MANCHESTER UNITED 2 CITY 1
League Division 1
6th December 1992
attendance 35,408
scorers
City Quinn(75)
United Ince(20), Hughes(74)
Ref G Ashby
City Coton, I Brightwell, Phelan, McMahon, Curle, Hill, White, Sheron, Quinn, Simpson, Holden – subs Reid(55), Flitcroft(66), Margetson(unused)
United Schmeichel, Parker, Irwin, Bruce, Pallister, Robson, Ince, McClair, Hughes, Giggs Sharpe – subs Cantona(45), Phelan(unused), Digby(unused)
FROM THE PRESS BOX
STEPHEN BLERLEY WRITING IN THE GUARDIAN 7TH DECEMBER 1992
With Brian Robson and Steve McMahon roaring around Old Trafford like a couple of grizzly bears with toothache, yesterday’s Manchester derby was never less than eye-catching. But generally commitment far out-weighed quality, although there was no arguing about the excellence of United’s goals.
This was a key match for both teams in terms of a championship challenge. Tottenham had just ended a splendid run of form by City while victories over Oldham and Arsenal had set United pulses racing again. This hard earned win will put United in confident mood for next Saturday’s home match against top of the table Norwich City, so often their bogey team.
An injury to the left foot of Giggs, although not as serious as first feared, saw Cantona making his United debut after halftime, a little sooner than he might have expected, given the dominance of Alex Ferguson’s team in the first half. Apart from one excellent early cross which Hughes headed over, the Frenchman played a peripheral role. His time may come.
A thoroughly fragmented opening was given merciful focus after 20 minutes when Ince, who had one of his finest games for United, struck a left foot shot through a copse of legs. There was a hint of offside about the goal but City’s manager Peter Reid had no complaints.
It stemmed from a foul by McMahon on Robson, whose free kick out to the right was steered inside by Hughes, Bruce feeding the ball back to Ince who struck a left foot shot of absolute precision just inside Coton’s left hand post.
For most of the first half City singularly failed to get their forwards into the game, save for the occasional knockdown from Quinn, although just before half time they should have equalized, albeit much against the run of play. Quinn, with the ball somewhat unusually at his feet for once, held it up well before releasing the ball into the path of Simpson. Unfortunately for the 700 or so City supporters Simpson dragged his shot disappointingly wide.
The pace of Giggs and Sharpe had ensured that United always had the edge in the opening 45 minutes, with Hughes leading the line splendidly, Curle, however stood out like a beacon in the City defence, frequently thwarting the home side with his perceptive interventions and telling tackles.
Cantona’s arrival and the continuing abrasive battle between McMahon and Robson saw Reid itching to get on, and after nine minutes of the second half he duly replaced Simpson. Almost immediately City looked better balanced, striving to work the ball through the middle and then get it wide. However, they continued to fall pray to United’s offside trap with monotonous regularity.
United always look like increasing their lead rather than City equalising. Robson had just claimed a penalty after stumbling under a tackle by Brightwell when Hughes spectacularly volleyed his side into a two goal advantage. Chesting the ball down just outside the penalty area he let rip with a corking left foot shot that gave Coton not the slightest of chances.
It seemed the end but within a minute City had scored. Bruce, who injured himself in the process, collided with Schmeichel in trying to clear a cross by Holden and Quinn seized upon the loose ball. Suddenly the balance of the match swung sharply City’s way and it took a double saved by United’s goalkeeper to prevent Quinn and then White from equalizing.
“Basically the two strikes by Ince and Hughes were the difference between the two teams,” said Reid. “In the second half we tried to get things moving through the midfield and put them under a bit of pressure but he didn’t really work, at least not until we had pulled the goal back.”
Reid must have been particularly disappointed with this side’s inability to challenge United during the first half, despite the best (or worst) efforts of McMahon. Just once the match threatened to get out of hand when McMahon and Ince clashed near the halfway line, but generally the players on both sides contained their tempers admirably.