1989–90 Manchester United F.C. season

English football club season March 2015 March 2015 Manchester United 1989–90 Alex Ferguson Martin Edwards First Division 13th FA Cup Winners League Cup Third round Mark Hughes (13) Mark Hughes (15) 47,245 vs Arsenal (19 August 1989) 26,698 vs Portsmouth (3 October 1989) 39,078 _manutdh8890 _manutdh8890 _manutdh8890 _manutdh8890 _manutdh8890 E20E0E E20E0E E20E0E FFFFFF 000000 _manutda8892 _manutda8892 _manutda8892 _manutda8890 _manutda8892 FFFFFF FFFFFF FFFFFF 000000 FFFFFF _manutd38890 _manutd38890 _manutd38890 _manutd38890 _manutd38890 0000C0 0000C0 0000C0 0000C0 0000C0 1988–89 1990–91 The 1989–90 season was Manchester United's 88th season in the Football League, and their 15th consecutive season in the top division of English football.https://www.mufcinfo.com/manupag/results/results_archive.php?season=1989-1990 Manchester United season 1989-1990 14 September 2023 MUFCinfo.com The season brought their lowest league finish since their relegation from the First Division 15 years earlier, as they finished 13th in the league, and by Christmas there were continued calls from fans for Alex Ferguson to be sacked as manager. However, the season ended on a high as United won the FA Cup by beating Crystal Palace 1–0 in a replay after drawing the first game 3–3. It was their first major trophy for five years, and their first since the appointment of Alex Ferguson as manager. It also saw them enter European competition as England's representatives in the 1990–91 European Cup Winners' Cup following the end of the ban on English clubs in European competition arising from the Heysel Stadium disaster of 1985. 1989–90 saw Mark Hughes top the club's goalscoring charts for the second year running, while the club welcomed four new major signings in the early part of the season – Danny Wallace, Neil Webb, Paul Ince and Gary Pallister. Young striker Mark Robins enjoyed regular appearances in the first team this season, often as a substitute, and scored 10 goals - including the winning goal against Nottingham Forest in the third round of the FA Cup. Lee Martin, who scored the winning goal in the FA Cup final replay, became the club's regular left-back this season. This season also saw the attempted purchase of the club by businessman Michael Knighton after chairman Martin Edwards considered selling the club for a reported £10 million. The sale fell through after Knighton was found to not have the money required to maintain the club. This period is best remembered for Knighton – wearing a United kit and tracksuit top – performing a keepie uppie routine before the opening game of the season at home to Arsenal. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/nov/27/michael-knighton-manchester-united-keepie-uppies-interview Michael Knighton: ‘I have been perceived as a charlatan or circus act 27 November 2019 Guardian 29 May 2024 According to Alex Ferguson in his autobiography; Managing My Life (published nearly a decade later), this display of showboating annoyed Ferguson as he felt it was detrimental to his teams' preparation for the forthcoming match – although United did go on to win the game 4–1 against the defending champions. Ferguson also revealed in the autobiography that in spite of Manchester United's dismal form during the first half of the season, he was assured by the club's directors that his position as manager was never at risk; although naturally disappointed with the club's lack of progress in the league, they understood the reason for this - namely that a number of key players, including Neil Webb, were unavailable for long spells due to injury. However, Ferguson also admitted in his autobiography that had he not achieved success with United that season, he feared that fan and media pressure on the club's board to sack him could eventually have become irresistible. There had been numerous calls from fans during the season for Ferguson to be sacked, and media reports had suggested that the former Everton manager Howard Kendall would be appointed as his successor; Kendall was appointed by United's local rivals Manchester City during the season. Similarly, there were also reports that Knighton wanted to recruit England manager Bobby Robson, who had announced his intention to stand down after the 1990 FIFA World Cup; the collapse of Knighton’s takeover rendered this moot, and Robson instead became manager of PSV Eindhoven after the World Cup. Pre-season and friendlies DateOpponentsH / AResultF–AScorersAttendance30 July 1989Thailand National XIA1–1(4–2p)Robson12,0002 August 