Sir Alex Ferguson
Sir Alex Ferguson is one of the most successful managers of all time, one who created a football superpower from the dust.
Every football fan knows how important he was for Manchester United, and he had a key role in English football’s success. However, none of this would have happened if it weren’t for a striker who saved Ferguson’s career in 1990.
It was January 7th and United were under pressure as poor performances from the squad had led to them being in 15th place in the league table and they’d just sufferend an early exit in the League Cup. After a Tottenham 3-0 win, the board gave a last chance to Ferguson to win or he’d be sacked.
United were drawn against Brian Clough’s Nottingham Forest in an FA Cup tie. A do-or-die match for Sir Alex against a tough opponent.
Robins’ importance
The first half ended 0-0, with the Red Devils looking unable to score a goal and secure Ferguson’s job. He had accepted his destiny. Until, after a weird pass, Mark Robins scored with a beautiful header. Forest scored, but in extra time, Robins scored another to lead his side to victory.
He said a few years later that he never realised how important his goal was – no player knew that this match would judge Ferguson’s fate.
“People talk about that goal for obvious reasons. Fergie put in his book normally I would have flicked it and missed but because I got pushed in the back by Stuart Pearce it took me on to the ball and carried it into the net” – Mark Robins
The following year, Robins joined Norwich and, after many years, he became a manager. Ferguson didn’t count on him as part of the team that would later become a superpower. He wasn’t angry about that. Robins’ only grievance is that Ferguson never thanked him for saving his career.
