Football Update: Ferguson may get Manchester United and himself into trouble
There is no doubt that Sir Alex Ferguson, the manager of Manchester United, is the best football manager in the World. He has won a record number of 11 league titles with Manchester United, and 3 league titles with the Scottish side, Aberdeen. These successes have not come to him by chance, but he had all the abilities to accomplish these things. He has been successful in Europe as well, with two Champions League crowns for Manchester United. Currently, there are only a few other managers in football, who have credentials as strong as the credentials of Ferguson.
Ferguson is a great tactician, without a doubt. He has the ability to turn the match around for his team, with his genius. He also knows his way through the media, as he is often found playing mind-games with his opponents. Also, in the past, he has produced results from the jaws of defeat, more than often, showing his greater tactical know-how about the game than the other contemporary managers.
Ferguson is not the sole operator behind the success of Manchester United. The manager’s role is very important, since it is the manager who maintains unity in the squad. If a squad is not well-maintained, even world class players cannot do anything, case in point being the failure of Real Madrid in the previous season. But the players are as important as the manager, like Aston Villa, where Martin O’ Neal has shown exceptional managerial abilities, but his squad is not good enough to break through into the Champions League spots. Similarly, Ferguson had some exceptional players in his Manchester United team. The likes of Eric Cantona, David Beckham, Rudd Van Nistelrooy, Scholes, Ryan Giggs, Solskjaer, Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and many others. These were the players who delivered what their manager wanted them to deliver, thus making an ultimate winning combination.
The last two decades in the English Premier League have been dominated by Manchester United, because they had a blend of exceptional players, with exceptional qualities, and a world-class manager.
Sir Alex Ferguson, however, is an egocentric person, due to which he has found himself in trouble with many people in the past. It was his ego that kicked the Man U boy, David Beckham out of the club. Also, he is always in trouble with other managers in the English Premier League, as he hardly respects his contemporaries. All the success, over the years, has gone to his head, which has made him overconfident and complacent as well.
When Cristiano Ronaldo left Manchester United, a big vacuum was created. No one was good enough to fill in the shoes of the Portuguese forward. Also, Real Madrid went over-board with the transfer of the player, as they paid a record amount to Manchester United, for the transfer. However, Ferguson relied so much on his abilities that he did not sign anyone to replace the Portuguese. Although, it did work for him slightly, as Wayne Rooney became a goal-scoring machine, all of a sudden. Nevertheless, it was Ferguson’s luck, as the other teams in the Premier League were not good enough.
However, Manchester United was unable to defend their league title, which they held for three consecutive years, when Ronaldo was in the team. There was a pathetic display of football throughout the season, by Manchester United. When Wayne Rooney was out, because of his injuries, Manchester United had no answer to their opposition.
Similarly, this year Ferguson has done nothing in the transfer market, and is keen on playing the same squad, with the inclusion of some quality youngsters. But, youngsters cannot win anything. Arsenal’s example is in front of all of us. One cannot rely on Wayne Rooney’s performance, especially after a disastrous World Cup. The squad is not good enough to win anything, but this time Ferguson might get kicked out of the Champions League.
Overconfidence from the Manchester United manager can cause trouble in the coming season. Also, United’s neighbours, Manchester City, are constantly improving and they could prove to be the team that can get the space in the top four. Sir Alex Ferguson still has time left in the transfer market and it would be better for the team if he manages to get hold of some good players in the midfield. Otherwise, this could prove to be the last season for the manager at the club.
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