The Busby Babe

The Busby Babe awards: Vote for your Manchester United Goal of the Season

2012-05-18T10:30:06Z

Time now to vote for Manchester United's goal of the season. Sweet science and I discussed many of this season's fantastic goals in email exchanges and after that, I narrowed it down to five nominees. 117 goals were scored this season over five competitions so as you can probably imagine, narrowing it down wasn't the easiest task. If you're curious, the community voted Wayne Rooney's overhead kick as last season's goal of the season. Without further ado, here are the choices for this season in the order that they happened:

* 'A curling beauty' | Ashley Young | United 8-2 Arsenal | August 28, 2011: Young actually scored two curling far-post goals in this match, but the first one certainly stood out more. I'll let the pictures with motions do the describing:

* 'A knuckling belter' | Nani | United 3-1 Chelsea | September 18, 2011: After a hilarious and failing attempt by Juan Mata to defend, Nani stepped up and drove one into the top corner (goal is at the 1:29 mark in the video):

* 'Narrow-angled piledriver' | Antonio Valencia | Blackburn Rovers 0-2 United | April 2, 2012: The powerful, primal, and raw drive from such an impossible angle brought about an untypical and emotional celebration from the shy Ecuadorian.

* 'Side-step, shift, top corner' | Danny Welbeck | United 4-4 Everton | April 22, 2012

Danny calmly side-steps Johnny Heitinga before cooly curling one to the top corner.

* 'See space, drag defender, expertly exploit' | Wayne Rooney | United 4-4 Everton | April 22, 2012: This isn't about the cool finish by Wazza, it's about how he brilliantly combines with his strike partner Welbeck.

In case you missed it, you can still vote for MUFC Player of the Season (linked here), MUFC Young Player of the Season (linked here), and MUFC Match of the Season (linked here). The polls will be open for about another week and by the end of next week, I'll announce the winners from our community's voting. 'Most Improved Player' is next and it'll also be our final award to vote on.

Which goal did you pick? Why? Feel free to share your thoughts and discuss the goals in the comments section below.

Poll

Manchester United Goal of the Season?

United Reserves win Senior Cup

2012-05-18T06:29:46Z

United Reserves win Senior Cup

The official site has this report on more trophies being won by Warren Joyce's fantastic Reserves side. A 2-0 defeat of City in the Senior Cup final is their latest accomplishment. There was even a pitch invasion!

Wayne Roney is called many things. Why not genius?

2012-05-18T05:17:11Z

Wayne Roney is called many things. Why not genius?

There's a lot of hyperbole in this piece but I still found it a fascinating read due to Wazza sharing how he thinks when he's on the football pitch. He also reveals how much thinking that he does about football when he's off the pitch as well. For those unfamiliar with his background, this piece also provides a bit of insight into that too.

Michael Carrick ruled himself out of the Euro's

2012-05-17T23:32:51Z

Roy Hodgson and the FA have confirmed that Michael Carrick had ruled himself out of the England squad. Roy Hodgson stated that the Manchester United man did not want to go as a backup at this stage of his career. Forever under rated, The Frank Lampard's and Steven Gerrard's of this world have always been prefered, despite their continual failure at international tournaments while Carrick rots on the bench.

"We were advised a few months ago that because of where he was in his career, that he wanted to step back from being called up and sitting on the subs bench. He will help in extreme situations,"

Adrian Bevington - FA

"I wouldn't dream of putting Michael Carrick on a standby list after he's made it clear in the past he doesn't want to be involved like that. I'd have to be convinced he was better than the four [central midfielders] I've selected, and that he'd be happy to come out of retirement."

Roy Hodgson

What could be England's misfortune, will most certainly be Manchester United's gain. Carrick has played a key role, not missing a Premier League game since before Christmas. He is so quietly efficient, and his partnership with Paul Scholes was fantastic in the first three or four months of 2012. This means he will be rested and will not have to suffer the dissappointment of another failure with the England side.

