When the 2008/09 Bundesliga stopped for its winter break, few people if any would have predicted that Wolfsburg would be crowned champions at the end of the season.
At the time the headlines in Germany were dominated by the new new boys Hoffenheim, Jurgen Klinsmann's Bayern Munich and Martin Jol's Hamburg. The Volkswagen backed team from Lower Saxony, known for years as the Grey Mouse, were languishing in mid table.
However, when the league returned to action in January the Wolves, led by their svengali coach Felix Magath, went on an amazing run which saw them lose only twice in 18 matches and drawing just once.
That winning streak included the 5-1 deconstruction of Bayern Munich, which featured one of the best goals ever scored in Bundesliga history by Brazilian forward Grafite.
It was his strike partnership with the young Bosnian Edin Dzeko that was the story behind Wolfsburg's success. Between them they scored 54 goals last season, which broke the record for goalscoring partnerships in the Bundesliga held by Uli Hoeness and Gerd Muller since 1973.
Providing the bullets for the strikers was the attacking midfielder Zvjezsdan Misimovic. Together they formed a fearsome attacking triumvirate in an athletic side that played with a high tempo and an emphasis on outscoring the opposition.
At the end of the season it was believed that all three players would follow their coach out of the door in the summer. In fact they stayed. While Dzeko looked likely to leave for AC Milan, his new boss Armin Veh persuaded him to sign an extension on his contract.
This season is set to be one of transition as the club comes to terms with its new status and the rigours of Champions League football. For starters, Obafemi Martins joined from Newcastle and has scored two goals in five appearances.
Armin Veh has not changed the shape of the side or style of play but despite this, Wolfsburg have had an indifferent start to the season.
This is because of their inability to beat the top teams in the league. In their games against Hamburg, Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern they have conceded 10 goals.
These defensive frailties will almost certainly have been the main focus of attention for Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson as they prepare to face the German champions.
However, should United's defenders make any mistakes of their own, Dzeko or Grafite (who scored a hat-trick against CSKA Moscow) will not refuse a chance to make a name for themselves at Old Trafford.
Terry Duffelen is the editor of the Onion Bag and writes a weekly blog about the Bundesliga on Some People Are On The Pitch
