Written by John White for Manchester United Did You Know That
His First Season 1986-87
Div 1: 11th * FA Cup: 4th Round (lost 2–1 at home to Coventry City) * League Cup: 3rd Round replay (lost 4–1 away to Southampton). Leading goal scorer: Peter Davenport, 16 goals.
Did You Know That?
When Alex Ferguson was appointed the manager of Manchester United on 6 November 1986, Nick Berry was enjoying his only No.1 in the UK Singles Chart with “Every Loser Wins.”
His Second Season 1987-88
Div 1: Runners-up to Liverpool * FA Cup: 5th Round (lost 2–1 away to Arsenal) * League Cup: 5th Round (lost 2–0 away to Oxford United). Leading goal scorer: Brian McClair, 31 goals. United finish in the top two of the English First Division for the first time in seven years.
Did You Know That?
On 14 November 1987, T’Pau claimed the 600th UK No.1 single of all time with “China In Your Hand,” the band’s first and only No.1 hit which spent five weeks in the top spot.
His Third Season 1988-89
1988–89 * Div 1: 11th * FA Cup: 6th Round (lost 1–0 at home to Nottingham Forest) * League Cup: 3rd Round (lost 2–1 away to Wimbledon). Leading goal scorers: Mark Hughes & Brian McClair, 16 goals.
Did You Know That?
Cliff Richard had the 1988 Christmas UK No.1 single with “Mistletoe & Wine,” his twelfth No.1 hit and his first solo No.1 for nine years.
His Fourth Season 1989-90 – His First Trophy
1989–90 * Div 1: 13th * FA Cup: Winners (defeated Crystal Palace 1–0 in a replay at Wembley) * League Cup: 3rd Round (lost 3–0 at home to Tottenham Hotspur). Leading goal scorer: Mark Hughes, 15 goals.
Did You Know That?
When United won the FA Cup on 17 May 1990, Adamski was enjoying his only UK No.1 single with the song “Killer.”
His Fifth Season 1990-91 – European Winners
1990–91 * Div 1: 4th * FA Cup: 5th Round (lost 2–1 away to Norwich City) * League Cup: Finalists (lost 1–0 to Sheffield Wednesday at Wembley) * European Cup Winners’ Cup: Winners (defeated Barcelona 2–1 in Rotterdam). Leading goal scorers: Mark Hughes & Brian McClair, 21 goals.
Did You Know That?
When United won the European Cup Winners’ Cup on 15 May 1991, Cher was enjoying her second UK No.1 single with the “Shoop Shoop Song.”
His Sixth Season 1991-92
1991–92 * Div 1: Runners-up to Leeds United * FA Cup: 4th Round (drew 2–2 with Southampton at home in a replay before losing on 4–2 penalties) * League Cup: Winners (defeated Nottingham Forest 1–0 at Wembley) * European Cup Winners’ Cup: 2nd Round (lost 4–1 on aggregate to Atletico Madrid) UEFA Super Cup: Winners (defeated Red Star Belgrade 1–0 at Old Trafford). Leading goal scorer: Brian McClair, 25 goals.
Did You Know That?
When United won the League Cup on 12 April 1992, Shakespears Sister were enjoying their only UK No.1 single with the song “Stay.”
His Seventh Season 1992-93 – Champions
1992–93 * inaugural Premiership: Champions (1) * FA Cup: 5th Round (lost 3–1 away to Sheffield United) * League Cup: 3rd Round (lost 1–0 away to Aston Villa) * UEFA Cup: 1st Round (lost 4–3 on penalties after 0–0 aggregate draw with Torpedo Moscow). Leading goal scorer: Mark Hughes, 16 goals. In season 1992–93, United lifted the FA Premier League, their first Championship in 26 years, thereby removing at least one albatross from around the neck of Alex Ferguson. United won 24 of their 42 league games to edge past Aston Villa and Norwich City in a hard-fought inaugural FA Premier League campaign.
Did You Know That?
