1976-77 Season - November
Summary
Three wins and a draw saw United move up into third place and garnered them nationwide praise for their performances. The pre season relegation favorites were now being talked about as genuine title contenders
They seemed to be convincing their local doubters too as attendances edged towards the 40,000 mark.
£100,000+ profits added to £400,000 in transfer sales should have made Lee a player in the transfer market but Westwood announced that the money was needed for ground improvements to comply with the Safety of Sports Grounds Act.
| 1976/77 | 6th Nov | Div 1 | Man City [A] | Drew | 0-0 [0-0] | 40,049 |
- Mahoney
- Nattrass
- Kenneddy
- Cassiddy
- McCaffery
- Nulty
- Barrowclough
- Cannell
- Burns
- Gowling
- Craig T
- Blackhall
United returned to Manchester determined to make amends for their humiliating defeat at Old Trafford 10 days ago and they achieved their goal with a thoroughly professional performance against 4th placed City.
Nattrass especially was in England form as they gradually strangled the life out of the City forwards whilst their slick short passing game created chances at the other end which could even have brought victory.
United moved up to 5th.
| 1976/77 | 20th Nov | Div 1 | WHU [A] | Won | 2-1[1-1] | 21,324 |
- Mahoney
- Nattrass
- Kenneddy
- Cassiddy
- McCaffery
- Nulty [1]
- Barrowclough
- Cannell
- Burns [1]
- Gowling
- Craig T
- Mitchell
Another capital victory as United's cool professionalism overcame the struggling Hammers pacey desperation. United soaked up the early pressure before Nulty stabbed them ahead just after the half hour.
Former star Pop Robson equalised almost immediately but Burns ensured maximum points by scoring 11 minutes into the second period.
"I'm not going to crow" said Lee "but joint second-top (5th) with one-third of the season gone can't be bad. I've preached all along that what we need is consistency and that is what we achieved today"
| 1976/77 | 24th Nov | Div 1 | Everton [H] | Won | 4-1[1-0] | 31,203 |
- Mahoney
- Nattrass
- Kenneddy [s]
- Cassiddy
- McCaffery
- Nulty
- Barrowclough
- Cannell [1]
- Burns
- Gowling [2]
- Craig T [1]
- Craig D [s3]
Newcastle moved up into 3rd place after 7th placed Everton were thrashed 4-1 at St James' Park in a performance far removed from the "dull and workmanlike" early season shows. It could have been more if Gowling hadn't missed two sitters.
Tommy Craig opened the scoring half-way through the first period and three goals in 16 minutes in the second half from Gowling [58], Cannell [59] and Gowling again [74] made it four. Mike Lyons got The Toffees consolation [83]
The Everton directors certainly left impressed.
| 1976/77 | 27th Nov | Div 1 | QPR [H] | Won | 2-0 [2-0] | 39,045 |
- Mahoney
- Nattrass
- Kenneddy
- Cassiddy
- McCaffery
- Nulty
- Barrowclough
- Cannell [1]
- Burns [1]
- Gowling
- Craig T
- Blackhall
The renewed faith of the supporters was reflected in the highest turnout of the season for the visit of 15th placed QPR who were struggling to live up to their form of the previous season when they had finished runners-up.
United did not let them down; they took the lead after only 13 minutes when sloppy defending allowed Cannell to register the first and straight from the restart Burns doubled the advantage
Both sides favoured a short-passing style but United were less reliant on it as Tommy Craig would occasionally produce a killer long-ball.
United retained third spot behind Liverpool and Ipswich and were now regarded as genuine title challengers. Dave Sexton became the latest manager to praise Lee's new-look side.
"They are a much better side than last season. Their team work is high and they have a lot of skill".