Tomtuck's First FM Career Adventure

[deltablue]

Gomes could be excellent.

[B.W.G]

Made some good signings,you should start moving up the league in no time.Gomes could be class for you,it doesn't matter if he has hair or not

[tomtuck01]

Never thought I'd see the day that Swansea had a higer rating than Man Utd

Yep, there's City in first, then Arsenal, Swansea, and us in fourth!

Hairless strikers has been a strength of Utd for years (cf. pre-transplant Rooney) - Gomes will come good for sure! Good luck with the new season at the Theatre of Dreams!

Aye there have been a few over the years. I hope Gomes will be another!

Gomes could be excellent.

Indeed. Hi record for Sao Paulo was excellent, and he's started fairly well with us, despite missing August.

Made some good signings,you should start moving up the league in no time.Gomes could be class for you,it doesn't matter if he has hair or not

Just like Jason Malpass - I like my bald strikers!

[tomtuck01]

Thomas Lewis' Career - August/September 2022 - Manchester United

Premier League





Well six wins out of six equals an outandig start to my United era. As usual with my side we have been superb in defence - conceding just once so far. In attack we haven't been banging the goals in, though I would hope that means there is more to come. Our best performance so far was probably at Wet Brom, as e came from behind to win it late on - Gomes, on debut from the bench, grabbed the winner from the spot. Also a special mention to the Tottenham game, when Federico Macheda came from the bench to score a lovely goal - his first since returning to the club.

Next up is an away trip to Everton under the Goodison Park lights on a Monday night.

League Cup - 3rd Round



Solid performance as the team was swapped around a bit. Veteran Jonny Evans put us ahead just after the break, before a swift counter saw Gareth Bale go clear to score in the corner.

In the next round we face Championship side Norwich, again at Old Trafford.

[tomtuck01]

August/September 2022 Continued

Europa League





A great start to the Europa League group phase, especially for Gomes who has really hit his straps in this competition. Next up we face a double header against Lokomotiv Moscow, the first of which is in Russia.

[tomtuck01]

First record broken.



One of them was by the previous manager at the end of last season.

[DBurns]

I thought managing United was going to be a 'challenge' for you?

Keep it going!

[tomtuck01]

I thought managing United was going to be a 'challenge' for you?

Keep it going!

Well to be fair we haven't really payed anyone too good yet, with the exception of Tottenham.

[Purefun]

Aha you ManU I see. Could be interesting.

[buzz2k7]

Awesome signing and brilliant start to the season hope you keep it up!

[SRL88]

Poor start by Man City.

[tomtuck01]

Aha you ManU I see. Could be interesting.

I couldn't resist them when they came calling.

Awesome signing and brilliant start to the season hope you keep it up!

Thanks alot dude.

Poor start by Man City.

Well, it is Mancini, afterall.

[buzz2k7]

Mancini is one of the luckiest managers in the planet he is a crap manager and yet he always gets a big club to manage

[tomtuck01]

Mancini is one of the luckiest managers in the planet he is a crap manager and yet he always gets a big club to manage

Like I said when he was appointed; why have City again turned to a failure?

[tomtuck01]

Thomas Lewis' Career - October 2022 - Manchester United

Premier League





Another very good month, with the only dropped points coming in a tricky fixtures away at Swansea. Aside from that we had a good win at Everton, an excellent performance against Chelsea, where Scott Sinclair illustrated his quality despite his advancing years. And we rounded things off by thumping four past Crystal Palace, with Gomes turning in an excellent performance.

Next up is a trip to lowly Southampton.

League Cup - 4th Round



Well fell behind early but came back strongly and lead 2-1 by the break. Federico Macheda got a third early in the second half, and the game was then safe. The quarter finals see us play anther home match, this time against Swanea.

[tomtuck01]

October 2022 Continued

Europa League





An excellent performace in Russia see's us move a step closer to qualifying for the next round. Scott Sinclair was the man on form again, taking his tally to seven goals in nince appearances.

[SRL88]

Another cracking month Tom .

