2005–06 Kansas Jayhawks men's basketball team
In 2005–06 the Jayhawks fielded one of the youngest teams in the nation, by the end of the year the starting line-up consisted of 3 Freshmen and 2 Sophomores. After some early season struggles, the Jayhawks finished the season with thirteen conference wins, good enough for their second straight season in which the team had claimed a share of the championship. Bill Self was named Big 12 Coach of the Year for the first time. In postseason play the team defeated its conference opponents to claim its first Big 12 Championship title since 1999. In the NCAA Division I tournament, the fourth seeded Jayhawks were defeated in the first round by Bradley, a #13 seed.


2005–06 Karnataka State Film Awards
The Karnataka State Film Awards 2005–06, presented by Government of Karnataka, to felicitate the best of Kannada Cinema released in the year 2005.


2005–06 Karnataka State Film Awards, Jury
A committee headed by T. N. Seetharam was appointed to evaluate the feature films awards.


2005–06 Kategoria Superiore
The 2005–06 Kategoria Superiore was the 70th season of top-tier football in Albania and the eighth season under the name Kategoria Superiore.


2005–06 Kategoria Superiore, Results
Each team plays every opponent four times, twice at home and twice away, for a total of 36 games.


2005–06 Kategoria e Parë
The 2005–06 Kategoria e Parë was the 59th season of a second-tier association football league in Albania.


2005–06 Kazakhstan Hockey Championship
The 2005–06 Kazakhstan Hockey Championship was the 14th season of the Kazakhstan Hockey Championship, the top level of ice hockey in Kazakhstan. Six teams participated in the league, and Kazakhmys Karagandy won the championship.


2005–06 Kent Football League
The 2005–06 Kent Football League season was the 40th in the history of Kent Football League a football competition in England.


2005–06 Kent Football League, Clubs
The league featured 15 clubs which competed in the previous season, along with one new club:


2005–06 Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball team
The 2005–06 Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball team represented University of Kentucky. The head coach was Tubby Smith. The team was a member of the Southeastern Conference and played their home games at Rupp Arena.


2005–06 Kilmarnock F.C. season
The 2005–06 season was Kilmarnock's seventh consecutive season in the Scottish Premier League, having competed in it since its inauguration in 1998–99. Kilmarnock also competed in the Scottish Cup and the League Cup.


2005–06 Kilmarnock F.C. season, Summary, Season
Kilmarnock finished fifth in the Scottish Premier League with 55 points. They reached the third round of the League Cup, losing to Dunfermline and the third round of the Scottish Cup, losing to Hearts.


2005–06 Kuwaiti Premier League, Overview
It was contested by 14 teams, and Al Kuwait Kaifan won the championship.


2005–06 LEB 2 season
The 2005–06 LEB 2 season was the 6th  season of the LEB Plata, second league of the Liga Española de Baloncesto and third division in Spain. It is also named Adecco Plata for sponsorship reasons.


2005–06 LEB 2 season, Competition format
16 teams play the regular season. This is a round robin, where each team will play twice against every rival. After the regular season, the eight first qualified teams played a playoff, were the two finalists promoted to LEB.


2005–06 LEB 2 season, Competition format
The last qualified team was relegated to Liga EBA, with the loser of the relegation playoffs, played by the 14th and the 15th qualified teams.


2005–06 LEB 2 season, Competition format
If two or more teams have got the same number of winning games, the criteria of tie-breaking are these:


2005–06 LEB season
The 2005–2006 LEB season was the 10th season of the Liga Española de Baloncesto, second tier of the Spanish basketball.


2005–06 LEB season, LEB Oro Playoffs, Playoff seedings, results, and schedules, Quarter Finals
(1) Leon Caja España (26-8) vs. (8) Palma Aqua Magica (17-17)Leon Caja España win the series 3-0


2005–06 LEB season, LEB Oro Playoffs, Playoff seedings, results, and schedules, Quarter Finals
(2) Basket CAI Zaragoza (25-9) vs. (7) CB Tarragona (17-17) Basket CAI Zaragoza win the series 3-0


2005–06 LEB season, LEB Oro Playoffs, Playoff seedings, results, and schedules, Quarter Finals
(3) Polaris World Murcia (22-12)  vs. (6) CB L'Hospitalet (17-17) Polaris World Murcia win the series 3-0


2005–06 LEB season, LEB Oro Playoffs, Playoff seedings, results, and schedules, Quarter Finals
(4) Drac Inca (21-13) vs. (5) Bruesa GBC (27-17) Bruesa GBC win the series 3-0


2005–06 LEB season, LEB Oro Playoffs, Playoff seedings, results, and schedules, Semifinals
(1) Leon Caja España (26-8) vs. (5) Bruesa GBC (27-17) Bruesa GBC win the series 3-0 and promote to League ACB


2005–06 LEB season, LEB Oro Playoffs, Playoff seedings, results, and schedules, Semifinals
(2) Basket CAI Zaragoza (25-9) vs. (3) Polaris World Murcia (22-12) Polaris win the series 3-2 and promote to League ACB


2005–06 LEB season, LEB Oro Playoffs, Playoff seedings, results, and schedules, LEB Oro Finals
These two teams are already promoted to the league ACB.


2005–06 LEB season, LEB Oro Playoffs, Playoff seedings, results, and schedules, LEB Oro Finals
(5) Bruesa GBC (27-17) vs. (3) Polaris World Murcia (22-12)


2005–06 LEN Euroleague
The 2005–06 LEN Euroleague was the 43rd edition of LEN's premier competition for men's water polo clubs. It ran from 14 September 2005 to 20 May 2006, and it was contested by 36 teams. The Final Four (semifinals, final, and third place game) took place on May 19 and May 20 in Dubrovnik.


2005–06 LEN Euroleague, Knockout stage, Quarter-finals
The first legs were played on 22 March, and the second legs were played on 19 April 2006.


2005–06 LEN Trophy
The 2005–06 LEN Trophy was the 14th edition of LEN's second-tier competition for men's water polo clubs.


2005–06 LNAH season
The 2005–06 LNAH season was the 10th season of the Ligue Nord-Américaine de Hockey (before 2004 the Quebec Semi-Pro Hockey League), a minor professional league in the Canadian province of Quebec. Nine teams participated in the regular season, and Saint-Francois de Sherbrooke won the league title.


2005–06 LSU Tigers basketball team
The 2005–06 LSU Tigers basketball team represented Louisiana State University in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) during the 2005–06 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The team was coached by John Brady and played their home games at Pete Maravich Assembly Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.


2005–06 LSU Tigers basketball team, Rankings
*AP does not release post-NCAA Tournament rankings^Coaches did not release a Week 2 poll.


2005–06 La Liga
The 2005–06 La Liga season, the 75th since its establishment, started on 27 August 2005 and finished on 20 May 2006 due to all top-flight European leagues ending earlier than the previous season because of 2006 FIFA World Cup.


2005–06 La Liga, Teams
Twenty teams competed in the league – the top seventeen teams from the previous season and the three teams promoted from the Segunda División. The promoted teams were Cádiz, Celta de Vigo and Alavés, returning to the top flight after an absence of twelve, one and two years respectively. They replaced Levante, Numancia (both teams relegated after a season's presence) and Albacete (ending their two-year top flight spell).


2005–06 La Liga, Awards, Pichichi Trophy
The Pichichi Trophy is awarded to the player who scores the most goals in a season.


2005–06 La Liga, Awards, Zamora Trophy
The Zamora Trophy is awarded to the goalkeeper with least goals to games ratio.


2005–06 Latvian Hockey League season
The 2005-06 Latvian Hockey League season was the 15th season of the Latvian Hockey League, the top level of ice hockey in Latvia. Seven teams participated in the league, and HK Riga 2000 won the championship.


2005–06 Lebanese Premier League
The 2005–06 season of the Lebanese Premier League was the 45th season of Top-Flight League association football in Lebanon. This season featured ten clubs once more from across the nation.


2005–06 Lebanese Premier League
Three of these teams were eligible for competing in international competitions(AFC Cup for first Position and FA Cup Winners while second and third enter the Arab Champions League with a fourth spot reserved for the winner of the 2005–06 Lebanese Cup) while the bottom team at the end of the season would be relegated to make way for third teams from the 2005–06 Second Division for the expanded 12-team Football League in the 2006–07 Season.


2005–06 Lebanese Second Division
The 2005–06 Lebanese Second Division was the 72nd season of the Second Division league which featured 12 Clubs. 3 of these teams were eligible for promotion to the top league of Lebanese football, the Lebanese Premier League while 1 of the 12 teams had to face relegation to the Lebanese Third Division for the 2006–07 Season.


2005–06 Lebanese Second Division
From the 2004–05 Football League, 3 teams were relegated to the Second Division. However, 2 teams were brought up to the Football League from the 2004–05 Second Division, these 2 teams being Salam Zgharta and Racing Beirut. This was due to the Lebanese Football Federation announcing it will reduce the number of teams in the Football League from 11 to 10 for the 2005–06 Season leading to an increase in the number of teams in the Second Division.


2005–06 Lebanese Second Division
At the end of the season, Shabab Al-Sahel earned the title after finishing on 56 Points, 5 clear of the nearest club, Al-Hikma who finished 2nd on 51 Points with 16 victories, 3 draws and just 3 losses for the Season. The last team in this season to earn promotion was theAl-Ahli Sidon team who finished 3rd and just 1 point behind Al-Hikma.


2005–06 Leeds United A.F.C. season
During the 2005–06 English football season, Leeds United A.F.C. competed in the Football League Championship, their second consecutive season at this level.


2005–06 Leeds United A.F.C. season, Season summary
With new players brought in over the summer, the club's goal during the 2005–06 season was promotion. Blackwell's shrewd tactics away from Elland Road and attacking style at home proved highly effective, and by the end of February, Leeds were third in the Championship. However, from that point onwards Leeds slumped, gaining just 4 points from a possible 18, and eventually had to settle for a play-off place.


2005–06 Leeds United A.F.C. season, Season summary
In the first round of the play-offs, against Preston North End, Leeds drew 1–1 at Elland Road, but won the return leg 2–0 to advance to the final, played on 21 May at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. However, in a dismal performance, Leeds crashed to a 3–0 defeat to Watford.


2005–06 Leeds United A.F.C. season, Season summary
While some fans predicted that Leeds would go one better and finally return to the Premier League the following year, others were concerned by the fact that, with the exception of the bottom four teams, Leeds's form going into the play-offs was the worst of any team in the Championship, their only two wins in the final months of the campaign being the play-off victory against Preston and a narrow 1–0 victory against relegated Crewe Alexandra.


2005–06 Leeds United A.F.C. season, First-team squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2005–06 Leeds United A.F.C. season, First-team squad, Left club during season
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2005–06 Leeds United A.F.C. season, Reserve squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2005–06 Lega Basket Serie A
The 2005–06 Lega Basket Serie A season, known as the Serie A TIM for sponsorship reasons, was the 84th season of the Lega Basket Serie A, the highest professional basketball league in Italy.


