1987–88 Manchester United F.C. season

English football club season May 2020 March 2015 Manchester United 1987–88 Alex Ferguson Martin Edwards First Division 2nd FA Cup Fifth round League Cup Fifth round Brian McClair (24) Brian McClair (31) 50,716 vs Chelsea (30 January 1988) 25,041 vs Hull City (23 September 1987) 39,244 _manutdh8688 _manutdh8688 _manutdh8688 _adidas_red _manutdh8688 E20E0E E20E0E E20E0E FFFFFF 000000 _manutda8688 _manutda8688 _manutda8688 _adidas_red _manutda8688 FFFFFF FFFFFF FFFFFF 000000 FFFFFF _manutdh8688 _manutdh8688 _manutdh8688 _adidaswhite _color_3_stripes_white 0000C0 0000C0 0000C0 0000C0 0000C0 1986–87 1988–89 The 1987–88 season was Manchester United's 86th season in the Football League, and their 13th consecutive season in the top division of English football.http://www.stretfordend.co.uk/seasons/season1988.html Manchester United Season 1987/88 21 December 2011 StretfordEnd.co.uk The season was a relative success, with the club finishing second in the league, but they did not play in the UEFA Cup the following season due to the ban on English clubs in Europe after the Heysel Stadium disaster. They finished nine points behind champions Liverpool, who lost just twice all season and for much of the campaign looked uncatchable. Perhaps the most memorable game of the season was in the league at Anfield just before Liverpool's title was confirmed, when United were 3–1 down at half time but fought back to hold the hosts to a 3–3 draw, denying them two points and delaying their bid to seal the title. United lost just five times in the league in 40 games, and lost only once at Old Trafford, but a few disappointing draws against relatively unfancied sides including Charlton and Luton led to crucial points being dropped and prevented them from mounting a serious threat to Liverpool. It was Alex Ferguson's first full season as United manager, and it was the first season at the club for new signings Brian McClair (who finished the season as one of the First Division's top scorers with 24 goals) and Viv Anderson. December also saw the arrival of defender Steve Bruce from Norwich City for £900,000, after an approach for Rangers and England defender Terry Butcher collapsed when the player suffered a broken leg. After the season's end, Ferguson brought Mark Hughes back to Old Trafford from Barcelona in a £1.8 million deal that made him United's record signing. He also replaced Chris Turner in goal by paying £500,000 for Jim Leighton, who played under Ferguson at Aberdeen. He also attempted to sign Paul Gascoigne from Newcastle United, and a deal was agreed, but while Ferguson was on holiday, Gascoigne agreed to join Tottenham Hotspur in the first £2 million fee to be paid by a British club.Giles Mole Sir Alex Ferguson: I regret not signing Paul Gascoigne for Manchester United https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-united/2302267/Sir-Alex-Ferguson-I-regret-not-signing-Paul-Gascoigne-for-Manchester-United.html The Telegraph Telegraph Media Group 3 June 2008 23 February 2015 It was the last season at United for long-serving defender Kevin Moran, who was transferred to Sporting Gijon after losing his place in the team to Steve Bruce. Remi Moses played his last game for the club before ongoing injury problems forced his retirement from playing, when still in his twenties. Pre-season and friendlies DateOpponentsH / AResultF–AScorersAttendance22 July 1987NæstvedA2–0Moran, Robson6,50024 July 1987IS HalmiaA9–1Whiteside (4), Davenport (2), Strachan, Olsen, Marshall (o.g.)2,60726 July 1987B 1903A3–2Robson, Davenport, McClair (pen.)2,50028 July 1987VejleA4–1Anderson, Davenport, Olsen, McClair7,0004 August 1987Manchester CityA3–1McClair (2), Robson20,2505 August 1987Atlético MineiroN3–1McClair (3)7,15010 August 1987Irish LeagueN0–010,00021 October 1987WeymouthA0–14,90428 November 1987BermudaA4–1Robson, McClair (pen.), Whiteside, Davenport4,2001 December 1987Somerset TrojansA4–1Wilson, McClair, Knox, Olsen2,00028 March 1988Tottenham HotspurA3–2Strachan (2), Davenport20,19022 April 1988WalsallA3–1Whiteside, Strachan, McClair6,1418 May 1988Manchester CityH0–214,89817 May 1988MilanH2–3McClair, Olsen37,392 Football League Centenary Tournament Football League Centenary Tournament DateRoundOpponentsH / AResultF–AScorersAttendance16 April 1988Round 1Luton TownN2–0McClair, Davenport16 April 1988Quarter-finalEvertonN1–0Bruce17 April 1988Semi-finalSheffield WednesdayN1–2Davenport (pen.) First Division 1987–88 Football League#First Division DateOpponentsH / AResultF–AScorersAttendanceLeagueposition15 August 1987SouthamptonA2–2Whiteside (2) 25', 31'21,21410th19 