Wednesday, April 24, 2013

As Manchester United reach their magical mark of 20 league titles, Sportsmail selects one image from each of the Red Devils' championship-winning seasons


As Manchester United reach their magical mark of 20 league titles, Sportsmail selects one image from each of the Red Devils' championship-winning seasons


Manchester United's championship-winning season has seen the club reach another landmark.
The club's domination of modern football is beyond question with Sir Alex Ferguson winning his 13th title in 21 seasons, but United have also further cemented their position as the most successful in the history of English football, in domestic terms, with 20 championships won in their history.
From their first league title in 1908, through to the magical 'Busby Babes' of the 1950s, the 'Holy Trinity' of the 1960s and Ferguson's succession of glorious teams from the past 20 years, United fans have much to look back on as they reflect on this latest triumph.
In this picture special to commemorate United clinching their 20th title, Sportsmail has selected one image from each of the Red Devils' successes.

1907-08: MANGNALL AND MEREDITH INSPIRE UNITED TO THEIR FIRST TITLE

Manchester United team in 1908
Ernest Mangnall (far left) led Manchester United to their first title success - it is truly remarkable to think that only Mangnall, Sir Matt Busby and Sir Alex Ferguson have led United to the title. Sandy Turnbull (seated, middle row, third from right) scored 25 goals from 30 matches, while billiant outside forward Billy Meredith (seated, middle row, far left) was one of the team's biggest stars. United won 13 of their first 14 matches and ended the season nine points clear of Aston VIlla. It's strange to think that this is where it all began for United, with the Reds now winning their 20th league title 105 years on 

1910-11: UNITED SEE OFF VILLA TO WIN THEIR SECOND CHAMPIONSHIP IN FOUR SEASONS 

Manchester United 1911
This was far less straightforward than their league win of three seasons previous, with Aston Villa pushing United all the way. A 4-2 defeat against Villa in their penultimate game set up a nervous final match against Sunderland, but United rose to the occasion, winning 5-1, with Harold Halse (back row, second left) scoring twice

1951-52: LONG WAIT IS OVER AS BUSBY LEADS UNITED TO THE TITLE

Jack Rowley playing against Preston in 1952
United fans thought the club had waited long enough for the title when they finished top of the pile in 1993, but that 26-year wait almost pales into insignificance compared with the 41-year wait between 1910-11 and 1951-52. Arsenal and Tottenham both challenged United for the title in this season, with two wins over the Gunners proving decisive for Sir Matt Busby's team. A 6-1 win over Arsenal on the final day of the season clinched the title. Here is Jack Rowley in action at Preston that season - Rowley is one of the most prolific goalscorers in United's history, and was in brilliant form that term, scoring 30 goals in 40 league matches as United won the first of their post-war titles

1955-56: BUSBY'S BRILLIANT BABES COAST TO TITLE SUCCESS

Manchester United centre forward Tommy Taylor scores his team's third goal against Chelsea at Old Trafford in 1956. Chelsea goalkeeper Mathews and brothers John and Peter Sillett look on helplessly
A young United team led by Sir Matt Busby swept all before them in the 1955-56 season. United finished the season 11 points ahead of both Blackpool and Wolves to win a second league title of the 1950s. United were playing an exciting brand of attacking football, and became known throughout football as the 'Busby Babes'. Among the stars of the season were wing halves Duncan Edwards and Eddie Colman, and striker Tommy Taylor. This picture shows Taylor (far left) scoring his second goal, and United's third, in a fine 3-0 win over Chelsea at Old Trafford. Taylor finished with 25 league goals that season