Go get em next season Carrick

Manchester United plunge further into debt -- net debt up by £26m

2012-05-17T20:47:43Z

Manchester United plunge further into debt -- net debt up by £26m

Glazernomics :(

Young Red Devils join Leicester City

2012-05-17T12:10:49Z

Young Red Devils join Leicester City

Matty James and Ritchie Da Laet have joined Leicester City on three year deals. James, a midfielder has recently returned from a long term injury. Da Laet, joined form Stoke a couple of years back never really had a chance in the first team, but on the occaision that he did, he impressed me. Still, good moves for all party's involved.

Michael Owen Departs Old Trafford

2012-05-17T11:54:58Z

It is three and out for former England striker Micheal Owen, as the injury plagued poacher will leave after not being offered a new contract. Sir Alex Ferguson informed him of the clubs decision after Harry Gregg's testimonial match on Tuesday, where a United team defeated a The League of Ireland's all star 11. Here is what Owen had to say.

"The Manager informed me after our testimonial match on Tuesday that the club would not be offering me a new contract. I have loved every minute of the three years I have spent at such a fantastic club. I would like to thank the players, staff and fans for their support and wish them well for the future.I now plan to have a short holiday during which I will contemplate my next move."

Source - Manchester United official

The gaffer added his thoughts about his departing striker

"It is a pleasure to have had Michael at Manchester United. Michael is a consummate professional and was an influential figure in our dressing room. Unfortunately he had no luck with his injury this season. Michael’s record of goals per game is exceptional and we wish him all the best for the future."

Source - Manchester United official

I was not eight years old when Owen ran through the Argentina midfield, defense and slammed home a shot past their keeper at France 98. That world cup he really burst onto the scene when he scored that goal, one of the best ever at a world cup. Since then I have always been a fan of Owen's, despite him playing for Liverpool. And I was overjoyed when he made the move to Old Trafford. Not because he would score 30 goals a season. He has the talent, yet his body has always betrayed him. If he could have stayed fit, we would be talking about England's all time leading goal scorer. Of that I have no doubt.

His highlight at United would be when he scored the winner against City in his first few months at the club. In the game that was this week voted the best of the 20 years of the Premier League era, he slotted home in injury time of injury time, past Shay Given to make the score 4-3. That goal captures what Micheal Owen is all about. The movement to peel off his man. And the fantastic, assassin like finish. Owen at his best.

Where does he go now? I'm sure someone in the Premier League will gamble on him. Ifr he can stay fit for 20 games, I am sure he can score 10 goals. He doesn't need the money, so a pay as you play deal (Such as the one we gave him) would be suitable I feel. He also may retire. He is big on horse racing. Owns several horses and his own stables. That too could be an option.

As for United. For next season we will have Wayne Rooney, Danny Welbeck and Javier Hernandez. Dimitar Berbatov is on the books at the moment, yet it is widely believed he will leave in the summer. So a dip into the transfer market may be likely.

The Busby Babe awards: Vote for your Manchester United Match of the Season

2012-05-17T11:00:40Z

To be quite honest, when I scanned over each of Manchester United's 53 matches in all competitions this season, it was a bit depressing how few stood out as a dramatic accomplishment. From my perspective, there were many more heartbreaking ones (*). A few of the 5-0 victories were relatively joyless when looking back on them months later. Anyway, the third of the voting for TBB's community awards (Vote for Player of the Season here and Young Player of the Season here) is here and it's simply an ask on what your MUFC match of the season was. I would assume that one will probably be the obvious winner but you know what they say when one assumes...

* I'm a glutton for punishment -- perhaps I should offer up a sadistic 'most soul-crushing defeat of the season' award!

To each their own though as we all get different degrees of pleasure or disappointment by any single event. So rather than assume like a dictator would, I'll leave it up to a democratic process -- voting! I'll ban you though if you don't agree with my choice. Just kidding... maybe. Here are the four nominees in chronological order. Have at it -- after the jump...

Manchester United 8-2 Arsenal | August 28, 2011 | Premier League

This was fun. More was supposed to follow. It sort of did. But not really.

