2011–12 Manchester United F.C. season
Encyclopedia
The 2011–12 season is Manchester United
's 20th season in the Premier League, and their 37th consecutive season in the top-flight of English football
. United are defending
Premier League champions, and will be aiming for an unprecedented 20th league title this season. Furthermore, they are competing in the Champions League
for a 16th successive season. In addition, they will also compete in the domestic tournaments, the FA Cup
and the League Cup
. United will enter both competitions in the Third Round as a result of being a Premier League club and qualifying for European competition.
Manchester United began the season with a 3–2 win over local rivals
Manchester City
in the Community Shield
at Wembley
on 7 August 2011.
for the second year in a row. As in 2010, they played in the MLS All-Star Game
, in which they took on a team of the best players in Major League Soccer
. In the lead-up to this game, which was played on 27 July 2011, United took on the New England Revolution
(13 July), the Seattle Sounders
(20 July) and the Chicago Fire (23 July), before finishing the tour with a game against Barcelona
at FedEx Field in Washington, D.C.
on 30 July.
The club granted a testimonial
to Paul Scholes
, who retired on 31 May 2011, to honour his 17 years of service to United. The match was played at Old Trafford against New York Cosmos
on 5 August 2011. United won the game 6–0, with Scholes himself opened the scoring, to complete an unbeaten pre-season.
, United began the season against the holders
of the FA Cup
, local rivals
Manchester City
. The match was played at Wembley
on 7 August. This was the first time the Shield had been contested by the two clubs in 55 years
. United had most of the possession and more shots on goal in the first half, but it was City who took the lead in the 38th minute when Joleon Lescott
nodded in a David Silva
free-kick. Edin Džeko
then doubled City's lead on the stroke of half-time with a low strike from long-distance. However, seven minutes into the second half, Chris Smalling
volleyed home an Ashley Young free-kick to reduce the deficit, and then Nani
finished off an intricate passing move involving Wayne Rooney
and Tom Cleverley
in the 58th minute to bring the score back to 2–2. With a penalty shoot-out looming as the game moved into injury time, Nani forced a mistake from City captain Vincent Kompany
, outpaced the defence and rounded goalkeeper Joe Hart
before sliding the ball into the empty net to seal United's comeback and their 19th FA Community Shield
.
were announced on 17 June, with United beginning the defence of their title away from home for the first time since 2005–06.
United travelled to The Hawthorns
to take on West Bromwich Albion
on 14 August 2011, and won 2–1. Wayne Rooney
opened the scoring when he fired a left-footed shot past Ben Foster
, but United goalkeeper David de Gea
made his second error in as many games to allow Shane Long
to equalise as the Republic of Ireland striker's low shot crept past him and trickled over the line. However, on 81 minutes, the winner was scored when United winger Ashley Young, being booed by the home fans due to his link with rivals Aston Villa
, unleashed a cross-cum-shot which deflected off Gabriel Tamaş
and then Steven Reid
to give United the win.
United's next game was at home to Tottenham Hotspur
, United's first game at Old Trafford
for exactly 3 months. The game was goal-less at half-time, with both goalkeepers making saves. The best effort of the half, which fell to United's Tom Cleverley
, was saved by Spurs 'keeper Brad Friedel
. Ashley Young also headed wide from Wayne Rooney
's chip. However, 15 minutes into the second half, United opened the scoring with a clinical goal from Danny Welbeck
. The young forward latched onto Cleverley's cross before heading past Friedel at the Stretford End
. Then, 16 minutes later, it was 2–0, when a brilliant passing move culminated with Anderson
latching onto Welbeck's backheel and ramming past Friedel. Tottenham almost pulled one back when Jermain Defoe
volleyed against David de Gea's post following an error from the Spanish goalie, but the points were sealed on 87 minutes, when Rooney thudded home a header from a Ryan Giggs
centre. The win took United up to second place, one place behind rivals Manchester City
. This also meant that United and City were on level points, with City only leading due to having slightly better goal difference than United.
United's next game was against rivals
Arsenal
at Old Trafford
on 28 August. United were in full control for most of the first half, with Danny Welbeck
opening the scoring after 22 minutes. However, a couple of minutes later, Jonny Evans
was judged to have fouled Theo Walcott
in the box and referee Howard Webb
gave a penalty. Robin van Persie
stepped up to take the penalty but his effort was easily saved by David de Gea
. United were to make them pay for their mistake and Ashley Young made it 2–0 on 28 minutes with a curling effort into the top corner. Wayne Rooney
then scored a free-kick on 41 minutes to further their advantage to 3–0. Theo Walcott managed to nick a goal back, slotting the ball under David de Gea making the half-time score 3–1 to United. After half-time Wayne Rooney scored another free-kick to extend United's lead to 4–1 before Nani
chipped the keeper from 12 yards to make it 5–1. Park Ji-Sung
came on and hit a left foot drive into the bottom corner to increase United's lead on 70 minutes to 6–1. Arsenal did get another goal back through Robin van Persie's left foot volley, before Carl Jenkinson
fouled substitute Javier Hernández to earn him a second yellow card and an early bath. United made the extra man advantage count when Patrice Evra
was fouled in the box by Theo Walcott and Wayne Rooney slotted home the penalty for his hat-trick. Ashley Young completed the rout when his curling effort found the net in the 90th minute to make the final score 8–2. The win put United top on goal difference ahead of rivals Manchester City
by one goal.
United travelled to the Reebok Stadium
to face Bolton Wanderers
in their next game, knowing that they had slipped down to third after Manchester City
and Chelsea
had both won earlier in the day. After Tom Cleverley
had limped off after taking a kick in the foot by Kevin Davies
, which may mean the young playmaker has broken his foot, United got off to a dream start inside 5 minutes, as Javier Hernández steered home a Nani
cross at the near post for his first goal of the season. Wayne Rooney
doubled the champions' lead by prodding home Phil Jones
' right-wing cross. Four minutes later, Rooney grabbed his second of the game, tapping home after Jones' cross-cum-shot was blocked by the legs of Jussi Jääskeläinen
. Hernández swept in his second - and United's fourth - on 58 minutes, before 10 minutes later, Rooney completed his hat-trick - his second succesive treble and his seventh hat-trick for United - by drilling home. Late on, Hernández tried desperately to complete a hat-trick of his own, but his efforts to complete his first hat-trick for United ended in vain. Still, United overtook City on goal difference for the second successive game, with United top of the table by three goals.
