Manchester United: 5 memorable Premier League wins

Manchester United have continuously set new bench-marks for other teams to try and match. They registered yet another historic milestone. The Red Devils’ 3-1 victory over Middlesbrough at the Riverside stadium was their 600th win in the Premier League. They recently became the first team to notch 2000 points in the Premier League as well. Manchester United have played a total of 951 games winning 600 of them and loosing 147.

346 out of the the 600 have come at their home ground, Theatre of Dreams, Old Trafford.

As Manchester United and its followers celebrate this special milestone, EssentiallySports takes a look at the 5 most memorable Manchester United wins in the Premier League.

Manchester United 2-1 Sheffield Wednesday, 1993

It can be said that this dramatic win by the Red Devils sparked the beginning of their domination after a long gap. United ended up loosing a close title challenge the season before and this time around as well, were in the middle of yet another title race, this time with Aston Villa.

United seemed to be losing points and confidence against a Sheffield side who were leading the host until the last 5 minutes. What happened in the closing period of the match also gave rise to the famous term ‘Fergie time’ that United were famous for.

Two towering headers from Steve Bruce, first in the 86th minute and then the winner, dramatically in the 96th minute made sure United won all 3 points and also the momentum to go and win their 13th league title. The agony of loosing out on the title race the season before were forgotten as United started their big march towards an era of complete domination in the Premier League under Sir Alex Ferguson.

The iconic scenes of Fergie and his assistant running onto the pitch with uncontrolled elation would not be forgotten by the United faithful.

The match had lots of stoppages including the injury to the referee and the 6th additional minute goal will be one that will be marked as a turning point in the title race. The brave header from Steve Bruce and the confidence the Red Devils drew from the win was so immense that, this would go down as one of the most memorable Manchester United comebacks.

Manchester United 9-0 Ipswich Town, 1995

Manchester United were the defending champions and were once again part of the title race, this time with Blackburn Rovers. But, it can be said that the Red Devils were in the middle of some unwanted distraction and were going through a tough period following the Kung- Fu kick controversies involving the club’s talisman Eric Cantona. With Cantona receiving a ban and under scrutiny for his actions, question marks were raised as to who will get the goals for United in Cantona’s absence. And the stage was set for the young English striker Andy Cole to announce himself.

Cole scored 5 goals and with goals from Roy Keane, Mark Hughes and Paul Ince, marked United’s biggest win in the Premier League era.

United completely dominated the game and had a total of 21 shots in the match. The win made crucial ground in United’s goal difference and gave them a strong push in the title race.

The famous reaction of the Rovers boss Kenny Dalglish that “You only get three points whether you win 9-0 or 1-0” would be hard to forget. However United finished second in a close title race.

But this remains one of the most dominant performances by a United side and is the biggest win by Manchester United in the Premier League era.

Manchester United 4-3 Manchester City, 2009

Derbies and rivalries add so much passion and excitement to football and it is no different in the Premier League as well. The Manchester derby remains one of the biggest rivalries in the country and has given us some unforgettable moments. But one of the most astonishing Manchester derbies was staged in the 2009-10 season as United came out on top against their local rivals 4-3.

Much was talked about the resurgence City has undergone and the money that has come into the club and the derby grabbed lots of attention as City looked to stamp their resurgence on their rivals.

But all was not going to plan as Wayne Rooney gave the home side a lead in less than 2 minutes. But the visitors equalised with Gareth Barry. This would go on to repeat as United lead City twice again only to be equalised by Craig Bellamy and some seriously questionable United defence. Bellamy’s second of the night came in dramatic fashion as he netted in the 90th minute to level the scores. As Mark Hughes and his men looked to steal a point away from United, the home side came back in typical fashion.

Michael Owen, the boy that tormented many United defences during his time at Liverpool announced himself on the big Manchester derby stage. The veteran striker neatly finished past the City keeper in the 6th minute of added time to hand United a very dramatic derby win.

Old trafford exploded into joy as it has done on so many occassions, but this time it was a bit more special as they got one over their “noisy neighbours”. This was a classic example of how United sides under Fergie used to push the opponents till the final whistle and they once again snatched the win in “Fergie time”.

As the rivalry between the two clubs is always on the rise, this famous evening in Manchester would remain one of the most memorable ones for United.

Manchester United 8-2 Arsenal, 2011

Manchester United and Arsenal have been two of the biggest sides in the Premier League era with the two teams having been involved in many title races. The fixture was also a tactical square-off between two veteran managers Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger.

United gave the Gunners a really hard thumping as they completely outplayed an Arsenal side struck by injury and suspensions. But no excuse would be enough the describe the manner in which United dominated Arsenal, as the home side beat the Gunners 8-2. This was Arsenal’s worst defeat since 1896 and left Wenger and his Arsenal side with too much to swallow.

Wayne Rooney lead the charges as he scored his 6th hattrick of his United career. And with goals from Danny Welbeck, Nani, Park Ji- Sung and two stunners from Ashley Young made sure that United gave the Gunners?an evening to forget. While this would go down as one of the most dominant Manchester United performances over a fellow “big four” side and one of the most memorable Premier League fixtures.

Tottenham Hotspur 3-5 Manchester United, 2001

Manchester United for long have been tagged as the comeback kings in the country. Their dramatic comebacks in games and their last gasp performances have given us a host of unforgettable fixtures. But none more dramatic than the famous comeback at White Hart Lane in September 2001.

United won the previous 3 league titles and were enjoying a stint of complete supremacy in the Premier League. But the big shots of the Premier League were in for a surprise as the hosts Spurs went into the halftime break with a 3-0 lead after goals from Dean Richards, Les Ferdinand and Christian Ziege. The first half performance and the scoreline was a shocker for all the viewers as they did not expect Manchester United to slump down to that level. But the second half gave us one of the best comebacks in the Premier League era and one which no United fan or any Premier League follower would forget in a hurry.

Sir Alex Ferguson was completely furious with his side’s display and decided to change things at half time bringing on Mikael Silvestre and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. And did United respond to their manager’s call? Oh boy, they did. And they did it in some style.

United scored 5 goals in the second half and went on to overturn their half time deficit and hand Glen Hoddle and his Spurs side a huge shock. United won the game astonishingly with a 5-3 scoreline with goals from Andy Cole, Laurent Blanc, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Juan Sebastian Veron and David Beckham.

The comeback would be deemed as one the greatest ever in the Premier League and went on to highlight the dominant nature United had under Sir Alex. And Sir Alex himself has went on to say this fixture as one of the most glittering ones during his 27 year tenure at the club.

Whatever Ferguson told the?players at halftime remains?a mystery, but the game will never be forgotten and will always be tagged as one of the best Manchester United games.