2005–06 Lega Basket Serie A
The regular season ran from October 9, 2005 to May 2006, 18 teams played 34 games each. The top 8 teams made the play-offs whilst the lowest ranked team, Viola Reggio Calabria and the bankrupt club BT Roseto, were relegated to the Legadue.


2005–06 Lega Basket Serie A
Benetton Treviso won their second title by winning the playoff finals series against Climamio Bologna.


2005–06 Lega Basket Serie A, Regular Season 2005/06
Mario Fioretti (next 1 game, 0-1) Aleksandar Đorđević (last 16 games, 12-4)


2005–06 Lega Basket Serie A, Regular Season 2005/06
Pasquale Iracà (next 2 games, 0-2) Antonio Zorzi (next 9 games, 0-9) Pasquale Iracà (last 11 games, 0-11)


2005–06 Lega Basket Serie A, Regular Season 2005/06
Teams marked in green qualified for the playoffs. Teams marked in red were relegated to Serie A2. BT Roseto team went bankrupt after the season, therefore Air Avellino was spared relegation.


2005–06 Leicester City F.C. season
During the 2005–06 English football season, Leicester City F.C. competed in the Football League Championship.


2005–06 Leicester City F.C. season, Season summary
In the 2005–06 season, Leicester's dismal form continued which saw some fans call for Levein's resignation as the team were near the bottom of the table after ten matches, and fell into the relegation zone in January, ultimately leading to his sacking on Wednesday 25 January 2006, despite a 3–2 FA Cup win over Premiership club Tottenham just 17 days earlier.


2005–06 Leicester City F.C. season, Season summary
After winning three out of four games as caretaker manager and moving the club five places up the league, Rob Kelly was appointed to see out the rest of the season. Kelly steered Leicester to safety and in April 2006 was given the manager's job on a permanent basis. Jim McCahill retired as chairman on 1 June 2006 and was replaced by Andrew Taylor.


2005–06 Leicester City F.C. season, Kit
Leicester City's kit was manufactured by English sports retailer JJB Sports and sponsored by Narborough-based bank Alliance & Leicester.


2005–06 Leicester City F.C. season, Squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2005–06 Leicester City F.C. season, Squad, Left club during season
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2005–06 Libyan Premier League
The 2005–06 Libyan Premier League was the 38th edition of the Libyan Premier League, the top flight of Libyan football organised by the Libyan Football Federation.


2005–06 Libyan Premier League, Competition
There were 18 clubs in the league for this season, split into two groups of nine. The nine teams in each group played each other home and away, resulting in 16 games being played in each group. The top three teams from each group progressed to the next stage, the 'Championship Play-Off'. The champions, Al Ittihad, won their twelfth league title, and gained qualification to the CAF Champions League for the next season.


2005–06 Libyan Premier League, Championship stage
In this stage, the six clubs (3 from each group) that qualified played each other home & away. The team with the most points after the 10 games would be crowned champions. The two teams that finished first in their group, Al Olympic and Al Ahly Tripoli, received three bonus points to take through to this stage, while the two teams that finished second, Al Akhdar and Al Ittihad, received one bonus point.


2005–06 Libyan Premier League, Relegation play-off
The 10 teams that finished 4th-8th in their respective groups: Rafik Sorman, Al Charara, Al Hilal, Al Madina, Al Mustaqbal, Al Urouba, Al Majd, Al Shat, Al Wahda and Al Swihli, along with the two teams that finished second in their respective groups in the Second Division this season, Al Harati and Al Soukour, altogether 12 teams, were split into two groups of 6 teams. The 6 teams in each group would play each other home & away, and the top three teams would play in the Libyan Premier League the next season. Premier League teams that finished fourth in their respective groups (Rafik Sorman and Al Urouba) received three bonus points, while teams that finished fifth in their respective groups (Al Majd and Al Charara) received one bonus point each.


2005–06 Liechtenstein Cup
The 2005–06 Liechtenstein Cup was the sixty-first season of Liechtenstein's annual cup competition. Seven clubs competed with a total of sixteen teams for one spot in the first qualifying round of the UEFA Cup. Defending champions were FC Vaduz, who have won the cup continuously since 1998.


2005–06 Liga Alef
The 2005–06 Liga Alef season saw Hapoel Bnei Tamra (champions of the North Division) and Sektzia Nes Tziona (champions of the South Division) winning the title and promotion to 2006–07.


2005–06 Liga Alef
At the bottom, Hapoel Beit She'an, Maccabi Shefa-'Amr (from North division), F.C. Kafr Qasim and Beitar Giv'at Ze'ev (from South division) were all automatically relegated to Liga Bet, while 12th placed teams from each division, Maccabi Tamra and Maccabi Sha'arayim entered a promotion/relegation play-offs, at the end of which both clubs were relegated as well.


2005–06 Liga Alef, Relegation play-offs, North play-off
The 12th placed club in Liga Alef North, Maccabi Tamra, faced Liga Bet North A and North B runners-up, Beitar Haifa and Ironi Sayid Umm al-Fahm. The teams played each other in a round-robin tournament, with all matches held at a neutral venue, Kiryat Eliezer Stadium.


2005–06 Liga Alef, Relegation play-offs, North play-off
Beitar Haifa won the play-offs and was promoted to Liga Alef.


2005–06 Liga Alef, Relegation play-offs, South play-off
The 12th placed club in Liga Alef South, Maccabi Sha'arayim, faced Liga Bet South A and Liga Bet South B runners-up, Hapoel Azor and Ironi Ramla. The teams played each other in a round-robin tournament, with all matches held at a neutral venue, Bat Yam Municipal Stadium.


2005–06 Liga Alef, Relegation play-offs, South play-off
Ironi Ramla won the play-offs and was promoted to Liga Alef.


2005–06 Liga Artzit
The 2005–06 Liga Artzit season saw Hapoel Bnei Lod win the title and promotion to Liga Leumit alongside runners-up Maccabi Ahi Nazareth. Maccabi Tzur Shalom and Tzafririm Holon were relegated to Liga Alef.


2005–06 Liga Bet
The 2005–06 Liga Bet season saw Beitar Safed (champions of the North A division), Hapoel Ahva Haifa (champions of the North B division), Maccabi Amishav Petah Tikva (champions of the South A division) and Hapoel Maxim Lod (champions of the South B division) win their regional divisions and promoted to Liga Alef.


2005–06 Liga Bet
The runners-up in each division entered a promotion/relegation play-offs with the clubs ranked 12th in Liga Alef. In the north section, Beitar Haifa (from North B division) won the play-offs and was promoted. In the south section, Ironi Ramla (from South B division) won the play-offs and was promoted.


2005–06 Liga Bet
Maccabi Kiryat Malakhi, which finished third in the South B division, was also promoted to Liga Alef, after a vacancy was created in the South division, following the merger of Beitar Kiryat Gat and Maccabi Kiryat Gat.


2005–06 Liga Bet
At the bottom, Beitar Jaffa, A.S. Holon (from South A division) and Maccabi Yehud (from South B division) were all relegated to Liga Gimel, whilst Hapoel Ironi I'billin (from North A division) and Hapoel Kafr Misr/Nein (from South A division) folded during the season. However, Hapoel Deir Hanna (from North B division), Maccabi Daliyat al-Karmel (from North B division) and Hapoel Bnei Lakhish (from South B division), which finished in the relegation zone, were all reprieved from relegation, after several vacancies were created in Liga Bet for the 2006–07 season, mostly due to withdrawals and mergers of clubs.


2005–06 Liga Bet, North A Division
During the season, Hapoel Ironi I'billin (after 13 matches) folded and its results were annulled.


2005–06 Liga Bet, North B Division
During the season, Hapoel Kafr Misr/Nein (after 21 matches) folded and its results were annulled.


2005–06 Liga Bet, Promotion play-offs, North play-off
Liga Bet North A and North B runners-up, Beitar Haifa and Ironi Sayid Umm al-Fahm faced the 12th placed club in Liga Alef North, Maccabi Tamra. The teams played each other in a round-robin tournament, with all matches held at a neutral venue, Kiryat Eliezer Stadium.


2005–06 Liga Bet, Promotion play-offs, North play-off
Beitar Haifa won the play-offs and was promoted to Liga Alef.


2005–06 Liga Bet, Promotion play-offs, South play-off
Liga Bet South A and Liga Bet South B runners-up, Hapoel Azor and Ironi Ramla faced the 12th placed club in Liga Alef South, Maccabi Sha'arayim. The teams played each other in a round-robin tournament, with all matches held at a neutral venue, Bat Yam Municipal Stadium.


2005–06 Liga Bet, Promotion play-offs, South play-off
Ironi Ramla won the play-offs and was promoted to Liga Alef.


2005–06 Liga Gimel
The 2005–06 Liga Gimel season saw 84 clubs competing in 7 regional divisions for promotion to Liga Bet.


2005–06 Liga Leumit
The 2005–06 Liga Leumit season saw Maccabi Herzliya win the title and promotion to the Premier League. Runners-up Hakoah Amidar Ramat Gan were also promoted.


2005–06 Liga Leumit
Ironi Rishon LeZion and Maccabi Be'er Sheva (playing in their first season at the second level) were relegated to Liga Artzit.


2005–06 Liga Nacional de Hockey Hielo season
The 2005–06 Superliga Espanola de Hockey Hielo season was the 32nd season of the Superliga Espanola de Hockey Hielo, the top level of ice hockey in Spain. Seven teams participated in the league, and CG Puigcerda won the championship.


2005–06 Liga de Fútbol Profesional Boliviano
The 2005–06 Liga de Fútbol Profesional Boliviano was the first Bolivian football league to use the European calendar format. However, it was quickly changed after issues with relegation occurring in the middle of the season instead of the end.


2005–06 Liga de Fútbol Profesional Boliviano, Torneo Apertura
The first part of the season was divided into two groups. The top three of each group advanced to a final group stage known as the Hexagonal Final.


2005–06 Liga de Fútbol Profesional Boliviano, Promotion/relegation
Due to issues with the second division and changing to the European season format, a relegation was held in the middle of the season between the Apertura and Clausura. Universidad Iberoamericana was relegated and Destroyers played a promotion relegation playoff against Guabirá. Universitario was promoted to the Torneo Clausura.


2005–06 Liga de Honra
The 2005–06 Liga de Honra season was the 16th season of the competition and the 72nd season of recognised second-tier football in Portugal.


2005–06 Liga de Honra, Overview
The league was contested by 18 teams with SC Beira-Mar winning the championship and gaining promotion to the Primeira Liga along with CD Aves. At the other end of the table SC Covilhã, FC Barreirense, FC Marco, AD Ovarense and FC Maia were relegated to the Segunda Divisão.


2005–06 Ligat Nashim
The 2005–06 Ligat Nashim is the eighth season of women's league football under the Israeli Football Association.


2005–06 Ligat Nashim
The league was won by Maccabi Holon, its second title. By winning, Maccabi Holon qualified to 2006–07 UEFA Women's Cup.


2005–06 Ligue 1
Olympique Lyonnais won Ligue 1 season 2005–06 of the French Association Football League with 84 points.


