2010–11 Manchester United F.C. season
Encyclopedia
The 2010–11 season was Manchester United
's 19th season in the Premier League, and their 36th consecutive season in the top-flight of English football
. It was the first season with new shirt sponsors Aon, after four seasons with AIG
.
United began the season by beating Chelsea
3–1 at Wembley
on 8 August 2010 to claim the Community Shield
.
A successful defence of the League Cup
would have seen them become only the second team to win the competition for a third successive season, after Liverpool
in 1983
(who then went on to win a fourth in 1984
). However, their stranglehold on the tournament was broken by West Ham United
, who sent an understrength Reds side crashing to a 4–0 defeat at Upton Park
in the Fifth Round on 30 November 2010.
On 19 December 2010, Sir Alex Ferguson
became the longest-serving manager in Manchester United's history, overtaking Sir Matt Busby
's record of 24 years, 1 month and 13 days in charge of the club.
On 1 February 2011, United equalled the club record league unbeaten run of 29 matches, after a 3–1 win over Aston Villa at Old Trafford. They failed to extend the run however, succumbing to a 2–1 defeat against Wolverhampton Wanderers
at Molineux
on 5 February 2011. This was their first league defeat since 3 April 2010, a 2–1 home defeat to Chelsea
.
United also reached the semi-final stage of the 2010–11 FA Cup
but lost 1–0 at Wembley to Manchester City
on 16 April 2011.
On 14 May 2011, after a 1–1 draw to Blackburn Rovers
at Ewood Park
, United broke the English League title record by winning their 19th title, surpassing Liverpool
's record of 18 titles, which they equalled in the 2008–09 season. This is the first time United have held the outright record in their history.
They also competed in the Champions League for the 15th season in a row, and contested the Final
with Barcelona
on 28 May 2011, but they lost 3–1.
to open their new 45,000-capacity stadium, Estadio Chivas
, on 30 July.
On 6 May 2010, Manchester United announced that the team would be touring North America
that summer for the first time since 2004. A 22-man squad, including new signing Chris Smalling
, but minus those who took part in the 2010 FIFA World Cup
, flew out to the United States on 12 July, before taking part in a training camp in Chicago
, the headquarters of new shirt sponsors Aon. The first tour match was played on 16 July over the border at the Rogers Centre
in Toronto
, where United beat a travelling Celtic
side 3–1 with goals from Dimitar Berbatov
, Danny Welbeck
and Tom Cleverley
. The next fixture, against Philadelphia Union was played on 21 July at Lincoln Financial Field
, one of the venues on both their 2003 and 2004 tours. United won the match 1–0 with a 76th-minute goal from Gabriel Obertan
. Four days later, the team travelled down to Kansas City, Missouri
to play the Kansas City Wizards
at Arrowhead Stadium
. The Wizards opened the scoring in the 11th minute, before Dimitar Berbatov
equalised with a 41st-minute penalty
; however, two minutes later the Wizards restored their lead with a controversial goal from Kei Kamara
. The Sierra Leone
an forward headed the ball against the crossbar and it bounced down onto the goal-line; the referee believed the whole of the ball had crossed the line and gave the goal.
The tour of the United States culminated with the 2010 MLS All-Star Game
on 28 July at Reliant Stadium
in Houston, Texas
. United won the match 5–2, with goals from Federico Macheda
(2), Darron Gibson
, Tom Cleverley and a debut goal from Javier Hernández. Macheda's first goal came after only 21 seconds, when he capitalised on an under-hit back-pass; he got his second in the 13th minute, heading in Nani
's corner kick. Brian Ching
pulled a goal back for the MLS All-Stars in the 64th minute, before Darron Gibson restored United's two-goal lead with a free-kick from 20 yards in the 70th minute. Three minutes later, Tom Cleverley made it 4–1 with a well-taken goal, controlling Darren Fletcher
's flick into the box before flicking it over Wilman Conde
's head and side-footing past goalkeeper Nick Rimando
. Hernández's goal came in the 84th minute, when he collected a long through-ball from Darren Fletcher before lobbing Rimando to make the score 5–1. Dwayne De Rosario
then scored a late consolation goal in the final minute. The squad then headed south to play United's first ever match in Mexico
against Chivas two days later. Javier Hernández began the game in a Chivas shirt and opened the scoring for his old club after eight minutes. Chris Smalling's first Manchester United goal levelled the scores two minutes later, but Chivas regained the lead just before half-time through Adolfo Bautista
. At the break, Hernández switched sides and came on in place of Dimitar Berbatov. Hector Reynoso increased the hosts' lead to 3–1 just before the hour-mark, when Hernández finally left the action. Nani pulled a goal back 10 minutes from the end, but the score remained at 3–2 until the end. The result meant that United finished their tour of North America with three wins and two defeats.
Following the team's return to Europe, Manchester United rounded off their pre-season schedule by taking on a League of Ireland
XI in the first match to be played at the new Aviva Stadium
in Dublin on 4 August. World Cup stars Wayne Rooney
, Michael Carrick
, Park Ji-Sung
and Nemanja Vidić
all made their returns to the United side, as did Michael Owen
and Antonio Valencia, who were recovering from injury. Park opened the scoring in the 13th minute in bizarre fashion; as he went to block a defender's clearance, the ball ricocheted off him and into the net. Michael Owen doubled United's lead in the 25th minute with a chipped shot over the goalkeeper, before half-time substitute Hernández made it 3–0 two minutes after the break. Three goals in the space of nine minutes from Valencia (60th minute), a second from Park (63rd), and Jonny Evans
(69th) increased the lead to 6–0, but Dave Mulcahy
scored a consolation goal for the League of Ireland XI in the 78th minute. Nevertheless, there was still time for Nani to get a seventh goal, converting a penalty after Hernández had been fouled in the penalty area.
On 8 April, it was announced that a testimonial
had been granted to Gary Neville
who had announced his retirement on 2 February. The match was held to honour and celebrate Neville's 19 years of service to United, and was played at Old Trafford on 24 May, the opponents being Juventus
of the Italian Serie A
. Neville has confirmed that he will use the proceeds from the testimonial to support sustainable projects within the community, while he also has plans for supporter initiatives at home and abroad.
The match against Juventus featured some of Fergie's Fledglings
, the young players from the Class of '92, including the former United players, Nicky Butt
, Gary's brother Phil, David Beckham
, and current United players.
won the League and Cup
Double in 2009–10, Manchester United kicked their season off with an appearance in the 2010 FA Community Shield
at Wembley
on 8 August as Premier League runners-up. It was the third time in four years that United had played Chelsea in the Community Shield. United won the match 3–1 with goals from Antonio Valencia, Javier Hernández and Dimitar Berbatov
. Valencia opened the scoring in the 41st minute, side-footing home a low, first-time cross from Wayne Rooney
. Rooney and Michael Owen
were substituted for Hernández and Berbatov at half-time, and Hernández doubled United's lead in the 76th minute; John O'Shea
set Valencia away down the right flank, and the Ecuadorian played a low cross back across goal; Hernández got to the ball with his right foot, but it bounced up and hit him in the face before going in. Salomon Kalou
got a goal back for Chelsea with seven minutes left in normal time, but Berbatov sealed the win in the 92nd minute with a lobbed shot over Chelsea goalkeeper Hilário
after some neat inter-play from fellow substitutes Darren Fletcher
, Ryan Giggs
and Nani
on the left wing.
were announced on 17 June, and revealed that United would begin their league campaign by welcoming Newcastle United
back to the Premier League at Old Trafford
on 16 August 2010, just as they did at the start of the 2008–09 season.
With United's opening match being played on the Monday, their rivals had the chance to get an early head-start in the title race, with Chelsea
going to the top with a 6–0 win over West Bromwich Albion
on the Saturday. It took United just over half an hour to open the scoring against Newcastle; when Jonás Gutiérrez
dwelled on the ball, he allowed Antonio Valencia to steal it off his toes. Paul Scholes
then took possession and played a through-ball to Dimitar Berbatov
, who shot across Newcastle goalkeeper Steve Harper into the far corner of the goal. For the second goal, Nani
played the ball into the penalty area for Patrice Evra
, who put a low cross into the six-yard box. The ball ricocheted off Wayne Rooney
to Darren Fletcher
, who scored with a shot on the turn. After coming on as a substitute in the 71st minute, Ryan Giggs
maintained his record of scoring in every season of the Premier League with a goal five minutes from full time; Paul Scholes floated the ball to Giggs with a diagonal pass, and the Welsh midfielder volleyed it into the far side of the goal. The 3–0 win put United into fourth place in the league table at the end of the first round of league matches.
United's next match came the following Sunday, away to Fulham
. Scholes opened the scoring in the 11th minute, firing a 25-yard strike into the bottom corner of the net for his 150th Manchester United goal, after being set up by Berbatov. Simon Davies equalised for Fulham ten minutes into the second half, but Brede Hangeland
deflected a corner into his own net to put United ahead again with five minutes left to play. A minute later, Damien Duff
was deemed to have handled the ball in the Fulham penalty area, but Nani's kick was saved by goalkeeper David Stockdale
. Then, in the 89th minute, Hangeland redeemed himself with a header from a corner to deny United the win.
United played host to West Ham United
in the evening kick-off on Saturday, 28 August. Wayne Rooney
got the first goal from the penalty spot in the 33rd minute – his first goal in 13 club matches – after Ryan Giggs had been fouled in the penalty area by former Manchester United defender Jonathan Spector
. Nani scored the second goal five minutes after half-time, picking up a pass from Rooney before cutting into the box and firing a left-footed shot past Robert Green
in the West Ham goal. Nani then set up Berbatov to make it 3–0, chipping the ball across the penalty area for the Bulgarian forward to score with a volleyed scissor-kick.
After a break for internationals, United travelled to Goodison Park
on 11 September to take on Everton
: the first of a league double-header against Liverpudlian opposition. Everton had the upper hand for the first half-hour, while United's best chances were denied by saves from Tim Howard
. Following a 39th-minute corner off one of these saves, Evra failed to deal with a long ball out of the Everton defence, allowing Mikel Arteta
to bear down on Edwin van der Sar
's goal; the Dutch goalkeeper saved Arteta's shot, but the rebound fell to Leon Osman
, who squared the ball for Steven Pienaar
to side-foot under Van der Sar and into the net. However, Everton's lead was short-lived as Giggs found Nani on the right wing, and the Portuguese bent over an early cross for Fletcher to volley home. United took the lead for the first time two minutes after half-time: a Nani corner was half-cleared by Osman before the ball came back to Nani, who crossed for the unmarked Nemanja Vidić
to head home. Berbatov made it 3–1 in the 65th minute with a shot off the outside of his boot from just outside the penalty area after he beat Distin to a long ball from Scholes. The score remained at 3–1 until the 90th minute, when two Everton attacks down the left wing produced goals for Tim Cahill
and Mikel Arteta, salvaging a draw from the jaws of defeat.
United's next League game was the home
game against fierce rivals, Liverpool
. United made most of the running in the first half with Nani
missing their best chance after a shot from Wayne Rooney
was diverted into his path mid-way through the first half. However, with around 5 minutes to go before the break, a corner was met by the stooping head of Dimitar Berbatov
and sailed past Pepe Reina and into the back of the net. Just after the hour mark, Berbatov made it 2–0 after controlling a cross from Nani and performing an overhead Bicycle kick
which came off the under-side of the crossbar and into the goal. However, United again threw a two-goal lead away against Merseyside
opposition after two goals from Steven Gerrard
in the space of 6 minutes. The first came from the penalty spot
after Fernando Torres
was fouled by Jonny Evans
, and the second from a direct free kick
after Torres was again fouled, this time by John O'Shea
. Nevertheless, it was Berbatov who finished the scoring seven minutes from time with a header from an O'Shea cross, to make it 3–2. Berbatov became the first United player to score a hat-trick
against Liverpool since Stan Pearson
in 1946 and the first at Old Trafford since Joe Spence in 1928, Pearson's hat trick having been scored at Maine Road
, where United played for a few seasons following the Second World War
whilst Old Trafford had bomb-damage repaired.
After a midweek trip to Scunthorpe United
, United's next trip was to the Reebok Stadium
to face Bolton Wanderers
. United continued to leak goals from set plays as Zat Knight
rose highest to nod home a corner to put the home side 1–0 up after only 6 minutes. United responded quickly and were level on 23 minutes when Nani
picked up the ball deep in his own half and ran the length of the pitch to slot home past Jussi Jääskeläinen
. Bolton regained the lead midway through the second half when City old boy Martin Petrov
smashed a right footed shot past Edwin Van Der Sar
. Shortly after, Bolton spurned a golden chance to go 3–1 up. United were only behind for 7 minutes as Michael Owen
glanced a header to equalise from a Nani
free kick.
Following a midweek victory in Valencia, United were again on the road to the Stadium of Light
to face former Red Steve Bruce
. United were forced to switch changing rooms 15 minutes before kick off as a burst sewage pipe engulfed the United dressing room. With the game starting late Sunderland
were quick out the blocks and forced United back as United struggled to carve out any chances. The game finished 0–0 and saw United create precious few chances meaning United were still without an away win this season.
After the international break, United welcomed promoted West Bromwich Albion
to Old Trafford. United took an early lead when Javier Hernández put United 1–0 up with his first Premier League goal. 20 minutes later United were 2–0 up when Nani
scored his 3rd League goal of the season. West Brom came out for the second half and had soon reduced the difference when a low driven free kick forced Patrice Evra
to divert the ball in his own net. West Brom were level on 55 mintes when a Chris Brunt
cross was dropped by Edwin van der Sar
which left Somen Tchoyi
with a simple tap in to leave the score 2–2.
With the news ringing in their ears that Wayne Rooney
had signed a new 5 year contract, United headed off to the Potteries to face Stoke City
. With Rooney still injured, Ferguson started with Javier Hernández along side Dimitar Berbatov
. It was the Mexican who opened the scoring when a Nani
cross was filcked on by Nemanja Vidić
and onto the back of Hernández's head past Thomas Sørensen
. The score stayed 1–0 until the 81st minute when Tuncay
picked the ball up wide left, cut inside and fired a shot into the corner for Stoke's first ever goal against Manchester United
in the Premier League. However, with three minutes left, a Patrice Evra
shot was deflected into the path of Javier Hernández who stabbed his second goal home from short range for his third goal in two games. United held out for their first away victory in the league all season.
United's next League fixture was a home match against Tottenham Hotspur
. The match saw both Park Ji-Sung
and Rafael van der Vaart
hit the frame of the goal inside the first 11 minutes, but it took half an hour for the first goal to come when Nemanja Vidić
headed in a Nani
free-kick from close range. Both teams had further chances to score before Nani did so 5 minutes from time in very unusual and controversial circumstances. Chasing a through-ball, Nani was caught by a Spurs defender and went down looking for a penalty
. However, referee Mark Clattenburg
declined to give one. In the course of going down, Nani clearly handled the ball and the Spurs goalkeeper, Heurelho Gomes assumed that Clattenburg would give a free kick to his team. For some reason, Clattenburg allowed play to continue without the free kick, but Gomes put the ball down anyway. Nani, who had got back to his feet, simply kicked the ball into the net and Clattenburg awarded the goal. His assistant called him over for a discussion as he had seen the hand-ball, but Clattenburg re-iterated the decision to give the goal and the match ultimately ended 2–0. Technically, the goal was correct as the referee never awarded Spurs a free-kick for the Nani handball, although former referees, such as Graham Poll
have suggested that they would probably have not given the goal.
Returning to the League after midweek victory in Europe, United faced Wolverhampton Wanderers
at Old Trafford. This was the second meeting between the two teams in 12 days after United overcame Wolves 3–2 in the League Cup. United struggled to gain a grip on the game in the first half but were the first to break the deadlock right on the stroke of time, Darren Fletcher bisecting the Wolves defence with a pass to Park Ji-Sung
who converted the chance. Wolves made changes in the second half, bringing on Sylvan Ebanks-Blake
and Steven Fletcher
, and it was the former United youth team player Ebanks-Blake who equalised, slotting the ball through the legs of Edwin van der Sar from close range. United pressed for a winner in the final minutes of the game, introducing Federico Macheda
and Paul Scholes into the game, and it paid dividends in the 93rd minute as Fletcher played a diagonal ball to Park, who drifted infield and squeezed the ball past Marcus Hahnemann
for his second of the game, giving United the 2–1 victory. The game also marked the comeback of Owen Hargreaves
, making his first start in nearly two years. The comeback was truncated, however, as he limped off the field after 5 minutes due to a hamstring injury.
United played against crosstown rivals Manchester City
at Eastlands on 10 November 2010, the first Manchester derby
of the season. The game was deadlocked at 0–0 at half-time, after Edwin van der Sar had saved Carlos Tévez
's free-kick and Dimitar Berbatov had tested Joe Hart
with an overhead kick. Near the end of the game, Adam Johnson and Javier Hernández were respectively brought on for James Milner
and Berbatov, but neither team found a winner and the game ended 0–0.
United played out a 2–2 draw against Aston Villa
at Villa Park
three days later. The game was 0–0 at half-time, and was still goalless until Wes Brown
fouled Ashley Young within the penalty area. Young himself converted the penalty, and Marc Albrighton
doubled the home side's lead, slotting home Stewart Downing
's cross. Alex Ferguson then took off Dimitar Berbatov and Javier Hernández and respectively replaced them with Gabriel Obertan
and Federico Macheda in an attempt to equalise. Macheda then drilled in a 18-yard shot to give United some hope, and team captain Nemanja Vidić equalised, when he met a Nani cross at the far post and nodded the ball home. United held on for the draw.
United recorded a 2–0 victory over Wigan Athletic
on 20 November 2010. Patrice Evra opened the scoring just before half time when he headed in Park Ji-Sung's cross. Within two minutes in the second half, Wigan were down to ten and then nine men when captain Antolín Alcaraz
was sent off for pick up a second yellow card. Minutes later, stand-in captain Hugo Rodallega
was also shown red, a straight red card for challenging Rafael
. Rafael assisted in Javier Hernández's winning goal, when the Brazilian sent in a cross for the Mexican to head home. This game saw the return of Wayne Rooney
to the team after a 5 week injury, which he picked up just before signing his new 5-year contract with the Red Devils. Rooney came on a substitute in the 56th minute, replacing Federico Macheda.
Returning to league action after a midweek victory over Rangers
, United recorded a 7–1 thrashing of Blackburn Rovers
. United went 1–0 up after just 2 minutes, when Nani
's free kick was met with a very faint headed flick from Wayne Rooney
(making his first Old Trafford
start since signing his new 5-year contract). Dimitar Berbatov
then struck out his leg to finish from six yards, the goal being Berbatov's first goal in 10 matches. Nani then fed Park Ji-Sung
, who played a one-two with Rooney before running on and poking past Blackburn keeper Paul Robinson for United's second goal of the game. United went 3–0 up when Berbatov intercepted a Pascal Chimbonda
back-pass to Robinson, allowing him to score his second goal of the game. Two minutes into the second half, Berbatov got his third, when Nani sped down the right then cut inside and laid the ball back to Berbatov, who began the move he started inside his own half with an effort high into Robinson's net. A minute later, Nani added to Blackburn's misery when he grabbed his first goal of the game, when he cut inside Chimbonda to place his effort past Robinson. Berbatov got his fourth goal of the game, and United's sixth, when Rafael
raced into the penalty area before playing in Park, whose effort was blocked by Blackburn captain Christopher Samba
only for Berbatov to smash home. Berbatov got his fifth goal of the game (becoming only the fourth player to score 5 goals in a Premier League game, after Andrew Cole, Alan Shearer
, and Jermain Defoe
), when he slid in from an angle after his attempt to square the ball to Rooney was thwarted. Samba grabbed a consolation eight minutes from time, when he nodded in a cross from substitute Josh Morris
. The win put United to the top of the 2010–11 Premier League table for the first time.
United's next scheduled League game was away to Blackpool
on 4 December, but - due to a frozen pitch following heavy snow
fall around the United Kingdom
, the game was cancelled 24 hours before kick-off and was re-arranged to the 25 January. As such, United did not play in the League for two weeks, during which time they were overtaken at the top of the table by Arsenal
and local rivals Manchester City
, albeit with games in hand
over their near title rivals.
The next League game United actually played was the home tie with Arsenal
, traditional title rivals and who started the match top of the League. United started strongly, though rarely tested young Arsenal keeper Wojciech Szczęsny
until a looping header from Park Ji-Sung
hit the far post and went in five minutes before half time. Arsenal came out quicker in the second half and Edwin van der Sar
was forced into a save from Samir Nasri
before Nemanja Vidić
blocked the rebound shot from Marouane Chamakh
. However United got into their stride and Anderson
brought a save from Szczęsny before Nani
fired over from a good position. A penalty
was awarded for a handball by Gaël Clichy
with 15 minutes to go, only for Wayne Rooney
to hit it well over the crossbar. Rooney attempted to make amends a few minutes later with an attempted lob over Szczęsny, but it was well saved and a last minute miss from Theo Walcott
assured 3 points and a return to top spot for United with still a game in hand
over the teams below them.
United's next scheduled League game was away to rivals Chelsea
on 19 December, but - following heavy snow
fall around the United Kingdom
, including up to 10 inches in London
- the match was cancelled 24 hours before kick-off after consultation with the Police
and the local authority. It was later re-arranged to 1 March. Coupled with the cancellation of Arsenal's
game with Stoke
and Manchester City's
defeat at home to Everton
, this meant that United topped the League table on Christmas Day
for the first time in four seasons.
The next league game that United actually played was a home fixture against Sunderland
. Dimitar Berbatov
opened the scoring after just 5 minutes, when he headed home Wayne Rooney
's cross. After that, Berbatov hit the post and Anderson
's shot crashed off the crossbar as United created numerous chances. after the break Anton Ferdinand
, Rio Ferdinand
's younger brother, deflected a Berbatov kick into his own net and wrap up the 2–0 win for United.
United finished 2010 with a 1–1 draw against Birmingham City
at St Andrews. The draw moved United back to the top of the league, as United's rivals Manchester City had beaten Birmingham's rivals Aston Villa to put the Sky Blues to the top of the table. After a goalless first half, United took the lead in the 58th minute, when Dimitar Berbatov released Darron Gibson
with a flick and then took the return pass to drive a shot inside the post. An 18-yard Berbatov strike also hit the post before the late drama. Birmingham got a last-gasp, but controversial, equaliser in the 89th minute, when a Blues cross appeared to hit Nikola Žigić
's arm and Lee Bowyer
slid the ball home despite appearing to be offside. After the four minutes of stoppage time were up, United moved back to first place.
Following the game against Birmingham City, United started 2011 with another visit to the Midlands, this time to The Hawthorns
to face West Bromwich Albion
. Wayne Rooney
opened the scoring with just three minutes played when he headed home his first goal in open play since March 2010. James Morrison
levelled for the Baggies with a strike from 20 yards. Peter Odemwingie
then missed from the spot after defender Rio Ferdinand
had brought down Jerome Thomas
. Javier Hernández and Darron Gibson
respectively came on for Dimitar Berbatov
and Gabriel Obertan
, and Hernández won the game for United in the 73rd minute, heading home Rooney's corner.
United extended their lead at the top of the League after a vital, hard-fought victory over Stoke City
at Old Trafford
. Dimitar Berbatov
went close before United went ahead when Javier Hernández back-healed the ball into the net from Nani
's cross; Hernández's goal meant he had now scored three times against Stoke. Dean Whitehead
nodded the Potters level, their first League goal at Old Trafford for more than 30 years, but Hernández and Nani combined once again as Hernández teed up Nani to blast home a left-footed winner. The win put United two points clear of neighbours Manchester City
, who they had two games in hand over, and four ahead of Arsenal
, who they had one game in hand over.
United extended their unbeaten record in the league to 26 games and returned to the top of the table with an important draw against Tottenham Hotspur
at White Hart Lane
. United were forced to play the last 16 minutes without young Brazil
ian defender Rafael
, who received a second yellow card for a foul on Benoît Assou-Ekotto
, but Spurs were unable to muster much in the way of attacking threat. United moved back ahead of arch-rivals Manchester City
on goal difference
but crucially had two games in hand
over their local rivals.
United's next game was a home game against Birmingham City
, which United won 5–0. Dimitar Berbatov
nodded in on the line after 95 seconds to open the scoring before firing home after Roger Johnson
had given the ball away. With Ryan Giggs
lifting the unbeaten league leaders to heights they had rarely hit this season, the veteran finished off a move just before the break. Berbatov then converted a Giggs cross for his third before Nani
slotted in a fifth to finish the scoring.
The following game was the rescheduled fixture from December as United took on Blackpool
at Bloomfield Road
, staging a comeback to win 3–2. Blackpool dominated the first half, scoring twice from Charlie Adam
-delivered corners with headers from former United reserve captain Craig Cathcart
and D. J. Campbell. However, at half time United introduced Ryan Giggs
in favour of Darron Gibson
and followed that with Javier Hernández replacing Wayne Rooney
. United pulled one back after Dimitar Berbatov
converted a low Darren Fletcher
cross, and mere minutes later Ryan Giggs released Hernández, who converted past Richard Kingson
to draw things level. After an extended break following an injury to Rafael
(leading to 10 minutes of additional time) Berbatov scored his second goal of the game, thrashing home with his left foot to complete the comeback.
In the next game, United equalled the club record league unbeaten run of 29 games with a 3–1 home win over Aston Villa
. Sir Alex Ferguson's decision to name Wayne Rooney
in the starting line-up ahead of Javier Hernández was justified after just 54 seconds of the match, with Rooney controlling Edwin Van Der Sar
's long free-kick coming over his shoulder, before lashing home past Brad Friedel
. Rooney scored his 2nd of the match and 4th league goal of the season in first-half stoppage time, with Nani
's inswinging cross finding him at the far post to slot in from close range. Darren Bent
pulled a goal back for Villa in the 58th minute, but five minutes later United's two-goal lead was restored when Nemanja Vidić
scored United's third goal; curling in a Rooney lay-off from just inside the box.
The day after the Villa match, Gary Neville
decided to retire. At the time he was United's fifth highest appearance maker, having played 602 times since making his debut against Torpedo Moscow
in 1992. He played his last match for the club in the 2–1 victory away at West Bromwich Albion
on New Year's Day
. As soon as the announcement was made, tributes flooded in from supporters, United players past and present, the media
and his manager Sir Alex Ferguson
.
On 5 February, United suffered their first league defeat of the season, a 2–1 loss to Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux
. United led after three minutes as Nani
drilled home inside the near post after turning George Elokobi
inside-out. But Elokobi headed in soon after with United's defence sleeping, Matt Jarvis executing a short-corner routine. Kevin Doyle
then glanced in just before the break, after which the visitors failed to carve out any clear chances. Although United had many chances in the second half, they failed to beat Wolves, and thus crashed to their first league loss of the season.
United recovered from the disastrous loss at Wolves to win 2–1 in the Manchester derby
against Manchester City
at Old Trafford on 12 February. Nani
collected a pass from Ryan Giggs
before slotting home from 15 yards to put United ahead just before the break. David Silva
, who side-footed wide from an acute angle in the first half, was oblivious as Edin Džeko
's shot cannoned off his backside to level for City. But Wayne Rooney
won it with an overhead kick that flew into the top corner.
Manchester United took the short trip to the DW Stadium to face Wigan Athletic
on 26 February. United won 4–0 to restore their lead at the top of the Premier League table to four points, after Arsenal
beat Stoke City
1–0 three days earlier. Relegation-threatened Wigan shone early on but Edwin van der Sar
stood solid. Javier Hernández cleverly clipped in rampant Nani
's cross after 17 minutes as the visitors gradually took control. Hernández slotted a cool second 15 minutes from time before a Wayne Rooney
tap-in and substitute Fábio
's simple shot added a late gloss.
United's next game was the postponed game from 19 December 2010, the away game against Chelsea
. The match was played on 1 March, and Frank Lampard
's disputed penalty condemned United to only their third defeat in the 2010–11 season (all competitions). United deservedly led at half-time as a fierce 25-yard strike from Wayne Rooney
- who Sir Alex Ferguson
admitted was fortunate to be playing after escaping further punishment for elbowing Wigan's James McCarthy
on 26 February - gave United the lead. The lead was cancelled out when David Luiz
scored his first Chelsea goal, volleying home after Branislav Ivanović
's flick-on. Lampard converted a penalty in the 79th minute to dent United's hopes of regaining the Premier League from Chelsea, after Chris Smalling
fouled Chelsea sub Yuri Zhirkov
. United's misery was compounded in stoppage time after captain Nemanja Vidić
was sent off for picking up a second yellow card, ruling the Serbian international out of United's testing trip to face Liverpool
on 6 March.
United's title hopes were dented further as they were defeated 3–1 by Liverpool
at Anfield
. Dirk Kuyt
opened the scoring, after he was teed up by Luis Suárez
. The Dutch striker then took advantage of Nani
's poor defensive header to make it 2–0. Nani was taken off after a high tackle by Jamie Carragher
as the game threatened to erupt before half-time. Kuyt then sealed it to complete his first Liverpool hat-trick, after Edwin van der Sar
fumbled Suárez's free-kick. Javier Hernández nodded home Ryan Giggs
' cross in stoppage time, but the goal was no more than a consolation. This was the first time since 2009 that United lost two consecutive league matches.
On 19 March, United returned to winning ways with a 1–0 win over Bolton Wanderers
at Old Trafford
. The only goal was scored two minutes from time by Dimitar Berbatov
, his first goal for United since the Red Devils 3–2 victory over Blackpool
on 25 January, when he scored twice. In a first half of few chances, Javier Hernández shot wide and Martin Petrov
hit a free-kick at Edwin van der Sar
. United defender Jonny Evans
was shown a straight red card in the second half for a lunge on Stuart Holden
. But Berbatov gave United the points by bundling home after Jussi Jääskeläinen
failed to hold Nani
's shot. Coupled with Arsenal's 2–2 draw with West Bromwich Albion
, this meant that United moved five points clear at the top of the table.
United's next game was at struggling West Ham
, the lunchtime kickoff on 2 April. United were 2–0 down at the break, with Mark Noble
scoring two penalties for the Hammers: the first in the 11th minute after a handball by Patrice Evra
, and then 14 minutes later, after the returning Nemanja Vidić
had fouled Carlton Cole
. Vidić escaped a red card for a foul on Demba Ba
before Wayne Rooney
curled in a second-half free-kick and then a few minutes later powered in a low shot to equalise. A Rooney penalty - for handball - completed the England striker's hat-trick
and put the visitors ahead, before Javier Hernández poked in a fourth to win the match 4–2. Arsenal
again failed to win - this time a 0–0 draw at home to Blackburn Rovers
- leaving them seven points behind United - albeit with a game in hand
. Wayne Rooney was later charged by the FA
for using offensive, insulting and/or abusive language
directly into a camera
following his third goal – the match being screened live on Sky Sports
in the UK
and Ireland
, as well as elsewhere around the world. He was given a two match suspension, ruling him out of United's next League game against Fulham
on 9 April as well as the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City
on 16 April.
United hosted Fulham
in their next game, with the Red Devils knowing that a victory would put them ten points clear of second placed Arsenal
, who were not to play until the following day. And a victory was what United got, with goals from Dimitar Berbatov
and Antonio Valencia giving them a 2–0 victory. The recalled Berbatov opened the scoring with a first-time finish after Nani
played him in. Aaron Hughes
then cleared a Nani cross into the path of Valencia, who headed home United's second. Tomasz Kuszczak
made a save from Fulham substitute Eiður Guðjohnsen
after the break, while Mark Schwarzer
stopped a strike from Darron Gibson
.
On 19 April, United missed the chance to go nine points clear at the top of the table, dropping two points after a frustrating display away to Newcastle United
. The visitors were guilty of poor passing throughout, though Wayne Rooney
and Ryan Giggs
missed good chances. Striker Javier Hernández felt he was fouled in the box by Danny Simpson
late on, only to be booked for a dive. Newcastle deserved a point though, and could have had a penalty of their own when Anderson
felled Peter Løvenkrands
.
United did go nine points clear at the top of the table, albeit briefly, in the lunchtime kickoff on 23 April, beating Everton
1–0 at Old Trafford. The only goal of the game was scored exactly seven minutes from time, when Javier Hernández headed home Antonio Valencia's cross after Sylvain Distin
gave the ball away. Hernández earlier forced two good saves from Tim Howard
, while Everton's Victor Anichebe
could have had a penalty. But after a spate of Howard saves, United's pressure eventually paid off.
United's next game was on the following Sunday, away to Arsenal
. Arsenal's title hopes were all but over thanks to their 2–1 defeat to Bolton Wanderers
on 24 April, while United needed the win to go six points clear, after Chelsea
defeated Tottenham Hotspur
with two controversial goals the previous day. The game was 0–0 at half-time, and Arsenal could have had a penalty when Nemanja Vidić
handled Theo Walcott
's cross in the box, but referee Chris Foy
waved away Arsenal's penalty cries. However, Arsenal gave their London rivals a massive favour by going ahead in the 56th minute, Aaron Ramsey
sliding in to the corner after Robin van Persie
's cut-back to give Arsenal a lead that they somewhat deserved. United should have had a penalty with three minutes to go when substitute Michael Owen
was brought down by Gaël Clichy
, but Foy waved away United's shouts and the final score was 1–0 to Arsenal. This meant that United were now only three points ahead of Chelsea in the title race with the same goal difference (+38), with the two meeting on 8 May at Old Trafford in what was both sides' next league game.
United went on to win this game 2–1, putting in a great performance. United were superb in the first 45 minutes and made a perfect start when Javier Hernández scored the 20th goal of his debut season after just 36 seconds, slotting home past Petr Čech
from Park Ji-Sung
's through ball. United continued to dominate and after 23 minutes, Nemanja Vidić
headed in Ryan Giggs
' cross from a short corner. Frank Lampard
gave Chelsea hope with a poacher's goal against the run of play, but Alex
denied United a third when he brilliantly blocked Wayne Rooney
's shot from close range. Hernández could also have made things safe in the closing stages but twice spurned good chances, heading over from Antonio Valencia's fine cross and scuffing a shot late on. United still held on for the win. The result meant that United needed only one point from either of their two remaining games to secure a record 19th title.
On 14 May 2011, United secured that point and their 19th league title away to Blackburn Rovers
, after a 1–1 draw. United started quickly and could have gone in front after just four minutes when Nani
headed against the crossbar, but Blackburn came back into the game. Tomasz Kuszczak
, in goal for United had a number of nervy moments in the first half, which appeared to give Blackburn confidence and they scored after 20 minutes via a low shot from Brett Emerton
. United held on until half time and arguably had the better of the second half. The equaliser came after 73 minutes when Javier Hernández was brought down by Rovers keeper, Paul Robinson and Wayne Rooney
dispatched the resultant penalty. The final few minutes were a drab affair as neither team wanted to risk losing the one point that they would gain from the draw. When the final whistle went, United were officially crowned champions of English football
for a record breaking 19th time. The trophy was presented after their final league game of the season, at home to Blackpool
on 22 May.
