Roaring into the 20s

The architect of Uniteds domination was not Wayne Rooney or Robin Van Persie,however. Players have come and gone,and some are missed,but the one constant in the United story in the EPL era has been manager Alex Ferguson. The legendary Scot is now 71,and his longevity at the pinnacle of world football is astonishing at a time when managers are dismissed after a bad six months at the helm. It has seemed,and it is generally agreed,that this season is an example that Ferguson has,through sheer force of will,inspired mediocre sides to titles and cups. This side often had the look of an incessant machine,banging out win after effective win against smaller teams,even if the game was not all that beautiful.

Prising the title out of Uniteds grip is,as their competition have discovered,a gruelling task,one a mere blank cheque to buy stars cannot accomplish. Defending the title from Fergusons United is even more difficult only Jose Mourinhos Chelsea managed it. Chelsea,City and Liverpools seasons are demonstrations of the worth of a good manager. For United fans,the day to fear is not when Van Persie leaves,but when Ferguson finally retires.