United's next game was at home to rivals Chelsea
on 18 September 2011. United opened the scoring after 8 minutes after Chris Smalling
rose unmarked to head an Ashley Young free-kick into the far corner. After Ramires
failed to convert a Fernando Torres
cross, mishitting the ball and allowing David De Gea
to spring across the goal to make the save, Nani
doubled United's lead on 37 minutes, firing the ball into the top corner from 30 yards. The first half ended with a 3-0 lead for United after Phil Jones
ran forward into the Chelsea penalty area and, following a block from Nani, the ball rebounded back to Wayne Rooney
who sidefooted the ball home. At half time Nicolas Anelka
was introduced for Chelsea in favour of Frank Lampard
and he immediately assisted Torres, who reduced the deficit to 3-1 mere seconds into the second half. However, it was United who received the next significant chance when Nani smashed the ball off the crossbar and, when attempting to gather the rebound, he was fouled by Jose Bosingwa in side the penalty area. Rooney went to take the penalty but slipped during the run up to strike the ball, causing the shot to go well wide. Chelsea also had a chance in the last 10 minutes when Torres shimmied the ball past De Gea but sliced his shot at the open goal wide.
Manchester United's next game was away to Stoke City
on 24 September 2011, a team in which United have beat in all six of the teams' previous meetings in the Premier League. However, the game ended 1–1, which meant that United relinquished their 100% league record in the 2011-12 season, and City took points off United in the league for the first time. Early on, United had a penalty shout when Javier Hernández was brought down by Jonathan Woodgate
in the penalty area, but the referee turned down United's shouts and Hernández eventually limped off. Despite this, United opened the scoring through Nani
on 27 minutes, who exchanged passes with Darren Fletcher
, before finishing beyond Asmir Begović
with aplomb. David de Gea
pulled off a couple of outstanding saves to keep United ahead, but Stoke levelled in the 52nd minute, through Peter Crouch
's emphatic header. Ryan Giggs
squandered a great late chance as the points were shared. United remained ahead of Manchester City on goal difference.
United's next game was a 2-0 home win against Norwich City
on 1 October 2011, United's first game that kicked off on 3pm on a Saturday for almost half a year. Before United's first goal on 68 minutes, one of Norwich's many chances came through former Huddersfield winger, Anthony Pilkington
, who could only shoot wide. United's first goal came when Ryan Giggs
' corner was headed on by Phil Jones
and then Wayne Rooney
, and Anderson
headed it in. Seven minutes later, Pilkington had another chance, but his deflected shot was tipped onto the post by United goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard
, making his Premier League debut, and then saved by the Danish 'keeper. United sealed the win on 87 minutes, when Danny Welbeck
scored after exchanging passes with Park Ji-Sung
. Wayne Rooney's record of scoring in every Premier League in the season ended, despite an attempt to chip the ball over Norwich keeper John Ruddy
and hitting the crossbar. United, however, kept their place at the top of the Premier League on goal difference.
After an international break, United played Liverpool
on 15 October, in a game that Sir Alex Ferguson
said was better than the El Clásico
itself. Although United started as the better side, gradually Liverpool started to come about more chances until first-half whistle. Following tradition that there had yet to be a 0–0 draw between these two sides, Rio Ferdinand
clipped Charlie Adam
outside the penalty area, and Steven Gerrard
converted from the free kick, giving Liverpool the lead the 60th minute, and also handing him the 'Man of the Match' award after the match (in his first start for Liverpool since 6 March 2011). However Liverpool's enjoyment was short lived, as 10 minutes from time, Javier Hernández headed into the back of the net, making the score 1–1. Despite late efforts from both teams, the game eventually finished 1–1, leaving United 1 point ahead of local rivals Manchester City
at the top of the Premier League table for the time being. Manchester City later defeated Aston Villa 4–1 to go top of the Premier League, 2 points clear of United.
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 with the other Premier League clubs, as well as those from the Championship
. The Third Round ties will be played on the weekend beginning 7 January 2012, with the draw being made on 4 December 2011.
. The draw took place on 27 August 2011, giving United a trip to Elland Road
to take on fierce rivals Leeds United
. The match took place on 20 September 2011, where United won 3–0. Sir Alex Ferguson handed a start to debutant Ezekiel Fryers
, 18 years old, and twice early on, Dimitar Berbatov
had to clear off the line. But that was the closest the hosts came to causing an upset, as Michael Owen
opened the scroring on 15 minutes with a scuffed shot and lashed home a second on 32. Ryan Giggs
all but sealed the victory when he played a short corner to Park Ji-Sung
, got the return ball, nutmegged Robert Snodgrass
, and shot past Andy Lonergan via a deflection off Luciano Becchio
. Late on, Ramon Nuñez
, a Leeds substitute, fluffed the chance to score a consolation for Leeds, firing wide.
The draw for the Fourth Round took place on 24 September 2011, and gave United a trip to the EBB Stadium
to take on League Two
side Aldershot Town
. The match was played on 25 October 2011, with United once again winning 3–0.
The draw for the quarter-finals took place on 29 October 2011, and gave United a home match against Championship side Crystal Palace
. Crystal Palace took the lead in the 65th minute, with a 40-yard strike from Darren Ambrose
. However their lead lasted less than 4 minutes, with Macheda
equalising from the penalty spot, after he was fouled himself, in the 69th minute. Despite increasing Manchester United pressure, the match went to extra-time
, where Crystal Palace scored a second, with a Glenn Murray
header, to put them 2–1 ahead in the 98th minute. The game eventually ended 2–1, with Crystal Palace facing Cardiff City
in Semi-final, a game which secured a Championship side in the final.
campaign in the group stage after finishing in first place in the 2010–11 Premier League
. The draw for the group stage was made on 25 August 2011. 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 Barcelona
, as well as Bayern Munich
, Internazionale
, Porto, Real Madrid
and the other three English clubs, Chelsea
, Arsenal
and Manchester City
. The draw eventually paired United with two previous opponents, Benfica and Swiss champions Basel
, and one new opponent, Romanian champions Oțelul Galați
.
United's first UEFA Champions League group game was away to Benfica on 14 September 2011, which ended in a 1–1 draw. Nicolás Gaitán
's delightful long pass picked out Óscar Cardozo
in the 24th minute, and he controlled on his chest then finished from 16 yards. But three minutes before half-time Ryan Giggs
cut inside from the right and fired a 20-yard strike to equalise. United keeper Anders Lindegaard
saved from Nolito
and Gaitán late on.
United's next game in the Champions League was a home game against Basel. Two goals from Danny Welbeck
in the 16th and 17th minutes looked to have put United in control. Welbeck's first goal came when he scuffed a shot in off the post, and the England forward's second was a far more convincing strike from Ryan Giggs
' cross. Fabian Frei
shot in off the post on 58 minutes to give Basel hope, and Alexander Frei's header, aided by awful defending from Rio Ferdinand
, made it 2–2. With 15 minutes remaining, Basel were awarded a penalty and Alexander Frei sent David de Gea
the wrong way to give Basel a shock lead and leave United on the brink of a first home defeat in almost 18 months. However, in the 90th minute, Ashley Young headed home Nani
's cross at the back post to rescue a point. United could have nabbed all 3 points had substitute Dimitar Berbatov
not shot into the side-netting rather than play it along the ground for a tap-in. Instead, United were forced to settle for a point, as they went down to 3rd in Group C. This was the first time since 1999 that United had failed to win either of their first two Champions League group stage matches.