United came from behind to win the Blackpool game 4–2, condemning the Seasiders to relegation. United opened the scoring on 21 minutes, when Park Ji-Sung
was released in the area by Dimitar Berbatov
. Park evaded the challenge of Ian Evatt
and lifted the ball over Matthew Gilks
to put United in front. United had two penalty claims wrongly turned down by referee Mike Dean
, before, on 39 minutes, Dean dubiously awarded a free-kick to Blackpool. Charlie Adam
curled home the set-piece past captain-for-the-day Edwin van der Sar
(with United's 40-year old goalkeeper playing his last league game for the Reds before retirement), making Adam the first player to score against United at Old Trafford in the first half of a match all season, and the first since Joe Cole
did so for Chelsea
on 3 April 2010. Eleven minutes into the second half, Blackpool stunned the home support by taking a shock lead. David Vaughan
found space on the right side of United's area before setting up Gary Taylor-Fletcher
, whose scrappy goal curled off the post to send all but the travelling supporters in Old Trafford silent. Their celebrations were short-lived, as United gained a somewhat deserved equalizer five minutes later, when Park's cross was swept high past Gilks by Anderson
. Immeadiately after the equalizer, Sir Alex Ferguson brought Michael Owen
into the action, replacing Park. United dominated the game after that leveller, with Gilks saving acrobatically from Berbatov and Nani
somehow heading Chris Smalling
's cross wide with the goal at his mercy. With 16 minutes to go, United's efforts were rewarded when Evatt diverted Smalling's right-wing cross into his own net. With nine minutes to go, Owen killed off the game and confirmed Blackpool's relegation with a poacher's finish, racing through from Anderson's pass and beating Gilks with ease. Blackpool almost scored a consolation goal deep into stoppage time, with substitute Luke Varney
hitting the bar with a header from a corner.
Pld = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; GD = Goal difference; Pts = Points
at the Third Round stage, the draw being made on 28 November 2010. For the second season in a row they began the competition by facing a fierce rival at Old Trafford, with Liverpool
being their opponents on this occasion. The match was played at lunch-time on 9 January 2011.
It was the first time in nearly five years that the two sides have met in the FA Cup, following a 1–0 defeat at Anfield
in 2006, with this being the first tie at Old Trafford for nearly twelve years. On that occasion two goals in the last two minutes from Dwight Yorke
and Ole Gunnar Solskjær
sent United to a 2–1 victory, having been trailing for over 85 minutes to a goal by now United player Michael Owen
. United went on to win the Treble.
This time, the early goal came for United after Dimitar Berbatov
was fouled in the penalty area by Daniel Agger
after just 31 seconds and Ryan Giggs
scored the resultant penalty
. Then, after around half an hour, Steven Gerrard
was given a straight red card by referee, Howard Webb
for a two-footed tackle on Michael Carrick
. Despite the numerical advantage, United couldn't increase their advantage, but Liverpool also failed to score and United won 1–0.
The draw for the Fourth Round was made directly after the Liverpool match, and gave United a trip to the south coast to play League One
side Southampton
. United have won the previous five meetings between the two sides, but did famously lose the 1976 FA Cup Final to the same opponents.
The match took place on 29 January, and was broadcast live on ITV1
. United won 2–1. Michael Owen
hit the post with a cross before League One side Southampton shocked the Premier League leaders when Richard Chaplow
crashed home a fierce drive. The lead was cancelled out when Owen nodded in from close range. Then Javier Hernández finished clinically after being put in by Ryan Giggs
to complete United's comeback.
The draw for the Fifth Round was made on 30 January, and gave United a home tie against non-League
side Crawley Town
, of the Blue Square Bet Premier Division. The match was played on 19 February. United had never previously met Crawley, however they were held to a 0–0 draw away
to Burton Albion
in the Third Round five seasons ago, before winning the replay 5–0 at Old Trafford. This was their most recent meeting with a team from this level.
United have not lost to non-League opposition since before the First World War
, when Swindon Town
beat them 1–0 in the First Round at the County Ground
on 10 January 1914. Swindon went on to be crowned Southern League
champions the same season.
United edged a 1–0 win thanks to a rare Wes Brown
goal in the 28th minute, only his fifth for United in his 358th match. United were given a late scare when Richard Brodie's
header hit the crossbar in stoppage time, but they held on to clinch a place in the Sixth Round.
The Sixth Round draw was made on 20 February, and gave United their third home tie of this season's competition. They were drawn to play either League One
side Leyton Orient
, or title rivals
Arsenal
. Immediately after the draw was made, Leyton Orient and Arsenal played out a 1–1 draw at Brisbane Road in their Fifth Round match. Jonathan Téhoué
scored an 89th minute equaliser for Leyton Orient to secure a replay at the Emirates Stadium
, which was played on 2 March, and ended in a 5–0 victory for Arsenal.
The match was played on 12 March and saw United pick a seemingly bizarre starting lineup, as seven of their starting eleven were defenders, with twin brothers Fábio
and Rafael
starting as wingers, while John O'Shea
played as a defensive midfielder. United ran out 2–0 winners thanks to goals from Fábio
and Wayne Rooney
in the 28th and 49th minutes respectively. It could easily have been more with chances for Rooney, Hernández and Giggs
not finding the net. The result meant that Arsenal had been eliminated from three major competitions in the space of a fortnight. The match also saw the return of Antonio Valencia after a six month absence due to a broken ankle. He replaced Fábio at half-time.
The draw for the semi-finals was made on 13 March, and gave United a tie against local rivals
Manchester City
or Championship
side Reading
, who played their Sixth Round tie at Eastlands
immediately after the draw. City won 1–0 thanks to a 74th minute Micah Richards
goal to set up a 159th meeting with United, and the first ever at Wembley
. The two sides had met in the semi-finals before on just one occasion 85 years previously, when City won 3–0 at Bramall Lane
.
The match was played on 16 April 2011, and City won 1–0 thanks to a 52nd minute Yaya Touré
goal, scored after Michael Carrick
gave the ball away. 20 minutes later Paul Scholes
was sent off for a high challenge on Pablo Zabaleta
, which gave him an automatic three match suspension.
. The draw for the Third Round took place on 28 August 2010, and gave Manchester United an away tie against Championship
team Scunthorpe United
. The match was the first between the two sides.
With Sir Alex Ferguson
in Spain
watching UEFA Champions League
opponents Valencia
, Mike Phelan
was handed managerial duties for a United team making wholesale changes from their win over Liverpool. The hosts scored a shock opener when Josh Wright
powered in, only for Darron Gibson
to level with a fine lob. United settled after Chris Smalling's
volley before the break with Scunthorpe restricted to long-range shots which were dealt with comfortably by Man of the Match Tomasz Kuszczak
. Michael Owen
tucked in when clean through, Park Ji-Sung
blasted home and Owen tapped in the fifth, leaving Martyn Woolford
to score a consolation.
The draw for the Fourth Round took place on 25 September, and gave United a home tie with fellow Premier League
club Wolverhampton Wanderers
, who they defeated 1–0 in the Third Round of last season's competition. The match was played on 26 October and United eventually won the game 3–2, though twice threw away a lead. Goals from Bébé
(his first for the club), Park Ji-Sung
and a late winner from Javier Hernández put United through to the Fifth Round.
The draw for the Fifth Round was made on 30 October 2010, and handed Manchester United a trip to Upton Park
to play against fellow Premier League
club West Ham United
. The match was played on 30 November but United lost 4–0. United almost took the lead 7 minutes in when Gabriel Obertan
's shot was cleared onto the post by Robert Green
. In the 15th minute, West Ham appeared to have taken the lead when Victor Obinna's shot appeared to have deflected off Chris Smalling
, but the referee rightly ruled that it had deflected off United old boy Jonathan Spector
and disallowed the "goal" as it was offside. Minutes later Spector, who made eight first-team appearances for United, gave West Ham the lead, when he looped a header over Tomasz Kuszczak
from Obinna's clever cross. The goal was Spector's first goal in his entire club career. Spector added on a second eight minutes before half time, when he fired home from close range with both Smalling and Kuszczak unable to stop him. Alex Ferguson brought on Federico Macheda
for Bébé at half time in an attempt to score, but West Ham got their third goal eleven minutes into the second half, when Carlton Cole
headed from Obinna's cross for his 50th career goal. United were embarrassed further by West Ham in the 66th minute, when Obinna's cross into the middle of the penalty box was well controlled by Cole, who turned Jonny Evans
before slotting home. Javier Hernández headed wide a few minutes from time to add to United's misery. West Ham held on to knock the two-time defending champions out of the League Cup, condemn United to their first defeat all season, record their biggest win over United in 80 years, and reach the last four of the League Cup for the first time in 20 years.
, as well as Barcelona
, Bayern Munich
, Milan
, Lyon
and the other three English clubs, Chelsea
, Arsenal
and Tottenham Hotspur
. However, they could still be drawn against former champions Real Madrid
and Ajax, and 1966
finalists Partizan
. The draw eventually paired United with two previous opponents, Valencia
and Scottish champions Rangers
, and one new opponent, in the form of Turkish champions Bursaspor
.
United's first Champions League fixture of the season came on 14 September, at home to Rangers. With a home league match against Liverpool
approaching on the following Sunday, Alex Ferguson took the opportunity to rest several of his first-team players; only Darren Fletcher
remained from the team that faced Everton
on the previous Saturday. Nevertheless, both Wayne Rooney
and Rio Ferdinand
returned to the team. Although United had the most shots during the game – most of them long-range efforts from Darron Gibson
– they were unable to break down the Rangers defence, and the match finished as a goalless draw. In addition to a sub-par performance, United's misery was compounded by an horrendous injury to Antonio Valencia; in a fair challenge with Rangers' Kirk Broadfoot
, the Ecuadorian winger caught his foot in the turf and suffered a dislocated and broken left ankle, with ligament damage. It was expected that Valencia would miss most of the rest of the season. This was confirmed after an operation the morning after the match, with Ferguson stating late February as a possible return date. He eventually made his return on 12 March after a six month absence as a half-time substitute against Arsenal at Old Trafford in the Sixth Round of the FA Cup.
United then travelled to La Liga toppers Valencia
. Valencia had United under the cosh but some resolute defending and some easy misses meant that United looked like leaving with a credible draw. However, United had other ideas after Nani
and Federico Macheda
combined well to set up Javier Hernández to score a 85th minute winner to see United leave Spain with all 3 points and their first victory on the road all season.
Hours after Wayne Rooney's shock revelation he wanted to leave the club, United entertained Turkish champions Bursaspor
. It did not take long for United to take the lead - and it came courtesy of a stunning solo effort from Nani
who cut in from the left and hit a sweet 20-yard curling shot past the despairing Dimitar Ivankov
who had no chance of preventing the goal. Substitute Gabriel Obertan
should have doubled United's advantage late on but his header from a corner fell wide, while Javier Hernández was also guilty of lacking the killer instinct when he dragged a shot wide when ideally placed to score. In the end, Nani's early strike proved enough and United topped the Group after three games.
United played Bursaspor
again in the next game, this time at the Bursa Atatürk Stadium
in Bursa, Turkey
. This time the game was more conclusive as United ran out 3–0 winners, with second-half goals from Darren Fletcher
, Gabriel Obertan
and Bébé
. Victory kept United top of the group and needing at least a point from their last two games to qualify for the knockout stages.
The next game was away at Ibrox Stadium
against Rangers
. Unlike the turgid affair earlier in the season, both teams tried to get the win in this game - indeed Rangers had to win to have any chance of making the Champions League knockout stages. The match was finally settled three minutes from time after Fábio
was clumsily kicked in the face by Steven Naismith
and Wayne Rooney
scored the resulting penalty. The win put United through to the knockout stages and also relegated Rangers to the UEFA Europa League competition. However, a comprehensive victory for Valencia
in their fifth group match meant that United still needed at least a point from their final Group match to top the Group.
United got the required point by drawing 1–1 in their last Group match at home to Valencia
. After passing up a host of chances, United went behind after a half hour when Pablo Hernández
slotted home through the legs of Champions League debutant goalkeeper, Ben Amos
- the first (and only) goal United conceded in the Group stage. Wayne Rooney
had a shot that crashed off the crossbar and Dimitar Berbatov
had a goal correctly ruled out for offside before Anderson
equalised just after the hour mark, following in a rebound from a Park Ji-Sung
shot. Valencia pressed for a second goal for a while, but eventually the game degenerated into one of few late chances as both teams seemed happy to take the draw. United topped the group, three points ahead of Valencia.
, Switzerland
, on 17 December 2010. United, as group winners, could have faced such teams as Internazionale
and Milan
, but were ultimately paired with French champions
Marseille
, who have former Red Gabriel Heinze
in their ranks. United's only previous meeting with Marseille came when they were defending the European Cup
they had won in 1999
. On that occasion in the First Group Stage, United won 2–1 at Old Trafford, before losing 1–0 in France.
United travelled to the Stade Vélodrome
and played the first leg on 23 February. The game ended 0–0, leaving United's hopes of progessing to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League hanging on a thread. Darren Fletcher
had United's best chance but his 18-yard shot was gathered at the second attempt by the home side's goalkeeper Steve Mandanda
. It was a rare opening in a tight game of few chances. Marseille's André Ayew
dragged a shot across goal in the main threat to United at the Stade Vélodrome.
The second leg at Old Trafford was held on 15 March, and United won 2–1. Wayne Rooney
passed superbly to Ryan Giggs
before firing across goal for Javier Hernández to tuck in the opener. André-Pierre Gignac
side-footed over soon after and Souleymane Diawara
missed a header from six yards out. Hernández then made it 2–0 with another close shot but a Wes Brown
own goal
from a corner ensured a tense finish.
The draw for the remainder of the tournament took place at 11:00 GMT
on 18 March. United could have faced any of the following seven clubs in the quarter-finals: Barcelona
, Chelsea
, defending champions
Internazionale
, Real Madrid
, Schalke 04
, Shakhtar Donetsk
or Tottenham Hotspur
. Of these clubs, only Schalke and Shakhtar Donetsk had never met United in European competition. The draw paired United with domestic opposition in the form of Chelsea
, who they defeated 6–5 on penalties after a 1–1 draw in the 2008 final
, to record the most recent of their three European Cup triumphs. The winner of this tie was drawn to face either Schalke 04
or Internazionale
in the semi-finals.
The first leg was played at Stamford Bridge
on 6 April, and United won 1–0 after Wayne Rooney
scored following some great work by Michael Carrick
and Ryan Giggs
after 24 minutes. Chelsea were aggrieved late on after Patrice Evra
seemed to have fouled Ramires
in United's penalty area, but no penalty was awarded and later striker Fernando Torres
was booked for diving, following another tumble in the penalty area after a challenge from Antonio Valencia, but United held on for their first victory at Stamford Bridge in almost nine years and therefore take a lead and an away goal
into the second leg.
The second leg was also won by United, this time recording a 2–1 victory. Javier Hernández scored a tap in to make it 1–0, and in the second half Ramires
was sent off for his second bookable offence. Didier Drogba
then grabbed one back, but within a minute Park Ji-Sung
had also put the ball into the back of the net and made the score 2–1 on the night. United held on to win 3–1 on aggregate and went through to face Schalke 04
in the semi-finals. The Bundesliga
club qualified 24 hours after United by securing a 2–1 home win, which sealed an emphatic 7–3 aggregate victory over holders
Internazionale
. The semi-final was the first occasion the two clubs had met.
United travelled to the Veltins-Arena
, and played the first leg on 26 April. United won 2–0, taking a huge step towards their third UEFA Champions League
final in four seasons. United could have been well ahead in the semi-final first leg by half-time, denied only by a series of saves from Germany keeper Manuel Neuer
, who has also been a transfer target for the Reds. They broke the deadlock when Wayne Rooney
slipped in Ryan Giggs
to slot home and Rooney doubled the advantage by firing in a Javier Hernández pass. Edwin van der Sar
saved from Sergio Escudero
, but Schalke were well below par.
The return leg was held on 4 May at Old Trafford and United ran out comfortable winners. Despite playing a so-called weakened side, Sir Alex Fergusons' side were too good for Schalke. Antonio Valencia scored after 26 minutes to give United the lead on the night before Darron Gibson
's shot was fumbled by Manuel Neuer
five minutes later. Schalke threatened a comeback when José Manuel Jurado scored from distance after 35 minutes, but they failed to trouble Edwin van der Sar
again throughout the first half. Two goals in four minutes from Anderson
- whose total for United prior to the game was just two in 127 games - gave United a comfortable 4–1 lead on the night, 6–1 on aggregate. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar had a goal disallowed for offside late on (as Chris Smalling
had earlier in the second half) and the remainder of the game remained scoreless, putting United into the final
; their third final in four years.
The final was a rematch with Spanish champions
Barcelona
, their opponents in the 2009 final
, which Barcelona comfortably won 2–0. The final - being played at Wembley
- held significance for both clubs, with the stadium being the site of their first European Cup
triumphs, in 1968
for United and 1992
for Barcelona. Both clubs went into the match having won their respective domestic League titles for the 2010–11 season.
The final was played on 28 May at Wembley
, where United lost 3–1. Pedro
opened the scoring on 27 minutes when he slipped a finish inside Edwin van der Sar
's post, but United equalized seven minutes later, when Wayne Rooney
curled a 15-yard shot into Victor Valdés
' top corner. However, seven minutes after the interval, Barça regained the lead when Lionel Messi
unleashed a low, dipping shot that squeezed under van der Sar's arm. It was Messi's first goal on English soil. With 21 minuts remaining, the game was killed off when Nani
gav the ball away to Messi, who teed up David Villa
to curl a fantastic shot into van der Sar's top corner.
Statistics accurate as of match played 28 May 2011
left the club, and they were followed by fellow youngsters Sam Hewson
, Febian Brandy
, and Scott Moffat (the latter three all being released). On the same day, Serbian midfielder Zoran Tošić
signed for CSKA Moscow for an undisclosed fee. Just over a fortnight later, David Gray signed for Preston North End
, while in August, Craig Cathcart
and Rodrigo Possebon
left.
Meanwhile, on the same day that Heaton, Zieler, Hewson, Brandy, Moffat, and Tošić left (1 July), English defender Chris Smalling
, Mexican forward Javier Hernández, and Belgian defender Marnick Vermijl arrived (all signing for undisclosed fees). In August, Portuguese forward Bébé
came in, also for an undisclosed fee (Bébé arrived just five weeks after he had signed for Vitória de Guimarães). The three new signings were unveiled to the media at a press conference on 17 August.
Departing in the winter transfer window were James Chester
and Cameron Stewart
, who both joined Hull City
, and reserve team captain Magnus Eikrem
, who joined Molde. Chester, Stewart, and Eikrem all left for unisclosed fees. On 2 February, Gary Neville
retired.
On 27 November 2010, Danish goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard
signed. Like Smalling, Hernández and Bébé, Lindegaard also signed for an undisclosed fee. However, the signing was made official on 1 January 2011, when the transfer window opened.
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
's 19th season in the Premier League, and their 36th consecutive season in the top-flight of English football
Football in England
Association football is a national sport in England, where the first modern set of rules for the code were established in 1863, which were a major influence on the development of the modern Laws of the Game...
. It was the first season with new shirt sponsors Aon, after four seasons with AIG
American International Group
American International Group, Inc. or AIG is an American multinational insurance corporation. Its corporate headquarters is located in the American International Building in New York City. The British headquarters office is on Fenchurch Street in London, continental Europe operations are based in...
.
United began the season by beating Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
3–1 at Wembley
Wembley Stadium
The original Wembley Stadium, officially known as the Empire Stadium, was a football stadium in Wembley, a suburb of north-west London, standing on the site now occupied by the new Wembley Stadium that opened in 2007...
on 8 August 2010 to claim the Community Shield
2010 FA Community Shield
The 2010 FA Community Shield was the 88th FA Community Shield, an annual football match contested by the winners of the previous season's Premier League and FA Cup competitions. The match was played at Wembley Stadium, London, on 8 August 2010, and contested by league and cup double winners Chelsea...
.
A successful defence of the League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
would have seen them become only the second team to win the competition for a third successive season, after Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
in 1983
1983 Football League Cup Final
The 1983 Milk Cup Final was a football match held on 26 March 1983 between League Cup holders Liverpool and Manchester United, who would go on to win the FA Cup later that year. Liverpool won the match 2-1; Norman Whiteside scored the opener for Manchester United, before Alan Kennedy equalised with...
(who then went on to win a fourth in 1984
1984 Football League Cup Final
The 1984 Milk Cup Final was an association football match between Liverpool and Everton. Liverpool were extremely fortunate to make it to the final of the competition after knocking out a Walsall side from the 4th Division who most neutrals and pundits would agree were the superior team at Anfield...
). However, their stranglehold on the tournament was broken by West Ham United
West Ham United F.C.
West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...
, who sent an understrength Reds side crashing to a 4–0 defeat at Upton Park
Boleyn Ground
The Boleyn Ground, more commonly referred to as Upton Park due to its location in Upton Park, London is the football stadium of West Ham United.-History:...
in the Fifth Round on 30 November 2010.
On 19 December 2010, Sir Alex Ferguson
Alex Ferguson
Sir Alexander Chapman "Alex" Ferguson, CBE is a Scottish association football manager and former player, currently managing Manchester United, where he has been in charge since 1986...
became the longest-serving manager in Manchester United's history, overtaking Sir Matt Busby
Matt Busby
Sir Alexander Matthew "Matt" Busby, CBE, KCSG was a Scottish football player and manager, most noted for managing Manchester United between 1945 and 1969 and again for the second half of the 1970–1971 season...
's record of 24 years, 1 month and 13 days in charge of the club.
On 1 February 2011, United equalled the club record league unbeaten run of 29 matches, after a 3–1 win over Aston Villa at Old Trafford. They failed to extend the run however, succumbing to a 2–1 defeat against Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
at Molineux
Molineux stadium
Molineux Stadium is a Premier League football stadium situated in Whitmore Reans, Wolverhampton, England. It has been the home ground of Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club since 1889, and has a long and illustrious history as the first 'new build' stadium in Football League history, one of the...
on 5 February 2011. This was their first league defeat since 3 April 2010, a 2–1 home defeat to Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
.
United also reached the semi-final stage of the 2010–11 FA Cup
2010–11 FA Cup
The 2010–11 FA Cup was the 130th season of the world's oldest association football knock-out competition; The Football Association Challenge Cup, or FA Cup for short...
but lost 1–0 at Wembley to Manchester City
Manchester City F.C.
Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894...
on 16 April 2011.
On 14 May 2011, after a 1–1 draw to Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn Rovers F.C.
Blackburn Rovers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the town of Blackburn, Lancashire. The team currently competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football....
at Ewood Park
Ewood Park
Ewood Park is a football stadium in the English town of Blackburn, Lancashire, and is the home of Blackburn Rovers Football Club — one of the founder members of the Football League and Premier League. Rovers have played there since they moved from Leamington Street in the summer of 1890. The...
, United broke the English League title record by winning their 19th title, surpassing Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
's record of 18 titles, which they equalled in the 2008–09 season. This is the first time United have held the outright record in their history.
They also competed in the Champions League for the 15th season in a row, and contested the Final
2011 UEFA Champions League Final
The 2011 UEFA Champions League Final was a football match played on 28 May 2011 at Wembley Stadium in London that decided the winner of the 2010–11 season of the UEFA Champions League. The winners received the European Champion Clubs' Cup...
with Barcelona
FC Barcelona
Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
on 28 May 2011, but they lost 3–1.
Pre-season and friendlies
Manchester United announced their first fixture of the 2010 pre-season schedule on 8 April 2010. As part of the signing of Javier Hernández, United agreed to play a friendly against GuadalajaraC.D. Guadalajara
Club Deportivo Guadalajara , is a Mexican professional football club based in Guadalajara, Jalisco. Guadalajara plays in the Primera División de México and is the most successful club in Mexican football, having won 11 First Division titles, 7 Campeón de Campeones and 2 Copa México...
to open their new 45,000-capacity stadium, Estadio Chivas
Estadio Chivas
Omnilife Stadium, formerly known as Chivas Stadium , is the 4th largest stadium in Mexico. It is built in the JVC complex, a multi-use venue that is used mostly for football matches including home matches for Club Deportivo Guadalajara, commonly known as the "Chivas" The stadium has a seating...
, on 30 July.
On 6 May 2010, Manchester United announced that the team would be touring North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
that summer for the first time since 2004. A 22-man squad, including new signing Chris Smalling
Chris Smalling
Christopher Lloyd "Chris" Smalling is an English footballer who plays as a centre back for Manchester United and the England national team....
, but minus those who took part in the 2010 FIFA World Cup
2010 FIFA World Cup
The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010...
, flew out to the United States on 12 July, before taking part in a training camp in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, the headquarters of new shirt sponsors Aon. The first tour match was played on 16 July over the border at the Rogers Centre
Rogers Centre
Rogers Centre is a multi-purpose stadium, in Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated next to the CN Tower, near the shores of Lake Ontario. Opened in 1989, it is home to the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball and the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League...
in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, where United beat a travelling Celtic
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
side 3–1 with goals from Dimitar Berbatov
Dimitar Berbatov
Dimitar Ivanov Berbatov is a Bulgarian footballer who plays as a forward for Manchester United. He captained the Bulgarian national team from 2006 to 2010, and is its all-time leading goalscorer and has also won the Bulgarian Footballer of the Year a record seven times, surpassing the number of...
, Danny Welbeck
Danny Welbeck
Daniel Nii Tackie Mensah "Danny" Welbeck is an English footballer who plays for Manchester United and the England national football team. He is a centre forward who can also play on the wing....
and Tom Cleverley
Tom Cleverley
Thomas William "Tom" Cleverley is an English footballer who plays as a midfielder in the Premier League for Manchester United....
. The next fixture, against Philadelphia Union was played on 21 July at Lincoln Financial Field
Lincoln Financial Field
Lincoln Financial Field is the home stadium of the National Football League's Philadelphia Eagles. It has a seating capacity of 68,532 . It is located in South Philadelphia on Pattison Avenue between 11th and 10th streets, also aside I-95 as part of the South Philadelphia Sports Complex...
, one of the venues on both their 2003 and 2004 tours. United won the match 1–0 with a 76th-minute goal from Gabriel Obertan
Gabriel Obertan
Gabriel Antoine Obertan is a French footballer who plays for Newcastle United in the Premier League. He primarily plays as a winger, but can also play in the centre of midfield and as a striker....
. Four days later, the team travelled down to Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
to play the Kansas City Wizards
Kansas City Wizards
Sporting Kansas City is an American professional soccer club based in Kansas City, Kansas that competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States of America and Canada...
at Arrowhead Stadium
Arrowhead Stadium
Arrowhead Stadium is a stadium located in Kansas City, Missouri and home to the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs....
. The Wizards opened the scoring in the 11th minute, before Dimitar Berbatov
Dimitar Berbatov
Dimitar Ivanov Berbatov is a Bulgarian footballer who plays as a forward for Manchester United. He captained the Bulgarian national team from 2006 to 2010, and is its all-time leading goalscorer and has also won the Bulgarian Footballer of the Year a record seven times, surpassing the number of...
equalised with a 41st-minute penalty
Penalty kick
A penalty kick is a type of direct free kick in association football, taken from twelve yards out from goal and with only the goalkeeper of the defending team between the penalty taker and the goal.Penalty kicks are performed during normal play...
; however, two minutes later the Wizards restored their lead with a controversial goal from Kei Kamara
Kei Kamara
Kei Kamara is a Sierra Leonean footballer who currently plays for Sporting Kansas City in Major League Soccer.-Early life:Kamara was born and raised in Kenema, Sierra Leone's third largest city to Temne parents...
. The Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone , officially the Republic of Sierra Leone, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Guinea to the north and east, Liberia to the southeast, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west and southwest. Sierra Leone covers a total area of and has an estimated population between 5.4 and 6.4...
an forward headed the ball against the crossbar and it bounced down onto the goal-line; the referee believed the whole of the ball had crossed the line and gave the goal.
The tour of the United States culminated with the 2010 MLS All-Star Game
MLS All-Star 2010
The 2010 Major League Soccer All-Star Game, held on July 28, 2010, was the 15th consecutive Major League Soccer All-Star Game, a soccer match involving all-stars from Major League Soccer. The MLS All-Stars faced Manchester United of the English Premier League in the seventh All-Star Game that...
on 28 July at Reliant Stadium
Reliant Stadium
Reliant Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium, in Houston, Texas, USA. Reliant Stadium has a seating capacity of 71,500, a total square footage of with of natural grass playing surface....
in Houston, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. United won the match 5–2, with goals from Federico Macheda
Federico Macheda
Federico "Kiko" Macheda is an Italian footballer who plays as a striker for English Premier League club Manchester United. He joined Manchester United from Lazio in September 2007.-Early career:Macheda began his football career with Lazio...
(2), Darron Gibson
Darron Gibson
Darron Thomas Daniel Gibson is an Irish footballer who plays as a midfielder for Manchester United and the Republic of Ireland national team...
, Tom Cleverley and a debut goal from Javier Hernández. Macheda's first goal came after only 21 seconds, when he capitalised on an under-hit back-pass; he got his second in the 13th minute, heading in Nani
Nani
-People:*Nani, a Portuguese footballer who plays for Manchester United*Gianluca Nani, former technical director at West Ham United*Nanabhoy Palkhivala, nicknamed Nani, an Indian jurist and economist*Nani Roma, a Spanish rally racing driver...
's corner kick. Brian Ching
Brian Ching
Brian Ching is an American professional soccer forward currently playing for the Montreal Impact of Major League Soccer.-Youth and College:...
pulled a goal back for the MLS All-Stars in the 64th minute, before Darron Gibson restored United's two-goal lead with a free-kick from 20 yards in the 70th minute. Three minutes later, Tom Cleverley made it 4–1 with a well-taken goal, controlling Darren Fletcher
Darren Fletcher
Darren Barr Fletcher is a Scottish footballer who plays as a central midfielder for English Premier League club Manchester United. He is the current captain of Scottish national team...
's flick into the box before flicking it over Wilman Conde
Wilman Conde, Jr.
Wilman Conde, Jr. is a Colombian footballer who currently plays for Atlas.-Professional:Conde made his professional debut with Deportes Quindío during the 2000 campaign. His play at Quindío led to interest from the top Colombian sides, and in 2001 he joined Deportivo Cali and became a fixture at...
's head and side-footing past goalkeeper Nick Rimando
Nick Rimando
Nicholas Paul "Nick" Rimando is an American soccer player who currently plays for Real Salt Lake in Major League Soccer and the United States national team-College:...
. Hernández's goal came in the 84th minute, when he collected a long through-ball from Darren Fletcher before lobbing Rimando to make the score 5–1. Dwayne De Rosario
Dwayne De Rosario
Dwayne Anthony De Rosario is a Canadian soccer player who currently plays for D.C. United in Major League Soccer. He also plays for the Canadian national team.-Early career:...
then scored a late consolation goal in the final minute. The squad then headed south to play United's first ever match in Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
against Chivas two days later. Javier Hernández began the game in a Chivas shirt and opened the scoring for his old club after eight minutes. Chris Smalling's first Manchester United goal levelled the scores two minutes later, but Chivas regained the lead just before half-time through Adolfo Bautista
Adolfo Bautista
Adolfo "El Bofo" Bautista Herrera is an Attacking Midfielder/Forward who currently plays for Querétaro F.C. of Mexico.-Beginnings:...
. At the break, Hernández switched sides and came on in place of Dimitar Berbatov. Hector Reynoso increased the hosts' lead to 3–1 just before the hour-mark, when Hernández finally left the action. Nani pulled a goal back 10 minutes from the end, but the score remained at 3–2 until the end. The result meant that United finished their tour of North America with three wins and two defeats.
Following the team's return to Europe, Manchester United rounded off their pre-season schedule by taking on a League of Ireland
League of Ireland
The League of Ireland is the national association football league of the Republic of Ireland. Founded in 1921, as a league of eight clubs, it has expanded over time into a two-tiered league of 22 clubs. It is currently split into the League of Ireland Premier Division and the League of Ireland...
XI in the first match to be played at the new Aviva Stadium
Aviva Stadium
The Aviva Stadium is a sports stadium located in Dublin, Ireland, with a capacity for 50,000 spectators. The stadium is built on the site of the old Lansdowne Road venue, which was demolished in 2007, and replaces that stadium as home to its chief tenants: the Irish rugby union team and the...
in Dublin on 4 August. World Cup stars Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney
Wayne Mark Rooney is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Manchester United and the England national team...
, Michael Carrick
Michael Carrick
Michael Carrick is an English footballer who plays as a midfielder for Manchester United and the England national team. He has made more than 300 Premier League appearances and played in 50 UEFA Champions League games as of April 2011...
, Park Ji-Sung
Park Ji-Sung
Park Ji-Sung is a South Korean footballer who plays as a midfielder for English club Manchester United. He was also the captain of the South Korean national team until his retirement from international football...
and Nemanja Vidić
Nemanja Vidic
Nemanja Vidić is a Serbian footballer who captains English Premier League club Manchester United. He was part of the Serbia national football team from 2002 to 2011....
all made their returns to the United side, as did Michael Owen
Michael Owen
Michael James Owen is an English professional footballer who plays as a striker for Manchester United.The son of former footballer Terry Owen, Owen began his senior career at Liverpool in 1996. He progressed through the Liverpool youth team and scored on his debut in May 1997...
and Antonio Valencia, who were recovering from injury. Park opened the scoring in the 13th minute in bizarre fashion; as he went to block a defender's clearance, the ball ricocheted off him and into the net. Michael Owen doubled United's lead in the 25th minute with a chipped shot over the goalkeeper, before half-time substitute Hernández made it 3–0 two minutes after the break. Three goals in the space of nine minutes from Valencia (60th minute), a second from Park (63rd), and Jonny Evans
Jonny Evans
Jonathan Grant "Jonny" Evans is a Northern Irish footballer who plays as a defender for Manchester United and Northern Ireland. Evans was born in Belfast and started his career at Greenisland FC, where he was spotted by Manchester United scouts. He progressed through Manchester United's football...
(69th) increased the lead to 6–0, but Dave Mulcahy
Dave Mulcahy
Dave Mulcahy is an Irish football player who currently plays for St. Patrick's Athletic in the League of Ireland Premier Division ....
scored a consolation goal for the League of Ireland XI in the 78th minute. Nevertheless, there was still time for Nani to get a seventh goal, converting a penalty after Hernández had been fouled in the penalty area.
On 8 April, it was announced that a testimonial
Testimonial match
A testimonial match or testimonial game, often referred to simply as a testimonial, is a practice in some sports, notably football and especially in the United Kingdom, where a club puts on a match in honour of a player for service to the club....
had been granted to Gary Neville
Gary Neville
Gary Alexander Neville is a former English footballer. He is England's most capped right-back and was Manchester United's club captain for five years....
who had announced his retirement on 2 February. The match was held to honour and celebrate Neville's 19 years of service to United, and was played at Old Trafford on 24 May, the opponents being Juventus
Juventus F.C.
