Manchester United 2012-13 Review and End-of-Season Awards

Manchester United Season Review

Manchester United's season ended in thrilling fashion, Sunday evening.

Leading 5-2 against a weathered West Brom side, the Red Devils somehow contrived to concede three goals in the final 10 minutes.

In some ways it was a fitting way to say goodbye to departing manager Sir Alex Ferguson—we will miss him, and he will miss games like these.

The legendary boss' departure will be the thing fans of United remember most about the 2012/13 campaign.

Here is a review of the team's season.

Premier League Glory

It was a season that began in innocuous fashion—a 1-0 loss at Goodison Park.

David Moyes masterminded the Everton win, Marouane Fellaini proved United's Achilles' heel. How ironic both could be at Old Trafford next term.

The team fought back into relevance quickly in battling 3-2 wins against Southampton and Fulham. Robin van Persie's four goals in those games brushed aside fears that his transfer may prove to be a £24 million flop.

A controversial 2-1 win over Liverpool at Anfield was followed by a horrific 3-2 home loss against Tottenham Hostpur.

Rio Ferdinand has never been so outplayed as he was that day against Gareth Bale. Since then, though, he has been a steadfast presence in defence, and one of the best players in his position in the Premier League.

Five wins followed, including a hard-fought win at Stamford Bridge that was overshadowed by incidents involving referee Mark Clattenburg, and a 2-1 victory over Arsenal that was far more one-sided than the scoreline suggested.

In mid-November, fears that this current United team was far from vintage emerged in a horrific 1-0 defeat against Norwich City.

From that point though, the Red Devils seemed to make a silent vow to themselves, going on an 18-game unbeaten run in the league.

In early-December, ghosts were laid to rest in a 3-2 triumph over rivals Manchester City at the Etihad. Robin van Persie's late free-kick winner was arguably the definitive moment of the season and set both teams on contrasting paths.

An injury-time winner from Javier Hernandez was enough to down Newcastle United on Boxing Day. The Mexican striker has had a good campaign for United, though he was left on the bench a little too often for some fans' liking.

The side did the league double over Liverpool in the new year, beating the Reds 2-1 once again thanks to goals from Van Persie and Nemanja Vidic.

The Serbian captain's return from injury a few weeks earlier heralded a return to form for a back line that conceded only three league goals in an 11-game stretch from late-December to late-March.

United won all their games in both February and March, beating the likes of Fulham, Norwich and Reading. These are the types of teams that United should beat, but the side's consistency still has to be admired.

The most notable characteristic of this season's vintage is their ability to win—pure and simple. It is a mentality that derives from the manager, permeating throughout the squad.

A loss to Manchester City early in April sparked some fears, but in truth, by then the title was effectively already won.

A 3-0 home win over Aston Villa (featuring the goal of the season from Van Persie) two weeks later sealed the deal.

Underwhelming performances against Arsenal and Chelsea saw United take a solitary point, and it was after the loss to the latter that Sir Alex announced this term would be his last.

Champions League Misery

This season's Champions League campaign was supposed to be redemption for the Red Devils, following their premature exit from the competition at the group stages last season.

Sir Alex's side were granted an easy group draw against Galatasaray, CFR Cluj and Braga.

Four wins from four to kick things off made the final two losses against Galatasaray and Cluj redundant. Hopes were high for a potential treble-winning season.

In the round of 16, United were drawn against Real Madrid—the worst possible opponents at such an early stage of the competition.

Over both legs the two sides were closely fought, but with the Red Devils ahead in the second at Old Trafford and well in control, a horrible refereeing decision terminally destroyed the home side's hopes.

Nani saw red for a high boot that was mistimed, but completely inadvertent. Luka Modric and the returning Cristiano Ronaldo scored soon after to give Real a 3-2 aggregate win.

The look on Sir Alex's face when Cuneyt Cakir brought out his card seemed to be that of a man who knew he would never get another chance to lift the famous trophy again.

Domestic Cup Disappointment

The Red Devils' League Cup campaign ended in the fourth round of the competition in a 5-4 defeat at the hands of Chelsea.

Sir Alex plucked for a youthful lineup that was ultimately undone by a lack of experience.

It was the Blues who later knocked United out of the FA Cup too—in a 1-0 Round 6 replay at Stamford Bridge.

The side had only been drawn against Premier League opposition throughout the tournament—but clinically dispatched with West Ham, Fulham and Reading in the early rounds.

Javier Hernandez was the pick of United's players in the FA Cup, scoring four times in three different games.

