Champions!
Manchester United have won a record 19th English league title.
The Reds secured the trophy – the team’s 12th under Sir Alex Ferguson’s stewardship – by coming from behind to draw 1-1 at Blackburn Rovers on Saturday.
In a topsy-turvy, roller-coaster ride of a season, the experience of Sir Alex's squad ultimately paid dividends in the title run-in, with last weekend’s win over Chelsea effectively sealing the silverware. Perhaps the biggest contribution to this 19th league title, though, was the team’s sparkling home form. Of United’s 17 Old Trafford league games so far this season, United have won 16 and drawn one. What’s more, the Reds conceded just 10 goals in those games… and not one in the first 45 minutes.
United’s home form meant a few bumps on the road could be absorbed. Not that there were many defeats, mind you. In fact, Sir Alex’s men didn’t lose in the league until February, at Wolves, but then lost at Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal. The real stumbling block was the side’s inability before Christmas to turn away draws into wins: six of the seven away games in 2010 yielded only a point.
Of course, the only statistic that counts now is the one that says Manchester United are champions of England. Again.
14/05/2011 14:35, Report by Nick Coppack
