Golden goals: Gary Lineker (1989)

Ask anyone to describe a typical Gary Lineker goal and you will get a fairly standard response. A fox in the box before the term was even in the footballing vernacular, Lineker was the ultimate predator, always in the right place at the right time. He probably did not have to spend too much time coming up with a name for his media production company.

However, there is one goal that Lineker scored in December 1989 that strayed from his trademark. A strike from outside of the penalty area that increased the pressure on Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson, and gave Tottenham their only league win at Old Trafford in the 1980s. A rare moment for both the scorer and his club, Lineker's goal would be Tottenham's last winner at the ground for 23 years.

Golden goals: Ian Brightwell (1990)

"I just wellied it." Sometimes you can over complicate football. But in February 1990, Manchester City's Ian Brightwell told it how it was. As the ball rolled towards the midfielder in the 74th minute of a passionate Manchester derby there was only one thing on the mind of the 21-year-old. Just welly it.

Brightwell's goal meant so much on so many levels. A City supporter as a child, here was a product of the club's successful youth system scoring an equaliser at the home of their local rivals. But the importance of the goal stretched beyond this. Brightwell's moment resulted in City gaining a vital point in their relegation battle. Deliciously for City's fans, it also left United firmly in the mire. 

1983/84: Manchester United v Ipswich

It sometimes feels as if we are only ever a minute away from a statistic appearing on our television screens during a live football match. You know the kind of thing. Most goals from a corner, every time Arsenal line up their next training ground routine. Possession in the last five minutes. Number of successful passes by a certain player on Tuesday nights since 2002.

But putting my cynicism aside for a brief moment, every now and then a fact appears that makes you sit up a take notice. A snippet of information that you had no idea about, something that you could possibly bore your friends with the next time you go to the pub. 

Watching Manchester United defeat Tottenham in the recent Premier League match at Old Trafford, TNT informed us that the last time United had led at half-time in a league match and went on to lose was back in May 1984. A distant time before football began - if you believe some - consisting of a staggering 329 games of half-time leads leading to 303 wins and 26 draws.

Golden goals: Neil Webb (1989)

It was quite the way to announce yourself. In front of the Stretford End, Manchester United supporters looked on as the ball hit the back of the net. The new boy beamed as he soaked up the adulation of the crowd. The future looked bright. 

Enough about Michael Knighton. For the potential new owner of the club was not the only man to make the headlines at Old Trafford on a sunny August day in 1989. The opening day of the season was memorable for anyone associated with the club, yet for one man making his debut it was the dream start.

1984: The bravery of Paul Terry

It was an image that would dominate the back pages. When Chris Woakes walked down the steps leading to the boundary edge at the Oval, the crowd stood to applaud this noble deed. With his left arm in a sling and inside his jumper, Woakes arrived at the crease with England requiring 17 runs to win the final Test against India.

With Woakes suffering a suspected shoulder dislocation, it was evident that Gus Atkinson (or extras) would have to get England over the line. Alas, England fell agonisingly short, the sheer will and skill of Mohammed Siraj enabling India to deservedly draw the series. Come the conclusion, a lot of the press coverage inevitably praised Woakes for his bravery.

Woakes' appearance jogged the memories of many an England supporter of a certain age. The circumstances may have been very different from the tail end of England's innings at the Oval, but in July 1984 another English batsmen arrived on the scene sporting the Woakes look. Paul Terry could probably relate to Woakes' pain.

1984: Viv Richards' 189

"I think that's the greatest ODI innings," Australian skipper Pat Cummins said, regarding Glenn Maxwell's stunning unbeaten 201 against Afghanistan in the 2023 World Cup. "It's the best I've ever seen, probably the greatest ODI innings ever." Former New Zealand wicketkeeper and commentator Ian Smith seemed to agree. "I've never seen anything like it."

Sport naturally sets itself up for debates about the greatest or worst, be it competitor, match, series, tournament, goal, try, shot, insert as appropriate. As soon as anything happens in the sporting arena, you can be fairly confident that within minutes or hours pundits and social media experts will be discussing the merits of what we have just seen.

