Europa League final: Ruben Amorim hoping to follow Man Utd icons' blueprint for Premier League domination
MANCHESTER UNITED will be hoping that winning a European trophy can be the springboard to long-term success — just as it was for them 34 years ago.
It may only have been the Cup Winners' Cup but the players who beat Barcelona on a famous night in Rotterdam in 1991 earned their place in club folklore.
Advertisement
6
Two-goal hero Mark Hughes (centre) celebrates with the trophy and team mates Mike Phelan (left) and Steve Bruce (right) after the 1991 European Cup Winners Cup Final
Credit: Getty
6
Hughes beats the Barcelona goalkeeper Carles Busquets to score his second goal
Credit: PA:Press Association
6
Alex Ferguson with the Cup Winners Cup - his second trophy as United manager
Credit: Rex
6
United launches a commemorative shirt and tracksuit, modelled by current stars Kobbie Mainoo, Manuel Ugarte and Bruno Fernandes
Credit: MUFC
And it was an important step towards creating the glittering era which followed for two decades under Sir Alex Ferguson.
They backed that success up with two more pots the following season and then, in 1993, ended their 26-year wait to be crowned top-flight champions.
With
The club recently produced
Advertisement
READ MORE IN MAN UTD
They even got two of their final heroes — Bryan Robson and Mark Hughes — to model it alongside current stars Bruno Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo, Leny Yoro and Manuel Ugarte.
MUTV made a documentary called Rotterdam Revisited to remember that special night, too.
Long-serving defender Denis Irwin, 59, told the show: 'We were growing as a team but that trophy played a huge part.
'As a team and a club we were moving in the right direction.
Advertisement
Most read in Football
Join SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday
plus
in-depth coverage and exclusives
from Old Trafford
'The following year we won the League Cup and Super Cup and the year after that, we finally won the Premier League.'
Legendary ex-skipper Robbo, 68, added: 'For me, the only thing that bettered that Cup Winners' Cup success was 1992-93 when we won the league title.
How Europa League final will be decided - four key Man Utd vs Tottenham tactical battles
'Of course it was the biggest game I played in. Right from 1990, winning the FA Cup, we were growing all the time and the confidence was there and by 1993-94 we did the Double.'
Advertisement
Fast forward almost 3½ decades and
Like Sparky and Co, they can build on winning the FA Cup last season with another trophy.
Even the most ardent United fan would struggle to believe the current crop will match up by winning the Prem title in the next couple of years.
But Europa glory would be a vital step forward — earning a lucrative place in next season's Champions League, as well as a third trophy in three seasons.
Advertisement
Yet should they fail, there will be no European football next season — and that would be tough for United fans to swallow.
One thing that made the 1991 triumph so special was they had spent five years out of Uefa competition, due to a ban on English clubs after the Heysel disaster.
Fergie's men breezed past Hungarians Pecsi Munkas in the first round, then eased through against Wrexham.
The only thing that bettered that Cup Winners' Cup success was 1992-93 when we won the league title
BRYAN ROBSON
They drew the first leg of their quarter-final against Montpellier 1-1 before Clayton Blackmore's free-kick helped them win 2-0 in France.
Advertisement
A 3-1 victory at Legia Warsaw made the semi-final second leg something of a formality and ensured they booked a place in the final against Barcelona.
Even back then, the Catalan giants had an aura about them but Fergie's preparations had been sketchy to say the least.
Virtually the only thing he said to his players was they had to stop Ronald Koeman — and he deployed Brian McClair to keep tabs on the Dutchman.
Irwin said: 'The prep work back then was totally different. You wouldn't know much about the opposition before you went out and played against them.'
Advertisement
Robson recalled: 'The only thing the boss really said about them was 'Koeman'. Because he starts everything off and the keeper passes to him.'
The tactics worked as the first half was largely forgettable.
Midway through the second half, Robson's free-kick was nodded goalwards by Steve Bruce but Hughes nipped in to tap over the line and take the glory.
6
Advertisement
The United skipper, 64, said: 'It was going right in the corner — but then an inch outside of the line, Sparky scored it.'
Bruce, United's top scorer that season, added: 'Everyone leapt on me and not Sparky, so you know who scored it. It would have been my 20th of the season — as a centre-half!'
