2011–12 Manchester United F.C. season

The 2011–12 season is Manchester United's 20th season in the Premier League, and their 37th consecutive season in the top-flight of English football. United are defending Premier League champions, and are aiming for an unprecedented 20th league title this season. Furthermore, they are competing in the Champions League for a 16th successive season. In addition, they are competing in the domestic tournaments, the FA Cup and the League Cup.

Manchester United began the season with a 3–2 win over local rivals Manchester City in the Community Shield at Wembley on 7 August 2011.

They were however knocked out of the League Cup at the Fifth Round stage for the second successive season after losing 2–1 to Crystal Palace at Old Trafford on 30 November 2011.

On 7 December 2011, United lost 2–1 away to Basel, a result which saw them finish third in their Champions League group. This means they are competing in the UEFA Europa League (formerly the UEFA Cup) for the first time since the 1995–96 season.

On 4 January 2012 against Newcastle United‎, Ryan Giggs broke Sir Bobby Charlton's record for the most starts, the match being Giggs' 757th start.

Pre-season and friendlies

Manchester United preceded their 2011–12 campaign with a tour of the United States for the second year in a row. As in 2010, they played in the MLS All-Star Game, in which they took on a team of the best players in Major League Soccer. In the lead-up to this game, which was played on 27 July 2011, United took on the New England Revolution (13 July), the Seattle Sounders (20 July) and the Chicago Fire (23 July), before finishing the tour with a game against Barcelona at FedEx Field in Washington, D.C. on 30 July.^[1]

The club granted a testimonial to Paul Scholes, who retired on 31 May 2011, to honour his 17 years of service to United. The match was played at Old Trafford against New York Cosmos on 5 August 2011.^[2][3] United won the game 6–0, with Scholes himself opened the scoring, to complete an unbeaten pre-season.^[4]

FA Community Shield

As Premier League champions, United began the season against the holders of the FA Cup, local rivals Manchester City. The match was played at Wembley on 7 August.^[5] This was the first time the Shield had been contested by the two clubs in 55 years. United had most of the possession and more shots on goal in the first half, but it was City who took the lead in the 38th minute when Joleon Lescott nodded in a David Silva free-kick. Edin Džeko then doubled City's lead on the stroke of half-time with a low strike from long-distance. However, seven minutes into the second half, Chris Smalling volleyed home an Ashley Young free-kick to reduce the deficit, and then Nani finished off an intricate passing move involving Wayne Rooney and Tom Cleverley in the 58th minute to bring the score back to 2–2. With a penalty shoot-out looming as the game moved into injury time, Nani forced a mistake from City captain Vincent Kompany, outpaced the defence and rounded goalkeeper Joe Hart before sliding the ball into the empty net to seal United's comeback and their 19th FA Community Shield.^[6]

Premier League

The fixtures for the 2011–12 season were announced on 17 June, with United beginning the defence of their title away from home for the first time since 2005–06.^[7]

United travelled to The Hawthorns to take on West Bromwich Albion on 14 August 2011, and won 2–1. Wayne Rooney opened the scoring when he fired a left-footed shot past Ben Foster, but United goalkeeper David de Gea made his second error in as many games to allow Shane Long to equalise as the Republic of Ireland striker's low shot crept past him and trickled over the line. However, on 81 minutes, the winner was scored when United winger Ashley Young, being booed by the home fans due to his link with rivals Aston Villa, unleashed a cross-goal shot which deflected off Gabriel Tamaş and then Steven Reid to give United the win.

United's next game was at home to Tottenham Hotspur, United's first game at Old Trafford for exactly 3 months. The game was goal-less at half-time, with both goalkeepers making saves. The best effort of the half, which fell to United's Tom Cleverley, was saved by Spurs 'keeper Brad Friedel. Ashley Young also headed wide from Wayne Rooney's chip. However, 15 minutes into the second half, United opened the scoring with a clinical goal from Danny Welbeck. The young forward latched onto Cleverley's cross before heading past Friedel at the Stretford End. Then, 16 minutes later, it was 2–0, when a brilliant passing move culminated with Anderson latching onto Welbeck's backheel and ramming past Friedel. Tottenham almost pulled one back when Jermain Defoe volleyed against David de Gea's post following an error from the Spanish goalie, but the points were sealed on 87 minutes, when Rooney thudded home a header from a Ryan Giggs centre. The win took United up to second place, one place behind rivals Manchester City. This also meant that United and City were on level points, with City only leading due to having slightly better goal difference than United.

