Probably the toughest year the Red Devils endured in almost three decades clearly proved that there’s always room for improvement, even if you are the best of the lot. The 2012/13 English Premier League Champions had a mighty fall from the top under David Moyes.As soon as it was mathematically ensured that United won’t be able to compete in a European competition – for the first time in 25 years, the board relieved Moyes of his duties and appointed a commanding figure in Louis van Gaal.The former Dutch team manager also had a tough start to the Premier League – the Manchester derby loss in November left them with 13 points off 10 games, their worst start to the season since 1986. Things, however, have looked on the way up since then – an unbeaten run with 7 wins and 2 draws has restored confidence.Having said that, there were still some unforgettable moments which will forever stay in the minds of The Red Army – including a very humiliating loss to one of their fiercest rivals in England. Let’s take a look at the highlights from the five most memorable Manchester United games of the year.DISCLAIMER: The matches are not in chronological order.
#5 March 16, Manchester United 3-0 Liverpool
An absolutely hopeless Sunday evening for the players as well as the supporters of Manchester United as this game absolutely killed chances, if there were any, of getting a respectable finish to the season. A Luis Suarez strike and two Steven Gerrard penalties helped Liverpool complete the Premier League double over United and the countdown for the impending sack of David Moyes began.
The match saw the home team get outplayed by their fierce rivals, who coasted to a 3-0 victory. What came out in this match was the meek approach of the reigning champions, and how it was a problem that needed immediate addressing, as the manager Moyes was unable to bring about any difference in the way the team approached games.
#4 September 21, Leicester City 5-3 Manchester United
How did they even manage to lose this one? The scoreline read 3-1 at the hour mark of this game and out of the blue, Leicester completed a sensational comeback to win 5-3. This game exposed United’s severe problems at the back considering the fact that the attackers had a good outing, having managed to score 3 goals away from home.
Although a disappointing and slightly embarrassing result, the game helped United take note of their lop-sided team, and address it in the future matches as they kicked onto to go on a nine match unbeaten run to get to third in the standings.
#3 May 6, Manchester United 3-1 Hull City
The final home game of the season and a truly emotional one at that. It wasn’t about the celebration, it wasn’t about the trophies. It was all about a fitting tribute to the past and a look forward to the future. The debut of James Wilson and his two fantastic goals, Nemanja Vidic’s final home game, Ryan Giggs (the then interim manager) coming on as a substitute and his emotional speech at the end of the game. It was definitely an absolutely memorable game for The Red Devils.
Considering that Giggs announced his retirement at the end of the season and that it was his last appearance in a red shirt, it was fitting that it happened at Old Trafford.
#2 August 2, Manchester United 3-1 Real Madrid
It was only pre-season but this game, played in front of a record 109,318 fans packed inside the Michigan Stadium (commonly known as The Big House), confirmed the fans’ belief that Louis van Gaal was definitely the right man for the Red Devils. A brace of goals for Ashley Young and a goal from Javier Hernandez (currently on loan to Real Madrid) helped United defeat the Champions of Europe 3-1. They would go on to win the International Champions Cup after defeating Liverpool in the final two days later.
Although just a pre-season tournament, it helped both the players and the fans, as they could start getting used to the new manager’s philosophy, and start to right the wrongs of the previous season.
#1 March 19, Manchester United 3-0 Olympiakos
In what would turn out to be their final victory of the European campaign, Robin van Persie’s stunning hat-trick in front of an electric Old Trafford crowd helped Manchester United overcome a two-goal first-leg deficit to win and progress to the next round of the knockout stages of the Champions League. Not since 1984 had United managed to do this, and this certainly gave the United fans a thrilling night to remember.
After a disappointing 2-0 loss in the first leg, this win was necessary both for progression and to restore morale in the camp, and it certainly did both. However, the Red Devils went on to lose 4-2 on aggregate to Bayern Munich to go out in the quarter-finals.
