United In Europe: Obscurities

European competition has given United fans plenty of nights to remember down the years, as the Reds have gone toe-to-toe with the continent’s biggest football clubs.

But from time to time the competition also throws up a few surprises with trips to some of the more obscure corners of Europe (and even beyond). Here, we take a look at some of the more unusual ties…

ASK Vorwaerts 0 United 2
17 November 1965
One of two clubs United have played in Europe that no longer exists (Dukla Prague’s the other), ASK Vorwaerts provided a rare trip behind the Iron Curtain for Matt Busby’s men. On what reports from the time described as “a bone-hard pitch” and in “biting wind and bitter cold”, the East German army side frustrated the Reds for 72 minutes before Denis Law broke the deadlock. John Connelly netted a second to secure the win in front of a crowd that was almost exclusively German. Apparently, no English servicemen stationed in Berlin had been allowed across the checkpoint that day.

Hibernians Valletta 0 United 0
27 September 1967
The Reds were 4-0 up after the first leg when they headed to Malta, and just as well. Played in extreme heat and on a dusty limestone pitch, both sides struggled to string passes together, let alone create goalscoring chances. The 0-0 scoreline didn’t exactly do justice to the most exciting thing to ever happen to Maltese football and those in attendance made their displeasure known, jeering the Reds off the pitch at the final whistle.

Waterford 1 United 3
18 September 1968
This trip to Dublin, for a match played at rugby ground Lansdowne Road, underlined United’s popularity in Ireland. Ticketless fans, desperate for a glimpse of the European champions, scaled the stadium walls before kick-off, while the start of the second half had to be delayed so George Best could sign local girls’ autographs. Another pitch invader almost threatened the game’s cancellation entirely, but by then Law had already bagged all three United goals.

Fenerbahce 0 United 2
16 October 1996
A European game played in Asia? That’s right. Nestled on the eastern side of the Bosphorous River in Istanbul, the Fenerbahce Stadium (later renamed in honour of former Turkish president Sukru Saracoglu) played host to United in the 1996/97 group stage. Quickfire goals from David Beckham and Eric Cantona at the start of the second half sealed a first European away win for almost three years... albeit on an entirely different continent.

Zalaegerszeg 1 United 0
14 August 2002
These Hungarian minnows proved more than just a mouthful for United. Only ever crowned national champions once, Zalaegerszeg’s mere presence in the Champions League was a huge achievement; to be drawn against United in the third qualifying round and subsequently beat the Reds 1-0 with a 90th-minute strike in Budapest (the match was moved to the larger Ferenc Puskas Stadium) was the stuff of dreams. Embarrassed in the first leg, Sir Alex’s side were hungry for revenge in the second and ran out comfortable 5-0 winners to advance to the competition proper. Phew.