As the decade draws to a close, its time to relive the moments that make me think this is why I love Football. The "noughties" was perhaps the most memorable decade in terms of success for Manchester United. Six Premier titles, one Champions League crown, one FA Cup and a couple of League Cup trophies were won as Sir Alex built his legacy at Old Trafford.
The decade started with United in possession of both domestic and European crown. 1998-99 season was stuff of dreams. It was impossible to replicate that kind of success but Man Utd came very close. The most challenging task for Sir Alex Ferguson was to replace Peter Schmeichel after his departure and it took a long time to find a decent replacement. Apart from the great Dane, the core of the 99 squad was intact and they carried on from where they left. United went on to defend the Premier League crown but were knocked out by Raul inspired Real Madrid in the Champions League.
After failed attempts to find a new goalkeeper, United turned to World Cup winner Fabien Barthez. The eccentric Frenchman provided some stability at the back. He had a very good first season as Man Utd went on to complete the hat trick of domestic titles in 2001. European glory eluded the Reds again. It was Bayern Munich's turn to knock United out on their way to glory, burying the demons of 99 in the process.
Sir Alex Ferguson shocked the World by announcing his retirement plans at the end of 2001-02 season. This decision perhaps destabilized the club. The squad itself was chopped and changed during the course of the season. Rock solid Jaap Stam left the club in controversial circumstances and his replacement was veteran Frenchman Laurent Blanc. The arrival of Dutch maestro Ruud Van Nistelrooy signalled the end of the road for highly successful Cole-Yorke partnership. The transfer of Argentine superstar Juan Sebastian Veron was greeted with joy but this deal proved to be one of the rare mistakes by Sir Alex Ferguson in the transfer market. United ended the season trophy less. It was not how Sir Alex wanted to bid farewell. So, he took a U-turn and dismissed the idea of retirement. This decision spurred United on to achieve greater things in future.
United broke the bank to sign Rio Ferdinand to help the ailing defense at the start of 02-03 season. Ruud Van Nistelrooy enjoyed a sensational season to help United reclaim Premier League glory in dramatic fashion. The season was dominated by headlines of deteriorating relationship between Sir Alex and superstar David Beckham. Beckham inspired United to a sensational 4-3 win over Real Madrid in a game where Brazilian legend Ronaldo scored a hat trick. It was one of the best displays ever by a visiting player at Old Trafford. Despite losing, Real Madrid went through on aggregate and United were left to rebuild the squad again.
High profile players Barthez, Veron and Beckham left Old Trafford in the summer of 2003. In came Portuguese teenager Cristiano Ronaldo who would inspire United to great success in the future. But, he was too inexperienced at that stage. 2003-04 was Arsenal's invincibles' season. This was also the season when Roman Abramovich arrived at Chelsea and turned them into a superpower. United were in the middle of a rebuilding phase and they finished the season in third place. Jose Mourinho announced his arrival on the scene with his Porto side that knocked United out of the Champions League. But, the season ended on a high for United as they beat Millwall to claim the FA Cup.
United spent the next two seasons in the shadow of Jose Mourinho's Chelsea. They saw Chelsea's rise to prominence. It was time to rebuild. Teenage sensation Wayne Rooney joined United in the summer of 04. He scored a hat trick on his debut. The signs were positive but United were not ready to challenge Chelsea at the summit of the League. A trophy less 2004-05 season was followed by a disappointing 05-06 season. United finished at the bottom of their Champions League group. Chelsea proved to be too strong in the Premier League again. But, consolation came in the form of League Cup triumph.
There were some major changes in the squad during the course of the 2005-06 season. Dutch veteran Edwin Van Der Sar joined the Red Devils. He'd go on and become a worthy successor to the Great Dane six years after his departure. In January 06, United swooped for defenders Patrice Evra and Nemanja Vidic. They were bargain buys of the decade. But, all was not well within the club. Skipper Roy Keane was unceremoniously shown the Old Trafford exit door in the middle of the season. Top scorer Van Nistelrooy had a training ground bust up with Ronaldo. Off the pitch, a takeover by American businessman Malcolm Glazor saddled the club with debt and left the supports skeptical about the future of the club. All these factors combined to make United look like a club in the decline.
The summer of 2006 heaped further misery on the club. The young stars of the club, Rooney and Ronaldo, had a spat during the World Cup which saw Rooney sent off. England were knocked out by Portugal and Ronaldo bore the brunt of criticism for his involvement in the sending off. Ronaldo, fearing for his safety, looked set to move on but Sir Alex knew his potential. He convinced the Portuguese to stay at the club. Rooney and Ronaldo moved on from the World Cup incident. But, striker Ruud Van Nistelrooy, who had an incredible scoring record for United, left the club. So, the press was not convinced of United's strength and goalscoring prowess. They were the underdog as Chelsea spent big in the summer again. But, as an old saying goes, write Manchester United off at your own peril.
