Looking back at everything you need to know from the 2004/05 Manchester United season.
The 2004/05 season was a trophyless one for Manchester United.
It was a transitional period for United as they finished third in the Premier League, 18 points adrift of Chelsea as runaway champions.
Manager: Sir Alex Ferguson
United reached the last 16 of the Champions League before getting knocked out by AC Milan (2-0 on aggregate).
The closest United got to success that season was in the FA Cup before losing the final to Arsenal 5-4 on penalties.
In the League Cup, United were eliminated by Chelsea in the semi-finals.
Rio Ferdinand argues with Arsenal players at Old Trafford
Photo credit should read PAUL BARKER/AFP via Getty Images
Season outcome and top scorer
Premier League position: 3rd
Points total: 77
FA Cup: Runners-up
League Cup: Semi-finals
Champions League: Round of 16
Trophies: 0
Wayne Rooney finished as United’s top goalscorer with 17. He scored 11 goals in the Premier League that season.
Top scorer: Wayne Rooney – 17
Signings
Wayne Rooney
Gabriel Heinze
Alan Smith
Gerard Pique
Liam Miller
Memorable matches
Manchester United 2-0 Arsenal
This result famously ended Arsenal’s 49-match unbeaten run in the Premier League.
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It will be remembered for aggressive tackles and two second-half goals from Ruud van Nistelrooy and Rooney.
The infamous ‘Pizzagate’ incident took place at full-time when a food fight took place, with a slice of pizza reportedly hitting Ferguson.
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Manchester United 6-2 Fenerbahce
Rooney got his United career off to a dream start with a brilliant hat-trick against Fenerbahce in the Champions League.
It was the perfect debut as Ryan Giggs headed United ahead before Rooney took the headlines.
Van Nistelrooy and David Bellion made it six with under 10 minutes to go.
Arsenal 2-4 Manchester United
This six-goal thriller is one of the greatest matches between the two fierce rivals. It all started with a pre-match tunnel bust-up between captains Roy Keane and Patrick Vieira.
Arsenal took the lead twice, but goals from Giggs, Cristiano Ronaldo (2) and John O’Shea sealed the win.
Manchester United 0-0 Arsenal (Arsenal won 5-4 on penalties)
United’s run in the FA Cup ended in disappointment as Arsenal won the final on penalties.
It was United’s last chance to win a piece of silverware that season, but Jens Lehmann made several crucial saves to keep the Gunners in the tie.
Paul Scholes was the only United player to miss his spot kick.
What else happened in 2004/05?
Rooney was voted PFA Young Player of the Year in his debut season at Old Trafford.
Van Nistelrooy scored 14 goals despite being limited to 17 appearances due to injury.