Manchester United vs West Bromwich Albion
Date: Saturday, 07 May 2005, 17:15
Competition: FA Premiership
Venue: Old Trafford
Manchester United Vs West Bromwich Albion 7/5/05
- Thread starter H10
- Start date
-
In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) is joined by CEO Duncan Drasdo and Financial Director Andy Green from the Manchester United Supporters Trust for a special episode on all things behind the scenes at Old Trafford including a brief history of MUST and their aims today, views on INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe so far, and the Old Trafford regeneration.
Manchester United vs West Bromwich Albion
Date: Saturday, 07 May 2005, 17:15
Competition: FA Premiership
Venue: Old Trafford
Come on united!!! i hope kleberson plays in this match from the start.
very ruud should start these threads! ah were going to lose now...
Surely Ruud and ronaldo back in the XI for this match. Who would you drop for this one or would will ronaldo be left on the bench again?
Surely Ruud and ronaldo back in the XI for this match. Who would you drop for this one or would will ronaldo be left on the bench again?
my record speaks for itself smurfos. ive still got a 100% winning rate!Smurfos said:
i started the the arsenal-manutd thread, to which we won 4-2!
cr7fan said:
Oh ok. We should win then.
We need Nem7 back...he was a genius at match threads
------a goalkeeper--------
wes--rio--silves---o'shea
--fletch-keano--scholes---
--ronaldo-smith--rooney--
wes--rio--silves---o'shea
--fletch-keano--scholes---
--ronaldo-smith--rooney--
Hopefully SAF won't do an all-change to the team selection or this could get embarrassing.
Ruud'll probably start if fit. I'll like to see Jones on the bench and brought in when the result's secure.
Ruud'll probably start if fit. I'll like to see Jones on the bench and brought in when the result's secure.
Isn't Keane suspended?
--------------------Spaz boy Timmy--------------------
---G.Nev-------Rio------------------Wes-----Mickey---
---------------------Keano----------------------------
------------Fletch------------------Kleb---------------
--Ronaldo--------------------------------------Giggs--
--------------------Rooney---------------------------
Subs:
Carroll
Johnno
Phil
Scholes
RVN
---G.Nev-------Rio------------------Wes-----Mickey---
---------------------Keano----------------------------
------------Fletch------------------Kleb---------------
--Ronaldo--------------------------------------Giggs--
--------------------Rooney---------------------------
Subs:
Carroll
Johnno
Phil
Scholes
RVN
cr7fan said:
Why so you can say good bye? You rally rate him?
cr7fan said:
Yeah,Kleb was great against Charlton.He deserve it
Ronaldo07 said:
thats a bit harsh isnt it? tim has a medical problem say that to his face next time you go to OT if you can i'm sure he will like to see you after the match!
-------------Carrol---------------
Gaz-------Rio-----Mickey-----JOS
Fletch--------Keano---------Giggs
-------------Scholes-------------
---------Rooney----Smith--------
Gaz-------Rio-----Mickey-----JOS
Fletch--------Keano---------Giggs
-------------Scholes-------------
---------Rooney----Smith--------
no i just want him to be given another chance to prove himself. his been plagued with injuries this season, he should be goven his chance now.United78 said:
--------------howard------------------
gazza--------rio-----------brown----------------silvestre
---------scholes---------keano-------------kleb
----------smith-------------rooney-------------ronaldo
gazza--------rio-----------brown----------------silvestre
---------scholes---------keano-------------kleb
----------smith-------------rooney-------------ronaldo
subs
caroll
oshea
fletcher
saha/ruud
p.neville
caroll
oshea
fletcher
saha/ruud
p.neville
Smurfos said:Oh ok. We should win then.
We need Nem7 back...he was a genius at match threads
does he still post every now and then??Carroll will be in nets again, SAF has already said hes giving him a few matches before the cup final
-----------Carroll---------------
--Brown--Rio--Silvestre--Oshea-
--------Fletcher--Keano/Fortune-
--Eagles----------------Rooney-
---------Saha--Smith-----------
Bench
Howard
Pneville
ROSSI
JONES
Ronaldo
Scholes should rest. Kind of fear for his cup final.
Actually Keano should too. He looks tired against Charlton.
