Manchester United aren’t winning the league title this season. Chelsea are claiming that trophy, just as United and former Blues Manager Jose Mourinho, he’ll tell ya the same. The Red Devils can win three other trophies however. On Saturday March 11th, the two teams previously mentioned will clash in the FA Cup Quarterfinals.
United currently hold that specific title, the only trophy won during the two year Louis van Gaal era. On Wednesday, United will take on ASSE in the second leg of their UEFA Europa League Round of 32 tie. United went up 3-0 in the first leg, and their chances of advancing are obviously almost certain.
Meanwhile United are also caught up, and likely prioritizing, the race to finish in the league’s top four and thus earn a UEFA Champions League slot for next season. They can also earn a berth by winning the Europa.
Finally, United have the EFL Cup or League Cup final at Wembley Stadium against Southampton on Sunday. You got to like their chances in that tournament as well.
In other words, a treble, well a treble of sorts, may be the end result of Jose Mourinho’s first season at Old Trafford.
However. it’s also a “plastic treble.”
When Gerard Houllier led Liverpool to a cup treble in 2001 by winning both domestic cups and the UEFA Cup, the achievement was mocked by United supporters who, having seen their club lift the three biggest trophies two years earlier, dismissed their rivals’ haul as the “plastic treble.”
But 16 years on, United are now threatening to match Liverpool’s achievement, and it is unlikely that anybody within Old Trafford will be quite so quick to diminish the magnitude of such success if Mourinho’s players can pull it off.
I agree- the plastic treble, if it happens, will be celebrated. Although I do see why it’s fair game for mockery, I would have absolutely no problem with taking pride in this accomplishment.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times and Bold, contributes regularly to the Chicago Tribune’s RedEye publication, CGTN America, WGN CLTV News and KOZN.
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