Player of the Season: Robin van Persie

Honourable Mention: Michael Carrick

My pick for the Red Devils' player of the season has to be Robin van Persie.

The Dutch striker was clutch when his team needed him to be, scoring vital late goals against Southampton, Liverpool, Manchester City, West Ham and Braga.

He was a transcendent force in attack, often creating chances himself when the side's wingers couldn't.

His aforementioned £24 million transfer from Arsenal the previous summer carried the potential for disappointment, full credit to him for living up to the price tag and eventually exceeding it.

He finishes the season as top scorer, having struck 26 times in the Premier League.

Michael Carrick is a close runner-up for his understated performances in holding midfield.

He has been consistently superior, keeping things ticking over in an unfashionable role.

Young Player of the Season: David de Gea

Honourable Mention: Phil Jones

What a fantastic season Spanish shot-stopper David de Gea has had.

He started the campaign maligned by a media intent on causing unfounded gossip. He ended it by gaining inclusion in the PFA's Team of the Season.

For me, De Gea's vindication is the feelgood storyline of the season. Just thinking about his improved maturity, consistency and all-round dedication to the cause sends shivers down the spine.

It is not his unbelievable reflexes that sees him included, it's his toughness.

He has been battered by some of the league's more physical sides and never seemed afraid of the challenge.

Honourable mention goes to Phil Jones, who has had a sterling few months in 2013.

The 21-year-old Englishman can play a multitude of positions all well. He will give David Moyes plenty of selection headaches next season.

Most Improved Player of the Season: Rafael

Honourable Mention: David de Gea

This award could have easily gone to De Gea too, but the Spaniard can't win them all now, can he?

Rafael is an equally deserving recipient of the most improved player award. He may not have had a commendable end to the season, but over nine months, he has come on leaps and bounds.

The right-back has overshadowed the side's wingers, providing a marauding threat down the flank.

He has scored three league goals, more than he had done in the four seasons prior.

According to WhoScored.com, the Brazilian has completed an average of 84.5 percent of his passes per game, while also leading his team in tackles per game with 3.1.

Earlier in the season, Sir Alex himself said "The truly eye-catching improvement this season so far for me is the maturity that young Rafa has added to his game"  on the official club website.

"I would have no hesitation saying that he is our most improved player this season with a couple of goals a reflection of his eagerness to lend a hand up front."

Goal of the Season: Robin van Persie vs. Aston Villa

Honourable Mention: Robin van Persie vs. Fulham

The undisputed goal of the season has to be Robin van Persie's howitzer against Aston Villa last month.

It was Wayne Rooney who was the architect for the strike, playing a drifting long ball from deep that dropped on the Dutchman's left foot.

The connection Van Persie made with the ball was dream-like, his finish unerring as it flew past a helpless Brad Guzan.

My honourable mention is the same player's half-volley stunner against Fulham back in August.

Most Disappointing Player of the Season: Antonio Valencia

Honourable Mention: Ashley Young

Antonio Valencia was one of the Red Devils' best players last season, his displays a marked positive in an otherwise disappointing campaign.

This term, however, has seen him struggle mightily to be an effective force on the right wing.

His pace has been missing, and the quality of his final delivery seems to have regressed.

The man himself believes his poor performances have come as a result of him failing to recover from a previous injury. Speaking to MUTV (h/t ITV), the Ecuadorian winger said:

"When you have suffered from a couple of injuries, sometimes it is hard to get back to those fitness levels where you can play full of confidence and show your ability in its best light."

Honourable mention goes to Ashley Young, who has been equally ineffective on the left flank. Though expectations for him were lower heading into the season.

Match of the Season: 3-2 vs. Manchester City

Honourable Mention: 5-5 vs. West Brom

The game that firmly swung the balance of power in England back in Manchester United's direction, the side's 3-2 win over neighbours Manchester City in December is my pick for game of the season.

A Wayne Rooney brace had put the Red Devils 2-0 up inside half an hour, but second-half goals from Yaya Toure and Pablo Zabaleta levelled things at the Etihad.

Step forward Robin van Persie, whose deflected stoppage-time free-kick beat Joe Hart and nestled in the far corner, sending the away fans into delirium.

There was also drama when a celebrating Rio Ferdinand was left bloodied having been hit by a coin thrown by a City fan.

The result was followed by 12 wins and two draws in Sir Alex's side's next 14 games. 

Who would you give your end-of-season awards to? What was your match of the season?

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