1989EvertonN1–3Webb8,0007 August 1989Japan National XIA1–0Robins40,00011 August 1989Bristol CityA3–2McClair, Webb, Beardsmore9,79913 August 1989Manchester CityH0–219,95812 September 1989Torquay UnitedA1–0Duxbury4,10826 September 1989HeartsA4–2Wallace, Blackmore (2), McClair9,00117 October 1989St JohnstoneA1–0McClair9,788 First Division 1989–90 Football League First Division DateOpponentsH / AResultF–AScorersAttendanceLeagueposition19 August 1989ArsenalH4–1Bruce 2', Hughes 63', Webb 79', McClair 83'47,2451st22 August 1989Crystal PalaceA1–1Robson 19'22,4231st26 August 1989Derby CountyA0–222,1759th30 August 1989Norwich CityH0–241,61014th9 September 1989EvertonA2–3McClair 57', Beardsmore 66'37,91616th16 September 1989MillwallH5–1Hughes (3) 13', 75', 85', Robson 43', Sharpe 60'42,74611th23 September 1989Manchester CityA1–5Hughes 50'43,24614th14 October 1989Sheffield WednesdayH0–041,49217th21 October 1989Coventry CityA4–1Bruce 5', Hughes (2) 29', 69', Phelan 65'19,62514th28 October 1989SouthamptonH2–1McClair (2) 16', 61'37,12211th4 November 1989Charlton AthleticA0–216,06513th12 November 1989Nottingham ForestH1–0Pallister 45+1'34,18211th18 November 1989Luton TownA3–1Wallace 5', Blackmore 28', Hughes 76'11,1419th25 November 1989ChelseaH0–046,97510th3 December 1989ArsenalA0–134,48412th9 December 1989Crystal PalaceH1–2Beardsmore 9'33,51412th16 December 1989Tottenham HotspurH0–136,23013th23 December 1989LiverpoolA0–037,42612th26 December 1989Aston VillaA0–341,24715th30 December 1989WimbledonA2–2Hughes 74', Robins 75'9,62215th1 January 1990Queens Park RangersH0–034,82415th13 January 1990Derby CountyH1–2Pallister 48'38,98515th21 January 1990Norwich CityA0–217,37017th3 February 1990Manchester CityH1–1Blackmore 70'40,27417th10 February 1990MillwallA2–1Wallace 65', Hughes 84'15,49115th24 February 1990ChelseaA0–129,97916th3 March 1990Luton TownH4–1McClair 25', Hughes 33', Wallace 44', Robins 66'35,32716th14 March 1990EvertonH0–037,39816th18 March 1990LiverpoolH1–2Whelan 80' (o.g.)46,62916th21 March 1990Sheffield WednesdayA0–133,26016th24 March 1990SouthamptonA2–0Gibson 66', Robins 88'20,51016th31 March 1990Coventry CityH3–0Hughes (2) 27', 36', Robins 87'39,17216th14 April 1990Queens Park RangersA2–1Robins 68', Webb 74'18,99714th17 April 1990Aston VillaH2–0Robins (2) 24', 45'44,08013th21 April 1990Tottenham HotspurA1–2Bruce 68' (pen.)33,31714th30 April 1990WimbledonH0–029,28115th2 May 1990Nottingham ForestA0–421,18616th5 May 1990Charlton AthleticH1–0Pallister 36'35,38913th MUN y FA Cup 1989–90 FA Cup DateRoundOpponentsH / AResultF–AScorersAttendance7 January 1990Round 3Nottingham ForestA1–0Robins 56'23,07228 January 1990Round 4Hereford UnitedA1–0Blackmore 86'13,77718 February 1990Round 5Newcastle UnitedA3–2Robins 19', Wallace 60', McClair 77'31,74811 March 1990Round 6Sheffield UnitedA1–0McClair 29'34,3448 April 1990Semi-finalOldham AthleticN3–3(a.e.t.)Robson 29', Webb 72', Wallace 92'44,02611 April 1990Semi-finalReplayOldham AthleticN2–1(a.e.t.)McClair 50', Robins 114'35,00512 May 1990FinalCrystal PalaceN3–3(a.e.t.)Robson 35', Hughes (2) 62', 113'80,00017 May 1990FinalReplayCrystal PalaceN1–0Martin 59'80,000 League Cup 1989–90 Football League Cup DateRoundOpponentsH / AResultF–AScorersAttendance20 September 1989Round 2First legPortsmouthA3–2Ince (2) 19', 41', Wallace 44'18,0723 October 1989Round 2Second legPortsmouthH0–026,69825 October 1989Round 3Tottenham HotspurH0–345,759 Events of the season Alex Ferguson began his fourth season as Manchester United manager desperate to bring a major trophy–and ultimately the league title–to Old Trafford for the first time in his reign. During the close season, he brought in Mike Phelan signs from Norwich City for £750,000 and Neil Webb from Nottingham Forest for £1.5 million, rebuilding his midfield following the sale of Gordon Strachan to Leeds United for £300,000 and midfielder Norman Whiteside to Everton for £750,000. Paul McGrath was sold to Aston Villa for £400,000, with Ferguson making an approach for Swedish defender Glenn Hysen, but lost out to Liverpool. By the end of the first month of the season, he had brought in Middlesbrough defender Gary Pallister for a club record fee of £2.3 million–also a national record for a defender and the second highest fee to be paid by an English club. Ferguson then signed Paul Ince, the 21-year-old West Ham United midfielder, for £1.7 million after a long wait that resulted from a failed medical. Just 48 hours before the First Division campaign kicked off, Martin Edwards was reportedly on the verge of selling control of Manchester United for a deal