2003 Manchester United Third – Ronaldo #7 XL

Season Overview

The 2003/04 campaign was a season of transition at Old Trafford, and it produced silverware. Sir Alex Ferguson’s side opened by winning the 2003 FA Community Shield. They finished third in the Premier League, behind Arsenal’s unbeaten champions. Rio Ferdinand’s eight-month ban for a missed drugs test hurt United’s second-half league form. They went out in the Champions League round of 16, and the League Cup ended in the fourth round.

The FA Cup saved the year. On 22 May 2004 at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium, United beat Millwall 3–0 to lift a record 11th FA Cup. Ruud van Nistelrooy scored twice, including a penalty, and was named Man of the Match. Collectors prize this shirt because it comes from a season of change, with a new generation arriving beside the old guard.

Player’s Impact – Cristiano Ronaldo

Ronaldo joined from Sporting CP in August 2003 for £12.24 million, then the most expensive teenager in English football history. He inherited the famous number 7 shirt previously worn by David Beckham. He made his debut as a substitute for Nicky Butt in the 4–0 win over Bolton on 16 August 2003. George Best called it the most exciting debut he had ever seen.

His first United goal was a free kick in a 3–0 home win over Portsmouth on 1 November 2003. Three more league goals followed, the last on the final day against Aston Villa. He then scored the opening goal of the FA Cup final against Millwall, heading in a Gary Neville cross, and won his first trophy in England. A #7 Ronaldo print from his debut season is the starting point of his United story.

Manchester United Squad – 2003/04

Manager: Sir Alex Ferguson

Goalkeepers: Tim Howard, Roy Carroll

Defenders: Gary Neville, Phil Neville, Rio Ferdinand, Wes Brown, Mikaël Silvestre, John O’Shea

Midfielders: Roy Keane, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt, Kléberson, Eric Djemba-Djemba, Quinton Fortune, Darren Fletcher, Kieran Richardson, Danny Pugh

Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo, Ryan Giggs, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Louis Saha, Diego Forlán, Ole Gunnar Solskjær, David Bellion