1. Luis Felipe Scolari arrives at Stamford Bridge - July 1, 2008

Chelsea have become Manchester United’s biggest rivals since Roman Abramovich opened his chequebook and last summer they needed a world-class manager. They thought Scolari was the man for the job but alarm bells started ringing when his relaxed attitude to training contributed to poor results against teams such as Southend United and CFR Cluj. If Abramovich had signed up Guus Hiddink on a permanent basis last summer, the title may have ended up back in West London.

2. Rafa cracks up – January 9, 2009

It’s January, Liverpool are top of the table and Rafael Benitez decides that this is the perfect moment to hit the self-destruct button. The Spaniard marches into a press conference, takes out a piece of paper and rambles on about how Sir Alex Ferguson is responsible for dodgy refereeing decisions, the Respect campaign falling apart, global warming and the credit crunch. When Ferguson arrived at Old Trafford, United had won the title seven times and Liverpool had won it 16 times. Now it's 18-18. That’s a fact.

3. Liverpool fail to beat Stoke City – January 10, 2009

Rafa’s rant is back page news as Liverpool try to do their talking on the pitch at the Britannia Stadium but Benítez hands the initiative to Stoke by starting with Fernando Torres and Robbie Keane on the bench and Liverpool fail to beat Stoke for the second time this season.

4. Fletcher scores against Newcastle United – August 17, 2008

It’s the first game of the season at Old Trafford, Kevin Keegan’s side have just taken the lead through Obafemi Martins and United supporters are beginning to wonder whether their title defence is going to start with an embarrassing home defeat by Newcastle. Two minutes later, Fletcher beats Shay Given and all is well in the world again.

5. Abu Dhabi United Group buy Manchester City – September 1, 2008

Sir Alex Ferguson had never known anything like it. City are keeping United off the back and front pages by becoming the richest club in the world and sharing the limelight means that Ferguson has more time to concentrate on what he does best – winning trophies.

6. Manchester United 3 Chelsea 0 – January 11, 2009

The beginning of the end for Luis Felipe Scolari as United rip apart a Chelsea side who look a shadow of the teams that Jose Mourinho used to bring to Manchester. The Inter Milan manager, who is on a scouting mission in the Old Trafford directors’ box, does not look very impressed. Scolari lost his job a month later.