Being one of the giants of the Premier League and with 13 Titles since 1993 to back that up, I could not leave out Sir Alex Ferguson’s Man United. That was the easy part. The hard part was picking out which was the best title win. Some could say the first one in 1993; some could say the one that set up their amazing treble in 1999 (which I have done an article about on Sports Scoop Action).
For me though, 2011 stood out above all others for one simple fact. Lifting the trophy that year made history. It achieved a lifelong dream that Scotsman Sir Alex Ferguson was determined to make a reality back in 1986 when he replaced Ron Atkinson as manager of The Red Devils. He openly declared that ‘he wants to knock Liverpool off their perch’. When the season was finished in 2011 though he confessed to Sky Sports reporter Geoff Shreeves that ‘I never thought I could have achieved what I have achieved of course’. So it is testament to the manager who was famed for his ‘hairdryer treatment’ towards numerous players that it even still felt unbelievable for himself.
Let’s now see what ignited this bit of euphoria and also hear from various people how it felt afterwards, not just those associated with United…
Was it smooth sailing for the 19th Title (13 in the Premier League)?
Nobody needs a crystal ball to answer that question do they? Of all teams, Sir Alex’s side have always made life not so much difficult for themselves over each season, but a bumpy one. This season perhaps epitomised this knowledge even more. Chelsea came into the campaign as defending Champions, having edged out the Old Trafford side the year before.
Despite starting the season like they both meant business, Carlo Ancelotti’s team were making an early statement. United, meanwhile, were looking imperious at home but dysfunctional and ragged away. Early season draws with Everton and Fulham, grounds they had recently struggled at, were making The Red Devils twitchy. No longer possessing the magic of superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, the first three months of the campaign was more of a keeping up with Chelsea than challenging them. However, their determination remained as dangerous as ever. Dimitar Berbatov showed a glimpse of what he was about to bring to the campaign with an astonishing hat-trick at Old Trafford against bitter rivals Liverpool. Indeed, the Bulgarian arguably often lacked pace but still ended the season joint top scorer with Carlos Tevez on 20 goals.
A shock 0-3 home defeat to Sunderland marked the beginning of a slump in form for Ancelotti’s side in November. They had previously also lost to Liverpool a week before, but this manner of defeat was altogether more worrying. With no cohesion in the dugout due to Ray Wilkins departing the club, Ancelotti’s side gave the initiative back to Sir Alex’s side and by the New Year, United were top of the table despite their errant away form.
When United showed character
As mentioned previously, United had near-perfect home form but in truth shocking away results. Despite this though, they managed to go on a 24 game unbeaten run, their attacking power prevailing until the end of February. However, Wolves then gave United a harsh lesson at Molineux and United’s luck looked to have run out. Especially when main Title rivals Chelsea won 2-1 at Stamford Bridge and Liverpool rolled over their opponents at Anfield in March. Suddenly, United were starting to look really shaky. Arsenal also heaped more misery on United with a 1-0 victory at The Emirates. Chelsea were United’s next opponents following a rearranged fixture due to heavy snowfall.
Could United handle the pressure? This was supposed to be the time where United turned it round not throw it away. The Blues headed to Old Trafford knowing if they won, they would be strong favourites to defend their crown. Were United going to do a Devon Loch of 1955?
Step forward Mexico sensation Javier Hernandez as he decided to stamp out a Chelsea charge with a first minute goal to settle Old Trafford. ‘Little Pea’ as known to many, or ‘Chicharito’, would end the campaign with 20 goals in all competitions. Defender Nemanja Vidic then added a second from a corner. Chelsea responded through Lampard but United finally had their usual character back of grinding out wins when needed. No ‘Fergie time’ needed that day, unlike in 1993 against Sheffield Wednesday.
This killed any momentum Carlo’s comrades had. The following week, Evertonian turned Man United player Wayne Rooney sealed Liverpool’s fate and gave every United fan a reason to start getting a shopping list for the biggest party ever. On a side note, Carlo Ancelotti became the latest victim of Roman Abramovich’s Russian Roulette when he was sacked not long after the season had ended.
Dream achieved. Not in the easiest of ways, but who wants that at United anyway?
‘It means a lot’
As for how everyone responded to this historic achievement, it is probably no better place to start than United stalwart Ryan Giggs who has been there for every PL Title victory. His delight was evident by saying ‘It means a lot, especially for the older supporters who watched through the 1970’s and 80’s, Liverpool winning. The tables have turned’.
An even deeper reaction was seen from Wayne Rooney, due to his Everton roots: ‘For me personally growing up as an Everton fan, it is a great feeling. A great day for both Man United and Everton fans’.
Even a Liverpool legend has admitted the achievement was great. Alan Hansen, who was part of Liverpool’s title winning team in the 1980’s, once said ‘you can’t win anything with kids’ back in 1995. However, United went on to win the League that season and this time round he confessed United’s 19th Title ‘Is his (Ferguson’s) greatest achievement’.
Sir Alex himself stated in his press conference afterwards that it was ‘a great achievement’ though he did admit that ‘it had been a funny season and their home form had protected them’(only West Brom managed to take anything from Old Trafford).
The curtain may have come down in 2013 of Sir Alex’s reign, but he will always have a place in United folklore. So let’s raise a glass, whether you like it or not, to one of the game’s greatest managers. There probably will not be longevity in a managerial spell like Ferguson’s anymore, but as they say, Rome was not built in a day. So it proved.
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