Could you post a link of Liverpool's league performances since the start of the game?

[DBurns]

Another good month

Keep it going!

[tomtuck01]

Another cracking month Tom .

Could you post a link of Liverpool's league performances since the start of the game?

Thanks alot dude.

And no problem; clicky!

Another good month

Keep it going!

Thank you muchly.

[tomtuck01]

Thomas Lewis' Career - November 2022 - Manchester United

Premier League





Another cracking month, with three wins and an excellent draw at Arsenal. We weren't great at Southampton, but two goals from setpieces gave us the victory. Again we weren't great at home to Wolves, but an excellent strike from Bruno Pacheco gave us a win we just about deserved. The draw with Arsenal followed, and we just defended for our lives in a game which we really earned a point. We ended the month by putting three past Villa, though it maybe should have been five or six.

Heading into December we are three points clear, but have back-to-back games against Mancheter City (H), and Liverpool (A) this month. It could be a huge couple of games.

[tomtuck01]

November 2022 Continued

Europa League





Another great win over Lokomotiv Moscow has all but sent us through to the next round. We need just a point from our final two games away to Rijeka and at home to Sociedad to ensure qualification and that we win the group.

[rancer890]

Wow, big move to United tom. Lots of change since I last viewed this thread. Good luck!

[SRL88]

You like scoring 4 in Europe .

[tomtuck01]

Wow, big move to United tom. Lots of change since I last viewed this thread. Good luck!

Sounds to me like you need to be checking in more often.

You like scoring 4 in Europe .

I merely tell the players to go out and express themselves.

[deltablue]

Should have more than that at least once

[tomtuck01]

Should have more than that at least once

Haha give me chance, i'm still fine tuning things!

[cerud]

Already dominant with the new club Looking good.

[B.W.G]

Dominant performances so far,keep up the good work.

[TheGreatTraveler]

Wasn't expecting you to do a reverse Tevez-like switch. Good Luck, I guess

[tomtuck01]

Already dominant with the new club Looking good.

Well I wouldn't quite say dominant yet, but cheers.

Dominant performances so far,keep up the good work.

Thanks dude.

Wasn't expecting you to do a reverse Tevez-like switch. Good Luck, I guess

Well sometimes in life you have to take a chance when it comes.

[tomtuck01]

Thomas Lewis' Career - December 2022 - Manchester United

Premier League





A bit of a strange month really. For starters, for a December there were hardly any games! Secondly, we drew our sole home game, yet won our three away games. We opened up with an excellent win at Lancashire rivals Bolton, with Gareth Bale in cracking form in the AMR position. Next up was the Manchester derby. A huge game at anytime, but made even bugger with the presence, of, well, me after I left City for United over the summer. It was a fairly even game, so a draw was probably the correct result. Our other big rivals Liverpool
were our next fixture, and what a game it was for us. In the end we squeaked home 2-1 with a dramatic end to the game, but it was thoroughly deserved. We finished the month we a comfortable 3-0 win at Sheffield Wedesday, Gomes again bagging a brace.

League Cup - Quarter Final



Superb performance against one of my former clubs. Fair enough I fielded a strong side, but Swansea are a very good side and to thump them in this fashion was quite spectacular.

In the semi's face Arsenal, with the first leg at the Emirates.

[tomtuck01]

December 2022 Continued

Europa League





Two solid performances to round the group off, meaning we finished top of the group with six wins out of six. An outstanding group phase, especially seen as we never had our full strength side out.

In the next round we face Reggina

[SRL88]

Bit of a poor performance in Europe. Sheeeeeesh. 4 goals in two games is shocking .

[tomtuck01]

Bit of a poor performance in Europe. Sheeeeeesh. 4 goals in two games is shocking .

I know. I disappointed myself.

[tomtuck01]

My first monthly award with United.

[NorthernGooner]

Just caught up on about the last 4 pages, congrats on the move to United! Gomes seems to be doing quite well I see

[tomtuck01]

Just caught up on about the last 4 pages, congrats on the move to United! Gomes seems to be doing quite well I see

Alot has happened in four pages!

