The evening of the 15th of May 1991 will go down as one of the most famous nights in Manchester United history, with the club once again experiencing European glory and the realization that the man in charge was capable of delivering on the big stage.
Thousands of United supporters made the pilgrimage across the channel to the Netherlands, where they would see their side take on FC Barcelona in the final of European Cup Winners’ Cup at De Kuip Stadium, the home of Dutch side Feyenoord.
Two second half goals from Mark Hughes put United ahead, before a trademark free kick from Ronald Koeman cut their lead in half. A late goal line clearance from United’s Clyaton Blackmore prevented Michael Laudrup from equalizing for Barcelona, only adding to the nerves as the game reached its conclusion.
The eruption of emotion that came from those associated with Manchester United as the final whistle blew not only represented the joy that accompanies winning a European prize, but also the release of a subconscious burden that had been carried since the heydays of the 1960s.
When asked for his reaction after the match Alex Ferguson responded with, “This is what Manchester United is all about, winning the biggest things you could possibly win.” He continued, “They’ve (the players) distinguished themselves as far as I’m concerned tonight, they’re heroes, legends.”
While the smile etched on Ferguson’s face during the interview is genuine and heart felt, beneath his blissful veneer lay the mental fatigue accumulated during a highly challenging season.
United’s march to the Cup Winners Cup Final in Spring of 1991 provided a welcome respite from a domestic campaign that was fraught with disappointment.
An exit at the 5th round stage of the FA Cup at the hands of Norwich, was followed by a 1-0 loss in the League Cup Final to Ron Atkinson’s Sheffield Wednesday. In the First Division United went on a winless streak lasting between January and mid-March, culminating with only seven wins from a possible seventeen as they closed out season 90/91.
To compound matters further, in the week leading up to the Cup Winners Cup Final Ferguson would lose his long-term assistant and confidant, Archie Knox, in controversial fashion.
With a handful of games left in the Scottish season Walter Smith was appointed as the new manager of Rangers, following Graeme Souness departure to take over at Liverpool. Smith made Knox the offer to join him at Ibrox on the condition that he move right away, which when accepted left Ferguson aghast at the timing of the departure. This led to the promotion of youth team coach, and former United player, Brian Kidd to fill the void.
While United stood on the edge of European glory, they did so against a backdrop of unrest within the wider support, many of whom still unsure if Ferguson could deliver genuine success. We’ll never know what failure to win in Rotterdam would have done to the future of Manchester United, but one thing we can be sure of is time was steadily running out for Ferguson and perhaps this was the true tipping point in what would herald the start of a dynasty.
Successful Consequences
In September of 1998 as United prepared to face off once more against FC Barcelona in European competition, the club found itself yet again mired in supporter unrest. They say the more things change in football the more they stay the same, well in this case Ferguson was now a much-revered figure in the eyes of the support, instead the supporters attention had turned to a much deeper concern within the boardroom.
In the seven years that followed the 1991 Cup Winners Cup Final, United embarked upon a trophy haul that would include four League Championships, two FA Cups and a European Super Cup. Ferguson had carefully curated a side that maintained a healthy balance between local representation and elite level European talent, all while fostering a connection between the players and support that hadn’t been felt since the Matt Busby’s time in charge.
United’s on field trajectory would also coincide with significant commercial growth, initially brought about due to their PLC listing on the London stock exchange, but laterally as part of the success felt by the formation of the Premier League.
Working alongside the Premier League were the broadcaster BSkyB, who would provide weekly coverage through its satellite TV platform. In a time when the growing appetite for live football was arguably at its most insatiable, they too profited from an ever-increasing customer base in the UK as well selling their rights internationally. After months of speculation throughout the start of 1998, it was finally announced they would embark upon a plan to purchase Manchester United in a landmark deal.
In this article released in the Irish Times on Wednesday 9th September 1998, it states:
“British Sky Broadcasting, the satellite operator in which Mr Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation has a 40 per cent stake, will today announce a £625 million agreed deal to buy Manchester United football club.
United’s board has unanimously accepted the offer despite protests from politicians and fans. The price is higher than expected and was agreed after the board held out during 36 hours of meetings for a better deal.”
The exponential growth of Manchester United, and more importantly their global corporate entity, made them an interesting proposition for investment. It would, however, seem a rather odd decision for the leading broadcast company in England to purchase arguably its largest club, especially when it was expected to cover them impartially.
While figures such as Martin Edwards and Peter Schmeichel were quick to quash any concern about the future running of the club, the announcement led to the formation of what is now the biggest supporters trust in the UK. The group founded as ‘Shareholders United Against Murdoch’ and worked quickly to raise the issue of Murdoch’s proposed purchase of the club with the Monopolies and Mergers Commission, leading to a delay of the transfer of shares while it’s legitimacy was debated in the UK parliament.