in the region of £20 million, nine years after he inherited control of the club from his late father Louis. The next day, Michael Knighton, a 37-year-old property developer, agreed a takeover deal for the club. The First Division season began with an excellent 4–1 home win over defending champions Arsenal. The goals come from Steve Bruce, Mark Hughes, Brian McClair and the debutant Neil Webb, raising hopes that 1989–90 could finally be the season where the league title returned to United. However, by 9 September, United had lost three league games in a row and unrest was growing among the fans, prompting rumours that Ferguson could be on the verge of dismissal. Some reports even suggested that the former Everton manager Howard Kendall was about to be appointed as manager of Manchester United, but the board denied that Ferguson's position was at risk. By Christmas, Kendall was indeed in Manchester, but as manager of City rather than United. On 16 September, Danny Wallace moved to Manchester United for £1.2 million, giving United a much needed boost on the left wing following the dismal form of Ralph Milne, who was signed last year, and a more experienced alternative to the 18-year-old Lee Sharpe. Five days after Wallace's arrival, Martin Edwards agreed to sell his controlling interest in Manchester United to Michael Knighton for £20 million. 23 September saw the first Manchester derby for three seasons, and it was a catastrophic one for United as they were defeated 5–1 at Maine Road by City. leaving them 14th in the First Division with seven points from their first seven games.http://www.manchesterunited-mad.co.uk/footydb/loadgen.asp?Day=23&Month=Sep&ssnno=119&teamno=356 Barclays First Division 1989/1990: Historical league standings at 23rd September 1989 manchesterunited-mad.co.uk https://web.archive.org/web/20111006121755/http://www.manchesterunited-mad.co.uk/footydb/loadgen.asp?Day=23&Month=Sep&ssnno=119&teamno=356 6 October 2011 dead 23 January 2023 Despite Manchester United's erratic start to the season, the board offered Alex Ferguson a new contract with the club to take him up to the end of the 1992–93 season, and he accepted it. By mid October, Michael Knighton had pulled out of his takeover bid, and accepted a non-executive role on the board of directors. Later that month, Manchester United's hopes of winning the League Cup for the first time were ended with a 3–0 home defeat by Tottenham Hotspur in the third round. On 30 December 1989, Manchester United played their final game of the 1980s, a 2–2 draw at Wimbledon,http://www.manchesterunited-mad.co.uk/footydb/loadtmrs.asp?ssnno=119&teamno=356 https://archive.today/20120911120812/http://www.manchesterunited-mad.co.uk/footydb/loadtmrs.asp?ssnno=119&teamno=356 dead 11 September 2012 Fixtures www.manchesterunited-mad.co.uk meaning that they had gone without a win since 18 November and were 15th in the First Division, just two points above the relegation zone. What had been anticipated as a title challenge appeared to have dissolved into a relegation battle, but the board continued to stand by Alex Ferguson and insisted that he will not be sacked; though naturally disappointed by the lack of success in the league, they understood the reasons; not least the injury crisis which had plagued the club constantly since the previous autumn.http://www.manchesterunited-mad.co.uk/footydb/loadgen.asp?Day=30&Month=Dec&ssnno=119&teamno=356 Barclays First Division 1989/1990: Historical league standings at 30th December 1989 www.manchesterunited-mad.co.uk https://web.archive.org/web/20111006121900/http://www.manchesterunited-mad.co.uk/footydb/loadgen.asp?Day=30&Month=Dec&ssnno=119&teamno=356 dead 6 October 2011 On 7 January 1990, a goal by 20-year-old striker Mark Robins gave Manchester United a 1–0 win at Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup third round. When the FA Cup third round draw was made a month earlier, many journalists anticipated the tie as the game that would end in defeat for United and drive Ferguson out of his job. Later that month, a 2–0 defeat at Norwich City pushed Manchester United just one place and one point short of the relegation zone, but they continued to progress in the FA Cup as Clayton Blackmore scored the only goal of the game for a United side who eliminated Hereford United from the FA Cup in the fourth round tie at Edgar Street. A month later, they progressed to the FA Cup sixth round for the second year running by defeating Newcastle United 3–2 at St James' Park, and three weeks after that they booked their place in the