How Manchester United Built the Most Potent Attack in Premier League History: Part 1: The Foundation

Imagine the scene: It’s the business end of the 2005/06 Premier League season, and Ruud Van Nistelrooy comes off the bench to score a 79th minute winner at Bolton to keep Manchester United in the title race. United fans erupt in triumph as their Dutch striker scores his 150th goal for United.

The Red Devils ended up finishing second to José Mourinho's Chelsea, as a stalemate at home to an all-but-relegated Sunderland side followed by a 3-0 demolition at the hands of Chelsea sealed their fate. Despite finishing the season as the club's top scorer with 24 goals, Van Nistelrooy was sold in the summer after falling out of favor with Sir Alex Ferguson, and headed Real Madrid for €14 million. He would go on to win the Pichichi award with 25 goals, propelling Los Blancos to the 2006/07 league title.

But even with their Dutch talisman gone, the seeds were set for a new-look United side. One that could usurp Mourinho's imperious Chelsea who had romped to the past two league titles with 95 and 91 points, respectively. One that could banish the memories of Arsenal's Invincibles side, and lead the Red Devils to their first league title in four years. One that could compete on the European front like Rafa Benítez's plucky Liverpool side, who won their fifth European Cup the previous year in Istanbul.