[FM20] A Family Divided!

[bestbrother]

Recap as we enter a new decade:

[bestbrother]

2030/31 - Part 1

Is it Dundee's turn....

Dens is gone and the Rab Douglas Stadium is here, the Dundee skyline has gone through a dramatic change in the past couple of years and with all the relative success of the Cities football teams, its only right they have the modern stadia available to them to push on a maintain that success.

Now its only right we talk about the cost of all this and how we are here. Dundee are just about afloat, it may seem dramatic to say that, but the club is in the can for the best part of £100M, due in part to a new stadium but also transfers and wage dealings. Across the way and United are in a hole for around half of that (£50M) whilst also sporting the 2nd highest annual wage bill in the league at £30M per, half of what Celtic spend, yet almost as much as Rangers and Dundee combined.

To maintain the status quo of the clubs competing, its imperative both hit Champions League football on a consistent basis and with the SPL now having 3 slots for next year, there is no better time for the City to send both its sides into the top table of European football.

So with money seemingly tight, the transfers should be controlled right? Wrong! United went for it in an attempt to consolidate their position as Champions. A season high £109M would be spent, including a record breaking £40M on Croatian youngster Gvardiol from Manchester United, with another £38.5M going on Fuchs in the winter window.

Dundee would also gamble at £59M spent, almost half of that going to United as the first transfer deal involving the teams since Lawrence Shankland, saw Sapa and Wendling swap the Tangerine for the Blue of Dundee.

The reality is, for 33 games the City of Dundee was gripped by the tightest of title races as both Dunny and Tanner eyed each other up and let their teams slug it out. United had the slender upper hand going into the league split, part due to their 2-1 at Dundee, then for Dunny to watch his team slump 0-3 at Hibs, as United took control with 5 to play.

The split is rarely kind to Dundee and once again it began to bite, back to back home draws with Hibs and Celtic, allowed United to edge 4pts clear as their 4-1 win at home to Hearts, drove a stake into Dundee hearts. Then with both teams in Glasgow, United would lose to Celtic, giving the Dee a chance at Ibrox... they failed to take it and once again saw their title dreams slipping out of their hands.

A penultimate day win for Dundee would potentially setup a final day decider at United, but with Hearts playing the spoiler in that tie, a United win at Hibernian would send the Tangerine faithful wild as they would clinch their 2nd straight title and 3rd under the stewardship of Tanner Dice.

Dunny Dee would once again wear the bridesmaid dress, his team again failing to get over the hurdle and coughing up a leading position in a miserable finale. There was also no consolation for the team in their 1-0 final day win over United.. a bitter guard of honour was held as United prepared themselves to hoist the flag to open next season.

Final Table

Ding Dong Dundee Derby

Rab Douglas Stadium, a new home for the derby... what can it bring to the table...

#1 - Welcome Home

Just as United won their first derby in their new digs, so do Dundee and in dramatic fashion with McInnes slotting in the 90th minute.

#2 - Thriller at Dens

McInnes got involved in the scoring once more, but it wasnt to be for Dundee as United squared up the season series.

#3 - Rab is Toppled

Sapa saw red against his former team as the Dundee unbeaten run in their new stadium ended at 1. McInnes loves a derby goal, but its not reaping the rewards just yet.

#4 - BIttersweet

There is little to celebrate here for Dundee as they watch United lift the SPL trophy, its a painful 1-0 win for the Dee.

[bestbrother]

2030/31 Part 2

Cup Fitba'

4 times in 6 years and you get the feeling that the good times are just going to keep on rolling for United. This win secured them their first ever double and they did it in style, not conceeding all competition and romping to a 3-0 win over Falkirk on a sunny afternoon at Hampden.

For Dundee, a year to forget as Championship upstarts Inverness did the damage in and 1 and done year for the Dee.

 

At the time it wouldnt have been thought about, but now, looking back, United were a penalty shootout win away from a historic treble. Celtic played the spoilers here, winning the shootout 2-4 and not only stopping United winning 3 straight League Cups, but also denying them the treble.

A penalty loss for Dundee as well ended their cup interest. However the 2nd round loss to Partick is hardly something to write home about.

What a wild and mazy run for Dundee United this year in the Champions League. They looked all but dead in the Group Stage after collecting just 1pt from the Ajax fixtures, yet a dramatic late win at home to Manchester United would setup a finale in matchday 6. United had to win, they did just that, 5-0 in Turkey, whilst the 'Other United' in the group did their part in beating Ajax to help send the Tangerines into the knockout phase.