United's next game was against rivals Arsenal at Old Trafford on 28 August. United were in full control for most of the first half, with Danny Welbeck opening the scoring after 22 minutes. However, a couple of minutes later, Jonny Evans was judged to have fouled Theo Walcott in the box and referee Howard Webb gave a penalty. Robin van Persie stepped up to take the penalty but his effort was easily saved by David de Gea. United were to make them pay for their mistake and Ashley Young made it 2–0 on 28 minutes with a curling effort into the top corner. Wayne Rooney then scored a free-kick on 41 minutes to further their advantage to 3–0. Theo Walcott managed to nick a goal back, slotting the ball under David de Gea making the half-time score 3–1 to United. After half-time Wayne Rooney scored another free-kick to extend United's lead to 4–1 before Nani chipped the keeper from 12 yards to make it 5–1. Park Ji-Sung came on and hit a left foot drive into the bottom corner to increase United's lead on 70 minutes to 6–1. Arsenal did get another goal back through Robin van Persie's left foot volley, before Carl Jenkinson fouled substitute Javier Hernández to earn him a second yellow card and an early bath. United made the extra man advantage count when Patrice Evra was fouled in the box by Theo Walcott and Wayne Rooney slotted home the penalty for his hat-trick. Ashley Young completed the rout when his curling effort found the net in the 90th minute to make the final score 8–2. The win put United top on goal difference ahead of rivals Manchester City by one goal.

United travelled to the Reebok Stadium to face Bolton Wanderers in their next game, knowing that they had slipped down to third after Manchester City and Chelsea had both won earlier in the day. After Tom Cleverley had limped off after taking a kick in the foot by Kevin Davies, which may mean the young playmaker has broken his foot, United got off to a dream start inside 5 minutes, as Javier Hernández steered home a Nani cross at the near post for his first goal of the season. Wayne Rooney doubled the champions' lead by prodding home Phil Jones' right-wing cross. Four minutes later, Rooney grabbed his second of the game, tapping home after Jones' cross-cum-shot was blocked by the legs of Jussi Jääskeläinen. Hernández swept in his second - and United's fourth - on 58 minutes, before 10 minutes later, Rooney completed his hat-trick - his second succesive treble and his seventh hat-trick for United - by drilling home. Late on, Hernández tried desperately to complete a hat-trick of his own, but his efforts to complete his first hat-trick for United ended in vain. Still, United overtook City on goal difference for the second successive game, with United top of the table by three goals.

United's next game was at home to rivals Chelsea on 18 September 2011. United opened the scoring after 8 minutes after Chris Smalling rose unmarked to head an Ashley Young free-kick into the far corner. After Ramires failed to convert a Fernando Torres cross, mishitting the ball and allowing David De Gea to spring across the goal to make the save, Nani doubled United's lead on 37 minutes, firing the ball into the top corner from 30 yards. The first half ended with a 3-0 lead for United after Phil Jones ran forward into the Chelsea penalty area and, following a block from Nani, the ball rebounded back to Wayne Rooney who sidefooted the ball home. At half time Nicolas Anelka was introduced for Chelsea in favour of Frank Lampard and he immediately assisted Torres, who reduced the deficit to 3-1 mere seconds into the second half. However, it was United who received the next significant chance when Nani smashed the ball off the crossbar and, when attempting to gather the rebound, he was fouled by Jose Bosingwa in side the penalty area. Rooney went to take the penalty but slipped during the run up to strike the ball, causing the shot to go well wide. Chelsea also had a chance in the last 10 minutes when Torres shimmied the ball past De Gea but sliced his shot at the open goal wide.

Manchester United's next game was away to Stoke City on 24 September 2011, a team in which United have beat in all six of the teams' previous meetings in the Premier League. However, the game ended 1–1, which meant that United relinquished their 100% league record in the 2011-12 season, and City took points off United in the league for the first time. Early on, United had a penalty shout when Javier Hernández was brought down by Jonathan Woodgate in the penalty area, but the referee turned down United's shouts and Hernández eventually limped off. Despite this, United opened the scoring through Nani on 27 minutes, who exchanged passes with Darren Fletcher, before finishing beyond Asmir Begović with aplomb. David de Gea pulled off a couple of outstanding saves to keep United ahead, but Stoke levelled in the 52nd minute, through Peter Crouch's emphatic header. Ryan Giggs squandered a great late chance as the points were shared. United remained ahead of Manchester City on goal difference.