Juventus Football Club S.p.A. , commonly referred to as Juventus and colloquially as Juve , are a professional Italian association football club based in Turin, Piedmont...
of the Italian Serie A
Serie A
Serie A , now called Serie A TIM due to sponsorship by Telecom Italia, is a professional league competition for football clubs located at the top of the Italian football league system and has been operating for over eighty years since 1929. It had been organized by Lega Calcio until 2010, but a new...
. Neville has confirmed that he will use the proceeds from the testimonial to support sustainable projects within the community, while he also has plans for supporter initiatives at home and abroad.
The match against Juventus featured some of Fergie's Fledglings
Fergie's Fledglings
Fergie's Fledglings were a group of Manchester United players recruited under the management of Alex Ferguson and trained by assistant coaches Brian Kidd and Eric Harrison, before eventually progressing to the first team...
, the young players from the Class of '92, including the former United players, Nicky Butt
Nicky Butt
Nicholas "Nicky" Butt is an English footballer. He began his career with Manchester United and spent 12 years in their first-team before moving to Newcastle United in 2004. He spent one season on loan to Birmingham City in 2005–06...
, Gary's brother Phil, David Beckham
David Beckham
David Robert Joseph Beckham, OBE is an English footballer who plays midfield for Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer, having previously played for Manchester United, Preston North End, Real Madrid, and A.C...
, and current United players.
| Date | Opponents | H / A | Result F – A |
Scorers | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 July 2010 | Celtic Celtic F.C. Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the... |
N Rogers Centre Rogers Centre is a multi-purpose stadium, in Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated next to the CN Tower, near the shores of Lake Ontario. Opened in 1989, it is home to the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball and the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League... |
3 – 1 | Berbatov Dimitar Berbatov Dimitar Ivanov Berbatov is a Bulgarian footballer who plays as a forward for Manchester United. He captained the Bulgarian national team from 2006 to 2010, and is its all-time leading goalscorer and has also won the Bulgarian Footballer of the Year a record seven times, surpassing the number of... 34', Welbeck Danny Welbeck Daniel Nii Tackie Mensah "Danny" Welbeck is an English footballer who plays for Manchester United and the England national football team. He is a centre forward who can also play on the wing.... 79', Cleverley Tom Cleverley Thomas William "Tom" Cleverley is an English footballer who plays as a midfielder in the Premier League for Manchester United.... 86' |
39,139 |
| 21 July 2010 | Philadelphia Union | A | 1 – 0 | Obertan Gabriel Obertan Gabriel Antoine Obertan is a French footballer who plays for Newcastle United in the Premier League. He primarily plays as a winger, but can also play in the centre of midfield and as a striker.... 76' |
44,213 |
| 25 July 2010 | Kansas City Wizards | N Arrowhead Stadium Arrowhead Stadium is a stadium located in Kansas City, Missouri and home to the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs.... |
1 – 2 | Berbatov Dimitar Berbatov Dimitar Ivanov Berbatov is a Bulgarian footballer who plays as a forward for Manchester United. He captained the Bulgarian national team from 2006 to 2010, and is its all-time leading goalscorer and has also won the Bulgarian Footballer of the Year a record seven times, surpassing the number of... 41' (pen. Penalty kick A penalty kick is a type of direct free kick in association football, taken from twelve yards out from goal and with only the goalkeeper of the defending team between the penalty taker and the goal.Penalty kicks are performed during normal play... ) |
52,424 |
| 28 July 2010 | MLS All-Stars MLS All-Star 2010 The 2010 Major League Soccer All-Star Game, held on July 28, 2010, was the 15th consecutive Major League Soccer All-Star Game, a soccer match involving all-stars from Major League Soccer. The MLS All-Stars faced Manchester United of the English Premier League in the seventh All-Star Game that... |
N Reliant Stadium Reliant Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium, in Houston, Texas, USA. Reliant Stadium has a seating capacity of 71,500, a total square footage of with of natural grass playing surface.... |
5 – 2 | Macheda Federico Macheda Federico "Kiko" Macheda is an Italian footballer who plays as a striker for English Premier League club Manchester United. He joined Manchester United from Lazio in September 2007.-Early career:Macheda began his football career with Lazio... (2) 1', 13', Gibson Darron Gibson Darron Thomas Daniel Gibson is an Irish footballer who plays as a midfielder for Manchester United and the Republic of Ireland national team... 70', Cleverley Tom Cleverley Thomas William "Tom" Cleverley is an English footballer who plays as a midfielder in the Premier League for Manchester United.... 73', Hernández 84' |
70,728 |
| 30 July 2010 | Guadalajara C.D. Guadalajara Club Deportivo Guadalajara , is a Mexican professional football club based in Guadalajara, Jalisco. Guadalajara plays in the Primera División de México and is the most successful club in Mexican football, having won 11 First Division titles, 7 Campeón de Campeones and 2 Copa México... |
A | 2 – 3 | Smalling Chris Smalling Christopher Lloyd "Chris" Smalling is an English footballer who plays as a centre back for Manchester United and the England national team.... 10', Nani Nani -People:*Nani, a Portuguese footballer who plays for Manchester United*Gianluca Nani, former technical director at West Ham United*Nanabhoy Palkhivala, nicknamed Nani, an Indian jurist and economist*Nani Roma, a Spanish rally racing driver... 79' |
|
| 4 August 2010 | Airtricity League XI League of Ireland The League of Ireland is the national association football league of the Republic of Ireland. Founded in 1921, as a league of eight clubs, it has expanded over time into a two-tiered league of 22 clubs. It is currently split into the League of Ireland Premier Division and the League of Ireland... |
N Aviva Stadium The Aviva Stadium is a sports stadium located in Dublin, Ireland, with a capacity for 50,000 spectators. The stadium is built on the site of the old Lansdowne Road venue, which was demolished in 2007, and replaces that stadium as home to its chief tenants: the Irish rugby union team and the... |
7 – 1 | Park Park Ji-Sung Park Ji-Sung is a South Korean footballer who plays as a midfielder for English club Manchester United. He was also the captain of the South Korean national team until his retirement from international football... (2) 13', 63', Owen Michael Owen Michael James Owen is an English professional footballer who plays as a striker for Manchester United.The son of former footballer Terry Owen, Owen began his senior career at Liverpool in 1996. He progressed through the Liverpool youth team and scored on his debut in May 1997... 25', Hernández 47', Valencia 60', J. Evans Jonny Evans Jonathan Grant "Jonny" Evans is a Northern Irish footballer who plays as a defender for Manchester United and Northern Ireland. Evans was born in Belfast and started his career at Greenisland FC, where he was spotted by Manchester United scouts. He progressed through Manchester United's football... 69', Nani Nani -People:*Nani, a Portuguese footballer who plays for Manchester United*Gianluca Nani, former technical director at West Ham United*Nanabhoy Palkhivala, nicknamed Nani, an Indian jurist and economist*Nani Roma, a Spanish rally racing driver... 82' (pen. Penalty kick A penalty kick is a type of direct free kick in association football, taken from twelve yards out from goal and with only the goalkeeper of the defending team between the penalty taker and the goal.Penalty kicks are performed during normal play... ) |
49,861 |
| 24 May 2011 | Juventus Juventus F.C. Juventus Football Club S.p.A. , commonly referred to as Juventus and colloquially as Juve , are a professional Italian association football club based in Turin, Piedmont... |
H | 1 – 2 | Rooney Wayne Rooney Wayne Mark Rooney is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Manchester United and the England national team... 19' |
FA Community Shield
As ChelseaChelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
won the League and Cup
2010 FA Cup Final
The 2010 FA Cup Final was the 129th final of the FA Cup, the world's oldest domestic football cup competition. The match took place on 15 May 2010, at Wembley Stadium, London...
Double in 2009–10, Manchester United kicked their season off with an appearance in the 2010 FA Community Shield
2010 FA Community Shield
The 2010 FA Community Shield was the 88th FA Community Shield, an annual football match contested by the winners of the previous season's Premier League and FA Cup competitions. The match was played at Wembley Stadium, London, on 8 August 2010, and contested by league and cup double winners Chelsea...
at Wembley
Wembley Stadium
The original Wembley Stadium, officially known as the Empire Stadium, was a football stadium in Wembley, a suburb of north-west London, standing on the site now occupied by the new Wembley Stadium that opened in 2007...
on 8 August as Premier League runners-up. It was the third time in four years that United had played Chelsea in the Community Shield. United won the match 3–1 with goals from Antonio Valencia, Javier Hernández and Dimitar Berbatov
Dimitar Berbatov
Dimitar Ivanov Berbatov is a Bulgarian footballer who plays as a forward for Manchester United. He captained the Bulgarian national team from 2006 to 2010, and is its all-time leading goalscorer and has also won the Bulgarian Footballer of the Year a record seven times, surpassing the number of...
. Valencia opened the scoring in the 41st minute, side-footing home a low, first-time cross from Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney
Wayne Mark Rooney is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Manchester United and the England national team...
. Rooney and Michael Owen
Michael Owen
Michael James Owen is an English professional footballer who plays as a striker for Manchester United.The son of former footballer Terry Owen, Owen began his senior career at Liverpool in 1996. He progressed through the Liverpool youth team and scored on his debut in May 1997...
were substituted for Hernández and Berbatov at half-time, and Hernández doubled United's lead in the 76th minute; John O'Shea
John O'Shea
John O'Shea can refer to:*John O'Shea, Irish footballer with Sunderland*John O'Shea , New Zealand film director*John O'Shea *John O'Shea , Wales international rugby union footballer*John O'Shea...
set Valencia away down the right flank, and the Ecuadorian played a low cross back across goal; Hernández got to the ball with his right foot, but it bounced up and hit him in the face before going in. Salomon Kalou
Salomon Kalou
Salomon Armand Magloire Kalou is an Ivorian footballer who plays as a striker for Chelsea in the Premier League.He is often used on the wings at Chelsea. He has a preference for playing on the left wing as this gives him opportunities to cut inside and take shots with his favoured right foot...
got a goal back for Chelsea with seven minutes left in normal time, but Berbatov sealed the win in the 92nd minute with a lobbed shot over Chelsea goalkeeper Hilário
Henrique Hilário
Henrique Hilário Meireles Alves Sampaio , known as Hilário, is a Portuguese footballer who plays for Chelsea in the Premier League as a goalkeeper.-Portugal:...
after some neat inter-play from fellow substitutes Darren Fletcher
Darren Fletcher
Darren Barr Fletcher is a Scottish footballer who plays as a central midfielder for English Premier League club Manchester United. He is the current captain of Scottish national team...
, Ryan Giggs
Ryan Giggs
Ryan Joseph Giggs OBE is a Welsh professional footballer who plays for Manchester United. Giggs made his first appearance for the club during the 1990–91 season and has been a regular player since the 1991–92 season...
and Nani
Nani
-People:*Nani, a Portuguese footballer who plays for Manchester United*Gianluca Nani, former technical director at West Ham United*Nanabhoy Palkhivala, nicknamed Nani, an Indian jurist and economist*Nani Roma, a Spanish rally racing driver...
on the left wing.
| Date | Opponents | H / A | Result F – A |
Scorers | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 August 2010 | Chelsea Chelsea F.C. Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four... |
N Wembley Stadium The original Wembley Stadium, officially known as the Empire Stadium, was a football stadium in Wembley, a suburb of north-west London, standing on the site now occupied by the new Wembley Stadium that opened in 2007... |
3 – 1 | Valencia 41', Hernández 76', Berbatov Dimitar Berbatov Dimitar Ivanov Berbatov is a Bulgarian footballer who plays as a forward for Manchester United. He captained the Bulgarian national team from 2006 to 2010, and is its all-time leading goalscorer and has also won the Bulgarian Footballer of the Year a record seven times, surpassing the number of... 90+2' |
84,623 |
Premier League
The fixtures for the 2010–11 season2010–11 Premier League
The 2010–11 Premier League was the 19th season of the Premier League since its establishment in 1992. The 2010–11 fixtures were released on 17 June 2010 at 09:00 BST. The season began on 14 August 2010, and ended on 22 May 2011...
were announced on 17 June, and revealed that United would begin their league campaign by welcoming Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
back to the Premier League at Old Trafford
Old Trafford
Old Trafford commonly refers to two sporting arenas:* Old Trafford, home of Manchester United F.C.* Old Trafford Cricket Ground, home of Lancashire County Cricket ClubOld Trafford can also refer to:...
on 16 August 2010, just as they did at the start of the 2008–09 season.
With United's opening match being played on the Monday, their rivals had the chance to get an early head-start in the title race, with Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
going to the top with a 6–0 win over West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
on the Saturday. It took United just over half an hour to open the scoring against Newcastle; when Jonás Gutiérrez
Jonás Gutiérrez
Jonás Manuel Gutiérrez is an Argentine footballer who plays for English Premier League side Newcastle United, and for the Argentinian national team, as a winger. He acquired his nickname "Spider-Man" or "Spider-Mag" during his time at Real Mallorca where he celebrated a goal by putting on a...
dwelled on the ball, he allowed Antonio Valencia to steal it off his toes. Paul Scholes
Paul Scholes
Paul Scholes is a retired English footballer, a one-club man who played his entire professional career for Manchester United.Born in Salford, but later moving to Langley, Scholes excelled in both cricket and football in school. He first trained with Manchester United at the age of 14 after being...
then took possession and played a through-ball to Dimitar Berbatov
Dimitar Berbatov
Dimitar Ivanov Berbatov is a Bulgarian footballer who plays as a forward for Manchester United. He captained the Bulgarian national team from 2006 to 2010, and is its all-time leading goalscorer and has also won the Bulgarian Footballer of the Year a record seven times, surpassing the number of...
, who shot across Newcastle goalkeeper Steve Harper into the far corner of the goal. For the second goal, Nani
Nani
-People:*Nani, a Portuguese footballer who plays for Manchester United*Gianluca Nani, former technical director at West Ham United*Nanabhoy Palkhivala, nicknamed Nani, an Indian jurist and economist*Nani Roma, a Spanish rally racing driver...
played the ball into the penalty area for Patrice Evra
Patrice Evra
Patrice Latyr Evra is a French international footballer who currently plays for English club Manchester United in the Premier League and the France national team. Originally an attacker, he primarily plays as a left back and is described as "the classic example of a modern full-back" who is...
, who put a low cross into the six-yard box. The ball ricocheted off Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney
Wayne Mark Rooney is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Manchester United and the England national team...
to Darren Fletcher
Darren Fletcher
Darren Barr Fletcher is a Scottish footballer who plays as a central midfielder for English Premier League club Manchester United. He is the current captain of Scottish national team...
, who scored with a shot on the turn. After coming on as a substitute in the 71st minute, Ryan Giggs
Ryan Giggs
Ryan Joseph Giggs OBE is a Welsh professional footballer who plays for Manchester United. Giggs made his first appearance for the club during the 1990–91 season and has been a regular player since the 1991–92 season...
maintained his record of scoring in every season of the Premier League with a goal five minutes from full time; Paul Scholes floated the ball to Giggs with a diagonal pass, and the Welsh midfielder volleyed it into the far side of the goal. The 3–0 win put United into fourth place in the league table at the end of the first round of league matches.
United's next match came the following Sunday, away to Fulham
Fulham F.C.
Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season...
. Scholes opened the scoring in the 11th minute, firing a 25-yard strike into the bottom corner of the net for his 150th Manchester United goal, after being set up by Berbatov. Simon Davies equalised for Fulham ten minutes into the second half, but Brede Hangeland
Brede Hangeland
Brede Paulsen Hangeland is a Norwegian footballer who plays for Fulham in the Premier League and the Norwegian national team, of which he is the captain. The son of a Norwegian oil company worker, Hangeland was born in Houston, Texas during his parents' two-year spell in the United States, but...
deflected a corner into his own net to put United ahead again with five minutes left to play. A minute later, Damien Duff
Damien Duff
Damien Anthony Duff is an Irish footballer who plays for Premier League team Fulham and the Republic of Ireland national football team. With Ireland he has participated in the 2002 FIFA World Cup and helped his team qualify for UEFA Euro 2012...
was deemed to have handled the ball in the Fulham penalty area, but Nani's kick was saved by goalkeeper David Stockdale
David Stockdale
David Adam Stockdale is an English footballer who plays for Ipswich Town as a goalkeeper, on loan from Fulham.Stockdale started his career with the Huddersfield Town youth system before joining York City's youth system in 2000, where he became a trainee in 2002. He made his first team debut on the...
. Then, in the 89th minute, Hangeland redeemed himself with a header from a corner to deny United the win.
United played host to West Ham United
West Ham United F.C.
West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...
in the evening kick-off on Saturday, 28 August. Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney
Wayne Mark Rooney is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Manchester United and the England national team...
got the first goal from the penalty spot in the 33rd minute – his first goal in 13 club matches – after Ryan Giggs had been fouled in the penalty area by former Manchester United defender Jonathan Spector
Jonathan Spector
Jonathan Michael Paul Spector is an American soccer player who plays as a defender for Birmingham City. He started his professional career in England when he was signed by Manchester United as a teenager, but rarely appeared for the club...
. Nani scored the second goal five minutes after half-time, picking up a pass from Rooney before cutting into the box and firing a left-footed shot past Robert Green
Robert Green
Robert Paul Green is an English footballer who plays for West Ham United and the England national football team as a goalkeeper.-Norwich City:...
in the West Ham goal. Nani then set up Berbatov to make it 3–0, chipping the ball across the penalty area for the Bulgarian forward to score with a volleyed scissor-kick.
After a break for internationals, United travelled to Goodison Park
Goodison Park
Goodison Park is a football stadium located in Walton, Liverpool, England. The stadium has been home to Everton F.C. since its completion in 1892 and is one of the world's first purpose-built football grounds...
on 11 September to take on Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
: the first of a league double-header against Liverpudlian opposition. Everton had the upper hand for the first half-hour, while United's best chances were denied by saves from Tim Howard
Tim Howard
Timothy Matthew Howard is an American soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for English club Everton and the United States national team....
. Following a 39th-minute corner off one of these saves, Evra failed to deal with a long ball out of the Everton defence, allowing Mikel Arteta
Mikel Arteta
Mikel Arteta Amatriain is a Spanish footballer who plays for Arsenal as a midfielder.Arteta started out as a trainee with FC Barcelona but could not break his way into the first team and was eventually loaned to Paris Saint-Germain in the French league...
to bear down on Edwin van der Sar
Edwin van der Sar
Edwin van der Sar OON is a former footballer who played as a goalkeeper for AFC Ajax, Juventus, Fulham and Manchester United. He is the most capped player in the Netherlands national football team's history...
's goal; the Dutch goalkeeper saved Arteta's shot, but the rebound fell to Leon Osman
Leon Osman
Leon Osman is an English football player who plays for Everton in the Premier League. He has spent his whole career as an Everton player, though he has spent time on loan at Carlisle United and Derby County.-Biography:...
, who squared the ball for Steven Pienaar
Steven Pienaar
Steven Jerome Pienaar is a South African footballer who plays for English Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur. He can play on either the right or left wing and is also a member of the South African national team. Pienaar has previously played for Ajax Cape Town, Ajax, Borussia Dortmund and Everton...
to side-foot under Van der Sar and into the net. However, Everton's lead was short-lived as Giggs found Nani on the right wing, and the Portuguese bent over an early cross for Fletcher to volley home. United took the lead for the first time two minutes after half-time: a Nani corner was half-cleared by Osman before the ball came back to Nani, who crossed for the unmarked Nemanja Vidić
Nemanja Vidic
Nemanja Vidić is a Serbian footballer who captains English Premier League club Manchester United. He was part of the Serbia national football team from 2002 to 2011....
to head home. Berbatov made it 3–1 in the 65th minute with a shot off the outside of his boot from just outside the penalty area after he beat Distin to a long ball from Scholes. The score remained at 3–1 until the 90th minute, when two Everton attacks down the left wing produced goals for Tim Cahill
Tim Cahill
Timothy Filiga "Tim" Cahill is an football player of Australian nationality who plays for Everton and the Australian national football team...
and Mikel Arteta, salvaging a draw from the jaws of defeat.
United's next League game was the home
Old Trafford
Old Trafford commonly refers to two sporting arenas:* Old Trafford, home of Manchester United F.C.* Old Trafford Cricket Ground, home of Lancashire County Cricket ClubOld Trafford can also refer to:...
game against fierce rivals, Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
. United made most of the running in the first half with Nani
Nani
-People:*Nani, a Portuguese footballer who plays for Manchester United*Gianluca Nani, former technical director at West Ham United*Nanabhoy Palkhivala, nicknamed Nani, an Indian jurist and economist*Nani Roma, a Spanish rally racing driver...
missing their best chance after a shot from Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney
Wayne Mark Rooney is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Manchester United and the England national team...
was diverted into his path mid-way through the first half. However, with around 5 minutes to go before the break, a corner was met by the stooping head of Dimitar Berbatov
Dimitar Berbatov
Dimitar Ivanov Berbatov is a Bulgarian footballer who plays as a forward for Manchester United. He captained the Bulgarian national team from 2006 to 2010, and is its all-time leading goalscorer and has also won the Bulgarian Footballer of the Year a record seven times, surpassing the number of...
and sailed past Pepe Reina and into the back of the net. Just after the hour mark, Berbatov made it 2–0 after controlling a cross from Nani and performing an overhead Bicycle kick
Bicycle kick
A Bicycle kick or Scissor kick is a physical move made by throwing the body up into the air, making a shearing movement with the legs to get one leg in front of the other without holding on to the ground. The move can either be done backwards or sideways...
which came off the under-side of the crossbar and into the goal. However, United again threw a two-goal lead away against Merseyside
Merseyside
Merseyside is a metropolitan county in North West England, with a population of 1,365,900. It encompasses the metropolitan area centred on both banks of the lower reaches of the Mersey Estuary, and comprises five metropolitan boroughs: Knowsley, St Helens, Sefton, Wirral, and the city of Liverpool...
opposition after two goals from Steven Gerrard
Steven Gerrard
Steven George Gerrard MBE is an English footballer who plays for and captains Premier League club Liverpool. He also has 89 caps for the England national team. He has played much of his career in a centre midfielder role, but he has also been used as a second striker and right winger...
in the space of 6 minutes. The first came from the penalty spot
Penalty kick
A penalty kick is a type of direct free kick in association football, taken from twelve yards out from goal and with only the goalkeeper of the defending team between the penalty taker and the goal.Penalty kicks are performed during normal play...
after Fernando Torres
Fernando Torres
Fernando José Torres Sanz , nicknamed , is a Spanish footballer who plays for Chelsea and the Spain national team as a striker....
was fouled by Jonny Evans
Jonny Evans
Jonathan Grant "Jonny" Evans is a Northern Irish footballer who plays as a defender for Manchester United and Northern Ireland. Evans was born in Belfast and started his career at Greenisland FC, where he was spotted by Manchester United scouts. He progressed through Manchester United's football...
, and the second from a direct free kick
Direct free kick
A direct free kick is a method of restarting play in a game of association football following a foul. Unlike an indirect free kick, a goal may be scored directly against the opposing side without the ball having first touched another player.-Award:...
after Torres was again fouled, this time by John O'Shea
John O'Shea
John O'Shea can refer to:*John O'Shea, Irish footballer with Sunderland*John O'Shea , New Zealand film director*John O'Shea *John O'Shea , Wales international rugby union footballer*John O'Shea...
. Nevertheless, it was Berbatov who finished the scoring seven minutes from time with a header from an O'Shea cross, to make it 3–2. Berbatov became the first United player to score a hat-trick
Hat-trick
A hat-trick or hat trick in sport is the achievement of a positive feat three times during a game, or other achievements based on threes. The term was first used in 1858 in cricket to describe HH Stephenson's feat of taking three wickets in three balls. A collection was held for Stephenson, and he...
against Liverpool since Stan Pearson
Stan Pearson
Stanley Clare Pearson was an English football player. He was born in Salford.Pearson was signed by Manchester United as an amateur in December 1935 and turned professional in May 1937. His first senior game came against Chesterfield in 1937. When his career was interrupted by the war, he served...
in 1946 and the first at Old Trafford since Joe Spence in 1928, Pearson's hat trick having been scored at Maine Road
Maine Road
Maine Road was a football stadium in Moss Side, Manchester, England that was home to Manchester City F.C. from its construction in 1923 until 2003...
, where United played for a few seasons following the Second World War
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
whilst Old Trafford had bomb-damage repaired.
After a midweek trip to Scunthorpe United
Scunthorpe United F.C.
Scunthorpe United Football Club is an English association football team based in the town of Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, who play in the Football League One....
, United's next trip was to the Reebok Stadium
Reebok Stadium
The Reebok Stadium is the home stadium of English Premier League football club Bolton Wanderers, and is located on the Middlebrook Retail Park in Horwich, in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. It is commonly known as 'The Reebok'...
to face Bolton Wanderers
Bolton Wanderers F.C.
Bolton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the area of Horwich in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. They began their current spell in the Premier League in 2001....
. United continued to leak goals from set plays as Zat Knight
Zat Knight
Zatyiah "Zat" Knight is an English footballer who plays for Bolton Wanderers in the Premier League. Knight has two caps for England.-Club career:-Fulham:Fulham signed Knight from Rushall Olympic on a free transfer in 1999...
rose highest to nod home a corner to put the home side 1–0 up after only 6 minutes. United responded quickly and were level on 23 minutes when Nani
Nani
-People:*Nani, a Portuguese footballer who plays for Manchester United*Gianluca Nani, former technical director at West Ham United*Nanabhoy Palkhivala, nicknamed Nani, an Indian jurist and economist*Nani Roma, a Spanish rally racing driver...
picked up the ball deep in his own half and ran the length of the pitch to slot home past Jussi Jääskeläinen
Jussi Jääskeläinen
Jussi Albert Jääskeläinen is a Finnish football goalkeeper, who plays for Bolton Wanderers.-Club career:Jääskeläinen was born in Mikkeli, and made his Veikkausliiga debut in Finland for MP Mikkeli in 1992, and became the club's first choice goalkeeper in 1994. In 1996, he moved to VPS Vaasa where...
. Bolton regained the lead midway through the second half when City old boy Martin Petrov
Martin Petrov
Martin Petyov Petrov is a Bulgarian footballer, currently playing for Bolton Wanderers in the Premier League.-Club career:Petrov began his career for Botev Vratsa...
smashed a right footed shot past Edwin Van Der Sar
Edwin van der Sar
Edwin van der Sar OON is a former footballer who played as a goalkeeper for AFC Ajax, Juventus, Fulham and Manchester United. He is the most capped player in the Netherlands national football team's history...
. Shortly after, Bolton spurned a golden chance to go 3–1 up. United were only behind for 7 minutes as Michael Owen
Michael Owen
Michael James Owen is an English professional footballer who plays as a striker for Manchester United.The son of former footballer Terry Owen, Owen began his senior career at Liverpool in 1996. He progressed through the Liverpool youth team and scored on his debut in May 1997...
glanced a header to equalise from a Nani
Nani
-People:*Nani, a Portuguese footballer who plays for Manchester United*Gianluca Nani, former technical director at West Ham United*Nanabhoy Palkhivala, nicknamed Nani, an Indian jurist and economist*Nani Roma, a Spanish rally racing driver...
free kick.
Following a midweek victory in Valencia, United were again on the road to the Stadium of Light
Stadium of Light
The Stadium of Light is an all-seater football stadium in Sunderland, England. With space for 49,000 spectators, the Stadium of Light has the fifth-largest capacity of any English football stadium. The stadium primarily hosts Sunderland A.F.C. matches...
to face former Red Steve Bruce
Steve Bruce
Stephen Roger "Steve" Bruce is an English football manager and former player. Born in Corbridge, Northumberland, he was a promising schoolboy footballer but was rejected by a number of professional clubs. He was on the verge of quitting the game altogether when he was offered a trial with Gillingham...
. United were forced to switch changing rooms 15 minutes before kick off as a burst sewage pipe engulfed the United dressing room. With the game starting late Sunderland
Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
were quick out the blocks and forced United back as United struggled to carve out any chances. The game finished 0–0 and saw United create precious few chances meaning United were still without an away win this season.
After the international break, United welcomed promoted West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
to Old Trafford. United took an early lead when Javier Hernández put United 1–0 up with his first Premier League goal. 20 minutes later United were 2–0 up when Nani
Nani
-People:*Nani, a Portuguese footballer who plays for Manchester United*Gianluca Nani, former technical director at West Ham United*Nanabhoy Palkhivala, nicknamed Nani, an Indian jurist and economist*Nani Roma, a Spanish rally racing driver...
scored his 3rd League goal of the season. West Brom came out for the second half and had soon reduced the difference when a low driven free kick forced Patrice Evra
Patrice Evra
Patrice Latyr Evra is a French international footballer who currently plays for English club Manchester United in the Premier League and the France national team. Originally an attacker, he primarily plays as a left back and is described as "the classic example of a modern full-back" who is...
to divert the ball in his own net. West Brom were level on 55 mintes when a Chris Brunt
Chris Brunt
Christopher Brunt is a Northern Irish footballer who plays for English Premier League side West Bromwich Albion. He plays as a left winger and more recently an attacking midfield position. He is also the Albion captain....
cross was dropped by Edwin van der Sar
Edwin van der Sar
Edwin van der Sar OON is a former footballer who played as a goalkeeper for AFC Ajax, Juventus, Fulham and Manchester United. He is the most capped player in the Netherlands national football team's history...
which left Somen Tchoyi
Somen Tchoyi
Somen Alfred Tchoyi is a Cameroonian footballer. He plays for West Bromwich Albion and the Cameroon national football team. He is a playmaker who usually plays in the centre of midfield.-Odd Grenland:...
with a simple tap in to leave the score 2–2.
With the news ringing in their ears that Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney
Wayne Mark Rooney is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Manchester United and the England national team...
had signed a new 5 year contract, United headed off to the Potteries to face Stoke City
Stoke City F.C.
Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts...
. With Rooney still injured, Ferguson started with Javier Hernández along side Dimitar Berbatov
Dimitar Berbatov
Dimitar Ivanov Berbatov is a Bulgarian footballer who plays as a forward for Manchester United. He captained the Bulgarian national team from 2006 to 2010, and is its all-time leading goalscorer and has also won the Bulgarian Footballer of the Year a record seven times, surpassing the number of...
. It was the Mexican who opened the scoring when a Nani
Nani
-People:*Nani, a Portuguese footballer who plays for Manchester United*Gianluca Nani, former technical director at West Ham United*Nanabhoy Palkhivala, nicknamed Nani, an Indian jurist and economist*Nani Roma, a Spanish rally racing driver...
cross was filcked on by Nemanja Vidić
Nemanja Vidic
Nemanja Vidić is a Serbian footballer who captains English Premier League club Manchester United. He was part of the Serbia national football team from 2002 to 2011....
and onto the back of Hernández's head past Thomas Sørensen
Thomas Sørensen
Thomas Løvendahl Sørensen is a Danish professional football goalkeeper, who plays for Premier League club Stoke City. He has previously represented Premiership teams Sunderland and Aston Villa....
. The score stayed 1–0 until the 81st minute when Tuncay
Tuncay Sanli
Tuncay Şanlı , or simply Tuncay, is a Turkish footballer who plays for Bolton Wanderers, on loan from VfL Wolfsburg.His natural position is as a striker, but he can also play as an attacking midfielder or on either wing. Tuncay captains the Turkish national team...
picked the ball up wide left, cut inside and fired a shot into the corner for Stoke's first ever goal against Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
in the Premier League. However, with three minutes left, a Patrice Evra
Patrice Evra
Patrice Latyr Evra is a French international footballer who currently plays for English club Manchester United in the Premier League and the France national team. Originally an attacker, he primarily plays as a left back and is described as "the classic example of a modern full-back" who is...
shot was deflected into the path of Javier Hernández who stabbed his second goal home from short range for his third goal in two games. United held out for their first away victory in the league all season.
United's next League fixture was a home match against Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
. The match saw both Park Ji-Sung
Park Ji-Sung
Park Ji-Sung is a South Korean footballer who plays as a midfielder for English club Manchester United. He was also the captain of the South Korean national team until his retirement from international football...
and Rafael van der Vaart
Rafael van der Vaart
Rafael Ferdinand van der Vaart is a Dutch footballer who plays for English Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur and the Dutch national team. His preferred position is as an attacking midfielder; he can, however, also operate in other positions, such as second striker...
hit the frame of the goal inside the first 11 minutes, but it took half an hour for the first goal to come when Nemanja Vidić
Nemanja Vidic
Nemanja Vidić is a Serbian footballer who captains English Premier League club Manchester United. He was part of the Serbia national football team from 2002 to 2011....
headed in a Nani
Nani
-People:*Nani, a Portuguese footballer who plays for Manchester United*Gianluca Nani, former technical director at West Ham United*Nanabhoy Palkhivala, nicknamed Nani, an Indian jurist and economist*Nani Roma, a Spanish rally racing driver...
free-kick from close range. Both teams had further chances to score before Nani did so 5 minutes from time in very unusual and controversial circumstances. Chasing a through-ball, Nani was caught by a Spurs defender and went down looking for a penalty
Penalty kick
A penalty kick is a type of direct free kick in association football, taken from twelve yards out from goal and with only the goalkeeper of the defending team between the penalty taker and the goal.Penalty kicks are performed during normal play...
. However, referee Mark Clattenburg
Mark Clattenburg
Mark Clattenburg is an English professional football referee, who officiates primarily in the Premier League, and for FIFA. He is based in Gosforth, Newcastle-upon-Tyne...
declined to give one. In the course of going down, Nani clearly handled the ball and the Spurs goalkeeper, Heurelho Gomes assumed that Clattenburg would give a free kick to his team. For some reason, Clattenburg allowed play to continue without the free kick, but Gomes put the ball down anyway. Nani, who had got back to his feet, simply kicked the ball into the net and Clattenburg awarded the goal. His assistant called him over for a discussion as he had seen the hand-ball, but Clattenburg re-iterated the decision to give the goal and the match ultimately ended 2–0. Technically, the goal was correct as the referee never awarded Spurs a free-kick for the Nani handball, although former referees, such as Graham Poll
Graham Poll
Graham Poll is an English former football referee in the Premier League and is considered the best English referee of the last 25 years in a list maintained by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics...
have suggested that they would probably have not given the goal.
Returning to the League after midweek victory in Europe, United faced Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
at Old Trafford. This was the second meeting between the two teams in 12 days after United overcame Wolves 3–2 in the League Cup. United struggled to gain a grip on the game in the first half but were the first to break the deadlock right on the stroke of time, Darren Fletcher bisecting the Wolves defence with a pass to Park Ji-Sung
Park Ji-Sung
Park Ji-Sung is a South Korean footballer who plays as a midfielder for English club Manchester United. He was also the captain of the South Korean national team until his retirement from international football...
who converted the chance. Wolves made changes in the second half, bringing on Sylvan Ebanks-Blake
Sylvan Ebanks-Blake
Sylvan Agustus Ebanks-Blake is an English footballer of Jamaican descent who plays as a striker for Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers....
and Steven Fletcher
Steven Fletcher (footballer)
Steven Kenneth Fletcher is a Scottish international footballer who plays as a striker. He is currently signed to English Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers....
