Little Book of Manchester United (17 page)

Schmeichel

Aged 20, Peter Schmeichel (born 18 December 1963), began his career at the Danish club of Hvidovre, where his talent was soon spotted by the Danish Premier side Brondby, who signed him in January 1987. At 6ft 4in, Schmeichel was a huge presence in goal and one of the tallest goalkeepers in League football. He was voted Danish Player of the Year in 1990 and became the best goalkeeper in European football. United were determined to sign him and Alex Ferguson got his man in August 1991 for the modest fee of £500,000.

In his first season he conceded only 33 goals in 42 League games which was the lowest number that season and, when United defeated Nottingham Forest at Wembley, Schmeichel received a League Cup winner’s medal for the 1-0 victory. Schmeichel was happy at United and stated he would be with the club ‘for life’. The start to the 1992-93 season was not promising for Schmeichel who conceded six goals in the first three games, but he went on to keep five consecutive clean sheets between August and September. continuing to excel as he did so.

It was having Schmeichel in goal that enabled United to end their 26-year wait for the Championship and in February 1993 he was presented with the Premier League’s Goalkeeper of the Year award. Only 31 goals made it past him in the entire season. During the following season, his ability to throw powerfully to the likes of Giggs and Sharpe and the fact he conceded very few goals allowed United to enjoy a Double-winning campaign. His penalty save from David Seaman against Arsenal in August ensured victory for United in the Charity Shield.

However, in the FA Cup quarter-final he was sent off and missed the League Cup Final defeat to Aston Villa. Up to his suspension, he managed to play in a total of 94 consecutive games which is the longest ever run for a United goalkeeper.

*Schmeichel watches action during the FA Cup Final against Chelsea at Wembley, 1994.

His goal was virtually untouched during the 1994-95 season but the following season was to show him at his best. In ten League games he only conceded seven goals which helped United to the Premiership title for the third time in four years. He enjoyed a fourth Championship medal at the end of the 1996-97 season when his outstanding contributions also included a save from a header by Rene Wagner that already appeared to be in the goal. It turned the tables for United who were, by Schmeichel’s actions, then able to secure a place in the quarter-final of the Champions League. In September 1995 he was voted European Goalkeeper of the Year.

He won a winner’s medal with Denmark in Euro ‘96 and was voted Carling Player of the Year in August. Representing his country yet again in 1998, Denmark reached the quarter-final of the World Cup. Schmeichel, renowned for kicking both goalposts before a match for luck, decided to quit Old Trafford after the 1998-99 Treble.

Scholes

Part of the new wave of talent that ushered in Beckham, Giggs, Butt and the Neville brothers in the mid-1990s, Salford-born Scholes scored twice on his debut in the League Cup at Port Vale in 1994-95 – and on his first League outing against Ipswich – and hasn’t looked back.

*Scholes during a match against Aston Villa, Old Trafford 2008.

A host of golden seasons at Old Trafford include 1995-96’s Double-winning campaign, in which he covered admirably during Eric Cantona’s suspension, finishing second behind the Frenchman in the scoring charts with 14 goals; he was a cornerstone of 1999’s Treble-winners, although suspension ruled him out of the UEFA Champions League Final; and in United’s Premier League success in 2003, his 20-goal haul was vital.

Neat and compact, a misplaced Scholes pass remains one of the rarest sights in football. His superb eye for goal and late runs from midfield also served his country superbly on 66 occasions.

An eye problem kept the man the fans dubbed the ‘Ginger Prince’ out of action for a large part of 2005-06, but he burst back onto the scene during the 2006-07 title-winning campaign, playing a key role in helping the Reds reclaim the Premier League crown.

*Scholes nets for United against Sunderland.

His good form continued the following season as he helped the club to a glorious Double and finally buried the Champions League ghost of ’99 when his stunning strike against Barcelona in April 2008, booked United’s, and his own place, in the Final in Moscow.

Now in the top four highest ever appearance makers, with over 600 games under his belt, and in the top 10 highest goalscorers at the club, Scholes is, indisputably, one of the finest talents in United’s history, and he’s still going strong with a contract taking him through to June 2011.

Stepney

Alex Stepney was born 18 September 1942 and enjoyed a career at Old Trafford from 1966 to 1978. He became the top-scoring goalkeeper for the club when he converted two penalties in the 1973-74 season. Matt Busby was to say that “The single most important factor behind our Championship success in 1967 was signing Alex Stepney”.

*Alex Stepney pictured in September 1975.

Not renowned for being a spectacular player, Stepney provided reliability and proved steady and efficient. His sense of anticipation and positioning was a rarity that was a bonus to the club. He was goalkeeper at a time when the club enjoyed enormous success, including the European Cup in 1968, where Stepney made an outstanding contribution by saving from Eusebio and United carried away the trophy, beating Benfica. Originally transferred from Chelsea for £55,000, Stepney, from south London, had already won three England Under-23 caps. He showed promise at a time when Matt Busby needed to strengthen his goalkeeping position.

Tommy Docherty, then manager of Chelsea, decided to let Stepney go after only five months with the club and he proved a key factor in United’s League Championship of 1966-67, playing in every game. Chosen 20 times as a substitute for England, he only ever managed one full cap, against Sweden.

Stiles

Norbert ‘Nobby’ Stiles had no less than 28 England caps during his career. With United between 1960 and 1971, he won League Championship winner’s medals in 1965 and 1967, and a World Cup winner’s medal in 1966 followed by a European Cup winner’s medal in 1968. In 14 years and nearly 400 appearances, Stiles, having signed for the club professionally in 1959, was thrown into first-team action making his debut in October 1960 against Bolton Wanderers.

Born 18 May 1942, Stiles had been an avid fan of United since a schoolboy and the local lad from Collyhurst established himself as a regular, making 31 appearances during his first season. His tackling was fierce and he was known for his aggressive style on the pitch which made him a permanent midfield fixture with the added bonus of being able to defend when necessary. His fitness levels were unique and he also hammered home goals when needed.

*Nobby Stiles pictured in December 1969.

International recognition came for Stiles at the right time and in his first full-capped season he played no less than eight times, going on to figure in all England’s World Cup matches. He will be remembered for his jig around Wembley when England celebrated victory against West Germany in a 4-2 win.

Stretford End

The Stretford End is where every Manchester United fan would like to sit to watch every home game. Situated opposite the Scoreboard End, the first cantilevered stand was built in 1964 at a cost of £350,000 but the current structure – completed almost 30 years later and boasting a 400-capacity banqueting suite – has a price tag of over £10 million. Since the changing rooms were built in 1993, the players emerge from the corner of the pitch by the Stretford End.

*A view of the Stretford End at Old Trafford.

Supporters’ Club