2006-07 was a sensational season, my favorite after 98-99. Man Utd played some fantastic Football that season. Rooney and Ronaldo were at their best. They were duly supported by ever present Giggs, Scholes and Neville. Ferdinand and Vidic formed a formidable partnership at the back. It was great to see Man Utd beat the odds again under Sir Alex Ferguson. The Premier League trophy came back to Old Trafford. An injury crisis at crunch time of the season left United too weak for an experienced AC Milan team. United were knocked out at the semi final stage. It proved to be a very important experience for the young side and they came back stronger the next season.
2007-08 was all about Cristiano Ronaldo. What a season he had. He scored goals left, right and center to help United retain the Premier League crown and go one better in the Champions League. Everything fell in place at the right time. United became the Champions of England, Champions of Europe and Champions of the World. Ronaldo won all the individual accolades that were there to be won and he deserved it.
Ronaldo spent the summer of 08 flirting with his dream club, Real Madrid but stayed at United in the end. United didn't perform as well as the last two seasons but a watertight defense that broke a long standing clean sheets record, helped United to complete the second League title hat-trick. The youngsters at the club showed their mettle as they claimed League Cup glory. But, United missed out on the Champions league crown by a whisker. They were beaten in the Final by a fantastic Barcelona side.
The summer of 09 started with Ronaldo getting his dream move. He became World's most expensive player ever when Real Madrid paid £80m for his services. Sir Alex was back to the drawing board again. After building so many successful sides in the past, who'd bet against him to pull it off again. This season has been a bit up and down. United have been inconsistent but are only two points away from the summit. Teams like Man City, Tottenham and Aston Villa are looking strong making this season very exciting. This season's Champions League will witness Old Trafford favorite David Beckham's return with AC Milan.
United were written off by experts all over Europe before the season began as the void created by Ronaldo's departure looked too huge to fill. But, as the old saying goes, write United off at your own peril. When a young manager named Alex Ferguson arrived at Old Trafford 23 years ago, he promised to knock Liverpool off their fucking perch. No one believed him. Last year he drew level with Liverpool's record of 18 league crowns. He loves to beat the odds and like him his team are most dangerous when their backs are against the wall. With Sir Alex Ferguson at the helm, I wouldn't bet against this United side achieve even bigger things in the next decade.
The decade started with United in possession of both domestic and European crown. 1998-99 season was stuff of dreams. It was impossible to replicate that kind of success but Man Utd came very close. The most challenging task for Sir Alex Ferguson was to replace Peter Schmeichel after his departure and it took a long time to find a decent replacement. Apart from the great Dane, the core of the 99 squad was intact and they carried on from where they left. United went on to defend the Premier League crown but were knocked out by Raul inspired Real Madrid in the Champions League.
After failed attempts to find a new goalkeeper, United turned to World Cup winner Fabien Barthez. The eccentric Frenchman provided some stability at the back. He had a very good first season as Man Utd went on to complete the hat trick of domestic titles in 2001. European glory eluded the Reds again. It was Bayern Munich's turn to knock United out on their way to glory, burying the demons of 99 in the process.
Sir Alex Ferguson shocked the World by announcing his retirement plans at the end of 2001-02 season. This decision perhaps destabilized the club. The squad itself was chopped and changed during the course of the season. Rock solid Jaap Stam left the club in controversial circumstances and his replacement was veteran Frenchman Laurent Blanc. The arrival of Dutch maestro Ruud Van Nistelrooy signalled the end of the road for highly successful Cole-Yorke partnership. The transfer of Argentine superstar Juan Sebastian Veron was greeted with joy but this deal proved to be one of the rare mistakes by Sir Alex Ferguson in the transfer market. United ended the season trophy less. It was not how Sir Alex wanted to bid farewell. So, he took a U-turn and dismissed the idea of retirement. This decision spurred United on to achieve greater things in future.
United broke the bank to sign Rio Ferdinand to help the ailing defense at the start of 02-03 season. Ruud Van Nistelrooy enjoyed a sensational season to help United reclaim Premier League glory in dramatic fashion. The season was dominated by headlines of deteriorating relationship between Sir Alex and superstar David Beckham. Beckham inspired United to a sensational 4-3 win over Real Madrid in a game where Brazilian legend Ronaldo scored a hat trick. It was one of the best displays ever by a visiting player at Old Trafford. Despite losing, Real Madrid went through on aggregate and United were left to rebuild the squad again.
