2004 Manchester United Home – Cristiano Ronaldo #7 XXL

The 2003–04 season marked a transitional yet silverware-winning campaign for Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson. Coming off the end of their early-2000s dominance, United were in the midst of squad renewal, blending established leaders with emerging talent as they navigated domestic and European competition.

In the Premier League, Manchester United finished 3rd, trailing Arsenal’s historic Invincibles season and a strong Chelsea side. Consistency proved elusive, but United remained competitive throughout the campaign. Domestic cup competitions, however, provided success: United lifted the FA Cup, defeating Millwall 3–0 in the final at the Millennium Stadium — Ferguson’s first FA Cup win since 1999.

In Europe, United competed in the UEFA Champions League, advancing from the group stage before being eliminated in the Round of 16 by FC Porto in dramatic fashion, remembered for Porto’s late winner at Old Trafford. While European disappointment lingered, the season was significant for the long-term future of the club.

The 2003–04 Manchester United home kit, produced by Nike, was a classic of the era. Featuring a deep red base, white trim, and the iconic Vodafone sponsor, the shirt embodied early-2000s Premier League identity. It has since become a highly collectible vintage football shirt, closely associated with the arrival of a future global superstar.

2. Player’s Impact – Cristiano Ronaldo

The 2003–04 season was the beginning of Cristiano Ronaldo’s journey at Manchester United. Signed from Sporting CP at just 18 years old, Ronaldo arrived with immense flair, raw talent, and expectation — but also with significant room to develop.

Ronaldo made 40 appearances in all competitions, scoring 6 goals, numbers that reflected promise rather than dominance. Operating primarily as a right-sided winger, he was tasked with stretching defenses, isolating fullbacks, and injecting unpredictability into United’s attack. His close control, stepovers, and acceleration immediately captivated supporters, even as end product remained inconsistent.

While goals and assists were sporadic, Ronaldo’s impact was cultural as much as tactical. He reintroduced individual flair and excitement to United’s wide play, often drawing fouls and defenders that created space for teammates. Under Ferguson’s guidance, the season served as a developmental foundation — refining decision-making, physical resilience, and positional discipline.

This debut campaign is now viewed as the first chapter of one of football’s greatest careers. The 2003–04 season did not define Ronaldo statistically, but it introduced the world to his potential — a spark that would soon ignite an era.

3. Full Squad List (Manchester United – 2003–04 Season)

Manager: Sir Alex Ferguson

Goalkeepers:
Fabien Barthez, Tim Howard, Roy Carroll

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

Midfielders:
Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, Roy Keane (captain), Nicky Butt, Darren Fletcher, Cristiano Ronaldo

Forwards:
Ruud van Nistelrooy, Ole Gunnar Solskjær, Diego Forlán, Louis Saha