Following RoM’s best and worst signings of the decade, we will now take a look at some of the best goals we’ve scored over the past ten years, as well as some of the most painful goals scored against us.
It’s important to note that in the past ten years we’ve won seven league titles, two European Cups, two FA Cups and two League Cups, so we would be here all day if we were to name every great goal, so these are the ones that stood out for me, and I welcome any Youtube links for any other videos you think deserve a mention (as I have struggled to find older goals).
BEST GOALS
Date: March 22nd 2003 vs Fulham
Context: Ruud van Nistelrooy’s hattrick against Fulham sent United top of the table for the first time in a year, with just seven games left to play. It was his fourth hattrick for United and his 32nd goal of the season, on the way to United scooping another title. It was his second goal that was really special and probably the best goal he ever scored for us.
Date: October 24th 2004 vs Arsenal
Context: You could see the newspaper headlines and DVD titles already, all revolving around Arsenal going 50 games unbeaten after playing United at Old Trafford. This was an achievement that some crazy people were likening to our Treble and whilst they’d failed to beat us during this run, and had even lost to us in the FA Cup, it was down to us to put a stop to the madness. And we did. Ruud van Nistelrooy exorcised his demons from the penalty miss against them the season before, but Rooney made it 2-0. As a point of interest, Arsenal had just one attempt on target all game.
Date: April 24th 2005 vs Newcastle
Context: We were a few weeks away from the end of the most depressing season we’d had for some time and went a goal down against a poor Newcastle side. They’d only had one attack, if you can call it that, with Tim Howard just clearing the ball straight to them. With half an hour left to go and still 1-0 down, Wayne Rooney started limping. Things were just going from bad to worse. But then, as he was chewing the ref’s ear off, the defender cleared the ball in his direction. He ran to it and struck it absolutely perfectly. Probably my favourite goal I’ve ever witnessed at Old Trafford. United went on to win 2-1.
Date: November 6th 2005 vs Chelsea
Context: United got thrashed 4-1 by Middlesbrough at the weekend then during the week lost 1-0 to Lille in the Champions League. So what better time for us to play current champions, Chelsea? So what if it was probably an accident, Darren Fletcher’s winning goal was the first occasion in a long time that we really had something to celebrate. The days of being the underdog weren’t always dreadful.
Date: January 22nd 2006 vs Liverpool
Context: In the days when the title was Chelsea’s, we were competing with Liverpool for second place. Taking them on at Old Trafford, we were losing that competition, with our opponent’s putting in the better performance. However, when Cisse missed pretty much an open net, you had to wonder whether it was going to be our day. Ryan Giggs whipped in a great ball which Rio Ferdinand powered in to the back of the net. Insane celebrations follow and United move four points ahead of them.
Date: February 24th 2007 vs Fulham
Context: Despite leading the table from the start of the season, insecurities of the poor previous seasons were still being felt in 06-07. Chelsea had been like a machine for a couple of years and we couldn’t quite believe we weren’t going to fuck up the title somehow, with Mourinho’s men more than happy to pinch it from us. The turning point in confidence, for me at least, was when United managed to go from 1-0 to winning 2-1, thanks to an 88th minute goal from Cristiano Ronaldo. We moved 9 points clear at the top of the table. One week later, John O’Shea scored that goal against Liverpool.
Date: April 29th 2008 vs Barcelona
Context: After drawing 0-0 at the Nou Camp, with Cristiano Ronaldo missing an early penalty, the pressure was really on for the second leg of the European Cup. Scholesy has scored some great goals in his time but none more important than this, with a sublime strike which booked our place in the European Cup final, nine years after he missed one through suspension.
Date: September 20th 2009 vs City
Context: This was the first meeting between the local rivals since City had really flexed their financial muscle as The Richest Club in the World. It was also the return of Carlos Tevez, who had claimed his feelings for United were so strong that he wouldn’t even consider an offer from hated rivals Liverpool… but somehow overcame those strong feelings for United to sign an £160k a week contract with City! After dominating the game, United made three errors at the back and City scored from every single one, the last of which occurring in the 89th minute, taking the score to 3-3. Then deep in to injury time, substitute Michael Owen popped up to score the winner in what will be remembered as one of the greatest, if not the greatest, derby day ever.
WORST GOALS
Date: May 8th 2002 vs Arsenal
Context: Arsenal travelled to Old Trafford knowing that victory would crown them champions after we had won the league for the past three years on the trot. With just less than an hour played, Sylvain Wiltord scored the only goal of the game, and their irritating chant was born.
