Brief History of Manchester United Between 1981-1990

Brief History of Manchester United
Between 1981-1990

1980/81 First Division: 8th. FA Cup: Fourth Round. League Cup: Second Round. UEFA Cup: First Round.
The UEFA Cup dream ends at the first hurdle when United lost to Polish side Widzew Lodz on the away goal rule. October sees the record transfer fees surpassed again - Garry Birtles arrives from Nottingham Forest for Ł1,250,000 and Brighton and Hove Albion pay Ł500,000 for Andy Ritchie. Dave Sexton is dismissed at the end of the season and succeeded by Ron Atkinson.

1981/82 An eventful summer precedes the season. John Gidman signs from Everton and Frank Stapleton arrives from Arsenal. Micky Thomas moves to Everton and Joe Jordan goes overseas to AC Milan of Italy. A record deal totalling Ł2,400,000 (including League levies and VAT) brings Bryan Robson and Remi Moses to Old Trafford from West Bromwich Albion early in the season. Robson's price of Ł1,500,000 clearly makes him the most expensive player in Britain. 17-year-old Norman Whiteside becomes the youngest ever player to appear in the World Cup Finals playing in all five of Northern Ireland's matches./TD>

1982/83 First Division: 3rd. FA Cup: Winners. League Cup: Finalists.
United reach thier first League Cup Final only to lose to Liverpool 2-1, but make a winning return to Wembley in the FA Cup. The first game against Brighton and Hove Albion ends in a 2-2 draw, but United win the replay 4-0.

1983/84 First Division: 4th. FA Cup: Third Round. League Cup: Fourth Round. European Cup Winners' Cup: Semi-Final.
United lift the Charity Shield with a 2-0 win over Liverpool. For the first time in 15 years, United reach the Semi-Final of a European competition losing narrowly to Juventus of Italy. There are surprise exits from the domestic cups against Third Division sides - to Oxford United (League Cup) and AFC Bournemouth (FA Cup). There is plenty of transfer activity at the end of the season with Jesper Olsen, Gordon Strachan and Alan Brazil all making the move to Old Trafford. Ray Wilkins joins AC Milan for Ł1,500,000. Further extensions to the canteliver roof are undertaken. Bobby Charlton joins the Board of Directors.

1984/85 First Division: 4th. FA Cup: Winners. League Cup: Third Round. UEFA Cup: Quarter Final.
Everton knock the reds out of the League Cup, but United gain revenge in the FA Cup Final with a brillant Norman Whiteside goal in extra-time. Kevin Moran makes history for the wrong reason by becoming the first player to be sent off in an FA Cup Final. Hungary's Videoton end United's UEFA Cup hopes by winning a penalty decider. Chris Turner joins United from Sunderland and Peter Barnes moves from Coventry City. Further building word leaves Old Trafford with unobstructed viewing facillities in three-quarters of the ground. United follow the examle of European clubs by introduding a basketball team.

1985/86 First Division: 4th. FA Cup: Fifth Round. League Cup: Fourth Round.
A club record run of tem consecutive victories opens the season to raise hopes of a League title. Injuries and loss a form, however, see the club finish in fourth. Mark Hughes leaves for Barcelona whilst Colin Gibson, Peter Davenport, Terry Gibson and John Sivebaek join the ranks. The club's Ł100,000 Museum and Visitor Centre opens to the public. Chairman Martin Edwards and the mother of the legendary Duncan Edwards perform the opening ceremony.

1986/87 First Division: 11th. FA Cup: Fourth Round. League Cup: Third Round.
Poor form in the League sees United languishing at the bottom of the table and an early exit from the League Cup at Southampton means the departure of Ron Atkinson. Alex Ferguson steps into the breach from Aberdeen and brings Archie Khox with him as his assistant. An ambitious Membership Scheme is launched in April with a target of 40,000 members. Rugby League comes to Old Trafford with 50,589 watching Great Britain play Australia and 38,755 present for the Premiership Finals.

1987/88 First Division: 2nd. FA Cup: Fifth Round. League Cup: Fifth Round.
United finish second in the League despite amassing a total of 81 points. Three major signings are make - Brian McClair (Celtic), Viv Anderson (Arsenal) and Steve Bruce (Norwich City). McClair finishes the season with a total of 31 League and Cup goals. The club's association with the Basketball team ends after four years. Les Olive, united's secretary for over 30 years, retires and his assistant Kenneth Merrett is appointed as his successor.

1988/89 First Division: 11th. FA Cup: Sixth Round. League Cup: Third Round.
a disappointing season, with injuries a comtributory factor, on all fronts. The transfer money continues to be spent in great quantities. Mike Phelan (Norwich City), Neil Webb (Nottingham Forest), Gary Pallister (Middlesbrough), Paul Ince (West Ham United) and Danny

1989/90 First Division: 13th. FA Cup: Winners. League Cup: Third Round.
Another poor showing in the League is partly forgetten as United lift the FA Cup. There isn't one home tie as the Reds battle to Wembley for two memorable games with Crystol Palace. A pulsating 3-3 draw is follwed by a 1-0 replay win; Lee Martin hits the winning goal. Denis Irwin moves from Oldham Athletic shortly after the end of the season.