--Brown--Rio--Silvestre--Oshea-
--------Fletcher--Keano/Fortune-
--Eagles----------------Rooney-
---------Saha--Smith-----------
Bench
Howard
Pneville
ROSSI
JONES
Ronaldo
Scholes should rest. Kind of fear for his cup final.
Actually Keano should too. He looks tired against Charlton.
I don't see any of our youth players playing.
-------------Carroll----------
Brown-------Rio-------Silvestre-----O'Shea
--------Fletcher------Keane------
Ronaldo--------Rooney------Giggs
------------Smith--------------
Subs: Howard, Phil Neville, Fortune, Scholes, Saha/Ruud
-------------Carroll----------
Brown-------Rio-------Silvestre-----O'Shea
--------Fletcher------Keane------
Ronaldo--------Rooney------Giggs
------------Smith--------------
Subs: Howard, Phil Neville, Fortune, Scholes, Saha/Ruud
4-0
Have Carroll starting and I agree with that team. Although I'd have Smith on the bench instead of Phil.Ronaldo07 said:
Looks like we're going to be the ones who relegate Robbo's West Brom...shame
Baggies trio faces fitness fight
West Brom boss Bryan Robson has fitness concerns over Paul Robinson and Kevin Campbell ahead of his trip to former club Manchester United on Saturday.
The Baggies are second from bottom and will be targeting a win to keep their Premiership survival hopes alive.
"Robinson and Campbell are both carrying knocks. We'll have to assess them when the injuries have settled down," he told the club's website.
Richard Chaplow is also a doubt after suffering an injury on Friday.
The Baggies, who lost to Arsenal on Monday night, will be without the services of on-loan United winger Kieran Richardson.
Premiership rules forbid Richardson from facing his employers.
West Brom boss Bryan Robson has fitness concerns over Paul Robinson and Kevin Campbell ahead of his trip to former club Manchester United on Saturday.
The Baggies are second from bottom and will be targeting a win to keep their Premiership survival hopes alive.
"Robinson and Campbell are both carrying knocks. We'll have to assess them when the injuries have settled down," he told the club's website.
Richard Chaplow is also a doubt after suffering an injury on Friday.
The Baggies, who lost to Arsenal on Monday night, will be without the services of on-loan United winger Kieran Richardson.
Premiership rules forbid Richardson from facing his employers.
Fergie will find it tough
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson admits he will find it difficult if he contributes to sending his former captain Bryan Robson and West Brom down.
The Baggies' defeat to Arsenal on Monday has left the Black Country club seeking an unlikely win at Old Trafford as they bid to fight their way out of the relegation zone.
Ferguson still harbours hopes of catching Arsenal in second place but will be sad if United help demote Albion and also Southampton, because of the Scot's friendship with Saints assistant manager Jim Smith.
United have a big part to play in the relegation picture as they face West Brom on Saturday, live on Sky Sports 1, and travel to Southampton on the final day of the season.
"They're difficult games for us, simply because of the emotional part," Ferguson admitted to Sky Sports.
"'Robbo' was one of my great players of all time, a great captain for me, and I think everybody at United wishes for him to stay up.
"But we're chasing second spot so it's a difficult game.
"When we go down to Southampton, you've got Harry [Redknapp] and Jim Smith, I've been friends with Jim for a long, long time. It's not easy but we have to do our job.
"I always say you earn the right to win the league and you earn the right to stay in it."
Ferguson also had sympathy for young managers Nigel Worthington and Iain Dowie as they battle to keep Norwich City and Crystal Palace afloat.
"I like to think you can help people in the situations they are in but there's always so many sides to it," he added.
"You've got young managers like Iain Dowie and Nigel Worthington, in this stage of their career you don't want them being relegated, but it's going to happen to someone.
"You pity for them and feel for them because it's not a nice position to be in.
"Fortunately, I've never been in it but I've seen it so many times."
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson admits he will find it difficult if he contributes to sending his former captain Bryan Robson and West Brom down.
The Baggies' defeat to Arsenal on Monday has left the Black Country club seeking an unlikely win at Old Trafford as they bid to fight their way out of the relegation zone.
Ferguson still harbours hopes of catching Arsenal in second place but will be sad if United help demote Albion and also Southampton, because of the Scot's friendship with Saints assistant manager Jim Smith.
United have a big part to play in the relegation picture as they face West Brom on Saturday, live on Sky Sports 1, and travel to Southampton on the final day of the season.
