on 1 december, forlan scored his first brace for manchester united with goals in the 64th and 67th minute of an away 2–1 premier league win at rivals liverpool. on 17 december 2002, forlán scored the winning goal as united defeated chelsea in the quarter-finals of the football league cup. on 18 january 2003, forlán scored a 90th-minute winning goal to again defeat chelsea, this time in a premier league match. manchester united went on to win the premier league title in 2002–03, and forlán scored six goals to make him the club's third best-scoring striker that season after ruud van nistelrooy and ole gunnar solskjær.