1976-77 Season - January

United's FA Cup campaign started at Brammall Lane against Second Division Sheffield United.

Around 10,000 fans made the trip to Sheffield and they were rewarded with a composed if somewhat undistinguished performance. The Steelmen's chances were reduced further when they had to play the last 30 minutes with 10 man having lost 2 players through injury.

A rusty performance from The Magpies which saw an angry Lee ordering his players in for extra training. They were undone by a couple of goals from Derby's expensive signing Derek Hales who had been struggling to justify his £280,000 fee.

The visitors were decent upfront but far too generous at the back with both Hales' goals a result of mistakes in defence; first by Cassiddy and then McCaffery. Gowling had equalised the bearded striker's 17th minute opener almost immediately but Webster restored the lead just before the break

The ex Charlton man made it 3-1 [49th] and McFarland headed a fourth [72nd] before Tommy Craig pulled one back from the spot [74th]

United booked their passage to the Fourth Round with a reasonably convincing performance against the plucky Yorkshiremen.

Tommy Craig put United ahead and after the visitors had equalised Burns fired us ahead again.

McCaffery added a third in the second half; his first goal for the senior side.

In the programme notes Lee talked of the "very happy atmosphere" within the club and the excellent relationship between the "playing staff, the coaches, myself and the Board of Directors"

But stories were emerging in the media that Everton wanted Gordon Lee as their new manager. Westwood warned them to keep their hands off and Lee dismissed the speculation by reiterating that he was "very happy" on Tyneside.

Gordon Lee's pre match motivational talk revolved around telling the players he was off to Goodison to take over as manager of Everton. Therefore it was no surprise that they were dumped out of The Cup by the 3rd placed Citizens

The weather was as bitter as the mood and the pitch was more suited to penguins than footballers. Rumours of his departure swept around SJ and some in the crowd sang "We love you Gordon", "Everton Hands Off" and "Westwood Out"

United started the brighter and then midway through the first half the referee disallowed a goal by the visitors. Fighting fans spilled onto the pitch side and the referee decided to take the players off whilst the police restored order.

The break seemed to disrupt United and City gradually took control and took the lead when David Craig could only turn a Paul Power cross into his own net.

A glancing header from Gowling gave United a short lived parity [42nd] before a Mahoney fumble presented Joe Royle with an unmissable opportunity [45th].

With United committed to attack City broke away to score a third through Owen [54th] and despite their best efforts the game was lost.

After the match Lee was arguing that the match should have been called off but accepted that the conditions were the same for both sides.

But the real story was Lee's sudden departure. He stated that he was sad about leaving the players and the fans but deliberately omitted to say anything about the directors whom he said had offered to match Everton's offer. "It's not a question of money, other things come into it"