2005–06 Ligue 1, Final table
Promoted from Ligue 2, who will play in the 2006–07 Ligue 1


2005–06 Ligue 2
The Ligue 2 season 2005–06, organised by the LFP was won by Valenciennes FC and saw the promotions of Valenciennes FC, CS Sedan Ardennes and FC Lorient, whereas AC Ajaccio, RC Strasbourg and FC Metz were relegated from Ligue 1.


2005–06 Ligue 2, Recap
Valenciennes is promoted for the second year in a row, as champion in both years, which was the first time in France.


2005–06 Ligue Magnus season
The 2005–06 Ligue Magnus season was the 85th season of the Ligue Magnus, the top level of ice hockey in France. 14 teams participated in the league, and Dragons de Rouen won their eighth league title.


2005–06 Lille OSC season
The 2005–06 season was the 62nd season in the existence of Lille OSC and the club's 6th consecutive season in the top flight of French football. In addition to the domestic league, Lille participated in this season's edition of the Coupe de France, the Coupe de la Ligue, the UEFA Champions League, and the UEFA Cup. The season covered the period from 1 July 2005 to 30 June 2006.


2005–06 Lincoln City F.C. season
During the 2005–06 season, Lincoln City competed in Football League Two.


2005–06 Lithuanian Hockey League season
The 2005–06 Lithuanian Hockey League season was the 15th season of the Lithuanian Hockey League, the top level of ice hockey in Lithuania. Five teams participated in the league, and SC Energija won the championship. The league season was abbreviated, and SC Energija met Poseidonas Elektrenai in the final.


2005–06 Liverpool F.C. season
The 2005–06 season was the 114th season in Liverpool Football Club's existence, and their 44th consecutive year in the top-flight, and covers the period from 1 June 2005 to 30 May 2006. Liverpool finished the season in third position, nine points behind champions Chelsea. They won the FA Cup for the seventh time by beating West Ham United in the final 3–1 on penalties after a 3–3 draw.


2005–06 Liverpool F.C. season, Players, First team squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2005–06 Liverpool F.C. season, Players, Left club during season
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2005–06 Liverpool F.C. season, Reserve squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2005–06 Livingston F.C. season
Season 2005–06 saw Livingston compete in the Scottish Premier League. They also competed in the League Cup and the Scottish Cup.


2005–06 Livingston F.C. season, Summary
Livingston finished last in the SPL and were relegated to the Scottish First Division. They managed only four wins in 38 games a current joint record they hold with Dunfermline for the fewest wins in a season since the SPL began.


2005–06 Livingston F.C. season, Summary, Managers
Under new manager Paul Lambert Livingston only managed two wins in 26 games. This led to him resigning on 11 February 2006 after their defeat to nearest rival Dunfermline. John Robertson was appointed as manager but was unable to stop Livingston's demise managing only a further two wins.


2005–06 Los Angeles Clippers season
The 2005–06 Los Angeles Clippers season was their 36th season in the NBA and their 22nd in Los Angeles. The Clippers finished with 47 wins and 35 losses in the regular season, their best record since the 1974–75 season when they were the Buffalo Braves and made the playoffs for the first time since 1997 as the 6th seed, finishing with a better record than their crosstown rival, the Los Angeles Lakers, who finished two games behind them with a 45–37 record as the 7th seed, since 1992.


2005–06 Los Angeles Clippers season
In the playoffs, the Clippers defeated the 3rd seeded Denver Nuggets in the First Round in five games, marking the first time they have won a series since moving to California in 1978. The Clippers would then advance to the Semifinals, where they lose in seven games to the Phoenix Suns. The Suns had previously defeated the Clippers' Staples Center co-tenants, the Los Angeles Lakers, in seven games in the First Round after being down 1–3 in the series.


2005–06 Los Angeles Clippers season
The Clippers would not return to the playoffs until 2012.


2005–06 Los Angeles Clippers season, Transactions
The Clippers have been involved in the following transactions during the 2005-06 season.


2005–06 Los Angeles Kings season
The 2005–06 Los Angeles Kings season was the 39th season (38th season of play) for the National Hockey League franchise. It began with wholesale changes, as during the off-season the Kings acquired centers Pavol Demitra and Jeremy Roenick to help solidify their offense, as well as goaltender Jason LaBarbera.


2005–06 Los Angeles Kings season
The changes appeared to pay off, as the Kings stormed out to a 15–6–1 record, and first place in the division. The team, however, collapsed, winning only 27 of their remaining 60 games, finishing fourth in the Pacific Division, and out of the playoffs for the third consecutive season. Head Coach Andy Murray was fired for their final 12 games with John Torchetti taking over, despite the team finishing with an impressive 42 wins.


2005–06 Los Angeles Kings season, Regular season
The Kings finished the regular season with the most power play opportunities, tying the Phoenix Coyotes with 541. They also finished 30th overall in penalty-kill percentage, at 78.73%.


2005–06 Los Angeles Kings season, Regular season, Final standings
Divisions: CE – Central, PA – Pacific, NW – Northwest


2005–06 Los Angeles Kings season, Regular season, Final standings
P –  Clinched Presidents Trophy; Y –  Clinched Division; X –  Clinched Playoff spot


2005–06 Los Angeles Kings season, Playoffs
The Kings were eliminated from playoff contention in late March 2006, making it the third consecutive year that they missed the playoffs.


2005–06 Los Angeles Kings season, Transactions
The Kings were involved in the following transactions during the 2005–06 season.


2005–06 Los Angeles Kings season, Draft picks
Los Angeles's picks at the 2005 NHL Entry Draft held at the Westin Hotel in Ottawa, Ontario on July 30, 2005.


2005–06 Los Angeles Lakers season
The 2005–06 Los Angeles Lakers season was the 58th in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and 60th overall. The Los Angeles Lakers finished in third place of the Pacific Division and as the seventh seed of the Western Conference playoffs. The season ended with the team being eliminated in seven games against the Phoenix Suns after holding a 3-1 series lead. After a year absence, the Lakers rehired Phil Jackson as their head coach. It was the final season Kobe Bryant wore jersey number 8 before changing it to 24 the following season. Also memorable from this season was during a January 22, 2006 game vs the Toronto Raptors where Bryant dropped a record 81 points, only the 2nd highest total in NBA history behind Wilt Chamberlain's 100 point game in 1962.


2005–06 Los Angeles Lakers season, Draft picks
The Lakers had 3 picks going into the 2005 NBA draft. The Lakers picked seven footer Andrew Bynum as the 10th pick of the draft. Los Angeles also picked Ronny Turiaf and Von Wafer as the 37th and 39th picks respectively.


2005–06 Los Angeles Lakers season, Regular season
The Lakers opened the season with an overtime victory against the Denver Nuggets. Despite dipping below .500 during the November, the team recovered and finished 2005 with a 15-14 record. The team went into the All Star Break with a 26-26 record The Lakers did not maintain any long winning streaks nor were they in long losing slumps; their longest winning streak of the season equalled their longest losing streak of 5 games. The team finished the season with a 5-game winning streak, the longest of the season, and an overall 45-37 record. The Lakers finished third in the Pacific Division and qualified for the playoffs as the 7th seed in the Western Conference. In a January home game against the Toronto Raptors, Kobe Bryant scored 81 points, the second most in a single game in NBA history, behind Wilt Chamberlain's 100.


2005–06 Louisville Cardinals men's basketball team
The 2005–06 Louisville Cardinals men's basketball team represented the University of Louisville in the 2005–06 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The head coach was Rick Pitino and the team finished the season with an overall record of 21–13.


2005–06 Luton Town F.C. season
The 2005–06 season was the 120th season in the history of Luton Town Football Club, and the club's 85th consecutive year in the Football League. This was the club's first season in the second tier of English football since the 1995–96 season.


2005–06 Luton Town F.C. season
Mike Newell's Luton side made a strong start to the season, topping the table after the first three games and staying in the play-off places until mid-December. However, a poor second half to the season saw Luton eventually slip down the table to finish in tenth place, albeit above more-fancied sides such as Southampton and Leicester City. Striker Steve Howard was Luton's top goalscorer for the fifth season running, scoring 15 goals in total, despite playing parts of the campaign as a makeshift centre-back following injuries to most of the Luton defence. Indeed, this proved a common occurrence throughout the season, with Luton's relatively small squad forcing team members to play out of position when injuries or suspensions materialised.


2005–06 Luton Town F.C. season
Kenilworth Road was expanded at the beginning of the season to accommodate over 700 more fans and, combined with the large away followings of clubs such as Leeds United, Norwich City and Wolverhampton Wanderers, this saw the highest average attendance for Luton since their relegation from the top division in the 1991–92 season.


2005–06 Luton Town F.C. season
This article covers the period from 1 July 2005 to 30 June 2006.


2005–06 Luton Town F.C. season, Background
The 2004–05 season had seen Luton promoted to the second tier of English football, winning the League One title with 98 points and both the most goals scored and fewest goals conceded. Six Luton players had been named in the Team of the Year, with 20-year-old centre-back Curtis Davies being named League One Player of the Year. Key players Sol Davis, Kevin Nicholls, Ahmet Brković and Steve Howard had all agreed contract extensions with the club in the face of transfer speculation, while squad players Lee Mansell and David Bayliss had been released.


2005–06 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, July and August
Wrexham's Trinidad and Tobago international winger Carlos Edwards joined Luton on a free transfer on 1 July. The club released utility player Alan Neilson and long-term injured defender Ian Hillier the same day. On 4 July, Luton signed Rowan Vine on a three-year contract from Portsmouth for £250,000. Vine had spent the previous season on a year-long loan at Luton, playing in 49 games.


2005–06 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, July and August
The club began pre-season with a mini-tournament in Bulgaria, losing to Bulgarian champions CSKA Sofia, and drawing with Cypriot Second Division club APEP. A day after returning to England, the club signed Aberdeen's Finnish international defender Markus Heikkinen and Reading forward Dean Morgan on free transfers. Both Heikkinen and Morgan signed two-year contracts. Young striker Calvin Andrew joined League Two club Grimsby Town on loan for a month on 4 August.


2005–06 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, July and August
Luton began their season on 6 August with a 2–1 away win to recently relegated Crystal Palace, with Steve Howard and Ahmet Brković scoring, and captain Kevin Nicholls uncharacteristically missing a penalty. After the game, Luton manager Mike Newell reacted to comments in the Crystal Palace match programme that had suggested the game would be Luton's "cup final". Newell stated that "I do not expect to read condescending comments from fellow professionals." Three days later, Luton beat another side just relegated from the Premier League, winning 3–2 against Southampton at Kenilworth Road.


2005–06 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, July and August
New signing Dean Morgan scored the winning goal in stoppage-time. A 0–0 home draw with Leeds United was followed a week later with a 2–1 defeat to Stoke City in which Steve Howard was sent off for spitting at Carl Hoefkens. Howard received a three-game ban after Luton's appeal was rejected.


2005–06 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, July and August
The club progressed into the second round of the League Cup with a 3–1 win over Leyton Orient on 23 August. Luton won their third league game on 27 August, Ahmet Brković scoring a bicycle kick and Kevin Nicholls a penalty to secure victory over Leicester City.