Date: May 19th 2007 vs Chelsea
Context: United had won the league a couple of weeks earlier and our reserves received the guard of honour from the Chelsea first team at Stamford Bridge. We approached the FA Cup final in party mode at the first Cup final in the new Wembley stadium. The game was absolutely dreadful, two teams totally knackered from a long season which saw them battling for the league and reaching the Champions League semi-finals. Normal time finished at 0-0 but four minutes from the end of extra time and the start of penalties, Didier Drogba scored. Having seen how absolutely exhausted our players were, there was no hope of a late equaliser, and our “chin up Mourinho” chants didn’t sound too clever any more.
Date: April 26th 2008 vs Chelsea
Context: United travelled to Stamford Bridge knowing that a win would all but seal the league title and a defeat would blow the race wide open, with two games to play. The second leg of the European Cup semi-final was three days later, with both clubs wanting to prepare themselves properly for the Champions League, as well as keeping themselves in the title race. Chelsea took the lead on the stroke of half time, before Wayne Rooney equalised with an hour played. But with four minutes to go, Chelsea were awarded a penalty, which they scored, putting them level with us on points, with an inferior goal difference. Less than a month until the end of the season and we were painfully close to winning the Double and had Ballack not scored the penalty, we would have been even closer.
Man Utd News 24/7
Can’t believe the liverpool game wasn’t on the worst.
I was bored for a whole week at the time
Also David villa is a considering a move to england,
Chelsea are on aguero,liverpool have no money,United have 80 in the bank
And arsenal well…arsenal need someone to fill
(sorry pressed send by acc) as i was saying arsenal need to fill RVP’s boots,but we have the better history.
Would we consider him joining us?
Very harsh on Ronaldo Scott.
Where’s the Porto goal?
Also what about the Kiko goal against Villa?
where was Macheda? I loved watching those goals again – especially Owen.
Off topic – Has anyone found out which Prem manager was having his Christmas Cracker pulled by that Thai Hooker?
Ronny Vs Porto
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rAy7dGhtgI
Macheda Vs Villa
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cm-lDpCpjKw&feature=related
Dont know about you Guys but i never get tired of watching these goals
A good collection of goals. It’s hard tp pick out one, but in 05-06 we were so miserable that the Fletcher and Rio goals were an oasis! Fantastic feeling on both occasions. This year i jumped up and down the room for 2 goals: Macheda vs Villa, Ronaldo vs Totteham and Owen vs City.
As AIG says, the one against Porto and this one also stand out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8vVOz9XAU0
Worst goal? Joe Cole’s second when we lost 3-0 at the Bridge. And another one that we don’t remember much. Oliver Neuville’s goal at Leverkusen. I was so covinced that we would go to the final in Glasgow!
My fave goal was Smith’s vs Roma – find a better United team goal
Or Ronnie’s 2nd in CL Semi vs Arsenal.
Or a quick counterattack by Ronnie and Rooney vs Bolton.
I remember a couple more fantastic Rooney goals vs Boro.
Okay, there are too many
On another note: how hillarious was Gary Neville in his celebrations after Owen’s goal?
@READ CAREFULLY WHAT I:
I didn’t hear anything about it. Really? Someone was naughty instead of nice this Christmas! Phil Brown perhaps?
@Drabik
I will rather go for Ronaldo’s 3rd against Arsenal. That was more deadly.Brilliant counter attacking football and a team goal
@Drabik
Sorry.think you were saying ronaldo’s 2nd which meant our third. i thought you were talking about the free kick.
@AIG: Exactly AIG. Truth be told, we saw some beautiful goals in our Champion’s League campaign last season, but Ronaldo’s second at the Emirates was one of the best.
Also we had some very beautiful counter attacking goals against Roma in 06-07: Rooney’s at the Olimpico as well as 3 of them in the Old Trafford match.
The Da Silvas are the only defenders who will definitely return for the Hull game. Fergie is also hoping to have either Wes or Vida fit for that match:
http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid={F9E570E6-407E-44BC-800F-4A3110258114}&newsid=6644399&page=2
Anyone felt like or saw the goals against us?. i did not see nor do i want to see them.
Scott where is eagles goal at everton ? the final nail in THAT comeback ?
@Costas
Thats good news. So we can expect a backline of
rafael, Vidic,Da Laet, Evra. Fletch and Carrick can move into midfield. That has rekindled my hopes of us getting a win on Sunday. Hope we get a few more back before the Wigan match on Wednesday
@AIG:
It is good news. Finally some players are coming back. No word on Edwin and Rio from what i see, but that’s understandable since they don’t deal with a specific time table.
