Another season goes by. Battles were won and lost. Records were broken. New talents emerged. And some sterling performers bid farewell to the game. Paul Scholes – who was once lauded as the best midfielder in England and one of the best in the world – hung up his boots after a fulfilling season. It was only befitting that his last few minutes in a United shirt were played out in the company of the planet's finest footballers. Scholes couldn't match Messi, Xavi or Iniesta on that day. But it wasn't long ago when his thunderous strike from 35 yards sent United into the Champions League final at the expense of this very Barcelona team. Scholes leaves a significant void in United's midfield very few come close to filling. The only players that spring to mind are Inter Milan's Wesley Sneijder and Tottenham's Luka Modric. If perfect timing, precision and placement served him well on the pitch, his exemplary model of professionalism earned him the highest respect off it. Paul Scholes will be missed, everywhere.
It took another masterly display from Xavi, the genius of David Villa and the small matter of Lionel Messi to deny United in yet another Champions League final. Barcelona spent 10 minutes dusting off their boots before inflicting a 3-1 defeat and even greater indignity than what United suffered in Rome two years ago. Almost everyone in a red shirt turned in a blink-and-you-miss performance, with the exception of Wayne Rooney and Nemanja Vidic. But United took defeat – painful though it was – with resignation and in admiration of the exhibition they had witnessed from the Spanish champions. If Sir Alex Ferguson felt a measure of confidence enough to crowbar into the smooth workings of Barcelona's passing carousel, he was left with more questions this time. He didn't stop short of endorsing Barcelona's brilliance. But scantily veiled in his glowing tribute was an evident admission of his own team's shortcomings. Reinforcements though will be top of the agenda and knowing the Scotsman, the resurgence may have already begun.
The end of the football season isn't about entirely being forlorn or crestfallen. With the prospect of the transfer window looming, the rumour mill will slip into overtime, in no time. Manchester City will be linked with every man and his dog. Almost every goalkeeper on the planet will be masqueraded as a potential successor to Edwin Van Der Saar. And the revolving door of managers at Stamford Bridge may see yet another big name being wheeled in. But it's hard to imagine there's anyone with greater pedigree than the man who has just been jettisoned. Abramovich may yet manage to prise Guus Hiddink away from the comforts of Turkey and pitchforked into the mess at Chelsea. But it may take more than one generous waft of his chequebook to remedy the situation. Likewise at Arsenal, where Arsene Wenger faces a struggle to hold on to Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri. Nip and tuck will have to make way for wholesale changes if Arsenal harbour any hopes of filling that near-bare cupboard of silverware.
It's not all doom and gloom though. Adulation is in order as Swansea City, Queens Park Rangers and Norwich City make the step up to the Premier League. The Championship is one of the hardest leagues to compete in at the moment as Leeds, Middlesbrough and others would testify. While the Swans have received a £90 million cash boost, QPR are bankrolled by millionaires, which leaves Norwich City to eke out a living on a shoestring budget. Nevertheless, the League will be a better place with the new additions. It's no longer a foregone conclusion that newly-promoted clubs are the ones to go down though. Times have changed. So have strategies, attitudes and budgets. There will be few managers counting their pennies carefully when the market opens for business on July 1st. Expect a flurry of activity with clubs especially casting their nets into the dressing room at West Ham for a quality catch. Right then, until the window opens, it's back to feeding on scraps. Thankfully, FIFA has been kind enough.
It took another masterly display from Xavi, the genius of David Villa and the small matter of Lionel Messi to deny United in yet another Champions League final. Barcelona spent 10 minutes dusting off their boots before inflicting a 3-1 defeat and even greater indignity than what United suffered in Rome two years ago. Almost everyone in a red shirt turned in a blink-and-you-miss performance, with the exception of Wayne Rooney and Nemanja Vidic. But United took defeat – painful though it was – with resignation and in admiration of the exhibition they had witnessed from the Spanish champions. If Sir Alex Ferguson felt a measure of confidence enough to crowbar into the smooth workings of Barcelona's passing carousel, he was left with more questions this time. He didn't stop short of endorsing Barcelona's brilliance. But scantily veiled in his glowing tribute was an evident admission of his own team's shortcomings. Reinforcements though will be top of the agenda and knowing the Scotsman, the resurgence may have already begun.
The end of the football season isn't about entirely being forlorn or crestfallen. With the prospect of the transfer window looming, the rumour mill will slip into overtime, in no time. Manchester City will be linked with every man and his dog. Almost every goalkeeper on the planet will be masqueraded as a potential successor to Edwin Van Der Saar. And the revolving door of managers at Stamford Bridge may see yet another big name being wheeled in. But it's hard to imagine there's anyone with greater pedigree than the man who has just been jettisoned. Abramovich may yet manage to prise Guus Hiddink away from the comforts of Turkey and pitchforked into the mess at Chelsea. But it may take more than one generous waft of his chequebook to remedy the situation. Likewise at Arsenal, where Arsene Wenger faces a struggle to hold on to Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri. Nip and tuck will have to make way for wholesale changes if Arsenal harbour any hopes of filling that near-bare cupboard of silverware.
It's not all doom and gloom though. Adulation is in order as Swansea City, Queens Park Rangers and Norwich City make the step up to the Premier League. The Championship is one of the hardest leagues to compete in at the moment as Leeds, Middlesbrough and others would testify. While the Swans have received a £90 million cash boost, QPR are bankrolled by millionaires, which leaves Norwich City to eke out a living on a shoestring budget. Nevertheless, the League will be a better place with the new additions. It's no longer a foregone conclusion that newly-promoted clubs are the ones to go down though. Times have changed. So have strategies, attitudes and budgets. There will be few managers counting their pennies carefully when the market opens for business on July 1st. Expect a flurry of activity with clubs especially casting their nets into the dressing room at West Ham for a quality catch. Right then, until the window opens, it's back to feeding on scraps. Thankfully, FIFA has been kind enough.
