17 Jul 2015 12:36:52
Good afternoon everyone, I noticed further down major spoke of Paul Mcgrath and all I could see was good things spoken about the bloke.
If some of you didn't know I am one of the younger posters and I started on this page when I was 16 (Now 19).
My knowledge about United is quite strong regarding anything after the 1990's, but I don't think after reading what you lot had to say about Paul Mcgrath that I truly realise what other great players have played for the club.
I was hoping some of you older posters could enlighten myself and maybe others of players which we were unfortunate not to see play.
Obviously I have heard and read lots about the likes of George Best, the Busby Babes and so on. But rarely do I hear about some of our unsung heroes.
Looking forward to your replies!
17 Jul 2015 13:11:19
mrgrath, whiteside and robson where 3 worldclass players in the same united team imo
17 Jul 2015 13:23:03
Says it all about McGrath, leaving Man Utd, seen as finished by Fergie and others, went to Aston Villa and was voted Premier League's Player of the year at the age of 33.
Watch him in 1994 for Ireland against Italy when he went up against signori and baggio. He never gave them a look in.
He read the game amazingly well. Ball always found him.
On top of all that, he was drunk for most of the best games he played. He used to say how he couldn't remember games but yet he would walk off and receive the man of the match award.
17 Jul 2015 13:55:20
Robson, Whiteside, McGrath, Hughes, strachen, coppell, mcclair, albiston, bailey, plenty there.
17 Jul 2015 14:04:46
Disgraceful comment about being drunk for most of his best games that must mean he was drunk all the time wheter it being utd ireland or villa he never had a bad game in fact every game he played he was brilliant also a very humble man i have had the pleasure of dealing with the man affectionately known in ireland as the black pearl of inchiccore and was a delight to deal with so before u start talking shite think about what u are saying jesus you have got my goat up one of the best players of my generation didn't train for matches cause his knees were not up to it you wouldn't think that watching him play
17 Jul 2015 14:24:30
Stuart Pearson , jimmy greenhoff and Gordon hill loved watching these 3 with coppel on the right wing and the silky smooth Gerry daly in midfield
17 Jul 2015 14:27:50
McGrath was a total unit. No nonsense defender. He would get his head to nearly every set piece or corner defended.
I remember him admitting to being hungover in for a couple of games, but ain't half the players of today?! Absolute legend.
💚💛😋
17 Jul 2015 14:31:17
As a Liverpool fan I have to agree McGrath was class. Second only to Alan Hansen and I can't praise higher than that. Both players were genuine world class, far better than any centre half to have ever played in the premiership
17 Jul 2015 14:31:29
There are many more names being spoken of here than I was expecting!
Looking at our first team right now, who would you think would improve it from the players chosen?
Just want to get an idea of how good these players actually were compared to what we currently see.
17 Jul 2015 14:39:21
The Comments about him being drunk are in his book! Mainly during his Villa days though. There's also stories of him going missing the night before an Ireland match, still played and won man of the match in that too
I'm Irish and I love the guy he grew up close to where I live, absolute legend and a Fighter on the football pitch always gave 100%.Nicest guy you'll ever meet too
17 Jul 2015 15:04:02
He was a fantastic baller and is one of the nicest people you can meet. He came to my mates house when his dad was dying of cancer to see him because he heard from a friend of a friend that he was a huge fan. Absolute diamond of a man but Fergie was right to get rid of him. Fergie wasn't just looking at the here and now with Paul he was looking at the future and he had to get rid of the drinking culture.
Could you imagine the class of 92 coming through with that type of influence. They all talk about how Cantona stayed back after training and that was the catalyst for them to put the extra graft in. Could that have been the pub instead of the training ground? We'll never know but he was a class player and and even classier gentleman.
17 Jul 2015 15:27:35
McGrath was very good considering he had drinking issues and hardly trained due to serious knee troubles. He had a very hard childhood in orphanages and was physically abused, I think I remember from an interview I heard with him. Amazing he was the player he was with all the troubles, then you get the big prima donnas these days, paid an absolute fortune and most not fit to lace the boots of a non training, McGrath with drink problems!
17 Jul 2015 16:11:26
brendan
i didn't think mcgrath would be your type of player .
missing training turning up drunk etc
17 Jul 2015 17:13:52
Well I was far far too young to have understood all that at the time. No of course he wasn't a very professional sports person, but he had a hugely difficult life pre football and it contributed to how he ended up as an adult. I think growing up in orphanages and being physically abused is enough for me to pardon him on the things he did that weren't what we would expect. Let's face it, most players in those days were doing it and they had no reasons other than it was the norm.
17 Jul 2015 19:40:38
brendan
i think he is a legend but i thought best was and we have disagreed over that in the past .
as well as robson and kean
17 Jul 2015 19:58:39
Coppel and Hill. These two had me on the edge of my seat more times than I care to remember. Stood out like rays of light, in a fairly average side.
Shout out for Whiteside - another local boy who shone for our club and my country.
And Micky Thomas - gave me my first autograph, ruffled my hair, and recommended a good bar for my dad and uncles to go to after the match. Top bloke.
17 Jul 2015 20:02:42
Paul McGrath was a Rolls Royce of a footballer yet could have been even better. I watched him play regularly at OT and he had all the aspects needed to play at the very top. However I also used to frequent a pub in South Manchester on a Thursday evening and my friends and I saw the drinking aspect one evening. Very sad and SAF had to move him on. Great attributes and playing now if he was without the drink issue he would be a seriously top player