The Case for Optimism

The Zaza

Every United fan should be looking forward, after looking backward.

From November to January, things looked bleak for Manchester United, the club was suffering on and off the pitch -it was a distressing time, nightmarish. The situation was so bad that some evil fans threatened the chairman and his family. Don’t forget how bad things were, we should not forget, the players and fans suffered mentally -it was clear that following United was becoming unhealthy.

In hindsight, the events of the past year have been good overall, but the last five months were quite abnormal -the turnaround was freakish. United played exceptionally since February, but fate also had a hand in this, two things that were out of their hands turned positively, Covid-19 and Leicester City. The lockdown was beneficial to the squad in two key details; it gave them the chance to get their key players healthy. Without Rashford and Pogba back, United do not have a chance at UCL qualification; you could say the same about Greenwood, and he bulked up during the break.

No matter how good The Red Devils’ form has been, look at the amount of collapse it too for is to touch Leicester, The Foxes’ implosion is incredulous, almost unexplainable.
There are many positives to take from this season, especially wrt the players. Rashford became a man this season, that man endured so much abuse and did not wilt, he instead became more important, a reliable actor, Antony Martial also grew up, became a real number 9, he took massive strides this season. United now has two proper full-backs Wan Bissaka and Shaw (another one who benefitted from the break); it increasingly looks like Pogba will extend his contract.

I let this name speak for itself: Mason Greenwood.
Another name: Bruno Fernandes.
Manchester United will finish the season as one of the most exciting teams in England; I look forward to watching them next season if they qualify for the Champions League and complete the deals they seem intent on making.