A new dawn at Old Trafford as Fergie signs on
THE afternoon of Saturday, November 8, 1986 could have been just another away match for Manchester United and their supporters. The Red Devils were having an ordinary season and their opponents, Oxford United, were hardly setting the First Division alight either.
Travelling United fans could have made their way to the 13,500-capacity Manor Ground expecting a routine win – or at least a draw.
They could have mulled over missed opportunities and dubious refereeing decisions on the coach home – and then consigned the match to history.
Except for one hugely important detail.
United had a new man in charge at Oxford, and his name was Alex Ferguson.
Four days earlier, former manager Ron Atkinson had exited the club. Two days later Ferguson took the helm – and two days after that he was in the Manor Ground dug-out.
It was one of the game’s ironies that Ferguson’s career at United should begin at the very club where the record number of player appearances was held by Atkinson.
He played wing half for Oxford 384 times from 1959 to 1971, scoring 14 goals.
Former Scotland international Ferguson was used to success. As a manager, he’d guided Aberdeen to three Scottish league championships, four Scottish Cups and the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup in 1983.
He was also the top goalscorer in the Scottish league as a forward for Dunfermline in the 1965-66 season.
But his first match in charge of United proved a different matter. Ferguson signed autographs and posed for photographers before the game, but there were nagging doubts behind the smiles.
The players’ fitness was said to be a cause for concern – and league performances had been far from good considering the calibre of players such as Bryan Robson, Paul McGrath and Norman Whiteside.
In fact, United were languishing one off the bottom in 21st place when Ferguson took over.
The Oxford match ended in a 2-0 defeat. John Aldridge converted a penalty in the 15th minute and Neil Slatter scored the second in the 79th. Action was clearly needed.
Seven days later, United played out a 0-0 draw at newly promoted Norwich City – and then it was time for Ferguson’s first game at Old Trafford.
The opponents on November 22 were Queens Park Rangers. United triumphed 1-0 in a tight game thanks to a goal from Danish defender John Sivebaek.
United were away again a week later, this time at the Plough Lane home of Wimbledon managed by Dave Bassett.
The Red Devils had climbed to 17th in the league, but they were up against the ‘Crazy Gang’ who’d rocketed from Division Four to Division One in just four seasons.
The Wimbledon line-up included Vinnie Jones, John Fashanu and Dennis Wise – and they weren’t used to losing. The next year they’d famously win the FA Cup.
United put up a brave fight but went down by a single goal – scored by none other than Vinnie Jones himself. Our photo shows his unbridled delight.
Results started to improve after that and United resolutely climbed the table. There were back-to-back 3-3 draws with Spurs and Aston Villa before a 2-0 home win against Leicester.
Boxing Day brought a late Christmas present for the club – a 1-0 away win against old foes Liverpool at Anfield. Norman Whiteside scored the only goal.
New Year’s Day saw a thumping 4-1 victory over Newcastle United at Old Trafford with goals coming from Whiteside, Frank Stapleton