2005–06 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, July and August
Luton were close to signing Ghanaian international midfielder Anthony Obodai from Ajax during the month, but the move fell through on 28 August due to complications with his visa.


2005–06 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, July and August
Warren Feeney scored his first Luton goal in a 2–1 home victory against Millwall on 29 August to put Luton into third position in the table. Defender Curtis Davies scored the other goal in what would prove to be his last game in a Luton shirt; on 31 August, transfer deadline day, Davies moved to Premier League side West Bromwich Albion for a fee of £3 million – both a Luton and West Brom record in terms of money received and spent respectively. Midfielder Michael Leary moved to Bristol Rovers on a one-month loan the same day.


2005–06 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, September and October
Luton drew 1–1 at home to title favourites Wolverhampton Wanderers on 10 September, Kevin Nicholls scoring a late goal, and then lost 1–0 to Queens Park Rangers three days later for their second defeat of the season. A 1–0 win over Hull City came on 17 September, followed by a 2–2 draw with Sheffield Wednesday a week later. Steve Howard scored all three of Luton's goals. In between these two league games, Luton lost 1–0 to Reading in the League Cup. Luton ended the month with an impressive 3–0 win over the previous season's play-off finalists Preston North End to sit in third place in the table, drawing praise from Preston manager Billy Davies. Midfielder Kevin Nicholls won the Championship's Player of the Month award for his performances.


2005–06 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, September and October
The club beat Cardiff City 2–1 at Ninian Park on 1 October, midfielder Peter Holmes scoring one goal and setting up another. Bottom-of-the-table Crewe Alexandra beat Luton 3–1 on 15 October, but the club bounced back a few days later to defeat Norwich City 4–2 and return to their almost customary third place in the table. Plymouth Argyle scored a stoppage-time equaliser to deny Luton a win on 22 August, and the club then lost their fourth league game a week later, going down 1–0 at Coventry City.


2005–06 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, September and October
Off the field, Luton loaned out youth player Thomas Ward to Dagenham & Redbridge, midfielder Stephen O'Leary to Tranmere Rovers, and Calvin Andrew for a second spell at Grimsby Town.


2005–06 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, November and December
On 1 November, chairman Bill Tomlins announced that the club had changed its plans to build a new stadium near to Junction 10 of the M1 motorway, after being told the site would not be viable if Luton Airport was to earn permission to build a new runway. Instead, the owners began exploring the possibility of building a new stadium in time for the 2008–09 season near to Junction 12 – almost six miles away from their existing home of Kenilworth Road.


2005–06 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, November and December
Manager Mike Newell exhibited the first signs of a strained relationship with the club's board, criticising the lack of direction from the owners and stating that "[the owners] have been in 18 months, so why has it taken them 18 months to find out they can't build a stadium at Junction 10?"


2005–06 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, November and December
The club lost three consecutive matches against Sheffield United (0–4), Burnley (2–3) and Norwich City (0–2) through early to mid-November, pushing them down the table to seventh place. Luton then beat Crewe Alexandra 4–1 and Crystal Palace 2–0, their ninth and tenth wins of the season, to end November in fifth position in the table. The club loaned out reserve goalkeeper Dino Seremet to League One club Doncaster Rovers for a month on 24 November.


2005–06 Luton Town F.C. season, Review, November and December
Luton won just one of their six league games throughout December, pushing them out of the play-off positions, which they would not return to for the rest of the season. A heavy loss to leaders Reading on 3 December was followed up with narrow defeats to Southampton and Stoke City. A 1–1 draw on Boxing Day at Derby County was trailed by a 3–0 victory over strugglers Brighton & Hove Albion two days later. The club then lost 1–0 to Ipswich Town on New Year's Eve to drop to tenth in the table.


2005–06 Luxembourg National Division
The 2005–06 Luxembourg National Division was the 92nd season of top level association football in Luxembourg. The competition ran from 7 August 2005 to 28 May 2006. The league title was won by F91 Dudelange, who also won the Luxembourg Cup to complete the Double.


2005–06 Luxembourg National Division, Teams
The 2005–06 season saw the National Division's roster of twelve clubs include:


2005–06 Luxembourg National Division, Format
The twelve teams completed the round-robin by playing each other twice (once home and once away) by 2 April. Then, the league divided into three. The top four teams were separated from the rest and formed the  'Title group' . The bottom eight teams were then subdivided into two groups of four, titled  'Relegation group A'  and  'Relegation group B' . In the event, the top four were F91 Dudelange, Jeunesse Esch, FC Etzella Ettelbruck, and CS Grevenmacher.


2005–06 Luxembourg National Division, Format
In each of the three mini-leagues, each team played each of the three other teams in the mini-league twice (once home and once away). To these results were added the 22 results of the first stage. The overall points totals (and goal difference, etc.) were used to determine each club's position in its respective mini-league.


2005–06 Luxembourg National Division, Format
After calculating the final results after 28 games, F91 Dudelange, the top team in the title group, was declared the league champion. The fourth-placed team in each of the relegation groups (US Rumelange and FC Avenir Beggen in groups A and B respectively) played off against the third- and fourth-placed teams in Luxembourg's second division (FC Mondercange and FC Mamer 32), the Division of Honour. The winning team in each tie was awarded a place in the National Division in the 2006-07 season, whilst the losing team was confined to the second division. The matches were played on 28 May on neutral ground. Both National Division teams lost, thus were relegated.


2005–06 Luxembourg National Division, Format
2005-06 was the last season to use this format. From 2006–07, a simple league round-robin will be used for the entire season.


2005–06 Luxembourg National Division, European qualification
Luxembourg was assigned one spot in the first qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League, for the league champions; it was also assigned two spots in the first qualifying round of the UEFA Cup, for the runners-up and the winners of the Luxembourg Cup. As league champions, F91 Dudelange qualified for the Champions League. Jeunesse Esch qualified for the UEFA Cup as runners-up. In addition, as F91 Dudelange and Jeunesse Esch contested the Luxembourg Cup final, the UEFA Cup assigned to the cup winners went to FC Etzella Ettelbruck, who finished third in the league.


2005–06 Luxembourg National Division, Team changes for 2006-07 season
After the 2005-06 season ended, the league was expanded from twelve teams to fourteen. The champions and runners-up of the Division of Honour, FC Differdange 03 and FC Progrès Niedercorn, were promoted automatically. After losing their relegation play-offs, Avenir Beggen and US Rumelange were relegated and replaced by FC Mondercange and FC Mamer 32.


2005–06 Macedonian First Football League
The 2005–06 Macedonian First League was the 14th season of the Macedonian First Football League, the highest football league of Macedonia. The first matches of the season were played on 5 August 2005 and the last on 21 May 2006. Rabotnichki defended their championship title, having won their second title in a row.


2005–06 Macedonian First Football League, Results
Every team will play three times against each other team for a total of 33 matches. The first 22 matchdays will consist of a regular double round-robin schedule. The league standings at this point will then be used to determine the games for the last 11 matchdays.


2005–06 Macedonian Football Cup
The 2005–06 Macedonian Football Cup was the 14th season of Macedonia's football knockout competition. FK Bashkimi were the defending champions, having won their first title. The 2005–06 champions were FK Makedonija Gjorche Petrov who won their first title as well.


2005–06 Macedonian Football Cup, Second round
The first legs were played on 14 September and second were played on 19 October 2005.


2005–06 Macedonian Football Cup, Quarterfinals
The first legs were played on 2 November and second were played on 30 November 2005.


2005–06 Macedonian Football Cup, Semifinals
The first legs were played on 5 April and the second on 10 May 2006.


2005–06 Macedonian Second Football League
The 2005–06 Macedonian Second Football League was the fourteenth season since its establishment. It began on 6 August 2005 and ended on 20 May 2006.


2005–06 Magyar Kupa
The 2005–06 Magyar Kupa (English: Hungarian Cup) is the 66th season of Hungary's annual knock-out cup football competition.


2005–06 Maine Black Bears women's ice hockey season
In the 2005-06 Maine Black Bears women's ice hockey season, the Black Bears had 17 wins, 9 losses and 6 ties. The team's Hockey East record was 9 wins, 8 losses, and 4 ties.


2005–06 Major Indoor Soccer League season, League Standings, Scoring leaders
GP = Games Played, G = Goals, A = Assists, Pts = Points


2005–06 Malaysia Premier League
The 2005–06 Liga Premier (English: 2005–06 Premier League), also known as the TM Liga Premier due to sponsorship reasons, was the third season of the Liga Premier, the second-tier professional football league in Malaysia.


2005–06 Malaysia Premier League
The season began on 4 December 2005 and concluded on 22 May 2006.


2005–06 Malaysia Premier League
The champions for the 2005–06 season was Kedah which defeated Malacca during the final with a score of 1–0. Both clubs were promoted to 2006–07 Liga Super.


2005–06 Malaysia Super League
The 2005–06 Malaysia Super League (Malay: 2005–06 Liga Super Malaysia) also known as the TM Liga Super for sponsorship reasons is the third season of the Malaysia Super League, the top-tier professional football league in Malaysia. The season was held from 3 December 2005 and concluded on 23 May 2006.


2005–06 Malaysia Super League, Summary
The winner this season was Negeri Sembilan NAZA. Negeri Sembilan NAZA garnered 40 points from 21 matches and won the title despite scoring less goals than all the other teams in the league except Pahang, who finished second from bottom. With this title, they finally erased the painful memory of losing the 1996 M-League crown having topped the table for most of that season.


2005–06 Malaysia Super League, Summary
Their nearest rivals were TM Melaka with 33 points. Having been in the title contention for most of the season, they were the best positioned club side in Liga Super history after Public Bank in 2004.


2005–06 Malaysia Super League, Summary
Perak's Keita Mandjou was the season's top scorer with 17 goals. Three matches, including Selangor's 6–1 hammering at the hands of Perlis, featured seven goals, and these were the season's highest scoring matches.


2005–06 Malaysia Super League, Summary, Relegation playoffs
As a result of the FAM decision to expand the league to 14 teams, the relegation playoffs were held on 18 June 2006. Six of the league's 14 places were up for grabs in this competition. Pahang and Selangor qualified for this competition by virtue of being the lowest placed Super League teams. Top teams from the Premier League also qualified for this competition (except for Kedah and Melaka, who were automatically promoted by virtue of being Premier League champions). The first round of matches saw Sarawak, Terengganu, Selangor and DPMM promoted. The second round of matches saw Johor FC and Pahang promoted.


2005–06 Malaysia Super League, Relegation play-offs, First round, Second leg
6–2 on aggregate. Sarawak won on aggregate and are promoted to the Super League, while Sabah qualified to final round.


2005–06 Malaysia Super League, Relegation play-offs, First round, Second leg
7–4 on aggregate. Selangor won on aggregate and remain in the Super League, while Johor qualified to final round.


2005–06 Malaysia Super League, Relegation play-offs, First round, Second leg
2–0 on aggregate. Terengganu won on aggregate and are promoted to the Super League, while Sabah qualified to final round.


2005–06 Malaysia Super League, Relegation play-offs, First round, Second leg
2–1 on aggregate. DPMM won on aggregate and are promoted to the Super League, while Pahang qualified to final round.


