However, the club surrendered the Premier League title to unbeaten champions Arsenal, with a second-half dip in league form coinciding with Rio Ferdinand starting an eight-month ban from football due to a missed drugs test and restricting United to a third-place finish.

United's first departure of the 2003–04 season was David Beckham, who left Old Trafford after ten years with the Red Devils.

A month after Webber's departure, Argentinian midfielder, Juan Sebastián Verón joined United's rivals Chelsea.

First-choice goalkeeper Fabien Barthez rejoined Marseille in April, while Danny Pugh joined Leeds United in late May, in exchange for Alan Smith.

Arriving in the winter transfer window was Louis Saha, who signed from Fulham on 23 January for a fee of £12.82 million.