A 4 goal salvo would help see off Monaco in the last 16, but the United fairytale would end there as Italian behemoths AC Milan needed no invitation to beat the Tangerines with a pair of old fashioned Italian 1-0 wins as United can hold their heads the highest from this years competition.

Dundee also had a lengthy run in Europe, as they waltzed through to the Quarter Finals, beating everyone in their path, including a 4-2 agg. win over Torino that saw the Dee win in Italy 2-0. Sadly a sloppy home performance in the Quarters saw them come up shy 0-0 against AZ, a result that they would rue as the Dutch side turned it on in the return and stopped Dundee in their tracks.

Edited February 23, 2020 by bestbrother

[bestbrother]

2030/31 - Part 3

Off the Field and Beyond...

Transfers

As mentioned, United spent heavily this summer (and winter) to recruit a squad that would not only challenge domestically, but also put up results in Europe. The majority of their spend went on a pair of strikers, as Gvardiol (record signing at £40M) and Fuchs (signed in January) would combine for 80% of the clubs spending.

Club stalwart Antonio Marin would finally leave, as he challenged himself with a move to Fiorentina, following the best part of 150apps and 50 goals for the club in the SPL. Other notable sales saw both Sapa and Wendling trade colours in the City, as Dundee tempted them across as they both found themselves frozen out of the 1st team picture under Tanner Dice.

Dundee also spent more than they received and as mentioned would raid United for the duo of Sapa and Wendling. Another ex-United player also joined their ranks as Lewis Morgan, released by the Tangerines, found himself apart of the Dundee squad come the start of the campaign.

The Dee would also see key players leave during this season, as Flemming Cliford, the prolific Danish hit-man rejected a new deal and took on a move to Krasnodar after scoring 95 goals in all competitions for the Dee in 5 seasons.  Another player refusing a new contract would be Massimo Gattelli, the Italian Stallion. Dundee cashed in on him early as he signed for Spurs in a bargain £1M deal, signalling the end of his 4.5 year love affair in the City where he scored 105 goals for the club.

Best XI

Awards

United expectedly lined up the majority of the leagues best XI, with just Tambon (Celtic) and Dundee's Boswell spoiling the sweep.

Gvardiol also top scored in his debut year in Scotland, justifying (just) his massive £40M fee as his 26 goals is a top flight best for United under Tanner Dice.

Next Season

2 down, more to come? United will now aim for a 3rd straight SPL but with success coming in all domestic competitions and a taste of European football deep into the season, you could be forgiven for expecting too much.

Financially their debts may weight them down and it may see a fair bit of movement in  the squad once more. But Tanner Dice has been adept in rebuilding his team at short notice to maintain its competitive edge.

For Dundee, its almost becoming a burden around their necks... another Runners Up slot in the SPL and another chance to win it spurned at the last. The Dee are watching their rivals mop up trophy after trophy, whilst they have now gone 4 years since their last silverware.

Again the club may look to cut its cloth a bit here, but can they afford too much upheaval on the pitch if they want to match Uniteds success?

[bestbrother]

2031/32 - Part 1

All the 3's

Theres little to put here other than, United dominated and have now won 3 straight SPL titles. Id love to detail a frantic title race, where United over came the odds and beat Dundee on the final day of the season to edge out their City rivals to the title, however that final day win over Dundee held a different significance.

You see Tanner Dice has put together one of the best teams seen in Scotland, its easy to argue that case as the final day win over Dundee saw United put up 100 goals and over 100 points on the year. The title was won by a whopping 34 points, United lost just 2 games all year and their 3rd title was a procession in which the whole of Scottish Football sat back and admired.

The battle behind United would be for the remaining 2 Champions League slots. Of course Dunny had has Dundee side involved and the reality for them was the final day defeat at United would see them lose their grip on 2nd place and an automatic place in the group stage.

A scenario that could escalate their deteriorating financial position as the club now sit on a net debt of £150,000,000 and are likely to put in measures to curb this dangerous slide towards Administration.

Final Table

Ding Dong Dundee Derby

Its all United...

#1 - Welcome Home

United led, then had a player sent off late, before former Tangerine 'Sapa stole the show with a last minute strike to share the spoils in the season opening Derby.

