2013–14 Manchester United F.C. season
Dutch coach Louis van Gaal was confirmed as Manchester United's new manager on a three-year contract on 19 May 2014, with Giggs appointed as his assistant.On the same day, Giggs announced his retirement as a player after a career spanning nearly 25 years, during which he had played almost 1,000 competitive games for the club and won 34 trophies.In May 2013, manager Sir Alex Ferguson announced his retirement after 26 years of service,[1] having just won his 13th Premier League title that season and United's 20th overall.[7] United preceded their 2013–14 campaign with a global tour of Asia, Australia and Europe,[8] before returning to Old Trafford for Rio Ferdinand's testimonial match against Sevilla, marking the defender's 11 years with the club.Near the end of the previous season, weeks before Sir Alex Ferguson's announcement of retirement, Rooney was reported to have verbally asked to leave the club despite not handing in a transfer request.United ran out 2–0 winners due to two goals from Robin van Persie in a game where they played "with a sense of control" but failed to "emphasise the gulf between the two clubs more emphatically".It was a bright start for United as they ran out 4–1 winners with doubles from Robin van Persie and Danny Welbeck, while substitute Wayne Rooney played a part in two goals.Rooney managed to pull a goal back with a 25-yard free kick late on into the game, but it was merely consolation as United fell to their worst defeat at the Etihad Stadium in nine years.However, West Brom hit back immediately, with 20-year-old substitute Saido Berahino grabbing the winner as David Moyes' side slipped to their first home defeat of the season.The Red Devils then began a run of four consecutive home games at Old Trafford, beginning with a visit from high-flying Southampton, who boasted the best defensive record in the Premier League.Van Persie's 26th-minute strike looked to have set the hosts on course for a win, but the visitors equalised through a last gasp corner kick, with Dejan Lovren's header deflecting off of Adam Lallana to spoil United's celebrations.Van Persie looked to have levelled proceedings heading into half-time with a 43rd-minute strike, but the visitors soon regained their lead seconds before the break, this time through a Marko Arnautović free kick.Alexander Kačaniklić's heavily deflected shot pulled one back for the hosts in the 65th minute, but it was not enough in the end to prevent David Moyes' side from taking the three points, as his team won two consecutive league games for the first time all season.Van Persie, who had left the Gunners to join United the previous season, once again struck against his former side after his header found the back of the net in the 27th minute.Despite the visitors looking largely dominant possession wise throughout the match, solid defending from the hosts were enough to see through a win, as United recorded a memorable victory over Arsène Wenger's in-form men.Rooney put the visitors ahead with just 15 minutes played, and after former Manchester United teammate Fraizer Campbell equalised for the home side, he set up Evra's header to restore the lead just before the break.However, United were once again unravelled by a last gasp set-piece, as substitute Kim Bo-kyung nodded in a free-kick to salvage a draw for the Welsh side.But United made it back-to-back home wins for the first time since November as new signing Juan Mata helped them see off Ole Gunnar Solskjær's Cardiff City.Mata's cross for fired in by Van Persie, and minutes later Carrick scored his first goal of the season with a neat finish from the edge of the box.United's third away game in succession saw them travel to the ground where Alex Ferguson bowed out of the Premier League, at The Hawthorns against West Bromwich Albion.United eased to a 3–0 victory; Phil Jones headed in Van Persie's dangerous free kick just before half time, a sweeping move ended with Rooney heading in Rafael's right-wing cross and substitute Welbeck expertly finished off another fine move as United finally delivered a good performance.Wayne Rooney opened the scoring with a half-volley from just inside the West Ham half, reminiscent of David Beckham's goal against Wimbledon in 1996.On 29 March 2014, a flypast was staged by a portion of United fans with the banner displaying "Wrong One - Moyes Out" during a match against Aston Villa at Old Trafford.The final day saw United playing away at Southampton, needing a victory and for Spurs to lose against Aston Villa in order to take sixth place.In September 2014, executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward participated in a conference call to investors, discussing the results for the financial year that ended on 30 June 2014.However, the club's annual profit fell by 84 per cent to £23.8 million, which BBC Sport analysed was "largely due to United's owners cashing in a tax credit in the previous financial year."The draw for the Fifth Round took place on 30 October 2013, with United being paired with fellow Premier League club Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium.[45] United's first UEFA Champions League group game was at home against Bayer Leverkusen on 17 September 2013, which ended in a 4–2 win after Rooney double and a strike apiece from Robin van Persie and Antonio Valencia.