Manchester United in the EPL Era: Ranking All 20 Seasons

"Manchester United have reached the Promised Land!"

These seven immortal words, spoken by Clive Tyldesley at the climax of the 1999 Champions League final, will live long in the memory of Manchester United fans.

But is the Treble-winning season the greatest in the past 20 years for the club?

How about the 2007-08 season, Cristiano Ronaldo's best in a United shirt?

Or 1992-93, the inaugural Premier League campaign?

And which season will be ranked the worst of the past two decades?

Read on, and all will be revealed.

20. 2004-2005

The Stats:

Premier League: 3rd

Champions League: First Knockout Round

FA Cup: Runners-up

League Cup: Semifinal

Finished third in the league with only 77 points amassed, beaten by Milan in Europe, an FA Cup final defeat by Arsenal and knocked out of the League Cup by Chelsea.

Surely Sir Alex's worst season in charge, only the introduction of a newly-signed Wayne Rooney proved a notable high point. It was Roy Keane's last full season at the club, as he would leave the following November in acrimonious circumstances.

Best Moment: Rooney's debut hat trick against Fenerbahce.

19. 2001-2002

The Stats:

Premier League: 3rd

Champions League: Semifinal

FA Cup: Fourth Round

League Cup: Third Round

The Reds finished third behind Arsenal and, more notably, Liverpool in the league. An unfortunate exit from Europe in Leverkusen and defeated early in the FA Cup and League Cup, losing to Middlesbrough and Arsenal, respectively.

Three years of domestic dominance finally comes to an end as defender Jaap Stam's departure proves more consequential than many expected. A promising run in Europe also ends prematurely in western Germany.

Best Moment: A second-half comeback at White Hart Lane to win 5-3.

18. 2005-2006

The Stats:

Premier League: 2nd

Champions League: Group Stage

FA Cup: Fifth Round

League Cup: Winners

Distant runners-up behind Mourinho's Chelsea in the league, bottom of their Champions League group, a fifth-round FA Cup exit at Anfield, but a 4-0 triumph over Wigan in the League Cup final.

Hugely underwhelming campaign, but one that signaled that United were gradually improving, with youngsters Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney leading the way. This would also be Ruud van Nistelrooy's last season with the Red Devils.

Best Moment: Ending Chelsea's 40-match unbeaten streak in the league with a 1-0 win at Old Trafford.

17. 2011-2012

The Stats:

Premier League: 2nd

Champions League: Group Stage

(Europa League: Round of 16)

FA Cup: Fourth Round

League Cup: Fifth Round

Pipped at the post by cross-town rivals Manchester City in the league, unceremoniously dumped out of the Champions League by Basel and Benfica and early defeats in the FA Cup and League Cup at the hands of Liverpool and Crystal Palace, respectively.

United paid the price this past campaign for showing a lack of concentration in key moments in the league and appearing to underestimate their opponents in Europe. Midseason injuries to the back line also proved a major factor.

Best Moment: Beating Arsenal 8-2 early in the season.

16. 1994-1995

The Stats:

Premier League: 2nd

Champions League: Group Stage

FA Cup: Runners-up

League Cup: Third Round

United finish behind Kenny Dalglish's Blackburn Rovers in the league and are beaten by Everton in the FA Cup final. The Reds are eliminated early in the Champions League and League Cup.

Eric Cantona's rush of blood at Crystal Palace comes to define the season, as a promising campaign fizzles out by the final month. United throw the kitchen sink at West Ham on the final day, but can only draw, gifting the trophy to Blackburn.

Best Moment: Beating Manchester City 5-0 behind an Andrei Kanchelskis hat trick.

15. 2003-2004

The Stats:

Premier League: 3rd

Champions League: First Knockout Round

FA Cup: Winners

League Cup: Fourth Round

Third in the league behind Arsenal and Chelsea, an early exit in Europe at the hands of Jose Mourinho's Porto and a fourth-round Leaue Cup defeat by West Brom. FA Cup winners after beating Milwall 3-0 at the Millennium Stadium.

It's hard to argue with Arsene Wenger's unbeaten side, but United were still poor for most of the season and outplayed on the big occasions. New signings Eric Djemba-Djemba, David Bellion and Kleberson failed to sparkle, but £12 million Cristiano Ronaldo certainly didn't.

Best Moment: Beating Arsenal in the FA Cup semis, proving that it was possible.

