Manchester United Wins Premiership on Final Day

Manchester United won its 10th Premiership title in the league’s 16 year history on the last day of the season yesterday, defeating Wigan 2-0, while runners-up Chelsea drew 1-1 with Bolton. As much as the team is hated here, one must grant that Man U has assembled one of the finest sides ever to grace a soccer pitch. More than that, however, they have the best manager in the game in Sir Alex Ferguson. It was management that won this title.

Chelsea had management troubles that forced Jose Mourinho to resign in September, and his replacement Avram Grant had to right a listing ship in record time. That the West-Enders were even in the hunt after the change is a tribute to both the professionalism of the players and the abilities of Mr. Grant. Liverpool suffered a year-end fade that has Coach Rafael Benitez wondering if he might need to spruce up his resume, and Arsenal underachieved as well. Everton, trying to crack the top four, remains a player or two short of making it, and maybe, 2008-09 is their year.

Alan Hansen, former Liverpool great, hit the nail on the head when he wrote on the BBC website today, “Ferguson is an amazing character in that his fire and desire burns just as brightly after his years in the game and the trophies he has won. The hunger shows no sign of waning.” Sir Alex arrived in Manchester from Aberdeen (where he didn’t do badly), to “knock Liverpool off their perch.” He has done so.

In nine days’ time, Manchester United faces off against Chelsea in Moscow for the Champions’ League trophy. Sir Alex noted, “We are bouncing into that final now. If we’d lost the title it would have been different.” He was not only playing the final day yesterday for the Premiership, but also for the shot at the double in Moscow. The man is greedy for victory and knows the value to his players of success building confidence for future success – especially since Chelsea beat Man U at their last meeting.

United assistant manager Carlos Quieroz told BBC Sport, “Our hunger comes from the feeling of achievement in what is always a very competitive environment. We always have a challenge within the club - nothing is ever enough for us, and that is what drives us on. The desire is always here and there are still a lot of things left to do.” Although that looks like a compliment to the players alone, it also puts into sharp focus the abilities of Alex Ferguson. The manager sets the tone, and Sir Alex deserves this trophy.

Still, may the Soccer Gods ensure that the Battle of Moscow goes Chelsea’s way.

© Copyright 2008 by The Kensington Review, Jeff Myhre, PhD, Editor. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written consent. Produced using Fedora Linux.

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