2010-2011, Manchester United season

The 2010-2011 season was another winning season, yet it ended leaving many convinced that Manchester United needed a re-build.

The season began without any pre-season big-name signings. There was ‘no value in the market’, according to Sir Alex Ferguson. Javier Hernandez arrived from Guadalajara in Mexico, Chris Smalling from Fulham and Tiago Bebe from Vitoria de Guimaraes in Portugal. The Bebe transfer was particularly notable as he cost the club about £7m without anyone having seen him play. Wayne Rooney began the season struggling for form and fitness. In October it was announced, firstly, that he would leave the club at the end of his current contract then, secondly, that he had signed a (generous) new contract. His form and fitness improved In the second half of the season. Dimitar Berbatov scored twenty-two goals (including five in one match against Blackburn Rovers) and was the club’s top scorer yet, by the season’s end, his place in the first team had been taken by Javier Hernandez. Hernandez scored twenty goals in his first season and impressed all observers. In February, Gary Neville retired and, at the end of the season, so too did Paul Scholes and Edwin Van der Sar. Between them they made more than 1,500 appearances for Manchester United.

The highlight of the season was undoubtedly winning a nineteenth league title. The team was unbeaten in the Premiership until February and ended the season nine points ahead of Chelsea. The nineteenth title was one more than Liverpool’s eighteen, demonstrating to gleeful supporters that Liverpool had finally been ‘knocked-off their perch’. At home, only two points were dropped all season but, away, Manchester United’s form was inconsistent and often unimpressive.

As usual, it was largely the Reserves that played in the League Cup. After winning the cup in the previous two seasons, they were defeated in 2010-2011 in the quarter-finals. In the FA Cup, United was drawn against City in an all-Manchester semi-final. United lost 1-0.

In the UEFA Champions League, Manchester United reached its third final in four years. In contrast to its away form in the Premiership, Manchester United didn’t let in a single goal away from home in the 2010-2011 Champions League. The final, played at Wembley, was a repeat of the final of 2008-2009. The outcome was the same too. Manchester United was thoroughly outplayed by Barcelona and lost 3-1.

During the season, the Glazer family reduced the club’s mountain of debt by repaying £220m of high-interest ‘payment-in-kind’ loans. Mid-season, rumours circulated about the Quatari royal family buying the club from the Glazers, but nothing happened. Increases in commercial income were announced during the year, offsetting a slight drop in match revenue. Supporters were informed that the Glazer family would remain the club owners and that money remained available for the purchase of players. By the end of the season, it was clear that some of this money would have to be spent. Following the retirement of some players, and the ageing of others, the squad was in need of reinforcements. Could Sir Alex Ferguson, in his seventieth year, build another great team? And could it ever match Barcelona?