Manchester United: Five Reasons This Will Be Their Most Exciting Season

Manchester United begin their Premier League season this evening against newly promoted Newcastle. Ticket sales maybe down, the green and gold protests growing and Manchester City spending will see them close in on United’s dominance. But I’m convinced these are exciting times for Manchester United and here’s why… 

The Return of 4-4-2 with Genuine Great Wingers

From George Best to Steve Coppell, Andre Kanchelskis to David Beckham, Cristano Ronaldo and the living legend that is Ryan Giggs, great wingers have been a part Manchester United tradition for decades.

With the progression of Nani and Antonio Valencia last season, these two not only have all the pace world, the skill to beat a man and excellent crossing abilities, but they work hard, track back and are clever enough to tuck inside and allow space for full back to attack. It is funny how everyone looked to Nani to be the natural successor for Ronaldo, but it was Valencia, producing seven goals and 11 assists with Rooney benefiting the most with his 34 goal haul which made up for his departure.

Nevertheless, Nani produced some big game performances against Arsenal away, City at home in the League Cup Semi Final, home legs against Milan and Bayern in the Champions League and goals against Spurs at home and Sunderland away kept United title charge going to the final day.

Like most wingers, Nani can be infuriating at times, trying to beat a man twice over, erratic crossing, but these moments have become few and far between, proof that Nani has finally matured has a player,

The benefit of the Nani’s and Valencia in the team is that United can play a 4-4-2 formation with confidence, even against they major rivals. They both showcased their qualities in the Charity Shield win against Chelsea, with Valencia’s assist and goal, Nani’s clever ball through to Berbatov to seal the game. 4-5-1 may of improved United’s results on the road in the Champions League and it has no doubt been a significant contributor to United success in recent season, but for me and for most Red fans, 4-4-2 is the essence of Manchester United and it’s return is welcomed.

The Development of Youth Players

Another tradition of Manchester United is the development of youth players. Alex Ferguson has shown on countless occasions that youth will always get a chance at United. The Infamous class of 92’ the Youth FA Cup winning team that included David Beckham, Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville and Paul Scholes, United are still enjoy the benefits today. The youngsters coming through this season are mixture of local and foreign exciting talent.

In defence we have Jonny Evans (23) and Chris Smalling (20) fighting it out for Rio Ferdinand’s centre back position along side Vidic. Twins Rafael and Fabio Da Silva (19) are exciting attacking Brazilian full backs reminiscent Cafu and Roberto Carlos. Then there’s Reserve Player of the Year Ritchie De Laet (22) who can play as centre back or a powerful attacking right back.

In midfield we have Tom Cleverley (21), a young attacking midfielder with an eye for a goal, he has with real promise, he’s already won promotion into the Championship with Leicester in 2009, last season he was named Player of the Season for Watford, his pre-season goals against Celtic and his great skill and finish against the MLS Allstars impressed enough for him to earn his shot at the big time and remain at Old Trafford for the season ahead.

Then you have Gabriel Obertan (21), a quick, tricky, two footed French winger, the unknown Portuguese attacking midfielder Bebe (20) and the progress of Darren Gibson.

Up front, we hope to see Federico Macheda (18) establish himself as a first team player on the back of his wonder strike against Villa in 2009.

If half these youngster take their chance, the title could well be returning North.

Four Strikers Just Like 1999…

…and we all know what happened when Cole, Yorke, Sheringham and Solskjaer hit form just over a decade ago. The explosive Rooney, the elegance of Berbatov, the experience of Michael Owen and the sudden emergence of Chicharito, could we see the exciting striker combinations which not only bring United top honours, but make United the most exciting team to watch in the Premier League? even better than Arsenal.

Again, with Nani and Valencia out on the wings, the team has got real pace going forward, the idea of those two and a forward line of Rooney and Chicharito, the fastest man at the World Cup, the potential is mouth watering.

Berbatov has shown some signs he will benefit from playing in a deeper position, leaving Owen and Chicharito playing on the coattail of the defenders, allowing the Bulgarian to use his vision and intelligence to create the openings.

Reds fell short last season because Rooney and Owen’s injuries in the latter stages, but still came close to retaining the title. This time round, they should be enough cover, enough creativity and pace for United to rack up some big score lines and last the full course of the season.

Creating History with a 19th League Title Charge

There is nothing like creating history and breaking records in sport and the prospect of Alex Ferguson completing his 25 year mission to knock Liverpool off their perch is the biggest incentives of all. It’s an amazing feat to think that United where 11 league titles behind Liverpool only 18 years ago, and here we are now at 18 – 18. With Liverpool’s financial problems, United will not have a better chance to get in front for the first time ever. If United are in the running come April and May, this incentive could make all the difference, achieving it will would make United undisputed champions and cement Alex Ferguson’s legacy.

City Rivals

There’s a fever in Manchester, Manchester City fans believe this can be the year their upstage United.

With another £100m spent this summer, the way United and City conduct their business could not be more of a contrast. City are closing the gap, it’s only a matter time their huge squad of talented individuals knit into a seriously good team, it’s just a question of when City will be genuine title rivals now. The red side of town may just have to accept that at one point, but for now, falling short of the league title like last year is bad enough, but all hell will break loose with United finish below City this season.

Despite the rivalry between the supporters, it is great to be a part of. All four Manchester derby games last year were classics, late, late goals, twist and turns, Tevez and Neville spats, it’s become the most exciting clashes in the Premier League because the bragging rights are as important on the pitch as it is for the fans off the pitch.

In some ways the City’s challenge to United is positive for the Reds, their produced they best performances against the Blues last season, if City are pushing for the title in the latter stages, it will only make United determination to stop them.

City are expected to challenge for the big trophies this season, the best of this soap opera is yet to come.  

Summary

To summarise, this is exciting times for Manchester United; the squad is youthful, full of potential. I’m convinced with the four strikers, the return of 4-4-2, they will produce the best attacking football for years. It’s all there for United’s young players to establish themselves as the future of the club, whilst the keeping Manchester City at bay and creating history by overtaking Liverpool league title haul. The challenge is set, a long season awaits and it all begins this evening at home to Newcastle United.