- Man United beat Liverpool 4-3 in dramatic fashion in the FA Cup on Sunday
- Amad Diallo’s last-gasp winner capped off one of Old Trafford’s greatest games
- Erik ten Hag WON’T survive at Man United beyond the end of the season even if he lifts the FA Cup – It’s All Kicking Off podcast
Old Trafford has seen some classic games in the modern era, and Manchester United’s extraordinary FA Cup quarter-final win over Liverpool on Sunday was up there with the best of them.
Trailing late in normal time and again in extra-time, United staged another famous comeback to knock out their bitter rivals 4-3 with a 121st-minute goal from Amad Diallo.
‘I was shouting and I couldn’t hear my voice so you have an idea what the noise was like for us on the pitch,’ said captain Bruno Fernandes afterwards.
United fans will have their own favourites, but here are the 10 most memorable games I’ve witnessed at Old Trafford.
March 21, 1984, European Cup Winners’ Cup quarter-final
The night Bryan Robson was carried shoulder-high off the pitch after inspiring United to a stunning win over Diego Maradona and Co.
‘The noise was so loud it felt like the pitch was shaking,’ Robson told Mail Sport recently.
Trailing 2-0 from the first leg, United looked down and out. But Robson scored twice to put the teams level on aggregate and Frank Stapleton sent Ron Atkinson’s side through.
2. Man Utd 2 Sheff Wed 1
April 10, 1993, Premier League
Sir Alex Ferguson danced on the pitch and his assistant Brian Kidd fell to his knees in delirious celebration after Steve Bruce scored the second of two late headers in the seventh minute of stoppage time to point United towards their first title in 26 years.
They looked to be heading for heartbreak for the second season in a row after John Sheridan put Wednesday ahead from the penalty spot, but Bruce’s heroics sent United back to the top of the table and they never looked back.
3. Man Utd 2 Liverpool 1
Jan 24, 1999, FA Cup fourth round
Sunday wasn’t the first FA Cup classic between United and Liverpool at Old Trafford.
Back in 1999, the Treble was a distant dream for United when they trailed to an early Michael Owen goal against their old rivals.
But Dwight Yorke found a late leveller and set the stage for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s stoppage-time winner.
‘That was the game that started everything,’ Gary Neville later reflected.
4. Man Utd 4 Real Madrid 3
April 23, 2003, Champions League quarter-final
An epic night that ended in disappointment for United as they bowed out of Europe to a Ronaldo-inspired Madrid.
The Spaniards were already leading 3-1 from the first leg when Ronaldo scored the first goal of a stunning hat-trick that earned him a standing ovation from the home fans.
But United roared back with two goals by substitute David Beckham, on his last appearance in Europe for the club, to go out 6-5 on aggregate.
5. Man Utd 2 Arsenal 0
Oct 24, 2004, Premier League
Tempers flared and the pizza flew after a titanic battle between United and Arsenal at the height of Ferguson’s rivalry with Arsene Wenger.
The Gunners arrived at Old Trafford protecting a record 49-game unbeaten run but it was brought to an end as Ruud van Nistelrooy converted a penalty controversially awarded for Sol Campbell’s challenge on Wayne Rooney, who scored United’s second.
In the so-called Battle of the Buffet that followed after full time, Cesc Fabregas scored a direct hit on Ferguson.
‘The first thing that occurred to me was to throw the pizza because I didn’t have the power to go into that fight,’ revealed Fabregas years later. ‘They were monsters in there.’
6. Man Utd 7 Roma 1
April 10, 2007, Champions League quarter-final
The margin of United’s victory disguises the fact that they were 2-1 down from the first leg in Rome and in danger of going out.
But Old Trafford was treated to a sublime performance as United hit seven goals, including two crackers from Michael Carrick and one from Alan Smith.
‘That’s absolutely the best night of European football we’ve had here,’ said Ferguson.
7. Man Utd 1 Barcelona 0
April 29, 2008, Champions League semi-final
After a goalless draw at the Nou Camp, Old Trafford exploded when Paul Scholes fired United into an early lead in the second leg with a 25-yard screamer.
‘The best miskick I’ve ever done,’ Scholes joked in 2020, admitting he sliced the shot.
United fans didn’t care and there were wild celebrations at the end after their team held out against Lionel Messi and a Barcelona team destined for greatness.
8. Man Utd 4 Man City 3
September 20, 2009, Premier League
United were well aware of the blue moon rising on the other side of Manchester when City arrived at Old Trafford for what turned into a classic derby a year after the Abu Dhabi takeover.
Three times Ferguson’s side led and three times they were pegged back before substitute Michael Owen scored a sensational winner in the 96th minute despite only four minutes being added on — much to the fury of City boss Mark Hughes.
9. Man Utd 3 Aston Villa 2
April 5, 2009, Premier League
The day that teenage debutant Federico Macheda stepped off the bench to send Old Trafford into rapture with a 93rd-minute winner after Villa led with 10 minutes left.
‘I’ve never heard anything like what I did that day and maybe I never will. It was a crazy noise,’ Macheda told Mail Sport last month.
It was another comeback win that turned the Premier League title race in United’s favour.
They were heading for a third successive league defeat, but Ronaldo’s equaliser and Macheda’s heroics saw United regain a decisive advantage over Liverpool.
10. Man Utd 2 Man City 1
February 12, 2011, Premier League
United were still just about holding ‘noisy neighbours’ City at arm’s length when Rooney scored one of the greatest goals Old Trafford has ever seen to win the derby.
The teams were level in the 78th minute when Nani’s deflected cross looped towards Rooney, who executed a spectacular overhead kick.
‘If I’m being honest, it’s probably one of the worst games I’ve ever played!’ Rooney modestly admitted last year.
Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.
