Another year, another Manchester United league title. Yawn.
Except it wasn't a yawn. This season it was a battle, and one of the prizes not directly reflected by gongs and silverware was the chance to equal Liverpool's long held record of 18 League titles. And that record has gone. Voom. We've equalled it now, and have every chance of going on next season to surpass it.
"Errr, but you haven't won the European Cup 5 times, la" your average knuckle-dragging Scouser would retort, quietly fuming that their club's not won the league now since before the KLF split up. Well that could disappear in time, as we've done it three times and are on course to retain the trophy next week should we beat Barcalona in Rome.
It was inconceivable to any Liverpool fan back in 1994 when United had won their first league title in years that they wouldn't do it again and that within 15 years their hated rivals would equal their tally. But it's happened.
Manchester United's draw with Arsenal at Old Trafford today wrapped up our 11th Premier League and 18th English league title. Liverpool pushed United hard this season, and have been probably the closest they're ever going to get to challenging us. But not good enough. Sir Alex Ferguson's team this season (and I mean team - this has been a real collective effort with the rotation system working effectively for once) have excelled, winning four trophies (Community Shield, League Cup, FIFA Club World Cup and now the League), still up for the European Cup, and only the FA Cup being a bit of a misjudgment by the wizard. Player of the Season? Can't do it, it's been an team performance. If I had to pick one on pain of death it would be Darren Fletcher if only for the improvement in his game this season and the injustice that was the sending off which means he misses the dream European Final.
Roll on Rome and the potential of us retaining the trophy...
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