Alex Ferguson and Mike Phelan at Wembley
The message emanating from Old Trafford is now loud and clear, Sir Alex Ferguson is realigning his forces for next year and culling his squad where needed - which for shareholders maybe important reassurance – as it will be for the Glazer family, who own the club. The experienced Sir Alex knows that despite a record 19th title there can be no rest, given the anti climatic end to the season at Wembley, a memory that will play on the Scotsman’s mind for some time. The dominance of the club domestically is nothing short of impressive, perhaps more a testament to the attrition of the Premier League and the depth of the United squad, and the lack of tenacity of the other clubs. Indeed, it is alarming that for another year few of the other chasing clubs seem able to sustain a challenge to Manchester United towards the end of the season.
But whatever about the departure of some players, or the possibility of new signings, a fundamental question still remains unanswered in the wake of the Champions League final appearance, and that is how United wilted so easily in their 90 minute battle with Barcelona. The record is now two losses in the final to the Catalan club, in as many years, both more or less carbon copies of each other. All too easily justified by claiming the Pundits that Guardiola's side are the currently the best side in the world - hence even unbeatable by the Premier League masters.
The real measure though is that second time around at Wembley there gap between the two sides should have narrowed. Alas it showed the opposite. Ferguson’s side found themselves as mere spectators by the end of the second half, sustaining a challenge for no more than the opening ten minutes of the final. The added concern being that 24 months on, the United manager found no new tactic to stifle parts of the Barcelona team, given the accepted assumption that the genius of Lionel Messi cannot be suppressed at any time. - once he is on song.
With Barcelona scoring more goals this time, it also begs the question about the tactics on the night, the overall game plan and the manager’s tactical ability in the game in 2011. At least in European terms he ahs been found wanting given that the last victory in 2008 in Moscow was against Premier League opposition, and was also won through the lottery of penalty kicks. On reflection too, the 1999 Camp Nou win was one of the most bizarre of finals, and little to do with tactics. Unless you really believe that Teddy Sheringham's arrival in the 67th minute, and Ole Gunnar Soljkaer's in the 87th, really swayed a dying game.
In truth, United failed to dominate at any level that warm night in Catalunya, with Beckham struggling in the middle of midfield, without the support of suspended duo Roy Keane and Paul Scholes. Perhaps understandably for that young United squad, the occasion looked too big and it was also the club's first final since 1968 with Best, Law, Charlton, Stiles and Company all looking on from the stands.. Undoubtedly fate played its part in helping United win the game too, as did the naive substitution by Ottmar Hitzfeld of Lothar Matthaeus ten minutes from time - which upset the balance of the Bayern team nearing the final whistle.
But such wins are part and parcel of sporting folklore and will be included in the history books courtesy of United goals in the 91st and 93rd minutes. Like the events in Istanbul the night Liverpool made their epic comeback against AC Milan, sport throws up such anomalies and form part of our love for sport in general. Indeed, memory banks are full of such games in a variety of sports, the most recent being Leinster's second half demolition of Northampton in the Heineken Cup final in Cardiff.
In terms of United though, and it is heresy to put words to it, there are curious underlying questions as to how Ferguson employed his Premier League winning squad against Barcelona at Wembley. What is more, in the second half, when there was nothing to be gained by clinging to their shape, why did United not react in some way. Or indeed, why a clearly under performing Ryan Giggs was left holding the left side of midfield for the duration when he was visibly unable to hinder Dani Alves raids down the right flank? And if the stories are correct that Ferguson discussed some ideas with Madrid’s Mourinho in the build-up to the final, is it not surprising that they amounted to nothing on the field that night?.
Clearly Mourinho knows a thing or two about eliminating Guardiola's side, having done so in the 2010 semi-final when he managed Internazioale to a winning final in Madrid against Bayern's, Louis van Gaal. Albeit not pretty football, it was nonetheless effective and cut out play in midfield to frustrate Iniesta, Xavi and Pedro, relying on balls over the top to release his front men, Samuel Eto’o, Goran Pandev and Diego Milito. Like it or not, it worked for Jose Mourinho and he chalked up his second Champions League win in six years, while Ferguson left his fourth final empty handed for the second time – against the same opponents from 2009 in Rome.
The fact that United had an easy run through the Champions League this season, and then met Schalke 04 in the semi- final, certainly did not help their cause ahead of the final. But it cannot be used as an excuse, especially as Arsenal came with the side netting of eliminating Barcelona in their Champions League second leg encounter this season – having beaten them first at the Emirates. Such details highlight the problem even more given The Gunners finished 12 points behind United in the Premier League this season. And if you factor in the success of Liverpool under Rafa Benitez and the club's consistency in Europe, the issues of tactical awareness raise their head, albeit the Anfield club failed to make the same impact domestically in the league.
In Rafa’s case he was also lucky, as Steven Gerard won him the 2006 FA Cup Final, a player we should not forget the manager considered selling to Chelsea believing the squad system superseded any one individual. As history shows, he was lucky he didn’t as there would be fewer trophies at Anfield as a result given it was also Gerard who pulled Liverpool out of trouble in Istanbul and enshrined the club, and Rafa in the record books.
More importantly though, the two managers come from different generations with an age gap of 20 years bringing different attitudes, profiles and influences. On the pitch too there are differences as Benítez prefers a 4–2–3–1 formation which he believes in Europe is superior to Ferguson’s 4-4-2. However measured in results Sir Alex wins that argument easily, even if Rafa's tactical nous in European fixtures has become legendary, it still only rendered one Champions League title.
But perhaps it is the personal style that contrasts most between the two as Ferguson thrives it would seem with the hairdryer treatment of his players, and is more extrovert and battle ready. On the other hand Benitez always shows a calm and methodical demeanour, even during half time of that now infamous Champions League final. So whatever was said, or not said, in the dressing room those same Liverpool players came out in the second half and turned things around.
Which all leads back to that question about United's last Champions League final and the worry about what happened at half time in the dressing room, as little seemed to change on the pitch in the second half. The result of which was a déjà-vu for Ferguson who saw another final disappear, something that really should be of concern to the shareholders, and indeed the Glazer family given the €127 that was awarded to the winners. What an impact that could have made on the club’s debt mountain?
Not sure the head coaches at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the other franchise owned by the Glazers in the NFL in the USA, would get the same latitude if they lost two Super Bowls in as many years.
Maybe by clearing out his squad Ferguson will figure out that tactics are more vital in the modern game.
Or just buy less hairdryers.
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