Season 2004/05
original illustrations of the kits worn during the season


The Season in brief

Malcolm Glazer, a US millionaire, gained control of the club on May 12th 2005 and de-listed them from the stock exchange in June. His takeover was funded not from his personal fortune but by loans that saddled the club with a reported debt of £540 million.

On the pitch, despite the arrival of Alan Smith, Gabriel Heinze and Wayne Rooney, United struggled to find their form, and by the end of October they already trailed Chelsea by nine points. Their form recovered and they played some scintillating football but too often failed to convert chances were never serious title contenders.

United reached the semi-final of the League Cup, only to be beaten by Chelsea. The club lost both legs of their Champions' League RRound of 16 tie against AC Milan.

The FA Cup Final against Arsenal provided a microcosm of their season. United dominated possession, created chance after chance but were unable to score. The Gunners hardly had a shot in the two hours but held their nerve and won the penalty shoot out 5-4.

United had a new design for their home kit, and wWhite socks with a black top were added to the change kit, although the previous season's predominately black socks were worn twice, both times against Southampton.