Bad year for United, the season was played in the extremes, in beginning (form, wounds & tactic) and end (wounds) of competitions!
Beginning of catastrophic season thus, due mainly to the tactical reorganization of the team following the arrival of Ruud Van Nystelroy. Great center-forward (voted best player 2002 & 35 goals in all competitions), he needed much time to integrate the tactical diagram of Fergie.
With that is still added: - the hard integration of Veron (disappointing season) which destabilize the midfield and thus insulates even more RVN - Barthez's mistakes during the Autumn - injuries (Johnsen, Giggsy, Becks) - announcement of retirement of Fergie at the end of the season 2002 - constant and regular increase in the general level of First League since a few years
In spite of a general regrouping at the top of the championship (Christmas) and good start in 2002, Red Devils will not remake us the blow of December 1996, where cash 16 points of delay on Newcastle, they had carried out a fantastic finish at the first place!
And then, and then, this leathal end of season for Keano & Gary, Becks victim twice of attacks verse Coruna by Tristan (whereas the game was played and that there remained only 20 seconds of play) and Pedro Duscher (an Argentinian, how strange it is!!!) who made the leader miss the very important end of season for the club. And the proof is made that if Beckham coughs, it is all the team which is hill!
United will not heal from its wounds, and Veron not fit, the midfield will be to weak to gain victory verse Leverkusen & Arsenal...