Ultimate United
United's Premier League Debut 15 Aug 2017 22:15
A look at what happened to the players who lined up for Manchester United’s first ever Premier League fixture, 25 years ago.
By Frank Mead, Editor
Today marks 25 years since Manchester United lined up for their first ever Premier League match. The inaugural season of the top flight as we now know it was launched on August 15th 1992. It was not a happy day for Alex Ferguson’s men, and their new away kit wasn’t the only thing that was blue.
United conceded the first ever goal in Premier League history just five minutes into the game, eventually losing the match 2-1 to Sheffield United at Bramall Lane. A double by Brian Deane was enough to put the Red Devils to the sword. Mark Hughes halved the deficit to claim United’s first goal of the Premier League era. When United lost their second fixture 3-0, at home to Everton, it meant that they were bottom of the first ever published Premier League table; one that they would spend most of the next 20 years at the top of.
Every Manchester United fan knows, of course, that Alex Ferguson turned it around, eventually winning the league that season. The Red Devils lifted their first title in 26 years, thanks in no small part to the signing of a certain French maverick called Eric Cantona. They couldn’t have had a worse start to the season, however. Below is how United lined up on that day in Sheffield, and how their careers panned out.
Peter Schmeichel
The giant Dane is, by many people’s reckoning, the greatest goalkeeper in United’s, and footballs, history. He spent a total of eight years at the club, with his final appearance on that historic night in Barcelona in 1999, when he captained his side to the Treble.
He spent two years in Portugal with Sporting Lisbon following his Old Trafford exit, before returning to the Premier League in 2001 with Aston Villa. He then joined Manchester City a year later, in what would be his final season, retiring in 2003. He has since tried his hand at punditry, but has resisted the chance to go into the coaching side of the game.
Denis Irwin
Probably the greatest full-back in the club’s history, the quiet man of Old Trafford rarely put a foot wrong. In 2002, the Irish defender called time on a twelve year spell at the club, during which he won practically every trophy possible. He promptly signed a two year deal with Wolves, helping them into the Premier League for the first time.
After two seasons at Molineux, he finally called time on his career at the age of 38. He has since worked as a presenter for MUTV, as well as Irish TV channel RTE.
Clayton Blackmore
The Old Trafford faithful have always loved to see one of their academy graduates become a first team regular, and Clayton Blackmore was one of the most popular. Unfortunately for the Welsh international, he lost his place in the 1992-93 season, and never won it back. When Bryan Robson left Manchester United in 1994 to manage Middlesbrough, he took Blackmore with him on a free transfer.
He played in the 1997 F.A. Cup Final defeat to Chelsea, and later represented Barnsley and Notts County as his career wound down. He carried on playing well into his forties, turning out for several clubs in his native Wales, finally retiring in 2010. He is regularly heard on Talksport as a guest pundit, usually on topics regarding United.
Steve Bruce
The captain was in his early thirties by the time the Premier League was launched, but Steve Bruce was still awaiting some of his finest moments for the club. His two goals against Sheffield Wednesday in April 1993 won the game for United, and swung the title race back in the Red Devils’ favour.
Bruce left Old Trafford in 1996, having lost his place to David May towards the end of the season. He joined Birmingham City, and later embarked on a career in management. In addition to Birmingham, Bruce has managed Sheffield United, Huddersfield Town, Wigan Athletic, Sunderland and Hull City. He is currently the manager of Championship side Aston Villa, who are a far cry from the side whose title hopes Bruce all but ended with his two goal salvo in 1993.
Gary Pallister
The giant centre-back was a mainstay of United’s defence for almost a decade, winning four Premier League titles and a host of other trophies. He departed Old Trafford in 1998, following the club’s purchase of Jaap Stam, re-joining his hometown club Middlesbrough. He retired in 2001 having struggled with injuries, just weeks after Steve McLaren was appointed as manager.
Since retiring Pallister is often seen on MUTV as a guest pundit, and regularly participates in club events.
Darren Ferguson
Despite being the manager’s son, he could never hold down a first team place at Old Trafford. He made enough appearances to qualify for a Premier League winner’s medal, but left United in 1994 in search of regular football.
He joined Wolves, and then later Wrexham before becoming player manager of Peterborough United in 2007, the first of two spells as manager of Posh, one of which saw them promoted to the Championship. Between those stints was an ill-fated, short-lived phase as manager of Preston North End. He is currently the manager of Doncaster Rovers, and got them promoted back into League One at the end of last season.