Before the Villa game i said that Fergie might be bluffing regarding Wes’ condition and i think he is doing the same here with Vidic. Nemanja just missed out the game at Craven Cottage, so with 8 days of rest, i think he will be ok for Sunday. We have to get one of those centre backs ready because Carrick and De Laet as a parntership doesn’t make me feel too comfy. Of course we run the risk of playing some rusty players, but at this moment i would take the risk if it means Carrick and Fletch playing in misfield again.
So if it all goes well, we will go into the Wigan game with only 4 absentees in defence. Edwin, Rio, Evans and O’Shea.
Major absenteece
1 – macheda vs villa
2 – o’shea vs liverpool
3 – ronaldo vs porto
4 – park vs arsenal (cl )
5 – rooney vs milan
6 – giggs vs wigan
I think Macheda’s goal & Ronaldo’s goal against Porto are definitely among the best goals scored by United this decade.
Macheda’s goal was probably the one goal that kept us in the title race.
Also, according to Skysports’ website, Evans could be back for Wigan(taking that with a grain of salt) and Ryan will likely miss the Hull trip.
Fergi shouldn’t take vidic’s case lightly… right now the last thing we want is long term injury to our best defender maybe he should consider getting back carthcart and simpson or atleast aquiring one centre back in january so we should be well prepared for milan surely nobody wants the repeat of 2007…
When we thrashed Roma, all 7 goals were simply world class. Brilliant night. Macheda vs villa, Rooney vs ac milan, Ronaldo vs porto. Torres scoring against us last season at OT was very hard to take. Infact, the whole game was agonising to watch. Cant wait until we play them at OT again. There is no reason to why we cant beat them this season.
It;s great news that Rafael and Fabio are back. I hope they start so that we have a proper stable defence throughout the game and hopefully we;ll see Fletcher and Carrick back in midfield.
Sam i don’t think he will be able to get Cathcart or Simpson back right now. Our best choice could be a loan deal, but Fergie believes that he will have everyone back by the end of January. I don’t think Nemanja iwll be rushed back. That might have been the case at Fulham, but i think he will be ok this week. This onjury crisis has to end at some point.
@Costas
Hope so. I also hope it wont end up costing us the title.We cant expect Rio and evans to hit the ground running immediately. They have been out for some time now so they may look rusty when they come back. Jan end should be the target with the big games starting with Arsenal in Jan and then the Champions League in Feb.Everyone should be fit by then. Hopefully Hargo too
Ballack’s penalty was horrible. I remember getting into a fight with my brother after it because he had enough of my constant swearing. To loose that game in that fasion and because of a controversial hand ball was utterly frustrating. Avram Grant’s celebrations are priceless though.
Ronaldo in moscow?
Was the rentboys one that ridiculous decision for Carricks ” handball” ?
Cannot stand the fact that some rate Arsenal’s “unbeaten ” season up there with the treble. It got as many votes on Talkshites hall of fame. Fucking hell you could go unbeaten and only get 38 points!
Scholes against Barca takes some beating just for the occasion alone.
Some important goals not mentioned so far
Ronaldo v Roma (1st leg) 2008, old school forward play;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LvkTkA1Dng
Giggs and O’Shea v Arsenal (Highbury) 2005, who needs a striker when you can have 3 versatile forwards;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhP9xAl4xng
Forlan v Liverpool (plus every other goal he scored);
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWtBiDuLbXk
@COSTAS
Hi mate, yeah The Sun busted a prem manager coming out of a brothel.
They have been “gagged” from saying who though. It is definitely a Prem manager though and I hope one of the guys on here would know who
Some blogs are suggesting Phil Brown as well as Wenger. Some are saying Hodgson ?
One person though Martin O `Neill.
I would love to find out before Christmas Day …..
@ aig alex is god
i think its possible we had an agreement with watford to recall back cathcart incase of emergency and we can consider this as one.
Am not so sure on simpson even if his loan expires on january 9 coz it seems the boy has got his own ambitions at newcastle although he’s one whom i think saf should keep hold of…
@ READ CAREFULLY WHAT I SAID
i wish its wenger it would be my best xmas gift… i can’t wait to rip em l’arse crooks down here !!