There was no doubt who got the second a few minutes later as Hughes latched on to a Robson pass, went round the keeper and thumped in from a narrow angle.
It was a sweet moment for Sparky — who had been shown the door by Barca a couple of years earlier.
Advertisement
Johan Cruyff's men pulled a goal back through Koeman and came within a whisker of taking it to extra-time.
UNITED'S ROUTE TO 1991 FINAL
RED DEVILS got through four rounds on way to Rotterdam
Round 1 - Pesci Munkas (Hungary) W 3-0 on agg
Round 2 - Wrexham (Wales) W 5-0 on agg
Qtr-final - Montpellier (France) W 3-1 on agg
Semi-final - Legia Warsaw (Poland) W 4-2 on agg
But United held on to claim a precious first European trophy in 23 years.
Jubilant supporters were singing in the rain long into the night, belting out the James classic Sit Down, as well as Monty Python's Always Look on the Bright Side of Life.
It has been hard to see any kind of bright side at times this season at Old Trafford.
Advertisement
But on Wednesday night United face fellow Prem strugglers Spurs in Bilbao.
So, they can still end a troubled campaign with a big prize — and that could be the start of something much bigger.
Just ask the Class of 91.
6
Advertisement
Man Utd vs Spurs - Europa League final:
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Examiner
10 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
'I think we'll be fine' says Cork City's Seani Maguire before jetting off for mid-season break
The League of Ireland's mid-season break is upon us, and Shelbourne manager Damien Duff has again made clear how he feels about it. 'There's an air of the jolly boys out, they are meeting at the terminal tomorrow, they are meeting at the pub in the terminal. "It's a week on the gargle. That's not the football education I had in England,' stated Duff, who recently described this mid-season break as "amateurish." But it's fair to say some of the footballers feel a little differently about it. 'I'm going to Portugal with the family Sunday, for a couple of days, so it'll be a nice little break, just myself, my wife, the baby, and the grandparents,' admitted Seani Maguire, speaking minutes after Duff in the aftermath of Cork City's 1-1 draw with Shelbourne on Friday night. 'I've a couple of buddies over there as well. Yeah, look, I think the mid-season break, you can look at it two different ways, where you can go and just have a break totally away from football. 'But I think the message was clear from the manager in there, that we'll be back in the Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and throughout the week leading up to the Bohs game, because this is a big 18 games for us.' That result proved to be enough to edge City a point clear of bottom club Sligo Rovers at the halfway point in the Premier Division campaign, but it was the performance under newly appointed manager Gerard Nash that provides the club with reasons to be hopeful. 'I think we'll be fine. A couple of lads coming back fit, hopefully a couple more bodies through the door, and we'll see us win a lot more games than we lose' added Maguire, who was also keen to praise Cathal O'Sullivan following rumours linking him with a move to FA Cup winners Crystal Palace. Read More Colin Healy sees Kerry take care of Longford 'I think young Cathal will make his own decision. I think he can be whatever he wants. I think he's one of the best young fellas I've played with, and that includes England. 'Not just because of his talent, it's just his attitude towards everything, I think that's what teams in England will look for first, because you can just see it clear as day how good he is on the ball, he's a joy to play with. 'When he eventually goes to England, I'll be gutted not to play with him again, because of how good he is. 'But I'll be keeping tabs on his career, because I think he'll definitely play for Ireland, he's that good, and he'll definitely go and play at the highest level in football in England. 'His first touch is unbelievable, and it's not just his taking players on 1v1, just the basics of football, he does really well. 'He plays like a fella that's probably 10 years older than his age. He's brilliant, and as I said, his attitude is A1. 'He's so strong. Even in training there could be two or three lads hanging off him, and he just stands up. 'You see him in games there, he's getting kicked, he's getting lashes in the back, and he just keeps going and going and going. 'He'll go on to have an unbelievable career, I've no doubts about that.' Maguire also spoke highly of Djenairo Daniels, who he has struck up a promising partnership with in the absence of the injured Ruairí Keating. Cork City's Djenairo Daniels celebrates scoring a penalty with Sean Maguire. Pic: ©INPHO/Bryan Keane Daniels signed for City at the end of April with the club announcing at the time that it was a short-term deal until July. But it is understood the 23-year-old Dutch striker's deal will actually expire at the end of the season, although he could still sign for another club this summer with City entitled to a fee. 'DD, since he's come in, he's done really well,' continued Maguire. 'Obviously he didn't play in quite a while, and to come in and play so many games in a short space of time is a credit to him. 'He's a fit lad, he's a strong boy, he's quick, he has everything to be a top striker. He's scored goals there that are poacher's goals. 'You can see tonight the little, short and long passes, and the combination plays that we were doing, and I enjoyed playing with him tonight. 'I've only just come back in the team, and started to play with him, and I don't want to have that partnership with him, and to see him go. 'Hopefully the club get it sorted, and he'll be here for however long he wants to be.'
