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2003–04 Manchester United F.C. season

English football club season


English football club season

FieldValue
clubManchester United
season2003–04
managerSir Alex Ferguson
chairmanSir Roy Gardner
stadiumOld Trafford
league[Premier League](2003-04-fa-premier-league)
league result3rd
cup1[FA Cup](2003-04-fa-cup)
cup1 result**Winners**
cup2[League Cup](2003-04-football-league-cup)
cup2 resultFourth round
cup3[UEFA Champions League](2003-04-uefa-champions-league)
cup3 resultRound of 16
cup4[Community Shield](2003-fa-community-shield)
cup4 result**Winners**
league topscorer
Ruud van Nistelrooy (20)
season topscorer
Ruud van Nistelrooy (30)
highest attendance67,758 vs Southampton (31 January 2004)
lowest attendance66,520 vs Panathinaikos (16 September 2003)
average attendance67,641
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prevseason[2002–03](2002-03-manchester-united-f-c-season)
nextseason[2004–05](2004-05-manchester-united-f-c-season)

Ruud van Nistelrooy (20) Ruud van Nistelrooy (30) The 2003–04 season was Manchester United's 12th season in the Premier League, and their 29th consecutive season in the top division of English football.

United started the season by winning the 2003 FA Community Shield and then secured a record eleventh FA Cup with a 3–0 win over Millwall at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. However, the club surrendered the Premier League title to unbeaten champions Arsenal, with a second-half dip in league form coinciding with Rio Ferdinand starting an eight-month ban from football due to a missed drugs test and restricting United to a third-place finish.

New to the United side were Portuguese winger Cristiano Ronaldo, Brazilian 2002 FIFA World Cup-winning midfielder Kléberson, American goalkeeper Tim Howard, Cameroonian midfielder Eric Djemba-Djemba and French striker David Bellion.

United's UEFA Champions League and League Cup dreams ended in the last 16, with the European exit being particularly painful as a last minute goal by eventual champions Porto put them out of the competition and denied them an eighth successive Champions League quarter-final.

Pre-season and friendlies

DateOpponentsH/AResult
F–AScorersAttendance
22 July 2003CelticN[4–0](https://web.archive.org/web/20050411212047/http://www.manutd.com/news/fullstory.sps?iNewsID=39791&itype=466&iCategoryID=120)Van Nistelrooy 7', Giggs 27', Solskjær 39', Bellion 72'66,722
27 July 2003Club AméricaN[3–1](https://web.archive.org/web/20041226034355/http://www.manutd.com/news/fullstory.sps?iNewsId=39976&itype=466&icategoryid=120)Van Nistelrooy 48', Forlán (2) 49', 80'57,365
31 July 2003JuventusN[4–1](https://web.archive.org/web/20040805045449/http://www.manutd.com/news/fullstory.sps?iNewsID=40318&itype=466&iCategoryID=120)Giggs 25', Scholes 57', Van Nistelrooy 60', Solskjær 79'79,000
3 August 2003BarcelonaN[3–1](https://web.archive.org/web/20040909231647/http://www.manutd.com/news/fullstory.sps?iNewsID=40479&itype=466&iCategoryID=120)Forlán (2) 25', 37', Van Nistelrooy 85'68,396
7 August 2003Sporting CPA[1–3](https://web.archive.org/web/20031008002752/http://www.manutd.com/news/fullstory.sps?iNewsID=40731&itype=466&iCategoryID=120)Hugo 88' (o.g.)55,000
13 August 2003Stoke CityA[1–3](https://web.archive.org/web/20050111051818/http://www.manutd.com/news/fullstory.sps?iNewsID=41190&itype=466&iCategoryID=120)Forlán 68'21,436

FA Community Shield

Main article: 2003 FA Community Shield

DateOpponentsH/AResult
F–AScorersAttendance
10 August 2003ArsenalN[1–1](https://archive.today/20120817071035/http://www.thefa.com/Competitions/FACompetitions/TheFACommunityShield/pastwinners/2003-manunitedvarsenal)
(4–3p)Silvestre 15'59,293

