This isn’t a season-has-ended-time-for-a-summary-post.

The season hasn’t ended yet for Manchester United as they still have (arguably) their most important match left to play. But, having just won the Premiership Crown (on points, too) it seems like a good time to give some thoughts and a look ahead to the 21st.

When Ronaldo won the PFA Player of the Year I wrote about how he’s matured into a player that deserves respect both for his play and his maturation. He’s just too good at this point for anyone to say that his success is based on anything other than talent and drive. He scored some tremendous goals for the club this year, and if anyone else was in his place I don’t think that United would have walked away with winner’s medals. I have to say, it’s always nice not to have to hate someone anymore. I still wouldn’t rock his jersey though, but that has more to do with loyalty to Ole than anything else…This year, the team supported Cristiano, as he willed another Crown. Argue otherwise. Please.

Speaking of the Solskjaer, it was tough this season not seeing his out there for the first time in a decade. It’s definitely going to be hard to get used to…

Along the same lines – I was very pleased with the maturity and leadership that certain players demonstrated in the absence of Gary Neville. Vidic and Ferdinand became defensice leaders and were phenomenal all season – toughest duo in the EPL. Scholes barked orders all season and Giggs – well, Giggs gets a whole ‘nother paragraph.

Let’s get the obvious out of the way first – Giggs is not the player he used to be. Fine. But, Giggs has the potential to become a great contributor to the team for at least another season, and perhaps more. The role he played yesterday was vital to the win, and I’m not even talking about his goal. In Moscow he will become the most capped-player in Manchester United history and it is that experience that gives him the composure that United will continue to benefit from. He may not have the pace or stamina for a full 90 minutes, but he can play to role of the super-sub (and perhaps make me miss Ole a little less.) Oh, and about his goal yesterday: Fitting. That’s a Semi-final winner for Scholesy and a trophy-clincherl for Giggs – couldn’t script this stuff better.

We also played the year short of a true striker. Let’s be honest, Rooney and Tevez are amazing but neither is a van Nistelrooy type of player. We very much benefited from Ronaldo free roaming but I fear the days when one or more of Tevez, Rooney, or Ronaldo is out. I’ve completely written off Saha at this point. Sir Alex isn’t an idiot (no matter what you may think as a supporter of any other club) and he’ll pick up another forward during the transfer window. Berbatov maybe? Finally?

The mid-field was dynamic, to say the least, this year. I suppose what we were witnessing was a changing of the guard – Scholes will be making way for Anderson and Giggs, increasingly, for Nani. It’s the sad but predictable reality of professional sports. What isn’t always so predictable, or possible even, is a seamless transition. Yet Fergy has managed to ruffle very few feathers with his squad selections and it appears that the players understand their roles. The odd man out, however, appears to be Carrick and his role is the only one that I don’t fully understand at this point. I wonder how he feels…

There’s talk of this squad becoming a Dynasty and I can understand why. Chelsea will look a lot different by opening day next season with many big names rumoured to leave. Arsenal is still too young and inexperienced, and Liverpool is, well, just a fourth place team at this point. Manchester United will be looking to build on this success by filling in gaps that they were already able to work through. There’s depth and a favourable mix of young and old. One more defender and another goal-poacher up front, and we’re laughing.

I know this is predominantly a Toronto FC blog, and I thank your indulgences when it comes to United. There’s one more game to win, yet, so there’s more to come. In between now and then, expect a post about my new, adjusted expectations for TFC’s season.

If they didn’t want me to expect them to win it all, they shouldn’t have started to only drop 2 of the past 12 points….

Pretty much the best that could have been asked for at the beginning of the day. Manchester United win the EPL Championship on points, not just goal differential.

It’s been a long season, but more thoughts on that in a future post. All that matters right now is that we won and Chelsea scum didn’t.

I know we still have Moscow on the 21st (and also, I think it’s a good idea for United to bring their own food - never know how many people Roman owns over there..) but I’ll be posting a season summary between now and then.

