Manchester United vs Fenerbahce from September 2004 has become somewhat infamous. It is of course the match where Wayne Rooney made his Manchester United debut and scored a hat-trick. But what about the rest of that team?
Rooney was already looking like he could become a megastar but at the summer's Euros he really announced himself on the world stage. It sparked interest from other Premier League clubs and, spurred on by a bid by Newcastle United, Sir Alex Ferguson bid £30 million for the Everton striker and got his man.
On his United and Champions League debuts Rooney scored a brilliant hat-trick as the Red Devils beat Fenerbahce 6-2 in the Champions League group stage. The youngster might have started the game alongside Ruud van Nistelrooy but there was also some rather questionable United players in the starting line up too.
Fergie's side that night started with Roy Carroll in net with the Northern Irishman often preferred to American Tim Howard that season. In defence the Red Devils were pretty solid with Gabriel Heinze, Mikael Silvestre, Rio Ferdinand and Gary Neville the first choice defenders all starting.
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Midfield is where things start to get a little weird. Obviously Ryan Giggs started at left wing but it goes downhill quickly. In central midfield Fergie started with two of his worst ever signings, Eric Djemba-Djemba and Kleberson.
Kleberson would start only six times in the league that season whilst Djemba-Djemba only started three league matches and both would find themselves out of the club at the end of the season.
On the right wing United started with David Bellion! The "Next Henry" would only start one league game all season and though he technically stuck around for the next season too he was sent on loan to West Ham and Nice. Bellion wasn't any good upfront so god knows what he was doing appearing on the wing.
Somehow the talent of Nistelrooy, Rooney and Giggs dragged them to an impressive four goal victory, and even Bellion scored!
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Just to add to the incredible line up Liam Miller came on for United with nine minutes to go. What a team, it's no wonder they finished third in the league that season- just proves how good Fergie was.
