Still Following the Trawler

Final Thoughts. There were so many high hopes going into this season with a number of great players joining United, as well as a new world class manager who's track record would certainly suggest that he was the right man to lead us back to the top. Yet the inability of the big name players to instantly fit in and make the difference we expected, as well as all the chopping and changing in formation by the manager, meant our season never really got going. Injuries of course played a massive role in the slow start we experienced, but it should not have taken van Gaal until the end of February to finally figure out his best starting XI. A run of six straight wins spanning from February 28th to April 12th - including wins at Anfield and our first victory in the Manchester derby since 2012 - saw us play our best football of the season, but it was all too little too late. False hope was immediately installed with some people going as far as suggesting we could go on and win the league, ...

Player of the Season Image via SoccerNews.com David De Gea Outstanding performer. One of the best players in the league, made match-winning saves all season long. Will struggle massively if he leaves Goal of the Season Image via Goal.com Juan Mata 2nd goal vs. Liverpool (a) I loved Di Maria's vs. Leicester, but given the occasion and opponents, this goal wins it. Stunning bit of skill & great pass from Angel. Most improved Player Image via ManchesterEveningNews.co.uk Ashley Young Who would ever have predicted the turnaround in fortunes for the winger? What a season he's had. Became pivotal towards the end. Best Performance of the Season United 4-2 City Liverpool(a) & Spurs(h) were also great, but beating City so emphatically was incredible. Shame we couldn't finish above them in the table. "Let's Pretend That Never Happened" Moment of the Season Image via Telegraph.co.uk Leicester City 5-3 United From 3-1 up and cruising at half time...to a crazy 45 mi...

This might seem a tad random, verging on plain inappropriate, but BASICALLY it recently occurred to me while upgrading my phone that I took a copious amount of photos during my year at Old Trafford last season (my first season as a ticket holder). Anyway, they're late, but I don't care. Here are my pics from 2009/2010 ... My Seat - vs Birmingham City (1-0) . August 16th ...and view. Pre-match. The Game. Manc derby (4-3) . September 20th vs Everton (3-0) . 21st November In the North Stand for the Leeds Cup game (0-1) . January 3rd vs Hull City (4-0) . January 23rd Beckham's return (4-0) . March 10th Post-match. After the City game. vs CSKA (3-3) . November 3rd Last game of the season . May 9th

5. Away to Arsenal in the League (3-1) By FAR our best performance and result of the season. Nani was incredible, creating the best goal of the season – shades of the counterattack that Ronnie finished off in the Champions League semi-final last April – and kind of scoring (although technically not) a stylish solo goal . The first time all year we genuinely looked like world beaters. If only we played that all season… VIEW: United vs Arsenal (a). 3-1 4. PART I: Carling Cup Semi-Final Second Leg (3-1) The truly great moments of the season were few and far between; so whereas normally, in a typically glittering, trophy-laden season I would’ve clumped the amazing results against Citeh together – perhaps under a generic/witty title, like ‘amazing results against Citeh’ – I am forced to spread them out over the course of the top 10. But enough of that negativity. As we remember part 1 of the trilogy (in reverse order of greatness): Which Citeh battering?  Carling Cup Semi-Final Second L...

I have been meaning to do this for f**kin ages! But what with the bitter dissapointent of the season finale, coupled with the immediate replacement of the domestic season with the World Cup, I, ya know, couldn’t be arsed. But now with even the brilliant yet sporadic Rossobianchi seemingly back on the scene, I have no excuse! So here are my defining moments from 2009/10… 10. Hargreaves’ return – Sunderland away (1-0) The game was over (a mediocre 1-0 win at the Stadium of Light) and the defence of our title was almost just as finished, as we all witnessed Liverpool's dismal against Chelsea end in the Champions elect f**king the Scousers right up. So to speak. But nonetheless, the  image of Hargreaves on the touchline, ready to make his injury-time appearance against in this, the penultimate game of the season and his first game in over a year and a half, had every read a) shocked, b) confused or c) weeping into their dad’s arms while screaming ‘thank you God!!!’(…what!? I was emot...

Done and dusted with a game to go. THATS the united way. Here are my key moments in the league, the ones that made me (and everyone red) smile, cry and sigh in utter contentment at being the best. Again... 10 18th February. Fulham at home. 3-0 The result of this game-in-hand put us 5 points clear as ten days earlier we claimed top spot (and stayed there till the end of the season) with a 1-0 win at Upton Park; youngster Ryan Giggs showing that he can still anialate defences without the need of a Vieira assist. Not the most memorable game, but truly special for those who witnessed that other whipper-snapper Paul Scholes pass the ball like Jesus Christ. Also Berbatov scores the goal of the season. 9 11th January. Chelsea at home. 3-0 Our one and only win against the other 'top four', but this solid, comfortable and fairly flattering result (for Chelsea. It should have been 5) showed for the first time this season that we truly have what it takes to retain our title. 8 21st April...