And yes Gomes is doing excellently now after a bit of a slow start.

[tomtuck01]

The man is a God.



Would have thought there'd have been a couple of players in from my former club after was achieved there last season.

[buzz2k7]

I think that means he will get signing of the season!

[tomtuck01]

I think that means he will get signing of the season!

Probably, but for £38million he's going to have to more in the league than what he has so far!

[tomtuck01]

Thomas Lewis' Career - January 2023 - Manchester United

Premier League





Another very good month for us, and our lead at the top of the table is now a healthy five points with us also having games in hand on the teams closest to us. Javier HEenandez finally got his first league goal of the season as we squeaked past Newcastle 1-0. This was followed by a very credible 0-0 draw at Tottenham - the may be struggling down in eighth place, but are still an excellent, fast side ging forward. We then thumped West Brom and West Ham at Old Trafford, with Gomes displaying great form. Also against West Ham new signing Victor David came from the bench to score one assist two - corking debut!

Next up up is a trip to Wigan.

FA Cup - 3rd And 4th Round


I'm aware the Palace game was played on December 31st, but it didn't feel right putting it in the December update.

We beat Crystal Palace comfortably in the 3rd round, with Javier Hernandez scoring his first goal since his hattrick against Leiria back in August! In 4th round we were drawn againt fierce rivals Liverpool. Much like the league game, we had the best of it throughout but couldn't score. They took the lead after 74mins, but we equalised 10mins later to force a replay.

Whoever wins will face either Ipswich or Hull in the next round.

[tomtuck01]

January 2023 Continued

League Cup - Semi Final



I'm into another League Cup final!! The game at the Emirates was excellent - all it lacked was a goal, but I could hardly complain about drawing 0-0 away at Arenal. In the second leg we came out flying in the first half, leading 3-0 after just 33mins. We let them back into it though, and with half an hour to go they had pulled it back to 3-2. We made the game and the tie safe though with an excellent counter attack late on.

In the final we face........................Manchester City.

Transfers

Just one deal of any kind this month, as I mentioned in the previous post, it was aplayer coming in.

Victor David
A good young player who wasn't getting any game time in Real Madrid's first team. Given his 4* potential, a fee of £5million, (plus 20% profit of next sale), could prove to be a very sound investment.

[SRL88]

Another trip to Wembley for the Tom Lewis Cup .

[deltablue]

Tasty clash in prospect.

[arinceo]

Who said it'd be a tough job revivng United? You sir are almost too good for this game. Good luck in the cup final, I'm predicting an unbeaten league campaign too

[tomtuck01]

Another trip to Wembley for the Tom Lewis Cup .

Yet to lose a final in that competition yet.......

Tasty clash in prospect.

Lets hope Jason Malpass gets injured before hand!

Who said it'd be a tough job revivng United? You sir are almost too good for this game. Good luck in the cup final, I'm predicting an unbeaten league campaign too

Well I can't really understand there problems before - they had some great players in the squad already.

And thank you for the other comments, I am not worthy of such words!

[B.W.G]

Almost too easy for you!

[tomtuck01]

Almost too easy for you!

Not to blow my own trumpet, but maybe so.

Could be time to head off to another country after a few years at United.

[cerud]

Lets hope Jason Malpass gets injured before hand!

Wishing injury on former star players...now that's cutthroat!!

[tomtuck01]

Wishing injury on former star players...now that's cutthroat!!

Just a calf strain or something.

[tomtuck01]

Thomas Lewis' Career - 2022/23 - Manchester United

League Cup Final

How We Got To The Final



Some very good performances in our run to the final, probably most notably against Swansea. Away to Arenal we aswell we put in a very good shift to draw 0-0, before performing very well in the second leg at home. All of these performances set up a clash with my former club, and city rivals, Manchester City in the final.

The Final
vs.Manchester City



Yesssss! My first trophy with United made all the sweeter by the fact it was against my former club and biggest rivals! It is also United's first trophy since 2015.

