CITY 1 MANCHESTER UNITED 3
ALAN OAKES Testimonial
3rd May 1972
attendance 30,429
Scorers
City Marsh(33)
United Moore(70 & 80), McIlroy(73)
Ref ?
FROM THE PRESS BOX
PETER GARDNER WRITING IN THE MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS 4TH MAY 1972
Manchester United bounced back to win the one that didn’t really matter with three late goals in ten minutes to save the Alan Oakes Testimonial from becoming a bore.
For 70 minutes the reds in particular took Manchester City too seriously as they sought to avenge past defeats.
Yet this was no time for a revenge match. It should have been a carnival occasion along the lines of the recent Anfield night of glory when Liverpool and England saluted Roger Hunt.
And the wisdom of continuing this series of matches in future must be questioned. Both City and United have fierce local pride and passion at stake, and a more ideal match would be to have an International lineup at either Maine Road or Old Trafford in future.
Rodney Marsh attempted to lift the game out of a rut with a performance that saw him reveal his full repertoire of tricks, and at the same time overshadow United’s George Best to steal the title of Manchester’s soccer maestro.
Mike Summerbee and Oakes himself also tried to instill some light hearted interlude into what was otherwise an extremely dull affair.
Marsh had given City a 33rd minute lead which they held until Ian Moore hit the first of his two goals.
That sparked off United’s rally, and three minutes later Sammy McIlroy scored the second on the ground where he made his League debut with a similar goal in November. Moore scored again tn the 80th minute to make it 3-1.
… Oakes, in addition to gate receipts of £11,789, stands to pick up a final testimonial cheque in the region of £14,000.