Watch Out! Man Utd Are Going To Get Stronger - Steve McMahon
Thursday November 08, 2007
The Premier League had best watch out, because Manchester United are only going to get stronger than they already are.
After witnessing the top-two teams in England battle to a thrilling 2-2 draw, I have to say United are still the favourites to retain their Barclays Premier League crown. The Red Devils just look much stronger than the Gunners.
If you were to ask me to choose between the two sides, I would go for United who look superior in all departments. For the first time this season, Arsenal came up against a side that retained the ball as well as, if not better than, the Gunners.
Many neutral football fans would feel Arsenal are playing the better football now but I can tell you United have been more efficient, more ruthless and more direct. All the talk of a slow start by the defending champions has been well and truly squashed.
Remember they still have Louis Saha, Michael Carrick and Gary Neville who are just returning to the side. They might not even miss Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs. Such is their strength in depth.
Once again, they are starting to prove they are the team to beat!
And the pre-match hype between the arch-rivals was like old times – Sir Alex Ferguson versus Arsene Wenger – Manchester United versus Arsenal (before Jose Mourinho came on the scene). One could feel the hostility resurfacing before, during and after the game.
During the game, the pressure perhaps got the better of Ferguson who ranted at the fourth official, Alan Wiley, after a perceived dive by Emmanuel Eboue resulted in a yellow card for Patrice Evra. This went on for a good ten minutes!
If that wasn’t enough, he went on to pulverise referee Howard Webb for ‘favouring’ the home team. Now, I think Webb had a fantastic game. He did not have much to do and when he was called upon he got the decisions spot on. Well if Ferguson thinks he can influence the refereeing decision, he has got it coming for him. I think he was totally out of order.
Having said that, I think Ferguson is treating Arsenal as a true rival again. Football Focus regulars can attest to our panel’s belief that Ferguson’s rants are all part of his mind games. It will be interesting to see how Arsenal and Arsene Wenger respond to this.
I have not forgotten about Chelsea – Roman Abramovich seems to have stamped his authority in the team as Chelsea continue to stay in touch with the leaders. The Russian probably sat the players down after the sacking of Jose Mourinho and got everyone to move on. Look, there is still a title to be won!
Come January 20 when the African Cup of Nations tournament starts – Chelsea will be missing several key players. They might struggle especially in the absence of Didier Drogba – Claudio Pizzaro and Andriy Shevchenko (it is easy to defend against him) aren’t quite in the same class as the Ivory Coast striker. Chelsea will do well to get a proper replacement in the January transfer window – Dimitar Berbatov will probably do nicely!
Steve McMahon, former Liverpool midfielder and England International, joined ESPN STAR Sports in 2006 as resident football pundit providing expert comments each week on Football Focus, Football Forecast and the weekend Barclays Premier League presentations.
The Premier League had best watch out, because Manchester United are only going to get stronger than they already are.
After witnessing the top-two teams in England battle to a thrilling 2-2 draw, I have to say United are still the favourites to retain their Barclays Premier League crown. The Red Devils just look much stronger than the Gunners.
If you were to ask me to choose between the two sides, I would go for United who look superior in all departments. For the first time this season, Arsenal came up against a side that retained the ball as well as, if not better than, the Gunners.
Many neutral football fans would feel Arsenal are playing the better football now but I can tell you United have been more efficient, more ruthless and more direct. All the talk of a slow start by the defending champions has been well and truly squashed.
Remember they still have Louis Saha, Michael Carrick and Gary Neville who are just returning to the side. They might not even miss Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs. Such is their strength in depth.
Once again, they are starting to prove they are the team to beat!
And the pre-match hype between the arch-rivals was like old times – Sir Alex Ferguson versus Arsene Wenger – Manchester United versus Arsenal (before Jose Mourinho came on the scene). One could feel the hostility resurfacing before, during and after the game.
During the game, the pressure perhaps got the better of Ferguson who ranted at the fourth official, Alan Wiley, after a perceived dive by Emmanuel Eboue resulted in a yellow card for Patrice Evra. This went on for a good ten minutes!
If that wasn’t enough, he went on to pulverise referee Howard Webb for ‘favouring’ the home team. Now, I think Webb had a fantastic game. He did not have much to do and when he was called upon he got the decisions spot on. Well if Ferguson thinks he can influence the refereeing decision, he has got it coming for him. I think he was totally out of order.
Having said that, I think Ferguson is treating Arsenal as a true rival again. Football Focus regulars can attest to our panel’s belief that Ferguson’s rants are all part of his mind games. It will be interesting to see how Arsenal and Arsene Wenger respond to this.
I have not forgotten about Chelsea – Roman Abramovich seems to have stamped his authority in the team as Chelsea continue to stay in touch with the leaders. The Russian probably sat the players down after the sacking of Jose Mourinho and got everyone to move on. Look, there is still a title to be won!
Come January 20 when the African Cup of Nations tournament starts – Chelsea will be missing several key players. They might struggle especially in the absence of Didier Drogba – Claudio Pizzaro and Andriy Shevchenko (it is easy to defend against him) aren’t quite in the same class as the Ivory Coast striker. Chelsea will do well to get a proper replacement in the January transfer window – Dimitar Berbatov will probably do nicely!
Steve McMahon, former Liverpool midfielder and England International, joined ESPN STAR Sports in 2006 as resident football pundit providing expert comments each week on Football Focus, Football Forecast and the weekend Barclays Premier League presentations.
posted by Jeff Chong at 1:09 am
7 Comments:
Oh ya... of course Man utd will get stronger. They have the the 86th greatest player of all time in Gary neville. ;0)
Check out http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=479862&root=england&cc=4716
magpies... Hmmm... must be brother Jing He rite?? =P
Hey at least Man U got 4 players- Scholes, Van Der Sar, Giggs & Neville in the top 10 leh..
Newcastle only got 1- Micheal Owen.
Ho ho...
haha... some competition between Man U & Newscatle! This is cool. Let's take it to the field and we will see who does better.
Hi Jeff Chong,
A friend pointed me to your blog and mentioned you are the pastor of Hope Church.
I and my contacts have received emails from a guy from your church *shall not quote the name here* stating he is remorseful for what he did to a lady in the same church.
Point taken. Please don't wash your dirty linen in public. And in his instance, stop whining, be a man and be responsible to the lady!
No offence and no hard feelings.
Hi Jaron Lim, I think I know who you are referring to. As what I have been told, this emial account has been highjacked. A police report has already been made.
Thanks for sounding this out.
As it will not be wise to discuss this on this platform, do write to me at church@hopesingapoe.org.sg if you need any more clarification.
alamak! look what happened on 23 Nov! if this happens a few more times, there will be something nice to watch.
We will be back!
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