From tand Manchester United fan, identifies the moments that madethe club what they are todayhe stock market flotation of 1991 to aflirtation with third-tier football in 1934 - Bill Edgar, Timesfootball writer
50 Stock Exchange flotation, 1991
United were not the first football club to take this route, but ithelped consolidate their position as the wealthiest outfit in thecountry.
49 Thrashed by Barcelona, 1994
United harboured hopes of becoming European champions but – hampered bythe rule that restricted foreign players and classed non-Englishplayers from the British Isles as such – they were put firmly in theirplace by Romario, Stoichkov and Co.
48 Betting scandal, 1915
With United in danger of relegation from the top division, three oftheir players conspired with four Liverpool players to fix the match.All were banned for life.
47 Playing at home in Plymouth, 1977
Hooliganism followed United during the mid-1970s and, as punishment fortheir fans’ behaviour in the first leg away to St Etienne, they had toplay the return at least 200 kilometres from Manchester, and dulyprogressed after a 2-0 win at Home Park.
46 Louis Edwards scandal, 1980
Granada Television’s World in Action programme accused United chairmanLouis Edwards of suspect dealing in the meat industry and bribing theparents of schoolboy players. The police and football authorities beganinvestigating but Edwards soon died of a heart attack, leaving theinquires to peter out.
45 Whiteside’s winner, 1985
Norman Whiteside had already shown his liking for the big occasion byscoring in the FA Cup and League Cup finals of 1983 and playing in the1982 World Cup finals. Facing Everton, the league champions, in the1985 FA Cup Final in a United side down to ten men, he curled abrilliant shot home in extra-time to ensure a 1-0 win.
44 MUTV launched, 1998
To emphasise their ambition and commercial standing, United formedtheir own television channel, three years before any other Englishclub. Chelsea TV followed in 2001.
43 Signing of Rooney, 2004
Wayne Rooney was English football’s hottest property for years soUnited flexed their financial muscle to prize him from Everton for atransfer fee of up to £29million.
42 Michael Knighton’s juggling, 1989
The prospective owner played keepy-uppy in the sunshine before theopening-day hammering of Arsenal but the deal fell through amid claimsthat he could not find backers.
41 Ray Wood’s injury, 1957
United were firm favourites to complete the first League and Cup Doubleof the 20th century but Peter McFarland’s violent foul on Ray Woodafter six minutes forced the United goalkeeper off. In the days beforesubstitutes and proper punishment for foul play, United had to play 10against 11 (instead of 11 against 10) and duly lost 2-1.
40 Holders drop the FA Cup, 2000
Apparently encouraged by the FA to play in the inaugural Club WorldChampionship in Brazil, United withdrew from the FA Cup having won itthe previous season. They were criticised for showing a lack of respectto the famous competition.
39 Barcelona blown away, 1984
After losing the first leg of their Cup Winners’ Cup quarter-final 2-0in Spain, United stormed back on a raucous night at Old Trafford tobeat Diego Maradona’s side 3-0, with two goals from Bryan Robson andone from Frank Stapleton.
38 Docherty’s affair, 1977
Newspapers revealed that manager Tommy Docherty was having an affairwith Mary Brown, wife of United physio Laurie, so United, embarrassedby the scandal, sacked him.
37 Giggs’ weaving run, 1999
United were a man down in extra-time of their FA Cup semi-final replayagainst Arsenal when Ryan Giggs intercepted Patrick Vieira’s pass onthe halfway line and swayed around several challenges before blastingthe winner and baring his chest. The goal gave United the belief thatthey could achieve the treble.
36 Comeback at Anfield, 1988
The league table showed United were inferior to Liverpool throughoutthe 1980s yet they raised their game when up against their bitterrivals. Facing one of the great Liverpool sides, they fell 3-1 behindbut, with ten men, recovered to draw 3-3, extending their league recordagainst the Merseysiders to one defeat in 17 games. Gordon Strachancelebrated his equaliser provocatively, pretending to smoke a cigar
35 Kung-fu fighting, 1995
Eric Cantona had a unique way of dealing with life’s problems so, whena spectator abused him at Selhurst Park in the match against CrystalPalace, he launched his feet into the man’s chest and was banned foreight months.
