RetroUnited.com is proud and privileged to host the opinions and exclusively provided analysis from a number of former Manchester United players (and a manager!). Here, we tell you a little bit more about those contributions and pay thanks to all – some may be more distinguished or recognisable names than others, but all who have contributed to RetroUnited.com provide a unique insight to news and events from Old Trafford.
Tommy Docherty
Tommy Docherty will contribute to the website for the 2014/15 season. Docherty – one of the most controversial figures in the history of the club – took over in 1972, taking United on a whirlwind journey that included the pain of relegation in 1974, promotion in 1975 after an infamous year in Division Two, and FA Cup glory in 1977. Supporters of that era – as well as United legends Gordon Hill and Sammy McIlroy, whose contributions will also feature over the next year – insist that Docherty would have taken the club to the heights of the Division One title and European Cup glory. We are delighted that for the coming season, Docherty’s thoughts will feature exclusively on RetroUnited.com.
Brian Greenhoff
Brian sadly passed away in May 2013 but had played a big part in the development, growth and quality of output from TalkOfTheDevils.com. Brian played almost 300 times for United in the famous “Doc’s Devils” side of the 1970’s, winning the FA Cup in 1977 before he fell foul of manager Dave Sexton. As a testament to his ability, when Greenhoff was sold to Leeds United in 1979, he brought a record fee to the Reds. A passionate United supporter, he continued to cheer on the Reds and his illuminating column for TalkOfTheDevils.com as well as his regular podcast appearances showed just how fervent a Red he still was, with his views often driving Liverpool and Manchester City fans in particular wild!
Gordon Hill
Few players have entertained Old Trafford quite like Gordon Hill did. A relatively short spell at United from 1976-1978, Hill made such an impression as a great goal scorer (in both senses of the word) that he is rightly revered as a legend at the club. A goal ratio that compares with Cristiano Ronaldo and one of the sweetest left foots United have ever had, Hill’s performances as a winger are fondly remembered by all who identify him as the star man from that famous 1977 side. Gordon sadly struggled with injury later in his career but became a star attraction in the North American game, where he now lives, coaching the youth of tomorrow. Gordon provides RetroUnited.com with regular analysis and is the ‘main event’ of the RetroUnited.com Podcast panel.
Mike Duxbury
Nobody played more times for Manchester United in the 1980’s than Mike Duxbury. A winner of two FA Cups and a homegrown player who experienced four managers at Old Trafford, Duxbury was the ultimate professional at either full back or centre half. With over 300 appearances for United and a winner of ten caps for England (including that game in the Maracana in 1984), we were delighted that Mike shared his honest and straightforward views with RetroUnited.com for the 13/14 season – and will continue to do so in 2014/15.
Danny Higginbotham
A youth product of the club in the mid 90’s, Danny was involved in an infamous incident in Belgium when on loan to Royal Antwerp which saw his entire career threatened – thankfully, the situation was resolved and he went on to play a squad role in the 1999/2000 season. He left United in 2000 and became a legend for Stoke City after his move there under Tony Pulis. Higginbotham became the eldest United academy product to achieve an international cap when he represented Gibraltar in 2013. In 2014, following his retirement, Danny established himself as one of the most knowledgeable pundits in the media – he regularly shares his opinion on Manchester United in a column for RetroUnited.com.
Sammy McIlroy
Few players had a career as eventful as Sammy – the last of the Busby Babes, McIlroy went on to play 419 times for the biggest club in the world, scoring 71 goals and winning the FA Cup in 1977. McIlroy lit up Old Trafford with his penetrating runs from midfield and later became a manager of real distinction with a number of clubs including Macclesfield Town – he also managed his home country, Northern Ireland. For the 2014/15 season, we will be featuring Sammy’s opinion about all things United.
Kevin Pilkington
Until Ben Amos next plays (this being written in the pre-season of the 14/15 season) Kevin holds a nice personal record; no youth player breaking through from the academy has played more times in goal for Manchester United since he was at the club. Unfortunately for Kevin his career at Old Trafford coincided with the best we’ve ever had in the position – and regularly pays tribute to Peter Schmeichel for that fact. Kevin went on to have a wonderful club career in the lower divisions and we are honoured to have one of the class of 1992 – and, after the retirement of Ryan Giggs, the only one from that team remaining playing league football professionally. Kevin gives a regular opinion piece to RetroUnited.com readers.
Markus Neumayr
Markus was captain of the hugely successful reserve side of 2006 alongside the likes of Gerard Pique and Giuseppe Rossi. With his progression stalling and his path to the first team blocked by prominent names, Markus decided not to renew his contract despite Sir Alex Ferguson’s wish for him to stay. After some difficult times after leaving Manchester, Markus got his career back on track and now plays in Switzerland – he gives RetroUnited.com that unique opinion of a young foreign player who supports the club but is based overseas.
Jules Maiorana
In late 1989, Maiorana was plucked from non-league obscurity to become the ‘face’ of the first wave of ‘Fergie’s Fledglings’ – after a remarkable appearance for United against Arsenal just a few months after joining, he was tipped for the very top of the game, with Bryan Robson likening him to Eusebio. Sadly, injury cut short Maiorana’s career, and for a long time, he was absent from the spotlight. After becoming the headline feature in the book ‘Fergie’s Fledglings’, Maiorana’s story was told in 2014. For RetroUnited.com, the former winger gives a no-holds barred honest view of someone who knows what it takes to play for United.
Phil Marsh
Phil Marsh’s story and connection to Manchester United may be one of the most fascinating that you rarely hear. Injured in a car crash in 2004 just months after the death of Jimmy Davis in a similar accident, Phil’s life hung in the balance. He battled back to remarkably play for the first team and showed his dedication by playing in a number of positions for the successful reserve team in 2005 and 2006. Phil contributes on a regular basis for RetroUnited.com.