THEY SAY THAT time flies when you’re having fun, and that is undoubtedly the case with regard to Alex Ferguson’s period in charge as Man United manager.
Fergie celebrates 26 years in the Old Trafford hotseat as of today, and with that in mind, here are some of the games that played an integral part in ensuring his legendary status.
Man United 1-0 Crystal Palace (1990)
In the middle of the 1989-1990 season, United were in dire straits, with some fans and critics calling for Alex Ferguson’s resignation. However, in what would become a recurring theme in his United career, Ferguson proved the doubters wrong by helping United to recover from this difficult period and guiding them to FA Cup glory.
In a game in which the outcome was uncannily reminiscent of their 1999 European Cup triumph, United scored two stoppage time goals that would be the turning point in the season, in which they ultimately won their first Premier League title since 1967.
As strange as it may seem to highlight a game in which United weren’t directly involved, this match was in many ways symptomatic of the 1995-1996 season writ large. Newcastle seemed to have the Premier League title sewn up, having established a 12-point lead by Christmas. However, they somehow let the lead slip and this game proved to be a pivotal moment in the season, enabling United to win their third league title in four seasons, and their second league and cup double of the 90s.
By 1999, United had been winning the league on a consistent basis and there was only one other title which eluded them – the European Cup. They finally captured this trophy in memorable circumstances, beating Bayern Munich with two last-gasp goals, leading them to win an unprecedented treble. Ferguson was subsequently knighted in acknowledgement of his services to the game.
Ferguson arguably learned more from this encounter than any other game during his Old Trafford career. United were well beaten by a Real Madrid side who were far superior tactically and technically on the night. United, despite nearly launching a comeback in the second leg, consequently exited the Champions League at the quarter-final stage. The result had a profound effect on Ferguson’s thinking, leading him to initiate major tactical readjustments for his side’s subsequent European matches.
Ferguson’s new footballing philosophy eventually paid dividends, as they won the European Cup for the second time, beating Chelsea on penalties and therefore, confirming his status as one of the greatest managers that the world of football has ever seen.
Despite United reaching the European Cup final in 2011, the significant gap in the two teams’ standard was every bit as apparent as it had been against Real Madrid eight years previously. Unsurprisingly, Fergie’s United have adopted a somewhat different, more fast-paced tactical approach both domestically and in Europe ever since, with Rooney in a deeper lying role among the more drastic changes to have been implemented.
Here are the 7 moments that have defined Fergie's time as United boss
THEY SAY THAT time flies when you’re having fun, and that is undoubtedly the case with regard to Alex Ferguson’s period in charge as Man United manager.
Fergie celebrates 26 years in the Old Trafford hotseat as of today, and with that in mind, here are some of the games that played an integral part in ensuring his legendary status.
Man United 1-0 Crystal Palace (1990)
In the middle of the 1989-1990 season, United were in dire straits, with some fans and critics calling for Alex Ferguson’s resignation. However, in what would become a recurring theme in his United career, Ferguson proved the doubters wrong by helping United to recover from this difficult period and guiding them to FA Cup glory.
YouTube credit: mattyredman
Man United 2-1 Sheffield Wednesday (1993)
In a game in which the outcome was uncannily reminiscent of their 1999 European Cup triumph, United scored two stoppage time goals that would be the turning point in the season, in which they ultimately won their first Premier League title since 1967.
YouTube credit: TheBoffrington
Liverpool 4-3 Newcastle (1996)
As strange as it may seem to highlight a game in which United weren’t directly involved, this match was in many ways symptomatic of the 1995-1996 season writ large. Newcastle seemed to have the Premier League title sewn up, having established a 12-point lead by Christmas. However, they somehow let the lead slip and this game proved to be a pivotal moment in the season, enabling United to win their third league title in four seasons, and their second league and cup double of the 90s.
YouTube credit: silentalarmactiv8
Bayern Munich 1-2 Man United (1999)
By 1999, United had been winning the league on a consistent basis and there was only one other title which eluded them – the European Cup. They finally captured this trophy in memorable circumstances, beating Bayern Munich with two last-gasp goals, leading them to win an unprecedented treble. Ferguson was subsequently knighted in acknowledgement of his services to the game.
YouTube credit: GardenGoals
Real Madrid 3-1 Man United (2003)
Ferguson arguably learned more from this encounter than any other game during his Old Trafford career. United were well beaten by a Real Madrid side who were far superior tactically and technically on the night. United, despite nearly launching a comeback in the second leg, consequently exited the Champions League at the quarter-final stage. The result had a profound effect on Ferguson’s thinking, leading him to initiate major tactical readjustments for his side’s subsequent European matches.
YouTube credit: R9godmagic
Man United 1-1 Chelsea (2008)
Ferguson’s new footballing philosophy eventually paid dividends, as they won the European Cup for the second time, beating Chelsea on penalties and therefore, confirming his status as one of the greatest managers that the world of football has ever seen.
YouTube credit: Ptichkinnn
Man United 1-3 Barcelona (2011)
Despite United reaching the European Cup final in 2011, the significant gap in the two teams’ standard was every bit as apparent as it had been against Real Madrid eight years previously. Unsurprisingly, Fergie’s United have adopted a somewhat different, more fast-paced tactical approach both domestically and in Europe ever since, with Rooney in a deeper lying role among the more drastic changes to have been implemented.
YouTube credit: BarcaTVPLNL
What have we forgotten? Let us know in the comments section below.
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