The Invincibles?

By Haider Ali

This is the term which was first used in 1880s for a team named Preston North End. They were the first team to win the Football league with an unbeaten run. That not it they also went on to win the FA Cup in the same season becoming the first team to win a double, without conceding a goal in the FA cup competition. The next time this termed was used in 2003-04 when Arsenal became the second team since 1889 to win the league season without losing a game. However, Preston NE had to play 22 games whereas Arsenal had to play 38 games to do the same.

Today again we are talking about using the same term again most likely for Manchester United as they have played 23 games in the 2010-11 season and yet to end up losing a game. But the question is whether they are capable to achieve the same?

In the past four decades two teams namely Liverpool and Leeds United came close to achieve the same what Preston NE had achieved but they only saw their dreams being shattered. They won 29 league games from the start of the league season in 1987-88 and 1973-74 season respectively but only to lose in the 30^th game of the season.

If we make a comparison between the teams that had a unbeaten run and those who came close to it than we will see that Preston NE was a dream team, only built for destroying opponents they played. They played 22 games, winning 18 and 4 ending up in a draw. They scored 74 goals, almost scoring 4 goals per game.  Preston NE was a strike force they only conceded 15 times in the season.

Arsenal in the 2003-04 season played 38 games, winning 26 of those games and 12 ending all tied. They scored 73 goals less than 2 goals a game but they went unbeaten because they held their nerves when it mattered.

Leeds United in 1973-74 went on a 29 match unbeaten run in the league but only to see lose the 30^th game ending up a 42 game season with 24 wins, 14 draws and 4 loses. They scored 66 goals less than 2 goals a game and conceded 31 times. It was the golden period in Leeds United history.

United winning the FIFA Club World Cup

1987-88 season Liverpool also came closer to winning the title of invincible but they too lost in the 30^th game of the season ending up a 40 league game season with only two loses. They found the back of the net 87 times, more than two goals a season.

Both Liverpool and Leeds United had a strong squad. One of their best in the history but they were short of achieving the greatness.

Now we have Manchester United, on the verge of setting new records this season. First winning the league title for the record 18^th time and also becoming the 3^rd team in the history of English top league football to go through a season unbeaten.

They have played 23 games and still are to play 15 games. Out of the 23 games they played they won 14 and drew 9. They found the back of the net 51 times i.e. scoring more than two goals a game. However, United’s away form has been questionable. They have been relentless at home. But only have managed to win thrice away from home.

If we compare United with Arsenal of 2003-04 than stats will say that United is doing much better than Arsenal did in n2003-04 season. They are scoring more goals on average. But Arsenal was also good in their away games.

Many say that Sir Alex didn’t have the best United squad he ever managed but still he has the better one who have gone 23 games unbeaten.

United needs nerves to hang on. The nerves that they showed in last game against Blackpool, the nerves they showed in their tremble winning season of 98-99. And we have to wait whether or not United be INVINCIBLE.