So to summarize, United are amazing, Chelsea are scum, and Wigan fans get a thumbs up for recognizing they were seeing the best team in the world and showing their appreciation by applauding the win.

Darren Huckerby and Norwich City have officially parted ways. Darren had asked late last week that they settle on a new contract by the end of this week, but Norwich management have decided that one will not be offered.

It sounds like he’s limiting his options to an MLS side as he says he does not want to play against Norwich and he’s not likely to play up or down a level.

Could we see talk of a move to Toronto resume? I hope so…

Here’s a tribute video that City fans have already put together for him:

…enough with throwing corn and bottles at the goalies. It’s dangerous and just stupid. Oh, and unsportsmanlike too.

Streamers are one thing, but the escalation to dangerous projectiles needs to stop.

..get your act together and meet us in Moscow.

Seriously though, tense game with United holding onto a 1-0 win. Scholes with a “cracker” from 25 yards takes us through to the finals.

Quote of the match, as pulled from the BBC Live text feed:

“I LOVE YOU SCHOLES. YOU GINGER LEGEND. HAVE A BIT OF THAT BARCELONA.”
- VidicIsALegend

Now it’s just a matter of who we face, but one’s thing is for sure. First ever all English final.

…I’ve been hearing a thing or two from people (indirectly) in the know about a possible opponent for an International Friendly…

Now, I’m going to tentatively go out on this limb, because should it turn out to be true I’d love to have reported it first, but I’m still sceptical.

Here’s my indirect way of saying it - we’re talking big four from the EPL. We’re not, however talking my other favourite team. Nor are we talking anyone Addidas sponsored (which I was assuming would be the case for promotional purposes.)

Now, I haven’t gone out and named names, but there’s one former Toronto FC blogger that’d be pumped if this team came.

(If you haven’t put it together yet, you’re just dim.)

So there you have it…take your best shot (get it yet?) at me if you like, but we’ll see.

Extended version.

Cristiano Ronaldo has been named the Professional Footballers’ Association Player of the Year for the second straight year.

A moment of honesty, if you will allow me.

I used to Hate (and no, that’s not an overstatement) Cristiano Ronaldo. Every year when I got a copy of Fifa, my first move would always be to trade him from United. I’d accept the first offer just to be rid of him. When watching the Euro 2004 finals in a bar in Paris, I was one of two guys in the entire bar that was rooting for Greece. The other guy, a hilariously drunk Englishman was rooting for them because he had placed a large wager against Portugal and was hoping for a big payday. I was rooting for Greece specifically because I didn’t like Cristiano and his ridiculously large diamond stud earrings nor his ridiculously large swagger. He was too young, too petulant, and maybe too promising for my liking.

I openly said that I’d be happy to see him leave United after the World Cup 2006 fiasco. Seeing England go out was terrible, but his involvement in Rooney’s sending off was almost unforgivable.

But then something happened.

Cristiano grew up.

Over the past two seasons he’s matured considerably, and I defy anyone to say otherwise. Gone are the days of theatrical dives, of cry-baby faces at every non-call. There is not one player that I see in any league fouled more than him, but he now gets up quickly and then makes the opposition pay. He’s earned a lot of begrudging respect over the past season and even the one prior. He’s atoned for his previous sins and won-over the crowd at Old Trafford.

I guess that all this is to say that players can change. I love seeing him score now because it is as though he knows he is working to pay off a debt to the fans. He scores now to earn respect of his peers and the fans of the game, and when he does you can see the expression on his face is not one of joy but one of a person overcoming a burden.

He is, without a shadow of a doubt, the best player in the world right now. He will win the World Player of the Year honours as well and no one will have legitimate argument against it.

I won’t forget his past - I still hate that kid - but I love the player he’s become and I respect his ambition and drive and how he’s carried a team full of greats.