On Field Matters
Following the disappointment of their loss to Arsenal in the FA Charity Shield, United kicked off their Champions League qualification three days later with a comprehensive 2-0 victory over Polish champions ŁKS Łódź at Old Trafford, thanks to goals from Ryan Giggs and Andy Cole.
As United sought to build on the momentum of their midweek victory on the opening day of the Premier League Season, Emile Heskey had other ideas when he opened the scoring to give Martin O’Neil’s Leicester the lead on 7 minutes. Tony Cottee looked to have secured all three points on 76 minutes when he doubled Leicester’s advantage, however a late fight back would see a deflected effort from Sheringham cut the lead to one on 79 minutes and Beckham would give United a 2-2 draw after a superb stoppage time free kick.
On Friday 21st August 1998, Alex Ferguson added what was to become the jewel in the United crown, when he secured the signature of Dwight Yorke in a £12M move from Aston Villa. It had been stated by Ferguson that the move was “dead in the water” just a few days earlier, which clearly put pressure on Aston Villa to sell rather than be left with an unhappy striker. The timing of the signing also guaranteed Yorke would meet the registration deadline for the Champions League should, as was expected, United qualify.
Yorke was immediately placed into United’s starting eleven for their first away Premier League game of the season, when they travelled to Upton Park to take on West Ham United the following day.
The match was best remembered for the torrid reception David Beckham received, in this his first away league game since his infamous sending off in the World Cup.
Stones and bottles were thrown at the Manchester United team coach as a group of taunting West Ham fans lined the streets around Upton Park, bringing with them an effigy to hang from a nearby lamp post wearing a Beckham England jersey.
There were few chances of note in this match, with the only major on field talking point being Neil Ruddock’s hand ball inside the box going unnoticed by the officials. The crowd did get to see a few glimpses from the burgeoning partnership of Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole, but in the end the match would finish 0-0.
United would close out a busy August with a midweek trip to Poland, where they would face LKS Lodz in the second leg of the qualifying round of the Champions League. Ferguson rotated his strike force by pairing a more creative front two in Scholes and Sheringham, however despite their best efforts United would play out their second 0-0 draw in a week.
Any lingering disappointment of the score line in Poland was quickly extinguished as United progressed into the Champions’ League group stage draw the following day in Monaco.
Champions League Draw
With English football’s co-efficient ranking significantly lower than it does today, United would be placed into Pot 3 prior to the draw, ensuring they would meet at least two heavy hitters in the opening round.
United would be drawn into Group D alongside FC Barcelona from Pot 1, automatic qualifiers and reigning La Liga champions, as well as FC Bayern Munich from Pot 2, also an entrant via the qualifying round having finished 2nd behind Kaiserslautern in the 97/98 Bundesliga. Following United’s selection came Danish champions Brondby from Pot 4, entrants at the 2nd round of qualifying having overcome Kosice from Slovakia 2-1 on aggregate.
September began with the first international break of the season, which saw Glenn Hoddle’s England kick off their Euro 2000 qualification in Stockholm against Sweden. Suspension had ruled David Beckham out of the match, as had injury to Gary Neville, so Paul Scholes was the only United player selected to start.
Alan Shearer opened the scoring after just two minutes, curling home a well struck free kick past Coventry City’s Magnus Hedman in the Sweden goal. Shearer’s Newcastle teammate Andreas Andersson brought the Swedes back level on the half hour mark, turning home a strike from close range following a David Seaman save from Stefan Schwartz’s free kick. Just a few moments after England’s restart and Sweden had the ball in the net once more, this time it was a header from Johan Mjallby who would put the hosts in front. England were reduced to ten in the second half when Paul Ince was sent packing following a second yellow card, which all but ended the match as a contest as Sweden went on to secure a 2-1 win.
United would return to league action just four days after England’s defeat in Stockholm, where they welcomed the visit of newly promoted Charlton Athletic.
There was much anticipation at the first home appearances for new signings Dwight Yorke and Jesper Blomqvist, however excitement soon turned into shock as Mark Kinsella put Charlton ahead on 32 minutes.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer quickly brought United level, with a terrific strike from the edge of the area rifiling into the net. Dwight Yorke would score his first goal for United on the stroke of half-time, heading home from a wonderfully flighted David Beckham free kick. Yorke and Solskjaer each added another goal to their tally in the second half, rounding off a terrific performance that saw United win 4-1.
United were at home once more three days later, this time it was Coventry City who made the journey to Manchester. A Paul Scholes cross was turned into the net by Dwight Yorke to open the scoring on 20 minutes, and Scholes was involved once more when his shot was deflected past the keeper by the outstretched leg of Ronnie Johnsen to double the lead. This comfortable victory was the perfect runway into the start of United’s Champions League group stage, which would kick off against one of the tournament favorites in Louis Van Gaal’s FC Barcelona the following Wednesday evening.