Show Notes
"I think I'd have shot myself if it had fallen through" - Alex Ferguson addresses the press as Mark Hughes is unveiled on his return to Old Trafford in 1988.
Hughes' return was protracted, and all parties tried to keep their cards close to their chest, but did a pretty poor job at it. Ferguson vowed to bring Hughes back to United, and it was a popular move. Here's how it played out.
United Unheard delves into the archive of Tom Tyrrell, presented by Wayne Barton, to reveal more.
If you enjoy Manchester United history beyond the headlines, subscribe to United Unheard for conversations that uncover the untold stories and forgotten moments that shaped the club. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
More from United Unheard
In 2001, Manchester United were linked with the signing of West Ham star Paolo Di Canio. The Hammers were open to it. The player wasn't. Why? Well here it is from the horse's mouth, where he gives an impassioned defence of his decision.
In 1990, Alex Ferguson was under such pressure that it was speculated he may be sacked if the team lost in the FA Cup to Nottingham Forest. They won, of course. But the team remained in poor form in the league, and, for a spell, the topic of relegation was one the club had to seriously confront.
It is not very often that we get to hear the voices of the coaches from yesteryear. The club have got better at it - for example, we have heard plenty from Eric Harrison, Tony Whelan, Paul McGuinness and Rene Meulensteen. But go back a bit further and it's difficult to get content of some of the coaches we know the names of. This episode corrects some of that, and brings a couple of interviews from Tommy Cavanagh and Mick Brown, assistants to Tommy Docherty and Ron Atkinson respectively. Sammy McIlroy, who worked under both with differing relationships, listens back with Wayne Barton.
You may be familiar with the story of George Best leaving the 1999 Champions League final early. This episode digs into some older interviews and reveals that perhaps the reason for that was that the legendary former player believed he was a bad luck omen.
There was a moment in time when David Beckham was accessible; where he was just like everyone else. The events of the World Cup in 1998 changed the trajectory of his life and career, a career that had been snowballing as it was since he scored from the halfway line against Wimbledon in 1996. This episode looks at that moment in time; before Beckham became the billionaire owner of a football club in America, when he was just excited to have bought a house in Manchester.