United Legend: Bryan Robson
Bryan Robson's introduction to United fans was unusual to say the least, and not just because of his tight cocoa-coloured suit, cream shirt and striped tie.
Ron Atkinson, the man with a sunbed in his office and the original ‘King of Bling’, was determined to show off English football’s record signing. So in a move you’re unlikely to see repeated in the near future, a small wooden table and three seats were arranged on the Old Trafford turf. Next, in front of 46,837 people, the Geordie lad with a perm, Atkinson and chairman Martin Edwards walked out of the players’ tunnel to take their seats around the picnic table. Then, pen in hand - and with a £1.5m fee agreed with West Bromwich Albion - the man who’d later become known as Captain Marvel scribbled his signature on the dotted line to become British football’s most expensive player.
So what did United get for their money? Almost the complete midfielder. He could pass like Steven Gerrard, control games like Roy Keane, tackle like Gennaro Gattuso and had an eye for goal like Frank Lampard. Throw into the mix a ferocious will to win, a mature reading of the game and outstanding leadership qualities and it’s clear to see why Roy Keane, his eventual successor, was so flattered by comparisons.
If he had one weakness it was being so susceptible to injury, but even that was brought about by his willingness to put his body on the line for the team. His bravery often saw him hurt - he broke his leg three times in one season at the Hawthorns - and it’s estimated that that he fractured or dislocated over twenty bones during his career. Quite an achievement then that he still managed to amass 459 games and 97 goals in almost 13 years at United.
He lifted the FA Cup three times, won two Premiership winners medals and the European Cup Winners Cup. He'd also led by example as captain from October 1982 to August 1992, winning 90 England caps along the way.
Today his name is mentioned in the same breath as Duncan Edwards, George Best, Sir Bobby Charlton and, as you’re about to find out, justifiably so…
The Atkinson Era (1981-86)
There was little thought in United manager Ron Atkinson’s mind that he might be taking a risk in breaking the British transfer record for Bryan Robson. Ex-Liverpool boss Bill Shankly had urged him to pay whatever it cost and Big Ron certainly wasn’t the cautious type. “You’re not even gambling with someone like him,” said the Reds’ ebullient perma-tanned boss, “This fella is solid gold.”
It took a while for the Robson to live up to his manager’s billing. In his first season with the Reds he played 35 matches, scoring 5 goals, concentrating his energies on supporting his captain and England team mate Ray Wilkins. But it was once Wilkins left for AC Milan that Robson came into his own. In the Autumn of 1982/83 he took over as captain, then stamped his authority on the Reds’ midfield, scoring 15 goals in 49 games.
In March, injury robbed him of a place in the League Cup final with Liverpool, which United lost 1-2. But a month later he was back for the FA Cup semi final against Arsenal and duly revealed his penchant for the big occasion. With the Reds trailing to a Tony Woodcock goal, Robson dragged the Reds back into the match with a second half equaliser, then watched Norman Whiteside strike the winner.
In the final against Brighton and Hove Albion Robson was to rise to the occasion again. Having failed to get on the scoresheet in the first game, a 2-2 draw, he gave a man of the match performance in the replay. He opened the scoring with a low left-foot drive from 20 yards, then scored a tap in from a yard, then won a penalty for the Reds’ fourth (scored by Arnold Muhren, having turned down the chance to complete his hat-trick). He was fast becoming the man to rely on, something team mate Gordon McQueen was quick to acknowledge, “Sometimes with him the rest of the team could say, ‘come on ‘skip, win it for us’. There’s not many you can ask that of.”
His ability to take a game by the scruff of the neck was on show more than ever in the 1983/84 season – his best at the club – and in one game in particular. On a night that’s gone down in Old Trafford folklore the Reds over-turned a two-goal 1st leg deficit to dump Catalan giants Barcelona out of the European Cup Winners Cup. Robson was the stand out player on the pitch, United’s inspiration netting twice in a thrilling 3-0 victory. “After missing chances in Barcelona I said that I owed the lads something,” said Robbo after the game, “I was just delighted that I did it for them at Old Trafford.”
Fully established as United and England’s Captain Marvel (a name given to him by his international boss Bobby Robson), he picked up his second FA Cup winners medal in May 1985. His semi-final replay equaliser against Liverpool (the goal he regards as his “best for the club”) was followed by a winner from Mark Hughes, and in the final the Reds beat Everton 1-0, courtesy of Whiteside.
Having picked up his second piece of silverware with the Reds, his (and United’s) attention turned to the Holy Grail – the league championship. The initial signs were good, or rather great, as United rattled up ten straight wins at the start of the 84/85 season. However, injuries took their toll on Atkinson’s squad - mostly to Robson, who dislocated his shoulder at West Ham – and the Reds finished fourth.
When that disappointment was followed by a poor start to 1986/87 the writing was on the wall for Atkinson and by November he was gone. For Robbo and his team mates a new era was beginning.
