THE
STORY OF
MAn UTDO
n the face of it, Ron Atkinson should have been the perfect
fit for Manchester United – a larger-than-life character
with bags of personality who wasn’t fazed by managing
star players, knew how to work the media and wanted his
team to play with flair. ‘Big Ron’ was also the perfect
antidote to the somewhat dour Dave Sexton, who had
never been popular with United’s fans due to his safety-
first approach.
Sexton had lasted four years but had failed to land a
trophy (losing 3-2 to Arsenal in the dramatic 1979 FA Cup
Final and finishing as runners-up to Liverpool the following season
were the closest he got). Sexton actually did decent business in the
transfer market, freshening up the side with the signings of Gary
Bailey and Kevin Moran, plus the Leeds United duo of Joe Jordan and
Gordon McQueen, giving United greater physical presence at both
front and back. The capture of McQueen was accompanied by one of
the great football quotes of all time, when the big Scotsman
declared, “Ask all the players in the country which club they would
like to join and 99 per cent would say ‘Manchester United’. The other
one per cent would be liars.”
But the club decided that the pizzazz was missing, and Atkinson
certainly brought that. Moving from West Bromwich Albion, who that
season finished above United in the league, he insisted on bringing
Bryan Robson and Remi Moses with him. With typical Atkinson flair,
Robson was signed on the pitch before the match against
Wolverhampton Wanderers on 3 October 1981. There were doubts
about the 24 year old who had already experienced injury problems,
but Atkinson was determined. “This one ain’t a gamble,” he told
Chairman Martin Edwards. “He’s solid gold.” And so he was. Captain
Marvel was a born winner and worthy of a place in central midfield in
any club side in any era in history.
During his five-year reign, Atkinson’s United finished third twice
and fourth three times. They also won the FA Cup twice in three
years, a trophy that somehow seemed to suit the flamboyance of the
manager better than the day in, day out slog of the league.
Certainly, Atkinson’s team could swagger with the best of them
when the mood took them. In 1983 they beat Luton Town, West
Ham, Everton and Arsenal – all Division One teams – plus Derby
County to reach the final, conceding just one goal, against Arsenal in
the semi-final. Brighton & Hove Albion were the underdogs in the
final, but it’s too easily forgotten that they too were a top-flight side
at the time and had beaten Liverpool at Anfield in a previous round.
Maybe underestimating their opponents almost cost United dear,
and in extra time Gordon Smith, who had put Brighton ahead way
back in the 14th minute, had a one-on-one with Gary Bailey to win
the cup. Radio commentator Peter Jones coined the now famous
“and Smith must score” quote, but Smith’s miss meant there would
be a replay the following week.Above right A
relaxed-looking
Atkinson with
the FA Cup
after the 1983
final replay
Right United
celebrate
victory over
Everton in the
1985 FA
Cup Final
Below Atkinson
and Alex
Ferguson lead
out their trophy-
laden United
and Aberdeen
teams for
Martin Buchan’s
testimonial
in 1983THAT’S
E n TERTAIn MEn T
Ron Atkinson brought the fun and the flair back to Manchester United,
and a couple of FA Cups too, but he just fell short in the league
Words Rob Clark34 The Story of Man Utd FourFourTwo.com