It was not a cup tie at Old Trafford but this United vs Arsenal classic at the old Highbury Stadium has gone down in the annals of history. Long time Arsenal fan Norman McMillan who was just 13 years old at the time, remembers the match in an article written for arsenal-world.net. It records the vivid memories of a young boy mesmerised by football magic irrespective of club loyalties. As he now recalls “It was the last League game played by the Busby Babes – five days before the Munich Air Disaster.”

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Why has Scotland produced so many of the best football managers in the world? Based on exclusive interviews with the men themselves, their players or close friends and family, authors Michael Grant and Rob Robertson reveal the huge contribution that Scottish managers like Sir Alex Ferguson, Sir Matt Busby, Bill Shankly, Jock Stein, Tommy Docherty, Jim McLean, Kenny Dalglish, George Graham, Walter Smith, Gordon Strachan, Alex McLeish and David Moyes, as well as a host of others, have made to the world game.

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The record books show that Viv Anderson was the last big name player to be transferred from Arsenal to Manchester United in 1987 but two earlier signings proved to be just as significant. Few players have shown the knack of finding the net better than former great David Herd did in the sixties. During his seven years at Old Trafford, the Scotland born striker scored 145 times in 265 appearances. Then there was the Irish centre forward Frank Stapleton who had been rejected by United as a teenager. It was therefore ironic that Ron Atkinson had to pay the Gunners £900,000 for his signature in August 1981. Both Herd and Stapleton proved to be inspirational signings for which the Arsenal contribution has to be recognised.

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The 2-1 pre season defeat in Kansas City by the Wizards this morning was not the first suffered in America by Manchester United. The club has been visiting the country for decades while a number of former stars have either played there for a few years towards the end of their careers or started a new life on the other side of the world. One of those who may be remembered is Gordon Hill who was brought to Old Trafford by former manager Tommy Docherty in November 1975 for £70,000 from Millwall at the age of 21.
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The great 1958 tragedy at Munich had decimated a Manchester United team which Sir Matt Busby had been patiently building for a decade. If United were ever to bounce back, the rebuilding had to start in earnest so at the beginning of the 60s Busby started looking more and more into the transfer market. His famous Youth system was still several years away from producing the major players who were capable of challenging for honours so there remained little alternative than to open the cheque book.

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