1991 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup Final
Encyclopedia
The 1991 European Cup Winners' Cup Final was a football match played between Manchester United
and Barcelona
on 15 May 1991 at Feijenoord Stadion
, Rotterdam
. It was the final match of the European Cup Winners' Cup 1990–91 and the 31st European Cup Winners' Cup Final. It came at the end of the first season of the reintroduction of English clubs into European competition after the ban following the Heysel disaster.
The match ended 2–1 to Manchester United on the night, with both United goals coming from Mark Hughes. Ronald Koeman scored a consolation goal for Barça towards the end of the game, but it was not enough to prevent the Red Devils from becoming the first English side to win a European competition since they were banned in 1985.
, who had previously played for runners-up FC Barcelona
, scored both of the goals for United. His career had faltered after Terry Venables
took him to the Camp Nou
in 1986. A loan spell at Bayern Munich
revived him prior to his return to United in 1988.
After a goalless first half, United went 1–0 up following a free-kick from captain, Bryan Robson
, which was headed goalwards by defender Steve Bruce
. United striker Mark Hughes tapped the ball over the line, although whether the ball had already crossed before Hughes touched it was in dispute for some time, with both Bruce and Hughes claiming the goal (Mark Hughes later credited the goal to Steve Bruce, but the official scoreline shows both goals as being scored by Hughes.)
Hughes put United 2–0 up prior to Ronald Koeman
's late free kick, which reduced the deficit. For his second goal, Hughes cut the ball into the net from such an acute angle that he had to spin it off the outside of his boot to ensure that it found its mark.
After Ronald Koeman scored from a free kick, which came off the upright and hit the legs of United keeper Les Sealey
before crossing the line, Barcelona had a late equaliser ruled out for offside and also had a shot cleared off the line, but United finished the game 2–1 winners.
Manchester United were undefeated in all rounds (unlike Barcelona who lost two games in qualifying). Brian McClair
scored at least once in every round that Manchester United were involved in – except the final.
The Spanish newspapers stated "The Red Devils came dressed in white, like angels" but went on to remark at how devilish United were in their beating of Barcelona.
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BARCELONA:
|
GK
1
Carles Busquets
RB
2
Nando
CB
3
José Ramón Alexanko
(c)
DM
4
Ronald Koeman
LB
5
Albert Ferrer
CM
6
José Mari Bakero
RM
7
Andoni Goikoetxea
CM
8
Eusebio
CF
9
Julio Salinas
CF
10
Michael Laudrup
LM
11
Txiki Begiristain
Substitutes:
FW
14
Ricardo Serna
GK
12
Jesús Angoy
DF
13
Miquel Soler
FW
15
Sebastián Herrera
MF
16
Antonio Pinilla
Manager:
Johan Cruyff
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
and Barcelona
FC Barcelona
Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
on 15 May 1991 at Feijenoord Stadion
Feijenoord Stadion
The Feijenoord Stadion, better known by its nickname De Kuip , is a stadium in Rotterdam, Netherlands that was completed in 1937. The name is derived from the area "Feijenoord" in Rotterdam, and from the club with the same name .Capacity at completion: 64,000. Maximum capacity: 69,000...
, Rotterdam
Rotterdam
Rotterdam is the second-largest city in the Netherlands and one of the largest ports in the world. Starting as a dam on the Rotte river, Rotterdam has grown into a major international commercial centre...
. It was the final match of the European Cup Winners' Cup 1990–91 and the 31st European Cup Winners' Cup Final. It came at the end of the first season of the reintroduction of English clubs into European competition after the ban following the Heysel disaster.
The match ended 2–1 to Manchester United on the night, with both United goals coming from Mark Hughes. Ronald Koeman scored a consolation goal for Barça towards the end of the game, but it was not enough to prevent the Red Devils from becoming the first English side to win a European competition since they were banned in 1985.
Report
Mark HughesMark Hughes
Leslie Mark Hughes, OBE , is a former Welsh international footballer. As an international footballer, he made 72 appearances and scored 16 goals....
, who had previously played for runners-up FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona
Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
, scored both of the goals for United. His career had faltered after Terry Venables
Terry Venables
Terence Frederick "Terry" Venables , often referred to as "El Tel", is a former football player and manager, as well as being a media pundit. During the 1960s and 70s, he played for various clubs including Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Queens Park Rangers, and gained two caps for England...
took him to the Camp Nou
Camp Nou
Camp Nou , sometimes called "the Nou Camp" in English, is a football stadium in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. The stadium, located in the west of the city, has been the home of FC Barcelona since its construction in 1957....
in 1986. A loan spell at Bayern Munich
FC Bayern Munich
FC Bayern Munich , is a German sports club based in Munich, Bavaria. It is best known for its professional football team, which is the most successful football club in Germany, having won 22 national titles and 15 cups....
revived him prior to his return to United in 1988.
