Little Book of Manchester United (8 page)

*Actor James Nesbitt.

FA Premiership

Having failed to win the first Division title between 1967 and 1992, the inception of the Premier League in 1992-93 saw United claim the trophy at the first attempt and retain it the following year. The final day of the 1995 season arrived with United being in a position to claim a hat-trick of trophies if they beat West Ham United and Blackburn failed to beat Liverpool. As it turned out, Blackburn lost at Anfield but United could only manage a 1-1 draw at Upton Park so the title went to Ewood Park.

With Eric Cantona reinstated to the side following his eight-month ban, United began to reel in Kevin Keegan’s Newcastle United side that had amassed a seemingly unassailable lead at the top of the Premiership. A 1-0 victory at St James’ Park in March 1997 brought the gap to one point and proved a turning point as the Magpies finished the season in second place, four points adrift.

*Manchester United celebrate after winning the Premier League, 2009.

United finished second to Arsenal in 1997-98 but then went on to win three consecutive Premierships before their dominance faded.

Chelsea again dominated the 2006 campaign but United went on to complete another hat-trick of Premier League wins on May 16 2009, when they secured their 11th Premier League title – and 18th League title overall – following a 0-0 draw at home to Arsenal.

Ferdinand

After his talents as an accomplished defender in the 2002 World Cup were made evident, Alex Ferguson decided that Rio Ferdinand (born 7 November 1978) was just what United needed to sort out their shaky defence. He was transferred from West Ham United for the record fee for a defender of £30 million and signed for United in July 2002.

Ferdinand is renowned for his calm ability on the ball, his talent for maintaining great pace and his aerial flair. Armed with good organisational skills and his talent to anticipate the game, Ferdinand has established himself as one of the world’s top defenders. He only really found his feet at United towards the end of his first season, after injury and lack of form hampered his efforts at the start, and he helped United win their 15th League title.

In September 2003, Ferdinand missed a routine drugs test and despite appealing was banned for eight months in January 2004. He was the team’s defensive lynchpin and with Ferdinand’s ban firmly in place, United finished the season in third.

*Rio Ferdinand clears as AS Roma forward Mirko Vucinic looks on during their Champions League match, April 2008.

A stalwart of both the United (more than 300 appearances) and England (78 caps) defence, he signed a new five-year contract in May 2008. Six days later he went on to captain United to Champions League glory in Moscow. It was a fitting way to end a near flawless season for the centre-back. His good form continued into the 2008-09 campaign, with Ferdinand playing a crucial role in United’s record-breaking clean-sheet run.

Ferguson

Alex Ferguson secured his status as one of the most successful managers in the history of the game following his move to Manchester United in November 1986.

After a playing career as a centre-forward including a spell at Rangers, Ferguson brought his skills and determination to football management. He stayed at East Stirling for three months before being offered the managerial post at St Mirren where within 18 months he turned the team around and actively encouraged crowds to come and see his team play. Ferguson then moved to Aberdeen where he broke the dominance of Celtic and Rangers in Scottish football, claiming three domestic League titles, four Scottish Cups, the European Cup Winners’ Cup and a Scottish League Cup.

*Sir Alex Ferguson receives his manager of the month award, April 2008.

In 1986, having been Scotland’s caretaker manager for the World Cup in Mexico, he arrived at Old Trafford. His first few seasons proved difficult and he managed three unsuccessful campaigns before United won the FA Cup in 1990. Ferguson realised that success had eluded the team simply because United had become used to Cup runs. With that in mind, he began to change his players and the departures involved Neil Webb, Jesper Olsen, Mark Robins and Paul McGrath, while newcomers included Steve Bruce, Gary Pallister, Peter Schmeichel, and Paul Ince.

Ferguson’s second triumph was the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1991. Changes were also taking place in the youth system which was to grant significant results, but the most significant change of all was probably the arrival of Eric Cantona. Criticised for his choice of player, Ferguson knew that Cantona was his lynchpin. His decision was proved right when United won the 1992-93 Premiership. This was followed by the Double in 1994 and domination of English football.

*Sir Alex in hairdryer mode, April 2006.

Fans were shocked by Ferguson’s decision to sell Hughes, Kanchelskis and Ince, but he was confident in the youngsters coming through the ranks, who included Beckham, Scholes, and Ryan Giggs. In 1999 Ferguson led his team to an unprecedented Treble by winning the Premiership, the FA Cup and the European Cup. The achievement saw Ferguson become the first working manager to be knighted – and, despite an attempt at retirement, his career and enthusiasm show no signs of slowing down with a current haul of 11 Premiership titles, five FA Cups, three League Cups, two Champions League crowns and a FIFA World Club Cup in 2008.

Foulkes

For 18 seasons, Bill Foulkes (born 5 January 1932), was the rock at the heart of United’s defence. He arrived at United in 1950, making his League debut against Liverpool in December 1952. He had convinced Matt Busby of his fitness for the game, although in fact he had an ankle injury which affected his appearances for the remainder of the season.

Playing at full-back, Foulkes was a regular member of the Busby Babes and was one of the survivors of the Munich air crash. Two weeks later, along with Harry Gregg, he was playing against Sheffield Wednesday in the fifth round of the FA Cup. Like Bobby Charlton, Foulkes was instrumental to Matt Busby’s rebuilding of the United team and his manager put him in the centre-half position.

*A stern Bill Foulkes.

Bill Foulkes went on to score a spectacular goal in the semi-final of the 1968 European Cup against Real Madrid. His goal sent United to the Final, where the team beat Benfica 4-1. After Munich, it was an emotional time for those who had survived. United had rebuilt their shattered team and the consistent contributions made by Foulkes had been rewarded with European victory.

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Giggs

Born on 29 November 1973, Ryan Giggs was just 17 when he made his debut in the first team as a substitute against Everton in the 1990-91 season. As a winger, he has the ability to run with the ball at lightning speed, which added to his sense of balance, ensures he gives the opposition plenty to worry about. Ten years later, he was the youngest ever United player to receive a testimonial.

*Ryan Giggs tangles with Jason Roberts of Blackburn Rovers, 2008.

During his second season with the club in 1991-92, Lee Sharpe’s injuries enabled Giggs to earn a regular first-team place where he played an important role in United’s League Cup win. It was also in this season that he was capped for Wales, becoming their youngest international. In 1992 he also received the PFA Young Player of the Year award and captained United’s youth team to victory in the FA Youth Cup. The following year saw him again awarded with the PFA Young Player of the Year, becoming the first player to win it twice.