MANCHESTER UNITED HAD finished as runners-up to Leeds United in the 1991/92 championship and were desperate to make amends for the circumstances in which they were pipped to the finish line by Howard Wilkinson’s side.
Though striker Dion Dublin was their only summer signing, hopes were high of claiming the first ever Premier League title. But they suffered a blow on the opening day of the season and were beaten by Sheffield United with Brian Deane scoring a brace in a 2-1 victory for the Blades.
Still, their next assignment was back at Old Trafford where they welcomed Everton.
Unfortunately for United, they were ripped to shreds.
*The accompanying video features odd references to ‘Beardsmore’ (United’s left-back Clayton Blackmore is misidentified repeatedly!) and ‘Sharpe’ (Lee, who wasn’t actually playing but who the commentator mistakes for Brian McClair!)
The first-half was set to remain scoreless until the hosts gambled too many bodies forward at a free-kick and after Robert Warzycha sent a raking diagonal pass to Peter Beardsley, the former United player tucked it away with ease.
United tried to rally but conceded again with 10 minutes left for the same reason. They pushed so high up the pitch seeking an equaliser that when the ball broke for Beardsley 40 yards from his own goal, he instantly lofted it forward for Warzycha to chase and after brilliantly bamboozling Gary Pallister, he beat Schmeichel at his near post.
In the final stages, a harmless Everton clearance saw Schmeichel make a horrendous error after being closed down by substitute Mo Johnson and he settled himself before neatly sending his shot to the far corner.
It remained United’s heaviest defeat of the campaign but they managed to get back on an even keel before winning the league title for the first time since 1967.
Teams:
Manchester United: Peter Schmeichel, Denis Irwin, Steve Bruce, Gary Pallister, Clayton Blackmore, Andrei Kanchelskis, Darren Ferguson, Paul Ince, Ryan Giggs, Brian McClair, Mark Hughes.
Subs: Gary Walsh, Dion Dublin (Giggs, 81′), Mike Phelan (Ince, 45′).
Everton: Neville Southall, Andy Hinchcliffe, Gary Ablett, Dave Watson, John Ebrell, Barry Horne, Alan Harper, Mark Ward, Robert Warzycha, Peter Beardsley, Paul Rideout.
Subs: Jason Kearton, Peter Beagrie, Mo Johnson.
