Looking back at everything you need to know from the 2005/06 Manchester United season.
The 2005/06 season was an inconsistent season for Manchester United, with alarming issues in midfield following Roy Keane’s abrupt exit in November.
A surge for the title resulted in United finishing runners-up in the Premier League, eight points behind champions Chelsea, but Sir Alex Ferguson’s side still managed to lift the League Cup in February.
Manager: Sir Alex Ferguson
United had a disastrous European campaign after finishing bottom of Group D in the Champions League, recording just one win against Benfica at Old Trafford. It was the club’s worst-ever attempt in the Champions League under Ferguson.
Moreover, the Red Devils were eliminated from the FA Cup after a fifth-round defeat to Liverpool at Anfield, with Luis García scoring the only goal.
The 2005/06 campaign was a period of transition and mixed fortunes for United.
Darren Fletcher and teammates celebrate goal against Chelsea
Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images
Season outcome and top scorer
Premier League position: 2nd
Points total: 83
FA Cup: Fifth round
League Cup: Winners
Champions League: Group stage
Trophies: 1
Ruud van Nistelrooy finished the season as United’s top scorer with 24. The Netherlands striker scored 21 goals in the Premier League.
Top scorer: Ruud van Nistelrooy – 24
Signings
Nemanja Vidic
Patrice Evra
Ji-sung Park
Edwin van der Sar
Ben Foster
Memorable matches
Manchester United 4-0 Wigan Athletic
This match was a clear highlight of the season because United secured their only trophy, and it was seen as the cup win that kick-started a golden era for the club.
More United News
The match took place at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. It was a straightforward affair against Paul Jewell’s side, thanks to goals from Wayne Rooney (2), Louis Saha and Cristiano Ronaldo.
United celebrated the win wearing ‘Thank You Smudge’ t-shirts, in honour of Alan Smith, who had recently broken his leg against Liverpool at Anfield.
Manchester United 1-0 Chelsea
Chelsea were unbeaten going into this game as reigning champions, but United secured a narrow 1-0 victory after Darren Fletcher sent his header over Petr Cech.
It ended a 40-game unbeaten run Chelsea enjoyed under Jose Mourinho, showing United could still compete and push for titles.
Sadly, it wasn’t enough to ruin Chelsea’s ambitions to win back-to-back titles.
Manchester United 4-2 Fulham
This match encapsulated the threat of the younger generation, as Ferguson put his trust in another crop of young players, including Ronaldo.
Ji-sung Park’s deflected shot and Ronaldo’s free-kick gave United a two-goal lead after 13 minutes.
Fulham pulled one back through Brian McBride, but Saha scored against his former club to make it 3-1. The visitors were given a chance when Heidar Helguson scored Fulham’s second, but any chance of a comeback was diminished as a late strike from Ronaldo sealed the win.
Which one striker at their peak would you re-sign for Manchester United right now?
What else happened in 2005/06?
After leaving United following a controversial interview with MUTV and a feud with Ferguson, Keane joined Celtic.
Rooney and Ronaldo established themselves as elite-level performers at a young age.
United also became the first club in Premier League history to score 1,000 goals. It was scored by Ronaldo in a 4-1 defeat to Middlesbrough.
Despite not winning the title, United finished the season with a Premier League-best 18 clean sheets.