1956-57: UNITED WIN BACK-TO-BACK LEAGUE CROWNS AS BUSBY'S YOUNGSTERS SHINE AGAIN

Manchester United 4 v Sunderland 0, 1957 - Billy Whelan flies into the net
United claimed consecutive league titles in 1956-57, something they wouldn't do again until the 1990s. Sir Bobby Charlton broke into Sir Matt Busby's exciting team in this season, with other wonderful young players like Duncan Edwards and Tommy Taylor helping United to the title. The Reds finished eight points clear of Tottenham and Preston. A 4-0 win over Sunderland at Old Trafford sealed the deal for United - here is a picture of an effort from Billy Whelan heading into the net. The brilliant Whelan scored twice that day, with Edwards and Taylor also on the scoresheet. Whelan, Edwards and Taylor were among the United players killed in the Munich Air Disaster in 1958, a tragedy that decimated Busby's glorious young team

1964-65: UNITED EDGE OUT LEEDS TO WIN FIRST SIXTIES LEAGUE TITLE

Manchester United's Denis Law (second r) fires his team's third goal past Arsenal goalkeeper Jim Furnell (r, diving), watched by teammate David Herd (c) and Arsenal's Ian Ure (l) and Frank McLintock (second l)
The first of two league titles for United in the 1960s came in 1964-65, with the Reds dramatically beating Leeds to the championship on goal difference. With teenage winger George Best beginning to make a name for himself, and Denis Law prolific in front of goal, United just emerged triumphant ahead of their Yorkshire rivals. A crucial 1-0 win at Elland Road in April, courtesy of a goal from John Connelly, proved decisive. United clinched the title with a 3-1 win over Arsenal at Old Trafford, with Leeds drawing at Birmingham on the same day. Here is a picture of Law scoring his second goal, and United's third, against the Gunners

1966-67: MAGICAL 'HOLY TRINITY' HELP UNITED TO FINISH TOP OF PILE AGAIN

Sir Matt Busby and players celebrate league title in 1967
Sir Matt Busby led United to a second title in three seasons in 1966-67, with the Reds winning by four points from both Nottingham Forest and Tottenham. The club's legendary 'Holy Trinity' of George Best, Denis Law and Sir Bobby Charlton were at their imperious best and United were champions of England for a seventh time. Law scored 23 goals for United that term and fittingly the Scot was on target twice as United beat West Ham 6-1 at Upton Park to clinch the title in their penultimate match

1992-93: AGONISING WAIT IS OVER AS FERGIE'S MEN CLAIM PREMIER LEAGUE GLORY

Steve Bruce celebrates his second goal against Sheffield Wednesday in 1993
The sheer emotion that greeted United's title success in 1992-93 can't be overestimated. The Reds had gone an amazing 26 years without finishing top of the pile. United manager Sir Alex Ferguson signed Eric Cantona from Leeds midway through the season, in what must rank as one of the most significant transfers in English football history. United, Villa and Norwich were all going for the title. A scintillating win at Norwich in April was followed by an iconic match against Sheffield Wednesday at Old Trafford. United were 1-0 down in the closing stages, but came back to win 2-1 thanks to two goals from Steve Bruce. Here, Bruce celebrates his winner in the 97th minute. United had the impetus to go on and win the title

1993-94: ANOTHER TITLE FOR REDS AS ROBSON GOES OUT ON A HIGH

Steve Bruce and Bryan Robson celebrate Manchester United's 1994 title triumph
Eric Cantona, Andrei Kanchelskis, Ryan Giggs and Mark Hughes made Ferguson's team irresistible at times. United wobbled somewhat in the spring, but a 2-0 derby win over City put them back on track, and the Reds won their last five games of the season. One of the striking features of the season was a farewell to United great Bryan Robson, a player who seemed to single-handedly drag United through the 1980s. Here he lifts the trophy with Steve Bruce at the end of a memorable 13-year spell

1995-96: FERGIE HUNTS DOWN KEEGAN AS UNITED WIN TENTH TITLE

Eric Cantona scores for Manchester United at Newcastle in 1996
Alan Hansen famously said: 'You with nothing with kids' as United's youngsters lost to Aston Villa on the opening day of the 1995-96 season. United were 12 points behind Kevin Keegan's Newcastle at the end of January. As Newcastle floundered in the spring, United fought back. This picture shows United's mercurial Frenchman Eric Cantona firing home the only goal in a 1-0 win. Cantona and goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel were both in amazing form during the final months of the season. Keegan was driven to his infamous television rant directed at Ferguson, and United clinched their 10th league title with a 3-0 win at Middlesbrough on the final day

