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30 Greatest Teams in Premier League History

By Benjamin Taylor

Who will lift this trophy in May and join these 30 teams among the greatest ever to compete in the English Premier League? (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Who will lift this trophy in May and join these 30 teams among the greatest ever to compete in the English Premier League? (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /
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8. Manchester United, 1993-96

1 OCT 1995: ERIC CANTONA OF MANCHESTER UNITED ATTEMPTS TO FLICK THE BALL PAST NEIL RUDDOCK OF LIVERPOOL DURING THE PREMIER LEAGUE MATCH AT OLD TRAFFORD. THE MATCH ENDED IN A 2-2 DRAW. Mandatory Credit: Shaun Botterill/ALLSPORT
1 OCT 1995: ERIC CANTONA OF MANCHESTER UNITED ATTEMPTS TO FLICK THE BALL PAST NEIL RUDDOCK OF LIVERPOOL DURING THE PREMIER LEAGUE MATCH AT OLD TRAFFORD. THE MATCH ENDED IN A 2-2 DRAW. Mandatory Credit: Shaun Botterill/ALLSPORT /

Starting XI: P. Schmeichel (GK); P. Parker/G. Neville, G. Pallister, S. Bruce, D. Irwin; A. Kanchelskis/D. Beckham, P. Ince/N. Butt, R. Keane, R. Giggs; E. Cantona, M. Hughes/A. Cole.

Alright, this one is sort of cheating, but hear me out.

United in 1993-94 were fantastic: Pallister and Bruce were a dominant central defensive duo; Keane and Ince offered a perfect balance of grit and grace in midfield; and Cantona was, well, Eric Cantona. They eased to the title by an eight-point margin, while also winning the FA Cup and reaching the League Cup final. In addition to their strong starting lineup, Ferguson was also blessed with veterans like Bryan Robson and Brian McClair on the bench, as well as mercurial midfield talent Lee Sharpe.

All was rosy heading into 1994-95, until Cantona’s infamous karate kick landed him an 8-month ban and left his team in limbo. United subsequently lost the title to Blackburn on the final day, before also losing the FA Cup final. Ferguson reacted by selling Ince, Hughes, and Kanchelskis, and signing… nobody.

Instead, he put his faith in a bunch of unproven academy players who had recently won the FA Youth Cup. Gary Neville stepped effortlessly into Parker’s boots at right back, David Beckham proved to be every bit as good as his predecessor Kanchelskis on the right wing, and Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes were charged with replacing Ince’s prestige in midfield. After a wobbly start, Fergie’s youngsters gathered momentum to close a 12 point gap and snatch the title from Newcastle. Another FA Cup win secured a double to match the 1993-94 season, and United were officially back.

Next: No. 7

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