Rolling Back the Years

Filed under: Manchester United Football Club, Manchester United Players

Sir Alex is celebrating 20 years of in charge of the Red Devils today (Monday). It was a great weekend for us with Arsenal and Chelski both losing and us going three clear at the top. Oh, how we’ve longed for some breathing space at the head of the pack having been chasing Chelski’s shadows for the last two years to be honest!

This post is all about Sir Alex and here’s how we roll back the years … courtesy of manutdzone.com.

1986-90: Dodgey beginnings

Ferguson’s first job was to lift United away from the foot of the table after Ron Atkinson had steered the club into trouble. This he accomplished but problems major remained. United’s reputation as a boozing club was not without foundation and Alex tackled the situation head-on. In addition, he revamped the youth team system, a decision that would repay a hundred fold. He paid minute attention to every detail of club life, first to arrive and last to leave was his attitude. Former United star Mark Hughes returned from Barcelona, Steve Bruce, Brian McClair, Gary Pallister and Paul Ince arrived but United were still adrift of the then champions, Liverpool. Though finishing an admirable second in 1988, 1989 brought dour anti-climax as the reds finished 11th. The side was hard working, methodical and dull, while Fergie’s cautious approach did not win the fans over. There was now growing doubt over whether Fergie was the man to turn United into Championship contenders.

Stretford End favorites Norman Whiteside and Paul McGrath were sold because of alcohol problems, they no longer fitted in with the new disciplined attitude Ferguson demanded. They were soon followed by Gordon Strachen, but this clear-out of quality players had a detrimental effect on the team. By January 1990 United were struggling at the foot of the table and chants of “Fergie Out” began to issue from stands and terraces, especially after a humiliating 5-1 defeat at Man City.

Martin Edwards always denies it, but Fergie’s job was on a knife-edge and it all came to a head in the 3rd Round FA Cup game away to Nottingham Forest. If United lost Fergie would have been sacked, no question about it. If the same situation had occured in today’s high pressure football world Fergie would have gone long before then. However, luckily for United, despite a disallowed Forest goal, Mark Robbins struck the winner and United had a narrow 1-0 win. United put a great run together and went on to win the FA Cup that season, playing every round away from home. After an epic 3-3 draw with Crystal Palace, it took a replay were defender Lee Martin gave Ferguson his first trophy, scoring the decisive goal in a 1-0 victory. Fergie now had some breathing space with the fans and board alike.

1990-93: Two cups then the League

Ferguson then set about trying to end United’s long wait for the League title. However there was time for more cups. The European Cup Winners’ Cup was won in 1991 with a great 2-1 victory over Barcelona and in 1992 the League Cup with a 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest. United had begun to play once more with the attacking flair the club was famous for, meanwhile the influential Denis Irwin, Ryan Giggs, Peter Schmeichel arrived on the scene. Yet, Ferguson still couldn’t bring the title to Old Trafford. When it finally seemed in their grasp after a successful run in 1992 which saw United at the top of the table in mid-April, a late collapse handed it to rivals Leeds United after a dreadful 2-0 Sunday defeat at Anfield. Ferguson was criticised and many fans and pundits thought United and Fergie were destined never to wear the crown of champions.

Once again they underestimated Alex Ferguson’s powers and United soon returned to form at the start of the next season. The real turning point came in November 1993 with the unplanned arrival of Leeds hero Eric Cantona, whom he signed after a chance inquiry made when the Leeds chairman telephoned about signing Denis Irwin. That chance inquiry would shape English football for 5 glorious years to come.

The way the canny Scot capitalised on that good fortune, realising that the brilliant French maverick must be the centre of his team, was inspired. Adopting an approach that, outwardly at least, was more relaxed, he finally secured the prize for which Manchester United had pined so painfully. Surging to the title over nearest rivals Aston Villa, and playing some sublime football along the way, 26 years waiting ended on the 2nd May 1993 and United were the League Champions at last.
1993-97: The Double Double

In 1993/94 Fergie’s red machine was all-conquering, stylish and unbeatable. Future captain Roy Keane arrived at the start of the season from Nottingham Forest for £3.5 million. By late autumn there was talk of an unprecedented domestic treble as United swept all before them and looked head and shoulders above the rest. However public opinion was swaying against United.

