One quality that Manchester United has an abundance of is confidence. Some rivals have often mistaken it for arrogance but nothing can be further from the truth. The old saying that success breeds success has never been better illustrated than it has at Old Trafford over the last 20 years as the silverware came in season after season.
That very success is what instills the confidence into everyone connected with the club as the latest issue of Inside United shows. The magazine gives 10 reasons why the 2010-11 season will belong to United…and that perceived arrogance has absolutely nothing to do with it.
1. The weight of history – since Sir Alex’s first championship win, only once has there been a gap of more than a year (2004-2006) between United losing and regaining the crown. You won’t get much value betting against another win in 2010/11.
2. Hunger – the gaffer always looks his players in the eye before the season begins to see if the drive to succeed is still there but he’ll scarcely need to rally the troops this time around. We confidently beat the current champions at Wembley on Sunday, and there’s no doubting we want our trophy back!
3. World Cup woe – Chicharito aside, United’s internationals had disappointing World Cup campaigns. Why is this good? 1 – They’ll be desperate to get back to winning ways and 2 – They’ll have had a decent rest.
4. We can’t be that unlucky with injuries again – surely we won’t spend another winter with two entire back fours on the treatment table.
5. Help for Wayne – 30+ goals between a resurgent Dimitar Berbatov and the new boy Chicharito, You heard it here first.
6. A last hurrah? – Giggsy, Scholesy, Nev and Edwin will all want another winners’ medal before eventually hanging up their boots – although rumour has it Ryan may get a contract extension to 2050
7. Youngsters to the fore – the new breed led by Jonny Evans will be crucial to United’s squad. Keep an eye on Rafael, Fabio, Macheda, Gibson, Smalling and Obertan, plus a hot tip for a midfield breakthrough, Tom Cleverley.
8. John O’Shea – His defensive balance was sorely missed last term after he had played 54 games in 2008/09 and we’ve just got a hunch he’ll do something absolutely crucial in the run in. Let’s say, a winner at the Emirates…
9. Rooney’s still learning – 34 goals last season after a tactical shift up top showed Wayne’s football brain is still expanding. He only stopped scoring in the run in, and in the World Cup, because he wasn’t properly fit. He will get even better.
10. We are United – And we don’t like second.
There’s one more reason which should have been added to that list in the opinion of many fans…
11. Sir Alex Ferguson – The man who gives Manchester United a huge edge over every one of his rivals
Are you confident that the Premiership will be coming back to Old Trafford in May?
