United ended their Spanish hoodoo in some style with a this 2-0 victory to put one foot firmly in the Champions League semi-finals. United had never beaten a Spanish side in Spain in 12 attempts during their illustrious 46-year European history. This was a Deportivo side who had beaten United and Arsenal home and away this season and had never lost before to an English side in their intimidating Riazor Stadium. United were excellent and could have won by 4 or 5, they were relentless up front and resolute at the back. Giggs was running at Depor from every angle and the Spaniards just could not handle him. David Beckham put United ahead on 15 minutes with a sublime piece of individual brilliance.

The England captain spotted Molina off his line and from over 30 yards out he chipped the Spanish goalkeeper to perfection. United scored a second goal four minutes before half-time when Mikael Silvestre on the left centred for van Nistelrooy to tuck home his 32nd competitive goal of the season. Some of the shine went off United's night when Roy Keane was injured but it was easily the finest result in Europe since lifting the European Cup in 1999.

 
United produced a stunning comeback, scoring three goals in five minutes to beat Aston Villa 3-2 with Ruud van Nistelrooy stealing the show. The £19million Dutchman became the first player in the club's history to score in seven successive games, helping United fight back from 2-0 down to a 3-2 win.

United looked dead and buried at 2-0 down but suddenly found the resolve to turn the tie on its head and leave Villa wondering what had hit them. Solskjaer started the revival then Van Nistelrooy broke Villa hearts when he came off the bench to score superb goals in the 80th and 82nd minutes and complete a sensational recovery.

 
A Paul Scholes hat-trick inspired Manchester United to an emphatic 7-1 victory over West Ham at Old Trafford and extended their lead at the top of the Premiership to 10 points. Scholes scored with a 20-yard drive, a back-heel and a penalty as United recovered from falling behind after 11 minutes to destroy their London visitors with a performance of power and speed that left the Hammers a quivering wreck come final whistle. Goals from Denis Irwin, Andy Cole, David Beckham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer completed the scoring and showed just how awesome United could be when on top form.

 
The clashing of David Beckham and Diego Simeone only nine months since the infamous 1998 World Cup game was always going to memorable. How would Beckham react? More importantly, could United show they were serious contenders against the classy Italians? The answer was that Beckham played superbly with great skill and composure setting up both goals for the outstanding Dwight Yorke. United swept the Italians aside in a glorious first half display of passing attacking football.

In the second half, Peter Schmeichel pulled off a string magnificent saves one from close range to deny Ivan Zamorano, while Henning Berg cleared off the line - United just were absolutely determined not to give Inter that vital away goal. To top it all, Simeone had a goal disallowed for pushing. Beckham had his revenge and United were set up nicely for Second Leg in the San Siro.

 
United took Ron Atkinson's Forest apart and led 4-1 with Yorke and Cole both on a hat-trick. The game was now drifting to a quiet end as both teams accepted the inevitable outcome. But 72nd minute substitute Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had other ideas.

The Norwegian bagged four clinically taken goals in the last 10 minutes to claim the match ball and render The City Ground, United fans and all, totally gobsmacked. It was the fastest hat-trick and the biggest away win in the 14 years of the Premiership.

 
Liverpool had bugger all success at Old Trafford in the 90's but Owen's early goal and United's slow start seemed to suggest this was their moment. Scholes drove over from a great opportunity before the woodwork denied Keane in the 80th minute when he fired against the inside of the post. Late in the game Sky's Andy Gray said "Its just Liverpool's day" and few were arguing as United piled on the pressure creating chance after chance: but the illusive goal just wouldn't come.

Then, like waiting for a bus, two come along at once. A free kick and Dwight Yorke equalised from close range. Liverpool were stunned. A minute later, substitute Solskjaer got the ball on the edge of the box and slammed in the winner. Liverpool were devastated. Their fans were crying in the stands in disbelief - a truly great site for any United fan. There is no better way to win a game against Liverpool, from total deflation to elation in 2 minutes. Of course, Solskjaer would do it again on an even bigger more dramatic occasion.............

