On what is an incredibly limp and lacklustre final weekend, we look at the only two games that matter on Sunday, the dawning of a new era for Manchester United and wonder what’s next for the talented Mr. McCarthy.
North London v Tyneside and nothing else matters
Far from stumbling upon a lyric that didn’t quite make into the classic Metallica song, the sentence above merely refers to the most anti-climactic end to a Premier League season in quite some time.
The title race was decided yonks ago and Wigan’s slim hopes of pulling off yet another great escape came to an end at the Emirates on Tuesday night, meaning that only fourth and possibly third place are up for grabs this Sunday, which even the most dedicated company man at Sky would struggle to describe as ‘Super’.
Had both Newcastle and Sunderland been made to the fight to the death, both of these games might have been a tad more interesting. Instead, what is likely to happen is that fully-focussed Arsenal and Spurs teams will have it easy against opposition who stopped caring as soon as their safety was secured, something that Alan Pardew admitted to last week before swiftly retracting his statement for the sake of political correctness, a quality the Newcastle boss doesn’t exactly possess in spades.
Everton could help ramp up the interest levels by giving Arsenal a shot at third place, but it would still be a huge surprise if the teams currently in third, fourth and fifth place aren’t in the same positions come Sunday evening.
What next for James McCarthy?
Regardless of whether Wigan stayed up or not it was always going to be a struggle for them to hold on to their hugely talented Irish international, who has been absolutely outstanding for the Latics in recent weeks.
Giovanni Trapattoni mightn’t be aware of just how good McCarthy is, but Roberto Martinez certainly is and was speaking of an inevitable bid from a bigger club for the 22-year old long before Wigan’s fate was sealed.
Our man McCarthy is destined for bigger and better things
What happens to Martinez could have a direct impact on McCarthy’s future as he will no doubt be keen to bring him with him if he takes over at Everton or another Premier League club, but rumours of interest from Chelsea and Arsenal suggest that McCarthy might be destined for even greater things.
Potential suitors for McCarthy will be able to have one last look at him against Aston Villa this weekend and while he will play in the Europa League next season if he stays where he is, the Champions League might be a more suitable platform for his talents.
Given that we haven’t had a representative there since John O’Shea and Aiden McGeady, wouldn’t that be great to see from an Irish perspective?
One final farewell for Fergie
He was certainly given a fitting send-off at Old Trafford last weekend, but if it hasn’t already, reality will really bite for Manchester United fans on Sunday when Alex Ferguson takes charge of a United team for the very last time.
As well as going out on a high after winning the league, Fergie has also timed it so that his last game will also be his 1,500th, even if it will hardly go down as one of his most memorable when it is likely to feature a far from full strength side against opponents who have nothing to play for and were woeful in defeat to Norwich last weekend.
After Sunday, it is not just the absence of Fergie that Manchester United fans will have to get used to. Wayne Rooney’s future is still up in the air, as is that of fringe players like Nani and Anderson, while Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic aren’t getting any younger, not to mention Ryan Giggs.
Nobody knows what style of play David Moyes will seek to impose on his new team or the players he will try and bring in during what will be a very eventful summer at Old Trafford. There is a certain element of the fear of the unknown amongst United fans at present and Fergie’s final farewell at the Hawthorns, and the realisation that he is actually gone after all, will only bring that home to roost.
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