"They're difficult games for us, simply because of the emotional part," Ferguson admitted to Sky Sports.
"'Robbo' was one of my great players of all time, a great captain for me, and I think everybody at United wishes for him to stay up.
"But we're chasing second spot so it's a difficult game.
"When we go down to Southampton, you've got Harry [Redknapp] and Jim Smith, I've been friends with Jim for a long, long time. It's not easy but we have to do our job.
"I always say you earn the right to win the league and you earn the right to stay in it."
Ferguson also had sympathy for young managers Nigel Worthington and Iain Dowie as they battle to keep Norwich City and Crystal Palace afloat.
"I like to think you can help people in the situations they are in but there's always so many sides to it," he added.
"You've got young managers like Iain Dowie and Nigel Worthington, in this stage of their career you don't want them being relegated, but it's going to happen to someone.
"You pity for them and feel for them because it's not a nice position to be in.
"Fortunately, I've never been in it but I've seen it so many times."
Carroll (Fergie´s choice)
Brown - Rio - Silvestre - O´Shea
Ronaldo - Keane - Kleberson - Giggs
Ruud/Smith - Rooney
Brown - Rio - Silvestre - O´Shea
Ronaldo - Keane - Kleberson - Giggs
Ruud/Smith - Rooney
Subs: Howard, P. Neville, Scholes, Fletcher, Ruud/Smith
Giggsy PO said:
Agree.Kleb needs play from start but don't think SAF choose him,Fletch instead.
Ruud's up for cup
Exclusive by Stuart Mathieson
RUUD van Nistelrooy and Louis Saha will sharpen their FA Cup final claws against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday as Manchester United's strike force finally returns to full strength.
The Dutch hitman suffered a bruised foot against Everton a fortnight ago and has missed the Reds last two Premiership matches, against Newcastle and Charlton.
After his comeback against AC Milan, following a three-month absence with an Achilles problem, van Nistelrooy ended his longest-ever goal drought for the Reds - eight games - when he scored twice in the cup semi-final against Newcastle to steer United back to the Millennium Stadium.
Four days later, however, he was back in the medical room with the foot injury.
But Fergie has declared the 28-year-old will play against Bryan Robson's side this Saturday tea-time. Van Nistelrooy will be looking for his first Premiership goal since scoring at the Hawthorns against Albion in November.
"Ruud was doing some good running yesterday and that's good news," Ferguson said.
"He says he is 100 per cent now, so he will be okay for Saturday. He will play because he definitely needs games."
Return
Meanwhile, Saha returned to action in the reserves on Monday following another injury setback in a wretched campaign for the Frenchman.
After three weeks out with a calf strain, he burst back with a goal in the Pontins Cup triumph against Sheffield Wednesday and fired himself immediately into the United manager's plans.
"I have to think about some part of Saturday's game for Louis," Fergie added.
"I am sure he will get a bit of the match. He will probably start as sub and he will come on.
"Getting players matches is an area I need to be working on. Strikers such as van Nistelrooy, Saha and Alan Smith need to be getting football.
"That also applies to other departments of the team. The important thing in the run up to the FA Cup final is to give lads football.
"Then come the day, if flu hits or there is an injury in training to someone or whatever, you have the nucleus of the squad with match fitness behind them."
Exclusive by Stuart Mathieson
RUUD van Nistelrooy and Louis Saha will sharpen their FA Cup final claws against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday as Manchester United's strike force finally returns to full strength.
The Dutch hitman suffered a bruised foot against Everton a fortnight ago and has missed the Reds last two Premiership matches, against Newcastle and Charlton.
After his comeback against AC Milan, following a three-month absence with an Achilles problem, van Nistelrooy ended his longest-ever goal drought for the Reds - eight games - when he scored twice in the cup semi-final against Newcastle to steer United back to the Millennium Stadium.
Four days later, however, he was back in the medical room with the foot injury.
But Fergie has declared the 28-year-old will play against Bryan Robson's side this Saturday tea-time. Van Nistelrooy will be looking for his first Premiership goal since scoring at the Hawthorns against Albion in November.
"Ruud was doing some good running yesterday and that's good news," Ferguson said.
"He says he is 100 per cent now, so he will be okay for Saturday. He will play because he definitely needs games."
