MANCHESTER UNITED 1 CITY 0
League Division 1
4th May 1991
attendance 45,286
Scorer Giggs(22)
Ref P Tyldesley
City Margetson, Hill, Pointon, Heath, Hendry, Redmond, White, Brennan, Quinn, Harper, M Ward – subs Reid(72), Clarke(77)
United Walsh, Irwin, Bruce, Phelan, Pallister, Robson, McClair, Giggs, Webb, Blackmore, Hughes – subs Donaghy, Robins(unused)
FROM THE PRESS BOX
PETER BALL WRITING IN THE TIMES 6TH MAY 1991
On Saturday, Manchester United unveiled their latest candidate for the title “the new George Best”. After collecting his Barclays young eagle of the year award, Lee Sharpe, the previous incumbent, watched as the even more youthful Ryan Giggs announced his presence with the only goal of a hectic derby. A new star was born. That at least, is the hype. The reality was somewhat more mundane. All that can be said without contradiction is that if Giggs, who in his 17 years has already changed his name (from Wilson) and his national allegiance (from England School boys to Wales Under-21) is claiming the goal on the strength of the faintest of touches to McClair’s centre, before Hendry shovelled it past the other newcomer, Margetson, he has a cheek to equal that of the Irishman.
His other touches, few though they were, hinted that he also has some of his great predecessor’s skills. One sudden stop and change of foot that left Hendry on his back stood out, but on two or three other occasions he skipped past Hills’ attempted tackles with nonchalant disdain.
He also, as Alex Ferguson insisted, revealed that there need to be no doubts about his temperament. But the presence of the admirable Sammy Mcllroy, once also foolishly proclaimed the new Best on the strength of an arguable goal on his debut against Manchester City, warned against any larger claims for United’s new player.
And it was not a game to judge anyone. Manchester derbies are usually open rather than tetchy tight matches. This was the exception.
At the end, City left tight-lipped and fuming about the referee. They might with more cause have directed their anger at the linesman, who seemed to want to run the game, drawing Mr Tyldesley’s attention to the fouls that brought bookings for Brennan and White, but ignoring the ill treatment of Ward right under his nose. But if their complaints had some foundation, it did not disguise United’s evident superiority. With Walsh growing in confidence to look a fine Prospect again and Pallister dominating Quinn, City had created only one real chance until the arrival of their player manager, Peter Reid, to give them shape and purpose with 17 minutes remaining.
But although he sparked a revival and the other substitute, Clarke, hit the post, it was too little too late…