Statistics accurate as of match played 30 November 2011
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 20th season in the Premier League, and their 37th 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...
. United are defending
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...
Premier League champions, and will be aiming for an unprecedented 20th league title this season. Furthermore, they are competing in the Champions League
2011–12 UEFA Champions League
The 2011–12 UEFA Champions League is the 57th season of the European Cup, Europe's premier football tournament, and the 20th season in its current Champions League format. The final venue will be the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany...
for a 16th successive season. In addition, they will also compete in the domestic tournaments, the FA Cup
2011–12 FA Cup
The 2011–12 FA Cup will be the 131st season of the world's oldest association football knock-out competition. The closing date for applications was 1 April 2011, and saw 825 clubs apply to enter...
and the League Cup
2011–12 Football League Cup
The 2011–12 Football League Cup, known as the Carling Cup due to the competition's sponsorship by lager brand Carling, is the 52nd season of the Football League Cup, a knock-out competition for England's top 92 football clubs...
. United will enter both competitions in the Third Round as a result of being a Premier League club and qualifying for European competition.
Manchester United began the season with a 3–2 win over 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...
in the Community Shield
2011 FA Community Shield
The 2011 FA Community Shield was the 89th 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 the 160th Manchester derby between Manchester United and Manchester City and played at Wembley Stadium,...
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 7 August 2011.
Pre-season and friendlies
Manchester United preceded their 2011–12 campaign with a tour of the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
for the second year in a row. As in 2010, they played in the MLS All-Star Game
MLS All-Star 2011
The 2011 Major League Soccer All-Star Game, held on July 27, 2011, was the 16th 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 for the second year running in the...
, in which they took on a team of the best players in Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
. In the lead-up to this game, which was played on 27 July 2011, United took on the New England Revolution
New England Revolution
The New England Revolution is an American professional association football club based in Foxborough, Massachusetts which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada...
(13 July), the Seattle Sounders
Seattle Sounders FC
Seattle Sounders FC is an American professional soccer club based in Seattle, Washington. The club competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. Sounders FC was established in November 2007 as a MLS expansion team, making it the 15th team in...
(20 July) and the Chicago Fire (23 July), before finishing the tour with a game against Barcelona
FC Barcelona
Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
at FedEx Field in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
on 30 July.
The club granted 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....
to 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...
, who retired on 31 May 2011, to honour his 17 years of service to United. The match was played at Old Trafford against New York Cosmos
New York Cosmos (2010)
The New York Cosmos are an American soccer club based in New York City. The team was formed in August 2010 by a consortium led by English businessman Paul Kemsley, and aspires to become a franchise of Major League Soccer, the top professional soccer league in the United States of America and Canada...
on 5 August 2011. United won the game 6–0, with Scholes himself opened the scoring, to complete an unbeaten pre-season.
| Date | Opponents | H / A | Result F – A |
Scorers | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 July 2011 | New England Revolution New England Revolution The New England Revolution is an American professional association football club based in Foxborough, Massachusetts which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada... |
A | 4 – 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... 51', 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) 54', 60', 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... 80' |
51,523 |
| 20 July 2011 | Seattle Sounders Seattle Sounders FC Seattle Sounders FC is an American professional soccer club based in Seattle, Washington. The club competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. Sounders FC was established in November 2007 as a MLS expansion team, making it the 15th team in... |
A | 7 – 0 | 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... 15', 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.... 49', 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) 51', 69', 72', 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... 71', 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.... 88' |
67,052 |
| 23 July 2011 | Chicago Fire | N Soldier Field Soldier Field is located on Lake Shore Drive in Chicago, Illinois, United States, in the Near South Side. It is home to the NFL's Chicago Bears... |
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... 66', 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... 76', 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' |
61,308 |
| 27 July 2011 | MLS All-Stars MLS All-Star 2011 The 2011 Major League Soccer All-Star Game, held on July 27, 2011, was the 16th 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 for the second year running in the... |
N | 4 – 0 | 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.... 20', 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... 45', 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... 52', 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.... 68' |
26,760 |
| 30 July 2011 | 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 | 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... 22', 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... 76' |
81,807 |
| 5 August 2011 | New York Cosmos New York Cosmos (2010) The New York Cosmos are an American soccer club based in New York City. The team was formed in August 2010 by a consortium led by English businessman Paul Kemsley, and aspires to become a franchise of Major League Soccer, the top professional soccer league in the United States of America and Canada... |
H | 6 – 0 | 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... 9', 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... 28' (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... ), 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.... 50', 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.... 59', 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.... (2) 69', 74' |
74,731 |
FA Community Shield
As Premier League champions2010–11 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...
, United began the season against the holders
2011 FA Cup Final
The 2011 FA Cup Final was the 130th final of the FA Cup, the world's oldest domestic football cup competition. The match took place on 14 May 2011 at Wembley Stadium in London. The clubs contesting the 2011 final were Premier League clubs Manchester City and Stoke City, with the victors guaranteed...
of the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
, 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...
. The match was 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...
on 7 August. This was the first time the Shield had been contested by the two clubs in 55 years
1956 FA Charity Shield
The 1956 FA Charity Shield was the 34th FA Charity Shield, an annual football match held between the winners of the previous season's Football League and FA Cup competitions. The match was contested by Manchester United, who had won the 1955–56 Football League, and Manchester City, who had won the...
. United had most of the possession and more shots on goal in the first half, but it was City who took the lead in the 38th minute when Joleon Lescott
Joleon Lescott
Joleon Patrick Lescott is an English footballer who currently plays for Manchester City. He plays as a centre-back, though he has played in various other positions across the defensive line, in particular left-back....
nodded in a 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...
free-kick. 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...
then doubled City's lead on the stroke of half-time with a low strike from long-distance. However, seven minutes into the second half, 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....
volleyed home an Ashley Young free-kick to reduce the deficit, and then 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...
finished off an intricate passing move involving 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 Tom Cleverley
Tom Cleverley
Thomas William "Tom" Cleverley is an English footballer who plays as a midfielder in the Premier League for Manchester United....
in the 58th minute to bring the score back to 2–2. With a penalty shoot-out looming as the game moved into injury time, Nani forced a mistake from City captain Vincent Kompany
Vincent Kompany
Vincent Jean Mpoy Kompany is a Belgian footballer who plays for Manchester City and the Belgium national team. He is capable of playing at both centre back and defensive midfielder. Kompany is of partial Congolese ancestry...
, outpaced the defence and rounded goalkeeper 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....
before sliding the ball into the empty net to seal United's comeback and their 19th FA Community Shield
FA Community Shield
The Football Association Community Shield is English football's annual match contested between the champions of the previous Premier League season and the holders of the FA Cup at Wembley Stadium. If the Premier League champions also won the FA Cup then the league runners-up provide the opposition...