After a goalless first half, United went 1–0 up following a free-kick from captain, Bryan Robson
Bryan Robson
Bryan Robson OBE is an English football manager and a former player. He is best known for playing in midfield for Manchester United, where he was the longest serving captain in club history. He was the manager of Sheffield United, being relieved of his first team duties at the club in February 2008...
, which was headed goalwards by defender Steve Bruce
Steve Bruce
Stephen Roger "Steve" Bruce is an English football manager and former player. Born in Corbridge, Northumberland, he was a promising schoolboy footballer but was rejected by a number of professional clubs. He was on the verge of quitting the game altogether when he was offered a trial with Gillingham...
. United striker Mark Hughes tapped the ball over the line, although whether the ball had already crossed before Hughes touched it was in dispute for some time, with both Bruce and Hughes claiming the goal (Mark Hughes later credited the goal to Steve Bruce, but the official scoreline shows both goals as being scored by Hughes.)
Hughes put United 2–0 up prior to Ronald Koeman
Ronald Koeman
Ronald Koeman is a former Dutch footballer, and the current manager of Feyenoord. He is the younger brother of former Feyenoord coach Erwin Koeman and the son of former Dutch international Martin Koeman...
's late free kick, which reduced the deficit. For his second goal, Hughes cut the ball into the net from such an acute angle that he had to spin it off the outside of his boot to ensure that it found its mark.
After Ronald Koeman scored from a free kick, which came off the upright and hit the legs of United keeper Les Sealey
Les Sealey
Leslie Jesse "Les" Sealey was an English footballer who played as a goalkeeper for, among others, Coventry City, Luton Town, Manchester United, Aston Villa and West Ham United...
before crossing the line, Barcelona had a late equaliser ruled out for offside and also had a shot cleared off the line, but United finished the game 2–1 winners.
Manchester United were undefeated in all rounds (unlike Barcelona who lost two games in qualifying). Brian McClair
Brian McClair
Brian John McClair is a former Scottish international football player who played as a forward, notable for his near 11-year spell at Manchester United, as well as important tenures at Scottish clubs Celtic and Motherwell...
scored at least once in every round that Manchester United were involved in – except the final.
The Spanish newspapers stated "The Red Devils came dressed in white, like angels" but went on to remark at how devilish United were in their beating of Barcelona.
Match details
| style="font-size:90%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> | MANCHESTER UNITED: | ||
| GK | 1 |  Les SealeyLes Sealey Leslie Jesse "Les" Sealey was an English footballer who played as a goalkeeper for, among others, Coventry City, Luton Town, Manchester United, Aston Villa and West Ham United... |
|
| RB | 2 |  Denis IrwinDenis Irwin Denis Joseph Irwin is a former Irish football player who is best known for his long and successful stint at Manchester United, where he established himself as one of the most important players in the United team that won a host of domestic and European trophies in his time there between 1990 and... |
|
| LB | 3 |  Clayton BlackmoreClayton Blackmore Clayton Graham Blackmore is a former Welsh international footballer. He was a combative player known for his attacking free kicks and a utility player who excelled at full back and in central defence but could play equally well in midfield or as an emergency forward.-Career:Blackmore once had... |
|
| CB | 4 | Steve Bruce Steve Bruce Stephen Roger "Steve" Bruce is an English football manager and former player. Born in Corbridge, Northumberland, he was a promising schoolboy footballer but was rejected by a number of professional clubs. He was on the verge of quitting the game altogether when he was offered a trial with Gillingham... |
|
| RM | 5 | Mike Phelan Mike Phelan Michael Christopher "Mike" Phelan , also known as Mick Phelan or Micky Phelan, is an English football coach, former player, and current assistant manager of Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson.... |
|
| CB | 6 | Gary Pallister Gary Pallister Gary Andrew Pallister is an English former footballer, most noted for his nine-year spell at Manchester United from 1989 until 1998... |
|
| CM | 7 | Bryan Robson Bryan Robson Bryan Robson OBE is an English football manager and a former player. He is best known for playing in midfield for Manchester United, where he was the longest serving captain in club history. He was the manager of Sheffield United, being relieved of his first team duties at the club in February 2008... (c) |
|
| CM | 8 | Paul Ince Paul Ince Paul Emerson Carlyle Ince is an English football manager and a former professional player. He has managed Blackburn Rovers, Milton Keynes Dons and Macclesfield Town... |
|
| SS | 9 |  Brian McClairBrian McClair Brian John McClair is a former Scottish international football player who played as a forward, notable for his near 11-year spell at Manchester United, as well as important tenures at Scottish clubs Celtic and Motherwell... |
|
| CF | 10 | Mark Hughes Mark Hughes Leslie Mark Hughes, OBE , is a former Welsh international footballer. As an international footballer, he made 72 appearances and scored 16 goals.... |
