Few gave the Reds much hope of progressing to the fourth round
of the Cup Winners’ Cup after Ron Atkinson’s men came away from the
first leg at Camp Nou 2-0 down.
“It just wasn’t our night,” bemoaned captain Bryan Robson. “But
having seen Barcelona with things going for them, we know we’re
capable of getting through, despite their lead.”
His words proved prophetic. Roared on by a clamorous 58,547
crowd, the Reds ran riot in the second leg, producing a rousing
comeback to quicken the pulse rate well beyond acceptable
levels.
The performance was not lost on honorary president Sir Matt
Busby, who said: “The game took me right back to the time we pulled
back two goals against Bilbao at Maine Road for that memorable win
in our first season in Europe.”
That night, in February 1957, the Babes had overturned a 5-3
first-leg deficit. This time it was Barcelona – Diego Maradona et
al – letting their lead slip. Robson’s full-length diving header on
22 minutes kept the crowd believing; the fans were buoyed with
optimism, the players sensed Barça were wobbling, and in a swift,
second-half spell the comeback was completed.
Robson struck home a parried Ray Wilkins cross on 50 minutes.
Then, five minutes later, the Stretford End sucked in another,
Frank Stapleton thumping home a Norman Whiteside pull-back.
Barça rallied but United held firm for a remarkable result. Big
Ron danced with delight down the touchline, Robson was carried
shoulder-high from the pitch and the memories still tickle the
neck-hairs of those who can proudly boast: “I was there.”
Starting XI: Bailey; Duxbury, Hogg; Moran, Albiston; Muhren,
Moses, Robson, Wilkins; Stapleton, Whiteside,