Manchester United season review 2016/2017

Manchester United hired Jose Mourinho as their new manager, he didn't wast anytime in making 4 signings, these included the best signing of the season on a free transfer, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who scored an impressive 28 goals in all competitions, another impressive signing was Eric Bailly, a player not known by Manchester United fans but quickly fit in with his strength and agility, he is a good prospect for but in the future as well. Not all the signings performed well. Henrikh Mkhitaryan struggled at first to adapt to English football and at best was inconsistent. I saved the best for last, Paul Pogba returning to Manchester United in a small sum of 89 million pounds. He played without luck at times, should have scored more but mostly his high transfer free weighed heavily on his broad shoulders. Manchester United finished the English Premier League in 6th place, a shocking 24 points and 31 goals behind champions Chelsea. Manchester United recorded 15 draws this season, the most by any team. If  they won 60% of their drawn games, they would have been champions. Manchester United just didn't score enough goals this season, that has been the theme of the season. Some of it has been bad luck, Paul Pogba hit the post 9 times this season but other instances it's just great chances that have been missed. It is an headache but it's a good one to have because at least they are creating chances to score every game . Under Van Gaal that chances created were few in number throughout his managerial stay at Manchester United. Hopefully Mourinho rectify this through coaching and acquisition of players in the summer transfer market who have an eye towards goal.

It was not all doom and gloom on the domestic front as Manchester United won the Community Shield and The EFL Cup and may I add were unlucky to be knocked out by Chelsea as they were undone by poor refereeing. The Community Shield is not the most prestigious trophy to win as it is widely considered part of pre-season but it's still a trophy that is not handed out but earned.

Let me get to the best part of the season and that is winning the Europa League for the first time, always great to make history but even better when Manchester United booked their place in next season's UEFA Champions League group stages. I consider this season a success; to win 3 out of 5 trophies and seal a UEFA Champions League spot would be more than the optimistic fan would have hoped for. Many pundits refused to call Manchester United's season a success. Manchester United are expected to win the league every season so I do understand when some say it's not been a successful season for them but when you compare the last 3 seasons, this season has to go done as a success. All Manchester United fans can enjoy this off-season as we are back in the UEFA Champions League and have the money to spend on top quality players but please don't listen to all the rumors that will linked them to every player in the world.                                  

World Sport: West Indies v Pakistan Review

I consider myself an avid West Indies cricket fan but even I was not expecting much from this young West Indian team competing against this Experienced Pakistani team.. At best was hoping that they don’t embarrass themselves. I was truly impressed by the fight shown by the Jason Holder’s team. There were standouts like Shannon Gabriel, who I was concerned, would not be healthy for the entire series, not only did he remain fit for the entirety of the series but he put in a man of the match performance. On the downside, he needs to work on this discipline in regards bowling fewer no-balls, he’s over-stepping the front crease by a big margin and need to think about the match situation. It is inexcusable the attacking shot he attempted given West Indies was trying to save the test match. We shouldn’t blame Shannon too much because West Indies’ cricketers have a problem of assessing match situations, they could only play one way. Something himself and his team mates must work on. Same can’t be said for Roston Chase who was the stand out player for West Indies, he assessed the situation everything he came out to bat and his hunger for runs and application was a joy to watch.

That was the good, here’s the bad; Vishal Singh looks at sea at test cricket, especially facing the Pakistan seamers’. Jason Holder needs to contribute more as a bowler if he’s picked as a bowler, he got better in the last two test matches, need to continue to improve. I really like these two youngsters; Shimron Hetmyer and  Alzarri Joseph who has a lot of promise and the selectors and coaching staff must keep faith in them. Shai Hope may not be young as the gentlemen that I mentioned above but I see a batsman with a lot quality and ability, needs to push on. I have to say the biggest disappointment has to be Kraigg Brathwaite who failed to score at least a half-century, which is not good enough for your one of your top batsmen. His fellow opening batsman Kieran Powell can be forgiven given he last played a test match before this series, 6 years ago but he really need to convert 30’s and 40’s into big scores. Shane Dowrich is another player who performed below his standards. He really needs to improve his glove work as well as become more consistent with the bat.

Overall it was a great performance by the team to draw the series when it was predicted by all the experts that it would be a white wash. Let’s hope all facets of the game is improved especially the fielding. I am not going to say West Indies is turning the corner but if anything we are having a peek.