Fergie Week – Archivist: Ferguson sees Manchester United lose at Oxford in his first game, 1986
To commemorate 25 years of Alex Ferguson’s reign at Old Trafford, the FCF is doing Fergie Week…
Oxford United v Manchester United, the Manor Ground, 8 November 1986: Alex Ferguson (second from right), who two days earlier was installed as Man Utd’s new manager, watches his team from the away dugout. That look on his face might be incredulity at his new charges’ lack of fitness. “Aye Ron [Atkinson, who Fergie replaced], thanks for nothing.”
Notes
Manchester United went into this match on the back of a six-game unbeaten run in the league – it was their 4-1 League Cup third-round replay defeat against Southampton that did for Big Ron. Robert Maxwell’s Oxford, as they were then, weren’t a bad side (John Aldridge scored one of their goals in the 2-0 win), but this result immediately raised questions about Ferguson’s appointment.
Fergie’s first ever United starting XI: Chris Turner, Mike Duxbury, Kevin Moran, Graeme Hogg, Arthur Albiston, Clayton Blackmore, Paul McGrath (in centre-mid), Remi Moses, Peter Barnes, Frank Stapleton, Peter Davenport. How many of that lot would Ferguson rate in the top bracket of players he has managed at United? McGrath and not many more.
United beat Oxford 3-2 in the return league fixture at Old Trafford in 86-87, their goals coming from Davenport (two) and Bryan Robson, who was injured – and sorely missed at the Manor Ground – when Ferguson arrived from Granite City.