, and it was the former United youth team player Ebanks-Blake who equalised, slotting the ball through the legs of Edwin van der Sar from close range. United pressed for a winner in the final minutes of the game, introducing Federico Macheda
Federico Macheda
Federico "Kiko" Macheda is an Italian footballer who plays as a striker for English Premier League club Manchester United. He joined Manchester United from Lazio in September 2007.-Early career:Macheda began his football career with Lazio...
and Paul Scholes into the game, and it paid dividends in the 93rd minute as Fletcher played a diagonal ball to Park, who drifted infield and squeezed the ball past Marcus Hahnemann
Marcus Hahnemann
Marcus Stephen Hahnemann is an American international soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for Everton.Graduating out of Seattle Pacific University, he played for the Seattle Sounders between 1994 and 1996. Between 1997 and 1999 he turned out for the Colorado Rapids, signing with English club...
for his second of the game, giving United the 2–1 victory. The game also marked the comeback of Owen Hargreaves
Owen Hargreaves
Owen Lee Hargreaves is a professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for English Premier League club Manchester City and the English national football team....
, making his first start in nearly two years. The comeback was truncated, however, as he limped off the field after 5 minutes due to a hamstring injury.
United played against crosstown rivals Manchester City
Manchester City F.C.
Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894...
at Eastlands on 10 November 2010, the first Manchester derby
Manchester derby
The Manchester derby is the name given to football matches between Manchester City and Manchester United. The local derby centres on the City of Manchester and Greater Manchester with approximately four miles separating the clubs with City based in east Manchester at the City of Manchester Stadium...
of the season. The game was deadlocked at 0–0 at half-time, after Edwin van der Sar had saved Carlos Tévez
Carlos Tévez
Carlos Alberto Tévez is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a forward for English club Manchester City...
's free-kick and Dimitar Berbatov had tested Joe Hart
Joe Hart
Charles Joseph John "Joe" Hart is an English football goalkeeper who plays for Premier League club Manchester City and the England national football team and was previously a regular for the England under-21 team....
with an overhead kick. Near the end of the game, Adam Johnson and Javier Hernández were respectively brought on for James Milner
James Milner
Milner was described as a "first class" student at his school; he left with 11 GCSEs and an award for his performance in physical education. Milner also showed talent in cricket, sprinting and long-distance running...
and Berbatov, but neither team found a winner and the game ended 0–0.
United played out a 2–2 draw against Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
at Villa Park
Villa Park
Villa Park may mean:United Kingdom* Villa Park, an association football stadium in Birmingham, EnglandUnited States* Villa Park, California, a small city in Orange County* Villa Park, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago in DuPage County...
three days later. The game was 0–0 at half-time, and was still goalless until Wes Brown
Wes Brown
Wesley Michael "Wes" Brown is an English footballer who plays as a defender for Sunderland. Before joining Sunderland, Brown had spent his entire career at Old Trafford, having joined the Manchester United youth team in 1996...
fouled Ashley Young within the penalty area. Young himself converted the penalty, and Marc Albrighton
Marc Albrighton
Marc Kevin Albrighton is an English footballer who plays for Premier League side Aston Villa as a winger. He is most comfortable playing on the right side of midfield or as a right-winger, but is sufficiently effective on the left....
doubled the home side's lead, slotting home Stewart Downing
Stewart Downing
Stewart Downing is an English footballer who plays for Liverpool and the England national team. Primarily a winger, Downing has previously played for Aston Villa, Middlesbrough and Sunderland.-Middlesbrough:...
's cross. Alex Ferguson then took off Dimitar Berbatov and Javier Hernández and respectively replaced them with Gabriel Obertan
Gabriel Obertan
Gabriel Antoine Obertan is a French footballer who plays for Newcastle United in the Premier League. He primarily plays as a winger, but can also play in the centre of midfield and as a striker....
and Federico Macheda in an attempt to equalise. Macheda then drilled in a 18-yard shot to give United some hope, and team captain Nemanja Vidić equalised, when he met a Nani cross at the far post and nodded the ball home. United held on for the draw.
United recorded a 2–0 victory over Wigan Athletic
Wigan Athletic F.C.
Wigan Athletic Football Club is an English Premier League Association football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, having been promoted from the Championship in 2005. Wigan's current spell in the Premier League is the only top flight run in the club's history.They have played at the DW...
on 20 November 2010. Patrice Evra opened the scoring just before half time when he headed in Park Ji-Sung's cross. Within two minutes in the second half, Wigan were down to ten and then nine men when captain Antolín Alcaraz
Antolin Alcaraz
Antolín Alcaraz Viveros is a Paraguayan footballer who plays for Wigan Athletic in the Premier League, as a central defender.-Club career:...
was sent off for pick up a second yellow card. Minutes later, stand-in captain Hugo Rodallega
Hugo Rodallega
Hugo Rodallega Martínez is a Colombian footballer who plays for English Premier League club Wigan Athletic. He primarily plays as a striker, but can also play on the wing....
was also shown red, a straight red card for challenging Rafael
Rafael Pereira da Silva (footballer born 1990)
Rafael Pereira da Silva , commonly known as Rafael or Rafael da Silva, is a Brazilian footballer who plays for Manchester United. He normally plays as a defender in a right back position, but can also play on the right side of midfield...
. Rafael assisted in Javier Hernández's winning goal, when the Brazilian sent in a cross for the Mexican to head home. This game saw the return of Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney
Wayne Mark Rooney is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Manchester United and the England national team...
to the team after a 5 week injury, which he picked up just before signing his new 5-year contract with the Red Devils. Rooney came on a substitute in the 56th minute, replacing Federico Macheda.
Returning to league action after a midweek victory over Rangers
Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
, United recorded a 7–1 thrashing of Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn Rovers F.C.
Blackburn Rovers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the town of Blackburn, Lancashire. The team currently competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football....
. United went 1–0 up after just 2 minutes, when Nani
Nani
-People:*Nani, a Portuguese footballer who plays for Manchester United*Gianluca Nani, former technical director at West Ham United*Nanabhoy Palkhivala, nicknamed Nani, an Indian jurist and economist*Nani Roma, a Spanish rally racing driver...
's free kick was met with a very faint headed flick from Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney
Wayne Mark Rooney is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Manchester United and the England national team...
(making his first Old Trafford
Old Trafford
Old Trafford commonly refers to two sporting arenas:* Old Trafford, home of Manchester United F.C.* Old Trafford Cricket Ground, home of Lancashire County Cricket ClubOld Trafford can also refer to:...
start since signing his new 5-year contract). Dimitar Berbatov
Dimitar Berbatov
Dimitar Ivanov Berbatov is a Bulgarian footballer who plays as a forward for Manchester United. He captained the Bulgarian national team from 2006 to 2010, and is its all-time leading goalscorer and has also won the Bulgarian Footballer of the Year a record seven times, surpassing the number of...
then struck out his leg to finish from six yards, the goal being Berbatov's first goal in 10 matches. Nani then fed Park Ji-Sung
Park Ji-Sung
Park Ji-Sung is a South Korean footballer who plays as a midfielder for English club Manchester United. He was also the captain of the South Korean national team until his retirement from international football...
, who played a one-two with Rooney before running on and poking past Blackburn keeper Paul Robinson for United's second goal of the game. United went 3–0 up when Berbatov intercepted a Pascal Chimbonda
Pascal Chimbonda
Pascal Chimbonda is a French footballer who currently plays for Doncaster Rovers, having been released early from a short term deal by Queens Park Rangers...
back-pass to Robinson, allowing him to score his second goal of the game. Two minutes into the second half, Berbatov got his third, when Nani sped down the right then cut inside and laid the ball back to Berbatov, who began the move he started inside his own half with an effort high into Robinson's net. A minute later, Nani added to Blackburn's misery when he grabbed his first goal of the game, when he cut inside Chimbonda to place his effort past Robinson. Berbatov got his fourth goal of the game, and United's sixth, when Rafael
Rafael Pereira da Silva (footballer born 1990)
Rafael Pereira da Silva , commonly known as Rafael or Rafael da Silva, is a Brazilian footballer who plays for Manchester United. He normally plays as a defender in a right back position, but can also play on the right side of midfield...
raced into the penalty area before playing in Park, whose effort was blocked by Blackburn captain Christopher Samba
Christopher Samba
Veijeany Christopher Samba , more commonly known as Christopher Samba, is a Congolese footballer who plays as a defender for Blackburn Rovers in the Premier League.-Sedan:...
only for Berbatov to smash home. Berbatov got his fifth goal of the game (becoming only the fourth player to score 5 goals in a Premier League game, after Andrew Cole, Alan Shearer
Alan Shearer
Alan Shearer OBE, DL is a retired English footballer. He played as a striker in the top level of English league football for Southampton, Blackburn Rovers, Newcastle United and for the England national team...
, and Jermain Defoe
Jermain Defoe
Jermain Colin Defoe is an English footballer who plays as a striker for English Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur, and the England national football team....
), when he slid in from an angle after his attempt to square the ball to Rooney was thwarted. Samba grabbed a consolation eight minutes from time, when he nodded in a cross from substitute Josh Morris
Josh Morris (English footballer)
Joshua Francis Morris is an English footballer who plays for Blackburn Rovers as a left-back.On 15 September 2010, Morris signed a two-year deal until the summer 2012 with an option of a further year at Ewood Park...
. The win put United to the top of the 2010–11 Premier League table for the first time.
United's next scheduled League game was away to Blackpool
Blackpool F.C.
Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the...
on 4 December, but - due to a frozen pitch following heavy snow
Snow
Snow is a form of precipitation within the Earth's atmosphere in the form of crystalline water ice, consisting of a multitude of snowflakes that fall from clouds. Since snow is composed of small ice particles, it is a granular material. It has an open and therefore soft structure, unless packed by...
fall around the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, the game was cancelled 24 hours before kick-off and was re-arranged to the 25 January. As such, United did not play in the League for two weeks, during which time they were overtaken at the top of the table by Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
and local rivals Manchester City
Manchester City F.C.
Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894...
, albeit with games in hand
Game in hand
The term Game in Hand is used in sport to indicate when a team has played fewer matches than other teams around them. This term is used to indicate that, whilst a team is in a particular position in a league, because they have played fewer matches than other teams around them they could...
over their near title rivals.
The next League game United actually played was the home tie with Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
, traditional title rivals and who started the match top of the League. United started strongly, though rarely tested young Arsenal keeper Wojciech Szczęsny
Wojciech Szczęsny
Wojciech Tomasz Szczęsny is a Polish footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Arsenal and the Poland national football team. He is the son of former Polish goalkeeper Maciej Szczęsny....
until a looping header from Park Ji-Sung
Park Ji-Sung
Park Ji-Sung is a South Korean footballer who plays as a midfielder for English club Manchester United. He was also the captain of the South Korean national team until his retirement from international football...
hit the far post and went in five minutes before half time. Arsenal came out quicker in the second half and Edwin van der Sar
Edwin van der Sar
Edwin van der Sar OON is a former footballer who played as a goalkeeper for AFC Ajax, Juventus, Fulham and Manchester United. He is the most capped player in the Netherlands national football team's history...
was forced into a save from Samir Nasri
Samir Nasri
Samir Nasri is a French international footballer who plays for English club Manchester City in the Premier League and the France national team. He primarily plays as an attacking midfielder and a winger, although he has also been deployed in central midfield. Nasri is known for his technical...
before Nemanja Vidić
Nemanja Vidic
Nemanja Vidić is a Serbian footballer who captains English Premier League club Manchester United. He was part of the Serbia national football team from 2002 to 2011....
blocked the rebound shot from Marouane Chamakh
Marouane Chamakh
Marouane Chamakh is a French-Moroccan footballer who plays for English club Arsenal in the Premier League and the Moroccan national team as a striker. He is described as a prototypical target man and is noted for his "tall stature" and "excellent heading ability".Chamakh started his career...
. However United got into their stride and Anderson
Anderson Luís de Abreu Oliveira
Anderson Luís de Abreu Oliveira , best known as Anderson, is a Brazilian footballer who currently plays as a midfielder for Manchester United and the Brazil national team....
brought a save from Szczęsny before Nani
Nani
-People:*Nani, a Portuguese footballer who plays for Manchester United*Gianluca Nani, former technical director at West Ham United*Nanabhoy Palkhivala, nicknamed Nani, an Indian jurist and economist*Nani Roma, a Spanish rally racing driver...
fired over from a good position. A penalty
Penalty kick
A penalty kick is a type of direct free kick in association football, taken from twelve yards out from goal and with only the goalkeeper of the defending team between the penalty taker and the goal.Penalty kicks are performed during normal play...
was awarded for a handball by Gaël Clichy
Gaël Clichy
Gaël Clichy is a French footballer who plays as a defender for Manchester City and the France national football team. Though initially right-foot dominant, he primarily plays as a left back that is also capable of playing as an offensive-minded wingback. Clichy is described as a player who...
with 15 minutes to go, only for Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney
Wayne Mark Rooney is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Manchester United and the England national team...
to hit it well over the crossbar. Rooney attempted to make amends a few minutes later with an attempted lob over Szczęsny, but it was well saved and a last minute miss from Theo Walcott
Theo Walcott
Theo James Walcott is an English footballer of Jamaican descent who plays for Arsenal and the England national team. Walcott is a product of the Southampton F.C. Academy. He is a striker who is usually deployed on the right wing as a wide forward to exploit his speed...
assured 3 points and a return to top spot for United with still a game in hand
Game in hand
The term Game in Hand is used in sport to indicate when a team has played fewer matches than other teams around them. This term is used to indicate that, whilst a team is in a particular position in a league, because they have played fewer matches than other teams around them they could...
over the teams below them.
United's next scheduled League game was away to rivals Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
on 19 December, but - following heavy snow
Snow
Snow is a form of precipitation within the Earth's atmosphere in the form of crystalline water ice, consisting of a multitude of snowflakes that fall from clouds. Since snow is composed of small ice particles, it is a granular material. It has an open and therefore soft structure, unless packed by...
fall around the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, including up to 10 inches in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
- the match was cancelled 24 hours before kick-off after consultation with the Police
Metropolitan Police Service
The Metropolitan Police Service is the territorial police force responsible for Greater London, excluding the "square mile" of the City of London which is the responsibility of the City of London Police...
and the local authority. It was later re-arranged to 1 March. Coupled with the cancellation of Arsenal's
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
game with Stoke
Stoke City F.C.
Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts...
and Manchester City's
Manchester City F.C.
Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894...
defeat at home to Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
, this meant that United topped the League table on Christmas Day
Christmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
for the first time in four seasons.
The next league game that United actually played was a home fixture against Sunderland
Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
. Dimitar Berbatov
Dimitar Berbatov
Dimitar Ivanov Berbatov is a Bulgarian footballer who plays as a forward for Manchester United. He captained the Bulgarian national team from 2006 to 2010, and is its all-time leading goalscorer and has also won the Bulgarian Footballer of the Year a record seven times, surpassing the number of...
opened the scoring after just 5 minutes, when he headed home Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney
Wayne Mark Rooney is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Manchester United and the England national team...
's cross. After that, Berbatov hit the post and Anderson
Anderson Luís de Abreu Oliveira
Anderson Luís de Abreu Oliveira , best known as Anderson, is a Brazilian footballer who currently plays as a midfielder for Manchester United and the Brazil national team....
's shot crashed off the crossbar as United created numerous chances. after the break Anton Ferdinand
Anton Ferdinand
Anton Julian Ferdinand is an English footballer who plays for Queens Park Rangers as a defender. He is the brother of Manchester United and England centre-back Rio Ferdinand and the cousin of former England striker Les Ferdinand and Southend United defender Kane Ferdinand. Like his brother, Anton...
, Rio Ferdinand
Rio Ferdinand
Rio Gavin Ferdinand is an English footballer. He plays at centre back for Manchester United in the Premier League and for the England national football team...
's younger brother, deflected a Berbatov kick into his own net and wrap up the 2–0 win for United.
United finished 2010 with a 1–1 draw against Birmingham City
Birmingham City F.C.
Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...
at St Andrews. The draw moved United back to the top of the league, as United's rivals Manchester City had beaten Birmingham's rivals Aston Villa to put the Sky Blues to the top of the table. After a goalless first half, United took the lead in the 58th minute, when Dimitar Berbatov released Darron Gibson
Darron Gibson
Darron Thomas Daniel Gibson is an Irish footballer who plays as a midfielder for Manchester United and the Republic of Ireland national team...
with a flick and then took the return pass to drive a shot inside the post. An 18-yard Berbatov strike also hit the post before the late drama. Birmingham got a last-gasp, but controversial, equaliser in the 89th minute, when a Blues cross appeared to hit Nikola Žigić
Nikola Žigic
Nikola Žigić is a Serbian footballer who plays for English club Birmingham City as a centre forward.At , Žigić is among the tallest professional players in the world...
's arm and Lee Bowyer
Lee Bowyer
Lee David Bowyer is an English professional footballer born in Canning Town, London, who plays as a midfielder for Ipswich Town of the Football League Championship....
slid the ball home despite appearing to be offside. After the four minutes of stoppage time were up, United moved back to first place.
Following the game against Birmingham City, United started 2011 with another visit to the Midlands, this time to The Hawthorns
The Hawthorns
The Hawthorns is an all-seater football stadium in West Bromwich, Sandwell, England, with a capacity of 26,484. It has been the home of West Bromwich Albion F.C. since 1900, when it became the sixth ground to be used by the club. The ground was the last Football League ground to be built in the...
to face West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
. Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney
Wayne Mark Rooney is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Manchester United and the England national team...
opened the scoring with just three minutes played when he headed home his first goal in open play since March 2010. James Morrison
James Morrison (footballer)
James Clark Morrison is a Scottish international footballer who currently plays for West Bromwich Albion. His ability to run with the ball at pace makes him an effective option through the middle, as an attacking midfielder, or more often as a right winger...
levelled for the Baggies with a strike from 20 yards. Peter Odemwingie
Peter Odemwingie
Peter Osaze Odemwingie is a footballer who plays as a winger or forward for Premier League side West Bromwich Albion. His name, Osaze, means "God chooses "....
then missed from the spot after defender Rio Ferdinand
Rio Ferdinand
Rio Gavin Ferdinand is an English footballer. He plays at centre back for Manchester United in the Premier League and for the England national football team...
had brought down Jerome Thomas
Jerome Thomas
Jerome William Thomas is an English footballer who plays for West Bromwich Albion predominantly as a left winger, but can also operate centrally...
. Javier Hernández and Darron Gibson
Darron Gibson
Darron Thomas Daniel Gibson is an Irish footballer who plays as a midfielder for Manchester United and the Republic of Ireland national team...
respectively came on for Dimitar Berbatov
Dimitar Berbatov
Dimitar Ivanov Berbatov is a Bulgarian footballer who plays as a forward for Manchester United. He captained the Bulgarian national team from 2006 to 2010, and is its all-time leading goalscorer and has also won the Bulgarian Footballer of the Year a record seven times, surpassing the number of...
and Gabriel Obertan
Gabriel Obertan
Gabriel Antoine Obertan is a French footballer who plays for Newcastle United in the Premier League. He primarily plays as a winger, but can also play in the centre of midfield and as a striker....
, and Hernández won the game for United in the 73rd minute, heading home Rooney's corner.
United extended their lead at the top of the League after a vital, hard-fought victory over Stoke City
Stoke City F.C.
Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts...
at Old Trafford
Old Trafford
Old Trafford commonly refers to two sporting arenas:* Old Trafford, home of Manchester United F.C.* Old Trafford Cricket Ground, home of Lancashire County Cricket ClubOld Trafford can also refer to:...
. Dimitar Berbatov
Dimitar Berbatov
Dimitar Ivanov Berbatov is a Bulgarian footballer who plays as a forward for Manchester United. He captained the Bulgarian national team from 2006 to 2010, and is its all-time leading goalscorer and has also won the Bulgarian Footballer of the Year a record seven times, surpassing the number of...
went close before United went ahead when Javier Hernández back-healed the ball into the net from Nani
Nani
-People:*Nani, a Portuguese footballer who plays for Manchester United*Gianluca Nani, former technical director at West Ham United*Nanabhoy Palkhivala, nicknamed Nani, an Indian jurist and economist*Nani Roma, a Spanish rally racing driver...
's cross; Hernández's goal meant he had now scored three times against Stoke. Dean Whitehead
Dean Whitehead
Dean Whitehead is an English footballer who plays as a midfielder for Premier League club Stoke City.Whitehead joined his local non-league club Abingdon Town before he signed for Football League side Oxford United in 1999. He impressed in the lower divisions and was signed by Championship side...
nodded the Potters level, their first League goal at Old Trafford for more than 30 years, but Hernández and Nani combined once again as Hernández teed up Nani to blast home a left-footed winner. The win put United two points clear of neighbours Manchester City
Manchester City F.C.
Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894...
, who they had two games in hand over, and four ahead of Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
, who they had one game in hand over.
United extended their unbeaten record in the league to 26 games and returned to the top of the table with an important draw against Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
at White Hart Lane
White Hart Lane
White Hart Lane is an all-seater football stadium in Tottenham, London, England. Built in 1899, it is the home of Tottenham Hotspur and, after numerous renovations, the stadium has a capacity of 36,230....
. United were forced to play the last 16 minutes without young Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
ian defender Rafael
Rafael Pereira da Silva (footballer born 1990)
Rafael Pereira da Silva , commonly known as Rafael or Rafael da Silva, is a Brazilian footballer who plays for Manchester United. He normally plays as a defender in a right back position, but can also play on the right side of midfield...
, who received a second yellow card for a foul on Benoît Assou-Ekotto
Benoît Assou-Ekotto
Benoît Pierre David Assou-Ekotto is a French-born Cameroonian footballer who plays for Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur as a left back.-RC Lens:...
, but Spurs were unable to muster much in the way of attacking threat. United moved back ahead of arch-rivals Manchester City
Manchester City F.C.
Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894...
on goal difference
Goal difference
In sports such as ice hockey and association football, goal difference is often the first tiebreaker used to rank teams which finish a league competition with an equal number of points....
but crucially had two games in hand
Game in hand
The term Game in Hand is used in sport to indicate when a team has played fewer matches than other teams around them. This term is used to indicate that, whilst a team is in a particular position in a league, because they have played fewer matches than other teams around them they could...
over their local rivals.
United's next game was a home game against Birmingham City
Birmingham City F.C.
Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...
, which United won 5–0. Dimitar Berbatov
Dimitar Berbatov
Dimitar Ivanov Berbatov is a Bulgarian footballer who plays as a forward for Manchester United. He captained the Bulgarian national team from 2006 to 2010, and is its all-time leading goalscorer and has also won the Bulgarian Footballer of the Year a record seven times, surpassing the number of...
nodded in on the line after 95 seconds to open the scoring before firing home after Roger Johnson
Roger Johnson (footballer)
Roger Johnson is an English footballer who plays as a defender for Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers....
had given the ball away. With Ryan Giggs
Ryan Giggs
Ryan Joseph Giggs OBE is a Welsh professional footballer who plays for Manchester United. Giggs made his first appearance for the club during the 1990–91 season and has been a regular player since the 1991–92 season...
lifting the unbeaten league leaders to heights they had rarely hit this season, the veteran finished off a move just before the break. Berbatov then converted a Giggs cross for his third before Nani
Nani
-People:*Nani, a Portuguese footballer who plays for Manchester United*Gianluca Nani, former technical director at West Ham United*Nanabhoy Palkhivala, nicknamed Nani, an Indian jurist and economist*Nani Roma, a Spanish rally racing driver...
slotted in a fifth to finish the scoring.
The following game was the rescheduled fixture from December as United took on Blackpool
Blackpool F.C.
Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the...
at Bloomfield Road
Bloomfield Road
Bloomfield Road is an all-seater football stadium in the English town of Blackpool, Lancashire. It has been the permanent home of Blackpool F.C. since 1901 and is named after the road on which the stadium's main entrance used to stand. The stadium has been in a process of redevelopment since 2000...
, staging a comeback to win 3–2. Blackpool dominated the first half, scoring twice from Charlie Adam
Charlie Adam
Charles Graham "Charlie" Adam is a Scottish footballer who plays as a midfielder for Liverpool and the Scotland national football team....
-delivered corners with headers from former United reserve captain Craig Cathcart
Craig Cathcart
Craig George Cathcart is a Northern Irish footballer who plays as a centre back for Blackpool and the Northern Ireland national team...
and D. J. Campbell. However, at half time United introduced Ryan Giggs
Ryan Giggs
Ryan Joseph Giggs OBE is a Welsh professional footballer who plays for Manchester United. Giggs made his first appearance for the club during the 1990–91 season and has been a regular player since the 1991–92 season...
in favour of Darron Gibson
Darron Gibson
Darron Thomas Daniel Gibson is an Irish footballer who plays as a midfielder for Manchester United and the Republic of Ireland national team...
and followed that with Javier Hernández replacing Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney
Wayne Mark Rooney is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Manchester United and the England national team...
. United pulled one back after Dimitar Berbatov
Dimitar Berbatov
Dimitar Ivanov Berbatov is a Bulgarian footballer who plays as a forward for Manchester United. He captained the Bulgarian national team from 2006 to 2010, and is its all-time leading goalscorer and has also won the Bulgarian Footballer of the Year a record seven times, surpassing the number of...
converted a low Darren Fletcher
Darren Fletcher
Darren Barr Fletcher is a Scottish footballer who plays as a central midfielder for English Premier League club Manchester United. He is the current captain of Scottish national team...
cross, and mere minutes later Ryan Giggs released Hernández, who converted past Richard Kingson
Richard Kingson
Richard Paul Franck Kingson is a Ghanaian professional football goalkeeper, who is currently a free agent. He is also known as Faruk Gürsoy and is frequently misnamed Kingston due to "irregularity on his identity documents"...
to draw things level. After an extended break following an injury to Rafael
Rafael Pereira da Silva (footballer born 1990)
Rafael Pereira da Silva , commonly known as Rafael or Rafael da Silva, is a Brazilian footballer who plays for Manchester United. He normally plays as a defender in a right back position, but can also play on the right side of midfield...
(leading to 10 minutes of additional time) Berbatov scored his second goal of the game, thrashing home with his left foot to complete the comeback.
In the next game, United equalled the club record league unbeaten run of 29 games with a 3–1 home win over Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
. Sir Alex Ferguson's decision to name Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney
Wayne Mark Rooney is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Manchester United and the England national team...
in the starting line-up ahead of Javier Hernández was justified after just 54 seconds of the match, with Rooney controlling Edwin Van Der Sar
Edwin van der Sar
Edwin van der Sar OON is a former footballer who played as a goalkeeper for AFC Ajax, Juventus, Fulham and Manchester United. He is the most capped player in the Netherlands national football team's history...
's long free-kick coming over his shoulder, before lashing home past Brad Friedel
Brad Friedel
Bradley Howard Friedel is an American soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League....
. Rooney scored his 2nd of the match and 4th league goal of the season in first-half stoppage time, with Nani
Nani
-People:*Nani, a Portuguese footballer who plays for Manchester United*Gianluca Nani, former technical director at West Ham United*Nanabhoy Palkhivala, nicknamed Nani, an Indian jurist and economist*Nani Roma, a Spanish rally racing driver...
's inswinging cross finding him at the far post to slot in from close range. Darren Bent
Darren Bent
Darren Ashley Bent is an English footballer who plays for Aston Villa as a striker.Bent started his career with Ipswich Town. After progressing through their youth system he made his first team debut in 2001. He made 122 appearances and scored 48 goals in the league for Ipswich, before joining...
pulled a goal back for Villa in the 58th minute, but five minutes later United's two-goal lead was restored when Nemanja Vidić
Nemanja Vidic
Nemanja Vidić is a Serbian footballer who captains English Premier League club Manchester United. He was part of the Serbia national football team from 2002 to 2011....
scored United's third goal; curling in a Rooney lay-off from just inside the box.
The day after the Villa match, Gary Neville
Gary Neville
Gary Alexander Neville is a former English footballer. He is England's most capped right-back and was Manchester United's club captain for five years....
decided to retire. At the time he was United's fifth highest appearance maker, having played 602 times since making his debut against Torpedo Moscow
FC Torpedo Moscow
FC Torpedo Moscow is an association football club, based in Moscow, Russia. The club was founded in 1930. On March 19, 2009 it was denied membership of the Professional Football League and did not play in the professional competitions in 2009...
in 1992. He played his last match for the club in the 2–1 victory away at West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
on New Year's Day
New Year's Day
New Year's Day is observed on January 1, the first day of the year on the modern Gregorian calendar as well as the Julian calendar used in ancient Rome...
. As soon as the announcement was made, tributes flooded in from supporters, United players past and present, the media
News media
The news media are those elements of the mass media that focus on delivering news to the general public or a target public.These include print media , broadcast news , and more recently the Internet .-Etymology:A medium is a carrier of something...
and his manager Sir Alex Ferguson
Alex Ferguson
Sir Alexander Chapman "Alex" Ferguson, CBE is a Scottish association football manager and former player, currently managing Manchester United, where he has been in charge since 1986...
.
On 5 February, United suffered their first league defeat of the season, a 2–1 loss to Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux
Molineux stadium
Molineux Stadium is a Premier League football stadium situated in Whitmore Reans, Wolverhampton, England. It has been the home ground of Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club since 1889, and has a long and illustrious history as the first 'new build' stadium in Football League history, one of the...
. United led after three minutes as Nani
Nani
-People:*Nani, a Portuguese footballer who plays for Manchester United*Gianluca Nani, former technical director at West Ham United*Nanabhoy Palkhivala, nicknamed Nani, an Indian jurist and economist*Nani Roma, a Spanish rally racing driver...
drilled home inside the near post after turning George Elokobi
George Elokobi
George Nganyuo Elokobi is a Cameroonian footballer who plays as a defender for English Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers....
inside-out. But Elokobi headed in soon after with United's defence sleeping, Matt Jarvis executing a short-corner routine. Kevin Doyle
Kevin Doyle
Kevin Edward Doyle is an Irish international footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers....
then glanced in just before the break, after which the visitors failed to carve out any clear chances. Although United had many chances in the second half, they failed to beat Wolves, and thus crashed to their first league loss of the season.
United recovered from the disastrous loss at Wolves to win 2–1 in the Manchester derby
Manchester derby
The Manchester derby is the name given to football matches between Manchester City and Manchester United. The local derby centres on the City of Manchester and Greater Manchester with approximately four miles separating the clubs with City based in east Manchester at the City of Manchester Stadium...
against Manchester City
Manchester City F.C.
Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894...
at Old Trafford on 12 February. Nani
Nani
-People:*Nani, a Portuguese footballer who plays for Manchester United*Gianluca Nani, former technical director at West Ham United*Nanabhoy Palkhivala, nicknamed Nani, an Indian jurist and economist*Nani Roma, a Spanish rally racing driver...
collected a pass from Ryan Giggs
Ryan Giggs
Ryan Joseph Giggs OBE is a Welsh professional footballer who plays for Manchester United. Giggs made his first appearance for the club during the 1990–91 season and has been a regular player since the 1991–92 season...
before slotting home from 15 yards to put United ahead just before the break. David Silva
David Silva
David Josué Jiménez Silva is a Spanish footballer who plays for Manchester City and the Spanish national team. Silva is capable of playing on the wing, as a traditional number 10 and sometimes as a supporting striker...
, who side-footed wide from an acute angle in the first half, was oblivious as Edin Džeko
Edin Džeko
Edin Džeko is a Bosnian footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Manchester City and the Bosnian national team. He was named Bosnian Footballer of the Year for 2009 and 2010...
's shot cannoned off his backside to level for City. But Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney
Wayne Mark Rooney is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Manchester United and the England national team...
won it with an overhead kick that flew into the top corner.
Manchester United took the short trip to the DW Stadium to face Wigan Athletic
Wigan Athletic F.C.
Wigan Athletic Football Club is an English Premier League Association football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, having been promoted from the Championship in 2005. Wigan's current spell in the Premier League is the only top flight run in the club's history.They have played at the DW...
on 26 February. United won 4–0 to restore their lead at the top of the Premier League table to four points, after Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
beat Stoke City
Stoke City F.C.
Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts...
1–0 three days earlier. Relegation-threatened Wigan shone early on but Edwin van der Sar
Edwin van der Sar
Edwin van der Sar OON is a former footballer who played as a goalkeeper for AFC Ajax, Juventus, Fulham and Manchester United. He is the most capped player in the Netherlands national football team's history...
stood solid. Javier Hernández cleverly clipped in rampant Nani
Nani
-People:*Nani, a Portuguese footballer who plays for Manchester United*Gianluca Nani, former technical director at West Ham United*Nanabhoy Palkhivala, nicknamed Nani, an Indian jurist and economist*Nani Roma, a Spanish rally racing driver...
's cross after 17 minutes as the visitors gradually took control. Hernández slotted a cool second 15 minutes from time before a Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney
Wayne Mark Rooney is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Manchester United and the England national team...
tap-in and substitute Fábio
Fábio Pereira da Silva
Fábio Pereira da Silva , commonly known as Fábio or Fábio da Silva, is a Brazilian footballer who plays as a full-back for Manchester United of the Premier League, along with his twin brother, Rafael, who were signed by Manchester United in February 2007.-Early life:Fábio was born in Petrópolis,...
's simple shot added a late gloss.
United's next game was the postponed game from 19 December 2010, the away game against Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
. The match was played on 1 March, and Frank Lampard
Frank Lampard
Frank James Lampard is an English professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Chelsea and the England national team. He also holds the position of vice-captain for his club side...
's disputed penalty condemned United to only their third defeat in the 2010–11 season (all competitions). United deservedly led at half-time as a fierce 25-yard strike from Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney
Wayne Mark Rooney is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Manchester United and the England national team...
- who Sir Alex Ferguson
Alex Ferguson
Sir Alexander Chapman "Alex" Ferguson, CBE is a Scottish association football manager and former player, currently managing Manchester United, where he has been in charge since 1986...
admitted was fortunate to be playing after escaping further punishment for elbowing Wigan's James McCarthy
James McCarthy (footballer)
James McCarthy is an Irish footballer who plays for Wigan Athletic as a midfielder. McCarthy made over 100 appearances for Hamilton Academical as a teenager, before being transferred to Wigan in 2009 for an initial £1.2 million...
on 26 February - gave United the lead. The lead was cancelled out when David Luiz
David Luiz
David Luiz Moreira Marinho , known as David Luiz, is a Brazilian footballer who plays for Chelsea in the Premier League...
scored his first Chelsea goal, volleying home after Branislav Ivanović
Branislav Ivanovic
Branislav Ivanović is a Serbian footballer who plays for Chelsea in the Premier League and the Serbia national team....