.
| Date | Opponents | H / A | Result F – A |
Scorers | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 August 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... |
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 – 2 | 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.... 52', 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... (2) 58', 90+4' |
77,169 |
Premier League
The fixtures for the 2011–12 season2011–12 Premier League
The 2011–12 Premier League is the twentieth season of the Premier League since its establishment in 1992. The 2011–12 fixtures were announced on 17 June 2011 at 9:00 BST. The season began on 13 August 2011 and is due to end on 13 May 2012...
were announced on 17 June, with United beginning the defence of their title away from home for the first time since 2005–06.
United travelled 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 take on 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 14 August 2011, and 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...
opened the scoring when he fired a left-footed shot past Ben Foster
Ben Foster (footballer)
Benjamin Anthony "Ben" Foster is an English professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for West Bromwich Albion, on loan from Birmingham City, and internationally for the England national team.-Stoke City:...
, but United goalkeeper David de Gea
David de Gea
David de Gea Quintana is a Spanish footballer who plays for Manchester United as a goalkeeper. Born in Madrid, he started his career aged 10 with Atlético Madrid and rose through the academy system at the club before making his senior debut in 2009...
made his second error in as many games to allow Shane Long
Shane Long
Shane Patrick Long is an Irish footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League team West Bromwich Albion and the Republic of Ireland national football team. With Ireland he was part of the team that secured qualification for UEFA Euro 2012.Long began his career at Cork City...
to equalise as the Republic of Ireland striker's low shot crept past him and trickled over the line. However, on 81 minutes, the winner was scored when United winger Ashley Young, being booed by the home fans due to his link with rivals 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...
, unleashed a cross-cum-shot which deflected off Gabriel Tamaş
Gabriel Tamas
Gabriel Sebastian Tamaș is a Romanian footballer who currently plays for Premier League club West Bromwich Albion.-Club career:Tamaș started his career at Romanian clubs in lower divisions...
and then Steven Reid
Steven Reid
Steven John Reid is an English-born Irish footballer who plays for West Bromwich Albion as a defender, but played most of his career in midfield...
to give United the win.
United's next game was at home to 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....
, United's first game 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:...
for exactly 3 months. The game was goal-less at half-time, with both goalkeepers making saves. The best effort of the half, which fell to United's Tom Cleverley
Tom Cleverley
Thomas William "Tom" Cleverley is an English footballer who plays as a midfielder in the Premier League for Manchester United....
, was saved by Spurs 'keeper Brad Friedel
Brad Friedel
Bradley Howard Friedel is an American soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League....
. Ashley Young also headed wide 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...
's chip. However, 15 minutes into the second half, United opened the scoring with a clinical goal from 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....
. The young forward latched onto Cleverley's cross before heading past Friedel at the Stretford End
Stretford End
The Stretford End, officially named West Stand, is a stand on the west side of Old Trafford, the stadium of Manchester United F.C. It took its name from the town of Stretford, in which the stadium is located, as it is in the direction of the centre of Stretford, looking from the centre of the pitch...
. Then, 16 minutes later, it was 2–0, when a brilliant passing move culminated with 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....
latching onto Welbeck's backheel and ramming past Friedel. Tottenham almost pulled one back when 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....
volleyed against David de Gea's post following an error from the Spanish goalie, but the points were sealed on 87 minutes, when Rooney thudded home a header from a 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...
centre. The win took United up to second place, one place behind 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...
. This also meant that United and City were on level points, with City only leading due to having slightly better goal difference than United.
United's next game was against 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...
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 28 August. United were in full control for most of the first half, with 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....
opening the scoring after 22 minutes. However, a couple of minutes later, 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 judged to have fouled 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...
in the box and 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....
gave a penalty. 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...
stepped up to take the penalty but his effort was easily saved by David de Gea
David de Gea
David de Gea Quintana is a Spanish footballer who plays for Manchester United as a goalkeeper. Born in Madrid, he started his career aged 10 with Atlético Madrid and rose through the academy system at the club before making his senior debut in 2009...
. United were to make them pay for their mistake and Ashley Young made it 2–0 on 28 minutes with a curling effort into the top corner. 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...
then scored a free-kick on 41 minutes to further their advantage to 3–0. Theo Walcott managed to nick a goal back, slotting the ball under David de Gea making the half-time score 3–1 to United. After half-time Wayne Rooney scored another free-kick to extend United's lead to 4–1 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...
chipped the keeper from 12 yards to make it 5–1. 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...
came on and hit a left foot drive into the bottom corner to increase United's lead on 70 minutes to 6–1. Arsenal did get another goal back through Robin van Persie's left foot volley, before Carl Jenkinson
Carl Jenkinson
Carl Daniel Jenkinson is a footballer with dual English and Finnish nationality who plays for Arsenal as a defender. He has a British father and a Finnish mother, and has represented both England and Finland at youth international level....
fouled substitute Javier Hernández to earn him a second yellow card and an early bath. United made the extra man advantage count when 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...
was fouled in the box by Theo Walcott and Wayne Rooney slotted home the penalty for his hat-trick. Ashley Young completed the rout when his curling effort found the net in the 90th minute to make the final score 8–2. The win put United top on goal difference ahead of 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...
by one goal.
United travelled 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....
in their next game, knowing that they had slipped down to third after 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...
and 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...
had both won earlier in the day. After Tom Cleverley
Tom Cleverley
Thomas William "Tom" Cleverley is an English footballer who plays as a midfielder in the Premier League for Manchester United....
had limped off after taking a kick in the foot by Kevin Davies
Kevin Davies
Kevin Cyril Davies is an English footballer who currently plays for Bolton Wanderers and the England national football team as a striker. He was made Bolton team captain in January 2009....
, which may mean the young playmaker has broken his foot, United got off to a dream start inside 5 minutes, as Javier Hernández steered home 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 at the near post for his first goal of the season. 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...
doubled the champions' lead by prodding home Phil Jones
Phil Jones
Philip D. Jones is a climatologist at the University of East Anglia, where he works as a Professor in the School of Environmental Sciences. Jones holds a BA in Environmental Sciences from the University of Lancaster, and an MSc and PhD from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne...
' right-wing cross. Four minutes later, Rooney grabbed his second of the game, tapping home after Jones' cross-cum-shot was blocked by the legs of 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...
. Hernández swept in his second - and United's fourth - on 58 minutes, before 10 minutes later, Rooney completed his hat-trick - his second succesive treble and his seventh hat-trick for United - by drilling home. Late on, Hernández tried desperately to complete a hat-trick of his own, but his efforts to complete his first hat-trick for United ended in vain. Still, United overtook City on goal difference for the second successive game, with United top of the table by three goals.
