1996–97
United retained the Premier League title, finishing 7 points ahead of Newcastle United. Eric Cantona, Ryan Giggs, and Andy Cole led a potent attack. They reached the FA Cup semi-finals, losing to Chelsea, and exited the League Cup in the fourth round. In Europe, their Champions League campaign ended in the quarter-finals against Borussia Dortmund.
1997–98
United finished 2nd in the Premier League, behind Arsenal, as defensive issues and injuries affected consistency. In the FA Cup, they were eliminated in the fifth round by Barnsley, and in the Champions League, they reached the quarter-finals but lost to AS Monaco.