The games its self was very good, despite the 0-0 scoreline. We shaded possession, yet they had more attempts at goal, although alot of them were from outside the box. In the end the sides couldn't be seperated after 120 minutes of football, so it came down to penalties. Both sides had chances to win earlier in the shootout, but in the end it came down to the goalkeepers. David de Gea scored, and then saved from City's goalkeeper, and the trophy was ours.

Funnily enough, all but one of City's takers I had brought to the club. The exception was Rodrigo Robles, who turned us down to join City in January!

[tomtuck01]

The game against City also saw us create history;

[SRL88]

Bloody hell, some record!!!

Great work lifting the League Cup .

[tomtuck01]

Bloody hell, some record!!!

Great work lifting the League Cup .

Rather typically it came to an end in my very next game...............against mid table Watford.

[tomtuck01]

Thomas Lewis' Career - February 2023 - Manchester United

Premier League





Just two fixtures this month because of our invlovement in various cup matches, but two excellent performances. The Wigan result looks fairly routine, but after just 23mins we were down to 10 men after David de Gea was sent off for handling outside the box. By halftime we trailed 1-0, bbut roared back to win 3-1. And then against Everton our two tallisman did it again, both scoring a brace in a 4-0 win.

We are actually down to second at the minute, but our games in hand give us a massive advantage.

FA Cup - 4th Round Replay And 5th Round



Terrific performance against Liverpool in the fourth round replay was followed by a sloppy outing against midtable Championhip side Hull. We needed Gomes to come from the bench to set us on our way, and then Scott Sinclair wrapped it up late on.

We face Cardiff at Old Trafford in the quarter finals.

[tomtuck01]

February 2023 Continued

League Cup - Final



It may have only been on penalties, but frankly I don't care! The clubs first trophy in eight years, and hopefully the first of many. Doing it against City was also nice, but also a little sad for me aswell.

Europa League - First Knockout Round



Superb performance away in Italy was followed up by a drab performance in the return leg. We'll need to do better over both legs in the next round againt Ligue 1 side Bordeaux.

[deltablue]

Well, success breeds success, as City have proven recently.

[tomtuck01]

Well, success breeds success, as City have proven recently.

Indeed you are right......it's time for their succes to stop though!

[B.W.G]

Congrats on winning the Tom Lewis cup Looks like you could have a fairly successful season.

[Akkarin]

Epic cup final against Man City (really think you've taken the derby to a new level)! Good penalty win with De Gea the hero

[JackJCFC]

So many games in hand . Good work in the Cup final too.

[tomtuck01]

Congrats on winning the Tom Lewis cup Looks like you could have a fairly successful season.

Well had to lift it this term after mising out on it last season with City!

Epic cup final against Man City (really think you've taken the derby to a new level)! Good penalty win with De Gea the hero

De Gea..................at 32 he's such a hero.

So many games in hand . Good work in the Cup final too.

Yep, got no idea how they stacked up so much!

[tomtuck01]

Thomas Lewis' Career - March 2023 - Manchester United

Premier League





Decent month really, with three big wins and a solid away draw. However, we started with my first defeat as United manager, going down 1-0 at Watford just days after the League Cup over City. We bounced back in style though, with a thumping 7-0 win over Southampton. We followed that with thumping wins over Wolves and Fulham, with 34 year old Javier Hernandez in great form. We finished the month with a decent draw at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea.

Next up is a potentially huge game - Arsenal at Old Trafford.

FA Cup - Quarter Final



An excellent win over the Championship high-fliers, with Gomes in sensational form. In the semi finals we face Newcastle United.

[tomtuck01]

March 2023 Continued

Europa League - Second Knockout Round



A 6-4 aggregate win, but I wasn't happy. In the first leg we were 1-0 up before falling 2-1 behind. Yes I was happy we came back to win, but we should never have been in that position to begin with. And then in the second leg we lead 2-0 before letting them claw back to 2-2. We won it late on with a counter attack.