United's next game was a 2-0 home win against Norwich City on 1 October 2011, United's first game that kicked off on 3pm on a Saturday for almost half a year. Before United's first goal on 68 minutes, one of Norwich's many chances came through former Huddersfield winger, Anthony Pilkington, who could only shoot wide. United's first goal came when Ryan Giggs' corner was headed on by Phil Jones and then Wayne Rooney, and Anderson headed it in. Seven minutes later, Pilkington had another chance, but his deflected shot was tipped onto the post by United goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard, making his Premier League debut, and then saved by the Danish 'keeper. United sealed the win on 87 minutes, when Danny Welbeck scored after exchanging passes with Park Ji-Sung. Wayne Rooney's record of scoring in every Premier League in the season ended, despite an attempt to chip the ball over Norwich keeper John Ruddy and hitting the crossbar. United, however, kept their place at the top of the Premier League on goal difference.

After an international break, United played Liverpool on 15 October, in a game that Sir Alex Ferguson said was better than the El Clásico itself.^[8] Although United started as the better side, gradually Liverpool started to come about more chances until first-half whistle. Following tradition that there had yet to be a 0–0 draw between these two sides, Rio Ferdinand clipped Charlie Adam outside the penalty area, and Steven Gerrard converted from the free kick, giving Liverpool the lead the 60th minute, and also handing him the 'Man of the Match' award after the match (in his first start for Liverpool since 6 March 2011). However Liverpool's enjoyment was short lived, as 10 minutes from time, Javier Hernández headed into the back of the net, making the score 1–1. Despite late efforts from both teams, the game eventually finished 1–1, leaving United 1 point ahead of local rivals Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table for the time being. Manchester City later defeated Aston Villa 4–1 to go top of the Premier League, 2 points clear of United.

The next game was the Manchester derby, at Old Trafford, which saw the Manchester City go out as winners. United started dominating the game, but just the second time City came close to De Gea and Mario Balotelli neatly scored for the visit. United kept control of the game for the remainer of the first half, but couldn't capitalise on their chances. Later, two minutes into the second half, Johnny Evans received a red card for a challenge on Balotelli near the area. City went on to score two more goals, another from Balotelli and one from Sergio Agüero.

Next, ten minutes from time, United scored via Darren Fletcher, and a few minutes later had a chance from a free kick by Ashley Young but Chris Smalling couldn't direct the ball properly to the net. They would regret not scoring because what followed were three more goals from City, one from David Silva and two from Edin Džeko. The final score was 6-1, handing United their first home defeat since losing to Chelsea in the 2009-10 campaign, and seeing the Citizens top the table by five points.

Their next game was away to Everton. In late years United had had troubles on that stadium, including a 3-3 draw the previous year in which Everton had scored two stoppage time goals to level the match. The game started and slowly United started building confidence, and finally a goal by Javier Hernández from a cross by Patrice Evra put United ahead in the score, and the game would end 1-0.

Sunderland visited Old Trafford in their next game. This game saw the return of two ex-Manchester United players to Old Trafford, Wes Brown and John O'Shea. The game was a tough test for the Red Devils, but they were the winners when Brown deflected a cross into his own net at the end of the first 45 minutes. His return to Old Trafford saw him scoring for the club he had previously played (and scored) for.

They were away to Welsh side Swansea City, in their next league game. For the first time, United visited Swans new home, Liberty Stadium. United dominated for the first 15 minutes and, at 11 minutes, Hernandez scored from a pass from the left by Ryan Giggs. The home side had a good chance a few minutes later after a cross from the right saw the striker in front of an open goal, but wasn't able to shoot and Jonny Evans prevented him from doing it. For the rest of the first half it was an end to end affair, but with no real danger from any of the two. The second half started and Swansea got off as the better side. For 35 minutes they dominated the game and had a couple of good opportunities to score, but United were defending slidly. For the last ten minutes United got back to their feet and had very good chances of scoring. Wayne Rooney shot from outside the box a few times but he wasn't successful. Antonio Valencia also had a shot from outside the box going just out. Phil Jones had a forward run which almost ended in goal, but his shot hit the far post. The game ended 0-1 for United, their third consecutive win by this score.