2005–06 Maltese First Division
The Maltese First Division 2005–06 (known as BOV First Division 2005-06 for sponsorship reasons) started on 10 September 2005 and finished on 14 May 2006. Lija F.C. and St. Patrick F.C. were the teams which were relegated from the 2004–05 Maltese Premier League. Tarxien Rainbows and St.Andrews were the promoted teams. St. Georges were the champions and Marsa were the runners-up. Both were promoted to the Premier League. Lija Athletic and St. Andrews were relegated. This was two straight relegations for Lija while St. Andrews were sent back down having just been promoted.


2005–06 Maltese First Division, Teams
The Maltese First Division 2005–06 was made up of these teams:


2005–06 Maltese Premier League
The 2005–06 Maltese Premier League (known as the BOV Premier League for sponsorship reasons) was the 26th season of the Maltese Premier League, and the 91st season of top-level league football in Malta. Birkirkara won the title while Mosta and Ħamrun Spartans were relegated to the Maltese First Division.


2005–06 Maltese Premier League, Teams
The following teams were promoted from the First Division at the start of the season:


2005–06 Maltese Premier League, Teams
From the previous Premier League season, the following teams were relegated to the First Division:


2005–06 Maltese Premier League, Second round, Championship Pool
The teams placed in the first six positions in the league table qualified for the Championship Pool, and the points obtained during the first round were halved (and rounded up) before the start of second round. As a result, the teams started with the following points before the second round: Birkirkara 21 points, Sliema Wanderers 20, Hibernians 19, Marsaxlokk 17, Valletta 12 and Msida Saint-Joseph 11.


2005–06 Maltese Premier League, Second round, Relegation Pool
The teams which finished in the last four league positions were placed in the Relegation Pool and at the end of the round the two lowest-placed teams were relegated to the First Division. The points obtained during the first round were halved (and rounded up) before the start of second round. As a result, the teams started with the following points before the second round: Floriana 10 points, Ħamrun Spartans 10, Pietà Hotspurs 8, Mosta 4.


2005–06 Maltese Second Division
The 2005–06 Maltese Second Division (known as BOV Second Division 2005-06 due to sponsorship reasons) started on 24 September 2005 and ended on 8 May 2006.


2005–06 Manchester City F.C. season
The 2005–06 season was Manchester City Football Club's fourth consecutive season playing in the Premier League, the top division of English football, and its ninth season since the Premier League was first created with Manchester City as one of its original 22 founding member clubs. Overall, it was the team's 114th season playing in a division of English football, most of which have been spent in the top flight.


2005–06 Manchester City F.C. season, Team kit
For this season the shirt sponsor for all of the club's kits continued to be the previous season's sponsor, Thomas Cook, while the team kits were produced by the previous season's supplier, Reebok.


2005–06 Manchester City F.C. season, Historical league performance
Prior to this season, the history of Manchester City's performance in the English football league hierarchy since the creation of the Premier League in 1992 is summarised by the following timeline chart – which commences with the last season (1991–92) of the old Football League First Division (from which the Premier League was formed).


2005–06 Manchester City F.C. season, Competitive games, Premier League, Results summary
Last updated: 7 May 2006 (end of season). Source: Premier League results 2005–06


2005–06 Manchester City F.C. season, Competitive games, Premier League, Points breakdown
Points against "Big Four" teams: 4 Points against promoted teams: 9


2005–06 Manchester City F.C. season, Competitive games, Premier League, Biggest & smallest
Biggest home wins: 4–1 vs. Birmingham City, 17 December 2005 000000000000000003–0 vs. Newcastle United, 1 February 2006 Biggest home defeats: 1–3 vs. Arsenal, 4 May 2006 00000000000000000000–2 vs.


2005–06 Manchester City F.C. season, Competitive games, Premier League, Biggest & smallest
Tottenham Hotspur, 4 January 2006 Biggest away win: 2–5 vs. Charlton Athletic, 4 December 2005 Biggest away defeats: 2–0 vs. West Bromwich Albion, 10 December 2005 00000000000& vs. Bolton Wanderers, 21 January 2006 & vs. Chelsea, 25 March 2006 00000000000& vs. Blackburn Rovers, 7 May 2006 Biggest home attendance: 47,192 vs. Manchester United, 14 January 2006 Smallest home attendance: 40,256 vs. Middlesbrough, 2 April 2006 Biggest away attendance: 67,839 vs. Manchester United, 10 September 2005 Smallest away attendance: 19,556 vs. Portsmouth, 11 March 2006


2005–06 Manchester City F.C. season, First-team squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2005–06 Manchester City F.C. season, First-team squad, Left club during season
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2005–06 Manchester City F.C. season, Goal scorers, FA Cup
Information current as of 7 May 2006 (end of season)


2005–06 Manchester United F.C. season
The 2005–06 season was Manchester United's 14th season in the Premier League, and their 31st consecutive season in the top division of English football.


2005–06 Manchester United F.C. season
After having finished in third place in both of the previous two seasons, the Red Devils improved slightly to finish the 2005–06 season in second place, despite finishing 8 points off the lead.


2005–06 Manchester United F.C. season
However, despite the improvement in their league form, United's European form took a massive blow, with the club failing to reach the knockout stage of the UEFA Champions League for the first time since 1994–95. The club fared better in the FA Cup, reaching the Fifth Round, but their real success came in the League Cup, in which they beat Wigan Athletic 4–0 in the final. United became the first club in Premier League history to score 1,000 goals, a milestone reached on 29 October in the 4–1 defeat to Middlesbrough at the Riverside, with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring the goal.


2005–06 Manchester United F.C. season
The 2005–06 season also saw the departure of club captain Roy Keane, who had been at Old Trafford since 1993. Keane played his last game for the club on 18 September 2005 in a goalless draw with Liverpool, but was forced to withdraw from the match only a couple of minutes before full-time. It was later revealed that Keane had picked up a foot injury and he eventually left the club for his boyhood team Celtic on 18 November 2005. Keane was subsequently replaced as captain by his deputy, Gary Neville. On 25 November 2005, just seven days after Keane left the club, United fans were plunged into mourning by the death of legendary former player George Best, who died at age 59.


2005–06 Manchester United F.C. season, Pre-season and friendlies
Manchester United began their pre-season in July 2005 with a 5–1 thrashing away to Clyde. The only goal of the first half was scored by United's Kléberson. In the second half, United fielded a completely different side. Paul Scholes opened the scoring in the second half, before Ruud van Nistelrooy added on United's third with a penalty. Neil McGregor pulled a goal back for Clyde when he struck home Steven Masterton's corner, but Liam Miller restored the three-goal margin after taking a short pass from Van Nistelrooy, and Van Nistelrooy finished the scoring in the 85th minute.


2005–06 Manchester United F.C. season, Pre-season and friendlies
United then travelled down to England to face Peterborough United for Barry Fry's testimonial. The Posh held United to a 0–0 draw in the first half, but a Ruud van Nistelrooy hat-trick, a Cristiano Ronaldo brace, and a Giuseppe Rossi strike saw United win 6–0.


2005–06 Manchester United F.C. season, Pre-season and friendlies
United then set out to East Asia for their 2005–06 pre-season tour. The started their tour of East Asia with a 2–0 win over a Hong Kong XI side, with the goals coming from Giuseppe Rossi and Dong Fangzhuo (his first goal for Manchester United). This was followed up with a 3–0 win over Beijing Hyundai, with Paul Scholes scoring a brace and Park Ji-Sung scoring his first goal for the Red Devils. United then travelled to Japan to face Kashima Antlers, a game in which they lost 2–1.


2005–06 Manchester United F.C. season, Pre-season and friendlies
Masashi Motoyama opened the scoring when he controlled a cross-field pass with his first touch and with his second lashed a superb volley over 'keeper Tim Howard into the far corner. United responded when Louis Saha threaded a pass to Cristiano Ronaldo who darted into the area before rolling the ball across the face of goal for Ryan Giggs to tap in. However, before half-time, Antlers restored their lead when Mitsuo Ogasawara's canny flicked pass gave Motoyama the space to fire in a powerful angled volley from eight yards.


2005–06 Manchester United F.C. season, Pre-season and friendlies
United's pre-season tour of East Asia ended with a 2–0 victory over Urawa Red Diamonds. Wayne Rooney scored both goals, which were his first of United's Far East tour. Rooney got first after just five minutes when he threaded a low shot under Ryota Tsuzuki. Rooney's second was scored soon after when he dribbled past three players before lofting a delicate chip over Tsuzuki from the edge of the area.


2005–06 Manchester United F.C. season, Pre-season and friendlies
Following their return to Europe, Manchester United rounded off their pre-season schedule with a 6–1 drubbing of their feeder club in Belgium, Royal Antwerp. Ruud van Nistelrooy grabbed a hat-trick, with United's other goals being scored by Paul Scholes, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Darren Fletcher.


2005–06 Manchester United F.C. season, Pre-season and friendlies
United played one more friendly during the 2005–06 season, the final one being a home fixture against Celtic on 9 May. The game was played as a testimonial for former United captain Roy Keane, who left United as captain in November 2005. Keane played the first half in a Celtic shirt, and switched sides at half-time to play as his former role of United captain. United won 1–0, thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo's 55th-minute goal.


2005–06 Manchester United F.C. season, FA Premier League
Manchester United started their Premier League season with a 2–0 win over Everton at Goodison Park. Ruud van Nistelrooy went close twice as the visitors dominated for long spells before the Dutch striker slotted in John O'Shea's cross two minutes before the interval. Wayne Rooney doubled United's lead 27 seconds in the second half after Joseph Yobo had ludicrously rolled the ball across the penalty area into his path. Marcus Bent's deflected volley struck the bar but Everton were disappointing. The hosts continued with the five-man midfield which served them so well in the 2004–05 season, though James Beattie only lasted 20 minutes before injury forced him off and Bent on.


2005–06 Manchester United F.C. season, FA Premier League
United's next game in the FA Premier League was a home game against Aston Villa. Ruud van Nistelrooy scored the only goal as the Red Devils continued their 100% start to the season. Thomas Sørensen made a brilliant save to deflect a shot from Park Ji-Sung against the crossbar, while a Wayne Rooney volley was cleared off the line. Park missed a good chance after exchanging passes with Rooney before Sørensen saved headers from both Gabriel Heinze and Cristiano Ronaldo. But van Nistelrooy eventually scored, when he tapped home from Ronaldo's cross.


2005–06 Manchester United F.C. season, FA Premier League
United continued their perfect start to the season with 2–0 away win at Newcastle. Wayne Rooney opened the scoring in the 66th minute after pouncing on Jean-Alain Boumsong's error. Albert Luque thought that he had scored on his Newcastle debut, but his "goal" was ruled out for offside. Ruud van Nistelrooy glanced a header wide and had a penalty appeal turned down before sealing the victory with a low shot in injury time.


2005–06 Manchester United F.C. season, FA Premier League
United's 100% all-win start to the season ended as they weld held to a 1–1 home draw by their crosstown rivals, Manchester City. Ruud van Nistelrooy gave United the lead in first-half injury time, turning home from close range after David James had saved his first effort brilliantly. But United failed to take advantage of their supremacy, with van Nistelrooy and Park Ji-sung missing chances. And Joey Barton struck after 75 minutes, turning home Darius Vassell's effort.