In the quarters we face Zenit St.Peterburg, and if we get through could face either Neuchatel Xamax or Olympiakos in the semi's.

[TheGreatTraveler]

Atleast you're in the QFs. Looks like your players celebrated the LC a bit too much judging by the Watford result!

[tomtuck01]

Atleast you're in the QFs. Looks like your players celebrated the LC a bit too much judging by the Watford result!

Well it was the clubs first trophy since 2015, so i guess i can let them off really!

[deltablue]

Got a good chance of a European final.

[tomtuck01]

Got a good chance of a European final.

Definitely. The other side of the draw is much tougher, with Bayer Leverkusen and Napoli potentially meeting in the other semi.

[tomtuck01]

So it's the middle of April and we're entering the final stages of the season, so this happens;



It's like been back at City when Malpass kept getting injured late on in the campaign.

[SRL88]

Shame on the Watford defeat but it looks like you took it out on Southampton .

[tomtuck01]

Shame on the Watford defeat but it looks like you took it out on Southampton .

Well I had to rest alot of players against Watford to be fair, as many had played 120mins against City just a few days earlier.

[tomtuck01]

Thomas Lewis' Career - April 2023 - Manchester United

Premier League





Can't really complain with how the month went, even with the defeat at City. It started off excellently with a 2-0 win over our nearest rivals in the league. We then followed it up with a corking game over Villa. We trailed 1-0 before equalising, only to concede again and trail 2-1 at the break. However, we roared back in the econd period to come out 4-2 winners. Next up was an excellent 3-0 win over Swansea, though there was a downside in the fact that star man Gomes got injured and was ruled out for the season. Just days later we lost 1-0 at City, conceding in the 92nd minute. We didn't deserve it, but hey-ho, it happens. Our final game of the month was against our other big rivals, Liverpool, and we thumped them 3-0 to secure the clubs first title since 2015.

Despite the loss against City, I was still awarded the Mana Of The Month award for April.

FA Cup - Semi Final



Very poor performance, even if a few players were rested. Need to do better in future. Disappointing awell as winning would have set up another final against City.

[tomtuck01]

April 2023 Continued

Europa League - Quarter Final And Semi Final 1st Leg



Two good performances against Zenit, especially in Russia, set up a semi final against Swiss side Neuchatel Xamax. In the firs tleg againt Zenit we were very controlled, and scored twice from setpieces to help us to a 3-0 win. Back at Old Trafford we flew out the blocks and were 2-0 up early on. In the second half though they drew level, but as they pushed on we hit them on the break twice to wrap up a 7-2 aggregate win.

Even though we were firm favourites for the firt leg of the semi, I was a touch concerned with us not having Gomes available, but I shouldn't have been. At the age of 34, Javier Hernandez has still got the magic, and bagged four in a 5-1 win. Just got to finish the job off in the second leg now, and we'll be thrugh to the Europa League final.

[SRL88]

Sorry, but I need to bust this out again .

[deltablue]

Xamax were never going to be difficult really.

[SRL88]

It actually is somewhat surprising to see them get this far in Europe.

[tomtuck01]

Sorry, but I need to bust this out again .

Haha that is, pardon my language, ****ing brilliant!

Xamax were never going to be difficult really.

It actually is somewhat surprising to see them get this far in Europe.

In fairness to them they have been the dominant force in Switzerland in recent seasons, (FC Basel haven't won the title since 2016), and have won four out of the last five titles. In their last four Champions League campaigns, they may not have got through to the knockout stages, but have always come third, once in my group when I was City manager.

[cerud]

Looks like the Gomes injury hasn`t slowed you down

[tomtuck01]

Looks like the Gomes injury hasn`t slowed you down

Have been very surprised at that!!

