25 Exceptional Years. Thank You.

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The Top 15 Career Defining Moments In Football, by FootballFanCast.com

As I sit here bored out of my mind after a, well, unbelievably boring first half of European football in Bucharest vs. Otelul Galati* I thought I would revisit my much forgotten and largely ignored blogging fetish. And what a treat I stumbled onto, as I came across this great feature by Football Fancast on the 'Top 15 career defining moments in football'. Yes, it isn't solely a United related story, but pleasurable reading (especially after such a dull and disheartening 45 minutes) nonetheless.

*On a side note, are we really heading for our third victory-less result out of three in Europe. Well, errr, yes we are...

Inspiration...

After 82 days - days spent contemplating the future of my club, as the joy of reaching the historic number 19 landmark was swiftly swept into insignificance as Europe's elite embarrassed our champions...and as, perhaps more significantly, our noisy, once disregarded neighbours were suddenly regarded as a threat - marching up the Stretford End, like a drunk climbing up some scaffolding at 3am - little idea of how he got there - and removing the '35 Years' banner. And as we prepared for the new campaign knowing City and their billions will strengthen, knowing Barcelona will undoubtedly (somehow) improve; we also knew we would be without the rock between the post who finally and convincingly replaced Schmeichel, as well as those fledglings that are finally and rather suddenly beginning to dismantle: Neville, O'Shea, Brown...and the greatest of all...

After 82 days - days spent witnessing the typical summer madness surrounding established marquee names from the world of football being associated with United; yet sitting back - helplessly - as they go to our rivals in Spain, West London...or M11 instead, while we opt for underwhelming, muted sparks instead of stars...


After 82 days - days resigning myself to thoughts of 'next season I'll just watch United rather than having to relive every high and low by spewing my emotional dribble all over my blog as well'...


Yet after 82 days - I now feel somewhat invigorated and inspired.


I sit down to watch United's first home game of the season, having watched fleeting moments of  excellence during pre-season, an exciting and always pleasurable defeat of those noisy (and, unsurprisingly, richly enhanced) neighbours in the Community shield, and an encouraging United-esque fight-to-death victory at West Brom.


Against Tottenham, as has very much been the mantra for SAF this season, the line-up oozed inexperience and risk. And that in itself reminded me, after all this time that I have distanced myself from football, just why I love United so much.


Gone are the days where we fall back on the lazy approach: signing superstars and 'the most expensive...' in order to be the best. That might be the only means of success for the likes of City and Chelsea, but not for us. We have been spoilt of that in the past, yet as Ferguson enters the latter stages of his tenure as the greatest football manager of all time, he has gradually brought us back to basics as only he can so well; re-instilling the unit in United and reestablishing the mentality of winning as a team full of that famous blend of youth, experience and class.


The result? A consistent display of energy, hunger and desire that is frighteningly, if not eerily, similar to the what we witnessed at the beginning of the 1995/96 season. A new-wave of Fledglings that has rapidly drawn not only incredible comparisons (Cleverley with Scholes), however faith, in that these are the players to take Manchester United forward - not only to the European success that we missed out on last season, however forward through to the days when Ferguson will be eventually replaced.


Cleverley (22), Smalling (21), Jones (19) Welbeck (20) and Anderson (23) have all already excelled and given us the same confidence in their ability that Fergie has. Berbatov, Hernandez, Rooney, Giggs and Nani - our five best players from last season - are still involved and very much there to add the blend of experience and class that I mentioned; however the injection of youth that we now possess - that no other team in the league can boast and that has now already brushed aside City, West Brom and Tottenham - has invigorated our side and provided a stunning new dimension. One that perhaps was what was required against Barcelona. One that has instilled a new level of excitement within every United fan. And one that for this fan, has given an excuse to never leave his beloved football team, or diminish his passion, for such a long time again.

Paul Scholes: The Legend's Legend

My toughest opponent? Scholes of Manchester. He is the complete midfielder. Scholes is undoubtedly the best midfielder of his generation.

Zinedine Zidane

In the last 15 to 20 years the best central midfielder that I have seen — the most complete — is Scholes. I have spoken with Xabi Alonso about this many times. Scholes is a spectacular player who has everything. He can play the final pass, he can score, he is strong, he never gets knocked off the ball and he doesn’t give possession away. If he had been Spanish then maybe he would have been valued more.

Xavi

Good enough to play for Brazil. I love to watch Scholes, to see him pass, the boy with the red hair and the red shirt.

Socrates

Out of everyone at Manchester United, I would pick out Scholes – he is the best midfielder of his generation. I would have loved to have played alongside him.

Pep Guardiola

I tell anyone who asks me – Scholes is the best English player.

Laurent Blanc

I have no hesitation in putting a name to the embodiment of all that I think is best about football. It’s Paul Scholes. Players like Denis Law and George Best who I enjoyed so much as team-mates and now, finally, players I have watched closely in the Alex Ferguson era. And in so many ways Scholes is my favourite. I love his nous and conviction that he will find a way to win, to make the killer pass or produce the decisive volley.

