Always gets repeated, never considers the other factors like Ronaldo's improvement into one of the World's greatest players and the FIVE others strengthened positions from the previous season.
It's frustrating to read, RVN was a great player for us, and would have been a sensation himself in 2006-07 had he stayed and played with that much improved team. Look at the two teams based on number of appearances from those two seasons, is one not just "slightly" better than the other?
Still not 100% convinced? Well Saha played only 18 league games, and think back to our most incredible performance that following season, the 7-1 versus Roma and remember that Alan Smith lead the line that night.
I'll concede that RVN leaving left a void that Ronaldo filled, but no-one will convince me that Ronaldo wasn't turning into one the greats with or without RVN.
Great thread and good points.
RVN carried us in his final season and previous too actually with his goals. True there are limitations and we play better with Saha leading the line, but putting all the blame on RVN and stating his leavings improved us is kinda stretching it too far.
Looking at the overall line-ups and squads, we have to consider a lot of different factors that lead to our superb improvements that season. I would too argue if RVN stays, we would even have better input of goals and performances. He is that capable to play exciting football actually, but the atmosphere factor could also play a part. His leavings have to do with a lot of falling outs isn't it, plus his attitude too I guess can be disrupting.
So, him staying would need a serious tasks for Ruud himself to be against his ego to accept his new roles of no longer being the permanent first name on the starting line-up, to reconcile with SAF and at least get a common professional working ground with the other players especially Ronaldo. Looking at it again, him leaving is the only logical conclusion, since RVN refused to back down and does considering leaving. SAF could try to convince him otherwise, but a lot of reports then seem to indicate RVN challenging the boss's authority or something.
Anyway, the
myth is improper and misleading. That's the problem I believe, how we use and explain it can be offensive and unappreciative. Like many myths too, it doesn't tell the whole story. It's very simplistic.
Instead the real factors can be attributed to:
1)
Ronaldo's stark high improvements, total changes to his playstyles and approach of play becoming more team-oriented and hence more efficient.
2)
Saha leading the line helps open-up a lot of attacking channel variations, during the first half of the season.
3)
Rooney's maturity and professionalism. The World Cup incident.
4)
Scholes returning, playing more frequently. A very big key factor here. No need for me to explain.
5)
Carrick. For once, we have two proper centre midfielders.
6)
Vidic's emergence. Stimulating effects imo to the whole teams. Feelings of domination and confidence.
7)
Evra's attacking prowess. Helps a lot in attacks.
8)
SAF back to his best - making bold but right decisions, and receiving the rewards plenty.
9)
Overall team chemistry improvements. The players just clicks.
Just my opinions though. Freely disagree~
