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Throwback Thursday: Alan Hansen Tells Manchester United “You can’t win anything with kids”

By Uzair Madhani

25 Aug 1999: Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs of Manchester United celebrate the first goal during the match between Coventry City and Manchester United in the FA Carling Premiership at Highfield Road, Coventry. Manchester United won the game 2-1. MandatoryCredit: Phil Cole /Allsport
25 Aug 1999: Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs of Manchester United celebrate the first goal during the match between Coventry City and Manchester United in the FA Carling Premiership at Highfield Road, Coventry. Manchester United won the game 2-1. MandatoryCredit: Phil Cole /Allsport /
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3 JAN 1995: COVENTRY CITY GOALKEEPER STEVE OGRIZOVIC DIVES AT THE FEET OF PAUL SCHOLES OF MANCHESTER UNITED DURING A PREMIERSHIP MATCH AT OLD TRAFFORD WHICH MANCHESTER WON 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Shaun Botterill/ALLSPORT
3 JAN 1995: COVENTRY CITY GOALKEEPER STEVE OGRIZOVIC DIVES AT THE FEET OF PAUL SCHOLES OF MANCHESTER UNITED DURING A PREMIERSHIP MATCH AT OLD TRAFFORD WHICH MANCHESTER WON 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Shaun Botterill/ALLSPORT /

Having put his reputation on the line, Ferguson would have hoped for a fast start. Manchester United fans filing into the away end at Villa Park must have been nervous, despite their club winning their last two fixtures at the ground.

United donned a dour grey strip for the occasion, contrasting with the bright sunlight permeating the ground. Out trudged their starting lineup, the remnants of Ferguson’s first great United side imbued with the fruits of the Academy.

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Schmeichel; G. Neville, Parker, Pallister, Irwin; P. Neville, Keane, Scholes, Butt; Sharpe, McClair.

It was a messy lineup. Giggs was unavailable through injury, likewise David May, Steve Bruce and Cole. Lee Sharpe, a left-winger by trade and another product of the United Academy, was asked to help lead the line.

The first half was miserable for United. Dwight Yorke, with a grin like the Cheshire cat, tormented them and left such an impression on Ferguson that the Scot eventually signed him. With United 3-0 down at the half, 18-year old Phil Neville was hooked for David Beckham.

Though United was better in the second half, they could not find a way past Mark Bosnich in Villa’s net, save for Beckham’s late, deflected effort.

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