|
| LM | 11 | Lee Sharpe Lee Sharpe Lee Stuart Sharpe is an English former footballer. Predominantly a left winger, Sharpe joined Manchester United from Torquay United as a youngster in 1988, playing for the club up until 1996... |
|
| Substitutes: | |||
| DF | 12 |  Mal DonaghyMal Donaghy Malachy Martin "Mal" Donaghy is a former Northern Ireland international footballer who played for Luton Town.-Club career:... |
|
| GK | 13 | Gary Walsh Gary Walsh (English footballer) Gary Walsh is a retired English footballer who played as goalkeeper with a number of clubs including Manchester United, Middlesbrough, Bradford City and Wigan Athletic. He became goalkeeping coach at Wigan under manager Paul Jewell before teaming back up with Jewell at Derby County... |
|
| MF | 14 | Neil Webb Neil Webb Neil John Webb is an English former footballer and television pundit. He played as a midfielder and defender between 1980 and 1997 notably for Portsmouth, Nottingham Forest and Manchester United... |
|
| FW | 15 | Mark Robins Mark Robins Mark Gordon Robins is an English football manager, appointed manager of Barnsley in 2009.As a player, he was most notable for his exploits with Manchester United, Norwich City and Leicester City... |
|
| FW | 16 | Danny Wallace Danny Wallace (footballer) David Lloyd "Danny" Wallace is an English former footballer who played for Southampton, Manchester United, Millwall, Birmingham City and Wycombe Wanderers. He won one full cap for England. His football career was ended prematurely by the effects of multiple sclerosis.-Southampton:Wallace was born... |
|
| Manager: | |||
| Alex Ferguson Alex Ferguson Sir Alexander Chapman "Alex" Ferguson, CBE is a Scottish association football manager and former player, currently managing Manchester United, where he has been in charge since 1986... |
|||
Carles BusquetsCarles Busquets
Carles Busquets Barroso is a retired Spanish footballer who played as a goalkeeper, mostly for FC Barcelona.-Football career:...
NandoFernando Muñoz
Fernando Muñoz García , aka Nando, is a retired Spanish footballer who played mostly as a centre back ....
José Ramón AlexankoJosé Ramón Alexanko
José Ramón Alexanko Ventosa , also referred to as Alesanco or Alexanco, is a retired Spanish footballer and manager....
(c)
Ronald KoemanRonald Koeman
Ronald Koeman is a former Dutch footballer, and the current manager of Feyenoord. He is the younger brother of former Feyenoord coach Erwin Koeman and the son of former Dutch international Martin Koeman...
Albert Ferrer José Mari BakeroJosé Mari Bakero
José María Bakero Escudero is a retired Spanish footballer, and the current coach of Lech Poznań in Poland.Having played mainly for Real Sociedad and FC Barcelona, he began his career as a forward but was converted into an attacking midfielder, who possessed passing and netting ability José María...
Andoni Goikoetxea Eusebio Julio SalinasJulio Salinas
Julio Salinas Fernández is a retired Spanish footballer who played during the 1980s and 1990s....
Michael LaudrupMichael Laudrup
Michael Laudrup is a retired Danish footballer, who works as a manager and last coached La Liga side RCD Mallorca. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of football. His most prominent run of football came with Spanish club Barcelona, with whom he won four straight La...
Txiki Begiristain Ricardo SernaRicardo Serna
Ricardo Jesús Serna Orozco is a retired Spanish footballer who played mostly as a central defender....
Jesús AngoyJesus Angoy
Jesús Mariano Angoy Gil is a retired Spanish association football goalkeeper, who also played as a placekicker in American football....
Miquel SolerMiquel Soler
Miquel Soler Sarasols is a retired Spanish footballer.Mainly a left defender who could also operate in midfield, his career spanned two La Liga decades , and he was the only player to represent both Barcelona and Madrid main teams.Soler represented Spain at Euro 1988.-Club career:A RCD Espanyol...
Sebastián Herrera Antonio PinillaAntonio Pinilla
Antonio Pinilla Miranda is a retired Spanish footballer who played mainly as a forward.Best known for his stints with Tenerife and Gimnàstic de Tarragona – he began playing professionally for Barcelona, but had virtually no impact for its first team – he also served as general manager at the...
Johan CruyffJohan Cruyff
Hendrik Johannes Cruijff OON , known as Johan Cruyff, is a retired Dutch footballer and is currently the manager of the Catalan national team as well as a member of the AFC Ajax board of directors. He won the Ballon d'Or three times, in 1971, 1973 and 1974, which is a record jointly held with...
See also
- European Cup Winners' Cup 1990–91
- 1991 European Cup Final1991 European Cup FinalThe 1991 European Cup Final was a football match held at the Stadio San Nicola in Bari, Italy, on 29 May 1991, that saw Red Star Belgrade of Yugoslavia defeat Olympique Marseille of France in a penalty shootout. After normal time and extra time could not separate the two sides, the match was to be...
- 1991 UEFA Cup Final1991 UEFA Cup FinalThe 1991 UEFA Cup Final was an all-Italian football tie played on 8 May 1991 and 22 May 1991 between Internazionale and Roma. Inter won 2–1 on aggregate after winning the first leg 2–0 but losing the second 1–0.-First leg:-Second leg:...