Manchester United's 20 Most Breathtaking Goals Under Sir Alex Ferguson

Since Sir Alex's arrival at Old Trafford in 1986, things have pretty much gone perfectly for the Red Devils.

Countless League title after League title have been tallied up by the Scotsman and his illustrious pool of talent.

Since the start of the Premier League alone, United have netted an unprecedented 1,538 goals.

And that's before taking into account goals in the Champions League, FA and League cup, or even the recent venture into the Europa League.

Unsurprisingly, in all that time, United have managed to score some goals that will live on in footballing folklore forever.

This article catalogues the best of their efforts, from the early 90's all the way to this season's campaign.

Sit back and let your eyes enjoy a nostalgic goalfest! 

20. David Beckham vs. Wimbledon (1996)

This was the first ever goal in Premier League history which was scored by a player within his own half.

David Beckham was, and still is, one of those players that, no matter what, can always make a footballing match into something so much more than just a sporting occasion.

The man has probably done more for the game in recent years than any other player - significantly increasing the popularity of the sport in Asia and North America.

What was even more spectacular about this particular goal was the fact that D-Beck clearly intended to score with it.

In addition to that, Wimbledon Goalkeeper Neil Sullivan was still (relatively) close to the goalmouth itself.

Usually with goals of this nature, the keeper has come up for a last minute attempt at scoring from a corner leaving the net totally open.

The fact that Beckham could effectively "chip" Sullivan from this range is truly phenomenal. 

19. Federico Macheda vs. Aston Villa (2009)

This was the young Italian's debut game for the Red Devils, and what a way to kick off a career!

With the score stuck at 2-2, in a game that United realistically needed to win to keep their stronghold over the chasing pack, things were looking bleak.

Cue this man's entrance. 

In the 93rd minute of play Michael Carrick passed the ball to a heavily marked Macheda on the edge of the box.

Throwing off his marker with an exquisite back-heeled control Macheda swivelled and curled the ball right footed past the helpless Villa keeper.

Old Trafford erupted and United later went on to defend their title.

Unfortunately since then Macheda hasn't really shown much sign of repeating the feat...

18. Mark Hughes vs. Oldham Athletic (1994)

It's extra time in the 1994 FA Cup semi final.

United trail by 1-0 after 119 minutes of play and look like being on the wrong end of a surprise upset.

All hope seems lost for Fergie and his men, when suddenly a ball is lofted high into the Oldham box.

Despite the pressure of two Oldham Athletic defenders on either side, Mark Hughes somehow manages to get the better of the both of them, directing a perfectly timed volley into the top corner of the net.

This was before penalty shoot-outs were used to decide cup Semi-finals and so the match was scheduled for a replay the following week.

This time United made no mistake, winning the game 4-1.

They would later go on to demolish Chelsea 4-0 in the final itself, capping an impressive League and Cup double—the first of many for Sir Alex.

17. Ashley Young vs. Arsenal (2011)

There were many great goals scored in this 8-2 mauling of Arsenal—even a couple of good ones from the Gunners!

However I personally think that this finish from Young was the most impressive.

Many would disagree, citing Rooney's brace of free-kick finishes to be of better quality (and to be honest those people would have a very good argument).

But there was just something about the way that Ashley managed to curve that ball past the completely outstretched arms of Szczesny that will live long in memory.

Young has since had a very hit and miss season—performing to an almost world class ability in some matches, and looking poor on other occasions.

However, this is more than likely the result of the injury he suffered in October, rather than anything he is personally doing wrong.

Let's just hope he keeps netting wonders like this.

16. Carlos Tevez vs. West Ham (2008)

Yes I know, it's Carlos Tevez.

But nobody can deny this was a sensational strike from the Argentinian and now Manchester City striker.

Perhaps the most touching moment of the whole thing was the fact that the West Ham fans (Tevez's previous club who he had pretty much single-handedly saved from relegation the season before) all applauded the goal.

It's nice to see footballing fans have a bit of class like that about a former player.

I mean it would be expected perhaps of someone like Beckham at Old Trafford, but remember, Tevez had only been at the Hammers for a season.

He even received a standing ovation from both sets of supporters when he was substituted.

Don't expect that kind of reception the next time you're at Old Trafford Carlos.

The match in question ended 4-1 to United - moving them one point away from another Premier League title.

They would later go on to win the League after a victory against, who else, Manchester City.

15. Ruud Van Nistelrooy vs. Deportivo La Coruna (2002)

This was a brilliant team goal more than anything else.

