Have United ever played the reigning European Champions?

[1973Blade]

A thought that struck me during the first half. I can't think of an example.

 

[Bladebri]

Soon

 

[bornablade]

I think Liverpool were European Champions in 1978 when we played them in the League Cup (and beat them)

 

[Eddiecolquhounsleg]

First match next season. Settled by another dodgy penalty. Some things never change.

 

[Tunstall Fred]

What about when we beat Liverpool ,Gary Hamson scored the only goal, they had won the European Cup in 1977?

 

[CarlMcBlade]

Looking at this game, these are supposed to be top 4 Prem teams.......Blades have got nowt to fear.

 

[bromtom]

Looking at this game, these are supposed to be top 4 Prem teams.......Blades have got nowt to fear.

They've not played in anger for ages, does this always happen or is just the Englush teams that finish earlier? Because it's been very clear to see in both the Europa League and this final that they're all a bit rusty.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

Ah so that's what the think Liverpool quote meant.

 

[boss hog]

Looking at this game, these are supposed to be top 4 Prem teams.......Blades have got nowt to fear.

your joking right.

 

[Isar]

A thought that struck me during the first half. I can't think of an example.

Of course we have, I was there that night.

 

[HodgysBrokenThumb]

I think Liverpool were European Champions in 1978 when we played them in the League Cup (and beat them)

That match had an added consequence. River Plate arrived that afternoon (Monday) to play United on the Wednesday. The players had never heard of United, other than knowing that Sabella had signed for us. As soon as they found out that United had beaten the reigning European champions, they thought they were in for a difficult match, and spent the Tuesday preparing seriously for the game. When they went a goal down in the game, it could have unsettled them, but they really turned on the class, and won 2-1. There was briefly a good feeling around that United team, but it quickly unraveled.

 

[Silent Blade]

What about when we beat Liverpool ,Gary Hamson scored the only goal, they had won the European Cup in 1977?

Yes, they won in 1977 but 1978 is the correct answer as Liverpool won it again before they played us a few months later

 

[Kozzy_is_my_Dad]

Yes.

 

[Kozzy_is_my_Dad]

No.

 

[Kozzy_is_my_Dad]

Maybe.

 

[Kozzy_is_my_Dad]

I don't know.

 

[Kozzy_is_my_Dad]

Can you repeat the question?

 

[DifferentClass]

Yes we have. Just not in the league though... until next season

 

[PeterNdlovu081]

I'm sure we beat Bayern Munich when David Weir was in change.

 

[Bla blade]

In the world of Leeds fans the answer is yes.

They believe they were the moral victors in the 1975 European Cup Final when they lost 2-0 to Bayern Munich because the referee had been bribed (hence their "We are the champions, champions of Europe" chant).

We beat Leeds at their place towards the end of the 1975-76 season.

 

[CarlMcBlade]

your joking right.

Blades don’t do fear... but you’d know of course.

 

[Cerberus Blade]

We must have played Forest when they were European champions?

 

[Silent Blade]

We must have played Forest when they were European champions?

No we were relegated to the 3rd division when Forest won the European Cup

 

[WalkelyFan]

That match had an added consequence. River Plate arrived that afternoon (Monday) to play United on the Wednesday. The players had never heard of United, other than knowing that Sabella had signed for us. As soon as they found out that United had beaten the reigning European champions, they thought they were in for a difficult match, and spent the Tuesday preparing seriously for the game. When they went a goal down in the game, it could have unsettled them, but they really turned on the class, and won 2-1. There was briefly a good feeling around that United team, but it quickly unraveled.

That is exactly how I remember it. And I was there got both games. The winning River Plate goal went from side to side and up and down. Never seen a ball swerve so much.

 

[Silent Blade]

That is exactly how I remember it. And I was there got both games. The winning River Plate goal went from side to side and up and down. Never seen a ball swerve so much.

That was the equaliser by Alonso (at Lane End) Luque's winner was a powerful shot that went in via the bar at the Kop End

 

[SouthEssexBlade]

That match had an added consequence. River Plate arrived that afternoon (Monday) to play United on the Wednesday. The players had never heard of United, other than knowing that Sabella had signed for us. As soon as they found out that United had beaten the reigning European champions, they thought they were in for a difficult match, and spent the Tuesday preparing seriously for the game. When they went a goal down in the game, it could have unsettled them, but they really turned on the class, and won 2-1. There was briefly a good feeling around that United team, but it quickly unraveled.

The River Plate players couldn't have seen the Liverpool game than. My recollection is getting battered for most of the game and Gary Hamson then hitting a sweet shot from just outside the box which beat Clemence.

I also remember River Plate strolling around like it was a err...friendly. Alonso, Passarella and Luque looked light years ahead of anything we had and hardly got out of 2nd gear. Alonso scored a belter, Luque scored one and missed about 6, and I think hit the post as well

 

[HodgysBrokenThumb]

The River Plate players couldn't have seen the Liverpool game than. My recollection is getting battered for most of the game and Gary Hamson then hitting a sweet shot from just outside the box which beat Clemence.

I also remember River Plate strolling around like it was a err...friendly. Alonso, Passarella and Luque looked light years ahead of anything we had and hardly got out of 2nd gear. Alonso scored a belter, Luque scored one and missed about 6, and I think hit the post as well

They didn't see the game, as they only arrived that afternoon, and did a light training session in the hotel grounds and went to bed early. No televised game for them to watch in those days of course. But on the Tuesday they were full of talk of playing this team that had beaten Liverpool the day before, and they really thought they were going to be tested. You are right, it did turn into a stroll, but they did take the preparations seriously.
My memory of the Liverpool game is that it was a good giant-killing, against a strong Liverpool side (haven't checked that). There were certainly some narrow escapes for us. And I do remember feeling misplaced optimism with Haslam in charge.

 

[Tray]

Can you repeat the question?

You're not the boss of me now

 

[Brian Blessed]

In the world of Leeds fans the answer is yes.

They believe they were the moral victors in the 1975 European Cup Final when they lost 2-0 to Bayern Munich because the referee had been bribed (hence their "We are the champions, champions of Europe" chant).

We beat Leeds at their place towards the end of the 1975-76 season.

Ironically if they'd won the game and actually been European champions they wouldn't sing that and sound like such stupid fucking twats now.

 

[HodgysBrokenThumb]

That was the equaliser by Alonso (at Lane End) Luque's winner was a powerful shot that went in via the bar at the Kop End

Apologies if I've told this story before. I was interpreting for the River Plate squad, along with a handsome postgraduate student. When they arrived at the hotel, they went straight in for something to eat, and we ended up sitting at a table with Luque, their superstar World Cup goalscorer, who was quite small, cross-eyed, and wore glasses off the pitch. A group of autograph hunters came in, took one look at me and one look at Luque, and decided definitely not. They then got the autograph of the postgrad student, who did not let on he was English. I have often wondered if his autograph has puzzled people over the years...