Ex-United Players Hope Sir Alex is Watching
Were it not for the fact that Manchester United reclaimed English dominance this season, a couple of Real Madrid players would be taking even more satisfaction that their club is 3 points from capturing the La Liga title. Ruud van Nistlerooy is about to finish just shy of 30 goals and David Beckham has arguably been the best player in the Real Madrid squad since getting a recall. Not to mention he was the best player during England's friendly against Brazil and the Euro qualifier against Estonia. You can't tell me that with each strong performance by these two players there isn't some hope that Father Figure Alex Ferguson was tuning in and regretting just a bit that there was a falling out. Beckham has been suffering through this problem of wanting to prove something to Sir Alex for much longer than RvN. Any football manager, player or fan has to look at RvN's output this season in one of the best leagues in the world and be impressed. The guy scores goal in bunches - and has now done it in three different leagues on the continent and continues to score them at the most crucial of moments.
Until the past couple of months Beckham had been mostly an afterthought. It took signing with LA Galaxy to bring him back in the footballing spotlight coupled with the Real Madrid and England recall to make him worthy of front page news once again. Most observers comment there is no way Beckham would get a match in today's Man United lineup. Maybe. I would argue he's in his best form since the '99 season and while his signing was clearly a PR move by Real Madrid, RvN's was one to significantly improve the squad. Discovering that jersey sales were not going to be enough to make it in manager Fabio Capello's squad, the former English captain had to work harder than he ever has in training and be sharper than he ever has in matches.
If Sir Alex is paying any attention to his former players' success, it is probably annoying him that their exploits are pushing his courting of Athletico Madrid's Fernando Torres below the fold. Having Christiano Ronaldo - the best player in the world - at his disposal combined with fantastic new signings that have Man United well positioned to defend the English crown and make another deep Champions League run, Ferguson is not having to deal so much with the "what if" questions that he would be peppered with had his club finished another term without the league title. This is might take some of the joy out of any trophy hoisting by the two former players next weekend in Spain.
I would imagine Ferguson will be sipping his wine on vacation in France while watching the Real Madrid match next weekend. After 90 minutes there might be some "my trophy is bigger than yours" posturing. There might very well be none of that as RvN will take his winner's medal on a summer holiday, Beckham deals with the pressure of trying to lift the profile of a 2nd tier league and Man United attempt to land a striker that has the potential to be as proficient as the Dutchman. Good luck with that Sir Alex. You might have the cash on hand - and the influence - to bring in either Torres, Carlos Tevez or Dimitar Berbatov. None of those players are a sure bet to provide the goal haul that will be needed as Chelsea and Liverpool attempt to bring in signings that will more than make up the goal deficit ground lost last season.
Given Real Madrid's opponent next weekend, I think it is a safe bet that they will hold off Barcelona and win La Liga. Sir Alex will have to deal with looking at the papers and seeing two of the biggest grins in the football world staring back at him. He might take satisfaction in knowing that his discarding of them was one of their biggest motivations to reach the Spanish summit.
Until the past couple of months Beckham had been mostly an afterthought. It took signing with LA Galaxy to bring him back in the footballing spotlight coupled with the Real Madrid and England recall to make him worthy of front page news once again. Most observers comment there is no way Beckham would get a match in today's Man United lineup. Maybe. I would argue he's in his best form since the '99 season and while his signing was clearly a PR move by Real Madrid, RvN's was one to significantly improve the squad. Discovering that jersey sales were not going to be enough to make it in manager Fabio Capello's squad, the former English captain had to work harder than he ever has in training and be sharper than he ever has in matches.
If Sir Alex is paying any attention to his former players' success, it is probably annoying him that their exploits are pushing his courting of Athletico Madrid's Fernando Torres below the fold. Having Christiano Ronaldo - the best player in the world - at his disposal combined with fantastic new signings that have Man United well positioned to defend the English crown and make another deep Champions League run, Ferguson is not having to deal so much with the "what if" questions that he would be peppered with had his club finished another term without the league title. This is might take some of the joy out of any trophy hoisting by the two former players next weekend in Spain.
I would imagine Ferguson will be sipping his wine on vacation in France while watching the Real Madrid match next weekend. After 90 minutes there might be some "my trophy is bigger than yours" posturing. There might very well be none of that as RvN will take his winner's medal on a summer holiday, Beckham deals with the pressure of trying to lift the profile of a 2nd tier league and Man United attempt to land a striker that has the potential to be as proficient as the Dutchman. Good luck with that Sir Alex. You might have the cash on hand - and the influence - to bring in either Torres, Carlos Tevez or Dimitar Berbatov. None of those players are a sure bet to provide the goal haul that will be needed as Chelsea and Liverpool attempt to bring in signings that will more than make up the goal deficit ground lost last season.
Given Real Madrid's opponent next weekend, I think it is a safe bet that they will hold off Barcelona and win La Liga. Sir Alex will have to deal with looking at the papers and seeing two of the biggest grins in the football world staring back at him. He might take satisfaction in knowing that his discarding of them was one of their biggest motivations to reach the Spanish summit.
posted by Anonymous at 9:25 AM
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