Such are the exalted pressures placed on managers these days, second place is simply the first of the losers. Last season's runners-up, Manchester United, have enjoyed finishing first more often than not, and Sir Alex Ferguson will not except finishing second once again. However, if his team are to succeed at home and abroad, they still have lots of rebuilding to do.
Ultimately, United did not finish that far off top spot, but it could be argued that they faced the poorest Chelsea side in the last few years. Ignore the OAP-quips, Chelsea had a good team but they lacked pace and creativity on the flanks, Lampard had a poor start to the season, Anelka a poor finish to the season. Obi Mikel has yet to control midfield like Makelele, Essien was out injured for most of the season and Cech still looked suspect. Both Chelsea and United were undone at home in the Champions League, and United missed plenty of opportunities to take an unassailable lead in the title race.
Ferguson has made more moves in the summer transfer window than anyone so far, snapping up Javier Hernandez and Chris Smalling. Hernandez certainly looked lively for Mexico, bagging a good couple of goals. How quickly he can settle in to the Premiership we will have to wait to find out, but he does seem to have talent.
Smalling, for a fee of over £10 million pounds, had impressed in a game for Fulham against local rivals Chelsea, but since then has looked a little shaky for a player heading to a club of United's stature. Perhaps Ferguson hopes to mould him into a world class defender, rather than drop him straight in the deep end, but with fitness concerns over Rio Ferdinand and transfer rumours surrounding Vidic, Smalling may get more games than either he or this manager expected.
By and large, United's defence was pretty solid. Edwin van der Sar continues to perform to a high standard, although Fergie's dalliance with Ben Foster as a future number 1 did not work, unsurprisingly in my opinion. So maybe there is scope for a new, top class number 1. Someone like Manuel Neuer, a better keeper than the World Cup has suggested, could be ideal.
Upfront, Wayne Rooney was on fire, but its always easier for a striker to score when he is the lone recipient of the team's chances. When partnered with Berbatov or Owen, who both failed to produce to the high standards demanded at Old Trafford, the Englishman looked less assured. Berbatov has failed to be the target man for Rooney to play off of, and Owen has inevitably found injuries blocking his path. Mama Biram Diouf looks to be the next Manucho, but Hernandez and Marcheda could help beef up the attacking options.
Its in midfield where the greatest problems lie. Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs edge nearer retirement, and in Scholes' case especially there have been times when the old maestros have simply looked out of the loop. This would be fine if others had stepped up to the plate, but apart from Darren Fletcher who continues to impress, there is a real lack of quality.
Ji-Sung Park could find himself propelled into a regular slot. Trusted by Fergie to play in the big games, perhaps its time to start becoming a first eleven regular, if only because his midfield rivals have played poorly, at best.
Michael Carrick flatters to deceive for club and country. His passing ability is pleasing on the eye, but is not incisive enough. He lacks bite in the tackle, can be overrun and outplayed by quality opponents, and goes missing far too much. Compared to Scholes in his prime, Carrick looks like a lost choirboy. Anderson looks at best average, at worst a headless chicken. For someone costing near £20 million, he has failed to provide value for money on any level. I do feel, however, that Ferguson has deployed the Brazilian too deep, and should allow the bustling midfielder to operate further up the pitch. The need for a playmaker has probably clouded Ferguson's mind.
Darren Gibson provides squad depth, but not excellence against premier opposition. Will he dictate midfield against Inter or Real or Barca? The forgotten man, Owen Hargreaves, has the ability and United have definitely missed him. The 2009 Champions League final was a prime example, but his rehabilitation into a consistent first team player is still a long way off. 2 minutes at the end of the season does not count, and I will not believe he is ready until he can play a full month's worth of action.
Obviously, the Glazers ave restricted the transfer budget to some extent, but Ferguson still has a decent kitty to spend. The problem is, players like Smalling and Hernandez may become top class players and first team regulars in the future, but United need a world beater in midfield now. The supply of such players is short, and prices will be extremely high, but it's a price worth paying if United want to go the extra step and win the Premiership and Champions League again.
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