's flick-on. Lampard converted a penalty in the 79th minute to dent United's hopes of regaining the Premier League from Chelsea, after Chris Smalling
Chris Smalling
Christopher Lloyd "Chris" Smalling is an English footballer who plays as a centre back for Manchester United and the England national team....
fouled Chelsea sub Yuri Zhirkov
Yuri Zhirkov
Yuri Valentinovich Zhirkov is a Russian footballer who plays for Anzhi Makhachkala and the Russian national team.-Early life:Yuri Valentinovich Zhirkov was born in Tambov, on 20 August 1983. His father, Valentin Ivanovich Zhirkov worked at the "Revtrud" factory and his mother was a postwoman. Yuri...
. United's misery was compounded in stoppage time after captain Nemanja Vidić
Nemanja Vidic
Nemanja Vidić is a Serbian footballer who captains English Premier League club Manchester United. He was part of the Serbia national football team from 2002 to 2011....
was sent off for picking up a second yellow card, ruling the Serbian international out of United's testing trip to face Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
on 6 March.
United's title hopes were dented further as they were defeated 3–1 by Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
at Anfield
Anfield
Anfield is an association football stadium in the district of Anfield, Liverpool, England, with a seating capacity of 45,522. It has been the home of Liverpool F.C. since their formation in 1892 and was originally the home of Everton F.C. from 1884 to 1892, before they moved to Goodison Park...
. Dirk Kuyt
Dirk Kuyt
Dirk Kuyt is a Dutch footballer who plays for English club Liverpool. He started his career as a striker, but he has been converted into a winger and plays the position for both Liverpool and the Netherlands national team....
opened the scoring, after he was teed up by Luis Suárez
Luis Suárez (Uruguayan footballer)
Luis Alberto Suárez Díaz , commonly known as Luis Suárez and nicknamed "El Pistolero" , is a Uruguayan footballer who plays for Liverpool and the Uruguayan national team...
. The Dutch striker then took advantage of Nani
Nani
-People:*Nani, a Portuguese footballer who plays for Manchester United*Gianluca Nani, former technical director at West Ham United*Nanabhoy Palkhivala, nicknamed Nani, an Indian jurist and economist*Nani Roma, a Spanish rally racing driver...
's poor defensive header to make it 2–0. Nani was taken off after a high tackle by Jamie Carragher
Jamie Carragher
James Lee Duncan "Jamie" Carragher is an English footballer who plays as a defender for Premier League side Liverpool...
as the game threatened to erupt before half-time. Kuyt then sealed it to complete his first Liverpool hat-trick, after Edwin van der Sar
Edwin van der Sar
Edwin van der Sar OON is a former footballer who played as a goalkeeper for AFC Ajax, Juventus, Fulham and Manchester United. He is the most capped player in the Netherlands national football team's history...
fumbled Suárez's free-kick. Javier Hernández nodded home Ryan Giggs
Ryan Giggs
Ryan Joseph Giggs OBE is a Welsh professional footballer who plays for Manchester United. Giggs made his first appearance for the club during the 1990–91 season and has been a regular player since the 1991–92 season...
' cross in stoppage time, but the goal was no more than a consolation. This was the first time since 2009 that United lost two consecutive league matches.
On 19 March, United returned to winning ways with a 1–0 win over Bolton Wanderers
Bolton Wanderers F.C.
Bolton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the area of Horwich in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. They began their current spell in the Premier League in 2001....
at Old Trafford
Old Trafford
Old Trafford commonly refers to two sporting arenas:* Old Trafford, home of Manchester United F.C.* Old Trafford Cricket Ground, home of Lancashire County Cricket ClubOld Trafford can also refer to:...
. The only goal was scored two minutes from time by Dimitar Berbatov
Dimitar Berbatov
Dimitar Ivanov Berbatov is a Bulgarian footballer who plays as a forward for Manchester United. He captained the Bulgarian national team from 2006 to 2010, and is its all-time leading goalscorer and has also won the Bulgarian Footballer of the Year a record seven times, surpassing the number of...
, his first goal for United since the Red Devils 3–2 victory over Blackpool
Blackpool F.C.
Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the...
on 25 January, when he scored twice. In a first half of few chances, Javier Hernández shot wide and Martin Petrov
Martin Petrov
Martin Petyov Petrov is a Bulgarian footballer, currently playing for Bolton Wanderers in the Premier League.-Club career:Petrov began his career for Botev Vratsa...
hit a free-kick at Edwin van der Sar
Edwin van der Sar
Edwin van der Sar OON is a former footballer who played as a goalkeeper for AFC Ajax, Juventus, Fulham and Manchester United. He is the most capped player in the Netherlands national football team's history...
. United defender Jonny Evans
Jonny Evans
Jonathan Grant "Jonny" Evans is a Northern Irish footballer who plays as a defender for Manchester United and Northern Ireland. Evans was born in Belfast and started his career at Greenisland FC, where he was spotted by Manchester United scouts. He progressed through Manchester United's football...
was shown a straight red card in the second half for a lunge on Stuart Holden
Stuart Holden
Stuart Alistair Holden is an American football player who currently plays as a midfielder for Bolton Wanderers in the English Premier League....
. But Berbatov gave United the points by bundling home after Jussi Jääskeläinen
Jussi Jääskeläinen
Jussi Albert Jääskeläinen is a Finnish football goalkeeper, who plays for Bolton Wanderers.-Club career:Jääskeläinen was born in Mikkeli, and made his Veikkausliiga debut in Finland for MP Mikkeli in 1992, and became the club's first choice goalkeeper in 1994. In 1996, he moved to VPS Vaasa where...
failed to hold Nani
Nani
-People:*Nani, a Portuguese footballer who plays for Manchester United*Gianluca Nani, former technical director at West Ham United*Nanabhoy Palkhivala, nicknamed Nani, an Indian jurist and economist*Nani Roma, a Spanish rally racing driver...
's shot. Coupled with Arsenal's 2–2 draw with West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
, this meant that United moved five points clear at the top of the table.
United's next game was at struggling West Ham
West Ham United F.C.
West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...
, the lunchtime kickoff on 2 April. United were 2–0 down at the break, with Mark Noble
Mark Noble
Mark James Noble is an English footballer who plays for West Ham United. He has played all his youth and first team football for West Ham and made 20 appearances, scoring 3 goals, for the England under-21 team which he captained.Despite his relatively young age, Noble is the longest serving player...
scoring two penalties for the Hammers: the first in the 11th minute after a handball by Patrice Evra
Patrice Evra
Patrice Latyr Evra is a French international footballer who currently plays for English club Manchester United in the Premier League and the France national team. Originally an attacker, he primarily plays as a left back and is described as "the classic example of a modern full-back" who is...
, and then 14 minutes later, after the returning Nemanja Vidić
Nemanja Vidic
Nemanja Vidić is a Serbian footballer who captains English Premier League club Manchester United. He was part of the Serbia national football team from 2002 to 2011....
had fouled Carlton Cole
Carlton Cole
Carlton Michael Cole Okirie is an English footballer who plays as a striker for West Ham United in the Npower Championship....
. Vidić escaped a red card for a foul on Demba Ba
Demba Ba
Demba Ba is a French-born Senegalese footballer who plays as a striker for Newcastle United in the Premier League, and for the Senegal national team.-Early life:Ba was born in Sèvres, Hauts-de-Seine, and was the sixth child of seven...
before Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney
Wayne Mark Rooney is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Manchester United and the England national team...
curled in a second-half free-kick and then a few minutes later powered in a low shot to equalise. A Rooney penalty - for handball - completed the England striker's hat-trick
Hat-trick
A hat-trick or hat trick in sport is the achievement of a positive feat three times during a game, or other achievements based on threes. The term was first used in 1858 in cricket to describe HH Stephenson's feat of taking three wickets in three balls. A collection was held for Stephenson, and he...
and put the visitors ahead, before Javier Hernández poked in a fourth to win the match 4–2. Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
again failed to win - this time a 0–0 draw at home to Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn Rovers F.C.
Blackburn Rovers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the town of Blackburn, Lancashire. The team currently competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football....
- leaving them seven points behind United - albeit with a game in hand
Game in hand
The term Game in Hand is used in sport to indicate when a team has played fewer matches than other teams around them. This term is used to indicate that, whilst a team is in a particular position in a league, because they have played fewer matches than other teams around them they could...
. Wayne Rooney was later charged by the FA
The Football Association
The Football Association, also known as simply The FA, is the governing body of football in England, and the Crown Dependencies of Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man. It was formed in 1863, and is the oldest national football association...
for using offensive, insulting and/or abusive language
Profanity
Profanity is a show of disrespect, or a desecration or debasement of someone or something. Profanity can take the form of words, expressions, gestures, or other social behaviors that are socially constructed or interpreted as insulting, rude, vulgar, obscene, desecrating, or other forms.The...
directly into a camera
Camera
A camera is a device that records and stores images. These images may be still photographs or moving images such as videos or movies. The term camera comes from the camera obscura , an early mechanism for projecting images...
following his third goal – the match being screened live on Sky Sports
Sky Sports
Sky Sports is the brand name for a group of sports-oriented television channels operated by the UK and Ireland's main satellite pay-TV company, British Sky Broadcasting. Sky Sports is the dominant subscription television sports brand in the United Kingdom and Ireland...
in the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
, as well as elsewhere around the world. He was given a two match suspension, ruling him out of United's next League game against Fulham
Fulham F.C.
Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season...
on 9 April as well as the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City
Manchester City F.C.
Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894...
on 16 April.
United hosted Fulham
Fulham F.C.
Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season...
in their next game, with the Red Devils knowing that a victory would put them ten points clear of second placed Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
, who were not to play until the following day. And a victory was what United got, with goals from Dimitar Berbatov
Dimitar Berbatov
Dimitar Ivanov Berbatov is a Bulgarian footballer who plays as a forward for Manchester United. He captained the Bulgarian national team from 2006 to 2010, and is its all-time leading goalscorer and has also won the Bulgarian Footballer of the Year a record seven times, surpassing the number of...
and Antonio Valencia giving them a 2–0 victory. The recalled Berbatov opened the scoring with a first-time finish after Nani
Nani
-People:*Nani, a Portuguese footballer who plays for Manchester United*Gianluca Nani, former technical director at West Ham United*Nanabhoy Palkhivala, nicknamed Nani, an Indian jurist and economist*Nani Roma, a Spanish rally racing driver...
played him in. Aaron Hughes
Aaron Hughes
Aaron William Hughes is a Northern Irish footballer who plays for Fulham. Hughes is able to play centre back, right back or left back, as well as anywhere in midfield. He is usually deployed in a centre half position for his club and country, and is the current Northern Ireland captain...
then cleared a Nani cross into the path of Valencia, who headed home United's second. Tomasz Kuszczak
Tomasz Kuszczak
Tomasz Mirosław Kuszczak is a Polish footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for English club Manchester United and the Polish national team.Born in Krosno Odrzańskie, Kuszczak has previously played for Śląsk Wrocław in Poland, as well as for the German clubs KFC Uerdingen 05 and Hertha BSC, before...
made a save from Fulham substitute Eiður Guðjohnsen
Eiður Guðjohnsen
Eiður Smári Guðjohnsen is an Icelandic footballer who currently plays for AEK Athens F.C. in the Superleague Greece. He has previously played for Premier League club Chelsea and FC Barcelona of Spain, having made his name with Bolton Wanderers. He was the captain of the Iceland national team until...
after the break, while Mark Schwarzer
Mark Schwarzer
Mark Schwarzer OAM is an Australian association football player who plays as a goalkeeper. He currently plays for Premier League club Fulham. He rose to prominence during his time at North-East England football club Middlesbrough...
stopped a strike from Darron Gibson
Darron Gibson
Darron Thomas Daniel Gibson is an Irish footballer who plays as a midfielder for Manchester United and the Republic of Ireland national team...
.
On 19 April, United missed the chance to go nine points clear at the top of the table, dropping two points after a frustrating display away to Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
. The visitors were guilty of poor passing throughout, though Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney
Wayne Mark Rooney is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Manchester United and the England national team...
and Ryan Giggs
Ryan Giggs
Ryan Joseph Giggs OBE is a Welsh professional footballer who plays for Manchester United. Giggs made his first appearance for the club during the 1990–91 season and has been a regular player since the 1991–92 season...
missed good chances. Striker Javier Hernández felt he was fouled in the box by Danny Simpson
Danny Simpson
Daniel Peter "Danny" Simpson is an English footballer who plays as a right back for Premier League club Newcastle United. A product of the Manchester United academy, Simpson has also played on loan for Sunderland, Ipswich Town and Blackburn Rovers in England and Royal Antwerp in Belgium...
late on, only to be booked for a dive. Newcastle deserved a point though, and could have had a penalty of their own when Anderson
Anderson Luís de Abreu Oliveira
Anderson Luís de Abreu Oliveira , best known as Anderson, is a Brazilian footballer who currently plays as a midfielder for Manchester United and the Brazil national team....
felled Peter Løvenkrands
Peter Løvenkrands
Peter Rosenkrands Løvenkrands is a Danish footballer who plays for Newcastle United in the Premier League, and for the Danish national team. He is a striker who can also play as a left winger and is known for his pace....
.
United did go nine points clear at the top of the table, albeit briefly, in the lunchtime kickoff on 23 April, beating Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
1–0 at Old Trafford. The only goal of the game was scored exactly seven minutes from time, when Javier Hernández headed home Antonio Valencia's cross after Sylvain Distin
Sylvain Distin
Sylvain Distin is a French footballer who plays for English Premier League side Everton.-Early career:Born in Bagnolet, Distin started his career at French non-league side Joue-les-Tours before moving to Tours a year later, where he played 26 times and scored three goals. He then transferred to...
gave the ball away. Hernández earlier forced two good saves from Tim Howard
Tim Howard
Timothy Matthew Howard is an American soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for English club Everton and the United States national team....
, while Everton's Victor Anichebe
Victor Anichebe
Victor Chinedu Anichebe is a Nigerian footballer who plays for Everton. He has been described as a fast and powerful player, in the mould of a "traditional" centre forward, although has played on the right of midfield.-Early life:Anichebe was born in Nigeria but moved to Liverpool aged one, his...
could have had a penalty. But after a spate of Howard saves, United's pressure eventually paid off.
United's next game was on the following Sunday, away to Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
. Arsenal's title hopes were all but over thanks to their 2–1 defeat to Bolton Wanderers
Bolton Wanderers F.C.
Bolton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the area of Horwich in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. They began their current spell in the Premier League in 2001....
on 24 April, while United needed the win to go six points clear, after Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
defeated Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
with two controversial goals the previous day. The game was 0–0 at half-time, and Arsenal could have had a penalty when Nemanja Vidić
Nemanja Vidic
Nemanja Vidić is a Serbian footballer who captains English Premier League club Manchester United. He was part of the Serbia national football team from 2002 to 2011....
handled Theo Walcott
Theo Walcott
Theo James Walcott is an English footballer of Jamaican descent who plays for Arsenal and the England national team. Walcott is a product of the Southampton F.C. Academy. He is a striker who is usually deployed on the right wing as a wide forward to exploit his speed...
's cross in the box, but referee Chris Foy
Chris Foy (referee)
Christopher J. Foy is an English professional football referee who officiates in the Premier League....
waved away Arsenal's penalty cries. However, Arsenal gave their London rivals a massive favour by going ahead in the 56th minute, Aaron Ramsey
Aaron Ramsey
Aaron James Ramsey is a Welsh professional footballer who plays for the premier league club Arsenal and is the captain of the Wales national football team...
sliding in to the corner after Robin van Persie
Robin van Persie
Robin van Persie is a Dutch footballer who plays as a striker for Arsenal and the Dutch national team. He is a youth product of Feyenoord. Having joined Arsenal in 2004, Van Persie became the club captain on 16 August 2011...
's cut-back to give Arsenal a lead that they somewhat deserved. United should have had a penalty with three minutes to go when substitute Michael Owen
Michael Owen
Michael James Owen is an English professional footballer who plays as a striker for Manchester United.The son of former footballer Terry Owen, Owen began his senior career at Liverpool in 1996. He progressed through the Liverpool youth team and scored on his debut in May 1997...
was brought down by Gaël Clichy
Gaël Clichy
Gaël Clichy is a French footballer who plays as a defender for Manchester City and the France national football team. Though initially right-foot dominant, he primarily plays as a left back that is also capable of playing as an offensive-minded wingback. Clichy is described as a player who...
, but Foy waved away United's shouts and the final score was 1–0 to Arsenal. This meant that United were now only three points ahead of Chelsea in the title race with the same goal difference (+38), with the two meeting on 8 May at Old Trafford in what was both sides' next league game.
United went on to win this game 2–1, putting in a great performance. United were superb in the first 45 minutes and made a perfect start when Javier Hernández scored the 20th goal of his debut season after just 36 seconds, slotting home past Petr Čech
Petr Cech
Petr Čech is a Czech footballer who plays for Chelsea and the Czech Republic as a goalkeeper. Čech previously played for Viktoria Plzeň, Chmel Blšany, Sparta Prague, and Rennes. He was voted into the all-star team of Euro 2004 after helping his country reach the semi-finals...
from Park Ji-Sung
Park Ji-Sung
Park Ji-Sung is a South Korean footballer who plays as a midfielder for English club Manchester United. He was also the captain of the South Korean national team until his retirement from international football...
's through ball. United continued to dominate and after 23 minutes, Nemanja Vidić
Nemanja Vidic
Nemanja Vidić is a Serbian footballer who captains English Premier League club Manchester United. He was part of the Serbia national football team from 2002 to 2011....
headed in Ryan Giggs
Ryan Giggs
Ryan Joseph Giggs OBE is a Welsh professional footballer who plays for Manchester United. Giggs made his first appearance for the club during the 1990–91 season and has been a regular player since the 1991–92 season...
' cross from a short corner. Frank Lampard
Frank Lampard
Frank James Lampard is an English professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Chelsea and the England national team. He also holds the position of vice-captain for his club side...
gave Chelsea hope with a poacher's goal against the run of play, but Alex
Alex Rodrigo Dias da Costa
Alex Rodrigo Dias da Costa, better known as Alex , is a Brazilian footballer who plays for Chelsea FC and the Brazil national team. His nickname is "Vinny" amongst fans for his close similarities to actor Vin Diesel....
denied United a third when he brilliantly blocked Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney
Wayne Mark Rooney is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Manchester United and the England national team...
's shot from close range. Hernández could also have made things safe in the closing stages but twice spurned good chances, heading over from Antonio Valencia's fine cross and scuffing a shot late on. United still held on for the win. The result meant that United needed only one point from either of their two remaining games to secure a record 19th title.
On 14 May 2011, United secured that point and their 19th league title away to Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn Rovers F.C.
Blackburn Rovers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the town of Blackburn, Lancashire. The team currently competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football....
, after a 1–1 draw. United started quickly and could have gone in front after just four minutes when Nani
Nani
-People:*Nani, a Portuguese footballer who plays for Manchester United*Gianluca Nani, former technical director at West Ham United*Nanabhoy Palkhivala, nicknamed Nani, an Indian jurist and economist*Nani Roma, a Spanish rally racing driver...
headed against the crossbar, but Blackburn came back into the game. Tomasz Kuszczak
Tomasz Kuszczak
Tomasz Mirosław Kuszczak is a Polish footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for English club Manchester United and the Polish national team.Born in Krosno Odrzańskie, Kuszczak has previously played for Śląsk Wrocław in Poland, as well as for the German clubs KFC Uerdingen 05 and Hertha BSC, before...
, in goal for United had a number of nervy moments in the first half, which appeared to give Blackburn confidence and they scored after 20 minutes via a low shot from Brett Emerton
Brett Emerton
Brett Michael Emerton is an Australian football player who plays for Sydney FC and the Australia national team...
. United held on until half time and arguably had the better of the second half. The equaliser came after 73 minutes when Javier Hernández was brought down by Rovers keeper, Paul Robinson and Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney
Wayne Mark Rooney is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Manchester United and the England national team...
dispatched the resultant penalty. The final few minutes were a drab affair as neither team wanted to risk losing the one point that they would gain from the draw. When the final whistle went, United were officially crowned champions of English football
Football in England
Association football is a national sport in England, where the first modern set of rules for the code were established in 1863, which were a major influence on the development of the modern Laws of the Game...
for a record breaking 19th time. The trophy was presented after their final league game of the season, at home to Blackpool
Blackpool F.C.
Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the...
on 22 May.
United came from behind to win the Blackpool game 4–2, condemning the Seasiders to relegation. United opened the scoring on 21 minutes, when Park Ji-Sung
Park Ji-Sung
Park Ji-Sung is a South Korean footballer who plays as a midfielder for English club Manchester United. He was also the captain of the South Korean national team until his retirement from international football...
was released in the area by Dimitar Berbatov
Dimitar Berbatov
Dimitar Ivanov Berbatov is a Bulgarian footballer who plays as a forward for Manchester United. He captained the Bulgarian national team from 2006 to 2010, and is its all-time leading goalscorer and has also won the Bulgarian Footballer of the Year a record seven times, surpassing the number of...
. Park evaded the challenge of Ian Evatt
Ian Evatt
Ian Ross Evatt is an English footballer who currently plays for Blackpool.He began his professional career in 1999 at Derby County and has also played for Northampton Town , Chesterfield and Queens Park Rangers.-Early life:...
and lifted the ball over Matthew Gilks
Matthew Gilks
Matthew "Matt" Gilks is a football goalkeeper who plays for Blackpool. He previously played for Rochdale for seven years before moving to Norwich City in 2007. He stayed one season with the Canaries without making a first-team appearance...
to put United in front. United had two penalty claims wrongly turned down by referee Mike Dean
Mike Dean (referee)
-Coin-throwing incident:On 5 April 2009 in the South Wales derby between Cardiff City and Swansea City, Dean suffered a cut to the forehead resulting from what appeared to be a coin thrown by a Cardiff supporter. He later awarded Cardiff a debatable penalty, which was converted to earn a draw for...
, before, on 39 minutes, Dean dubiously awarded a free-kick to Blackpool. Charlie Adam
Charlie Adam
Charles Graham "Charlie" Adam is a Scottish footballer who plays as a midfielder for Liverpool and the Scotland national football team....
curled home the set-piece past captain-for-the-day Edwin van der Sar
Edwin van der Sar
Edwin van der Sar OON is a former footballer who played as a goalkeeper for AFC Ajax, Juventus, Fulham and Manchester United. He is the most capped player in the Netherlands national football team's history...
(with United's 40-year old goalkeeper playing his last league game for the Reds before retirement), making Adam the first player to score against United at Old Trafford in the first half of a match all season, and the first since Joe Cole
Joe Cole
Joseph John "Joe" Cole is an English footballer who plays for Lille, on loan from Liverpool, and the England national football team as midfielder. He started his career with where he played more than 100 games during five years, until he left for Chelsea in 2003...
did so for Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
on 3 April 2010. Eleven minutes into the second half, Blackpool stunned the home support by taking a shock lead. David Vaughan
David Vaughan (footballer)
David Owen Vaughan is a Welsh footballer who plays for Sunderland. He plays as a midfielder.Vaughan previously played for Crewe Alexandra, where he spent seven years between 2000 and 2007...
found space on the right side of United's area before setting up Gary Taylor-Fletcher
Gary Taylor-Fletcher
Gary Taylor-Fletcher is an English footballer. He plays for Blackpool and is a midfielder who can also play as a forward...
, whose scrappy goal curled off the post to send all but the travelling supporters in Old Trafford silent. Their celebrations were short-lived, as United gained a somewhat deserved equalizer five minutes later, when Park's cross was swept high past Gilks by Anderson
Anderson Luís de Abreu Oliveira
Anderson Luís de Abreu Oliveira , best known as Anderson, is a Brazilian footballer who currently plays as a midfielder for Manchester United and the Brazil national team....
. Immeadiately after the equalizer, Sir Alex Ferguson brought Michael Owen
Michael Owen
Michael James Owen is an English professional footballer who plays as a striker for Manchester United.The son of former footballer Terry Owen, Owen began his senior career at Liverpool in 1996. He progressed through the Liverpool youth team and scored on his debut in May 1997...
into the action, replacing Park. United dominated the game after that leveller, with Gilks saving acrobatically from Berbatov and Nani
Nani
-People:*Nani, a Portuguese footballer who plays for Manchester United*Gianluca Nani, former technical director at West Ham United*Nanabhoy Palkhivala, nicknamed Nani, an Indian jurist and economist*Nani Roma, a Spanish rally racing driver...
somehow heading Chris Smalling
Chris Smalling
Christopher Lloyd "Chris" Smalling is an English footballer who plays as a centre back for Manchester United and the England national team....
's cross wide with the goal at his mercy. With 16 minutes to go, United's efforts were rewarded when Evatt diverted Smalling's right-wing cross into his own net. With nine minutes to go, Owen killed off the game and confirmed Blackpool's relegation with a poacher's finish, racing through from Anderson's pass and beating Gilks with ease. Blackpool almost scored a consolation goal deep into stoppage time, with substitute Luke Varney
Luke Varney
Luke Ivan Varney is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Portsmouth. He started his career with non-league Quorn, a club in his home county of Leicestershire, before moving to league football with Crewe Alexandra...
hitting the bar with a header from a corner.
| Date | Opponents | H / A | Result F – A |
Scorers | Attendance | League position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 August 2010 | Newcastle United Newcastle United F.C. Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger... |
H | 3 – 0 | Berbatov Dimitar Berbatov Dimitar Ivanov Berbatov is a Bulgarian footballer who plays as a forward for Manchester United. He captained the Bulgarian national team from 2006 to 2010, and is its all-time leading goalscorer and has also won the Bulgarian Footballer of the Year a record seven times, surpassing the number of... 33', Fletcher Darren Fletcher Darren Barr Fletcher is a Scottish footballer who plays as a central midfielder for English Premier League club Manchester United. He is the current captain of Scottish national team... 41', Giggs Ryan Giggs Ryan Joseph Giggs OBE is a Welsh professional footballer who plays for Manchester United. Giggs made his first appearance for the club during the 1990–91 season and has been a regular player since the 1991–92 season... 85' |
75,221 | 4th |
| 22 August 2010 | Fulham Fulham F.C. Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season... |
A | 2 – 2 | Scholes Paul Scholes Paul Scholes is a retired English footballer, a one-club man who played his entire professional career for Manchester United.Born in Salford, but later moving to Langley, Scholes excelled in both cricket and football in school. He first trained with Manchester United at the age of 14 after being... 11', Hangeland Brede Hangeland Brede Paulsen Hangeland is a Norwegian footballer who plays for Fulham in the Premier League and the Norwegian national team, of which he is the captain. The son of a Norwegian oil company worker, Hangeland was born in Houston, Texas during his parents' two-year spell in the United States, but... 84' (o.g. Own goal An own net occurs in goal-scoring games when a player scores a goal that is registered against his or her own team. It is usually accidental, and may be a result of an attempt at defensive play that failed or was spoiled by opponents.... ) |
25,643 | 3rd |
| 28 August 2010 | West Ham United West Ham United F.C. West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current... |
H | 3 – 0 | Rooney Wayne Rooney Wayne Mark Rooney is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Manchester United and the England national team... 33' (pen. Penalty kick A penalty kick is a type of direct free kick in association football, taken from twelve yards out from goal and with only the goalkeeper of the defending team between the penalty taker and the goal.Penalty kicks are performed during normal play... ), Nani Nani -People:*Nani, a Portuguese footballer who plays for Manchester United*Gianluca Nani, former technical director at West Ham United*Nanabhoy Palkhivala, nicknamed Nani, an Indian jurist and economist*Nani Roma, a Spanish rally racing driver... 50', Berbatov Dimitar Berbatov Dimitar Ivanov Berbatov is a Bulgarian footballer who plays as a forward for Manchester United. He captained the Bulgarian national team from 2006 to 2010, and is its all-time leading goalscorer and has also won the Bulgarian Footballer of the Year a record seven times, surpassing the number of... 69' |
75,061 | 3rd |
| 11 September 2010 | Everton Everton F.C. Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football... |
A | 3 – 3 | Fletcher Darren Fletcher Darren Barr Fletcher is a Scottish footballer who plays as a central midfielder for English Premier League club Manchester United. He is the current captain of Scottish national team... 43', Vidić Nemanja Vidic Nemanja Vidić is a Serbian footballer who captains English Premier League club Manchester United. He was part of the Serbia national football team from 2002 to 2011.... 47', Berbatov Dimitar Berbatov Dimitar Ivanov Berbatov is a Bulgarian footballer who plays as a forward for Manchester United. He captained the Bulgarian national team from 2006 to 2010, and is its all-time leading goalscorer and has also won the Bulgarian Footballer of the Year a record seven times, surpassing the number of... 66' |
36,556 | 3rd |
| 19 September 2010 | Liverpool Liverpool F.C. Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups... |
H | 3 – 2 | Berbatov Dimitar Berbatov Dimitar Ivanov Berbatov is a Bulgarian footballer who plays as a forward for Manchester United. He captained the Bulgarian national team from 2006 to 2010, and is its all-time leading goalscorer and has also won the Bulgarian Footballer of the Year a record seven times, surpassing the number of... (3) 42', 59', 84' |
75,213 | 3rd |
| 26 September 2010 | Bolton Wanderers Bolton Wanderers F.C. Bolton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the area of Horwich in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. They began their current spell in the Premier League in 2001.... |
A | 2 – 2 | Nani Nani -People:*Nani, a Portuguese footballer who plays for Manchester United*Gianluca Nani, former technical director at West Ham United*Nanabhoy Palkhivala, nicknamed Nani, an Indian jurist and economist*Nani Roma, a Spanish rally racing driver... 23', Owen Michael Owen Michael James Owen is an English professional footballer who plays as a striker for Manchester United.The son of former footballer Terry Owen, Owen began his senior career at Liverpool in 1996. He progressed through the Liverpool youth team and scored on his debut in May 1997... 74' |
23,926 | 2nd |
| 2 October 2010 | Sunderland Sunderland A.F.C. Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League... |
A | 0 – 0 | 41,709 | 3rd | |
| 16 October 2010 | West Bromwich Albion West Bromwich Albion F.C. West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands... |
H | 2 – 2 | Hernández 5', Nani Nani -People:*Nani, a Portuguese footballer who plays for Manchester United*Gianluca Nani, former technical director at West Ham United*Nanabhoy Palkhivala, nicknamed Nani, an Indian jurist and economist*Nani Roma, a Spanish rally racing driver... 25' |
75,272 | 3rd |
| 24 October 2010 | Stoke City Stoke City F.C. Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts... |
A | 2 – 1 | Hernández (2) 27', 86' | 27,372 | 3rd |
| 30 October 2010 | Tottenham Hotspur Tottenham Hotspur F.C. Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane.... |
H | 2 – 0 | Vidić Nemanja Vidic Nemanja Vidić is a Serbian footballer who captains English Premier League club Manchester United. He was part of the Serbia national football team from 2002 to 2011.... 31', Nani Nani -People:*Nani, a Portuguese footballer who plays for Manchester United*Gianluca Nani, former technical director at West Ham United*Nanabhoy Palkhivala, nicknamed Nani, an Indian jurist and economist*Nani Roma, a Spanish rally racing driver... 84' |
75,223 | 3rd |
| 6 November 2010 | Wolverhampton Wanderers Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at... |
H | 2 – 1 | Park Park Ji-Sung Park Ji-Sung is a South Korean footballer who plays as a midfielder for English club Manchester United. He was also the captain of the South Korean national team until his retirement from international football... (2) 45', 90+3' |
75,285 | 2nd |
| 10 November 2010 | Manchester City | A | 0 – 0 | 47,679 | 2nd | |
| 13 November 2010 | Aston Villa Aston Villa F.C. Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder... |
A | 2 – 2 | Macheda Federico Macheda Federico "Kiko" Macheda is an Italian footballer who plays as a striker for English Premier League club Manchester United. He joined Manchester United from Lazio in September 2007.-Early career:Macheda began his football career with Lazio... 81', Vidić Nemanja Vidic Nemanja Vidić is a Serbian footballer who captains English Premier League club Manchester United. He was part of the Serbia national football team from 2002 to 2011.... 85' |
40,073 | 3rd |
| 20 November 2010 | Wigan Athletic Wigan Athletic F.C. Wigan Athletic Football Club is an English Premier League Association football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, having been promoted from the Championship in 2005. Wigan's current spell in the Premier League is the only top flight run in the club's history.They have played at the DW... |
H | 2 – 0 | Evra Patrice Evra Patrice Latyr Evra is a French international footballer who currently plays for English club Manchester United in the Premier League and the France national team. Originally an attacker, he primarily plays as a left back and is described as "the classic example of a modern full-back" who is... 45+1', Hernández 77' |
74,181 | 2nd |
| 27 November 2010 | Blackburn Rovers Blackburn Rovers F.C. Blackburn Rovers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the town of Blackburn, Lancashire. The team currently competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football.... |
H | 7 – 1 | Berbatov Dimitar Berbatov Dimitar Ivanov Berbatov is a Bulgarian footballer who plays as a forward for Manchester United. He captained the Bulgarian national team from 2006 to 2010, and is its all-time leading goalscorer and has also won the Bulgarian Footballer of the Year a record seven times, surpassing the number of... (5) 2', 27', 47', 62', 70', Park Park Ji-Sung Park Ji-Sung is a South Korean footballer who plays as a midfielder for English club Manchester United. He was also the captain of the South Korean national team until his retirement from international football... 23', Nani Nani -People:*Nani, a Portuguese footballer who plays for Manchester United*Gianluca Nani, former technical director at West Ham United*Nanabhoy Palkhivala, nicknamed Nani, an Indian jurist and economist*Nani Roma, a Spanish rally racing driver... 48' |
74,850 | 1st |
| 13 December 2010 | Arsenal Arsenal F.C. Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups... |
H | 1 – 0 | Park Park Ji-Sung Park Ji-Sung is a South Korean footballer who plays as a midfielder for English club Manchester United. He was also the captain of the South Korean national team until his retirement from international football... 41' |
75,227 | 1st |
| 26 December 2010 | Sunderland Sunderland A.F.C. Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League... |
H | 2 – 0 | Berbatov Dimitar Berbatov Dimitar Ivanov Berbatov is a Bulgarian footballer who plays as a forward for Manchester United. He captained the Bulgarian national team from 2006 to 2010, and is its all-time leading goalscorer and has also won the Bulgarian Footballer of the Year a record seven times, surpassing the number of... 5', A. Ferdinand Anton Ferdinand Anton Julian Ferdinand is an English footballer who plays for Queens Park Rangers as a defender. He is the brother of Manchester United and England centre-back Rio Ferdinand and the cousin of former England striker Les Ferdinand and Southend United defender Kane Ferdinand. Like his brother, Anton... 57' (o.g. Own goal An own net occurs in goal-scoring games when a player scores a goal that is registered against his or her own team. It is usually accidental, and may be a result of an attempt at defensive play that failed or was spoiled by opponents.... ) |
75,269 | 1st |
| 28 December 2010 | Birmingham City Birmingham City F.C. Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the... |
A | 1 – 1 | Berbatov Dimitar Berbatov Dimitar Ivanov Berbatov is a Bulgarian footballer who plays as a forward for Manchester United. He captained the Bulgarian national team from 2006 to 2010, and is its all-time leading goalscorer and has also won the Bulgarian Footballer of the Year a record seven times, surpassing the number of... 58' |
28,242 | 1st |
| 1 January 2011 | West Bromwich Albion West Bromwich Albion F.C. West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands... |
A | 2 – 1 | Rooney Wayne Rooney Wayne Mark Rooney is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Manchester United and the England national team... 3', Hernández 75' |
25,499 | 1st |
| 4 January 2011 | Stoke City Stoke City F.C. Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts... |
H | 2 – 1 | Hernández 27', Nani Nani -People:*Nani, a Portuguese footballer who plays for Manchester United*Gianluca Nani, former technical director at West Ham United*Nanabhoy Palkhivala, nicknamed Nani, an Indian jurist and economist*Nani Roma, a Spanish rally racing driver... 62' |
73,401 | 1st |
| 16 January 2011 | Tottenham Hotspur Tottenham Hotspur F.C. Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane.... |
A | 0 – 0 | 35,828 | 1st | |
| 22 January 2011 | Birmingham City Birmingham City F.C. Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the... |
H | 5 – 0 | Berbatov Dimitar Berbatov Dimitar Ivanov Berbatov is a Bulgarian footballer who plays as a forward for Manchester United. He captained the Bulgarian national team from 2006 to 2010, and is its all-time leading goalscorer and has also won the Bulgarian Footballer of the Year a record seven times, surpassing the number of... (3) 2', 31', 53', Giggs Ryan Giggs Ryan Joseph Giggs OBE is a Welsh professional footballer who plays for Manchester United. Giggs made his first appearance for the club during the 1990–91 season and has been a regular player since the 1991–92 season... 45+2', Nani Nani -People:*Nani, a Portuguese footballer who plays for Manchester United*Gianluca Nani, former technical director at West Ham United*Nanabhoy Palkhivala, nicknamed Nani, an Indian jurist and economist*Nani Roma, a Spanish rally racing driver... 76' |
75,326 | 1st |
| 25 January 2011 | Blackpool Blackpool F.C. Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the... |
A | 3 – 2 | Berbatov Dimitar Berbatov Dimitar Ivanov Berbatov is a Bulgarian footballer who plays as a forward for Manchester United. He captained the Bulgarian national team from 2006 to 2010, and is its all-time leading goalscorer and has also won the Bulgarian Footballer of the Year a record seven times, surpassing the number of... (2) 72', 88', Hernández 74' |
15,574 | 1st |
| 1 February 2011 | Aston Villa Aston Villa F.C. Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder... |
H | 3 – 1 | Rooney Wayne Rooney Wayne Mark Rooney is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Manchester United and the England national team... (2) 1', 45+1', Vidić Nemanja Vidic Nemanja Vidić is a Serbian footballer who captains English Premier League club Manchester United. He was part of the Serbia national football team from 2002 to 2011.... 63' |
75,256 | 1st |
| 5 February 2011 | Wolverhampton Wanderers Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at... |
A | 1 – 2 | Nani Nani -People:*Nani, a Portuguese footballer who plays for Manchester United*Gianluca Nani, former technical director at West Ham United*Nanabhoy Palkhivala, nicknamed Nani, an Indian jurist and economist*Nani Roma, a Spanish rally racing driver... 3' |
28,811 | 1st |
| 12 February 2011 | Manchester City Manchester City F.C. Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894... |
H | 2 – 1 | Nani Nani -People:*Nani, a Portuguese footballer who plays for Manchester United*Gianluca Nani, former technical director at West Ham United*Nanabhoy Palkhivala, nicknamed Nani, an Indian jurist and economist*Nani Roma, a Spanish rally racing driver... 41', Rooney Wayne Rooney Wayne Mark Rooney is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Manchester United and the England national team... 78' |
75,322 | 1st |
| 26 February 2011 | Wigan Athletic Wigan Athletic F.C. Wigan Athletic Football Club is an English Premier League Association football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, having been promoted from the Championship in 2005. Wigan's current spell in the Premier League is the only top flight run in the club's history.They have played at the DW... |
A | 4 – 0 | Hernández (2) 17', 74', Rooney Wayne Rooney Wayne Mark Rooney is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Manchester United and the England national team... 84', Fábio Fábio Pereira da Silva Fábio Pereira da Silva , commonly known as Fábio or Fábio da Silva, is a Brazilian footballer who plays as a full-back for Manchester United of the Premier League, along with his twin brother, Rafael, who were signed by Manchester United in February 2007.-Early life:Fábio was born in Petrópolis,... 87' |
18,140 | 1st |
| 1 March 2011 | Chelsea Chelsea F.C. Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four... |
A | 1 – 2 | Rooney Wayne Rooney Wayne Mark Rooney is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Manchester United and the England national team... 29' |
41,825 | 1st |
| 6 March 2011 | Liverpool Liverpool F.C. Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups... |
A | 1 – 3 | Hernández 90+2' | 44,753 | 1st |
| 19 March 2011 | Bolton Wanderers Bolton Wanderers F.C. Bolton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the area of Horwich in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. They began their current spell in the Premier League in 2001.... |
H | 1 – 0 | Berbatov Dimitar Berbatov Dimitar Ivanov Berbatov is a Bulgarian footballer who plays as a forward for Manchester United. He captained the Bulgarian national team from 2006 to 2010, and is its all-time leading goalscorer and has also won the Bulgarian Footballer of the Year a record seven times, surpassing the number of... 88' |
75,486 | 1st |
| 2 April 2011 | West Ham United West Ham United F.C. West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current... |
A | 4 – 2 | Rooney Wayne Rooney Wayne Mark Rooney is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Manchester United and the England national team... (3) 65', 73', 79' (pen. Penalty kick A penalty kick is a type of direct free kick in association football, taken from twelve yards out from goal and with only the goalkeeper of the defending team between the penalty taker and the goal.Penalty kicks are performed during normal play... ), Hernández 84' |
34,546 | 1st |
| 9 April 2011 | Fulham Fulham F.C. Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season... |
H | 2 – 0 | Berbatov Dimitar Berbatov Dimitar Ivanov Berbatov is a Bulgarian footballer who plays as a forward for Manchester United. He captained the Bulgarian national team from 2006 to 2010, and is its all-time leading goalscorer and has also won the Bulgarian Footballer of the Year a record seven times, surpassing the number of... 12', Valencia 32' |
75,339 | 1st |
| 19 April 2011 | Newcastle United Newcastle United F.C. Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger... |
A | 0 – 0 | 49,025 | 1st | |
| 23 April 2011 | Everton Everton F.C. Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football... |
H | 1 – 0 | Hernández 84' | 75,300 | 1st |
| 1 May 2011 | Arsenal Arsenal F.C. Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups... |
A | 0 – 1 | 60,107 | 1st | |
| 8 May 2011 | Chelsea Chelsea F.C. Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four... |
H | 2 – 1 | Hernández 1', Vidić Nemanja Vidic Nemanja Vidić is a Serbian footballer who captains English Premier League club Manchester United. He was part of the Serbia national football team from 2002 to 2011.... 23' |
75,445 | 1st |
| 14 May 2011 | Blackburn Rovers Blackburn Rovers F.C. Blackburn Rovers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the town of Blackburn, Lancashire. The team currently competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football.... |
A | 1 – 1 | Rooney Wayne Rooney Wayne Mark Rooney is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Manchester United and the England national team... 73' (pen. Penalty kick A penalty kick is a type of direct free kick in association football, taken from twelve yards out from goal and with only the goalkeeper of the defending team between the penalty taker and the goal.Penalty kicks are performed during normal play... ) |
29,867 | 1st |
| 22 May 2011 | Blackpool Blackpool F.C. Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the... |
H | 4 – 2 | Park Park Ji-Sung Park Ji-Sung is a South Korean footballer who plays as a midfielder for English club Manchester United. He was also the captain of the South Korean national team until his retirement from international football... 21', Anderson Anderson Luís de Abreu Oliveira Anderson Luís de Abreu Oliveira , best known as Anderson, is a Brazilian footballer who currently plays as a midfielder for Manchester United and the Brazil national team.... 62', Evatt Ian Evatt Ian Ross Evatt is an English footballer who currently plays for Blackpool.He began his professional career in 1999 at Derby County and has also played for Northampton Town , Chesterfield and Queens Park Rangers.-Early life:... 74' (o.g. Own goal An own net occurs in goal-scoring games when a player scores a goal that is registered against his or her own team. It is usually accidental, and may be a result of an attempt at defensive play that failed or was spoiled by opponents.... ), Owen Michael Owen Michael James Owen is an English professional footballer who plays as a striker for Manchester United.The son of former footballer Terry Owen, Owen began his senior career at Liverpool in 1996. He progressed through the Liverpool youth team and scored on his debut in May 1997... 81' |
75,400 | 1st |
| Club | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manchester United Manchester United F.C. Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958... |
38 | 23 | 11 | 4 | 78 | 37 | 80 | |
| 2 | Chelsea Chelsea F.C. Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four... |
38 | 21 | 8 | 9 | 69 | 33 | 71 | |
| 3 | Manchester City Manchester City F.C. Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894... |
38 | 21 | 8 | 9 | 60 | 33 | 71 |
Pld = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; GD = Goal difference; Pts = Points
FA Cup
Manchester United entered the 2010–11 FA Cup2010–11 FA Cup
The 2010–11 FA Cup was the 130th season of the world's oldest association football knock-out competition; The Football Association Challenge Cup, or FA Cup for short...