1996-97: FOURTH TITLE IN FIVE SEASONS ARRIVES AS UNITED BEGIN TO DOMINATE

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson celebrates after his team beat Liverpool in their vital Premiership clash at Anfield in 1997
United's youngsters had gained tremendous confidence from winning the Double the season before, and the Reds successfully defended their league crown in 1996-97. Ferguson's side finished seven points clear of both Arsenal and Newcastle. A decisive win late in the season came at Liverpool with Gary Pallister scoring twice and Andy Cole once in 3-1 win. This picture shows Sir Alex Ferguson celebrating victory at Anfield with assistant Brian Kidd, as his United team headed towards another success. A fourth title in five seasons showed that the power of balance had swung firmly away from Anfield and to Old Trafford

1998-99: DRAMATIC LEAGUE SUCCESS SETS UP INCREDIBLE TREBLE FOR REDS

Andy Cole scores against Tottenham in 1999
If ever there was a fantasy season for any club in English football, it came for Manchester United in 1998-99. Their bid for the Treble featured one extraordinary match after the other and, of course, ended on a wondrous night in Barcelona. As for the first leg of the Treble, the league title, that was only clinched on the final day of the season. United had formidable opponents in Arsene Wenger's Arsenal, but a defeat for the Gunners at Leeds in their penultimate match let United in. The Reds drew at Blackburn, and then came from behind to beat Tottenham on the final day of the season. Andy Cole, here, scores the goal which won the title

1999-2000: UNITED CANTER TO TITLE BY AMAZING 18 POINTS

Teddy Sheringham and Dwight Yorke of Manchester United celebrate Sheringham's equaliser against Arsenal
United's most dominant title success under Ferguson came in 1999-2000, when they won the league by 18 points. Buoyed by the incredible Treble success of 1999, United were rampant. The only potential worry came when the Reds flew out to Brazil for the World Club Championship. As it happened, all their rivals dropped points at home while the United players sunned themselves. Their first league match after arriving home was against nearest challengers Arsenal - Teddy Sheringham (pictured) celebrates his equaliser with Dwight Yorke, in a game that finished 1-1

2000-2001: NO STOPPING UNITED AS REDS MAKE IT THREE IN A ROW

Manchester United celebrate winning the league title in 2001
United coasted to the league title in 2000/2001 - they actually finished 10 points ahead of Arsenal, despite losing their final three games of the campaign. It meant that for the first time in their history, United had won the league three seasons in a row. A 6-1 win over Arsenal in February, with Dwight Yorke scoring a hat-trick, was a perfect illustration of the hold United had over their rivals that term. Here, the United squad celebrate their league title success - a seventh Premier League crown in nine seasons further confirmed a dominant new era in English football

2002-03: REDS STUN ARSENAL AS UNITED COME FROM BEHIND TO WIN LEAGUE

Paul Scholes scores first goal against Newcastle in 2003
Arsenal moved eight points ahead of United with three months of the 2002-03 season remaining, but United showed impressive resilience to claw their way back in the title race and eventually overhaul the Gunners. The Reds played some impressive football at the end of that season, never more so  than when they brilliantly beat Newcastle 6-2 in April. Here is a picture of Paul Scholes scoring the first of his three goals for United in that match. A battling 2-2 draw at Arsenal in United's next game kept the Reds level with the Gunners at the top, with a belligerent Ferguson celebrating delightedly at the final whistle. This was the prelude to Arsenal dropping points at Bolton - and United never looked back from there, clinching a 15th title

