Manchester United Away 1986/1988

Manchester United Away 1986/1988

Season 1986/1987
The pressure on manager Ron Atkinson after last season’s failed title challenge remained strong. After United lost their opening three games of the season, and despite some decent results in the following few weeks. United bowed out of the League Cup in a fourth round replay defeat at Southampton. Prompting the dismissal of Atkinson on 4 November 1986 after more than five years in charge.

Alex Ferguson was confirmed as Atkinson’s successor within hours. Recruited from Scottish side Aberdeen, where he had enjoyed considerable success in the previous seven years. United recovered well in the league after his appointment and finished 11th, managing to scratch up some impressive results. Winning both of their league clashes with Liverpool (results which helped deprive Kenny Dalglish’s side of the league title. A 4–1 home win over Newcastle United on New Year’s Day 1987. A 2–0 home win over a resurgent Arsenal and a 2–0 win at Old Trafford in the Manchester derby. The win at Liverpool also made them the only team to win at Liverpool in the league all season.

However, United were prevented from finishing even higher in the league by a few disappointing results after Ferguson’s arrival. Beginning with a 2–0 defeat in their first game under Ferguson at Oxford United. Losing both of their clashes with newly promoted Wimbledon. Being beaten at Old Trafford by Norwich City just after Christmas. And suffering a 4–0 defeat at Tottenham near the end of the season. Although by the time of the Tottenham game it was mathematically impossible for United to either win the title or suffer relegation. There was no prospect of European qualification. Due to the ongoing ban on English clubs in Europe following the Heysel disaster two years earlier. United also failed to win any other away games in the league apart from the visit to Liverpool on Boxing Day.

United’s improvement under Ferguson during the season was achieved without making any major signings. Although it was widely expected that he would spend heavily on new players during the 1987 close season. He went on to pay Celtic £850,000 for high-scoring striker Brian McClair. And he strengthened the defence by paying Arsenal £250,000 for experienced full-back Viv Anderson.

Unsuccessful bids were also made for several other players: Ferguson expressed an interest in bringing striker Mark Hateley back to England from Milan. The player opted to remain overseas and signed for AS Monaco instead. He also made a bid to bring Peter Beardsley back to the club from Newcastle United. But the England international forward instead joined Liverpool for a British record fee. Ferguson was offered the chance to sign Watford winger John Barnes. He declined to make an approach for the player due to his faith in Jesper Olsen in the same position.

Season 1987/1988
The season was a relative success! With the club finishing second in the league, but they did not play in the UEFA Cup the following season. Due to the ban on English clubs in Europe after the Heysel Stadium disaster. They finished nine points behind champions Liverpool. Who lost just twice all season and for much of the campaign looked uncatchable. Perhaps the most memorable game of the season was in the league at Anfield just before Liverpool’s title was confirmed, when United were 3–1 down at half time. But fought back to hold the hosts to a 3–3 draw, denying them two points and delaying their bid to seal the title.

United lost just five times in the league in 40 games, and lost only once at Old Trafford, but a few disappointing draws against relatively unfancied sides including Charlton and Luton led to crucial points being dropped and prevented them from mounting a serious threat to Liverpool.

It was Alex Ferguson’s first full season as United manager, and it was the first season at the club for new signings Brian McClair (who finished the season as one of the First Division’s top scorers with 24 goals) and Viv Anderson. December also saw the arrival of defender Steve Bruce from Norwich City for £900,000, after an approach for Rangers and England defender Terry Butcher collapsed when the player suffered a broken leg.

After the season’s end, Ferguson brought Mark Hughes back to Old Trafford from Barcelona in a £1.8 million deal that made him United’s record signing. He also replaced Chris Turner in goal by paying £500,000 for Jim Leighton, who played under Ferguson at Aberdeen. He also attempted to sign Paul Gascoigne from Newcastle United, and a deal was agreed, but while Ferguson was on holiday, Gascoigne agreed to join Tottenham Hotspur in the first £2 million fee to be paid by a British club.

It was the last season at United for long-serving defender Kevin Moran, who was transferred to Sporting Gijon after losing his place in the team to Steve Bruce. Remi Moses played his last game for the club before ongoing injury problems forced his retirement from playing, when still in his twenties.

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