In a season where they wrapped up the league title in April, got knocked out of the Champions League in the most dramatic fashion, and witnessed the last of legendary Sir Alex Ferguson after his unexpected retirement, Manchester United served their fans a cocktail of conflicting emotions that eventually culminated in a fashion which typically defined their tumultuous campaign – a 5-5 draw away at West Bromwich Albion.
And not only that, a season where United truly justified their entertainment value by showcasing their goal-scoring pedigree, and comeback performances which they had made their own. The fans were treated with courageous and sumptuous display of football which definitely needs a flashback.
So, lets have a look at five of those magnificent Manchester United performances from the season that just went by:
Southampton 2 – 3 Manchester United, September 2012
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Manchester United went into the third match of their league campaign with a win and a loss apiece, and therefore, couldn’t have afforded another slip up in this match, especially after Sir Alex Ferguson, who was managing his 1000th league game as United manager, had stressed on a flying start to the season.
United started on the front foot but lost an early goal to Ricky Lambert against the run of play, which was answered almost instantly by their summer’s marquee signing, Robin Van Persie. The first half ended with some chances created at both ends.
In the second half, Southampton took the game to United, and deservedly went ahead again through Schneiderlin. United then had to step up, which earned them a penalty, but was uncharacteristically missed by Van Persie. At that time, it looked as if it was going to be one of those days for United.
But, United kept on fighting till the end, and it didn’t come as a surprise, when they scored twice in the last four minutes to snatch a victory from what looked like a certain defeat.
In the process, Robin van Persie notched up his first Manchester United hattrick in only his second start, and thereby turning into an instant fan favourite.
Sir Alex later said that ten such comeback would win them the title. What happened during the course of the season is known to one and all.
Aston Villa 2 -3 Manchester United, November 2012
Manchester United had to once again come back from behind to beat a resolute and determined Aston Villa side, buoyed by their confident young players, who took the game to United.
Andreas Weimann scored on either side of the half to hand Paul Lambert’s side a shock two goal advantage five minutes into the second half. Javier Hernandez, who was introduced at half time, proved to be the missing link in United’s jigsaw.
He scored a brace himself and forced an own goal from Vlaar to to complete a tremendous comeback, which had become a regular habit for United by then, that showcased the immense fighting spirit amongst the Manchester United players.
It was performances like these, where they eked out results without particularly playing well, that finally landed Manchester United their unprecedented 20th Premier league title.
Manchester City 2 -3 Manchester United, December 2012
Manchester United had a lot to play for apart from just three points after last season’s double derby defeat at the hands of their city rivals, which finally culminated in a gut-wrenching title defeat. The challenge was to defeat the champions in their own backyard where they hadn’t lost in the league since December 2010.
United, as expected, started as the more determined and hungry side and went two goals ahead within a quarter of the game played through two similar looking Wayne Rooney goals, who went into the record books as the highest goal scorer in Manchester Derby with ten goals, one ahead of legendary Sir Bobby Charlton.
In the second half, however, City came back strongly and imposed themselves on Manchester United and produced a champions’ response by getting themselves on level terms through goals from Yaya Toure and Zabaleta. With the momentum now firmly with them, City looked the favourite to score the winning goal going into the final five minutes of the game.
Sir Alex, however, thought otherwise and made an attacking substitution by bringing in Danny Welbeck, who earned United a free kick just outside the City’s penalty area.
Up stepped United’s talisman Robin van Persie, who Roberto Mancicni had earlier pointed out as the difference between the two sides, to score a dramatic late winner to break City’s hearts and send United fans into a delirium. The win went a long way in deciding the fate of the title.
Real Madrid 1 -1 Manchester United, February 2013.
Two of the world’s biggest football clubs led by two managerial greats; against each other in Europe’s elite competition; an array of supreme talent on show; and Cristiano Ronaldo‘s first game against his former and beloved club, rightly justified the statement that Jose Mourinho had said about the match – This was the match that the world is waiting for. Fortunately for the supporters, it didn’t disappoint.
The match started with Cristiano Ronaldo in the spotlight, but ended with young Spanish goalkeeper, David De Gea, taking away all the plaudits. He made a couple of world class saves in the opening stages of the match, that allowed his team to go a goal in front through Welbeck’s header off a Manchester United corner. However, de Gea couldn’t do anything with Ronaldo’s gigantic leap and header off Di Maria’s cross for Madrid’s equalizer. Madrid then went on to dominate the first half.
In the second half, Manchester United changed their tactics and looked more likely to score the next goal. Had Robin Van Persie got his scoring boots on for the night, United might well had taken a lead back to Old Trafford, but for once, the Dutchman looked off-colour. David De Gea, on the other end, didn’t let anything else from Madrid go past him.
It was a game of two halves where two magnificent sides cancelled each other out and produced a spectacle on the night.
Manchester United 2 -1 Swansea City, May 2013
It was a match that was insignificant in terms of its result, but was incomparable in terms of its occasion – where Sir Alex Ferguson and Paul Scholes were making their last appearance at Old Trafford, on a day when they had to be officially crowned as Champions.
Emotions were running high on an unforgettable afternoon at Old Trafford, where Manchester United supporters heralded their champions and bade emotional farewells to Sir Alex and Paul Scholes after a 2-1 victory over Swansea.
The match started with a guard of honor for Sir Alex Ferguson from both set of players, and the fourth official holding up the substitution board that read 38|26, signifying his 26 years in charge at Manchester United where he won 38 major trophies.
To everyone’s inattention, and probably divine intervention, Chicharito opened the scoring for Manchester United at exactly 38 minutes and 26 seconds. Michu, however, tried to spoil the party by scoring an equalizer in the second half.
It was then, when Rio Ferdinand chose the perfect moment to break his five-year long barren spell in front of goal by scoring a late winner at the Stretford End, and thereby, giving a perfect tribute to Sir Alex Ferguson.
The day ended with Sir Alex Ferguson holding the Premier League trophy for one last time, and giving an emotional speech, that led to millions of Old Trafford faithful shed a tear of respect for the great man and marking the end of an era.