United's next game was at home 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 18 September 2011. United opened the scoring after 8 minutes 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....
rose unmarked to head an Ashley Young free-kick into the far corner. After 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...
failed to convert a 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....
cross, mishitting the ball and allowing David De Gea
David de Gea
David de Gea Quintana is a Spanish footballer who plays for Manchester United as a goalkeeper. Born in Madrid, he started his career aged 10 with Atlético Madrid and rose through the academy system at the club before making his senior debut in 2009...
to spring across the goal to make the save, 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...
doubled United's lead on 37 minutes, firing the ball into the top corner from 30 yards. The first half ended with a 3-0 lead for United after Phil Jones
Phil Jones
Philip D. Jones is a climatologist at the University of East Anglia, where he works as a Professor in the School of Environmental Sciences. Jones holds a BA in Environmental Sciences from the University of Lancaster, and an MSc and PhD from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne...
ran forward into the Chelsea penalty area and, following a block from Nani, the ball rebounded back to 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 sidefooted the ball home. At half time Nicolas Anelka
Nicolas Anelka
Abdul-Salam Bilal on 14 March 1979) is a French international footballer, who plays as a striker for English Premier League club Chelsea. Anelka was also a regular starter for the French national team...
was introduced for Chelsea in favour of 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...
and he immediately assisted Torres, who reduced the deficit to 3-1 mere seconds into the second half. However, it was United who received the next significant chance when Nani smashed the ball off the crossbar and, when attempting to gather the rebound, he was fouled by Jose Bosingwa in side the penalty area. Rooney went to take the penalty but slipped during the run up to strike the ball, causing the shot to go well wide. Chelsea also had a chance in the last 10 minutes when Torres shimmied the ball past De Gea but sliced his shot at the open goal wide.
Manchester United's next game was away to 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...
on 24 September 2011, a team in which United have beat in all six of the teams' previous meetings in the Premier League. However, the game ended 1–1, which meant that United relinquished their 100% league record in the 2011-12 season, and City took points off United in the league for the first time. Early on, United had a penalty shout when Javier Hernández was brought down by Jonathan Woodgate
Jonathan Woodgate
Jonathan Simon Woodgate is an English footballer who plays for Stoke City in the Premier League.Woodgate started his football career at Leeds United where he established himself in the starting eleven. However, Woodgate was sold to Newcastle United for £9 million in January 2003. He impressed...
in the penalty area, but the referee turned down United's shouts and Hernández eventually limped off. Despite this, United opened the scoring through 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 27 minutes, who exchanged passes with 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...
, before finishing beyond Asmir Begović
Asmir Begovic
Asmir Begović is a Bosnian footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Premier League club Stoke City and the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team....
with aplomb. David de Gea
David de Gea
David de Gea Quintana is a Spanish footballer who plays for Manchester United as a goalkeeper. Born in Madrid, he started his career aged 10 with Atlético Madrid and rose through the academy system at the club before making his senior debut in 2009...
pulled off a couple of outstanding saves to keep United ahead, but Stoke levelled in the 52nd minute, through Peter Crouch
Peter Crouch
Peter James Crouch is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Stoke City and the England national team.Crouch started his career as a trainee with Tottenham Hotspur...
's emphatic header. 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...
squandered a great late chance as the points were shared. United remained ahead of Manchester City on goal difference.
United's next game was a 2-0 home win against Norwich City
Norwich City F.C.
Norwich City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. As of the 2011–12 season, Norwich City are again playing in the Premier League after a six-year absence, having finished as runner up in the Championship in 2010–11 and winning automatic promotion.The...
on 1 October 2011, United's first game that kicked off on 3pm on a Saturday for almost half a year. Before United's first goal on 68 minutes, one of Norwich's many chances came through former Huddersfield winger, Anthony Pilkington
Anthony Pilkington
Anthony Neil James Pilkington is an Irish professional football player. He plays for Norwich City, and plays on either wing or as a forward.-Stockport County:...
, who could only shoot wide. United's first goal came when 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...
' corner was headed on by Phil Jones
Phil Jones
Philip D. Jones is a climatologist at the University of East Anglia, where he works as a Professor in the School of Environmental Sciences. Jones holds a BA in Environmental Sciences from the University of Lancaster, and an MSc and PhD from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne...
and then 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 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....
headed it in. Seven minutes later, Pilkington had another chance, but his deflected shot was tipped onto the post by United 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...
, making his Premier League debut, and then saved by the Danish 'keeper. United sealed the win on 87 minutes, when 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....
scored after exchanging passes with 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...
. Wayne Rooney's record of scoring in every Premier League in the season ended, despite an attempt to chip the ball over Norwich keeper John Ruddy
John Ruddy
John Thomas Gordon Ruddy is an English footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Norwich City.-Everton:...
and hitting the crossbar. United, however, kept their place at the top of the Premier League on goal difference.
After an international break, United played 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 15 October, in a game that 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...
said was better than the El Clásico
El Clásico
El Clásico , also known as El derbi Español, is the name given in football to a match between Real Madrid and Barcelona. It is contested twice a year in the Spanish La Liga competition, and more often if the clubs meet in other competitions...
itself. Although United started as the better side, gradually Liverpool started to come about more chances until first-half whistle. Following tradition that there had yet to be a 0–0 draw between these two sides, 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...
clipped 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....
outside the penalty area, and 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...
converted from the free kick, giving Liverpool the lead the 60th minute, and also handing him the 'Man of the Match' award after the match (in his first start for Liverpool since 6 March 2011). However Liverpool's enjoyment was short lived, as 10 minutes from time, Javier Hernández headed into the back of the net, making the score 1–1. Despite late efforts from both teams, the game eventually finished 1–1, leaving United 1 point ahead of 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...
at the top of the Premier League table for the time being. Manchester City later defeated Aston Villa 4–1 to go top of the Premier League, 2 points clear of United.
| Date | Opponents | H / A | Result F – A |
Scorers | Attendance | League position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 August 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... 13', Reid Steven Reid Steven John Reid is an English-born Irish footballer who plays for West Bromwich Albion as a defender, but played most of his career in midfield... 81' (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.... ) |
25,360 | 3rd |
| 22 August 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.... |
H | 3 – 0 | 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.... 61', 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.... 76', 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' |
75,498 | 2nd |
| 28 August 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... |
H | 8 – 2 | 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.... 22', Young (2) 28', 90+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) 41', 64', 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... ), 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... 67', 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' |
75,448 | 1st |
| 10 September 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.... |
A | 5 – 0 | Hernández (2) 5', 58', 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) 20', 25', 68' |
25,944 | 1st |
| 18 September 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 | 3 – 1 | 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.... 8', 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... 37', 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... 45' |
75,455 | 1st |
| 24 September 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... |
A | 1 – 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... 27' |
27,582 | 1st |
| 1 October 2011 | Norwich City Norwich City F.C. Norwich City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. As of the 2011–12 season, Norwich City are again playing in the Premier League after a six-year absence, having finished as runner up in the Championship in 2010–11 and winning automatic promotion.The... |
H | 2 – 0 | 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.... 68', 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.... 87' |
75,514 | 1st |
| 15 October 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 – 1 | Hernández 81' | 45,065 | 2nd |
| 23 October 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 | 1 – 6 | 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... 81' |
75,487 | 2nd |
| 29 October 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... |
A | 1 – 0 | Hernández 19' | 35,494 | 2nd |
| 5 November 2011 | 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 | 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... 45+1' (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.... ) |
75,570 | 2nd |
| 19 November 2011 | Swansea City Swansea City A.F.C. Swansea City Association Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Swansea, Wales. One of the most successful clubs in Welsh football, it has won 10 Welsh Cups and led the English Football League First Division in December 1981, before finishing the season in 6th position... |
A | 1 – 0 | Hernández 11' | 20,295 | 2nd |
| 26 November 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... |
H | 1 – 1 | Hernández 49' | 75,594 | 2nd |
| Club | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 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... |
13 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 43 | 12 | 35 | |
| 2 | 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... |
13 | 9 | 3 | 1 | 30 | 13 | +17 | 30 |
| 3 | 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.... |
12 | 9 | 1 | 2 | 26 | 16 | 28 |
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
United will enter the FA Cup2011–12 FA Cup
The 2011–12 FA Cup will be the 131st season of the world's oldest association football knock-out competition. The closing date for applications was 1 April 2011, and saw 825 clubs apply to enter...