FA Premier League

Main article: 2003–04 FA Premier League

DateOpponentsH/AResult
F–AScorersAttendanceLeague
position
16 August 2003Bolton WanderersH[4–0](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/3140899.stm)Giggs (2) 35', 74', Scholes 77', Van Nistelrooy 87'67,6472nd
23 August 2003Newcastle UnitedA[2–1](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/3152273.stm)Van Nistelrooy 51', Scholes 59'52,1653rd
27 August 2003Wolverhampton WanderersH[1–0](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/3156187.stm)O'Shea 10'67,6482nd
31 August 2003SouthamptonA[0–1](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/3172831.stm)32,0662nd
13 September 2003Charlton AthleticA[2–0](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/3194207.stm)Van Nistelrooy (2) 62', 82'26,0782nd
21 September 2003ArsenalH[0–0](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/3084372.stm)67,6393rd
27 September 2003Leicester CityA[4–1](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/3122914.stm)Keane 15', Van Nistelrooy (3) 16', 45', 52'32,0443rd
4 October 2003Birmingham CityH[3–0](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/3123628.stm)Van Nistelrooy 36' (pen.), Scholes 57', Giggs 82'67,6332nd
18 October 2003Leeds UnitedA[1–0](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/3191286.stm)Keane 81'40,1532nd
25 October 2003FulhamH[1–3](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/3206852.stm)Forlán 45'67,7273rd
1 November 2003PortsmouthH[3–0](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/3207091.stm)Forlán 37', Ronaldo 80', Keane 82'67,6393rd
9 November 2003LiverpoolA[2–1](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/3233009.stm)Giggs (2) 58', 70'44,1593rd
22 November 2003Blackburn RoversH[2–1](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/3273231.stm)Van Nistelrooy 24', Kléberson 38'67,7483rd
30 November 2003ChelseaA[0–1](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/3285087.stm)41,9323rd
6 December 2003Aston VillaH[4–0](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/3247510.stm)Van Nistelrooy (2) 16', 45', Forlán (2) 90', 90'67,6213rd
13 December 2003Manchester CityH[3–1](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/3247394.stm)Scholes (2) 7', 73', Van Nistelrooy 34'67,6452nd
21 December 2003Tottenham HotspurA[2–1](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/3314637.stm)O'Shea 15', Van Nistelrooy 26'35,9101st
26 December 2003EvertonH[3–2](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/3316125.stm)Butt 9', Kléberson 44', Bellion 68'67,6421st
28 December 2003MiddlesbroughA[1–0](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/3349119.stm)Fortune 14'34,7381st
7 January 2004Bolton WanderersA[2–1](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/3362517.stm)Scholes 24', Van Nistelrooy 39'27,6681st
11 January 2004Newcastle UnitedH[0–0](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/3363063.stm)67,6221st
17 January 2004Wolverhampton WanderersA[0–1](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/3385515.stm)29,3962nd
31 January 2004SouthamptonH[3–2](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/3417887.stm)Saha 18', Scholes 37', Van Nistelrooy 61'67,7582nd
7 February 2004EvertonA[4–3](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/3447465.stm)Saha (2) 9', 29', Van Nistelrooy (2) 24', 89'40,1902nd
11 February 2004MiddlesbroughH[2–3](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/3456297.stm)Van Nistelrooy 45', Giggs 63'67,3462nd
21 February 2004Leeds UnitedH[1–1](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/3496745.stm)Scholes 64'67,7442nd
28 February 2004FulhamA[1–1](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/3507609.stm)Saha 14'18,3063rd
14 March 2004Manchester CityA[1–4](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/3536387.stm)Scholes 35'47,2843rd
20 March 2004Tottenham HotspurH[3–0](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/3507784.stm)Giggs 30', Ronaldo 89', Bellion 90'67,6343rd
28 March 2004ArsenalA[1–1](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/3553027.stm)Saha 86'38,1843rd
10 April 2004Birmingham CityA[2–1](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/3574333.stm)Ronaldo 60', Saha 78'29,5483rd
13 April 2004Leicester CityH[1–0](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/3593233.stm)G. Neville 56'67,7493rd
17 April 2004PortsmouthA[0–1](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/3615835.stm)20,1403rd
20 April 2004Charlton AthleticH[2–0](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/3638797.stm)Saha 28', G. Neville 65'67,4773rd
24 April 2004LiverpoolH[0–1](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/3628565.stm)67,6473rd
1 May 2004Blackburn RoversA[0–1](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/3655249.stm)29,6163rd
8 May 2004ChelseaH[1–1](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/3676187.stm)Van Nistelrooy 76'67,6093rd
15 May 2004Aston VillaA[2–0](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/3696207.stm)Ronaldo 4', Van Nistelrooy 10'42,5733rd

