Looking back, that 2012 Premier League title was probably the most beautiful of my career because of the way it happened. Manchester United had won four out of the previous five championships, and we were looking to make a big impact. We all wanted to prove ourselves; to be vindicated. The entire season was unforgettable. From August 2011 to May 2012 it was a long, intense race with our neighbours. Neither side let any other opponent overshadow us.
United started strongly with that memorable 8-2 win over Arsenal, but we also thrashed Tottenham 5-1 at White Hart Lane thanks to a spectacular performance from Edin Dzeko, who scored four goals that same day. By the eighth game of the season, we were top of the table. We then held that position for 20 games. It was an exercise in authority for us, especially in a country as competitive as England.
We hadn’t won the championship for 44 years, and there was this feeling in the dressing room that we owed a debt to our people. After a very long time, we were convinced that we were ready to end the dominance of Sir Alex Ferguson’s team.
The first big, what a win that was. It was late October and there was still a lot to play for, but it was a statement of intent. Roberto Mancini opted for Micah Richards ahead of me in that game, and I had to watch it from the bench. I’d wanted to play, of course, but I still enjoyed the victory like a little kid. I remember the manager saying in the dressing room afterwards that it was only three points, and that the big day would come when we won the Premier League, but it was impossible not to feel a certain euphoria after winning so strongly at the home of our biggest rivals.