Sir Bobby Charlton

Paul Scholes would have been one of my first choices for putting together a great team – that goes to show how highly I have always rated him. He would have been one of the first players I’d have bought, given the chance.
Marcello Lippi

The player in the Premiership I admire most? Easy – Scholes.
Patrick Vieira

He is the one whose level I aspire to. He is the best player in the Premier League.
Cesc Fabregas

I wouldn’t swap Paul Scholes for anybody. He is quite simply the most complete footballer I have ever played with. He is the best.
Gary Neville

We won’t ever see another one like Paul Scholes. He is a legend and a real benchmark. He is not interested in the modern-day footballer’s life off the pitch, but he is a world-class player on it. He has probably never really got the true recognition he deserved outside of Manchester United because he never did the media. He didn’t do interviews and never put himself out for things like that. I cannot believe he has never been nominated for World, European or domestic individual honours because in his prime he was scoring 20 goals a season from midfield. It is astonishing he has never won a personal award, but given the choice of winning something and then having to get up and do the speech, I think he would rather not have won them!
Darren Fletcher

If you ask footballers to pick out the player they most admire, so many of them will pick Paul Scholes. He can tackle, and his passing and shooting is of the highest level. He’s the most consistent and naturally gifted player we’ve had for a long, long time.
Alan Shearer

Gary Neville was having a piss one day 45 yards away by a fence, Scholes got the ball and whacked him right in the arse...
Sir Alex Ferguson

Paul Scholes: Modern Football's Last Traditionalist

Day’s after our Champions League defeat at the hands of Barcelona, we bid fair well to the greatest midfielder of his generation.

After 675 games and 19 major honours with United, Paul Scholes departs United as a legend: one of the modern era’s few true gentleman. One of the few players in this day and age of greed and over indulgence who famously walks in and out of contract negotiations within minutes. Who keeps himself to himself, staying out of the limelight and rarely performing interviews. Who simply goes to work, plays the game, get's showered, goes home.

The modern game has today lost its rugged romantic, its traditionalist, its loyalist, its perfectionist – the essence, in mind and spirit, of Sir Matt Busby's Babes.

Manchester United

1994 - 2011

Fairwell to a Legend

Edwin van der Sar

Manchester United 2005-2011

265 appearances

Clean Sheet Record (1,311 minutes without conceding)

4 League Titles

1 Champions League

1 Club World Cup

1 League Cup

Champions League Final: United XI To Face Barca

...The players who will make history...

So, the time is nearly among us. This has been probably the longest week of my life - unable to concentrate at work, encapsulating myself with every ounce of pre-match build-up I could find and reading the f**k out of every expert preview and patronising guide on 'how United can beat Barca'. But I'm not interested in that - because quite simply, we'll beat Barca if we don't allow them time on the ball and in turn minimise the impact of their attacking players. Play with assertion and confidence like we did against Chelsea in the Champions League, again against them in the title decider, or even against Schalke over both legs in the Semi's, and we will be Champions of Europe. Ultimately, if we play as a unit we can do it. And below are the chosen ones who can lead us to the promised land once again...

Goal

Van der Sar

Age: 40

Champions League Appearances 2010/11: 9

An absolute no brainer. One of the greatest 'keepers of all time, certainly the most coveted, plays his last ever game as a footballer. Calm, cool, clever and true class; many thought we had signed him too late when he came to United as a 34 year old and as a veteran with 15 years at the top behind him. But arguably we caught him at his peak. And it has truly been an honour.

Defence

Fabio Da Silva

Age: 20

Champions League Appearances 2010/11: 6

Champions League Goals: 0

The biggest risk selection for a number of reasons: the level of astute awareness that'll need to be held by the full backs (they do have to face Iniesta, Xavi, Pedro and Villa after all) and the overall pace Barcelona will want to set the game at will be a dreaded prospect to most. To say our full-backs will need to be on top of their game therefore is an understatement. And to say that 20 year old Fabio, who has lived in the shadows of his brother since the twins arrived to Old Trafford a year and a half ago, and who has arguably found himself out of position on the right, will need to step up, rise to the occasion and ignore all the expected pressure placed on his inexperienced shoulders is equally obvious. If he is selected, which you feel he will be given recent line-ups, then it is because the boss believes he is good enough to play in the biggest game of all. And if Sir Alex believes in you, there is no option but to deliver.

Ferdinand and Vidic

Age: 32 and 29

Champions League Appearances 2010/11: 6 and 9

Champions League Goal between them: 0

On their day, one of the greatest defencive partnerships the game has ever seen. The perfect blend of class and graft; artistry and industry; calm, cool, collected and 'never say die', the pair have it all and rarely fail in filling you with confidence when either clearing the ball out of harms way or making that last ditch, essential tackle. As is naturally the case, frailties have appeared in their game as the years of physical trauma take their cause. With Ferdinand it's the injuries that have kept him out of 45 (out of 76) league appearances in the last two seasons, and with Vida it is the sometimes worrying lack of pace and over-reliance on his brute force and power that have either got him into trouble this season, or should have! But as I said, on their day they are the best, and they're days are far from over.