It all started with a delightful scoop-pass from Anderson into the box for a Danny Welbeck headed-goal and it ended with Ashley Young's 2nd curling beauty. In between, there were six other United goals and two Arsenal goals in this incredibly open affair. It was hilariously embarrassing for an Arsenal side that was reeling after a horrendous summer transfer window and it was brutally brilliant from a United side that was optimistically hopeful that a domestic and continental double was possible. It was an incredible performance but glory did not follow after that wonderful August day. It's still a tremendous memory though.

8-2.

Manchester City 2-3 Manchester United | January 8, 2012 | FA Cup

We were humbled soon after the 8-2 defeat of Arsenal when the 'noisy neighbours' came to Old Trafford and ripped us apart 1-6. This FA Cup tie was a bit of revenge and it restored the confidence in the squad after two successive league losses and after trailing in the title race since October. It also saw the brilliant and unexpected return of Paul Scholes.

Sir Alex Ferguson learned his lesson from the first encounter as he decided to keep it tight versus City's predictable, but lethal attack while looking to exploit a vulnerability of theirs -- defending against the counterattack. In the 10th minute, Wayne Rooney put us ahead with a superb header from a superb Antonio Valencia cross. Soon after, like a minute or two later, City captain Vincent Kompany was sent off for a rash challenge and United took advantage by going up 0-3 at the Etihad. City manager Roberto Mancini made a brilliant adjustment at half-time as he put his 10-man side in a 3-4-1-1 shape for the second-half. United were conservative and City were lively but ultimately, the red side of Manchester prevailed. I wholeheartedly believe that day rejuvenated our side on many levels.

Chelsea 3-3 Manchester United | February 5, 2011 | Premier League

We were rubbish. Chelsea ruthlessly made us pay. We were getting hammered 0-3 at Stamford Bridge. 12th man Howard Webb (sarcasm) then gave us a lifeline and Wazza gave us hope by making it 2-3 by converting twice from the spot. Then, Javier Hernandez (Chicharito) did what he does best by scoring a substitute's goal -- and equaliser -- in the 84th minute and the Blues were shell-shocked. An improbable comeback and a point was rescued. Or so it seemed.

Then in stoppage time -- Juan Mata stepped up to a free-kick and the brilliant Spaniard sent a destined winner to the upper 90 -- only to be denied by his fellow countryman David de Gea. The save of United's season.

de Gea was brilliant from this moment on and despite us not ultimately winning the title, this could be the single moment that propels the talented goalkeeper to a brilliant career at United. His talent was always obvious but his vulnerabilities allowed doubt to linger for so many. Hopefully that moment lingers for many -- including de Gea -- as an inspiration for belief in our 21-year-old No. 1. I'm very convinced we have a world-class goalkeeper in the making.

Manchester United 2-1 Liverpool | February 11, 2012 | Premier League

When it comes to football, I'm the sort of detailed-obsessive nerd that remembers the wrong angle and footsteps that Michael Essien took when Cristiano Ronaldo beat him for our opening goal in the 2008 UEFA Champions League final in Moscow. The risk of deploying the great Chelsea midfielder at right-back and his obvious uncomfortableness of that moment will never escape my mind -- until dementia sets in someday. Point being...

What do I remember about this match? Very little. I remember Luis Suarez struggling (******-******, ****-******, etc) and I remember Patrice Evra's release at the end of the match. Yeah, Patrice was criticized but the commercialism of football makes it even more difficult these days to relate to our heroes. Perhaps it wasn't the right thing to do, but I felt empathy. I felt emotional and I felt a connection with our vice-captain. It was disgusting how Liverpool tried to take a victim complex.

Poll

The Busby Babe

The Busby Babe awards: Vote for your Manchester United Goal of the Season

Manchester United Goal of the Season?

United Reserves win Senior Cup

United Reserves win Senior Cup

Wayne Roney is called many things. Why not genius?

Wayne Roney is called many things. Why not genius?

Michael Carrick ruled himself out of the Euro's

Manchester United plunge further into debt -- net debt up by £26m

Manchester United plunge further into debt -- net debt up by £26m

Young Red Devils join Leicester City

Young Red Devils join Leicester City

Michael Owen Departs Old Trafford

The Busby Babe awards: Vote for your Manchester United Match of the Season

What is your Manchester United Match of the Season?