Since the departure of Jose Mourinho, it looks like Manchester United is all but set to be the sole dominant force in English football once more, pretty much like the 1990s. What is the reason? Is it because of an influx of fresh young blood into Manchester United’s already star-studded team? Is it because of Chelsea weakening due to Jose Mourinho’s departure?
The answer is actually closer to the second question compared to the first one. Why? All of us knew that Sir Alex Ferguson is a wily old manager with the reputation of winning matches days before the match-day itself with his notorious mind-games skills. Since Jose Mourinho’s infamous departure from Chelsea, Fergie is once again free as there is no one else to inhibit his mind-gaming forays within English Premier League. (Just for information, Jose Mourinho seems to be the only one in the world who is able to equal if not beat Fergie’s mind games, and with all due respects, Arsene Wenger is far from equaling Fergie’s mind games, in case you ask me about him).
The sign of this was very clear in the 2006-2007 season in which Manchester United were crowned English Champions for the first time since 2003. In this particular season, Mourinho’s influence in English football had already diminished due to the fact that his relations with Roman Abramovich was deteriorating fast. Ferguson was able to capitalize on this situation and go on with the championship winning season.
The sign became clear this season, or if you have been reading football news intently everyday like me, you would have already noticed Ferguson’s latest mind-games scheme, in lieu to Sepp Blatter’s latest proposal (refer to the previous posting on this proposal to know more about this). The very first victim to taste Ferguson’s regained dominance in English football is none other than Arsene Wenger, the person who has been bullied by Ferguson’s mind games for almost a decade.
Ferguson stated before their encounter in the Emirates Stadium, in the scintillating match which was ended 2-2 due to William Gallas’ heroics late in the game, that if Sepp Blatter is to go on with his proposal soon, Arsenal would be the ones who are protesting the loudest.
On the surface, it seems to be one simple comment blurted out by an old man. However, we have to recognize the fact that it came from one of the greatest managers in the world and that the comment came just before their match against Arsenal. What more can one ask for a proof that this was intended to stir up Arsenal’s morale prior to their match?
The effect of this little mind-game to the match is up to each fan to judge whether it was a success or even a failure as Manchester United did not win the match.
One thing for sure, however, is for the fans of EPL clubs other than Manchester United to endure a prolonged period of Manchester United domination in English football again…