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1980/81	First Division: 8th. FA Cup: Fourth Round. League Cup: Second Round. UEFA Cup: First Round. The UEFA Cup dream ends at the first hurdle when United lost to Polish side Widzew Lodz on the away goal rule. October sees the record transfer fees surpassed again - Garry Birtles arrives from Nottingham Forest for Ł1,250,000 and Brighton and Hove Albion pay Ł500,000 for Andy Ritchie. Dave Sexton is dismissed at the end of the season and succeeded by Ron Atkinson.
1981/82	An eventful summer precedes the season. John Gidman signs from Everton and Frank Stapleton arrives from Arsenal. Micky Thomas moves to Everton and Joe Jordan goes overseas to AC Milan of Italy. A record deal totalling Ł2,400,000 (including League levies and VAT) brings Bryan Robson and Remi Moses to Old Trafford from West Bromwich Albion early in the season. Robson's price of Ł1,500,000 clearly makes him the most expensive player in Britain. 17-year-old Norman Whiteside becomes the youngest ever player to appear in the World Cup Finals playing in all five of Northern Ireland's matches./TD>
1982/83	First Division: 3rd. FA Cup: Winners. League Cup: Finalists. United reach thier first League Cup Final only to lose to Liverpool 2-1, but make a winning return to Wembley in the FA Cup. The first game against Brighton and Hove Albion ends in a 2-2 draw, but United win the replay 4-0.
1983/84	First Division: 4th. FA Cup: Third Round. League Cup: Fourth Round. European Cup Winners' Cup: Semi-Final. United lift the Charity Shield with a 2-0 win over Liverpool. For the first time in 15 years, United reach the Semi-Final of a European competition losing narrowly to Juventus of Italy. There are surprise exits from the domestic cups against Third Division sides - to Oxford United (League Cup) and AFC Bournemouth (FA Cup). There is plenty of transfer activity at the end of the season with Jesper Olsen, Gordon Strachan and Alan Brazil all making the move to Old Trafford. Ray Wilkins joins AC Milan for Ł1,500,000. Further extensions to the canteliver roof are undertaken. Bobby Charlton joins the Board of Directors.
1984/85	First Division: 4th. FA Cup: Winners. League Cup: Third Round. UEFA Cup: Quarter Final. Everton knock the reds out of the League Cup, but United gain revenge in the FA Cup Final with a brillant Norman Whiteside goal in extra-time. Kevin Moran makes history for the wrong reason by becoming the first player to be sent off in an FA Cup Final. Hungary's Videoton end United's UEFA Cup hopes by winning a penalty decider. Chris Turner joins United from Sunderland and Peter Barnes moves from Coventry City. Further building word leaves Old Trafford with unobstructed viewing facillities in three-quarters of the ground. United follow the examle of European clubs by introduding a basketball team.
1985/86	First Division: 4th. FA Cup: Fifth Round. League Cup: Fourth Round. A club record run of tem consecutive victories opens the season to raise hopes of a League title. Injuries and loss a form, however, see the club finish in fourth. Mark Hughes leaves for Barcelona whilst Colin Gibson, Peter Davenport, Terry Gibson and John Sivebaek join the ranks. The club's Ł100,000 Museum and Visitor Centre opens to the public. Chairman Martin Edwards and the mother of the legendary Duncan Edwards perform the opening ceremony.
1986/87	First Division: 11th. FA Cup: Fourth Round. League Cup: Third Round. Poor form in the League sees United languishing at the bottom of the table and an early exit from the League Cup at Southampton means the departure of Ron Atkinson. Alex Ferguson steps into the breach from Aberdeen and brings Archie Khox with him as his assistant. An ambitious Membership Scheme is launched in April with a target of 40,000 members. Rugby League comes to Old Trafford with 50,589 watching Great Britain play Australia and 38,755 present for the Premiership Finals.
1987/88	First Division: 2nd. FA Cup: Fifth Round. League Cup: Fifth Round. United finish second in the League despite amassing a total of 81 points. Three major signings are make - Brian McClair (Celtic), Viv Anderson (Arsenal) and Steve Bruce (Norwich City). McClair finishes the season with a total of 31 League and Cup goals. The club's association with the Basketball team ends after four years. Les Olive, united's secretary for over 30 years, retires and his assistant Kenneth Merrett is appointed as his successor.
1988/89	First Division: 11th. FA Cup: Sixth Round. League Cup: Third Round. a disappointing season, with injuries a comtributory factor, on all fronts. The transfer money continues to be spent in great quantities. Mike Phelan (Norwich City), Neil Webb (Nottingham Forest), Gary Pallister (Middlesbrough), Paul Ince (West Ham United) and Danny
1989/90	First Division: 13th. FA Cup: Winners. League Cup: Third Round. Another poor showing in the League is partly forgetten as United lift the FA Cup. There isn't one home tie as the Reds battle to Wembley for two memorable games with Crystol Palace. A pulsating 3-3 draw is follwed by a 1-0 replay win; Lee Martin hits the winning goal. Denis Irwin moves from Oldham Athletic shortly after the end of the season.