[tomtuck01]

Really could have done without this just two days before the Europa League final;

[tomtuck01]

Thomas Lewis' Career - 2022/23 - Manchester United

Europa League Final

How We Got To The Final

Qualifying Round And Group Stage





We qualified with ease, thumping Uniao Leairia 8-0 on aggregate. The group stage proved even easier than what I thought it would be, a we smashed in four goals in each of our opening four games. In the end we easily topped the group, with six wins from six and twenty goals scored. I couldn't have dreamed for better.

Knockout Stage



We put in some very solid performances in the knockout rounds, thugh I as frustrated at times, particularly in both legs against Bordeaux and in the secon leg of the quarter final againt Zenit St.Petersburg. In the semi finals we were excellent, thrashing the Swiss outfit 8-1 on aggregate to set up a final againt Napoli.

[tomtuck01]

The Final
vs.Napoli



A simply amazing game of football.

The deadlock was broken on the stroke of halftime through a stunning strike from Nicolas Garcia. The second half was again tight, but we were on top. However, they cored twice in the space of five minutes to wrestle the initiative away from us. Late in the game though old reliable Javier Hernandez popped up with a header inside the six yard box to make it 2-2 and send it to extra time.

Just six minute into extra time Napoli went infront again, but in stoppage time ahead of halftime in extra time, centre back Saturnin Ahouandjinou equalised for us yet again to make the score 3-3. The second period was pretty dull, although Gylfi Sigurdsson did smash the post late on.

To penalties it went, and stand-in goalkeeper Alphonse Areola proved to be the hero, saving all three of the spot kicks Napoli failed to score.

[Akkarin]

Seriously wish I could have watched that game in real life. Somehow finals tend to be tenser than this though. Looks like it would have been a nice one.

[SRL88]

Cracking Final and well done for coming out on top .

[B.W.G]

Thrilling win in the Europa League.

[tomtuck01]

Seriously wish I could have watched that game in real life. Somehow finals tend to be tenser than this though. Looks like it would have been a nice one.

All i'll say is that it was horrible to manage in.

Cracking Final and well done for coming out on top .

Thanks alot dude.....now for the Champions League next term!

[tomtuck01]

Thrilling win in the Europa League.

Too thrilling if you ask me - give me a 1-0 win any day of the week!

[deltablue]

Wow, definitely needed to snatch it a few times.

[tomtuck01]

Wow, definitely needed to snatch it a few times.

Much like the real life United - we don't make things easy for ourselves.

[cerud]

Great final match! The backup goalkeeper of your may start asking for more playing time now

[tomtuck01]

Great final match! The backup goalkeeper of your may start asking for more playing time now

Cheers dude.

In all fiarness, Areola has made 22 appearances (21 starts, 1 sub app), this season, so it's not like he's just sat and warmed the bench all season with de Gea in goal.

[tomtuck01]

Thomas Lewis' Career - May 2023 - Manchester United

Premier League





Very pleased with the end of our league campaign as I made plenty of changes with the Euorpa League still going on. Great professional performance at Crystal Palce, and we did excellently against Fulham with a much changed team. The game at home to Bolton came just two days after the Europa League final, so I was very pleased that a side with nine changes managed such a good win. Our league season finished with a solid performance over Sheffield Wednesday, but I was a bit annoyed not to win by more.

Europa League Semi Final 2nd Leg And Final



A very good performance in Switzerland gave us an 8-1 aggregate win over Neuchatel Xamax. And then in the final, well, you've all seen already a few post up. We made it hard for ourselves, but lifted the trophy eventually.

[tomtuck01]

Super stuff in his debut campaign; 22 goals and 14 assists in 26 appearances. Fabulous.



Excellent campaign from the 33 year old.



Got to be honest and say I'm a touch surprised we didn't have mre players in the side.



Fourth time I have won this award.

[tomtuck01]

Also had to post this;



He's a player I didn't quite feel was ready for first team action, but he has undergone so much development during his season at Stoke. Here are his attributes now and how he did for them;



Will definitely be part of my first team next eason.

[SRL88]

Yup. De definitely deserves a chance .

[tomtuck01]

Yup. De definitely deserves a chance .

Honestly can't believe how much he has developed. When he went to Stoke aswell they said he'd be "cover for the first team".

