The secret of the formula, this is how Ferguson's success began at Manchester United

Manchester United finally managed to break their title-winning duck in the 1992/93 season and 30 years later it has proven to be a crucial milestone for the Reds. Manchester United needed a title. It had been a long 26 years and when the Premier League era dawned in August 1992, memories of a painful second-place finish were still fresh in Old Trafford's minds.

United came close to ending their title drought in the final campaign of the old top division. Sir Alex Ferguson's side finished four points behind rivals Leeds United after a stuttering finish that was not helped by the congested match.

It meant that the weight of expectation was heavy on the team ahead of a new season. But by May and a historic title milestone, that weight was gone. Speaking 30 years after a pivotal campaign in United history, defender Gary Pallister, who was ever-present during that period, recalls just how important success really was.

To fill the striker's void, Ferguson turned to old foes Leeds and Eric Cantona. The Frenchman's arrival at Old Trafford would be a coup.

How was the moment with Cantona?

Cantona scored his first league goal for the club in a 1-1 draw with Chelsea at the end of December and netted another eight while grabbing 11 assists as the catalyst behind United's push to glory. The Reds lost just twice between Cantona's arrival and the end of the season and finally broke his game. For Pallister that was the turning point that set the club on the path to greater success.