Manchester United F.C. season 2005–06

The 2005-06 season was Manchester United's 114th season in the Football League, and their 31st consecutive season in the top division of English football. [cite web |url=http://www.stretfordend.co.uk/seasons/season2006.html |title=Manchester United Season 2005/06 |accessdate=2007-10-08 |publisher=StretfordEnd.co.uk ] After having finished in third place in both of the previous two seasons, the Red Devils will have been pleased to finish the 2005-06 season in second place, despite finishing 8 points off the lead. However, despite the improvement in their league form, United's European form took a massive blow, with the club failing to reach the knock-out stage of the UEFA Champions League for the first time since 1993-94. The club fared well in the FA Cup, reaching the Fifth Round, but their real success came in the Carling Cup, in which they beat Wigan Athletic 4-0 in the final.

The 2005-06 season also saw the departure of club captain Roy Keane, who had been at Old Trafford since 1993. Keane played his last game for the club on 18 September 2005 in a goalless draw with Liverpool, but was forced withdraw from the match only a couple of minutes before full time. It was later revealed that Keane had picked up a foot injury and he eventually left the club for his boyhood team Celtic on 18 November 2005. Keane was subsequently replaced as captain by his deputy, Gary Neville. On 25 November 2005, just seven days after Keane left the club, United fans were plunged into mourning by the death of legendary former player George Best, who died at the age of 59.

Pre-season and friendlies

Pld = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; F = Goals for; A = Goals against; GD = Goal difference; Pts = Points

FA Cup

Group stage

Transfers

In

References

ee also

*Manchester United F.C. seasons