When United were presented with the inaugural Premier League Championship trophy at Old Trafford on 3 May 1993, George Michael with Queen and Lisa Stansfield occupied the No.1 spot in the UK Singles Chart with their Five Vive EP, the main track of which was the Queen single “Somebody To Love.” However, it was another Queen favourite which was belted out of Old Trafford’s PA system that evening and summed up the season – “We Are The Champions.”
His Eighth Season 1993-94 – Double Winners
1993–94 * Premiership: Champions (2) * FA Cup: Winners (defeated Chelsea 4–0 at Wembley) * League Cup: Finalists (lost 3–1 against Aston Villa at Wembley) * UEFA Champions League: Second Round. Leading goal scorer: Eric Cantona, 25 goals. The 1993–94 campaign began with success in the season’s curtain-raiser, victory in the FA Charity Shield, and ended with United becoming only the sixth team in history to lift the domestic Double of League and FA Cup. United narrowly missed out on a domestic clean sweep of the trophies when Aston Villa beat them 3–1 at Wembley in the League Cup final.
Did You Know That?
When United lifted the Premier League title at Old Trafford for the second successive season on 8 May 1994, Tony di Bart was enjoying his only UK No.1 single with the song “The Real Thing.” Six days later when they beat Chelsea 4-0 in the FA Cup final, the Scottish band Stiltskin were enjoying his only UK No.1 single with the song “Inside.” On 21 May 1994, the Manchester United squad rocketed to the top of the music charts with “Come On You Reds” which remains the club’s solo No.1 single.
His Ninth Season 1994-95 – So Near, Yet So Far
1994–95 * Premiership: Runners-up to Blackburn Rovers * FA Cup: Finalists (lost 1–0 to Everton at Wembley) * League Cup: 3rd Round (lost 2–0 away to Newcastle United) * UEFA Champions League: Group Stages. Leading goal scorer: Andrei Kanchelskis, 15 goals.
Did You Know That?
On 28 October 1995, Coolio featuring LV enjoyed being at No.1 in the UK Singles Charts with “Gangsta’s Paradise,” which was also No.1 in the US Billboard Chart.
His Tenth Season 1995-96 – The Double, Double
1995–96 * Premiership: Champions (3) * FA Cup: Winners (defeated Liverpool 1–0 at Wembley) * League Cup: 2nd Round (lost 4–3 on aggregate to York City) * UEFA Cup: 1st Round (lost on away goals rule to Rotor Volgograd). Leading goal scorer: Eric Cantona, 19 goals.
Did You Know That?
When United won the Double after beating Liverpool in the FA Cup final on 11 May 1996, George Michael was enjoying his seventh and last UK No.1 single with “Fastlove.”
His Eleventh Season 1996-97 – Champions Again as Eric Leaves
1996–97 * Premiership: Champions (4) * FA Cup: 4th Round (lost 1–0 away to Wimbledon in a replay) * League Cup: 4th Round (lost 2–0 away to Leicester City) * UEFA Champions League: Semi-Finals (lost to Borussia Dortmund). Eric Cantona retired at the end of the season. Leading goal scorer: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, 19 goals.
Did You Know That?
When United lifted the Premier League trophy following a 2-0 win over West Ham United at Old Trafford on 11 May 1997, Gary Barlow was enjoying his second and last UK No.1 single with “Love Won’t Wait.”
His Twelfth Season 1997-98
1997–98 * Premiership: Runners-up to Arsenal * FA Cup: 5th Round (lost 3–2 away to Barnsley in a replay) * League Cup: 3rd Round (lost 2–0 away to Ipswich Town). UEFA Champions League: Quarter-Finals (lost to AS Monaco). Leading goal scorer: Andy Cole, 25 goals.
Did You Know That?
On 21 February 1998, Celine Dion had the UK No.1 single, “My Heart Will Go On,” the theme song to the blockbuster movie Titanic.