Return
Meanwhile, Saha returned to action in the reserves on Monday following another injury setback in a wretched campaign for the Frenchman.
After three weeks out with a calf strain, he burst back with a goal in the Pontins Cup triumph against Sheffield Wednesday and fired himself immediately into the United manager's plans.
"I have to think about some part of Saturday's game for Louis," Fergie added.
"I am sure he will get a bit of the match. He will probably start as sub and he will come on.
"Getting players matches is an area I need to be working on. Strikers such as van Nistelrooy, Saha and Alan Smith need to be getting football.
"That also applies to other departments of the team. The important thing in the run up to the FA Cup final is to give lads football.
"Then come the day, if flu hits or there is an injury in training to someone or whatever, you have the nucleus of the squad with match fitness behind them."
Robson: We're staying positive for Old Trafford
Albion manager Bryan Robson yesterday began preparing for a make-or-break return to Old Trafford after Monday night's Hawthorns agony.
The Baggies boss was devastated by defeat against Arsenal which leaves his side hanging on to the Premiership by their fingertips - and with his former club Manchester United ready to kick away their grip.
With relegation rivals Southampton at Crystal Palace, Robson knows a victory for one or the other will send his side into Saturday's 5.15pm kick-off knowing defeat will relegate them.
It is a scenario which threatens to end the team's stirring fight against the drop but Robson made it clear his camp will head for his old stamping ground with only positive thoughts.
"If the result goes for us then we could go into that game with the momentum of knowing even a draw at Manchester United would be good," said Robson.
"We will look no further than that and hope that we still go into the last game with a chance of staying up.
"Obviously, I would like to be going to my old club in better circumstances, but I knew it was going to be a hard battle when I came here.
"The lads have done terrifically well to put themselves in the position we are now in, and I do feel we have not had breaks.
"We are performing really well, and that is all I can ask of them. I certainly could not ask for any more than they gave against Arsenal.
"This result now means we are relying on other people, but we have got a fighting chance."
It left one Albion legend adamant that the club will remain "in good condition" if relegation arrives.
Cyrille Regis was at The Hawthorns for TV duties last night and said: "The trap-door is closing but if we do go down, we'll be well stocked and in good condition for next year. I'm sure they will make a serious challenge next year."
Albion manager Bryan Robson yesterday began preparing for a make-or-break return to Old Trafford after Monday night's Hawthorns agony.
The Baggies boss was devastated by defeat against Arsenal which leaves his side hanging on to the Premiership by their fingertips - and with his former club Manchester United ready to kick away their grip.
With relegation rivals Southampton at Crystal Palace, Robson knows a victory for one or the other will send his side into Saturday's 5.15pm kick-off knowing defeat will relegate them.
It is a scenario which threatens to end the team's stirring fight against the drop but Robson made it clear his camp will head for his old stamping ground with only positive thoughts.
"If the result goes for us then we could go into that game with the momentum of knowing even a draw at Manchester United would be good," said Robson.
"We will look no further than that and hope that we still go into the last game with a chance of staying up.
"Obviously, I would like to be going to my old club in better circumstances, but I knew it was going to be a hard battle when I came here.
"The lads have done terrifically well to put themselves in the position we are now in, and I do feel we have not had breaks.
"We are performing really well, and that is all I can ask of them. I certainly could not ask for any more than they gave against Arsenal.
"This result now means we are relying on other people, but we have got a fighting chance."
It left one Albion legend adamant that the club will remain "in good condition" if relegation arrives.
Cyrille Regis was at The Hawthorns for TV duties last night and said: "The trap-door is closing but if we do go down, we'll be well stocked and in good condition for next year. I'm sure they will make a serious challenge next year."
Greening fears unhappy return
WEST Brom midfielder Jonathan Greening is hoping his return to Manchester United this Saturday does not end in the bitterness of relegation.
Manager Bryan Robson's side are staring into the abyss after Monday's 2-0 loss to Arsenal at The Hawthorns, and now face a daunting trip to Old Trafford as they fight for their Barclays Premiership lives.
Albion know a win for either Crystal Palace or Southampton in their relegation showdown at Selhurst Park, combined with a defeat to United, will see them return to the Coca-Cola Championship.
Greening, who spent two-and-a-half years with United before joining Middlesbrough and eventually the Baggies last summer, is still trying to come to terms with the fact the club find themselves in their current predicament.