2005–06 Manchester United F.C. season, FA Premier League
Despite a second successive draw, this time away to Liverpool, United went up to third place in the FA Premier League table. Steven Gerrard saw a long free-kick bounce just wide in the first half, while Ruud van Nistelrooy went close for United with a chip over the bar. Liverpool continued to push after the break, with Gerrard heading over and Edwin van der Sar saving his drive. But United held firm as both sides kept their unbeaten records alive.


2005–06 Manchester United F.C. season, FA Premier League
After losing their all-win 100% start to the season with two draws against their rivals, Manchester City and Liverpool, United's unbeaten record went too, with a shock 2–1 home loss to Blackburn Rovers. Morten Gamst Pedersen gave Blackburn a first-half lead as his free-kick drifted straight into the net. Ruud van Nistelrooy levelled for United when Wayne Rooney's shot proved too hot for Blackburn keeper Brad Friedel. But an error by Paul Scholes gifted the ball to Michael Gray who set up Pedersen to slam home the winner.


2005–06 Manchester United F.C. season, FA Premier League
United returned to winning ways with a 3–2 win over Fulham at Craven Cottage on 1 October 2005. Collins John put Fulham ahead, but Ruud van Nistelrooy equalised from the spot after Moritz Volz fouled Park Ji-Sung. Park then released Wayne Rooney to put United ahead after 18 minutes, only for Claus Jensen to level from a free-kick. van Nistelrooy completed the scoring in first-half injury time, sweeping home unmarked from another Park pass.


2005–06 Manchester United F.C. season, FA Premier League
United's next game was an away game to Sunderland on 15 October. The Red Devils, wearing their blue away kit, won 3–1, pushing the Black Cats back into the relegation zone. A blistering break culminated in Wayne Rooney eluding Kelvin Davis and sliding the ball home for United's opener. Rooney played in Ruud van Nistelrooy for the Dutch striker to double the lead before a long-range strike from Stephen Elliott pulled a goal back. Anthony Le Tallec then went close to equalising before Giuseppe Rossi scored his first, and what turned out to be his only, league goal for Manchester United from 20 yards.


2005–06 Manchester United F.C. season, FA Premier League
United went down for 3rd to 5th in the FA Premier League table with a 1–1 home draw against Tottenham Hotspur on 22 October. Spurs were trailing 1–0 when Jermaine Jenas curled home a stunning free kick after Rio Ferdinand had fouled Jermain Defoe. That saved the blushes of England goalkeeper Paul Robinson, who had spilled Ruud van Nistelrooy's header to allow Mikaël Silvestre to touch home. Alan Smith, Cristiano Ronaldo and van Nistelrooy came close for United, but Spurs deserved their point. Spurs had three penalty appeals turned down in the match, two of which were decent shouts.


2005–06 Manchester United F.C. season, FA Premier League
After their 1–1 home draw with Tottenham which pushed them down to 5th, a 4–1 away loss to Middlesbrough pushed United down a further two places. Edwin van der Sar gifted Middlesbrough the lead when he let Gaizka Mendieta's shot slip through his fingers. A mistake by Rio Ferdinand let in Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink for the second, and Yakubu made it 3–0 from the spot after Stuart Parnaby was fouled. Yakubu set up Mendieta to make it 4–0. Cristiano Ronaldo headed home a consolation goal deep in injury time for the Reds (wearing their blue change kit) - United's 1000th goal in the FA Premier League - but by then the home fans had long been celebrating a famous victory.


2005–06 Manchester United F.C. season, FA Premier League
After the disastrous 4–1 loss to Middlesbrough, United opened November with a 1–0 victory over Chelsea, ending the defending champions' 40-match unbeaten run in the FA Premier League. Darren Fletcher scored the only goal of the game just over half an hour into the match with a header. The Scotsman appeared to be trying to head the ball back across the goal, but his effort looped inside the far post. Early in the second half Ruud van Nistelrooy should have made the game safe but he blazed his shot over. His miss meant United had to live on their nerves as Chelsea desperately sought the equaliser and Edwin van der Sar bravely denied Frank Lampard.


2005–06 Manchester United F.C. season, FA Premier League
After the win against Chelsea, United won their next three FA Premier League games, with 3–1 and 2–1 away wins over Charlton Athletic and West Ham United, and a 3–0 home victory over Portsmouth. Their winning streak was finally halted by Everton, who held United to a 1–1 draw at Old Trafford. Both goals were scored in the opening 15 minutes: James McFadden opened the scoring for Everton with just seven minutes played, with the Scottish forward beating Edwin van der Sar from a tight angle for the opening goal. Ryan Giggs guided the ball past Richard Wright to equalise after collecting a superb pass from Paul Scholes. But Wright saved from Alan Smith, Wayne Rooney, Gary Neville, Scholes and Giggs - and van der Sar denied McFadden as Everton hit back on the break.


2005–06 Manchester United F.C. season, FA Premier League
Following the draw against Everton which pushed United from 2nd to 3rd place in the league table, a 4–0 win over Wigan Athletic put United back to second in the FA Premier League. Rio Ferdinand headed his first ever goal for the club on the half-hour from Ryan Giggs' accurate corner. Wayne Rooney doubled United's lead with a low shot, then hit the bar before making it 3–0 with a chip over Wigan's ex-United 'keeper, Mike Pollitt. Ruud van Nistelrooy converted from the penalty spot in the 70th minute to send Wigan crashing to their fifth successive league defeat.


2005–06 Manchester United F.C. season, FA Premier League
Manchester United moved within six points of Premier League toppers Chelsea with a 2–0 victory over Aston Villa on 17 December. Ruud van Nistelrooy's close-range finish put United ahead after nine minutes from Darren Fletcher's pass. Wayne Rooney doubled United's lead five minutes after the interval following good work by Park Ji-Sung. Villa's only serious threat to United's supremacy was a shot from Milan Baroš that struck the bar.


2005–06 Manchester United F.C. season, FA Premier League
After their 2–0 victory over Aston Villa, United next opponents were also from the West Midlands, this time the opponents being West Bromwich Albion. The game was played on Boxing Day, and the Red Devils cruised past the lifeless Baggies in a 3–0 victory that cemented United as the second-placed team in the FA Premier League. Paul Scholes set the ball rolling with a strike from the edge of the box after a good run from Rio Ferdinand. Ferdinand turned scorer in first-half injury time when he planted a firm header in from Ryan Giggs' corner. The victory was completed when Ruud van Nistelrooy headed home a cross from substitute Alan Smith midway through the second half.


2005–06 Manchester United F.C. season, FA Premier League
United's away game with Birmingham City was their third successive game against West Midlands opposition. The game ended as a 2–2 draw. Ruud van Nistelrooy's early strike from close range put United in front, but Jamie Clapham equalised with a smart left-foot finish. Wayne Rooney slid the ball home to restore United's lead on 54 minutes. But substitute Walter Pandiani converted Damien Johnson's cross on 78 minutes to earn Birmingham a share of the points.


2005–06 Manchester United F.C. season, FA Premier League
United ended 2005 with a 4–1 home win over Bolton Wanderers on New Year's Eve. The game was played on the 64th birthday of United manager Alex Ferguson, and Ferguson enjoyed a stress-free birthday as United brushed aside the Trotters. Ferguson's side were awarded with a blistering start when Bruno Ngotty put Kieran Richardson's cross into his own net. Bolton equalised through a Gary Speed header, but United restored their lead after Louis Saha slotted in at half-time, and the outstanding Wayne Rooney set up Cristiano Ronaldo to tap home to make it 3–1 and double United's lead. The Portuguese winger wrapped up the win after a mazy run. Rooney received a standing ovation after yet another outstanding display, which meant the rested Ruud van Nistelrooy was hardly missed.


2005–06 Manchester United F.C. season, FA Premier League
United kicked off 2006 in slow fashion with a 0–0 draw away to Arsenal. United defenders Rio Ferdinand and Wes Brown made superb blocks to deny efforts from Thierry Henry and Brazilian Gilberto Silva. Cristiano Ronaldo should have given United the lead just before the break, but he was guilty of a hurried finish. Arsenal appealed for a penalty after a Gary Neville tackle on Cesc Fàbregas, while late on Brown had a header cleared off the line after a corner. As the game wore on Ruud van Nistelrooy came to the fore, but even the Dutchman was unable to break the impasse. The draw left United trailing Chelsea by 13 points, while Arsenal trailed the Premier League leaders by a staggering 24 points.


2005–06 Manchester United F.C. season, FA Premier League
Manchester United played their local rivals Manchester City on 14 January 2006. United lost 3–1, putting a huge dent into their slim title hopes. Trevor Sinclair put City ahead with a neat turn and shot after Joey Barton's cross was not properly cleared, and a cool Darius Vassell finish made it 2–0. United responded well but City's cause was helped when Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off for a wild lunge at former Red Andy Cole. Ruud van Nistelrooy pulled a goal back, but Robbie Fowler's clinical late strike wrapped up victory for City.


2005–06 Manchester United F.C. season, FA Premier League
United recorded their first win of 2006 with a 1–0 victory over their rivals, Liverpool. The game was decided by a Rio Ferdinand header in the final minute. Ferdinand leapt highest in a crowded penalty area to power a header past Pepe Reina from a Ryan Giggs free-kick. Liverpool will have regrets, given their dominance of the game, with Djibril Cissé missing an open goal just past the hour when he lashed over. And in the first half Peter Crouch's powerful shot was well blocked by Wes Brown, who threw himself at the ball.


2005–06 Manchester United F.C. season, FA Premier League
However, United then lost 4–3 away to Blackburn Rovers in their next game. David Bentley struck after Edwin van der Sar parried Morten Gamst Pedersen's free-kick before Louis Saha equalised with a shot across goal. A mix-up between Rio Ferdinand and Van der Sar saw Bentley strike again before Lucas Neill converted a penalty. Bentley drilled home a half-volley before Ruud van Nistelrooy struck twice in five minutes and Ferdinand saw red.


2005–06 Manchester United F.C. season, FA Premier League
United recovered from the loss against Blackburn to win 4–2 at home against Fulham. A deflected shot from Park Ji-Sung and a free-kick from Cristiano Ronaldo put United 2–0 up inside 13 minutes. Brian McBride pulled a goal back for Fulham with a fine header eight minutes later, but Louis Saha added a third goal for United in controversial fashion. Ruud van Nistelrooy was offside in the build-up, and despite Heiðar Helguson's header giving Fulham some hope, Ronaldo's late strike sealed victory.


2005–06 Manchester United F.C. season, FA Premier League
United's next game was played away to Portsmouth at Fratton Park. United were 3–0 up at the interval, Ruud van Nistelrooy heading in the first after Ryan Giggs hit the bar. Cristiano Ronaldo then scored twice in seven minutes, first unleashing an unstoppable shot past Dean Kiely and then firing home with a low strike. Late on Matthew Taylor cleverly headed in Wayne Routledge's diagonal shot, while a Ronaldo free-kick hit the bar.


