Manchester United F.C. season 2002–03

The 2002-03 season was Manchester United's 111th season in the Football League, and their 28th consecutive season in the top division of English football. [cite web |url=http://www.stretfordend.co.uk/seasons/season2003.html |title=Manchester United Season 2002/03 |accessdate=2007-10-08 |publisher=StretfordEnd.co.uk ] This season saw the club finish at the top of the Premier League table, after their lowest finish in the history of the Premier League the previous season, when they came third. United also finished as runners-up in the Worthington Cup, with Liverpool eventually taking the prize. The club also broke the English transfer record for the third time in just over a year as they paid £29.1 million for Leeds United defender Rio Ferdinand.

At the end of the season, United midfielder David Beckham decided to move to Real Madrid in a £25 million deal, having spent 12 years at United (eight of them as a regular first team player). Meanwhile, 37-year-old centre-half Laurent Blanc announced his retirement from playing. Fellow centre-half David May was finally given a free transfer after nine years at the club, the last five of which had seen his first team opportunities limited to a handful per season.

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