[FM15] Manchester United - The Next Dynasty

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Ryan Giggs had elevated himself to an even higher level at Manchester United. After over 900 games as a player, winning 13 Premier League titles, he had won another in his first season as manager of the club. But now the real work began. This season, he had the Champions League to deal with as well - and the board wanted no less than a semi-final appearance. Can he take United into the top 4 of the world? You'll soon find out.

Loving the graphics on this mate, you're getting to be a real master! Looks great!

My comment:

2016-04-30 09:50#230383 Justice : My comment:

Banterific!

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After such a successful first season for Ryan Giggs, it was imperative that he continued to the success into the second season. Now, the focus was on more than just winning the league - the Champions League was on the agenda as well. The first half of the season brought the first twenty games, as well as the group stages of the UCL. Let's see how United faired.

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The transfers will obviously be crucial to how United shape up this season, and Giggs took the opportunity to slim down his squad by removing some deadwood. Javier Hernandez, Tom Cleverley, Angelo Henriquez, Wilfried Zaha and Marnick Vermijl all returned from loan to find themselves on the transfer list, with Cleverley being the most expensive of the bunch at £15,000,000, his destination being Arsenal. Jonny Evans also joins the Gunners for £10,000,000, whilst vice captain Darren Fletcher has been moved on as well. Rafael was the biggest departure, having been named the EPL's best right back in 2014/15. Paris Saint-Germain paid £20,000,000 for the emerged defender as he looks to continue his run of form.

Incoming transfers were dominated by £90,000,000 for two players. Bayern Munich left back David Alaba, one of the best in his position worldwide, was long touted as a transfer target for Giggs and he managed to pick the Austrian up for a huge £55,000,000 fee, a hallmark of his intentions to sign the world's best. John Stones, meanwhile, has asserted himself at Everton and United decided to move on him, paying just under £35m for his services. Stones is expected to develop next to Marcos Rojo and Chris Smalling and eventually replace the latter, who's passing ability is questionable at best. Jesus Vallejo was another centre back signed for the future, although will not be in the first team squad this year. Giggs has earmarked Vallejo and Stones as a centre back partnership for the future. The final, most obscure signing was of Catania's right back Gino Peruzzi, for £4m, after Giggs made the decision to elevate Nathaniel Clyne to first team status in the wake of Rafael's departure.

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The importance of United's start to the season could not be understated, and fans feared the worst with a shaky first pair of games. A seemingly guaranteed trophy to start the season was thwarted by a penalty shootout against QPR, whilst Liverpool held their own at Anfield. The Red Devils responded in the best possible way, winning their next game 5-1 before winning the next 10 in a row, interrupted only by a red card on the road against Newcastle. They didn't let that hiccup stop them, going unbeaten for the next 9 games and ultimately only losing 4 games in the first 4 months of the season. Some notable results include putting 5 goals past QPR, Hull, Chelsea and most importantly, Manchester City; 4 goals against Norwich, Leicester, BATE, Everton, Leeds and Liverpool; and a 2-1 win against Bayern Munich.

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After such a great run of form, it isn't surprising to see United on top of the table by 6 points, and despite Chelsea having a game in hand, the Red Devils will be secure in their belief that they can go on to win another one. A huge highlight is their 59 goals; 13 higher than the next best Chelsea and 50 higher than the 20th placed Norwich. Elsewhere on the table, Southampton and Everton have been the surprise packets, sitting in 3rd and 4th, whilst Liverpool are struggling in a disappointing 9th.

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Meanwhile, in the Champions League, United dropped just 3 points in their group stages campaign, losing 1-0 to Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena. A thoroughly professional job, juggling 4 competitions but still excelling in continental competition. They will now play Shakhtar Donetsk in the First Knockout Round and are favourites to progress into the quarter finals.

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As you can see, left midfielder Memphis Depay has been the star of the show, contributing to 22 goals in 27 games. Juan Mata on the right has also been class, whilst Wayne Rooney and Robin Van Persie, despite missing chunks of the season through injury, have scored consistently when present. What is perhaps more impressive is the form of the player replacing them when they are out through injury - Richairo Zivkovic. The Dutch striker has come into his own at age 18, scoring 13 goals in 27 games whilst fellow youngster Adnan Januzaj is also doing very well. Gino Peruzzi has been impressive at right back, replacing the poor Clyne, whilst 15 year old David Pickwell was given a debut and did very well, keeping his spot in the cup matches. Here's a look at the awards so far this year.

