2002–03
United finished 3rd in the Premier League, behind Arsenal and Chelsea. Ruud van Nistelrooy excelled in attack, supported by Ryan Giggs and David Beckham, but defensive inconsistencies limited the team. In the FA Cup, they reached the sixth round, while in the League Cup, they were eliminated early. In Europe, United advanced to the Champions League quarter-finals, losing to Real Madrid.
2003–04
United again finished 3rd in the league, with Van Nistelrooy scoring freely but injuries affecting key players. Their Champions League run ended in the Round of 16, while domestic cup campaigns were disappointing. These seasons marked a transitional phase post-treble, bridging eras before the Ronaldo/Tevez years.