Andrei Kanchelskis
The flying Russian winger was a huge favourite during his Old Trafford career. Although he was in and out of the side during the 1992-93 season, he soon became a key player in the side. Following a bizarre falling out with Alex Ferguson, he left United in the summer of 1995, having finished the previous season as the club’s top scorer. His £5 million transfer to Everton broke many a United fans’ heart.
After an 18 month spell at Goodison Park, Kanchelskis was soon on the move again, joining Italian club Fiorentina. He never settled during an injury-hit spell in Italy and joined Rangers in 1998. His later career represented that of a journeyman, with spells at Manchester City and Southampton, before joining Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal. He retired in 2006 after spells in his native Russia with Saturn Moscow Oblast and Krylia Sovetov. He has managed several clubs in his home country, and occasionally turns out for the Manchester United Masters team.
Paul Ince
After six years at Old Trafford, the self-styled “Guvnor” left United in 1995, in a £7.5 million transfer to Inter. After two years at the San Siro, he decided to return home, and controversially joined United’s arch-rivals Liverpool. He damaged his status as a potential club legend with his over-exuberant celebrations after scoring against his former club in 1999.
He later joined Middlesbrough, and then Wolves before turning his hand to management in 2007 with Macclesfield Town. A short spell at Blackburn Rovers was sandwiched between two stints at MK Dons. He has been out of management since 2014, with his last two jobs being in charge of Notts County and then Blackpool.
Brian McClair
The Scottish international was one of the first names on the team sheet in Alex Ferguson’s early years in charge, and remained so for the first few Premier League seasons. After scoring 127 goals, and winning countless trophies, he left Manchester United after 11 years in 1998. He moved back to Scotland with Motherwell, but later that season became assistant manager to Brian Kidd at Blackburn Rovers.
In 2006, McClair returned to Old Trafford, becoming their academy director. He remained in the role until 2015, when he accepted an offer from the Scottish F.A. to become their national performance director. He left this role in 2016.
Mark Hughes
For so many years, the Welsh striker was the darling of the Stretford End, and seen as United’s main goal threat. When Eric Cantona joined the club, the two made a formidable partnership, steering Ferguson’s side to two successive titles. He left Old Trafford in 1995 following the expiration of his contract, moving to Chelsea. His later clubs included Southampton, Everton and Blackburn Rovers, where he retired aged 38.
He took charge of the Welsh national team in 1999, while still a player with Southampton, and almost guided them to Euro 2004. He resigned to take charge of Blackburn Rovers, where he spent four years. Short spells at Manchester City, Fulham and Q.P.R. preceded his current job, as manager of Stoke City.
Ryan Giggs
The most decorated player in English football history was just 18 years old when the Premier League was launched. By the time he retired in 2014, he had made more appearances in the competition than any other player. Giggs also holds the all-time appearance record for Manchester United, and it seems unlikely that his 963 games for the club will be beaten anytime soon.
After a brief spell as caretaker manager following David Moyes’ sacking, he became Louis van Gaal’s assistant during his two year spell in charge. He left the club following the appointment of José Mourinho, and is regularly seen on television as a pundit. He is also co-owner of Salford City F.C. alongside his former teammates Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and Gary and Phil Neville.
Dion Dublin
The new signing came on as a substitute in the defeat to Sheffield United, making his debut for the club. A few weeks later, he scored his first United goal, which also secured their first ever Premier League win, away to Southampton. Little more than a week later, Dublin’s Old Trafford career was in tatters, as he suffered a broken leg in the home match against Crystal Palace. The injury ruled him out for the season, although special dispensation granted him a league title winner’s medal.
By the time Dublin returned to full fitness, Eric Cantona was at the club, and seemingly untouchable. Following a frustrating two years, he joined Coventry City in 1994. He moved to Aston Villa in 1998, and later played for England. He later had spells at Leicester City and Celtic, before finishing his career at his first club, Norwich City. Since hanging up his boots, he has had a successful television career, as a pundit on both Sky and the BBC. Since 2015, he has worked for the latter on its show Homes under the Hammer.
Mike Phelan
United’s other substitute that day had become little more than a bit-part player by the time the Premier League kicked off. He made just thirteen appearances in his last two years at the club, before joining West Bromwich Albion. He spent just one season at The Hawthorns, before retiring to focus on his coaching career.
After spells at Norwich City, Blackpool and Stockport County, Alex Ferguson brought him back to the club in 1999. Mike Phelan worked his way up from a reserve, and then first team coach to become assistant manager. When Ferguson retired in 2013, Phelan followed him out of the Old Trafford exit door. He returned to Norwich before taking up a short lived stint in charge of Hull City, from which he was fired earlier this year.
Man United 5 - 0 Man City