Top 10 Moments from Manchester United's 2014/15 Premier League Season
Manchester United's 2014/15 season had some truly spectacular moments.
In picking a top 10, moments from both ends of the pitch have made the cut. Some have been moments in the truest sense—a snapshot of time in which something really magical happens. Some are longer—whole matches that beguiled and entertained.
Because 10 is not enough, we also make some honourable mentions.
Without further ado, it's time to put the less pleasing aspects of the season to one side and enjoy a reminiscence of the best bits of Louis van Gaal's first season as Manchester United manager.
Honourable Mentions
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Phil Jones made a floor-height tackle with his head. That alone is justification for the Honourable Mentions slide.
Together with Jones' remarkable bit of improvisation, he was involved in another baffling comedy moment when he was temporarily put on corner-taking duties.
Among the less hilarious but no less honourable mentions that haven't made the top 10 are Wayne Rooney's remarkable goal against Aston Villa and Robin van Persie's last-minute equaliser against Chelsea at Old Trafford.
Also worthy of a mention is United's battling performance with 10 men at the Etihad Stadium against Manchester City—ultimately unsuccessful but pleasing in terms of commitment and endeavour.
Ander Herrera's stunning goal against Yeovil Town does not make the final cut. Neither does his superb all-round performance against Aston Villa. Both deserve a nod here.
Please do feel free to add any others you think have been missed in the comments section below.
10: Van Gaal Takes Charge
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The sheer presence of Louis van Gaal was a tonic. One of the most depressing things about the David Moyes season was the sense of a manager out of his depth. Van Gaal brushed all those cobwebs aside in his first press conference.
The football may have taken a while to click, but the sense that here was a manager who truly belonged at an elite level club came instantly.
He said, per the Telegraph: "Barcelona were number one in Spain, Ajax number one in the Netherlands and Bayern Munich number one in Germany. Now I am at Manchester United, number one in England."
Casually dropping in his CV made it clear just what a natural fit Van Gaal was for United. In spite of all the difficulties on the pitch, that is a sense that has not shifted since the moment he took charge. And it was quite a moment.
9: Falcao Warms Up Against Queens Park Rangers
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It feels ridiculous to include this in a way, but one of the most electric moments at Old Trafford this season was the moment when Radamel Falcao warmed up to come onto the pitch against Queens Park Rangers.
He ran the wrong way at first, getting applause from fans as he jogged along the touchline. When he got back to the bench, he was pointed in the right direction. As he ran toward the Stretford End, they serenaded him with his magnificent chant, borrowed from Atletico Madrid fans. At the other end of the ground, the singing section in J Stand belted out a "Lo Lo Lo" of their own.
The reaction can be heard in this video on the club's official website.
The ground was a cauldron of noise and excitement. Juan Mata scored, adding to the crescendo.
Regardless of the disappointment that followed, Falcao's first appearance in United red was a remarkable moment.
8: Paddy McNair's Back-Header on His Debut Against West Ham United
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When the teamsheet was distributed ahead of the home game with West Ham United back in September 2014, there was an unfamiliar name included.
Paddy McNair was not regarded by many as one of United's key youth prospects. Van Gaal, however, saw something in the youngster, and threw him in at the deep end as a means of overcoming a defensive injury crisis.
He played well throughout his debut, but his standout moment was a remarkable back-header off the line, which averted serious danger for United. His manager praised him for it in a post-match interview, imitating McNair's action with his head.
It was a vital intervention, with United down to 10 men and under pressure following Rooney's dismissal, and it seemed to indicated a bright future for the young man from Northern Ireland.
7: Fellaini Sparks United into Top Gear
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As has been much discussed, United's best form of the season came in a four-game run that began with a 3-0 demolition of Tottenham Hotspur at home.
That performance was sparked into life by Marouane Fellaini's superb opening goal. Fellaini showed an unexpected turn of pace to get in behind Spurs' defence and then slotted home an excellent finish.