at the Third Round stage, the draw being made on 28 November 2010. For the second season in a row they began the competition by facing a fierce rival at Old Trafford, with Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
being their opponents on this occasion. The match was played at lunch-time on 9 January 2011.
It was the first time in nearly five years that the two sides have met in the FA Cup, following a 1–0 defeat at Anfield
Anfield
Anfield is an association football stadium in the district of Anfield, Liverpool, England, with a seating capacity of 45,522. It has been the home of Liverpool F.C. since their formation in 1892 and was originally the home of Everton F.C. from 1884 to 1892, before they moved to Goodison Park...
in 2006, with this being the first tie at Old Trafford for nearly twelve years. On that occasion two goals in the last two minutes from Dwight Yorke
Dwight Yorke
Dwight Eversley Yorke is a Trinidad and Tobago former football player. He played for Aston Villa for most of his career, followed by stints with Manchester United, Blackburn Rovers, Birmingham City, Sydney FC and Sunderland...
and Ole Gunnar Solskjær
Ole Gunnar Solskjær
Ole Gunnar Solskjær is the manager of Norwegian first division side Molde. He is better known as a former footballer who spent most of his career playing for Manchester United. Often dubbed "the baby-faced assassin," he played 366 times for the Red Devils and scored 126 goals during a very...
sent United to a 2–1 victory, having been trailing for over 85 minutes to a goal by now United player Michael Owen
Michael Owen
Michael James Owen is an English professional footballer who plays as a striker for Manchester United.The son of former footballer Terry Owen, Owen began his senior career at Liverpool in 1996. He progressed through the Liverpool youth team and scored on his debut in May 1997...
. United went on to win the Treble.
This time, the early goal came for United after Dimitar Berbatov
Dimitar Berbatov
Dimitar Ivanov Berbatov is a Bulgarian footballer who plays as a forward for Manchester United. He captained the Bulgarian national team from 2006 to 2010, and is its all-time leading goalscorer and has also won the Bulgarian Footballer of the Year a record seven times, surpassing the number of...
was fouled in the penalty area by Daniel Agger
Daniel Agger
Daniel Munthe Agger is a Danish footballer who plays for Liverpool and the Denmark national football team. He started his senior career at Danish club Brøndby IF in July 2004, with whom he won the 2005 Danish Superliga championship. The Liverpool fans have created a song for him to the tune of...
after just 31 seconds and Ryan Giggs
Ryan Giggs
Ryan Joseph Giggs OBE is a Welsh professional footballer who plays for Manchester United. Giggs made his first appearance for the club during the 1990–91 season and has been a regular player since the 1991–92 season...
scored the resultant penalty
Penalty kick
A penalty kick is a type of direct free kick in association football, taken from twelve yards out from goal and with only the goalkeeper of the defending team between the penalty taker and the goal.Penalty kicks are performed during normal play...
. Then, after around half an hour, Steven Gerrard
Steven Gerrard
Steven George Gerrard MBE is an English footballer who plays for and captains Premier League club Liverpool. He also has 89 caps for the England national team. He has played much of his career in a centre midfielder role, but he has also been used as a second striker and right winger...
was given a straight red card by referee, Howard Webb
Howard Webb
Howard Melton Webb, MBE, is an English professional football referee who officiates primarily in the Premier League and has been a FIFA-listed referee since 2005....
for a two-footed tackle on Michael Carrick
Michael Carrick
Michael Carrick is an English footballer who plays as a midfielder for Manchester United and the England national team. He has made more than 300 Premier League appearances and played in 50 UEFA Champions League games as of April 2011...
. Despite the numerical advantage, United couldn't increase their advantage, but Liverpool also failed to score and United won 1–0.
The draw for the Fourth Round was made directly after the Liverpool match, and gave United a trip to the south coast to play League One
2010–11 Football League One
The 2010–11 Football League One is the seventh season of the league under its current title and nineteenth season under its current league division format...
side Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
. United have won the previous five meetings between the two sides, but did famously lose the 1976 FA Cup Final to the same opponents.
The match took place on 29 January, and was broadcast live on ITV1
ITV1
ITV1 is a generic brand that is used by twelve franchises of the British ITV Network in the English regions, Wales, southern Scotland , the Isle of Man and the Bailiwicks of Jersey and Guernsey. The ITV1 brand was introduced by Carlton and Granada in 2001, alongside the regional identities of their...
. United won 2–1. Michael Owen
Michael Owen
Michael James Owen is an English professional footballer who plays as a striker for Manchester United.The son of former footballer Terry Owen, Owen began his senior career at Liverpool in 1996. He progressed through the Liverpool youth team and scored on his debut in May 1997...
hit the post with a cross before League One side Southampton shocked the Premier League leaders when Richard Chaplow
Richard Chaplow
Richard David Chaplow is an English professional footballer. He currently plays for Championship club Southampton.-Burnley:...
crashed home a fierce drive. The lead was cancelled out when Owen nodded in from close range. Then Javier Hernández finished clinically after being put in by Ryan Giggs
Ryan Giggs
Ryan Joseph Giggs OBE is a Welsh professional footballer who plays for Manchester United. Giggs made his first appearance for the club during the 1990–91 season and has been a regular player since the 1991–92 season...
to complete United's comeback.
The draw for the Fifth Round was made on 30 January, and gave United a home tie against non-League
Non-league football
Non-League football is football in England played at a level below that of the Premier League and The Football League. The term non-League was commonly used well before 1992 when the top football clubs in England all belonged to The Football League; all clubs who were not a part of The Football...
side Crawley Town
Crawley Town F.C.
Crawley Town Football Club is an English football club based in Crawley, West Sussex. They won the title of the Football Conference, by a record 15 point margin on second place, and with it promotion to The Football League, in April 2011.-1896–2009:...
, of the Blue Square Bet Premier Division. The match was played on 19 February. United had never previously met Crawley, however they were held to a 0–0 draw away
Pirelli Stadium
The Pirelli Stadium is an association football stadium on Princess Way in Burton upon Trent, East Staffordshire, England. It was built in 2005 and is the current home of Burton Albion F.C., replacing the club's old Eton Park home, also on Princess Way, which was demolished and developed into housing...
to Burton Albion
Burton Albion F.C.
Burton Albion Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire. The club's home ground is the Pirelli Stadium, having moved from Eton Park in 2005...
in the Third Round five seasons ago, before winning the replay 5–0 at Old Trafford. This was their most recent meeting with a team from this level.
United have not lost to non-League opposition since before the First World War
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, when Swindon Town
Swindon Town F.C.
Swindon Town Football Club are a team based in Swindon, Wiltshire. Currently in League Two, Swindon have been managed by Paolo Di Canio since 23 May 2011...
beat them 1–0 in the First Round at the County Ground
County Ground, Swindon
The County Ground is a stadium located near the town centre of Swindon, England. It is home to Swindon Town Football Club and has been for over a century.The current capacity is 15,728, all-seated...
on 10 January 1914. Swindon went on to be crowned Southern League
Southern Football League
The Southern League is an English football competition featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs from the South West, South Central and Midlands of England and South Wales...
champions the same season.
United edged a 1–0 win thanks to a rare Wes Brown
Wes Brown
Wesley Michael "Wes" Brown is an English footballer who plays as a defender for Sunderland. Before joining Sunderland, Brown had spent his entire career at Old Trafford, having joined the Manchester United youth team in 1996...
goal in the 28th minute, only his fifth for United in his 358th match. United were given a late scare when Richard Brodie's
Richard Brodie (footballer)
Richard Jon Brodie is an English footballer who plays for Fleetwood Town as a striker, on loan from Crawley Town.Brodie started his career with Whickham and, after being their top scorer in the 2005–06 season, moved to Newcastle Benfield in 2006...
header hit the crossbar in stoppage time, but they held on to clinch a place in the Sixth Round.
The Sixth Round draw was made on 20 February, and gave United their third home tie of this season's competition. They were drawn to play either League One
2010–11 Football League One
The 2010–11 Football League One is the seventh season of the league under its current title and nineteenth season under its current league division format...
side Leyton Orient
Leyton Orient F.C.
Leyton Orient F.C. are an English professional football club in East London. They currently play in Football League One and are known to their fans as the O's.Leyton Orient have spent one season in the top flight of English football, in 1962–63...
, or title rivals
Arsenal F.C. and Manchester United F.C. rivalry
The Arsenal F.C.–Manchester United F.C. rivalry is a notable rivalry in English football as both clubs are recognised as having great history and traditions...
Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
. Immediately after the draw was made, Leyton Orient and Arsenal played out a 1–1 draw at Brisbane Road in their Fifth Round match. Jonathan Téhoué
Jonathan Téhoué
Jonathan Kahne Téhoué is a French footballer who plays for English Football League One side Leyton Orient. He is known as a super-sub amongst Leyton Orient fans, having scored nine goals after the 85th minute of various matches since he joined the club.-Club career:Téhoué previously played for FC...
scored an 89th minute equaliser for Leyton Orient to secure a replay at the Emirates Stadium
Emirates Stadium
Ashburton Grove, currently known as the Emirates Stadium, is a UEFA elite football stadium which is home to Arsenal FC, where they moved from Highbury in 2006. It has an current capacity of 60,361, and there have been rumours of an expansion...
, which was played on 2 March, and ended in a 5–0 victory for Arsenal.
The match was played on 12 March and saw United pick a seemingly bizarre starting lineup, as seven of their starting eleven were defenders, with twin brothers Fábio
Fábio Pereira da Silva
Fábio Pereira da Silva , commonly known as Fábio or Fábio da Silva, is a Brazilian footballer who plays as a full-back for Manchester United of the Premier League, along with his twin brother, Rafael, who were signed by Manchester United in February 2007.-Early life:Fábio was born in Petrópolis,...
and Rafael
Rafael Pereira da Silva (footballer born 1990)
Rafael Pereira da Silva , commonly known as Rafael or Rafael da Silva, is a Brazilian footballer who plays for Manchester United. He normally plays as a defender in a right back position, but can also play on the right side of midfield...
starting as wingers, while John O'Shea
John O'Shea
John O'Shea can refer to:*John O'Shea, Irish footballer with Sunderland*John O'Shea , New Zealand film director*John O'Shea *John O'Shea , Wales international rugby union footballer*John O'Shea...
played as a defensive midfielder. United ran out 2–0 winners thanks to goals from Fábio
Fábio Pereira da Silva
Fábio Pereira da Silva , commonly known as Fábio or Fábio da Silva, is a Brazilian footballer who plays as a full-back for Manchester United of the Premier League, along with his twin brother, Rafael, who were signed by Manchester United in February 2007.-Early life:Fábio was born in Petrópolis,...
and Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney
Wayne Mark Rooney is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Manchester United and the England national team...
in the 28th and 49th minutes respectively. It could easily have been more with chances for Rooney, Hernández and Giggs
Ryan Giggs
Ryan Joseph Giggs OBE is a Welsh professional footballer who plays for Manchester United. Giggs made his first appearance for the club during the 1990–91 season and has been a regular player since the 1991–92 season...
not finding the net. The result meant that Arsenal had been eliminated from three major competitions in the space of a fortnight. The match also saw the return of Antonio Valencia after a six month absence due to a broken ankle. He replaced Fábio at half-time.
The draw for the semi-finals was made on 13 March, and gave United a tie against local rivals
Manchester derby
The Manchester derby is the name given to football matches between Manchester City and Manchester United. The local derby centres on the City of Manchester and Greater Manchester with approximately four miles separating the clubs with City based in east Manchester at the City of Manchester Stadium...
Manchester City
Manchester City F.C.
Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894...
or Championship
2010–11 Football League Championship
The 2010–11 Football League Championship was the seventh season of the league under its current name and nineteenth season under its current league division format...
side Reading
Reading F.C.
Reading Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Reading, Berkshire who currently play in the Championship...
, who played their Sixth Round tie at Eastlands
City of Manchester Stadium
The City of Manchester Stadium in Manchester, England – also known as the Etihad Stadium for sponsorship purposes– is the home ground of...
immediately after the draw. City won 1–0 thanks to a 74th minute Micah Richards
Micah Richards
Micah Lincoln Richards is an English footballer who plays for Manchester City and the England national team. A versatile defender, Richards is equally adept at centre back and right back or in centre midfield...
goal to set up a 159th meeting with United, and the first ever at Wembley
Wembley Stadium
The original Wembley Stadium, officially known as the Empire Stadium, was a football stadium in Wembley, a suburb of north-west London, standing on the site now occupied by the new Wembley Stadium that opened in 2007...
. The two sides had met in the semi-finals before on just one occasion 85 years previously, when City won 3–0 at Bramall Lane
Bramall Lane
-Cricket at the Lane:Bramall Lane opened as a cricket ground in 1855, having been leased by Michael Ellison from the Duke of Norfolk at an annual rent of £70. The site was then away from the town's industrial area, and relatively free from smoke. It was built to host the matches of local cricket...
.
The match was played on 16 April 2011, and City won 1–0 thanks to a 52nd minute Yaya Touré
Yaya Touré
Gnégnéri Yaya Touré , commonly known as Yaya Touré, is an Ivorian footballer who currently plays as a midfielder for Premier League club Manchester City and the Côte d'Ivoire national side...
goal, scored after Michael Carrick
Michael Carrick
Michael Carrick is an English footballer who plays as a midfielder for Manchester United and the England national team. He has made more than 300 Premier League appearances and played in 50 UEFA Champions League games as of April 2011...
gave the ball away. 20 minutes later Paul Scholes
Paul Scholes
Paul Scholes is a retired English footballer, a one-club man who played his entire professional career for Manchester United.Born in Salford, but later moving to Langley, Scholes excelled in both cricket and football in school. He first trained with Manchester United at the age of 14 after being...
was sent off for a high challenge on Pablo Zabaleta
Pablo Zabaleta
Pablo Javier Zabaleta Girod is an Argentine footballer who plays for Manchester City.Zabaleta can operate on both sides of the pitch either as a defender or defensive midfielder, but is predominantly a right sided player. Zabaleta also holds a Spanish passport...
, which gave him an automatic three match suspension.
| Date | Round | Opponents | H / A | Result F – A |
Scorers | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 January 2011 | Round 3 | Liverpool Liverpool F.C. Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups... |
H | 1 − 0 | Giggs Ryan Giggs Ryan Joseph Giggs OBE is a Welsh professional footballer who plays for Manchester United. Giggs made his first appearance for the club during the 1990–91 season and has been a regular player since the 1991–92 season... 2' (pen. Penalty kick A penalty kick is a type of direct free kick in association football, taken from twelve yards out from goal and with only the goalkeeper of the defending team between the penalty taker and the goal.Penalty kicks are performed during normal play... ) |
74,727 |
| 29 January 2011 | Round 4 | Southampton Southampton F.C. Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club... |
A | 2 − 1 | Owen Michael Owen Michael James Owen is an English professional footballer who plays as a striker for Manchester United.The son of former footballer Terry Owen, Owen began his senior career at Liverpool in 1996. He progressed through the Liverpool youth team and scored on his debut in May 1997... 65', Hernández 75' |
28,792 |
| 19 February 2011 | Round 5 | Crawley Town Crawley Town F.C. Crawley Town Football Club is an English football club based in Crawley, West Sussex. They won the title of the Football Conference, by a record 15 point margin on second place, and with it promotion to The Football League, in April 2011.-1896–2009:... |
H | 1 − 0 | Brown Wes Brown Wesley Michael "Wes" Brown is an English footballer who plays as a defender for Sunderland. Before joining Sunderland, Brown had spent his entire career at Old Trafford, having joined the Manchester United youth team in 1996... 28' |
74,778 |
| 12 March 2011 | Round 6 | Arsenal Arsenal F.C. Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups... |
H | 2 − 0 | Fábio Fábio Pereira da Silva Fábio Pereira da Silva , commonly known as Fábio or Fábio da Silva, is a Brazilian footballer who plays as a full-back for Manchester United of the Premier League, along with his twin brother, Rafael, who were signed by Manchester United in February 2007.-Early life:Fábio was born in Petrópolis,... 28', Rooney Wayne Rooney Wayne Mark Rooney is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Manchester United and the England national team... 49' |
74,693 |
| 16 April 2011 | Semi-final | Manchester City Manchester City F.C. Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894... |
N Wembley Stadium The original Wembley Stadium, officially known as the Empire Stadium, was a football stadium in Wembley, a suburb of north-west London, standing on the site now occupied by the new Wembley Stadium that opened in 2007... |
0 − 1 | 86,549 |
League Cup
As one of the seven Premier League teams involved in European competition in the 2010–11 season, Manchester United received a bye to the Third Round of the 2010–11 Football League Cup2010–11 Football League Cup
The 2010–11 Football League Cup, known as the Carling Cup due to the competition's sponsorship by lager brand Carling, was the 51st season of the Football League Cup, a knock-out competition for England's top 92 football clubs....
. The draw for the Third Round took place on 28 August 2010, and gave Manchester United an away tie against Championship
2010–11 Football League Championship
The 2010–11 Football League Championship was the seventh season of the league under its current name and nineteenth season under its current league division format...
team Scunthorpe United
Scunthorpe United F.C.
Scunthorpe United Football Club is an English association football team based in the town of Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, who play in the Football League One....
. The match was the first between the two sides.
With Sir Alex Ferguson
Alex Ferguson
Sir Alexander Chapman "Alex" Ferguson, CBE is a Scottish association football manager and former player, currently managing Manchester United, where he has been in charge since 1986...
in Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
watching UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
opponents Valencia
Valencia CF
Valencia Club de Fútbol is a Spanish football club based in Valencia, Spain. They play in La Liga and are one of the most successful and biggest clubs in Spanish Football and European Football. Valencia have won six La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey trophies, two Fairs Cups which was the...
, Mike Phelan
Mike Phelan
Michael Christopher "Mike" Phelan , also known as Mick Phelan or Micky Phelan, is an English football coach, former player, and current assistant manager of Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson....
was handed managerial duties for a United team making wholesale changes from their win over Liverpool. The hosts scored a shock opener when Josh Wright
Josh Wright (footballer)
Joshua "Josh" Wright is an English footballer, who currently plays for Championship side Millwall. Wright signed for Millwall in November 2011, having previously played for Scunthorpe United during the 2010–11 season.-Club career:...
powered in, only for Darron Gibson
Darron Gibson
Darron Thomas Daniel Gibson is an Irish footballer who plays as a midfielder for Manchester United and the Republic of Ireland national team...
to level with a fine lob. United settled after Chris Smalling's
Chris Smalling
Christopher Lloyd "Chris" Smalling is an English footballer who plays as a centre back for Manchester United and the England national team....
volley before the break with Scunthorpe restricted to long-range shots which were dealt with comfortably by Man of the Match Tomasz Kuszczak
Tomasz Kuszczak
Tomasz Mirosław Kuszczak is a Polish footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for English club Manchester United and the Polish national team.Born in Krosno Odrzańskie, Kuszczak has previously played for Śląsk Wrocław in Poland, as well as for the German clubs KFC Uerdingen 05 and Hertha BSC, before...
. Michael Owen
Michael Owen
Michael James Owen is an English professional footballer who plays as a striker for Manchester United.The son of former footballer Terry Owen, Owen began his senior career at Liverpool in 1996. He progressed through the Liverpool youth team and scored on his debut in May 1997...
tucked in when clean through, Park Ji-Sung
Park Ji-Sung
Park Ji-Sung is a South Korean footballer who plays as a midfielder for English club Manchester United. He was also the captain of the South Korean national team until his retirement from international football...
blasted home and Owen tapped in the fifth, leaving Martyn Woolford
Martyn Woolford
Martyn Paul Woolford is an English footballer who plays for Bristol City as a winger.Woolford started his career with Glasshoughton Welfare after progressing through their youth system. After three seasons at Glasshoughton, he moved to the Northern Premier League with Frickley Athletic and scored...
to score a consolation.
The draw for the Fourth Round took place on 25 September, and gave United a home tie with fellow Premier League
2010–11 Premier League
The 2010–11 Premier League was the 19th season of the Premier League since its establishment in 1992. The 2010–11 fixtures were released on 17 June 2010 at 09:00 BST. The season began on 14 August 2010, and ended on 22 May 2011...
club Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
, who they defeated 1–0 in the Third Round of last season's competition. The match was played on 26 October and United eventually won the game 3–2, though twice threw away a lead. Goals from Bébé
Bébé
Bébé is a 2008 French comedy film written and directed by Clément Michel and starring Clément Michel, Marie Denarnaud, Olivier Clastre and Audrey Fleurot....
(his first for the club), Park Ji-Sung
Park Ji-Sung
Park Ji-Sung is a South Korean footballer who plays as a midfielder for English club Manchester United. He was also the captain of the South Korean national team until his retirement from international football...
and a late winner from Javier Hernández put United through to the Fifth Round.
The draw for the Fifth Round was made on 30 October 2010, and handed Manchester United a trip to Upton Park
Boleyn Ground
The Boleyn Ground, more commonly referred to as Upton Park due to its location in Upton Park, London is the football stadium of West Ham United.-History:...
to play against fellow Premier League
2010–11 Premier League
The 2010–11 Premier League was the 19th season of the Premier League since its establishment in 1992. The 2010–11 fixtures were released on 17 June 2010 at 09:00 BST. The season began on 14 August 2010, and ended on 22 May 2011...
club West Ham United
West Ham United F.C.
West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...
. The match was played on 30 November but United lost 4–0. United almost took the lead 7 minutes in when Gabriel Obertan
Gabriel Obertan
Gabriel Antoine Obertan is a French footballer who plays for Newcastle United in the Premier League. He primarily plays as a winger, but can also play in the centre of midfield and as a striker....
's shot was cleared onto the post by Robert Green
Robert Green
Robert Paul Green is an English footballer who plays for West Ham United and the England national football team as a goalkeeper.-Norwich City:...
. In the 15th minute, West Ham appeared to have taken the lead when Victor Obinna's shot appeared to have deflected off Chris Smalling
Chris Smalling
Christopher Lloyd "Chris" Smalling is an English footballer who plays as a centre back for Manchester United and the England national team....
, but the referee rightly ruled that it had deflected off United old boy Jonathan Spector
Jonathan Spector
Jonathan Michael Paul Spector is an American soccer player who plays as a defender for Birmingham City. He started his professional career in England when he was signed by Manchester United as a teenager, but rarely appeared for the club...
and disallowed the "goal" as it was offside. Minutes later Spector, who made eight first-team appearances for United, gave West Ham the lead, when he looped a header over Tomasz Kuszczak
Tomasz Kuszczak
Tomasz Mirosław Kuszczak is a Polish footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for English club Manchester United and the Polish national team.Born in Krosno Odrzańskie, Kuszczak has previously played for Śląsk Wrocław in Poland, as well as for the German clubs KFC Uerdingen 05 and Hertha BSC, before...
from Obinna's clever cross. The goal was Spector's first goal in his entire club career. Spector added on a second eight minutes before half time, when he fired home from close range with both Smalling and Kuszczak unable to stop him. Alex Ferguson brought on Federico Macheda
Federico Macheda
Federico "Kiko" Macheda is an Italian footballer who plays as a striker for English Premier League club Manchester United. He joined Manchester United from Lazio in September 2007.-Early career:Macheda began his football career with Lazio...
for Bébé at half time in an attempt to score, but West Ham got their third goal eleven minutes into the second half, when Carlton Cole
Carlton Cole
Carlton Michael Cole Okirie is an English footballer who plays as a striker for West Ham United in the Npower Championship....
headed from Obinna's cross for his 50th career goal. United were embarrassed further by West Ham in the 66th minute, when Obinna's cross into the middle of the penalty box was well controlled by Cole, who turned Jonny Evans
Jonny Evans
Jonathan Grant "Jonny" Evans is a Northern Irish footballer who plays as a defender for Manchester United and Northern Ireland. Evans was born in Belfast and started his career at Greenisland FC, where he was spotted by Manchester United scouts. He progressed through Manchester United's football...
before slotting home. Javier Hernández headed wide a few minutes from time to add to United's misery. West Ham held on to knock the two-time defending champions out of the League Cup, condemn United to their first defeat all season, record their biggest win over United in 80 years, and reach the last four of the League Cup for the first time in 20 years.
| Date | Round | Opponents | H / A | Result F – A |
Scorers | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 September 2010 | Round 3 | Scunthorpe United Scunthorpe United F.C. Scunthorpe United Football Club is an English association football team based in the town of Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, who play in the Football League One.... |
A | 5 – 2 | Gibson Darron Gibson Darron Thomas Daniel Gibson is an Irish footballer who plays as a midfielder for Manchester United and the Republic of Ireland national team... 23', Smalling Chris Smalling Christopher Lloyd "Chris" Smalling is an English footballer who plays as a centre back for Manchester United and the England national team.... 36', Owen Michael Owen Michael James Owen is an English professional footballer who plays as a striker for Manchester United.The son of former footballer Terry Owen, Owen began his senior career at Liverpool in 1996. He progressed through the Liverpool youth team and scored on his debut in May 1997... (2) 49', 71', Park Park Ji-Sung Park Ji-Sung is a South Korean footballer who plays as a midfielder for English club Manchester United. He was also the captain of the South Korean national team until his retirement from international football... 54' |
9,077 |
| 26 October 2010 | Round 4 | Wolverhampton Wanderers Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at... |
H | 3 – 2 | Bébé Bébé Bébé is a 2008 French comedy film written and directed by Clément Michel and starring Clément Michel, Marie Denarnaud, Olivier Clastre and Audrey Fleurot.... 56', Park Park Ji-Sung Park Ji-Sung is a South Korean footballer who plays as a midfielder for English club Manchester United. He was also the captain of the South Korean national team until his retirement from international football... 70', Hernández 90' |
46,083 |
| 30 November 2010 | Round 5 | West Ham United West Ham United F.C. West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current... |
A | 0 – 4 | 33,551 |
Group stage
Manchester United began their UEFA Champions League campaign in the group stage after finishing in second place in the 2009–10 Premier League. The draw for the group stage was made on 26 August 2010. As one of the top eight-ranked teams in Europe, the club was seeded in Pot 1, meaning that they would avoid being drawn with defending champions InternazionaleF.C. Internazionale Milano
Football Club Internazionale Milano, often referred to as Internazionale or simply Inter, is a professional Italian football club based in Milan, Italy. Outside Italy, the club is often called Inter Milan. They are the reigning FIFA Club World champions and Coppa Italia holders.Inter have always...
