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Old Trafford has seen some classic matches of the modern era, and Manchester United’s extraordinary FA Cup quarter-final victory over Liverpool on Sunday was among the best of them.
Trailing late in normal time and again in extra time, United staged another famous comeback to see off their bitter rivals 4-3 thanks to a 121st-minute Amad Diallo goal.
“I was shouting and I couldn’t hear my voice, so you have an idea of what the noise was like for us on the pitch,” captain Bruno Fernandes said afterwards.
United fans will have their own favourites, but here are the 10 most memorable matches I’ve attended at Old Trafford.
Man United’s 4-3 win over Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-final was an extraordinary match
Amad Diallo scored the winner in the 121st minute as United staged a stunning comeback
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March 21, 1984, European Cup Winners’ Cup quarter-final
The night Bryan Robson was carried shoulder-high off the pitch after inspiring United to a stunning victory over Diego Maradona and Co.
“The noise was so loud it felt like the pitch was shaking,” Robson recently told Mail Sport.
Trailing 2-0 from the first leg, United looked down. But Robson scored twice to put the teams level on aggregate and Frank Stapleton sent Ron Atkinson’s side through.
Bryan Robson’s two goals inspired Man United to a famous victory over Barcelona in 1984.
2. Man Utd 2 Sheff Wed 1
April 10, 1993, Premier League
Sir Alex Ferguson danced on the pitch and his assistant Brian Kidd fell to his knees in delirious celebration after Steve Bruce scored the second of two late goals in the seventh minute of stoppage time to steer United to their first title in 26 years.
They looked headed for heartbreak for the second successive season after John Sheridan gave the lead from the penalty spot on Wednesday, but Bruce’s heroics sent United back to the top of the table and they never looked back.
Steve Bruce scored two last-minute headers in dramatic win over Sheffield Wednesday
3. Man Utd 2 Liverpool 1
January 24, 1999, FA Cup fourth round
Sunday was not the first FA Cup classic between United and Liverpool at Old Trafford.
In 1999, the treble was a distant dream for United as they trailed until a Michael Owen opening goal against their old rivals.
But Dwight Yorke found a late leveler and set the stage for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s stoppage-time winner.
“That was the match that started it all,” Gary Neville later reflected.
United’s FA Cup win over Liverpool laid foundations for treble
4. Man Utd 4 Real Madrid 3
April 23, 2003, quarter-final of the Champions League
An epic night that ended in disappointment for United as they lost outside Europe to a Ronaldo-inspired Madrid.
The Spaniards were already leading 3-1 from the first leg when Ronaldo scored the first goal of a superb hat-trick which earned him a standing ovation from the home fans.
But United hit back with two goals from substitute David Beckham, in his final European appearance for the club, to win 6-5 on aggregate.
The Red Devils were the beneficiaries of a Ronaldo masterclass in an epic match in 2003.
5. Man Utd 2 Arsenal 0
October 24, 2004, Premier League
Character went up in flames and the pizza flew away after a titanic battle between United and Arsenal at the height of Ferguson’s rivalry with Arsène Wenger.
The Gunners arrived at Old Trafford protecting a record 49-game unbeaten run, but that ended when Ruud van Nistelrooy converted a penalty controversially awarded for Sol Campbell’s challenge on Wayne Rooney, who scored the second of United.
In the so-called Buffet battle that followed after full time, Cesc Fabregas scored a direct hit on Ferguson.
“The first thing that came to my mind was to throw away the pizza because I didn’t have the power to go into this fight,” Fabregas revealed years later. “They were monsters in there.”
Tempers flared and pizza flew after a titanic battle between United and Arsenal in 2003.
6. Man Utd 7 Roma 1
April 10, 2007, quarter-final of the Champions League
United’s margin of victory masks the fact that they were 2-1 down from the first leg in Rome and in danger of disappearing.
But Old Trafford were treated to a sublime performance as United scored seven goals, including two crackers from Michael Carrick and one from Alan Smith.
“It’s absolutely the best night of European football we’ve had here,” Ferguson said.
Sir Alex Ferguson said victory over Roma was Old Trafford’s ‘best night of European football’
7. Man Utd 1 Barcelona 0
April 29, 2008, Champions League semi-final
After a goalless draw at Camp Nou, Old Trafford exploded when Paul Scholes gave United an early lead in the second leg with a 25-yard screamer.
“Best kick I ever did,” Scholes joked in 2020, admitting he sliced the shot.
The United fans didn’t care and there were wild celebrations at the end after their team held off Lionel Messi and a Barcelona team destined for greatness.
Paul Scholes helped United beat Lionel Messi and a Barcelona team destined for greatness
8. Man Utd 4 Man City 3
September 20, 2009, Premier League
United were well aware of the blue moon rising on the other side of Manchester when City arrived at Old Trafford for what turned into a classic derby a year after the Abu Dhabi takeover.
Ferguson’s side led three times and were pegged back three times before substitute Michael Owen scored a sensational 96th-minute winner despite only four extra minutes – much to the fury of City boss Mark Hughes .
Michael Owen scored a sensational goal in a dramatic Manchester derby in 2009.
9. Man Utd 3 Aston Villa 2
April 5, 2009, Premier League
The day teenage debutant Federico Macheda came off the bench to delight Old Trafford with a 93rd minute winner after Villa had led 10 minutes from time.
“I’ve never heard anything like what I did that day and maybe I never will. It was a crazy noise,” Macheda told Mail Sport last month.
It was another victory that turned the Premier League title race in United’s favor.
They were heading for a third consecutive league defeat, but Ronaldo’s equalizer and Macheda’s heroics saw United regain a decisive advantage over Liverpool.
Federico Macheda’s goal against Aston Villa 15 years ago delighted the United faithful
10. Man Utd 2 Man City 1
February 12, 2011, Premier League
United were still on the verge of holding City at arm’s length when Rooney scored one of the greatest goals Old Trafford had ever seen to win the derby.
The teams were level in the 78th minute when Nani’s deflected cross found its way to Rooney, who executed a spectacular overhead kick.
“If I’m honest, this is probably one of the worst games I’ve ever played!” Rooney modestly admitted as much last year.
Wayne Rooney scored one of the greatest goals Old Trafford has ever seen against Man City