When Manchester United sacked Ron Atkinson 10 weeks into the season

Players were fighting, results were poor, they were humbled in the League Cup and their rivals were thriving. Sound familiar?

By Steven Pye for That 1980s Sports Blog

In November 1985, Ron Atkinson looked destined to become the first Manchester United manager to win a league title for decades. By November 1986, he had been sacked. United started the 1985-86 campaign by winning their first 10 games and going unbeaten for 15. But with just nine wins from their remaining 27 fixtures, they ended up finishing fourth – a full 12 points behind champions Liverpool. The club had gone another season without winning the league and the manager was beginning to feel the heat.

Injuries played their part in United’s slump, with captain Bryan Robson missing half of United’s league programme. He had picked up an injury while on England duty in October 1985 and then he dislocated his shoulder in March 1986, kicking off a club-versus-country row. England manager Bobby Robson wanted his skipper to have an operation on his shoulder before the World Cup but United were reluctant, especially as they were still in the title hunt. When Robson’s shoulder failed again in Mexico, the operation could be delayed no longer. It would have a significant impact on United’ start to the 1986-87 season – and Atkinson’s career.

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