His Thirteenth Season 1998-99 – Treble Winners
1998–99 * Premiership: Champions (5) * FA Cup: Winners (defeated Newcastle United 2–0 at Wembley) * League Cup: 5th Round (lost 3–1 away to Tottenham Hotspur) * UEFA Champions League: Champions (defeated Bayern Munch 2–1 at Barcelona). In the last ten days of the 1998–99 season, United beat Tottenham Hotspur in the final league game of the season to regain their crown as champions of England; they then beat Newcastle United 2–0 in the FA Cup final; and in the following week, on that unbelievable night of 26 May in Barcelona’s Camp Nou stadium, United fought back from the brink of defeat to beat Bayern Munich 2–1 in the UEFA Champions League final thanks to two dramatic late goals scored from corners by Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer . United had achieved what many considered to be impossible: they had won the Treble and this unique achievement led the Boss to utter perhaps his most famous quote of all: “Football, bloody hell.” It proved to be lucky No.13 season for Fergie. Leading goal scorer: Dwight Yorke, 29 goals.
Did You Know That?
When United beat Bayern Munich 2-1 at Camp Nou, Barcelona on 26 May 1999 to win the Treble, Boyzone were enjoying their sixth and last UK No.1 single with the song “You Needed Me.” What an appropriate title for a song given we were losing 1-0 to the Germans with only injury time remaining and we needed two late goals from our two substitutes, Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, to make history.
His Fourteenth Season 1999-2000 – Champions
1999–2000 * Premiership: Champions (6) * FA Cup: Did not participate * League Cup: 3rd Round (lost 3–0 away to Aston Villa) * UEFA Champions League: Quarter-Finals (lost to Real Madrid). Leading goal scorer: Dwight Yorke, 24 goals.
Did You Know That?
When United lifted the Premier League trophy following a 3-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on 6 May 2000, Oxide and Nutrino, two 17-year olds, were enjoying their only UK No.1 single with “Bound 4 Da Reload,” a garage dance track based on the theme from the BBC TV show “Casualty.”
His Fifteenth Season 2000-01 – Champions
2000–01 * Premiership: Champions (7) * FA Cup: 4th Round (lost 1–0 at home to West Ham United) * League Cup: 4th Round (lost 2–1 away to Sunderland) * UEFA Champions League: Quarter-Finals (lost to Bayern Munich). Leading goal scorer: Teddy Sheringham, 21 goals.
Did You Know That?
When United lifted the Premier League trophy following a 1-0 loss to Derby County at Old Trafford on 5 May 2001, S Club 7 were enjoying their third UK No.1 single with “Don’t Stop Movin’.”
His Sixteenth Season 2001-02
2001–02 * Premiership: Runners-up to Arsenal * FA Cup: 4th Round (lost 1–0 away to Middlesbrough) * League Cup: 3rd Round (lost 4–0 away to Arsenal) * UEFA Champions League: Semi-Finals (lost to Bayer Leverkusen). Leading goal scorer: Ruud van Nistelrooy, 36 goals.
Did You Know That?
On 15 September 2001, Bob the Builder claimed the UK No.1 single with “Mambo No.5,” the TV animated character’s second No.1 hit.
His Seventeenth Season 2002-03 – We Got Our Trophy Back!
2002–03 * Premiership: Champions (8) * FA Cup: 5th Round (lost 2–0 at home to Arsenal) * League Cup: Finalists (lost 2–0 against Liverpool at Millennium Stadium, Cardiff) * UEFA Champions League: Quarter-Finals (lost to Real Madrid). Leading goal scorer: Ruud van Nistelrooy, 44 goals.
Did You Know That?
When United lifted the Premier League trophy following a 3-1 win over Charlton Athletic at Old Trafford on 3 May 2003, Busted were enjoying their first UK No.1 single with “You Said No.”
His Eighteenth Season 2003-04
2003–04 * Premiership: 3rd * FA Cup: Winners (defeated Millwall 3–0 at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff) * League Cup: 4th Round (lost 2–0 away to West Bromwich Albion) * UEFA Champions League: Second Round (lost to FC Porto). Leading goal scorer: Ruud van Nistelrooy, 30 goals.