"I wish I was going back to United in better circumstances," said Greening.
"It still means a lot to me to go back there. It was a learning curve for me, and it will be good to play there again, particularly as it is one of the best stadiums in the world.
"There's certainly no better place to turn it all around. We will go there with nothing to lose and if we perform like we did against Arsenal and work 120%, then you never know."
If Albion do retain their top-flight status, the midfielder is hoping that will be enough to persuade Kieran Richardson to remain at The Hawthorns.
The England Under-21 international, who will not face his parent club on Saturday, has been on loan from United since the start of the year and has expressed his desire to return and fight for a first-team place at Old Trafford.
Greening, though, feels Richardson is wavering as he said: "We'll be fighting because we want Kieran to stay for next season.
"I think he is going to stay if we do stay up, so that would be nice if we could do that for him.
"We keep mentioning it to him and asking him to stay, and I think he wants to to get more experience because he is only 20 and he would help us do better next season."
WEST Brom midfielder Jonathan Greening is hoping his return to Manchester United this Saturday does not end in the bitterness of relegation.
Manager Bryan Robson's side are staring into the abyss after Monday's 2-0 loss to Arsenal at The Hawthorns, and now face a daunting trip to Old Trafford as they fight for their Barclays Premiership lives.
Albion know a win for either Crystal Palace or Southampton in their relegation showdown at Selhurst Park, combined with a defeat to United, will see them return to the Coca-Cola Championship.
Greening, who spent two-and-a-half years with United before joining Middlesbrough and eventually the Baggies last summer, is still trying to come to terms with the fact the club find themselves in their current predicament.
"I wish I was going back to United in better circumstances," said Greening.
"It still means a lot to me to go back there. It was a learning curve for me, and it will be good to play there again, particularly as it is one of the best stadiums in the world.
"There's certainly no better place to turn it all around. We will go there with nothing to lose and if we perform like we did against Arsenal and work 120%, then you never know."
If Albion do retain their top-flight status, the midfielder is hoping that will be enough to persuade Kieran Richardson to remain at The Hawthorns.
The England Under-21 international, who will not face his parent club on Saturday, has been on loan from United since the start of the year and has expressed his desire to return and fight for a first-team place at Old Trafford.
Greening, though, feels Richardson is wavering as he said: "We'll be fighting because we want Kieran to stay for next season.
"I think he is going to stay if we do stay up, so that would be nice if we could do that for him.
"We keep mentioning it to him and asking him to stay, and I think he wants to to get more experience because he is only 20 and he would help us do better next season."
Its his crap goalkeeping that im commenting on....But I did choose him over shitty Carroll, but my grandma would be better than either..I mean honestly in the match against newcastle did Tim do anything, he'd be better of staying at home and as for caroll, you can trust him for two games with clean sheets but you know he's gonna feck it up in a high pressure game.van nistlehorse said:thats a bit harsh isnt it? tim has a medical problem say that to his face next time you go to OT if you can i'm sure he will like to see you after the match!
Why Reds love Robbo
Stuart Brennan
MORE than a few ageing United fans will not be too upset if the Reds make a mess of Saturday's home game with West Bromwich Albion.
And it won't be the prospect of an interesting Euro away trip to somewhere such as Baku or Bydgoszcz in August - the booby prize for finishing third in the league - which will inspire a secret yearning for a West Brom win.
It will all be down to a simple dose of nostalgia.
United fans are known for the warm welcomes they give to returning heroes, and when Bryan Robson steps out at Old Trafford as manager of the Baggies, the roof should be raised.
His return always brings the memories flooding back for those supporters who remember a United team without a silver lining.
And what great memories they are.
Robbo being carried shoulder-high from the field after the Reds had improbably beaten Barcelona - Maradona, Bernd Schuster and all - 3-0 in the 1984 Cup Winners' Cup to overturn a 2-0 first leg deficit.
Robbo hurling himself at the ball at the Stretford End and dislocating his shoulder on the hoardings.
Robbo winning 30-70 tackles, sometimes with his unique style of using the opponent's momentum against him, sometimes through sheer bloody-minded courage.
Robbo as Captain Marvel, wearing that lop-sided grin as he whipped United into a thrilling FA Cup semi-final replay win over Liverpool at Maine Road in 1985, scoring a goal of supreme quality.
