I'll admit this upfront, this article probably is a fanboy's unbelievably biased rant about his team's season. So if anyone of you is looking for a neutral...balanced take on the outcome of the EPL this time, you're in the wrong place.
I'll also admit this...that I did, infact, with every fibre of my being believe that Wigan would somehow find the strength and resilience to hold off Chelsea and afford us all a very strange, and a very romantic happy ending to the season, one where everyone gets what they deserve.
But sadly, no...
I remember in one of the season's first few matches, back in August last year, Rooney scored a brilliant goal, his first of the season, and for some reason I texted a friend of mine, 'He's finally out of Ronnie's shadow, this is wazza's season, I can feel it...'
It was something most of us reds felt then. I guess the mere collective mental suggestion of this idea turned Rooney's season into one of the most memorable, fun and brilliant personal campaigns ever. Better than Ronaldo's 42 of 07-08, for some reason.
I just have to recap...
Ok, so...this season,
THE BALLAD OF MICHAEL OWEN...he's been there for so long. Meandering, a spark here and there but no real fire. But then Sir Alex calls, and Michael Owen becomes Manchester United's last line of offence, so to speak. A sticky draw? Call Owen...and he SCOOOOORES!!!
NANI DELIVERS...he always had it. He always had that glint of audacity and brilliance. But this year, he finally came through and despite a few glitches in the beginning of the season, Nani is finally living up to his promise. A few cheeky cheeky chips, a few back heels, and he's a hero at Old Trafford...
RIGHT WING? VALENCIA!!! It was a heck of a gaping hole that Cristiano Ronaldo left in United's right wing, but around the beginning of October last year, something seemed to click with this young but rather hyped player called Antonio Valencia from Ecuador. And then for the next two months there was nothing to stop him from putting in cross after brilliant cross into the path of Wayne Rooney, who tapped, headed and at one time chested the ball into the net with much gratitude.
THEY DO NOT AGE AT OLD TRAFFORD...Season after brilliant season, Ryan Giggs seems to be a living testament to that fact. Giggs and Scholes, the Old Boys of Old Trafford defy time and continue to be living legends. Scholes especially seems to prefer the highest stages to excel, like the Manchester Derby, with 15 seconds remaining, the title race hanging in the balance and he's there!!
FRESHMEN Gibson, Diouf, Macheda and Obertan, shaky though they have seemed at times hold the promise of an emerging star in the next few seasons. I especially look forward to Obertan playing a few more games next season.
Ok, so I will say that we did not have the best of luck at times. Steven Gerrard, the iron man of Liverpool suddenly forgets where his keeper is, and poof goes the title race.
Ok, shit happens.
But 3 years in a row that trophy has rested at Old Trafford. May it hate it's stay at Stamford Bridge.
Here's to '10-'11.
GLORY GLORY MAN UNITED!
