9 of the best Fergie-time goals by Manchester United

Late goals and Manchester United go together like peanut butter and jelly. Last-minute goals have become synonymous with the EPL giants, and Robin van Persie’s late equaliser against Chelsea on Sunday was yet another example of United’s much-famed never-say-die spirit. Although people had started doubting United’s mental toughness and their ability to come back into games, the last couple of games have shown that the club are on their way back to restoring their reputation.We decided to put together 9 of the best “Fergie Time goals”, here is a look at them:

#1 John O\'Shea scores in front of the Kop

Gary Neville would later go on to say that John O’Shea did what Neville always dreamt of doing – scoring in front of the Kop end at Anfield.

In the 2006-07 season, Manchester United travelled to Anfield needing a win to firm their clasp on the EPL title. With 90 minutes up on the clock and hte two teams locked at 0-0, United received a free-kick near the touchline.

John O’Shea, who had come on as a substitute, was in the right place as Pepe Reina fumbled Cristiano Ronaldo’s powerful set-piece. The Irishman scored from close range and wheeled away in delight, as a stunned Anfield watched on.

United snatched three points at the expense of the hosts, with an injury-time goal from an unexpected source.

#2 Paul Scholes wins the Manchester Derby

In the 2009-10, Manchester United visited neighbours Manchester City for what promised to be a spicy derby. With the scores locked at 0-0, United threw caution to the wind in search of a last-gasp winner.

Patrice Evra found space to cross the ball into the box, and Paul Scholes ghosted in and scored in the final minute of injury-time to give United all three points. Gary Neville, meanwhile, showed his delight by planting a kiss on Paul Scholes. Such was the importance of the goal.

#3 Eric Cantona vs QPR

March 1996 saw United visit QPR, with a draw or a win enough for United to go to the top of the table, ahead of Newcastle. With the hosts leading through a second half goal, United were staring down the barrel as injury time approached.

In search of the equaliser, United threw all bodies forward. They attacked but in vain, until Ryan Giggs picked up the ball with only seconds remaining on the clock. He curled in one of his trademark crosses, and found Eric Cantona at the far post, who nodded home to send United to the top of the table.

#4 Robin van Persie wins the Manchster Derby

Robin van Persie marked a derby debut with a sensational freekick in the 90th minute to seal all three points for the Red Devils. Bought in the 2012 summer window for a hefty fee, the Dutchman curled the ball past a diving Joe Hart to send the away fans into rapture.

Samir Nasri played his part in the goal as well, with the deflection off his foot sending the ball past Hart.

#5 Nemanja Vidic vs Sunderland

Midway through the 2008/09 season, Sunderland visited the Theatre of Dreams. The match turned out to be a cagey affair, with United unable to get on the scoresheet.

With the click ticking over 90 minutes, United’s desperation began to show as they threw bodies forward. In the 91st minute, Michael Carrick collected a loose ball and fired it at the goal. The ball deflected and hit the post, and Vidic, who had stayed up following a corner, smacked home the rebound to turn a drab draw into a late win for the hosts.

#6 Kiko Macheda scores a stunner

At the fag end of the 2008-09 season, Liverpool and United were locked in a tight battle at the top. April saw Liverpool beat Fulham and with United playing later against Villa, the pressure was on the Red Devils to record a must-needed win after two successive defeats.

United trailed Villa 2-0 in the second half, but a late goal from Nemanja Vidic restored parity. United, with their tail up thanks to the late goal, went in search of the winner for an improbable win.

Substitute Kiko Macheda, all of 17 years, would provide them with the moment of magic as he curled home a sensational and dramatic winner deep into stoppage time. The goal’s importance cannot be underplayed, as it provided United with the impetus to go on and win the title ahead of Liverpool.

#7 Michael Owen scores for Manchester United!

Eyebrows were raised when Sir Alex signed former Liverpool and Real Madrid player Michael Owen on a free transfer in the 2009-10 season. But any doubts over Owen’s allegiance would be put to bed courtesy a dramatic last-minute winner in the Manchester derby of September 2009.

Owen seized on a glorious pass from Giggs in the 96th minute and slotted the ball past the City keeper to send the home crowd into pandemonium.

#8 The 1999 Champions League Final

This is one tale that will never get old. United’s historic treble win is the stuff of dreams, and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will forever be remembered by the fans for this moment of glory that brought Sir Alex his first Champions League trophy.

#9 Steve Bruce vs Sheffield Wednesday

This is where it all began for Manchester United. The titles, the fame, the unprecedented success in the EPL – it can all be traced back to this header by Steve Bruce in the inaugural English Premier League in April 1993.

United were trailing Sheffield with only 4 minutes left, as the title seemed to be slipping away from them. But centreback and captain Steve Bruce scored his first of two goals in the 86th minute to level the match.

Then in the 96th minute, Bruce scored what would be the decisive goal in the match and the season, as United ran out 2-1 winners.

Skip to 4:20 for the winner.