#2 - United on Top

Another tight affair, but United were dominate at home this year as a 26500 sellout saw their team edge past 'Dee/

#3 - Dundee See Red

A crazy early red card set the tone here as Dundee would play the whole game with 10-men, something you cant do against the nations best as United waltzed to a 2-0 win.

#4 - Double Centurions

The irony here saw not only United score their 100th league goal of the year (Bowie 5th minute), but also hold out to win and move to 102pts, as well as spoil Dundees hopes of 2nd place in the table. It really is 'All United'...

[bestbrother]

2031/32 Part 2

Cup Fitba'

Goals galore and for United their win in this competition would complete a domestic treble as United would be the first team outside of the Old Firm that cleaned up all the Scottish honours in the same season.

Uniteds cup run would see them smack Stenhousemuir for 7, then score 8 past Dundee over 2 ties, 4-4 and then 4-2 at home to see of their rivals. Aberdeen also saw 4 at Pittodrie, whilst Celtic and then Hibs in the Final saw 3 a piece as the Tangerines hit 25 goals in this years Cup.

Dundee as you will know, lost out to United once more. They rallied to a 4-4 draw at home, but succumbed in the replay as Sapa saw red against his old team in a frustrating evening for the Dee.

This would be the first piece of the treble for United, as they imposed themselves over the Old Firm, doing Rangers in the Semis, before Celtic were toppled in the Final, a reverse of last years outcome.

Domestic cup football is beginning to gripe for Dundee fans as they are starving for a trophy and this year the League Cup saw them fall early in a beatdown by Hearts.

United had another solid outing in the Champions League this term, with the highlight being a 3-2 win at home to Liverpool that all but ensured their place in the last 16. The Tangerines would stumble in winnable games at Hertha Berlin and Ajax, but did just enough to go through with 3 wins and 3 defeats.

In the knockout phase United came up against Barcelona. A 1-1 draw at home was respectable but not nearly enough, as a 0-4 beating at the Nou Camp ended their run on a low note.

A tough group for Dundee and it showed on the pitch, as they would lose 5 of their 6 ties, salvaging just a draw at home to Feyenoord, which ensured their European adventure was over before the year was out.

[bestbrother]

2031/32 - Part 3

Off the Field and Beyond...

Transfers

The biggest deal for United this term was the signing of Job Jalving, a Dutch striker who was on the radar of rivals Dundee over the past 18 months. United managed to get the deal done for £20M as Jalvings 'Job' was to replace...

Gvardiol! Yes the hitman lasted just one year at United, banging in 39 goals before seeing his release clause triggered by Benfica at £48M. Another player leaving for £48M would be 21 year old Argentine defender Marcos Frutos. Frutos lasted 2 years with the Tangerines before Real Madrid made their move, as United would rake in over £110M to further enhance their finances, a stark contrast to the Blues across the City.

This may well be the end of the spending at Dundee as their financial position is increasingly precarious, yet Dunny was allowed to pump another £60M worth of talent into his squad as a fresh batch a faces found their way to the club.

A South American influence highlighted Dundee's dealings with Pias, Zulu and Barcelo contributing for half of the clubs spending.

Best XI

Awards

As expected, the awards were cleaned up by United players. Potent (as his name suggests) cleaned up with the Football Writers award as well, thanks to his record breaking 26 assists in the SPL this year.

How many of these United players will be in Tangerine next term, that is the question many will ask...

Next Season

United are fast tracking their way to success and now the players can get involved, as the club sign a big sponsorship deal that will provide Cars for all their players!

Other than that, United are coming off the back of a Domestic Treble, 3 straight SPL titles and a season that saw 100 goals and 100+ points. Conquering Europe has to be the next aim, but maintaining domestic dominance will be the challenge facing Tanner Dice as United look to continue their vice like grip on the Scottish game.

Dunny Dee has arguably the toughest road ahead. The club are sinking in their debt, the board have announced a halving of their wage budget, which means the club are well over what they should be spending and there is little money available to add to the squad.

The chances are Dundee will sell in order to balance their books, or at least free up more funds to have another gamble in the market. However the squad is already good enough to put up a better challenge domestically, so its on Dunny's shoulders to get his team competing with United once more.
 

Edited February 29, 2020 by bestbrother

[bestbrother]

Dundee's Financial Woes...