Fergie adopted a siege-mentality of “Us against the world” and criticism rained over a series of sendings-off and bookings that threatened to wreak the entire campaign. The League Cup Final was lost 3-1 to Aston Vila and Blackburn reduced a 16-point lead to just goal difference. Yet, Fergie and United regained their composure with strong performances in the last two months of the season. United regained the League with 10 points to spare and crushed Chelsea 4-0 to win the FA Cup, his first League and FA Cup “Double”.

1994/95 was anti-climactic, but did see the arrival of striker Andy Cole for £7 million. The title was conceded by one point to Blackburn and the FA Cup Final by a single goal to Everton. There’s no doubt United would almost certainly have won a second Double that year had Eric Cantona had not been banned for eight months by the FA after attacking an idiot ‘fan’ in the crowd at Selhurst Park. Fergie handled the media storm brilliantly and coaxed Eric to stay at United when the whole world seemed against him and the club. The incident showed Fergie’s man management skills at their very best.

1995-96 began with fans outrage surrounding the sales of Hughes, Ince and Andrei Kanchelskis over the summer. It prompted more doubting of Ferguson’s judgement but he dug in and replaced the departing stars with boys from his youth team. “Fergie’s Fledglings” consisted of David Beckham, the Neville Brothers, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt, not forgetting the youthful but already first team regular, Ryan Giggs. After an 3-1 defeat on the opening day of the season and Alan Hansen’s famous “you’ll win nothing with kids” outburst, many pundits thought Fergie and United’s glory years were finished.

However, they had all underestimated just how good these “kids” really were. Eight months later this largely home grown side was unstoppable and had overhauled big-spending Kevin Keegan’s Newcastle who at one time had a 14 point Premiership lead. As the Geordies faltered a superb run of victories between January and April inspired by Eric Cantona’s brilliance gave United the title. Then, seven days later they did the “Double Double” with a 1-0 FA Cup Final victory over bitter rivals Liverpool - Cantona scored the winner and lifted the cup as Captain, his redemption complete.

1997-1999: The Treble and Kings of Europe

Winning the League meant United were back in the European Cup, which was becoming an obsession to Ferguson like it had Sir Matt Busby - to capture the “Holy Grail”. It was the one area his United teams had failed in but now with the UEFA 3 foreigners rule gone, he could field his best team. 1996/97 brought a fourth Championship in five seasons, comfortably won in the end with new signing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer scoring 19 goals. However United failed in Europe at the semi-final stage to Borussia Dortmund losing both legs 1-0.

Eric Cantona then shocked the world by retiring and the following season United never adequately replaced him. Teddy Sheringham arrived from Spurs for £3.5 million but Roy Keane was badly injured early in the campaign and was forced to miss the rest of the season. Eventually after a brilliant first 6 months, growing injury problems meant the team ran out of steam.

United lost to Monaco in the European Cup while a new domestic rival in the form of Arsene Wenger of Arsenal appeared - his team’s late surge took the Premiership title and FA Cup to Highbury.

Determined to succeed against his new rival in the 1998-99 season Ferguson took a risk and splashed out a combined £23 million on Dwight Yorke and Japp Stam. Playing a brilliant attacking, free-scoring style, United swept all before them on the three fronts of League, FA Cup and Europe. Ferguson’s United had strength in depth like no other team, with quality like Solskjaer, Sheringham, Berg, Butt and Blomqvist sitting on the bench. In the league, United took charge after Christmas and set up a thrilling race to the finish with Arsenal close behind. A superb run in the FA Cup beating great rivals Liverpool,

Chelsea and Arsenal on the way put United in the FA Cup final. In the European Cup Fergie’s United, scoring goals everywhere, beat Inter Milan and Juventus to reach the final and set up an unprecedented “Treble”.

United clinched the first part of the treble by winning the League title 2-1 against Spurs at Old Trafford on a final, nerve-wrecking day. A week later United beat Newcastle 2-0 in the Cup final to complete an amazing third “Double” in 5 years.

Finally the one Ferguson most wanted, the big one, the European Cup. The final in Barcelona saw United take on Bayern Munich. For most of the game United were 1-0 down, until the 90th minute when one of the greatest, if not the greatest comebacks in sporting history saw the reds score two goals in injury time to win 2-1.