In a month, either this post or United’s season will be all for nought.

I’m a little worried. There, I said it. My confidence in the team’s killer instinct is wavering because of their past two results. I’m trying to figure out what’s missing that has kept them from finishing off teams off - leadership maybe?

Here’s the thing, we should’ve beaten Chelsea on Saturday and we should’ve played more aggressively on Wednesday against Barcelona. I mean Chelsea don’t even like playing together - they bicker on the field, they play selfishly, they’re chumps (for the most part…)

And suddenly when the EPL crown seemed tied up for a second straight year, we’re now in a must win situation for the next two games.

BUT

I might be worrying for nothing. Chelsea’s been known to play poorly away against opponents they should beat and United can definitely take Wigan and West Ham. So a loss from the chumps coupled with a win from United should be enough to set the ship right.

And, hopefully, Fergie was playing for the draw in Barcelona knowing that Old Trafford is a fortress. A strong performance at home and we’re off to Moscow for the Champion’s League final.

It’s ideal, but I think both results are attainable.

BUT

Let’s hope Riise doesn’t shank another one into his own net, because playing Chelsea for both trophies is a bit boring. Nothing’s better than a Liverpool-United final. Nothing.

My first live game of the season having finally gotten my hands on some season tickets. It was amazing as always and the result is one I’ll take everyday. We just looked good yesterday - very very good. Ricketts and Robert didn’t even have great games but their presence alone has elevated the expectations and confidence of the entire squad. Everyone is playing with more confidence - even Velez actually had a good game. Seriously.

We’re now one game over .500 for the first time ever - and in fifth place overall. That’s pretty great for a team that was written off before the season began and deemed hopeless after their second game. I dreaded another year of the fans being TFC’s greatest highlight, but that won’t be the case this year. Yesterday the team earned centre-stage with a gritty and even dominating, at times, performance. Guevara looked miles above anyone one else on the pitch in terms of quality. Other than Beckham, I don’t think there’ll be a scarier sight for MLS ‘keepers this year than Robert and Guevara lining up a free-kick at the same time.

Speaking of ‘keepers, Hartman still sucks. I developed a strong dislike for him last ear in the home opener and he still remains my least favourite player in the league. It’s not a totally rational dislike, but I’m going to stick with it. Judging from the heckles (mainly to do with his ‘98 Backstreet Boy hair) I don’t think I’m alone in this.

Some thoughts/observations:

• Matty Stajan is a beauty. He completed an the trifecta of sitting in the supporter’s section, wearing a Manchester United jersey, and drinking a big beer. Well played Stajan, now bring that level of awesome to the ice.
• Section 113 and half of 114 is amazing. Section 115 is pretty great too. But the half of section 114 that’s closer to 115 is WAY too quiet and, unfortunately, that’s where I’m sitting… We have to work on that - it was good, but could be way better. Until the second half, it was almost like a dead spot in the supporters section.
• I think Dichio is having some confidence problems. He skied a tap in yesterday, which happens to the best of players. Unfortunately it’s becoming a trend over the past few games. I think he’ll get over it though - gotta have faith in heroes.
• Beer being available at concession stands is much better than just at beer-only stands. Definitely helped cut down on lines. Didn’t eat yesterday, but I’m hearing good things about the revised menu.
• While sitting in the supporters’ section, girls are automatically a point and a half better looking. If they’re also wearing a TFC jersey, it’s plus two points. Good for them.
• Seriously though, Velez didn’t suck. I know, but I’m really not lying.
• Hartman definitely still does though.
• Sutton has two clean-sheets in a row. He’s great.
• Robert and Guevara both came with the warning that they tend to have a great game but follow it with a no-show. If they can keep this stagger up and alternate dominant performances, we’re sitting pretty.
• Thursday is the NY Red Bulls come to town. We hate them, so cheer/heckle accordingly.

I’m excited for this team’s possibilities. This is going to be fun!