August 1987ArsenalH0–043,89312th22 August 1987WatfordH2–0McGrath 10', McClair 20'38,7697th29 August 1987Charlton AthleticA3–1McClair 10', Robson 22', McGrath 45'14,0465th31 August 1987ChelseaH3–1McClair 25', Strachan 48', Whiteside 83'46,6161st5 September 1987Coventry CityA0–027,1252nd12 September 1987Newcastle UnitedH2–2Olsen 8', McClair 45' (pen.)45,6193rd19 September 1987EvertonA1–2Whiteside 59'38,4396th26 September 1987Tottenham HotspurH1–0McClair 44' (pen.)48,0876th3 October 1987Luton TownA1–1McClair 54'9,1376th10 October 1987Sheffield WednesdayA4–2Robson 40', McClair (2) 53', 78', Blackmore 60'32,7794th17 October 1987Norwich CityH2–1Davenport 46', Robson 80'39,8214th24 October 1987West Ham UnitedA1–1Gibson 45'19,8635th31 October 1987Nottingham ForestH2–2Robson 54', Whiteside 59'44,6695th15 November 1987LiverpoolH1–1Whiteside 50'47,1065th21 November 1987WimbledonA1–2Blackmore 65'11,5326th5 December 1987Queens Park RangersA2–0Davenport 35', Robson 74'20,6326th12 December 1987Oxford UnitedH3–1Strachan (2) 23', 31', Olsen 50'34,7094th19 December 1987PortsmouthA2–1Robson 35', McClair 48'22,2074th26 December 1987Newcastle UnitedA0–126,4615th28 December 1987EvertonH2–1McClair (2) 50', 73' (pen.)47,0244th1 January 1988Charlton AthleticH0–037,2574th2 January 1988WatfordA1–0McClair 39'18,0384th16 January 1988SouthamptonH0–235,7165th24 January 1988ArsenalA2–1Strachan 11', McClair 67'29,3923rd6 February 1988Coventry CityH1–0O'Brien 5'37,1443rd10 February 1988Derby CountyA2–1Strachan 71', Whiteside 88'20,0162nd13 February 1988ChelseaA2–1Bruce 50', O'Brien 52'25,0142nd23 February 1988Tottenham HotspurA1–1McClair 82'25,7312nd5 March 1988Norwich CityA0–119,1292nd12 March 1988Sheffield WednesdayH4–1Blackmore 1', McClair (2) 7', 53', Davenport 79'33,3182nd19 March 1988Nottingham ForestA0–027,5982nd26 March 1988West Ham UnitedH3–1Strachan 58', Anderson 83', Robson 90'37,2692nd2 April 1988Derby CountyH4–1McClair (3) 16', 23', 64', Gibson 51'40,1462nd4 April 1988LiverpoolA3–3Robson (2) 3', 66', Strachan 77'43,4972nd12 April 1988Luton TownH3–0McClair 44', Robson 66', Davenport 68'28,8302nd30 April 1988Queens Park RangersH2–1Bruce 10', Parker 83' (o.g.)35,7332nd2 May 1988Oxford UnitedA2–0Anderson 7', Strachan 37'8,9662nd7 May 1988PortsmouthH4–1McClair (2) 5', 58', Davenport 25', Robson 35'35,1052nd9 May 1988WimbledonH2–1McClair (2) 50', 75' (pen.)28,0402nd First Division MUN y FA Cup 1987–88 FA Cup DateRoundOpponentsH / AResultF–AScorersAttendance10 January 1988Round 3Ipswich TownA2–1D'Avray 28' (o.g.), Anderson 64'23,01230 January 1988Round 4ChelseaH2–0Whiteside 42', McClair 70'50,71620 February 1988Round 5ArsenalA1–2McClair 52'54,161 League Cup 1987–88 Football League Cup DateRoundOpponentsH / AResultF–AScorersAttendance23 September 1987Round 2First legHull CityH5–0McGrath 38', Davenport 71', Whiteside 74', Strachan 81', McClair 85'25,0417 October 1987Round 2Second legHull CityA1–0McClair 62'13,58628 October 1987Round 3Crystal PalaceH2–1McClair (2) 7' (pen.), 28'27,28318 November 1987Round 4BuryHUnited were drawn away but the tie was switched to Old Trafford.2–1Whiteside 63', McClair 68'33,51920 January 1988Round 5Oxford UnitedA0–212,658 Events of the season Manchester United began the 1987–88 season (the first full season under the management of Alex Ferguson) with new signings in the shape of defender Viv Anderson and striker Brian McClair, while Frank Stapleton and Terry Gibson were both on their way out of Old Trafford. The First Division season began with Manchester United drawing 2–2 at Southampton, with Norman Whiteside scores both of United's goals, with Southampton's Danny Wallace scoring both of the home side's goals.Manchester United's results from season 1987/1988 http://www.manchesterunited-mad.co.uk/footydb/loadtmrs.asp?ssnno=117&teamno=356 https://web.archive.org/web/20120523183325/http://www.manchesterunited-mad.co.uk/results_fixtures/1987_1988/manchester_united/index.shtml 23 May 2012 23 November 2022 Manchester United Madhttp://www.newsint-archive.co.uk/pages/free.asp Archived copy 23 May 2009 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20090913000403/http://www.newsint-archive.co.uk/pages/free.asp 13 September 2009 Bryan Robson was sent off on 29 August as Manchester United beat Charlton Athletic 3–1 away in their fourth league game of the season, placing them fifth in the First Division.Manchester United's results from season 1987/1988 http://www.manchesterunited-mad.co.uk/footydb/loadgen.asp?Day=29&Month=Aug&ssnno=117&teamno=356 https://web.archive.org/web/20120523183325/http://www.manchesterunited-mad.co.uk/results_fixtures/1987_1988/manchester_united/index.shtml 