When Manchester United confronted Barcelona within the Cup Winners’ Cup ultimate in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, in Might 1991, the rain was lashing down and the temperature cool – a far cry from the Mediterranean local weather Barcelona gamers have been used to in Catalonia.
For Manchester United’s gamers although, this offered a possibility.
Brian McClair began for the English aspect as a second-striker that night time at De Kuip, and the Scotsman tells FourFourTwo that the climate was an essential issue within the recreation.
“The climate helped us that night time,” McClair says of the night time. “We got here out for the warm-up and we may have been in Salford. It was dank and drizzly.”
Mark Hughes was his strike accomplice that night time, the pair taking part in for a few years collectively at Manchester United. The Welshman recollects seeing the Barcelona gamers previous to kick-off, which instantly gave him some confidence for the ultimate.
“I regarded throughout to Barcelona’s gamers after they got here out, and I may see a number of of them shivering and rubbing their arms – that inspired me,” Hughes tells FFT.
Hughes actually appeared inspired within the recreation, scoring twice within the second-half to place Manchester United 2-0 up. The primary got here with a tap-in on the purpose line from a Steve Bruce header, whereas the second he lashed in from a good angle after taking it spherical Barcelona goalkeeper Carles Busquets – father of Sergio.
Ronald Koeman – arguably the one Barcelona participant snug with the climate contemplating his proximity to house – scored 5 minutes after Hughes’ second with a long-range free-kick Les Sealey didn’t take care of in purpose for Manchester United.
Nevertheless, it did not show sufficient because the English aspect received their first European trophy in 23 years.
Brian McClair even had time to depart left future Manchester Metropolis Director Txiki Bergiristain “disgusted” after the ultimate, with each known as in for a random medicine check following the ultimate whistle.
