On this day: Leeds 5-1 Manchester United, 1972
The Busby Babes rode a pitiful decline against Leeds United in the early seventies. Consider the situation. You have a boozing George Best, an old Bobby Charlton and the freeform incompetent management style of Frank O’Farrell.
A defeat was perhaps inevitable in these circumstances, but what wasn’t was the five second half goals scored by Leeds United in 27 entertainment minutes. This victory helped Leeds on their way to an eminently respectable second, behind Brian Clough’s Derby, falling just one point short at the end of the season. A sweaty, wheezy Manchester United could manage only eighth. Frank O’Farrell only managed 18 months.
O’Farrell had taken over just two years after Busby had stepped down, but he was unable to persuade George Best that alcohol and women weren’t the best two things in the word, ever, ever. He wasn’t helped by making every player schedule appointments should they ever wish to talk to him.