It was atypical football from the Belgian, just as what followed was atypical for United's season. It was a wonderful moment as it happened, and became even more so in retrospect, given what it precipitated.
6: Wayne Rooney Finishes off Arsenal at the Emirates
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Most goals beget cheers, as this one did from the jubilant away following. Sometimes, they lead to a quiet head-shake in amazement as, say, Lionel Messi's remarkable goal in the Copa del Rey final on Saturday may have done.
Sometimes, on rare occasions, they lead to a burst of laughter, and this was one such goal.
It has happened so many times at the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal dominate possession, look the better side, United score on the counter-attack and United win.
A comically awful first-half performance was followed by an incisive counter-attacking second half, and it was topped off by this wonderful and entirely familiar Rooney goal.
Sadly for United fans, Arsenal returned the favour at Old Trafford in the FA Cup, inverting the expected narrative of Arsenal-United clashes by ceding possession and scoring their own counter-attacking goals.
But in one of United's least deserved victories of the season, Rooney provided an uplifting—and frankly hilarious—moment.
5: David De Gea's Save Against Everton
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I have waxed lyrical about this one before, but no list of United's best moments of the season could be complete without mention of David De Gea.
There have been so many excellent saves, but this one was genuinely remarkable. He had saved a penalty on the stroke of half-time. The whole game had seen United claw their way into the lead and struggle to hold on.
When Bryan Oviedo hit his shot, it seemed destined for the back of the net. De Gea was on his knees following a previous effort.
Somehow, though, he managed to get to his feet and spring into action, blasting the ball over the net with the palm of his hand.
A stunning save from a wonderful 'keeper.
4: United Beat Liverpool 3-0
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This was, in truth, not one of United's best all-round team performances of the season. They looked vulnerable throughout, and De Gea was called upon often enough to earn the Man of the Match award from Gary Neville on Sky Sports.
However, it was a truly wonderful moment. While they were not brilliant as a team, United were brilliant in front of goal, and the 'keeper was brilliant at the other end.
The scoreline had a pleasing symmetry, given it was the same score Liverpool had beaten United by during the darkest days of Moyes. The times they were a-changing at Old Trafford.
3: Winning the Derby at Old Trafford
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And speaking of the times changing...
Manchester City have had the edge in the derby in the past few seasons. More than just an "edge" in a couple of games too.
United went down early, as they had done in last season's 3-0 defeat. However, unlike that day, the team showed character and no little ability as they worked their way back into the game and dominated for much of the rest of it.
Ashley Young was the star man as United brushed City aside. An unlikely sentence to write, and the product of a magical moment.
2: Di Maria Scores at Leicester
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Forget everything that came thereafter, both in the game and the season.
Take yourself back to the moment that Angel Di Maria scored an absolute wonder goal against Leicester City.
It came on the back of United brushing aside QPR at home, a game in which Di Maria's contribution was both stirring and vital. It put United 2-0 up in a game in which they had started like world-beaters.
And it was exactly the sort of unexpected goal you would expect Di Maria to score. A technically remarkable goal, a goal that summed up the hopes for the new United.
Of course, what followed took the shine off, but for the sheer transcendent power of the moment, it would take something incredibly special to keep this off the top spot.
1: Mata's 2nd Goal at Anfield
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And speaking of something incredibly special...
Juan Mata scored a flying scissor kick at Anfield, which turned out to be the eventual winner.
It was United's best moment since Robin van Persie unleashed his volley at Old Trafford against Aston Villa as Sir Alex Ferguson won his final title.
Ander Herrera's reaction to the goal spoke for United fans everywhere. He put his hands to his head in disbelief as he chased after his friend, who had run off to celebrate. The travelling United faithful went ballistic. Archrivals were being put to the sword in spectacular fashion, with beautiful football winning the day.
Di Maria's chipped through ball meant that Mata did not have too many options. Leaving both feet and guiding the ball into the opposite corner was the path of least resistance to a goal. It was the kind of moment that reminds people why they love football.
It was United's crowning moment of the season.
Here is to hoping that next season's best moment involves silverware.
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