Quote:
Originally Posted by Tiberian
Highest of Highs and Lowest of lows. Could you make an argument that the importance placed on the tournament, Fergies' obsession, inhibited the players? Always felt that being knocked out led to a depression around the club, meant that Utd had to be exceptional to win, not just benefit from a cup run.
Dortmund, Monaco, Leverkusen, Madrid the first time around, Porto, some painful ones in there.
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Ferguson won the European Cup twice which puts him among the most successful managers, but I have no doubt he feels we underachieved a little overall. Most managers don't get best part of twenty years being in it every season with a side they built. It's true that we were unlucky to run into Barca at our peak, but too many soft eliminations to inferiors Porto, Leverkusen, Monaco, Dortmund.
Complacency for a few of them. Especially Leverkusen; I think everyone thought we were already at Hampden Park for the final.
Will always wonder what would have happened in 2013 without Nani's red against Real, though. Came during a highly polished European performance. We had Real's number; completely shutting them out of the game.