Pick your all time favourite United Matches.. This is the shortlist on the Manchester United WebSite.. United 4 Blackpool 2 â 1948 FA Cup Final - Matt Busbyâs first trophy was secured in swaggering fashion in one of the greatest FA Cup finals ever staged. In their first final appearance for almost 40 years, United fell behind twice in the first half, but continued to battle against Stanley Matthews et al and eventually drew level with 20 minutes remaining as Jack Rowley hit his second of the game, then took the spoils late on through Stan Pearson and John Anderson. United 10 Anderlecht 0 â 1956 European Cup 1st Round, 2nd Leg - Englandâs first taste of European football remains the Reds' record win. The Busby Babes lit up Maine Road with a stunning display - Dennis Viollet bagged four, Tommy Taylor hit a hat-trick, Billy Whelan struck twice and Johnny Berry completed the scoring. The Guardian reported: âThe Belgians panted vainly at the heels of a team playing superlative football at an incredible pace.â United 3 Sheffield Wednesday 0 - 1958 FA Cup 5th Round - Less than a fortnight after the horror of Munich, United took to the field with a side cobbled together from survivors, youth players and hastily signed newcomers. With Matt Busby still hospitalised in Germany, assistant manager Jimmy Murphy took charge of the hodgepodge Reds amid a surreal atmosphere of grief and defiance, in which the Reds registered a stunning victory. Chairman Harold Hardman had written in his pre-match notes that United would go on, and this was the crucial first step away from the wreckage of Munich. United 4 Benfica 1 - 1968 European Cup Final - The completion of Unitedâs rebuilding. A decade on from seeing his side decimated in Munich, Matt Busby took the Reds to the heights of European football with an unforgettable win at Wembley. Bobby Charlton opened the scoring, only for Jaime Graca to haul the Portuguese champions level, and it required the last-minute heroics of goalkeeper Alex Stepney to thwart Eusebio and force extra-time, within which goals from George Best, Brian Kidd and Charlton sealed Unitedâs first European Cup triumph. United 3 Barcelona 0 - 1984 European Cup Winners' Cup Quarter-Final, 2nd Leg - If you were there, thereâs a chance your ears are still ringing. Old Trafford shook all evening as the Reds â two goals down from the first leg â roared to an unlikely victory against Diego Maradona and his cohorts. Bryan Robson halved the overall deficit with a close-range header before the break, then sent a capacity crowd into delirium shortly after the break by scrambling home a second. The din had barely subsided when Unitedâs next attack brought the clinching third goal, rammed home by Frank Stapleton. As ever, the Reds had to survive a nervy finale, but the final whistle prompted unconfined revelry as supporters swarmed onto the field like joyous bees. United 2 Sheffield Wednesday 1 - 1993 FA Premier League - Itâs known as âFergie timeâ outside Old Trafford these days, but this was the game which set the template for Unitedâs last-gasp comebacks under Sir Alex Ferguson. Trailing with just three minutes of normal time remaining and a sizeable amount of injury-time due for a change of referee, the Reds looked like they were about to suffer another bout of title neurosis. Instead, up popped Steve Bruce with a captainâs contribution: a pair of headers in the 87th and 97th minutes to procure all three points and set United en route to a first domestic rule in 26 years. Arsenal 1 United 2 - 1999 FA Cup Semi-Final Replay - Perhaps the most compelling match one could conceive. The leading clubs in England took their fierce rivalry and shared lust for honours and conceived an utterly captivating, nerve-shredding tie. Even the original goalless draw at Villa Park was entertaining, but the replay had everything: a vibrant atmosphere, Roy Keaneâs red card, David Beckhamâs stunning opener, Dennis Bergkampâs deflected leveller, Peter Schmeichelâs last-minute penalty save and then, after all that, Ryan Giggs served up the blood-twisting zenith of his epic career to take United a huge step closer to the Treble. Juventus 2 United 3 - 1999 Champions League Semi-Final, 2nd Leg - The mighty Juventus were chasing a fourth successive Champions League final appearance and, having taken a 1-1 first-leg draw into the second leg, looked shoo-ins after racing into a two-goal lead at the Stadio Delle Alpi. However, they hadnât reckoned on Unitedâs fightback, led by Roy Keaneâs signature performance as the whirlwind of defiance and inspiration. The skipper headed home a quick riposte and by half-time Dwight Yorke had the Reds back on terms, before Andy Cole capped a rousing, deserved victory with a late tap-in. United 2 Bayern Munich 1 - 1999 Champions League Final - A dour game played out under soul-crushing circumstances as Bayern Munich took an early lead and squeezed almost every drop of life out of Unitedâs bid for the fabled Treble. Then, however, came the twist which, despite a season of drama and romance, nobody saw coming. With only three minutes of stoppage time in which to work, substitutes Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer scuffed and prodded home two close-range finishes to serve up a fitting finish to the most mind-blowing season in Unitedâs history. United 1 Chelsea 1 (6-5 on penalties) - 2008 Champions League Final - Once again, the easy way seemed to be cordoned off as United made a storming start, took the lead through Cristiano Ronaldo and then passed up three clear chances before Frank Lampard prodded home a scruffy leveller. Chelsea should have then wrapped up victory in the second period, before both sides traded blows in extra-time (a little more literally in the case of the red-carded Didier Drogba) and it all boiled down to a penalty shootout for the Champions League title. You know the rest. I have pinched this from the United website... This is the link if anyone can be arsed to vote.. http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Features/2012/May/vote-for-greatest-ever-manchester-united-matches.aspx?pageNo=4
One of my favourite matches is the 1st FA Cup final against Crystal Palace.12th May 1990. SAF had bought a number of players like Pallister, Phelan, Webb, Wallace and Ince. He was under real pressure to win. We didn't and had to battle for a 3-3 with Crystal Palace who were high on confidence after beating Liverpool in a cracking semi. Too me an old fashioned cup final. Great Wembley weather and end to end attacking plus goals. Great
I was at three of them so it has to be those three. In order; United 3 Barcelona 0 - 1984 ECWC quarter final United 2 Bayern Munich 1 - 1999 ECL Final United 2 Sheff Weds 1 - 1993 premier league catalyst Of the three, only the one v Barcelona was actually any good as a match.
I have vague memories of he barca game.. my favourites would be 3: arsenal fa cup game 2:1999 champs final 1: Juve beatiing them at turin...
I'd have to say it is was "The Suarez Show" [video=youtube;kPkgvM0e0nA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPkgvM0e0nA[/video]
My hatred of all things Man United is well known, but I have to say that the two league games against Newcastle in 2002/2003 (5-3 at Old Trafford; 6-2 at St James' Park) were part of the reason I started to fall in love not just with Hull City, but with football.
Man Utd 4-3 Man city deserves to be in there too, the feeling when Owen scored that winner, i still get goosebumbs. But the United 2 Bayern Munich 1 - 1999 Champions League Final one for me. That feeling was great, one minute looked like we're going to lose, was getting emotional then all of a sudden we won the game 2-1. Great game the best for me.
I know why it's in there but I have to be pedantic and say far from being a great game, it was actually pretty ****. Last five minutes was great though. Football wise, not even close to the semi's and quarters leading up to it.
Beating city 3 - 2 at Maine road after being two down at half time was also a belter. Under lights, two from Eric, never for a second in doubt we'd come back and win.