Champions Review: October

ManUtd.com's review of the 20th title campaign continues with an immaculate October...

Overview The month kicked off with one of the best displays of the season, home or away. United (complete with new-look midfield diamond) strolled to a comprehensive 3-0 win at Newcastle, as Patrice Evra, Jonny Evans and, spectacularly, Tom Cleverley found the net. Wayne Rooney scored at both ends in the following game, a 4-2 home victory over Stoke that also featured another goal for Robin van Persie and a sole league strike (to date) for Danny Welbeck. Not to be outdone by his fellow frontmen, Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez bagged the winner in the final league game of the month as United edged a 3-2 thriller at nine-man Chelsea, with van Persie netting again.

Key moment Referee Mark Clattenburg’s decision to dismiss both Branislav Ivanovic and Fernando Torres derailed Chelsea’s comeback from 2-0 behind and ultimately meant United ended the month within striking distance of the Blues in the table.

Star man Hernandez snared ManUtd.com’s Player of the Month award after his intervention off the bench at Stamford Bridge. As our Player of the Month video shows, the Mexican was flying in all competitions and struck in the Champions League and Capital One Cup.

State of play The Reds finished the month in second place, a point behind Chelsea after nine games and ahead of third-placed Man City on goal difference.