34 Agonising collapse, 1992
Nerves and a congested fixture list foiled United’s pursuit of a firstleague title for 25 years. Defeats in late April at home to NottinghamForest and away to West Ham United and a draw away to Luton Town, allin the space of five days, left Leeds United in pole position. Thefailure only added to the sense of exhilaration when the holy grail wasfinally reached a year later.
33 BSkyB’s failed takeover, 1998
Fourteen years after Robert Maxwell proved unable to take control ofUnited, Rupert Murdoch tried his luck and seemed to have got his waywhen the club recommended that shareholders accept BSkyB’s offer. But,after the deal had been referred to the Monopolies and MergersCommission, the Department of Trade and Industry blocked it.
32 Robson signs, 1981
Ron Atkinson described Robson as “pure gold” when signing the Englandmidfield player from West Bromwich Albion and the player repaid thecompliment by helping to ensure United finished in the top fourthroughout the manager’s five-year reign.
31 Fergie gives Beckham the boot, 2003
Angered by David Beckham’s supposedly failure to mark an opponent whenArsenal scored in their FA Cup win at Old Trafford, Sir Alex Fergusonkicked a boot that flew at David Beckham, scarring his forehead. Itsymbolised the manager’s frustration at the celebrity circussurrounding the player and Beckham was sold at the end of the season.
30 United turn on Wembley style, 1948
In what was considered one of the great FA Cup Finals, United beatBlackpool 4-2 to help create their reputation for stylish football thatremains today.
29 Nike deal, 2002
The sportswear company agreed to give United £300million over the next13 years, cementing their position as England’s richest club.
28 Giggs swaps sides, 1988
Ryan Giggs played at Manchester City as a schoolboy but he was poachedby United, who have been repaid with 15 years of flair, consistency andsuccess.
27 Saints Day, 1976
United reached their first FA Cup Final in 13 years in 1976 when theymet Southampton. While the game ended in a surprising defeat, itestablished United’s habit of reaching this fixture – five times in tenyears from 1976 to 1985 – just as the game was being shown around theworld in more and more countries on television, thereby increasingtheir worldwide following.
26 United almost third rate, 1934
Only a last-day win away to Millwall saved United from relegation tothe third tier. Such was their lowly status in the 1930s that just3,900 watched the match against Middlesbrough in 1931.
25 Fergie’s U-turn, 2002
Sir Alex Ferguson had announced that he would retire at the end of the2001-02 season and the campaign started badly. The manager decided hecouldn’t get let go, though, and stayed to engineer further leaguetitles in 2003 and 2007.
24 United raid City, 1906
Manchester City were forced to sell a raft of players after makingillegal payments, while Billy Meredith also had to leave them forallegedly bribing an Aston Villa player. An auction was planned whereall clubs could attempt to buy them but United courted and signed fourin advance in secret, including Meredith, angering their rivals. Thenew players helped United win their first trophies, the league titlesof 1908 and 1911 and the FA Cup of 1909.
23 Denis Law arrives, 1962
The Scotland striker was signed from Torino and became European Footballer of the Year in 1964 and a cult hero at Old Trafford.
222 Busby steps down, 1969
Sir Matt Busby had built up Manchester United almost single-handedly sothe decision to maintain his enormous presence in the background, asgeneral manager, seemed to hamper Wilf McGuiness, his successor. Adecline set in.
21 Title collapse, 1986
United had begun the season in scintillating style with ten successivevictories and seemed likely to end their long search for the leaguetitle. But their challenge gradually fell apart and they lost the leadin February on a weekend when they were beaten by West Ham United atUpton Park.
20 Old Trafford is bombed, 1939-1945
The war-time damage inflicted on Old Trafford forced United to play atManchester City’s Maine Road ground until 1949. It reinforced thefeeling that the club had to start again from scratch having
19 Cantona signs, 1992
Almost as an after thought, Sir Alex Ferguson asked Leeds United if hemight be allowed to have Eric Cantona and he was granted his wish forjust £1 million. The France forward inspired four league titles in hisfive seasons at the club and galvanised the young players with hisdiligent training.