Did You Know That?
Michael Andrews featuring Gary Jules had the 2003 Christmas UK No.1 single with “Mad World.”
His Nineteenth Season 2004-05
2004–05 * Premiership: 3rd * FA Cup: Finalists (drew 0–0 with Arsenal after extra time at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, before losing on penalties) * League Cup: Semi-Final (lost 2–1 on aggregate to Chelsea) * UEFA Champions League: 2nd Round (lost to AC Milan). Leading goal scorer: Wayne Rooney, 17 goals.
Did You Know That?
At the start of the season Buster were No.1 with “Thunderbirds,” a song from the soundtrack of the movie of the same name.
His Twentieth Season 2005-06
2005–06 * Premiership: Runners-up to Chelsea * FA Cup: 5th Round (lost 1–0 away to Liverpool) * League Cup: Winners (defeated Wigan Athletic 4–0 at Millennium Stadium, Cardiff) * UEFA Champions League: Group Stage. Leading goal scorer: Ruud van Nistelrooy, 24 goals.
Did You Know That?
On 5 November 2005, Westlife were top of the UK Singles Charts with “You Raise Me Up,” the Irish boy band’s 13th No.1 hit.
His Twenty-First Season 2006-07 – Champions
2006-07 * Premiership: Champions (9) * FA Cup: Runners-up (lost 1–0 to Chelsea in the first FA Cup final at the new Wembley Stadium) * League Cup: 4th Round (lost 1–0 away to Southend) * UEFA Champions League: Semi-Finals (lost to AC Milan). Leading goal scorers: Cristiano Ronaldo & Wayne Rooney, 23 goals.
Did You Know That?
When United lifted the Premier League trophy following a 1-0 loss to West Ham United at Old Trafford on 13 May 2007, Beyonce & Shakira were at No.1 in the UK Singles Chart with “Beautiful Liar.” It was Beyonce’s third UK No.1 and Shakira’s second.
His Twenty-Second Season 2007-08 – Champions
2007-08 * Premiership: Champions (10) * FA Cup: 6th Round (lost 1–0 at home to Portsmouth) * League Cup: 3rd Round (lost 2–0 at home to Coventry City) * UEFA Champions League: Winners defeating Chelsea 6-5 on penalties after the game ended 1-1 at the Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow. Leading goal scorer: Cristiano Ronaldo, 42 goals.
Did You Know That?
When United lifted the Premier League trophy following a 2-0 win over Wigan Athletic at the JJB Stadium on 11 May 2008, Madonna featuring Justin Timberlake was at No.1 in the UK Singles Chart with “4 Minutes.” It was Madonna’s thirteenth UK No.1 and Justin Timberlake’s third. It was still at No.1 when United lifted the Champions League trophy in Moscow.
His Twenty-Third Season 2008-09 – Champions
2008-09 * Premiership: Champions (11) equaling Liverpool’s record of 18 titles * FA Cup: Semi-Finals (lost 4-2 on penalties to Everton after a 0-0 draw) * League Cup: Winners (defeated Tottenham Hotspur 4-1 on penalties after a 0–0 draw at Wembley) * UEFA Champions League: Runners-Up to FC Barcelona losing 2-0 at Stadio Olimpico, Rome. Leading goal scorer: Cristiano Ronaldo, 26 goals.
Did You Know That?
When United lifted the Premier League trophy following a 0-0 draw with Arsenal at Old Trafford on 16 May 2009, Tinchy Stryder featuring N-dubz were at No.1 in the UK Singles chart with “Number 1.” This was the first time ever that a single called Number 1 had made it to the top of the UK charts. This was the 4th hit for the British DJ and performer.
