Will Manchester United Continue Their Success?

Firstly, I'd like to congratulate Manchester United for what has been a phenomenal season for them. They came from behind in the Premier League to win it emphatically.

They've won the Champions League as well and I really don't think that it is down to luck alone. They have fought for the double and I believe that they have deserved it through and through.

But, will Manchester United continue their success next season?

I know, the season has just ended and the dust hasn't even settled yet. The fact is that I, being a neutral to the Champions League Final, can't help but think that Manchester United will find it difficult to maintain the same momentum next season.

When Barcelona beat Arsenal in the finals of the Champions League in 2006, many thought that they would be unbeatable with the likes of Messi and Ronaldinho at their peak. Then came the 2006-07 season—they played in the World Club Championship (due to their status as Champions League winners) and lost. They had to play catch up in La Liga as they were two games behind everyone and the pressure mounted on them. They ended up losing the title on head to head to Real Madrid.

AC Milan were supposedly one of the challengers to the title in Italy this year. Yes, they had a squad which had a very high average age and played poorly from start to finish. They also participated in the World Club Championship and while their form improved after that tournament, fatigue and pressure got to them and the got knocked out of the Champions League second round. By then, they were pretty much out of the running for the Scudetto as well.

With Liverpool bolstering their squad further and Arsenal having gained a considerable amount of experience this season, the going will only get tougher for Manchester United. Chelsea will always be there or thereabouts—considering they keep their squad together.

The pressure will be greater next year and so will the expectations.

We have seen that the margin for victory and defeat is very small all through out the season. That margin looks even smaller after last night's game.

Manchester United are champions, for now. But, will Sir Alex Ferguson be able to maintain the same level of success next year? Or will he falter like the great teams that I've mentioned above?

Only time will tell.

One thing is for sure, though. If Manchester United do repeat the kind of success next year as they have done this year—they will become one of the greatest teams ever.