11-08-2010, 02:31 PM
We're drawing closer to the opening weekend in the English Premier League, the anticipation and excitement for another mouthwatering season continues.
With the title in the hands of the Londoners, United are preparing a counter charger to reaffirm their status as English Champions and for the Barclay's Premiership trophy to return to its home at Old Trafford.
![[Image: 103289501_crop_340x234.jpg]](http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/images/photos/001/005/700/103289501_crop_340x234.jpg)
So are the words of United midfielder Darren Fletcher as he ponders the route to success.
In an interview with Inside United, Fletch related how the disappointment of last season has, and will, motivate the troops to refocus and win back the trophy.
Winning the league for three consecutive seasons before falling short the fourth time around to rivals Chelsea would be forgiven in some circles, but not at Manchester United and not under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Success is something embedded within the walls of Old Trafford. The key to success is obviously winning, and that motivation is what drives the players into giving 100 percent every time they take the pitch.
A clear indication of this is the Charity Shield encounter between United and Chelsea, a match where Chelsea seemed to have put less importance. A lack of creativity and focus lead to them losing 3-1. With the players they have, such immense quality and depth on paper, they outshine United, yet a lack of determination was their failure.
Preseason sometimes is defined as practice matches, games where managers test the waters, so to speak.
But the good teams are those who are able to come out of a preseason with confidence and readiness, enough to motivate the players that they do have the ability but also enough to establish that they need to give more in the league and other competition if they want to reach their ultimate goals.
To strike this balance is not an easy task, but achieving this is key for a fruitful season.
United have been one of the teams who have had a pretty good preseason, good competitive games, great individual growth, and very important excellent support both on and off of the pitch.
But the road ahead is tricky.
The league has toughened up with teams having strengthened their squads, the new rules taken effect, and the pressure of being Manchester United ever present.
Chelsea is their primary threat, with Liverpool eager to bounce back, Arsenal ready and willing to answer critics, and then the challenge of city rivals Manchester City, who have become major contenders for a top-four finish.
Yes, of course there's Spurs and the rest of the league teams who have ability to trouble the big teams on their day.
But on the positive side, United seem to have a great squad with amazing balance, some really eager youngsters complemented with enough experience and artistry from some of the older lads.
The signing of young Javier Hernandez, aka "Chicharito," has already brought smiles to many. His pace and quick feet seem to be his key ammunition...something Ferguson will look to use in exploiting many central defenders.
Others, like Nani and Valencia, are raring to go. Again, both of them possess express pace, something that throughout time has always been a defender's nightmare.
United have all the right ingredients to go out and really challenge Chelsea; it will be ultimately up to the players to bring the trophy home, a challenge I think every United man will welcome.
Source: bleacherreport.com
With the title in the hands of the Londoners, United are preparing a counter charger to reaffirm their status as English Champions and for the Barclay's Premiership trophy to return to its home at Old Trafford.
So are the words of United midfielder Darren Fletcher as he ponders the route to success.
In an interview with Inside United, Fletch related how the disappointment of last season has, and will, motivate the troops to refocus and win back the trophy.
Winning the league for three consecutive seasons before falling short the fourth time around to rivals Chelsea would be forgiven in some circles, but not at Manchester United and not under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Success is something embedded within the walls of Old Trafford. The key to success is obviously winning, and that motivation is what drives the players into giving 100 percent every time they take the pitch.
A clear indication of this is the Charity Shield encounter between United and Chelsea, a match where Chelsea seemed to have put less importance. A lack of creativity and focus lead to them losing 3-1. With the players they have, such immense quality and depth on paper, they outshine United, yet a lack of determination was their failure.
Preseason sometimes is defined as practice matches, games where managers test the waters, so to speak.
But the good teams are those who are able to come out of a preseason with confidence and readiness, enough to motivate the players that they do have the ability but also enough to establish that they need to give more in the league and other competition if they want to reach their ultimate goals.
To strike this balance is not an easy task, but achieving this is key for a fruitful season.
United have been one of the teams who have had a pretty good preseason, good competitive games, great individual growth, and very important excellent support both on and off of the pitch.
But the road ahead is tricky.
The league has toughened up with teams having strengthened their squads, the new rules taken effect, and the pressure of being Manchester United ever present.
Chelsea is their primary threat, with Liverpool eager to bounce back, Arsenal ready and willing to answer critics, and then the challenge of city rivals Manchester City, who have become major contenders for a top-four finish.
Yes, of course there's Spurs and the rest of the league teams who have ability to trouble the big teams on their day.
But on the positive side, United seem to have a great squad with amazing balance, some really eager youngsters complemented with enough experience and artistry from some of the older lads.
The signing of young Javier Hernandez, aka "Chicharito," has already brought smiles to many. His pace and quick feet seem to be his key ammunition...something Ferguson will look to use in exploiting many central defenders.
Others, like Nani and Valencia, are raring to go. Again, both of them possess express pace, something that throughout time has always been a defender's nightmare.
United have all the right ingredients to go out and really challenge Chelsea; it will be ultimately up to the players to bring the trophy home, a challenge I think every United man will welcome.
Source: bleacherreport.com