CITY 1 MANCHESTER UNITED 1
League Division 1
26th October 1986
attendance 32,440
Scorers
City McCarthy(50)
United Stapleton(46)
Ref D Scott
City Suckling, Clements, Wilson, Gidman, McCarthy, Redmond, White, McNab, Varadi, Greaqlish, Simpson – sub I Brightwell(64)
United Turner, Sivebaek, Albiston, Whiteside, McGrath, Hogg, Robson, Moses, Stapleton, Davenport, Barnes – sub Gibson
FROM THE PRESS BOX
REPORT FROM THE GUARDIAN 27TH OCTOBER 1986
Whatever the present problems of the Manchester clubs they will be able to stare one another in the eye at least until the 110th derby comes around next March.
A draw at Maine Road yesterday in front of a record low derby crowd of 32,440 was a fair outcome to a contest which threatened to go into a coma for a period before the interval, but which otherwise provided enough incident. skill and physical endeavour to satisfy the most demanding taste.
There were times when United‘s football showed marginally more imagination and control. but overall City emerged with a lot of credit. “Going down. going down, going down,” the United hordes yelled at the City fans. But not on this form surely ?
Last week’s frantic dabbling in the transfer market by the City manager, Jimmy Frizzell, brought a lot of experience to Maine Road in the Persons of John Gidman and Tony Grealish. Before that Imre Varadi had arrived, and these three promised to give the side a better blend of youth and experience.
United badly missed the injured Strachan. The Dane Sivebaek seemed to miss him too and made far fewer advances than he had done the previous week against Luton. With Barnes promising and irritating by turns, most of United’s major thrusts came down the middle through Whiteside and Robson.
By the interval City were perhaps unlucky not to have scored one goal at least. On sweeping movement between the powerful. impressive Redmond and White provided a chance for Varadi who, however. was unable to beat Turner’s challenge.
That the City at their most dangerous. Barely a minute after the interval, however. City were left to rue a clumsy challenge on Barnes. He took the free-kick and Stapleton beat Suckling with a gentle header, But it was typical of City‘s spirit on this occasion that they should equalise within minutes.
A fine goal it was. too. with McCarthy’s thunderous header from McNab’s cross leaving Turner flailing as the ball flew high into the net. Just before this United’s defence had been put at full stretch by a surging run down the left by Redmond who. harassed by Moses, had been unable to find the finish to beat the alert Turner.
Thereafter, the City goal endured the more anxious moments.