18 Relegation, 1974
The shock of demotion six years after conquering Europe shook up theclub. Tommy Docherty built an exciting team that attracted the highestaverage attendances in the country despite playing in the second tierand they stormed back to the top flight.
17 Old Trafford expands, 2006
The increase in capacity to 76,000 meant the stadium held 16,000 more seats than any other English club.
16 Robins keeps Fergie bobbing along, 1990
Sir Alex Ferguson was thought to be close to the sack but Mark Robinsscored the only goal in the FA Cup third round tie away to NottinghamForest and United went on to win the manager’s first trophy, buying himtime that he put to good use.
15 Fergie’s Jimmy Hill outburst, 1994
After television highlighted a foul by Eric Cantona in United’s FA Cupvictory away to Norwich City, Sir Alex Ferguson showed he had littletime for perceived unfair media criticism, accusing the BBC’s footballpanel of being Liverpool fans and announcing that “Jimmy Hill is aprat” – a line that was repeated in front-page headlines the followingday.
14 League title, 1952
In the season when the phrase “Busby Babes” was first mentioned, Unitedwon their first league championship under Sir Matt Busby.
13 Keane joins United, 1993
Roy Keane had told Blackburn Rovers he would sign for them fromNottingham Forest but United intervened and the Irishman changed hismind. He was their driving force from midfield for 12 years.
12 American nightmare, 2005
A club with no debt was plunged deeply into the red via the takeover byMalcolm Glazer and his family. Many United fans were so aghast thatthey formed their own club, FC United.
11 Perfect ten, 1956
United shrugged off the opposition of English football authorities tobecome European pioneers. They won their first home match 10-0 againstAnderlecht.
10 Entertainment, please, 1981
Jose Mourinho’s recent dismissal by Chelsea was far from the first caseof a manager losing his job because his team’s football was too dull.Dave Sexton had just finished the season with seven successive leaguewins but he was ditched in favour of the extrovert Ron Atkinson, whobrought a flamboyancy to United’s play.
9 George Best emerges, 1963
The swaggering Northern Irishman is widely considered to have been thegreatest British player and his presence helped swell interest inUnited during the 1960s.
8 Keane’s prawn sandwich blast, 2000
Roy Keane was so angered by the criticism from the corporate areas ofOld Trafford during the Champions League match against Dynamo Kiev thathe dismissed their occupants as prawn sandwich eaters who had littleknowledge of the game.
7 Bruce’s header, 1993
United had trailed at home to Sheffield Wednesday until late in thegame in the league run-in but, after conjuring up the equaliser, SteveBruce added the winning goal deep into stoppage time to leave BrianKidd, the assistant manager, on his knees on the pitch in delight andUnited ahead of Aston Villa in the table. Three weeks later theywrapped up their first league title in 26 years.
6 Bobby Charlton’s debut, 1956
As perhaps the most famous English player of all time, his presence inthe team for 17 years helped to make United famous around the world.
5 The Nou Camp, 1999
United’s first European Cup for 31 years and the first such League-FACup-European Cup treble by an English team were achieved through twogoals in stoppage time against Bayern Munich in the final.
4 European champions at last, 1968
Ten years after the destruction in a plane crash of the United teamthat had seemed destined to win the European Cup, Sir Matt Busby guideda rebuilt side to glory against Benfica on an emotional night atWembley.
3 Fergie’s appointment, 1986
Sir Alex Ferguson became manager, kicked out the drinkers, overhauledthe youth system and achieved his stated aim of knocking Liverpool offtheir perch.
2 Munich air crash, 1958
Eight United players were killed when their plane crashed in Munichafter a refuelling stop on the return from a European Cup tie inBelgrade. The wiping out of the standard bearers of English footballbrought world-wide sympathy for the club and fired imaginations as towhat they might have achieved.
1 Busby’s arrival, 1945
United were just another medium-sized club when Sir Matt Busby becamemanager after the war and he, more than anyone, was responsible forturning them into giants of the world game, building three great teamsand laying down a philosophy of attacking football. |
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