finishing the story, minutes after United’s relieved celebration, I got a text from my mom saying “Macheda in the 94th Minute, 3-2.” Had I not watched the game, I most definitely would have thought it was a Villa player. Not that funny of a story I suppose, but it at least shows how off the map he was. The post match interview for SAF could have gone a bit differently, trying to justify his substitution of 30 million pound Berbatov for a 17 year old kid, but alas, we were all happy. Then, to follow it up with a winning goal against Sunderland the game later with his first touch of the game proves it was no fluke. This kids going to be very, very good. If you ask me, he looks like Ronaldo, too…
The Biggest Turnaround: Edwin Van der Sar. Yeah, he’s old, but I didn’t think he was THAT old. Clearly in the twilight of his career, he had shades of Barthez in the beginning of the season. His performance at Anfield was a nightmare, and had United fans cringing weeks after. Then VDS sat in front of his fire and thought “hmmm… how can I make them forget I was awful? I know! I’ll smash the shut out record.” And so he did just that. So he now holds a record that most likely will not be broken for some time, and he did it with many different defenders in front of him. Although these defenders deserve credit, the record belongs to VDS, and lets hope he doesn’t feel the need to take just drastic measures next year.
The Unfair Scapegoat: John O’Shea. Gah… John O’Shea. I have made no secret of my feelings toward O’Shea, but I suppose I was slightly harsh. He did play the most games in the goal-less streak, and he has always answered when called upon by SAF to play different positions. Well done, John, continue.
The Moment to Forget: Vidic’s takedown of Gerrard at OT. Runner up obviously goes to his giveaway to Torres, but when he took down Gerrard, it was a cumilation of all the game’s frustrations and it just deflated the whole team. It was only 2-1 at that point, and a comeback very possible, but he squashed all chances of that. And what an awful tackle it was. I still contend Rio could have made it across and that a red card might not have been necessary, but what the hell was he thinking?
The Dr. Jekyl – Mr. Hide: Continuing from the previous award, Nemanja Vidic. How such a seemingly solid, dependable defender can change into an infectious virus on the field is completely beyond me. Of all the players on the team, he certainly has a few games (3 red card? wow) to forget. My guess is he still wakes up in a cold sweat when he dreams about handing the ball to Torres at Old Trafford. But, nonetheless, he was inspiring in every game he played in minus the 3 red cards. He was on the end of every cross, he was sliding into tackles everywhere, and he most definitely scored more goals then Park, Anderson, Nani, and Scholes combined.
The Holy Shit Moment: Berbatov’s move on the West Ham end-line. I have never watched a YouTube clip more. Firstly, how did he keep it in. Secondly, and more overlooked, his pass to Ronaldo split the goalie and the defender perfectly. And Lastly, good Lord.
The Goal of the Season: This is a tough one. I so desperately want to give it to Macheda, but instead I will create another award for his goal. It has to go to Ronaldo for his 40-yard bullet against Porto. I recall the commentary – “Ronaldo, a bit far out….. NOT TOO FAR FOR HIM.” Yeah… 40 yards and still rising, probably one of the best goals I have ever seen, and even more special for sending United through to meet Arsenal in the Semi-Finals.
The Moment They Won the Title: “The Goal” vs Aston Villa. Poor Villa, not having beaten United for 21039812 years, they must have thought they had finally broken the curse. Enter Macheda. Not only was the goal fantastic, but it showed that United can win, even when it’s ugly. Very, very ugly. It snapped their losing streak, and it gave the fans something to believe in again.
The Game of Two Halves: 2nd game vs Tottenham. Well, Liverpool fans were too excited in the first half for the lead to last. At half time, surely memories of the 2003 5-3 comeback vs Tottenham was in most United fan’s heads. And you just knew that the 2-0 lead they had would not last. Sure enough, the “Fab Four” played a half together for the first time all season, and it’s a shame it was the first. 2 Goals by both Rooney and Ronaldo, followed by a 5th from Berbatov secured first place in the standings once again. Rooney absolutely destroyed Tottenham on the left, while Ronaldo’s diving header to give them the lead was not only a great goal, but an incredible moment in the season. “Nobody, NOBODY does it better then Manchester United,” calls the commentator. And that’s why we’re fans.
The Deterioration: Carlos Tevez. Who else could the award go to? He was a hero in the eyes of most United fans for the whole summer. He amicably sat on the bench, suffered through SAF’s love affair with Berbatov, and came on to turn around important games such as Tottenham and Wigan. He played the victim the whole season, just waiting and waiting for United to offer him the contract he so desperately wanted. Poor, poor “Carlitos.” Of course, it all went downhill from there. After being shafted for a starting role in the Champion’s League Final, Tevez eventually turned down his much-coveted contract offer from the club. Why? It was “too late.” So it was settled, Tevez would leave OT, but not before getting his 2 cents in. So Mr. Martyr with a capital M runs his mouth in interviews, talking about how SAF is at fault for their defeat and Princess Diana’s death etc, and blaming Berbatov for his lack of playing time. No one was going to say it Tevez, but you are not as good as you think you are, so shut up, cross the line to City and enjoy another season on the bench because no one will put up with your attitude.
The Biggest Disappointment: Cristiano Ronaldo. Gasp! Not Berbatov? Ronaldo could never have lived up to the expectations around him after his record breaking year, but he could have at least tried. His tantrums, lack of effort and just general attitude towards the team got on everyone’s nerves, including mine, and I’ve loved him since 2003. However, his moments of brilliance and his ability to turn a game
in a second overshadowed his PMS outbreaks. But SAF once again proves that no person is bigger than the team, and it was definitely time for Ronaldo to go. On a side note, the transfer was like taking candy from a baby, only instead of candy it was outrageous sums of money, and instead of a baby it was Real Madrid.
The Most Improved Player: Anderson. Okay I know choosing him is a bit out there, especially considering the season Fletcher had, as well as Rooney’s maturation into a man, but Anderson was solid all year. He is deceivingly fast, and a strong contender in centre midfield. I am excited for him to score his first non-penalty goal for United, and continue to anchor their midfield when called upon.
The Key: Michael Carrick. Okay, so my loyal readers know that I am a huge Carrick fan. I am fully aware that he tends to disappear in games, but he is such an integral part of their midfield. He is the new Paul Scholes, and his passing is unmatched by any regular team player currently. Although he doesn’t score as much as perhaps is expected, if given the chance to make a piercing run, he usually doesn’t waste an opportunity to put the ball in the net. Next year, the key to United scoring goals will be Carrick supplying the balls up front to Berbatov and Rooney.
The Player of the Year: It’s a toss up between Rio Ferdinand, Wayne Rooney and Nemanja Vidic. I’m gonna go ahead and give it to Wayne Rooney. Vidic and Ferdinand were incredible, and although their injuries plagued United’s defense for months, they were irreplaceable. However, Rooney is the best teammate one could ask for, and his adoption of the left-winger role showed just how much he would give to the team. A natural centre foward, Rooney continuously makes way for players such as Berbatov and Ronaldo. He takes it in stride and his newly found ability to lead by example doesn’t go unnoticed. He does the same amount of work on-field as 4 players combined, and he is only just coming into his own.