United received Newcastle United at Old Trafford for the next match. The first half was a pretty much uneventful period and the score by the end of the first 45 minutes was 0-0. Second half started and in the 48th minute United received a free kick near the area. Rooney blasted his shot but it hit the wall, and when he received the ball back he blasted once again. The ball deflected on a defender and hit Hernandez which richoted into the back of the net. They were one up until Rio Ferdinand tackled Demba Ba inside the penalty area, but replays of the tackle showed that he had made contact with the ball first. The referee gave Newcastle the penalty anyway and Demba Ba himself scored to level the game 1-1. United kept pushing and trying to score but couldn't. For the last five minutes they received several corners, but no attempt ended in the net, save a last one by Hernandez but was ruled offside. The score ended 1-1.

Their next game was a visit to Villa Park against Aston Villa. The first few minutes of the game were divided. Five minutes after the start Hernandez was injured on his left ankle and was substituted by Danny Welbeck. Finally United scored at the 20th minute. A cross from the left from Nani was finished by Phil Jones, making it his first Manchester United goal. United kept pushing for the rest of the game, and despite Aston Villa's improvement in the second half, they kept a clean sheet. At the end of the second half United kept pushing, and even had a goal ruled offside from Welbeck. They couldn't score the second. The score finally read 0-1.

Next they received Wolves at Old Trafford. United got to the better start and it went on for the rest of the game. In the 17th minute, after a run from the left, Nani profiled himself through the center and fired a shot that ended at the back of the net. Ten minutes later Wayne Rooney fired from the same angle Nani had fired minutes before and this time as well ended in goal. This ended an eight-match draught without any goals for Rooney, and it was the first time since defeating Norwich City 2-0 that United scored more than once in a game. United kept their dominance for the remainder of the first half. The second half started with Wolverhampton capitalising on the first chance they got, with a header from Steven Fletcher ending in the back of David De Gea's net. In spite of this United kept their dominance and scored once more in the 56th minute when a cross from Antonio Valencia was received by Nani, making it 3-1. Then, in the 62nd minute Wayne Rooney scored once again acrobatically, making it 4-1, which was the final score. Two days after they defeated Wolves, at Stamford Bridge, host Chelsea defeated their rival, City, their first defeat in the 2011-12 Premier League and narrowed the points gap into two points differences.

Next they visited the Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road. Wayne Rooney scored one of United's quickest goal this season, heading in Valencia's cross. Michael Carrick scored his first goal since January 2010, a solo dribble and finish to seal the scoresheet 2-0.

On 21 December 2011, United played a game at Craven Cottage away to Fulham. The game finished 5–0 with goals from Danny Welbeck, Nani, Ryan Giggs (whose goal meant he had scored in all 20 Premier League seasons) then in the second half; two late goals from Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov in the 88th and 90th minute finished the match off.

United's next game was at home to Wigan Athletic. The game was played on 26 December (Boxing Day) 2011, and United won 5–0. Park Ji-Sung coolly slotted the hosts into an early lead, before Wigan striker Conor Sammon was harshly sent off for catching Michael Carrick in the face. Dimitar Berbatov fired United 2–0 ahead, and netted the third after the break with a neat turn and powerful finish. Antonio Valencia rifled into the corner, before Berbatov scored from the spot to complete his hat-trick.

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

FA Cup

United entered the FA Cup at the Third Round stage with the other Premier League clubs, as well as those from the Championship. The Third Round draw was made on 4 December 2011,^[9] and gave United an away match against Manchester City. The tie will be played on 8 January 2012, and will be the 162nd Manchester derby.

League Cup

As one of eight English clubs who qualified for European competition in the 2010–11 season, United received a bye to the Third Round of the League Cup. The draw took place on 27 August 2011, giving United a trip to Elland Road to take on fierce rivals Leeds United.^[10] The match took place on 20 September 2011, where United won 3–0. Sir Alex Ferguson handed a start to debutant Ezekiel Fryers, 18 years old, and twice early on, Dimitar Berbatov had to clear off the line. But that was the closest the hosts came to causing an upset, as Michael Owen opened the scroring on 15 minutes with a scuffed shot and lashed home a second on 32. Ryan Giggs all but sealed the victory when he played a short corner to Park Ji-Sung, got the return ball, nutmegged Robert Snodgrass, and shot past Andy Lonergan via a deflection off Luciano Becchio. Late on, Ramon Nuñez, a Leeds substitute, fluffed the chance to score a consolation for Leeds, firing wide.

