Premier League Champions 2012-13 by Dr. Michael Calleja
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hilst it may seem like eons ago, the club’s last title win in 2012-2013 will forever be remembered as the final season in charge of the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson. For context’s sake, it is worth mentioning what occurred during the previous campaign - although this will be fleeting and at best ephemeral due to obvious (painful!) reasons. By April of 2012, the season seemed done and dusted. United, seemingly invincible, were marching towards their 20th title in typical relentless fashion. By the time the Red Devils had travelled to Wigan, Sir Alex’s men were on a winning streak of eight straight victories. Unfortunately, disaster struck as United surprisingly lost 0-1 before the now notorious game vs Everton took place two weeks later, wherein United were held to a fatal 4-4 draw. These damaging results paved the way for Manchester City to claw themselves back into the race and their credentials were all-but confirmed when they defeated the Red Devils 1-0 thanks to a Vincent Kompany header at the Etihad. What happened next is still too painful for most United fans so I will spare the details and simply state that some final-day drama ensured the Premier League trophy ended up being paraded at the Etihad rather than at Old Trafford. It is
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within this context that Manchester United’s 2012-13 season needs to be analysed…and appreciated. All was set for the gaffer to pull out one final ace before a last hurrah! Having snapped up Shinji Kagawa from
Borussia Dortmund for an undisclosed fee on the 17th of August, it seemed like manna from heaven when against all expectations, Sir Alex (after some careful and shrewd negotiations with Arsene Wenger) managed to secure the signing of the great Dutchman Robin Van
