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Last Season - Same again!

Champions

What is there to say about United? Champions again, and by the biggest margin ever. They were simply unstoppable as they finished 18 points clear of second placed Arsenal. They failed to get success in the Cups, though. After withdrawing from the FA Cup they were disappointing at the World Club Championship and put out their usual weakened side in the Worthington Cup. They failed to hold on to their Champions League crown, going out in the Quarter-finals to Real Madrid.

Transfers - In and Out

Coming In: Fabien Barthez (Monaco) - £7.8m Daniel Nardiello (Wolves) - £200,000 Julien Viale (Lyon) - Free On The Move - All the transfers

Getting Out: Massimo Taibi (Reggina) - £2.5m Danny Higginbotham (Derby) - £2m John Curtis (Blackburn) - £1.5m Jordi Cruyff (Alaves) - Free Michael Twiss (Port Vale) - Free Paul Wheatcroft (Bolton) - Free Nick Culkin (Bristol R) - Loan Lee Roche (Wrexham) - Loan

The Gaffer - Sir Alex Ferguson

Sir Alex Ferguson is, quite simply, the best boss of the modern era - if not of all time. He has achieved everything with United after a rocky start when he was perilously close to the chop. But the United board proved why you should give a manager time and he has won an unprecedented number of trophies. Six English championships, four FA Cups, a League Cup, a Cup Winners' Cup and the European Cup. Included in there is, of course, the treble. Fergie started his management career at East Stirling in July 1974 but within three months had moved to St Mirren. There he went on to win the First Division title. In 1978 he took over at Aberdeen were he first came to the fore, winning three championships, four Scotish FA Cups and a League Cup. He was named boss at Old Trafford in 1986 after a brief spell as boss of Scotland.

Player to Watch - Fabien Bathez

Fabien Barthez looks to be the player who can emulate Peter Schmeichel between the sticks at Old Trafford. Schmeichel had character in abundance as well as skill. So does Barthez. He immediatley took to the new rule for goalkeepers - which allows unlimited steps when they have the ball. Where Bosnich failed to command his defence, there is no doubt that the likes of Stam and Neville will know Barthez is around for the full 90 minutes. There will not be a dull moment with the French World Cup and European Championship stopper between the Old Trafford sticks.

Young Gun - Wes Brown

Wes Brown lost the whole of last season when a cruciate knee ligament injury put paid to the defender's campaign. He is still only 20, after making his debut in May 1998 against Leeds United. It is likely he would have been an integral part of Sir Alex's plans last season had it not been for his injury problems - especially as Ronny Johnsen was also ruled out. He has already played many times at Under 18 and Under 21 level for England and won his first full cap against Hungary. Another good a season will give him a great chance of figuring with England in the World Cup qualifiers.

The view from the terraces

"We're hoping to finally complete a hat-trick of Premiership titles. Since 1992 we've won the League six times, but only in groups of two. What an achievement winning three on the bounce would be! A trip to Milan for the Champions League Final would be nice, too!" says Simon Davies of the official Man United website.

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