14. 2009-2010

The Stats:

Premier League: 2nd

Champions League: Quarterfinal

FA Cup: Third Round

League Cup: Winners

Runners-up in the league behind Carlo Ancelotti's Chelsea, a somewhat cruel exit in the Champions League at the hands of Bayern Munich, an embarrassing home FA Cup defeat by Leeds, but a victory over Aston Villa in the League Cup to prevent United finishing trophyless.

Despite lifting the League Cup, United's first season following the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo was a mostly frustrating one. Wayne Rooney's 34 goals in all competitions impressed many, though.

Best Moment: Owen scoring late against City.

13. 1997-1998

The Stats:

Premier League: 2nd

Champions League: Quarterfinal

FA Cup: Fifth Round

League Cup: Third Round

Runners-up in the league behind Arsenal, defeated in the FA Cup and League Cup by Barnsley and Ipswich, respectively, and a disappointing exit from Europe at the hands of Monaco.

The rise of Arsene Wenger. United finish second behind the Gunners following a poor run of games near the end of the season, as injuries to key players are a major factor. The absence of Eric Cantona also has a negative effect.

Best Moment: Ryan Giggs' late winner against Juventus in the Champions League group stage.

12. 2000-2001

The Stats:

Premier League: Winners

Champions League: Quarterfinal

FA Cup: Fourth Round

League Cup: Fourth Round

League champions by 10 points over Arsenal, but defeated in the fourth round of both the FA Cup and League Cup by West Ham and Sunderland, respectively. Eliminated from Europe by a Bayern Munich side eager for revenge.

Another year of domestic dominance for United, at least in the Premier League. Teddy Sheringham took advantage of his opportunities in his final season in Manchester to score 21 goals in all competitions. Hints of complacency started to creep in towards the end, though.

Best Moment: Thrashing Arsenal 6-1 at Old Trafford, with United scoring five in the first half.

11. 1996-1997

The Stats:

Premier League: 1st

Champions League: Semifinal

FA Cup: Fourth Round

League Cup: Fourth Round

Premier League champions ahead of Newcastle, Arsenal and Liverpool, but defeated by Wimbledon and Leicester in the FA Cup and League Cup respectively. United come as close as they ever have to reaching the Champions League final, but are defeated by Borussia Dortmund in the semis.

The fine football of United's young players is tempered by the end-of-season shock that club stalwart Eric Cantona will retire. The £1.5 million deal for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer proves to be a bargain, as the Norwegian scores 18 league goals.

Best Moment: "Beckham, from the halfway line!"

10. 2002-2003

The Stats:

Premier League: 1st

Champions League: Quarterfinal

FA Cup: Fifth Round

League Cup: Runners-up

Premier League winners over Arsenal and an honourable exit from the Champions League, but United lose early on in the FA Cup and are defeated in the League Cup final by Arsenal and Liverpool, respectively.

The year that Ruud van Nistelrooy came into his own, scoring 44 goals in all competitions. Winning the league trophy back from Arsenal was satisfying, but Ronaldo's hat trick at Old Trafford for Real Madrid showed United still had some way to go on the continent. This was also David Beckham's last season in England.

Best Moment: Ruud running from the halfway line against Fulham.

9. 1999-2000

The Stats:

Premier League: 1st

Champions League: Quarterfinal

FA Cup: N/A

League Cup: Third Round

League champions with 91 points, but outplayed by Real Madrid in Europe. United didn't take part in the FA Cup and were defeated in the third round of the League Cup by Aston Villa.

No treble-winning hangover for the Reds, as they romped to a second successive league triumph, securing the trophy with months to spare. The season was arguably marred by United's lack of participation in the FA Cup, as they travel to Brazil for a glorified holiday to take part in the inaugural Club World Championship.

Best Moment: Solskjaer's four goals against Everton.

8. 2010-2011

The Stats:

Premier League: 1st

Champions League: Runners-up

FA Cup: Semifinal

League Cup: Fifth Round

Premier League champions with 80 points, nine more than Chelsea and Manchester City in second and third place respectively, but a distant second best in Europe behind Barcelona, losing 3-1 in the Champions League final. Narrowly beaten by City in the FA Cup semis, thrashed 4-0 by West Ham in the League Cup.

Unlikely winners of the league in an underwhelming campaign for all involved, United were the best of a disappointing bunch, peaking at the right time. The FA Cup defeat at the hands of City ominously signaled a change in the weather.

Best Moment: Newcomer Javier Hernandez scoring after 36 seconds in a crucial, late-season 2-1 win over Chelsea.

