The end of the 2012/13 season saw Manchester United crowned English champions for the 20th time, extending their lead over Liverpool as the country’s most successful side. That was to be Sir Alex Ferguson’s last Premier League triumph, as the Scottish legend retired after 27 years in charge at Old Trafford.
The question is can they return to those glory days and mount a serious title challenge this season? And more importantly have they got enough firepower to do so?
Undoubtedly United’s greatest season over the last few decades was the treble winning campaign of 1999/00. That season United possessed a quartet of strikers that were relentless in their pursuit of the dream treble. Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke had a telepathic understanding, and between them scored 39 league goals that season. With Teddy Sheringham and the ‘baby faced assassin’ Ole Gunnar Solskjaer chipping in with vital goals, including the two that secured the Champions League trophy, the club had options and depth in a key area.
History shows that when United have a world-class goalscorer in their ranks they rarely finish the season without the biggest prize. Strikers such as Ruud van Nistelrooy, who plundered 25 league goals on the way to the 2002/03 title, and the free scoring Cristiano Ronaldo, who enjoyed three particularly fruitful years in Manchester winning three titles while scoring 17 goals in 2006/07, 31 goals in the 2007/08 season and another 18 goals in the 2008/09 triumph, spring to mind .
Then came the elegance and flair of Dimitar Berbatov, who gained a league winner’s medal after notching 20 goals in the 2010/11 season. United’s most recent Premier League triumph came in the 2012/13 season, in which Robin van Persie, fresh from his move from title rivals Arsenal, helped United to their 20th title with 26 goals.
But, it is not only United that require that world class goalscorer to fire them to Premier League glory. Chelsea, last season’s champions, wouldn’t have their name on the trophy without Diego Costa’s 20 strikes and Manchester City wouldn’t have picked up there second Premier League crown without Yaya Toure’s vital 20 goal contribution the season before.
But with current manager Louis van Gaal allowing attacking players such as Javier Hernandez, Radamel Falcao, Adnan Januzaj, Luis Nani and 2012/13 season top scorer Van Persie to leave the club, have United got enough goals in them to really challenge?
United have started there league campaign well and currently occupy second place behind their arch rivals Manchester City, with four wins and only one defeat from their first six Premier league games. But with only three recognised strikers in their ranks, can they be considered as genuine title contenders?
Captain Wayne Rooney has endured a poor start to the season, failing to score in the league so far. Anthony Martial, United’s big summer signing, has started in red hot form, scoring on his home debut against rivals Liverpool and then twice away at Southampton. Martial is definitely a talent and one for the future, but United surely cannot expect him to lead their line all season?. James Wilson is the only other recognised striker in the United ranks, but has yet to make a Premier League appearance this season and, like Martial, is still learning his trade.
Will Van Gaal make do with what attacking options he has and continue to play Rooney in a number ten role behind the impressive Anthony Martial whilst utilising Fellaini as a Plan B option? A world-class or proven Premier League striker is surely a must for United, either in January or in next summer’s transfer window, and would allow Martial time to adjust to the demands of the English game.
United, I am sure, will claim another top four finish this term, but it just may be a season too early for them to reclaim the Premier League crown. One thing is for sure though, with David De Gea now staying in Manchester, Chris Smalling looking a class act, Martial and Memphis Depay getting to grips with the Premier League and with the creativity possessed by Juan Mata, Wayne Rooney and Bastian Schweinsteiger it is sure to be a very interesting season for the red half of Manchester.
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