On This Day – 22nd April
A hat-trick from Dutch striker Robin van Persie confirmed Manchester United’s 20th league title on this day in 2013.
The league title was the thirteenth in 20 years under Sir Alex Ferguson and the 38th trophy won during the Scot’s 27 years at the club.
Van Persie’s hat-trick was completed in just over half an hour in the first half. The Dutchman’s first coming after only two minutes, tapping in from two yards after Ryan Giggs volleyed the ball back across goal from a cross on the right by Rafael.
The second goal was the pick of the bunch. Wayne Rooney hit a long ball downfield for van Persie to chase and from 20 yards out, he caught the ball perfectly on the volley sending the ball into the bottom corner of the net.
Van Persie completed his hat-trick with a close range effort. Ryan Giggs broke free on the left and squared the ball to van Persie who found a gap between three Villa defenders on the line to seal United’s win.
Sir Alex Ferguson retired and the end of the season and United haven’t won the league title since. To compound the misery for United fans, their bitter rivals Manchester City have won the league on three separate occasions since.
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