His Twenty-Fourth Season 2009-10
2009-10 * Premiership: Runners-Up to Chelsea * FA Cup: 3rd Round (lost 1-0 at home to Leeds United) * League Cup: Winners (defeated Aston Villa 2-1 at Wembley) * UEFA Champions League: Quarter-Finals (lost 5-3 on aggregate to Bayern Munich, 2-1 away and 3-2 at home). Leading goal scorer: Wayne Rooney, 24 goals.
Did You Know That?
Lady Gaga had the 2009 Christmas No. 1 hit single with “Bad Romance,” her third No.1 of the year.
His Twenty-Fifth Season 2010-11 – Champions 19!
2010-11 * Premiership: Champions (12) * FA Cup: Semi-Finals (lost 1-0 to Manchester City) * League Cup: 6th Round (lost 4-0 away to West Ham United) * UEFA Champions League: Runners-Up to FC Barcelona losing 3-1 at Wembley Stadium. Leading goal scorer: Dimitar Berbatov, 21 goals.
Did You Know That?
When United lifted the Premier League trophy following a 4-2 win over Blackpool at Old Trafford on 22 May 2011, Pitbull/Ne-Yo/Afrojack/Nayer were at No.1 in the UK Singles Chart with “Give Me Everything.” It was Pitbull’s second UK No.1, Ne-Yo’s fourth and the first for Afrojack and Nayer.
His Twenty-Sixth Season 2011-12
2011-12 * Premiership: Runners-op on goal difference to Manchester City * FA Cup: 4th Round (lost 2-1 away to Liverpool) * League Cup: 5th Round (lost 2-1 at home to Crystal Palace) * UEFA Champions League: Failed to qualify from Group * Europa League: Round of 16 (lost 5-3 on aggregate to Atletico Bilbao, 3-2 at home and 2-1 away). Leading goal scorer: Wayne Rooney, 34 goals.
Did You Know That?
On 15 October 2011, Rihanna featuring Calvin Harris were top of the UK Singles Charts with “We Found Love,” Rihanna’s sixth No.1 hit and Harris’s third.
His Twenty-Seventh & Final Season 2012-13 – Champions 20!
2012-13 * Premiership Champions (13) * FA Cup 6th Round (lost 1-0 away to Chelsea in a replay after a 2-2 draw)* League Cup: 4th Round (lost 5-4 after extra-time away to Chelsea) * UEFA Champions League (lost 3-2 on aggregate to Real Madrid in Round of 16). On 8 May 2013, the Boss announced his retirement. On 12 May 2013 he took charge of United for the last time at Old Trafford and one week later he led the team out for the last time, his 1,500th game as the manager of Manchester United. Leading goal scorer: Robin van Persie, 30 goals. We Got Our Trophy Back!
Did You Know That?
When United lifted the Premier League trophy following a 2-1 win over Swansea City at Old Trafford on 19 May 2013, Daft Punk featuring Pharrell Williams was at No.1 in the UK Singles Chart with “Get Lucky.” United fans were getting ready for the arrival of David Moyes as manager.
Great read John and a proper nostalgia blast. It reminded me how much football, like music is linked to so many memories from the past. It’s like a soundtrack to the personal events that have happened in our lives.
Great detail from this writer who has a great track record providing facts, trivia and quiz questions. His reputation for publishing books is unquestioned. His research is meticulous.
I really enjoyed this nostalgic trip through the Fergie years – John’s encyclopaedic knowledge of all things United is unsurpassed – thanks for making an old man very happy!!
Great article really enjoyed reading it. Great knowledge and very interesting facts about united.
A well researched piece of nostalgia, well done John
Great news about our beloved team Great man writing this article who looks after all the MAN U SUPPORTERS IN NEWCASTLE GREAT MAN CHALKIE JOHN WHITE. From u great friend PETER
Excellent piece of material Chalkie.
Absolutely fantastic read really enjoyed reading that 👏👏
Great read indeed, shows how songs or events can spark a memory, sometimes good, sometimes bad.
I’ve a couple of the authors books on Utd, always a great read!
Great read and some great facts about my favourite team
A great read and some songs to add to my playlists!!