Fans of other teams often commented that Robson was over-rated, basing their judgments on sketchy highlights of United on "Match of the Day".
Those of us who watched him week in, week out, knew better. In the same way that Roy Keane has thrashed and chivvied United into shape for the last decade, Robbo was the driving force behind the Reds.
One or two more with his attitude and ability, and United would not have been Liverpool's bridesmaids throughout the 1980s.
Palpable
When the papers were full of talk that Robbo was being hunted by Juventus, in the days when the lira had more pulling power than the old English First Division, the horror that swept through much of Manchester was palpable.
There were petitions on evey street corner surrounding Old Trafford - I know, because I signed up several dozen times!
When he left United in 1994, having helped the Reds end their 25-year league title hoodoo and then played a bit-part in the Double, he went to Middlesbrough as manager with warm good wishes.
Robbo showed the same driven qualities as a player-manager as he had as captain of United and England, and in his first season at Ayresome Park - Middlesbrough's last campaign at their old ground - he took them into the Premiership.
Signing players such as Fabrizio Ravanelli, Juninho and Nick Barmby set Teesside alight, and in 1997 Robbo took Boro to their first major cup finals, the Coca Cola and then the FA Cup in quick succession.
It turned sour for him in 2000 when, with Boro struggling, chairman Steve Gibson drafted in Terry Venables as head coach, apparently with a final say on team selection.
Boro avoided the drop, but Robbo's managerial reputation was damaged, and he cut a lonely figure towards the end of that season.
United fans were still rooting for their erstwhile hero when he took up the poisoned chalice of trying to arrest Bradford City's rapid fall from Premiership grace in 2003, without success.
So the sight of Robbo back in management at West Brom this season gladdened many a Red heart.
It was never going to be easy, with the Baggies firm favourites to boing-boing straight back into the Football League.
After a shaky start, Robbo has instilled some of his old fighting spirit, and in recent weeks they have pulled off important wins over Everton, Charlton and Birmingham to give themselves a chance. But the other strugglers have also got their acts together.
As fate would have it, Robbo comes to Old Trafford this weekend needing a result and, perhaps more importantly, requiring rivals Crystal Palace and Southampton to draw.
United will be all out to win the game, as it should be. But if United do get the right result, and boost their own chances of finishing second, all true Reds will spare a thought for a real Old Trafford legend.
Stuart Brennan
MORE than a few ageing United fans will not be too upset if the Reds make a mess of Saturday's home game with West Bromwich Albion.
And it won't be the prospect of an interesting Euro away trip to somewhere such as Baku or Bydgoszcz in August - the booby prize for finishing third in the league - which will inspire a secret yearning for a West Brom win.
It will all be down to a simple dose of nostalgia.
United fans are known for the warm welcomes they give to returning heroes, and when Bryan Robson steps out at Old Trafford as manager of the Baggies, the roof should be raised.
His return always brings the memories flooding back for those supporters who remember a United team without a silver lining.
And what great memories they are.
Robbo being carried shoulder-high from the field after the Reds had improbably beaten Barcelona - Maradona, Bernd Schuster and all - 3-0 in the 1984 Cup Winners' Cup to overturn a 2-0 first leg deficit.
Robbo hurling himself at the ball at the Stretford End and dislocating his shoulder on the hoardings.
Robbo winning 30-70 tackles, sometimes with his unique style of using the opponent's momentum against him, sometimes through sheer bloody-minded courage.
Robbo as Captain Marvel, wearing that lop-sided grin as he whipped United into a thrilling FA Cup semi-final replay win over Liverpool at Maine Road in 1985, scoring a goal of supreme quality.
Fans of other teams often commented that Robson was over-rated, basing their judgments on sketchy highlights of United on "Match of the Day".
Those of us who watched him week in, week out, knew better. In the same way that Roy Keane has thrashed and chivvied United into shape for the last decade, Robbo was the driving force behind the Reds.
One or two more with his attitude and ability, and United would not have been Liverpool's bridesmaids throughout the 1980s.
Palpable
When the papers were full of talk that Robbo was being hunted by Juventus, in the days when the lira had more pulling power than the old English First Division, the horror that swept through much of Manchester was palpable.
There were petitions on evey street corner surrounding Old Trafford - I know, because I signed up several dozen times!