2005–06 Manchester United F.C. season, FA Premier League
United played their next game away to Wigan Athletic. Wigan opened the scoring after an hour through Paul Scharner's tap-in. United equalised when shock substitute Ruud van Nistelrooy's mis-hit shot set up teammate Cristiano Ronaldo. Then at the death, Louis Saha's deflected shot hit the bar and ricocheted into the net off Pascal Chimbonda.


2005–06 Manchester United F.C. season, FA Premier League
United's next game was a home game against Newcastle United. Wayne Rooney scored a brace as United won 2–0. Rooney's first goal came when he intercepted Peter Ramage's backpass to delicately chip over a helpless Shay Given in the eighth minute. Four minutes later he held off Ramage to slot home from John O'Shea's pass. Newcastle improved in the second half but Rooney missed a great chance for his hat-trick, hitting the post after rounding keeper Given.


2005–06 Manchester United F.C. season, FA Premier League
United travelled to The Hawthorns to face West Bromwich Albion in their next game. United won 2–1 to tighten their grip on second place in the league. Louis Saha scored both goals for United. The Frenchman got his first goal when he capitalised on slack marking by West Brom to head past Tomasz Kuszczak. Saha's next goal came midway through the second half, when Kuszczak was powerless to stop Saha's clipped finish after a flowing United move. Edwin van der Sar made two great saves in the first half but the Dutchman was finally beaten with 12 minutes to go when Nathan Ellington headed in. Saha could have a hat-trick when - after another United counter-attack - he had a close-range shot blocked.


2005–06 Manchester United F.C. season, FA Premier League
United won 3–0 at home against Birmingham City in their next game, played on 26 March. The deadlock was broken after just 3 minutes played, when Birmingham keeper Maik Taylor was only able to help Ryan Giggs' free-kick over the line. Giggs then latched onto a through ball from Wayne Rooney to tuck in a second after 15 minutes. Rooney sealed the win, racing through to score with eight minutes left.


2005–06 Manchester United F.C. season, FA Premier League
After a 1–0 win against West Ham, United's next game was an away game against Bolton Wanderers. Kevin Davies put Bolton ahead after racing through in the 26th minute, but Louis Saha equalised seven minutes later, curling the ball past Jussi Jääskeläinen from a tight angle. Ruud van Nistelrooy scored the winner and his 150th goal for United in the 79th minute, when he tucked home from close range after a late cross from Saha.


2005–06 Manchester United F.C. season, FA Premier League
Manchester United's next game in the FA Premier League was a home game against Arsenal; United won the match 2–0. Wayne Rooney opened the scoring when he controlled Mikaël Silvestre's brilliant cross before shooting past Jens Lehmann, and later crossed for Park Ji-Sung to score from close range. Lehmann had superbly saved from Rooney twice before his goal, while Kolo Touré appeared to divert a strike from the forward on to the post with his hand. United keeper Edwin van der Sar made good saves from compatriot Robin van Persie. This was United's ninth successive win in the FA Premier League.


2005–06 Manchester United F.C. season, FA Premier League
This winning streak was ended after a 0–0 draw against Sunderland, a result which dealt United's title hopes a crushing blow. Needing a win to hold off relegation, Sunderland wasted first-half chances through Liam Lawrence and Jon Stead. United improved after the break, but Kelvin Davis was in inspired form. The Sunderland keeper made magnificent saves from Cristiano Ronaldo and Ruud van Nistelrooy to leave the hosts six points adrift of leaders Chelsea.


2005–06 Manchester United F.C. season, FA Premier League
For their next game, United travelled to face Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane. United won 2–1, with Wayne Rooney's first-half brace keeping the FA Premier League title race alive for at least another week. The England striker opened the scoring after seven minutes when he slid in to convert Cristiano Ronaldo's pass. And when Lee Young-Pyo dawdled in defence, fellow Korean Park Ji-Sung pounced to play Rooney in for his decisive second. Spurs, who had chances with Jermain Defoe and Michael Dawson going close, pulled one back through Jermaine Jenas. The midfielder pounced on 53 minutes after some woeful Manchester United defending at a corner. Nemanja Vidić's clearing header bounced off Rio Ferdinand and back towards goal to leave Jenas with the easiest of tap-ins.


2005–06 Manchester United F.C. season, FA Premier League
United's hopes of winning a first FA Premier League title since 2003 were ended after a 3–0 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, with the Blues winning a second successive title thanks to their victory over the Red Devils. José Mourinho's side needed only a point to put the seal on another title triumph, and William Gallas set them on their way with a fifth-minute header. Joe Cole added a brilliant individual goal on the hour and Ricardo Carvalho fired home Chelsea's third. But the mood of celebration was dampened as Wayne Rooney was stretchered off late on.


2005–06 Manchester United F.C. season, FA Premier League
With the hopes of winning the FA Premier League having gone after the 3–0 loss to Chelsea, United drew their penultimate FA Premier League game of the 2005–06 season 0–0 with Middlesbrough. Ruud van Nistelrooy's penalty miss proved costly for the Reds, fighting for second place with Liverpool. Van Nistelrooy stepped up after Lee Cattermole's handball, but Brad Jones brilliantly saved his spot-kick. Otherwise United were short of ideas in front of goal and clearly missed the injured Wayne Rooney. The draw pushed United a point clear of Liverpool in the race for second place in the Premier League, with one game left.


2005–06 Manchester United F.C. season, FA Premier League
United sealed second place in the 2005–06 Premier League with a 4–0 win over Charlton Athletic, thus avoiding the qualification rounds of the 2006–07 UEFA Champions League. Louis Saha opened the account by heading home Ryan Giggs' corner before Cristiano Ronaldo tapped home from close range to give United a 2–0 lead. An own goal from Jason Euell meant Alan Curbishley's last match as Charlton boss would turn into a rout. Kieran Richardson added United's fourth with a superb long-range strike.


2005–06 Manchester United F.C. season, FA Cup
The draw for the third round of the FA Cup took place on 4 December 2005, and Manchester United were given an away tie with Conference National side Burton Albion. The game, played on 8 January 2006, ended as a 0–0 draw, with Burton deservedly earning a replay through the draw. The Brewers were the better team in the first half, with Phil Bardsley clearing headers off the line from Jon Shaw and skipper Darren Stride. United struggled on a heavy pitch, although Wayne Rooney twice forced saves from Burton goalkeeper Saul Deeney after coming on as a substitute. And in injury time, Deeney dramatically saved Ritchie Jones' low strike. A late winner for United would have been cruel on Burton, who held firm in the second half as the Premier League side pressed forward.


2005–06 Manchester United F.C. season, FA Cup
In the replay, United won 5–0 to spare their blushes and end Burton's FA Cup dream. The result was never in doubt from the moment Louis Saha converted Kieran Richardson's cross after seven minutes. Giuseppe Rossi rose high to head home Mikaël Silvestre's cross on 22 minutes, and Richardson drove in powerfully to make it 3–0 shortly after the break. Substitute Ryan Giggs drove in the fourth and Rossi's deflected drive in injury time completed the victory.


2005–06 Manchester United F.C. season, FA Cup
The draw for the fourth round of the FA Cup took place on 9 January 2006, and United or Burton were given an away tie with Championship side Wolverhampton Wanderers. United won the replay 5–0, thus meaning that United will be facing Wolves.


2005–06 Manchester United F.C. season, FA Cup
United won the match, played on 29 January 2006, 3–0. Kieran Richardson gave United an early lead with a first-time shot after the Wolves central defence failed to deal with Louis Saha's low cross. Saha sprinted clear of Wolves' square back line to latch on to Nemanja Vidić's long pass for United's second. Richardson then rounded off a delightful move, heading home Ruud van Nistelrooy's cross.


2005–06 Manchester United F.C. season, FA Cup
The draw for the fifth round of the FA Cup took place on 30 January 2006, and Manchester United were given an away tie with fellow Premier League side Liverpool. The match was played on 18 February 2006, but United lost 1–0. Peter Crouch headed home Steve Finnan's cross after 19 minutes to give Rafael Benítez's side a deserved place in the quarter-finals. Edwin van der Sar had saved brilliantly from Harry Kewell seconds earlier as Liverpool dominated a poor United side. United's misery was compounded as substitute Alan Smith suffered a broken leg blocking a free-kick late on.


2005–06 Manchester United F.C. season, League Cup
The draw for the third round of the League Cup took place on 24 September 2005, and Manchester United were given a home tie with Football League Two side Barnet.


2005–06 Manchester United F.C. season, League Cup
The match was played on 26 October 2005, and United won 4–1. United took the lead four minutes in when Barnet's goalie Ross Flitney had been sent off for handball outside the area two minutes earlier. Forward Louis Soares was sacrificed without even kicking the ball for substitute keeper Scott Tynan, who conceded when Liam Miller tucked in the resulting free kick immediately. Kieran Richardson added a second on 19 minutes but Barnet then resisted until 51 minutes when Giuseppe Rossi struck. Dean Sinclair got one back for Barnet, scoring from 12 yards, but United added a fourth through Sylvan Ebanks-Blake.


2005–06 Manchester United F.C. season, League Cup
The draw for the fourth round of the Football League Cup took place on 29 October 2005, and United were given a home tie with fellow Premier League side West Bromwich Albion. The match was played on 30 November.


2005–06 Manchester United F.C. season, League Cup
United won 3–1. Before the match, a minute's silence was held, in tribute to United legend George Best, who had died five days earlier at the age of 59. After an emotional pre-match build-up, two quick goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Louis Saha set up an easy win. Ronaldo scored from the spot in the 12th minute after he was fouled by Diomansy Kamara, and Giuseppe Rossi set up Saha four minutes later. John O'Shea added a fine third after 56 minutes before Nathan Ellington pulled a goal back for West Brom late on.


2005–06 Manchester United F.C. season, League Cup
The draw for the fifth round of the League Cup took place on 3 December 2005, and Manchester United were given an away fixture with fellow Premier League side Birmingham City. The match was played on 20 December, and United won 3–1, through a Louis Saha brace and a Park Ji-Sung goal. With just seconds into the second half, Saha opened the scoring with his first goal of the match, simply tapping in Cristiano Ronaldo's cross. United extended their lead in the 50th minute when Park lashed the ball into the net with a powerful shot. Saha claimed his second goal - the best of United's three strikes - when he guided a shot past Maik Taylor, before Jiří Jarošík headed in for the Blues.


2005–06 Manchester United F.C. season, League Cup
The draw for the semi-finals of the League Cup took place in December 2005, following the conclusion of the quarter-finals. United were paired with fellow Premier League side Blackburn Rovers. The first leg took place on 11 January 2006 at Ewood Park, while the return leg took place at Old Trafford on 25 January 2006.


2005–06 Manchester United F.C. season, League Cup
United took the lead in the first leg almost half an hour into the match, when Louis Saha latched onto Ryan Giggs' pass to powerfully beat Brad Friedel. But Morten Gamst Pedersen's rising drive five minutes later put Blackburn level. United dominated possession in the second half, but resilient Blackburn held on to leave honours even for the second leg at Old Trafford.