Sorry aig the above replay was meant for costas
off topic: I have seen the three stars above our club badge to signify the three (without murdering anyone) European cup victories. However watching Mancini interview on sky I notice City have done THE EXACT same thing, why? Does anybody know? I can only imagine it is to signify the number of decades since they won anything. ie. The official City ticker!!……Priceless eh?
best:
scholes – bradford (2000)
scholes – boro (2000)
worst:
any of Fat Ronaldo’s hat-trick for RM
Ballack’s goal for Bayern Leverkusen
Nueville’s goal for BL
these goals are from the back part of the decade.
Hi, Interesting choice of goals Scott! Quite different from mine (http://manutd24.wordpress.com/2009/12/18/the-top-six-goals-of-the-decade/) but I totally see where you’re coming from.
@READ CAREFULLY WHAT I Said:
Thanks for the update. I am scratching my head to figure out who could be so ridiculous. I can’t imagine O’Neil, Wenger, Moyes, Redknapp or Hodgson behind it. I don’t kow much about Owen Coyle or Tony Pulis to regard them as suspects. Avram Grant, lol? Or Mick McCarthy?
I think Phil Brown is the most possible suspect, but wouldn’t it be the best Christmas ever if it was the FSW?
@King Eric:
Hi mate. 2 points that i will cary from other topics. Yeah, it was that Rooney goal that i was referring too. Wayne has matured a bit now, but he was such an explosive player when he was pissed off! He was also a bit injured before that goal. I would like to see these shots a bit more. I think he is only trying to curle them nowdays.
And i heard about the defence. The return of the twind bulk the squad a bit, but it’s still the heart of the defence that concerns me. I will feel more comfortable if we get Vida and/or Brown back starting this Sunday. From then on, Skysports said that Evans could be back for Wigan? That would be fantastic. All that will remain then, is the returns of Neville(won’t be far of), O’Shea(middle to end of January) and Edwin+Rio(who don’t have a specific timetable)
So many to choose from but there’s no question in my mind that my favourite was by Ryan Giggs against Aston Villa, three or four years ago. Paul Scholes one-timed the ball in an arc that Giggs ran onto the pass and side-footed his volley into the corner. The keeper never moved. Fantastic vision, teamwork, and amazing skill by both players. What makes that goal so special for me is that it seemed so effortless – neither Scholes nor Giggs looked as though what they had done was surprising or, indeed, out-of-the-ordinary. That’s why both of them can deservedly be called “legends”, which is a term I restrict to UTD’s very greatest players.
The most “exciting” goal was Wayne Rooney’s viciously volley against Newcastle; Rooney’s two dinks against Portsmouth/David James weren’t too shabby, either. Ronaldo’s forty-yard thunderbolt against TheArse and his astounding header away against Roma encapsulated why he was such a fabulous entertainer.
I also have a soft spot for John O’Shea’s demurely dinked-volley for the fourth against TheArse. Johnny was the most surprised guy in the stadium. He really couldn’t believe what he had done. And, I’ll bet that all his team-mates felt the same way and told him that in the bath afterwards.
@denton davey:
Thanks for reminding us one of the great goals of the past decade. O’Shea at Highbury. To this day, i still believe that he didn’t celebrate that goal because he thought he was offside!And i like how he celebrated in the same manner when he scored against them in the Ch.League semi!
Ive got to go for Paul Scholes v Aston Villa at villa park.probably THE best volley and strike EVER!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQXrMbArqSs&feature=related
Sheasy at Highbury! Oh the memory of that one.
denton davey was also right about the Giggsy goal at Villa Park from the 04-05 season. Such a sweet attacking move. Lovely one-two and Giggsy struck it without looking at the goal i think. The problem is that i can’t find goals from that season anywhere!
This one by Beckham in the 2002/2003 season was an absolute corker. First time lob from an inch-perfect Scholes pass.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRrqgwCjNL0
And one of Ole’s most emotional goals:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTnTwrNaLYk
20LEGEND!
Three that stand out
Scholes V Barcelona because of what it meant in terms of history for our ginger Prince
Kiko v Villa because it bought back the romance of this club: Youth Courage Success – because it bought back the memory of Sir Matt and the emergence of our youth teams under SAF
Ole’s first goal back since injury – because I admit I never cried more than I did that day at the sight of seeing one of the greatest players of this club making a comeback – if only it had lasted for a while longer – nevertheless…
Some very odd choices. The list looks very dated. I’d rather forget United circa 04-06 tbh, though it seems to be your favourite era for some reason?
