Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

In pictures: Sir Alex Ferguson's 13 Premier League titles

How England's most successful club won all their crowns thanks to their manager

Simon Rice,Matt Bass

Wednesday 08 May 2013 11:40 EDT

In pictures: Sir Alex Ferguson's 13 Premier League titles

Show all 13

1/13In pictures: Sir Alex Ferguson's 13 Premier League titles

In pictures: Sir Alex Ferguson's 13 Premier League titles

1993: The first under Sir Alex Ferguson and the first in Premier League history. Early defeats to Sheffield United and Everton were put to bed in a season where David Beckham, Gary Neville and Nicky Butt made their debuts.

GETTY IMAGES

In pictures: Sir Alex Ferguson's 13 Premier League titles

1994: Part of their first double-winning season, United overcame the challenge of Blackburn while thumping Chelsea in the FA Cup. Eric Cantona scored twice from the penalty spot in a 4-0 win. Pictured are Steve Bruce and Bryan Robson.

GETTY IMAGES

In pictures: Sir Alex Ferguson's 13 Premier League titles

1996: Looking down and out at Christmas, United overhauled Kevin Keegan and Newcastle's ten-point advantage thanks in part to a 1-0 victory at St. James' Park in March to secure a second double.

GETTY IMAGES

In pictures: Sir Alex Ferguson's 13 Premier League titles

1997: The arrival of the unknown Ole Gunnar Solskjaer saw a new hero welcomed as the Norwegian finished the season top-scorer. Despite his tag of "Super-sub," his goals helped United see off the challenge from Newcastle again.

GETTY IMAGES

In pictures: Sir Alex Ferguson's 13 Premier League titles

1999: £12.6m Dwight Yorke forged a formidable partnership with Andy Cole as Ferguson's side pipped Arsenal by a point in the treble season. Unbeaten from Boxing Day to the end of the season, victory over Tottenham on the final day secured the title.

GETTY IMAGES

In pictures: Sir Alex Ferguson's 13 Premier League titles

2000: Despite a poor showing at the inaugural Club World Cup, United won the season at a canter, 18 points clear of the Arsenal challenge.

GETTY IMAGES

In pictures: Sir Alex Ferguson's 13 Premier League titles

2001: Ferguson became the first manager to win the league three years in a row, securing the title with five games to spare in mid-April. Despite losing the final three games, they finished ten points clear of the Gunners.

GETTY IMAGES

In pictures: Sir Alex Ferguson's 13 Premier League titles

2003: A classic battle with Arsene Wenger's side, United went 18 games unbeaten from the turn of the year to steal the crown. Arsenal held an eight-point lead in March but Ruud van Nistelrooy's 25 league goals saw the tables turn.

GETTY IMAGES

In pictures: Sir Alex Ferguson's 13 Premier League titles

2007: A run of four years without a league crown was ended as United reclaimed the title from Chelsea by six points. Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo bagged 23 goals-a-piece in all competitions.

GETTY IMAGES

In pictures: Sir Alex Ferguson's 13 Premier League titles

2008: United were crowned champions of Europe again but only confirmed domestic success on the final day thanks to a 2-0 win against Wigan. A Premier League record +58 goal difference was achieved.

GETTY IMAGES

In pictures: Sir Alex Ferguson's 13 Premier League titles

2009: A 14-match run between November and February where Van der Sar wasn't beaten saw a third successive title. Ronaldo led the scoring charts again as United finished four points clear of Liverpool.

GETTY IMAGES

In pictures: Sir Alex Ferguson's 13 Premier League titles

19-title.jpg

2011: After seeing Carlo Ancelotti's Chelsea side take the title the previous season Manchester United came back in emphatic style to win the league by nine clear points from the west London club. Dimitar Berbatov, who netted 20 goals, was the league's joint top scorer. The title, United's 19th, saw the Red Devils overtake Liverpool as England's most successful ever club.

GETTY IMAGES

In pictures: Sir Alex Ferguson's 13 Premier League titles

ferguson-villa-getty.jpg

2013: Sir Alex reclaims Premier League title from Manchester City, winning it for 13th time, inspired by inspirational signing of Robin van Persie. He announces his retirement from Manchester United before he lifts his final trophy

Getty Images

Your support helps us to tell the story

As your White House correspondent, I ask the tough questions and seek the answers that matter.

Your support enables me to be in the room, pressing for transparency and accountability. Without your contributions, we wouldn't have the resources to challenge those in power.

Your donation makes it possible for us to keep doing this important work, keeping you informed every step of the way to the November election

Head shot of Andrew Feinberg

Andrew Feinberg

White House Correspondent

After almost 27 years, the most successful football manager in the modern game announces: ‘It’s the right time'. Sir Alex Ferguson retires after his latest triumph following the the win against Aston Villa, Manchester United won the Premier League title and with it cemented their place as the most successful club in the history of domestic English football.

Click here or on the image above to launch our guide

This latest triumph is Alex Ferguson's 13th league title, and United's 20th overall.

Further reading
United hope to appoint Moyes by end of the week
Sam Wallace: What next for United after Ferguson?
His best XI during his reign
His 13 titles remembered
Season-by-season guide
Players pay tribute
Ferguson’s statement in full

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies