Thursday, May 11, 2017

A return to the old for Manchester United



Ever since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson from the helm of this historic club, things have fallen from good to bad and despite the work of a couple of its Managers, still these came short in their project.

In addition, of seeing a cup final in the FA by then Louis Van Gaal who delivered a single shield, still Europa just passed by as a flash for the Red Devils and something too far for them to relish.

After odd campaigns and not convinced of the blueprint plans put in the table by the Dutch, United top brass, decided to make a pact with the devil, Jose Mourinho!

As many of the Red Devils followers had their doubts, they welcomed one of the most controversial men in football but considered as top of the line winner with a very impressive honor’s CV.

So far, the Portuguese has deliver since his arrival at Trafford with a double set of silverware in the Community Shield and the EFL Cups, simple awards but for many clubs would like them to adorn their halls.

For the Manu bunch it has not been easy in league play after last weekend loss to Arsenal and seeing a possible leap to fourth place in the so called Champion’s positions, being a bit tough but not impossible.

The United crew have already lineup a place in this prestigious event, if they win in Europa.

Still they are to play the Europa final at Stockholm on May 24 against a resilient and not too easy to play around- in the Boys from the Netherlands, Ajax FC, who became the second finalists after defeating Olympique Lyon.

They are back indeed to their old ways, as Mou has promised what he agreed and is delivering it in small steps but with giant leaps if you must say so, a win on the 24 the Portuguese will have a treble of a campaign.

At the Theater of Dreams after seeing how a battling United initial eleven display their unique football and despite the score in the agonizing part of the match by a nice kick that beat the locals keeper Sergio Romero by Facundo Roncaglia in the 85th minute.

The visiting Celta de Vigo saw their efforts coming short with a stingy and well-placed defensive backfield that after both squads lost a man each due to red cards in a melee between Erick Bailly and Facundo Roncaglia.

However if Manchester United got lucky you are right- as in the finishing last 10 minutes, they almost surrendered the lead and with another goal by Celta John Guidetti the former academy hopeful from Man City, he would defined the pass for his squad.

Despite the draw, the defining goal scored in the 17 minute by Marouane Fellaini, that at the end  became the decider for Manchester United to advance into Europa’s grand finale.

One thing for sure the Manchester Boys did put on a fight in the elimination rounds after going into the eliminations rounds and passing over squads of the likes of St. Etienne, Rostov, Anderlecht and now Celta de Vigo.

At the end it was not easy for the United Boys that in their last series their foes did put on a fierce fight and almost eliminated them from this event, but the sheer perseverance and all around fighting spirit is back as well their winning hunger.

This bunch did put on some traveling miles to accomplish their goal of playing in the grand finale but they need to close it with a shield that proclaims them once again as one of the top entities in Europe.


  
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