1990 was when Liverpool won the title and United rebuilt their empire..so is history ready to repeat itself?
MANCHESTER UNITED fans should not be despondent because Liverpool have turned back the clock to 1990.
Yes, that was the year their fiercest rivals last won the title, but it was also a significant season for the Red Devils.
United lifted the FA Cup that year, their first trophy under Sir Alex Ferguson, to launch the most glorious era ever enjoyed by any British club.
From that team, Steve Bruce, Gary Pallister, Paul Ince, Lee Sharpe, Mark Hughes and Brian McClair went on to form the nucleus of their first title-winning side in 1993.
For those luminaries of 1990, read Harry Maguire, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Bruno Fernandes, Paul Pogba, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial in 2020. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has assembled the core of a squad that can challenge for the title
– and the stats back that up. Rashford and Martial are enjoying their best seasons, with 18 and 19 goals respectively, and each has 14 in the Premier League.
Teenager Mason Greenwood also has 12 in his debut campaign to show they have the firepower needed to win the crown, even before they might consider adding to that in the transfer market.
Fernandes has already had a massive impact in his few short months at Old Trafford and the Portugal playmaker has four goals and four assists from his 11 appearances. Pogba has returned from injury and created four chances against Sheffield United in his first start since September 30.
Maguire is second in the Premier League’s list of headed clearances with 85 and Wan-Bissaka second in the ranking for most tackles with 104.
United also have the might to weather the financial hit of Covid-19, meaning they will be one of the few Premier
League clubs able to improve their squad with a marquee signing this summer. Nemanja Matic can see United’s development under Solskjaer and feels they have great players throughout the team.
“We are lucky to have top players in every position,” said the Serbia midfielder after the 3-0 win over the Blades. “Tonight, I played with Bruno and Paul, and we
did really well. It was a good formation and I’m sure, in the future, we can improve a lot together, also with Scott McTominay and Fred, when they play with us.”
Martial’s hat-trick (celebrating his first goal, left) was an important milestone in United’s progress and it was the first by a Red in the Premier League since Fergie retired in 2013.
Matic is pleased United now pose such a threat in front of goal and added: “I’m especially happy for Anthony scoring his first hat-trick. It’s important for every striker’s confidence.”
Matic turns 32 before next season begins, but he still has a role to play in the new-look United.
Boss Solskjaer said: “Nemanja is playing some of his best football. He’s had a good pre-season for the first time in many years and his experience is vital for us.’’