Dave Sexton

For the older generation United fans (include myself in that bracket) Dave Sexton was United manager when I first started following the team after the 1977 FA Cup final triumph against Liverpool.

He took over the team after Tommy Docherty was sacked by United for non-football reasons, Sexton was the first choice to steady a ship that had been internally rocked by The Docs indiscretions.

He was a very successful manager first leading Chelsea to FA Cup and European Cup Winners Cup in successive seasons, when relieved of his duties he went across London to take over Queens Park Rangers and they nearly won the title after being pipped to the title by the Liverpool Juggernaut. They finished second and he was a manager most clubs wanted.

His reign at the club ultimately ended in no trophies but there was some minor achievements such as sharing the 1977 FA Charity shield with Liverpool and the 1979 FA cup final against Arsenal where they lost the '5 minute final' 3-2 after a late goal by Alan Sunderland in injury time secured the cup for the Gunners. The following season United finished second in the league to Liverpool which was the highest position since the late 1960s but they were still a long way of Liverpool. There style of play compared to Doc's team was a bit more conservative and were solid at the back and played with a compact midfield and a target man upfront.

He made some shrewd signings such as Ray Wilkins from Chelsea and a double swoop at Leeds for Big Gordon McQueen and Joe 'jaws' Jordan. They made a big impact on the team but no trophies. His final season in charge they finished 8th in the league and despite winning there last 7 league games he was sacked as attendances started to drop.

He was still regarded as a top coach and helped England U-21 win the European championships in 1982 and 1984. A top coach and gentleman and would during his spell at United was an honest manager and would defend the players to the hilt.