Fergie’s life-time ambition was achieved, he had done something no British manger had ever done or will likely do again, United were Champions of Europe at last, Champions of England and FA Cup winners all in the one brilliant season. Alex Ferguson soon became Sir Alex Ferguson, receiving a knighthood for his great achievements in the Queen’s birthday honours list, a thoroughly well deserved reward for his services to British football.
2000-2001: Beyond the Promised Land

It was always going to be something of an anti-climax the following season after the Treble year. Ferguson announced his intention to retire three years into the future at the end of 2002 season - not that he’d be easing off before then, of course. The sheer number of games in the expanded Champions League and the inaugural FIFA World Club Championship in Brazil meant United couldn’t defend the FA Cup. United had become the first British club to win the Intercontinental Cup winning 1-0 against Palmeiras in Tokyo but in the controversial Brazillian tournament United failed to get to the final. In Europe Real Madrid ended United’s hold on the European Cup with a 3-2 defeat in the Quarter Finals.

However the new millennium saw United sweep away all domestic opposition to claim Ferguson’s sixth Premier League title in a record breaking season. Scoring 97 goals and winning by a record margin of 18 points, no-one in England could touch United as they played brilliant attacking football and scored goals by the truck load in Ferguson’s most emphatic championship win yet.

Fergie himself won the Carling Manager of the Year award, the fifth time he had won the honour in the eight years of the Premiership.

2000-2001 saw another Premiership title as United surprised everyone by winning it once again without really breaking sweat. Most had thought rivals such as Arsenal or Leeds would mount a serious challenge. The title was clinched in mid-April but it had really been over since United took a 14 point lead in early January. It made Ferguson the only manager to have won three League titles in a row in English football history and the most successful ever. His 14 major trophies at United beating former Liverpool manager Bob Paisley’s total of 13.

With the club spoilt by success, the Premiership crown was no longer enough to satisfy and a disappointing exit to Bayern Munich in the Champions League Quarter-Final meant a flat end to the season. There was still a feeling of incompleteness, that this team need to prove themselves the best in Europe one more time to go down with the all-time greats of European football. The 2002 final would be at Glasgow’s Hampden Park and Fergie planned to go out on a high by winning it in his home city.
2001-2002: Fergie’s great U-turn

He prepared for his last campaign by smashing the British transfer record in the signing of Dutch striker Ruud Van Nistelrooy for £19 million and then obliterated the record again with the £28 million acquisition of Argentinian midfield maestro Juan Sebastian Veron. In a huge shock Fergie sold fan’s favourite Jaap Stam to Lazio and signed 35 year old Laurent Blanc as replacement.

The first few months were a nightmare for United as defensive problems, individual errors and key players under-performing left the team looking unusually vulnerable. It seemed the shadow of Ferguson’s departure was over the team and was affecting the players form. There was too much quality in the side for it to last though and soon United were back on top of the Premiership and on course for Hampden.

In February 2002 Ferguson made a dramatic U-turn, deciding to abandon his retirement plans. In the end it was his wife that helped persuade him, Fergie felt it would be a waste to retire just yet. He was still healthy, that famous hunger for success was still as powerful as ever and his team were reaching their peak. It just didn’t make sense to leave. Peter Kenyon and the United PLC breathed a huge sigh of relief for they had no adequate replacement lined up. In short, nobody seemed to want the job because it would be impossible to follow the great man’s achievements. Ferguson quickly signed a new contract ensuring another 3 years as United boss and the problem was solved.

Unfortunately, on the pitch the season ended in dire disappointment. In Europe, United went out to Bayer Leverkusen on away goals in the Semi-final, meaning there would be no Glasgow home-coming for Fergie. Despite leading the Premiership for 3 months after January, the early season disasters took their toll on United’s campaign. Arsenal took the glory of another Double as they had done so in 1998.

Once again Ferguson’s old rival, Arsene Wenger had returned to challenge him but all United fans were sure the man from Govan would strike back with a mighty onslaught designed to put the pretenders in their place.

2002-2003: Fergie’s greatest title win?

The eighth title win in 11 years must surely rank as the greatest achievement in Sir Alex Ferguson’s glittering 17-year reign at Old Trafford. Ferguson vindicated his decision to carry on in the job and managed to overcome deadly rivals whom appeared to be unassailable champions. After United’s sticky start to the campaign, his critics said he should retire. They claimed Ferguson was past it. How he must have scoffed at such ludicrous claims and now they are eating their words. Finishing last season trophyless hurt everybody at the Theatre of Dreams - but Ferguson took it personally smashing the British transfer record again by signing Rio Ferdinand for £29 million and appointing ex-Portugal and South Africa coach Carlos Queiroz as his number two to shake things up.