at the Third Round stage with the other Premier League clubs, as well as those from the Championship
2011–12 Football League Championship
The 2011–12 Football League Championship is the eighth season of the league under its current title and nineteenth season under its current league division format....
. The Third Round ties will be played on the weekend beginning 7 January 2012, with the draw being made on 4 December 2011.
League Cup
As one of eight English clubs who qualified for European competition in the 2010–11 season, United received a bye to the Third Round of the League Cup2011–12 Football League Cup
The 2011–12 Football League Cup, known as the Carling Cup due to the competition's sponsorship by lager brand Carling, is the 52nd season of the Football League Cup, a knock-out competition for England's top 92 football clubs...
. The draw took place on 27 August 2011, giving United a trip to Elland Road
Elland Road
Elland Road is an all-seater football stadium in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It has been the permanent residence of Leeds United A.F.C...
to take on fierce rivals Leeds United
Leeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...
. The match took place on 20 September 2011, where United won 3–0. Sir Alex Ferguson handed a start to debutant Ezekiel Fryers
Ezekiel Fryers
Ezekiel David "Zeki" Fryers is an English footballer who plays for Manchester United as a left-back and centre-back.- Career :...
, 18 years old, and twice early on, 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 to clear off the line. But that was the closest the hosts came to causing an upset, 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...
opened the scroring on 15 minutes with a scuffed shot and lashed home a second on 32. 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...
all but sealed the victory when he played a short corner 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...
, got the return ball, nutmegged Robert Snodgrass
Robert Snodgrass
Robert Snodgrass is a Scottish footballer who plays for Leeds United as a winger comfortable playing on either side of the pitch. He can also play as a forward...
, and shot past Andy Lonergan via a deflection off Luciano Becchio
Luciano Becchio
Luciano Héctor Becchio is an Argentine footballer who plays for Leeds United as a striker. Born in Córdoba, Argentina, Becchio began his career at Boca Juniors before moving to Europe on an Italian passport, where he established himself in the Spanish lower leagues.He moved to England in the...
. Late on, Ramon Nuñez
Ramón Núñez
Ramón Núñez is a Honduran international footballer, currently playing for Leeds United. Núñez plays primarily as an attacking central midfielder playmaker. He can also play as a Winger or as a second striker. In his homeland he is nicknamed El Principito meaning The Little Prince...
, a Leeds substitute, fluffed the chance to score a consolation for Leeds, firing wide.
The draw for the Fourth Round took place on 24 September 2011, and gave United a trip to the EBB Stadium
Recreation Ground (Aldershot)
Football has been played at The Recreation Ground in Aldershot since 1927 when Aldershot Town was founded. The ground hosted League football between 1932 and 1992 when Aldershot were members of the football league...
to take on League Two
2011–12 Football League Two
The 2011–12 Football League Two is the eighth season of the league under its current title and nineteenth season under its current league division format.-From League Two:...
side Aldershot Town
Aldershot Town F.C.
Aldershot Town Football Club is an association football club based in Aldershot, Hampshire, England, founded in the spring of 1992 just after the closure of debt-ridden Fourth Division club Aldershot Football Club...
. The match was played on 25 October 2011, with United once again winning 3–0.
The draw for the quarter-finals took place on 29 October 2011, and gave United a home match against Championship side Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace F.C.
Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in...
. Crystal Palace took the lead in the 65th minute, with a 40-yard strike from Darren Ambrose
Darren Ambrose
Darren Paul Ambrose is an English footballer who currently plays for Crystal Palace. Ambrose is a midfielder.-Ipswich Town:...
. However their lead lasted less than 4 minutes, with 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...
equalising from the penalty spot, after he was fouled himself, in the 69th minute. Despite increasing Manchester United pressure, the match went to extra-time
Overtime (sports)
Overtime or extra time is an additional period of play specified under the rules of a sport to bring a game to a decision and avoid declaring the match a tie or draw. In most sports, this extra period is only played if the game is required to have a clear winner, as in single-elimination...
, where Crystal Palace scored a second, with a Glenn Murray
Glenn Murray
Glenn Murray is an English footballer who plays for Crystal Palace as a striker. Prior to joining Crystal Palace in June 2011, Murray has previously played for Brighton, Carlisle, Rochdale, Stockport, Barrow, Workington Reds and Wilmington Hammerheads.-Early career:Born in Maryport, Cumbria, after...
header, to put them 2–1 ahead in the 98th minute. The game eventually ended 2–1, with Crystal Palace facing 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...
in Semi-final, a game which secured a Championship side in the final.
| Date | Round | Opponents | H / A | Result F – A |
Scorers | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 September 2011 | Round 3 | Leeds United Leeds United A.F.C. Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system... |
A | 3 – 0 | 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) 15', 32', 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+1' |
31,031 |
| 25 October 2011 | Round 4 | Aldershot Town Aldershot Town F.C. Aldershot Town Football Club is an association football club based in Aldershot, Hampshire, England, founded in the spring of 1992 just after the closure of debt-ridden Fourth Division club Aldershot Football Club... |
A | 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... 15', 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... 41', Valencia 48' |
7,044 |
| 30 November 2011 | Quarter-final | Crystal Palace Crystal Palace F.C. Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in... |
H | 1 – 2 (a.e.t. Overtime (sports) Overtime or extra time is an additional period of play specified under the rules of a sport to bring a game to a decision and avoid declaring the match a tie or draw. In most sports, this extra period is only played if the game is required to have a clear winner, as in single-elimination... ) |
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... 69' (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... ) |
52,624 |
Group stage
Manchester United began their UEFA Champions League2011–12 UEFA Champions League
The 2011–12 UEFA Champions League is the 57th season of the European Cup, Europe's premier football tournament, and the 20th season in its current Champions League format. The final venue will be the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany...
campaign in the group stage after finishing in first place in the 2010–11 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...
. The draw for the group stage was made on 25 August 2011. 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 Barcelona
FC Barcelona
Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
, as well as 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....
, 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...
, Porto, 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 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 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...