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In the next update, the rest of United's second season under Giggs will be revealed, including the continuation of United's run in all four competitions. In the UCL, they face Shakhtar Dontesk in the round of 16; they play West Ham in the League Cup semi final and they play Accrington in the FA Cup 3rd Round. You'll have to wait and see if they continue their form, but it's going to be undoubtedly interesting either way.

Looking good so far

wow..... there are a lot of victories......... fantastic mate.... and hopefully LFC finish you off next time

Looking good so far mate, looking forward to the next update!

Depay is bae

Performing very well, it will be interesting to see how far you get in the Champions League!

http://www.squawka.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/4387260.jpg

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Success - it's all Ryan Giggs has ever known. 13 Premier League titles with Manchester United across 20 seasons and 900 games; 2 Champions League trophies in Barcelona and Moscow, and countless other accolades in one of the glittering careers of our lifetimes. And as a manager, the success just didn't stop. In his first season as manager of United, he won the Premier League by a comfortable margin. In his second season, he's on track for another trophy - or four. Leading the league, into the Champions League knockout round and facing off against West Ham in the League Cup semi-finals - this could be another phenomenally succesful season.

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There wasn't much action in the January transfer window for United, with the declining form of Michael Carrick causing the purchase of young Argentine midfielder Gaston Gil Romero. Phil Jones was the sole departee, leaving to Everton for £10 million, meaning that Jesus Vallejo will act as the fourth choice centre back behind Smalling, Stones and Rojo.

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The New Year started extremely well for United, winning their first three games with ease. A major hiccup came on the road against Arsenal, conceding 4 goals for the first time in Giggs' tenure, but they bounced back by going the next 10 games unbeaten, only ended by a narrow defeat in an away Manchester Derby. The run included wins over Nottingham Forest and Ipswich in the FA Cup, advancing to the Sixth Round, and more importantly, a 3-1 aggregate win in the League Cup semi-final, meaning they would play Everton in the final. The last game before that match was the crucial away leg of the Champions League First Knockout Round. After a shaky start, a hat trick from Memphis Depay gave them 4 invaluable away goals and a goal advantage going into the home leg at Old Trafford. But now, the League Cup Final.

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John Stones, playing against his former club, made an inexperienced, costly error in the 20th minute and he could only look on in shame as his ex-teammate Leighton Baines dutifully converted the penalty. United had the bulk of the play all day, and in the 73rd minute, wonderkid Memphis Depay equalised with a great shot from across the body, courtesy of a great cross from Adnan Januzaj. Andre Ayew of the Toffees saw red just 3 minutes later, and the Red Devils looked set to take control of the match, but couldn't do so in the final 15 minutes. Extra time ensued, with Everton barely holding on, and by the 119th minute, it seemed the game would fall to the lottery of penalties. Enter 18 year old Richairo Zivkovic. A metre can be all the difference in football, and the metre Zivkovic gained on his opponent was enough to give him the shot, and the goal. The calls of offside were drowned out by the United fans - the first trophy had arrived.

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United were relatively shaky coming out of the League Cup success, drawing their next 2 games and causing some added fixture congestion with an FA Cup replay needed against Stoke. They bounced back however, winning 4-0 against Newcastle, beating Chelsea on the road and making no meal of their Champions League home leg with a 5-0 demolition of Shakhtar. In the quarter finals however, they were drawn against Barcelona - shit.

United had a very bad preparation for the away leg of that fixture, having lost to Spurs 2-0, but still managed to nab a 3-3 draw at Camp Nou thanks to a superhuman effort from Juan Mata. In the home leg, Robin van Persie was the star and against all the odds, Barcelona were out of the comp and United were in the semis - against Benfica.

After beating Barca, United had the small matter of an FA Cup semi final against Southampton, and won in a professional manner 1-0. In the away leg of the Champions League semi final, they put all illusions of complacency behind them and won 4-1. The final was all but secure. There was no way United could stuff this up.

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I bet you thought United had fucked it up, didn't you?

No way Jose. Coming into the game with a 4-1 lead, United did not mess about, scoring 5 goals in the first half hour including a hat trick to Wayne Rooney, who in the end scored four. At half time, they had a 5-1 lead and a 9-2 lead on aggregate. Rooney's fourth and van Persie's goal gave them a whopping 11-2 win. Watch out Chelsea. UCL Final, here they come.

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The final three games of the season yielded three wins, although Giggs' mind was firmly on the upcoming double header against Chelsea. First, the FA Cup Final and then the Champions League Final.

The end league table, and whether or not United have gone back-to-back, will be revealed after those 2 results.

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They say Thibaut Courtois still hasn't woken up yet. Three goals in the first 15 minutes of the match sucked the life out of the Blues, with a consolation goal from Willian making no difference. Captain Robin van Persie wound back the years with a stellar performance up front, and heading into the Champions League decider, the Red Devils will have to be considered favourites.