However the season started badly and the autumn was littered with negatives for the Old Trafford giants. Just about everything appeared to conspire against the club. Eight points from the opening 18 was the worst return since 1989-90. United were treading water while arch-rivals Arsenal and Liverpool were flying. Roy Keane had a valid point; United’s players were dangerously entrenched in the comfort zone. Ferguson’s biggest masterstroke was to put seven players under the surgeon’s knife. It was a high-risk strategy which would eventually pay handsome dividends. The low point of the season was the 3-1 derby defeat at Manchester City in November. Ferguson read the riot act and the hairdryer was so hot it almost melted.

By Christmas, Arsenal were odds-on to cruise to a second successive title. Arsene Wenger’s fanciful claim that Arsenal could go the entire season without losing enraged Ferguson. The first day of December was a turning point as the much-maligned Diego Forlan twice scored to send United to a win 2-1 at Liverpool.

A 2-0 home win over Arsenal followed and the appetite was back. United were hungrier than ever to satisfy the craving of their manager. Ferguson kept telling his players they were good enough to win the Premiership, that Arsenal had overdone talk about how good they were and that his team were still a force. Yet, Arsenal looked certainties when they went eight points clear at the top on the day United lost the Worthington Cup final 2-0 to Liverpool. United were fit and firing on all cylinders and embarked on a 17-match unbeaten run from Boxing Day to 3 May, which saw the Reds erode Arsenal’s seemingly impregnable lead and then overtake their title rivals.

Ruud van Nistelrooy’s phenomenal 43 goals, including 12 in seven crucial matches during the run-in, helped seal United’s championship prize. Even the storm surrounding the “boot incident”, David Beckham’s eventual transfer to Real Madrid and United’s European exit to the Spanish champion’s failed to distract rampant United from finishing the job in style.
2003-2005: The beginning of the end?

Ferguson’s Old Trafford dynasty was now the greatest in English football history equalling Liverpool’s run of eight titles in 11 years between 1975-1986 but the 2003-2004 season failed to extend that record. The dramatic selling of David Beckham to Real Madrid in June showed that no player, no matter how big, could take his place at Old Trafford for granted anymore. New players were brought in: Ronaldo, Tim Howard and Louis Saha looked impressive Eric Djemba Djemba and Kleberson less so. By Christmas 2003 with 19 games gone the team was in good shape, four points clear at the top of the Premiership.

Two major events would derail everything. The suspension of Rio Ferdinand for a missed drugs test and Ferguson’s own legal battle over racehorse Rock of Gibraltar with major United shareholder’s John Magnier and JP McManus. Without Rio, the defence crumbled and many points were dropped, whilst Magnier and McManus launched a bitter personal campaign attacking and undermining Ferguson. Fergie would not back down though and it looked like his United days could be numbered as rumours began of Coolmore forcing him out of Old Trafford. Fans and supporters’ groups rallied to his cause but in the end the United boss backed down and settled out of court.

By the time United crashed 4-1 to Manchester City in March the league title was over with the Champions 12 points adrift whilst European hopes had been dashed by FC Porto. The only consolation was the FA Cup in which United played their best football. Beating Man City, Aston Villa and Fulham en-route, a titanic semi-final clash with Arsenal saw Ferguson get the better of Wenger again at Villa Park with a steely 1-0 win. A comfortable 3-0 victory over Millwall secured the final and made it a record 5th FA Cup triumph for Fergie.

However, it was still a disappointing campaign by United’s high standards and unfortunately in season 2004-2005 the trend continued. Despite the arrival of Wayne Rooney from Everton for £30 million and Leeds hero Alan Smith Sir Alex’s team suffered a goal scoring problem with only 58 league goals, the lowest scored since 1991. The absence of Van Nistelrooy through injury was a major factor and critics claimed the team had lost its clinical edge. Only 5 games lost however 11 draws saw far too many points dropped to mount a serious challenge.

By contrast, Chelsea funded by Abramovich’s billions and inspired by Jose Mourinho’s confidence were unstoppable and put 9 points between themselves and United at Christmas. By early March the title was once more beyond Sir Alex and Europe had also ended again in failure after home and away 1-0 defeats to AC Milan. The attention turned to the FA Cup as the last hope for silverware and the Reds saved their best form with fine wins over Middlesbrough, Southampton and Newcastle. In the final, United outplayed Arsenal for 120 minutes, creating chance after chance. But just as in the League, the failure to put the ball in the net proved fatal and the Gunners undeservedly took the cup 5-4 on penalties.