Top Ten Matches/Moments of the Fergie Era

There have been so many memorable moments down through Sir Alex's reign - just simply picking ten was no easy task, nevermind ordering them, but here goes:

10. 4-1 victory over Spurs to go top in January 1993
With the signing of Eric Cantona a few weeks previously, the final piece of the title-winning puzzle was in place. The three points took United top of the newly-formed Premier League for the first time, but as significant was the manner of this swashbuckling victory. With the new maestro conducting the orchestra, only the heroics of Tottenham goalkeeper Erik Thorsvedt prevented an absolute rout.



9. Diego makes the Scousers cry at Anfield in December 2002
Badly hit by injuries to key players, and sitting as low as fifth in the table, defeat to Liverpool would have dealt a serious blow to United's championship aspirations. However, a defiant performance, and a large helping hand from Liverpool goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek, saw Diego Forlan grab the two goals that would forever endear him to supporters. The victory, which was followed up a week later with an impressive win over champions Arsenal, marked the assertion of the Reds' title challenge - which would be a successful one come May.



8. Champions League group stage victory over Juventus in November 2007
Facing the previous season's defeated finalists less than a year after being soundly beaten by them both home and away in the group stages, United were determined to demonstrate that they had finally arrived at Europe's top table. Summer signing Teddy Sheringham made his debut in the competition, and grabbed the equaliser after Juventus took an early lead. Spurred on by the electric atmosphere inside Old Trafford, Paul Scholes put the Reds ahead, and a sensation solo effort from Ryan Giggs sealed victory. Juve did pull a late goal back to put a flattering look on the scoreline given United's superiority and dominance.



7. Cantona's goal in the 1996 FA Cup final versus Liverpool
One of the most eagerly-anticipated Cup finals in years turned out to be a damp squib until the 86th minute when David James could only get a fist to Beckham's outswinging corner. The ball fell to Cantona who adjusted wonderfully before striking a superb volley that flew through the crowed penalty area and to the back of the net. In a fitting finale it was also Cantona who led the team (in absence of Steve Bruce from the matchday squad) up the famous Wembley steps to lift the trophy as United became the first club to do the 'double' twice.



6. Steve Bruce's title-inspiring injury-time winner against Sheffield Wednesday in April 1993
When John Sheridan's penalty gave Sheffield Wednesday a shock second-half lead, a hush descended on Old Trafford as fans feared another shortcoming in the then 26 year wait for a league title. Steve Bruce's 85th minute equaliser brought a sense of relief and suddenly the mood lifted. Sensing that three points rather than one were really needed, United laid siege but couldn't find a winner until the sixth minute of the inaugural "Fergie Time" when Bruce popped up again. The rest is history!



5. That penalty shoot-out victory in Moscow
While it may not have been as dramatic as the 1999 final, the penalty shoot-out that decided the 2008 Champions League was arguably as nerve-wracking an occasion as any Red supporter has had to endure, particularly after Cristano Ronaldo's miss granted John Terry the opportunity to win it for Chelsea. Alas he slipped, and when Edwin van der Sar went on to save from former Arsenal, Liverpool, and Man City striker Nicholas Anelka, United were champions of Europe again.



4. Atmosphere at Old Trafford for the 2008 Champions League semi-final versus Barcelona
With the tie perfectly balanced after a 0-0 draw in the first leg at the Nou Camp, United's fans were determined to make the most of home advantage; afterwards the players confessed to never remembering an atmosphere inside Old Trafford quite like it. Paul Scholes's fourteenth minute strike just made things louder. However, the slenderness of the lead - an equaliser, which would have counted double as an away goal, would have put Barcalona through - made for a tense conclusion before the final whistle sounded to a huge roar of elation.



3. The Roy Keane-inspired comeback against Juventus in the semi-final of 1999 Champions League
A late equaliser courtesy of Ryan Giggs handed United a lifeline after they had been second best for much of the first leg at home, but two early goals from Filippo Inzaghi in Turin looked set to extinguish that hope. Step forward Roy Keane who firstly grabbed the goal that got the Reds back on track, then shook off the receipt of a yellow card which would rule him of the final to inspirationally drive his side on to a most famous comeback. It was the ultimate captain's performance, and the treble moved even closer.



2. The three minutes of injury time of the 1999 Champions League final
The story goes that when the fourth official's board went up to signal three minutes of stoppage time, a number of UEFA delegates commiserated with some of the United directors and made their way down to pitch-level for the trophy presentation. What a three minutes they missed! If a mix of joy and relief met Sheringham's equaliser, it was a feeling of immense euphoria and near disbelief that greeted Solskjaer's winner. The Reds had won the 'treble' after the most extraordinary of conclusions imaginable.



1. 1999 FA Cup Semi-final versus Arsenal at Villa Park
It's easy to forget that a relatively uneventful scoreless draw three days previously forced this tie to a replay, the very last FA Cup semi-final to go to such. This game had everything - United took a deserved first-half lead through a fantastic David Beckham strike and should have extended that advantage before Arsenal equalised courtesy of an equally exquisite effort by Dennis Bergkamp. Nicholas Anelka thought he had put the Gunners ahead, but celebrations were quickly halted as the linesman had correctly flagged for offside. The Reds found themselves down to ten men when Roy Keane picked up a second booking, and just as the game ticked towards stoppage time, Phil Neville brought down Ray Parlour in the penalty area. However, Peter Schmeichel was equal to Bergkamp's spot-kick and further denied Arsenal in extra-time. The lottery of a penalty shoot-out seemed like the best outcome United could have hoped for until Patrick Vieira gave away the ball. Cue Ryan Giggs and arguably the greatest goal in the club's history.