The season's silver lining

On the grounds that success is measured by silverware, United can take tangible satisfaction from the 2009/10 season.

In retaining the Carling Cup, a feat only achieved before by Nottingham Forest and Liverpool, the Reds set a new English record of 33 domestic honours - moving one clear of the Merseysiders for the first time.

In the competition’s 50th season, United had to overcome Premier League opponents in all-but one round. Wolves, Barnsley and Tottenham were eliminated before a hype-driven semi-final clash with Manchester City provided one of the season’s highlights.

Martin O’Neill’s Aston Villa awaited at Wembley, brimming with confidence after taking four Premier League points off the Reds, and it took the Villans less than five minutes to forge ahead again, in controversial circumstances.

Referee Phil Dowd’s decision not to dismiss Nemanja Vidic for hauling down Gabriel Agbonlahor proved pivotal, despite James Milner’s conversion of the subsequent penalty. Michael Owen hauled the Reds level before retiring injured, and his replacement, Wayne Rooney, floated home a superb second half header to snare the silverware for United.

Sir Alex praised the methodical manner in which his side overcame the early setback, and also thanked the vocal travelling Reds who soundtracked the triumph. “If you go a goal down early in a cup final you’ve got a job to do, you need a lot of patience,” he said.

“Villa laid down the gauntlet to us, and the way we got back into the game spoke volumes for the strength of character in the team. And the support was fantastic, they are so valuable. Whenever we really need them, they are there.”

The Red Army have been there in perpetuity, ever-braced for the next twist or turn in an unpredictable campaign. Few saw January’s shock FA Cup exit to Leeds coming, nor Premier League defeats to Burnley, Fulham and Everton. But every time Chelsea – the only member of the established top four not to have sold at least one major player before the start of the season – seemed set to waltz to the title, United displayed the fortitude of champions to remain in the hunt.

Home and away victories over Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham have displayed the Reds’ unflinching class, but sporadic letdowns – most notably narrow home and away defeats to Carlo Ancelotti’s side - ultimately allowed the Blues to take the title.

Regardless, United are assured of another crack at the Champions League next term, and there’s some unfinished business to settle. March’s heartbreaking quarter-final exit to Bayern Munich still rankles, and sullied memories of another routine group stage progress and swashbuckling home and away wins over AC Milan.

Gallingly the Germans, who took advantage of an off-key United display in the Allianz Arena and progressed despite taking a first-half pounding at Old Trafford, strolled past Lyon and into this month’s final against Internazionale in Madrid.

“It really is galling,” says Darron Gibson. “We are so much better than Bayern and Lyon. Watching them play in the semi-finals was tough to take because you couldn’t help but think we’d have made it to the final.”

Such disappointments breed motivation, however, and they, allied to another taste of silver-lined success at Wembley, will fuel United’s assault on next season.

Player review: Neville

Mr Manchester United played a key role in the Reds' bid for silverware and was rewarded with a new deal...

Story of the season: Neville missed the opening game against Birmingham with a groin injury picked up in pre-season, then when he slotted back in he was used carefully, often starting one game then sitting on the bench for the next. “We don’t play him every week because we know the nature of his body,” explained Sir Alex. But despite the odd niggle and an injury in December that kept him out for five games, Neville flourished as the campaign went on, benefiting physically and confidence-wise from a consistent run, and letting his vast experience do the rest. Come February he was in the squad for every league game, and with the big games coming thick and fast Nev stepped it up again; few played bigger roles during March and April.

Finest moment: Ronaldinho who? The much-feted Brazilian hardly got a kick at OT as Neville called on all his graft and guile to keep the one-time World Player of the Year quiet. A few leeks later, Gary performed a similar spoiling job on Manchester City livewire Craig Bellamy, prompting Sir Alex to describe him as “an amazing man”.

Greatest attribute: Professionalism. Fifteen seasons as a first-team regular don’t come for free. Everything about his application and preparation is impeccable and he has got his just rewards with his performance levels, especially considering his injuries. “He’s a player who has got where he is in life because he’s got the will to do it,” Sir Alex said. “When you're out of the game in your 30s for a year-and-a-half, for most players it's impossible to get back to the level he's at now.”

What’s in store? A new contract means Neville will stay at Old Trafford until at least June 2011. There's little doubt he'll continue to turn in sterling performances on the pitch, while young defenders like Jonny Evans and the da Silva twins will benefit from his experience in the dressing room.

ManUtd.Com