1986-87 Season - July/August
Pre Season
United played eight pre-season games in all. For the second year running they took part in the Isle of Man Cup in which they drew with Blackburn and Portsmouth before comfortably beating an Isle of Man X1 5-1.
They followed up with a couple of games in Northern Ireland where they beat Linfield and drew with Coleraine before losing 2-3 at Carlisle. An 8-0 thrashing of Durham City was followed by a 1-1 draw at home to Mexicans Monterray in front of an 8,417 crowd.
Summary
It was a tough start to the season and after a defeat and two draws United slumped to 18th spot. The main problem was upfront where Whitehurst was continuing to struggle and as a result only one goal was scored. .
Diary
| 1986/87 | 23rd Aug | Div 1 | Liverpool [H] | Lost | 0-2 [0-1] | 33,306 |
- Thomas
- Anderson
- Bailey
- McCreery
- Clarke
- Roeder
- Davies
- Gascoigne [s]
- Whitehurst
- Beardsley
- Wharton
- McDonald [s8]
For the new Greenall Whitley sponsored United it couldn't have been a much tougher opener as they had to take on double winners Liverpool who included Ian Rush whose proposed transfer to Juventus was temporarily delayed due to the rules of the Italian FA. Mike Hooper was making his debut.
We were soon cursing the Latin's laws as Rush slotted the ball past Thomas after only five minutes. Although United's response was spirited Liverpool looked the most likely to score with their swift counter-attacking style. Only wasteful finishing by the scousers prevented further scoring before half-time.
United battled on gamely in the second period with Beardsley the pick of the players but even he failed to exert is usual influence as he was surrounded by three or four red shirts whenever he received possession.
Seven minutes from time Liverpool secured the points when Rush hammered a second into the roof of the net from 12 yards. With the points in the bag player-manager Dalglish allowed himself a short run out.
| 1986/87 | 23rd Aug | Div 1 | Tottenham [A] | Drew | 1-1 [0-1] | 25,381 |
- Thomas
- Anderson
- Bailey
- McCreery
- Clarke
- Roeder
- Davies
- McDonald
- Whitehurst
- Beardsley [1]
- Wharton
- Stewart
Gazza picked up an injury in the match against Liverpool and therefore Neil McDonald was drafted in for the trip to White Hart Lane.
Torrential rain made for a tricky surface but it was Spurs who adopted better to the watery conditions and wave upon wave of attack descended upon the United citadel. Just when it looked like United might reach the break goalless Spurs finally scored.
It would have been easy for united to buckle but they kept battling away and got their reward when Beardsley grabbed a late equaliser.
McFaul was pleased with a first point and delighted with 'keeper Martin Thomas who had a brilliant game.
| 1986/87 | 30th Aug | Div 1 | Luton [A] | Drew | 0-0 [0-0] | 9,254 |
- Thomas
- Anderson
- Bailey
- McCreery
- McDonald
- Roeder
- Bogie
- Gascoigne
- Whitehurst
- Beardsley
- Wharton
- Stewart
Gazza was back and McDonald was switched to centre-back to replace the injured Clarke. Eighteen year old Ian Bogie made his debut.
Not making the trip to the plastic Kenilworth Road were the Newcastle fans as Luton had banned all away support; this partly explains the the pitifully small crowd.
Although The Magpies never stopped battling it was a poor performance and once again they were indebted to their Welsh custodian. Thomas halted The Hatters with a string of magnificent saves to earn his team a second point and earn himself a standing ovation from the home fans.
United only mustered four shots all match and two of those came in the opening minutes. They were slow at the back, non-existent in midfield and lightweight up front.
United performed marginally better in the second period as they tightened up in defence but it was still all Luton.