The intricate one touch football of Beckham, Veron and of course Van Nistelrooy is a delight to watch over and over again.

That being said, the finish itself from the legendary Dutch striker is still something that many attacking players can only dream about pulling off.

Ruud was without a doubt one of the most likeable players to ever come to Old Trafford.

He famously got a lot of stick from opposing fans about the number of goals that he scored within the six yard box, but moments like this are a perfect example of how he was so much more than just a tap-in striker.

It was a sad day when he left for the Bernabeu and Madrid.

This man was arguable the best technical striker that Sir Alex has ever had the privilege to manage.

14. Eric Cantona vs. Liverpool (1996)

What better stage to score an incredible goal like this than at Wembley Stadium against your fiercest rivals?

With 85 minutes on the clock Cantona scored one of the most underrated goals in the history of English football.

Certainly many people do remember and credit the goal as something special, but the ability with which Cantona strikes the ball on the half volley (with the majority of his body still in front of the ball itself) is beyond words.

I still don't understand how it managed to travel through so many players without anyone getting a touch on it.

Amazingly, this isn't even the best goal that Cantona scored for United, as you will see later on.

Unsurprisingly, with Liverpool having only 5 minutes to get back into it, United went on to win the game   1-0.

13. Cristiano Ronaldo vs. Portsmouth (2007)

This is widely touted as one of the best and most innovative free-kicks ever taken in the Premier League.

Ronaldo has become somewhat of a specialist at this type of set-play now for Madrid—although his record this year has not quite been as good as he would have probably liked from this sort of position.

Still, the way in which Cristiano is able to curve that ball up and down over the wall and into the back of the net is something that I've never seen any other player achieve.

What makes this style particularly spectacular is the fact that Ronnie barely moves after striking the ball.

Normally you would expect a follow through after powering a strike this hard, but instead he remains almost routed to the spot.

Its a shame for Ronaldo that he was born into the same generation as Lionel Messi, otherwise he would almost certainly be considered at the same level as the likes of Maradonna, Pele and his Brazilian namesake. 

12. Paul Scholes vs. Aston Villa (2006)

What can be said about this Old Trafford legend that hasn't already this season?

Paul Scholes is without a doubt one of the most gifted players to have ever kicked a football in the English Division.

This goal against Villa in a 3-0 League victory is just one of several screamers from the Ginger Ninja that make it onto this list.

Since coming out of retirement this season Scholes has turned United's season around.

In a way, though, it's somewhat worrying that one of the most influential players is a 37 year old man...

With this goal in particular you have to marvel at the way in which Paul is able to strike a ball so cleanly from that distance on the volley.

Truly masterful.

11. Ruud Van Nistelrooy vs. Fulham (2003)

The most ironic thing for me about this match is the fact that I distinctly remember saying to the friend I was watching this with, that I would much prefer to have Edwin Van der Saar in goal for my team than Fabian Barthez.

Prophetic wisdom perhaps.

This was probably Ruud's best goal as a United player. 

Having picked up the ball on the half way line, the big man went on an unstoppable run in which he rounded no less than 3 Fulham defenders before slotting past his compatriot and future United legend in the opposing goal.

The game ended 3-0 to United

10. Cristiano Ronaldo vs. Arsenal (2009)

This goal all but confirmed that United would make it through to a second consecutive UEFA Champions League final.

It's another Ronaldo special from a game that many United fans will remember for a long time to come.

United took a 1-0 lead to the Emirates, knowing that avoiding defeat would see them face either Chelsea or Barcelona in the competition's final.

As it was, United was up by 2 goals to nothing within the first 11 minutes of play—ending the tie outright.

The game eventually finished 3-1 on the night and 4-1 on aggregate to the Red Devils—who would unfortunately go on to lose 2-0 to Barcelona a few weeks later.

9. Paul Scholes vs. Barcelona (2008)

This absolute screamer from Scholes was the only goal over both legs of this Champions League semi-final.

The result took United to Moscow, to face a Chelsea team who was starting to lose its grip on the English Premier League.

After a goal from another one of United's old guard, Ryan Giggs, and an equaliser for Chelsea from one of their legends, Frank Lampard, the game went to extra time and then penalties.

Eventually United prevailed, taking the shoot-out 6-5 and winning the tournament for the third time (the second under Fergie) in their history.

Which leads me perfectly into the next slide.

