1992–93 Manchester United F.C. season
111th season in existence of Manchester United / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The 1992–93 season was Manchester United's first season in the newly formed FA Premier League, and their 18th consecutive season in the top division of English football.[1]
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1992–93 season | ||||
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Chairman | Martin Edwards | |||
Manager | Alex Ferguson | |||
Premier League | 1st | |||
FA Cup | Fifth Round | |||
League Cup | Third Round | |||
UEFA Cup | First Round | |||
Top goalscorer | League: Mark Hughes (15) All: Mark Hughes (16) | |||
Highest home attendance | 40,447 vs Blackburn Rovers (3 May 1993) | |||
Lowest home attendance | 19,998 vs Torpedo Moscow (16 September 1992) | |||
Average home league attendance | 35,132 | |||
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The season was marked by the club winning the inaugural Premier League title, ending their 26-year run without an English league title. They ended up winning the title by a 10-point margin over runners-up Aston Villa, but had fought a three-horse race for much of the season with both Villa and Norwich City, not topping the table until January. The arrival of Eric Cantona from Leeds United for £1 million in late November helped boost United's title challenge, after they had been as low as 10th in the league shortly before. Cantona's arrival came after new striker Dion Dublin had been ruled out for six months with a broken leg, and Cantona was the catalyst in United's triumph which was confirmed on 2 May 1993 when Aston Villa lost at home to Oldham Athletic and therefore could not catch up to United.
Mark Hughes topped the goalscoring charts with 15 league goals, while Ryan Giggs was voted PFA Young Player of the Year for the second year in succession. Steve Bruce was United's captain for much of the season, as the veteran Bryan Robson missed many games due to injury. The arrival of Eric Cantona saw former striker Brian McClair switched into midfield, further restricting Robson's first team chances.
In the UEFA Cup, United lost on penalties to Torpedo Moscow of Russia, after two goalless draws. Their League Cup campaign ended in the Third Round with defeat at Aston Villa. Their FA Cup campaign ended in the Fifth Round when they lost 2–1 to Sheffield United.
Making their debuts this season were teenagers David Beckham, Nicky Butt and Gary Neville.
Before the season began, United were linked with a move for Southampton striker Alan Shearer, but the player signed for Blackburn Rovers instead. Dion Dublin was then signed from Cambridge United, but was injured just one month after his arrival, and United struggled to find the net in the weeks that followed, the club was linked with the signature of numerous other strikers. A £3 million bid for Sheffield Wednesday's David Hirst was rejected, while Sheffield United striker Brian Deane was also linked with a move to Old Trafford, but no firm offer was made. The hunt for a new striker ended on 26 November, when Eric Cantona was signed from Leeds United for a fee of just over £1 million.
By the end of the season, United were being linked with a move for Nottingham Forest's 21-year-old Irish midfielder Roy Keane, who was also a target for Arsenal and Blackburn Rovers. After the player came close to joining Blackburn, United signed him on 19 July 1993 for a British record fee of £3.75 million.
It was the last season at Old Trafford for midfielder Neil Webb, who returned to Nottingham Forest in November after losing his place in the Old Trafford first team. Russell Beardsmore, who did not play a game during the season, joined AFC Bournemouth on a free transfer at the end of the season.