United’s 20

Well one can say whatever they want to. They can say it was a one man show this season for them. They can say that it wasn’t a case of a gulf in the quality of the squads just more occasions of not dropping points. That they were luckier. That they had fewer competitions to focus on for the final third of the season. Blah Blah Blah. Regardless, Manchester United have clinched a 20th league title (now the club with the highest league title wins, 1 ahead of Liverpool). And they have done so sitting quite comfortably.

For United it was a great achievement especially doing with 5 games to spare and redeeming themselves from last season. I mean all the more sweeter when you are reclaiming it from your ‘noisy neighbors’. And let’s be honest. Even the noisy neighbors were more or less out of the race by early March. I mean it didn’t seem like it would be a repeat of last season where United would start dropping points. Rio’s dig at City was all too obvious when he said ‘We did it the right way. On points and not on goal difference’. Last season did hurt the Red Devils and vengeance has been all too sweet.

They have been the more consistent team in the Premier League by far this season. They may not have been a dominant outfit with an outright gulf in class. BUT they have managed to win the title with an extremely comfortable point gap. 13 points between them City (who sit second). They have deserved this and rightly so.

The biggest impact (as also stated by Sir Alex Ferguson himself) has been that of Robin Van Persie. 23-24 goals for United and a hat trick against Villa in the last game to win Premier League. I am an Arsenal fan – and of course as a gunner I am not all that happy about the fact that we didn’t even figure into title fight for a good part of the season. Or the fact that we sold our captain and highest goal scorer to united in the summers. But I am happy for RvP. He needed this. Had been giving a lot at Arsenal and he performed till the very last game. He kept giving 100% but the fact is that he isn’t getting any younger and it is only natural for him to yearn for winners medals to add to his career. That wasn’t seemingly coming through with Arsenal so he made the difficult decision to move on. So again I am happy for him. Kudos Robin, kudos United. Ferguson also commented that Wenger while selling RvP to United quite hesitantly said to him ‘He is far better than you think’. I think the first 6 months of the season more or less proved that. Money well spent.

Another player who should be hailed for this wonderful achievement is Ryan Giggs. I have always admired Giggs. He has been a phenomenal player for United and continues to be one actually. He is 40 and he has managed to play a pivotal role this season to add to his and United’s achievements. I think he has been one of the fantastic greats to have blessed this game and a rare breed of footballers that are few and far in between.

And finally coming to Sir Alex himself. Again a legend for football. For English football. For Manchester United. His feats would be very very difficult for any manager to achieve let alone whoever does take up his role once Fergie decides to call it quits. Amazing, glistening managerial career.

Congratulations United, congratulations Robin van Persie, congratulations Ryan Giggs, congratulations Sir Alex Ferguson.

See you next season