Blues club legend Allison's words echo through time to current squad
Manchester Evening News|December 28, 2023
On April 29, 1970, City's players lifted the European Cup Winners' Cup trophy into the dark, wet Austrian sky.
JOSHUA SMITH
Blues club legend Allison's words echo through time to current squad

This was the first European trophy in the club's history.

Joe Mercer's Blues had shown strength, quality, and determination to win a bruising encounter against Polish outfit Gornik Zabrze. The team of the late 1960s, including Colin Bell, Francis Lee, Tony Book, and Mike Summerbee, are still considered legends to this day, even if they never quite hit the world-beating heights of Pep Guardiola's side.

The current crop of Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League winners last season might 'be the greatest City team - and they - have the historic Treble and now Club World Cup to prove it - but the 7 class of '70 were the first Blues side to win a European trophy.

Their journey to victory started with disappointment and a desire for redemption.

City bagged the Division One title in 1968 and entered the European , Cup for the first time, however, their - journey didn't go as expected when f they were matched with Fenerbahce in round one. Assistant Malcolm Allison boldly claimed City would 'go on and terrify Europe, but that wasn't how things turned out.

A 0-0 at Maine Road was followed by a 2-1 defeat in Istanbul against Fenerbahce. The Blues wouldn't see Champions League action again until 2011.

Despite this upset, City bounced back stronger, clinching the FA Cup after defeating Leicester City 1-0 at Wembley the same season. This victory led to their entry into the now-defunct European Cup Winners' Cup, where they found success.

Esta historia es de la edición December 28, 2023 de Manchester Evening News.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición December 28, 2023 de Manchester Evening News.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE MANCHESTER EVENING NEWSVer todo
Youngster Toby open to Old Trafford January exit
Manchester Evening News

Youngster Toby open to Old Trafford January exit

UNITED midfielder Toby Collyer is open to a move to a Championship club this month if a suitable offer emerges.

time-read
1 min  |
January 09, 2025
Even United's 'untouchables' are not safe
Manchester Evening News

Even United's 'untouchables' are not safe

SIR Jim Ratcliffe hasn't been afraid of making difficult decisions in his 11 months in charge at Old Trafford, and if a good offer arrives for Kobbie Mainoo or Alejandro Garnacho this month, you can be certain sentimentality won't be priced into the equation.

time-read
2 minutos  |
January 09, 2025
Young forward recalled from Latics loan move
Manchester Evening News

Young forward recalled from Latics loan move

UNITED have recalled striker Joe Hugill from Wigan Athletic.

time-read
1 min  |
January 09, 2025
Club chiefs ready to play hardball on new contracts
Manchester Evening News

Club chiefs ready to play hardball on new contracts

UNITED'S efforts to comply with the Premier League's profitability and sustainability rules could force them to sell one of their homegrown players.

time-read
2 minutos  |
January 09, 2025
Josh may not be success, but he deserves respect
Manchester Evening News

Josh may not be success, but he deserves respect

REGARDLESS of your opinion of Joshua Zirkzee as a footballer and whether United should have signed him, the chances are you felt sorry for him as he faced a chorus of boos from his own supporters when he was substituted in the first half against Newcastle at Old Trafford last week.

time-read
2 minutos  |
January 09, 2025
Rash could be feeling pressure of 'being local'
Manchester Evening News

Rash could be feeling pressure of 'being local'

FORMER United winger Lee Sharpe believes the pressures of being a local player could be one of the reasons Marcus Rashford wants to quit Old Trafford.

time-read
1 min  |
January 09, 2025
Manchester Evening News

Frankfurt's message to Txiki: 'Show us the money

YOU know you are trying to buy a player from the Bundesliga when there are quotes from the selling club's executives in the papers every day.

time-read
1 min  |
January 09, 2025
Manchester Evening News

RIO HAPPY WITH DESIRE IN ANFIELD CLASH

UNITED legend Rio Ferdinand has praised the effort and desire the Reds showed in Sunday's 2-2 draw with Liverpool, insisting the players now have an understanding of what Ruben Amorim expects.

time-read
1 min  |
January 09, 2025
Numbers all add up for Omar to make switch
Manchester Evening News

Numbers all add up for Omar to make switch

THERE was a moment shortly after Jack Grealish signed for City back in 2021 when he walked into the dressing room at the Etihad Stadium to see his new shirt for the first time.

time-read
1 min  |
January 09, 2025
Striker needed who can make big IMPACT
Manchester Evening News

Striker needed who can make big IMPACT

AT least Ruben Amorim has promised United will 'try to do something. Goals win games and the Reds do not have a goalscorer. They have won two games in nine and scored 11.

time-read
3 minutos  |
January 09, 2025