, as well as Barcelona
FC Barcelona
Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
, Bayern Munich
FC Bayern Munich
FC Bayern Munich , is a German sports club based in Munich, Bavaria. It is best known for its professional football team, which is the most successful football club in Germany, having won 22 national titles and 15 cups....
, Milan
A.C. Milan
Associazione Calcio Milan, commonly referred to as A.C. Milan or simply Milan , is a professional Italian football club based in Milan, Lombardy, that plays in the Serie A. Milan was founded in 1899 by English lace-maker Herbert Kilpin and businessman Alfred Edwards among others...
, Lyon
Olympique Lyonnais
Olympique Lyonnais is a French association football club based in Lyon. They play in France's highest football division, Ligue 1. The club was formed as Lyon Olympique Universitaire in 1899, according to many supporters and sport historians, but was nationally established as a club in 1950. The...
and the other three English clubs, Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
, Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
and Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
. However, they could still be drawn against former champions Real Madrid
Real Madrid C.F.
Real Madrid Club de Fútbol , commonly known as Real Madrid, is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain. The club have won a record 31 La Liga titles, the Primera División of the Liga de Fútbol Profesional , 18 Copas del Rey, 8 Spanish Super Cups, 1 Copa Eva Duarte and 1 Copa de la...
and Ajax, and 1966
1966 European Cup Final
The 1966 European Cup Final was a football match held at Heysel Stadium, Brussels, on 11 May 1966 that saw Real Madrid of Spain defeat Partizan of Yugoslavia 2–1.-Match summary:...
finalists Partizan
FK Partizan
Fudbalski klub Partizan is a professional football club based in Belgrade, Serbia. In its long history, FK Partizan won as many as 37 trophies. The club is the holder of 23 national championships, 12 national cups and 1 national supercup, and has also won the Mitropa Cup in 1978...
. The draw eventually paired United with two previous opponents, Valencia
Valencia CF
Valencia Club de Fútbol is a Spanish football club based in Valencia, Spain. They play in La Liga and are one of the most successful and biggest clubs in Spanish Football and European Football. Valencia have won six La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey trophies, two Fairs Cups which was the...
and Scottish champions Rangers
Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
, and one new opponent, in the form of Turkish champions Bursaspor
Bursaspor
Bursaspor is a professional Turkish football club located in the city of Bursa. Formed in 1963, Bursaspor are nicknamed the Yeşil Timsahlar...
.
United's first Champions League fixture of the season came on 14 September, at home to Rangers. With a home league match against Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
approaching on the following Sunday, Alex Ferguson took the opportunity to rest several of his first-team players; only Darren Fletcher
Darren Fletcher
Darren Barr Fletcher is a Scottish footballer who plays as a central midfielder for English Premier League club Manchester United. He is the current captain of Scottish national team...
remained from the team that faced Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
on the previous Saturday. Nevertheless, both Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney
Wayne Mark Rooney is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Manchester United and the England national team...
and Rio Ferdinand
Rio Ferdinand
Rio Gavin Ferdinand is an English footballer. He plays at centre back for Manchester United in the Premier League and for the England national football team...
returned to the team. Although United had the most shots during the game – most of them long-range efforts from Darron Gibson
Darron Gibson
Darron Thomas Daniel Gibson is an Irish footballer who plays as a midfielder for Manchester United and the Republic of Ireland national team...
– they were unable to break down the Rangers defence, and the match finished as a goalless draw. In addition to a sub-par performance, United's misery was compounded by an horrendous injury to Antonio Valencia; in a fair challenge with Rangers' Kirk Broadfoot
Kirk Broadfoot
Kirk Broadfoot is a Scottish professional association football player who plays for Scottish Premier League club Rangers. He has played mainly as a centre back during his career but has been playing regularly as a right back and sometimes as a left back...
, the Ecuadorian winger caught his foot in the turf and suffered a dislocated and broken left ankle, with ligament damage. It was expected that Valencia would miss most of the rest of the season. This was confirmed after an operation the morning after the match, with Ferguson stating late February as a possible return date. He eventually made his return on 12 March after a six month absence as a half-time substitute against Arsenal at Old Trafford in the Sixth Round of the FA Cup.
United then travelled to La Liga toppers Valencia
Valencia CF
Valencia Club de Fútbol is a Spanish football club based in Valencia, Spain. They play in La Liga and are one of the most successful and biggest clubs in Spanish Football and European Football. Valencia have won six La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey trophies, two Fairs Cups which was the...
. Valencia had United under the cosh but some resolute defending and some easy misses meant that United looked like leaving with a credible draw. However, United had other ideas after Nani
Nani
-People:*Nani, a Portuguese footballer who plays for Manchester United*Gianluca Nani, former technical director at West Ham United*Nanabhoy Palkhivala, nicknamed Nani, an Indian jurist and economist*Nani Roma, a Spanish rally racing driver...
and Federico Macheda
Federico Macheda
Federico "Kiko" Macheda is an Italian footballer who plays as a striker for English Premier League club Manchester United. He joined Manchester United from Lazio in September 2007.-Early career:Macheda began his football career with Lazio...
combined well to set up Javier Hernández to score a 85th minute winner to see United leave Spain with all 3 points and their first victory on the road all season.
Hours after Wayne Rooney's shock revelation he wanted to leave the club, United entertained Turkish champions Bursaspor
Bursaspor
Bursaspor is a professional Turkish football club located in the city of Bursa. Formed in 1963, Bursaspor are nicknamed the Yeşil Timsahlar...
. It did not take long for United to take the lead - and it came courtesy of a stunning solo effort from Nani
Nani
-People:*Nani, a Portuguese footballer who plays for Manchester United*Gianluca Nani, former technical director at West Ham United*Nanabhoy Palkhivala, nicknamed Nani, an Indian jurist and economist*Nani Roma, a Spanish rally racing driver...
who cut in from the left and hit a sweet 20-yard curling shot past the despairing Dimitar Ivankov
Dimitar Ivankov
Dimitar Ivanov Ivankov is a Bulgarian football player who currently plays for Cypriot side Anorthosis Famagusta FC. He plays as a goalkeeper, however he is known for his goals, especially from converting penalty kicks. Ivankov is the 3rd best goalscoring keeper in the world with 42 goals...
who had no chance of preventing the goal. Substitute Gabriel Obertan
Gabriel Obertan
Gabriel Antoine Obertan is a French footballer who plays for Newcastle United in the Premier League. He primarily plays as a winger, but can also play in the centre of midfield and as a striker....
should have doubled United's advantage late on but his header from a corner fell wide, while Javier Hernández was also guilty of lacking the killer instinct when he dragged a shot wide when ideally placed to score. In the end, Nani's early strike proved enough and United topped the Group after three games.
United played Bursaspor
Bursaspor
Bursaspor is a professional Turkish football club located in the city of Bursa. Formed in 1963, Bursaspor are nicknamed the Yeşil Timsahlar...
again in the next game, this time at the Bursa Atatürk Stadium
Bursa Atatürk stadium
Bursa Atatürk Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Bursa, Turkey. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home ground of Bursaspor. The stadium holds 25,213 and was built in 1979...
in Bursa, Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
. This time the game was more conclusive as United ran out 3–0 winners, with second-half goals from Darren Fletcher
Darren Fletcher
Darren Barr Fletcher is a Scottish footballer who plays as a central midfielder for English Premier League club Manchester United. He is the current captain of Scottish national team...
, Gabriel Obertan
Gabriel Obertan
Gabriel Antoine Obertan is a French footballer who plays for Newcastle United in the Premier League. He primarily plays as a winger, but can also play in the centre of midfield and as a striker....
and Bébé
Bébé
Bébé is a 2008 French comedy film written and directed by Clément Michel and starring Clément Michel, Marie Denarnaud, Olivier Clastre and Audrey Fleurot....
. Victory kept United top of the group and needing at least a point from their last two games to qualify for the knockout stages.
The next game was away at Ibrox Stadium
Ibrox Stadium
Ibrox Stadium is a football stadium located on the south side of the River Clyde, on Edmiston Drive in the Ibrox district of Glasgow. It is the home ground of Scottish Premier League club Rangers and has an all-seated capacity of 51,082...
against Rangers
Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
. Unlike the turgid affair earlier in the season, both teams tried to get the win in this game - indeed Rangers had to win to have any chance of making the Champions League knockout stages. The match was finally settled three minutes from time after Fábio
Fábio Pereira da Silva
Fábio Pereira da Silva , commonly known as Fábio or Fábio da Silva, is a Brazilian footballer who plays as a full-back for Manchester United of the Premier League, along with his twin brother, Rafael, who were signed by Manchester United in February 2007.-Early life:Fábio was born in Petrópolis,...
was clumsily kicked in the face by Steven Naismith
Steven Naismith
Steven John Naismith is a Scottish association footballer who plays for Scottish Premier League club Rangers and the Scotland national team.Naismith began his career with Kilmarnock in 2004...
and Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney
Wayne Mark Rooney is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Manchester United and the England national team...
scored the resulting penalty. The win put United through to the knockout stages and also relegated Rangers to the UEFA Europa League competition. However, a comprehensive victory for Valencia
Valencia CF
Valencia Club de Fútbol is a Spanish football club based in Valencia, Spain. They play in La Liga and are one of the most successful and biggest clubs in Spanish Football and European Football. Valencia have won six La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey trophies, two Fairs Cups which was the...
in their fifth group match meant that United still needed at least a point from their final Group match to top the Group.
United got the required point by drawing 1–1 in their last Group match at home to Valencia
Valencia CF
Valencia Club de Fútbol is a Spanish football club based in Valencia, Spain. They play in La Liga and are one of the most successful and biggest clubs in Spanish Football and European Football. Valencia have won six La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey trophies, two Fairs Cups which was the...
. After passing up a host of chances, United went behind after a half hour when Pablo Hernández
Pablo Hernández Domínguez
Pablo Hernández Domínguez, , known as Pablo or Hernández, is a Spanish footballer who plays for Valencia CF mainly as a right winger.-Club career:...
slotted home through the legs of Champions League debutant goalkeeper, Ben Amos
Ben Amos
Benjamin Paul "Ben" Amos is an English footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Manchester United. Born in Macclesfield, Cheshire, Amos began his career with Crewe Alexandra's youth academy, but joined Manchester United at the age of 11. He has spent time on loan at Peterborough United, Molde, and...
- the first (and only) goal United conceded in the Group stage. Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney
Wayne Mark Rooney is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Manchester United and the England national team...
had a shot that crashed off the crossbar and Dimitar Berbatov
Dimitar Berbatov
Dimitar Ivanov Berbatov is a Bulgarian footballer who plays as a forward for Manchester United. He captained the Bulgarian national team from 2006 to 2010, and is its all-time leading goalscorer and has also won the Bulgarian Footballer of the Year a record seven times, surpassing the number of...
had a goal correctly ruled out for offside before Anderson
Anderson Luís de Abreu Oliveira
Anderson Luís de Abreu Oliveira , best known as Anderson, is a Brazilian footballer who currently plays as a midfielder for Manchester United and the Brazil national team....
equalised just after the hour mark, following in a rebound from a Park Ji-Sung
Park Ji-Sung
Park Ji-Sung is a South Korean footballer who plays as a midfielder for English club Manchester United. He was also the captain of the South Korean national team until his retirement from international football...
shot. Valencia pressed for a second goal for a while, but eventually the game degenerated into one of few late chances as both teams seemed happy to take the draw. United topped the group, three points ahead of Valencia.
| Date | Opponents | H / A | Result F – A |
Scorers | Attendance | Group position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 September 2010 | Rangers Rangers F.C. Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses... |
H | 0 – 0 | 74,408 | 2nd | |
| 29 September 2010 | Valencia Valencia CF Valencia Club de Fútbol is a Spanish football club based in Valencia, Spain. They play in La Liga and are one of the most successful and biggest clubs in Spanish Football and European Football. Valencia have won six La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey trophies, two Fairs Cups which was the... |
A | 1 – 0 | Hernández 85' | 34,946 | 1st |
| 20 October 2010 | Bursaspor Bursaspor Bursaspor is a professional Turkish football club located in the city of Bursa. Formed in 1963, Bursaspor are nicknamed the Yeşil Timsahlar... |
H | 1 – 0 | Nani Nani -People:*Nani, a Portuguese footballer who plays for Manchester United*Gianluca Nani, former technical director at West Ham United*Nanabhoy Palkhivala, nicknamed Nani, an Indian jurist and economist*Nani Roma, a Spanish rally racing driver... 7' |
72,610 | 1st |
| 2 November 2010 | Bursaspor Bursaspor Bursaspor is a professional Turkish football club located in the city of Bursa. Formed in 1963, Bursaspor are nicknamed the Yeşil Timsahlar... |
A | 3 – 0 | Fletcher Darren Fletcher Darren Barr Fletcher is a Scottish footballer who plays as a central midfielder for English Premier League club Manchester United. He is the current captain of Scottish national team... 48', Obertan Gabriel Obertan Gabriel Antoine Obertan is a French footballer who plays for Newcastle United in the Premier League. He primarily plays as a winger, but can also play in the centre of midfield and as a striker.... 73', Bébé Bébé Bébé is a 2008 French comedy film written and directed by Clément Michel and starring Clément Michel, Marie Denarnaud, Olivier Clastre and Audrey Fleurot.... 77' |
19,050 | 1st |
| 24 November 2010 | Rangers Rangers F.C. Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses... |
A | 1 – 0 | Rooney Wayne Rooney Wayne Mark Rooney is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Manchester United and the England national team... 87' (pen. Penalty kick A penalty kick is a type of direct free kick in association football, taken from twelve yards out from goal and with only the goalkeeper of the defending team between the penalty taker and the goal.Penalty kicks are performed during normal play... ) |
49,764 | 1st |
| 7 December 2010 | Valencia Valencia CF Valencia Club de Fútbol is a Spanish football club based in Valencia, Spain. They play in La Liga and are one of the most successful and biggest clubs in Spanish Football and European Football. Valencia have won six La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey trophies, two Fairs Cups which was the... |
H | 1 – 1 | Anderson Anderson Luís de Abreu Oliveira Anderson Luís de Abreu Oliveira , best known as Anderson, is a Brazilian footballer who currently plays as a midfielder for Manchester United and the Brazil national team.... 62' |
74,513 | 1st |
| Team | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Manchester UnitedManchester United F.C. Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958... |
6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 14 | |
 ValenciaValencia CF Valencia Club de Fútbol is a Spanish football club based in Valencia, Spain. They play in La Liga and are one of the most successful and biggest clubs in Spanish Football and European Football. Valencia have won six La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey trophies, two Fairs Cups which was the... |
6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 15 | 4 | 11 | |
 RangersRangers F.C. Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses... |
6 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 6 | –3 | 6 |
 BursasporBursaspor Bursaspor is a professional Turkish football club located in the city of Bursa. Formed in 1963, Bursaspor are nicknamed the Yeşil Timsahlar... |
6 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 16 | −14 | 1 |
Knockout phase
The draw for the first knockout round of the Champions League was made in NyonNyon
Nyon is a municipality in the district of Nyon in the canton of Vaud in Switzerland. It is located some 25 kilometers north east of Geneva's city centre, and since the 1970s it has become part of the Geneva metropolitan area. It lies on the shores of Lake Geneva, and is the seat of the district of...
, Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
, on 17 December 2010. United, as group winners, could have faced such teams as Internazionale
F.C. Internazionale Milano
Football Club Internazionale Milano, often referred to as Internazionale or simply Inter, is a professional Italian football club based in Milan, Italy. Outside Italy, the club is often called Inter Milan. They are the reigning FIFA Club World champions and Coppa Italia holders.Inter have always...
and Milan
A.C. Milan
Associazione Calcio Milan, commonly referred to as A.C. Milan or simply Milan , is a professional Italian football club based in Milan, Lombardy, that plays in the Serie A. Milan was founded in 1899 by English lace-maker Herbert Kilpin and businessman Alfred Edwards among others...
, but were ultimately paired with French champions
2009–10 Ligue 1
The 2009–10 Ligue 1 season was the 72nd since its establishment. Bordeaux were the defending champions. The fixtures were announced on 5 June 2009, and play commenced on 8 August and ended on 15 May 2010. There were three promoted teams from Ligue 2, replacing the three teams that were relegated...
Marseille
Olympique de Marseille
Olympique de Marseille is a French association football club based in Marseille. Founded in 1899, the club plays in Ligue 1 and have spent most of its history in the top tier of French football. Marseille have been French champions nine times and have won the Coupe de France a record ten times. In...
, who have former Red Gabriel Heinze
Gabriel Heinze
Gabriel Iván Heinze is an Argentine footballer who plays for A.S. Roma in Italy. Mainly a left back, he can also operate as a central defender....
in their ranks. United's only previous meeting with Marseille came when they were defending the European Cup
European Champion Clubs' Cup
The European Champion Clubs' Cup, also known as Coupe des Clubs Champions Européens, or simply the European Cup, is a trophy awarded annually by UEFA to the football club that wins the UEFA Champions League...
they had won in 1999
1999 UEFA Champions League Final
The 1999 UEFA Champions League Final was a football match that took place on Wednesday, 26 May 1999. The match was played at Camp Nou in Barcelona, Spain, to determine the winner of the 1998–99 UEFA Champions League. The final was contested by Manchester United and Bayern Munich...
. On that occasion in the First Group Stage, United won 2–1 at Old Trafford, before losing 1–0 in France.
United travelled to the Stade Vélodrome
Stade Vélodrome
The Stade Vélodrome is a football stadium in Marseille, France. It is home to the Olympique de Marseille football club of Ligue 1, and was a venue in the 1998 FIFA World Cup and the 2007 Rugby World Cup. It is the largest club-football ground in France, with a capacity of 60,031 spectators,...
and played the first leg on 23 February. The game ended 0–0, leaving United's hopes of progessing to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League hanging on a thread. Darren Fletcher
Darren Fletcher
Darren Barr Fletcher is a Scottish footballer who plays as a central midfielder for English Premier League club Manchester United. He is the current captain of Scottish national team...
had United's best chance but his 18-yard shot was gathered at the second attempt by the home side's goalkeeper Steve Mandanda
Steve Mandanda
Steve Mandanda is a French international footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for French club Olympique de Marseille in Ligue 1. He currently serves as first-choice captain of Marseille...
. It was a rare opening in a tight game of few chances. Marseille's André Ayew
André Ayew
André Morgan Rami Ayew is a Ghanaian football player who currently plays for French club Marseille in Ligue 1. He is often referred to as simply Dédé. Ayew plays as a winger, but can play as a striker...
dragged a shot across goal in the main threat to United at the Stade Vélodrome.
The second leg at Old Trafford was held on 15 March, and United won 2–1. Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney
Wayne Mark Rooney is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Manchester United and the England national team...
passed superbly to Ryan Giggs
Ryan Giggs
Ryan Joseph Giggs OBE is a Welsh professional footballer who plays for Manchester United. Giggs made his first appearance for the club during the 1990–91 season and has been a regular player since the 1991–92 season...
before firing across goal for Javier Hernández to tuck in the opener. André-Pierre Gignac
André-Pierre Gignac
André-Pierre Gignac is a French professional football player who currently plays for French club Marseille in Ligue 1. He primarily plays as a striker whose influence can extend out to the wings. Gignac is described as a "powerful and dangerous" striker who is known for his "aerial presence"...
side-footed over soon after and Souleymane Diawara
Souleymane Diawara
Souleymane Diawara is a Senegalese footballer who plays as a central defender for Olympique Marseille and the Senegal national team.-Career:...
missed a header from six yards out. Hernández then made it 2–0 with another close shot but a Wes Brown
Wes Brown
Wesley Michael "Wes" Brown is an English footballer who plays as a defender for Sunderland. Before joining Sunderland, Brown had spent his entire career at Old Trafford, having joined the Manchester United youth team in 1996...
own goal
Own goal
An own net occurs in goal-scoring games when a player scores a goal that is registered against his or her own team. It is usually accidental, and may be a result of an attempt at defensive play that failed or was spoiled by opponents....
from a corner ensured a tense finish.
The draw for the remainder of the tournament took place at 11:00 GMT
Greenwich Mean Time
Greenwich Mean Time is a term originally referring to mean solar time at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, London. It is arguably the same as Coordinated Universal Time and when this is viewed as a time zone the name Greenwich Mean Time is especially used by bodies connected with the United...
on 18 March. United could have faced any of the following seven clubs in the quarter-finals: Barcelona
FC Barcelona
Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
, Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
, defending champions
2010 UEFA Champions League Final
The 2010 UEFA Champions League Final was a football match played at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, home of Real Madrid, on Saturday, 22 May 2010, to determine the winners of the 2009–10 UEFA Champions League. It was the first Champions League final to be played on a Saturday, rather than the...
Internazionale
F.C. Internazionale Milano
Football Club Internazionale Milano, often referred to as Internazionale or simply Inter, is a professional Italian football club based in Milan, Italy. Outside Italy, the club is often called Inter Milan. They are the reigning FIFA Club World champions and Coppa Italia holders.Inter have always...
, Real Madrid
Real Madrid C.F.
Real Madrid Club de Fútbol , commonly known as Real Madrid, is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain. The club have won a record 31 La Liga titles, the Primera División of the Liga de Fútbol Profesional , 18 Copas del Rey, 8 Spanish Super Cups, 1 Copa Eva Duarte and 1 Copa de la...
, Schalke 04
FC Schalke 04
Fußball-Club Gelsenkirchen-Schalke 04, commonly known as simply FC Schalke 04 or Schalke , is a German, association-football club originally from the Schalke district of Gelsenkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia. Schalke has long been one of the most popular football teams in Germany, even though major...
, Shakhtar Donetsk
FC Shakhtar Donetsk
FC Shakhtar Donetsk is a Ukrainian professional football club from the city of Donetsk. Shakhtar has appeared in several European competitions and currently is often a participant of the UEFA Champions League. The club became the first Ukrainian club to win the UEFA Cup in 2009, the last year...
or Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
. Of these clubs, only Schalke and Shakhtar Donetsk had never met United in European competition. The draw paired United with domestic opposition in the form of Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
, who they defeated 6–5 on penalties after a 1–1 draw in the 2008 final
2008 UEFA Champions League Final
The 2008 UEFA Champions League Final was a football match that took place on Wednesday, 21 May 2008 at 20:45 CEST . The match was played at the Luzhniki Stadium, in Moscow, Russia, to determine the winner of the 2007–08 UEFA Champions League...
, to record the most recent of their three European Cup triumphs. The winner of this tie was drawn to face either Schalke 04
FC Schalke 04
Fußball-Club Gelsenkirchen-Schalke 04, commonly known as simply FC Schalke 04 or Schalke , is a German, association-football club originally from the Schalke district of Gelsenkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia. Schalke has long been one of the most popular football teams in Germany, even though major...
or Internazionale
F.C. Internazionale Milano
Football Club Internazionale Milano, often referred to as Internazionale or simply Inter, is a professional Italian football club based in Milan, Italy. Outside Italy, the club is often called Inter Milan. They are the reigning FIFA Club World champions and Coppa Italia holders.Inter have always...
in the semi-finals.
The first leg was played at Stamford Bridge
Stamford Bridge (stadium)
Stamford Bridge is a football stadium in Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, West London, and is the home of Chelsea Football Club. The stadium is located within the Moore Park Estate also known as Walham Green and is often referred to as simply The Bridge...
on 6 April, and United won 1–0 after Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney
Wayne Mark Rooney is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Manchester United and the England national team...
scored following some great work by Michael Carrick
Michael Carrick
Michael Carrick is an English footballer who plays as a midfielder for Manchester United and the England national team. He has made more than 300 Premier League appearances and played in 50 UEFA Champions League games as of April 2011...
and Ryan Giggs
Ryan Giggs
Ryan Joseph Giggs OBE is a Welsh professional footballer who plays for Manchester United. Giggs made his first appearance for the club during the 1990–91 season and has been a regular player since the 1991–92 season...
after 24 minutes. Chelsea were aggrieved late on after Patrice Evra
Patrice Evra
Patrice Latyr Evra is a French international footballer who currently plays for English club Manchester United in the Premier League and the France national team. Originally an attacker, he primarily plays as a left back and is described as "the classic example of a modern full-back" who is...
seemed to have fouled Ramires
Ramires
Ramires Santos do Nascimento , commonly Ramires and Rambo, is a Brazilian footballer who plays as a midfielder for Chelsea and the Brazilian national side. In 2008, he won a Bronze medal in the XXIX Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, China...
in United's penalty area, but no penalty was awarded and later striker Fernando Torres
Fernando Torres
Fernando José Torres Sanz , nicknamed , is a Spanish footballer who plays for Chelsea and the Spain national team as a striker....
was booked for diving, following another tumble in the penalty area after a challenge from Antonio Valencia, but United held on for their first victory at Stamford Bridge in almost nine years and therefore take a lead and an away goal
Away goals rule
The away goals rule is a method of breaking ties in association football and other sports when teams play each other twice, once at each team's home ground. By the away goals rule, the team that has scored more goals "away from home" will win if scores are otherwise equal...
into the second leg.
The second leg was also won by United, this time recording a 2–1 victory. Javier Hernández scored a tap in to make it 1–0, and in the second half Ramires
Ramires
Ramires Santos do Nascimento , commonly Ramires and Rambo, is a Brazilian footballer who plays as a midfielder for Chelsea and the Brazilian national side. In 2008, he won a Bronze medal in the XXIX Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, China...
was sent off for his second bookable offence. Didier Drogba
Didier Drogba
Didier Yves Drogba Tébily is an Ivorian footballer who plays in the centre forward position. He currently plays for Chelsea in the Premier League, where he is deputy vice-captain, and is the captain and all-time top scorer of the Côte d'Ivoire national football team...
then grabbed one back, but within a minute Park Ji-Sung
Park Ji-Sung
Park Ji-Sung is a South Korean footballer who plays as a midfielder for English club Manchester United. He was also the captain of the South Korean national team until his retirement from international football...
had also put the ball into the back of the net and made the score 2–1 on the night. United held on to win 3–1 on aggregate and went through to face Schalke 04
FC Schalke 04
Fußball-Club Gelsenkirchen-Schalke 04, commonly known as simply FC Schalke 04 or Schalke , is a German, association-football club originally from the Schalke district of Gelsenkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia. Schalke has long been one of the most popular football teams in Germany, even though major...
in the semi-finals. The Bundesliga
2010–11 Fußball-Bundesliga
The 2010–11 Fußball-Bundesliga was the 48th season of the Fußball-Bundesliga, Germany's premier football league. The season started on the weekend of 21 August 2010 with the traditional season opening match involving the defending champions and ended with the last games on 14 May 2011. The winter...
club qualified 24 hours after United by securing a 2–1 home win, which sealed an emphatic 7–3 aggregate victory over holders
2010 UEFA Champions League Final
The 2010 UEFA Champions League Final was a football match played at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, home of Real Madrid, on Saturday, 22 May 2010, to determine the winners of the 2009–10 UEFA Champions League. It was the first Champions League final to be played on a Saturday, rather than the...
Internazionale
F.C. Internazionale Milano
Football Club Internazionale Milano, often referred to as Internazionale or simply Inter, is a professional Italian football club based in Milan, Italy. Outside Italy, the club is often called Inter Milan. They are the reigning FIFA Club World champions and Coppa Italia holders.Inter have always...
. The semi-final was the first occasion the two clubs had met.
United travelled to the Veltins-Arena
Veltins-Arena
Veltins-Arena is a football stadium in Gelsenkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It opened in 2001, as the new home ground for German Bundesliga club Schalke 04....
, and played the first leg on 26 April. United won 2–0, taking a huge step towards their third UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
final in four seasons. United could have been well ahead in the semi-final first leg by half-time, denied only by a series of saves from Germany keeper Manuel Neuer
Manuel Neuer
Manuel Neuer is a German footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Bayern Munich and the German national football team.-Schalke 04:Neuer signed professional terms in 2005 after progressing through every age group at his hometown club. He made his Bundesliga debut when he came on to substitute the...
, who has also been a transfer target for the Reds. They broke the deadlock when Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney
Wayne Mark Rooney is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Manchester United and the England national team...
slipped in Ryan Giggs
Ryan Giggs
Ryan Joseph Giggs OBE is a Welsh professional footballer who plays for Manchester United. Giggs made his first appearance for the club during the 1990–91 season and has been a regular player since the 1991–92 season...
to slot home and Rooney doubled the advantage by firing in a Javier Hernández pass. Edwin van der Sar
Edwin van der Sar
Edwin van der Sar OON is a former footballer who played as a goalkeeper for AFC Ajax, Juventus, Fulham and Manchester United. He is the most capped player in the Netherlands national football team's history...
saved from Sergio Escudero
Sergio Escudero Palomo
Sergio Escudero Palomo is a Spanish footballer who plays for FC Schalke 04 in Germany, as a left defender.-Football career:...
, but Schalke were well below par.
The return leg was held on 4 May at Old Trafford and United ran out comfortable winners. Despite playing a so-called weakened side, Sir Alex Fergusons' side were too good for Schalke. Antonio Valencia scored after 26 minutes to give United the lead on the night before Darron Gibson
Darron Gibson
Darron Thomas Daniel Gibson is an Irish footballer who plays as a midfielder for Manchester United and the Republic of Ireland national team...
's shot was fumbled by Manuel Neuer
Manuel Neuer
Manuel Neuer is a German footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Bayern Munich and the German national football team.-Schalke 04:Neuer signed professional terms in 2005 after progressing through every age group at his hometown club. He made his Bundesliga debut when he came on to substitute the...
five minutes later. Schalke threatened a comeback when José Manuel Jurado scored from distance after 35 minutes, but they failed to trouble Edwin van der Sar
Edwin van der Sar
Edwin van der Sar OON is a former footballer who played as a goalkeeper for AFC Ajax, Juventus, Fulham and Manchester United. He is the most capped player in the Netherlands national football team's history...
again throughout the first half. Two goals in four minutes from Anderson
Anderson Luís de Abreu Oliveira
Anderson Luís de Abreu Oliveira , best known as Anderson, is a Brazilian footballer who currently plays as a midfielder for Manchester United and the Brazil national team....
- whose total for United prior to the game was just two in 127 games - gave United a comfortable 4–1 lead on the night, 6–1 on aggregate. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar had a goal disallowed for offside late on (as Chris Smalling
Chris Smalling
Christopher Lloyd "Chris" Smalling is an English footballer who plays as a centre back for Manchester United and the England national team....
had earlier in the second half) and the remainder of the game remained scoreless, putting United into the final
2011 UEFA Champions League Final
The 2011 UEFA Champions League Final was a football match played on 28 May 2011 at Wembley Stadium in London that decided the winner of the 2010–11 season of the UEFA Champions League. The winners received the European Champion Clubs' Cup...
; their third final in four years.
The final was a rematch with Spanish champions
2009–10 La Liga
- Personnel and sponsoring :- Before the start of the season :- During the season :-League table:||rowspan=1 style="background-color:#F9F9F9;"|||rowspan=1 style="background-color:#F9F9F9;"|...
Barcelona
FC Barcelona
Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
, their opponents in the 2009 final
2009 UEFA Champions League Final
The 2009 UEFA Champions League Final was played on 27 May 2009 at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Italy. The match determined the winners of the 2008–09 season of the UEFA Champions League, a tournament for the top football clubs in Europe. The match was won by Barcelona of Spain, who beat England's...
, which Barcelona comfortably won 2–0. The final - being played at Wembley
Wembley Stadium
The original Wembley Stadium, officially known as the Empire Stadium, was a football stadium in Wembley, a suburb of north-west London, standing on the site now occupied by the new Wembley Stadium that opened in 2007...
- held significance for both clubs, with the stadium being the site of their first European Cup
European Champion Clubs' Cup
The European Champion Clubs' Cup, also known as Coupe des Clubs Champions Européens, or simply the European Cup, is a trophy awarded annually by UEFA to the football club that wins the UEFA Champions League...
triumphs, in 1968
1968 European Cup Final
The 1968 European Cup Final was the 13th European Cup Final and the culmination of the 1967–68 European Cup, a club football tournament for the champions of European leagues. The match was held at Wembley Stadium, London, on 29 May 1968, between Manchester United of England and Benfica of Portugal...
for United and 1992
1992 European Cup Final
The 1992 European Cup Final was a football match held on 20 May 1992 at Wembley Stadium, London, between FC Barcelona of Spain and U.C. Sampdoria of Italy. Barcelona won the game 1–0, thanks to a Ronald Koeman free-kick, to record their first triumph in the competition. This was the last tournament...
for Barcelona. Both clubs went into the match having won their respective domestic League titles for the 2010–11 season.
The final was played on 28 May at Wembley
Wembley Stadium
The original Wembley Stadium, officially known as the Empire Stadium, was a football stadium in Wembley, a suburb of north-west London, standing on the site now occupied by the new Wembley Stadium that opened in 2007...
, where United lost 3–1. Pedro
Pedro Rodriguez
Pedro Rodriguez or Pedro Rodríguez may refer to:*Pedro Rodríguez , Puerto Rican Korean War hero who won two Silver Star Medals.*Pedro Rodríguez , Mexican racing driver...
opened the scoring on 27 minutes when he slipped a finish inside Edwin van der Sar
Edwin van der Sar
Edwin van der Sar OON is a former footballer who played as a goalkeeper for AFC Ajax, Juventus, Fulham and Manchester United. He is the most capped player in the Netherlands national football team's history...
's post, but United equalized seven minutes later, when Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney
Wayne Mark Rooney is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Manchester United and the England national team...
curled a 15-yard shot into Victor Valdés
Víctor Valdés
Víctor Valdés i Arribas is a Spanish football goalkeeper who currently plays for FC Barcelona in the Spanish La Liga.He is the most successful goalkeeper in Barcelona's history and is widely considered to be one of the best goalkeepers in the world, having won a total of 17 titles including five...
