1974/75 Season - October
Summary
United reached the Texaco Cup Final again after beating Birmingham 4-1 at St Andrews but in the real competitions the pressure was building.
As United struggled to find an opening in the home match against bottom placed Luton the crowd became increasingly angry and frustrated. Supermac was playing out of his skin but many players chose to "hide". A single Tudor goal 14 minutes from time ended the winless run
Next up was the all-ticket Tees Tyne derby where United took on newly promoted 'Boro. A massive police operation prevented major trouble but there were still numerous altercations including an incident at the railway station. The match itself was a poor goalless draw and was the 10th match in a row in which Macdonald had failed to score.
Fulham were dispatched 3-0 in the Fourth Round of the League Cup (our best ever run in the competion up to then) before struggling Chelsea arrived at SJP. Fifty minutes of "joyless destroying by Chelsea" was wiped away by a five goal blast in the last 38 minutes. Harvey was back in favour but Hibbitt was out injured.
Coach Keith Burkinshaw thought the side was showing a much better attitude then before when the side had ."loads of skill, loads of ability - and not so much character".
The next game brought a 4-1 thrashing at Burnley with United reject Peter Noble registering a hat-trick. United supporters let off steam by rampaging through the Lancashire town whilst John Tudor required 12 stitches after a stone was hurled through the window of the United coach.
Southampton were United's opponents in the Texaco Cup Final and it was The Saints who won the First Leg 1-0 in front of 17,100 fans at The Dell.
The month ended with a tremendous 2-1 home victory over leaders Man City which left United in 8th; a match which was watched from the stands by hard man John Conteh and not quite so hard man David Essex. The pop star also presented Pat Howard with his "Man of the Month award.
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