2005–06 Manchester United F.C. season, League Cup
United took the lead in the return leg at Old Trafford just eight minutes in when Ruud van Nistelrooy fired in a shot before Steven Reid equalised when he lashed home as both players pounced on defensive mistakes. Zurab Khizanishvili was punished for handball to Blackburn's fury but Brad Friedel saved van Nistelrooy's penalty. A half-time tunnel fracas marred the tie before Louis Saha spooned in a volley for United's winner that sent them through to the League Cup Final.


2005–06 Manchester United F.C. season, League Cup
The League Cup final was played at the Millennium Stadium on 26 February 2006. United opponents in the final were shock finalists Wigan Athletic, who had just been promoted to the Premier League at the start of the season and beat Arsenal on away goals.


2005–06 Manchester United F.C. season, League Cup
United, who were clear favourites in the match, won 4–0 to claim what was eventually their only piece of silverware in the 2005–06 season. Wayne Rooney cashed in on confusion between Arjan De Zeeuw and Pascal Chimbonda to fire United ahead. Gary Neville crossed for Louis Saha to score United's second before Stéphane Henchoz gifted the ball to Saha to set Cristiano Ronaldo up for their third. Rooney rounded off a blitz of three goals in seven minutes to ensure United ended the season with a trophy.


2005–06 Manchester United F.C. season, UEFA Champions League, Third qualifying round
As a result of finishing third in the 2004–05 FA Premier League, Manchester United entered the Champions League in the third qualifying round, where they were paired with Hungarian champions Debrecen.


2005–06 Manchester United F.C. season, UEFA Champions League, Third qualifying round
The first leg was played on 9 August 2005 at Old Trafford, and United won 3–0. Wayne Rooney fired home a shot on the seven minutes to give United the lead, and then set up second-half goals for Ruud van Nistelrooy and Cristiano Ronaldo, who both finished in style.


2005–06 Manchester United F.C. season, UEFA Champions League, Third qualifying round
For the return leg in Budapest, Hungary, United won 3–0, sending them through to the group stage 6–0 on aggregate. Gabriel Heinze's header settled United down after Gary Neville was stretchered off and Debrecen's Zsombor Kerekes and Tamás Sándor had missed good chances. Heinze scored another header and substitute Kieran Richardson made it 3–0 with a powerful 20-yard strike. Richardson limped off with 20 minutes left and United, who had used all their substitutes, finished with 10 men.


2005–06 Manchester United F.C. season, UEFA Champions League, Group stage
The draw for the Champions League group stage took place on 25 August 2005 in Monaco. As one of the top eight ranked teams in Europe, Manchester United would avoid being drawn with Real Madrid, Milan, Internazionale, Barcelona, two English teams, Arsenal and Chelsea (who were in Pot 2, but would avoid being drawn with United due to the "country protection rule"), and others.


2005–06 Manchester United F.C. season, UEFA Champions League, Group stage
However, they could still be drawn with Porto, Villarreal, Liverpool (who were in Pot 1, but regulations due to their qualification of the UEFA Champions League since they finished fifth in the Premier League and were defending Champions of the competition meant that they could meet any English team at any point), and others. Eventually, United were drawn in Group D, alongside Villarreal, Benfica and Lille.


2005–06 Manchester United F.C. season, UEFA Champions League, Group stage
United's UEFA Champions League campaign began in slow fashion with a 0–0 away draw with Villarreal on 14 September. Wayne Rooney was sent off in the 63rd minute by referee Kim Milton Nielsen for ironically applauding the official after being shown a yellow card. United came closest to scoring when Gonzalo Rodríguez cleared off the line from Ruud van Nistelrooy, while Edwin van der Sar had to make a save to keep out Rodolfo Arruabarrena.


2005–06 Manchester United F.C. season, UEFA Champions League, Group stage
United's next UEFA Champions League match was a home game against Benfica. Ryan Giggs opened the scoring in the 38th minute with a free-kick that deflected off Simão. Simão levelled with another set-piece after the break, but Ruud van Nistelrooy turned home from close range with six minutes to go after Rio Ferdinand headed on Giggs' corner.


2005–06 Manchester United F.C. season, UEFA Champions League, Group stage
United played at home to Lille in their next match. United finished the game with 10 men after Paul Scholes was sent off for two bookable offences, the second a wild challenge on Jean Makoun after 63 minutes. Scholes' plight summed up a bitterly disappointing performance by Sir Alex Ferguson's side, who rarely threatened a well-organised Lille side. Ryan Giggs hit a post with a first-half free-kick, while Scholes' volley was well saved by keeper Tony Sylva.


2005–06 Manchester United F.C. season, UEFA Champions League, Group stage
For their second game against Lille, Manchester United travelled to France to face Les Dogues on 2 November 2005. United lost 1–0, leaving their hopes of reaching the knockout stage in balance. Former Spurs star Milenko Ačimovič scored from close range after 37 minutes as United failed to respond to their thrashing at Middlesbrough. Cristiano Ronaldo came closest for United with a second-half header that hit the bar, while substitute Park Ji-sung also wasted a great chance. But Lille survived in comfort to leave United lying third in Group D.


2005–06 Manchester United F.C. season, UEFA Champions League, Group stage
Manchester United's next game was against Villarreal at Old Trafford. United drew 0–0, just as they did in Spain, which left their hopes of qualifying for the UEFA Champions League knockout stage still on balance. United needed to beat Benfica in Lisbon to ensure qualification, although a draw would have sufficed if Villarreal beat Lille in their final game in Spain (which they did). Wayne Rooney was the shining star of a subdued United display. He was denied by goalkeeper Mariano Barbosa in the second minute then shot narrowly over the top late on.


2005–06 Manchester United F.C. season, UEFA Champions League, Group stage
United crashed out of the Champions League with a 2–1 loss to Benfica on 7 December. Paul Scholes gave United the perfect start in their quest to reach the knockout stage with a close-range finish after only six minutes. But Geovanni's diving header quickly put Benfica level and Beto fired in a second from 20 yards before half-time. It was the first time United had failed to qualify for the knockout stage of Europe's elite competition for 11 years.


2005–06 Manchester United F.C. season, Transfers
United's first departure of the 2005–06 season was Phil Neville, who signed for Everton for an undisclosed fee on 4 August. A week later, Brazilian midfielder José Kléberson signed for Turkish side Beşiktaş for £2.5 million. In mid-November, captain Roy Keane unexpectedly left United by mutual consent.


2005–06 Manchester United F.C. season, Transfers
On 1 July, Dutch goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar signed from Fulham. A week later, Park Ji-sung signed from PSV. In the dying days of the summer window, Ben Foster arrived from Stoke City.


2005–06 Manchester United F.C. season, Transfers
In mid-January, United released Finnish forward Jami Puustinen, English midfielder David Fox, and American forward Kenny Cooper. At the end of January, English forward Colin Heath was also released. South African midfielder Quinton Fortune departed United at the start of June.


2005–06 Manchester United F.C. season, Transfers
Arriving during the winter transfer window were defenders Nemanja Vidić and Patrice Evra.


2005–06 Mansfield Town F.C. season
During the 2005–06 English football season, Mansfield Town Football Club competed in Football League Two where they finished in 16th position with 54 points.


2005–06 Marquette Golden Eagles men's basketball team
The 2005–06 Marquette Golden Eagles men's basketball team represented Marquette University in the 2005–06 season. Their head coach was Tom Crean. They received an at-large bid to the 2006 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament, where they lost in the first round to Alabama. This was the first year in which Marquette played in the Big East Conference, having previously played in Conference USA.


2005–06 Maryland Terrapins women's basketball team
The 2005–06 Maryland Terrapins women's basketball team represented the University of Maryland, College Park in the 2005–2006 NCAA Division I basketball season. The Terps were coached by Brenda Frese. The Terps are a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference and won the NCAA championship.


2005–06 Meistriliiga (ice hockey) season
The 2005-06 Meistriliiga season was the 16th season of the Meistriliiga, the top level of ice hockey in Estonia. Five teams participated in the league, and HK Stars Tallinn won the championship.


2005–06 Melbourne Victory FC season
Melbourne Victory were considered to be one of the future "powerhouse" football clubs in Australia prior to the 2005/06 A-League season, with Socceroos Kevin Muscat and Archie Thompson returning to Melbourne from successful club careers in Europe. It was widely believed that they would be contenders for the A-League championship. However, the team ended up finishing a disappointing seventh and missed out on the finals.


2005–06 Melbourne Victory FC season, Players, First-team squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2005–06 Memphis Grizzlies season
The 2005-06 Memphis Grizzlies season was the team's 11th in the NBA. They began the season hoping to improve upon their 45-37 output from the previous season. They bested it by four games, finishing 49-33, and qualified for the playoffs for the third straight season.


2005–06 Memphis Tigers men's basketball team
The 2005–06 Memphis Tigers men's basketball team represented the University of Memphis in the 2005–06 college basketball season, the 85th season of Tiger basketball. The Tigers were coached by sixth-year head coach John Calipari, and they played their home games at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee.


2005–06 Men's EuroFloorball Cup Finals
The 2005–06 Men's EuroFloorball Cup Finals took place in Ostrava, Czech Republic from 4 to 8 January 2006. Warberg IC won the EuroFloorball Cup after defeating SSV Helsinki 7–6 after penalty shots.


2005–06 Men's EuroFloorball Cup Finals
The tournament was known as the 2005–06 Men's European Cup, but due to name implications, is now known as the 2005–06 Men's EuroFloorball Cup.


2005–06 Men's EuroFloorball Cup qualifying
The 2005–06 Men's EuroFloorball Cup Qualifying rounds took place over 3 to 7 August 2005 in Aalborg, Denmark. The top 2 teams advanced to the 2005-06 Men's EuroFloorball Cup Finals where they had a chance to win the EuroFloorball Cup for 2005–06.


2005–06 Men's EuroFloorball Cup qualifying
The tournament was known as the 2005–06 Men's European Cup, but due to name implications, is now known as the 2005–06 Men's EuroFloorball Cup.


2005–06 Meore Liga
In the 2005–06 season of the Meore Liga (now Liga 3), a third-tier football league in Georgia, the FC Norchi Dinamo Tbilisi team finished champions of the East Zone.


2005–06 Mersin İdmanyurdu season
Mersin İdmanyurdu (also Mersin İdman Yurdu, Mersin İY, or MİY) Sports Club; located in Mersin, east Mediterranean coast of Turkey in 2005–06. The team participated in Second League Category A for 4th time in the league's 5th season. Mersin İdmanyurdu football team has finished 2005–06 season in 16th place in Turkish Second League Category A. Team participated in 2005–06 Turkish Cup, and eliminated after group stage.


2005–06 Mersin İdmanyurdu season
Hasan Ahi was club president at the start of the season. Erol Ertan was elected president in the mid-season. MİY started to season with Levent Arıkdoğan as the head coach. Then Engin Korukır and Nasır Belci took the position within the season. Serkan Merç and Birand Yataş had the most appearances, with 36 each. Ferdi Yanık was the season top goalscorer with 9 goals.