On This Day: Man Utd won 20th league title but sacked Moyes exactly a year later

Hi all, welcome to All Football's On This Day! Let's find out what happened today (April 22nd) in football history. If you have more stories and news that happened on this day in history, feel free to post them in the comment area and share them with AFers

On this day in 2013, Van Persie's hat-trick helped Man United to win their 20th league title 

Manchester United wrapped up a 20th league title in convincing style after Robin van Persie's first-half hat-trick sank Aston Villa.

Defeat for Manchester City at Tottenham the day before meant that United knew before kick-off that victory would be enough for them to cross the line.

PFA Player of the Year nominee Van Persie inspired a blistering opening, scoring the first after just 90 seconds before adding a contender for goal of the season and netting his third shortly after the half-hour.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson won the Premier League 13 times but the manner and margin of this triumph, a year after seeing the title wrenched from his grasp by City with the last kick of the season, should give him as much satisfaction as his first success.

On this day in 2014, Moyes was sacked by Man Utd

Manchester United manager David Moyes has been sacked, only 10 months after succeeding Sir Alex Ferguson. And player-coach Ryan Giggs will take charge "until a permanent appointment can be made".

Moyes was unhappy United were given a difficult start to the season, playing Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City in their first five games.

But his reign began in style with a 2-0 victory over Wigan Athletic in the Community Shield at Wembley, followed by a 4-1 win away at Swansea City in the first league game of the season.

However, things quickly got worse with defeats at Anfield and Etihad Stadium, setting the tone for what would become United's worst Premier League season.

On this day in 2018, Salah was named Men's PFA Player of the Year

Salah held off Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, considered his top challenger, and Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane to claim the honour at the 45th PFA Awards at Grosvenor House in central London in the evening, which is given by Premier League players.

"It's a big honour. I've worked hard and I'm very happy to win it,'' Salah said at the ceremony on Sunday evening.

Asked what it meant to become the first Egyptian to win the award, he said: "Hopefully I'm not the last one! I'm very proud to win and I've worked very hard.''

Salah scored 32 goals and contributed 10 assists in 36 games, which turned out to be a record-breaking season for the Egyptian.

On this day in 2018, Sane became the first Man City player to be named PFA Young Player of the Year

The 22-year-old Germany international beat the likes of Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling and Marcus Rashford to take the prestigious annual prize.

The winger scored 10 times in 32 games and contributed 15 assists, proving a valuable option for City across the forward line as Pep Guardiola's men took the Premier League by storm.

A total of six players were shortlisted for the PFA award, which has been presented annually since 1974 to the best talent aged 23 or under. 

On this day in 1982, Brazil & Milan legend Kaka was born

He joined Serie A club Milan for a fee of €8.5 million in 2003. In Italy, Kaká won a league title and was named the Serie A Footballer of the Year twice. In 2005, Milan finished runners up in the 2005 UCL Final with Kaka as the top assist provider of the tournament. Two years later, he led Milan to win the UCL Final and was the tournament's top goal scorer. This year he won the FIFA World Player of the Year, the Ballon d'Or, the UEFA Club Footballer of the Year and the IFFHS World's Best Playmaker awards.

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After his success with Milan, Kaká joined Real Madrid for a transfer fee of €67 million. However, after four injury ravaged seasons in Spain, which saw his physical ability to dribble from midfield rapidly decline, he returned to Milan for a single season in 2013, prior to joining MLS expansion club Orlando City.

he is one of eight players to have won the FIFA World Cup, the UEFA Champions League and the Ballon d'Or.

On this day in 1989, Barca's goalkeeper Cillessen was born

The second Dutch keeper in Barça history brings together excellent reflexes and ability with the ball at his feet

Cillessen signed for FC Barcelona on 25 August 2016, becoming the fifth of the summer for the 2016/17 season. Before joining the blaugranes, he had a spell with Dutch clubs NEC Nijmegen and Ajax. The goalkeeper made his debut or NEC aged 21 against SC Heerenveen and in August 2011 he made the move to Ajax.

With the 'Oranje' he featured in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, starting every game. Only Messi's Argentina side denied Cillessen and Holland a place in the final to the side coached by former Barça boss Louis van Gaal.