4 Terrible Starts That Ended In Glory For Man Utd

2. 1995-96

Old Trafford€™s famous class of 1992 matured in the 1995-96 season as the likes of the Neville brothers, Nicky Butt, David Beckham and Paul Scholes all joined Ryan Giggs in full-time starting eleven roles. However, the season started disastrously in a 3-1 away defeat to Aston Villa which concluded with the now-famous punditry from Alan Hansen on Match of the Day. The former Liverpool stalwart claimed that €œyou cannot win anything with kids€, and with the mixture of Gary Pallister, Steve Bruce, Peter Schmeichel, Roy Keane and a faultless Eric Cantona, United were able to achieve that success. King Eric was a revelation after overcoming his lengthy ban from kicking a supporter at Selhurst Park in January 1995. The Frenchman returned with aplomb at home to Liverpool in October of the same year, assisting Nicky Butt and scoring a penalty in a 2-2 draw. Prior to that, Lee Sharpe, Roy Keane and academy graduate Paul Scholes were instrumental in wins over West Ham, Wimbledon, Blackburn, Everton and Bolton as United soon rediscovered their form. Aside from an embarrassing League Cup second round defeat to York City, which has since been replicated against MK Dons last month, United picked up vital wins over City, Chelsea, Southampton and Coventry, netting a glut of goals. However, poor trips away at Highbury and Anfield ensured that United had to pick their form up after Christmas to catch Newcastle United. A 2-0 win at home to league-toppers Newcastle prior to New Year was paramount in its importance as United dropped just five points in the league ahead of the return fixture at St. James€™ Park in March. Meanwhile, United booked an FA Cup quarter final date with Southampton and the partnership of Andy Cole and Eric Cantona generated eleven goals from as many games. Cantona€™s second half winner plus five vital goals in five league games from the Frenchman edged United ever closer to Kevin Keegan€™s title-chasing outfit. Wins over Southampton and Chelsea confirmed a date for the FA Cup final with Liverpool but before that, wins over City, Coventry, Leeds and Nottingham Forest set the wheels in motion for an Alex Ferguson title party at the Riverside. A 3-0 win courtesy of goals from Andy Cole, David May and Ryan Giggs away at Middlesbrough confirmed a third title in four years for the Scot and a second domestic double in three years loomed large. Eric Cantona, who had carried the side over the line so many times since his return from suspension, inspired United once more as he notched the winner in a 1-0 win against Liverpool at Wembley to win the FA Cup.