2006-07: UNITED BACK ON TOP AS FERGUSON PUTS ONE OVER ON MOURINHO

Wayne Rooney celebrates scoring for Manchester United at Everton in 2007
United wanted the league title so badly in 2006-07, having not won it for three seasons. Jose Mourinho's Chelsea had won the two previous titles, and were truly formidable opponents. United had their noses in front for virtually the whole season, and were always only a few points clear. On the most dramatic of spring afternoons at Goodison Park, United went 2-0 down against Everton, but rallied in glorious fashion to win 4-2. Here is a picture of Wayne Rooney celebrating after scoring United's fourth goal. The following weekend, United beat neighbours Manchester City, and Chelsea drew with Arsenal, as the Reds clinched the title

2007-08: EVERGREEN GIGGS ON TARGET AS UNITED ARE TOP DOGS YET AGAIN

Ryan Giggs scores for Manchester United at Wigan in 2008
Another season full of drama, with United clinching the league title on the final day for the first time in nine years. A strong Arsenal team were in charge of the title race going into 2008, but United hunted them down to go in front. In the season's closing stages, Chelsea came up on the rails, with a win at Stamford Bridge over United moving them level on points with two games remaining. United, with a vastly superior goal difference, had to win their final two games. They saw off West Ham at Old Trafford, and then beat Wigan 2-0 on a dramatic final day. This picture shows Ryan Giggs scoring their crucial second goal, on a day he equalled Sir Bobby Charlton's appearance record of 758 United games. Sir Alex Ferguson, who danced in the rain on the touchline, had won a 10th title. With magnificent players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez in the team, United also won the European Cup that season

2008-09: OLD FOES LIVERPOOL BEATEN TO THE LINE AS UNITED WIN 18TH TITLE

Federico Macheda celebrates his winner against Aston Villa
The 2008-09 title race was a dramatic one indeed, with Liverpool at one stage in a very good position at the top and United having to come from behind. A strong period in the New Year then put Ferguson's men in charge, but just when they were wobbling in the spring came a classic United moment. Federico Macheda, a 17-year-old that hardly anybody at Old Trafford had heard of, came off the bench to score a glorious winner against Aston Villa, United's 3-2 win putting them in front of Liverpool once again. It was a lead they never relinquished, as the Reds won another title hat-trick, and an 18th crown overall, moving them level with the Merseysiders. This was scarcely believable territory for United supporters that had lived through Liverpool's dominance of the 1970s and 1980s

2010-11: RECORD-BREAKING 19TH TITLE PUTS UNITED IN A CLASS OF THEIR OWN

Wayne Rooney scores overhead kick against Manchester City in 2011
Many critics suggested the Manchester United team of 2010-11 was not among their finest, but it was certainly good enough to finish top of the pile again, despite strong challenges from two London clubs, Arsenal and Chelsea. A 2-1 victory for United against Chelsea in May virtually wrapped the title up, and it was confirmed when the Reds drew at Blackburn the following weekend. This image is of an iconic Premier League goal, Wayne Rooney's overhead winner for United against City in a derby match at Old Trafford. United's 19th title was a landmark one, as it took them one clear of their greatest rivals, Liverpool, and officially made the club the most successful in English football history in domestic terms

2012-13: CITY NO MATCH FOR RAMPANT TITLE AS FERGIE LEADS REDS TO TITLE NO 20

Robin van Persie scores against Manchester City
Sir Alex Ferguson and United were determined to win the title back, having lost it so dramatically to neighbours Manchester City in the final seconds of the 2011-12 campaign. And they effectively had the title wrapped up for months. This picture shows a pivotal moment in the campaign, with Robin van Persie's deflected free-kick in the final seconds giving United a dramatic 3-2 derby win over City. Van Persie, signed from Arsenal the previous summer, was superb for United in the first six months of the season, and his winner on this December afternoon moved United five points clear of their neighbours. United only grew stronger in the months after this victory. Ferguson is celebrating an incredible 13th title, and United a 20th in their history


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