Sir Alex Ferguson Era - Part 3
The
era of 2005-2010 saw another European Cup for Ferguson and more silverware.
Before the start of the 05-06 season Ferguson signed Edwin van Der Sar from
Fulham and Park Ji Sung from PSV. This season wasn't the easiest for Ferguson,
the fans or the players as not only was the club under a controversial takeover,
Roy Keane left by mutual consent in November. The club did sign Nemanja Vidic
and Patrice Evra in the January transfer window, which Ferguson had rarely done
at United. Ferguson and United finished 2nd and failed to qualify for the
knockout rounds of the Champions League, the only grace to that season was the
League Cup. Van Nistelrooy capped of a difficult season for Ferguson as he left
at the end of the season. Michael Carrick was signed to replace Roy Keane from
Tottenham for £18.6m for the start of the 06-07 season. Sir Alex Ferguson
celebrated his 20 year anniversary as Manchester United manager on the 6th November
2006. United and Ferguson won their ninth Premier League title this season and
reached the FA Cup final and Champions League semi-final. Ferguson and United
were on the brink of dominance. Ferguson made 4 summer signings before the
start of the 07-08 season which were Owen Hargreaves, Nani, Anderson and Carlos
Tevez. In hindsight now they were very good signings by Ferguson considering
the careers they have had to date. United and Ferguson won their 10 Premier
League titles this season, but this was overshadowed by their European Cup
success in Moscow. Ferguson won his 2nd and Manchester United's 3rd European
Cup 6-5 on penalties after a 1-1 draw. John Terry had the chance to win the
cup, but slipped meaning it offered United the chance to come back in to it,
which they did as van Der Sar saved Nicholas Anelka's penalty. Ferguson signed
Dimitar Berbatov for £30.75m from Tottenham, Fabio and Rafael from Fluminese
before the start of the 08-09 season. Ferguson had led United to their 11
Premier League titles and their 3rd in a row meaning United now had 18 top
flight titles, the same as rivals Liverpool. United also won the League Cup
final on penalties against Tottenham, though they lost the Champions League
final 2-0 against Barcelona. The summer of 2009 was a big one for Ferguson and
Manchester United as Cristiano Ronaldo was sold to Real Madrid for £80mm
Antonio Valencia and Michael Owen were the main men brought in. In the 09-10
season Ferguson and United finished 2nd in the league, were knocked in the
semi-final of the Champions League, but did win the League Cup.
2010-2013,
the final hurrah for Sir Alex as he goes out as a champion. Chris Smalling and
Javier Hernandez were the main signings before the start of 10-11 season.
United started off the memorable season beating Chelsea 3-1 in the Community
Shield. Ferguson became Manchester United's longest serving manager this season
eclipsing Matt Busby's 24 year stay. Ferguson won his 12th Premier League title
and Manchester United's 19th top flight title, knocking Liverpool off their
perch. Ferguson led United to their 3rd European Cup final in 4 years, but got
beat by an outstanding Barcelona team 3-1. Ferguson had to replace retiring
goalkeeper van Der Sar, which he did with David De Gea from Atletico Madrid for
£19m. He also signed for Phil Jones from Blackburn Rovers and Ashley Young from
Aston Villa for the start of the 11-12 season. United did win the Community
Shield 3-2 against rivals Manchester City, but remarkably won nothing that year
and failed to qualify from their Champions League group. Robin van Persie from
Arsenal and Shinji Kagawa from Borussia Dortmund were the stand signings of what
turned out to be Alex Ferguson's final season. Ferguson won his 1000th league
game in the 12-13 season against Southampton and won his 100th Champions League
game against Galatasaray. United and Ferguson won their 13th Premier League
title, which was Manchester United's 20th top flight title. United won the
league by 11 points and Ferguson announced his retirement shortly before the
end of the season on the 8th May.
Thank
you Sir Alex and thanks for all the memories you leave me and millions of fans
and supporters worldwide. We wish you the happiest of retirements!
Football...Bloody
Hell
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