Two days after Sir Alex Ferguson breezed into Old Trafford as the successor to Ron Atkinson, the incoming Scot took Manchester United down south to the Manor Ground in Oxford for a Division One fixture.
Fergie was later to reveal he was appalled by the lack of fitness among the Reds as his new charges slumped to a 2-0 defeat.
Here M.E.N Sport, in a 10-part series counting down to Fergie’s 25th anniversary at Old Trafford, takes a look at Fergie’s first ever United team selection and reveals where they are now.
CHRIS TURNER
(Goalkeeper)
Signed by Ron Atkinson for £250,000 in 1985 he was soon down the pecking order under Fergie when youngster Gary Walsh was blooded and finally Jim Leighton was signed in 1988. Returned to Sheffield Wednesday and played in the Owls 1991 League Cup final winning side against Reds. Had a string of clubs as manager, including Stockport County. Latterly caretaker at Hartlepool.
MIKE DUXBURY
(Right-back)
Steady right-back whose United career under Fergie was a battle with numerous others but most notably lost out to Sir Alex’s first signing Viv Anderson. Knee injury forced him out of Old Trafford and to Blackburn. Mike has been a head coach at United soccer schools in Dubai but is now back as a PE teacher again at Bolton Grammar.
KEVIN MORAN
(Centre-back)
The arrival of Steve Bruce in December 1987 meant his United days were numbered and left as a 32-year-old the summer later for Spain then Blackburn. The Dubliner now works for a sports agency and has looked after the interests of ex-Red John O’Shea among his clients.
GRAEME HOGG
(Centre-back)
The Aberdonian was in and out of United’s defence after Fergie’s arrival and like Moran the signing of Bruce meant he was heading for the exit door. In 1987 he was on loan at West Brom, then moved to Portsmouth, Hearts, Notts County and Bretford. The former Scotland Under-21 is now an HGV driver in Scotland.
ARTHUR ALBISTON
(Left-back)
The superbly reliable Scot played 467 games for United but was heading for his 30th birthday when Ferguson arrived and largely it was Colin Gibson who got the new manager’s vote. Arthur is now a pundit for Radio Manchester, MUTV and is a member of United’s old boy’s corporate hospitality team on match days at Old Trafford.
CLAYTON BLACKMORE
(Right midfield)
From 1988 to 1992 the Welshman was largely Fergie’s first- choice left back. It was only when Paul Parker was signed and Denis Irwin switch full back roles that Clayton lost his place and joined Bryan Robson at Middlesbrough. After spells as a manager in Welsh football, Blackmore is now an Under-15s youth coach at Old Trafford.
PAUL McGRATH
(Centre midfield)
Famously blew his chances with Fergie because of his drinking habits. Fergie says he desperately tried to connect with the Irishman but couldn’t get through. But the manager gave up in the summer of 1989 and sold him to Aston Villa. Paul is back in Ireland and is trying his hand as a singer and has just recorded a record called Goin’ Back and proceeds are going to the Cystic Fibrosis Association and Acquired Brain Injury Ireland.
REMI MOSES
(Centre midfield)
Injury ruined his chances of a long career under Fergie who rated the combative midfielder highly. He retired at the age of 27 with a knee problem in 1988. The Mancunian disappeared from football altogether. He was last known to be coaching a basketball team in Warrington.
PETER BARNES
(Left midfield)
Was a Ron Atkinson buy but lasted just half a season under Fergie’s regime before returning to City and then followed a string of clubs. The winger is now in Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia as a pundit on TV commenting on Premier League football and also coaches.
FRANK STAPLETON
(Striker)
Scored 78 goals for United but not one in his brief time under Fergie. The new manager brought in Brian McClair as a joint first signing with Viv Anderson and the Republic of Ireland striker was let go in the summer of 1987. He went to play for Ajax. Managed Bradford City and New England Revolution but is now a pundit on Sky, MUTV and in Ireland and works on match days at Old Trafford in the corporate hospitality suites.
PETER DAVENPORT
(Striker)
Signed by Ron Atkinson as a successor to Mark Hughes when he was sold to Barcelona. He was a foil for Brian McClair in Fergie’s first full season but when the manager bought Sparky back, Davenport was surplus to requirements and he joined Middlesbrough. Last port of call was manager at Southport. He now does some teaching on the Wirral.
What are your memories of these players and of Fergie's impact when he first arrived? Have your say.
*The best memories may be used in the paper tomorrow.
Comments
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I think this team shows how far United have come. Whilst there are some good players, only McGrath would get into my squad of the best 25 players under Ferguson. We've had some great centre halves but when he was fit, Paul McGrath was magnificent.
And Bryan Robson of course who must have been injured for this game.
I was at the bar at The Little Bee pub in Sale one evening. On the same day that Paul had played a blinder for Villa v Liverpool, at Anfield. He walked in with a friend and proceeded to buy a soft drink. I congratulated him on his performance and suggested he should come back to United. He said that much as he liked Villa, he would walk all the way back to Manchester if Fergie would have him back.
There was no trace of arrogance about him, despite the fact that Radio 5 Live had seemed to go into orbit, over his superb performance that day. In fact he said he didn't think he'd played that great against Liverpool, but of course he did. It was obvious the lad still loved United and for those lucky enough to see him in a Red shirt, the feeling was mutual.
He came across as a really nice lad. Definately a great player, one of the best United defenders ever.
Lovely informative article thanks.
To survive for 20 years is amazing, but to succeed for 25 years is impossible. Determination has become obstinancy and insistance has become denial. Good luck SAF
Didnt take to him straight away. Remember singing for Fergie to "sign him on" after Sparky Hughs played at O.T in a testamonial ( think it was Gary Bailys? ) Got my vote after that!
I will never say anything bad about our centre midfield again. Actually forgot how bad we really were, no wonder Liverpool used to win the league every year.
Mind you Robbo must have been injured for Sir Alex's first match.
Strange days. A million miles behind Liverpool but more than capable of beating them which they did with regularity. Also capable of losing 2-0 to Oxford.
I'd have these days back anytime. You could sometimes hear the crowd a mile away and it was still only 2pm (Saturday of course).
The Running Man, know what you mean. I grew up in Old Trafford 20 mins from the ground and I always knew what was going on at the games if I hadn't gone.
There are some poor players in that team but also some great ones like Albiston who was always one of my favourites, McGrath nuff said, Remi, Frank and Kevin (did he always play with blood pooring from his face?), Robbo of course, Whiteside and Olsen. How come it took him so long to win anything?
I used to love watching Frankie Stapleton play, the way he held the ball up, timed his jumps to hang in the air a bit before getting his header in, his lay-offs etc. I think if you asked Sparky Hughes he'd tell you that he learnt a lot off Frank and I'll never forget his late winner at Anfield in 1985 that sparked memorable scenes in the stands.
Oh Frankie Frankie.....
It is true that we may not have won much apart from the FA cups, but those days were a lot of fun, the team could play some great football when in the mood, and the atmosphere was great. It started to go downhill when Ferguson joined and after a frew seasons the crowds went down, the football was unimaginative and he was generally an unpopular manager. Things picked up again after the 1991 Cup Winner's Cup run, that for many fans was the turning point because winning in Europe was always a pipe dream for those who grew up watching United in the 70s and 80s.