SIR ALEX’S WINASTY
The clock began ticking in Fergie time 30 years ago today as the legendary boss led Man U to FA Cup Final glory and began a football dynasty that would see him win a staggering 38 trophies as Red Devils boss. Here, five witnesses to the Knight of nights g
It was the trophywintrophywin that might just have gave kept Sir Alex Ferguson in a job – and it also started a fabled Old Trafford dynasty.
Today marks the 30th anniversary of the legendary gaffer’s first piece of silverware as Manchester United boss, three years after being headhunted for one of England’s top jobs following his success at Aberdeen.
But at one point it looked as if his famous lucky socks wouldn’t save the Scot.
Pressure was mounting yet victory in the 1990 FA Cup Final bought him time – and the rest is history.
Ferguson went on to pick up a staggering 38 trophies as Red Devils boss.
Yet it could all have been so different if Lee Martin hadn’t struck the only goal of a replay win on May 17, 1990, against the Eagles after the sides had battled out an epic 3-3 draw in the first game.
Ferguson took the kind of cold-eyed decision that marked him out as arguably the greatest manager in football history when he dropped goalkeeper Jim Leighton for the replay.
Leighton had followed his manager from Pittodrie but was trusted to play just one more game for United after that – against lowly Halifax – and the pair have never spoken since.
Les Sealey took the Scotland keeper’s place between the sticks and, 11 years after that final, died tragically after suffering a heart attack at the age of just 43, with Leighton one of his pallbearers.
Leighton received a medal due to his appearance in the first game but sent it back to the Football Association.
In his autobiography Managing My Life, Ferguson wrote: “To put it bluntly, I believe Jim was selfish.
“As far as I’m aware, not once did he hold his hands up and take any blame.”
Full-back Martin, who later joined Celtic, was the unlikely hero with his solitary goal in the replay one of only two he scored for his boyhood heroes.
It was a cup won the hard way – United were also forced to a replay in the semi-final by Oldham Athletic.
That had followed another 3-3 thriller in the first game and Mark Robins netted the only goal of a tough third-round tie at Nottingham Forest.
In the league, United were hovering around the relegation zone and finished the season in 13th spot. After an 11-game winless run fans protested during a home loss, ironically to Palace.
Here, in a MailSport special compiled by Gavin Berry, are the recollections of five witnesses to the night that changed world football forever.
Martin came through the youth system at Old Trafford and his six years in the senior side peaked with the 1990 winning goal. He joined Celtic in 1994 but suffered a broken leg within months of his arrival at Parkhead.
I’m still asked about my FA Cup winning goal, I’ll never tire of that.
For a local lad who had grown up as a Manchester United supporter, it was fantastic.
About 15 minutes into the second half I was really deep and our assistant boss Archie Knox shouted for me to get forward, so I just started running and kept on.
Mark Hughes made space with a run that left a big gap and I ran into it.
Neil Webb floated over a brilliant ball. I thought I might have handled it but the ref didn’t blow his whistle so I swung a leg and nd the ball f lew into to the net.
I couldn’t have ve struck it that well ll again if I tried. There re was no whistle, no offside and the lads ds raced over – it was as a huge pile on.
As I shot I got ot cramp in my calf lf and was shouting g at the lads to get t off me.
Bryan Robsonn slapped my face because he thought I was concussed, saying: ‘Keep going, you’re all right.’
It was just an incredible feeling to score in a cup final. I’d had a few assists but rarely scored.
You could have backed me at 60-1