2000-2009

2000-2009 :
United started the new decade, century and millennium in strong fashion. They entered a brand new competition ''the FIFA Club World Championship in Brazil'' .The January trip to South America didn't result in any silverware but it gave the Reds relaxtion time in the hot sun. Freshened up by this trip, they raced ahead of their rivals in the title race when they returned to England. They achieved their sixth Premiership title early, in April, and still without a world class keep such as Peter Schmeichel which left Manchester United. Several goalkeepers including Mark Bosnich tried and failed to impress during the 1999/2000 season. So it wasn't surprising when World Cup and European Championship winner Fabien Barthez joined United in July 2000. The crazy but brilliant French goalkeeper helped United to win their third successive title in 2000/01. Liverpool had been the last team to do it, in 1982, 1983 and 1984, but this was under two managers : Bob Paisley and Joe Fagan. Sir Alex Ferguson had led them for all three of United's back-to-back titles, and was the first manager in English football to achieve the hat-trick of trophy's. Ferguson's biggest signing in 2002 summer was Rio Ferdinand, one of England's best performers at the World Cup Finals in Japan and Korea. The £30 million signing was key to Ferguson since they lost Jaap Stam. Ferdinand helped the Reds to gain their Premiership title in May 2003 but it ended badly for him because he failed a drug test and was banned for 8 months.Without Rio they lost the league to Aresnal but regained themselves by beatin Millwall 3-0 in the F.A cup.