8. Teddy Sherringham and 7. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer vs. Bayern Munich (1999)

If either of these goals were scored under less dramatic circumstances you wouldn't really bat an eyelid.

They were good finishes, but nothing out of the sublime like others strikes in this list.

However, as any good United fan will know, these goals were perhaps two of the most important in the history of the club.

And the beauty of them was the fact that they both came after more than 90 minutes of time had elapsed.

It would have been wrong to include these goals separately in the list because they will always be remembered as one collective moment in United's time-line. 

Both of these men were already destined to be United legends before this match, and after the final whistle it only ascended them to almost mythical status.

Every time I watch this I get goosebumps. 

(It's worth watching all 2:33 minutes).

6. Eric Cantona vs. Sunderland (1996)

Its a shame that Cantona's United career had to end with more of a whimper than a bang, but the Frenchman will always be remembered for this goal against Sunderland in the League—among several other things!

When interviewed about this goal, Cantona actually stated that he was happier with a pass he had made earlier in the match than with the goal itself.

That kind of comment just goes to show how differently Eric's mind works compared to the rest of us.

5. Dimitar Berbatov vs. Liverpool (2010)

Berbatov is probably the most unfairly criticised player United has had since Fergie took over.

Despite winning the golden boot in the Premier League last season, and netting over 50 goals for the club, people still bang on about how much of a waste of money he was.

Luckily, in recent years the signings of Fernando Torres by Chelsea and Andy Carroll by Liverpool have helped the general public to realise that in reality, Berbatov really hasn't been that bad at all for the Red Devils.

This game was probably the highlight of his United career thus far.

Having put his team up 2-0, things were going smoothly for United.

That was until the old foes' oldest talisman stepped into the fray.

A Steven Gerrard free-kick, followed by a trademark Gerrard goal made it 2-2.

But as many sides have learnt over the years, you should never write United off.

Berbatov took the reigns again and scored his hat-trick goal, making the final scoreline 3-2 in United's favour.

The goal in question was Berbatov and United's second.

4. Cristiano Ronaldo vs. Porto (2009)

Ronaldo scored some amazing goals in his time at Old Trafford, but this one is certainly his best.

What a clean hit, and from so very far away from the FC Porto goal!

I'm aware how audacious a claim it is, but Cristiano Ronaldo might be the best clean striker of a football in the history of the sport.

Those free-kicks and goals like this for both United and Madrid have shown how Ronnie has the ability to power his foot through a ball and place it anywhere he wants to in the opposing net.

Truly wondrous.

3. Wayne Rooney vs. Newcastle (2005)

Having not appeared at all yet in this list, Rooney takes up 2 of the 3 top spots.

Since arriving at Old Trafford in the summer of 2004, Rooney has firmly cemented himself as one of the clubs most prolific goalscorers of all time.

Currently sitting just two goals behind Arsenal's Robin Van Persie on 26 League strikes this year, Wayne has a real chance of overtaking the Dutchman and winning the Golden Boot yet again.

That would be a real boost for England's confidence going into the European Championships this summer.

As for the goal in question, just watch the brilliance for yourself.

2. Ryan Giggs vs. Arsenal (1999)

Ryan Giggs, Ryan Giggs, running down the wing!

What an iconic goal this was from such an iconic player.

Say what you like about Ryan Giggs and his personal life, one thing is for sure - nobody will ever beat Giggs when it comes to consistency in the Barclays Premier League.

The man has been able to cut it with the best of the world for the past 20 years now - even Scholesy had to take a little brake in that time!

The ball was stuck to his feet like glue in this match, and he scored a goal that would take United through to the FA Cup final yet again.

There they would beat Newcastle United 2-0.

This was the same year of the famous Bayern final, and as such, United took home the ultimate footballing treble.

And what a hairy chest! 

1. Wayne Rooney vs. Manchester City (2011)

How fitting that a goal from United's current talisman against their current greatest rivals is No. 1 on the list.

If only Wayne and co. had been able to pull off feats like this against the blue half of Manchester this season, United fans might be sitting here as much happier fans. 

Nevertheless, this goal was out of this world, and was recently voted the greatest Premier League goal of all time.

Not only was it a great finish, but it made the scoreline 2-1 in a match that United needed to win to maintain dominance over the rest of the division.

The game ended that way and United went on to win the league back from previous champions, Chelsea.

As for this season I'm sure I speak for all United fans when I say Come on you Magpies! 

There's still a slim hope left.

But for now lets just bask in the glory of this magical bicycle kick.