7. 2006-2007

The Stats:

Premier League: 1st

Champions League: Semifinal

FA Cup: Runners-up

League Cup: Fourth Round

Premier League winners by six points over Chelsea, but beaten 1-0 by the Blues in the FA Cup final. Comprehensively beaten by Milan in the Champions League semis. Early-round victims of giant-killing Southend in the League Cup.

After three seasons of disappointment in the Premier League, United finally got their trophy back, as Mourinho got the axe at Chelsea. A romantic comeback for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Henrik Larsson's loan spell made victory all the sweeter.

Best Moment: John O'Shea's late winner in a torrid game at Anfield.

6. 1995-1996

The Stats:

Premier League: 1st

UEFA Cup: Second Round

FA Cup: Winners

League Cup: Second Round

United win the Premier League and then clinch the Double, beating Liverpool with a late goal from Eric Cantona in the FA Cup final. The club exits both the UEFA Cup and League Cup in the second round.

Despite the veteran Steve Bruce moving on and Sir Alex not spending big in the summer, United repeat their success of 1994, winning the Double to clinch their place as England's elite club. Alan Hansen is proved wrong, as United win it all with kids.

Best Moment: Cantona's goal to win the FA Cup.

5. 2008-2009

The Stats:

Premier League: 1st

Champions League: Runners-up

FA Cup: Semifinal

League Cup: Winners

(World Club Cup winners.)

Champions ahead of Liverpool and Chelsea in a very competitive league campaign, second best in Europe behind Barcelona, beaten on penalties by Everton in the FA Cup semis, but victors over Tottenham by penalties in the League Cup.

A very successful season for Sir Alex, topping the league with an impressive 90 points. But United's dominance in Europe came to an end at the hands of a resurgent Barcelona. Cristiano Ronaldo's desire to leave the club becomes apparent.

Best Moment: Ronaldo's second at the Emirates in the Champions League semis.

4. 1993-1994

The Stats:

Premier League: 1st

Champions League: Second Round

FA Cup: Winners

League Cup: Runners-up

United claim the League and Cup Double, thrashing Chelsea 4-0 at Wembley to clinch it. Only a loss to Aston Villa in the League Cup final prevents the Reds from claiming the domestic treble. A nightmare exit at Galatasaray ruins the club's first foray into the Champions League.

An historic season for the Sir Alex's team, as Eric Cantona and newly-signed Roy Keane spearhead a formidable side. But the club's first European Cup adventure in 25 years comes to a shattering end in Turkey. The death of Sir Matt Busby also looms over proceedings.

Best Moment: United seal their second successive league triumph with a narrow win over Ipswich in May.

3. 1992-1993

The Stats:

Premier League: 1st

UEFA Cup: First Round

FA Cup: Fifth Round

League Cup: Third Round

United win their first league trophy in over 25 years, finishing ahead of Aston Villa in the process. A European campaign comes to an immediate end at Torpedo Moscow, whilst Sheffield United and Aston Villa knock Sir Alex's team out of the FA Cup and League Cup, respectively.

The long wait is over, as Sir Alex leads Manchester United back to the top of the league in the inaugural Premier League season. The arrival of Eric Cantona for £1.2 million proves the catalyst.

Best Moment: Steve Bruce scores twice late on against Sheffield Wednesday to send United to the top.

2. 2007-2008

The Stats:

Premier League: 1st

Champions League: Winners

FA Cup: Sixth Round

League Cup: Third Round

League and Champions League double winners, overcoming Chelsea for both. Early exits for United in the FA Cup and League Cup at the hands of Portsmouth and Coventry, respectively.

2007-08 was Sir Alex's second-best season at the helm of the Red Devils, with arguably his greatest ever squad. An amazing 42 goals in all competitions for Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo spearheading a frighteningly efficient side.

Best Moment: Van der Sar saving Nicolas Anelka's penalty to win the Champions League.

1. 1998-1999

The Stats:

Premier League: 1st

Champions League: Winners

FA Cup: Winners

League Cup: Quarterfinal

A final day victory over Tottenham to secure the league, a 2-0 FA Cup final triumph over Newcastle and a stoppage time comeback in the Champions League final to overcome Bayern Munich 2-1. Never mind the League Cup!

Arguably the greatest campaign any British club could hope to have, the Treble-winning season will surely go down as the finest of Sir Alex's accomplishments.

Best Moment: "Beckham... into Sheringham... and Solskjaer has won it!"