FA Cup

Main article: 2003–04 FA Cup

DateRoundOpponentsH/AResult
F–AScorersAttendance
4 January 2004Round 3Aston VillaA[2–1](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/fa_cup/3349289.stm)Scholes (2) 64', 68'40,371
25 January 2004Round 4Northampton TownA[3–0](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/fa_cup/3403761.stm)Silvestre 34', Hargreaves 47' (o.g.), Forlán 68'7,356
14 February 2004Round 5Manchester CityH[4–2](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/fa_cup/3468365.stm)Scholes 34', Van Nistelrooy (2) 71', 80', Ronaldo 74'67,228
6 March 2004Round 6FulhamH[2–1](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/fa_cup/3518421.stm)Van Nistelrooy (2) 25', 62'67,614
3 April 2004Semi-finalArsenalN[1–0](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/fa_cup/3571955.stm)Scholes 32'39,939
22 May 2004[Final](2004-fa-cup-final)MillwallN[3–0](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/3725063.stm)Ronaldo 44', Van Nistelrooy (2) 65' (pen.), 81'71,350

League Cup

Main article: 2003–04 Football League Cup

DateRoundOpponentsH/AResult
F–AScorersAttendance
28 October 2003Round 3Leeds UnitedA[3–2](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/league_cup/3204813.stm)
Bellion 78', Forlán 108', Djemba-Djemba 117'37,546
3 December 2003Round 4West Bromwich AlbionA[0–2](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/3246994.stm)25,282

UEFA Champions League

Group stage

Main article: 2003–04 UEFA Champions League group stage

DateOpponentsH/AResult
F–AScorersAttendanceGroup
position
16 September 2003PanathinaikosH[5–0](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/champions_league/3109724.stm)Silvestre 13', Fortune 15', Solskjær 33', Butt 40', Djemba-Djemba 83'66,5201st
1 October 2003VfB StuttgartA[1–2](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/champions_league/3151188.stm)Van Nistelrooy 67' (pen.)50,3482nd
22 October 2003RangersA[1–0](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/champions_league/3210020.stm)P. Neville 5'48,7301st
4 November 2003RangersH[3–0](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/champions_league/3236621.stm)Forlán 6', Van Nistelrooy (2) 43', 60'66,7071st
26 November 2003PanathinaikosA[1–0](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/champions_league/3235886.stm)Forlán 85'6,8901st
9 December 2003VfB StuttgartH[2–0](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/champions_league/3300341.stm)Van Nistelrooy 45', Giggs 58'67,1411st

Knockout phase

Main article: 2003–04 UEFA Champions League knockout stage

DateRoundOpponentsH/AResult
F–AScorersAttendance
25 February 2004First knockout round
First legPortoA[1–2](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/champions_league/3511537.stm)Fortune 14'49,977
9 March 2004First knockout round
Second legPortoH[1–1](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/champions_league/3542643.stm)Scholes 32'67,029