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This night at San Siro will be remembered for years, and if Richairo Zivkovic is still kicking a ball around Old Trafford in 10 years time, this will be the game that made him a United legend. In the 63rd minute, struggling captain Robin van Persie comes off with injury. Chelsea are 1-0 up, and are dominating the match. The spark and verve of the FA Cup Final win is seemingly gone. Enter Richairo Zivkovic.

The pacy, young Dutch striker took advantage of tired legs, scoring twice in the last half hour as John Terry's legs failed him yet again in a Champions League final. The fans watched in awe as this young upstart did what van Persie and Rooney couldn't. Zivkovic had delivered them a dream.

The Champions League trophy was finally returning to Manchester.

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Did you expect anything less. Manchester United, champions of England, champions of the Football Association, champions of the Football League and champions of Europe. The perfect season.

A phenomenal 96 goals fired United to their second consecutive Premier League title, beating the hapless Chelsea who have finished runner-up to the Devils in not one, not two, but three competitions. Everton were the surprise packet, finishing 3rd, whilst Liverpool finished a dismal 9th and have serious question marks as to whether or not they qualify as "Top 6". United certainly do. In fact, they might soon be a "Top 1."

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As you can see, the wingers dominated this season, with Memphis Depay and Juan Mata posting the highest average ratings of the team. Depay alone contributed 47 goals, whilst Mata contributed 28 despite playing only 35 games. Adnan Januzaj, deputy to both, was the next best. Robin van Persie, Wayne Rooney and Richairo Zivkovic all had great seasons up front, with the latter filling in when the two former fell to injury. Van Persie top scored with 28, followed by Depay (27), Zivkovic (24) and Rooney (23) whilst cup starter James Wilson had an impressive haul of 14 in 24 games. Angel Di Maria was one of the heartbeats of the side in central midfield, whilst cheap-as-chips Gino Peruzzi defied expectations, playing an impressive 36 games and outperforming the designated starter Nathaniel Clyne.

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United players picked up two of the Premier League's awards, with Memphis Depay being awarded the PWA Footballer of the Year award after sweeping all in his path. The Dutch left winger stepped it up after a breakout season in 2014/15, and can now rightly be considered one of the best in England.

His compatriot Richairo Zivkovic was also justly awarded Young Player of the Year, after filling in commendably for Rooney and van Persie, going on to outscore the former with 24 goals for the season, 16 of which were in the Premier League. He follows in the footsteps of Memphis Depay, so who knows? Could Zivkovic be Footballer of the Year next season?

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There were cries of outrage from United fans at the release of the Premier League Team of the Season, with just two Red Devils making an appearance in the squad. Memphis Depay and David De Gea were worthy entries, but many argued Angel Di Maria deserved a spot in the midfield over Willian, and that Gino Peruzzi had a better season that Jon Flanagan.

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Probably the best individual achievement from a player, only Lionel Messi could put his hand up and say he had a better season that Memphis Depay with the 22 year old Dutch winger being adjudged better than Luis Suarez, better than Cristiano Ronaldo and better than Arjen Robben to be named runner-up in the Best Player in Europe award.

The second screenshot, which isn't labelled, is for another of his growing list of accolades. After destroying Shakhtar, humbling Barcelona and aiding in the final win over Chelsea, Depay was adjudged the Best Player in the Champions League. This kid.

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Finally, there were the club awards. The Fan's Player of the Year was a complete no-brainer, with Memphis Depay getting 78% of the vote with his closest competitor being the most improved Richairo Zivkovic, who had 15% of the vote.

The Fan's Best Eleven, however, was the surprising thing come awards night. Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie were the starting strikers, meaning no room for Zivkovic, whilst Mata and Depay were predictably the wingers. De Gea in goals, Smalling, Rojo and Peruzzi in defence - predictable. Then, there was left back. David Alaba was the big money signing, playing 47 games including all the finals. But the fans have a certain cult following for Daley Blind, and so the Dutch left back was given a spot after a not so shabby season. Martin Odegaard was another shock entry, playing just over 20 games, but the form of Michael Carrick and Ander Herrera persuaded the fans of United to give him a spot in the Overall Best Eleven.

OK guys, we finally move on to the regular, normal story format. It's been hard for me to muster the commitment and motivation to due these 3 updates, but now they're out of the way, and I can go back to what I'm good at - regular updates. Detail, aesthetics and content will be my main goals. I'm looking to give you guys on Scout the best story possible. I hope you look forward to season 3 as much as I am.

