UNITED BACK! MOST SUCCESSFUL ENGLISH CLUB ARGUMENT TO BE REVIVED?
The evil empire defeated Newcastle United 2-0 to win their first major trophy since 2017. Before examining their re-birth, some thoughts for the defeated. I'm old enough to have listened to Newcastle's last major trophy win on the radio. Specifically, that was in 1969 when they beat Hungarian club Ujpest Dozsa to win the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, the forerunner of UEFA's Europa League. The Geordies have made tremendous strides this season, and their fans are genuinely fantastic. They are loyal and passionate and have followed the team through thick, thin and an owner they didn't exactly like. They have the resources now to start fulfilling their potential. Finally!
Newcastle played well, but the pre-game feeling that Man United would have too much for them proved to be the case. For the victors, there has been a massive turnaround in a short period of time. Last season the club lay in disarray. The experts told us that they were five years away from being able to challenge at the top of the English game. I disagreed and wrote that they had a good squad but needed two things to happen:
First, they needed to improve the mood in the dressing room. In other words, offload Pogba and Ronaldo.
Second, a "proper" manager was needed. One who could handle the names and the egos. One who also had some tactical nous.
Pogba took himself out of the mix, and when a "proper" manager was appointed, he dealt with the Ronaldo issue in a smart and wily way. The MUFC squad already had good players, and several smart additions have helped significantly. Casemiro and Erikson in midfield have enabled the transformation enormously. The club has been renovated so that even with the latter absent today, the team's spirit and organization have not been hindered. The evil empire is back, and the prospect of more silverware is very much a possibility.
Perspective! Manchester United is on an upward trajectory, and it is understandable that their fans are getting excited. Of course, much of what I hear on the radio from them can be taken with a pinch of salt. However, when I hear the so-called experts telling us that Man United are the best team in Europe and Erik ten Hag is the best manager in the world, I wonder just how expert they are! How do pundits in other countries cover the game? Are they just as insular? Regarding the best team in Europe claim, look at Napoli and consider what they have done in Serie A and the Champions League this season. Ten Hag has done a fantastic job very quickly, but Napoli manager Luciano Spalletti has also accomplished much in nine months, slightly longer than ten Hag. There is football outside of England!
Man United is a form team, and Erik ten Hag deserves nothing but praise for his positive actions. I'm sure he will be the first to acknowledge there is a way to go, and there will be ups and downs en route. Next weekend he brings his side to Anfield. On a weekend when Liverpool's performance at Crystal Palace can be summed up as "dreadful" or "abysmal," the clubs appear to be moving in opposite directions. More on that game in days to come, but as United get on a roll, will we soon be arguing about the "most successful club in England" again after several years of the Reds being back in front?
I warned my fellow Liverpudlians the past few seasons to enjoy the fantastic football while it lasts. Jurgen Klopp has now reached a point where he will have to try and replicate the great Bill Shankly and build another top Liverpool team. It will be challenging as more and more money floods into the EPL. I'll engage in this silly argument while I can. It could soon change!!
This is how things stand after today after United's League Cup triumph:
???1)???Liverpool - 45 trophies (68 trophies)
???2)???Manchester United - 43 trophies (67 trophies)
???3)???Arsenal - 30 trophies
???4)???Chelsea - 25 trophies
???5)???Manchester City - 23 trophies
???6)???Aston Villa - 20 trophies
???7)???Tottenham Hotspur - 17 trophies
???8)???Everton - 15 trophies
Trophies counted are League Champions, FA and League Cups, plus European trophies. The numbers in brackets include the exhibition trophies, i.e. Community Shield and European Super Cup. There is an argument to include the Club World Cup as it's a tournament. If that is accepted, that would add one trophy each to the haul for Liverpool, United and Chelsea.
More important, however, is the most successful club in the years I have followed football. My first season being 63-64:
???1)???Liverpool - 40 trophies
???2)???Manchester United - 35 trophies
I have no plans to move on soon, so Reds, you had better pull up your socks pronto. Next Sunday would be a step in the right direction! Meantime, enjoy your win today, my United associates. In my lifetime, you have replaced Everton as the only team I want to see lose every week. As someone who regards himself as a fan of the Beautiful game, I wish I could grow up on that point. Somehow, I just can't. YNWA!!