Manchester United without Sir Alex Ferguson feels wrong. However, time has passed, and managers have since tried to replicate his unrivalled legacy. Having witnessed greatness, the Old Trafford faithful tried to embrace a rebuilding phase.
Since the brilliant Scot bid farewell in 2013, triumphs have almost felt distant. Moreover, these 13 years have been a tough period with small moments of joy.
To date, around seven permanent and three caretaker managers have attempted to make their mark at the Theatre of Dreams. After three trophyless seasons, Louis van Gaal reignited hope in 2016 with FA Cup glory, then Jose Mourinho made the Reds dream with a Europa League triumph, and then Erik ten Hag added two domestic cups to the trophy cabinet.
While nobody has come close to capturing the historic success of Sir Alex, there have been some moments for the club to cherish. Let’s rewind to cherish the past victories of the last decade that took us to where we are now.
5. Wayne Rooney Makes History
- Event: Manchester United vs Stoke City (Premier League)
- Date: January 21st, 2017
- Venue: Britannia Stadium, Stoke
The 2016-17 season was a special one for Wayne Rooney, as his goalscoring tally approached Sir Bobby Charlton’s record of 249. But the moment didn’t occur at the Theatre of Dreams but rather on a windy night at the Britannia Stadium.
Stoke City’s old-school stadium was where the phenomenal number 250 goal arrived. Manchester United were 1-0 down until the 94th minute, when the Reds’ legendary striker scored a brilliant equaliser with a brilliant free-kick.
Rooney didn’t stop there as he added another three goals to his overall tally before calling time on his Old Trafford career. He ended up on 253 goals in 559 games.
4. That Night in Paris
- Event: PSG vs Manchester United – UEFA Champions League Round of 16
- Date: March 6th, 2019
- Venue: Parc des Princes, Paris
No list of Manchester United moments will ever be complete without a comeback. That’s exactly what happened at Parc des Princes back in March 2019.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was the interim manager, and the Norwegian rebuilt the confidence in the side. But the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16 at Old Trafford was a no-show as the hosts lost 2-0 to Paris Saint-Germain.
“Mountains are there to be climbed, aren’t they?” – Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
Solskjaer’s men pulled up to Paris, tasked with achieving a remarkable turnaround on an extremely weakened side. But Romelu Lukaku got the ball rolling in just the second minute before Juan Bernat made it all square, but gave PSG a 3-1 lead on aggregate.
Lukaku came to the fore again and made it 2-1 but the Reds were running out of time to find a vital away goal. That changed when drama unfolded in stoppage time.
A Diogo Dalot strike hit Presnel Kimpembe on the arm with the Frenchman’s back turned to goal. VAR intervened, and the visitors were awarded a penalty, much to the bemusement of Parisians, particularly Gianluigi Buffon.
Marcus Rashford was the chosen one and the academy graduate stepped up to take it. The rest is history.
The English forward smashed it in past Buffon, and United went through to the quarter-finals away goals (3-3). There has still been no team in the Champions League to overturn a two-nil deficit at home in the first leg.
3. Cristiano Ronaldo Returns to the Theatre
- Event: Manchester United vs Newcastle – Premier League
- Date: September 11, 2021
- Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester
Lightning struck twice at Old Trafford, and no supporter in their wildest imaginations thought it would happen. In the closing stages of the 2021 summer transfer window, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer sought more firepower, and the club saw an opportunity to seal the reunion of all reunions.
Cristiano Ronaldo made a fairytale return to United and Sir Alex Ferguson played a key role in bringing him back to the club. His second debut in the Reds colours came against Newcastle United at the Theatre of Dreams.
Peter Dury’s commentary on the Portuguese icon’s Red Devil return was a peak moment that defined his walk from the tunnel to the field. It felt like a king reclaiming his throne.
Ronaldo marked the occasion with a brace in a 4-1 victory. This moment reconfirmed that United’s stadium is definitely a Theatre of Dreams.
2. Ending the Drought
- Event: FA Cup final
- Date: May 21st, 2016
- Venue: Wembley Stadium, London
After a three-year dry spell, Manchester United’s FA Cup triumph marked a long-overdue awakening. It was a moment that made fans dream of returning to the top of English football under Louis Van Gaal.
United’s day out at Wembley against Crystal Palace was full of twists and turns, especially when substitute Jason Puncheon drilled the ball past David de Gea with just 13 minutes left to play. But the Reds equalised through Juan Mata’s volley to take the final to extra time.
Nightmare struck when Chris Smalling was sent off after receiving a second yellow card. Van Gaal’s men were a man down, with penalties seemingly going to be required.
That was until Jesse Lingard made the difference and took all the headlines. The academy graduate ran onto Anthony Martial’s blocked shot and hit a stunning volley into the top corner to make it 2-1.
Additionally, this victory served two purposes. One, to bring back the long-awaited trophy to Old Trafford, and the other saw Rooney win his first FA Cup.
1. Mourinho Masterclass
- Event: Europa League final
- Date: May 24th, 2017
- Venue: Friends Arena, Stockholm
Under Jose Mourinho, Manchester United lifted their first-ever Europa League. It was the first time since Sir Alex that the side had won a European trophy. The Reds stood together for their city during a moment of darkness.
48 hours before kick-off, a terror attack killed 22 people and injured many at the Manchester Arena. Such moments are when the sport becomes trivial.
United embraced their renowned spirit and won 2-0, beating Ajax in Stockholm. Paul Pogba and Henrikh Mkhitaryan were on the scoresheet in a somewhat underwhelming final, but the greatest moment since Fergie’s retirement.
This was United’s first continental trophy in nine years, which paved the way for Champions League football next season. Nothing has since rivalled it as the best day to be a Red in the post-Sir Alex era.