Evra

Age: 30

Champions League Appearances 2010/11: 9

Champions League Goals: 0

Not his brightest season at United, especially on the back of such an accomplished campaign the season before. But his pace, vision, integrity and brilliant ability to link up with his winger - whether it be Park, Giggs or most effectively Nani - he always seems to perform and add an extra, vital attacking option when we need him.

Midfield

Valencia

Age: 25

Champions League Appearances 2010/11: 6

Champions League Goals: 1

If someone told me six months ago that Valencia would recover from that double leg break and return as one of our most important players in the title run-in and on the road to Wembley, I would never have believed it. Such has been his frighteningly vital impact and rapid return to form, his inclusion on the right was never in doubt - affectively reducing the performances of Nani (who I would argue is still United's most important player) to the bench. His pace on that flank (which is now back to its penetrative best), ability to protect his full-back, as well as his confidence to go out the defence will prove one of our strongest routes to goal and arguably our best attacking threat.

Carrick

Age: 29

Champions League Appearances 2010/11: 10

Champions League Goals: 0

Another who's inclusion in a Champions League final line-up may appear odd - surely Anderson, Scholes, Park and Fletcher are better equipped in the centre of our midfield? Well Anderson, as we learnt from Rome two years ago, is still not ready for the pressure and intensity of such a game; Scholes too may struggle with the pace; Park's pace and dogged nature sees him placed on the left, and Fletcher, who's exclusion was unlucky (and to our detriment) two years ago, may just miss out due to his recent injury. So that leaves Carrick to occupy arguably the most important and tricky area of the field. As a defensive, holding midfield, he must guide the ball out of defence, diffusing the inevitable Messi/Iniesta/Xavi infused pressure, while progressing the attacking flow of our game - linking with, and making sure he has the awareness to supply almost every player on the pitching. But to describe his inclusion as simply one out of default is insulting. Because of Fletcher's exclusion and the lack of impact made by others, he has made this position his own and thoroughly deserves to start.

Giggs

Age: 37

Champions League Appearances 2010/11: 7

Champions League Goals: 1

A player engrossed with superlatives. His impact and style has stood the test of time, and like his boss, he has nurtured, mentored and adapted to many a team-mate. At 37 years of age, and one game away from winning his 34th major honour at United, this is arguably his best ever season. Instead of frailing, he has developed the maturity and unrivalled experience to influence a game of this stature with every pass, darting run or a deft touch he produces. Simply unbelievable.

Ryan Giggs: the boy who played football like a man, is now truly the man who plays football like a boy.

Park

Age: 30

Champions League Appearances 2010/11: 8

Champions League Goals: 1

His dedication to the cause, energy levels and ability to create space will deservedly give Park his second start in this fixture in three years. I'm a massive advocate of Nani and his improving form and impact at United has led him to be one of our most influential players. But in a game like this where you have to think about the opposition and how we can work as a unit to defeat them, the strengths of the individual are not as important. Nani is class and can create chances, however so can Valencia, Giggs and Park. The way our front two line-up as well, one playing deeper than the other, someone like Park - who provides multiple options from wide positions as well as inside - complements his commitment to defending brilliantly.

Strikers

Hernandez and Rooney

Age: 22 and 25

Champions League Appearances 2010/11: 8 and 8

Champions League Goals between them: 7

This can be the front-two to make the difference and beat Barcelona with their goals, movement and astute awareness of one another. Berbatov's exclusion, after winning the Premier League golden boot, is nothing but credit to Hernandez and his rise up the ranks to now be considered United's biggest attacking threat, and the player who Barca fear the most. But to ignore Rooney's impact to Chico's rise to brilliance is naive. For the Mexican has been able to thrive with confidence in an attacking position while Rooney plays deep and controls the area between midfield and attack (similar to Carrick's role between defence and midfield). The two complement each other perfectly therefore, and where Barca's front three - Pedro, Messi and Villa - are out and out attack, the movement and connection between our front two could throw Barca's defence off; unable to deal with Chico's pace, Rooney's deep positioning, vision and passing, complemented by the creativity and threat of our accomplished midfield.




We can win. Not because we have magicians like those that glitter the Barca line-up, but because we graft; because we don't leave ourselves exposed with one dimensional football; and above all, because we have the belief, unity, strength and inert desire to win that is essential for any Champions. We have already overcome adversity this season - not once being considered good enough to retain the domestic title yet winning it with a nine point margin - and again, we find ourselves unfancied and disregarded. A strange position for the English Champions to find themselves in, but a desired one nonetheless. We will feed off the hatred and ignorance of others to simply concentrate on what we do best: play to win. We have the depth, we have the experience and we know what is our stake. So bet against us if you will, but whether we win or lose, one thing is for certain - as we take centre stage at Wembley, just as Best, Charlton and Busby did 42 years ago, we will rise to the occasion and give it our all. And maybe, just maybe, that will be enough.

BELIEVE

Glory Is Ours

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