 
This was a superb display of all-out attacking football by both teams, the like of which is a rarity in the modern game. Barcelona led after only a minute, then United equalised through Dwight Yorke, before Andy Cole made it 2-1 just after half time. Barcelona desperately needed a win or they where all but out of the competition and fought back to make it 2-2 from a Rivaldo free kick. Then United went back in front again through a Yorke header only for Barca to equalise again for 3-3. Yorke and Cole were on fire that night, combining brilliantly, as was David Beckham's passing and crossing.

The Barca genius, Rivaldo's 2nd goal was superb, a brilliant overhead kick. He also rattled the United crossbar from 35 yards with only 5 minutes to go but on the night a draw was fair result for both teams. The result did effectively knock Barcelona out of Europe, United, would of course return to the Nou Camp again later that season......

 
This majestic performance by United destroyed Chelsea, the 1997 FA Cup winners and then holders. At the time Alex Ferguson claimed the attacking play was the best he had seen from any of his United sides. Right from the start they were first to every ball, Giggs electric, Cole even quicker, Teddy Sheringham winning every header, Beckham in his element. It was a Beckham goal that opened the scoring, famously he mocked the Chelsea fans, holding his ears as if to say "I can't hear you singing now!!!!".

He then scored a beautiful 25 yard free-kick and this was followed by two superbly taken Andy Cole goals via lightning counter-attacks. It could have been even more with United constantly threatening until finally Sheringham made it five with a bullet header from a corner. In cruise control United lost their concentration and Chelsea got a goal back. Another followed and as Gary Pallister gifted the ball to Vialli, yet another!!!! It was too little, far too late, an insane finish to a sensational game. Chelsea knew that the scoreline flattered them because they had been outclassed when it mattered.

 
A potentially nerve-wrecking end of season encounter between second placed Liverpool and leaders United ended with a humiliating defeat for the Scousers. United were the much better team throughout and two headed Gary Pallister goals led 2-1 at half-time.

A howler by Liverpool keeper David James gave Andy Cole an easy third and Cole could have made it four on 90 minutes but shot narrowly wide. "We won the League on Merseyside" sung United fans and they were right, for this was the crucial victory that more or less sealed the title.

 
Kevin Keegan's immortal words set this game up: "They've got to go to Middlesbrough and get something and I'll tell you this, I will love it if we beat them, love it". The final day of the season saw United needing a win to secure the title over Newcastle. The game was filled with tension as United had lost the title on the last day the previous year, Boro's manager was Bryan Robson and wouldn't it be ironic if his side denied his old team?

They didn't though, as United had a great day and swept Boro aside. When Giggs made it 3-0 in the 80th minute the Championship was secure and captain Steve Bruce ended his United career by lifting the Premiership trophy.

 
The second coming of Eric Cantona after his 6 month suspension for his "Kung-foo kick" makes this match significant. After a huge amount of speculation Cantona aout his return he responded immediately by helping United's Nicky Butt score in the first minute. Liverpool responded by scoring twice, however in the 75th minute United won a penalty and it was Eric's job to take it. Would he miss on his return?

No chance, he clamly placed the ball past the keeper James before jumping onto the pole behind the net in mad celebration. It was great to have him back and he would soon make up for his absence, winning United the League and Cup double by May.

 
United got revenge on bottom of the table Ipswitch for defeating them earlier in the season by hammering in nine, and all without the then suspended Eric Cantona. Andy Cole went goal mad with five as United created a Premiership record victory margin.

 
It was payback time for Man City for a 5-1 defeat at Maine Road in 1989 with this powerhouse display that blew their local rivals out of the water. Winger Andrei Kanchelskis had his best night ever and got a hat-trick, only the second man ever to do so in a Manchester derby as United recorded a record derby victory margin.

 
It seems an eternity ago and nothing compared to what was to come, but this was the night that United finally buried the hoodoo that had haunted them for 26 years. Aston Villa's 1-0 defeat at home to Oldham on the previous day meant that United became the inaugural Premier League champions.

The game itself was irrelevant but a United team half pissed from celebrating the night before still managed to crush Blackburn with ease. A tremendous weight was lifted from the clubs shoulders, it was now a platform for the United era of domination. It was an emotional night to see Bryan Robson a champion at last and Sir Matt Busby, whose last chance it was to see his club champions again before he died.