Squad statistics

No.Pos.NameLeagueFA CupLeague CupEuropeOtherTotalAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
1GKFRA Fabien Barthez000000000000
2DFENG Gary Neville30240107000422
3DFENG Phil Neville29(2)02(1)010711040(3)1
5DFENG Rio Ferdinand20000006010270
6DFENG Wes Brown15(2)05(1)000200022(3)0
7MFPOR Cristiano Ronaldo15(14)452103(2)00024(16)6
8MFENG Nicky Butt12(9)13(2)0204(1)11022(12)2
9FWFRA Louis Saha9(3)700001(1)00010(4)7
10FWNED Ruud van Nistelrooy31(1)203(1)600741042(2)30
11MFWAL Ryan Giggs29(4)75000811043(4)8
12FWFRA David Bellion4(10)21(1)0210(4)0007(15)3
13GKNIR Roy Carroll602(1)020100011(1)0
14GKUSA Tim Howard32040007010440
15MFBRA Kléberson10(2)210101(1)00013(3)2
16MFIRL Roy Keane (c)25(3)34(1)000401034(4)3
17GKESP Ricardo000000000000
18MFENG Paul Scholes24(4)96400511036(4)14
19MFCMR Eric Djemba-Djemba10(5)00(1)0111(3)10(1)012(10)2
20FWNOR Ole Gunnar Solskjær7(6)01(2)0001(1)11010(9)1
21FWURU Diego Forlán10(14)421112(2)20(1)015(17)8
22DFIRL John O'Shea32(1)260206(1)00(1)046(3)2
23MFENG Kieran Richardson000(1)02000002(1)0
24MFSCO Darren Fletcher17(5)04(1)0203(3)00026(9)0
25MFRSA Quinton Fortune18(5)130106(1)21029(6)3
26MFENG Danny Pugh000(1)01000001(1)0
27DFFRA Mikaël Silvestre33(1)05100611145(1)3
32FWENG Eddie Johnson00000(1)000000(1)0
33MFENG Chris Eagles00000(2)000000(2)0
34DFENG Phil Bardsley000(1)01000001(1)0
36FWENG Daniel Nardiello00000(1)000000(1)0
39DFIRL Paul Tierney000010000010

Transfers

United's first departure of the 2003–04 season was David Beckham, who left Old Trafford after ten years with the Red Devils. On 7 July, forward Danny Webber joined Watford. A month after Webber's departure, Argentinian midfielder, Juan Sebastián Verón joined United's rivals Chelsea. Two days later, English forward Jimmy Davis died in a car crash.

Coming in during the summer transfer window were French forward David Bellion, Cameroonian midfielder Eric Djemba-Djemba, American goalkeeper Tim Howard, Brazilian midfielder Kléberson, and Portuguese winger Cristiano Ronaldo.

Leaving in the winter transfer window was Alan Tate, who joined Swansea City. First-choice goalkeeper Fabien Barthez rejoined Marseille in April, while Danny Pugh joined Leeds United in late May, in exchange for Alan Smith.

Arriving in the winter transfer window was Louis Saha, who signed from Fulham on 23 January for a fee of £12.82 million. Alan Smith joined United on 26 May from Leeds United in exchange for Danny Pugh (see above). Gabriel Heinze joined United on 11 June from Paris Saint-Germain for a fee of £6.9 million.

In

DatePos.NameFromFee
1 July 2003FWFRA David BellionENG Sunderland£2m
3 July 2003MFCMR Eric Djemba-DjembaFRA Nantes£3.5m
15 July 2003GKUSA Tim HowardUSA MetroStars£2.3m
12 August 2003MFBRA KlébersonBRA Atlético Paranaense£5.93m
12 August 2003MFPOR Cristiano RonaldoPOR Sporting CP£12.24m
12 January 2004FWCHN Dong FangzhuoCHN Dalian Shide£3.5m
23 January 2004FWFRA Louis SahaENG Fulham£12.82m
26 May 2004FWENG Alan SmithENG Leeds United£7m
11 June 2004DFARG Gabriel HeinzeFRA Paris Saint-Germain£6.9m