When he left United in 1994, having helped the Reds end their 25-year league title hoodoo and then played a bit-part in the Double, he went to Middlesbrough as manager with warm good wishes.
Robbo showed the same driven qualities as a player-manager as he had as captain of United and England, and in his first season at Ayresome Park - Middlesbrough's last campaign at their old ground - he took them into the Premiership.
Signing players such as Fabrizio Ravanelli, Juninho and Nick Barmby set Teesside alight, and in 1997 Robbo took Boro to their first major cup finals, the Coca Cola and then the FA Cup in quick succession.
It turned sour for him in 2000 when, with Boro struggling, chairman Steve Gibson drafted in Terry Venables as head coach, apparently with a final say on team selection.
Boro avoided the drop, but Robbo's managerial reputation was damaged, and he cut a lonely figure towards the end of that season.
United fans were still rooting for their erstwhile hero when he took up the poisoned chalice of trying to arrest Bradford City's rapid fall from Premiership grace in 2003, without success.
So the sight of Robbo back in management at West Brom this season gladdened many a Red heart.
It was never going to be easy, with the Baggies firm favourites to boing-boing straight back into the Football League.
After a shaky start, Robbo has instilled some of his old fighting spirit, and in recent weeks they have pulled off important wins over Everton, Charlton and Birmingham to give themselves a chance. But the other strugglers have also got their acts together.
As fate would have it, Robbo comes to Old Trafford this weekend needing a result and, perhaps more importantly, requiring rivals Crystal Palace and Southampton to draw.
United will be all out to win the game, as it should be. But if United do get the right result, and boost their own chances of finishing second, all true Reds will spare a thought for a real Old Trafford legend.
Wallwork could miss Reds clash
WEST Brom midfielder Ronnie Wallwork is battling to be fit to face his former club Manchester United in Saturday's vital Barclays Premiership match at Old Trafford.
Wallwork, who moved from United to Albion three years ago, reported ill yesterday and is a doubt for the weekend clash.
Albion are already without the services of Richard Chaplow and Kieran Richardson for the match with Sir Alex Ferguson's side.
Chaplow is almost certain to miss the remainder of the campaign with knee ligament damage sustained in a training ground accident with Baggies striker Kanu.
Richardson is on loan from United and is ineligible to play against his long-term employees.
With Andy Johnson a long-term absentee with his knee problem, West Brom manager Bryan Robson is keen for Wallwork to be fit.
Robson, former United captain, said: "Ronnie reported ill yesterday and we are just keeping our fingers crossed that he will be fit for the weekend.
"I brought him into the side after I came here and everyone has seen the contribution that he has made to our efforts to stay up."
WEST Brom midfielder Ronnie Wallwork is battling to be fit to face his former club Manchester United in Saturday's vital Barclays Premiership match at Old Trafford.
Wallwork, who moved from United to Albion three years ago, reported ill yesterday and is a doubt for the weekend clash.
Albion are already without the services of Richard Chaplow and Kieran Richardson for the match with Sir Alex Ferguson's side.
Chaplow is almost certain to miss the remainder of the campaign with knee ligament damage sustained in a training ground accident with Baggies striker Kanu.
Richardson is on loan from United and is ineligible to play against his long-term employees.
With Andy Johnson a long-term absentee with his knee problem, West Brom manager Bryan Robson is keen for Wallwork to be fit.
Robson, former United captain, said: "Ronnie reported ill yesterday and we are just keeping our fingers crossed that he will be fit for the weekend.
"I brought him into the side after I came here and everyone has seen the contribution that he has made to our efforts to stay up."
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Sky Sports 1
Canal+ Sport
ART Sport 1
UBC ESPN
C+ Deporte 1
Sport 1 Hungary
Sport TV
Prime Sports
Supersport 3SA
A1 plus (Delay 01:30)
RTR Sport (Delay 17:45)
I have no ticket, anyone have any spares? alternativly, where's the best place to find a scumbag filth tout? I'm staying at the old traford lodge (lcc) and plan on wandering around for the afternoon trying to get a reasonable ticket from the aformentioned filth, ideally one for the wife as well.
you tried ebay?dno said:
very Ruud said:
doesn't want to play himself and won't let others play, too
cr7fan said:
I have, thanks for the advice. No joy I'm afraid. I'm presuming touts will be lining the roads around busby way?
noodlehair said:
He isn't, although he might be rested.