The draw for the Fourth Round took place on 24 September 2011, and gave United a trip to the EBB Stadium to take on League Two side Aldershot Town. The match was played on 25 October 2011, with United once again winning 3–0.

The draw for the quarter-finals took place on 29 October 2011, and gave United a home match against Championship side Crystal Palace. Crystal Palace took the lead in the 65th minute, with a 40-yard strike from Darren Ambrose. However their lead lasted less than 4 minutes, with Macheda equalising from the penalty spot, after he was fouled himself, in the 69th minute. Despite increasing Manchester United pressure, the match went to extra-time, where Crystal Palace scored a second, with a Glenn Murray header, to put them 2–1 ahead in the 98th minute. The game eventually ended 2–1, with Crystal Palace facing Cardiff City in Semi-final, a game which secured a Championship side in the final.

UEFA Champions League

Manchester United began their UEFA Champions League campaign in the group stage after finishing in first place in the 2010–11 Premier League. The draw for the group stage was made on 25 August 2011. As one of the top eight-ranked teams in Europe, the club was seeded in Pot 1, meaning that they would avoid being drawn with defending champions Barcelona, as well as Bayern Munich, Internazionale, Porto, Real Madrid and the other three English clubs, Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City.^[11] The draw eventually paired United with two previous opponents, Benfica and Swiss champions Basel, and one new opponent, Romanian champions Oțelul Galați.

United's first UEFA Champions League group game was away to Benfica on 14 September 2011, which ended in a 1–1 draw. Nicolás Gaitán's delightful long pass picked out Óscar Cardozo in the 24th minute, and he controlled on his chest then finished from 16 yards. But three minutes before half-time Ryan Giggs cut inside from the right and fired a 20-yard strike to equalise. United keeper Anders Lindegaard saved from Nolito and Gaitán late on.

United's next game in the Champions League was a home game against Basel. Two goals from Danny Welbeck in the 16th and 17th minutes looked to have put United in control. Welbeck's first goal came when he scuffed a shot in off the post, and the England forward's second was a far more convincing strike from Ryan Giggs' cross. Fabian Frei shot in off the post on 58 minutes to give Basel hope, and Alexander Frei's header, aided by awful defending from Rio Ferdinand, made it 2–2. With 15 minutes remaining, Basel were awarded a penalty and Alexander Frei sent David de Gea the wrong way to give Basel a shock lead and leave United on the brink of a first home defeat in almost 18 months. However, in the 90th minute, Ashley Young headed home Nani's cross at the back post to rescue a point. United could have nabbed all 3 points had substitute Dimitar Berbatov not shot into the side-netting rather than play it along the ground for a tap-in. Instead, United were forced to settle for a point, as they went down to 3rd in Group C. This was the first time since 1999 that United had failed to win either of their first two Champions League group stage matches.

United went on to win both their fixtures against Oțelul Galați 2–0, with two penalties, both scored by Rooney, leading United to victory away from home, and an early goal from Valencia and a late own goal from Sârghi to ensure a United victory at Old Trafford. However, a draw in Matchday 5 against Benfica, and an unlikely loss against Basel at St. Jakob-Park meant that United failed to progress past the group stage of the Champions League for only the third time in 17 years.

According to football finance blogger Andy Green (a.k.a. "andersred"), United's failure to progress beyond the group stage of the Champions League could cost them up to £20 million, mostly in lost TV revenue.^[12]

UEFA Europa League

As a result of finishing third in their group, United are playing in the Europa League (formerly the UEFA Cup) for the first time since the 1995–96 season. They entered the tournament at the Round of 32 stage.

As one of the top four of the eight third-placed Champions League teams, United were seeded for the Round of 32 draw which took place at 12:00 GMT on 16 December 2011. United were drawn against Ajax of the Netherlands. The only previous meeting between the two sides came in the 1st Round of the same competition in the 1976–77 season, United winning 2–1 on aggregate thanks to goals from Lou Macari and Sammy McIlroy.

United will be away from home for the first leg on 16 February 2012, before the return leg at Old Trafford on 23 February 2012.

Should United progress, they will face either Lokomotiv Moscow or Athletic Bilbao in the Round of 16.

Squad statistics

Statistics accurate as of match played 4 January 2012^[13]

Transfers

In

Out

Loan out

See also

• List of Manchester United F.C. seasons

References