Football Returns To Old Trafford After An Eventful Summer

Wayne Rooney reacts during the Barclays Premier League match between Everton and Manchester United

104 days after the most dramatic day in the long history of the Premier League, football returns to Old Trafford. On Saturday, Manchester United take on Londoners Fulham obliged to snatch their first win of the season following a shocking defeat at the hands of Everton at Goodison Park courtesy of a powerful header from Belgian midfielder Morouane Fellaini (yes, the Reds stunned again by The Toffees from set-pieces). Summer has been longer than ever in Manchester, not because it’s been hotter than usual, but for a number of events which have altered the course of the pre-season.

Danny Welbeck of England is consoled by coach, Gary Neville after defeat during the UEFA EURO 2012 quarter final match versus Italy

The UEFA Euro 2012, held in Poland and Ukraine, saw as many as seven participants from United, namely Phil Jones, Ashley Young, Wayne Rooney, Danny Welbeck (England), Luis Nani (Portugal), Patrice Evra (France) and Anders Lindegaard (Denmark). Nonetheless, none of them enjoyed a successful tournament, Nani being the one who had an extended path by reaching the semifinals just to lose on the penalty shoot-out against championship winners Spain after a dull goalless game. England and France were knocked-out by Italy and Spain respectively in quarterfinals, while Denmark did not qualify from the group stages.

William Keane of Manchester United on the ball

Secondly, the Under-19 UEFA Euro 2012, held in Estonia, saw Spain lifting the trophy for two years running. This time three players from Manchester United took part in the competition. Sam Johnstone, Michael Keane and Tom Thorpe guided the young Three Lions to semifinals where they capitulated against Greece 2-1 on overtime. William Keane did not play due to a horrendous injury sustained during a preliminary match which could prevent him from playing until at least Christmas.

Rafael Da Silva of Brazil in action

Finally, the third international competition to disturb the pre-season of Manchester United was indeed the Olympics, as David De Gea (Spain), Tom Cleverley and Ryan Giggs (Great Britain) and Rafael Da Silva (Brazil) enjoyed a truly unique occasion for a professional sportsman. The Brazilian right full-back clinched a bittersweet silver medal following an expected 2-1 defeat to Mexico at Wembley. The historic team of Great Britain, which included players from England and Wales, lost to South Korea on the penalty shoot-out in quarterfinals after an entertaining 1-1 draw. Spain was a massive disappointment, they arrive as outstanding favorites but were not able neither winning a match nor scoring a single goal, going back home much earlier than expected.

All the aforementioned players were not able to embark on United’s tour for South Africa and China during June, a key period of the preparation of the brand-new season. They did not join United’s travelling party until the European tour earlier this month, and as a result most of them were not ready fitness-wise to kick off their Premier League season against Everton, a stubborn and physical opponent, especially when playing if front of their loyal crowd. Hopefully Sir Alex Ferguson’s troops will be in better condition when facing the Cottagers.

-: By Juan Manuel @theredinsider