There was no doubt what Manchester United's main target was this season. Having seen the Premier League title snatched from their grasp in dramatic fashion by rivals Manchester City last year, Sir Alex Ferguson made it clear that the same thing would not happen next time around.
He made his intentions known by signing Robin van Persie from Arsenal, but if that was a surprise, he had an even bigger one up his sleeve when he announced his retirement after 27 years in charge once the title had been wrapped up.
Here, Sports Mole has looked back over an eventful 10 months at Old Trafford.
August
The acquisition of Van Persie failed to inspire United on the opening day of the campaign. The Dutch striker was among the substitutes at Everton, who claimed all three points thanks to a header from Maroune Fellaini.
There was a brighter end to August, though, as summer signings Van Persie and Shinji Kagawa got their names on the scoresheet during the 3-2 win over Fulham at Old Trafford.
September
Van Persie provided a big indication of what was to come when he netted a hat-trick as United came from behind to win 3-2 away at Southampton. Further victories followed against Wigan Athletic and arch rivals Liverpool, before a Gareth Bale-inspired Tottenham Hotspur claimed a 3-2 win at Old Trafford.
There was better news in the cup competitions, though, as Galatasaray were defeated 1-0 in the Champions League, while Newcastle United were knocked out of the Capital One Cup.
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October
Newcastle were comfortably beaten at St James' Park as October got off to a winning start, before Wayne Rooney scored three times (two in the right net and an own goal) as United defeated Stoke City 4-2 at home.
Then came the biggest match of the season to date away at Chelsea, who were threatening to run away with the league. United went 2-0 in front early on with Van Persie involved in both goals, but they were pegged back early in the second half.
Fernando Torres and Branislav Ivanovic then both saw for red for the Blues and United took full advantage thanks to substitute Hernandez. Replays showed that the Mexican had been in an offside position as he scored, but the goal stood.
Chelsea gained revenge in the League Cup three days later with a 5-4 win, while Van Persie scored his first goals for the club in the Champions League against Cluj.
November
Wins against Arsenal and Aston Villa was followed by a shock defeat at Norwich City. It would prove to be a loss that spurred United onto a long unbeaten run in the Premier League.
Queens Park Rangers and West Ham were then beaten at Old Trafford, with Champions League qualification all but sealed with a win over Braga.
That allowed Ferguson to rotate his side for the trip to Galatasaray, which saw his second-string team lose 1-0 in Istanbul.
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December
A mad match away at Reading kicked off December. United emerged victorious by the odd goal in seven, with all the goals, including a brace from Rooney, being scored in the opening 34 minutes.
That sent United to the Etihad Stadium in winning form and it looked as though that would continue when Rooney scored two more during the first half. However, champions City hit back through Yaya Toure and Pablo Zabaleta. Step forward Van Persie, who elevated his standing with United supporters even higher by scoring a stoppage-time free kick to send his side six points clear of their hosts.
A win and a draw with Sunderland and Swansea City followed, before Hernandez scored in stoppage time to earn a dramatic 4-3 win over Newcastle.
The month then ended with a 2-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion at Old Trafford.
January
Two goals apiece from Van Persie and Hernandez got 2013 off to a winning start away at Wigan, which was accompanied by further victories against Liverpool and Southampton. The only blot on their Premier League copybook was at Tottenham Hotspur, who claimed a 1-1 draw thanks to a late strike from Clint Dempsey.
The FA Cup also got underway and United reached the fifth round with wins over West Ham (via a replay) and Fulham.
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February
The Champions League draw had been rather unkind to Ferguson and his players, having paired them with Spanish champions Real Madrid. The opening leg was played in the Bernabeu, with goals from Danny Welbeck and former United star Cristiano Ronaldo ensuring that the clash ended 1-1 ahead of the return match at Old Trafford.
Domestically, United didn't concede during victories over Fulham, Everton and Queens Park Rangers as they started to tighten their grip on top spot.
There was further success in the FA Cup and the quarter-finals were reached thanks to a 2-1 win over Reading.
March
When Sergio Ramos put through his own net in early March, it looked as though United were heading for the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
However, the tie was transformed by Turkish referee Cuneyt Cakir's decision to send off United winger Nani for a challenge on former Liverpool full-back Alvaro Arbeloa. Madrid made the most of their numerical advantage and goals from Luka Modric and Ronaldo sent them into the last eight, which left Ferguson fuming and he refused to talk to the press.
Again there was better fortunes in the Premier League as victories over Norwich, Reading and Sunderland put them 15 points clear.
It wasn't such good news in the FA Cup, though. Hernandez and Rooney put them 2-0 up, but Chelsea rallied to earn a replay.
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April
The return encounter was played on April Fools' Day and a single goal from Demba Ba proved to be enough for the Blues to advance through at United's expense.
That left United to concentrate on Premier League matters and they went on to seal a 20th title with a 3-0 home win over Villa. Having recently gone through a barren spell in front of goal, Van Persie netted all three goals during the first half.
The month concluded with a guard of honour at Arsenal, before the teams played out a 1-1 draw at the Emirates Stadium. A much-jeered Van Persie scored from the penalty spot against his former club.
May
Chelsea again got the better of United in early May when Juan Mata scored the only of the game at Old Trafford, but that result was paled into insignificance by the news that followed just a few days later.
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At the age of 71, Ferguson revealed that this would be his last season at the helm. While that news was still digesting, the club then confirmed that Everton's David Moyes had agreed to replace his fellow Scot on a six-year contract.
Ferguson's final game in charge of the team at Old Trafford saw Swansea beaten 2-1 courtesy of a late goal from Rio Ferdinand, who had not scored during the last five seasons.
If that was dramatic, it had nothing on Ferguson's last match as a manager. His side were 3-0 and then 5-2 up on West Brom at The Hawthorns, but a second-half hat-trick from Romelu Lukaku secured a 5-5 draw for the hosting Baggies. It was the first time that 10 goals had been shared evenly in the Premier League era.
Over to you, Mr Moyes.
Liam Apicella
