24 Feb 2008 12:33:15 | Chris Towland
Most fans of English football and the Premiership in particular
would agree that Manchester United have certainly had their
share of 'Highs' in the twelve seasons since the Premiership
began .......... and what would be considered a 'Low' by Utd
fans (such as finishing third behind Arsenal and Chelsea) would
in fact be considered a significant 'High' by most other clubs!
Here are what I consider to be some of Manchester United's major
highs and lows since the inaugural Premiership season kicked off
in 1992:
*** Highs ***
Out of a total of just twelve seasons, Man. United have lifted
the Premiership trophy no less than eight times and a particular
high was taking the title in the very first Premiership season.
United have achieved the Premiership and F.A. Cup 'double' three
times ....... in 1994, 1996 and in 1999.
They have won more Premiership games, won more points and
suffered less defeats than any other team in the league.
Manchester United have scored the greatest number of goals
overall since the Premiership began and in fact also hold the
record for the most goals scored in a single season: 97 scored
in 1999-2000.
United also hold the record for the highest number of goals in a
Premiership game which they achieved in March 1995 with a 9-0
victory against Ipswich ....... a game where Andy Cole scored
five of the goals.
*** Lows ***
One recent major low for Manchester United came at the end of
the 2003-2004 season when they not only finished outside of the
top two (a full fifteen points behind the winners Arsenal) but
also equaled their lowest ever points total for a season.
How many can forget Frenchman Eric Cantona's infamous flying
kung fu attack on a fan at Crystal palace in 1995? His kick may
have looked at home in a Bruce Lee film but it earned him an
eight month suspension which many consider was a major factor in
United losing the title that season to Blackburn Rovers.
In 2003 there were two major lows for Manchester United:
The first was David Beckham leaving to join Real Madrid. His £25
million transfer fee was good for the United coffers but not so
good for the team as there was no suitable replacement waiting
to step into his shoes.
The second was defender Rio Ferdinand, the record £30 million
signing from Leeds United, being banned for eight months for
missing a routine drugs test.
For anyone interested in a very detailed, month by month view of
Manchester United's twelve years in the Premiership, I fully
recommend 'The Breedon Book of Premiership Records' by Breedon
Books which is available from their website at:
http://www.breedonbooks.co.uk/publications/1859834191.html
Chris Towland
About Author :
Chris is the webmaster of www.football-nut.co.uk where he
challenges you to prove your football knowledge and win prizes
in the free monthly football quiz and prize draw. The
Football-Nut website also contains up-to-the-minute news for all
of the major UK football clubs.