Fergie's 25: Greatest Manchester United matches

Paul Scholes (second right) celebrates his stunner against Barcelona in 2008

v NOTTM FOREST, FA CUP THIRD ROUND 1990
A myth has grown surrounding this fixture. It is labelled the one Fergie had to win or else he was going to be sacked. Old Traffords hierarchy deny this but there is no doubt the Reds boss, without a trophy in four years, was sailing close to the wind. Mark Robins goal at the City Ground was the saviour and set Sir Alex on road to his first United trophy.

V CRYSTAL PALACE, FA CUP FINAL REPLAY 1990
The first United piece of silverware was vital to stave off growing fan unrest and to instil belief in Fergies new-look side. After a thrilling 3-3 final on the Saturday, United came back to Wembley to secure the trophy with a 1-0 win thanks to Lee Martins winner.

V SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY, PREMIER LEAGUE 1993
Following the trauma of the late title collapse in 1992, the burden on Uniteds shoulders was getting unbearably heavy. When Sheffield Wednesday were leading 1-0 at Old Trafford at Easter time another crumble was on the horizon. But Steve Bruces two late goals pumped Reds up for a grandstand finale and the first title for 26 years.

V IPSWICH TOWN, FEBRUARY 1995
United needed a tonic in the wake of Eric Cantonas Selhurst Park Kung-Fu nightmare and new signing Andy Cole provided it. The 7m striker had just two matches with the Frenchman before Cantona was banned and the goal burden fell on him. Five Cole goals against Ipswich in a 9-0 win proved a huge pick-me-up.

V JUVENTUS (H), OCTOBER 1997
The Italians were Europes powerhouse in the late 90s and United had fallen short against them 12 months earlier, home and away, in group games. But the Reds banked great confidence in a thrilling 3-2 home win. In many ways this was the platform for succes! s in 199 9.

V JUVENTUS (A), APRIL 1999
2-0 down in the Stadio delle Alpi in the first 11 minutes and 3-1 down on aggregate, the Treble was under threat. But the irrepressible Roy Keane shrugged off a yellow card that would keep him out of the final to drag shell-shocked United back to their feet and the cavalier Reds stunned Turin with an unforgettable comeback to reach THAT final.

V ARSENAL, FA CUP SEMI-FINAL REPLAY APRIL 1999
A balmy and barmy night at Villa Park. Another occasion when the Treble hung by a thread. After Keane was sent off United survived a last- minute penalty scare when Peter Schmeichel saved from Denis Bergkamp to take the replay into extra-time, then came Ryan Giggs sensational solo goal. Incredible drama.

V BAYERN, CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL MAY 1999
The team of the season were three minutes away from the most disappointing finale. The domestic double had been secured in a memorable 10-day climax but the Reds appeared to be running on empty in the Nou Camp and potential Treble killers Bayern were heading for the trophy. Then came the sensational comeback and goals from Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to cap an astonishing campaign.

V BARCELONA, CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SEMI 2008
Old Trafford on nights like this is just an awesome arena. The Reds had drawn 0-0 in Spain and even Lionel Messi couldnt deny them in the second leg when a Paul Scholes rocket lifted the roof off the stadium and a tense finale added to the nerve-wracking drama.

V CHELSEA, CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL 2008
Nip and tuck for 120 minutes in the early hours of a Russian morning, the first all-English final went to penalties. Uniteds man of that season Cristiano Ronaldo missed his spot kick to leave Chelsea captain John Terry the chance to win the trophy, but he missed. Ryan Giggs became Uniteds all-time top appearance maker on the night and scored his penalty to hand the match-winning moment to Edwin Van der Sar as he saved Anelkas spot kick.
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V ARSENAL, 8-2 2011
Fergie revamped his squad this summer to create yet another United generation and they took full advantage of Arsenals turmoil, tearing them apart at Old Trafford.

V ROMA 7-1, APRIL 2007
United had lost 2-1 in Rome and had it all to do against notorious Italian defending. But they tore into Roma, sweeping them aside in an avalanche of goals.

V LIVERPOOL (A), 1986
On arrival at United Fergie said he intended to knock Liverpool off their perch and this win at Anfield was an early fillip.

V OLDHAM, FA CUP SEMI-FINAL 1994
Sir Alex Dream Team was on the brink of a nightmare as the attempt to become the clubs first double winners looked set to be shattered at Wembley by Joe Royles side. But a trademark late Mark Hughes volley rescued the Reds. This goal gave theM the impetus to win the league and the cup.

V BARCELONA, CUP WINNERS CUP FINAL 1991
Having got the taste for trophies with the 1990 FA Cup, Fergies side needed to keep the flow going and to do it in Europe was going to be key. Against Johan Cruyffs Barca the Spaniards old boy Mark Hughes capped a memorable night in Rotterdam.

V LIVERPOOL, 1996 FA CUP FINAL
It was one of the most forgettable cup finals Wembley had ever seen but Eric Cantonas winner vindicated Fergies decision to stick with the Frenchman after his ban and also the previous summers decision to promote the Class of 92. This 1-0 win completed a second double.

V LIVERPOOL 1995, CANTONA RETURN Eight months of controversy, soul-searching and torment for all parties involved, none more so than Ferguson whod stuck his neck out for his talisman, came to a happy conclusion as Cantona scored in a 2-2 draw.

V NOTTINGHAM FOREST, FEBRUARY 1999
Ole Solskjaer almost left United the season previous but Fergie had persuaded him to stay and as Uniteds Treble bid began to crank up they swamped Ron Atkinsons Forest 8-1. A stunning four goals in 10 minutes by Solskjaer was the ici! ng on th e cake.

V SPURS, MAY 1999
Part one of the Treble campaign and typically United put Fergie through the mill. Needing a win to keep Arsenal from the crown, they allowed Spurs to take a 1-0 lead. But goals from David Beckham and Andy Cole set off delirious celebrations.

V NEWCASTLE, 1999 FA CUP FINAL
Part two of the Treble. It wasnt a classic against a poor Newcastle side but Teddy Sheringham and Paul Scholes goals sealed the win.

V REAL MADRID, APRIL 2003
United may have lost the tie but this night had everything. A sensational hat-trick from the Brazilian superstar Ronaldo won him a standing ovation when he was subbed. Then David Beckham, controversially on the bench amid stories he was off to Spain, launched a fightback. United won 4-3.

V WIGAN, LEAGUE CUP FINAL FEBRUARY 2006
A convincing win but after an early Champions League exit and Roy Keanes shock departure, Fergie needed this
4-0 triumph to re-instil belief among his squad and the fans.

V ARSENAL, CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SEMI MAY 2009
United and the Gunners had sights on Rome and the Reds held a slender first-leg lead. Arsene Wengers side had home advantage but a Cristiano Ronaldo inspired evening swept the Londoners away 3-1.

V WEST HAM, APRIL 2011
Arsenal were still battling for the title and the Reds were 2-0 down at Upton Park inside 25 minutes. The record 19th title looked to be slipping away. But a trademark United comeback, engineered by a 14-minute Wayne Rooney hat-trick, turned it around and the Reds won 4-2 to end the title race.

V SPURS, SEPTEMBER 2001
United have had many thrilling comebacks in Fergies time but this one at White Hart Lane was remarkable. Spurs were 3-0 up at half-time and the Reds, with Ruud van Nistelrooy, Seba Veron and Laurent Blanc, were struggling. But all three newcomers scored in a second- half revival as United won 5-3.

Which was your favourite game of Fergie's era! ? Have y our say.

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