IT’S BEEN QUITE a while since Ipswich have played Manchester United.
They meet in the Capital One Cup later on, thirteen and a half years since they lost crossed paths.
Having famously finished fifth in the Premier League the previous season, the 2001/2002 campaign was a huge disappointment for Ipswich (with the exception of appearing in the UEFA Cup) and their campaign ended in relegation.
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George Burley’s side hosted United at Portman Road in April 2002, having suffered a thumping 4-0 loss in the reverse fixture earlier in the season.
Sir Alex Ferguson had one eye on the second leg of the Champions League semi-final against Bayer Leverkusen a few days later so named a weakened team with fringe players Luke Chadwick, Michael Stewart and Diego Forlan all featuring from the start.
Ruud van Nistelrooy’s 45th-minute penalty proved the difference but it ended up being United’s last victory of the season.
Ruud van Nistelrooy is congratulated by Roy Keane, Denis Irwin and Michael Stewart after scoring from the spot against Ipswich in April 2002. Matthew Ashton / EMPICS Sport
Matthew Ashton / EMPICS Sport / EMPICS Sport
Against Leverkusen, United drew 1-1 and lost on away goals while, shortly after, champions Arsenal beat them at Old Trafford before the campaign petered out with a nil-nil draw against Charlton.
For the first time in the Premier League era, United finished outside the top-two as Liverpool grabbed the runners-up spot.
Ipswich: Andy Marshall, Titus Bramble, John McGreal, Hermann Hreidarsson, Jamie Clapham, Finidi George (Fabian Wilnis 52), Tommy Miller, Matt Holland, Sixto Peralta, Martijn Reuser (Darren Bent 70), Marcus Bent (Alun Armstrong 84).
Subs Not Used: Mike Salmon, Marcus Stewart.
Man Utd: Roy Carroll, Phil Neville, Wes Brown, John O’Shea, Denis Irwin, Diego Forlan, Nicky Butt, Roy Keane, Luke Chadwick (Mikael Silvestre 78), Michael Stewart (Paul Scholes 45), Ruud van Nistelrooy (Ole Gunnar Solskjaer 60).
Subs Not Used: Raimond van der Gouw, Bojan Djordjic.
The lineups from the last time Man United faced Ipswich are well worth a look
IT’S BEEN QUITE a while since Ipswich have played Manchester United.
They meet in the Capital One Cup later on, thirteen and a half years since they lost crossed paths.
Having famously finished fifth in the Premier League the previous season, the 2001/2002 campaign was a huge disappointment for Ipswich (with the exception of appearing in the UEFA Cup) and their campaign ended in relegation.
George Burley’s side hosted United at Portman Road in April 2002, having suffered a thumping 4-0 loss in the reverse fixture earlier in the season.
Sir Alex Ferguson had one eye on the second leg of the Champions League semi-final against Bayer Leverkusen a few days later so named a weakened team with fringe players Luke Chadwick, Michael Stewart and Diego Forlan all featuring from the start.
Ruud van Nistelrooy’s 45th-minute penalty proved the difference but it ended up being United’s last victory of the season.
Against Leverkusen, United drew 1-1 and lost on away goals while, shortly after, champions Arsenal beat them at Old Trafford before the campaign petered out with a nil-nil draw against Charlton.
For the first time in the Premier League era, United finished outside the top-two as Liverpool grabbed the runners-up spot.
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Here’s the incredible letter Sir Alex Ferguson sent Eric Cantona when he left Man United
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Barclays Premier League luke chadwick memory lane michael stewart Ruud van Nistelrooy Ipswich Town Manchester United