Iconic Moments | Barcelona at home | 1984
United 3 - 0 Barcelona
March 1984. One of Old Trafford's greatest ever nights as we turned around a 2-0 first-leg deficit against Barca.
Author | Lee Francis
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| United score | Old Trafford goes wild |
United had gone to the Nou Camp and come back with a two-goal deficit, having wasted a few decent chances along the way. Diego Maradona’s Barcelona looked to have the tie wrapped up before the return leg at Old Trafford.
But what a night it turned out to be.
From the very first whistle, United fed off the roar from the Stretford End and flew into every challenge, giving Barcelona no room to breathe.
Midway through the first half, Bryan Robson launched himself at a corner to head home and bring United right back into it.
Then, in a whirlwind spell after half-time, the tie was turned completely on its head. Robson struck again after the Barça keeper spilled Ray Wilkins’ shot, and Frank Stapleton was on hand moments later to bury the third from close range.
The final whistle brought chaos and celebration in equal measure.
In the short term, United would bow out in the semi-finals to Juventus. But this was the night that set the standard for every great European comeback that followed. It showed what Old Trafford could become when the Red Army was in full voice, a force that could lift the team to almost anything.
Were you there?
Pete Shaw was stood in K Stand for the match, he told us: “When the first goal went in, the roof almost came off the place and the fans never stopped. Then, you could see the players' belief increase. We were never going to lose.”
Lynn was also there. She said: “I even managed to get on the pitch that night.”
Kevin still remembers it fondly: "A special night. I still think about it once a week."
Tony F added: “The atmosphere has never been louder than it was that night. Robson was outstanding. The only individual performance from a midfielder that has been comparable to this was Roy Keane against Juventus in 1999.”
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