IN THE EARLY part of the 1991/1992 season, Manchester United took on Cambridge United twice as part of a League Cup second-round tie.
The first game was at Old Trafford and Alex Ferguson’s side ran out 3-0 winners with goals from Ryan Giggs, Brian McClair and Steve Bruce.
The home side lined out like this:
Gary Walsh, Steve Bruce, Gary Pallister, Denis Irwin, Clayton Blackmore, Brian McClair, Bryan Robson, Mike Phelan, Neil Webb, Paul Ince, Mark Hughes.
Ryan Giggs replaced Webb before the interval and ran through to score the opening goal after good work from Hughes.
Shortly after the restart, Hughes again was the provider, curling in a cross that McClair bundled to the net.
On 66 minutes, Irwin whipped in a corner and Bruce thundered a header to the bottom corner.
A fortnight later, United headed to Abbey Stadium for the return leg and make few alterations to the side.
Named in goal though was 18 year-old Ian Wilkinson who would go on to make his one and only appearance for the club. Peter Schmeichel, who had only just joined, was on international duty, Gary Walsh was injured and the youngster got his chance.
United’s line-up for the second leg:
Ian Wilkinson, Mal Donaghy, Steve Bruce, Gary Pallister, Denis Irwin, Clayton Blackmore, Lee Martin, Bryan Robson, Paul Ince, Brian McClair, Mark Hughes.
It was a tame enough affair. United were in front inside the opening two minutes through McClair though Dion Dublin, signed by Ferguson a year later, grabbed a late equaliser for the hosts.
Wilkinson remained on the fringes before injury ruined his chances of featuring prominently for United. He was moved on to Stockport in 1993 and his career was over permanently when he suffered a serious eye injury just a few years later.
United finished the 1991/1992 season as League Cup winners though they failed to land a first championship since 1967.
Despite dominating the campaign, they faltered close to the finish line, losing three of their final four games.
