FERGIE TIME-AND THREE GAMES IN MAY

ROB CARLESS RECALLS MANCHESTER UNITED'S GLORYDAYS UNDER THEIR LEGENDARY SCOTTISH MANAGER SIR ALEX FERGUSON

- ROB CARLESS

FOLLOWING a trophy-laden spell at Aberdeen, expectations were high for Alex Ferguson when he first walked through the door at Old Trafford in 1986.

After four very difficult seasons, Ferguson finally delivered Manchester United’s first trophy in five years when the Red Devils defeated Crystal Palace in the 1990 FA Cup final.

United won the European Cup Winners’ Cup and Super Cup in 1991, and the League Cup was added to their expanding trophy cabinet the following year.

Four cups in three seasons was impressive, but everyone associated with United was desperate to win the club’s first league title since 1967. They’d come agonisingly close in the 1991-92 season, only to have been pipped at the post by Leeds United.

Fast forward to April 1993. With six games remaining of the inaugural Premier League campaign, the Red Devils, Aston Villa and Norwich City were all still in the title race.

When Sheffield Wednesday came to Old Trafford on April 10, 1993, Aston Villa, managed by Ferguson’s predecessor Ron Atkinson, were sitting in first place, so it was vital the Red Devils picked up maximum points to keep the pressure on them. Ahead of the game, Ferguson was reported as saying the match was “win or bust”.

Lining up with England internationals Chris Woods, Carlton Palmer and Chris Waddle, Wednesday were certainly no pushovers. They had beaten Manchester United in the 1991 League Cup final and finished third, behind the Red Devils and Leeds, the previous year.

The Owls were enjoying a fine season that culminated in a seventh-place finish and visits to Wembley in both the FA Cup and League Cup finals.