Teaching Ideas (Reading): Manchester United Review of the Season

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In this teaching ideas post we ask Brendan, a Manchester United fan, to review his team’s title-winning season for us. Read the interview below and then practise your reading skills and vocabulary with the printable worksheet below. You can also find more teaching ideas here and lots more football language in languagecaster’s football glossary.


Adobe PDF icon Worksheet (Reading Skills): Manchester United Season 2009 pdf



How would you sum up the season?
All in all, a pleasing season given our huge commitments in all competitions. We were only a penalty shootout away from playing the most amount of games possible in a season – the World Club Cup, League Cup, FA Cup, Charity Shield, Premiership and Champions League. The most pleasing aspect being the fact that we pipped our most fervent rivals Liverpool to the title. And knocked them off their perch.

What were the key moments of the season?
When we arrived back from the World Club Championships we had a tough fixture against Stoke away which we manged to win with a late goal from Carlos Tevez. A tough place to win at any stage and also a place where Liverpool slipped up. Other notable mentions, 18 year-old Macheda’s goal against Villa in stoppage time while we were going through a slump and also Howard Webb’s timely intervention against Tottenham and on a personal note Michael Carrick’s goal against Pompey.

Were you ever worried about not winning?
In fairness, Liverpool pushed us all the way this season. At the beginning of the year, I thought that a final points tally in the early 80’s would suffice. As it happens, United could win on Sunday against Hull and finish with 90 and still only win by 4 points. So, until Michael Carrick scored a late goal against Wigan last week I was always worried. But isn’t that what fans are supposed to do?

What was the darkest moment of the season?
A game at which I was in attendance. Old Trafford 14th of March: Man Utd 1 Liverpool 4. Didn’t see it coming but as I said to fellow disconsolate fans leaving the ground, it is still retrievable. And it was.

Who was your player of the season?
Due to the severe workload, United had to use most of their squad at various stages this season, so in many ways it was a squad effort rather than being down to one outstanding performer. However, Nemanja Vidic played most games and was probably our most consistent performer (save for the Liverpool match)

Can you win again next season? Who will be your main challengers?
Yes we can. A lot depends on the future of messers Tevez and Ronaldo. The challengers will be the same as any other year, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal. The transfer window will be key. As will the retention of our pensioner manager!!


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Teaching IdeasEpisode 2