Looking back at everything you need to know from the 2009/10 Manchester United season.
The 2009/10 season ended in disappointment as Manchester United were unable to win a fourth consecutive Premier League title.
United won one piece of silverware when they defeated Aston Villa in the League Cup final, defending the trophy having won it the previous year.
- Manager: Sir Alex Ferguson
It was a transitional period for the Red Devils because it was the first season after Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez’s departures.
The team became heavily reliant on the sensational form of Wayne Rooney, who became the team’s main attacking focal point.
After pushing hard for Premier League success, United were ultimately beaten by Chelsea by a single point on the final day of the season.
United were also eliminated from the Champions League quarter-finals by Bayern Munich on the away goals rule. A 4-4 aggregate scoreline ended a chance to reach a third consecutive final in Europe’s biggest competition.
In the FA Cup, United suffered a 1-0 defeat to rivals Leeds at Old Trafford in the Third Round.
Season outcome and top scorer
- Premier League position: 2nd
- Points total: 85
- FA Cup: Third Round
- League Cup: Winners
- Champions League: Quarter-finals
- Trophies: 1
Rooney finished the season as United’s top scorer with 34 goals. He scored 26 goals in the Premier League that season.
- Top scorer: Wayne Rooney – 34
Signings
- Antonio Valencia
- Mame Diouf
- Gabriel Obertan
- Michael Owen
Memorable matches
There were multiple memorable matches in the 2009/10 season for United.
Manchester United 4-3 Man City
Widely considered to be the greatest Manchester derby of all time. It was the first season where City were viewed as a genuine title challenger.
The scoreline was tied at 3-3 in the 90th minute after Craig Bellamy’s equaliser, but Michael Owen scored a dramatic winner in the 96th minute following a pass from Ryan Giggs.
It was Owen’s greatest moment in a United shirt to settle a seven-goal thriller.
Manchester United 2-1 Aston Villa
A 2-1 win over Aston Villa saw United become League Cup champions for a second consecutive year.
There was early drama when Villa opened the scoring through James Milner after five minutes, but Owen scored a leveller seven minutes later.
The winner was scored in the 74th minute by Rooney after coming off the bench.
Manchester United 3-2 Bayern Munich
Ferguson’s side went into the game needing to overturn a 2-1 first-leg deficit. A perfect start led to United leading 3-0 within 41 minutes thanks to goals from Darren Gibson and Nani (x2).
The Bundesliga giants pulled one back through Ivica Olic before half-time, and Rafael Da Silva was sent off early in the second half.
Arjen Robben dealt United a massive blow with a stunning volley in the 74th minute, as Bayern Munich reached the semi-finals on away goals with a 4-4 aggregate scoreline.
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Manchester United 2-1 Arsenal
This was an important early-season victory over a major rival.
After losing Ronaldo and Tevez, Arsenal were still unable to get the better of United.
United came from behind thanks to Rooney scoring a penalty and Abou Diaby putting the ball into his own net.
What else happened in 2009/10?
The departure of Ronaldo led to Rooney becoming United’s key player.
Rooney scored his 100th and 101st goals for United in the Premier League against Wigan Athletic on August 22, 2009.
It was also the first season Rooney surpassed the 30-goal mark for the club.
Rooney won the PFA Players’ Player of the Year and the FWA Footballer of the Year awards for the season.
United agreed a deal with Fulham for Chris Smalling in January, but he remained at Craven Cottage until the end of the season.
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