Here is why Manchester United will win the Champions League this season.
Manchester United overcame against all odds to qualify for the Champions League Quarterfinals this campaign. When the first leg scoreline read 2-0 for Paris Saint Germain at Old Trafford, most of the fans were quick to write their chances off to secure the qualification to the last eight.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer would have wanted an ideal start by scoring first in the game. The Norwegian was rewarded with a second-minute strike from Romelu Lukaku to give minimal chances of qualifying. However, the rewards were totally plunged when Juan Bernat scored from the close range to equalize the score within 10 minutes after the Red Devils took the lead.
The visitors kept on depositing pressure on the hosts’ defense and finally lead for the second time through their number 9 Romelu Lukaku. The Belgian took advantage of Buffon’s diabolical error when he spilled the ball from his hand to boost the confidence for the away camp.
In the second half, Kylian Mbappe broke through the counter-attack and beat two players including David Dea Gea only to slip down. The French International was not able to convert it and it eventually came back to haunt them.
Presnel Kimpembe handled the ball inside the penalty box and handed over a chance for Marcus Rashford to score from the spot-kick to give the lead in the injury time. It was a memorable victory for the Red Devils and they will already be dreaming to lift the Champions League for the fourth time in their history.
They might be one of the weakest teams in the competitions currently, but the Champions League winner is not elected based on the consistency. Any team can beat the top tier side on their day and Ajax are perfect examples of that.
There is a great chance of happening if history repeats for itself.
In 2007, Liverpool came as runners-up in the Champions League to AC Milan and a year later Manchester United beat Chelsea on penalties to lift the same trophy at Moscow.
During Jurgen Klopp’s first season, the German guided Liverpool to Europa League final and eventually lost to Sevilla at Switzerland. A year later, Jose Mourinho, during his debut season, was able to lift the same trophy by beating Ajax.
Last year Liverpool lost to Real Madrid in the Champions League finals. Wonder what’s going to follow up for Manchester United this season.
History does not stick with these two and club football either, but the International team also showed a way. Back in 1999, Sir Alex Ferguson lead his club to a treble and beat Bayern Munich in the Champions League. They came from a goal down to beat the Bavarians at Nou Camp. After all, their current manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was the man to score the winner in the dying seconds of the game to shock the German outfit.
A year before, France lifted the World Cup.
Of course, twenty years later, the Europeans are once again the Champions of the world by beating Croatia in Russia.
One point is sure, the likes of Barcelona or Lyon, Liverpool or Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid or Juventus, Tottenham Hotspur, Ajax, Porto, and Manchester City or Schalke will be giving their best to succeed in the tournament.
With the last three years champions Real Madrid bowing out of the competition, the competition is wide open and the Red Devils will be hoping to lift the prestigious European trophy. The current resurgence since the departure of Jose Mourinho has given hope for the fans and there is every chance of defeating the opponents if they put in a good show.
1968, 1999, 2008, 2019? Can Sir Alex Ferguson’s student Ole Gunnar Solskjaer help them attain the glory once again by lifting the Champions League this campaign?
Can the history repeat itself once again? Only time will tell.
