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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Having been fortunate enough to become attracted to the magic of  Manchester United just prior to going into my teens a couple of years before Munich, I have lived through the eras of every Old Trafford manager since then, from the great Sir Matt Busby to the incredible success of Sir Alex Ferguson. Those two legends have left their own legacy to both the club and to English football itself which is unlikely to ever be matched.

There was however, one other manager in between who has left an immense impression which still remains today, even after more than 30 years. Despite his many shortcomings, Tommy Docherty was that man, a name which may not mean much to many of today’s younger generation of fans but who still evokes memories of those unpredictable days of the seventies.

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Four years of anticipation and expectations are now only hours away. Some of football’s greatest stars are assembled in South Africa preparing to put on “The Greatest Show On Earth” but a number of others will be watching the 2010 World Cup from their living rooms back home. It must be frustrating for grossly talented players who are capable of lighting up the tournament with their outstanding skills but whose countries were unable to obtain one of the only 32 spots available.

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