23 May 2012 23 November 2022 Manchester United Mad 18 September 1987: Manchester United also made a bid to sign Wales striker Andy Jones from Port Vale, but the player instead opted for Charlton Athletic in a £300,000 deal. The good progress which saw Manchester United climb to mid table from near the foot of the First Division following Alex Ferguson's appointment last season continued into this season as they soon established themselves as a top five force and the nearest serious challengers to traditional title favourites Liverpool. Alex Ferguson had long been known to be keen to secure the signing of Mark Hughes, who had to stay outside Britain until at least April 1988 to avoid taxation on money earned since his move from Manchester United to FC Barcelona in June 1986, was reported to be on the verge of signing a permanent contract with Bayern Munich of West Germany after a successful start to his loan spell at the Olympiastadion. His hopes of signing the Rangers and England defender Terry Butcher were dashed when Rangers manager Graeme Souness offered him a lucrative contract to stay at Ibrox until at least 1993. On a tour of Bermuda in late November, winger Clayton Blackmore was arrested on allegations of rape but swiftly released from custody after no charges were brought against him. Alex Ferguson then made a £750,000 bid to bring Steve Bruce to Manchester United from Norwich City, but the offer was rejected. Ferguson had turned his attention back to Bruce following his failure to secure Terry Butcher, having originally been put off Bruce by Norwich's £1 million price tag. A second bid for Steve Bruce - reported to be in the region of £850,000 - was then made, but again rejected. The transfer was finally completed on 18 December at a cost of £900,000 transfer from Norwich City to Manchester United. Ferguson then looked to boost his attack with an offer for Luton Town striker Mick Harford, but the player decided to remain at Kenilworth Road after manager Ray Harford offered him a four-year contract. On 10 January 1988, Manchester United's FA Cup quest began with a 2–1 over Ipswich Town in the third round at Portman Road. 10 days later, their hopes of Football League Cup glory were ended by a 2–0 defeat at Oxford United in the quarter-final. By the end of the month, however, they had progressed to the FA Cup fifth round with a 2–0 home win over Chelsea. The FA Cup dream ended, however, on 20 February, when they suffered a 2–1 defeat at Arsenal in the fifth round. Brian McClair, the club's leading goalscorer, missed a late penalty that would have forced a replay. Norman Whiteside, who had spent his whole seven-year playing career at Manchester United, handed in a transfer request near the end of March and spoke of his desire to play football in a foreign country. On 4 April, Manchester United pulled off a remarkable 3–3 draw with Liverpool at Anfield in a First Division game which Liverpool had led 3–1 at half time. Manchester United trailed Liverpool, who have two games in hand, by 11 points as they still had five games left to play, so Liverpool inevitably clinched the title within three weeks of this game and United had to settle for second place. On 18 April, Ferguson agreed a deal for Lee Sharpe, the 16-year-old Torquay United winger, for £200,000 - a record fee for a YTS player. After the end of the season, Ferguson brought Mark Hughes back to Manchester United for a club record fee of £1.8 million and also signed Aberdeen and Scotland goalkeeper Jim Leighton for £500,000. Newcastle United midfielder Paul Gascoigne had looked set to join Manchester United, but then spurned them for a national record £2 million move to Tottenham Hotspur. Squad statistics Pos.NameLeagueFA CupLittlewoods CupTotalAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsGKENG Chris Turner2403030300GKENG Gary Walsh1600020180DFSCO Arthur Albiston5(6)000005(6)0DFENG Viv Anderson30(1)2314037(1)3DFWAL Clayton Blackmore15(7)31(1)03(1)019(9)3DFENG Steve Bruce2123000242DFENG Mike Duxbury3903050470DFENG Billy Garton5(1)0002(1)07(2)0DFENG Colin Gibson26(3)2205033(3)2DFSCO Graeme Hogg9(1)0200(1)011(2)0DFENG Lee Martin0(1)000000(1)0DFIRL Paul McGrath21(1)2002123(1)3DFIRL Kevin Moran20(1)0102023(1)0MFENG Remi Moses16(1)0101(1)018(2)0MFIRL Liam O'Brien6(11)20(2)00(2)06(15)2MFDEN Jesper Olsen30(7)22(1)03(1)035(9)2MFENG Bryan Robson361120504311MFSCO Gordon Strachan33(3)8305141(3)9FWENG Peter Davenport21(13)51(1)03(1)125(15)6FWWAL Deiniol Graham10000(1)01(1)0FWSCO Brian McClair402432554831FWNIR Norman Whiteside26(1)7315234(1)10 References 30em Category:Manchester United F.C. seasons Manchester United