Out

DatePos.NameToFee
2 July 2003MFENG David BeckhamESP Real Madrid£17.25m
7 July 2003FWENG Danny WebberENG WatfordUndisclosed
7 August 2003MFARG Juan Sebastián VerónENG Chelsea£15m
9 August 2003FWENG Jimmy DavisDeceased
6 February 2004DFENG Alan TateWAL Swansea CityUndisclosed
27 April 2004GKFRA Fabien BarthezFRA Marseille£5m
26 May 2004MFENG Danny PughENG Leeds UnitedFree

Loan out

Date fromDate toPositionNameTo
8 July 20039 August 2003FWENG Jimmy DavisENG Watford
10 July 200330 June 2004MFENG Luke ChadwickENG Burnley
19 July 200330 June 2004MFSWE Bojan DjordjicSCG Red Star Belgrade
27 July 20031 January 2004FWENG Colin HeathBEL Royal Antwerp
27 July 20031 January 2004MFENG David FoxBEL Royal Antwerp
29 July 200330 June 2004MFSCO Michael StewartENG Nottingham Forest
24 August 200330 June 2004GKESP RicardoESP Racing Santander
12 September 200312 October 2003FWENG Neil WoodENG Peterborough United
19 September 200318 October 2003GKENG Ben WilliamsENG Altrincham
24 October 200324 November 2003FWENG Daniel NardielloWAL Swansea City
24 October 200329 December 2003DFENG Alan TateWAL Swansea City
24 November 200325 December 2003FWENG Danny ByrneENG Hartlepool United
2 January 200426 April 2004GKFRA Fabien BarthezFRA Marseille
12 January 200416 December 2006FWCHN Dong FangzhuoBEL Royal Antwerp
27 January 200430 June 2004FWENG Daniel NardielloENG Barnsley
29 January 200430 April 2004FWENG Neil WoodENG Burnley
29 January 200429 February 2004DFIRL Paul TierneyENG Colchester United
30 January 200423 May 2004DFENG Phil BardsleyBEL Royal Antwerp
30 January 200423 May 2004FWENG Eddie JohnsonBEL Royal Antwerp
19 March 20049 May 2004GKENG Ben WilliamsENG Crewe Alexandra
23 March 200430 June 2004DFENG Lee LawrenceENG Shrewsbury Town
24 March 200430 June 2004FWDEN Mads TimmNOR Viking

Notes

References

References

  1. "Manchester United Season 2003/04". StretfordEnd.co.uk.
  2. (16 October 2003). "Bellion to cost United at least £2 million". Manchester Evening News.
  3. (3 July 2003). "Man Utd sign Djemba-Djemba". BBC Sport.
  4. (15 July 2003). "Howard joins Man Utd". BBC Sport.
  5. (12 August 2003). "United finally sign Kleberson". The Guardian.
  6. (12 August 2003). "Man Utd sign Ronaldo". BBC Sport.
  7. (12 January 2004). "Man Utd sign Dong". BBC Sport.
  8. (26 May 2004). "Man Utd sign Smith". BBC Sport.
  9. (11 June 2004). "Man Utd secure Heinze deal". BBC Sport.
  10. (18 June 2003). "Beckham joins Real Madrid".
  11. (4 July 2003). "Webber poised for Watford". BBC Sport.
  12. (7 August 2003). "Veron signs for Chelsea". BBC Sport.
  13. (9 August 2003). "Man Utd starlet killed in crash". BBC Sport.
  14. (6 February 2004). "Swans make double swoop". BBC Sport.
  15. (28 April 2004). "Marseille sign Barthez". BBC Sport.
  16. (27 May 2004). "Leeds in swoop for Pugh". BBC Sport.
  17. (8 July 2003). "Watford lure Man Utd fledgling". BBC Sport.
  18. (10 July 2003). "Chadwick joins Burnley". BBC Sport.
  19. (19 July 2003). "United starlet in Red Star loan". ESPN.
  20. (29 July 2003). "Stewart wanders into Forest". BBC Sport.
  21. (24 August 2003). "Man Utd agree Ricardo loan". BBC Sport.
  22. (16 December 2006). "Man Utd gain work permit for Dong". BBC Sport.
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