Remembering Man Utd's epic Premier League title race with Newcastle | OneFootball

The 1995/96 Premier League season delivered one of the most iconic title battles in English football history.

It had everything: flair, drama, mind games, and a legendary comeback that cemented Manchester United’s status as the dominant force of the decade.

Under Kevin Keegan, Newcastle were electric. Nicknamed “The Entertainers,” they played fearless attacking football, lighting up the league with stars like David Ginola, Les Ferdinand, and the newly-signed Faustino Asprilla. By Christmas, they had stormed 10 points clear at the top. By January, the gap had grown to 12 points.

The Magpies looked unstoppable—and the title looked destined for Tyneside.

United’s Climb Back

But this was Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United. The Red Devils, bolstered by the return of Eric Cantona after his infamous suspension, began clawing back the deficit. Ferguson put his faith in the club’s young talent—the Class of ’92, including David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt, and the Neville brothers—and it paid off.

Cantona was the heartbeat of United’s resurgence, scoring crucial goal after crucial goal, many of them match-winners.

The Turning Point

On March 4, 1996, the two sides faced off at St James’ Park in a massive showdown. Newcastle dominated the game but couldn’t find a breakthrough. Then, in the second half, Eric Cantona struck to seal a vital 1-0 win for United. The gap was closing fast, and the pressure was now squarely on Newcastle.

Keegan’s Meltdown

As United continued their relentless push, the psychological battle took center stage. Ferguson played his usual mind games in the press, subtly questioning Newcastle’s stamina and mental strength. Kevin Keegan snapped.

In a now-legendary live TV rant, Keegan lost his cool after a hard-fought win over Leeds: "I will love it if we beat them. Love it!"

The outburst became symbolic of Newcastle’s unraveling nerves.

The Final Stretch

Newcastle stumbled through the final weeks of the season, drawing too many games and dropping vital points. In contrast, United were laser-focused. They won game after game, with Cantona continuing to be the difference-maker.

United ended the season with 82 points, four ahead of Newcastle, completing one of the greatest comebacks in Premier League history.

📸 2017 Getty Images