High profile players Barthez, Veron and Beckham left Old Trafford in the summer of 2003. In came Portuguese teenager Cristiano Ronaldo who would inspire United to great success in the future. But, he was too inexperienced at that stage. 2003-04 was Arsenal's invincibles' season. This was also the season when Roman Abramovich arrived at Chelsea and turned them into a superpower. United were in the middle of a rebuilding phase and they finished the season in third place. Jose Mourinho announced his arrival on the scene with his Porto side that knocked United out of the Champions League. But, the season ended on a high for United as they beat Millwall to claim the FA Cup.
United spent the next two seasons in the shadow of Jose Mourinho's Chelsea. They saw Chelsea's rise to prominence. It was time to rebuild. Teenage sensation Wayne Rooney joined United in the summer of 04. He scored a hat trick on his debut. The signs were positive but United were not ready to challenge Chelsea at the summit of the League. A trophy less 2004-05 season was followed by a disappointing 05-06 season. United finished at the bottom of their Champions League group. Chelsea proved to be too strong in the Premier League again. But, consolation came in the form of League Cup triumph.
There were some major changes in the squad during the course of the 2005-06 season. Dutch veteran Edwin Van Der Sar joined the Red Devils. He'd go on and become a worthy successor to the Great Dane six years after his departure. In January 06, United swooped for defenders Patrice Evra and Nemanja Vidic. They were bargain buys of the decade. But, all was not well within the club. Skipper Roy Keane was unceremoniously shown the Old Trafford exit door in the middle of the season. Top scorer Van Nistelrooy had a training ground bust up with Ronaldo. Off the pitch, a takeover by American businessman Malcolm Glazor saddled the club with debt and left the supports skeptical about the future of the club. All these factors combined to make United look like a club in the decline.
The summer of 2006 heaped further misery on the club. The young stars of the club, Rooney and Ronaldo, had a spat during the World Cup which saw Rooney sent off. England were knocked out by Portugal and Ronaldo bore the brunt of criticism for his involvement in the sending off. Ronaldo, fearing for his safety, looked set to move on but Sir Alex knew his potential. He convinced the Portuguese to stay at the club. Rooney and Ronaldo moved on from the World Cup incident. But, striker Ruud Van Nistelrooy, who had an incredible scoring record for United, left the club. So, the press was not convinced of United's strength and goalscoring prowess. They were the underdog as Chelsea spent big in the summer again. But, as an old saying goes, write Manchester United off at your own peril.
2006-07 was a sensational season, my favorite after 98-99. Man Utd played some fantastic Football that season. Rooney and Ronaldo were at their best. They were duly supported by ever present Giggs, Scholes and Neville. Ferdinand and Vidic formed a formidable partnership at the back. It was great to see Man Utd beat the odds again under Sir Alex Ferguson. The Premier League trophy came back to Old Trafford. An injury crisis at crunch time of the season left United too weak for an experienced AC Milan team. United were knocked out at the semi final stage. It proved to be a very important experience for the young side and they came back stronger the next season.
2007-08 was all about Cristiano Ronaldo. What a season he had. He scored goals left, right and center to help United retain the Premier League crown and go one better in the Champions League. Everything fell in place at the right time. United became the Champions of England, Champions of Europe and Champions of the World. Ronaldo won all the individual accolades that were there to be won and he deserved it.
Ronaldo spent the summer of 08 flirting with his dream club, Real Madrid but stayed at United in the end. United didn't perform as well as the last two seasons but a watertight defense that broke a long standing clean sheets record, helped United to complete the second League title hat-trick. The youngsters at the club showed their mettle as they claimed League Cup glory. But, United missed out on the Champions league crown by a whisker. They were beaten in the Final by a fantastic Barcelona side.
The summer of 09 started with Ronaldo getting his dream move. He became World's most expensive player ever when Real Madrid paid £80m for his services. Sir Alex was back to the drawing board again. After building so many successful sides in the past, who'd bet against him to pull it off again. This season has been a bit up and down. United have been inconsistent but are only two points away from the summit. Teams like Man City, Tottenham and Aston Villa are looking strong making this season very exciting. This season's Champions League will witness Old Trafford favorite David Beckham's return with AC Milan.
United were written off by experts all over Europe before the season began as the void created by Ronaldo's departure looked too huge to fill. But, as the old saying goes, write United off at your own peril. When a young manager named Alex Ferguson arrived at Old Trafford 23 years ago, he promised to knock Liverpool off their fucking perch. No one believed him. Last year he drew level with Liverpool's record of 18 league crowns. He loves to beat the odds and like him his team are most dangerous when their backs are against the wall. With Sir Alex Ferguson at the helm, I wouldn't bet against this United side achieve even bigger things in the next decade.