[deltablue]

Oh yes, definitely one to get in the team.

[tomtuck01]

Thomas Lewis' Career - Season Review 2022/23 - Manchester United

Premier League

Results 1 - Results 2 - Final Table (Champions)

Well what can I say? A brilliant firt Premier League campaign for the side under my stewardship. The first half of the season was excellent; we won sixteen of our games and conceded just seven goals. The second half, a is usually the case, was a tad tougher with us competing on so many fronts. The good thing in the second half was that the amount of goals we scored went up. We may have conceded more goals in the second half aswell, but we ended up keeping thirteen cleansheets, 20 of which by David De Gea, and the other 3 by Alphonse Areola.

Moree of the same next term next would do nicely.

FA Cup

Eliminated in the Semi Finals

Disappointed to exit the FA Cup in the semi's, as I won it last season with City and wanted to win it again. We put in some professional performances along the way against a couple of lower level clubs, aswell as an excellent performance against Liverpool in the 4th round replay. The semi against Newcastle was a let down, but was really my fault; in the middle of a congested fixture list I rotated the side around a bit too much and we paid the price.

Newcastle went on to lose in the final, going down 3-1 to Manchester City.

League Cup

Winners

Delighted as always to win this trophy, and even more delighted with who it came against. We were fortunate in the sense that we were at home in every round untilt he semi's when it of coure becomes two-legged. Against Arsenal we put in two cracking performances, and then the final was a tight game that we eventually won on penalties.

My eighth League Cup triumph - and loved every one of them.

Europa League

Winners

An excellent Europa League campaign, even though it wasn't a competition I initially prioritised. We flew through the group stages with ease, scoring three goals or more in five of our games. In the knockout rounds we did very well in most games, but at times got sloppy, conceding more goals than we should have been doing. Come the semi's we faced Swiss side Neuchatel Xamax, and comprehensively thumped them.

In the final we faced Napoli, and like the League Cup final we won on penalties, after a stunning 3-3 draw. Quite easily the most amazing final in my career thus far.

Other Info

Squad Stats - Transfers - Finances

There were some top performers throughout the season. One inparticular wh stood out to was Javier Hernandez. When I took over I said it was a concern that a player his age, (just about 34 at the time), was still so important for the team. Well, it didn't prove to be a concern at all, as he performed superbly this season after a slow start. He will be 35 by the tart of the next season, but will still be here for certain.

Another oldie stood out aswell, and that was Scott Sinclair. Brought for next to nothing and now playing for me at club level for the third time, he didn't let me down again. Left back Simon Walsh, signed at the beginning of the campaign, also had a very good season.

We did spend alot of money over the course of the year, but it has to be pointed out that £38million of it went on one man. We made a very good amount aswell from selling players, and our net spend was just £19million.

Financially we have taken a hit since I joined, even if the books show a loss of just over £13million over the course of the season. When I joined we had a balance of marginally over £60million, so we have actually made a loss of around £50million from when I took over. Come the start of June we will get alot coming in from sponsorship, and with us being in the Champions League next season we will make alot of revenue from that. Also I expect to move one or two of the older players this summer who are relatively big earners.

Top 3 Players

Gomes
A frankly brilliant debut season. I can't help but think what his tally would have been had he not missed the first and last month of the eason through injury. The amount of goals he got was superb, but so was the assists. More next season please!

Isidro Rodriguez
Terrific season from the right winger. Since moving from Mexico for £12million three years ago he had struggled, but this season he really came to life under my management. Goals and assists flowed..............the only thing he suffered from one or two niggling injuries, which was a concern.

Saturnin Ahouandjinou
An absolute rock for us at the back, and he also popped up with alot of important goals. Just need to try and tie him down to a longer deal now!

What Next

Carry on as we are...........also Champions League football is back at Old Trafford!

[tomtuck01]

Oh yes, definitely one to get in the team.

Without a shadow of a doubt!

[tomtuck01]

The mighty Gomes.