2005/06 Manchester United season, final position, top scorer, memorable matches

Add as preferred source on Google

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.

Season outcome and top scorer

• Premier League position: 2^nd
• 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.

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.

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.