1987-88 Season - August

Tony Cunningham leaves for Blackpool in a £40,000 deal

United become the first British club to sign a Brazilian when they buy Mirandinha for £500,000. However, he will not arrive until his current club Palmeiras' interest in the Brazilian League Championship play-offs has ended.

Wednesday 19th August - Spurs [a] - D1 - Lost 1-3

United start the season in midweek with a 3-1 reverse at Tottenham with the following side: Kelly, McDonald , Bailey, McCreery, Jackson P, Roeder, Jackson D, Gascoigne, Goddard, Wharton and Hodges.

Saturday 22nd August - Sheff Wed [a] - D1 - Won 1-0

A strike from Darren Jackson [19th minute] is enough to gain United their first points of the season after a gritty performance at Hillsbrough.

Sheff Wed 'keeper Martin Hodge accused the young Scot of being a cheat for claiming the goal, arguing that it would have gone wide if he hadn't deflected it in off his knee.

Six van loads of United fans are refused entry and sent back home whilst others were stopped on the motorway. Explaining the action Inspector Clive Calvert had this to say.

The trouble with Newcastle fans is they like their drink too much. And the amount of fans who manage to squeeze into transit vans defies the laws of gravity"

Mirandinha jets into Tyneside for the first time. The story of his signing can be read about in our article on Mira

Saturday 29th August - Nottm F [H.] - D1 - Lost 0-1

A disappointing home defeat in front of 20,111 supporters as United fail to take their early chances. Mira is given a heroes welcome before the game.

The only goal was scored just before half-time by the son of the manager Cloughie.