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The Premier League Owl
Because of their resiliency
How many sides other than United could’ve recovered from the 6-1 humbling they received at Old Trafford. So acute was the humiliation suffered, that Sir Alex Ferguson’s players would’ve been forgiven for spending the rest of the season in a daze, and letting their neighbours run away with the title.
It takes a special kind of manager, and a very trusting squad to accept their frailties and leave them behind – because that’s exactly what United had to do. Losses like the one suffered in October can permanently undermine confidence in players, and that it didn’t is of huge credit to United.
Their will to retain the title
Given the deficit they’ve faced at various points of the season, and given the strength in depth of the squad whom they were chasing, keeping the desire strong in his players has been a miraculous accomplishment from Ferguson. Even throughout the points of the season when City were knocking opponents over for fun, there was no drop-off in United’s application.
Given the barrels of petrodollars that have been pumped into this City squad, there would never have been any disgrace in United falling short this year – the playing field simply hasn’t been equal.
Wayne Rooney’s contribution
In a season where every pundit in the game has held a love-in for Robin Van Persie’s contribution to Arsenal, Wayne Rooney’s worth to United has been largely over-looked. While the Dutchman has returned an impressive 28 goals from 36 appearances, Rooney’s output at 26 in 31 is statistically more impressive – and more pertinent, given United’s relevance to the title race and Arsenal’s no-show.
Given the superlatives – and awards – thrown at Van Persie, how can anybody reason that Rooney doesn’t deserve a Championship medal at the end of the season.
The Paul Scholes factor
Not, strictly, a reason why United ‘deserve’ the title, but a good enough incentive for neutrals to root for them. This is a Hollywood script; the club legend brought out of retirement to stabilise a midfield and bring back the quality missing from that part of the team. If you have any shred of romanticism in you, how could you begrudge Scholes a winner’s medal?
Aside from the obvious technical ability, what Scholes brought to that United was a winner’s mentality – a symbol of Manchester United’s domestic dominance. Where before there was only Michael Carrick and Anderson, Scholes’ return meant other members of that squad were able to see a club icon on the teamsheet.
An inspiration.
Because it would be a victory for the ‘old way’ of doing things
Obviously we’ve all had to accept money in the game, but there’s still a nagging resentment over the ease of City’s meteoric rise. Rival fans may sneer at United’s affluence also, but this is a club that has acquired their wealth through success and tradition – and the advantages they have are easier to live with as a result.
While we may all be a little bored of United’s success, a title for them is still more palatable, and a victory for organic growth over the cynicism of large cash injections.
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