The Irish Sun
10 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Man Utd transfer target LEFT OUT of Man City's Club World Cup squad as Red Devils ‘eye controversial deal from rivals'
JAMES McATEE has reportedly been left out of Manchester City's Club World Cup squad amid links with rivals Manchester United. Shock reports claim 2 James McAtee has been left out of Man City's Club World Cup squad amid links with Man Utd Credit: Reuters The playmaker has been at This season saw McAtee emerge as a rotation player under Guardiola, with the ace netting seven goals in 27 outings. However, City have numerous attacking options both in midfield and out wide. Guardiola is also said to be plotting swoops for the likes of Lyon's Rayan Cherki and Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White. And that could see McAtee become available for a transfer away from the Etihad, with United thought to be circling. Now, speculation regarding his City future has heated up after McAtee was left out of the squad for the Club World Cup. The tournament runs simultaneously alongside the U21s Euros in Slovakia. Having initially not been included, McAtee has now been added to England's pre-tournament training squad. Most read in Football BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS And the To compound things, teammate Rico Lewis was also eligible for U21s selection. Bruno Fernandes enjoys dinner with Al-Hilal 'secret agent' Joao Cancelo as he faces Man Utd exit decision 2 But unlike McAtee, he has not been called up by England as City want him to travel to the Club World Cup instead. Another factor at play is that McAtee's contract expires in 2026, with City needing to either hand him a new deal or cash in before he becomes a free agent. Guardiola previously indicated he wanted McAtee to stay, but admitted the youngster could struggle for minutes if he remains at City. Guardiola in April: 'For the age, I'd like him to stay. But I understand players want more minutes. 'He can play different positions but I don't know how the squad will be and we will see.'
RTÉ News
10 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Drogs in talks with UEFA over Conference League participation
Drogheda United are in discussions with UEFA over their Conference League participation after Danish side Silkeborg IF, who have the same owners as the Louth club, also qualified for the third-tier European competition on Sunday. Silkeborg IF beat Randers FC 3-1 in the Danish Superliga to secure a place Conference League qualifiers. Last November, the Drogs earned their spot after they beat Derry City to win the FAI Cup. A month after that memorable triumph, the US-based Trivela Group secured a majority share of Silkeborg IF. They also own English League Two outfit Walsall. UEFA's regulations regarding multi-club ownership and participation state that: "No individual or legal entity may have control or influence over more than one club participating in a UEFA club competition, such control or influence being defined in this context as: Holding a majority of the shareholders' voting rights; Having the right to appoint or remove a majority of the members of the administrative, management or supervisory body of the club; Being a shareholder and alone controlling a majority of the shareholders' voting rights pursuant to an agreement entered into with other shareholders of the club; or Being able to exercise by any means a decisive influence in the decision-making of the club." A Drogheda United statement released on Sunday night read: "Drogheda United Football Club can confirm that it has been engaged in ongoing discussions with UEFA in recent months regarding a regulatory matter that has now arisen following Silkeborg IF's qualification for the UEFA Conference League qualifiers. "As supporters will know, Silkeborg IF is also part of the Trivela Group ownership structure, which includes Drogheda United. "UEFA's regulations regarding multi-club ownership and participation in UEFA Club Competitions require careful consideration, and the club has been working proactively with the relevant authorities. "At this time, due to the confidential and ongoing nature of the process, Drogheda United is unable to provide further comment. However, the club remains committed to transparency and will provide updates as soon as there are any significant developments to share. "We appreciate the continued support and understanding of our fans, partners, and wider community."
