Champions 20/13

Book excerpt: When Manchester United lost the 2011-12 Premier League title with the last kick of the season, it might have thrown some other clubs into a spiral of concern and infighting. But not at Old Trafford. The Reds and Sir Alex Ferguson immediately set about making sure that they came back the next season stronger and better. After a busy summer, when United's recruits were headlined by Robin van Persie and Shinji Kagawa, the Reds were the early pacesetters in the Premier League and raced to qualification for the knockout stages of the Champions League. But there were plenty of dramas along the way, as United made a habit of coming from behind to win. By springtime, United had lost out in a titanic and controversial clash with Real Madrid in the Champions League, but also opened up a massivelead at the top of the Premier League. By 22 April, the title was theirs on a night of celebration at Old Trafford, capped by a breathtaking van Persie goal. Then came shock when Sir Alex Ferguson announced his retirement. With contributions from all the squad, this book is the real inside story of United's season with unique behind-the-scenes access to life at Carrington and Old Trafford. For any fan who wants to know what being a United player is all about, or to understand the impact of Sir Alex, this is the perfect book.