. The draw eventually paired United with two previous opponents, Benfica and Swiss champions Basel
FC Basel
Fussball Club Basel 1893, widely known as FC Basel is a Swiss football club based in Basel. They are one of the most successful clubs in Swiss football, having won the Swiss Super League 14 times, the third most for any Swiss club. They were most successful in the late 1960s and 1970s, winning the...
, and one new opponent, Romanian champions Oțelul Galați
FC Otelul Galati
Fotbal Club Oțelul Galați is a Romanian football club based in Galați . They have spent the majority of the last few decades in the top division, securing several seasons of European football and enjoying success in the Romanian Cup. They won their first league title in the 2010–2011 season and...
.
United's first UEFA Champions League group game was away to Benfica on 14 September 2011, which ended in a 1–1 draw. Nicolás Gaitán
Nicolás Gaitán
Osvaldo Nicolás Fabián Gaitán is an Argentine footballer who currently plays as an Left midfielder for Sport Lisboa e Benfica in the Portuguese first division....
's delightful long pass picked out Óscar Cardozo
Óscar Cardozo
Óscar René Cardozo Marín is a Paraguayan footballer who plays for S.L. Benfica in Portugal, as a striker.Known for his powerful left-foot shot and free-kick skills, he first gained notoriety whilst playing for Newell's Old Boys, which led to a move to Benfica, where he scored more than 100...
in the 24th minute, and he controlled on his chest then finished from 16 yards. But three minutes before half-time 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...
cut inside from the right and fired a 20-yard strike to equalise. United keeper 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...
saved from Nolito
Manuel Agudo Durán
Manuel Agudo Durán, commonly known as Nolito , is a Spanish footballer who plays for S.L. Benfica in Portugal, as a forward or winger.-Barcelona:...
and Gaitán late on.
United's next game in the Champions League was a home game against Basel. Two goals from 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....
in the 16th and 17th minutes looked to have put United in control. Welbeck's first goal came when he scuffed a shot in off the post, and the England forward's second was a far more convincing strike 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...
' cross. Fabian Frei
Fabian Frei
Fabian Frei is a Swiss footballer who currently plays as a midfielder for FC Basel in the Swiss Super League, after a two year loan at FC St. Gallen. Until June 2011 he was player in the Swiss U-21 team...
shot in off the post on 58 minutes to give Basel hope, and Alexander Frei's header, aided by awful defending from 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...
, made it 2–2. With 15 minutes remaining, Basel were awarded a penalty and Alexander Frei sent David de Gea
David de Gea
David de Gea Quintana is a Spanish footballer who plays for Manchester United as a goalkeeper. Born in Madrid, he started his career aged 10 with Atlético Madrid and rose through the academy system at the club before making his senior debut in 2009...
the wrong way to give Basel a shock lead and leave United on the brink of a first home defeat in almost 18 months. However, in the 90th minute, Ashley Young headed home 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 at the back post to rescue a point. United could have nabbed all 3 points had substitute 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...
not shot into the side-netting rather than play it along the ground for a tap-in. Instead, United were forced to settle for a point, as they went down to 3rd in Group C. This was the first time since 1999 that United had failed to win either of their first two Champions League group stage matches.
| Date | Opponents | H / A | Result F – A |
Scorers | Attendance | Group position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 September 2011 | Benfica | A | 1 – 1 | 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... 42' |
63,822 | 2nd |
| 27 September 2011 | Basel FC Basel Fussball Club Basel 1893, widely known as FC Basel is a Swiss football club based in Basel. They are one of the most successful clubs in Swiss football, having won the Swiss Super League 14 times, the third most for any Swiss club. They were most successful in the late 1960s and 1970s, winning the... |
H | 3 – 3 | 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.... (2) 16', 17', Young 90' |
73,115 | 3rd |
| 18 October 2011 | Oțelul Galați FC Otelul Galati Fotbal Club Oțelul Galați is a Romanian football club based in Galați . They have spent the majority of the last few decades in the top division, securing several seasons of European football and enjoying success in the Romanian Cup. They won their first league title in the 2010–2011 season and... |
A | 2 – 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... (2) 64' (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... ), 90+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... ) |
28,047 | 2nd |
| 2 November 2011 | Oțelul Galați FC Otelul Galati Fotbal Club Oțelul Galați is a Romanian football club based in Galați . They have spent the majority of the last few decades in the top division, securing several seasons of European football and enjoying success in the Romanian Cup. They won their first league title in the 2010–2011 season and... |
H | 2 – 0 | Valencia 8', Sârghi Cristian Sârghi Cristian Sârghi is a Romanian football player, currently under contract with Oţelul Galaţi.-External links:* at otelul-galati.ro * at romaniansoccer.ro * at Transfermarkt.co.uk... 87' (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.... ) |
74,847 | 1st |
| 22 November 2011 | Benfica | H | 2 – 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... 30', 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... 59' |
74,873 | 2nd |
| 7 December 2011 | Basel FC Basel Fussball Club Basel 1893, widely known as FC Basel is a Swiss football club based in Basel. They are one of the most successful clubs in Swiss football, having won the Swiss Super League 14 times, the third most for any Swiss club. They were most successful in the late 1960s and 1970s, winning the... |
A |
| Team | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Benfica |
5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 4 | 9 | |
 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... |
5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 10 | 6 | +4 | 9 |
 BaselFC Basel Fussball Club Basel 1893, widely known as FC Basel is a Swiss football club based in Basel. They are one of the most successful clubs in Swiss football, having won the Swiss Super League 14 times, the third most for any Swiss club. They were most successful in the late 1960s and 1970s, winning the... |
5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 9 | 9 | 0 | 8 |
 Oțelul GalațiFC Otelul Galati Fotbal Club Oțelul Galați is a Romanian football club based in Galați . They have spent the majority of the last few decades in the top division, securing several seasons of European football and enjoying success in the Romanian Cup. They won their first league title in the 2010–2011 season and... |
5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 10 | –7 | 0 |
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 |  David de GeaDavid de Gea David de Gea Quintana is a Spanish footballer who plays for Manchester United as a goalkeeper. Born in Madrid, he started his career aged 10 with Atlético Madrid and rose through the academy system at the club before making his senior debut in 2009... |
11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 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... |
12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 17 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 4 | DF | Phil Jones Phil Jones (footballer) Philip Anthony "Phil" Jones is an English footballer who plays for Manchester United and the England national team. Before joining Manchester United, Jones played for Blackburn Rovers at both youth and senior levels... |
10(2) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3(2) | 0 | 0(1) | 0 | 14(5) | 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... |
8(1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 12(1) | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 6 | 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... |
8(1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2(1) | 0 | 0(1) | 0 | 11(3) | 0 | 3 | 1 |
| 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 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 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.... |
8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 2 | 2 | 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... |
1(4) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2(1) | 1 | 0(1) | 0 | 6(6) | 2 | 0 | 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... |
11(1) | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 15(1) | 11 | 2 | 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... |
3(5) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6(5) | 2 | 0 | 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.... |
6(2) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2(1) | 0 | 1 | 1 | 10(3) | 2 | 1 | 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... |
5(3) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1(2) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10(4) | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 14 | FW |  Javier Hernández |
8(4) | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1(3) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9(7) | 6 | 0 | 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.... |
5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 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... |
2(2) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 8(2) | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| 17 | MF | 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... |
11(2) | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3(2) | 0 | 1 | 2 | 15(4) | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| 18 | MF | Ashley Young |
