How can we possibly get through one of the saddest weeks in United's history? We can't. All we can do is bask in Sir Alex's glory that he has brought to United. It is not easy for me to type out this post but I know that it will make me feel a whole lot better.
The rumour broke out last night at approximately 23:00. Half an hour earlier, everyone on Twitter was talking about some big announcement that Manchester United were going to make soon. Some people were saying that a newspaper is going to break the story while others were saying that it will be an official club announcement. Rumours were flying around as to what it could be. A new player? A new club sponsor? Something about an IPO? New owners of the club hopefully? The sponsor rumour seemed to be the most likeliest. And then, as I was scrolling down reading all of these tweets, someone said "Could it be that Sir Alex is going to retire?" It could not possibly happen. Why just last week he was talking about making a big name signing. A couple of hours later, The Telegraph newspaper released the story "Sir Alex To Retire From Manchester United After 26 Years". At first no one believed it. Then people started panicking. Then I went to bed.
I awoke the next morning to the very loud vibration of my phone "The rumours are getting stronger :( " Delon, a friend of mine, was concerned. I assured him that they were just that, nothing more than rumours. He also informed me that a press conference will be held at 10am (9am for those who live in the UK) to confirm or deny the rumours. I told him to keep me informed because I had a lecture to go to. I had just sat down in my seat when my phone vibrated again...all Delon could say was "It's been confirmed :( " It felt unreal. I was numb. I of course could not concentrate on the rest of my lecture, I just knew that one of the footballing greats had left the most iconic club in the world.
I got back home to my laptop, flung it open because one of my other friends was also in need of comforting and a slew of tribute videos clogged my Twitter and Facebook timelines. As I watched them I could not hold back the tears, for how could a man this great not be immortal? The success that he has brought to my beloved club is unparalleled. He is known for being a winner, for being a fighter. His quotes about Liverpool, Newcastle and various managers are charismatic as well as hilarious. There's so much to say about him, about his successes, about his persona, all of which I will discuss in my next blog post titled "Thanks For The Memories Sir Alex"
Sunday will be his last game at Old Trafford and I am sure that all United supporters are going to be very emotional. Today is one of the saddest days that United supporters will ever know. However, whoever the next manager of United is, let us all give him our full support and not turn out to be another Chelsea. Sir Alex will be one of the club's directors and ambassadors. Yes, losing Sir Alex is hard, if we do not win any trophies next season that will be even more difficult but remember one thing if nothing at all, "We'll Keep The Red Flag Flying High, 'Cause Man United Will Never Die."
Wednesday, 8 May 2013
Wednesday, 1 May 2013
Our Toothless Wingers
United's wingers have been under scrutiny for the entirety of this season, and rightly so. They have not been strong at all even when they've been given the opportunity to play for one of the biggest clubs in the world. Where did it all go wrong? From Best to Giggs to Cantona to Ronaldo, United's wingers have been known to strike fear into the hearts of defenders, and now, defenders swat them away as if they aren't even there.
Let's look at some overall season statistics. We'll start with the winger who's made the most appearances for United so far this season, Antonio Valencia:
Games started: 37
Goals scored: 2 (FA Cup & EPL)
Assists: 6
That is all the statistics you need to look at for a winger. To say that Valencia has been horrendous would be an understatement. I understand that he broke his ankle in the 2011/2012 season and was out for 6 months but to perform so badly during an entire season whilst maybe 98% fit is inexcusable, especially when you're playing for one of the best clubs in the world.
From Valencia, it goes from bad to worse. Let's look at Ashley Young's stats:
Games started: 19
Goals scored: 0
Assists: 3
When I first saw the above stats, I thought that ESPN might have not realised that April Fools has passed. It was so shocking that I just stared blankly at the screen for about two minutes, for how could the stats of a WINGER be this bad? When United first bought Ashley Young in 2011, I was really excited because he was one if the best winger's in the league at the time but he has seriously underperformed during his stint at United and now I am questioning whether United would gain any profit from selling him at the end of this season.
United's best winger by far this season has been Luis Nani:
Games started: 11
Goals scored: 1
Assists: 2
Nani has the best games:goals ratio here. He has the undeniable ability to frustrate you and amaze you at the same time, with his subtle touches and strikes on goal (sometimes sailing way over the crossbar). Nani's only hindrance is that he is too inconsistent. He plays well in one game and is terrible in the next. He has been with United for 6 seasons now, and in 2 of those 6 seasons he was rated as being brilliant but he has faltered and gotten up only to falter again. It's frustrating for United supporters because we know that he has the potential to be one of the best wingers in the world, if only he were consistent. Ferguson criticised him earlier this season when we exited the Carling Cup for giving the ball away which let Chelsea score a late goal and knock United out. At the time I was shocked because I could not remember the last time Ferguson publicly called out a player for making a mistake in a match, but he was obviously very frustrated, and ever since then, Nani has not made many appearances for United.
With all that said and done, do you think that United should sell these wingers and get better ones or should we stick with what we've got and see how they do next season? Leave your comments in the box below or tweet to me @Chiara_MUFC
Let's look at some overall season statistics. We'll start with the winger who's made the most appearances for United so far this season, Antonio Valencia:
Games started: 37
Goals scored: 2 (FA Cup & EPL)
Assists: 6
That is all the statistics you need to look at for a winger. To say that Valencia has been horrendous would be an understatement. I understand that he broke his ankle in the 2011/2012 season and was out for 6 months but to perform so badly during an entire season whilst maybe 98% fit is inexcusable, especially when you're playing for one of the best clubs in the world.
From Valencia, it goes from bad to worse. Let's look at Ashley Young's stats:
Games started: 19
Goals scored: 0
Assists: 3
When I first saw the above stats, I thought that ESPN might have not realised that April Fools has passed. It was so shocking that I just stared blankly at the screen for about two minutes, for how could the stats of a WINGER be this bad? When United first bought Ashley Young in 2011, I was really excited because he was one if the best winger's in the league at the time but he has seriously underperformed during his stint at United and now I am questioning whether United would gain any profit from selling him at the end of this season.
United's best winger by far this season has been Luis Nani:
Games started: 11
Goals scored: 1
Assists: 2
Nani has the best games:goals ratio here. He has the undeniable ability to frustrate you and amaze you at the same time, with his subtle touches and strikes on goal (sometimes sailing way over the crossbar). Nani's only hindrance is that he is too inconsistent. He plays well in one game and is terrible in the next. He has been with United for 6 seasons now, and in 2 of those 6 seasons he was rated as being brilliant but he has faltered and gotten up only to falter again. It's frustrating for United supporters because we know that he has the potential to be one of the best wingers in the world, if only he were consistent. Ferguson criticised him earlier this season when we exited the Carling Cup for giving the ball away which let Chelsea score a late goal and knock United out. At the time I was shocked because I could not remember the last time Ferguson publicly called out a player for making a mistake in a match, but he was obviously very frustrated, and ever since then, Nani has not made many appearances for United.
With all that said and done, do you think that United should sell these wingers and get better ones or should we stick with what we've got and see how they do next season? Leave your comments in the box below or tweet to me @Chiara_MUFC
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