And no place on the worst goals list for Andrea Dossena’s 25 yard lob which sealed the humiliating 4-1 home defeat to Liverpool? Come on now, you just didn’t want to remember it!
(Some of) my favourites:
Forlan v Chelsea ’03 (last minute winner)
Solskjaer v Charlton ’06
Scholes v Aston Villa ’06
Hargreaves v Arsenal ’08
Ronaldo v Arsenal, CL semifinal ’09 (counter-attack goal)
My most hated:
Wiltord ’02
Costinha ’04
Benjani & Vassell ’08
Dossena ’09
Eto’o ’09
FFS can’t believe I forgot Kiko!
Among my “most hated goals” I would place at the top of my list the one that Scholes scored against Porto that was ruled offsides in the CL/04 – that referee/linesman’s decision made Jose Mourinho a very, very, very rich man.
@ denton davey
SPOT ON!!!
Paul Scholes, he scores goals!
The one against Barca 07-08 was a classic !
United must have scored about 1000 goals in the last decade, so a lot of great ones will be forgotten.
Some of Beckham’s free kicks were also sublime and amongst the finest we have seen in the past decade. It’s easy to forget about them because he made them look so easy. The one at Maine raod was quite good as was the one against Van Der Sar in the 3-2 victory against Fulham in 2001. I think though that his best free kick of the noighties was his very last goal for Manchester United.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzC3heuSz-0
Oh and Larsson’s first – imagine if he had signed up so much earlier – not to begrudge the man – superb athlete and dedicated player
Costas – Becks free kick at Maine Road was a pearler.
Paul Scholes against Panathainikos. 2000 pass build up!
@King Eric:
Hey lets leave Greek teams out of this! Seiously though, Scholes’ goal that day was unbelievable. I think every United player touched the ball before we scored, or something like that. Seba Veron also scored a delightful chip against Olympiacos 2 years later.
And i found another forgotten goal. It wasn’t the prettiest one we have ever scored, but it proved that the Arsenal invincables could be beat.
Scholesy vs Arsenal:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gwjV4c9cWk
“And i found another forgotten goal. It wasn’t the prettiest one we have ever scored, but it proved that the Arsenal invincables could be beat.
Scholesy vs Arsenal:”
Lovely build-up play and a really clever reverse pass from Ruuuuuuuud. RVN was a terrific striker in his salad days – how we could use that version with this team, this year !
Anyhow, the RentBoyz’ problems are accumulating and perhaps they will be next to go into a tail-spin. Couldn’t happen to a nicer bunch of guys !
@denton davey:
No need to get nostalgic about that goal mate. The contributors are still at the club. It was a pass from Gaz Nev to Giggsy who’s reverse pass found Scholes. I think Ruud was injured for that one. But it was the heroics of that game! Carroll and Brown were immense as was Fletch. I think it was the first time he performed in a big game. And the atmosphere from the Man United fans inside Villa park was one of the best we have ever had in a semi final.
As far as the Ret bos are concerned, i hope you are right. It’s about time other teams enter a sticky patch! Hopefully they will drop at least 2 points in the next two games. And hopefully we won’t!
My favourite goal is RVN’s against Fulham. I’ve tried to copy that style of finishing myself, with little success.
My favourite goals of the decade(remember that I’ve supported United for only 5 years or so) are, in no particular order:
Kiko
Owen
O’Shea against Liverpool
Ronaldo against Porto
Ronaldo against Arsenal ( Both goals )
Scholes against Barcelona
Least favourite:
Messi
Eto’o
N’Gog
Vassell
Oh also, MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Agree re Eto in Rome being one of the most painful. So against the run of play, and the aftermath in terms of the wheels falling off for us was so sudden and profound.
Ronaldo´s freekick against Portsmouth should have been in there…
van nistelrooy’s goal against charlton where rooney ran from the halfway line taking on about 5 players and crossing into to box for ruud to volley into the top corner. qual-it-y!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uAZpQ8ktwQ
ruud’s charlton goal
osheas goal against liverpool in the 90th minute, ronaldo free kick parried by reina and it fell to oshea to smash it home
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJqs4OFsiKA
lol, i remember i was working all day long on Friday before that match against liverpool on Saturday, was fcking tired. All in all, i think the match was shite, i fall asleep after scholes had been send off and woke up 2 or 3 minutes before o’shea’s goal.
forget the energy drinks or coffees, i’ll never ever find a better wake upper than this goal, i was running up and down in my room with screaming like a madman who has just escaped from the arkham asylum LOL
A moment what will never forget!!!