Friday 28 June 2013

"Au Revoir" Sir Alex Ferguson...

Completing his 1500th matches, Manchester United Football Club manager, Sir Alexander Chapman Ferguson more famously known as Sir Alex Ferguson has officially retired from his managerial duties.

Sir Alex Ferguson has honoured;

Tournament
Years of Achievement
UEFA Champions League
1999, 2008
Cup Winners’ Cup
1983, 1991
European Super Cup
1983, 1991
Intercontinental Cup
1999
FIFA Club World Cup
2008
English Premier League (13x)
1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2013
FA Cup (5x)
1990, 1994, 1996, 1999, 2004
League Cup (4x)
1992, 2006, 2009, 2010
FA Charity/Community Shield
1990 (Shared), 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011

As much as all us United fans are going to miss him, it is always good to stroll ourselves down to Fergie's memory lane. He has made some excellent signings through his years and some don't seem to reach to his expectations.

He has brought quite a number of interesting players that helped and still helping building up Manchester United Football Club into a household name. He introduced;

Eric Cantona - a player who doesn't need any introduction when he is at the field. The flamboyant and at the approximate of 1.9m tall French came to United in the year 1992 where he scored many goals and contributed the club in many ways. It was on 25th January 1995 when he was banned for almost eight months in total and a series of hefty fines, following his famous Kung-Fu kick to a Crystal Palace fan while walking towards the tunnel after being red-carded for kicking Richard Shaw who annoyed Eric for pulling his shirt during the match. His goal scoring celebration was his signature boastful yet stylish, if you're a United fan of course.

Peter Schmeichel - big strong giant Danish goalkeeper, bought from Brondby in the year 1991 for what was described by Sir Alex himself as the "bargain of the century." His usual trademarks of spreading arms out when in a 1on1 situation often scare the hell out of most strikers. His commanding nature as a goalkeeper and tonnes of important saves has got himself elected "the World's Best Goalkeeper twice, 1992 & 1993. He eventually left United in 1999 after winning the UEFA Champions League for United. Schmeichel will always be remembered as the Great Dane of Old Trafford. 

Roy Keane – I have always remembered him as the Captain Manchester. I started following Manchester United’s captain was The Rock Steve Bruce, paired with Gary Pallister back then. Keane’s commanding leadership was the last one I have seen since. He was so rocked in the midfield. He was never afraid to step up to support his team mates. I just don’t see the commanding quality in Carrick. Yet I have been hearing Carrick has been a superb player this season…this and that…he’s ordinary, nothing special. He made schoolboy mistake most of the time. His passing was mostly abysmal last season. Former United player Owen Hargreaves had the potential but sadly his injury got the best of him. The way I see, it was so difficult finding Roy Keane’s replacement that even till today.

Ole Gunnar Solksjaer & Teddy Sheringham – These 2 last touches made them the heroes of 1999 for Manchester United overpowering Bayern to their last breath and eventually crowned Champions of Europe. Probably one of my personnel matches of all time.

I’m sure if I have to name all of them it’s just going to get on and on. There were and are still a handful of talent such as Dennis Irwin, Dwight Yorke, Ruud Van Nistelrooy and current ones like Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo (currently with Real Madrid), Robin Van Persie, Patrice Evra, Shinji Kagawa, the tireless Park Ji-Sung, Javier Hernandez and many more…! 

In my opinion during my time, which was somewhere around 1993 onward, I think Sir Alex was seemed to have lack of confidence in his own signings. Players like Karel Poborsky, Jordi Cruyff, Jesper Blomqvist, Juan Sebastian Veron, Kleberson, Diego Forlan were a few names of those would have probably played better if were given enough playtime. Most still had so much in them unexposed.

Veron had so much quality in him but due to lack of match given to him. His brilliant skills were remained untapped.

Diego Forlan became top scorer in La Liga after he was transferred to Villarreal and top scorer again in Atletico Madrid. Why aren’t these players able to perform at United? Is it the style of play of different country style? If so, how come Ronaldo was able to adapt in both England and Spain? Gianfranco Zola and Paolo DiCanio did well in both Italy and England?


Sir Alex had the chance to sign Ronaldinho, after losing David Beckham but chose not to raise his bid. Imagine if Ronaldinho joins in back then.

His plan of not signing Carlos Tevez on a permanent deal when Tevez were a formidable force linking up Wayne Rooney was an abysmal decision. Tevez have said numerous times that he loved being at United. He played his heart out in every game for United. The way I see it Tevez was not the player he was at Manchester United when he is at Manchester City. He never looked happy playing for City. He looked disappointed during his last game at Old Trafford doing his farewell wave at his former adored fans. I guess he was hoping for a permanent deal at that time but it didn't happen! In the end, he was not offered a permanent deal and was transferred to the noisy neighbours. After that I was neither interested to know about Tevez controversial billboard advertisement in between the Manchester borders nor anything about his dispute with Sir Alex Ferguson. All I wished for him to stay with United..

And what about the transfer of David Beckham, need I go there?? Even Beckham wasn't aware of him being sold to Real Madrid. 

Ferguson decision got more jaded he preferred fielding lazy Dimitar Berbatov in almost every game last season even when he was not at his top form, and not giving Javier Hernandez more chance when Hernandez was playing even better than him.

Many have begun to realise that Sir Alex Ferguson strange decisions and ideas were getting rather weird. His decisions of late to leave out top players during crucial games especially in the finals. Frankly, I think it is about time that he stepped down when his name is still at the top. I truly respected Sir Alex Ferguson for what he has done to Manchester United but I think he could have done it better if he had believed in other players as well.

Strange decisions or not, if it is not for Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester United would not have become of what they are. There are always ups and downs in life for everyone. Nobody is perfect.

I will always remember him chewing his gum quickly in every game when his men under performed and someone who has contributed his life for the club that what no other manager has ever done to in any club - a true legend, a dedicated and loving football manager for Manchester United. It was also because of him that I actually become a Manchester United fanatic. Hopefully before you officially leave the club, give the best blessing you can to David Moyes.


Au Revoir, Sir Alex....you are a legend and you will be missed!!

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