1981 Fifth Ashes Test: Tavball

Forget Bazball. In August 1981, England needed a dash of Tavball to clinch the Ashes.

As glorious and euphoric as they were, there could be no disputing that England's wins over Australia at Headingley and Edgbaston had papered over some widening cracks. Batting frailties had been constantly exposed in the face of some excellent bowling from Dennis Lillee, Terry Alderman and Geoff Lawson. The Botham/Dilley "let's give it some humpty" approach had been a rare bright spot in a gloomy series.

Nothing emphasised England's struggles more than the number three position in their batting line-up. Bob Woolmer, Mike Brearley and David Gower had all been tried at first drop during the Ashes, with consistent results. Sadly for England, the returns were consistently poor. Just 77 runs from eight innings at an average of 9.625 highlighted that a different approach was needed. Prior to the Old Trafford Test, England turned to Tavaré.

1986/87: Manchester United v Tottenham

Manchester United and Tottenham had a history of entertaining BBC audiences. In December 1983, the first live league match shown on the BBC saw the home team come out on top, winning 4-2 in a thrilling if sometimes calamitous Friday evening. A lot had changed in the intervening three years as the teams prepared to face each other at the same ground.

Keith Burkinshaw eight year spell in charge at White Hart Lane had ended, and although his successor Peter Shreeves threatened to win the league at Tottenham in his first year of the club, a new man was in charge come the start of the 1986/87 campaign. David Pleat was the latest man to try and win Tottenham's first championship since 1961. 

1986/87: Manchester United v Norwich City

The mid-80s had been a topsy-turvy experience for Norwich City fans. Winning the 1985 Milk Cup at Wembley was a joyous occasion, yet soon the experience would turn sour. Relegation at the end of the season, and the European ban placed on English clubs after Heysel, left Norwich in Division Two with their UEFA Cup spot taken away from them.

There would be a couple of crumbs of comfort after these twin disappointments. Ken Brown remained in charge to lead the club to the 1985/86 Second Division title, and with rivals Ipswich passing them on the way down, the club bounced back just as they (and Alan Partridge) regularly do in recent Premier League years.

FA Cup: Manchester United and West Ham clashes

The forthcoming FA Cup fifth round match between Manchester United and West Ham is the latest chapter of a story that has seen the two clubs face each other in the competition. From the first instalment in 1911 - won 2-1 by West Ham - to Manchester United's third round replay win in 2013, the ties involving both clubs have provided many talking points.

West Ham's 1-0 win at Old Trafford in 2001 is often remembered for Paolo Di Canio outwitting Fabien Barthez, although some West Ham fans may wistfully recall how their midfield trio of Lampard, Carrick and Joe Cole shone. Two years later, there was no such joy in Manchester; current Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer scoring the last goal in a 6-0 hammering.

1985/86: Manchester United v Arsenal

This article first appeared in issue 284 of The Gooner. 

Understandably many clubs have struggled when visiting Old Trafford in the Premier League era. But it’s a slight irritation to Arsenal fans that their record at this ground has been so poor. FA Cup wins in 2003 and 2015 were delicious, as were the league victories during the double winning campaigns of 97/98 and 01/02. But it’s a full 14 years since Arsenal last left Old Trafford with three points. 

Despite the claims of Sky, football did actually exist before 1992, and digging a little deeper into the record books reveals that Arsenal’s league record at Old Trafford leaves a lot to be desired. The famous 1990 Battle of Old Trafford win aside – another gained during a title winning season – a league visit to M16 has often been coupled with disappointment.

1986/87: Manchester United v Chelsea

Throughout the elongated 2019/20 Premier League season there seemed to be four words that were never far away from live reports, match commentary and social media updates: penalty to Manchester United. Awarded a record 14 penalties for a Premier League campaign - I've put feelers out to try and see if this is an all-time top-flight record - people will no doubt be scrambling to get Bruno Fernandes into their Fantasy Football teams.