FA Cup semi-finals for the first time since they won the trophy in 1985, thanks to a 1–0 win over Sheffield United at Bramall Lane. The FA Cup semi-final at Maine Road on 8 April ended in a 3–3 draw with Oldham Athletic. They got through to the final with a 2–1 win in the replay, where they would be paired with a Crystal Palace side managed by former United player Steve Coppell. United's league season ended with a 13th-place finish and only beating relegation by five points–their lowest since relegation 16 years earlier. On 12 May, Manchester United took to the field at Wembley against Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium. 18 minutes into the game, Palace (who had never played in the final before) took the lead through Gary O'Reilly, only for Bryan Robson to equalise in the 35th minute. Mark Hughes put United ahead in the 62nd minute, but Palace equalised in the 72nd minute through Ian Wright. The scores were still level at full-time, and the match went into extra time. Just two minutes into extra time, Wright put Palace ahead and it looked as though the FA Cup would be heading to Selhurst Park for the first time ever. Then, with seven minutes of extra time remaining, Mark Hughes equalised to force a replay. Goalkeeper Jim Leighton had been performing erratically for much of the 1989–90 season, and his form in the FA Cup final was no different. Alex Ferguson then decided to drop Leighton for the replay and draft in Les Sealey, who had joined on loan from Luton Town the previous December and only played for the club twice before. The replay was played at Wembley on 17 May, and Sealey pulled off a series of spectacular saves in the first half to prevent Palace from taking the lead. In the 59th minute, Lee Martin fired in a pass from Neil Webb to score only the second goal of his career and give the trophy to United. Three weeks after the final, Manchester United signed Republic of Ireland defender Denis Irwin, 24, from Oldham Athletic for £625,000, with Alex Ferguson intending to use him as a right-back with Mike Phelan being switched to midfield. Squad statistics Pos.NameLeagueFA CupLeague CupTotalAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsGKAUS Mark Bosnich10000010GKSCO Jim Leighton3507030450GKENG Les Sealey20100030DFENG Viv Anderson14(2)0401019(2)0DFWAL Clayton Blackmore19(9)22(1)10021(10)3DFENG Steve Bruce3437020433DFNIR Mal Donaghy13(1)0103017(1)0DFENG Mike Duxbury12(7)02(2)01(1)015(10)0DFENG Colin Gibson5(1)11(1)0006(2)1DFENG Lee Martin28(4)0811037(4)1DFENG Gary Pallister3538030463DFIRE Derek Brazil0(1)000000(1)0MFENG Russell Beardsmore8(13)21(2)01010(15)2MFWAL Deiniol Graham0(1)000000(1)0MFENG Paul Ince25(1)06(1)03234(2)2MFSCO Ralph Milne0(1)000000(1)0MFENG Mike Phelan3817030481MFENG Bryan Robson2024230274MFENG Lee Sharpe13(5)1001(1)014(6)1MFENG Neil Webb10(1)2410014(1)3FWWAL Mark Hughes36(1)13823047(1)15FWENG Giuliano Maiorana0(1)0000(1)00(2)0FWSCO Brian McClair3758330488FWENG Mark Robins10(7)73(3)30013(10)10FWENG Danny Wallace23(3)36(1)22131(4)6 Transfers In Date Pos. Name From Fee 1 July 1989 MF ENG Mike Phelan ENG Norwich City £750k 1 July 1989 MF ENG Neil Webb ENG Nottingham Forest £1.5m 24 August 1989 DF IRL Brian Carey IRL Cork City £100k 28 August 1989 DF ENG Gary Pallister ENG Middlesbrough £2.3m 13 September 1989 MF ENG Paul Ince ENG West Ham United £2.4m 18 September 1989 FW ENG Danny Wallace ENG Southampton £1.2m 21 September 1989 FW ENG Andy Rammell ENG Atherstone United £40k 6 June 1990 GK ENG Les Sealey ENG Luton Town Free 8 June 1990 DF IRL Denis Irwin ENG Oldham Athletic £625k DF ENG Neil Whitworth ENG Wigan Athletic £45k Out Date Pos. Name To Fee July 1989 DF ENG Wayne Heseltine ENG Oldham Athletic £40k 12 July 1989 DF ENG Nicky Spooner ENG Bolton Wanderers Undisclosed 3 August 1989 DF IRL Paul McGrath ENG Aston Villa £450k August 1989 FW NIR Norman Whiteside ENG Everton £750k 25 October 1989 FW BER Shaun Goater ENG Rotherham United £40k Loan in Date From Date To Position Name From December 1989 December 1989 GK ENG Les Sealey ENG Luton Town January 1990 February 1990 GK ENG Mark Crossley ENG Nottingham Forest March 1990 April 1990 GK ENG Les Sealey ENG Luton Town May 1990 June 1990 DF SCO Rob McKinnon ENG Hartlepool United May 1990 June 1990 DF ENG Chris Short ENG Scarborough Loan out Date From Date To Position Name To December 1989 January 1990 DF NIR Mal Donaghy ENG Luton Town January 1990 February 1990 MF SCO Ralph Milne ENG West Ham United Notes 30em References 1989–90 Manchester United F.C. kits Category:Manchester United F.C. seasons Manchester United