Season 2001/02
original illustrations of the kits worn during the season


The Season in brief

The arrival of Ruud van Nistelrooy, Juan Sebastian Veron, for a new club record fee of £28m, and Roy Carroll, signalled United's intention of claiming a record breaking fourth consecutive title. van Nistelrooyscored on his début in the Charity Shield against Liverpool, and managed a total of thirty-six goals in just forty-nine appearances. Surprisingly, Jaap Stam was sold after the opening League game

United lost only one of their opening eight games and at times played inspired football; in the second half at White Hart Lane, they overturned a 3-0 deficit to win 5-3. Hovever a poor run through late autumn saw the club drop down the table and following a home defeat by West Ham in December, they stood ninth. Just two defeats in their following twenty-one games took United back into the title race until beaten 0-1 by Arsenal at Old Trafford. A little over a week earlier Unted had lost to Bayer 04 Leverkusen on away goals in the Champions' League semi-final.

In the FA Cup United had lost in the fourth round to Steve McLaren's Middlesbrough, and in the League Cup, a near-full strength Arsenal side had beaten United's youngsters in the third round.

The undoubted highlight of the season was the goalscoring prowess of Ruud

Umbro produced new change and third kits for the outfield players. The replica versions were reversible. There was also a new home goalkeeping kit, with the previous season's employed as the change kit.