An evening in Trafford in April 1992 could not have been sweeter for a City fan. The blues travelled to Old Trafford having just thrashed title contenders Leeds United
4-0 at Maine Road.
That victory put a huge dent in Leeds’ title ambitions and put United in the driving seat for their first championship title since 1968. Earlier in the season, Adrian Heath had missed an absolute sitter in front of the North stand which would have given City the points but skewed his shot woefully wide and the game ended goalless.
The blues travelled to Trafford hopeful of a victory that would giver them an even greater chance of nipping Sheffield Wednesday to a place in the UEFA Cup. The last visit to Old Trafford ended in a 1-0 defeat while the previous year, the blues had recorded a 1-1 draw thank to Ian Brightwell’s left foot screamer into the top corner.
The game started with United in the ascendency but City’s back line held firm. That was until Ryan Giggs went on a run on the right, cut inside and unleashed a sot from the edge of the area to put United one up. The hosts had a few other chances to increase the lead but failed to take them and at half time the score was 1-0 to United.
The second half will be remembered for a turning point in the game. Ryan Giggs had previously caught City full back Neil Pointon but the challenge had been missed by the referee. Pointon then decided to seek revenge and, when Giggs cleared the ball, Pointon went in hard on the Welsh winger, catching him full in the stomach. Giggs went to ground and Pointon went for an early bath and City were up against it.
Then David White went on a run down the left. His pace saw his go past Steve Bruce with ease and the former Norwich defender cynically brought him down in the box and the referee immediately pointed to the spot. The City fans behind the goal clasped their hands in prayer as penalty king Keith Curle stepped up and buried it in the top right hand corner. Against the odds, City were level.
United pressed but it was City who almost won it. Niall Quinn flicked on for White who only had Schmeichel to beat but he sliced his shot wide, leaving City fans reeling while the United fans breathed with relief.
The game ended 1-1 but the blues again missed a golden opportunity to win at Old Trafford but it was to end well for City. Following this result, United went on to finish second to Leeds, who won the title at Sheffield United with City old boy Brian Gayle scoring an own goal as Leeds won 3-2.