REVIEW OF THE NOUGHTIES: 2006/2007

2006/07. Viva Ronaldo.

After bringing only one new player in in the summer, we incredibly – and brilliantly – managed to regain our Premiership crown after 4 years of near-misses and resignation to the fact that nothing – other than a lot of money – can stop the Abramovic machine. Carrick’s £18million move was clearly the finishing piece of Ferguson’s latest puzzle that saw youth – Ronaldo, Rooney – and experience – Giggs, Scholes and Solskjaer – combine brilliantly with his efficient holding play and immense passing ability. The defence need a shout here as well, as Rio was as solid as ever and Vidic and Evra improved on their ineffectual debut season that so nearly labelled them as flops…just imagine if Sir Alex lost faith in these two??

Nobody thought we could do it; there was no way Fergie could muster up yet another Championship winning side after Chelski’s financial domination, yet he did in imperious fashion to once again sit at the top of the pile.




…in other news, Van Nistelrooy inevitably left, as did Heinze, both heading to Madrid under hazy circumstances; with Heinze being hilariously refused his ‘dream move’ to Anfield as, quite frankly, Ferguson didn’t wanna sell a half-decent fullback to that scum. Ruud’s exit was the catalyst for Ronaldo, as he emerged for the first time (still only 21) as a world beater; scoring 23, assisting 20 and perfecting his ridiculous free-kick technique in the process.

Also, Larsson comes in on loan in January to become an instant icon. Although statistically he should never have been given such a high regarded – playing only 13 and scoring 3 – he was adored for his contribution at the business end of the league and generally respected by all as one of the games true legends. Heightening his honest, gentlemanly nature, when Sir Alex tried to persuade him to extend his loan till the end of the season and give him the chance to potentially win League and Champions League medals with United, he obligingly turned it down; wanting to respect his contract at lowly Helsingborg instead.




Players In.

Carrick

Larsson

Top 4:

United – 89

Chelsea – 83

Liverpool – 68

Arsenal – 68

Bottom 4:

Wigan – 38

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Sheffield United – 38

Charlton – 34

Watford – 28

Player. Ronaldo. Finally developed into the complete goalscoring - and goal-creating - package; ignited by the departure of Ruud and the partnership with Rooney.

Goal.

Scholes's ridiculous volley away to Villa in the League is the obvious choice; especially as it won 'Goal of the Month' in December...and if you remember that month, it was rammed with some of the Premiership's best ever goals.

Although not as obviously brilliant as Scholsey's, I LOVED Smith's goal against Roma. A perfect move that was deservedly completed by one of our most popular players on one of the greatest nights of all.




Remembered for?

An array of incredible, season defining games and individual performances made this season truly unforgettable.

Larsson scoring on his debut at home to Villa in the FA Cup 3rd round.

Ronaldo vs. City at the CoM. Even Michael Ball’s petulant stamp on Ronaldo’s abs, that left Ronnie scarred and Ball somehow still on the pitch, didn’t stop him running rings around them all day and winning the match to leave us effectively Champions; as a Chelsea draw at the Emirates the day after would clinch it. Ronaldo scored the only goal that day; a penalty, conceded by…Michael Ball.

1-0 vs. Liverpool at Anfield. 3rd March is officially John O’Shea day.

3-2 vs. Milan at Old Trafford. We were turned over by the brilliance of Kaka in the first half as he scored twice to give his team a 2-1 lead. Then, thanks to a stunningly innovative Scholes pass, Rooney made it 2-2 on 59 minutes. Then, in the first minute of injury time, Rooney turned on Giggs’s through-ball to smash if first time past Dida’s near post to pull off an incredible win against the eventual, and inevitable, best team in Europe that year; even with a f**king ridiculous injury list. Just out of interest, does anyone remember our bench that night? In the Champions League Semi final, against AC Milan, we had: Kuczszak, Smith, Solskjaer, Fangzhuo, Richardson, Eagles, Lee (!!!!!!).

And the best of the lot? 7-1 at home to Roma in the Champions League Quarter Final. Simply one of the greatest European nights ever at Old Trafford.




Best to forget...

Dissapointment in all three cup competitions. In the League Cup, we were dumped out by Southend United. Rooney came on and all. Ouch. The FA Cup however was much worse; losing in the final to Chelsea in extra time. And then, there was this:

AC Milan 3 – 0 United, Champions League Semi Final 2nd Leg. Probably the worst, most embarrassing and belittling display I have ever seen from United – which, when you consider our league form at the time, made it even more shocking. Not since the Bernebau in 2003 had I seen United so intimidated and get so heavily beaten in terms of sheer class and ability. ‘Absolutely raped’ I think is the official term to best describe the trip to the San Siro.