Way too easy, job done!

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Recently returned from a week long holiday in native Wales, Manchester United manager Ryan Giggs has graciously agreed to have an interview with us and discuss the season just gone, and the season ahead. Christian Schafer sat down with the Welsh Wizard himself.

Christian Schafer: Two back-to-back league titles, European champions. You must feel that Manchester United have become a leading force once again?

Ryan Giggs: It's hard to think we're not, isn't it? One of the major things I was looking to work towards when I took over as manager was to secure the Premier League title, and then go on to win in Europe. But that was a 5 year plan, not a 2 year plan. I really didn't expect the players to step up in the manner they did. Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie - I saw these guys as players in decline, and I didn't see Adnan Januzaj and Memphis Depay as world class players - yet. But it all came together in the end, and we're now, in my eyes, one of the best teams in the world. We're definitely a leading force.

CS: Can you describe how your view on football management has changed in the past two seasons?

RG: I guess it's just a case of being shaped by experience. I haven't changed my tactical approach at all since the start of my career - possession football and building forward with patience has always been my way of playing. But I guess I got a bit more competitive. I didn't really expect us to go from 7th to 1st in one season so when we kept on winning, I was pleased and a bit chuffed. As soon as we lost, I found myself uncontrollably angry. It's a good thing, I think. I just can't settle for less than a win anymore. It's tough on my players sometimes, but it does breed success.

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http://i3.irishmirror.ie/incoming/article6218081.ece/ALTERNATES/s1227b/Manchester-United-vs-Tottenham.jpg
Giggs knows a little something about success - he won four out of five competitions entered last season

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CS: Sir Alex Ferguson was, undoubtedly, the greatest manager in football history. Do you plan on surpassing the dizzy heights that the Scotsman enjoyed?

RG: If I get anywhere near where Fergie got, I'll be pleased enough. It's unfair to judge yourself off someone like Sir Alex, I'd rather aim for managers around today such as Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho. Fergie is somewhat of an untouchable pillar of this football club. I'll probably retire if I end up winning 12 Premier League titles, just so I don't beat him.

CS: Remaining of the subject of Sir Alex, how much of a supporting role has he had during your first two seasons as manager?

RG: Having him around the club is just a huge boost to everyone involved. He'll occasionally come down to training and watch, although understandably he spends a lot of time off at the races, he does deserve it. A lot of the support actually came in the last 20 years. Playing under the greatest manager of all time can give you all the tools you ever need, if you know how to utilise them properly. I was lucky to have both; the tools, and the means.

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Ryan says Sir Alex is taking a more reserved role at the club, and is not in an official advisory role

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CS: You have a young squad at your disposal. Regarding the transfer window, has bringing in the stars of the future been an etiquette of yours when looking at potential targets?

RG: I think building for the future is always paramount. You can win anything with kids. Richairo Zivkovic was 18 years old when he scored the winners in the League Cup Final, and the Champions League Final. Martin Odegaard is 17 years old. Memphis Depay is still only 22, and Adnan Januzaj 21. I'll always aim to have an average squad age of around 24. In my eyes, a player can peak as early as 21. That's 10 years of top quality service from some players. It's better to get them in early. But that view has also been skewed by the fact that I don't want to delve into the mainstream transfer market much anymore. The price of players has been raised up to unmanageable levels, especially with English players. I'd prefer to sign the youngsters and develop them myself.

CS: Where do you see the football club in five years time?

RG: Hopefully at the same level it was five years prior. That's the end goal here, really, to take the club back to the level it attained under Sir Alex. If we're lifting the Champions League trophy in 2021, that's great. If we're competing for every trophy, and have a reputation of being one of the best teams in the world, then that's amazing. That's where I want Manchester United to be in 5 years time.

CS: Does Wayne Rooney remain a key part of your squad?

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United vice captain Wayne Rooney, 30.

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RG: Oh most definitely. For one, in such a young squad, a player with Rooney's experience is absolutely vital. I've had him working with Richairo [Zivkovic] and Jimmy [Wilson] and you just have to look at their performances last season to see how that worked so well. And he's really suited the style of play as well. With age, a lot of players will struggle to keep being that advanced forward and so Wayne is very comfortable playing a bit deeper with Robin [van Persie] and being a creative force. He still has a great change of pace, and a lethal finish, but to see him work so hard and so successfully on another facet of his game is a huge plus as well.

CS: Well thankyou for your time Mr Giggs, we wish you the best for the season ahead.

really nice update there man! an incredible season too - keep it up!

To maintain a high level of consistency regarding competitiveness is often a grueling task, but I know you're more than capable of achieving this level!