The Premier League is the highest level of the English football league system. Contested by 20 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the English Football League (EFL). Seasons typically run from August to May with each team playing 38 matches against all other teams both home and away. Most games are played on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, with occasional weekday evening fixtures.
Manchester United Football Club, commonly referred to as Man United, or simply United, is a professional football club based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, England. The club competes in the Premier League, the top division in the English football league system. Nicknamed the Red Devils, they were founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, but changed their name to Manchester United in 1902. After a spell playing in Clayton, Manchester, the club moved to their current stadium, Old Trafford, in 1910.
Nottingham Forest Football Club, often referred to as Forest for short, is a professional football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, England. It was founded in 1865; the team have played their home games at the City Ground, on the south bank of the River Trent in Nottingham, since 1898. Forest is one of six English clubs to have won the European Cup, one of four English clubs to have won that trophy multiple times, as well as one of two English clubs to have won the competition back-to-back. Forest has two stars above its club crest to commemorate its two European Cup victories. It is also considered by the EFL as its oldest member club, as well as being the oldest club currently competing in the Premier League, the top division of the English football league system. Forest secured promotion from the EFL Championship during the 2021–22 season, and retained its Premier League status in 2022–23.
Manchester City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Manchester that competes in the Premier League, the top flight of English football. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , the club became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894. The club's home ground is the Etihad Stadium in east Manchester, to which they moved in 2003, having played at Maine Road since 1923. Manchester City adopted their sky blue home shirts in 1894, in the first season with the current name.
The 2003–04 FA Premier League was the 12th season of the Premier League. Arsenal were crowned champions ending the season without a single defeat – the first team ever to do so in a 38-game league season. Chelsea finished second to Arsenal.
Sir Alexander Matthew Busby was a Scottish football player and manager, who managed Manchester United between 1945 and 1969 and again for the second half of the 1970–71 season. He was the first manager of an English team to win the European Cup and is widely regarded as one of the greatest managers of all time.
Paul Scholes is an English football coach, pundit, former player, and co-owner of Salford City. He spent his entire professional playing career with Manchester United, for whom he scored over 150 goals in more than 700 appearances between 1993 and 2013. He is widely regarded by pundits and other former players as one of the best midfielders of his generation and one of the greatest Manchester United players of all time.
Owen Lee Hargreaves is a former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. He was known as a hard-working and "solid defensive midfielder who worked tirelessly to win the ball" and provide his teammates with possession. He played with Calgary Foothills as a youth before beginning his professional football career in Germany with Bayern Munich. After seven years with the Munich side – during which time he won four German league titles and the 2000–01 UEFA Champions League – Hargreaves signed for Manchester United in 2007, winning the Premier League and UEFA Champions League in his first season. However, his time at Manchester United was plagued with injuries and he was allowed to leave the club at the end of his contract in June 2011. Hargreaves posted YouTube videos in a bid to convince potential suitors of his fitness, and in August 2011, Manchester City offered a one-year contract to Hargreaves, which he accepted.
Howard Kendall was an English footballer and manager.
David Josué Jiménez Silva is a Spanish professional footballer who plays for La Liga club Real Sociedad. Silva plays mainly as a central or an attacking midfielder but can also play as a winger or second striker. He is predominantly a left-footed player and his passing ability and possession-retaining qualities have earned him the nicknames "Merlin" and "El Mago" from his teammates and fans. He is considered to be one of the greatest midfielders of his generation.
Gareth Keith Taylor is a football manager and former player who is the head coach of Manchester City Women.
Pablo Javier Zabaleta Girod is an Argentine former professional footballer who played as a right back. Zabaleta could operate on both sides of the pitch as a full-back and was known for his tenacious style of play, and has captained his club on numerous occasions.
Robert Anthony Taylor is an English former professional footballer, licensed football agent and manager who is in charge of Watton United.
Manchester City Women's Football Club are an English women's football club based in Manchester who play in the FA Women's Super League. They are affiliated with Manchester City F.C. who play in the Premier League.
Neil John Taylor is a Welsh former professional footballer who played as a left-back.
Kevin De Bruyne is a Belgian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder and captains both Premier League club Manchester City and the Belgium national football team
the Belgium national team. He is widely regarded as one of the best players of his generation as well as one of the best midfielders in the world. Pundits often describe him as a complete footballer.
Kyle Andrew Walker is an English professional footballer who plays as a right-back for Premier League club Manchester City and the England national team. Considered one of the best full-backs in the world, Walker is known for his pace, strength and vision.
The 2000–01 season was Manchester City Football Club's 109th season playing in a division of English football, most of which have been spent in the top flight. The club spent this season playing in the Premier League after winning promotion from the First Division in the previous season. This was the club's fifth season playing in the Premier League since its initial formation as the top tier of English football eight years earlier, with Manchester City as one of its original 22 founding member clubs.
Luke Paul Hoare Shaw is an English professional footballer who plays as a left-back for Premier League club Manchester United and the England national team.
Riyad Karim Mahrez is a professional footballer who plays as a winger for Premier League club Manchester City and captains the Algeria national team.
