Manchester United’s long history is rich with legendary figures who performed at the highest level for years on end. Yet alongside the greats whose consistency defined eras, there are players remembered for one unforgettable season when everything seemed to click. These campaigns produced goals, drama, and iconic moments that remain part of the club’s folklore.
Football has always had room for those who burn brightest for a short time. At Old Trafford, supporters still look back fondly at those who gave them that one brilliant year. Whether it was a striker leading the line with unmatched confidence or a talisman pulling the team through at decisive moments, their legacies are written in short but vivid chapters.
Robin van Persie
Sir Alex Ferguson’s last season, 2012/13, belonged to Robin van Persie. Signed from Arsenal for £24 million, he instantly justified the fee by scoring 30 goals in 48 appearances. His finishing, movement, and composure gave United an edge that proved decisive in reclaiming the Premier League crown.
The highlight came with a hat-trick against Aston Villa in April 2013, sealing the title with weeks to spare. That volley from Wayne Rooney’s long pass remains one of the defining goals of the Premier League era. While Van Persie stayed at the club for two more years, injuries and managerial changes meant he never reached those heights again. Yet for that one season, he was unstoppable.
Eric Cantona
In 1993/94, Eric Cantona reached the height of his influence in English football. He scored 24 goals and assisted 13 in 47 matches, driving United to the league and FA Cup double. His presence changed the way the team played, adding a touch of creativity and arrogance that inspired those around him.
If Cantona were playing today, his chances of success would be judged differently, with online bookmakers and even non UK football betting sites likely rating him among the favourites every week. Manchester United, as a team, today, are generally given longer odds compared to dominant teams like Manchester City, with Manchester United priced around +475 to win key matches like the Manchester Derby, indicating they are underdogs in major fixtures. For season-long achievements in 2025, the club’s odds to finish in the Premier League top six are about 15/8, with odds of around 14/1 to win the FA Cup and 7/2 to reach the Europa League final.
His mix of skill, leadership, and charisma would fit seamlessly into the current game, where both statistics and star power drive reputations. Comparisons are often drawn with Bruno Fernandes, who carries a similar creative burden for United, while Zlatan Ibrahimović once joked he would be the “God of Manchester” compared to Cantona’s “King.” In his own era, though, 1993/94 was the campaign that set his legend in stone.
Ruud van Nistelrooy
The 2002/03 campaign was Van Nistelrooy at his ruthless best. Across all competitions, he scored 44 goals in 52 appearances, a tally that included 25 in the league, 12 in the Champions League, and crucial strikes in the domestic cups. His finishing was ice-cold, whether from open play, penalties, or headers, and he rarely missed once given half a chance inside the box.
One of the season’s defining runs came between March and May 2003, when he scored in 12 consecutive Premier League matches, a record that stood until Jamie Vardy broke it more than a decade later. Van Nistelrooy’s form was instrumental in swinging the title race away from Arsenal, particularly with a decisive hat-trick against Fulham and a nerveless penalty in a must-win match against Charlton. He ended the season with the Golden Boot and the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award, recognition of just how unstoppable he was.
What made that season stand out was the direct duel with Thierry Henry. The two traded goals at a remarkable pace, with Van Nistelrooy’s relentless finishing finally edging Arsenal’s talisman in the scoring charts. Though he continued to find the net regularly in the following years, injuries and tactical shifts meant he never again matched the sheer volume and consistency of 2002/03.
Denis Law
In 1963/64, Denis Law produced numbers that remain unmatched in Manchester United’s long history. He scored 46 goals in just 43 appearances, a ratio that highlighted both his variety as a finisher and his stamina across competitions. His goals came in every form: thunderous volleys, precise headers, and instinctive finishes from inside the six-yard box.
That year Law was the heartbeat of United’s attack. He found the net 30 times in the league, 10 times in Europe, and another six in the FA Cup, often carrying the team when others struggled. His most memorable performance came in December 1963, when he scored four goals against Aston Villa in a 5–1 win, underlining the dominance he enjoyed during that period. The season ended without a league title, but Law’s individual brilliance earned him the Ballon d’Or, a rare accolade for a British player.
For supporters of the 1960s, Law embodied flair and aggression in equal measure. He could dazzle with a back-heel or scrap for a scruffy finish, and his relentless hunger for goals meant defenders never had a moment’s rest. While he remained prolific in other campaigns, 1963/64 was the year he reached a level no United striker has since matched.
Adnan Januzaj
The 2013/14 season was bleak for Manchester United as the club struggled to adapt following Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement, but Adnan Januzaj briefly provided hope. His full league debut against Sunderland in October saw him score twice, including a stunning volley, and he quickly became the story of the season. His flair, balance, and willingness to take players on gave Old Trafford a rare thrill during a campaign otherwise defined by disappointment.
Januzaj made 35 appearances that year, scoring five goals and providing several assists. He won multiple penalties with his direct running and earned praise from senior players for his confidence. For weeks, he was hailed as the club’s next great prospect, with comparisons drawn to a young Ryan Giggs. However, the promise faded as quickly as it arrived. Loan moves to Borussia Dortmund, Sunderland, and Real Sociedad followed, and he eventually left the club without adding to the excitement of that first year.