9 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| 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.... |
7(2) | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1(1) | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 9(3) | 5 | 1 | 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,... |
2(2) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10(2) | 0 | 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... |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0(1) | 0 | 1(1) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 23 | 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.... |
5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0(1) | 0 | 6(1) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 24 | MF |  Darren FletcherDarren 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... |
7(1) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 9(1) | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| 25 | MF |  Antonio Valencia |
2(3) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 10(3) | 2 | 1 | 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... |
0(1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2(1) | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 28 | MF |  Darron GibsonDarron Gibson Darron Thomas Daniel Gibson is an Irish footballer who plays as a midfielder for Manchester United and the Republic of Ireland national team... |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 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... |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 30 | DF |  Ritchie De Laet |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 31 | 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... |
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 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 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 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 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... |
2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 35 | 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... |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 36 | DF | Marnick Vermijl |
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 | DF | Michael Keane Michael Keane (footballer born 1993) Michael Vincent Keane is an English–Irish footballer who plays for Manchester United as a defender. His twin brother Will Keane is also a footballer playing for Manchester United.-Career:... |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0(1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0(1) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 39 | DF | Tom Thorpe |
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 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 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(3) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0(3) | 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 | Sean McGinty |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 45 | MF | Davide Petrucci |
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(2) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0(2) | 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 |
| 51 | DF | Ezekiel Fryers Ezekiel Fryers Ezekiel David "Zeki" Fryers is an English footballer who plays for Manchester United as a left-back and centre-back.- Career :... |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2(1) | 0 | 0(1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2(2) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 52 | MF | Larnell Cole Larnell Cole Larnell James Cole is an English footballer who plays for Manchester United as a midfielder.-Career:Cole arrived as a school boy at Manchester United before coming through the academy. A notable game came in 2011 when he scored a hat-trick against rivals Manchester City in a 6–1 victory... |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0(1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0(1) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 53 | MF | Jesse Lingard |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| – | – | Own goals | – | 2 | – | 0 | – | 0 | – | 1 | – | 0 | – | 3 | – | – |
Statistics accurate as of match played 30 November 2011
In
| Date | Pos. | Name | From | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 July 2011 | DF | Phil Jones Phil Jones (footballer) Philip Anthony "Phil" Jones is an English footballer who plays for Manchester United and the England national team. Before joining Manchester United, Jones played for Blackburn Rovers at both youth and senior levels... |
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.... |
Undisclosed |
| 1 July 2011 | MF | Ashley Young |
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... |
Undisclosed |
| 1 July 2011 | GK | David de Gea David de Gea David de Gea Quintana is a Spanish footballer who plays for Manchester United as a goalkeeper. Born in Madrid, he started his career aged 10 with Atlético Madrid and rose through the academy system at the club before making his senior debut in 2009... |
Atlético Madrid |
Undisclosed |
Out
| Date | Pos. | Name | To | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 May 2011 | 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... |
Unattached | Retired |
| 31 May 2011 | 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... |
Unattached | Retired |
| 1 July 2011 | 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.... |
Unattached | Free |
| 1 July 2011 | GK | Conor Devlin |
Unattached | Free |
| 1 July 2011 | 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... |
Unattached | Free |
| 5 July 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... |
Peterborough United Peterborough United F.C. Peterborough United Football Club are a professional English football club based in Peterborough. Peterborough United formed in 1934 and played in the old Midland League, which they won six times; eventually being admitted to the Football League in 1960, replacing Gateshead. Their home ground is... |
Undisclosed |
| 7 July 2011 | 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... |
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... |
Undisclosed |
| 7 July 2011 | DF | 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... |
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... |
Undisclosed |
| 9 August 2011 | 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.... |
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... |
Undisclosed |
Loan out
| Date from | Date to | Pos. | Name | To |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 June 2011 | 30 June 2012 | 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.... |
 BeşiktaşBesiktas J.K. Beşiktaş Jimnastik Kulübü , or simply Beşiktaş , is a Turkish sports club. The club's football team is one of the major teams in Turkey. The professional sports club, founded in 1903, is based in the Beşiktaş district in Istanbul, Turkey... |
| 17 June 2011 | 30 June 2012 | DF | Ritchie De Laet |
Norwich City Norwich City F.C. Norwich City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. As of the 2011–12 season, Norwich City are again playing in the Premier League after a six-year absence, having finished as runner up in the Championship in 2010–11 and winning automatic promotion.The... |
| 1 July 2011 | 31 December 2011 | 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:... |
Peterborough United Peterborough United F.C. Peterborough United Football Club are a professional English football club based in Peterborough. Peterborough United formed in 1934 and played in the old Midland League, which they won six times; eventually being admitted to the Football League in 1960, replacing Gateshead. Their home ground is... |
| 1 July 2011 | 18 October 2011 | 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... |
Peterborough United Peterborough United F.C. Peterborough United Football Club are a professional English football club based in Peterborough. Peterborough United formed in 1934 and played in the old Midland League, which they won six times; eventually being admitted to the Football League in 1960, replacing Gateshead. Their home ground is... |
| 19 July 2011 | 31 December 2011 | 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.... |
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... |
| 2 August 2011 | 30 June 2012 | 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... |
 Borussia MönchengladbachBorussia Mönchengladbach Borussia Mönchengladbach is a German association football club based in Mönchengladbach, North Rhine-Westphalia. The team plays in the Bundesliga and is one of the country's most well-known, well-supported, and successful teams. Borussia Mönchengladbach has over 40,000 members and is the sixth... |
| 16 August 2011 | 10 September 2011 | 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... |
Doncaster Rovers Doncaster Rovers F.C. Doncaster Rovers Football Club is an English football club, based at the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. The team currently competes in the Football League Championship, after being promoted via the League One play-offs in 2008, and have remained there since.The club was founded in... |
| 23 August 2011 | 2 January 2012 | 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... |
Barnsley Barnsley F.C. Barnsley Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Nicknamed the Tykes, they were founded in 1887 under the name Barnsley St. Peter's... |
| 24 August 2011 | 2 January 2012 | 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... |
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.... |
| 31 August 2011 | 30 June 2012 | MF | Gladstony |
Twente FC Twente FC Twente is a Dutch professional football club from the city of Enschede, playing in the Eredivisie. The club was formed in 1965 by the merger of 1926 Eredivisie Champions, Sportclub Enschede and Enschedese Boys... |
| 9 September 2011 | 9 December 2011 | 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:... |
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.... |