' top corner. However, seven minutes after the interval, Barça regained the lead when Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi
Lionel Andrés "Leo" Messi is an Argentine footballer who plays for FC Barcelona and captains the Argentina national team, mainly as a striker. Messi received several Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year nominations by the age of 21, and won in 2009 and 2010...
unleashed a low, dipping shot that squeezed under van der Sar's arm. It was Messi's first goal on English soil. With 21 minuts remaining, the game was killed off when Nani
Nani
-People:*Nani, a Portuguese footballer who plays for Manchester United*Gianluca Nani, former technical director at West Ham United*Nanabhoy Palkhivala, nicknamed Nani, an Indian jurist and economist*Nani Roma, a Spanish rally racing driver...
gav the ball away to Messi, who teed up David Villa
David Villa
David Villa Sánchez , nicknamed , is a Spanish footballer who currently plays as a striker for FC Barcelona and the Spanish national football team. He can also operate as a winger....
to curl a fantastic shot into van der Sar's top corner.
| Date | Round | Opponents | H / A | Result F – A |
Scorers | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 February 2011 | First knockout round First leg |
Marseille Olympique de Marseille Olympique de Marseille is a French association football club based in Marseille. Founded in 1899, the club plays in Ligue 1 and have spent most of its history in the top tier of French football. Marseille have been French champions nine times and have won the Coupe de France a record ten times. In... |
A | 0 – 0 | 57,957 | |
| 15 March 2011 | First knockout round Second leg |
Marseille Olympique de Marseille Olympique de Marseille is a French association football club based in Marseille. Founded in 1899, the club plays in Ligue 1 and have spent most of its history in the top tier of French football. Marseille have been French champions nine times and have won the Coupe de France a record ten times. In... |
H | 2 – 1 | Hernández (2) 5', 75' | 73,996 |
| 6 April 2011 | Quarter-final First leg |
Chelsea Chelsea F.C. Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four... |
A | 1 – 0 | Rooney Wayne Rooney Wayne Mark Rooney is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Manchester United and the England national team... 24' |
37,915 |
| 12 April 2011 | Quarter-final Second leg |
Chelsea Chelsea F.C. Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four... |
H | 2 – 1 | Hernández 43', Park Park Ji-Sung Park Ji-Sung is a South Korean footballer who plays as a midfielder for English club Manchester United. He was also the captain of the South Korean national team until his retirement from international football... 77' |
74,672 |
| 26 April 2011 | Semi-final First leg |
Schalke 04 FC Schalke 04 Fußball-Club Gelsenkirchen-Schalke 04, commonly known as simply FC Schalke 04 or Schalke , is a German, association-football club originally from the Schalke district of Gelsenkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia. Schalke has long been one of the most popular football teams in Germany, even though major... |
A | 2 – 0 | Giggs Ryan Giggs Ryan Joseph Giggs OBE is a Welsh professional footballer who plays for Manchester United. Giggs made his first appearance for the club during the 1990–91 season and has been a regular player since the 1991–92 season... 67', Rooney Wayne Rooney Wayne Mark Rooney is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Manchester United and the England national team... 69' |
54,142 |
| 4 May 2011 | Semi-final Second leg |
Schalke 04 FC Schalke 04 Fußball-Club Gelsenkirchen-Schalke 04, commonly known as simply FC Schalke 04 or Schalke , is a German, association-football club originally from the Schalke district of Gelsenkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia. Schalke has long been one of the most popular football teams in Germany, even though major... |
H | 4 – 1 | Valencia 26', Gibson Darron Gibson Darron Thomas Daniel Gibson is an Irish footballer who plays as a midfielder for Manchester United and the Republic of Ireland national team... 31', Anderson Anderson Luís de Abreu Oliveira Anderson Luís de Abreu Oliveira , best known as Anderson, is a Brazilian footballer who currently plays as a midfielder for Manchester United and the Brazil national team.... (2) 72', 76' |
74,687 |
| 28 May 2011 | Final 2011 UEFA Champions League Final The 2011 UEFA Champions League Final was a football match played on 28 May 2011 at Wembley Stadium in London that decided the winner of the 2010–11 season of the UEFA Champions League. The winners received the European Champion Clubs' Cup... |
Barcelona FC Barcelona Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.... |
N Wembley Stadium The original Wembley Stadium, officially known as the Empire Stadium, was a football stadium in Wembley, a suburb of north-west London, standing on the site now occupied by the new Wembley Stadium that opened in 2007... |
1 – 3 | Rooney Wayne Rooney Wayne Mark Rooney is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Manchester United and the England national team... 34' |
87,695 |
Squad statistics
| No. | Pos. | Name | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Europe | Other | Total | Discipline | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |  |
 |
|||
| 1 | GK |  Edwin van der SarEdwin van der Sar Edwin van der Sar OON is a former footballer who played as a goalkeeper for AFC Ajax, Juventus, Fulham and Manchester United. He is the most capped player in the Netherlands national football team's history... |
33 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 46 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 2 | DF | Gary Neville Gary Neville Gary Alexander Neville is a former English footballer. He is England's most capped right-back and was Manchester United's club captain for five years.... |
3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0(1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3(1) | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 3 | DF |  Patrice EvraPatrice Evra Patrice Latyr Evra is a French international footballer who currently plays for English club Manchester United in the Premier League and the France national team. Originally an attacker, he primarily plays as a left back and is described as "the classic example of a modern full-back" who is... |
34(1) | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9(1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 46(2) | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| 4 | MF | Owen Hargreaves Owen Hargreaves Owen Lee Hargreaves is a professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for English Premier League club Manchester City and the English national football team.... |
1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 5 | DF | Rio Ferdinand Rio Ferdinand Rio Gavin Ferdinand is an English footballer. He plays at centre back for Manchester United in the Premier League and for the England national football team... |
19 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 6 | DF | Wes Brown Wes Brown Wesley Michael "Wes" Brown is an English footballer who plays as a defender for Sunderland. Before joining Sunderland, Brown had spent his entire career at Old Trafford, having joined the Manchester United youth team in 1996... |
4(3) | 0 | 2(1) | 1 | 2(1) | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10(5) | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| 7 | FW | Michael Owen Michael Owen Michael James Owen is an English professional footballer who plays as a striker for Manchester United.The son of former footballer Terry Owen, Owen began his senior career at Liverpool in 1996. He progressed through the Liverpool youth team and scored on his debut in May 1997... |
1(10) | 2 | 1(1) | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0(2) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4(13) | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| 8 | MF |  AndersonAnderson Luís de Abreu Oliveira Anderson Luís de Abreu Oliveira , best known as Anderson, is a Brazilian footballer who currently plays as a midfielder for Manchester United and the Brazil national team.... |
14(4) | 1 | 2(2) | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4(2) | 3 | 0 | 0 | 22(8) | 4 | 5 | 0 |
| 9 | FW |  Dimitar BerbatovDimitar Berbatov Dimitar Ivanov Berbatov is a Bulgarian footballer who plays as a forward for Manchester United. He captained the Bulgarian national team from 2006 to 2010, and is its all-time leading goalscorer and has also won the Bulgarian Footballer of the Year a record seven times, surpassing the number of... |
24(8) | 20 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6(1) | 0 | 0(1) | 1 | 32(10) | 21 | 1 | 0 |
| 10 | FW | Wayne Rooney Wayne Rooney Wayne Mark Rooney is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Manchester United and the England national team... |
25(3) | 11 | 1(1) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 36(4) | 16 | 6 | 0 |
| 11 | MF |  Ryan GiggsRyan Giggs Ryan Joseph Giggs OBE is a Welsh professional footballer who plays for Manchester United. Giggs made his first appearance for the club during the 1990–91 season and has been a regular player since the 1991–92 season... |
19(6) | 2 | 1(2) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6(2) | 1 | 0(1) | 0 | 27(11) | 4 | 6 | 0 |
| 12 | DF | Chris Smalling Chris Smalling Christopher Lloyd "Chris" Smalling is an English footballer who plays as a centre back for Manchester United and the England national team.... |
11(5) | 0 | 2(2) | 0 | 3 | 1 | 7(2) | 0 | 0(1) | 0 | 23(10) | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 13 | MF |  Park Ji-SungPark Ji-Sung Park Ji-Sung is a South Korean footballer who plays as a midfielder for English club Manchester United. He was also the captain of the South Korean national team until his retirement from international football... |
13(2) | 5 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 8(1) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 25(3) | 8 | 1 | 0 |
| 14 | FW |  Javier Hernández |
15(12) | 13 | 4(1) | 1 | 2(1) | 1 | 6(3) | 4 | 0(1) | 1 | 27(18) | 20 | 6 | 0 |
| 15 | DF |  Nemanja VidićNemanja Vidic Nemanja Vidić is a Serbian footballer who captains English Premier League club Manchester United. He was part of the Serbia national football team from 2002 to 2011.... |
35 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 47 | 5 | 8 | 1 |
| 16 | MF | Michael Carrick Michael Carrick Michael Carrick is an English footballer who plays as a midfielder for Manchester United and the England national team. He has made more than 300 Premier League appearances and played in 50 UEFA Champions League games as of April 2011... |
23(5) | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 38(5) | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 17 | MF |  NaniNani -People:*Nani, a Portuguese footballer who plays for Manchester United*Gianluca Nani, former technical director at West Ham United*Nanabhoy Palkhivala, nicknamed Nani, an Indian jurist and economist*Nani Roma, a Spanish rally racing driver... |
30(2) | 9 | 2(1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9(3) | 1 | 0(1) | 0 | 42(6) | 10 | 2 | 0 |
| 18 | MF | Paul Scholes Paul Scholes Paul Scholes is a retired English footballer, a one-club man who played his entire professional career for Manchester United.Born in Salford, but later moving to Langley, Scholes excelled in both cricket and football in school. He first trained with Manchester United at the age of 14 after being... |
16(6) | 1 | 2(1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4(3) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 23(10) | 1 | 11 | 1 |
| 19 | FW | Danny Welbeck Danny Welbeck Daniel Nii Tackie Mensah "Danny" Welbeck is an English footballer who plays for Manchester United and the England national football team. He is a centre forward who can also play on the wing.... |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 20 | DF | Fábio Fábio Pereira da Silva Fábio Pereira da Silva , commonly known as Fábio or Fábio da Silva, is a Brazilian footballer who plays as a full-back for Manchester United of the Premier League, along with his twin brother, Rafael, who were signed by Manchester United in February 2007.-Early life:Fábio was born in Petrópolis,... |
5(6) | 1 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 5(2) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 17(8) | 2 | 3 | 0 |
| 21 | DF | Rafael Rafael Pereira da Silva (footballer born 1990) Rafael Pereira da Silva , commonly known as Rafael or Rafael da Silva, is a Brazilian footballer who plays for Manchester United. He normally plays as a defender in a right back position, but can also play on the right side of midfield... |
15(1) | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1(1) | 0 | 6(1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 25(3) | 0 | 3 | 1 |
| 22 | DF |  John O'SheaJohn O'Shea John O'Shea can refer to:*John O'Shea, Irish footballer with Sunderland*John O'Shea , New Zealand film director*John O'Shea *John O'Shea , Wales international rugby union footballer*John O'Shea... |
18(2) | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5(1) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 29(3) | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 23 | DF |  Jonny EvansJonny Evans Jonathan Grant "Jonny" Evans is a Northern Irish footballer who plays as a defender for Manchester United and Northern Ireland. Evans was born in Belfast and started his career at Greenisland FC, where he was spotted by Manchester United scouts. He progressed through Manchester United's football... |
10(2) | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2(1) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 16(3) | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| 24 | MF | Darren Fletcher Darren Fletcher Darren Barr Fletcher is a Scottish footballer who plays as a central midfielder for English Premier League club Manchester United. He is the current captain of Scottish national team... |
23(2) | 2 | 1(1) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5(2) | 1 | 0(1) | 0 | 31(6) | 3 | 4 | 0 |
| 25 | MF |  Antonio Valencia |
8(2) | 1 | 1(1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5(2) | 1 | 1 | 1 | 15(5) | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| 26 | FW | Gabriel Obertan Gabriel Obertan Gabriel Antoine Obertan is a French footballer who plays for Newcastle United in the Premier League. He primarily plays as a winger, but can also play in the centre of midfield and as a striker.... |
3(4) | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2(1) | 0 | 1(2) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 8(7) | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 27 | FW |  Federico MachedaFederico Macheda Federico "Kiko" Macheda is an Italian footballer who plays as a striker for English Premier League club Manchester United. He joined Manchester United from Lazio in September 2007.-Early career:Macheda began his football career with Lazio... |
2(5) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2(1) | 0 | 1(1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5(7) | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 28 | MF | Darron Gibson Darron Gibson Darron Thomas Daniel Gibson is an Irish footballer who plays as a midfielder for Manchester United and the Republic of Ireland national team... |
6(6) | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 14(6) | 2 | 4 | 0 |
| 29 | GK |  Tomasz KuszczakTomasz Kuszczak Tomasz Mirosław Kuszczak is a Polish footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for English club Manchester United and the Polish national team.Born in Krosno Odrzańskie, Kuszczak has previously played for Śląsk Wrocław in Poland, as well as for the German clubs KFC Uerdingen 05 and Hertha BSC, before... |
5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 30 | DF |  Ritchie De Laet |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 31 | MF | Corry Evans Corry Evans Corry John Evans is a Northern Irish footballer who plays as a midfielder or centre back for Hull City. A Northern Ireland under-21 and senior international, he came through the Manchester United youth academy, like his older brother, United team centre back Jonny Evans... |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 32 | FW |  Mame Biram DioufMame Biram Diouf Mame Biram Diouf is a Senegalese footballer who plays as a forward for English club Manchester United and the Senegal national football team.... |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 33 | FW | Bébé Bébé Bébé is a 2008 French comedy film written and directed by Clément Michel and starring Clément Michel, Marie Denarnaud, Olivier Clastre and Audrey Fleurot.... |
0(2) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2(1) | 1 | 0(1) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3(4) | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 34 | GK |  Anders LindegaardAnders Lindegaard Anders Rozenkrantz Lindegaard is a Danish footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Manchester United, having joined the club in November 2010. He initially came through the ranks of hometown club Odense Boldklub, but left due to a lack of first team opportunities. He got his senior breakthrough... |
0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 35 | MF | Tom Cleverley Tom Cleverley Thomas William "Tom" Cleverley is an English footballer who plays as a midfielder in the Premier League for Manchester United.... |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 37 | MF | Robbie Brady Robbie Brady Robert "Robbie" Brady is an Irish professional footballer who plays for Hull City, on loan from Manchester United, as a winger. He has also played internationally for Ireland at under-17, under-19, and under-21 levels.... |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 38 | FW | Nicky Ajose Nicky Ajose Nicholas Olushola "Nicky" Ajose is an English footballer who plays as a forward for Peterborough United. He began his career with Manchester United, but never made an appearance in the first-team and spent much of the 2010–11 season on loan to Bury... |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 40 | GK | Ben Amos Ben Amos Benjamin Paul "Ben" Amos is an English footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Manchester United. Born in Macclesfield, Cheshire, Amos began his career with Crewe Alexandra's youth academy, but joined Manchester United at the age of 11. He has spent time on loan at Peterborough United, Molde, and... |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 41 | FW |  Joshua KingJoshua King (footballer) Joshua Christian Kojo King is a Norwegian footballer who plays for German club Borussia Mönchengladbach, on loan from Manchester United. He usually plays as a forward, but he is also able to play as a winger... |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 42 | MF | Paul Pogba Paul Pogba Paul Labile Pogba is a French footballer who plays for English club Manchester United in the Premier League. Of Guinean descent, he operates primarily as a midfielder who is comfortable at playing both offensively and defensively... |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 43 | MF | Matthew James Matthew James (footballer) Matthew Lee "Matty" James is an English footballer who plays for Manchester United. His regular position is in midfield, but he can play in defence when required.-Manchester United:... |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 44 | DF | Joe Dudgeon Joe Dudgeon Joseph Patrick "Joe" Dudgeon is an English-born Northern Irish footballer. Born in Leeds, Dudgeon plays as a left back for Hull City, although he can also play as a centre back.-Manchester United:... |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 45 | DF | Oliver Gill Oliver Gill Oliver David Gill is an English former footballer who played as a defender for Manchester United. He also played for Bradford City on loan in 2010... |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 46 | MF | Ryan Tunnicliffe Ryan Tunnicliffe Ryan Tunnicliffe is an English footballer who plays as a midfielder for Peterborough United on loan from Manchester United. He has also played internationally for England at under-16 and under-17 levels.-Manchester United:... |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 47 | MF | Oliver Norwood Oliver Norwood Oliver James Norwood is an English-born Northern Irish footballer who plays as a midfielder for Scunthorpe United on loan from Manchester United... |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 48 | FW | Will Keane |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 49 | MF | Ravel Morrison Ravel Morrison Ravel Ryan Morrison is an English footballer who plays as a midfielder for Manchester United.-Career:Born in Wythenshawe, Manchester, Morrison was first scouted for the Manchester United Academy by former United coach Phil Brogan... |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0(1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0(1) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 50 | GK | Sam Johnstone Sam Johnstone Samuel "Sam" Luke Johnstone is an English footballer who plays for Scunthorpe United on loan from Manchester United.-Early career:... |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| – | – | Own goals | – | 3 | – | 0 | – | 0 | – | 0 | – | 0 | – | 3 | – | – |
Statistics accurate as of match played 28 May 2011
Transfers
United had a young quintet depart on 1 July. Goalkeepers Tom Heaton and Ron-Robert ZielerRon-Robert Zieler
Ron-Robert Zieler is a German footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Hannover 96 and the German national team.-Early career:...
left the club, and they were followed by fellow youngsters Sam Hewson
Sam Hewson
Sam Hewson is an English footballer who was last attached to Altrincham. He had previously played for Manchester United, before his release in July 2010. His regular position is as a central midfielder.-Early career:...
, Febian Brandy
Febian Brandy
Febian Earlston Brandy is an English footballer who played for Notts County until the end of the 2010-11 season but is now a free agent, having been released by Manchester United at the end of his contract on 30 June 2010...
, and Scott Moffat (the latter three all being released). On the same day, Serbian midfielder Zoran Tošić
Zoran Tošic
Zoran Tošić is a Serbian footballer who plays as a left winger for CSKA Moscow. Born in Zrenjanin, Tošić began his career with his local side Proleter Zrenjanin. He then joined Budućnost Banatski Dvor, who then merged with Proleter to form Banat Zrenjanin...
signed for CSKA Moscow for an undisclosed fee. Just over a fortnight later, David Gray signed for Preston North End
Preston North End F.C.
Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One...
, while in August, Craig Cathcart
Craig Cathcart
Craig George Cathcart is a Northern Irish footballer who plays as a centre back for Blackpool and the Northern Ireland national team...
and Rodrigo Possebon
Rodrigo Possebon
Rodrigo Pereira Possebon is a Brazilian footballer who plays as a midfielder for Santos and, by virtue of his ancestry, the Italian U-20 national team. He signed for Santos from Manchester United on 20 August 2010...
left.
Meanwhile, on the same day that Heaton, Zieler, Hewson, Brandy, Moffat, and Tošić left (1 July), English defender Chris Smalling
Chris Smalling
Christopher Lloyd "Chris" Smalling is an English footballer who plays as a centre back for Manchester United and the England national team....
, Mexican forward Javier Hernández, and Belgian defender Marnick Vermijl arrived (all signing for undisclosed fees). In August, Portuguese forward Bébé
Bébé
Bébé is a 2008 French comedy film written and directed by Clément Michel and starring Clément Michel, Marie Denarnaud, Olivier Clastre and Audrey Fleurot....
came in, also for an undisclosed fee (Bébé arrived just five weeks after he had signed for Vitória de Guimarães). The three new signings were unveiled to the media at a press conference on 17 August.
Departing in the winter transfer window were James Chester
James Chester
James Grant Chester is an English footballer who plays for Hull City as a centre back. He has also played on loan for Peterborough United, Plymouth Argyle and Carlisle United.-Career:...
and Cameron Stewart
Cameron Stewart (footballer)
Cameron Reece Stewart is an English footballer who plays for Hull City. He is played primarily as a winger, but he can also play as an out-and-out striker.-Manchester United:...
, who both joined Hull City
Hull City A.F.C.
Hull City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, founded in 1904. The club participates in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football...
, and reserve team captain Magnus Eikrem
Magnus Wolff Eikrem
Magnus Wolff Eikrem is a Norwegian footballer who plays for Molde in the Norwegian Premier League. His regular playing position is in attacking midfield, though he can play anywhere across the midfield...
, who joined Molde. Chester, Stewart, and Eikrem all left for unisclosed fees. On 2 February, Gary Neville
Gary Neville
Gary Alexander Neville is a former English footballer. He is England's most capped right-back and was Manchester United's club captain for five years....
retired.
On 27 November 2010, Danish goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard
Anders Lindegaard
Anders Rozenkrantz Lindegaard is a Danish footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Manchester United, having joined the club in November 2010. He initially came through the ranks of hometown club Odense Boldklub, but left due to a lack of first team opportunities. He got his senior breakthrough...
signed. Like Smalling, Hernández and Bébé, Lindegaard also signed for an undisclosed fee. However, the signing was made official on 1 January 2011, when the transfer window opened.
In
| Date | Pos. | Name | From | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 July 2010 | DF | Marnick Vermijl |
Standard Liège Standard Liège Royal Standard de Liège, commonly referred to as Standard Liège Royal Standard de Liège, commonly referred to as Standard Liège Royal Standard de Liège, commonly referred to as Standard Liège (Dutch: Standard Luik [], German: Standard Lüttich , is a Belgian football club from the city of Liège.... |
Undisclosed |
| 1 July 2010 | DF | Chris Smalling Chris Smalling Christopher Lloyd "Chris" Smalling is an English footballer who plays as a centre back for Manchester United and the England national team.... |
Fulham Fulham F.C. Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season... |
Undisclosed |
| 1 July 2010 | FW | Javier Hernández |
Guadalajara C.D. Guadalajara Club Deportivo Guadalajara , is a Mexican professional football club based in Guadalajara, Jalisco. Guadalajara plays in the Primera División de México and is the most successful club in Mexican football, having won 11 First Division titles, 7 Campeón de Campeones and 2 Copa México... |
Undisclosed |
| 16 August 2010 | FW | Bébé Bébé Bébé is a 2008 French comedy film written and directed by Clément Michel and starring Clément Michel, Marie Denarnaud, Olivier Clastre and Audrey Fleurot.... |
Vitória de Guimarães |
Undisclosed |
| 1 January 2011 | GK | Anders Lindegaard Anders Lindegaard Anders Rozenkrantz Lindegaard is a Danish footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Manchester United, having joined the club in November 2010. He initially came through the ranks of hometown club Odense Boldklub, but left due to a lack of first team opportunities. He got his senior breakthrough... |
Aalesund |
Undisclosed |
Out
| Date | Pos. | Name | To | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 July 2010 | GK | Tom Heaton |
Cardiff City Cardiff City F.C. Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for... |
Free |
| 1 July 2010 | MF | Zoran Tošić Zoran Tošic Zoran Tošić is a Serbian footballer who plays as a left winger for CSKA Moscow. Born in Zrenjanin, Tošić began his career with his local side Proleter Zrenjanin. He then joined Budućnost Banatski Dvor, who then merged with Proleter to form Banat Zrenjanin... |
 CSKA Moscow |
Undisclosed |
| 1 July 2010 | GK |  Ron-Robert ZielerRon-Robert Zieler Ron-Robert Zieler is a German footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Hannover 96 and the German national team.-Early career:... |
Hannover Hannover 96 Hannoverscher Sportverein von 1896, commonly referred to as Hannover 96, Hannover or simply 96, is a German association football club based in the city of Hanover, Lower Saxony.-Foundation to WWII:... |
Free |
| 1 July 2010 | FW | Febian Brandy Febian Brandy Febian Earlston Brandy is an English footballer who played for Notts County until the end of the 2010-11 season but is now a free agent, having been released by Manchester United at the end of his contract on 30 June 2010... |
Unattached | Free |
| 1 July 2010 | MF | Sam Hewson Sam Hewson Sam Hewson is an English footballer who was last attached to Altrincham. He had previously played for Manchester United, before his release in July 2010. His regular position is as a central midfielder.-Early career:... |
Unattached | Free |
| 1 July 2010 | DF | Scott Moffatt |
Unattached | Free |
| 16 July 2010 | DF | David Gray |
Preston North End Preston North End F.C. Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One... |
Free |
| 11 August 2010 | DF | Craig Cathcart Craig Cathcart Craig George Cathcart is a Northern Irish footballer who plays as a centre back for Blackpool and the Northern Ireland national team... |
Blackpool Blackpool F.C. Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the... |
Undisclosed |
| 20 August 2010 | MF | Rodrigo Possebon Rodrigo Possebon Rodrigo Pereira Possebon is a Brazilian footballer who plays as a midfielder for Santos and, by virtue of his ancestry, the Italian U-20 national team. He signed for Santos from Manchester United on 20 August 2010... |
Santos |
Undisclosed |
| 7 January 2011 | DF | James Chester James Chester James Grant Chester is an English footballer who plays for Hull City as a centre back. He has also played on loan for Peterborough United, Plymouth Argyle and Carlisle United.-Career:... |
Hull City Hull City A.F.C. Hull City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, founded in 1904. The club participates in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football... |
Undisclosed |
| 12 January 2011 | MF | Magnus Wolff Eikrem Magnus Wolff Eikrem Magnus Wolff Eikrem is a Norwegian footballer who plays for Molde in the Norwegian Premier League. His regular playing position is in attacking midfield, though he can play anywhere across the midfield... |
Molde |
Undisclosed |
| 31 January 2011 | MF | Cameron Stewart Cameron Stewart (footballer) Cameron Reece Stewart is an English footballer who plays for Hull City. He is played primarily as a winger, but he can also play as an out-and-out striker.-Manchester United:... |
Hull City Hull City A.F.C. Hull City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, founded in 1904. The club participates in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football... |
Undisclosed |
| 2 February 2011 | DF | Gary Neville Gary Neville Gary Alexander Neville is a former English footballer. He is England's most capped right-back and was Manchester United's club captain for five years.... |
Unattached | Retired |
| 8 May 2011 | MF | Corry Evans Corry Evans Corry John Evans is a Northern Irish footballer who plays as a midfielder or centre back for Hull City. A Northern Ireland under-21 and senior international, he came through the Manchester United youth academy, like his older brother, United team centre back Jonny Evans... |
Hull City Hull City A.F.C. Hull City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, founded in 1904. The club participates in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football... |
£500k |
| 11 May 2011 | DF | Joe Dudgeon Joe Dudgeon Joseph Patrick "Joe" Dudgeon is an English-born Northern Irish footballer. Born in Leeds, Dudgeon plays as a left back for Hull City, although he can also play as a centre back.-Manchester United:... |
Hull City Hull City A.F.C. Hull City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, founded in 1904. The club participates in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football... |
Undisclosed |
Loan out
| Date from | Date to | Pos. | Name | To |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 July 2010 | 4 January 2011 | MF | Matthew James Matthew James (footballer) Matthew Lee "Matty" James is an English footballer who plays for Manchester United. His regular position is in midfield, but he can play in defence when required.-Manchester United:... |
Preston North End Preston North End F.C. Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One... |
| 30 July 2010 | 21 October 2010 | MF | Cameron Stewart Cameron Stewart (footballer) Cameron Reece Stewart is an English footballer who plays for Hull City. He is played primarily as a winger, but he can also play as an out-and-out striker.-Manchester United:... |
Yeovil Town Yeovil Town F.C. Yeovil Town F.C. are an English association football team based in Yeovil, Somerset. The club play in League One after having won the League Two championship in 2004–05... |
| 3 August 2010 | 31 December 2010 | DF | James Chester James Chester James Grant Chester is an English footballer who plays for Hull City as a centre back. He has also played on loan for Peterborough United, Plymouth Argyle and Carlisle United.-Career:... |
Carlisle United Carlisle United F.C. Carlisle United F.C. is an English football club based in Carlisle, Cumbria, where they play at Brunton Park. Formed in 1904, the club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system.... |
| 6 August 2010 | 25 January 2011 | MF | Danny Drinkwater Danny Drinkwater Daniel Noel "Danny" Drinkwater is an English footballer who plays as a midfielder for Barnsley on loan from Manchester United... |
Cardiff City Cardiff City F.C. Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for... |
| 6 August 2010 | 30 June 2011 | FW | Mame Biram Diouf Mame Biram Diouf Mame Biram Diouf is a Senegalese footballer who plays as a forward for English club Manchester United and the Senegal national football team.... |
Blackburn Rovers Blackburn Rovers F.C. Blackburn Rovers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the town of Blackburn, Lancashire. The team currently competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football.... |
| 7 August 2010 | 30 December 2010 | FW | Joshua King Joshua King (footballer) Joshua Christian Kojo King is a Norwegian footballer who plays for German club Borussia Mönchengladbach, on loan from Manchester United. He usually plays as a forward, but he is also able to play as a winger... |
Preston North End Preston North End F.C. Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One... |
| 12 August 2010 | 30 June 2011 | FW | Danny Welbeck Danny Welbeck Daniel Nii Tackie Mensah "Danny" Welbeck is an English footballer who plays for Manchester United and the England national football team. He is a centre forward who can also play on the wing.... |
Sunderland Sunderland A.F.C. Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League... |
| 31 August 2010 | 30 June 2011 | MF | Tom Cleverley Tom Cleverley Thomas William "Tom" Cleverley is an English footballer who plays as a midfielder in the Premier League for Manchester United.... |
Wigan Athletic Wigan Athletic F.C. Wigan Athletic Football Club is an English Premier League Association football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, having been promoted from the Championship in 2005. Wigan's current spell in the Premier League is the only top flight run in the club's history.They have played at the DW... |
| 16 September 2010 | 22 October 2010 | MF | Oliver Norwood Oliver Norwood Oliver James Norwood is an English-born Northern Irish footballer who plays as a midfielder for Scunthorpe United on loan from Manchester United... |
Carlisle United Carlisle United F.C. Carlisle United F.C. is an English football club based in Carlisle, Cumbria, where they play at Brunton Park. Formed in 1904, the club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system.... |
| 24 September 2010 | 25 October 2010 | DF | Ritchie De Laet |
Sheffield United Sheffield United F.C. Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production... |
| 25 September 2010 | 30 June 2011 | FW | Nicky Ajose Nicky Ajose Nicholas Olushola "Nicky" Ajose is an English footballer who plays as a forward for Peterborough United. He began his career with Manchester United, but never made an appearance in the first-team and spent much of the 2010–11 season on loan to Bury... |
Bury Bury F.C. Bury Football Club is an association football team based in Bury, Greater Manchester. The team currently play in League One. The club's nickname is The Shakers which was bestowed upon them by club chairman JT Ingham, an industrialist and ironmonger of the late 1890s.-Formation of the club and the... |
| 29 September 2010 | 25 October 2010 | DF | Oliver Gill Oliver Gill Oliver David Gill is an English former footballer who played as a defender for Manchester United. He also played for Bradford City on loan in 2010... |
Bradford City Bradford City A.F.C. Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two.... |
| 29 September 2010 | 25 October 2010 | DF | Reece Brown Reece Brown Reece Brown is an English footballer who plays as a defender for Manchester United.-Career:Brown joined Manchester United at the age of nine, having previously played for Fletcher Moss Rangers... |
Bradford City Bradford City A.F.C. Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two.... |
| 29 September 2010 | 25 October 2010 | GK | Conor Devlin |
Hartlepool United Hartlepool United F.C. Hartlepool United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Hartlepool that currently play in League One. The team won promotion to League One in the 2006–07 season... |
| 30 September 2010 | 29 October 2010 | DF | Scott Wootton Scott Wootton Scott James Wootton is an English footballer who plays as a defender for Manchester United.-Career:Having started his career in Tranmere Rovers Centre of Excellence, at the age of 13 he moved to Liverpool... |
Tranmere Rovers Tranmere Rovers F.C. Tranmere Rovers Football Club are an English team based in Birkenhead, Wirral. The club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system... |
| 22 October 2010 | 21 November 2010 | MF | Corry Evans Corry Evans Corry John Evans is a Northern Irish footballer who plays as a midfielder or centre back for Hull City. A Northern Ireland under-21 and senior international, he came through the Manchester United youth academy, like his older brother, United team centre back Jonny Evans... |
Carlisle United Carlisle United F.C. Carlisle United F.C. is an English football club based in Carlisle, Cumbria, where they play at Brunton Park. Formed in 1904, the club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system.... |
| 17 November 2010 | 30 December 2010 | DF | Ritchie De Laet |
Preston North End Preston North End F.C. Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One... |
| 25 November 2010 | 31 January 2011 | MF | Cameron Stewart Cameron Stewart (footballer) Cameron Reece Stewart is an English footballer who plays for Hull City. He is played primarily as a winger, but he can also play as an out-and-out striker.-Manchester United:... |
Hull City Hull City A.F.C. Hull City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, founded in 1904. The club participates in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football... |
| 7 January 2011 | 15 March 2011 | GK | Ben Amos Ben Amos Benjamin Paul "Ben" Amos is an English footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Manchester United. Born in Macclesfield, Cheshire, Amos began his career with Crewe Alexandra's youth academy, but joined Manchester United at the age of 11. He has spent time on loan at Peterborough United, Molde, and... |
Oldham Athletic Oldham Athletic A.F.C. Oldham Athletic Association Football Club is an English association football club based at Boundary Park, on Sheepfoot Lane in Oldham, Greater Manchester. The club currently competes in the Football League One, the third tier of the English league... |
| 8 January 2011 | 30 June 2011 | FW | Federico Macheda Federico Macheda Federico "Kiko" Macheda is an Italian footballer who plays as a striker for English Premier League club Manchester United. He joined Manchester United from Lazio in September 2007.-Early career:Macheda began his football career with Lazio... |
Sampdoria U.C. Sampdoria Unione Calcio Sampdoria is an Italian association football club based in Genoa. The club was formed in 1946 from the merger of two existing sports clubs whose roots can be traced back to the 1890s, Sampierdarenese and Andrea Doria... |
| 14 January 2011 | 30 June 2011 | MF | Corry Evans Corry Evans Corry John Evans is a Northern Irish footballer who plays as a midfielder or centre back for Hull City. A Northern Ireland under-21 and senior international, he came through the Manchester United youth academy, like his older brother, United team centre back Jonny Evans... |
Hull City Hull City A.F.C. Hull City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, founded in 1904. The club participates in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football... |
| 14 January 2011 | 30 June 2011 | DF | Ritchie De Laet |
Portsmouth Portsmouth F.C. Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from... |
| 27 January 2011 | 30 June 2011 | DF | Joe Dudgeon Joe Dudgeon Joseph Patrick "Joe" Dudgeon is an English-born Northern Irish footballer. Born in Leeds, Dudgeon plays as a left back for Hull City, although he can also play as a centre back.-Manchester United:... |
Carlisle United Carlisle United F.C. Carlisle United F.C. is an English football club based in Carlisle, Cumbria, where they play at Brunton Park. Formed in 1904, the club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system.... |
| 28 January 2011 | 30 June 2011 | MF | Danny Drinkwater Danny Drinkwater Daniel Noel "Danny" Drinkwater is an English footballer who plays as a midfielder for Barnsley on loan from Manchester United... |
Watford Watford F.C. Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade... |