Every summer when the fixtures come out, supporters immediately look for certain ones. One such fixture had been missing from the list for far too long. Manchester United versus Leeds United. Once you’ve been to the games between the two, you can understand the intensity. You can feel the hostility. And for supporters of Leeds United, this is the first fixture they look for on the calendar.Over the years there have been matches that live long in the memory. Supporters who have travelled to Elland Road will tell you of the reception they receive. The rivalry reignited in the 1990s after Leeds returned to the top flight. Their league title win in 1992 came at Manchester United’s expense. But by April 1996 when Leeds arrived at Old Trafford, so much had changed.
The season started with Aston Villa beating United 3-1 on the opening day. Alan Hansen told Match of the Day viewers that “you can’t win anything with kids”. On Christmas Eve Leeds handed United another 3-1 loss. Newcastle looked to be comfortable at the top. They were strolling to the title. The gap was ten points. By the time April arrived, United were top with a three point lead but had played one game more. Leeds looked a different side too. With hardly any of the 1992 title winners still in their ranks, they were in the bottom half of the table. But they were not going to lie down and give United an easy ride.
The previous weekend saw embarrassing defeats for both teams. Leeds 4-1 loss at Chelsea included a hat-trick from former Red Mark Hughes. On the South Coast, Southampton made United look foolish in more ways than one. The 3-1 defeat to Southampton was terrible and gave Newcastle a big chance to overtake. Alex Ferguson blamed United’s grey shirts. The half-time change to blue ones provided much amusement for rival fans up and down the country.
So on Wednesday April 17th 1996 things were very tight at the top of the table. Newcastle took an early lead through Rob Lee in their home game against Southampton. The pressure and tension of the evening increased. Within minutes Old Trafford would be the centre of attention. As Andy Cole chased a long ball, goalkeeper Mark Beeney raced out of his goal to get there first. Referee Keith Cooper spotted a handball. Leeds were not only down to ten men but without a recognised keeper.
With no goalkeeper on the bench, manager Howard Wilkinson withdrew midfielder Mark Ford. Taking his place was South African central defender Lucas Radebe. He was going to be the substitute goalkeeper for Leeds! They now had to play for over 75 minutes with ten men and a defender in goal. Against the team at the top of the league. Manchester United’s title hopes were now looking a lot more promising. With Cantona and Cole on the field, could this be double figures?
What followed from Leeds was a display of defiance and grit. They protected Radebe at every opportunity. When United managed to trouble the goalkeeper, Radebe was equal to everything. This was not going as expected. As United dominated, the levels of frustration and panic rose.
With seventeen minutes left, Ryan Giggs played a short pass to Roy Keane. The Irishman skipped by David Wetherall and from 20 yards sent a shot into the bottom corner past Radebe. The roar of the crowd and the celebration from Keane said it all. “Priceless goal” said Barry Davies on commentary. He wasn’t wrong. It was the winning goal and the 1-0 win kept United ahead of Newcastle, who also won by the same score.
United had two games to go, Forest at home and Middlesbrough away. Newcastle had three. Newcastle’s next game? Away to Leeds.
Alex Ferguson was not happy. He gave an interview where he questioned the effort that Leeds put in during the match. He asked if they would try so hard against Newcastle. His comments were not appreciated by Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan. After Newcastle won 1-0 at Elland Road, Keegan then launched into his famous “I’d love it…” rant.
But Keegan didn’t succeed. His side drew their last two matches. By the end of the season Manchester United were champions of England again.