 
1-0 down at Home with the clock on 90 minutes, like the season before, United looked to have blown the League title which for so long they looked like winning. Then, captain Steve Bruce got his head on the end of a hopeful cross to equalise.

Minutes later he sensationally scored again with a header, this time from a corner. Old Trafford erupted, Alex Ferguson ran onto the pitch and Brian Kidd was on his knees thanking the heavens above. United had scored twice in stoppage time to take the 3 points and this dramatic victory ultimately set them up to win the title over nearest rivals Aston Villa.

 
United had lost out the previous season in this competition losing 1-0 to Sheffield Wednesday in the Final, now they returned to face Nottingham Forest managed by Brian Clough. It was the days when Alex Ferguson still took the competition seriously, he had constantly fielded his best eleven and United had beaten title rivals Leeds 3-1 at Elland Road in an epic Quarter Final.

On the day of the final, United wore the fancy blue away kit which was liked by many at the time: in hindsight it looks hideous. There were chances for Steve Bruce, Paul Ince and Brian McClair had a shot cleared off the line as United dominated. The game was eventually settled by a typical McClair goal, the trophy providing a welcome success that season as United lost out to Leeds in the title race.

 
The 1987-88 league table showed United were greatly inferior to Liverpool who eventually would go to win the League that year. But United always raised their game when up against their bitter rivals.

Facing one of the strongest Liverpool sides ever, they fell 3-1 behind and looked dead and buried when reduced to ten men. Yet a miraclous recovery saw goals from Byran Robson and Gordon Strachan secure a 3-3 draw. Strachan celebrated his equaliser cheekily pretending to smoke a cigar. United extended their league record against the Merseysiders to one defeat in 17 games.

 
The first semi-final had finished in uproar at Goodison Park. A disputed last minute Liverpool equalizer from Paul Walsh made it 2-2 but the linesman flagged the goal as offside - the referee somehow managed to totally ignore him. In the return four days later it looked like curtains for United when Paul McGrath scored an own goal in the 1st Half.

United stormed back in the second half and it was captain Bryan Robson who led the way in the 47th minute. Running from the half-way line he had a group of Liverpool players on his back, just when it looked like he would be caught, Robbo unleashed a stunning 30 yard drive into the top corner past Grobbelaar - a truly spectacular goal.

Twelve minutes later with the game on a knife edge, a Gordon Strachen pass put Mark Hughes through on goal. He beat the offside trap and slammed the ball home to give United the lead. The following minutes were tense but United held out to make it to Wembley.

 
Having won the home leg 1-0 through a George Best goal, Manchester United found themselves 3-1 down at half-time in the second leg in Madrid. An inspired team talk by Sir Matt Busby rejuvenated the team and they came storming back with 2 goals to draw level and go through 4-3 on aggregate to the European Cup Final. Defender Bill Foulkes was the unlikely hero with the equaliser.

 
Winning the home leg 3-2 Manchester United arrived in Lisbon airport were George best was hailed as "El Beatle". He lived up to expectations as he ripped the excellent Portugese Champions to pieces with his dazzing runs and two goals. Goals from Bobby Charlton, John Connelly and Pat Crerand added to Benfica's misery as United completed the rout. In the following semi-final however, United would narrowly lose out to Partizan Belgrade.

 
Five years after the Munich tragedy Matt Busby had assembled a new team at a cost of £1,000,000. Six new players: Noel Cantwell, Pat Crerand, Maurice Setters, Albert Quixall, David Herd and Denis Law joined the remaining Busby Babes like Charlton and Foulkes. Leicester had England's legendary Gordon Banks as goalkeeper and finished 4th in the League that year, United had only just avoided relegation finishing a lowly 19th. Denis Law scored the opening goal in the first half with a fine shot past Banks.

David Herd made it two early in the 2nd Half from a rebounded Charlton thunderbolt. Leicester pulled a goal back through a Ken Keyworth header but United sealed the victory when Herd capitalised on a fumble by Banks to sweep the ball in from close range. Irishman, Noel Cantwell went up and collected the cup, it was the start of United's great team of the 1960's.