Manchester United

From the team at the bottom, to the team at the top. This article will be looking over the season that won Manchester United an impressive 19th title.

Finally the scousers can shut up about being the greatest team in the history of the top division. The 18 titles that Liverpool have amassed has finally been surpassed by arguably the most consistently successful team in premier league history. Under the guidance of Sir Alex Ferguson since 1986 the Red Devils have won an amazing 39 major honours in that time that includes 11 FA cups, 3 European Cups and 2 world club championships. In my eyes, Sir Alex is by far the greatest manager in the history of the English football and would put him up there with the best managers in the world. I believe his team selection in a very talented squad was an integral part of their overall success in the league this season. This was the usual team that the manager selected

Edwin Van Der Sar

Rafael
Rio Ferdinand
Nemanja Vidic
Patrice Evra

Nani
Darren Fletcher (or Paul Scholes)
Michael Carrick (or Ryan 'Imogen' Giggs)
Antonio Valencia (or Ji Sung Park)

Wayne Rooney
Dimitar Berbatov ( Or Javier Hernandez)

I believe that all round this was a very talented and very successful side and this is highlighted by the fact that they won the title and reached the champions league final for the 2nd time in 3 years. I personally feel that United's strength in depth in the squad was a major factor in them winning the league this season as having 6 or 7 midfielders that would walk into pretty much any other team in league all in one squad must have been a real advantage over their opponents who maybe did not have as strong a squad as the united team. The ongoing debate on whether it should have been Chicharito or Berbatov that partnered Rooney in attack fascinated me as well as they are both quality attackers, Although Berbatov was the league's joint top scorer, I feel that he did not have the consistency in his performances like Hernandez did and I think Sir Alex made the correct decision in choosing the young Mexican over his Bulgarian rival. Sir Alex was also very intelligent with his tactics for away games and the players that he chose, having athletes such as Ji Sung Park and Darren Fletcher made them ideal for playing the 4-5-1 formation that the manager usually used in the tough away games in the premier league and champions league that United went to.

The defence, namely Vidic and Van Der Sar was excellent all season and I believe United will find it difficult to find another a keeper with such composure and ability as Van Der Sar. United had the best goal difference in the league last season (+41) and I think this highlights how good United were as a unit at the back, They conceded the 3rd least amount of goals behind Chelsea and City but I feel that they would not have won the league had it not been for the inspirational leadership of Vidic and the effective of a quality keeper between the sticks like Van Der Sar. I look forward to seeing how the next goalkeeper does next season, He has some big shoes (or gloves) to fill.

With Scholes leaving as well, I look forward to seeing what signings will be made over the summer period to try and improve an already very strong squad of players.

I don't think I would change the team that Sir Alex chose over the course of the season, I believe the majority of all his decisions were all spot on and also that He is so influential to the whole playing staff, that without their current manager at the helm, I don't think United would be as successful as they have been in recent years. The good news for United fans is that He isn't showing any signs of retiring yet so you could have him still for the next couple of years!

I believe that Manchester United will be the team to beat next season as they will continue to possess a high quality and mentally/physically strong squad that is capable of carrying them through the season to another title next year.

Team rating out of 100- 92

Matt Cooper