Prior to last year, it was believed Sir Alex Ferguson had achieved nothing closer to his abilities when it was about European glory. He was also written off by some sports critics’ saying he had achieved his European title in 1999 and that was about it.
But this was no where next to reality. Ferguson, as all great men had something in him. After achieving the trophy in 1999, he knew it was almost impossible to repeat the feat in near future. So he started building a team which he had always dreamt of. A team which would give him what he always wanted and can be called as his best team ever.
But for this to succeed he had to start from scratch. He had to build the players in the way he wanted. He started signing young players and just like a jeweler started polishing them. The result can be seen easily now in players like Ronaldo, Rooney, Vidic, Evra, Fletcher, O’Shea, Brown, and the likes. This team was already showing the signs of champions and it wasn’t late that they started showing their talent on the European circuit.
Life came full circle for ManU great Paul Scholes in May 2008 Moscow final. He missed the 1999 final due to suspension and in 2008 it was his goal in the semis against Barcelona that sent the English Champions to the European Finals against Chelsea and rest is history. Though the success came late, but it was sweet enough.
Not many predicted United to reach the European final again this year. But as told, don’t make a mistake of writing off Fergie. He kept building his team better and better and so becoming only the second team after Juventus to reach the Champions League Final consecutively since the new format was introduce in early 90’s.
United play Spanish champions Barcelona in the Champions League Final 2009 at Rome’s historic stadium, Stadio Olympico on the 27th May. Barcelona have been a goal scoring machine this year. Their strikers which include Samuel Eto, Thierry Henry and Lionel Messi have scored more goals than any other English team put together.
Manchester United will miss the services of Darren Fletcher in the finals, who was wrongfully red carded in the semi final second leg against Arsenal. United are already crowned as Premier League Champions after a draw against Arsenal at Old Trafford in he Premier League.
They have enough time to prepare for the final and can afford to rest all the big names for the last league game against Hull City on 24th May prior to the Champions League Final. United became the first club ever to win a hat trick of league titles twice between 1999 and 2002 and again between 2006 and 2009. Ferguson is already motivated enough to win the league title next year and doing so, will make Manchester United the first team in the history of football to win four league titles consecutively.
The countdown has already begun for the final showdown in Rome and its only matter of days for the 2009 season to end. Worldwide a staggering 335 million supporters wait with baited breath for the Red Devils to lift the trophy again. Yet again!!!
